Spain: April 1530, 1-15 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, Henry VIII, 1529-1530. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1879.

'Spain: April 1530, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, Henry VIII, 1529-1530, (London, 1879) pp. 491-503. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol4/no1/pp491-503 [accessed 19 April 2024]

April 1530, 1-15



2 April.	282. Martin de Salinas to the King of Bohemia and Hungary.
M. Re. Ac. de Hist., c. 71, f. 239 v..	His Highness' letters of the 12th and 20th came together to hand on the 29th inst., as well as one from the secretary and several papers in German. Their contents having been duly reported, His Imperial Majesty was pleased to answer their various paragraphs in the following way:
	Respecting the appointment of Rocandorf to the post of High Lord Steward and other private business, His Imperial Majesty replied that his nomination had better be postponed until the next meeting, and as neither His Highness nor Rocandorf have written about it, he (Salinas) did not insist on getting the Emperor's approbation.
	In a separate slip enclosed within one of the letters, he (Salinas) is directed to inquire and ascertain in the proper quarter whether His Imperial Majesty is bringing the lists [for tournament] with him (traia las telas consigo), but has been told that as he is not coming with the intention of hunting or tilting, but with that of fighting he has only brought tents, and therefore that His Highness may send his own to be used in this expedition. (fn. n1)
	In his despatch of the 26th ult. full report was made of the desertion of the Spanish hackbutiers. The Emperor was exceedingly angry when he heard of it, and immediately dispatched Don Pedro Velez [de Guevara] to Florence to bring back at least 1,000 of them, who, with 4,000 or 5,000 more now here, will be a sufficient force for all wants, besides which, as soon as Florence is taken and the Imperial camp broken up, there will be more Spaniards to enlist than is perhaps convenient to keep under banners. Having thus signified to the Emperor His Highness' wish that the men should be paid for one month, the Emperor replied that they had already received one half pay, and would get the other half on the road.
	Respecting the 50,000 ducats on the Spanish treasury, which the Emperor consigned for the expenses of this war, the matter is still in suspense, as it could not be done in the way the Fucares (Fuggers) wanted. As it is not known where and in what part of Spain the payment is to be made the Emperor is unwilling to sign the obligation in the form and manner those bankers wish, but he says the whole affair will be satisfactorily arranged at his meeting with His Highness.
	Prothonotary Caracciolo and Mons. de Currières have returned from Venice, and by His Majesty's commands shewed him (Salinas) a memorandum of what they had negociated with the Signory, as well as a copy of their proposals. The Imperial ambassador (Rodrigo Niño) now residing in that city writes to the same effect, and insists upon the urgency of an Austrian ambassador being also sent to Venice who may take care of His Highness' personal interest, as he himself has no information except what the ambassadors now returning have chosen to communicate. The prorogation of the period of two months, during which both par ties are to name umpires is to be counted from the day on which they (the Venetians) received the answer, which was the 22nd ult., and, therefore, in about 20 days His Highness and the Emperor will be entitled to select the judges. Respecting the 25,000 ducats as complement of the 50,000, His Imperial Majesty has written to the Pope, and besides the Imperial ambassador who is to reside at that Court, has received particular instructions to promote the payment as soon as possible.
	It is stated for certain that His Holiness has suddenly left Bologna to return to Rome. What the reason may be he (Salinas) cannot guess, for when the Emperor left Bologna it was distinctly said that the Pope would remain in that city until the fate of Florence was decided and the city reduced to obedience.
	Has nothing else to report, save that the Emperor is very much amused with the chase and entertainments of all kinds which this marquis daily prepares for him, and that, as a reward for his splendid hospitality, he thinks of marrying him to the daughter (fn. n2) of the queen of Naples, which marriage they say will take place before his departure.—Mantua, 2nd April 1530.
	Addressed: "To the King, my Lord."
	Spanish. Original draft. pp. 2½.
