Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1867.
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'Venice: October 1514', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 193-202. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp193-202 [accessed 26 April 2024]
October 1514
| Oct. 5. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 69. | 491. Marco Dandolo, Ambassador in France, to the State. |
|---|---|
| Paris, 18th September. | |
| Mentions the preparations and entertainments which were being-made for the coming of the Queen—jousts, tournaments, &c. She was to be there on the 29th to bed (a letarsi) with his most Christian Majesty, who was going to meet her, so that for the present nothing was said about the Italian expedition, nor anything attended to save these rejoicings for the nuptials. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 5. Misti Consiglio X. v. xxxvii. p. 121. | 492. The Council of Ten to the Ambassador in France. |
| Commend extremely the most sage proceeding of his Majesty, in exhorting the King of England to attack Castile, as the more impediment is given to King Ferdinand in that quarter, by so much the less will he be able to maintain the army he has in Italy, and thus the [Italian] expedition will be facilitated. | |
| Ayes, 22. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 87 lines.] | |
| Oct. 6. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 70. | 493. Andrea Badoer to the State, |
| London, 9th and 14th September. | |
| By way of Florence, through Silvio Savello, advices had been received of the rout given by Renzo da Ceri to the enemy, which caused satisfaction in England, though Prospero Colonna wrote that it was untrue. | |
| The Queen of France departed on the-, on her way to her husband, and was preparing to cross with nine ships. Moreover, he (Badoer) had received no letters from the Sígnory, which surprised everybody. It would have been well had he received news of the defeat of the enemy at Este, as it might have benefited the negotiation on foot with Spain, which was, however, concluded, because the Queen is King Ferdinand's daughter. | |
| The Archduke (Charles of Burgundy) had taken the marriage very much amiss, and was raising troops; so it was supposed there would be war, most especially with the support of the King of Denmark, the Archduke's brother-in-law. | |
| The King of England had received letters from his agent resident with the Emperor, to the effect that the agreement between the latter and the Signory would take place. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 6. Saauto Diaries, v. xix p. 70. | 494. Motion made in the Senate by the Sages for a letter to the Ambassador Badoer, in ENGLAND. That the State had already written to him the advices about Crema and Este, and transmitted duplicates on that day, desiring him to thank the King for his good will, &c. |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 6. Deliberazioni Senate Secreta, v xlvi. p 68. | 495. The Doge and Senate to Andrea Badoer, Ambassador in England. |
| In reply to his complaints of not hearing from them, mention having written a letter of congratulation to the King on the peace and marriage, date 22 August; and on the 30th had written to Badoer himself, announcing the victory of Crema. Repeat protestations of good will towards the King. As already stated, have elected ambassadors to his Majesty and the King of France, who would already have departed, had they received a safeconduct, on the arrival of which, they will set out immediately. | |
| Ayes, 149. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 21 lines.] | |
| Oct. 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 83. | 496. Marco Dandolo, Ambassador in France, to the State. |
| Paris, 22 September. | |
| The King had departed for Picardy to meet the Queen, who was expected at Michaelmas, though it was thought she would delay coming to Paris until the 10th October, when great entertainments and rejoicings would be made. There was already great preparation for tournaments and apparel. The King's son-in-law, Monseigneur d'Angoulême, the Dauphin of France, had spent 60,000 crowns, and the Master of the Horse, Galeazzo di San Severino, was also incurring great expense. Nothing else was attended to, save these nuptials; so that for the present year nothing was said about the Italian expedition, which was postponed till the spring. | |
| Note by Sanuto, that it was believed the King of Spain would join the league of his son-in-law, the King of England, with France, which would be bad for the Signory, as Venice could not stand alone. | |
| [Italian,] | |
| Oct. 16. Senato Terra, v. xviii. p. 167. | 497. Decree of the Senate concerning an Ambassador to France and England. |
| The noble Alvise Mocenigo, knight, appointed ambassador to France, having stated it was impossible for him to settle his affairs at present and go to France and England, especially on account of an important lawsuit in which he was concerned; and also that the form of his election had been altered, as, after being elected ambassador to France, it was decreed that he should accompany Francesco Donado, knight, to England,—Put to the ballot, that an ambassador be elected instead of Mocenigo, that he do proceed to France with Francesco Donado, and that, after congratulating his most Christian Majesty, both the ambassadors do go to England, and perform the like office with the King there. That this being done, the one of the two who shall obtain the majority of voices, shall go back France to reside with his most Christian Majesty, and the other remain in England; the noblemen the ambassadors Marco Dandolo, doctor and knight, and Andrea Badoer to come home. | |
