Venice: 1411-1420 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 1, 1202-1509. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1864.

'Venice: 1411-1420', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 1, 1202-1509, (London, 1864) pp. 52-61. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol1/pp52-61 [accessed 25 April 2024]

1411–1420



1411. Feb. 12. “Misti Senato.” v. xlviii. p. 200.	185. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage; the galleys to be the best in the Arsenal.
	General regulations as in former years. Moreover, no coggo or ship may henceforth fit out for the voyage.
	[Latin, 298 lines.]
March 31. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 19.	186. Decree of the Senate concerning presents for Flanders and England.
	300 golden ducats to be expended on presents for the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy, to be raised by the officials extraordinary on merchandise going and returning by the Flanders galleys.
	[Latin, 6 lines.]
1411. May 25. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 24.	187. Decree of the Senate exempting the Flanders and London galleys from the costs of an embassy to the King of Sicily, on account of losses inflicted by his subjects on Venetians.
1411. May 25. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 24.	[Latin, 16 lines.]
Nov. 5. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 63.	188. Decree of the Senate for the dispatch of a courier to the Venetian consul in Bruges, “Ser” Albano Sagredo, and to his successors, charging them to obtain the usual safeconducts for the Flanders and London galleys, for the longest term possible; the costs to be defrayed by an average.
Nov. 5. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 63.	[Latin, 6 lines.]
1412. Feb. 3. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 81.	189. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage. General regulations as in former years.
	The captain to take with him, at the cost of the galleys, as usual, two medical men, the one a physician and the other a surgeon, to be appointed by the captain and masters or the majority of them; the captain to send one of them on board the galleys bound to London. Hemust likewise have two fifers and two trumpeters.
	If, after the departure of the galleys from London there remain for shipment any bales of cloth or sheets of tin, and the merchants send them to Sandwich, the Flanders galleys shall take them, rating first of all the goods of Venetian merchants, then those of aliens.
	[Latin, 307 lines.]
March 18. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 98.	190. Decree of the Senate concerning presents to be given in Flanders and London, according to the Act passed on the 31st March 1411.
March 18. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 98.	[Latin, 5 lines.]
April 4. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 102.	191. Appointment by the Senate of Francesco Justiniano to be vicecaptain of the London galley.
April 4. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 102.	[Latin, 4 lines.]
April 4. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 102.	192. Decree of the Senate.
	Put to the ballot that, when at the present loading of the Flanders galleys, Venetians apply for their shipping “cockets,” they shall swear the merchandise is their own property or that of other citizens; the goods of aliens to be entered in the name of aliens.
	The captain when in Flanders and the vicecaptains when in London, to administer oaths to Venetian merchants to enter the merchandise in the ledgers of the clerks, under the name and seal of Venetian citizens, or under those of aliens, as the case may be.
	Ayes, 69. Noes, 37. Neutrals, 6.
	[Latin, 16 lines.]
1413. Jan. 24. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 148.	193. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage. General regulations as in former years.
	Prohibition against loading any goods for Flanders or London, until two months after the departure of the Flanders galleys, save that the ship “Ziliola,” already freighted and half loaded, may continue, till the 31st instant, to take freights and load merchandise with the exception of spices. The two London galleys to remain in port 50 clear days. Should any persons load without paying the usual customs, besides loss of their merchandise, they shall be held responsible for the loss incurred by any merchants or merchandise by their default, and the State Proveditors shall recover against them.
	As it has constantly occurred that goods destined for the galleys remain behind, the masters of the Flanders galleys, at the request of the consul in London made within 35 days after the arrival of the galleys, are to reserve room, if possible, for loading such goods at Sandwich. If the masters of the Flanders galleys have reserved room, and the goods be not brought to Sandwich, each merchant shall pay freight for the space reserved.
	As on the last voyage there remained on shore at London certain bales and other goods which were placed under the seal of the customers there, the masters shall load them, if on the arrival of the galleys in London they be still there and their owners wish to ship them in the present galleys; but if they be brought to Venice in unarmed ships, they are to give the same exemptions as if brought by the galleys.
	Ayes, 62. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 3.
	[Latin, 398 lines.]
Feb. 9. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 153.	194. Decree of the Senate.
