Venice: November 1558, 16-30 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 6, 1555-1558. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1877.

Citation:

'Venice: November 1558, 16-30', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 6, 1555-1558, ed. Rawdon Brown( London, 1877), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol6/pp1547-1562 [accessed 25 November 2024].

November 1558, 16–30



Nov. 16. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives	1282. Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge in Senate.
	I have now heard from a person of the Court who is constantly with his Majesty that there is no longer any doubt of the peace, the King saying that he wills it at any rate, and that in this matter he will not take counsel from any one. This is confirmed by all the attendants of the Prince of Ferrara, and by his Excellency himself, after the return from the Court of his secretary, who repeated what had been told him by the Duke de Guise. Some of the effects of this determination already begin to be seen, as there passed through this city, postwise, on his way to Spain, the Marquis de Cortes, alias Don Juan de Benavides, one of King Philip's chief lords in waiting, who had great honour done to him, being lodged at the King's cost, and receiving, when at the Court, great favours from both their Majesties; and when he asked for the measure of the height of Madame Isabella, their daughter, to take it to Spain to the Prince [Don Carlos] her destined husband, the Queen had it taken with a gold chain of suitable thickness, which she then gave to Don Juanello, a favourite jester (buffone) of King Philip's, now on his way to Spain with the said Marquis, to which jester the King had shortly before given another chain worth upwards of 500 crowns.
	Paris. 16th November 1558.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	1283. Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Have heard from a courier who arrived last night from the conference, despatched by the Cardinal of Lorraine, that by reason of the disputes about Calais his right reverend lordship had determined to take leave of the conference to return thither, leaving the negotiations not only imperfect, but broken off, and he was already on the eve of departure when the Duke of Alva and the Duchess of Lorraine prayed him very earnestly at least to remain until the return from England of one of the two English commissioners who were at the conference, and were despatched about these affairs of Calais; and during this interval, to remove any doubt or impediment which might have arisen, the Duke of Alva promised to go to his King and return to the conference. With this the Cardinal of Lorraine contented himself, and promised to remain at Cercamp during the whole of the present month, during which period the Constable, being slightly indisposed, withdrew to Doulens to rest himself, and be more at his ease than he was in the Abbacy. So until the return of the agent from England (dell' homo d'Inghilterra) it does not seem that the Commissioners will reassemble, nor for six or eight days is any other event expected, though the Constable's adherents continue more and more to assert that the news will be good and terminate well; whilst the Guise faction, on the contrary, represent it as more doubtful than ever, especially in case of the death (which is feared) of the Queen of England, she being in such a state as to be unable to live till Christmas.
	Concerning this disagreement I have heard on good authority that the Duke de Guise, suspecting that on the Constable's return, the King, to gratify him, will consent to his renunciation of the charge of Grand Master and Constable, of which first office M. de Guise had the promise from his Majesty, therefore, to make sure of its performance, has warned the King plainly that he insists on the observance of the promise made to him, as should his Majesty do otherwise, and think of compensating him with some state or sum of money it will not satisfy him, as by such ways other men may be contented, but not he, for should he not have the charge of Grand Master, which he prefers more than any other rank and recompense, he is determined to quit the Court and return to his own home, to live with his family in the closest privity, making a semi-protest that he should abandon the King's service; and he spoke so haughtily on this subject as greatly to embarrass his Majesty. Although the King's reply is not yet known, the rivalry of these two ministers is already on the verge of enmity and open hatred, and has passed the bounds of emulation, with no slight danger of some strange accidents occurring between them to the detriment of this kingdom.
	Poissy, 24th November 1558.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	1284. Michiel Surian, Venetian Ambassador with King Philip, to the Doge and Senate.