8 April.	283. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d.Hist., c. 71, f. 240 v..	His Highness' letters to Miçer Andrea and himself (Salinas), dated Prague, the 25th March, were duly received here [at Mantua] on the 5th inst. That ambassador is still at Piacenza, as stated in a former despatch. When he started from Bologna it was believed that the Pope would pass the Easter festivals in that city; but it was not so, for all of a sudden, without any plausible reason, he started in the direction of Rome, travelling so fast that he is expected to enter it at the beginning of next week.
	Wonders how it is that his letters are so long on the road, for certainly he (Salinas) did not fail to advise, on the 22nd ult., the Emperor's departure from Bologna, and yet in His Highness' last letter no allusion is made to that event.
	The answer given to the ambassador of Sena (Siena) was certainly not favourable, but His Highness must not wonder at it, for in matters, if possible, more important the resolution has been equally hasty. Nothing, however, was omitted on the part of the Austrian ambassador to influence the Pope and the Emperor, but it could not be helped.
	The powers for His Highness' agent to touch in Flanders the 25,000 ducats were duly forwarded from this city (Mantua) to Mos. de Trent, as well as a report of the steps taken at Venice for the recovery of the 50,000 ducats. The governor (capitan) of Marano received at once one half in cash, but a flaw having been discovered in the powers granted by His Imperial Majesty the payment was suspended. The governor then seized the opportunity to demand crowns instead of ducats, but at last, the article being verified, the sum was paid in long ducats. (fn. n3)
	The Emperor was glad to hear of the conclusion of the Diet and of the form in which the service in money has been granted. He is, however, of opinion that both the mode and times of the payment might have been more advantageous. In his kingdom of Spain this affair has been settled in a different manner, for on the proceeds only of the "quarta and " and "tercia "have bankers have been found to advance one million and a half, and it is believed that were the service to be put up at auction a larger sum would be obtained.
	Of His Highness' proposed journey to Yspruck (Innsbruck) due notice was given to the Emperor, who calculates to be there at the same time as His Highness, for he intends leaving Mantua on the eve of Palm Sunday, and reaching Trent in five days. He will spend there the Easter festivals, and shape his journey according to the information he receives of His Highness' movements.
	In the affair of Esteban Bioderos, ambassador of the Vayvod [Zapolski], Miçer Andrea and he (Salinas) have done what they could in pursuance of His Highness' instructions. Both His Holiness the Pope and the Emperor were informed in time that His Highness' wish was that he should on no account be received. It was, however, decided for certain reasons (por ciertos respetos) that he should be admitted, and Prothonotary Caracciolo, just returning, was appointed to hear him.
	The nomination of umpires for the settlement of the claims against the Signory ought to be attended to, for although the term has not yet expired the press of business that the Emperor has in hand is such, and so great his anxiety to reach Trent that it is doubtful whether he will be able to do anything in the affair.
	Wednesday night, the marriage of the marquis of Mantua to the youngest daughter of the queen of Naples was concluded. His Imperial Majesty gives them 50,000 crs., one half now and the other half at short dates, besides an annual pension of 4,000 ducats to the Queen Dowager, to be enjoyed after her death by her eldest daughter.
	The duke of Milan is very ill, so ill that some of His Majesty's councillors advised his stay at this place until it should be known how God disposes of him. His illness is very severe and dangerous, but as he has gone through many others of the same kind, and has seven lives like a cat (tiene siete almas como gatto), it is not wise to postpone so important a journey for an event of which there is no certainty.
	Received on the 6th inst. a letter from Francisco de Villena, dated Naples, the 10th of February, on the subject of the monies to be paid by that treasury. Has avoided mentioning this to His Majesty, because he (Salinas) thinks it better for His Highness to treat the affair personally at his meeting with the Emperor.
	To-day (the 8th of April), His Highness' letters of the 29th ult., in answer to his own despatches of the 24th and 16th, have come to hand. There was no need to remind him of what he (Salinas) considers his duty. Ever since he has been in attendance on the Emperor, and his arrival at Bologna, he has reported on every incident worthy of notice, such as the cause and object of the English mission, and the instructions they had from their master; copies of the answer that was made to their memorandum, similar in all to the one sent to His Highness' ambassador at the court of England, have already been forwarded.
