Venice: February 1520 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1869.

Citation:

'Venice: February 1520', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526, ed. Rawdon Brown( London, 1869), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol3/pp3-6 [accessed 25 November 2024].

February 1520



Feb. 4. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 186.	8. Motion made in the Senate by the Sages, for a letter to Antonio Surian, Venetian ambassador in England, to thank Cardinal Wolsey for his excellent disposition for peace. The proposal of England and the Signory's reply to be communicated to the Venetian ambassador in France.
Feb. 4. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 186.	[Italian.]
Feb. 4. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlviii. p. 82, tergo.	9. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador in England, Antonio Surian.
	Received two of his letters dated the 7th ultimo. By one, he narrates the conversation held by Cardinal Wolsey with the French ambassador and himself, announcing the Emperor's disposition for peace; the King and Cardinal being similarly inclined. Approve what he has written. To tell the Cardinal how acceptable his sage discourse has proved to the State. To exhort the Cardinal to persevere in his sound purpose.
	To return thanks for the loving demonstration made by him towards the Signory, and for his gracious offer.
	Enclose summaries of news from the Levant, for communication as usual to the Cardinal, and such other persons as he (the ambassador) shall think fit.
	[Italian, 32 lines.]
Feb. 4. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 454.	10. Marco Minio, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory.
	Appointment of a “Congregation ” to condemn the propositions of Martin Luther. (fn. 1)
	Rome, 4th February 1520.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 4. Sanuto Diaries, V. xxviii. p. 194.	11. Martin Luther.
	Receipt on that morning of letters from the Ambassador Minio, dated Rome the 4th.- In Germany an Austin friar, called Friar Matthew (sic) Luther, had written works against the Pope and the church, and had preached publicly at Nuremberg to that effect; which facts haviDg come to the knowledge of the Pope, he had convened a Congregation of learned Observantine friars, and had appointed two cardinals as their chiefs, namely, Ancona [Pietrodegli Accolti, Bishop of Ancona] and Gaeta [Friar Tommaso de Vio], who were very learned, that they might suppress this opposition to the Church.
	Registered by Sanuto, 9th February.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 4. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 202.	12. Martin Luther.
	Copy of a paragraph in a letter from Marco Minio, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, dated the 4th February 1520.
	Three days ago, a Congregation of all the Generals of the Mendicant orders was held, and such as were not present at Rome were represented by the procurators of said orders, the chiefs of this Congregation being the Cardinals of Ancona and Gaeta.
	This Congregation was appointed in order to condemn certain propositions of Friar Martin Luther, who has preached in Germany against the authority and power of the Pope, and has a considerable party, and is much favoured by the Duke of Saxony. An attempt is thus being made to deprive him [Luther] of the protection he enjoys and of his adherents, and the bull is being drawn up; but the course taken by the Congregation was injudicious, for they suddenly read said friar's propositions, and then took the votes.
	This friar Martin founds his arguments chiefly on the Gospels; he acknowledges the doctors of the Church, such as Saint Augustin, but not the other doctors, and he scoffs at St. Thomas Scotus and the like. It is a very scandalous business.
	Registered by Sanuto, 13th February.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 7. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 189.	13. Cardinal Wolsey's Carpets.
	Determination of the College to sell the chain (which had been deposited in the office of the Procurators of St. Mark) given by the King of England to the ambassador Sebastian Giustinian, worth 500 ducats; and also the two cups given by the King of Hungary to the ambassador Alvise Bon, worth about 200 ducats; the proceeds to be expended in the purchase of 60 Damascene carpets, to be sent as a gift to Cardinal Wolsey in England.
	Note by Sanuto that the purchase was made, and the carpets sent accordingly.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 9. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 457.	14. Marco Minio, Venetian Ambassador in Rome, to the Signory.
	The Pope says that the King of England made fair promises, but inclined more towards Spain than France, and in case of a rupture he would declare for Spain.
	Rome, 9th February 1520.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 11. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 458.	15. The Same to the Same.
	It had been determined to institute another “Congregation,” for the more deliberately condemning the sayings and opinions of Friar Martin Luther.
	Rome, 11th February 1520.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 16. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 205.	16. Martin Luther.
	The Ambassador Minio writes from Rome in date of the 11th that Congregation of Franciscan Friars-Observant which the Pope convoked against that Friar Martin Luther in Germany, had intended to draw up a bull against him, but they subsequently made the Pope determine to discuss the matter more fully by holding another Congregation of other eminent men (excellente homeni).
	[Italian.]
Feb. 22. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 257.	17. Antonio Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	The envoy sent to England to negotiate the interview with the King had returned, having settled it; but the period was not known.
	Cognac, 22nd February. Registered by Sanato, 5th March.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 25. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 221.	18. Motion made in the Senate by the Sages, for a letter to the ambassador in England, to acquaint the King and Cordinal Wolsey with the result of the conference at Verona; and that the Imperial ambassadors departed “re infecta;” but that the Signory had nevertheless given them the 20,000 ducats.
	Speech made by Sebastian Giustinian, late ambassador in England, against the letter; saying the subject should not be mentioned, as the King would exclaim “I will be the arbiter; I have the heart to arrange matters;” and that he would desire the State to place the business in his hands, which should be avoided. Giustinian added that the carpets had not been sent to Cardinal Wolsey, nor had it been decided to send them; and that he, the Cardinal, “est alter Rex.”
	Amendment to the motion proposed by Zuan Contarini, sage for the orders, that the ambassador be written to, so that if the King or others broached the topic, he might know how to answer, but not to anticipate the announcement.
	For the amendment, 82. For the original motion (which was carried), the rest.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 25. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, vol. xlviii. p. 88.	19. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador in England.
	To acquaint the King and Cardinal with the Signory's affairs.
	By virtue of the quinquennial truce negotiated between the late Emperor and the Signory, certain points remained for discussion concerning the jurisdiction of places, and restoration of property belonging to Venetian subjects in the Friuli, and other territories of the State, and the liquidation of the sums to be paid to Venetian emigrants who rebelled against the State during the late war. The State had agreed with the present Emperor, that he should send delegates to Verona, to confer with an ambassador from the Signory concerning these differences. The meeting having been held in the presence of an ambassador from the most Christian King,—who, according to a clause in the truce, is mediator between the Emperor and the State,—it was agreed the latter should pay the Emperor annually 20,000 ducats. The Imperial delegates then made several demands not sanctioned by the clauses of the truce, and the State referred the matter for arbitration to the French ambassador, who was present throughout the conference. Announcement to this effect having been made to the Governors of Inspruck, they declared themselves unable to give further orders until they had communicated with the Emperor, and as he was going to Flanders in the spring, they thought it best to suspend the conference for the present. Is to communicate as above to the King and Cardinal.
	Amendment moved by Giovanni Contarini, Sage for the Orders:
	That the exordium, where mention is made of the communication of the matter, be omitted; and at the close, where the ambassador is desired to impart it to the King and Cardinal, be it said—
	“We have narrated to you substantially the result of this conference for your information, charging you not to speak to any one about what we have told you above, unless you be spoken to on the subject.”
	Ayes, 82. Noes, 7. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian, 53 lines.]
Feb. 25. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, vol. xlviii. p. 89.	20. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador in France.
	Communicate the result of the Verona conference, and enclose a copy of their despatch to their ambassador in England.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 229.	21. Motion made in the Senate by the Sages, and carried, to suspend the letter destined for England, until the next meeting of the Senate.
Feb. 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 229.	[Italian.]