Venice: April 1547

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.

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'Venice: April 1547', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 209-213. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp209-213 [accessed 28 March 2024]

April 1547

April 14. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxv. p. 105, tergo. 493. Motion made in the Senate concerning the Embassy to England.
This Council, in conformity with the Republic's prudence and dignity, determined to elect two ambassadors to Henry II., King of France, (fn. 1) to perform such offices as are required by present events, so that there will be three Venetian ambassadors at the French Court. Notwithstanding this, to the King of England who is in the same position, and whose greatness is notorious to everybody, there has been elected but one sole ambassador, who is to reside at that Court. This is, in truth, contrary to the dignity of our State, nor can it but cause dissatisfaction to his Majesty, which should be provided against in some way.
Put to the ballot, that one of the two ambassadors elected to France who shall score (scoderà) the fewest ballots, after doing what he has to do with his most Christian Majesty, do go to the King of England, to perform such offices as the present times require, and after doing so to return home, the Ambassador Bollani remaining at the English Court. The new ambassador to receive the same salary as appointed him during his first embassy to France.
Ayes, 49.
Amendment to the foregoing motion :—
That the Senate do abide by what was carried heretofore concerning this matter.
Ayes, 133. Noes, 6. Neutrals, 9.
[Italian.]
April 18. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 494. The Chiefs of the Ten to the Venetian Secretary at Milan.
By the enclosed copy he will see what their ambassadors with the Emperor and the King of the Romans have heard from Mons. d'Arras about Lodovico da l'Armi. By other letters from their ambassador with the Emperor, dated the 4th instant, they were advised that the Lord Don Ferrante, by letters dated the 15th ult., announced to the Emperor the resolve of the Senate of Milan, and then added, that after having written, he received his Majesty's letters dated the 3rd concerning the delivery of Lodovico, which he would effect. To tell Don Ferrante that they have heard from the Court, that his Imperial Majesty wrote to his Excellency in such form that Mons. d'Arras said his Excellency would comply with their wish. To pray him therefore to give them the aforesaid Lodovico.
Francesco Longo, C.C.X.
Stefano Trivisano, C.C.X.
Lectæ Clarmis D. Cons, et Sap. utr. manus.
[Italian.]
April 19. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. To be read by the Governors face to face. 495. The Same to the Governors of Brescia.
This morning the Emperor's Reverend Ambassador informed them that his Majesty had sent an order to the Lord Governor of Milan to deliver Lodovico da l'Armi. Therefore immediately wrote the accompanying letter to their secretary there, which is to he forwarded. To cause Count Camillo Avogaro and Dom. Hieronimo Martinengo to put in marching order 100 efficient men well mounted, but without stating the service to be performed by them to any hut the said commanders. Should they require 50 or 60 harquebusiers besides the cavalry, the Governors to provide that from territory to territory they may have those of the militia (delle ordinanze). On being advised by the Secretary, to immediately send the said commanders with the company to receive the said Lodovico. The troops sent to be efficient and well armed. To warn the commanders to keep him under the closest custody, and bound, without any respect, not leaving him weapons of any sort, and keeping an eye upon him both by day and by night, that he may not be able to injure himself, nor be injured by others, either by means of poison or otherwise, but that he be brought in safety to Venice. To consult with the commanders, which road will be the safest for them to take, either by the Bergamasque and the Valleys, or by the straight road. Should either of these two commanders not be at Brescia, or unable to go, to make use of others as they shall deem sufficient. To take the advice of D. Antonio da Castello, the colonel and captain of the Artillery, and for their necessary expenses beyond the Signory's territory, to supply them with such money as shall be needed.
Ayes, 19. No, 1. Neutrals, 0.
[Italian.]
April 19. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 496. The Chiefs of the Ten to the Venetian Secretary at Milan.
This morning Majesty's Reverend Ambassador in-formed them that his Majesty had sent a commission to the Governor [Don Ferrante Gonzaga] to give Lodovico da l'Armi into their hands, and that the Governor will make the delivery. Therefore send in haste, charging him to acquaint his Excellency with this statement, and to pray him to carry out his Majesty's order.
Ayes, 19. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 0.
[Italian.]
April 20. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 497. The Same to the Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor.
Are informed by their ambassador in Rome that on the 6th instant his Holiness's Legate, Cardinal Sfondrato, departed on his way to the Imperial Court. Their ambassador hears on good authority that the Cardinal has a very ample commission for the adjustment of matters between the Pope and the Emperor, and it is supposed that with regard to England, Sfondrato will do but little. To ascertain all he can about Sfondrato's negotiations.
Received his letters dated the 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 9th, concerning Lodovico da l'Armi.
Yesterday the Emperor's ambassador informed them that he had received letters from his Majesty, desiring him to write an order immediately to Don Ferrante, to consign Lodovico to them, and that they were therefore to send to receive him, in conformity with what was said by the Bishop of Arras to him, their ambassador.
Francesco Longo, C.C.X.
Stefano Trivisan, C.C.X.
Jeronimo Zane, C.C.X.
