Venice: November 1549 | 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: November 1549', 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/pp270-280 [accessed 25 November 2024].

November 1549



Nov. 2. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	585. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory.
	The Duchess (fn. 1) having gone to the Pope on Sunday, and asked him to pardon the Duke, returned on Monday with Cardinal Farnese, requesting his Holiness, besides the grant of pardon, to allow her husband to enter Parma, and hold possession of it as his own, he having inherited it, and being styled Duke. They were together from the 17th until the 20th hour, and on coming forth, she was seen to be weeping bitterly. Although it was bad weather, the Pope then got into his litter for La Magliana, and she remained with him until the morrow, when as it rained heavily they returned. The Duke's affairs seem in a bad way, as his Holiness will grant him nothing, unless he comes to his feet to beg pardon, whereas he seems determined not to depart unless Parma be restored to him, and at the same time his honour, which he considers lost, by having entered [the city ?], and being unable to obtain possession of it.
	Concerning this matter his Holiness seemed to me today very determined as it were not to satisfy him by any means, and I also thought he was dispirited about this business, not indeed that the result displeased him, for he demonstrated to me that it was beyond measure most agreeable to him, saying that not only crime, but the suspicion of crime was to be avoided, and that although truth is the daughter of time, he was extremely pleased at its being known so soon. He bestowed great praise on Camillo Orsini, who he said was a man of honour, and a most excellent commander, and that he had treated the Duke with the greatest mildness (modestissimamente), and shown him much honour, having in short on that evening chosen the Duke to give the watch-word, though he, the Duke, gave it back to Camillo, etc.
	His Holiness also spoke to me about the disturbances in England, it being heard by letters from the Court of France, dated the 16th October, not only that the popular commotion continued, but that very great dissensions prevailed amongst the chief nobles and that the Earl of Warwick having driven the Protector out of London, Somerset took the King [from Hampton Court?] to a certain castle [Windsor Castle?] at a short distance thence, the name of which the Pope could not tell me.
	Rome, 2nd November 1549.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 9. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	586. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory.
	On Sunday, when his Holiness gave the banquet for the anniversary of his coronation, he was much less cheerful than usual on similar occasions, and instead of music and amusements, transacted business well nigh during the whole time, and on Tuesday remained secluded at St. Peter's, having given orders for no one to ask audience of him, so that at the vesper hour the Ambassador from Ferrara was with great difficulty admitted, announcing that he had important news to communicate about Parma; and he then said that his Duke [Hercules II.] sent him word from Mantua that Duke Ottavio (fn. 2) had asked assistance from Don Ferrante. (fn. 3) Later in the day the Pope received letters from the Right Rev. Legate of Bologna, purporting that he had conferred with Duke Ottavio, from whom he could obtain nothing but words, which, however respectful, signified that he could not in honour renounce Parma; so the Legate (fn. 4) not only gave the Pope no hope of making him retract, but recommended his Holiness himself to give way.
	On Wednesday morning, the cold being intense, his Holiness before sunrise went from St. Peter's to Monte Cavallo, and after having dined with excellent appetite, Cardinal Farnese read to him a letter from Duke Ottavio, containing many apologies to his Holiness, but saying he could not in honour move from where he was [under Parma] unless he got Parma, to obtain which he thanked God he should have no lack of friends,—that from the Cardinal of Trent (fn. 5) he had already received 10,000 crowns, that Don Ferrante promised him assistance, and that he found him to be a good honest man. On hearing these words the Pope became so enraged against the Duke and Cardinal, (fn. 6) complaining with such bitterness of his Right Rev. Lordship, that he was seized with a fit (which compelled them to place him on his bed) followed by fever, and then, per vomitum et recessum, he had a copious evacuation.
	On that evening, Cardinal Farnese despatched a number of expresses keeping all the gates of Rome closed, not only during the night but also throughout the morrow, forbidding the posts to supply any one with horses, so that no one had egress; and the Cardinal of Ferrara and all the ambassadors, even Don Diego, were in despair, nor could any of them send off despatches until late on Thursday; and the Flanders mail on its way to Naples was stopped at Velletri, about which Don Diego made a great noise. Cardinal Farnese went to Castle St. Angelo, with a reinforcement of 60 paid soldiery (provisionati) under Nestor Baglione, and made them swear allegiance to him in the presence of the warder, much to his scorn. He sent commanders to raise 5,000 infantry in the neighbourhood of Rome, and forbad the sale of arms here to any one, as all these houses were providing themselves. At the 4th hour he sent an envoy express to Camillo Orsini [at Parma?] to assure him that the Pope, in case of his death, chose Parma to belong to Duke Ottavio, and to ascertain from Camillo himself what he meant to do; and the French likewise sent to encourage said Camillo with all their might. But his Holiness, after having taken some nourishment at daybreak, found himself better.
