Spain: August 1522 | British History Online

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

'Spain: August 1522', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525, (London, 1866) pp. 463-481. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp463-481 [accessed 23 April 2024]

August 1522



1 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. ff. 113-119.	458. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. Informed him in his other letter, which goes by the same courier, what has occurred in Rome. This letter is an answer to his despatches of the 6th and 7th of July, which were anxiously expected by him. Is very glad to hear that he has arranged his affairs so satisfactorily with the King of England. His treaties with the King of England will greatly facilitate all his other negotiations, and especially those with the republic of Venice. The Venetians were glad that the war with France has hitherto been carried on with so little energy. Now, however, that he has concluded a new alliance with the King of England, it is to be hoped that his and the English ambassadors who are sent to Venice and to Switzerland will be able to arrange the subject of their missions in a satisfactory manner. The beneficial influence of his alliance with the King of England will be equally visible in all the other affairs pending in Italy, of which the Abbot of Najera writes to him. The Abbot is mistaken if he thinks he can obtain money from the sources which he mentions. As, however, circumstances are changed, Milan, Florence, Siena, Lucca, and Genoa will give as much money as is necessary to pay 9,000 or 10,000 foot, the artillery, and all the extraordinary expenses of the war. The payments are to be counted from the 15th of July to the 15th of October. When the period for these contributions approaches its close, he would do well to send ambassadors to Genoa and Florence. At present it is not necessary to spend money for the entertainment of ambassadors in these cities, as everything is well arranged. New taxes in Naples. If the Neapolitans complain of them, he ought not to listen to them. The Florentines, who had promised the King of France 250,000 ducats and an auxiliary army, think they are heavily taxed because they are to pay 40,000 ducats a month for the maintenance of the Imperial army. All the money ought to be paid to the Abbot of Najera, who is a very good servant of his. Lucca has well deserved to be fined. As he defends Italy, the Italians are obliged to contribute to the pay of the army, which would disband if it were not paid, &c. &c. Duke of Milan. Banisis. Neither the Pope nor any one who lives at his court knows what ought to be done. Begs him, therefore, to send a well qualified ambassador to Rome. Has resolved on no condition to remain any longer ambassador in Rome. Has suffered too much. It would be well if the Viceroy (of Naples) could take the command of the army in Lombardy ; but as the Turks have become so dangerous, it will be difficult for the Viceroy to leave Naples. Salerno. The Cardinal of Sion. Thinks he should send his galleys to Naples, where the Turks commit a great many robberies. The Pope will not be exposed to any danger on his way to Rome. Advises him not to make long journeys during this hot season for the purpose of seeing the Pope. The bishopric of Oviedo is promised to his son. Reminds him of it. Prospero Colonna and the Abbot of Najera have written to him that he (the Emperor) has ordered them not to undertake any enterprise. They ask money for the army. Thinks Provence could have been invaded long ago. Prospero, the Marquis of Pescara, and the Abbot of Najera sometimes see obstacles where none exist. Money affairs. Has already written about the Turks. Has done all in his power to succour the Knights of Rhodes. Hopes it will be to some effect. The Florentines expect that they will not be forced to contribute to the maintenance of the army. Ferrara. Naples. The Cardinal de Medicis. —Rome, the 1st of August 1522. Addressed : "... Catholic ... Lord." Spanish. Autograph, partly in cipher and partly in common writing. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 12.
1 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	459. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. The Adorni have taken the fortress and the citadel of Genoa. Rhodes is besieged by the Turks. A French knight, commander of the Order of Rhodes, has passed through Genoa. He goes to beg succour. Has already written that the King of England has ordered his secretary or ambassador in Rome to go to Venice, and that he has asked Juan Manuel to see that the English ambassador leaves Rome as soon as possible. Has also written that he has asked Juan Manuel to give the ambassador the necessary instructions. Navaro is taken prisoner. He (the Emperor) has written to him and the commander of the army, on the 6th of July, not to undertake the invasion of Provence before the Venetians and the Swiss have declared their adhesion to the league, and to make war on Venice, in the name of the Duke of Milan or otherwise, if the Venetians refuse or delay to enter into the holy league with him and the King of England. Does not know what Micer Richard (fn. 1) will ask or what he will obtain from the Venetians. Thinks, however, it would be well to give some occupation to the army, and before the Venetians declare themselves to take from them Verona, Crema, and Brescia.—Pavia, the 1st of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. From Pavia. Abbot of Najera. Last day of August." (fn. 2) Spanish. Holograph. pp. 3.