	Has also reported on Sforza's illness, and will continue to do so as long as he is at Court; but the Emperor's Chancellor is also very unwell, and unless God disposes of him first there is very little hope of His Highness gaining his object, for in his (Salinas') opinion the latter is as near as the Duke to undertake a journey to the other world.
	The money for the Queen (Dowager of Hungary) is already in his possession. Is anxiously waiting to know what he is to do with it, for it is a tantalizing thing to have such a sum in his possession when he himself is so poor.
	The deed of revocation of count Felix' powers, as well as the ratification of the Venetians, he (Salinas) takes with him, for fear they should be lost, as couriers are nowadays rather insecure.
	Of the desertion of the Spanish hackbutiers whom the Emperor intended taking with him His Highness has been opportunely informed. The marquis del Gasto (Vasto) has been written to on the subject, and a special messenger has also been dispatched to him from this place, respecting the fresh mutiny of the soldiers before Florence, and to induce the Spaniards to serve under His Highness in Hungary.
	Pressing business of all kinds, important affairs at Naples and Milan have again prevented the Emperor from starting on the day fixed for his departure. Believing that four or five days more will be quite sufficient to conclude all matters, he has now resolved to stay in Mantua the whole of this Holy Week, and leave on Easter Monday, so as to reach Trent on the following Friday, rest Saturday and Sunday, and leave on Monday for Ysbruc (Innsbruck).—Mantua, 8th April 1530.
	Addressed: "To the King, my Lord."
	Spanish. Original draft. pp. 4.
9 April.	284. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d.Hist., c. 71, f. 242 v..	To-day, Saturday, eve of Palm Sunday, Mos. de Trento (Clesi) forwarded to him (Salinas) His Highness' letter of the 3rd, to which no reply is required, as the points touched in it have been mostly answered.
	Respecting the money to be paid by the Venetians, nothing more can be done. The Emperor has written, begging the Pope to take the affair in hand and recommend it particularly to his Nuncio to the Signory. The same recommendation has been forwarded to the Imperial ambassador there.
	The paragraphs of His Highness' letter, as well as those of the future cardinal of Trent, respecting the disturbed state of those kingdoms, and particularly of Hungary, were read to the Emperor, who shewed the greatest concern about it. To the suggestion, however, conveyed in the Bishop's letter, that some money might be advanced for war expenses, the Emperor replied that it was not in his power to do so at present, as the infantry had mutinied at Bologna for want of pay, and the Spanish hackbutiers whom he intended taking with him had also deserted. As to the money promised by king Francis, it was not forthcoming as quickly and regularly as was thought. He (Salinas) has more than once expressed his opinion on these matters; he still thinks that His Highness, for the defence of his kingdom, ought to rely principally upon his own resources, and not count too much on those of the Emperor who, hampered as he has hitherto been by the Italian wars, cannot, without the assistance of other Christian princes, bear all the expenses of a crusade against the Infidel. Has no doubt, however, that all these points will be satisfactorily settled at the next interview.
	To-day the marriage of the marquis of Mantua with a daughter of the late queen of Naples was duly celebrated, the duke of Ferrara, Alfonso d'Este, acting as proxy for the lady, who is absent.
	Orders have been sent to the governor of Asti to stop the Vayvod's ambassador on his return, and confine him to prison. Prothonotary Caracciolo, at Milan, has received similar instructions, and as those two places, Asti and Milan, are the only ones through which he can return there is every probability of his falling into our hands. Caracciolo, moreover, has been ordered to go to Venice; if so, he will gladly take charge of His Highness' affairs there.—Mantua, 9th April 1530.
	Addressed: "To the King, my Lord."
	Spanish. Original draft. pp. 1½.