	Cardinal Farnese was much blamed for having taken these steps, it being said that he ought not to have acted on his own account, but in the name of the Sacred College. It seems that he has turned a thorough Imperialist, and has allied himself with Don Diego, being of opinion that his own welfare (salute) and that of the Farnese family depends solely on that quarter, and that they will thus be secured against the Colonna and Orsini factions, whom they have offended mortally; and with this favour, he also hopes to make himself Pope, or at least to elect one after his own fashion and that of the Emperor at the same time. For this purpose, he sent the Prior of Lombardy (who came hither on a summons from his Holiness about the restitution of the Jews' merchandise) to make himself master of Cività [Cività-vecchia?].
	At the 22nd hour [on Thursday], the Pope supped heartily; but at the third hour [of the night], the fever (from which it seems he was free throughout yesterday) returned, and at the 12th hour he chose to receive the Holy Communion, which he took very devoutly, the few persons present being moved to floods of tears by the very holy words he uttered. The Bishop of Pola was despatched with cogent briefs to Camillo Orsini, desiring him to consign Parma to Duke Ottavio, and to retire with his troops to garrison Bologna, but they still doubt whether he will obey; and then the Pope sent for all the Cardinals, to go and hold Congregation, which was attended even by Cardinal Sta. Croce with his treble quartan ague, (fn. 7) although it rained.
	Cremona was conferred on Sfondrato, whose see of Capaccio was given to Verallo; Naples to Cardinal Chieti, Giovanni Pietro (Caraffa.); Chieti to Maffei; and the abbacy of Canal Nuovo in the Polesine to the Cardinal of England [Reginald Pole]; all which benefices fell vacant by the death of the Cardinal of Ravenna; and a pension of 2,000 crowns, to be derived from them all together, was assigned to the nominee of Cardinal Farnese.
	Rome, 9th November 1549.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 10. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	587. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory.
	Today at the 20th hour, I sent your Serenity the originals of the accompanying duplicates, and have heard since that when the Holy Oil was presented to him, the Pope, on perceiving it, said “Non adhuc;” and when Madame (Madama) (fn. 8) entered the chamber, he recognised her, and seemed pleased with the boy (putino), (fn. 9) giving him his blessing several times. He was so exhilarated by this, that he took two fresh eggs and half a glass of wine with very good relish; so it is thought that he will also survive this night, but the catarrh is what they most fear.
	Cardinal Durante sent to me this morning to request I would beseech your Serenity to grant him possession of some vacant benefices in the Brescian territory, for which he will send the bulls; so that should possession of them be asked by others, you may be pleased to have a little patience until the arrival of his agent with his reasons; and he is writing about this to the Legate at Venice.
	The Abbacy of Sta. Maria di Gavello, or of Canal Nuovo in the Polesine, was given this morning to the Right Reverend Cardinal of England, as written by me. But before he entered Congregation the Cardinal of Trani [Giandomenico de Cupis] asked for it, as it is under his diocese of Adria, and on being answered that it had been given to Cardinal Pole, not only did he acquiesce, but commended the appointment, saying that in addition to it, his Right Reverend Lordship deserved the benefices held by himself and others, (fn. 10) so that he received it with very general approbation. His attendents have informed me that the noble Pietro Contarini will present himself to your Highness, to have possession of it, requesting there may be no delay, owing to the nature of the present times. Your Serenity should know that his Right Reverend Lordship is styled “Angelical” rather than Anglican; (fn. 11) nor did he ever ask for this, or anything else; and his fixed income (fn. 12) has always been 200 crowns per month, given him by the Pope.
	The wagers at the bankers' shops (fn. 13) are as follows:—20 in favour of Cardinal di Monte, (fn. 14) who is expected from Bologna; 18 in favour of Cardinal Salviati, who is expected from Florence; 16 in favour of Cardinal Ridolfi.; (fn. 15) and 15 in favour of Cardinal Pole.
	Having written thus far this evening, and it being now the 14th hour, I am assured from several quarters, that his Holiness has just now expired. May God give rest to his soul, and may his successor prove no less friendly to the Republic than he was.
	Rome, 10th November 1549.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 13. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	588. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory.