5 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	460. Lope Hurtado De Mendoza to the Emperor. Received on Sunday last, the 3rd of August, his letter dated Aguilar, the last day of July. Delivered the enclosed letter to the Pope. The Pope, who had been uneasy that his answer had not arrived earlier, is very well satisfied with what he writes to him, but says that he cannot wait longer, and will see him (the Emperor) on some later occasion. The Pope concluded the preparations for his voyage in great haste, and has already embarked (Tuesday, 5 o'clock in the afternoon). The Pope has asked the French ambassador to go to Villafranca, near Nice, and to meet him there on board his galley. The ambassador, little satisfied with this answer, has ordered post horses, and goes to see the King of France. The King of France is said to be in a great fright. He left Lyons on the 24th, and goes to Blois. Narbonne. The Pope says he is not disinclined to take Andrea Doria into his pay, in order that the King of France may not profit by his services, but that it is not his intention to make use of his galleys for his voyage to Italy. Will make the voyage on board the same vessel in which the English ambassador goes. Intends to speak with the Pope, if necessary, conjointly with the English ambassador, who seems to be a well intentioned man, and does what he tells him. Begs him to write two lines to the ambassador, and to thank him for his good intentions. He is indeed a very excellent person. Thanked his Holiness for his communications respecting Perpignan. The man (servant of the King of Navarra) said that his master was discontented with the King of France, and would conclude an alliance with him (the Emperor). He is now going to Navarra, and will write thence to the Pope or go in person to Rome. Has written to the Archbishop of Bari in the manner in which he ordered. Is persuaded that the Pope will on no account forsake his and the King of England's alliance. The Pope said that that would not only be a blunder but also a piece of ingratitude. Badly intentioned persons may often have great influence on the Pope, but they would find it impossible to persuade him to take so grave a measure as that of renouncing his (the Emperor's) friendship and that of the King of England. The Pope loves him more than ever. Prothonotary Caracciolo. The Pope is accompanied by about 2,000 persons, one half of whom are passengers. Galleys of Pedro Manrique. The garrison in Perpignan have nothing to eat. The Bishop of Ciudad Rodrigo returns to his see. The Bishops of Burgos and Ziguenza go with the Pope. The Bishop of Burgos speaks badly of the Pope because he has not received the purple.—Taragona, the 5th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. From Taragona. Lope Hurtado. The 5th of August." Spanish. Autograph. pp. 3.
6 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	461. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. Informed him, on the 1st of the present month, that an enterprise on the castle of Novara had been decided upon. Prospero (Colonna), Antonio de Leyva, Hieronymo Morone, and he (the Abbot) have held a council of war. The pay for the 12,000 foot amounts to 52,000 ducats a month. Besides, there are the men-at-arms and the 100 extra men-at-arms of the Marquis of Mantua to pay. As there is no probability that the French will undertake anything in Italy, the army can be reduced. Even if it were necessary to begin war with Venice, a smaller number of lansquenets would suffice, as the Venetians will not dare to wage a battle in the open field. On the other hand, an invasion of Provence would require a much stronger army, and cannot be thought of at present. The council of war decided, therefore, that the Marquis of Pescara should reduce the 5,600 lansquenets he has at present to 3,000. The Duke of Milan sent them (Prospero Colonna, Antonio de Leyva, &c.,) on the 4th a letter from Madame Margaret, dated the 23rd of June, in which it is stated that about 12,000 English troops have twice invaded Brittany, and taken three towns. One of them they burnt, as it had offered some resistance. They have also conquered and burnt St. Pol, which is a considerable place. The booty they obtained there amounts to 900,000 ducats. They likewise burnt and sank 14 large French vessels and many small ones. Hopes the King of France will be crippled this time in the way he merits. Received on the 5th news from Venice through the ambassador of the Marquis of Mantua. The Venetians wait with impatience for the English ambassador, who left Rome on the 29th of last month. It is generally said that they are ready to conclude a treaty of alliance (with the Emperor and the King of England). The same ambassador writes that it is not true that the Turks are besieging Rhodes ; for if the Turks were preparing a navy with the intention of attacking Rhodes, the first thing the Grand Maître would do would be to send information to France and Venice. No such information has been received. The ambassador of the Marquis of Mantua believes that the French and Venetians have invented the news in order to create obstacles to the formation of the league (between the Emperor and the King of England), and that the Turks will sail to Apulia or to Sicily, both of which are in a good state of defence. The Duke of Milan has received tidings from Switzerland. Five cantons have decided not to give soldiers to the King of France. Five other cantons are ready to send troops to the succour of France if the arrears are paid to them, and three cantons demand security that they shall be paid on Christmas Day. The Duke of Milan has come to Pavia, as Milan is not "very Catholic with respect to the pestilence." (fn. 3) The Cardinal de Medicis has written that Florence will pay her portion of the pay of the army, viz., 15,000 ducats, on the 25th inst. Don Manuel has written to the same effect. Siena and Lucca will likewise fulfil their obligation. Monferrato still owes 6,000 scudos, and Saluzzo 9,000.—Pavia, the 6th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. Pavia. From the Abbot of Najera, the 6th of August. Answered." Spanish. Holograph. pp. 3.
