Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1869.
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'Venice: August 1523', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526, (London, 1869) pp. 332-338. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol3/pp332-338 [accessed 26 April 2024]
August 1523
| Aug. 1. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 269. | 723. Pace's Negotiations. |
|---|---|
| The Imperial ambassadors Caracciolo and Sanchez, together with the English ambassador, the ambassador from the Archduke of Austria, and the ambassador from the Duke of Milan, Dom. Francesco Taverna (who will reside at Venice), came into the College. They spoke together about what is to be done. The English ambassador will depart in three days on his way to the Switzers, by commission from his King, to prevent the cantons from stirring in favour of the King of France. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 2. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 270. | 724. The Question of Precedence. |
| On the morning of Sunday the 2nd the Doge, dressed in gold brocade, with a cap of the same material, came into St. Mark's Church to attend high mass, sung by the rector of St. Aponal, vicar of St. Mark's. The following ambassadors were present:—the Legate Campeggio; the Imperial ambassadors, Prothonotary Caracciolo and Don. Alfonso Sanchez, this last wearing a doublet (ropom) of gold lama, with a cape of crimson velvet; Dom. Richard Pace, the English ambassador, who has never hitherto gone in procession with the Signory on account of the French ambassador; the ambassadors from Poland, from the Archduke of Austria, from the Duke of Milan, from Ferrara and from Mantua; nine in all. It was a very beautiful sight. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 4. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 273. | 725. Present to Pace's Secretary by the Signory. |
| Motion made in the Senate, and carried, to give 300 golden ducats to the ambassador of the Archduke of Austria, who is returning home, and 50 golden ducats to the secretary of the English ambassador. These sums were given accordingly. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 4. Deliberazioni Senato Secrets, v. 1. p. 39, tergo. | 726. Present to Pace's Secretary. |
| Decree of the Senate for presents to be given to the ambassador of the Archduke Ferdinand, to his secretary, and to the secretary of Richard Pace. | |
| The Ambassador of the Most Serene “Infante,” having taken leave of the Signory, to return to his lord, the Signory should treat him with their usual munificence, in like manner as done by the English ambassador. | |
| Put to the ballot—that 300 golden ducats be given to the ambassador aforesaid, and 25 ducats to his secretary. | |
| Also 50 ducats to the secretary of the reverend English ambassador above mentioned, to be given him in ready money, or in so much plate (arzenti), or in other effects, as shall seem most fitting to the College. | |
| Ayes, 152. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 10 lines.] | |
| Aug. 5, Sannto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 274. | 727. Departure of Pace from Venice. |
| This morning Dom. Richard Pace, the English ambassador, departed. He is going to Padua, and thence to Switzerland. The Governors were written to, to do him honour. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 7. Misti Consiglio X., v. xlvi. p. 52, tergo. | 728. Gold Collar for Pace. |
| The treasurer of this Council having consigned gold to the amount of 800 golden Venetian ducats with which to make the collar for the English ambassador, according to the decree passed on the 31st ult.,—Put to the ballot that these 800 ducats which have been paid out be understood to have been really given in gold of the Venetian standard, such in fact being the amount of the said gold consigned as above. | |
| Ayes, 29. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 8 lines.] | |
| Aug. 10. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 222, St. Mark's Library. | 729. Gasparo Contarini to the Doge and Signory. |
| Receipt of news from the Emperor's ambassador in Venice, that the King of France has promised the Signory to come into Italy in person. This intelligence is not believed, as the King would be apprehensive of the English in Picardy and Normandy, and of the Spaniards in the direction of Narbonne, where the Emperor will make sufficient provision. It is conjectured that the King of France will send the Duke of Bourbon to Milan. | |
| Valladolid, 10th August 1523. | |
| [Italian, 1¼ page.] | |
| Aug. 11. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. 1. p. 30. | 730. Recall of Antonio Surian, Ambassador in England. |
| During the last five years the nobleman, Antonio Surian, LL.D. and knight, has served the Signory at the English Court with no mean praise to himself and to the Republic's satisfaction. | |
| Put to the ballot—that our nobleman aforesaid do take leave of the King, the Cardinal, and other chief lords of the Court, and, after acquainting himself with all such English affairs as may be worthy of the knowledge, return to our presence, leaving his secretary in England until the receipt of further orders from the Signory. | |
| Ayes, 159. Noes, 14. Neutrals, 2. | |
| [Italian, 11 lines.] | |
| Aug. 11. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiv. p. 281. | 731. Recall of Surian. |
| Motion made in the Senate by the Sages, and carried,—that permission be given to Antonio Surian, Venetian ambassador in England, to take leave of the King and return home, his secretary remaining in England. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 13. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File No. 7. | 732. The Doge and College to Antonio Surian, Ambassador in England. |