	On the 10th, at the 13th hour, I announced to your Serenity the death of Pope Paul, whose last orders were to repeal the taxes on grist and contracts, (fn. 16) much to the satisfaction of this entire city; and he desired Cardinal Sta. Fiore to restore the goods belonging to the Jews, (fn. 17) but his brother the Prior made himself master of Cività [Vecchia?], expelling the warder who had them under sequestration. He also ordered the restitution of their money to those who had lent it him in the hope of being made Cardinals, as written by me at the time; and it was given back to them in the same bags in which they delivered it. He ordered nothing whatever about his burial. And then, of his own accord, he desired that the Holy Oil should be administered to him, during which ceremony he recited some very beautiful Latin prayers composed by himself at the moment; (fn. 18) after which, his tongue swelled, and the only intelligible word he uttered was “Parma,” but he seemed to attend to the recommendations addressed to him for the salvation of his soul. The physicians were surprised at his vitality (vivacità), of which they had proof, for on opening the body, they found it sound throughout, save at the heart, around which there were some drops of blood, extravasated by the fit of anger, but for which he might long have survived. Not only was he not deserted, like many of his predecessors, but both his body and soul having been most admirably tended until death, he was then accompanied with floods of tears from Monte Cavallo to St. Peter's, into the Consistory hall, whither he was carried immediately in a litter, through Transtevere, with 60 torches, 100 horse, and I know not how many infantry. He was 83 years old; had made 60 Cardinals, and outlived half of them.
	In the afternoon, the Cardinals assembled in the Palace; the French ambassador presented himself to them, offering the love and power of his most Christian Majesty for whatever they might require. As he was the only one who made this demonstration, I also abstained from it, to avoid the suspicion of any mutual understanding; but should the Signory wish to give me any other commands, by writing immediately they will arrive in time, as the obsequies are to last nine days; and they will perhaps not shut themselves up in conclave until the tenth or eleventh; nor will the obsequies commence before Friday.
	In that Congregation they broke the ring, and all the other seals. They also appointed the governors of the city, the Borgo, the Campagna, and Viterbo. Then, accompanied by Congregation, the body was taken into Christ's chapel at St. Peter's; and although it rained hard, there was such a crowd of people of all sorts to kiss his feet, that they stood outside the grating, crying peccavi mea culpa, (fn. 19) and making those within touch the corpse on their behalf, a thing unheard of. This continued throughout yesterday, and this morning the body was placed on the ground in a vault there. (fn. 20)
	On the morning before last, another more minute inventory was made in Castle St. Angelo, and the crowns were found to amount to little more than two hundred thousand, whereas they expected to find from a million and a half to a million and seven hundred thousand at least; and included in this sum there are also sums paid in advance on account of the alum works, and other sources, which must be levied by the future Pontiff.
	In the afternoon, Congregation administered the oath to Duke Horatio [Farnese] as Prefect of the city, and when they proposed doing the like by Alessandro Vitello, he declined taking it, saying he could not do so without asking leave of Don Diego, which seeming strange to many of the Cardinals, he reminded them that he was Pope Paul's general of the infantry by permission from the Emperor, to whom he was bound; but it seems that the chief reason for his acting thus was that he does not choose to compete with Paulo Vitello, his junior, who is a great favourite with Duke Horatio.
	As Don Diego had issued proclamations throughout the city, desiring all the Emperor's Spanish and Siennese subjects to assemble on the piazza in front of his dwelling, (fn. 21) under penalty of being punished by his Majesty, the Cardinals let him know that they disapproved of the circulation of edicts in his name, and he apologised by saying that he saw so many weapons in the hands of the French, the dependents of Duke Horatio, the captains who raised the infantry in Rome being the dependents of the Cardinal of Ferrara, that he [Don Diego] likewise was obliged to look to himself. The Cardinals rejoined that he might provide what was necessary for the safety of his own dwelling, but that if he exceeded that limit they would not put up with it, using very resentful language.
	As compared with former vacancies of the Apostolic See it is nevertheless singular how few outrages are committed, although everybody is in arms, both at home and abroad, with wheel-lock harquebuses in their hands instead of handkerchiefs, everyone relying on himself. But I am very sure that those who do not approve of your Highness's [police] regulations, were they to see those of this city, would perhaps change their minds, for they are no better than those of the Friuli used to be. And these Roman barons who come into the city are attended in like manner by armed followers; so a good number of infantry has been raised from amongst the Roman populace to satisfy the Conservators, and some are being sent to places in the environs. Considerable levies have also been ordered in the territories of Spoleto and Perugia, to which last named place they have sent Hector Baglione to counterbalance Rodolfo, the Legate likewise having mustered 1,000 and placed them at the gates, so that he is quite safe.
