Venice: July 1549 | 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: July 1549', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 235-238. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp235-238 [accessed 19 April 2024]

July 1549



July 6. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	564. Cardinal Pole to the Abbot of S. Saluto. (fn. 1)
	The Abbot knows for how much courtesy and kindness he is indebted to Monsignor Boldù, who has written him the enclosed letter. Desires to assist him as much as he can in this his need, and therefore wishes the Abbot to go to Cardinal Cornaro and plead warmly to him on his (Pole's) behalf in favour of said Monsignor Boldù; and should he understand that Cardinal Farnese has been moved to act thus by any other motive, in that case, the Abbot is to speak to his Lordship likewise in Pole's name, performing in short every office with that personage and such others as necessary with all earnestness in favour of this good gentleman; presupposing however that he has not done anything to deserve this punishment; as were it otherwise, Pole does not believe that the Nuncio at Venice would have been induced to write in his favour as Boldu says he has done. As the Abbot knows, the Dean Bonfio (Decano Bonfio) is a great friend of Pole's, and he would gladly do him any favour, but in the present case, Pole thinks he is debtor; if not, Pole does not intend to favour the just and fair demand of this good old man, and trusts in the goodness and courtesy of Cardinal Cornaro, that if his sole motive is to oblige the Dean in this matter, he will, at Pole's request, not oppose Monsignor Boldù farther. Requests this of him with all earnestness, nor does he care for the Dean's knowing that he has performed this office, as in a similar case he should be quite ready to do as much for him and his honour.
	Civitella, 6th July.
	[Italian.]
July 6. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	565. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at the Court of Paul III., to the Signory.
	On the 30th ult. Cardinal Farnese courteously communicated to me the facts contained in the letters of the 18th from the Imperial Court, as announced to the Signory at the close of mine of the 29th, but I did not find him so well satisfied with what he could get [from the Emperor] as had been told me, for on the contrary he seems to hold the recompense [for Piacenza] in very small account, the 40,000 crowns appearing to him (to use his own words to me) “nothing at all.” He evinced his intention of resenting this in some manner, although he said he had to deal with too powerful an adversary, adding that it was time for everybody to beware of the Emperor, and that he had moreover said so to the ambassador from Fen-am. (fn. 2) He also appeared to place very little reliance on French assistance, most especially because King Henry is so impeded by England.
	Yesterday the Pope conversed with me a long while about these letters of the 18th, but in general terms, saying that as the Emperor will not restore Piacenza to him, being unable to slake his thirst for universal empire, which he seeks to obtain by all possible means, so that all powers should take warning from the example of others, his Holiness hopes that God, whose cause is concerned, will inspire him with some resolve to his honour, and enable him to act as becomes his office, for that although the Emperor offers him this recompense he considers it certain that it is merely for the sake of thus enlarging his own territories, which can only benefit himself. But since the receipt of these letters his Holiness has daily held long consultations with the Cardinals Farnese, Sta. Croce, and Maffei, and on the day before yesterday they were also joined by Cardinal St. Angelo, and the Dukes Ottavio and Oratio [Farnese], who are likewise with them today, besides Giulio Orsini, who arrived last night. I hear many things, though not authentic, but it is told me on good authority that the Imperialists, both [the ambassador] Don Diego and the Spanish Cardinals, are constantly urging Madame (fn. 3) and these Farneses not to restore Parma to the Church; and yesterday, when I quitted the Pope, the Cardinal of Burgos entered his chamber, perhaps for the purpose of discussing this matter.
	From what Cardinal Farnese tells me this morning, Giulio Orsini merely announces what I have already mentioned, and the doctor of laws who is being sent by the Emperor is a Spaniard, of no great rank (condizione). It seems that he is gone to Milan, but will be here in two or three days, and will merely have to negotiate about a writing in confutation of the claims of the Apostolic See upon Piacenza and Parma, and concerning the offer to satisfy the Farnese family, and to give the Pope's grandchildren 40,000 ducats annual rental, either in Sicily or in the kingdom of Naples.