| Having acquainted the Pope with the ratification of the confederacy, he wrote back praising and blessing so auspicious a work; wherefore the Signory has determined, on the following Saturday, which will be the festival of the Virgin's Assumption, to have the peace and confederacy proclaimed in Venice, and also in the Signory's other cities and places, with the usual solemnities and ceremonies. | |
| To mention this in the Signory's name to the King and Cardinal, and to such other personages as he may think fit. | |
| The Reverend Richard Pace quitted Venice a week ago. | |
| As he has earnestly requested leave to return home, complaining lately of his health, it appears reasonable to put an end to his protracted and toilsome labours in England, which he has undergone advantageously for the interests of the State, with praise to himself, and to the satisfaction of the Signory. Therefore give him permission to take leave of the King and Cardinal, and after paying the usual visits to the chief personages of the Court, desire him to return home, well acquainted with all such English intelligence as may be worthy of the Signory's cognizance. | |
| To leave his secretary in England for the present, until the State appoint another ambassador. | |
| As the Ambassador Pace has promised on behalf of the King of England, with regard to the articles of the peace, that his Majesty will cause the Emperor to agree to the restitution of all seizures made mutually during the late war (which would serve not a little to consolidate the confederacy), is to endeavour to effect the fulfilment of that promise. | |
| Moreover, according to the articles of the peace, the Pope and the King of England were declared its conservators and protectors. The Signory accepted the clause most heartily, and desires that very honorable mention of the fact should be made in the proclamation of the peace. To endeavour, before his departure from England, to prevail on the King to draw up some document to this effect in the fullest form possible, according to the clause in the treaty, the copy of which clause they enclose. (fn. 1) Believe the King will show himself prompt and ready to give the voucher. | |
| Received his letters of the 3rd, 6th, and 17th July on the 11th August. When taking leave of the King, to use his utmost ability and eloquence to convince him thoroughly of the goodwill preserved by the State as an heirloom towards the powerful Crown of England and the Cardinal, recommending to them the Venetian merchants trading in England, and, last of all, apologizing for his own departure without awaiting the arrival of his successor. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 303. | 733. Antonio Surian to the Signory. |
| The King of England has prepared 14,000 men for an attack on France. | |
| Dated 14th August. Registered by Sanuto, 2nd September. | |
| Note by Sanuto that last evening (13th August) the Imperial ambassador sent sure intelligence (certo adviso) to the College, that the Scots had taken the fleet on board of which the said troops were to have embarked. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. XXXiV. pp. 282, 283. | 734. Proclamation of the League. |
| On Saturday morning the 15th high mass was celebrated by the Patriarch Antonio Contarini. There were carried in procession the armorial bearings of the League,—of the Pope, the Emperor, the King of England, the Archduke of Austria, of St. Mark and the Doge, and of the Duke of Milan. | |
| The Doge wore a new dress made for the occasion; he was accompanied by the Papal Legate, Campeggio, by the prothonotary, Caracciolo, and Sanchez, and by the ambassadors from Milan, Ferrara, and Mantua. | |
| The crier Nicoleto, dressed in scarlet, ascended the edict-stone, together with the Vice-Chancellor Gasparo di la Vedoa, also in scarlet, and after a flourish of trumpets, the proclamation was made. | |
| It is said the belfries and the houses of the ambassadors will be illuminated this evening. The College has written orders to the towns for a similar procession and proclamation to be made there on this same day. The like will be done at Milan. | |
| The French ambassador and Mons de Villiers and Renzo di Cere stayed at home in sadness. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. pp. 282, 283. | 735. Proclamation by Doge Andrea Gritti. |
| Announcing the stipulation on the 29th of July last, of peace, &c. between the Emperor and his brother, Archduke Ferdinand, and the Signory and Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, for the mutual defence and preservation of their territories in Italy. | |
| Of this peace and confederacy the conservators are, the most holy Pope Adrian VI. and the most serene and most potent Lord Henry King of England. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 284. | 736. Proclamation of the League. |
| This evening the belfries were illuminated, and during the day there was bell ringing, as a mark of rejoicing. At the Legate's residence there were fireworks and music; and to make a greater show the Milanese ambassador, who resided in the Signory's house at San Giorgio Maggiore, burnt bonfires and discharged artillery. There was also dancing. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 10. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 223, St. Mark's Library. | 737. Gasparo Contarini to the Doge and Signory. |
| Some three months ago Mons. de Beaurain went from Valladolid to England, and thence to Flanders. Yesterday he returned, and brings word that arrangements have been made in Burgundy for 18,000 infantry with which to wage war on France in that direction. | |
| Nothing is known of the movements of the King of France, nor have any advices been received from England. | |
| Valladolid, 16th August 1523. | |
