Venice: May 1515 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1867.

Citation:

'Venice: May 1515', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 242-246. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp242-246 [accessed 14 May 2024].

May 1515



May 3. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 24.	614. Andrea Badoer, Sebastian Giustinian, and Pietro Pasqualigo, Venetian Ambassadors in England, to the Signory.
	Had paid daily visits to various spiritual and temporal lords, whom they sought to interest for the support of Venice, expatiating on the Signory's good will towards King Henry, who, on the 1st of May sent a prelate and a knight to conduct the ambassadors to him at Greenwich. On arriving there, accompanied the Queen on horseback into the country, where they met the King, who had preceded them. The diversions of the morning being ended, the King withdrew, and gave the ambassadors a private audience, at which Pasqualigo told him that the Signory, having heard from Badoer of the treaty made with the late King Lewis, rejoiced thereat extremely, and had appointed them to come as ambassadors, to congratulate him on the marriage and adjustment, to thank him for having included the Signory in the treaty, and to ratify and confirm the act by word of month and by letters patent, which Pasqualigo then presented. That although King Lewis had died since their departure [from Venice], yet the State had empowered them to proceed on their journey, condole with King Henry on that event, and respectfully exhort him to persevere in the alliance with King Francis. That on arriving in England, they understood the peace had been concluded, and the Signory again comprised in it, for which, in the name of the State, Pasqualigo thanked the King, requesting him, as he was so united with France, to use his authority, and, with the aid of King Francis, assist the State to recover her territory, and live in quiet.
	The King answered by the Archbishop of York, returning ample thanks for so complimentary an embassy. Said he would send letters announcing the inclusion of the Signory in the new treaty, so that every one might understand how great was the union between the three states of England, France, and the Venetians.
	Pasqualigo then announced his own departure for France, and Giustinian's appointment as ambassador in ordinary in England. The King gave Pasqualigo his dismissal, and went to dinner, desiring the ambassadors to dine with the Lords of the Council.
	Joust performed on the same day after dinner. The King tilted against many, stoutly and valorously. According to their own observation and the report of others, King Henry was not only very expert in arms and of great valour, and most eminent for his personal endowments, but so gifted and adorned with mental accomplishments, that they believed him to have few equals in the world. He spoke English, French, and Latin, understood Italian well, played on almost every instrument, sang and composed fairly, was prudent, sage, and free from every vice, and so good and affectionate a friend to the Signory, that no ultramontane sovereign ever surpassed him in that respect.
	Visited the Queen, when Pasqualigo, knowing it would please her, addressed her in Spanish, keeping to general topics, and making offers of service. The Queen answered also in Spanish, and then entered into a long familiar conversation about the affairs of Spain.
	Pasqualigo would return to the French court with all speed; Giustinian remained in England; and Badoer would await pecuniary supply for the payment of his debts, and then return home forthwith.
	London, 3rd May 1515.
	[Italian, 4¼ pages, or 102 lines.]
May 4. Sanuto Diaries, v. xx. p. 161.	615. Marco Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the State.
	Paris, 14th and 17th April.
	For the present year the King could not come into Italy. He was intent on attacking the Switzers, and would raise 10,000 lansquenets. For this year he had not money wherewith to undertake the Italian expedition, as the English Queen, who departed on marrying the Duke of Suffolk, took with her a considerable sum, the amount of her dower given to the late King.
	[Italian.]
May 5. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 24	616. Andrea Badoer and Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	In their accompanying letter of the 3rd, announced their intention of transmitting the missive from the King which notified his mention of the State in the treaty with France; but had been unable to do so, because the Queen widow of France having returned to England, the King and all the ministers went to meet her at Dover. The ambassadors were therefore unable to obtain either the letter or the clauses of the league relating to Venice; but on the return of the King, would endeavour to procure and despatch them.
	Record the departure on the 4th of Pietro Pasqualigo, who had so distinguished himself, during his few days' sojourn in England, as to leave a great name there.
	London, 5th May 1515.
	[Italian, 1¼ page.]
May 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xx. p. 189.	617. Andrea Badoer to the State. Concerning his pecuniary embarrassments, and other English affairs.
May 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xx. p. 189.	[Italian.]
May 15. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 25.	618. Andrea Badoer and Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Warn the State to expect very little news from England, the kingdom being ill informed. Had requested the English ministers to give them information relative to the future movements of the King of France, but they answered that they had no certain intelligence.
	On the 13th instant the espousals (le sponsalitie) of Queen Mary to the Duke of Suffolk at length took place; there were no public demonstrations, because the kingdom did not approve of the marriage. Wishing to ascertain whether this marriage had been concluded with the King's consent, were assured by great personages that it had first been arranged between the bride and bridegroom, after which they asked the consent of King Henry, who, however, had maintained his former friendship for the Duke, which would appear incredible, but is affirmed by the nobility at the Court. Have, therefore, abstained from paying any compliments either to the King or to the bride and bridegroom, but have determined to visit his Majesty in a day or two, and congratulate him on his sister's arrival. Should they understand that the great personages of the Court intend to make public mention of the event, and that it was celebrated, they would then offer congratulations in the Signory's name on the marriage, but not seeing it solemnized as becoming, would keep silence, to avoid giving offence.