7 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. ff. 145-148.	462. Alonso Sanchez, Imperial Ambassador in Venice, to the Emperor. Wrote to him on the 25th and 29th of July. As soon as his illness permitted him to execute the orders contained in his (the Emperor's) letter of the 6th of July, he went to the Signory and showed them the treaty which he (the Emperor) had concluded with the King of England. Said to them that they had behaved so badly towards him (the Emperor) that they rather deserved punishment at his hands than favour. Nevertheless, desiring to secure the peace of Christendom, he (the Emperor) had persuaded the King of England to include them in the treaty lately concluded in England. They read the treaty. Asked them whether they wished to be included. They begged him to give them a respite of three days. As the members of the Signory demanded that the articles concerning Venice and Switzerland should be read over again, he suspected that they were entertaining a secret understanding with the Swiss. His suspicion was confirmed by the Marquis of Mantua, who had received letters informing him that the Venetians were urging the King of France not to abandon his enterprise on Italy, and promising him money wherewith to buy the Swiss. The Doge said that he wished to remain in peace. The Signory has received letters from England dated the 25th of July. According to these letters, it appears that the Cardinal of England has told the Venetian ambassadors that he must hold by his decision concerning the Venetian galleys which are in England, (fn. 4) adding that he will not enter upon any other negotiation before Pace, the English ambassador, has informed him of the answer of the Signory. The Cardinal, if he has really given such an answer, has acted very wisely, since the galleys are worth more than 200,000 ducats. On the 5th inst., the Signory sent a secretary to him, and told him that Richard Pace would be in Venice in the course of the week. They begged him to wait for their answer until the arrival of Micer Richard. Answered that he could not force them to answer earlier, but that their want of frankness would in the end be more prejudicial to themselves than to others. The King of France intends to send an ambassador to Spain to see the Pope. Has not communicated the English treaty to the Signory in the formal manner which he had been ordered to observe, because he feared to offend them. Has, however, asked a notary to draw up a public instrument about his communications to them. Sends it. The Signory promised him most positively to give their definite answer as soon as the English ambassador should have arrived. Montmorency, French ambassador in Venice, returns by Milan and Genoa.—Venice, the 7th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty the Emperor and King, our Lord." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. From Venice. Alonso Sanchez. The 7th of August." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 6.
7 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. f. 128.	463. Hieronymus Garbinus, Public Imperial Notary, to All Persons. At the order of Alonso Sanchez, Imperial ambassador in Venice, he read, on the 7th of August 1522, to the Doge of Venice the treaty which was concluded between the Emperor and the King of England, dated Windsor Castle, the 16th of June 1522. The reading took place in the palace of the Doge, near the church of St. Marco, the Imperial ambassador being present. Latin. Holograph. pp. 3.
7 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. f. 139.	464. Alonso Sanchez, Imperial Ambassador in Venice, to Mercurino De Gattinara, Chancellor of the Emperor. The Venetians have promised to give a reply within three days. Thinks that is a good sign, and believes that they wish to be comprehended (in the treaty between the Emperor and the King of England). It may be that they have still some doubts, but as the English ambassador is expected to arrive within a few days, it is probable that the affair will soon be concluded to the entire satisfaction of the Emperor. Affairs of a gentleman of Verona. Indorsed : "To the Chancellor. From Venice. From Alonso Sanchez, the 7th of August 1522." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. p. 1.
11 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	465. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. Informed him, in his letter of the 6th, that it had been decided to reduce the number of lansquenets to 3,000, and that the Duke of Milan had come to Pavia. The Duke of Milan has received news that the Swiss have given the King of France 5,000 men, regular troops, and 5,000 volunteers. It is believed that they are to be employed in Picardy and on the frontier of Spain, not in Italy. The Swiss have taken prisoner a messenger of the Duke of Milan, who was taking 1,000 florins to his agent in Switzerland. That is a misfortune, as the Swiss have probably also taken the letters of which the messenger of the Duke of Milan was the bearer. The Florentines have sent bills of exchange on Milan amounting to 11,000 ducats. The army is not yet quartered. The Marchioness of Saluzzo has paid the 5,000 ducats which she was bound to pay. The 6,000 ducats due by Monferrato will be paid within two days. The batteries are not opened yet against the castle of Novara. The Pope has written to Hieronymo Adorno. From France no other news has arrived, except that the King has gone, with his whole army, in the direction of Picardy. The Venetians are still expecting the ambassador of the King of England, who has hitherto been English ambassador in Rome. Letters from Rome, but not from Juan Manuel, state that the ambassador fell ill of a liver complaint on the day when he intended to go to Venice on post horses. His indisposition detained him four or five days. When he at last left he was unable to ride on post horses, and travels slowly. No later news of him has arrived. God alone knows where he is. It is much to be desired that he may arrive soon, and that the negotiations with Venice may come to a speedy conclusion, for it is a great inconvenience for the army to remain idle, and not to know whether it is to fight with the Venetians or not. Octavian Fregoso and Pedro Navaro have not yet been sent to Naples.—Pavia, the 11th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. Pavia. From the Abbot of Najera, the 11th of August." Spanish. Holograph. pp. 3.