	Another reason for this tranquillity is that the two factions [Colonna and Orsini] have no longer influential chiefs, and but little is heard of the Colonnas, as they are divided even amongst themselves. Canrillo Orsini has sent an ambiguous reply to Cardinal Farnese from Bologna; letters which I have seen state that he is in want of money, but the Cardinals here will not supply him until they hear that he has executed the orders conveyed to him by the Bishop of Pola.
	The wagers at the bankers' shops (fn. 22) are twenty-four in favour of England, nor does any other cardinal get near him; but the Pope, please God, will be created in conclave [and not in the marketplace?] by a majority of two-thirds of the cardinals.
	I have deemed it my duty no longer to delay writing this to your Serenity, to whose favour I humbly recommend myself.
	Rome, 13th November, at mid-day.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 13. Deliberazioni Seuato (Secreta), v. lxvi. p. 118, tergo.	589. The Doge and Senate to the Bailo at Constantinople.
	Acquaint him with the important news of the death of the Pope, which took place on the 10th instant.
	Have heard from France that a number of ambassadors had arrived there from the Switzers and Grisons, to ratify the League stipulated with his most Christian Majesty, who thereupon made them considerable presents, and they returned home.
	The French have made themselves masters of a wall between the river and the harbour of Boulogne, of which city they were continuing the siege, and the English had again succoured it; and the Revd. French ambassador informs the Signory that in Scotland the French have recovered Hadington.
	By letters from England down to the 15th ult., are informed that the King's Council,—perceiving the supreme authority arrogated to himself by the Protector, who ordered and governed everything in his own fashion, and contrary to the will of the Council, usurping the revenues, dispensing the offices, and doing other similar things which savoured of tyranny (che haveano del tirano),-assembled together and judged and proclaimed him a rebel and traitor to the King, causing him to be arrested and brought to London and placed in the Tower (in Castello); the King being replaced in the hands of his own guard, whereas hitherto he had been guarded by the Protector's guard. So it was supposed they would put him to death, and that affairs would assume a better form for the good administration and government of that kingdom.
	Ayes, 189. Noes, 2. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 16. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxvi. p. 119, tergo.	590. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	To inform the Cardinal of England [Reginald Pole] that immediately on receiving the letters from the Cardinal Sta. Fiore, they wrote to their governor of Rovigo and performed the office desired by his Right Revd. Lordship concerning the abbacy of Gavello, or Canalnuovo, and that whenever an opportunity presents itself for doing what may be to his honour and advantage they will always avail themselves of it, as they love and esteem him especially.
	Ayes, 170. Noes, 7. Neutrals, 5.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 19, 20. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl.x.	591. Cardinal Pole to Camillo Orsini.
	Most Illustrious Lord,—Your Lordship's son Paulo was the first person who told me, three days ago, that you had despatched a messenger, but without any letter, to hear my opinion (together with that of others) about the restitution of Parma to Duke Ottavio; in which matter it not seeming fit to me to interfere, as the affair is one of State, and I a private Cardinal, I answered him accordingly; and to the personages here (questi signori) who made me the same request, I also said in like manner that I would not meddle with the business, requesting them to pardon me for not complying with their wishes, and recommending them to keep the royal road, namely, to propose the matter to the College [of Cardinals], as was done this day, and produced such result as your Lordship will learn by the letter which the College itself is writing to you. The particulars of the votes given on this occasion your Lordship will hear from your [agent] Messer Battista [Piovene] the bearer of this letter, to whom I have communicated the whole for your sa isfaction, merely telling you besides, from the Christian love I bear you, that I exhort you as earnestly as 1 can, with regard to what remains to be done, in conformity with the will of his late Holiness, and of the Sacred College, about restoring Parma and the citadel to Duke Ottavio, to regulate yourself in such form (should you act otherwise), that no one can suspect you in the least of being moved by passion or partiality; thanking God for having hitherto given you the grace to act as completely according to your desire and honour both before God and man, as could possibly be desired by anyone; (fn. 23) and by acting thus, as I am certain yon will do, the general suspicion caused by the mistake of your last messenger who applied to Signor Paulo, and not to your [agent] Messer Battista, will be entirely removed. And thus your Lordship will by facts prove clearly to everybody your intergrity, by obeying this order of the Sacred College without any evasion or delay, as I again earnestly exhort you to do, by so much the more as you can dismiss from your mind any scruple which might have arisen, either about the letter of the Bishop of Como or of Cardinal Farnese, seeing that they are now approved in the Congregation General of the Cardinals; and I pray God to have you constantly under his protection.