	All the ministers are as well disposed as possible towards the Signory. The popularity of Badoer had caused this result. Request of Badoer for pecuniary supply.
	London, 15th May 1515.
	[Italian, 2½ pages.]
May 15. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 26.	619. Andrea Badoer and Sebastian Giustinian to Dandolo and Pasqualigo, Ambassadors in France.
	Had on that day visited some of the English ministers, including the Archbishop of York, who asked them if they had any news. Answered in the negative, and that he, being always with the King, and having the entire management of affairs in England, must be acquainted, with all events. The Archbishop replied that, according to report, the most Christian King meant to attack the Switzers, who seemed to be threatening France, and that, if successful, he would then proceed into Italy, though no letters to that effect had been received either from King Francis or from the English ambassador, the Archbishop apparently complaining somewhat that King Francis held King Henry in small account, and saying that this was not the way to maintain their friendship. He added, that before the war the late King Lewis neither did nor even devised anything without first of all giving notice to the King of England; whereas at present the English government received no advices from France, as if there were neither peace nor any confederacy between the two crowns, although King Francis ought to know that, if England chose, she could thwart his projects.
	Made a suitable rejoinder, proving that such was not the intention of King Francis, as well known to Giustinian, who said that he had heard his most Christian Majesty express a very high opinion of King Henry, for whom he evinced great affection. Giustinian added, that perhaps no determination had yet been so matured as to enable King Francis to announce it for certain, or that the silence might proceed from some of his councillors, who, being new in the government, did not consider the importance of this taciturnity.
	This matter appearing of importance they would announce it to their colleagues [in France].
	London, 15 th May 1515.
	[Italian, 1¼ page.]
May 21. Misti Consiglio X., v. xxxviii. p. 77.	620. Debts of Andrea Badoer, Ambassador in England.
	Decree of the Council of Ten and Junta, assigning to the banker Almorò Pisani the oil duties (fn. 1) for the months of May and June next, until full payment of 1,000 ducats to be, disbursed on his account in London to the ambassador Andrea Badoer, who was to draw for them on Venice, that he may not be sued (sequcstrato) in England, to the detriment and reproach of the Signory.
	Ayes, 24. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian, 6 lines.]
May 24. Sanuto Diaries, v. xx. p. 205.	621. Andrea Badoer to the State.
	London, 28th April.
	On the 23rd (St. George's day) his two colleagues, Pasqualigo and Giustinian, had audience of the King.
	Complains much of not having received the money needed for his departure from England, where he owed upwards of 1,600 ducats. In fulfilment of a vow it behoved him to visit the shrine of St. James in Galizia, and so must be provided with the aforesaid sum, as otherwise he could not depart.
	Note by Sanuto, that the College sent bills of exchange to Badoer for 1,000 ducats, and that there were no letters from the ambassadors Giustinian and Pasqualigo.
	[Italian.]
May 27. Sannto Diaries, v. xx. p. 211.	622. Ferrabese Ambassador in the College.
	Exhibited letters from his Duke Don Alfonso, announcing the return of the envoy sent by him to England with a horse and a live [leopard]. The envoy was much favoured by the King, who reciprocated the presents. On his return the envoy found, at Lyons, Gian Giacomo Triulzi. who told him he should soon come with the army to take the duchy of Milan.
	[Italian,]
May 29. Original Letter Rook, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 27.	623. Andrea Badoer and Sebastian Giustinian, Venetian Ambassadors in England, to the Signory.
	In date of the 15th, announced their intention of visiting the King to congratulate him on the marriage of his sister. Had audience on the 28th, but for reason good (per bon rispetto) omitted the office of congratulation, and merely gave him news of the Turk, as received by them from Venice. The King and the ministers were much pleased to hear that the affairs of Sultan Selim were in a bad way, and thanked them much for the information. Nothing was more agreeable to the English ministry than to give them the news of the world, and especially Turkish news, as they were ill informed of the events of Italy and of other places, and while they appreciated the advices given them, they resented the withholding of such advices by those from whom they considered the same due.
	Some of the ministers complained that his most Christian Majesty had adopted a system unbecoming an ally, and that he had never made the slightest communication to King Henry relative to the Italian expedition which he was about to undertake; thus showing that he either held the King of England in small account, or bore him but little love. The late King Lewis before the last war had acted very differently, as he communicated whatever he did, or meditated doing, to King Henry, having done the like to his father. Apologized for the error, and attributed it to certain new counsellors in the service of King Francis. Giustinian assured the English ministers that when in France he understood from the King's language that he greatly loved and esteemed King Henry.
	Considering these particulars momentous, had communicated the same forthwith to their colleagues in France, Giustinian being of opinion that a mere hint to Mons. de Boissi, or to Robertet, who were well disposed, would suffice.
	Recommend the State, moreover, to apply to itself the complaints made against others, for as the English ministry resented the silence of King Francis, with regard to the events of France, so would they take offence if the State failed to give them Italian news.
	Demand made by Badoer for pecuniary supply.
	London, 29th May 1515.
	[Italian, 2¼ pages, or 54 lines.]