Spain: August 1528, 21-31 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1877.

Citation:

'Spain: August 1528, 21-31', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529, ed. Pascual de Gayangos (London, 1877), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol3/no2/pp772-779 [accessed 6 March 2025].

August 1528, 21-31



24 Aug.	533. Secretary Perez to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 137.	On the 16th, the day after the date of his last despatch, a duplicate of which is enclosed, there came to the gates of this city a trumpeter of the Marquis of Saluzzo (Michaele Antonio), announcing Lautrec's death the night before, and asking for some balsam to embalm his body, which was speedily sent him. It appears that Lautrec before dying, appointed the Marquis to succeed him in the command of the French army, which he has long coveted. What he will do with it under the present unfavourable circumstances is more than he (Perez) can say. He still expects reinforcements from France, though the rumour is that St. Pol, who had nearly reached—others say passed—the frontiers of this kingdom, has been obliged to return post-haste, owing to a dangerous illness of King Francis, and that Renço de Cherri (da Ceri), who was to accompany him in the expedition, can find nobody to go with him.
	Fabricio Marramao with his band is still outside Naples, inflicting all possible harm on the enemy, who, according to the report of spies and deserters, is greatly discomfited and on the point of raising the siege. The other day he took from the enemy the town of Nuchera (Nocera), and some villages and castles in the immediate neighbourhood of Naples. He is now laying siege to the citadel [of Nocera] where Count Montorio is said to be. In the town itself, the Bishop of Avellino, a staunch French partisan, was taken prisoner. It is expected that he will pay a good ransom.
	Sanchez wrote from La Mirandola, in date of the 31st of July, that he was about to join the Germans and come this way. The intelligence must be true, for Antonio de Leyva is doing his utmost to hasten their march. Should those auxiliaries come, or else the Imperial fleet, 50 sail strong, exclusive of the galleys now fitting at Barcelona, soon make its appearance, the triumph is certain, and surely the French will be ultimately expelled from this kingdom.
	Four vessels (naos) are expected from Sicily which have lately come from Spain (cipher:) with wine and provisions. They will be right welcome, for certainly bread is getting scarce, and will be still more so by next month, the shortness of that article being always more severely felt than that of wine among us Spaniards.
	Juan Antonio Muxetula, who resides at the Pope's court, writes to say he has despatched a messenger informing the Emperor respecting the customary presentation about this time of the white steed (hacanea) for the kingdom of Naples, as likewise that the cardinals had decided in consistory to send troops against Civittà Vecchia. He (Muxetula) had entered into an agreement with His Holiness to give him, instead of the 7,000 ducats annually presented about this time, a quantity of corn from Sicily amounting to the same sum; but it appears that the Prince of Orange and the Council object to this arrangement, on the plea that wheat being so dear this year, the Pope would gain nearly 3,000 ducats by the transaction, and that it will be enough to commute that sum for a permission to export a certain quantity of corn. Muxetula has been instructed to say this to the Pope, who is not likely to take this objection of the Council in good part. He complains bitterly of the governor of Civittà Vecchia [Don Alonso de Cordoba], to whom the Prince has written, recommending him the Pope's affairs, but at the same time ordering him to keep good watch over the city and castle.
	The Prince of Orange has recovered and returned to his work. He daily visits Alarcon, who is not quite well yet.
	Permission was applied for by Vaudemont's servants to have him buried at one of the monasteries in this city. This has been readily granted by the Prince, but the body has not yet been brought to Naples. They say that the Marquis of Saluzzo opposes it.
	Count Sarno with his band attacked Nola the other day and took it by capitulation, allowing the Countess, with about 40 of her people, to go out of the place. Valerio Orsino, who was inside with some French troops, retired to the citadel, which was immediately invested by Sangro's (Sarno's?) men. The French then sent to the relief of the besieged upwards of 1,000 men, but Hernando Gonçaga having heard of it, went out of Naples with 300 horse and as many hackbutiers, met them at a short distance from Nola, and defeated them with great slaughter, taking three of their banners. Had not night come on they would have been slain or taken prisoners to a man. It is expected that Orsino will soon surrender.
	Benevento, Salerno, and Sanct Severino have been reduced to obedience. It is expected that many other cities and towns will soon follow their example, so that before this post leaves, the Emperor may perchance be informed that the whole of this kingdom has been reconquered
	Count Burrello is 50 or 60 miles from hence. Fabricio Marramao has gone out to meet him, that they may both attack the French, who, it seems, are greatly disheartened and in want of provisions, for they can only get them now from Aversa and Capua, and even those our men have seized once or twice. They have abandoned Puçol (Puçuolo), after taking with them all the seamen they could find. A stone house on the sea shore, which they had carefully fortified, and in which they always had two guns of large calibre, they have likewise given up, no doubt because they could not defend it any longer.—Naples, 24th August 1528.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His most Sacred, &c."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1528. Perez. 24th August."
	Spanish. Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on separate sheet. pp. 3.