	As at the auction of the Flanders galleys it was decreed that their masters, at the request made to the captain by the viceconsul in London, should be bound to reserve room for such goods as shall be notified; and as doubts concerning these clauses have arisen there,—Put to the ballot, that the masters of the Bruges galleys are not bound to take wool, because it cannot be stowed in the galleys without great inconvenience and delay.
	The viceconsul in London to give precise information to the captain concerning the names, quality, and quantity of the goods, their number and weight, or thousand weight; and the masters of the London galleys when in London to load the wools before other merchandise.
	[Latin, 16 lines.]
Feb. 18. “Misti Senato.” v. xlix. p. 98.	195. Decree of the Senate.
	To maintain friendship with the Lords of Flanders and of London, the same sum for donatives to be expended as was voted last year.
	[Latin, 5 lines.]
1414. Feb. 5. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 65.	196. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage. General regulations as in former years.
1414. Feb. 5. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 65.	[Latin, 349 lines.]
1414. March 1. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 79.	197. Decree of the Senate announcing the necessity for doing what is possible to relieve the merchants, considering the expenses on merchandise, and authorizing the viceconsul in London and the merchants there to obtain the same patents and franchises from Henry V. as were granted to Antonio Bembo, and to spend 300 ducats for this purpose; the money to be raised by bills of exchange payable in Venice by the state, and to be recovered on the return of the galleys, half by a duty on their cargoes, and half from a similar duty on goods shipped for London on the next voyage.
	Ayes, 69.
	[Latin, 12 lines.]
March 1. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 79.	198. Decree of the Senate to send an ambassador to England to renew agreements stipulated by Bembo with Henry IV. and to congratulate [Henry V.] on his accession.
	One to be elected by scrutiny in the Senate to go with the present Flanders galleys, receiving a salary of 400 golden ducats for the whole voyage; to have a gown, and to take with him, at the state's expense, four servants, and a secretary with his servant; whilst on board the galleys to be allowed for the expenses of the persons aforesaid one ducat and a half a day, and when on shore two ducats and a half, exclusive of the hire of vessels and of horse grooms. To give an answer within three days after election; and not to trade. His commission to be given by the College.
	Cost of the embassy to be defrayed by the merchants for whose advantage it is appointed, to be paid in three years through a tax on goods exported and imported between Venice and London.
	The officials extraordinary to obtain from the consul in London an account of how much in the pound they exact annually for goods exported from Venice for that port, that the ambassador may levy duties not paid in Venice. As goods shipped for Bruges may possibly be taken to London, the captain of the galleys for the time to give the consul all necessary information.
	Ayes 32.
	[Latin, 32 lines.]
	Proposed amendment to the foregoing resolution.
	That the expenses of the embassy be defrayed by goods destined for Bruges as well as for London, and that the ambassador if he choose, may return by land.
	Ayes, 19. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 2.
	[Latin, 4 lines.]
March 27. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 90.	199. Decree of the Senate authorizing the purchase of presents for the King of England and Duke of Burgundy as in February 1413.
March 27. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 90.	[Latin, 5 lines.]
March 29. “Misti Senate.” v. l. p. 89.	200. Decree of the Senate concerning the loading of the Venetian galleys in London.
	The period of their stay in London being limited to 50 days, all goods to be shipped by the 46th day, to prevent delay, as the customers seize sails and rudders for arrears of duties, and forbid departure at the period appointed.
	Ayes, 63. Noes, 7. Neutrals, 3.
	[Latin, 13 lines.]
Sept. 14. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 154.	201. Decree of the Senate, authorizing the captain of the Flanders galleys to consult with their masters as to the expediency of shortening the period assigned for the shipment of their cargoes, lest they have to winter abroad. Should the masters decide in the affirmative, the Council of Twelve to assemble at Bruges and settle the question, giving such notice as necessary to the masters of the London galleys.
	Ayes, 63. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 0.
	[Latin, 10 lines.]
1415. Jan. 7. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 186.	202. Motion made in the Senate and lost, to forbid the loading of any unarmed ship with merchandise for Flanders or London, until one month after the departure of the Flanders galleys.
	Ayes, 31. Noes, 41. Neutrals, 7.
	[Latin, 7 lines.]
