Spain: September 1520 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1866.

'Spain: September 1520', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525, (London, 1866) pp. 316-320. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp316-320 [accessed 24 April 2024]

September 1520



3 Sept. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 19. ff. 186-196.	293. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. Has received his despatch which was sent by the courier who left Brussels on the 18th of August. His Holiness still suffers from the ague, and is not very anxious to learn the contents of the despatch, saying that his agents have already communicated to him the substance of it. Wrote, on the 22nd of August, saying that the Pope had sent his briefs to him and to the King of England, together with the papers concerning the creation of a legate in England. The Pope has refused to give a brief authorizing him to proceed against the Bishop of Zamora. If the Bishop is to be prosecuted, the Cardinal of Tortosa may send him to Rome. Hieronymo de Vich. No good services can be expected from him in case the Pope should die. The French are arming a great number of galleys. Raphael de Medicis is ordered to go to France. The Duke of Albany is dissatisfied with the King of France. The French ambassadors receive every day despatches from their King. It is said that the King of France is determined to have, at the next election, a Pope of his own making, and is ready to spend for that purpose a million of gold. (fn. 1) Thinks the King of France will find it difficult to get a million. Hopes, if God gives him health, to see a person of good character and of friendly intentions towards him (the Emperor) elected Pope, although it might perhaps be as difficult for him to find a good cardinal as for the King of France to find a million of gold. [Affairs of Camarino and Naples, and affairs of the Imperial embassy in Rome.]—Rome, the 3rd of September 1520. Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, &c." Indorsed : "To the King, from Juan Manuel, the 3rd of September 1520." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 9.
3 Sept. M. R. Ac. d. H. Salazar. A. 19. f. 191.	294. Don Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor Charles V. This despatch is in cipher and is a duplicate of the preceding.
8 Sept. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 19. ff. 205-207.	295. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. The Pope complains that the French treat him with haughtiness. They refuse to accept a legate on the terms which were granted, and ask for a legate on such terms as they think proper. They further declare that they will succour the Duke of Ferrara if he is attacked. Told the Pope that the French are treating him so badly because they hope to come to an understanding with him (the Emperor), and would treat him much worse if they were really to succeed in reconciling themselves with him (the Emperor). The Pope is very desirous to conclude the alliance (with the Emperor and the King of England), but if he (the Emperor) puts off the conclusion of it, it is to be feared that his Holiness will make peace with France, even on the worst conditions. The French say that Spain is lost to him for ever. Has for a long time received no despatch. It is difficult for him to find couriers, as they say that they are not paid.— Rome, the 8th of September 1520. Indorsed : "To the King, from Don Juan Manuel, the 8th of September. Answered the 27th of September." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 2.
12 Sept. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 19. ff. 210-213.	296. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. Sent his last despatch by a Neapolitan secretary. Has since been informed that the French ambassadors have received a great many despatches from the King of France, and have had frequent audiences of the Pope. Endeavoured to discover what was going on, and has been credibly informed that the French ambassadors had asked a secret audience of the Pope. His Holiness granted it, and the French ambassadors spoke to him as follows :— When the Imperial ambassador in France, they said, had returned from him (the Emperor) to the French court, he declared to the King of France that he (the Emperor) was determined to live and die a friend of the King of France. In order to show the King of France his sincerity, he proposed to divide Italy with him, the King of France taking Venice, and he (the Emperor) Tuscany, with Florence and the towns and cities which formerly belonged to the Emperors his predecessors. The French ambassadors added that the King of France had in appearance accepted the offers made to him, but that his real intention was no other than to show the Pope how little he can rely on him (the Emperor). They also told him that he (the Emperor) had already lost Spain, and would lose all his other states. Does not know how the Pope answered them. The Pope did not speak to him about this affair. Thinks, however, that the Pope believes the whole of the confidential communication to have been a mystification. Advises him to keep his counsel. Whatever the French ambassador at his court learns he writes directly to Rome. Thinks sometimes that it would really be the best line of policy if he (the Emperor) were, instead of concluding the alliance, (fn. 2) to make peace with the King of France. The difficulty is only that he cannot trust the King of France. French intrigues in Italy, and their designs on Naples. Lawsuit of Velasco with the Cardinal of Santa Croce. The Papal nuncio in France has written that he (the Emperor) is about to reconcile himself with the King of France. The Pope is suspicious, but is nevertheless ready to conclude the alliance (with the Emperor and the King of England.) Bishop of Pistoja. &c. A consistory has been held, and the Bishops of Liege and of Tortosa proclaimed cardinals.—Rome, the 12th of September 1520. Postscriptum.—The French beg the Pope not to give the bishopric to Fray Nicolo. French fleet. Addressed : "To the most sacred Cœsar, &c., our sovereign Lord." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 5.
25 Sept. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 19. ff. 233-239.	297. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. The Pope had already been informed by his nuncio and by Raphael (de Medicis) respecting all that the despatches of the 3rd of September contained. Denies that he keeps back letters for the Pope which come to his hands. Begs him (the Emperor) not to communicate his plans to strangers rather than to his ambassador. The Pope was very much annoyed that the courier did not arrive earlier, and that, when he at last arrived he had not brought his (the Emperor's) final decision on the alliance. (fn. 3) Begged the Pope not to believe what the French told him respecting the reconciliation between the Emperor and the King of France. The Pope is much bent on having Parma and Piacenza, which he says were taken from him in a manner that showed little respect for his person. Thought it advisable not to contradict his Holiness. The Pope is afraid that by delaying the conclusion of the alliance (between the Pope, the Emperor, and the King of England) an opportunity of carrying out the enterprise (against France) will be lost. The Pope wished to have the papers respecting Florence and the marriage of his nephew. Did not give them to him. The French have arrested Hieronymo Liandro, a courier of the Pope, who was the bearer of briefs concerning the Friar Martin. (fn. 4) As the same courier had also a letter of the Pope to the Bishop of Liege, promising him the cardinal's hat, his Holiness was much annoyed that the French have seen the letter. The Marquis of Mantua, &c. [Local news from Italy, and ecclesiastical preferment.]— Rome, the 25th of September 1520. Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, &c." Indorsed : "To the King, from Don Juan Manuel, the 25th of September." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 11.
26 Sept. M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 19. ff. 245-247.	298. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor. Has received his despatch from Brussels dated the 13th of September. Has since been occupied with deciphering and reading it. Will communicate its contents to the Pope as soon as possible. Is not afraid of what his Holiness will say to him, but of what he will do without speaking to him. The French ambassador and the Cardinal of Santa Maria in Porticu are carrying on very active negotiations with the Pope. A new ambassador, Monsieur de Marsan, is expected. He is a gentleman of the bedchamber of the King of France, whom the Pope knows, and in whom he has confidence. The Pope says that his (the Emperor's) affairs in Germany and in Spain are by no means in a prosperous state. Will write soon if he can find money to pay a courier.— Rome, the 26th of September. Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, &c." Indorsed : "To the King, from Juan Manuel, the 26th of September." Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 2.