	With regard to the negotiation for peace, the Conference was on the point of dissolution without any settlement, as the French seemed to make greater difficulties than ever about all the conditions; for although at first they were content to restore Savoy and Piedmont, keeping for themselves only Turin and three other fortresses, they subsequently alleged with regard to the places they were to retain or to restore, that besides those aforesaid they insisted on having also Villandova di Asti, that place forming part of the country of Asti, which, belonging by right to the house of Orleans, is not comprised either in Piedmont or in Savoy, which are the Duke's own states, and to them alone can he pretend by right. It is as yet unknown what has been decided, but Don Ruy Gomez went back to the conference on Wednesday, and, unless it be on account of King Philip, he, for the sake of the Duke of Savoy, will not fail to accept any terms. The truth is that the French go raising these difficulties because it is advantageous for them, in addition to which they know that everyone on this side has always desired peace, and throughout the Court it has constantly been said that the King and all these Lords wish to go to Spain, where their presence is needed. The French also know that the recent affairs in Africa with the Moors and with the Turks trouble them greatly, no less than those of England; so when the French heard that the Queen was dead, or at the point of death, a fresh mode of proceeding commenced in the conference of these Lords, the French evincing greater harshness than usual about the terms, and a great wish to dissolve it, in which they would have succeeded had not the Spanish commissioners prolonged it for this cause. At the commencement of this present week the peace was despaired of, but since the return of Don Ruy Gomez to the Abbacy, and as the conference continues, there is still some hope of peace; but if concluded thè universal belief is that it will prove more advantageous for the French than if it had been stipulated last month.
	Brussels, 27th November 1558.
	[Italian, partly in cipher; the portion in italics deciphered by Signor Luigi Pasini.]
Nov. 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. (2nd letter.)	1285. Michiel Surian, Venetian Ambassador with King Philip to the Doge and Senate.
	Concerning the affairs of England, the advices of the Queen's death, although received through several channels, were untrue, get it is well known that she cannot live, and she has received the extreme unction, and all the sacraments of Holy Church; and on the 13th of November, when she became so much worse, after the arrival of the Count de Feria, many personages of the kingdom (molti del Regno) flocked to the house of “Miladi” Elizabeth, the crowd constantly increasing with great frequency. On this account, and owing to the Count's persuasions and those of her most intimate attendants (et delli sui più intimi), and from her own prudence, she was moved to send two gentlemen to that lady, to let her know that, as it had pleased the Lord God to end her days, she was content that she (Elizabeth) as her sister should become Queen, and prayed her to maintain the kingdom and the Catholic religion, in words replete with much affection; to which she sent a most gracious reply by two of her attendants, who visited the Queen in her name, condoling with her on her malady.
	In the meanwhile the English have purchased all the cloths of silk to be found at Antwerp, and they are preparing to appear with very great pomp at the coronation of the new Queen; and as some days have passed without any advices from England, the last letters of the Count de Feria being dated the 19th (sic), it is believed that the English have placed guards at the passage ports, and do not allow any one to leave the kingdom.
	The Bishop dell' Aquila (fn. 1) departed yesterday, being sent by the King to visit the Queen, who, according to the last advices, was not yet dead, but cannot live long. As to what the Count de Feria is negotiating with regard to the marriage of “Miladi” Elizabeth, I am unable to write anything authentic, but the whole Court is full (è tutta piena) of the King's intention to have her for himself, as written by me lately.
	Brussels, 27th November 1558.
	[Italian, partly in cipher; the portion in italics deciphered by Signor Luigi Pasini.]
Nov. 27. St. Mark's Library, Cod. XXIV. Cl. X. ff. 197 b.—202.	1286. Monsignor [Alvise] Priuli to his brother the most Noble Messer Antonio [Giberti].
	I wrote last week that the Queen's life was in danger, and also that of my right reverend Lord, since when it has pleased God so to increase the malady of both, that on the 17th instant, seven hours after midnight, the Queen passed from this life, and my right reverend Lord followed her at seven o'clock on the evening of the same day; and each departed with such piety as might have been expected from persons who had led such lives. During their illness they confessed themselves repeatedly, and communicated most devoutly, and two days before their end they each received extreme unction, after which it seemed as if they rallied and were much comforted, according to the fruit of that holy medicine. Although two days previously it had been intimated to his right reverend Lordship that there was scarcely any hope of the Queen's recovering from her infirmity, this being done in order that the news of her demise, coming less suddenly, might prove less grievous to him, nevertheless after the event it was thought well to delay its announcement until his Lordship should become more composed, though it could not have been long deferred; yet in contradiction to this understanding one of our countrymen forgetfully told it him (si lasciò trascorrere a dirglielo). On hearing it, after remaining silent for a short while, he then said to his intimate friend, the Bishop of St. Asaph, and to me, that in the whole course of his life nothing had ever yielded him greater pleasure and contentment than the contemplation of God's providence as displayed in his own person and in that of others, and that in the course of the Queen's life, and of his own, he had ever remarked a great conformity, as she, like himself, had been harassed during many years for one and the same cause, and afterwards, when it pleased God to raise her to the throne, he had greatly participated in all her other troubles entailed by that elevation.