	There are also letters from France of the 26th ult., and Cardinal Farnese told me this morning that the French have no hope of recovering the island [Boulognebourg?] occupied by the English, but they purposed erecting a fortress on the coast opposite to it. They skirmish daily with the garrison of Boulogne, and lives are lost, and perhaps for the most part French.
	Scotland is making great preparations, as the Signory will have heard in full from their ambassadors.
	Rome, 6th July.
	[Italian.]
July 16. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxvi. p. 103.	566. The Doge and Senate to the Bailo at Constantinople.
	By letters from Brussels, dated the 29th ult., are acquainted with the arrival there at the Emperor's Court of Sir William Paget (il Paiet), chief secretary of the King of England, who has sent him as ambassador, some say to visit the Prince of Spain, the Emperor's son, others to negotiate fresh agreements between the Emperor and the King of England,
	Their letters from France, dated the 22nd June, announce the very stately entry into Paris of the most Christian King, and subsequently of the Queen for her coronation. That news had been received of the arrival in Scotland of the French troops and commander, sent by his most Christian Majesty in favour of that kingdom; and it was said that the Kings of France and England would appoint commissioners to settle their disputes on the confines of Picardy about forays and skirmishes, which take place daily towards Boulogne between the French and English. An agreement and confederacy is also said to have been formed between the most Christian King and the Switzers.
	Ayes, 166. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 3.
	[Italian.]
July 20. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	567. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at the Court of Paul III., to the Signory.
	The Pope tells me that letters received by him from the Imperial Court, dated the 10th instant, announce news of a great insurrection against the Government in England, and that the King had retired to a strong castle out of London. It seems that the cause of this was the grass-land (lo herbatico) [grass-commons?], as the great proprietors occupy the pastures of the poor people; the insurgents also require the Mass, or at least that, together with the religion, it remain as left by the late King. The government wishing to apply a remedy, put upwards of 500 persons to the sword, sparing neither women nor children, so that it gained strength, and was increasing, (fn. 4) as the Doge will have heard from his ambassadors, for (perchè) Don Diego (fn. 5) seems to hold it in much less account, but the Rev. Secretary Dandino brought me the original letters ut supra, which also state that there is little hope of the agreement which is now being negotiated by Paget at the Imperial Court; (fn. 6) and that the Signory may know what took place here in this matter, I add that the Right Rev. Cardinal Pole sent two of his gentlemen, both English, with a safe-conduct, to exhort the government of England to return to the Catholic religion, and they had audience of the Protector, but were dismissed rather harshly (ma con qualche asprezza spediti).
	Rome, 20th July.
	[Italian.]
July 21. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File, no. 18.	568. The Doge and College to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	By letters from England, dated 3rd instant, they are informed that the people have rebelled in several parts of the kingdom, not choosing to conform to the new religion. Commissioners were sent to quiet them, and some of the rioters boldly refused to submit, unless the mass and all the other offices of the old religion were restored; and having in like manner endeavoured to persuade the Princess Mary, she remained very firm in her determination not to renounce the old religion. (fn. 7)
	They have thought fit to notify this to him that he may communicate it to the Pope.
	[Italian.]
July 26. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File, no. 18.	569. The Same to the Venetian Ambassador in England.
	Send him the summary of the advices from Constantinople for communication as usual.
	[Italian.]
July 29. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	570. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal Farnese.
	The Penitentiary [Dr. Hilliard] who will deliver this letter to him, having returned from England, arrived at Civitella last evening. Should the Cardinal please, he can hear from him the report (il ritratto) which he has made of that whole Island, and present him to the Pope. Prays God to inspire his Holiness to do in this matter what may be most for his service and for the benefit of the church. Has nothing else to tell the Cardinal, referring himself to the Penitentiary's statement.
	Civitella, 29th July.
	[Italian.]