| Each ambassador elected to have for his expenses 120 ducats a month clear; to be dispensed from showing any account of them to the Signory; to be obliged to keep 11 horses, including those of the secretary and his servant. Each person elected to be bound to reply within three days, to depart when and with such commission as shall seem fit to the College, and not to excuse himself on the plea of official employment, under penalty. | |
| Ayes, 126. Noes, 52. Neutrals, 0. | |
| Elected, Pietro Pasqualigo, doctor and knight. | |
| Ballot, according to the motion, of Pietro Pasqualigo, doctor and knight, and Francesco Donado, knight. Elected Pietro Pasqualigo, who, together with Francesco Donado, is to proceed to France and England, and return to his most Christian Majesty, and reside with him as above. | |
| [Motion in Italian: result in Latin, 22 lines.] | |
| Oct. 16. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix, pp. 86–88. | 498. Embassy to England. |
| Decree of the Senate for the election of an ambassador to France, to accompany Francesco Donado. The two together to congratulate the King on his marriage, and then proceed in company to England, to offer congratulations there also; after which, one of them to return to France, the other to remain in England. Also that Marco Dandolo do come home from France, and Andrea Badoer from England. | |
| Elected,—Piero Pasqualigo, doctor and knight, State attorney, who accepted. | |
| Ballot to decide which of the two ambassadors was to reside permanently in France, and which in England; the candidate obtaining the majority of balls to remain in France. | |
| Francesco Donado, 36. | |
| Piero Pasqualigo, 131. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 24. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 105. | 499. Letter from Rome containing advices from France. |
| Dated the 8th October. | |
| Arrival in France on the 3rd at Boulogne of the Queen, the sister of the King of England (a most beautiful young woman), with 80 damsels and English lords. The King was at a distance of 18 miles, with 200 French damsels [having gone] to meet the Queen. Very great entertainments and rejoicings would be made. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 25. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 105. | 500. Lorenzo Pasqualigo, merchant of Venice, to his brothers Alvise and Francesco. |
| London, 23 September 1514. | |
| No talk of war in London; entertainments, banquets, and jousts are being held for the departure of the Queen, who left for Dover tour days ago, accompanied by four of the chief lords of England, namely, the Treasurer, the Lord Chamberlain, the Chancellor, and Lord Stanley, (fn. 1) besides 400 knights and barons, and 200 gentlemen and other squires, with their horses. The lords, knights, and barons were all accompanied by their wives, attended by their damsels (damizelle). There would be about 1,000 palfreys, and 100 women's carriages (carette de clones There are so many gowns of wove gold and with gold grounds, housings for the horses and palfreys of the same materials, and chains and jewels, that they are worth a vast amount of treasure; and some of the noblemen in this company, to do themselves honour, had spent as much as 200,000 crowns each. Many of the merchants purposed going to Dover to see this fine sight, and about a week ago all the merchants of every nation went to the Court. The Queen (of France) desired to see them all, and gave her hand to each of them. She wore a gown in the French fashion, of wove gold (oro tirado), very costly; she is very beautiful, and has not her match in all England, is a young woman 10 years old, tall, fair, and of a light complexion, with a colour, and most affable and graceful; on her neck was a jewelled diamond, (fn. 2) as large and as broad as a full sized finger (un diamante in zoielo grando e grosso un bendedo), with a pear-shaped pearl beneath it, the size of a pigeon's egg, which jewel had been sent her as a present by the King of France, through-; and the jewellers of “the Row,” whom the King desired to value it, estimated its worth at 60,000 crowns. It was marvellous that the existence of this diamond and pearl should never have been known; it was believed they had belonged to the late King of France, or to the Duke of Britanny, the father of the late Queen. | |
| According to the report of the courtiers, the Queen was to cross over to Boulogne, and the King of France would come as far as Abbeville, it was said, to meet her, and there consummate his marriage with this “nymph from heaven” her beauty and affability warranting the expression. | |
| On bidding farewell to the merchants, she made them all many offers, speaking a few words in French, and delighting everybody. The whole court now speaks both French and English, as in the time of the late King. | |
| The Spanish ambassador never attends any of the entertainments, and remains at home, because, when he goes about the town, strange things are said to him, so that he was half confined to his house. | |
| The squadron for the Queen's conveyance across would number 250 sail, viz., 150 barks, and the rest crayers (schute) and other vessels, all having been in readiness for the last fortnight. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 30. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlvi. p. 71, tergo. | 501. Embassy to France and England. |
