Venice: August 1529

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Venice: August 1529', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533, (London, 1871) pp. 226-229. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol4/pp226-229 [accessed 25 April 2024]

August 1529

Aug. 2. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta) Filza 9. 493. Commission from Cardinal Wolsey.
The Right Reverend Cardinal of York having asked our ambassador in England to obtain a remnant (cavezo) of tawny-coloured damask, as notified by him in his letters to the Signory, it is very fitting to comply with his right Reverend Lordship's wish.
Put to the ballot, that our College effect the purchase of 45 yards of the handsomest tawny-coloured damask there be (visij); and, when purchased, make a present of it to the aforesaid Cardinal.
Ayes, 132. Noes, 35. Neutrals 3.
126. 66. 3. Pendet
[Italian.]
Aug. 3. Sanuto Diaries, v.li.p. 224. 494. Nicolò de Nobili (a Lucchese) to—.
(Intelligence dated Lyons, 3rd August, and from the French Court at Cambrai . . . . , received at Lucca, 6th August.)
Sure news was received last night that the peace is concluded. The King signed it on Thursday, and on Friday everything was broken off. On Saturday they again assembled, and agreed that all the confederates and persons proscribed (banditi) should be included. It remains for the Venetians to settle many affairs which have been referred to the Kings of France and England. The King of France and the Pope are to decide whether the Duke of Bari [Francesco Maria, Sforza] has erred against the Emperor or not, so as to forfeit some part of the duchy [of Milan] or not. The King [of France] renounces the Milanese, the county of Asti, and the kingdom of Naples. Four marriages are to ensue: the King to Madame Eleanor; the Dauphin to the Princess of Portugal, daughter of Madame Eleanor; the Duke of Orleans to the daughter of the King of England, where he will remain; the son of the Duke of Lorraine to Madame Madelaine, daughter of the King of France, with the duchy of Bourbon for dower. He (the King of France) is to pay two millions of gold—thus, 400,000 to be disbursed to the King of England; 600,000 to be delivered in ready money at Bayonne; the rest at stated intervals. If needed by the Emperor, the King is to supply him for one year with 500 paid spears, and 10,000 infantry; besides many other conditions and particulars (particolarità).
Lyons, 3rd August. Registered by Sanuto 12th August
[Italian.]
Aug. 6. Sanuto Diaries, v. li. pp. 272–273. 495. Hieronimo Franco, in the service of Marshal Triulzio, to Pomponio Triulzi.
Yesterday the Bishop of Cambrai sang his first mass, and a sermon was preached by Monsig. de Venza. The mass being ended, the two “Madames” [Margaret and Louise], together with (con l'assistent la del) the Legate Salviati and the ambassadors of King Ferdinand and of the King of England, swore to the articles most solemnly; after which the Dean of Cambrai proclaimed aloud, peace, union, and alliance for personal defence, and maintenance of the states of each of the parties; namely, the Pope, the Emperor, the most Christian King, the King of England, and King Ferdinand; after which, another peace was proclaimed, between the King of England and Madame Margaret; and it was ordered for these treaties of peace to be published throughout the kingdom.
The Confederates [Venice, Milan, and Florence?] have not been named, neither was mention made in the proclamation of place reserved for any Princes and Republics.
The ambassadors [from Venice, Milan, and Florence?] departed yesterday morning, dissatisfied, before the proclamation; as on the preceding evening, being called before the Council, they were shown the articles, which they saw for the first time, purporting that the powers they represented were included in the peace, provided that within four months they gave the Emperor and King Ferdinand what was due to them, without specifying either money or towns. It seems that the Venetian ambassador was required in virtue of the treaty of Cognac (sic), (fn. 1) to surrender the Signory's possessions in the kingdom of Naples [Trani, Monopoli, etc.]. He replied that his Republic never refused to do what was fitting, and would also manfully maintain her rights in all Venetian places and towns. So this rather bold announcement caused them to tell him to beware of increasing the number of the Republic's enemies. King Francis has now no longer territory or anything else in Italy, which will cease to be a power dependent on Fiance, who will however remain united and entire; and the King will get his sons, and it may be supposed that in a few years he will be more powerful and richer than ever. The root thus taken by the Emperor in Italy is nevertheless a fearful thing. It is evident that the King and his Council most deeply regretted deserting the Confederates, having done his utmost to include them in the peace; and the negotiation was well nigh broken off twice. A member of the Council with whom I had a long discourse last evening makes it appear that “questi Signori” [query the representatives of France?] seek to retain their confederates, most especially the Signory, saying that many valid excuses could be made; and, first of all, for the recovery of his children it was lawful for King Francis to attempt anything, and to effect this all the confederates had promised to give both towns and money. But, leaving aside all these arguments, they purpose holding their confederates in account, and assisting them should the Emperor choose to exceed fair limits. They say that King Francis will well know how to direct himself, and live with the Emperor, and that if they are to remain friends, his Imperial Majesty must concede him many things for the benefit of the two confederates [query the Signory of Venice and the Duke of Milan?] and likewise of those who were proscribed (li foraussiti) about whom they talk of sending as ambassador to the Emperor one of the chief personages of France, who will have many commissions concerning this matter.