9 April.	285. Doctor Garay to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 852, f. 67.	Sent many days ago through Guillen (Guillaume) de Barres, the Imperia secretary, a letter wherein a most minute account was given of the doings of this Faculty of Theology, that His Majesty might provide for the better defence of Her Highness the queen of England. Sent likewise a copy of the conclusions signed by no less than 15 doctors of the said faculty and university, all of whom decided against the King and in favour of the Queen, his legitimate wife. The copy was attested in due form by two notaries, for the original, which was in his possession, had been wrested from him (Garay) by a sentence from the judges, obtained through the King. At the same time a suggestion was made by him (Garay); he pointed out the necessity of applying to His Holiness for a brief, addressed to the doctors of this university, commanding them, under pain of excommunication, to meet within six days after the receipt of the same, and putting aside all personal feeling to declare, each of them, on oath that which his conscience dictated. This being done, the conclusion duly sealed with the seal of the Faculty, to be forwarded to His Holiness without delay, that he might make such provision in that important affair as befitted his authority. Is also of opinion that king Francis himself ought to be persuaded to write to these doctors in the same strain, in order to avoid the inconveniences and scandals so common on such occasions; he (himself) wrote to the Queen and to the Lady Margaret, enclosing also an attested copy of the papers, conclusion, &c., the whole of which was sent by private and trusty messengers so that the letters must ere long have reached their destination.
	Such were in substance the contents of his despatch of the 11th of November, besides which he (Garay) forwarded at the time, through Mons. de Lachaulx, a long report in Latin, written in his own hand and afterwards translated into Spanish at that ambassador's express desire, wherein he (Garay) stated his own individual opinion with such arguments and proofs as his poor talent and abilities suggested.
	All this was done more than four months ago, and yet, strange to say, not a word has come in answer to his urgent representations on this most important affair: one in which the service of God, the peace of Christendom, and the Emperor's own honour and reputation are so deeply concerned. Unable to understand the causes of such injurious negligence, he (Garay) imagined that perhaps it was wrongly presumed at Court that matters would not proceed thus far, or else that the Imperial ministers had been misinformed respecting the case, or that perhaps councillors were wanting near His Majesty's person to impress upon him the necessity of acting with decision and promptitude in affairs of this kind.
	Meanwhile the king of England has worked, and is working so furiously in this matter of the divorce, that his doings are enough to set the world on fire. Fearing lest he (Garay) should obtain the signatures of the majority of these doctors—which might easily have been accomplished had not the above-mentioned obstacles been thrown in his way—he has hit upon a diabolical device to mar our success and ensure his own, which consists in the appointment of a gentleman named Langes (De Langeais), a brother of the bishop of Bayonne, French ambassador at the English court, and as it is to be believed well trained in civil law, to serve his plans. This is the very man, who, as above stated, caused the original conclusion in favour of the Queen, signed by 15 doctors, to be snatched out of his (Garay's) hands by the Rector on the plea that in doing so they were only acting in obedience to superior orders, and fulfilling their duty. The same individual has since managed to call together, sometimes 10 at other times 12 doctors, as many in fact as he could collect, in order to serve king Henry's purpose. The way he set about it was this: he called together a number of doctors, all whom he could secure, of the opposite party, and gave them a dinner, after which he exhibited a conclusion already drawn out in favour of the English king stating that the Pope had no right to dispense in such a marriage as this, which was contrary to Divine Law. The consequence was that some of the doctors out of shame (verguença), others out of fear, owing to Langes having frequently said in public that whoever opposed this conclusion was no friend to his king, many again by downright bribery—for he has given them one crown per head—and several more overcome by sheer importunity have voted in favour of the English king. Has been told that no less than 30 doctors of this university have thus signed the conclusion prepared by Langes. Nor is this all; some of those who signed in the first instance, of which document an attested copy was sent in at the time, and which is entirely in favour of the marriage and its perfect legitimacy, have now been compelled by all manner of shameful bribes and threats to adhere to this later one. Such, at least, is the public rumour, and no wonder at it, if the fact of these Frenchmen being generally very patriotic, and such enemies of Spain and the Emperor, be taken into consideration.
