Venice: April 1524 | 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: April 1524', 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/pp359-364 [accessed 25 November 2024].

April 1524



April 1. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 257, St. Mark's Library.	814. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	The English ambassador, that gentleman of the King's chamber [Sir Richard Jernyngham] who came to Spain last summer to encourage the attack on France, perceiving that the army is now disbanded, took leave, and departed on the Wednesday in Passion week. Visited him on that very morning, and is of opinion that he went away dissatisfied with the Spanish ministry.
	The churchman [Richard Sampson] his predecessor remains, and being present at the interview, expressed himself as follows:—“Would that I likewise were returning, for many reasons; including this one, that were I to remain here for many and many a day, I know not what service I could render my King, where there is nothing to be got;” implying that the Spanish realms are not so powerful as is supposed.
	Burgos, 1st April, 1524.
	[Italian, 3 pages.]
April 2. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 258, St. Mark's Library.	815. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	The Papal envoy, Dom. Bernardin da la Barba, besides acquainting the Emperor with the election of Clement VII., apologized for the Pope's non-compliance with three demands made of him by the Emperor and the King of England.
	(1.) That his Holiness, like Pope Adrian, should declare himself a party to the league.
	(2.) That he should contribute his share of the expenses.
	(3.) That he should proceed against France by means of ecclesiastical censures.
	The Pope rejected these demands for just reasons, inasmuch as with regard to declaring himself a party to the league like Pope Adrian, it was unnecessary, because, having succeeded to the popedom, and not making any declaration to the contrary, he was understood to be in the league. He added moreover that any such declaration would be unfitting, because he wished to make some adjustment between the Christian powers, and it would ill become him so to do if concerned in the matter.
	With regard to contributing to the expenses, he excused himself because he had no money; and if he had any he should not think it right to postpone the defence of Christendom against the Turk for a war against France.
	Touching the third demand about the censures, he said it did not appear to him there was any just cause for attacking the French with such weapons.
	The Emperor and his ministers pretend to be satisfied with these apologies, but it has been said by them that his Holiness was a better Cardinal than Pope (che sua Santità era meglior Cardinal che Pontefice).
	Burgos, 2nd April 1524.
	[Italian, 2 pages.]
April [12]. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 164.	816. The Secretary of the Bishop of Mantua to the Marquis of Mantua.
	The Lutheran sect is making great progress, and at Nuremberg in two churches there are two preachers who preach and follow the doctrine of Luther. Also at Nuremberg they confess and communicate sub utraque specie, namely, with wine and the consecrated host.
	Mantua 12th April. Registered by Sanuto on the 19th.
	[Italian.]
April 13. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 164.	817. The Secretary of the Bishop of Trent to the —.
	Has received letters from Nuremberg, where the inhabitants communicate sub utraque specie secundum legem maledietam Lutheranam. It has, moreover, been ordered there, that for the future the relics of the saints are not to be exhibited publicly in the churches, but to be kept concealed; and all the images in the churches are to be destroyed.
	Trent, 13th April. Registered by Sanuto on the 19th.
	[Italian.]
April 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 161.	818. Marco Foscari to the Signory.
	The Pope has received letters from France from the Archbishop of Capua, announcing his departure for Spain. He would soon be with the Emperor, and on becoming acquainted with his will would go to England, so that he hoped the truce would be stipulated. Letters from Genoa, dated the 10th, announced the retreat of the French army upon Novara, and that the Venetian troops had done some damage to their rear guard.
	From Germany it is reported that the Lutheran affairs are not favoured publicly, save by the Duke of Saxony.
	The Lord Albert of Carpi [Pio Count of Carpi] told the Pope that the only way for him to maintain Italy is to give favour to the Signory, as the support of the Papal authority depends on the Venetians.
	Rome, 14th and 15th April. Registered by Sanuto on the 18th.
	[Italian.]
April 18. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 261, St. Mark's Library.	819. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	Arrival at Burgos, on the 14th, of Nicholas Schomberg, Archbishop of Capua, on a mission from the Pope.
	On Sunday, the 17th, the Chancellor Gattinara and Mons. de la Roche went to the English ambassador, Sampson, and subsequently conferred with Schomberg during two hours.
	Visited Schomberg on the morrow of his arrival, and, together with the other ambassadors, accompanied him on that day to his first audience of the Emperor.
	From conversations with Schomberg himself, with the Chancellor, and with the Florentine ambassadors, understands that he, Schomberg, assured the Emperor that the Pope desired nothing but his, the Emperor's, exaltation, and the general welfare of Christendom and of Italy, and that having expelled the French thence, the Pope did not wish them to return; and to prevent such an attempt, suggested that a truce should be stipulated, as preliminary to peace, Schomberg alluded to the exhausted state of Italy, and to her inability to supply money for the war, whereas France was less at a loss for funds; and finally he left the Emperor to consider whether in Spain he could make sufficient provision to meet this expenditure. He also mentioned the peril to which Naples and Sicily were exposed from the Turks, from whom should any danger arise, the French would assume a much higher tone than some persons suppose.
	Such was the general proposal. With regard to details, Schomberg gave him (Contarini) to understand that the King of France would consent to the proposed suspension of hostilities “stantibus rebus ut stant.” Schomberg also mentioned that the King of France had not chosen to say anything about the Duke of Bourbon.
	The Florentine ambassadors told him (Contarini) that Schomberg had made three proposals on behalf of the Duke of Milan, which were approved by the Pope. First, that the Emperor should give him the investiture of the duchy. Secondly, that the Emperor should provide him with a wife. Thirdly, that the Emperor should give such orders as might prevent him from being tyrannized over by the Spaniards in the Milanese.
