Venice: September 1517 | 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.

'Venice: September 1517', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 418-424. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp418-424 [accessed 26 April 2024]

September 1517



Sept. 4. Senato Terra, v. xx. p. 66.	960. London Factory.
	The proveditors for the factories to attend the Council, and to make such motions as shall seem fit to them for the augmentation of the factories, and benefit of the voyages.
	Ayes, 127. Noes, 56. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian, 9 lines.]
Sept. 7. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 106.	961. Marco Minio, Ambassador in Rome, to the Signory.
	The Pope said there was nothing new from England, though King Henry bore great ill-will to King Francis, and was not making any warlike preparations.
	Rome, 7th September 1517.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Sept. 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiv. p. 552.	962. Letter from France, dated Rouen, 15th August, written by the agent of a Cardinal resident at Rome, and transmitted to the Signory by Marco Minio.
	Mons. de la Guiche, late ambassador in England, was returned.
	The Duke of Guelders had routed 300 spears, the stipendiaries of the Catholic King, and taken Friesland. The King of England had sent the Catholic King 3,000 infantry to Zealand and 300,000 ducats for his voyage to Spain. The most Christian King had sent 100,000 crowns and 800 lansquenets into Brabant, and meant to take the province.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 10. Misti Consiglio X., v. xli. p. 94, tergo.	963. Nephew of Pietro Carmeliano, Latin Secretary of Henry VIII.
	Decree of the Council of Ten, appointing Cyprian de Maiolo, nephew of the Rev. D. Pietro Carmeliano, secretary of the King of England, captain of the “Devedo “of Rovigo for life.
	Ayes, 14. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian, 8 lines.]
Sept. 10. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 109.	964. Marco Minio, Ambassador in Rome, to the Signort.
	The King of England was sending an envoy to the Switzers to promise them an annual subsidy.
	The Lord Albert of Carpi had received letters from Bavisis (sic), dated the 23rd and 24th August, informing him that a good understanding subsisted between the Emperor, Spain, and England; and that should King Charles go into Spain, his policy would be against France.
	Rome, 10th September 1517.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Sept. 11. Sanuto Diaries v. xxiv. p. 557.	965. Embassy to England.
	Motion made by the Sages of the Council and of the main land, to elect at the next sitting of the Senate an ambassador to England in the stead of Sebastian Giustinian, who had been long employed.
	The ambassador elected to have a monthly salary of 120 ducats; to take with him 11 horses, comprising those for the secretary and secretary's servant, and two running footmen, and to depart when and with such commission as the Senate should order.
	Amendment by Bernardo Donado, chief of the Forty, Silvestro Memo, Alvise Michiel, and Piero Lando, that the election be delayed. Speech made by Bernardo Donado, to the effect that Giustinian did good service, and by reason of the present leagues in course of negotiation, it would cause suspicion to the King of France should he be superseded.
	Answer of Piero Orio, one of the Forty, in favour of a new appointment, as Giustinian had been ambassador during 33 months, and it was fitting that others should share the employments of the State.
	Remark by Sanuto, that Piero Orio expressed himself thus because his cousin, Lorenzo Orio, LL.D., the State attorney, was a candidate for the English embassy, and was canvassing the senators on the stairs leading to the senate hall.
	Speech of Silvestro Memo in favour of delay. Decision of the Sages not to proceed to the ballot, and adjournment of the Senate.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 12. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 147.	966. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Current report that the fleet of the Catholic King had been seen at sea. An ambassador from the Emperor was come to England, with a fresh demand for money, but he had not yet obtained audience either of the King or of Cardinal Wolsey, who was gone to fulfil his vow at Walsingham.
	London, 12th September 1517.
	[Italian, 1½ page, or 31 lines.]
Sept. 13. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiv. p. 563.	967. Giovanni Badger, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	Rouen, 30th August.
	The Scottish ambassadors had departed without any settlement, as they insisted on the two clauses inserted in their treaties with King Charles and King Lewis, namely, alliance offensive and defensive; but King Francis, having made peace with the King of England for their respective lives, and 10 years afterwards, would not break that peace, and would only stipulate a defensive treaty with Scotland: so the Scots departed dissatisfied.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 13. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 110.	968. Marco Minio, Ambassador in Rome, to the Signory.
