Venice: March 1524 | British History Online

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.

'Venice: March 1524', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526, (London, 1869) pp. 356-359. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol3/pp356-359 [accessed 6 May 2024]

March 1524



March 6. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 81.	807. Vincenzo Guidoto, Venetian Secretary in Hungary, to the Signory.
	The bishop of five churches and the Chancellor of Bohemia, together with the Marquis of Brandenburg, have returned from Silesia, whither they went as ambassadors from the King to expel the Lutheran sects. They did as desired; and the people there are content to assist the King. It seems that the priests have married.
	Ofen, 6th March. Registered by Sanuto, 28th March.
	[Italian.]
March [6]. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. pp. 25, 26.	808. Marco Foscari to the Signory.
	The Pope wishes peace or truce to be made between the Emperor, France, and the Signory; and it seems that the French are content. The Imperialists have written to Spain, and also to England, by way of France.
	Rome, —. Registered by Sanuto, 9th March.
	[Italian.]
March 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 46.	809. The Same to the Same.
	The Pope was glad to hear of the capture of Garlasco by the Signory's commander-in-chief; and again urges the State to lend money, and to obtain Cremona, being already in possession of the castle. He added that it bordered on the territories of Brescia and Crema, and had belonged to Venice of yore. With regard to the truce, the Pope said he did not see how it could be stipulated. He has proposed the matter in consistory, and will write briefs all over the world, announcing this his good will; having also sent the Archbishop of Capua to the Emperor in Spain, for the same purpose.
	Richard Pace, the English ambassador, is on the point of departure from Rome for England, and will pass through the camp. Pace when taking leave of him (Foscari) said, “Had Pope Julius chosen, he could have expelled the French from Italy, and subsequently steps might have been taken for the expulsion of the Spaniards likewise; thus should the Signory do.” (fn. 1)
	Replied that the Signory was doing her utmost to gratify and aid the Emperor, &c.
	Rome, 9th and 10th March. Registered by Sanuto, 16th March.
	[Italian.]
March 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 48.	810. The Same to the Same.
	Details his conversations with the Pope concerning the affairs of Lombardy.
	The Pope said the Signory would do well to purchase Cremona; she should obtain her towns, and aid the Duke of Milan to keep possession of his duchy. He added, “Cremona is really a fine jewel.”
	Report in Rome that the Duke of Milan, or rather the Spaniards, intend to sell Sarzana (now held by the Genoese) to the Florentines, for the purpose of raising money.
	The Archbishop of Capua [Nicholas Schomberg] has departed hence for Spain, by way of France, and is to cross to England. He will negotiate truce or peace between the belligerent powers.
	The Pope has sent an ambassador to Hungary to encourage the King.
	An ambassador has come to the Pope from the Jews in India, offering him 300,000 combatants against the Turk, and asking for artillery.
	Rome, 13th and 14th March. Registered by Sanuto, 17th March.
	[Italian.]
March 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 77.	811. Marco Foscari to the Signory.
	It is reported by way of Lyons that the Imperial army had taken Fonterabia. Also that the King of England had sent a messenger to the Emperor to tell him he would send troops across (di qua), but that he, the Emperor, was not to fail [in his promises] as he did last year.
	Details threats of the French ambassadors (namely, the Lord Alberto of Carpi and Mons. de St. Marceau) against the Spaniards.
	The Archbishop of Capua [Nicholas Schomberg], who departed on the 11th, rode post, and on the 16th arrived at Genoa. He was to embark there and go through Provence to Blois, where the King of France lay sick of the French disease.
	The Pope is sending money into the Spanish camp.
	The sister of the Cardinal Farnese, Madame Julia, heretofore the favorite of Pope Alexander, has died. The plague continues here, the deaths averaging from four to five per diem. The Pope is taking every precaution, and has ceased to give audience.
	Rome, 22nd and 23rd March. Registered by Sanuto on the 27th.
	[Italian.]
March 24. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 78.	812. The Proveditor Pesaro to the Signory.
	Has conversed with the Duke of Bourbon, who is very joyful, and says he will by no means give battle, as they are sure to conquer without risking an engagement.
	Has also heard through spies that the French are fortifying Vigevano, and will decamp in two days, because the Admiral [Bonnivet] has received letters from the King desiring him to send all the Italian infantry and men-at-arms to France, to resist the English invasion. The Duke of Bourbon declares that France is not expecting any succour. The Spaniards fare badly without money. Don Morone urges them to fight a pitched battle, but both the Viceroy and the Duke of Bourbon are averse to this.
	From the camp at Ottobiano (sic), 24th March. Registered by Sanuto on the 28th.
	[Italian.]
March 29. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. pp. 194, 195.	813. Paolo Ziani, a Franciscan Friar, to the Franciscan Francesco Marem, Vicar of the Province of St. Antonio, Professor of Theology.
	We [i. e., the writer and the Legate Campeggio] arrived at Nuremberg on the Wednesday in Passion week. The Archduke [Ferdinand] is at a monastery five leagues distant for his devotions. The Duke of Saxony, having heard of the coming of the Legate Campeggio to oppose the Lutheran opinion, departed in great wrath; and the Duke of Bavaria, a very Catholic person, on entering Nuremberg after our arrival, and finding it so Lutheran, went away in extreme anger, praising God for his escape from heretics.
	In these parts the sincere faith of Christ is utterly cancelled; no [respect is paid either to the Virgin Mary or the saints. On the contrary, it is said that those who employ their aid sin mortally. They deride the Papal rites, and call the relics of the saints bones of those who have been hanged. In Lent they eat meat openly, saying they do not consider it prohibited. Confession is neglected, as they say it should be made to God, and that auricular confession is a buffoonery. They generally communicate under both forms. They make a laughing-stock of the Pope and cardinals, and other ambassadorial ecclesiastics, by means of paintings and other caricatures. In short, they consider Martin their illuminator, and that until now they have been in darkness, and the indulgences are held by them like bread sold in the market place. In proof of all this, the Legate [Campeggio], to avoid scorn, did not enter Nuremberg as Legate ut moris est, neither did he give the blessing and absolution, but came in like a mere horseman, though he was accompanied by a most noble escort of all the Princes and part of the nobility, who (with the exception of the Duke of Saxony and Palatine) are sincere Christians. Some of the noblemen and the mass of merchants are all tainted, nay obstinate and unconvertible, so that at present neither the Legate's authority nor the will of the Princes, nor even the ability and erudition of my master, can stem so strong a current.
	Martin is not at Nuremberg, nor will he make his appearance there, but, unless the Almighty stretch forth his arm, it will doubtless come to pass that as the Princes and part of the nobility remain staunch Catholics, whilst the people persist in their errors, they will some day cut each other to pieces. The Legate will remain at Nuremberg until October, perhaps to hold another diet in Germany, cum dieta dietam sub invocat; but in this matter diets profit little, because the free towns are really not subject to any one, so they cannot be curbed, and they are the abettors of Lutheranism, especially Nuremberg and Augsburg, the asylums of all converts. (fn. 2) In the other towns belonging to the Princes less open confession is made, but in short all are Lutherans, publicly or secretly.
	Nuremberg, 29th March. Registered by Sanuto, 30th April.
	[Italian.]