Venice: December 1545 | 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: December 1545', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 151-155. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp151-155 [accessed 24 April 2024]

December 1545



Dec. 4. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X., File no. 6.	363. Motion made and lost in the Council of Ten and Junta for a safe-conduct demanded by Henry VIII.
	That at the suit made by the King of England, both by letter, and also through his ambassador, a safe-conduct be conceded to Ludovico da l'Armi for five years, during which he may come into this city, and into our territory, notwithstanding the sentence passed against him; and his Majesty's ambassador be told, that notwithstanding the enormity of his crimes, and the strictness of our laws, we have chosen to do this for his Majesty's gratification by reason of our ancient friendship with him.
	And that our secretary in England be written to in accordance with the present decree.
	Noes, 21.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 4. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X., File no. 6.	364. Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta for a letter to Giacomo Zambon, Venetian Secretary in England.
	By his letter of the 3rd October learn the conversation held with him by the Lord Chancellor in the matter of Ludovico da l'Armi.
	To thank the Chancellor for his goodwill towards the Republic, making him understand that the offices performed by him with the King have been most agreeable to them; they will always hold them in excellent account, and request him to continue them in like manner for the future, both in this present matter and on other occasions.
	Ayes, 6. No, 1. Neutrals, 2.
	Nothing carried, as a majority of ¾ is required.
	Reballoted	22	22
	”	6	6
	”	2	2¾ pendet
	[Italian.]
Dec. 4. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X., File no. 6.	365. Motion made by the Councillor Francesco Venier in the Council of Ten and Junta, concerning the reply to be given to the English Ambassador [Sigismund Harvel] assigning the reasons for refusing the safe-conduct demanded by Henry VIII.
	That in such form of speech as shall seem fit to his Sublimity, the Doge do answer the ambassador from England, that the crimes perpretated by Ludovico da l'Armi have been enormous, as he both assaulted the Republic's nightwatch and wounded the officials, and moreover sent men on purpose to Treviso, treacherously to murder Count Curio Bua, scaling the walls of the city; and that although the wish of the Signory is to gratify his Majesty, yet the State is compelled to have regard for justice, and for the peace of the inhabitants of Venice and of their other subjects, and to avoid disturbing the quiet of their towns.
	And that our Secretary in England be written to as follows:—
	To the Secretary in England.
	They lately received letters from his Majesty [of England], dated 28th September, urging them to release Ludovico da l'Armi, and others, arrested and condemned with him. They have also received those written by the Secretary himself on the 3rd, 10th, and 19th of said month, and finally what he wrote to the Chiefs of the Ten on the 29th, whereby and by those of the 3rd, are acquainted with the offices performed by him in this matter with the Chancellor [Thomas Lord Wriothesley.] Commend him greatly. To negotiate further with the Lord Chancellor, and request his Excellency to use his influence with the King, who will understand that the misconduct of said Ludovico compelled the Signory to proceed against him according to law.
	Then to demand audience of the King, to whom, after presenting the aforesaid credentials, he is to say that from the desire of the Signory to do what is agreeable to his Majesty, they have at all times graciously admitted into their territory his Majesty's agents and servants, and particularly Ludovico da l'Armi, who, so long as he attended to the King's service, was conceded every possible facility, which the State would have continued, but as he assaulted the Republic's nightwatch, and wounded one of their officials, and shortly afterwards sent armed men to Treviso to kill Count Curio Bua, scaling the city walls, the Signory was unable to do otherwise than prosecute him.
	To assure the King that they do not fail to continue in their good friendship with his Majesty, which is dear to them.
	To perform this office in the best and most agreeable form of language he can, and with every demonstration of the observance and goodwill which they bear his Majesty; informing the Chiefs how he has negotiated in this matter.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 9. Parti Secrete, Register. v. v. p. 152.	366. Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta, con-cerning the safe-conduct for Ludovico DA l'Armi.
	The Chiefs of the Ten repeat the motion made on the 4th December, for the grant of a safe-conduct for Ludovico da l'Armi.
	Noes, 22.
	Amendment proposed by the Councillor Francesco Venier.
	That as a person is expected here from England on this account, as heard this morning by letters from our Secretary, the grant of the safe-conduct be delayed.
	Ayes, 7. No, 1. Neutrals, 0.
	Nothing having been carried, as the first motion required three-fourths of the ballots, the first motion alone for granting the safe-conduct was re-balloted, and the ballots were—
	Ayes, 23. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 10. Lettere Secrete, CapiConsiglio X. File, no. 4.	367. Doge Francesco Donato to King Henry VIII.
	Has received his Majesty's letter urging him (the Doge) to recall Ludovico da l'Armi from exile, concerning which matter the King's ambassador discoursed very prudently. Would have certainly answered the missive earlier had not the death of the most Serene Prince, his predecessor, and the Republic's meetings (fn. 1) (nostraque comitia), delayed his decree; but at length, out of regard for his Majesty, he permits said Ludovico to return to Venice, and remain there and in other cities of his dominions, for five years.
