Appendix: Miscellaneous 1515

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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'Appendix: Miscellaneous 1515', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526, (London, 1869) pp. 639-640. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol3/pp639-640 [accessed 26 April 2024]

Miscellaneous 1515

1515. Mar. 31. Archives, Venice, Library. 1486. Andrea Badger, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Council of Ten.
Wrote last on the 28th instant to the care of the ambassador in France, Messer Marco Dandolo; since when has little to tell, save that it is heard [ (fn. 1) for certain, that the late Queen of France has been married by the Duke of Suffolk, the same who, less than two years ago, was a familiar in another person's service. (fn. 2)
Being in favour with his sovereign, after the demise of the King of France he was sent thither, with some others, as ambassador, and performed his embassy in such wise, that he is now seen to have negotiated for himself; and it is supposed that he acted thus with the secret consent of the King, as notified to the Signory in his (Badoer's) foregoing letters, anticipating the result which is thoroughly verified. God grant that the marriage may not prove ill omened.
The whole kingdom clamours, and France likewise; so on hearing of this outcry, as they were proceeding hitherwards together, they received orders, in the event of their quitting France, not to come to England, but to go to Calais, to make less mischief. Is decidedly of opinion that they would be ill received, as he perceives the uproar to be very great, and most especially between the Lords and Commons (fra signori et populi), for on the day before yesterday, in Parliament, the latter well-nigh came to blows with the peers, who said that none of them had given their consent, with the exception of the Archbishop of York, who has sprung up like a mushroom, and it will be no small matter if he gets out of this scrape. (fn. 3) Will wait to see, and notify the result. (fn. 4)
Since his last, when with a friend of his, a great personage (signoroto), related to the King, who has always shown himself most friendly towards him (Badoer), and from whom he has sometimes heard secrets, he learned as follows. This individual has access to the King's chamber, and is also a member of his Council; and some days ago, it may perhaps be three weeks, a Florentine merchant, resident in London, showed him a letter from one of his correspondents in Florence, praising the Magnifico Julian, who in right of his wife, laid claim to Cyprus, unduly held by the Signory.] (fn. 5)
The letter was discussed, it being said that if the undertaking were continued, and the island changed masters . . . This person has now arrived here and purposes dining with him (Badoer), who would fain die such a death as the Signory pleases, as at every hour of the day he is longing tothrow himself into the Thames, being so ill-supplied with money by the State, that he certainly loses his wits; nor does he know how to continue writing and keep to his subject. Prays God to assist him. Has been two years without money; and as others are silent on the subject, he himself will repeat it. Should Cyprus change masters as aforesaid, his Majesty [of England] would have more right to it than anybody else, because when the Holy House (chaza santa) was taken [1191] Richard, King of England, conquered the island, and held it pacifically for many years (sic), so that the present King would have more right to it than others, though they thought it would be impossible for any but the Venetian Signory to keep possession, the State being paramount in all those seas; also that the kingdom [of Cyprus] was unimportant (de pocho momento), nor could anyone defend it against the power of Venice.
Such was the reply given to this merchant on behalf of his Majesty, who had the particulars from him, Badoer.
Thinks fit to announce these rodomontades (papaluelte), although they are held in small account; and also that the communication was made to him by the King's desire.
Requests, for the love of God, that the State will not forget him.
London, 31st March, 1515.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Cipher within the brackets. The decipher is contemporary.
  • 2. “Fameglio in l'altrui servitii.” Decipher is often so defective as to render it probable that in the present instance the original cipher contained an allusion to the court paid by the Duke of Suffolk to the Archduchess Margaret, concerning which see a previous letter of Badoer's, Venetian Calendar, vol. ii., entry no. 464, p. 184.
  • 3. There is no mention in Hall of any assistance given by Wolsey to the Duke of Suffolk in aid of his marriage, which is well known to have been unpopular. In July 1516, Suffolk absented himself from the court, because, at the suggestion of Wolsey, the King refused to pay a debt contracted by him in France. In May 1517, as seen by the Mantuan correspondence (Venetian Calendar, vol. ii., p. 381), Suffolk was reconciled to Wolsey, and treated him most obsequiously.
  • 4. It is probable that Wolsey alluded to this support, when at the time of his downfall in 1529, he addressed Suffolk, thus:—” Sir, of all men living you have least reason to dispraise Cardinals; for if I, a poor Cardinal, had not been, you would not at this present have had a head upon your shoulders to make such a brag in disrepute of us, who have meant you no harm and have given you no cause of offence.” (See Lingard, vol. iv. p. 258, ed. London, 1854.)
  • 5. Julian de' Medici claimed Cyprus in right of his wife Filiberta of Savoy, whom he married in February, 1515. Julian de' Medici died 17th May 1516.
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