	What precedes will shew the wickedness and malice of the practices which the English are employing to gain their purpose, so much so, that if 100 briefs from the Pope, similar in tenour to that which he (Garay) applied for several months ago, were to come now in succession, they would be of no possible avail to us, and only useful to the opposite party. If, however, the Pope would but act in the present case as true shepherd of the Christian flock, a remedy might still be applied to this increasing and scandalous evil; for His Holiness would meetly punish this audacious behaviour by sending here a Nuncio of notorious wisdom and learning, and at the same time a God-fearing man, who, after taking cognizance of the affair at Rome—where the source of the whole thing lies—should come here and reform these iniquitous practices to which the Infidel Turk himself, the bitterest enemy of Christianity, would not resort. The Nuncio should bring full powers to punish the criminals according to their misdeeds; he will, no doubt, have much work in hand, but God's justice must ultimately prevail against men's injustice and wrong, and it is to be hoped that the evil may still be arrested. The course would be to command the English king to restore conjugal rights to his Queen, and, if disobedient, to compel him to change his ways and not listen to the reports of his ambassadors, who, it is said, are already on their way [to Rome] to achieve their purpose. The said ambassadors maintain that the Faculty of Theology in this university and in that of Pavia are of their opinion, and that the Queen will be satisfied if a fit place in England be assigned to her with an annual pension of 700.. for her maintenance, to live as a widow. (fn. n4) They further assert that the Emperor consents to this arrangement, adding that should His Holiness refuse to allow the divorce to take place, the king of England, as an injured man to whom justice is denied, will choose in his own kingdom judges to decide the case according to his wishes. By means of such falsehoods as these, the English ambassadors have been able to gain the votes of most of the doctors belonging to this university, and of others [in France]; they are now trying to hold a meeting of the entire Faculty, declaring that they are only in search of truth without any leaning towards one or other of the contending parties. Thus, after having bribed and corrupted each doctor individually, they now propose that all together should approve and ratify the conclusion which they have already signed, and thus have an excuse to obtain a decision of the whole Faculty.
	Such is the state of the affair, but he (Garay) will lose no opportunity to let these traitors know that it is too late for such intrigues. Is determined to stake his life, for this cause which, as it concerns Faith and the Emperor's honour and reputation, as well as the peace of mind and welfare of so pious, virtuous, and holy a princess, is well worthy of death and martyrdom.
	Has acquainted François de Bonvalot, the Imperial ambassador, and secretary Guillen (Guillaume) des Barres, who, as far as he (Garay) can judge, are the Emperor's most faithful and diligent servants, with this resolution of his, as well as with all the details of the affair, that both may report home on the precarious state in which it now stands, Has done and will do his duty; it now remains for the Emperor, of whose wisdom and virtue nobody can doubt, to make such provision that our enemies may be defeated, and then after putting an end to the heresies and evils that distract Christendom, take up arms against the Turk, the capital enemy of our Faith, vanquish him in the field, and take another crown that will constitute him the monarch of the whole world, to be afterwards crowned in Heaven, where a most splendid reward for his labours and virtue awaits him—Paris, 9th April 1530.
	Signed: "Garay."
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty of the Emperor, our Lord, at Augsburg."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 3½.
	Indorsed: "Dr. Garay to His Majesty, 9th April 1530."
9 April.	286. Dr. Garay to the Empress.
S. E. L. 851, f. 87. B. M. Add. 28,580 f. 379.	Wrote many days ago advising what the Faculty of Theology [here at Paris] had decided on the affair of the queen of England. The letter was sent to secretary Guillen (Guillaume) des Barres to forward. Sent likewise a transcript of a conclusion in favour of the Queen, subscribed by 15 doctors of the said Faculty, and attested by two notaries. Could not remit the original owing to its having been taken from him in virtue of a judicial sentence with the consent, and, perhaps, also with the connivance of the King. Begged His Imperial Majesty to obtain a Papal brief, ordering these doctors, under pain of excommunication, to assemble within six days after the notification, and give their opinion in writing: the conclusion at an end, to forward to Rome the result of their deliberations properly attested, and under the seal of the Faculty. Wrote in the same terms to the Queen [Eleanor] and to Madame Margaret, and sent his several missives through trusty persons, who he has no doubt, have delivered his letters. More than four months ago, in December 1529, at the request of Mr. de Lachaulx, at that time the Emperor's ambassador at this court, he (Garay) composed a treatise in Latin and Spanish, wherein every argument in favour of the English marriage, and against its dissolution was carefully adduced. Yet to none of these letters and reports has he yet received an answer: a most wonderful thing when the scandal likely to be raised in Christendom by this divorce is taken into consideration.
