Venice: May 1541 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1873.

Citation:

'Venice: May 1541', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, ed. Rawdon Brown( London, 1873), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp100-104 [accessed 25 November 2024].

May 1541



May 3. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	252. The Same to the Same.
	The Emperor returned hither on Monday, and according to report he is going to some baths three leagues hence to drink the waters, as taken by him heretofore.
	These Doctors seem to be agreed about the article “De fide et justificatione,” thus, “Quod viva et efficax fides per charitatem justificat hominem, et quod non debeat prædicari de sola fide, nisi istis adjunctis, dilectione, timore Dei, pænitentiâ, et bonis operibus.”
	They are now discussing the article “De vera Ecclesia Dei.”
	Ratisbon, 3rd May 1541.
	[Italian.]
May 7. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	253. The Same to the Same.
	Concerning the affairs of the conference, all its members assemble daily, and since my last of the 3rd, they seem also to have agreed about some other articles. Since then, however, they are said to differ greatly concerning the article “De venerabili Sacramento” which is a matter of very great importance; and the like has apparently occurred “De Potestate Ecclesiasticâ.” They are also in great difficulty “De ministris Ecclessiœ,” so that whereas at the beginning they anticipated some good result, they now on the contrary have not such high hopes as at first, but nevertheless continue debating about the other articles, and will subsequently report the whole to the Diet.
	Ratisbon, 7th May 1541.
	[Italian.]
May 14. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	254. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	The business of the conference (colloquio) has somewhat cooled, and with regard to the article “Be venerabili Sacramento” not only do the Protestants disagree with the Catholics, but these last in like manner are divided amongst themselves; and concerning this article, neither the Emperor, nor the Legate, nor any other Catholic, will deviate in the least from the Dogma of the Catholic Church. By means of the Legate the article “De Potestate Ecclesiasiica—de Ministris Ecclesice,” is to be left for the last; and with regard to the others, they proceed but slowly, by so much the more as during the last four days, Eckius, the chief of the Catholic Doctors, has been indisposed, and were his malady protracted it would be untoward, as this business is familiar to him, and he understands it as well as possible. It seems that at the beginning there was more hope of an adjustment than now, but the Emperor nevertheless does not omit doing everything in his power to obtain some good result; and should no adjustment be made between these Princes, many persons are of opinion that his Majesty will return to Flanders, especially as he has sent away his whole fleet that it may go into the Levant, having also dismissed the 400 spears who accompanied him thus far.
	It is heard by letters from Flanders that King Henry has sent some infantry across the Channel because the most Christian King has been raising new fortifications at Ardres; and also on account of a dispute which has prevailed during the last few months between the French and English about a bridge. (fn. 1)
	The Marquises George and Albert of Brandenburg and the Duke of Pomerania have arrived here, all three being most violent Lutherans (Lutheranissimi).
	Ratisbon, 14th May 1541.
	[Italian.]
May 16. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	255. The Same to the Same.
	With regard to the conference (colloquio), it seems that during the last few days, they discussed the article “Be confessione,” and although they say that confession is a good thing, they nevertheless came to the conclusion that it is not “de jure divino,” nor yet necessary for salvation (de necessitate salutis); so that the farther they go daily, the more evident it is that they are firmer than ever in their opinions, which may the Almighty regulate.
	Ratisbon, 16th May 1541.
	[Italian.]
May 22. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time. Printed in v. iii. pp. 34–35. “Epistolarum Reginaldi Poli,” and dated as above.	256. Cardinal Pole to Cristoforo Madrucci, Cardinal Bishop of Trent.
	Formal letter.
	Rome, 22nd May 1541.
	[Latin, 31 lines.]
May 29. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	257. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	These doctors have at length terminated their conference (colloquio), and it is universally supposed that the malady of Eckius has been the cause of their despatching the business much more speedily than they would have done had he been in health, he being a person who would have chosen to debate each point at full length, and the affair would have been more protracted.