Some persons say that these two Madames will ride today to the abbey of Mont St. Martin, four leagues hence, where the King is. As this peace is concluded, I shall depart tomorrow morning for Flanders, and remain absent for a fortnight. In the meanwhile Messer Mauro, who is with the King, will transmit the news of the day.
Cambrai, 6th August. Registered by Sanuto, 22nd August.
[Italian.]
Aug. 10. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 205, St. Mark's Library. 496. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
When with the Pope this afternoon, he said to me, “I see two good things in this peace; the first is, that the King of France will get back his sons, and be no longer bound to the Emperor by that tie; so that in the end all will recover their own. The other good thing is, that the Emperor cannot do less than go to Germany, both for the affairs of the Turk and also on account of the Lutherans. So to me it seems prudent to dissemble with him, even were we to know for certain that he bears the Italians ill will. Time brings with itself sundry opportunities” (il tempo porta seco diverse occasion).
Rome, 10th August 1529.
[Italian, 2 pages.]
Aug. 16. Sanuto Diaries, v. li. p. 239. 497. Prothonotary Casal in the College.
The English ambassador came into the College, and condoled on what he had heard. It seems his King would not be a party to the peace, and on hearing this news will take it very much amiss.
[Italian.]
Aug. 16. Sanuto Diaries, v. li. p. 373. 498. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
Has received the Signory's letters announcing the invasion of Hungary by the Turks.
The King is at a distance of 50 miles from London.
Has also heard of the conclusion of the peace at Cambrai.
London, 16th August. Registered by Sanuto, 8th October.
[Italian.]
Aug. 17. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 207, St. Mark's Library. 499. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
A courier from England, who arrived yesterday and came through Lyons, brought letters thence dated the 10th.
The Emperor arrived at Genoa on Thursday the 12th instant, the courier from England declaring that be saw him, as told me by Salviati.
Rome, 17th August 1529.
[Italianpage.]
Aug. 18. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 208, St. Mark's Library. 500. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
The Pope told me today that he had received letters from England dated the 29th ult., informing him that the two Legates had prorogued the term, within which the Queen was to reply, until the close of October. The [brief of] advocation of the suit to Rome had not yet arrived [in England], but was expected.
Of the two millions of gold, to be disbursed by the King of France, 390,000 crowns are to be placed to the credit of the King of England on account of the debt due to him from the Emperor. The Pope also told me that the King of England had exerted and continued exerting himself for the conclusion of the peace.
Rome, 18th August 1529.
[Italian 2 pages.]
Aug. 21. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 209, St. Mark's Library. 501. The Same to the Same.
On the day before yesterday, in consistory, there was a discussion about the bishopric of Utrecht, the temporal jurisdiction of which see was renounced to the Emperor. The Imperial ambassadors here are now very urgent with the Pope and Cardinals, for the renunciation to be approved by the Apostolic See.
All the cardinals, except five, adapting themselves to the times, give their assent; but as the five are of a contrary opinion, which is, I believe, shared by the Pope himself, his Holiness has not formed any decision, but depending as he does upon the Emperor, I think he will comply with his demand.
Rome, 21st August 1529.
[Italianpage.]
Aug. 23. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 210, St. Mark's Library. 502. The Same to the Council of Ten.
The Pope told me this morning, that according to letters from the Archbishop of Capua to his Nuncio at Genoa, the King of France was to pay the Emperor one million and 200,000 crowns; but the Pope believes this sum to comprise some 400,000 crowns clue from the Emperor to the King of England.
Rome, 23rd August 1529.
[Italian 4 pages.]
Aug. 25. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), Filza 9. 503. The Doge and Senate to Alvise Griti (fn. 2) (at Constantinople.)
On the 5th inst., at Cambrai, peace was solemnly proclaimed between the Pope, the Emperor, the King of France, the King of England, and the Archduke of Austria, styled by them King of Hungary.
They do not name or include the Signory and the other confederates.
Ayes, 48. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 5.
Reballoted on the 26th August.
Letter to be dated 23rd August.
Ayes 115.
[Italian.]
Aug. 31. Sanuto Diaries, v. lii. p. 39. 504. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
Has a person sick of plague in his house. The King and Cardinal are abroad about the island. On the 28th the league between the Emperor and the King of England was proclaimed.
London, 31st August. Registered by Sanuto, 8th October.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. The League stipulated at Cognac on the 22nd May 1526 was between France, the Pope, the Venetians, England, the Switzers, and the Florentines, for the liberty and security of Italy. (See L'Art de Vérifier les Dates.)
  • 2. Concerning Alvise Griti, natural son of the Doge, and who was born at Constantinople, where he resided and had great power, see Ramberti's account of Turkey, published by Aldus at Venice, in the year 1545, p. 140, and following. Alvise Griti perished at Meghies, in Hungary, A.D. 1534, Sept. 29. In May 1523, at the time of the election of Doge Griti, Alvise Priuli assigned as a reason for opposing it, that Griti, on retiring from business at Constantinople, left fifty bastards there, one of whom was this Alvise. (See “Sanuto Diaries,” 1523, May 20, vol. xxxiv. p. 123.)