Spain: June 1520 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1866.

'Spain: June 1520', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525, (London, 1866) pp. 306-308. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp306-308 [accessed 25 April 2024]

June 1520



June (?). M. B. N. MSS. E. 59. f. 101.	280. The Emperor to the Pope. Wrote to him when he was about to take shipping and to leave Spain. Had a favourable wind, but, as on the preceding days, a strong contrary gale had blown, the sea was very rough. Arrived on the sixth day off the Cape of Kent, not far from the mouth of the Thames. It had been settled with the King of England that he should meet him there ; but the King of England, being unable to come and see him on board his ship, sent an ambassador, and asked him to disembark. As soon as he had come on shore, the legate arrived. The King and the Queen of England were not far off, and hastened to see him. Renewed his old friendship with them. Went after the interview to Belgium, whilst the King of England proceeded to France. In this interview nothing was transacted, except such things as are advantageous to him (the Pope), and the Holy Church, and which are conducive to a general peace of Christendom. His ambassador will communicate to him the details of his interview.—No date. No signature. Indorsed : "Rex Pontificis." Latin. Register. pp. 1½.
13 June. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar A. 19. f. 93.	281. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. The Venetians intend to rob him of one of his strongholds in Friuli, a town and castle near the sea. [Written in the margin by the Chancellor Mercurino de Gattinara :] Letters are to be written to the governors.
	The Duke of Camarino offers his services. [Written in the margin by the Chancellor Mercurino de Gattinara :] Gracious letters are to be written to him.
	Discontented Spanish prelates ought no longer to be permitted to live in Rome, [Written in the margin by the Chancellor Mercurino de Gattinara :] His Majesty thanks him for his advice, and will act upon it.
	Friar Nicolo, who is secretary of the Cardinal de Medicis, Micer Johan Matheo, secretary of the Pope, and Micer Augustin Folleta, with whom the Pope confers on secret and important affairs, wish to be useful to him. [Written in the margin by the Chancellor Mercurino de Gattinara :] Gracious letters are to be written to them.
	Has already told him that the Auditor de la Camera has gone to England, and that he arrived there one day before him (the Emperor). The substance of what the Auditor writes to the Pope is that the Cardinal of England said to him he could do or undo whatever he liked, and conclude or not conclude an alliance between the King of England, him (the Emperor), and the King of France. He boasted that it was in his power to bring about an interview of all three of them. Thinks the Cardinal would do well to be more careful in the words he uses, when he speaks of what he can do. Supposes the Cardinal of England believes the Pope to be secretly a partisan of the King of France, and that this was the reason why he spoke of the interview of the three sovereigns. The statesmen in Rome, however, are persuaded that the Cardinal will do what is most lucrative for himself as, for his own private interests, he has already, on a former occasion, induced his master to undertake a war, which was by no means profitable to the King. Begs him to keep this communication strictly secret, since, if it were divulged, the persons by whom he has been informed would be exposed to great trouble, and could not inform him in future of anything that is going on. [Written in the margin by the Chancellor Mercurino de Gattinara :] The secret shall be kept. As for his estimation of the character of the Cardinal of England, it must be confessed that it is only too true. Within a few days the last trial will be made, and the man will be known.
	Speaking with the Pope about the King of England, said to his Holiness that the King of England could not be expected to forsake him (the Emperor). The Pope observed that he knew better than any one else that that was true. Asked the Pope how he came to know it, and his Holiness told him that, in order to try what the real intentions of the King of England were, he had proposed to him, some time ago, to undertake something against him (the Emperor), but found, to his surprise, that the King resisted all temptations. Was very glad to hear such intelligence, and thinks it is necessary to keep it secret. The Pope said further to him, that the "Cardinal, who is the governor of the King of England," is a very strange person, and makes the King go hither and thither just as he likes. Is persuaded that he (the Emperor) knows the Cardinal well by this time. It is said the Cardinal thinks of nothing but what is advantageous to himself. Another letter of the said Auditor, written after his (the Emperor's) arrival in England, has been received. It does not contain any matter of importance. Thinks, even, that there are many shallow observations in it, such, for instance, as the Auditor saying that he is greatly astonished to see that he (the Emperor) trusts the King of England so much, and adding that he holds the Cardinal in higher esteem than the King. [Written in the margin by the Chancellor Mercurino de Gattinara :] No other answer is to be given but that he must continue to act in accordance with his former instructions. We are about to conclude a new treaty with the King of England, and will soon write more clearly to him. The finances of the King of France are perfectly well known, and it is generally admitted that he is poor, and wastes his money on unnecessary things. He is governed by his mother and her brother, (fn. 1) who understand very little about affairs of state. The Pope is fully resolved to carry out what he has promised him (the Emperor). The Venetians are much afraid of him. They are trying to borrow money, but cannot succeed. The French partisans are making all kinds of arrangements in order to elect a French Pope on the next vacancy of the Papal throne. Begs him to write encouraging letters to his partisans, and to order the Viceroy of Naples to send the fleet and the army wherever he (Juan Manuel) may judge necessary. The Pope is still in good health. Knows, however, that the Cardinal of Santa Maria in Porticu hopes to be made Pope with the aid of the King of France. Was told that the King of France has said he will come with post horses in order to be present at the election. Answered that if he (the Emperor) does not like the presence of the King of France in Rome, the King of France will return as he had come.—Rome, the 13th of June 1520. Addressed : "To the most sacred Cœsar, King of Spain, &c., our sovereign Lord." Indorsed : "To the King. Rome, the 13th of June." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 4.
26 June. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar A. 19. f. 121.	282. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. Has received his letters dated the 15th of June. The Pope has promised him to give the cardinal's hat to the Bishop of Liege. As he will by that act incur the enmity of the French, the Holy Father wishes to enter into secret negotiations with him (the Emperor) on the subjects which are pending between them. Church of St. Michael in Antwerp. Rome, the 26th of June 1520. P.S.—The French say he (the Emperor) went to England in order to prevent the interview between the King of France and the King of England, and to contract a marriage with the daughter of the King of England. They pretend that he has failed in both respects. The French ambassador, who was in Spain, writes that tumults have broken out in Spain, and adds a great number of foolish stories.—Rome, the 26th of June 1520. Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, &c." Indorsed : "To the King, from Don Juan Manuel, the 26th of June. Answered the 29th of July." Spanish. Written in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 4½.