25 Aug.	534. Lope de Soria to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 144.	Has written by Captain Rivadeneyra, who left the camp before Lodi on the 25th ulto., and afterwards on the 4th, 11th, and 13th inst., by way of Genoa. The Germans did at last what they had long threatened. No sooner did the Duke of Brunswick receive the 15,000 ducats which he said he wanted for the pay of his men, and to march to the succour of Naples, than they actually took the road to Germany. (Cipher:) Needs scarcely point out the dishonesty of such conduct, having often done so in his former despatches. Suffice it to say that if there has been any fault in not paying Brunswick's auxiliary troops in time, it is certainly not his, as the Duke pretends, but Thomasso's, from whom and from Centurione he (Soria) has only received 37,000 ducats up to this day. Of these Brunswick has received 33,000; the remainder has been handed over to Leyva to pay his own men.
	A letter has been just received from the Prince of Orange of the 8th inst., ordering him (Soria) not to pay money to any person or for any service whatsoever, unless it be for the immediate relief of Naples. This, in his humble opinion, will be injurious rather than otherwise to the Imperial service, inasmuch as the Germans under Leyva must be paid, or else they are sure to mutiny. That general engaged them at the time they were going home. They have done good service, and may hereafter defend Lombardy, but if in pursuance of the Prince's orders no pay is to be issued to them, what is Leyva to do? Is in great perplexity and knows not how to act. Thomasso persists in his determination not to advance one carlino out of the other 200,000 ducats of this new credit, as he says that his brother and partner in Spain have not been reimbursed of their advances.
	Before Branzwic (Brunswick) left Italy, (cypher:) the King of Hungary had been applied to for 6,000 more Germans to remain in Lombardy under Leyva in case of the former marching on Naples. (Common writing:) The King's answer, dated the 12th inst., has come, stating that orders had already been given for the raising of the said Germans, who were to be paid out of the 50,000 ducats lately remitted from Spain. Nothing more has been heard since, but when His Highness hears of Brunswick's departure he will no doubt hasten the armament. (Common writing:) He (Soria) has written to him, begging for the speedy enlistment of this force, (cipher:) and requesting that the general in command of them be one of ability and experience, willing to serve under a commander-in-chief in Naples or Lombardy, as it may happen, for it is a known fact that Germans by themselves cannot achieve anything important in Italy.
	(Common writing:) The Pope is still at Viterbo, but had announced his intention of returning to Rome soon. (Cipher:) He had heard of the arrival at Naples of Miçer Mai, and was glad of it, although he (the Pope) was on very good terms with Muxetula.
	(Common writing:) Leyva's last letter is dated from Marinano (Marignano) the 18th inst. His plan is to attack the enemy whenever they come near him. Frenchmen and Venetians had effected their junction between Cremona and Crema, and crossed the Adda close to Lodi on the 20th, where St. Pol was, with the intention, as it was rumoured, of marching on Milan, though the Venetians were not in favour of such a movement. (Cipher:) Now that French power is on the decline, and that victory is almost sure in Naples, as well as in Lombardy, His Majesty must think of retaking Genoa, which, besides affording good anchorage and shelter to the Imperial fleets, possesses many rich bankers and men of business. Whatever may be the form of its government, anything is preferable to its being, as well as Savona, in the hands of the French.
	(Common writing:) Sanchez is here. He has been unwell lately, but is now much better. Andrea del Burgo is also here with his wife. He was obliged to quit the Mantuan territory, as the Marquis insisted upon his leaving. Both help him (Soria) in his commission, which consists in getting out of Thornasso Fornaris the rest of the money.—La Mirandola 25th August 1528.
	Signed: "Lope de Soria."
	Addressed: "To the most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1528. La Mirandola. Lope de Soria. 25th August"
	Spanish. Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on separate sheet (fol. 143). pp. 7.
26 Aug.	535. Secretary Perez to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 147.	Encloses duplicate of his despatches of the 15th and 24th inst. Since then intelligence has come of the arrival of Doria's galleys at Gaeta, which has greatly rejoiced this army. His force amounts to 19 sail, of which 13 are large galleys.
	On the 26th the combined French and Venetian fleets passed before this city with two ships (naos) and one galleon. They anchored at Castellamare, and took on board Lautrech's horses and Vaudemont's goods and chattels (ropa). It is believed that the galleys came for no other purpose than to protect the two ships from being captured by Doria. They say that, before sailing off, the enemy dismantled Castellamare and removed the artillery.
	The Countess of Nola has come, and is now staying at Castilnovo with the Princess of Salerno. She has brought with her about 40 people. Valerio Orsino still holds the castle, but in all probability will be obliged to surrender soon.— Naples, 26th August 1528.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1528. From Rome. Perez. 26th August."
	Spanish. Original. p. 1.
30 Aug.	536. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 149.	Though His Imperial Majesty must have heard from the Prince, Alarcon, and others, the news of the great victory just gained over the enemy, he (Perez) will relate in a few words what passed.
