|
| 24 Oct. |
574. Pope Clement VII. to Ferdinand, King of Bohemia. |
S. Pat. Re. Bul.
Suelt. L. 1, f. 131.
B. M. Add. 28,577,
f. 299. |
Has received a letter from Albert, Cardinal of Meintz, and others, informing him of the great danger and ruin threatening the Church of Christ in the parts of Germany. Has ordered his Nuncio to confer with him on the subject and endeavour to find some remedy. Knows well that the Emperor, fearing lest at the Diet about to be held at Ratisbon in the month of March, "aliquid mali nasceretur," had sent the Provost of Valtkirch, "suum per Romanorum Imperium universalem oratorem et commissarium," with orders to revoke the said Diet. Hears now that another Diet is to be held this winter, in which "ne quid Ecclesiæ ac fidei Christianæ periculosum statuatur, ut suspicandum est, nonullis esse in ammo, est eiusdem Serenitatis, tuæ providere." He (the Emperor) must know how unequal are his forces and authority to cope with an evil of such magnitude without his co-operation and advice. Anxiously awaits the arrival of Cardinal Santa Croce, to hear from him what are his (the Emperor's) intentions on this point. Begs him to give his undivided attention to this affair, lest the evil growing in Germany should spread into other countries. |
|
Begs credence for his Nuncio.—Rome, 24th October 1528. |
|
Signed: "Blosius." |
|
Addressed: "Charissimo in Christo filio nostro Carolo Hispaniarum, etc., Regi in Romanorum Imperatorem electo." |
|
Latin. Original on vellum, .. 1. |
| 28 Oct. |
575. Andrea Doria to the Emperor. |
S. E. L. 1,553,
f. 251.
B. M. Add. 28,577,
f. 303. |
Has not been able, owing to bad weather, to forward the above despatch. The time having arrived for the surrender of Savona, he has come and taken possession of the city and port in the name of Genoa. Before his departure, which took place yesterday, it was agreed that Signor Theodoro Tribultio (Triulzo) should surrender the castle within a term of eight days. He himself will return to Genoa, when most probably he will be able to announce the total expulsion of the enemy from these parts. (Cipher:) One thing, however, he is bound to say, namely, that on the arrival of the Spanish infantry, which, according to the news lately received, must soon touch at this coast, the whole of it, joined to the forces now in Naples, and to others, might be sent to Provence, where, according to information lately received, there are no military preparations of any sort. Such an invasion would have the effect of drawing the French from Lombardy and throwing them into great confusion. |
|
(Common writing:) Letters from Genoese merchants in Flanders state that on the 10th of August last no less than 12 large ships left Bretagne, bound for this coast (per venir in qua). Though it is not very probable that they can arrive in time, he (Doria) will try to attack them before they pass the Straits. |
|
Begs for the settlement of an annual pension of 3,000 ducats on his cousin, the Reverend Miçer Hieronymo Doria. |
|
Whilst about to sign and close this despatch, advices have come from the Court of France, dated Paris the 22nd inst. (di questo), stating that the ambassadors of the League had come to an agreement with King Francis to prosecute (entratener) the war in the kingdom of Naples. To that end Signor Renzo da Ceri has been ordered to raise 10,000 Italians, 3,000 of whom are to be paid by the Florentines, and the remainder by the King and Venetians equally. The 60,000 ducats which the King has still at Florence, the Viscount of Turenne had received orders to spend in conjunction with Renzo servatis servandis for the expenses of the undertaking. Already the Venetians have in readiness eight galleys and other small craft (et altri navilii) for the purpose of taking him and the remainder of his infantry to Puglia, where they calculate that he will be able to arrest the Spaniards and prevent them from marching on Lombardy or against the Florentines.—Savona, 28th October 1528. |
|
Signed: "Andrea Doria." |
|
Addressed: "Most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty." |
|
Italian. Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on separate sheet. pp, 3. |
| 29 Oct. |
576. Secretary Perez to the Emperor. |
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist.
