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: March 1526', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526, (London, 1869) pp. 530-534. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol3/pp530-534 [accessed 26 April 2024]
March 1526
| March 1. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 34. | 1225. Marco Foscari to the Doge and Signory. |
|---|---|
| The Pope told him that the King of England was sending four ships into Provence to join the French fleet. | |
| Rome, 1st March. Registered by Sanuto, 6th March. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 2. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File no. 10. | 1226. The Doge and College to Lorenzo Orio, Ambassador in England. |
| The Regent has acquainted them with the conclusion of the peace. Now their ambassador at the Papal Court writes that the Pope has sent D. Paulo Vettori to France, to attend the most Christian King after his release. Mindful of Cardinal Wolsey's opinion that the Signory should have an envoy in France, have sent the secretary Andrea Rosso to the most Christian King, to congratulate him and ascertain his disposition with regard to the affair of Italy. Will subsequently elect an ambassador, but thought fit first to send the secretary. | |
| The Imperial ambassadors resident at Venice have presented letters from the Emperor, dated Toledo the 26th January, notifying the conclusion of the peace and confederacy with the most Christian King, and the marriage of the Queen, the Emperor's sister, with his most Christian Majesty. The ambassadors added that they were ordered to continue the negotiation for the agreement with the Signory. On the morrow they declared they had received the Emperor's ultimatum. First, touching the Duke of Milan, his Imperial Majesty will ascertain whether the Duke is guilty; if not, he is to remain; otherwise the Milanese is to be given to the Duke of Bourbon. | |
| Secondly, satisfaction to be given to the Archduke Ferdinand according to the agreement; restitution to be made by both parties. | |
| Thirdly, the Signory to restore to all emigrants (fn. 1) their entire property. | |
| Fourthly, though satisfied with the clause binding the Signory to give troops, the Emperor requires an additional clause to the effect that no delay do take place, and that the Signory do pay to the Emperor 200,000 ducats. | |
| The Signory answered in general terms, taking time to reply. To communicate the whole to the King and Cardinal, adding that the State proceeds with reserve. | |
| The Great Turk has lately taken important steps. He has imposed a tax of 15 “aspres” per head on all his subjects, both citizens and peasants. He has sent commands to the “Beglarbei,” “Sanzachi,” “Tunazati,” and all others in receipt of pay, to be ready at the next command to take to horse (cavalcar, march?) under pain of capital punishment; and in Greece he has given orders for the collection of supplies of victuals, corn, and straw. All the galley crews are to be enrolled, and in readiness for service. In the arsenal and in all other places many more hands are employed than usual, and besides repairing the old galleys, he has given orders for the construction of 50 new “bastard-galleys,” 50 light galleys, and 20 large “palandrie” for the conveyance of horses. He is having 2,000 falconets made, besides basilisks, having caused 20,000 muskets to be made last year, although he had a large supply of old ones. In short, from these great military preparations it is inferred that the Great Turk will make an attack by land and sea. | |
| By subsequent letters, understand the Great Turk has increased the tax from 15 “aspres” per head to 20, and given orders that 100 galleys at least, including light and “bastard,” are to be in readiness, completely found, by the moon of this present month of March. | |
| To communicate the whole to the King and Cardinal as usual. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 3. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 85. | 1227. Lorenzo Ohio to the Doge and Signory. |
| Received from them the articles of the agreement, with which he had previously become acquainted in England, and which were printed in Flanders, in England, and France. This publication in print has been taken amiss, but the secret articles cannot be ascertained. | |
| Having also received the Signory's letters of the 5th and 21st February, went on the 2nd March to Cardinal Wolsey at Hampton Court, and imparted the news to him, and also the advices from Lombardy. | |
| The Cardinal said he had received letters from the King's ambassador at Venice, Prothonotary Casal, mentioning the honours paid him, the wisdom of the Doge, and the good greeting given him. | |
| The Cardinal is anxious for the arrival of Dom. Giovanni Gioachino, who will bring the articles of the agreement, and on the arrival of the most Christian King in France, the King and Cardinal will send their ambassadors, as already stated. | |
| Said he would go and communicate his news to the King. The Cardinal dissuaded him, saying that he purposed going to his Majesty on the morrow, and would perform this office. | |
| London, 3rd March 1526. Registered by Sanuto, 26th March. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 5. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 16. | 1228. Prothonotary Casal. |
| Early on the morning of the 5th, letters arrived per post. | |
| The English ambassador came into the College. He spoke about current events, and said that the Signory ought to urge his King to assist Italy, instead of Italy being urged by his Majesty [to assist herself]; so they must not fail writing to him frequently, as his King does everything for the benefit of Italy and conservation of this most illustrious State. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 7. Letteredel Collegio (Secreta), File no. 10. | 1229. The Doge and College to Lorenzo Orio, Ambassador in England. |
| Have received his letters of the 12th ult. | |
| Are of opinion that his most Christian Majesty on arriving in France will not swerve from the wise counsel of the King and Cardinal, and therefore request them to do their utmost for the benefit of Italy. To expatiate hereon, and on the trust reposed by the State in the King and Cardinal. Consider his Majesty their protector. | |