	On the morning of Thursday the 27th of August, intelligence was brought to this city that about 700 Frenchmen, posted on a. mountain commanding the gate of San Genaro, were preparing to go away, and had begun to remove their artillery and baggage. In order to prevent this, Juan de Urbina and other Spanish captains decided on attacking them, which was done, the French retiring to a fort they had constructed on the top of the mountain. This the Spaniards immediately invested, and attacked during the whole of Thursday and Friday, until the French within the fort, perceiving that they were not succoured, offered to capitulate and leave behind their arms, artillery, and baggage, provided they were allowed to join the French camp. These terms were accepted by Urbina, and being executed, when all of a sudden the bulk of the French army advanced to the relief of their comrades. But as it was night, and a most awful storm of wind and rain raging at the time, the Spaniards had no difficulty in beating off the enemy, who, panic struck, ran away in all directions, following them to the very trenches of their fortified camp, which they found completely deserted. Only the Marquis of Saluzzo with about 1,500 infantry escaped, and took the road to Aversa, where he would not have been admitted had not the governor, who was a creature of his, taken forcible possession of one of the gates, and let him in. This very day, the 28th, the Prince of Orange, though not yet entirely recovered from his last illness and still very weak, has gone thither with the whole of the forces at his disposal, infantry, cavalry, as well as artillery, to batter the walls of the city in case the Marquis should refuse to surrender.
	Besides the two large guns and two smaller ones left in the fort at the top of the mountain, the French in their flight abandoned the whole of their baggage, their tents, and artillery, besides large stores of ammunition. Thirteen large guns were found at their camp, a quantity of powder and shot, carts innumerable, and all manner of valuable property. Every day the men and women from this city go out and come back loaded with the plunder, and it is quite wonderful to see the Neapolitans, like so many strings of ants, going to and fro in search of sheeting and wearing apparel of all kinds.
	Many Germans, and even Frenchmen, have remained in the camp unable to move, being for the most part sick or convalescent. Strict orders have been issued at the gates not to let them in for fear they should bring in the plague; but notwithstanding these and other precautions, the Germans, moved to pity by the miserable state in which their countrymen in the French service have been left, let some of them in by stealth.
	The roads to Aversa are literally covered with fugitives, and 6,000 or 7,000 Frenchmen, most of them disabled by the prevailing disease, are on their way thither. The Imperialists in pursuit kill but few of them, only looking after their purses. The light horse have made the most booty and taken some prisoners, among whom is Count Pedro Navarro, who was brought in last night, exceedingly emaciated and weakened by intermittent fever, which he caught 40 days ago. Saw him last night with Alarcon, who, though still very weak, called also at the house of the captain who took him prisoner. Great has been the latter's disappointment at not having been present at this French defeat, and although the physicians would not let him go, he was on the point of leaving last night, and would have joined the Prince of Orange at Aversa had he been able to sit his horse.
	Another of the light horse brought in the brother of Mons. de Labrit (Albret), who offered him 10,000 ducats if he would let him go, only that the trooper refused, and wounded him slightly in the face (en el gesto).
	Another of the prisoners was Mons. de la Vala (Laval), who, being ill at the time, was brought in a litter between two great mules, on each side of which walked a page in livery. (fn. n1)
	A Spanish captain of the name of Moya was also taken prisoner, who is not likely to fare well, having deserted our ranks and gone over to the enemy.
	Last night news came that Capua had raised its banners for the Emperor, and that its governor had been slain by the inhabitants; a sad blow for the French, who will now have no place of refuge; this is no doubt the reason why all flock to Aversa.
	Andrea Doria is at Yscla (Ischia) exchanging shots with the enemy's fleet. It is reported here that one of the French or Venetian galleys was sunk in those waters by Doria's artillery, though they succeeded in removing Lautrech's valuables, as well as a good number of fugitives from his camp.
	Count Burrello was at Castro Villa (Villani?) in Calabria, waiting for Pero Gonzalez de Mendoza to come to Naples. As their assistance is no longer required here, it is to be supposed that when they hear of the late success they will rather look to the entire subjugation of that province, where only a few insignificant places still remain in the hands of the French.
	Humbly begs His Imperial Majesty to decide what is to be done with this army. Is very much afraid that both Germans and Spaniards will not leave Naples without being paid; already there is some talk of it among soldiers of both nations.
	The castle of Nola has surrendered. Valerio Orsino, who is now here, swears that he will never again serve the King of France, and that if the Emperor will only accept his services, he will do his best to wash out the spot on his escutcheon.
	Count Pero Navarro is still at the lodgings of his captor, and refuses going elsewhere. The light horse have lately brought in other French prisoners of note, and among the rest one Mons. de Torno and his brother.—Naples, 30th August 1528.
	P.S.—News has come that Aversa has capitulated. The Marquis of Saluzzo and Count Guido [Rangone?] to remain prisoners until the whole of this kingdom be reduced and pacified. The rest of the French to go out with arms, in trowsers and doublet (en calças y jubon), and reeds in their hands. But as Captain Rodrigo de Ripalda is going to Barcelona with the above happy news, he (Perez) needs not say any more on the subject.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1528. From Naples. Perez."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 4½.