11 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	466. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. Novara. Cremona. Lecco. Money affairs. The arrival of the Emperor at Santander, &c. When the secretary or ambassador of the King of England in Rome was ready to leave for Venice, he fell ill of a liver complaint, and was obliged to postpone his departure for four or five days. He left on the 4th of August, but he cannot ride on post horses ; he is travelling slowly. Nothing more has been heard of him.—Pavia, the 11th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. Pavia. The Abbot of Najera. The 11th of August. Answered." Spanish. Holograph. pp. 2.
14 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	467. Lope Hurtado De Mendoza to the Emperor. The Pope has behaved very well towards the French, as he has refused to set foot on French soil. His behaviour at Villafranca was also irreproachable.—Off Rivataglia, the 14th of August 1522. Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. Rivataglia. Lope Hurtado. The 14th of August. Answered."
18 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	468. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. Informed him on the 11th instant that the Pope had written on the 21st ultimo that he (the Emperor) had landed on the 16th at Santander. On the 12th, 13th, and 14th, nothing happened worth mentioning. On the 15th, Hieronymo Adorno wrote that the Pope had arrived at Villafranca. Hieronymo Adorno went on the 16th to kiss the foot of the Pope. He met him near Savona. It was not the intention of his Holiness to stop at Genoa, but Adorno persuaded him to rest there one day. The Pope reached Genoa on Sunday before noon. The Duke of Milan, Prospero Colonna, the Marquis of Pescara, Antonio de Leyva, and he (the Abbot) went to Genoa, where they arrived the next day towards evening. Spoke to the Pope about the repartition of the war expenses made by Juan Manuel and the Viceroy of Naples. The Pope approved of it, and promised to ask Siena and Lucca to pay their portion. As his Holiness was very tired, he slept that night at Genoa, and embarked next morning very early. The Duke of Milan and the captains of the army returned to Pavia. The governor of the castle of Novara has bound himself to surrender if he is not succoured during the month of September. As soon as the Duke of Milan ratifies this capitulation, the troops will besiege Domodossola and Lecco. The Swiss have not set at liberty the person whom they took prisoner when the Duke of Milan was on his way to Italy. They told the Imperial king-at-arms and the king-at-arms of the King of England that they would fulfil their obligations towards the King of France. It is said that 12,000 Swiss will march to Italy. The Venetians have not yet given a positive answer whether they wish to enter into the league (with the Emperor and the King of England) or not. They say they wait for the English ambassador, Richard Pace. The Cardinal de Medicis expected Pace in Bologna on the 17th instant. It would be a "holy" thing if Venice were to enter the league. If it does not, it will be necessary that the Italian army should begin hostilities at once, and that he (the Emperor) should give orders to Spain, England, and Germany to attack France very vigorously, until the King of France is forced to obey the Emperor and the King of England. As long as France is powerful Venice and Switzerland will always be her allies. They are much afraid of his (the Emperor's) greatness. A ship sent by Lope Hurtado de Mendoza, with letters of his (the Emperor) to the army, Rome, and Naples, has been lost. Florence has paid 15,000 scudos, but Siena and Lucca have not yet sent the money due from them. The Marchioness of Monferrato has paid 25,000 scudos. The Marchioness of Saluzzo only owes 5,000 scudos out of the 13,000 she was bound to pay. The Duke of Milan is occupied in collecting the 20,000 ducats which he has to contribute. It would be only just that the Pope should also pay something, according to his means. The Adorni find it very difficult to get more than 8,000 ducats, as Genoa has been sacked. Pedro Navaro and Octavian Fregoso will soon be sent to Naples.—Genoa, the 18th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Spanish. Holograph. pp. 3.
23 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	469. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. Wrote to him on the 19th that he and the captains of the army had been to Genoa to kiss the foot of the Pope. Don Juan Manuel asked the Pope to persuade the Swiss and the Venetians to make peace with him (the Emperor) and the King of England, as that would be a step towards the general peace of Christendom, which the Pope so much desires. The Duke of Milan has not ratified the capitulation of the castle of Novara. The Marquis of Pescara is nevertheless going to besiege Lecco, and Antonio de Leyva to take Domodossola. If Lecco is taken, the Governor of Trezzo has promised likewise to surrender. When all these fortresses are taken the army will be disengaged, and ready for anything that may be decided upon, according to the result of the negotiations which Richard Pace is to carry on with Venice. It is not believed that he will perform great feats. The Venetians lean more towards the French party than towards the alliance with him (the Emperor) and England. They will become members of the league (with the Emperor and the King of England) only if they see that the King of France is powerless. It is, therefore, necessary that France should be invaded on the frontiers of Flanders, England, and Spain, and that the war should be carried on in good earnest. It must be made impossible for the King of France even to think of the affairs of Italy. Is persuaded that the King of France does not intend at present to invade Italy ; for, in the first place, he has sent away all the Italian exiles, telling them that, whilst the war in the north with him (the Emperor) and the King of England lasts, he cannot think of invading Italy. In the second place, when the Swiss asked the King of France to pay the 10,000 or 12,000 men they had offered him, he begged them to wait until the end of September. As the English, the King of France said, will conclude their war in that month and go home, he would then be able to return to his enterprise on Milan, and he begged the Swiss to be ready by that time. Thus when winter approaches the King of France will be secure from any attack in the north. In Lombardy also it was formerly the custom to discontinue war during the winter months, but such is no longer the case. Last winter was one of the hardest ever witnessed, and in spite of the rain, the mud, the snow, and ice, warlike operations were carried on. The same should be done in the north of France, especially as provisions do not fail there. Congratulates him on his arrival in Spain and on the victory over the French at Beovia, near Fuentarabia. The Italian exiles cost the King of France 40,000 scudos a year. He wishes to get rid of them.—Pavia, the 23rd of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. Pavia. From the Abbot of Najera, the 23rd of August." Duplicate. Spanish. Holograph. pp. 3.
