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.
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'Venice: January 1517', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 344-347. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp344-347 [accessed 18 April 2024]
January 1517
| A.D. 1517. | |
|---|---|
| 1517. Jan. 1. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiii. p. 295. | 830. Giovanni Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
| Amboise, 22nd December 1516. | |
| Announces receipt of letters in cipher from Sebastian Giustinian, ambassador in England, dated 7th December. Communicated them to the King, especially what Cardinal Wolsey said,—that ambassadors were to be sent by the King of England to France and the Signory, with a protest that, unless Verona were left to the Emperor, the Venetians would be treated as Infidels; that he would induce the Pope to excommunicate them, and that all the allies of England would attack them. King Francis replied that there was no fear of all this; that they would obtain Verona; that he had given orders to send the 50,000 crowns payable by France to Flanders, and that the 50,000 to be disbursed by the Signory should be prepared, adding, “On the surrender of Verona I will not keep it one hour, as I choose it to be made over to you.” | |
| The King then said, “These are bravados of Cardinal Wolsey. Write to the Signory that the Scots mean to make an alliance with me, as in the time of Charlemagne, and to give me tribute, &c. The King of Denmark is with us, and these two powers will wage war on the King of England, should he stir against me; and I give you notice that the Emperor chooses the agreement made to remain in force.” | |
| On quitting the King, imparted the news to the Lord Steward, who said, “Cardinal Wolsey is the cause of this. The English will not have Scotland. He does not wish for war with us, nor has any one the heart to urge this course. The Emperor is coming to Flanders; our money will be ready; how will it be with yours?” Replied that the Signory would be prepared. The Lord Steward said France had amassed much money. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Jan. 5. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiii. p. 305. | 831. Giovanni Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
| Amboise, 24th December 1516. | |
| Having received important letters from Sebastian Giustinian in England, dated 13th December, took them to the Chancellor, who had remained at Amboise. The Chancellor said they were not to be held in any account; that King Francis had not sent money to the King of England, as stated by Giustinian, (fn. 1) and that although it was true Scotland had prolonged the truces, the period did not amount to a year. | |
| A messenger from the Duke of Albany, the Governor of Scotland, had arrived at Amboise. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Jan. 5. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiii. p. 306. | 832. The Same to the Same. |
| Blois, 27th December 1516. | |
| A trustworthy person, who came from Brussels, informed him he had heard peace publicly proclaimed, with many trumpets and much bellringing, between the Emperor, the King of France, and the King of England. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Jan. 5. Mantuan Archives. | 833. Henry VIII. to the Marquis of Mantua. |
| Acknowledges the receipt of his letters by a messenger. Is aware that the Marquis does not omit to give him proof of his good will. By no means yields to him in affection, and if his (the King's) letters are few, he never forgets those received from the Marquis, nor yet his exquisite presents and eminent offices, whereby the Marquis has gained such love, not only with the King but with many of his subjects. As the gifts are constantly before his eyes, and the Marquis himself in his heart, will never cease to remember him, and to give him perpetual thanks, but speak and think of him with honour, being compelled to do so, even independently of friendship, by reason of the Marquis' distinguished qualities, whilst his very great regard for him (the King) most clearly declares the same. Requests the Marquis to reckon on him for whatever could be expected from any sovereign. Anything required of him by the Marquis will be rendered even superabundantly. | |
| Eltham, 5th January 1516 [1517]. | |
| [Signed: Henry R] | |
| [Countersigned: And. Ammonius.] | |
| [Original, Latin.] | |
| Jan. 6. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 115. | 834. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
| It was universally asserted that the peace between the Emperor and Venice had been concluded and sealed. Visited the Cardinal, knowing that he had received letters from the Emperor. He said he had no news whatever, and no letters had reached him; which was false. Informed him that, according to fresh letters from Badoer, Monseigneur de Courteville had been sent by the Emperor and the King Catholic to effect the surrender of Verona. The Cardinal seemed to admit this, as if he had been informed of the fact the day before. Both he and the Bishop of Durham congratulated the Signory, and they endeavoured to prove that their league had been the cause of this peace. They said the peace would be beneficial to England, as she would save much treasure. Pretended to believe them, knowing that the friendship of the King is necessary to the State on many accounts. | |
| London, 6th January 1517. | |
| [Italian, 2 pages, or 44 lines.] | |
| Jan. 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiii. p. 325. | 835. Venetian Secretary at Milan to the Signory. |
| Dated 5th February. | |
| The General of Milan had received letters from Berne stating that a Diet had been held at Zurich, owing to the arrival there of an ambassador from the King of England, who had come to acquaint them with the league which had been made between the Emperor, the Catholic King, and England, and which had been concluded by the Cardinal of Sion. The Pope would become a party to it, provided it were joined by the Switzers, for whom place had been reserved; the King of England offering them better terms than they obtained from France. The English ambassador stated that the treaty between the Emperor and the most Christian King was a fiction devised for the preservation of Verona. The Diet declined making any reply, as they had no commission from the Cantons; and referred the matter to another Diet, which was to be held on the Sunday following, when they would give their answer. The writer of the letters was of opinion the Switzers would do nothing against the Christian King. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Jan. 20. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiii. pp. 375, 376. | 836. Giovanni Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
| Remorantin, 10th January. | |
| Bishop Colonna and the English ambassador at Brussels circulated reports that the peace between the Emperor and King Francis would not last, and that a fresh understanding would be made with the King of England. Of this the French ambassador complained to the Catholic King, who took the reports amiss, and wrote about them to the Emperor, who replied that he meant to maintain the peace. Saw the Emperor's letter. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Jan. 28. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 116. | 837. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
| Could obtain no news. The King was absent taking his pleasure; the Cardinal was more reserved than ever; and the Bishop of Winchester declined his visits, being suspected of thwarting the Emperor's interests. Had learnt, on good authority, that the Pope had written twice to the King, informing him that peace had been made between the Emperor, France, and Venice, on condition of the surrender of Verona, and counselling him not to impede the Christian expedition which would ensue. The Pope, it seemed, was apprehensive lest any disturbance should arise about the affairs of Scotland, although nothing had taken place warranting such fears. | |
| Had received confirmation of what the Cardinal had told him, namely, that the State would not obtain Verona in virtue of their agreement with the Emperor and France, though she might by other means. Was at a loss to explain this, as the negotiations concerning such matters were transacted in England by only three or four individuals, from whom no information could be elicited. | |
| London, 28th January 1517. | |
| [Italian, 1½ page, or 34 lines.] | |