	Now the king of England is so fiery and violent on this point, that he is striving to hasten on the divorce lest he [Garay] should be able to procure the signatures of most of the doctors of this Faculty against it. This he would easily have obtained had it not been for a most diabolical trick practised upon him by one Mons. de Langes (Langeais), the brother of the bishop of Bayonne, French ambassador in England. Since the original conclusion signed by 15 doctors of this Faculty was violently taken from him, the Rector of the University, stating that he was acting legally in so doing, the said Langes, who is a gentleman of the Chamber to king Francis and also a doctor "utriusque juris" has been contriving to collect 10 or 12 doctors at a time, and whilst dinner is being prepared for them to have a conclusion announced for consideration after their meal, when they all vote in favour of the King, declaring that the Pope could not give dispensation in such a marriage as this, it being contrary to Divine Law. This some did through shyness, and others through fear, because Langes says publicly that whoever does not say so is no friend of his king. Others for money, for he gives them a crown each; others by sheer importunities. In this manner no less than 30 doctors have signed, and in that number several who had formerly subscribed the contrary!
	The Pope ought to command king Henry to live a conjugal life with his wife and if he disobeys, compel him to do so, as Law (como manda el derecho) prescribes, and listen no longer to his ambassadors, who, they say, are already on the road [to Rome]. In order the better to accomplish their object, the English give out that this Faculty of Theology is in favour of their master, and the University of Pavia publishes that the Queen [of England] is willing to live apart from the King, somewhere out of London, provided 700.. (libras de gruesos) are consigned for her maintenance. And they add that the Emperor tolerates this and takes no notice! Should the Pope not allow the divorce, the king of England (they say) will take justice into his own hands, and appoint judges to pronounce sentence as he wishes.
	With such inventions and lies, and the support which the French give them, the abettors of the divorce have lately gained much ground. At this very moment almost all the doctors of this University, even those who live out of Paris, have been made to subscribe certain papers, and on the plea that they are not influenced by personal motives, but wish merely to inquire into the truth, will one of these days hold a meeting, wherein all assembled together will be made to subscribe what they have already signed separately, and in this way it will look as if the whole Faculty had decided unanimously. Will do everything in his power to defeat their plans, even if he were to die for it. Has written to Francisco Bonvalot, the Imperial ambassador, and also to Guillen des Barres.—Paris, 9th April 1530.
	Signed: "Garay."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 6.
14 April.	287. The Pope to the Emperor.
S. E. Rom. 850, f. 75. B. M. Add. 28,579, f. 382.	By Mentebona, my chamberlain, whom I dispatched yesterday evening, Your Imperial Majesty must have been apprized of the message sent me by the prince of Orange, the substance of which was that unless I immediately provided money to pay the Switzers (Suizi), great inconvenience, and perhaps mutiny, might arise among the troops under his command. I confess that this message gave me much annoyance at the time, and would have still done so had I not trusted that by the well-known virtue and kindness of Your Imperial Majesty means would be speedily found to avert the danger. That this has been the case I perceive by Your Majesty's letter of the 11th, just come to hand, as well as by another from Muscettola (sic), informing me of what has been done by your commands. I thank Your Imperial Majesty most earnestly; I have not the least doubt that the disorderly habits of the army before Florence will be put a stop to, now that the troops have been supplied with money, and I beg and entreat that such measures be taken as may prevent the recurrence of similar mutinies, the only hope which the Florentines in their obstinate defence can have.
	As far as I am personally concerned, and the Apostolic See, it would be desirable that Your Imperial Majesty's stay in Italy should be as long as possible, and yet I know how beneficial to the whole of Christendom the journey to Germany will be. Therefore, I will do anything in my power to contribute to that laudable enterprize, sure as I am that wherever Your Majesty goes good care will be taken of me and my affairs.