27 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. ff. 182-190.	470. Alonso Sanchez, Imperial Ambassador in Venice, to the Emperor. Richard Pace arrived on the 20th of August. As it is the custom in Venice that the Signory alone should perform all the ceremonies of the reception of ambassadors, he (Sanchez) did not go to meet the English ambassador on his entry, but sent a servant to make his excuses, and to tell the ambassador that he was waiting for him in his house. The English ambassador soon came to see him. After the persons who accompanied the English ambassador had retired, he (Sanchez) said to him (Pace) that he (the Emperor) confided much in him, especially since the King of England was as much interested in these affairs as he (the Emperor). Informed the English ambassador of all that had passed between him (Alonso Sanchez) and the Signory, intending thereby to prevent him from committing any mistake in the manner of carrying on his negotiations. The English ambassador thanked him, and said he would go next day to the Signory, not to transact business, but only to salute the Doge in the name of the King of England, and to deliver his credentials and the letter of his master. He showed him his credentials, which contain much more matter than is usually to be found in such papers. In them the King of England states that the Emperor having often complained to him of the bad behaviour of the King of France, and having requested him to declare himself an enemy of the King of France, he sent the Cardinal (Wolsey) to Calais, to try whether he could reconcile the Emperor with the King of France. The Imperial ambassador proved before the Cardinal that the King of France had often broken the peace with the Emperor, and the French ambassadors were unable to answer these accusations. He (the King of England), however, did not like to declare himself at once an enemy of the King of France, hoping that a satisfactory arrangement might be possible. As, however, it became clear that the truce which the King of France proposed was only a pretext to gain time, and as the French did not cease to injure the King of England and his subjects, he declared himself an enemy of the King of France, and now invited the Republic to do the same. The English ambassador asked whether he wished to make any observations on his credentials. Explained to him at great length the bad conduct of the Venetians, their delays and tergiversations, and told him that all negotiations were at last postponed in order to await his arrival. On the 21st, in the morning, the English ambassador had his first audience of the Signory. In the evening he came to his (Sanchez') house, and told him what had passed between him and the Signory. The Signory had spoken a great many fair and flattering words to the English ambassador, and had declared that they would consult about the answer to the letter of the King of England. The ambassador showed him a summary of his instructions. The substance of them is, to tell the Signory that the King of England has always regarded the republic of Venice as his true and faithful friend, and has consequently included her in all his treaties with other powers ; to explain to the Signory more fully how the King of France had broken his truce with the Emperor, and insulted the English. He (the King of England) had, therefore, been forced to declare war against France, in common with him (the Emperor), and begged them likewise to declare war against the King of France. The English ambassador was further instructed to ask the Signory not to delay their decision, as such delay would most probably be detrimental to them. If, on the contrary, they gave a speedy and satisfactory, answer, the King of England promised to be mediator between them and the Emperor, and to settle in a friendly manner the many disputes which exist between the Republic and Austria. Finally, the ambassador was ordered to remind the Venetians that, according to the treaty of London, they were obliged to declare themselves enemies of the King of France, and that all their hopes of aid from the King of France would be frustrated, as the Emperor and the King of England intended to attack France with powerful armies from different sides, and the King of France would be fortunate if he succeeded in defending his kingdom, without thinking of an enterprise in Italy or the defence of Venice. Told the English ambassador that his instructions seemed to him to be very good, but that he would offer some observations about them, knowing by experience the manner in which the Venetians conducted their negotiations. The first of these observations was that it would not produce any good effect if he told the Signory that the King of England offered his good services to reconcile the Republic with the Emperor, before the Signory had declared war with the King of France ; for it is, he said, the character of the Venetians to flee from those who seek them. The request to the Signory to fulfil the treaty of London, he observed further, ought to be made by both of them, Alonso Sanchez and Richard Pace, conjointly. The ambassador replied that, according to the custom of England, no ambassador was at liberty to omit a single paragraph of his instructions. As for the proposal to request conjointly the Signory to fulfil the treaty of London, the ambassador consented to it. Since, however, it seemed to be advisable not to request the Signory in a formal manner at first, it was decided that the English ambassador should go the next day alone to the Signory, and ask them in a friendly way for the fulfilment of the