Jan. 21. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 190.	203. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage. General regulations as in 1414.
Jan. 21. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 190.	[Latin, 295 lines.]
Feb. 9. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 194.	204. Appointment by the Senate of Girolamo Marcello to be vicecaptain of the London galleys.
Feb. 9. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 194.	[Latin, 3 lines.]
Feb. 15. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 198.	205. Decree of the Senate authorizing the purchase of presents for the King of England and Duke of Burgundy, as on the 27th March 1414.
Feb. 15. “Misti Senato.” v. l. p. 198.	[Latin, 5 lines.]
March 26. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 12.	206. Decree of the Senate concerning goods loaded on board one of the London galleys, but destined for Bruges and other places. Instructions for the captain about transhipment.
March 26. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 12.	[Latin, 17 lines.]
Aug. 19. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 56.	207. The Senate to the Captain of the Flanders Galleys.
	Have received his letters of the 18th and 24th ultimo. He and their merchants seem to be apprehensive that the King of England will detain the London galleys on account of his war. Should the galleys be seized by that King, and should the captain be at Sluys on the receipt of these letters, he is, after consulting with fitting persons, to be at liberty to go with the two galleys to England to a place of safety, for the shipment of such goods as can be taken on board. He shall acquaint the viceconsul in London with the spot he determines on, in order that the London merchants may send their goods thither. Afterwards he shall load the galleys with merchandise, shipping first of all the merchandise of Venetian subjects. If he perceive the London galleys seized by the King to be on the eve of dismissal, he may wait for them; but if otherwise he may return with the two galleys. If he determine on coming to Venice he must order the vicecaptain of the London galleys, on being dismissed by the King and after loading as much merchandise as possible, to hasten his departure and come to Venice. Should he find himself unable to go to England with safety he has liberty not to go, and to come to Venice or remain in those parts as he thinks best.
	[Latin, 40 lines.]
Aug. 19. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 56.	208. Decree of the Senate.
	That a letter be written to Henry V. relative to the London galleys; and that in case of their detention, a motion be made in the Senate concerning the means to be employed for obtaining indemnity.
	[Latin, 5 lines.]
1416. Feb. 8. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 98.	209. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage. The vicecaptain and the viceconsul at London to be charged to petition the King or the customers that a customs' clerk be appointed for each galley, instead of one for the two, by which means time will be gained. Should the two galleys from Bruges on the homeward voyage have full cargoes, on arriving in the Downs or off Sandwich, they are not to enter that port, as they will have nothing to load, but to proceed to Portus Camera, and there await the other galleys loading in Sandwich. In consequence of the prohibition against the currency of Venetian halfpence in London, it is forbidden to take such halfpence to London by the London galleys. Any one doing so to be punished; and neither the vicecaptain, the masters, nor any other may intercede for such offender. The captain is bound before dismissing the London galleys (off Portus Camera) to proclaim this Act on board them.
	[Latin, 338 lines.]
	Proposed amendment to the foregoing decree:—That neither in London nor Sandwich may any foreigner load goods belonging to foreigners or Venetians on board the Venetian galleys until all the goods notified by Venetian factors be shipped; after which the goods of Venetians presented by foreign factors shall be loaded, with the restrictions contained in the Act for the auction of the galleys.
	Ayes, 7. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 3.
	[Latin, 6 lines.]
April 10. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 120.	210. Decree of the Senate.
	That certain bales of cloth which remained behind in London on the last voyage be shipped before all other goods on the next return of the galleys; the owners of the goods to make affidavits for the avoidance of any substitution.
	[Latin, 14 lines.]
1417. Jan. 31. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 186.	211. Decree of the Senate for fitting out galleys for the Flanders and London voyage.
1417. Jan. 31. “Misti Senato.” v. li. p. 186.	[Latin, 32 lines.]
Feb. 15. “Misti Senato” v. li. p. 189.	212. Appointment of Andrea Barbarigo by the Senate to be vicecaptain of the London galleys.
Feb. 15. “Misti Senato” v. li. p. 189.	[Latin, 2 lines.]
April 5. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 7.	213. Decree of the Senate.
	Conceding priority of freight to goods left behind in London on the last voyage.
	[Latin, 14 lines. As in date April 10, 1416.]