Salazar, A. 43,
f. 239. |
Wrote last on the 19th and 25th of September by way of Genoa, and afterwards sent the duplicates by Domenico de' Fornariis. Will, therefore, report as briefly as possible on late events. |
|
On the 2nd inst. Captain Rodrigo Davalos returned from Spain, and everyone here was delighted to hear of the Emperor's good health, and of the ample provision made for Italy. Naples, thank God, no longer requires assistance, but Milan does, and ought to have it as soon as possible, for the confederates have taken Pavia, and, it is added, are pressing rather hard on Leyva, who happens just now to be very unwell. For this reason the Marquis del Guasto goes now to Genoa, accompanied by Fabricio Marramao and about 1,500 Spaniards, and will thence proceed to Milan. The expedition to Puglia, which the Marquis was to undertake, has, therefore, been abandoned or suspended, though it is possible that the Prince of Orange may appoint the Marquis de la Tripalda or Count Burrello, for certainly the enemy is much dispirited and possesses only two places in that province, Barletta and Trani, which cannot hold out long if briskly attacked. |
|
Has already informed His Imperial Majesty of the departure of the Germans for their respective quarters outside this city. Unfortunately, though paid to the last "carlino," they still insist upon getting their food gratis (comer á discreccion), and commit all manner of excesses. Daily complaints arrive from the neighbouring villages. |
|
This Sacred Council is now examining toe rebels who have been taken prisoners, in order to have them punished or otherwise heavily fined. The Duke of Boyano (Arrigo Pandone), Don Fadrique (Federigo), eldest son of the Duke of Traietto, and other barons and counts have already been summoned to appear within a month before a court of law and present their discharges. At the expiration of this term sentence will be issued. Meantime the estates and property of the rebel barons are being sold, which resource, and the fines imposed in specie, are again slowly filling the coffers of the Treasury. |
|
Orders have been sent to the Colonnese to abstain from hostilities in the estate of the Church, on account of Vespasiano's disputed inheritance, that being one of the reasons alleged by the Pope for delaying his return to Rome. |
|
It has been resolved that Ascanio Colonna, formerly in the Abruzzo, shall go to Trani and Barletta with a few companies of infantry and a number of guns, whilst the Marquis del Guasto and Fabricio Marramao with about 3,000 foot repair to Genoa, for the purpose of defending that city, about to be attacked by St. Pol and the Duke of Urbino with his Venetians. The artillery and ammunition left on the 16th. |
|
The Prince came back on the 15th, very much improved in health, though not yet quite well. He thinks of spending a few days at Pucol (Puzzuolo) to complete his recovery. Alarcon and Cardinal Colonna are about to do the same. Juan de Urbina is now at Torre del Greco recruiting his strength. It would be a great pity if anything should happen to him, for besides his eminent services, he is very much loved and respected by the Spaniards, who at this moment are rather discontented at the reforms just made in the infantry, in consequence of which no less than 34 captains have been dismissed. Of course this measure is neither popular nor convenient under present circumstances, for, as every captain has eight or ten men with him, the force is considerably diminished by their dismissal; but if this will ensure the Emperor's service being better done, nobody can complain. The Prince, however, does his utmost towards remunerating those who have fulfilled their duty on late occasions. He is now distributing pensions among them; to the captains of men-at-arms and field-masters (maestres de campo) he gives 800 ducats, and to each of their lieutenants 400; the captains of infantry get 200, 300, or 400. All these pensions will amount to 50,000 ducats annually, but such is the value of the rentals confiscated to the rebel barons that there will be no difficulty in defraying that and larger expenses, as they are calculated at 400,000 annually, besides their landed property, &c., which is being disposed of. |
|
On the 4th inst. the general of the Order of St. Francis (Quiñones) was recognised at Rome and Viterbo as Cardinal Sancta Croce. He is anxiously expected here by the cardinals still retained as hostages, and who, hoping to be liberated on his arrival, have already sent their baggage by sea, and are also buying horses to go by land. It is even confidently asserted that Civittà Vecchia and Ostia will be soon restored to His Holiness. |
|