| [Italian, ¾ page.] | |
| Aug. 17. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 286. | 738. Rejoicings at Venice. |
| Last evening the belfries were illuminated on account of the league. There were also illuminations at the houses of the Legate and of the two Imperial ambassadors, but above all at S. Giorgio Magroiore, where the Milanese ambassador resides with the others. There was music on stages. In the evening 2,000 boats went to see the sight, which will be repeated this evening for the last time, the entertainments having been continued during three days. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 20. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 338. | 739. Antonio Surian to the Signory. |
| Twenty thousand English are to invade France. Cardinal Wolsey tells him they will cross on the 28th. The news of the agreement between the Emperor and the Signory has been received. Went to the King and Cardinal, who were much pleased. He (Surian) and the Imperial ambassador made great rejoicings; and he in particular gave a grand banquet to the English lords (a queli signori). | |
| Dated 20th August. Registered by Sanuto, 21st September. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Aug. 20. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. 1. p. 30, tergo. | 740. Recall of the Venetian Secretary in England. |
| The Senate lately gave licence to the nobleman, Antonio Surian, LL.D. and knight, ambassador in England, to return home, leaving his secretary there. As the secretary is not in good health, and for other reasons,—Put to the ballot, that our consul in London be charged to transact such business as necessary, according to the custom of Venetian consuls at other periods; and that the said secretary be commanded to return home. | |
| Ayes, 168. Noes, 11. Neutrals, 4. | |
| [Italian, 8 lines.] | |
| Aug. 21. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 224, St. Mark's Library. | 741. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory. |
| On the 20th letters arrived from the Emperor's ambassadors in Venice with the unexpected account of the stipulation of the treaty between his Majesty and the Republic. | |
| This morning went with the Chancellor [Gattinara] to the Emperor, by whom he was received most graciously, nor had he ever seen him so cheerful or more contented. He would not allow his hand to be kissed, but embraced him (Contarini), and in reply to his discourse, said, “In truth, I have always borne the Signory goodwill. During the last few days, the delay distressed me much, by reason of the suspicion entertained, which was generally injurious to the whole of Italy and to Christendom. I now see by the result that the report was false, and congratulate myself exceedingly on the common weal of Italy, which is now united, for the benefit of Christendom. I had the welfare of the Signory at heart, as much as my own.” | |
| Will not omit telling the Signory also of the embraces and greeting given him by the Marquis of Brandenburg, the Count of Geneva, Mons. de Beaurain, the Comendador Mayor, Mons. de la Chau, and others, who all acknowledged that the welfare of Christendom depended on this confederacy. The Chancellor rejoices beyond measure at this peace. Recommends the State to write to the Chancellor, and to the Count of Nassau and Mons. de Bresse. | |
| Valladolid, 21st August 1523. | |
| P. S.—This letter has been detained until the 24th. | |
| This morning the Emperor attended mass in the church of St. Benedict, accompanied by the ambassadors and the Court. The mass of the Holy Ghost was sung as thanksgiving for the confederacy with the Republic,—a demonstration which the Emperor is accustomed to make whenever prosperous events befall him. | |
| [Italian, 2¼ pages.] | |
| Aug. 25. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. 1. p. 31, tergo. | 742. The Doge and Senate to Marco Foscari, Ambassador in Rome. |
| Received his letters dated the 19th and 20th yesterday. Congratulate themselves on the Pope's convalescence in like manner as they regretted to hear of his illness. | |
| In conformity with the advices sent to Rome from Milan about the coming of the King of France to Lyons, and his continued preparations for the attack on the Milanese, the Signory also has letters from their ambassador, dated Lyons, the 14th, giving well nigh the same information (as by the enclosed summaries), and confirming it, even after the King had heard of the conclusion of the Signory's peace and confederacy; with this, in addition, that the coming of the French may be expected, especially as the expedition against England, which was to have been effected through White Rose [Richard de la Pole], has been suspended and renounced. | |
| Ayes, 205. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 5. | |
| [Italian, 36 lines.] | |
| Aug. 27. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 226, St. Mark's Library. | 743. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory. |
| A Burgundian gentleman named Montfort has arrived with news of the passage across to Calais of 16,000 English infantry and 1,000 horse, who are to join 3,000 other horse and 4,000 German infantry, forming a total of 20,000 foot and 4,000 horse. | |
| The Emperor departed on Tuesday morning before daybreak for Burgos. The Chancellor will follow on Saturday. I am to accompany him. From Burgos the Court will proceed to Lorgoño. | |
| Valladolid, 27th August 1523. | |
| [Italian, 1 page.] | |
| Aug. 29. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxiv. p. 300. | 744. News of England. |
| Report circulated by the Imperialists (at Venice) that the English had made truce with the Scots for 12 years, and that Mons. de Lautrec was in Scotland with 12,000 men for the defence of that country. | |
| [Italian.] | |