Postscript.—Have received letters from the secretary at Milan, dated the 18th, that Don Ferrante informed him that he had received an order from the Emperor to deliver Lodovico da l'Armi to them. To thank the Emperor in their name.
[Italian.]
April 22. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 36. 498. Lodovico da L'Armi.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
In order that Zambattista Campana and Isepo da Trento may be able to maintain themselves, be they given fifty ducats from the chest of this Council.
Ayes, 22. Noes, 3. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.]
April 27. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X., v. xviii. p. 19, tergo. 499. Motion made in the Council of Ten.
That from the moneys appointed for this purpose there be given to the nobleman Ser Domenego Bollani, who is going as ambassador to England, 600 golden ducats, for four months' salary, at the rate of 150 ducats per month. For riding-horses, as usual, 150 ducats, at the rate of six livres and four “soldi” per ducat. For trunks and coverings, 30 ducats. To his secretary, as a donation, 50 ducats. For two couriers, at the rate of 20 ducats each, 40 ducats, as carried in the Senate and in the College.
And be there given him 200 ducats for couriers and the despatch of letters, and to spend, if necessary, for boats, escorts, guides, and safe-conducts; with the obligation to give especial account of the sum. Moreover be the treasurer of this Council and his successors charged, out of the moneys of the limitation fund appointed for ambassadors, to give to the aforesaid ambassador's agents, on the expiration of three months after his departure hence, at the commencement of the fourth month, 150 golden ducats, so that he may have one month's salary in advance, and thus successively from month to month.
Ayes, 29. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
[Italian.]
April 28. Lettere Secrete Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 500. The Chiefs of the Ten to the Venetian Governors of Padua.
Their Governors of Brescia wrote to them on the 26th instant, that tomorrow there will arrive at Padua the Signor Camillo Avogaro and the Signor Hieronimo Martinengo, who, with some 200 horse, are bringing Lodovico da l'Armi from Milan. As the Chiefs do not choose the commanders and cavalry to proceed farther they send the present letter to the Governors of Padua by the trusty Bernardin Secula, Captain of the Council of Ten, with some of his men; charging the governors immediately on the arrival of the escort with Lodovico da l'Armi, to have him consigned to the captain, and with twenty-five good infantry of the garrison of Padua, under the command of the lieutenant of their company, they are to have him embarked [on the Brenta] for conveyance to Venice. To give the Signors Camillo and Hieronimo leave to return home with their soldiery, informing them that the Chiefs are extremely satisfied with the promptitude and diligence displayed by them on this service, and are writing to the Governors of Brescia to repay what they have expended.
Franciscus Longo, C.C.X.
Stefano Trivisan, C.C.X.
Jeronimo Zane, C.C.X.
[Italian.]
April 28. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 501. The Same to the Venetian Governors of Brescia.
Received their letters of the 26th, announcing the arrival there of Signor Camillo Avogaro and Signor Hieronimo Martinengo with Lodovico da l'Armi, and the road they were to take. According to the governors' advice, are this clay sending to Padua the trusty Bernardin Secula, Captain of the Council of the Ten, to receive Lodovico and bring him to Venice, with an escort of infantry from the garrison of Padua. To inform Count Pietro Martinengo by letter that they are very much pleased with his proceedings on this occasion. As when the consignment was made to the two commanders they gave 27 crowns to the officials of the Castle of Milan, the governors are to repay them this sum, and whatever else they have expended.
Francesco Longo, C.C.X.
Stefano Trivisan, C.C.X.
Jeronimo Zane, C.C.X.
[Italian.]
April 29. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 36. 502. Lodovico da l'Armi.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
That Lodovico da l'Armi be not unhandcuffed, and should he refuse to eat, the due trial being first made, (fn. 2) the food to be forced down his throat against his will.
Ayes, 17.
That the committee return to the [torture?] chamber this evening to examine the above-mentioned Lodovico.
Ayes, 5. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 3.
[Italian.]
April 30. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 503. The Chiefs of the Ten to the Venetian Secretary at Milan.
By his letters of the 24th instant were acquainted with the consignment of Lodovico da l'Armi. The commanders arrived with him yesterday at Padua, and the same day he was brought to Venice by the Captain of the Council of Ten.
Stefano Trivisanus, C.C.X.
Hieronimo Zane, C.C.X.
[Italian.]
April 30. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X., v. xviii. p. 19, tergo. 504. Motion made in the Council of Ten.
The right faithful notary in ordinary of the Signory's Chancery, Alvise Novello, going now as secretary to England with the ambassador, the nobleman Domenego Bollani, it is fitting, according to invariable custom, to pay him his salary in advance, that he may provide his outfit and other things required by him for this legation; wherefore,—
Put to the ballot, that the governors of the revenues, and especially the one who presides over the chest of the notaries of the Chancery, be enjoined to advance to said Alvise on account of his salary, which is 30 ducats, one hundred ducats, to be repaid in five years, by his notes of hand.
Ayes, 15. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Henry II. succeeded his father Francis I. on the 31st March 1547. (See L'Art de Verifier les Dates.)
  • 2. “Fatta prima la debita experientia.” This may signify, either that before proceeding to extremities, he was requested to eat; or, that assay of the food was made, to remove any suspicion of poison.