On Tuesday, the 6th inst., the Pope re-entered the capital of his estates, escorted by 200 horse and 500 foot. He alighted at Belvedere, went first to St. Peter's to make his prayers, and thence to his own palace. A proclamation was issued forbidding all ecclesiastics to go about with long beards, and threatening death and confiscation of property to whomsoever should do harm to Spaniards or Germans. No sooner was the fact known at Naples than public rejoicings were held, and some of the artillery in the castles was removed and stored away, to show the confidence which His Imperial Majesty and his ministers have in the Pope, as his Nuncio now residing in this city cannot fail to testify. |
|
On the 15th the Duchess of Montalto [in Calabria], mother-in-law of Ascanio Colonna, died; also Pero (Pirro) Colonna, from whom Ascanio inherits certain estates in this kingdom. Sarra (Sciarra Colonna) has seized Pagliano and its castle. When this Council sent deputies to take possession of the place in the Emperor's name the mischief was already done, and Sciarra was inside. Everywhere the Colonnese were attacking the Orsini. The Abbot of Farfa had been deprived by the Pope of all his ecclesiastical benefices; his abbacy had been, made over to his brother. |
|
Renzo da Ceri is in the Mark with about 5,000 men, ready to relieve Trani and Barletta. The Venetians are helping him with all their forces, but the Pope will not allow the said Renzo to embark at Ancona. |
|
All the Imperial army is anxiously waiting for the arrival of Balançon. Some of its principal officers, however, are very much offended at seeing that after six months' siege His Majesty has not deigned to communicate directly with them, or otherwise thank them for their sufferings, beyond the message which Balancçon is to bring. The Emperor must forgive him (Perez) for his boldness, but complaints of this kind are so frequent, and at the same time so public, that he considers it his duty to mention them. |
|
Whilst writing the above, news has come that St. Pol having approached Genoa, and being about seven miles from it, has suddenly been obliged to retrace his steps for want of provisions, and also because the peasantry in the neighbourhood was exceedingly hostile to him. Indeed, had it not been that the Genoese did not want to exasperate the King of France, they would have cut St. Pol's army to pieces. The castle of Genoa had offered to capitulate, but Andrea Doria wanted them to surrender at discretion, and it is to be supposed that it has been taken by this time. Savona will be reduced next. Owing to the arrival of this news, which is said to be official, the Prince, the Cardinal (Pompeo Colonna), and the rest of the Council have resolved not to send Guasto thither, as was at first intended, but despatch him against Trani and Barletta with as many men as can be spared and 10 heavy guns. Doria, however, has been asked whether he wants reinforcements and in what number, so that he may sail at once for that coast and help in the taking of Trani and Barletta. It is supposed that 1,000 men will be sufficient for this service. |
|
St. Pol, it is said, is about to effect his junction with the Duke of Urbino, with a view to besieging Leyva in Milan; but the latter, who is fast recovering from his last illness, will no doubt make a stout resistance. If he should not be able to take the command, Guasto or another general will replace him. |
|
The treasurer of the Germans, named Gaspar, is just dead. He was a good servant of the Emperor, and had great influence over his countrymen, whom he always tried to reduce to the Emperor's obedience. |
|
At Rome the Pope is said to be rather dissatisfied on various accounts; firstly, because Cardinal Sancta Croce and Miçer May, whose arrival had been announced, had not yet made their appearance; and, secondly, because the ambassadors of the League were incessantly reproaching him for his desertion and begging to join him again. |
|
The Marquis of Saluzzo died on the 19th. He was the last of Francis' captains in these parts. Not one remains now to relate to the King of France the sad catastrophe which has befallen his arms. |
|
News has come that the Lord of Piombino, his wife, and one of his sons have died suddenly, not without some suspicion of their having been poisoned. The Florentines were sending forces to possess themselves of his estate, but the Siennese, on the other hand, had applied for it, and written to the Prince to send them some companies of Spanish infantry. Cannot tell whether the petition of the latter will be granted. |
|
It is rumoured that Milan is no longer in danger, for soon after his return to Asti St. Pol took the post to France, and the Venetians under Urbino were compelled to repass the frontier, owing to the scarcity of provisions in Lombardy.—Naples, 29th October 1528. |
|
P.S.—This goes by Don Diego Sarmiento, whom the Prince is now despatching to Spain, to represent to the Emperor and his Council verbally the state of things. |
|
Signed: "Perez." |
|
Addressed: "To His most Sacred, &c." |
|
Indorsed: "To the King, 1528; Perez. Naples. 29th October." |
|
Spanish. Original. pp. 7. |