| Decree of the Senate for the immediate despatch of the ambassadors elected to France and England. Piero Pasqualigo, doctor and knight, and Francesco Donato, knight, ambassadors appointed to France and England, to be summoned before the College, and enjoined by the Doge to be on their was to their legation in the course of next week, by such road as shall be ordered them. 400 ducats ready money to be given to each of them, and each to be supplied with a letter of credit for 500 ducats, one for France and the other for London. | |
| Ayes, 170. Noes, 6. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 14 lines.] | |
| Oct. 30. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 115. | 502. Decree of the Senate, ordering the departure of the ambassadors appointed to France and England in the course of the following week; each to receive 400 ducats, and have a bill of exchange for 500 ducats. |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 30. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 116. | 503. Andrea Badoer to the State. |
| London, 16 September. | |
| Arrival in London of an ambassador from the Emperor, (fn. 3) who demanded audience of the King, and permission to make whatever statement he pleased; which being granted, he said on behalf of the Emperor, that the King of England had done wrong to break the promise given to his grandson, the Archduke of Burgundy, by marrying the Lady Mary to the King of France, the Emperor's enemy, and that his deserts entitled him to other treatment. To this the King replied, that it was not he who had failed in his faith, but the Emperor, to whom he had disbursed so many thousands of ducats for the raising of troops and the prosecution of the war against France, but that the Emperor took no heed for the observance of his promise, and did nothing at all. The King added other words, blaming the Emperor vastly, so that the ambassador took leave and departed. | |
| The Spanish ambassador, perceiving the celebration of the marriage, and the small account in which his King was held, had absented himself from the Court, and quitted London. | |
| The Queen of France was to depart on the — September, the ships for her passage across to Boulogne being in readiness; and she was to be accompanied by SO English women and five men of consequence, so that she would go with great pomp and triumph. The King in person, on board the galley bearing his name [Henri Grace de Dieu?], would accompany her for 10 miles out to sea. | |
| The Queen of Scotland had married a Scottish baron (Earl of Angus), who was to rule the kingdom for her son. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 30. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 115. | 504. Motion made in the Senate by the Sages, and carried, for a letter to Andrea Badoer, ambassador in England, acquainting him with the recent victories over the Spaniards, and the capture of Bergamo, and saying that the entire Republic is at the command of King Henry, as the Signory perceives and knows the love he bears her. |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 30. Sanuto Diaries, v. xix. p. 122. | 505. Nicolò Di Favri of Treviso, attached to the Venetian Embassy in England, to Francesco Gradenigo. |
| London, 24 September 1514. | |
| By way of Rome, through the papal ambassador, he had written a sheet full of news; but the courier, who was also conveying the Venetian ambassador's letters to the State, on arriving within four miles of Cologne, was attacked, and his despatches were taken from him and thrown, into the Rhine, so that the Pope never received them; they were full of the great events then passing in England, and gave account of current reports, and of the numerous ambassadors then at the Court. There was an ambassador from the Emperor, another from the Duke of Milan, another from the Pope, (who came post incognito, and never showed himself during the whole time of his stay in London, (fn. 4) ) two ambassadors from the King of France, and a messenger from the Marquis of Mantua, who sent the King of England four handsome horses and two jennets. Had written likewise of the present given by the King to the messenger, and of the hackney which he sent to the Marquis. Narrated also the departure of the ambassadors, and the pains taken by the Venetian ambassador to satisfy the Signory, both by following the Court and by always frequenting the houses of the noblemen, most especially the chief personages of the kingdom. The Venetian ambassador, although old, had a good constitution, and bore much cold, heat, rain, wind, hunger, and thirst. | |
| The English fleet, being off the coast of Britanny, had taken some French ships, landed there, and burned 26 villages, which were uninhabited, for the peasants had fled to the hills with all their property. | |
| The Venetian ambassador had constantly exerted himself to effect the nine months' truce with France, and orders were sent to the Admiral of the fleet not to proceed farther to ravage the French territory, but to return with the whole force and disarm, which he did. All these particulars were recorded in the lost letter. | |
| In the meanwhile the Duke of Longueville, being a prisoner, negotiated the peace, which was proclaimed in London in a public street on the 11th of August by two men on horseback; the King of England, France, and Ireland (such being his title), and King Lewis of France making peace for their own lives, and for one year beyond. Neither trumpet nor any other instrument was sounded, and but few persons heard the proclamation; neither were bonfires burnt nor any other demonstration made for this peace. | |
