Spain: January 1521

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

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'Spain: January 1521', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525, ed. G A Bergenroth( London, 1866), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp333-337 [accessed 11 December 2024].

'Spain: January 1521', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525. Edited by G A Bergenroth( London, 1866), British History Online, accessed December 11, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp333-337.

"Spain: January 1521". Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525. Ed. G A Bergenroth(London, 1866), , British History Online. Web. 11 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp333-337.

January 1521

1521. 7 Jan.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist Salazar. A. 20. f. 6. f. 11.
315. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
Gave his (the Emperor's) promises in writing to the Pope, who declared himself satisfied with them, and had them put in a cover, sealed and kept under lock and key, in order that the secret should not be betrayed to the French.
The French intrigue in Rome with "dreadful" energy.
German Diet.
Told the Pope that he (the Emperor) had not yet decided whether he would come to Italy or not. The French boast that they will soon conquer the whole of Italy.
Robert de la Mark.
The King of France proposes to the Pope an interview in Florence.
The Pope begins to lose his fear that he (the Emperor) will conclude an alliance with France.
Thinks it is right that he should fortify Meran and Gradisca.
Marquis of Mantua.
It is highly desirable to amuse the Swiss, although it will be difficult to do so, if "the fair words are not intermingled with money."
The Queen of Naples.
News from England has arrived. In Rome the King of England is not supposed to be a good friend of his (the Emperor's).
The Pope is very angry that the infantry in Sicily has been disbanded, and permitted to plunder friends and foes. He speaks very badly of princes who undertake to carry on war without money.
Whilst he is writing this letter the Pope sends to tell him that he does not wish anything to be changed with respect to the 3,000 Swiss. He proposes that they should be paid by himself, the Emperor, and the King of England, and if the King of England should refuse to pay his part, that the Pope and he the (Emperor) alone should pay them.
Had a long conversation with the Pope on the licentious behaviour of the unpaid soldiery, and the means for paying and disciplining them. It seems that the French intend to enlist the disbanded soldiers.
Has already written to him that the Pope prefers first to conclude a defensive league with him alone, without the King of England, and afterwards to enter into negotiations with the King of England. His Holiness has sent him the articles of that league. Does not quite understand what the articles of the treaty signify, but has suppressed as much as he could, and sends him what remains of the treaty. The Pope thinks the defensive league is only a sham, and says that the King of England is by no means determined to be his (the Emperor's) friend in a war with the King of France. Observed to the Pope that it is not just that he (the Emperor) should pay twice as much as his Holiness The Pope answered that he contributed not only money, but assisted also with his spiritual weapons.
The Pope spoke again of the bad discipline of the infantry.
Ambassador of Poland. Prussia.
Rebellion in Anatolia against the Turks.
The Pope sent the Archbishop of Capua to him, and told him that he wished the time fixed in the paper he had delivered to him to be further postponed.
Learns from a well-informed person that the King of England has not asked the Pope to reconcile himself with the King of France. He has neither persuaded him to do so, nor dissuaded him from doing so.—Rome, the 7th of January 1521.
Addressed : "... Cœsar ... King, &c., our sovereign Lord."
Indorsed : "From Rome. To the King. Don Juan Manuel. The 7th of January. Answered."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 8.
13 Jan.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 20. f. 21.
316. Lope Hurtado De Mondoza to the Emperor.
[The despatch is written partly in common writing, partly in cipher, which has remained undeciphered. Judging by what is written in common writing, the despatch treats of the local affairs of Italy. In the margin are notes written by Gattinara, a great portion of which is only to the purport that it is not necessary to answer the letter.]
The Cardinal of England has asked to be nominated legate during the period of his life. The Pope, however, has made him legate for ten years only.—Rome, the 13th of January 1520.
Addressed : "To his sacred Catholic Majesty, the Emperor and King, our sovereign Lord."
Spanish. Autograph, pp. 6.
28 Jan.
M. D. Pas. de G. Pap. r. a. l. H. d. Es.
317. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
The Pope is going to a place some five or six leagues distant from Rome, on a hunting party. Is ill, and cannot see the Pope. Has, however, good mediators, by means of whom he carries on his negotiations with his Holiness. The foremost of them is Hieronymo Adorno, a faithful servant, and a man of great capacity of mind.
With respect to the see of Toledo, the Pope will do whatever he likes, in case the see should become vacant. There are 500 or 600 persons who are asking the Pope to give them the cardinal's hat.
Abbacies of Cambray. Bishopric of Pamplona.