	King Charles would not go to Spain. Opinion of the French ambassador that, were King Charles to go, he would have much to apprehend, (fn. 1) as he would then be compelled to comply with the wishes of the Emperor and of England. The French ambassador also said, on the authority of letters from Gian Giacomo Triulzi, that a diet of all the Swiss cantons was to be held at Zurich on the day of the Holy Cross (14th September), and that an English envoy had arrived in Switzerland, where he was well and honourably received.
	Rome, 13th September 1517.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Sept. 16. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 111.	969. The Same to the Same.
	Arrival at Rome of the Marquis of Pescara (Ferdinand Francesco d'Avalos, husband of Vittoria Colonna) and Dom. Theodore Boccali, on their return from the King of Spain.
	They said that the King had no ability soever, and was governed by others, (fn. 2) and that having been thrice in his presence, they never heard him utter one single word, all matters being regulated by his councillors, the chief of whom was Mons. de Chièvres, who directed everything, and one day used strong language against the Emperor, showing that he feared nothing.
	The Pope had placed the Governor of Rome in the house which belonged to Cardinal Adrian, and the Cardinal's agents remonstrated. The Pope was not well inclined towards Adrian, as the Cardinal had written certain things to England which his Holiness disapproved.
	Rome, 16th September 1517.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Sept. 16. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 112.	970. Marco Minio to the Council of Ten.
	On the preceding day the Pope spoke of Cardinal Adrian as follows:—” He is crazy, and will look like a simpleton. He wrote certain things about us to England, which have come to our knowledge.” The Pope evinced the worst possible will towards him. King Henry had sent the Pope the identical letter written to him by Adrian, which so irritated his Holiness that lately, when he made the agreement with the Spaniards, whereby he expected to end the war in the Romagna, he determined to summons the Cardinal, and proceed against him, should he not make his appearance.
	Rome, 16th September 1517.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Sept. 16. Misti Consiglio X., v. xli. pp. 98, 99.	971. The Council of Ten and Junta to Sebastian Giustinian, Ambassador in England.
	To confer with Cardinal Wolsey, and assure him that the Signory, when writing their letters of recommendation of Cardinal Adrian, considered they were performing an office acceptable both to him and to the King. As the Pope, in full consistory, had given Cardinal Adrian absolution for the offences laid to his charge on payment of a fine, the State received him; and when he requested letters of recommendation, they announced his arrival to the Signory's ambassador in Rome, to whom, in the presence of certain Cardinals, Pope Leo said he was well pleased at his having gone to Venice, and recommended him to the State. The Cardinal de' Medici acted and spoke in like manner. Could not therefore anticipate the Cardinal of York's displeasure. Trust he will lay aside any rancour he may have conceived, and rest assured he will continue to favour the interests of Venice, whom he will ever find obsequious towards the King, and anxious for the honour and exaltation of his right reverend Lordship himself. To read this letter to the Cardinal of York, should he think fit.
	Ayes, 23. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian, 61 lines.]
Sept. 20. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiv. p. 579.	972. Venetian Secretary at Milan to the Signory.
	Dated 17th September.
	Contents of letters from Pomponio Triulzi, dated from the French Court, 9th September, to Gian Giacomo Triulzi, in Milan. The Bishop of Paris and Monsieur de la Guiche were going to Calais, to meet two ambassadors from the King of England, namely, Cardinal Wolsey and the Lord Chamberlain of England (Charles Somerset, Earl of Worcester). These ambassadors were to seal the peace between the two crowns. The most Christian King to recover Tournai on payment of a certain sum.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 21. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 148.	973. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Arrival in the Thames of a ship whose crew saw the fleet of the Catholic King off Laredo [in Biscay] on the 3rd September, on which day he might have landed.
	Had received despatches from the Signory in cipher, of the 26th and 27th August, with the newsletters from Constantinople. Would be unable to impart their contents to the King for some time, as he was amusing himself at a great distance from London, to avoid the plague and the sweating sickness. Had heard from the Reverend Dionysius Memo that the King would not return to Greenwich until October. Cardinal Wolsey, too, was not returned from his pilgrimage.