| The ambassador Sanches (the Rev. Caracciolo being indisposed) has appeared before the College. Read to him their reply. Sanches, having consulted with Caracciolo, returned and expressed dissatisfaction at the reply, saying they wished for a declaration of the State's intention, especially about the first clause with reference to the Duke of Milan, and touching the last with respect to the money demanded; earnestly requesting an answer. Gave it in more express terms, as by the enclosed copy, which he is to communicate to the King and Cardinal. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 11. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 85. | 1230. Lorenzo Orio to the Doge and Signory. |
| In England they have not yet received any news of the arrival of the most Christian King in France. The Signory need fear nothing, for, as Cardinal Wolsey has said, the King of England takes the State of Venice under his protection. | |
| London, 11th March. Registered by Sanuto, 26th March. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 17. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 116. | 1231. The Same to the Same. |
| Told by Cardinal Wolsey he had received letters from Rome and Spain. The former purported that the Pope had sent an envoy to the most Christian King not to observe the articles, and that he would absolve him from the oath taken; and his Holiness exhorts the King of England to do the like. The letters from Spain state that Madame the Regent, whilst travelling towards Bayonne, was seized with a fit of the gout. She had not yet decided whether she would give as hostages the King's two sons, or the 12 personages of France. The most Christian King had been indisposed on his journey. The Cardinal was also informed that the French ambassador, Giovanni Gioachino, would come to England with the articles, after having taken the instructions of the most Christian King. The Cardinal added that on the arrival of the King of France, the King of England would send an ambassador to persuade him to come to terms with Italy and not adhere to the agreement made with the Emperor. The King of England will not consent to the Emperor's aggrandizement. And in conclusion the Cardinal said, “Write to the Signory to send ambassadors to the most Christian King for the above purpose, and to rest assured that my King will not allow any injury to be done the State.” | |
| London, 17th March. Registered by Sanuto, 9th April. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 18. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 63. | 1232. English Ambassador in Venice. |
| Today the English ambassador, Prothonotary Casal, by birth a Bolognese, came into the hall of the Grand Council, and remained there while several appointments were conferred by ballot. He was attended by the Sages for the orders, who accompanied him home to his dwelling at S. Georgio Maggiore. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 20. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File no. 10. | 1233. The Doge and College to Lorenzo Orio, Ambassador in England. |
| Approve what the King said, that on the most Christian King's arrival in France, he will ensure his having a good understanding with England and the Signory. He will perceive by their replies to the Imperial ambassadors, that they have adhered to the suggestions of the King and Cardinal, as always in this and every other matter, his Majesty being the protector of the State. | |
| Is to be assiduous in acquainting them with the conversations and opinions of the King and Cardinal. | |
| Enclose summaries of important news from Constantinople, for communication to the King and Cardinal. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. pp. 92, 93. | 1234. Marco Foscari to the Doge and Signory. |
| On the arrival of the most Christian King in France, the King of England will send ambassadors to him. | |
| Rome, 27th March. Registered by Sanuto, 31 st March. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 28. Sanuto Diaries, v. xli. p. 122. | 1235. Lorenzo Orio to the Doge and Signory. |
| The French ambassador, the President of Rouen [Jean Brinon], received news of the arrival of the most Christian King at Bayonne on the 17th. Rode immediately to Greenwich to the King. Cardinal Wolsey was there, and also the French ambassadors [Brinon and “the Captain de Guiles”?], who had dined with his Right Reverend Lordship. Heard this news from them, and the good will of his most Christian Majesty; and that the King of England had immediately despatched an ambassador, by name. . . . [Sir Thomas Cheyne], (fn. 2) to congratulate him. | |
| Heard from Cardinal Wolsey that the Pope had written to notify the mission of an envoy to the most Christian King, to deter him from ratifying the articles. | |
| They then went to the King, who acquainted them with the arrival of the most Christian King, and showed them a letter in French with his signature, which he desired his (Orio's) secretary, Gasparo Spinelli, to read. Therein the King styles him brother more than brother, saying he is under immortal obligation to him, he having been the cause of his release; and that he will write further to him subsequently. His Majesty continued that he had sent his ambassador [Sir Thomas Cheyne], who, together with Dr. Tayler, also ambassador in France, will urge the most Christian King to league with Italy, and not to observe the articles stipulated with the Emperor, nor to tolerate the latter's aggrandizement. The King also wishes the Signory to send ambassadors to France to prevent the ratification of the articles; and he has written to the Pope to absolve his most Christian Majesty from the oath, according to the intention announced by him (the Pope) to the King of England, and for the benefit of Italy to join the league, to which he (the King oi England) will become a party. The King also said that on the arrival of Giovanni Gioachino, he should know the personal intention of the most Christian King, who has written to him that he will learn things which cannot be communicated except by word of mouth. His Majesty [of England?] declares that all he does is for the benefit of Italy, and especially of the Signory. | |
| London, 24th and 28th March. Registered by Sanuto, 10th April. | |
| [Italian.] | |