Has already written to him that the French are openly showing their dissatisfaction with the Pope. From what he has since learnt, he thinks that their dissatisfaction is only a pretence. They are carrying on negotiations with his Holiness concerning the conquest of Naples.
The Pope desires nothing more ardently than to drive the French out of Italy, and would, for that purpose, readily enter into the alliance (between the Emperor and the King of England). If he should nevertheless conclude an alliance with France, he would do so from utter fear and despair. The Pope is afraid lest he (the Emperor) should put him off with fair words. His Holiness thinks that his dilatory and dissembling policy is prejudicial to the Holy See, as well as to the Imperial interests.
The Pope sent to tell him that it would be madness in him to place himself under the protection of the Emperor as long as he is in such great difficulties in his own states, viz., Spain, Naples, and Sicily, and has not succeeded in winning over the Swiss to his cause, or even secured a reliable friendship with the King of England. As soon, however, as he has put in order his home affairs, and has got reliable allies, the Pope said he would like to be guided by him in all and every respect whatever. His Holiness thinks he (the Emperor) has greatly erred in the past, since it depended only on him to render himself master of Italy, and earn thereby so high a reputation that neither his subjects nor foreign princes would have dared to contradict him. Another opportunity offers itself at the present conjuncture, but he must be a man of action, and not a procrastinator and dissembler. Dissembling, his Holiness observed, may be very well when the stake is gained, but it is of no use as long as one has to play for it. The Pope thinks that his (the Emperor's) power is much more in appearance than in reality. But although weak in every other respect, he would be strong in a war with France, for the Church, the whole of Italy, and all the other princes bear so much ill will towards the French. Hears these and other similar observations daily on all sides, and his answer is, that if he (the Emperor) is strong in a war with France, he would be equally strong in a war with the Pope. Begs him not to tell the nuncio what he writes to him.
The Seigneur of Carpi. It would be a pleasant thing to play the French a trick by gaining him over to the Imperial side.
Begs him to secure a good pension to the Cardinal de Medicis on the archbishopric of Toledo.
The Adorni are endeavouring to expel the Fregosi from Genoa.
People in Rome wonder that the army in Naples is allowed to disband.
Church preferment in Catalonia.
The Cardinal de Medicis is in Florence.
No money is to be had from Naples. The Viceroy has not enough men-at-arms to keep the infantry in order. Asked the Pope to send troops to Naples.
The Pope has revoked his orders concerning the Inquisition in Spain.
When this letter was finished the Pope sent to tell him that he will not send troops to Naples.
Bishopric of Cambray.—Rome, the 28th of January 1521.
Addressed : "Cœsar, King of Spain, &c., our sovereign Lord."
Indorsed : "To the King. 1521. Rome. From Juan Manuel, the 28th of January."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Deciphering by the Secretary of State, Quintana. pp. 8.
30 Jan.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 20. ff. 30-32.
318. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
His last letter was dated the 28th. The Pope insists that the disorders committed by the Neapolitan infantry in the Papal States shall be put an end to.
The Pope says he has only trifled with the French, telling them that he will first see what will be done in the Diet, and that he will afterwards conclude with them. Knows, however, that the Pope has concluded a treaty with Carpi and St. Marsan, concerning Naples, Sicily, and other matters, all in prejudice of him (the Emperor). Has spoken with the Pope about this treaty, and his Holiness has told him that he will postpone his final decision until next spring, during which time he (the Emperor) can come to a decision whether he will or will not undertake a common war against France. The Pope further says he will give him time until the month of March for winning over the King of England, according to his promise, to an alliance with him (the Emperor) and the Apostolic See. If he cannot fulfil his promise, the Pope will not consider himself bound to him. His Holiness begs him not to consult with his Council on this subject, as his councillors are not, all of them, discreet.
If he has not brought about an alliance between the Pope, the King of England, and himself, when next March has arrived, his Holiness will conclude a confederacy with the Venetians, some of the Swiss Cantons, the King of France, and the Italian princes, and will do him much harm. Thinks he is sometimes deceived by his servants, who sympathize with the French.
The Pope thinks that if he (the Emperor) concludes an alliance with France, he will ruin himself.
Letters from France state that the King is dangerously ill, in consequence of the blow he has received on his head.
The Pope sends his nuncio his brief of censures against those who favour Martin Luther in the Diet.
Waits impatiently for letters from him. — Rome, the 30th of January 1521.
Addressed : "... Cœsar, King of Spain, &c., ... sovereign Lord."
Indorsed : "To the King. 1521. Rome. Don Juan Manuel. The 30th of January."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering, pp. 2½.