stipulations of the treaty of London. In case the answer should not be satisfactory, he and the English ambassador would go together to the Signory, and conjointly make a formal request. Asked the English ambassador whether he had a copy of the last treaty between him (the Emperor) and the King of England, and whether he was ordered to request the Republic to become a member of the league. The ambassador answered that he neither had a copy of the treaty, nor was he instructed to request the Venetians to enter into the league. Observed to him that that was very inconvenient, and that it would render the negotiations more difficult. The English ambassador admitted that it had been a great oversight not to send him a copy of the last treaty, but offered to accompany him (Sanchez) when he went to make his request to the Signory, begging him, at the same time, to permit him to make a transcript from his copy of the treaty. Sent him his copy for that purpose. The English ambassador made his demands to the Signory, who, as usual, took much time in answering him. The Signory asked the English ambassador to leave them a copy of the declarations made by him, which he, however, refused to do. On the morning of the day on which this letter is written (26th August), (fn. 5) the Signory replied to the proposals of the ambassador of England. Their answer consisted of fine speeches. They said they accepted the King of England with the greatest pleasure as mediator between them and the Emperor, and thanked him for his friendly intentions. They declared further that they consented to the modifications which the Cardinal of England wished to introduce into the proposals made by the Venetian ambassadors to the Emperor, and into the counterproposals which the Emperor had made to the Republic. As the Cardinal had promised the Venetian ambassadors that he would send these modifications by the English ambassador to Venice, the Signory asked Pace whether he had brought them with him. The ambassador said he had not. They said they were very sorry for it, but would send sufficient power to their ambassadors at the Imperial court, as well as to their ambassadors in England, to arrange this business. With respect to their declaring war against France, they asked the King of England not to be angry with them if they did what he had done, namely, first maturely consider their own interests before taking upon themselves any engagement. A war with France, they said, was a serious affair, and they could not engage in it before their disputes with the Emperor were satisfactorily settled. They were the less inclined rashly to engage in a war with the King of France, since the Pope, as a good shepherd, had exhorted them, in his briefs and through his nuncios and legate, not to take up arms, but to endeavour to preserve the peace of Christendom. When the audience of the English ambassador was over, the Signory sent for him (Alonso Sanchez), and told him that, as the ambassador of the King of England had arrived, they were ready to give him their answer to his proposals. They said that they "kissed the hands and the feet" of the Emperor and had always been his obedient servants. They accepted the King of England as mediator. It would have been better, they observed, if the Cardinal of England had sent the modifications he wished to make, but as he had not done so they would send ample powers and full instructions to their ambassadors at his (the Emperor's) court and at the court of the King of England. As soon as their differences with him (the Emperor) should be settled, they said, they would enter into a league with him ; the Doge enlarging, however, at the same time, on the exhortations of the Pope to preserve the peace of Christendom. They added that although they were much afraid of the Turks, who had conquered Ascalon and besieged Rhodes, they would fear nobody as soon as they were allied with him (the Emperor). Replied to the Signory that, as the subject in question was of the greatest importance, he would reconsider the matter before giving them his answer concerning their offer to enter the league. Did so because he wished first to confer with the English ambassador, as the question whether the Venetians declared war against France or not regards both him (the Emperor) and the King of England. As far, however, as the arrangement of his (the Emperor's) dispute with Venice is concerned, he answered at once, and said he was astonished at hearing that the Signory still entertained hopes that the Cardinal of England is willing to propose modifications of his (the Emperor's) overtures. That such was not the intention of the Cardinal was clear from the fact that he had a long time ago discontinued all negotiations with the Venetian ambassadors. Added that, even if the Cardinal had the intention to make new proposals, it would be impossible for him to do so as long as the Signory had not given an answer to his the (the Emperor's) overtures. Observed that the Signory did not seem to care much for a reconciliation with the Emperor, for if they had done so, they would not have delayed for more than three months giving their answer to the proposals of peace made by him. The Signory replied that their hopes were based on the circumstance that the Cardinal of England had promised only lately to the Venetian ambassadors in England that he would propose modifications to the conditions of the Emperor. The letter in which the Venetian ambassadors informed the Signory of this promise of the Cardinal is of as recent a date as the 13th of July. Made the observation that all the promises of the Signory