	I am anxiously expecting an answer to my letter by Centurione, my chamberlain, in which I informed Your Majesty of the preparations which the Turk is said to be making.—Rome, 14th April 1530.
	Addressed: "Charissimo in Christo filio nostro Carolo, Romanorum Imperatori, semper Augusto."
	Indorsed; "A su Mt. del Papa 14 dias de Abril: De su mano."
	Italian. Holograph. pp. 2.
15 April.	288. Prothonotary Caracciolo and Rodrigo Niño, Imperial Ambassadors in Venice, to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 1,308, f. 33. B. M. Add. 28,579, f. 384.	I, the prothonotary [Caracciolo], arrived here on Wednesday, and, it being then Holy Week, no business was done.
	I, Rodrigo Niño, wrote on the 11th, sending advices lately received from Constantinople. The Signory has also had letters. Having inquired from the Doge (Principe) what news he had of the Turk and of his armaments, his answer was that Solyman was evidently making great preparations by sea and land, not perhaps for any serious undertaking in this present year, but merely for some slight excursion to the coasts of the Mediterranean. If so, orders ought to be sent to Puglia and Sicily for the people to be on the alert. The Signory, however, has requested them [the ambassadors] not to mention that the above information comes from them.
	Have also learnt that the English ambassador has brought before this Signory his master's business with the Queen, and that, the better to justify his case, the King wishes to have it examined by the doctors of the university of Padua. Aware of this, both the ambassadors went to the College-hall and made strong representations, as will be seen by the enclosed despatch.—Venice, 15th April 1530.
	Signed: "Prot. Caracciolo.—Rodrigo Niño."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 1½
15 April.	289. The Same to the Same.
S. E. L. 1,308, f. 33. B. M. Add. 28,579, f. 384.	The English ambassador has laid before the Signory the particulars of the divorce suit, and applied in his master's name for permission to take the opinion of lawyers at the university of Padua. No sooner did the fact come to their notice than they (Caracciolo and Niño) determined to wait on the Doge in private and represent to him the importance of the affair, and how very detrimental such a permission would prove for Gods service, for the Queen, and for the Christian religion itself. Were well received by the Doge, who expressed similar sentiments and promised again to entertain the question in a few days at the College-hall. The application was not made "ex officio" and in the Emperor's name, but in a private manner, and to let the Doge know that they were informed of the ambassadors' designs, and to impress him with the mighty importance of this affair. Nor have they absolutely asked the Doge to refuse the permission applied for, lest the king of England should say one of these days that His Imperial Majesty had been the means of preventing his taking the opinion of the Paduan University, and should in consequence proceed to hasty action (vias de hecho). Wish to know how to act in the matter, and wait for instructions from Court.
	The Emperor should know also that both the English ambassador, resident at the Imperial court, and the one who accompanies the Pope (que va con el Papa) have written a letter to the bishop of Quieta (Chieti)—now here in Venice, leading a most retired and holy life—and have dispatched a confidential messenger, a countryman of theirs, to inform him of the whole affair, and explain the causes and motives of the divorce which they say the King is trying to procure by all possible means and ways. They have earnestly requested him to look into the affair and send them his opinion in writing, that they may know how best to justify their master's proceedings. The Bishop has accepted the charge, but being, as His Imperial Majesty must be aware, a man of good sense and wisdom, is much disposed to decide against the King and his unreasonable demands, notwithstanding that the information he has received from the English ambassadors is, as may be supposed, anything but favourable to the Queen's cause. The Bishop called the other day upon him (Niño) before Caracciolo's arrival, and asked for particulars, the better to shape his answer. He has accordingly been furnished with all the details of the affair, and also with such information respecting the proceedings both in London and at Rome, as he (Niño) was in possession of through the bishop of Burgos (Don lñigo de Mendoza). Has no doubt that the Bishop's opinion will be favourable to the Queen.—Venice, 15th April 1530.
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty of the Emperor."
	Indorsed: "Paragraphs of letters from Prothonotary Caracciolo and Rodrigo Niño. From Venice, XV. Apr. MDXXX."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 2½.