April 26. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 9.	214. Decree of the Senate.
	Understand that the King of England, who is making great preparations and a naval armada against the King of France, has detained three Venetian coggos for the formation of his armada; and as it is also known that the King of France is preparing vessels against the King of England, and has subsidised certain Genoese ships, it may be inferred that Venice will suffer, and loss be incurred by her galleys.—Put to the ballot, that a formal ambassador be elected by scrutiny in this Council.
	The person appointed to receive 500 ducats for the first four months, and 30 ducats for each succeeding month, payable by monthly instalments. To take with him three gentlemen, three pages, a secretary and his servant, a marshal, a cook, and a sumpter mule, so that he may have 12 horses, and spend six ducats a day, exclusively of the hire of vessels or of horse grooms. All merchandise and property on board the galleys in England and France, whether for Venice or intermediate ports, to pay one per cent., to be levied by the captain of the galleys in the parts abroad where landed, and consigned to the officials extraordinary in Venice, who will levy here the one per cent. where not exacted by the captain; so that the expenses of the embassy may be raised.
	Ambassador appointed,—
	“Ser” Fantino Michiel, major.
	“Ser” Bortolomeo Nani, major.
	[Latin, 24 lines.]
May 3. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 113.	215. Embassy to England.
	Decree of the Senate cancelling the mission of an ambassador to France and England, because some of the noblemen appointed had declined the mission, and because it would prove injurious; but proposing the dispatch of a letter to Charles VI., King of France, to the following effect:—
	Have heard from Venetian merchants in England that the King has seized three of their coggos for his war with the French King. Regret these hostilities. Wrote to the King of England, whose proffered stipends were refused by the masters of the coggos, requesting him to release them. Being apprehensive that the King of England will nevertheless take them, have resolved to declare he does so against their will. Can do nothing to save their citizens from this act of violence.
	Ayes, 59–67. Noes, 50–49. Neutrals, 11–3.
	[Latin, 22 lines.]
May 3. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 11.	216. Decree of the Senate.
	That a letter be written to the King of England (Henry V.) and transmitted to the Venetian consul in London, who is charged to seek the grant of its demands from the King, and the release of the Venetian coggos.
	The letter to the King of England:—
	The Venetian citizens Marco Giustinian and Pietro Lando, with other joint owners of three ships, commanded by Giovanni Bono de Ziliolo, Marco Bocheta, and Antonio Hungareno, state that for many months these three ships have been detained by the King. Beseech him to dismiss them with suitable reward. They are not pirates, but established merchantmen, who incur loss if they do not deliver their goods at a stated period; and they had the King's safeconducts.
	[Latin, 21 lines.]
May 3. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 11.	217. The Senate to the Consul in London.
	Are writing to the King of England, and send to the consul a copy of their letter, enjoining him to do his best that their citizens may remain without loss.
	[Latin, 4 lines.]
1418. Jan. 18. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 69.	218. Decree of the Senate that a Letter be written to Henry V. as follows:—
	Lately received his letters requesting a certain quantity of cables and cordage for fitting out the ships he is now building. Are unable to comply, as owing to the peril of war the adjoining provinces, where hemp or cables are collected, have not produced sufficient for their own galleys and ships. Hope therefore to be held excused.
	Ayes, 70. Noes, 12. Neutrals, 7.
	[Latin, 13 lines.]
Jan. 27. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 73.	219. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage.
Jan. 27. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 73.	[Latin, 80 lines.]
Dec. 23. “Misti Senato v. lii. p. 138.	220. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders and London voyage, in the year 1419. General regulations as usual. The London galleys to be bound to ship first of all such goods of last year's rate as remained behind; but should the merchandise be at Sandwich, sufficient room to be reserved for it. If the masters of the galleys omit thus to do, the goods to remain at their risk.
Dec. 23. “Misti Senato v. lii. p. 138.	[Latin, 94 lines.]
