Spain: June 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: June 1521', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525, (London, 1866) pp. 354-357. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp354-357 [accessed 19 April 2024]

June 1521

4 June.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 20. ff. 216-221.
340. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
The Pope is impatient, and wishes that the enterprise on Milan should be taken in hand at once. Thinks the Pope is right.
The Pope is in quest of money. Portugal can be trusted.
The documents relating to the investiture of Naples are being despatched.
The bishopric which has been vacated by the English ambassador (fn. 1), has been given to the Cardinal de Medicis, who is protector of England. It is said to be worth 5,000 ducats.
Much more money is wanted than the Viceroy of Naples has sent. The Imperial couriers "do not travel quicker than drivers of mules or the men-at-arms and galleys of Naples."
The Pope begs him (the Emperor) to do four things, viz. :—
1. To win over the King of England, so that he may be henceforth the enemy of France.
2. To invade France in person, and thereby to force the King to remain in France.
3. To send the Cardinal of Sion with money to the Swiss.
4. To send the Duke of Bari to Augsburg, as it would create suspicion if he were to go to Switzerland.
The Pope is in great want of money.—Rome, the 4th of June 1521.
Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, our sovereign Lord."
Indorsed : "To the King, from Juan Manuel. Rome, the 4th of June 1521."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 8.
6 June.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 20. ff. 225-230.
341. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
Is of opinion that he must proceed in the affair of Luther in accordance with the desires of the Pope. Has spoken with the Pope on the subject, and has asked him what his wishes are.
It is to be wished that the King of England would behave more like a kinsman and friend towards him than he does. Hopes the King of England will soon amend his conduct.
[News from Spain, from the army ; money matters, &c.]— Rome, the 6th of June 1521.
Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, our sovereign Lord."
Indorsed : "To the King, from Don Juan Manuel. Rome, the 6th of June 1521."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 6.
18 June.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 20. ff. 253-258.
342. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
The galleys of the Pope have left for Genoa. Before this despatch comes into his hands the enterprise against Genoa will either have been carried into effect, or it will have failed. Even if it should fail, this advantage will have been obtained, that the Pope has openly broken with the French.
According to the treaty, he is to assist the Pope with 500 men-at-arms and 3,000 foot. The Pope begs that this succour may be sent to him.
The Pope wants money from him.
Begged the Pope to write to the King of England, and to tell him that he is indissolubly united with him (the Emperor), adding that he thinks the King of England will be very glad to hear of this alliance. The Pope, however, is not inclined to communicate the treaty of alliance to the King of England. He says he will write to his nuncio at the Imperial court, and order him to confer with him (the Emperor) respecting what is to be written to the nuncio in England.
Marcantonio Colonna.
Count Pedro Navaro. Flanders, &c.—Rome, the 18th of June 1521.
Addressed : "To the Cœsar and King of Spain, &c., our sovereign Lord."
Indorsed : "To the King. Rome. From Don Juan Manuel, the 18th of June 1521."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 5.
27 June.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar. A. 20. ff. 260-267.
343. Juan Manuel, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
Has received his letters of the 11th and 13th of the current month very late. The Pope received his despatches thirty hours before him. At this time, when every hour is of great importance, the bad consequences of the loss of days, and even of hours, are incalculable.
Good news from Spain. The Bishop of Zamora will soon be taken prisoner.
Has told the Pope what he has written to him. It is difficult to persuade the Pope that he (the Emperor) is right, especially as all the servants of his Holiness, with the exception of Johan Matheo, are his (the Emperor's) enemies.
The Viceroy of Naples is intolerably slow in whatever he does, whilst the French have already attacked Reggio, though without success. The Pope is glad of it, as the French have offered him by that attack a plausible pretext for declaring war against the King of France. Although the Pope desires that Prospero Colonna should be made commander-in-chief of the allied armies, he (Juan Manuel) thinks that the post ought to be offered to the Viceroy of Naples.
Count Carpi has presented to the Pope his credentials from the King of France. He says that the Cardinal of England has been employing all his powers of persuasion with the King of England to induce him to bring about a reconciliation of the King of France with him (the Emperor). The King of France, however, rejecting all the proposals of the King of England, begged the Pope to send him a brief, and to ask him not to conclude peace. His Holiness answered that it was not his business to give such a brief. The following day Count Carpi came to the Pope, with a letter from the King of France, in which he declared that he was willing to reconcile himself with him (the Emperor). The Pope, however, declared to the Count that he did not wish to be troubled any more on the subject.
Knights of Rhodes. The King of France is badly provided with money.
Has asked the Viceroy of Naples to send him money. Pay of the Imperial army. Galleys. Bishop of Zamora. The servants of the Emperor in Rome are not well paid, and the service is consequently badly carried on. Church preferment. Venice. The Cardinal de Medicis is reconciled to him (the Emperor).
The Pope has sent his artillery to the allied army, and has spoken with the English ambassador, complaining of the French, who have broken the peace by attacking Reggio. He begged the ambassador to write to the King of England, and to tell him that he (the Pope) had declared war with the King of France after having concluded an indissoluble alliance with the Emperor. Has written the same news to Switzerland.
This letter goes by the courier whom the English ambassador is sending at the instance of the Pope to the King of England. It is not to be presumed that the French will intercept an English courier.
The Pope wishes very much that Prospero Colonna should be made commander-in chief. Has written to the Viceroy (of Naples), and told him that, whether he goes with the army or remains in Naples, the army must march, as the French are only two leagues from Reggio. In two or three days it will be known whether Genoa is conquered or not. Prospero has asked money for extraordinary expenses, such, for instance, as building bridges, &c.
Next day but one the hackney horse and the census for Naples must be delivered to the Pope.
Naples. Thinks the French are not strong enough to make war on all sides. It seems probable to him that the King of France will unite all his forces and attack Flanders. Hopes he is well prepared to receive them, and has not permitted himself to be diverted, by his negotiations and the interview with the King of England, from taking care of himself.
The Abbot of St. Juan de la Peña in Aragon.—Rome, the 27th of June 1521.
Postscriptum.—Has forgotten to tell him that this courier takes with him the nomination of the Cardinal of England to the office of legate. Bishop of Tuy.
The Doge of Venice has died.
Addressed : "... Cœsar ... Lord."
Indorsed : "To the King. Rome. From Don Juan Manuel, the 27th of June."
Spanish. Autograph in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 12.

Footnotes

  • 1. The bishopric is that of Worcester. Sylvester de Giglis, Bishop of Worcester and ambassador in Rome, died in the month of May.