Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.
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'Venice: February 1531', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533, (London, 1871) pp. 275-277. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol4/pp275-277 [accessed 20 April 2024]
February 1531
| Feb. 11. Sanuto Diaries, v.liv. pp. 331, 332. | 654. The Mantuan Ambassador at Rome to the Duke of Mantua. |
|---|---|
| A person appeared here lately from England, showing that he came in the name of the kingdom. (fn. 1) He demands that the matrimonial suit of the King should be sent back for judgment in that realm, as the parties could not appear by proxy, and that the country would not permit the King to depart thence. He sought earnestly to obtain this concession, alleging the many inconveniences which might arise were it denied. This proposal was debated in Consistory; but, according to report, no resolution was formed, and they will proceed as they commenced, although the King has never consented to this sentence (giuditio). | |
| Rome, 11th February. Registered by Sanuto 17th February. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Feb. 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. liv. p. 322. | 655. Prothonotary Casal. |
| The ambassador from the King of England came into the College about Church benefices and the bishopric of Cividal di Belluno. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Feb. 19. Sforza Archives, Milan. | 656. Augustino Scarpinello to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. |
| Wrote on the 11th ult, giving a full account of events here. Subsequently, according to general report, the Parliament first of all imposed a tax of 100,000l. sterling, (fn. 2) equal to 500,000 crowns, payable in five years, many persons being of opinion that the term will be reduced to a briefer period; and this sum is disbursed by the clergy for the remission of the crime of prœmunire (per abolitione del crimine preminero) hitherto incurred by them; and although they entreated that the remission might be valid for the future, or that the crime might be clearly defined, as it is understood by no one, or but by few, his Majesty would in no respect grant their request. | |
| The aforesaid matters being settled, this same clergy, de consilii sententiâ et communi consensu submitted themselves entirely to the King, as proclaimed in the following words of this declaration, videlicet:—“Agnoscimus et confitemur Maiestatem Regiam totius Anglicanœ Ecelesiœ pvotectorem summum et caput supremum, quatenus per legem Christi liceat;” and the clergy, having urged the addition of a clause, thus—“et quatenus per leges canonicas liceat” —it was denied them. (fn. 3) | |
| Many persons—and the Court of Rome in a high degree—will be able to estimate the importance of this enactment (constitutione) and although it has been rumoured for several months, a milder result was hoped for. Heaven grant that it be propitious. | |
| As yet, not a word has been said in this session of Parliament about the divorce, though some persons assert that the matter is transacted covertly (rem agi per cuniculos). It is supposed that the Parliament will not end with this session, but be again prorogued; and many are of opinion it will not end without discussing this repudiation. | |
| After having heard what is aforesaid on good authority, delayed writing immediately, as he expected the printers to issue a certain manifesto (certo exemplare); but as it has been hitherto postponed, transmits accounts received from others until he can authenticate them further by public writings. | |
| The King accepts the Council, both for the extirpation of heresies and of abuses of Ecclesiastics; and desires the place of meeting to be convenient, free, and secure for all men. | |
| The King, sometime ago, sent to his most Christian Majesty Messer Joan Joachino [di Passano, Lord of Vaux], Mons. de la Guiche remaining here. Joachino's return is expected daily. Since his arrival in France he has written several times, so the King has been able to receive a decision and reply to the matter negotiated by him. | |
| London, 19th February 1531. | |
| Signed: Augustino Scarpinello. | |
| Addressed externally:—To the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord Duke of Milan, my Lord. | |
| [Original. Italian.] | |