	One of the Florentine ambassadors also told him (Contarini) privately that the Queen of France was very ill, and that should anything befall her the two crowns might be reconciled by giving Eleanor Queen Dowager of Portugal, the Emperor's sister, for wife to the King of France. Answered that this was inexpedient for two reasons: first, because by a very stringent oath the Emperor had promised her to the Duke of Bourbon; and, secondly, because the Emperor would be apprehensive of causing suspicion to the King of England.
	On the afternoon of the 17th, when discussing this negotiation together, the Chancellor Gattinara said to him (Contarini), “Here we can do nothing; I will go to Italy, to Rome, where the whole will be concluded, as the English ambassadors will be there with their commissions, and the representatives of the Duke of Bourbon, and all the rest. The Archbishop [Schomberg] will go to England, without whom we can neither do nor say anything.”
	Schomberg says he is endeavouring to acquaint himself thoroughly with the opinions of the sovereigns as to the existing difficulties, and to obtain them in writing, in order that they might hesitate to deny the assertion of a friar.
	Burgos, 18th April 1524.
	[Italian, 8 pages.]
April 21. Mantuan Archives.	820. Melchior Longhio to Federigo Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua.
	By a letter of the Secretary Abbadino in the Marquis's name, learns the victory gained over the French by Paulo Lozasco. (fn. 1) Forwarded Abbadino's original letter to the Archbishop of Capua at the Imperial Court, for him to show it to the Emperor. Communicated it first of all to Cardinal Wolsey, the Bang being absent. Paid compliments in the Marquis's name to the Cardinal, requesting him to do the like by his Majesty. The Cardinal said that the King and himself class him, the Marquis, amongst the chief friends they have.
	The only English intelligence he can give is, that he hopes an alliance will now be concluded between the Emperor and the King.
	Letters from the Emperor to his ambassador here [Louis de Praet], received on the 18th instant, make three proposals, the King to accept the one that pleases him best:—
	(1.) Should the King choose to invade France on his own account from this side, the Emperor is content to let him take the Imperial men-at-arms and horse into his own pay, supplying them with ammunition, provisions, pioneers, and other necessaries for the war, in such manner and at such price as if the Emperor were on the spot in person.
	(2.) Should he choose to go in the direction of Bayonne, the Emperor will give 1,500 spears, 600 light horse, and 3,000 foot, all paid contributing, moreover, one-half of the cost of the artillery.
	(3.) Should he choose to contribute [money] for half of the army of Italy, for the invasion of France, the Emperor is content to leave him (fn. 2) the whole of the Imperial army now there (in Italy), and should any Italian potentate be a contributor to it, the contribution to be paid proportionately. But above all, whichever of these proposals be accepted, the King of England to be in readiness here by the kalends of June.
	These proposals have been made to Cardinal Wolsey, who does not seem to disapprove of them. Believes that the invasion of France by way of England will be adopted. It is supposed that in a week this decision will be formed.
	London, 21st April 1524.
	Signed: Melchior Longhio.
	[Original. Italian.]
April 21. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 262, St. Mark's Library.	821. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	In order to become acquainted with the negotiations of the Archbishop of Capua [Nicholas Schomberg] has sought his society assiduously during the last few days, and has also conferred with the Florentine ambassadors, and with the Chancellor Gattinara.
	Was told by one of the Florentine ambassadors aside, that the Imperial ministers want Schomberg, who is going to England, to exhort the King to supply money for the Italian undertaking. To this Schomberg would not accede, saying he should thus further the continuance of the war, and not an adjustment as desired by the Pope. On the other hand, the Milanese ambassador informed him (Contarini) that Schomberg had told him he should endeavour to porcure this pecuniary subsidy from the King of England.
	After this, in the course of conversation with the Chancellor, suggested that the King of England might cause more damage to the King of France at a cheaper rate, and injure him more, by aiding the Italian expedition, than by waging an expensive war in the enemy's own country; adding that he thought Schomberg would prove an excellent medium for impressing this on the King of England.
	The Chancellor replied, “My belief is that the Archbishop will attend solely to the adjustment.”
	As the Chancellor is frank in his communications, most especially when it suits his purpose, is therefore of opinion that the Milanese ambassador had deceived himself.
	The English ambassador, Sampson, has told him that the King of England commenced the present war unwillingly, and would accept terms if he could do so with honour. Sampson added that it was not desirable that the period of the truce should exceed one year, because when the term is long each party expects to carry its point, and thus the adjustment is thwarted; whereas a year suffices for the arrangement of all difficulties when disputants are thus inclined.
	He also said that “somebody here” (meaning the Chancellor) opposed Schomberg's negotiations. In reply to his (Contarini's) enquiries, Sampson told him the King of England would not send an army into France this summer, but that a fleet would put to sea, and make a descent on the French coast. Has heard on good authority that Jerningham, who departed last Passion week, was charged to inform his King that, should the Emperor wage war against France both in Spain and Italy, he could not provide for the maintenance of the 3,000 horses in Flanders, in which parts the King must continue the hostilities alone, and the Emperor would do the like in Spain and Italy; or, if the King of England chose to send troops to Bayonne, the Emperor offered to give him the 3,000 Germans now on the spot and his men-at-arms. Supposes therefore that Jerningham went away not very well satisfied, and that on this account his colleague, Sampson, now says that no army will be sent into France by England.
	Burgos, 21st April 1524.
	[Italian, 3 pages.]
April 24. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 264, St. Mark's Library.	822. Gasparo Contakini to the Signory.
	Announces the intended departure of the Archbishop of Capua early on the following morning for France. He will confer there with the King, and then proceed to England.
	Burgos, 24th April 1524.
	[Italian, 2 pages.]