| According to report the King of France had again promised the King of England the tribute which he usually paid him, and many thousand crowns additional; and at the same time they negotiated, and indeed concluded the marriage of King Henry's sister as Queen of France, she having been previously promised to the Prince of Castile, Duke of Flanders, who had already received a considerable sum on account of the dower; and great pageants were to have been performed at Calais in May. But early on the morning of Sunday the 13th of August a lord came in his barge in quest of the Venetian ambassador, on behalf of the King, that he might go to the Court to be present at a wedding; so he went to where his Majesty was, at a place called Greenwich, on a fine river, and proceeded up stairs, where the other lords were awaiting the King in the apartment where the marriage ceremony was to be performed; it had the appearance of a large chamber, the walls around being covered with arras of cloth of gold, surmounted by an embroidered frieze with the royal arms. There were many lords present clad in cloth of gold, and some in silk, all wearing gold chains, who came to meet the ambassador, saying, “ Thou art as welcome as if thou wert our father, and of our own blood,” for which he thanked them much, and they gave him good greeting; and he remained thus talking first with one and then with another for three hours, until at length the King came, and was immediately followed by the Queen, by his sister, the bride, and by a number of ladies. The Duke of Longueville, together with the two French ambassadors, represented the King of France. The Primate, Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered a Latin sermon, saying they had been brought to that place to celebrate a holy marriage, the contracting parties being the sister of the King of England and the King of France, whose Majesty was represented by the Duke of Longueville. The Archbishop having finished his sermon, one of the French ambassadors made a speech in the name of his King, who, he said, was content and willing to take for his wife and Queen the Lady Mary aforesaid; and when he had ended his discourse, the Duke of Longueville, representing the person of the King of France, took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. | |
| Does not know why the two Papal ambassadors were not present at this marriage, as they were at the Court, and had been invited; but before the King came into the chamber where the ceremony was performed, they were conducted into another place; neither was the Spanish ambassador present. The Venetian ambassador remained throughout the whole ceremony, and was registered as the first witness of this holy marriage. | |
| The King then departed, and attended high mass, it being nearly midday. He was preceded by the lords in pairs, in silk gowns of their own fashion, with gold collars as massive as chains. There were two dukes of the realm clad in cloth of gold, with long gowns. | |
| The Venetian ambassador was made to walk last, near the King as a mark of honour, and was paired with the Archbishop of Canterbury. | |
| Next came the King in a gown of cloth of gold and ash-coloured satin, in chequers, with certain jewelled embroidery in his own fashion (con certi fogiami ingalizadl a mo modo), and a most costly collar round his neck. | |
| The Duke of Longueville walked nearly in line with the King, wearing a gown of cloth of gold and purple satin in chequers, and a most beautiful collar. | |
| After the King came the Queen (who is pregnant) clad in ash-coloured satin, with chains and jewels, and on her head a cap of cloth of gold, covering the ears in the Venetian fashion. | |
| Beside her was the King's sister, the bride, a girl of 16, with a petticoat of ash-coloured satin, and a gown of purple satin and cloth of gold in chequers; she wore a cap of cloth of gold, and chains and jewels like the Queen, and was accompanied by many ladies. | |
| The mass being ended, it was dinner time, and after a grand banquet the King and Queen and the ladies returned to the apartment where the marriage ceremony had been, performed, accompanied by many lords, and commenced dancing, the musical instruments being a flute (piva), a harp, a “violetta” and a certain small fife (un certo xifarettó), which produced a very harmonious effect (si accordavano molto bene). | |
| The ball lasted nearly two hours, the King and the Duke of Buckingham and other lords dancing in their doublets; even the Venetian ambassador felt inclined to throw off his gown and follow the example of the King and the others, but he abstained by reason of his age. | |
| Immediately after the dinner, the Papal ambassadors, attended by the noblemen who had escorted them from their dwelling, returned home; nor did they see the dancing or any other part of the ceremony. Does not know the reason of this. | |
| When the dancing ceased, refreshments were served, and the King and Queen and the ladies thereupon departed. Then followed the Archbishop of York, the Duke of Longueville, the two French ambassadors, the Venetian ambassador, the Lord of St. John's (Sir Thomas Docwra), and the noblemen who came to fetch the Venetian ambassador; and they adjourned to the house given by the King of England to the Duke of Longueville, a good bowshot's distance from the palace, but within the [park] walls. There the legal instruments were signed, and mutually ratified; after which beverages were served. The Venetian ambassador then took leave and departed, together with the noblemen who fetched him, and with the Lord of St. John's; and they came home in the barge and made good cheer. | |