	Has desired his secretary, Giacomo Zambon, to acquaint the King with some particulars in this matter, and to assure his Majesty, first of all, that it is the constant wish of the Republic, not only that their ancient and mutual friendship, and their extreme observance towards his Majesty should be maintained, but also that the same may increase.
	Requests the King, therefore, to give the same credence to his Secretary's words, as he would to his own.
	Hieronimus Priulus, C.C.X.
	Marco Antonio Venier, D.C.X.
	Francesco Mauroceno, C.C.X.
	Lectæ Clarissimis D. Sap. utr. manus. (fn. 2)
	[Original draft. Latin.]
Dec. 10. Lettere Secrete, CapiConsiglio X. File no. 4.	368. The Chiefs of the Ten to Giacomo Zambon, Venetian Secretary in England.
	Some days ago, letters were delivered to them from his Majesty [of England], making urgent demand for the release (liberations) of Ludovico da l'Armi, and they also received those written by him (Zambon) on the 1st, 3rd, 10th, 19th, and 31st October, addressed to the Chiefs of the Ten, whereby perceive the offices performed by him in this matter with the Lord Chancellor [Thomas Lord Wriothesley], and what was said to him by Secretary, Paget [Sir William Paget, Knt.] Commend him for what he did with the Chancellor, and for his reply to the Secretary. Having with the Council of Ten and Junta, resolved yesterday, for the gratification of his Majesty, to approve a safe-conduct for the aforesaid Ludovico for five years, they send this despatch with a letter addressed to the King, which he is to present. After apologizing for the delay of the reply, which was caused by the death of the Doge's predecessor, and his own occupations owing to his election, to inform his Majesty that the Signory, by reason of their ancient friendship with his Majesty, and from their great respect for him, although the misdemeanours of said Ludovico were grievous, and their laws very strict in this matter, have nevertheless granted the said safe-conduct for him for five years, authorising him to reside in Venice and their other towns, notwithstanding the sentence passed against him. To perform the same office with the Lord Chancellor, and to thank him for the affection which he bears the State.
	In case his Majesty or the others should tell him (Zambon) that the term of five years is too short, he is to reply that by the Republic's laws, similar safe-conducts cannot be granted for a longer period, especially with regard to offenders sentenced by the Council of Ten.
	Hieronimus Priulus, C.C.X.
	Marco Antonio Venier, D.C.X.
	Franciscus Mauroceno, C.C.X.
	Lectæ Clarissimis D. Sap. utr. manus.
	[Original draft. Latin.]
Dec. 14? MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. X. No date. Printed in v. iv. pp. 34–35. “Epistolarum Reginaldi Poli.” No date of time or place.	369. Cardinal Pole to Pope Paul III.
	Congratulates the Pope privately on his having at length opened the Council, (fn. 3) a door whereby he hopes the sterility of the Church will be removed, and prove as fruitful of comfort as the womb of Rachel.
	Trent, 14th December? 1545.
	[Latin, 19 lines.]
Dec. 16. Lettere Secrete, CapiConsiglio X. File no. 4.	370. The Chiefs of the Ten to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	The King of England having most earnestly requested the Signory by letter, as also through his ambassador and their Secretary resident with him, for his especial satisfaction to release (liberar) Ludovico da l'Armi from his sentence of banishment from their towns and places, did not think they could decline granting the demand in part, and, with the Council of Ten and Junta, have made a safe-conduct for said Ludovico for five years.
	Of this they give the ambassador notice for his instruction, and that should he be spoken to on the subject by his Holiness or any other personage, he may assure them that this was done for the gratification of his Majesty, and because the Republic has always (anticamente) had good friendship with him on account of trade, and also because at present many of their subjects are in those parts with considerable capital (con grosso cavedale), and well treated by his Majesty, to whom they did not think fit to refuse this mutual office of reciprocity (questo officio di corrispondenza) and demonstration of goodwill. But should nothing more be said to him, he is not to perform any office about it.
	Hieronimus Priulus, C.C.X.
	Marco Antonio Venier, D.C.X.
	Franciscus Mauroceno, C.C.X.
	Lectæ Clarm~is. D. Sap. utr. manus.
	[Original draft. Italian.]
Dec. 28. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxiv. p. 89, tergo.	371. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian “Bailo” at Constantinople.
	Their ambassador with the Emperor wrote to them from Antwerp in date of the 1st and 2nd, that the French ambassadors, the Admiral, the Lord Chancellor, and Secretary Bayard, who went to his Imperial Majesty to negotiate through him an agreement with the King of England, had gone back to France without any conclusion, and the Emperor was to depart for Ratisbon.
	By letters from France, dated the 26th ultimo, are informed that the most Christian King has in like manner sent other ambassadors to Calais, to treat an adjustment with England by means of certain ambassadors from the German Princes who are in that city.
	Ayes, 177. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 3.
	[Italian.]