would be of little value if they sent as restricted powers to their ambassadors at the Imperial court and at the court of the King of England as they have done hitherto, or if they continued their present dilatory line of policy. They promised that their powers to their ambassadors should be very ample, and that their instructions to them should satisfy the Emperor. Conferred with the English ambassador. He (Sanchez) and Pace came to the conclusion to go next day to the Signory, and to deliver them their joint demands in due form (to fulfil the treaty of London). Will write more by the next courier. Is convinced that the Venetians will not declare war against France before they know what he (the Emperor) and the King of England will do for them. The alliance with Venice is of the greatest importance to him. As he (Sanchez), however, has no power to enter into negotiations with the Venetians about the guarantees which the Republic expects from him (the Emperor) and the King of England, he will put them off until he receives new instructions from him, or from Don Juan, (fn. 6) to whom he has written. The ambassador of England is empowered by his King to enter into negotiations on these questions, and has told this to the Venetians. He has asked the Signory not only to give up their alliance with the King of France, but also to declare war against the French, and says that a promise not to help France is no answer to his proposals. The English ambassador further said to the Signory, with respect to what Andrea Gritti had pretended, that those persons are much mistaken who think that the French will march an army into Italy. The King of England will make a very powerful attack on France, and even should he be prevented from doing so, he would have money enough to induce others to make war upon France on all sides. The Venetians were very little pleased with that declaration, and swore that they never had based any hopes on a French army in Italy. The English ambassador hopes that the Venetians will soon enter the alliance. Thinks he has been influenced somewhat by their flatteries. The English ambassador was convinced that the nuncio of the Pope was a partisan of the Venetians after his first conversation with him. The English ambassador told him that the Duke of Ferrara wishes to become a member of the league, and that he has written on his (the Duke's) behalf to the Viceroy of Naples. The English ambassador is certainly very partial to the Duke of Ferrara. The Swiss offer troops to the Signory. Pestilence in Constantinople. After having written this letter, he went on the 27th, in company of the ambassador of England, to the Signory, to make their formal requests. Said that, according to the alliance of London, which was ratified by the Republic, each member of the league, when attacked by another member of it, is entitled to assistance from all the other members of the said league. As the King of France has most evidently attacked the Emperor, he (Alonso Sanchez) requested the Signory, in the name of his master, to do their duty. The English ambassador made the same declaration in the name of the King of England, adding that he (the Emperor) and the King of England had henceforth the same interests. When the members of the Signory read their formal requests they were much scandalized, and said they would confer on the answer to be given by them. The English ambassador told them that they had not given a satisfactory answer to his requests. He had requested them not only not to aid France, but also to make war upon her ; and they had answered him only with respect to the former portion of his request, leaving the latter portion of it without answer. He said he asked them whether they would assist the French in case a French army marched into Italy, adding that if they did so he (the Emperor) would be their enemy. They asked time to consider the answer to be given to this question.—Venice, the 27th of August 1522. Addressed : "To his Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty the Emperor and King, our Lord." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 15.
27 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 26. f. 55.	471. Alonso Sanchez, Imperial Ambassador in Venice, to the Emperor. This document is an abstract of the foregoing letter, which has served as a memorandum for the Privy Council of the Emperor. [Written on the margin by the Chancellor Gattinara :] If the Venetians send ample power to their ambassador at the Imperial court, his Majesty will grant them favourable conditions. His Majesty is, however, not willing to order his ambassador in England to negotiate there on this subject. That would only delay the conclusion of this affair. Indorsed : "Abstracts from letters which came with the courier from Genoa." Spanish. Original. pp. 2.
27 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. f. 196.	472. Hieronymus Garbinus, Public Notary in Venice, to All Persons. On the 27th of August 1522, and in the ducal palace, where the Doge had assembled the Senate and the Signory, Alfonso Sanchez, ambassador of the Emperor, and Richard Pace, ambassador of the King of England, delivered to the said Doge of Venice and to the Signory the letters patent of the Emperor, dated London, the 9th of June 1522, by which the republic of Venice is requested to declare war against France in accordance with the treaty of London ; and the letters patent of the King of England bearing the same date and containing the same request. Indorsed : "1522. The instrument of the requisition of the Emperor and the King of England." Latin. Holograph. pp. 3.