	It would be desirable for the State to write to the Cardinal, as the missive received on that day did not fully answer the purpose, the Signory not being aware of the Cardinal's wrath at the time when it was written. He would not counsel the Signory to write if they had been on good terms with the Emperor (whose opinions this kingdom could either soften or embitter (fn. 3) ), or if the duties on the wines of Candia had been repealed, as the harsh language used by the Cardinal was unworthy of the Signory; yet it seemed to him requisite, under existing circumstances, to consider rather “quod expediat, quam quod deceat.”
	Had been absent from Venice for 33 months. Requested the State to appoint his successor.
	London, 21st September 1517.
	[Italian, 2 pages, or 47 lines.]
Sept. 21. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiv. p. 589.	974. Debts of Sebastian Giustinian.
	Motion made in the Senate by the College.
	As the Proveditors for the offices had denounced Sebastian Giustinian (ambassador in England), at the Palace, as debtor for 7,500 ducats, the recovery of the debt to be suspended until his return.
	1st ballotation: ayes, 102; noes, 76.
	2nd”” 135;” 32.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 26. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 149.	975. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Had been unable to see Cardinal Wolsey, although he was returned from his pilgrimage. Would endeavour to soothe him, as all that the Signory could expect from England depended on him. Had quitted London to avoid the plague, which was making some progress. Another conspiracy to massacre the strangers and sack their houses had been discovered. The plot was to have been carried into execution on Michaelmas eve, and was probably suggested by the absence of the King and Cardinal, and of the other lords. Three of the ringleaders had been arrested. The city was armed for its defence, and more than 3,000 householders and public functionaries had put themselves in array for the prevention of the proposed outrage. Takes occasion from this circumstance again to demand his recall. After the present session, which would last all October, the affair of the wines would be discussed, according to the arrangement made by the Cardinal.
	Westminster, 26th September 1517.
	[Italian, 1½ page, or 41 lines.]
Sept. 29. Senato Mar, v. xix. p. 29.	976. English Wool Trade.
	Motion made in the Senate. The manufacture of cloths in Venice is one of the chief employments of the people, and a great resource for the poor, but the quantity of Frankish wools in the town is small, and none will arrive for a long while, as the Flanders galleys, whose departure was decreed for the end of last June, are still in Venice, and possibly may not pass the Gut of Gibraltar whilst the Martinmas winds prevail, in which case their return would be delayed for 18 months, or even two years. It being, therefore, absolutely necessary to provide against a scarcity of wool during that interval, lest necessitous persons should suffer,—Put to the ballot, that all persons, whether Venetian subjects and citizens, or aliens, be allowed to import wools into Venice from England, Flanders, and Brabant until the day of the arrival at Hampton of the present Flanders galleys, commanded by Andrea de' Priuli. The importation to be effected by land or sea, by any ships or vessels, whether native or foreign, the importers being bound to pay half freight to the masters of the Flanders galleys, but to be exempted from payment of the tenths. Moreover, that wools already exported from the above-mentioned places be admitted on the like terms, subject always to the regulations enacted by the Senate on the 12th February, respecting wools brought through Germany or any other country from the Staple of Calais, or from England, should they reach Venice three months after the receipt of the notice in London; (fn. 4) that regulation remaining in force, as likewise the one concerning wools shipped before the middle of last April.
	Venetian subjects loading as above, in foreign vessels, to be allowed to insure, as if the goods were in Venetian bottoms; any act to the contrary being suspended for this once only.
	Ayes, 146.
	[Italian, 25 lines.]
	First amendment proposed to the foregoing motion:—
	In the clause allowing the importation of wools, to leave out the words, “until the arrival of the Flanders galleys at Hampton,” in order to insert the words, “until three months after the receipt of the news in London;” and notice of this decree to be written immediately to the ambassador in England.
	Ayes, 7. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 4.
	[Italian, 4 lines.]
	Second amendment proposed to the foregoing motion:—
	As the supply of wool in Venice scarcely suffices for two months, all persons who have exported wools after the periods limited by the auction contracts of the Flanders galleys from England, Flanders, and Brabant, (which wools, owing to the heavy and excessive duties levied in Venice, have been destined for other places,) to be permitted during the next three months to bring them to Venice, without paying any freight to the masters of the Flanders galleys.
	Ayes, 27.
	[Italian, 7 lines.]