Venice: August 1544 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1873.

'Venice: August 1544', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 124-127. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp124-127 [accessed 10 May 2024]

August 1544



Aug. 2. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), vol. 63, p. 161, tergo.	313. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador and “Bailo” at Constantinople.
	The Signory's ambassador writes from France, in date of the 17th and 23rd ult., that the Emperor's army, having obtained Ligni by capitulation, went under Saint Dizier, and after battering it briskly, made two assaults, which those inside repulsed; upwards of 2,000 of the Imperialists, including the Prince of Orange, having been killed.
	The besieged lost a valiant captain and many others; the Imperialists purposed battering the town from another quarter, and the Emperor in person had removed to a distance of six miles from the town.
	The English have divided their army leaving one half, numbering from 16,000 to 18,000 men, under Montreuil, and sending the other half to besiege Boulogne. The King of France is re-enforcing his army, and hastening the march of the Switzers, of whom thirty-six companies have reached Dijon; and he is doing the like by the troops on their way from Italy, under the command of the Count of San Secondo, instead of which there will remain in Piedmont Dom Pietro Strozzi, with the 10,000 infantry which he is now raising at La Mirandola. Besides these forces, his most Christian Majesty is mustering a good number of Gascons, and men from other parts of Fiance, besides some 8,000 or 10,000 picked cavalry.
	Ayes, 110. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian.]
Aug. 10–13. Miscellaneous Letters, Venetian Archives.	314. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Chiefs of the Ten.
	Last evening, after supping with the most illustrious De Granvelle, (fn. 1) had a long conversation apart with his son the Bishop of Arras, (fn. 2) who is very well acquainted with the secrets of the Imperial Court. He said the King of France would find himself in a bad way, having lost so much this year, and expecting to lose yet more; (fn. 3) adding that neither could he hope for much from Turkish assistance. Observed that the King might adjust all his difficulties by a peace, but the Bishop rejoined that the Emperor does not see how he could rely on it, and that whatever the King might negotiate, would be for the purpose of deceiving them, according to his invariable custom.
	[Had on that day conferred with the English ambassador, who, after telling him that he had no news from his King, added, “Yesterday the Emperor sent one of his gentlemen to my master, but I do not know for what purpose, or I would tell you freely.” Thinks it right to acquaint the Signory with this, as it was perhaps for the purpose of giving account of the surrender of St. Dizier. The gentleman sent by the Emperor is “Gentilhomo della bocca” of his Majesty, and the same who went heretofore to meet the Duke of Lorraine when he came to speak to his Majesty at Valenciennes.] (fn. 4)
	From the Imperial army under St. Dizier, 10th-13th August.
	[Italian.]
Aug. 16. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), vol. 63, p. 170, tergo.	315. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador and “Bailo” at Constantinople.
	By letters from the Signory's secretary [Zuccato] in England, dated the 22nd ult., understand that on the 16th July the King crossed over to Calais, accompanied by some hundred sail, with the rest of his army, and went straight to Montreuil to the besieging force, which after having battered the town briskly, and made two assaults, was repulsed with considerable loss.
	Ayes, 132. Noes, 24. Neutrals, 22.
	[Italian.]
Aug. 29. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), vol. 63, p. 171, tergo.	316. Commission from Doge Pietro Lando to the circumspect Secretary Giacomo Zambon, on his way to the Most Serene King of England.
	Having long kept as secretary with the most Serene King of England, Hieronymo Zuccato, lately determined to recall him, and elected Jacomo Zambon as successor to the secretary aforesaid. (fn. 5)
	To proceed immediately to England, and on his way should he meet any prince or personage whom he may think fit to visit in the Signory's name, to perform such discreet and suitable office as indicative of the love and affection borne by them towards the most excellent or right reverend person in question.
	If in passing through any place it be possible for him so to do, is to visit and pay his respects to the most Serene Queen Maria, sister of the Emperor and the King of the Romans, presenting credentials from the Doge, and assuring her of his reverence for the aforesaid most Serene Emperor and King of the Romans, her brothers, and of his observance towards her Majesty by reason of the good peace and friendship subsisting between them; adding such things as may seem fit to him according to the course of events, so that the office may be agreeable and acceptable to her.
	On arriving in England, should the King have come back from the army, or immediately on his return, after demanding audience, is to present himself to his Majesty, giving him the Doge's credentials, in virtue of which, is to state that his predecessor is recalled most especially for the satisfaction of his Serenity (maxime in sattisfattione di sua Serenità), with whom it being the Doge's firm intention to continue in his natural and ancient good friendship, he has appointed Zambon to reside with his Serenity, for the daily performance of such mutual good offices as afforded by circumstances, in accordance with his Majesty's great goodwill towards the State and the Signory's affairs, which they hold in very great account. To congratulate the King on his personal prosperity, which is as dear to the Doge as his own, addressing him generally in such loving and impressive terms as usual in similibus, and according to the events of the army, as he (Zambon) may think calculated to win his Majesty.
	Should the King not have returned from the army, Zambon is to remain in London, or where he may think most fitting, for the performance of this office on his Majesty's return.
	To visit in the Signory's name the lords and personages [of the Court], paying them suitable compliments according to their quality, to convince them of the esteem in which their lordships are held by the Doge, so that he may find them ready to do what may be for the honour and convenience of the State.
	All his actions are to have for object to confirm the King's good disposition towards the Signory, and from time to time he is to keep them advised, with all caution and assiduity, of such matters as he shall deem worthy of their knowledge; nor will they fail letting him know, in like manner, their intentions, and what he is to do.
	After his first audience of the King, he is to visit the most Serene Queen, (fn. 6) and the most illustrious Princess [Mary], the King's daughter, presenting the Doge's letters of credence, and acquainting them in such general and loving terms as he shall think fit with the Signory's observance and affection for the King and their Serenities (soe Serenità).
	Is constantly to favour, as becoming, the interests of the Signory's merchants and subjects, in such form as he shall think suitable, always with due regard for the post held by him, and as he shall consider becoming the honour and dignity of the State. As the term of the export permit for the wools is (the Doge understands) about to expire, he will in due course endeavour to obtain the prorogation of the permit, as conceded from time to time to the Signory, and about which the Venetian merchants will give him particulars.
	For his expenses, sixty ducats per month have been assigned him, at the rate of 6 livres and 4 soldi per ducat, of which he is not bound to show any account to the Signory, and they have caused him to receive the subsidy of four months la soventione de mesi quatro, four months salary in advance); also 60 ducats for the purchase of four horses, namely, one for himself at the cost of 30 ducats; and three for the servants at 10 ducats each, he being bound to keep four servants. Twenty ducats are also given him for trunks and coverings, and twenty ducats for a courier; and that he may have the means of clothing and putting himself in order to serve the Signory well, they give him a gratuity of 60 ducats.
	Ayes, 167. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian.]