	Borne, November 19th.
	Postscript—Having detained this letter until today, the 20th, these chief personages (questi signori), as an additional proof of the Pope's intention, have shown me and many other Cardinals the judicial examination (l' essamine fatto giuridicamente) made in the presence of the “Auditor delta Camera” and of the “Fiscale,” and of two witnesses, the Bishop of Como and the physician Messer Tiberio, who testified in conformity, under oath, to the validity (la virtù) of the brief, and that they saw it signed by the will and in the presence of his Holiness; the like testimony being borne by the Pope's “Cameriero intrinseco,” Messer Eurialo, who is now dangerously ill.
	Any particulars about this matter which your Lordship may wish to have, and the reason why this letter was not sent sooner with your [agent] Messer Battista [Piovene], will be given you by his own letters, to which I refer myself, exhorting you most earnestly, as aforesaid, so to act in this matter, that no one can justly accuse you of any passion or partiality. And thus may our Lord God grant you the grace to do, for the public quiet, and that of yourself individually.
	Borne, 20th November 1549.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 20. Original Letter-book, Venetian Archives.	592. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at Borne, to the Signory.
	This evening I sent my secretary to the Palace to tell the Cardinal of England what your Highness enjoins me about his abbacy. He answered him, that he returned infinite thanks, saying he shall place this by the side of the other endless obligations for which he is debtor to the State.
	Borne, 20th November 1549.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 20. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File no. 18.	593. The Doge and College to the Venetian Ambassador in England.
	Enclose summaries of their last advices from Constantinople for communication as usual.
	A similar communication to be made to the English secretary [Sigismund Harvel] on his presenting himself to the College.
	Ayes, 23. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 22. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	594. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory.
	Early yesterday morning, the Signor Paulo Orsini, son of the Signor Camillo, sent one of his gentleman to say that he had not conferred with me, knowing that his father's agent Messer Battista da Piovene had not failed doing his duty by me.
	Contrary to what I wrote in my last, the Right Reverend “Deputies” did not meet on that evening in the house of the senior Cardinal (Rev^mo Decano); but yesterday morning the “Congregation” determined on the first letter to the Signor Camillo—namely, the one without the order for his removal to Bologna—whereby the College informs him that the Pope deceased on Sunday at the 13th hour, and moreover authenticates (et gli fa anco fede) the brief sent to him by his Holiness for the consignment of Parma to the Duke Ottavio, which they exhort him to execute. This letter was signed by 32 Cardinals; but the senior Cardinal (il Decano) and Chieti [Gianpietro Caraffa] refused their signatures. They despatched it by the Bishop of Pola, but yesterday morning the senior Cardinal (il Rev^mo Decano), passing through “Borgo,” desired Piovene (fn. 24) to tell the Signor Camillo in his name as senior Cardinal (come Decano), not to consign the place, and Piovene sent him an express accordingly; but it is nevertheless expected that he will make the consignment, because the Cardinal of England, besides having signed the letter, wrote to him in his own name; the Signor Camillo depending on Cardinal Pole, as he is very devoted to him (dal qual esso Signor Camillo depende che gli è molto devoto). (fn. 25) So had Pole alone written to him thus, it is thought that he would not have hesitated to make the consignment; but his Right Reverend Lordship did not choose ever to act or speak about the matter, save in public, that is to say in the Congregation, alleging many reasons why the Signor Camillo neither should nor can do less than obey the brief.
	Rome, 22nd November 1549.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 30. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	595. The Same to the Same.
	Today at the 22nd hour, after very diligent search had been made [at the Vatican], seven individuals were discovered, besides those authorised to be there (oltre gli ordinati); and having been thrust out through the wicket (fenestrella), the closing of the Conclave was completed. At the bankers' shops, the odds are greater than before in favour of the Eight Reverend of England, which election, should it take place, may be believed to proceed from God, as although urged by many of the Cardinals to assist himself on this so great an occasion, he answered them that he would never utter one single word, even were his silence to cost him a thousand lives, not choosing to deviate from his ancient maxim, which enjoined him to follow the Lord God, and to desire nothing but his will.
	Rome, 30th November 1549.
	[Italian.]