31 Aug. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 25. ff. 202-206.	473. Alonso Sanchez, Imperial Ambassador in Venice, to the Emperor. Sent his last letters viâ Rome and viâ England. This letter goes by way of Genoa. The Signory sent for him and for the ambassador of England, in order to give an answer to them with respect to their last declarations and to the letters patent they had delivered to the Doge and the Senate. The answer of the Signory was only a repetition of their former declaration. They added, however, that the treaty of London had lost its binding force through the death of Pope Leo X. and through some other circumstances which had taken place. They said a war with France was so momentous a thing that they could not venture on it before they were entirely reconciled with him (the Emperor). He and the English ambassador retired to confer on the answer to be made to the Signory, and decided that he (Alonso Sanchez) should declare that the assertion that the treaty of London had been invalidated by the death of Pope Leo X. was a frivolous pretence. Although the Pope had been received as a principal party of that treaty, that place had been assigned to him only because the Emperor and the King of England wished to honour him, and not because he was the originator of the treaty, or because it had been concluded at his request. Thus, the death of the Pope could not release the other members of that treaty from their duties. Made this declaration to the Signory, and added that if he (Alonso Sanchez) was not satisfied with their answer, he (the Emperor) would be much less contented with them. The Signory ought to consider to what dangers they exposed the Republic by professing friendship for him (the Emperor) and doing exactly the contrary to what friends ought to do. The ambassador of England made precisely the same observations. The Signory replied to the question of the English ambassador, as to whether they would lend aid to the French in case that a French army marched into Italy, by saying that when the French retired from Cremona, they refused them permission to enter the territory of the Republic. That refusal, they said, showed how much they desired to remain friends of the Emperor. They are still and always will be animated by the most friendly sentiments towards the Emperor and the King of England. The English ambassador, after having conferred with him (Sanchez), replied to the Signory that he was astonished at such an answer as they had given him. If they had not received the French when retreating from Cremona, it was from fear of attracting the war into their own dominions, and losing their territories. He said he wished to have a positive answer to his questions. The Signory declared that they had refused to send succour to Reggio when the French ambassador asked them to do so. The English ambassador repeated his demand to have a positive answer. The Signory replied that they could not give any other answer until they were reconciled with him (the Emperor). The English ambassador asked them what they would do if the French were to send an army to Italy at that very moment. The Signory answered that the King of France was not sending an army to Italy, and that they desired peace with the Emperor. Said that the Signory did not seem to desire peace with the Emperor, as they delayed the conclusion of the alliance. One member of the Signory said that as soon as the differences between Venice and the Emperor should be settled, Venice would conclude the alliance. Asked him whether he spoke in the name of the Republic, but did not receive an answer to this question. Was asked whether he was empowered to conclude peace with Venice. Said he was, provided that the conditions were acceptable. The Signory repeated their promise to send ample powers to their ambassadors in England and at the Imperial court. Has written to the Imperial ambassador in England, and asked him to see that the King and the Cardinal of England give such an answer to the Venetian ambassadors that they should lose all hope of being aided by England in their pretensions. Thinks that the English ambassador has hitherto behaved well, although he is said to have received for some years past a pension of 1,000 ducats a year from Venice. Will watch him. Begs him (the Emperor) to write a letter to the English ambassador, thanking him for his good services. Believes that the Venetians have answered the French ambassador as they say concerning the succour to ... and ... (fn. 7), but is persuaded that they have done so only from fear, and that they would aid the French if a powerful French army were to enter Italy. To render such assistance of the Venetians to the French impossible, it is necessary that he (the Emperor) should conclude peace with them. As soon as the Venetians knew that his (the Emperor's) army was advancing towards ... (fn. 8) they sent a body of infantry and cavalry into the country round Brescia, in order to keep guard on their frontier. The Pope renders all negotiations with Venice very difficult. Has written to Don Juan, and begged him to persuade the Pope to tell the Venetians that they must reconcile themselves with him (the Emperor). It was generally believed in Italy that the Pope would do what he (the Emperor) should tell him ; but the behaviour of the Pope has made the Italians think that his (the Emperor's) influence over the Pope will rather diminish than increase. When writing this letter the English ambassador came to his house, and told him that the Signory had sent one Daniel Derenier to him, and told him that they had entire confidence in the King of England, and would leave in his hands the decision of their disputes with him (the Emperor). They told him, at the same time, that their ambassador in England had sent them the modifications which the Cardinal intended to make concerning his (the Emperor's) proposals, and that they approved of them. The English ambassador told him further that the Signory had written a letter to the King of England in answer to his letter, and had thanked him for his kindness towards them, saying that they confided their cause entirely to him. News has arrived that the King of England has again laid an embargo on some Venetian galleys and merchandise in England. Thinks this measure will produce a good effect. Has not spoken with the ambassador of England concerning the sequestered galleys.—Venice, last day of August 1522. Addressed : "To his Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty the Emperor and King, our Lord." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 7.
31 Aug. M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. f. a. l. Hist. d. Esp.	474. The Abbot Of Najera to the Emperor. Received, on the 30th of August, a letter from Alonso Sanchez in Venice, dated the 20th of August. Richard Pace had arrived the same day, and promised to speak with the Signory the next day. The Venetians delay to declare themselves enemies of France, and refuse even to conclude a truce with him (the Emperor). Prospero (Colonna) has had letters from France. He says that the King repents very much that he has not accepted the offers of the King of England. Prospero has sent one of his servants to the King of France, and is endeavouring to make peace between France, on the one part, and him (the Emperor) and the King of England, on the other part. Thinks that in spite of the negotiations Lecco, Trezzo, and Domodossola ought to be conquered. The Pope must be asked to give some money. Pedro Navaro has gone to Naples, &c.—Pavia, last day of August 1522. Addressed : "To his most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." Indorsed : "To the King. 1522. Pavia. From the Abbot of Najera, last day of August." Spanish. Holograph. pp. 3.