Venice: July 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: July 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/pp106-108 [accessed 25 November 2024].

July 1541



July 3. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	267. The Same to the Same.
	Yesterday, in the Diet, they made a Captain General of the troops furnished by the Empire to act against the Turks. They will amount but to 10,000 foot and 2,000 horse, and the commander elected was Count Frederick the Palatine; but as by reason of his age and infirmities he is expected to decline the office, they appointed in his stead, in the event of refusal, the Duke Lewis of Bavaria, subject however to the Emperor's approval.
	Concerning the matter of religion, they resolved after much debate that the Emperor, the King of the Romans, and the Right Reverend Legate Contarini were first of all to state their opinion, and that the Diet would then consider what should be done. It is reported that the business will at length be referred to the Council.
	We contrived to see one of these books of the acts of the conference (colloquio) together with the additions and articles of the Protestants; we had it transcribed immediately by your Serenity's secretaries, and send the copy herewith, to show what has been treated hitherto both in the Diet and in the conference (colloquio).
	Letters from England confirm the death of the mother of Cardinal Pole. The King has given leave to the Bishop of Winchester to return to his Majesty, and he will depart in 10 or 12 days.
	[Italian.]
July 7. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	268. Francesco Contarini and Francesco Sanuto, Venetian Ambassadors with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	Although the Lutherans held several Diets, they have determined not to contribute to the Imperial aid (ausilio) of 10,000 infantry against the Turks, unless they have peace, and are certain of being able to live in their own fashion. The amount of assistance will thus be diminished. The enemy is understood to be advancing and will soon be under Buda; but from the advices received by him, the King of the Romans hopes to obtain the place.
	Ratisbon, 7th July 1541.
	[Italian.]
July 22. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	269. The Same to the Same.
	On the day before yesterday it was heard from Hungary that the Turkish army was within three leagues of Buda, and that the vanguard (which was said to number 15,000 horse) had encamped at a distance of one league from the forces of the King of the Romans.
	The Protestants likewise have determined to contribute to the promised aid against the Turks, namely 10,000 foot and 3,000 horse, without making any condition; and Count Frederick de Fustemburg has been appointed Captain-General of this force; the Count Palatine Frederick and Duke Lewis of Bavaria having declined the office.
	It is said that the Emperor will depart for Italy on the 26th instant. The time of departure of the King of the Romans is not yet known, but he told me (Sanuto) that it would not be long delayed.
	Ratisbon, 22nd July 1541.
	[Italian.]
July 26. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	270. The Same to the Same.
	The Emperor was to have departed for Italy today, but the Princes having besought him to wait until tomorrow, they with great difficulty obtained their request. The whole of the stable department (tutta la cavallarezza) and the greater part of the entire Court have departed, so that his Majesty has but to mount on horseback, and will come [into Italy] with all speed and without stopping anywhere. The Cardinal of Mantua will meet him at Trent, and the Duke of Florence, and perhaps the Duke of Ferrara likewise, will do the like at Peschiera. Should the Pope have quitted Rome and be gone to Piacenza, the Emperor will take that road; if not, his Majesty will proceed straight on his way [to Genoa].
	It is heard from Buda that the entire Turkish army having lately arrived under that city, part halted in front of King Ferdinand's forces, and the rest beneath the walls, the Turks going in and out daily, but in small numbers. King Ferdinand told me (Sanuto) that the Turks demanded of Queen Elizabeth (fn. 1) that she should let them all enter the town, which she refused to do until the arrival of Sultan Solyman in person.
	We enclose a declaration (declaration) made by the Cardinal Legate Contarini, touching the reply given by him concerning the affairs of the religion; and also the Emperor's resolution “de recessu” some words of which have, however, been modified by the Princes, but nothing of much importance, and it will be published on the “recess” of the Diet, whether his Majesty be present or absent. With regard to the perpetual subsidy to be given annually by the Princes as aid against the Turks, it has been fixed (when needed) at 20,000 foot, and 4,000 horse, but the Protestants insist on certain explanations.
	Ratisbon, 26th July 1541.
	[Italian.]
July 29. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	271. Francesco Contarini and Francesco Sanuto, Venetian Ambassadors with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	This morning, all the Princes and the King of the Romans having been summoned to the Diet, the Emperor proclaimed the “recess,” the session having lasted from 12 till 3 p.m. The “recess” being long, and in German, I have as yet been unable to obtain it, but it is in accordance, for the most part, with what we wrote on the 26th.
	The Emperor departed at this hour—4 p.m.—and is travelling with all speed, to make up for the three additional days during which he remained here against his will.
	Ratisbon, 29th July 1541.
	[Italian.]