1419 Jan. 2. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 139.	221. Alvise and Pangratio Capello.
	Decree of the Senate and Junta addressed to Paulo Malipiero, master of a coggo bound, to Bruges and London, that whereas certain Venetian noblemen and citizens had acquainted the Senate with the shipment by them on board his coggo of sundry goods for consignment to their factors at Bruges, Alvise and Pangratio Capello, as may be seen by the ledger of Malipiero's clerk:—in accordance with the demand of the shippers, the Senate and Junta forbid the consignment of the goods to Alvise and Pangratio Capello, and desire Malipiero to make out a new ledger, and to consign part of the goods at Hampton and Sandwich; and all other merchandise shipped by the Capellos, and concerning which Malipiero shall receive no instructions, to be in like manner registered in the new ledger, consigned to the Venetian consul at Bruges and kept at the disposal of their rightful owners.
	[Latin, 19 lines.]
Jan. 2. “Misti Senato.” v. lii. p. 139.	222. The Senate to Venetian Consul at Bruges.
	Write in accordance with the foregoing decree. The letter for Master Malipiero is to be sent to him by an express.
	[Latin, 9 lines.]
Nov. 16. “Misti Senato.” v. liii. p. 13.	223. Decree of the Senate.
	Desiring Lunardo Contarini, the consul at Bruges, to obtain fresh letters of safeconduct for the Flanders and London galleys, as by the death of the Duke of Burgundy (fn. 1) the former letters had ceased to be valid. The letters to be obtained at as cheap a rate as possible, and the cost to be defrayed by a duty on exports and imports between Venice, Sluys, and Flanders.
	[Latin, 15 lines.]
Nov. 16. “Misti Senato.” v. liii. p. 13.	224. Decrees of the Senate concerning Safeconducts conceded by Henry IV. and Henry V.
	As the consul in England renews the safeconduct annually, and it occasionally expires without possibility of renewal, because the King's Council is not sitting or assembles at a distance from London,—Put to the ballot that the consul in London, together with the Council of Twelve, be authorized to spend a small sum for the acquirement of the safeconduct for four years or more, the cost to be defrayed by a quota on merchandise.
	[Italian, 9 lines.]
Ibid.	In consequence of the mission as ambassador to the late King [Henry IV.] of England of “Missier” Antonio Bembo, knight, letters patent for four years were obtained, to the effect that no shipmaster nor other merchant was to suffer for the misconduct of other persons; and that if any person, after paying export duty on goods, left them on shore unshipped, he might load them in any other vessels without payment of further duty. As the said letters patent have expired, and as the Signory suffered from sending Bembo at such great cost to obtain them, it is put to the ballot, that the consul in London, together with the Council of Twelve, may spend from 20 to 30 ducats, and no more, to obtain the renewal of the said two letters patent.
Ibid.	[Italian, 13 lines.]
1420. Jan. 12. “Misti Senato”	225. Decree of the Senate for fitting out four galleys for the Flanders Voyage.
	General regulations. Should the Signory send presents or money to the lords in Flanders or Loudon, the masters to take either one or the other freight free. No eoggo or ship may be put up for the voyage, or load any merchandise for Flanders or London, till two months after the departure of the galleys.
	Amendment to the foregoing motion:—
	That, to avoid the dangers of a winter voyage, the galleys be bound to proceed from Sluys to Sandwich at the appointed time, and there await the London galleys, whose masters are to join the captain in like manner at the stipulated period, under penalty to each of 1,000 ducats. Moreover, that within two months from the time when the galleys part company they are to commence their homeward voyage, under penalty to the captain and vice-captain of perpetual ineligibility to the command of the galleys of the state or of traffic galleys: any goods loaded in England after the two days assigned for the departure thence of the galleys to be contraband; and any informer to receive one third of the penalty.
	[Latin, 118 lines.]
Jan. 12. “Misti Senato” v. liii. p. 22.	226. Appointment of “Ser” Marco Barbo by the Senate as vicecaptain of the London galleys.
Jan. 12. “Misti Senato” v. liii. p. 22.	[Latin, 2 lines.]
March 12. “Misti Senat,” v. liii. p. 33.	227. Presents for England and Flanders.
	Decree of the Senate for an outlay of 304 gross, to be expended in presents for consignment by the captain of the Flanders galleys to the lords in Flanders and London, if he deem it expedient to make a present to the Sire de Gistella (sic: for Ghistelles in Flanders) ; but if he deem otherwise, 25l. gross to be spent as of yore.
	[Latin, 4 lines.]