| On the morrow, Monday, the 14th [August], the Duke of Longueville and one of the French ambassadors departed for France, and, according to report, the King made the Duke a present of 300l (sic); each pound sterling being worth four ducats and a half, and he went away with 10 horses and a cart (careta). | |
| Subsequently two ambassadors were appointed to France, namely the Lord of St. John's and the Lord Chamberlain, (Charles Somerset, Earl of Worcester,) (fn. 5) who quitted London on the 29th August, and according to report, after despatching their business in France, they would go to Rome, and possibly to Venice. They were very great friends of Andrea Badoer's, and men of consequence. It was said the King of France had sent a handsome present here to his Queen, and that the marriage would be performed speedily, for that the King [of England] would send her away on the 5th of October, accompanied by many noblemen, including the Bishop of Durham, who, having clone the needful in France, would go to Rome and meant to come and see Venice, and was a very great friend of the ambassador Badoer. | |
| Prays God that the marriage may prove auspicious. It was said that when the Prince of Castile heard that his promised bride had been given to the King of France, he went immediately into his council chamber and said to his councillors, “Well! am I to have my wife as you promised me?” with other words to that effect; whereupon his councillors answered him, “You are young, but the King of France is the first King in Christendom, and, having no wife, it rests with him to take for his queen any woman he pleases” And thus did they seek to excuse themselves. During this conversation, Duke Charles, looking out of a window, saw a man with a hawk on his fist, and calling one of his councillors who was his chief friend, said to him, “I prithee go buy me that hawk.” The councillor replied,”I know that hawk; he is a young bird, and does not yet know how to quarry (non sa ancora paissar): he is not a bird for your Lordship.” The Prince again said, “I prithee go buy it.” The councillor still seeking to excuse himself, the Duke at length exclaimed, “Come with me;” so he bought it himself, and put it on his fist. Then, having returned into the council chamber and seated himself, he commenced plucking the hawk, the councillor meanwhile inquiring, “Sir î what are you doing?;' The Duke still continued plucking the bird, and when he had done so to his heart's content, made answer: “Thou askest me why I plucked this hawk; he is young, you see, and has not yet been trained, and because he is young he is held in small account, and because he is young he squeaked not when I plucked him. Thus have you done by me: I am young, you have plucked me at your good pleasure; and because I was young I knew not how to complain; but bear in mind that for the future I shall pluck you.” He also used other very strong language. | |
| Had the King of Spain kept his promise to the King of England, the latter would never have made peace with France; and the promises of the Emperor were equally false, for he had received many thousands of pounds from King Henry, on condition that he was to be in person at Calais in the month of May, with a considerable force in the King's pay; but the Emperor pocketed the money, and never came. His failure was the cause of all that took place, for as King Henry was deceived in every direction, he thought fit therefore to take this other course. | |
| On the 14th September an ambassador from the King of France arrived there, by name Mons. d'Ansi, said to be the bearer of a present for the Queen. On the morrow he went to the Court, with his attendants, preceded by a handsome white horse, bearing two coffers, said to contain the presents, amongst which, according to report was a diamond with a large pearl, worth 50,000 crowns. | |
| The Lord of St. John's had written to England, announcing his having found the King of France at Paris, and that he had received good greeting and been much caressed by his Majesty, who did him great honour. The Duke of Longueville and his wife, with 200 ladies and many lords, were to come as far as Boulogne to meet the Queen; and on the King's hearing of her arrival in that place, he would depart to receive her there as Queen, and then proceed to Paris for the triumphs and entertainments. It was said that on the morrow of the letter's date the King (of England) would send her towards the seaside, that she might cross in the direction of Calais, with a great number of noblemen. | |
| According to report, the King of France had given the duchy of Milan to the Queen as counter dower (controdotta). Prays God that the marriage may prove auspicious for Italy, and concludes by saying that the King of France was 56 years old, and very gouty, and that the King of England wished his sister to have that duchy. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 30. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlvi. p. 71, tergo. | 506. The Doge and Senate to Andrea Badoer, Ambassador in England. |
| Besides the rout of the enemy at Este, upwards of 300 Spanish men-at-arms were defeated beyond the Adige. The Signor Renzo da Cere, moreover, recovered the city of Bergamo, and the Captain General Alviano entered Rovigo on Saturday the 16th instant, the booty being so great that a whole day was required for its fair division amongst the soldiery. Intend to attack Verona. To acquaint the King with these particulars, adding that the despatch of the ambassadors to him and France is delayed, solely because they have not received the safeconducts for their journey. | |
| Ayes, 169. Noes, 8. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 40 lines.] | |