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| Dec. 2. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. pp. 284, 285. |
18. Receipt of a Message (uno aviso) addressed to the ambassador in Rome, the Doctor Hironimo Donado, by a friend of his in England, whereby it seems that the King of Scotland and the King of England have made peace and league together against France; nay, that he (sic) is said to have dismissed a French ambassador. It also seems that the paragraph in the letter ended thus:—“Tell Misier Hironimo we have undoubted victory against France.” |
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[Italian.] |
| Dec. 3. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 91, tergo. |
19. The Doge and Senate to their Ambassadors in Rome. |
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Are of opinion that every convenience for negotiating and concluding peace will be now afforded, as they suppose that the reverend ambassador of the King of England has arrived. |
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[Italian, 62 lines.] |
| Dec. 3. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 92, tergo. |
20. The Same to the Same (second letter). |
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To visit the reverend Bishop (sic) of York (Bainbridge), ambassador of the King of England, who is to arrive there shortly, in the Signory's name; to set forth the love and good will which the State bears his King; to make him such general offers as becoming; and to endeavour to win him to the Signory. |
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[Italian, 36 lines.] |
| Dec. 7. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. p. 293. |
21. Perusal in the Senate, in the afternoon, of letters from Rome from the ambassadors, dated the 26th November. On the 24th, the English ambassador, the Archbishop of York, arrived with — horses,
and was met by the ambassadors and by the Pope's attendants and cardinals as usual. When he arrived at his house, the Venetian ambassadors sent to tell him they would have gone to meet him to do their duty, in token of the Signory's observance towards the King of England, but on account of the excommunication dared not, because the Pope willed it thus. The Archbishop gave great greeting to the secretary, and accepted their apologies, saying that his King was all for the Signory, would attack France, and had written letters in favour of the Signory, &c. He had also brought a letter to the Pope from the King in favour of the Signory. The Pope was ill. Some said he fell sick on seeing the letter. |
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[Italian.] |
| Dec. 7. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. pp. 294, 295. |
22. Receipt of Letters from the Ambassador Badoer, dated London, 9th November. The King of England had made peace with his brother-in-law the King of Scotland. He (the King of England) had also dispatched envoys with letters both to France and to Spain in favour of the Signory; and had in like manner written to the Pope according to the copy of the letter already re-received. The envoy to France has apparently returned, and was supposed not to have brought a favourable reply; and the King of England, having convoked Parliament for the 21st January about French affairs, will not now it seems delay hostilities. The report is that he means to attack France, and to send troops across, so that the talk is of war. The ambassador requests remittances; cannot get money there. It also seems that the King was somewhat indisposed. |
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[Italian.] |
| Dec. 8. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 96, tergo. |
23. The Doge and Senate to their Ambassadors in Rome. |
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To continue to keep on friendly terms with the English ambassador, and visit him frequently with marks of honour and regard, so that the love and friendship subsisting between his King and the Signory may be notorious to all. |
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[Italian, 31 lines. By a note in the Register at the foot of this letter, it was apparently not sent; the ballots in its favour being 61, whereas an amendment in favour of delay numbered 94.] |
| Dec. 21. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 98. |
24. The Doge and Senate to Andrea Badoer, Ambassador in England. |
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Have received his letters of the 8th November, enclosing copies of the King's letters to the Pope and to his Catholic Majesty, and the reply of the latter. Are much satisfied with all of them, and desire him to thank the King, assuring him that he has conferred his favours on a state which will not forget them, and which will link their fortunes entirely with his. To commend all that the King suggested to the Catholic King, his “father and father-in-law, namely, to beware of rendering the King of France so powerful, lest hereafter detriment might ensue to the Spanish possessions in Italy. To exhort the King not to neglect so great an opportunity for the conquest of a crown whose title he bears, assuring him that, should he undertake this expedition against his capital and natural
enemy the King of France, they will so straiten the latter in Italy, that he (the King of England) will find it very easy to obtain what they propose, and gain as much praise and glory as have ever fallen to the lot of any other King of England. Would be glad to hear that the undertaking had been actually commenced; and to facilitate matters as aforesaid, he (Badoer) is to pray the King to continue his intercession for their reconciliation with the Emperor, whom they have not failed to acquaint with their observance, and wish for an alliance with him; to which effect they have sent two ambassadors to Feltre, there to confer with two others appointed by the Emperor, and to offer the aid of all their forces should the Emperor attack the Milanese. Are convinced that, if the King of England will persevere in his good offices, his authority will cause the Emperor to join him, Spain, and Venice, and such others as the King of England shall think tit; but if the King of England attack France, they would, even if unable to make terms with the Emperor, join England, Spain, and such others as shall be thought fit, against France. Is also to request the King to persevere in the like office with the Pope, through his ambassador at Rome, and to do his utmost to alienate his Holiness from France. To thank the King for the offers made by the Archbishop of York to the Venetian ambassadors in Rome. They have charged these ambassadors to make demonstrations of friendship towards the Archbishop. Trust that the King will give the Pope and all the other Christian princes to understand that the Signory will not fail to help themselves by all means possible. Relate the progress of the war in the North of Italy. The Signory have recovered Vicenza, Feltre, Cividal di Belluno, and La Scala, and have executed reprisals against the Duke of Ferrara, for his occupation of the Polesine of Rovigo, Montelice, Este, Montagnana, and Castelbaldo, and the destruction of the dikes on the Adige in the Paduan territory. |
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[Italian, 59 lines.] |
| Dec. 22. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 99. |
25. The Doge and Senate to Andrea Badoer, Ambassador in England. |
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The missives addressed by the King of England to the Pope and to the Catholic King, were to their satisfaction, but could have wished the missives for the Pope to have been in better form especially the passage in the following terms:—“After his Holiness has obtained his places and towns, and after the other confederate powers in like manner shall get possession of well nigh all those places to which they lay claim;”—because this furnishes matter for his Holiness to reply that the Emperor has not obtained that to which he lays claim. Remind him (Badoer) of the instructions he has received to keep Don Pietro Carmeliano on good terms with the Signory, and to exhort him to persevere in the good office he has commenced in aiding their affairs, for which service they will give him cause to remain satisfied with the Signory. Ludovic della Mirandola, commander in chief of the troops of the Duke of Ferarra, has been shot before a Venetian bastion on the Po. Is to announce this fact
to the King and such other persons as he shall think fit, and to congratulate his Majesty on the pregnancy of the Queen. Enclose their letters of thanks to the King. |
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[Italian, 27 lines.] |
| Dec. 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. p. 327. |
26. Receipt of Letters from the Ambassador Badoer, dated London, 14th November. Had been ill of fever, and had pawned his plate, being unable to find any one who would give him money on bills of exchange. |
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[Italian.] |
| Dec. 29. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 102. |
27. The Doge and Senate to the Ambassadors at the [Papal] Court. |
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Should they deem the mediation of the English ambassador (whom the Signory considers a good instrument) calculated to remove difficulties and arrange matters, they are at liberty to employ it in their discretion. |
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[Italian, 64 lines.] |