	From what I hear, the conclusion is, that the Protestants hold to their own opinions, and most especially with regard to the principal articles. Respecting the two articles which have been disposed of—the one at Worms, “De peccato originali” and the other here “De justificatione” —the Catholics say that the Protestants have come over to their opinion, and the Lutherans declare that ours think as they do (Li Catholici dicono che li Protestanti sono venuti nella sua sententia, et li Lutherani dicono che li nostri sono della lor opinione). Concerning the majority of the other articles—and of the most important ones — they are more at variance (più discordi) than ever. Everything has been consigned to writing, and will be reported, to the Diet in the course of the present week, as the theologians have been unable to agree together; it will now be seen whether some good adjustment and result can be effected through these Princes. Many persons are of opinion that the matter will not be long delayed, and that in one way or the other it will have speedy dispatch.
	An oration has been issued with the following title:—“Ad Principes Electores et Status Imperij, De Origine et Defectu Papæ; De ejus practicis; et quid demum hoc tempore de eo sperandum sit.”
	Thereby you may perceive whether they are on the point of adjustment (in termine di accordarsi); and although it is in German, your worthy and faithful Secretary Ludovici can translate it at leisure, and your Excellencies comprehend its tenour.
	Words cannot express how much comment the Pope causes by his hostilities in Italy [against Ascanio Colonna], and the inference drawn is, that provided he aggrandize his own relations, he cares but little whether he thus ruin the Church. I am told by a trustworthy person, that lately at one of the banquets given by these Princes—for at the Diets they do nothing else daily—the greater part of the persons present said that Ascanio Colonna ought to come hither, and that if the Emperor would not assist him, he should be assisted by others, such strong language being used that I am ashamed to write it.
	With regard to the other articles, as they are to be published, I abstain from sending them until they are in print.
	Last Sunday, the Emperor went to Mass in the Church of St. Emmerano, (fn. 2) where a dispute arose between the Marquis George of Brandenburg and the Count Palatine Otho Henry, about precedence; the Marquis claiming it in right of his age, and Count Otho Henry saying that the house of Bavaria took precedence of all the other houses. It length, being unable to agree together, they and all the other Princes present departed, leaving the Emperor alone with the two electors—Frederick Count Palatine, and Duke Lewis of Bavaria,—together with the ambassadors of the other electors. On the other side of the choir there were the] Right Reverend the Legate [Gasparo Contarini] and the Nuncio, with all the other Bishops.
	Here in the houses of the Protestants the preachers proclaim their dogmas daily, in six places, to very full congregations; most especially on holydays; and it is supposed that should nothing else have been done at this Diet, the city of Ratisbon likewise, from being Catholic, as it was, will now turn Lutheran. No persons are seen in the churches, save those of the Imperial Court or the attendants of some of the Catholic Princes.
	The advices from Flanders, especially from the Queen [Dowager of Hungary], purport that the Emperor, after settling affairs here, will return to Flanders, as confirmed by many others at Ratisbon, in case he be unable to make any satisfactory adjustment with these Princes. The English ambassador here, the Bishop of Winchester [Stephen Gardiner], is seen to be often at the house of Mons. de Granvelle, and to have frequent audiences of the Emperor; so possibly should his Imperial Majesty come to no agreement here, he will make an alliance with King Henry.
	Ratisbon, 29th May 1541.
	[Italian.]
May 31. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	258. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	Today the disputants of the conference (li Colloquitori) presented to the Emperor the book containing the whole account of the conference (colloquio), and this week it will be published in the Diet, where everything will be heard in detail. It seems that they are agreed about some few articles; about the principal ones they are at variance; and some others are referred by them to his Majesty, that he may find such form and way of concord as shall seem fit to him.
	His Majesty is sending Mons. de Praet into Flanders to be present at the marriage of the Duchess of Milan to the Marquis, the son of the Duke of Lorraine. He will depart in three days, it being also said that he will proceed to England, with whom the negotiations seem to become closer hourly, in which case the Emperor will return to Flanders.
	I enclose some replies made by the Catholic Doctors to part of the propositions of the Protestants sent by me a few days ago.
	Ratisbon, 31st May 1541.
	[Italian.]