	He also alluded to their relationship, and to the great similarity of their dispositions (gran conformità de animo), and to the great confidence which her Majesty demonstrated in him, saying that besides the immense mischief which might result from her death, he could not but feel deep grief thereat, yet, by God's grace, that same faith and reliance on the Divine providence which had ever comforted him in all his adversities, greatly consoled him likewise in this so grievous a final catastrophe.
	He uttered these words with such earnestness that it was evident they came from his very heart, and they even moved him to tears of consolation at perceiving how our Lord God, for such a wound received at such a moment, had granted a balm so valid and efficacious, and which might soothe not only himself but also all who loved him.
	His right reverend Lordship then remained quiet and silent for about a quarter of an hour, but though his spirit was great, the blow nevertheless, having entered into his flesh, brought on the paroxysm earlier, and with more intense cold than he had hitherto experienced, so that he said he felt this would be his last. He therefore desired that there might be kept near him the book containing those prayers which are said for the dying. He then had vespers repeated as usual, and the complin, which part of the office yet remained for him to hear; and this was about two hours before sunset, he having on the very same morning heard mass also, as was his daily custom. In tine it was evident that as in health that sainted soul was ever turned to God, so likewise in this long and troublesome infirmity did it continue thus until his end, which he made so placidly that he seemed to sleep rather than to die, as did the Queen likewise, so that had not a physician perceived the act her Majesty would have died without any one's witnessing it (S.M. moriva senza che aleano se ne avedesse).
	My affection has moved me thus minutely to detail the end of this truly holy prelate and of this sainted Queen. It now remains for me to tell you of the will which his Lordship determined on making, as you will see by the enclosed copy; (fn. 2) premising to you that I urged him not to have any thought for me, that is to say, not to give me any other testimony of his affection than that of which I had ever felt most sure, or bestow anything on me beyond his conviction of my love and faith towards him, praying him to dispose of his property as he might deem most expedient for the execution of his wish and intention; but as his right reverend Lordship remained fixed in this resolve, I considered it my duty to acquiesce finally, and not decline this pious charge which it pleased him to confer on me. He insisted at all events on leaving me some considerable portion of his effects, to which I would by no means consent, alleging to his right reverend Lordship, and to others who spoke to me on the subject, the mere truth, which was, I doubted not, known to him namely, that I had not come to him or passed so many years with him for any sake of acquiring honours or worldly convenience; nay, that when his Lordship had no income, my mind was ever ready and made up, should he have experienced the want, as seemed probable, to give him not merely a part but even the whole of my property. On the other hand I so confided in his love for me that had I been in want I should have applied to him as to my own father. Since however our Lord God had not allowed him to need mine, or that I should require his, it would seem to me that I were injuring myself and others by accepting any part of this his property, which he knew ought to be all distributed for pious purposes, and amongst needy persons, since I, for my own part was aware, through God's grace, of having derived the greatest possible wealth from my intercourse with him, whilst through the Divine goodness my mind was entirely free from the wish for any increase of temporal riches beyond what I hold, and which I consider very sufficient for my modest maintenance in the state wherein I find myself. I even dared say that I did not see what he could leave of sufficient value to be worthy either of him or of me. But as he persisted in his proposition, I at length said and protested, that if, despite all these my entreaties, his light reverend Lordship insisted on specifying for me in his will some particular legacy, I was most determined on not accepting such at any rate, and that I should dispense the whole amongst these his poor relations and servants; but that I should be greatly distressed at being reduced to this necessity for causing persons to suspect that my renunciation was induced by pride and arrogance, and from an impression that the bequest was inferior to my deserts, or else I should be accused of vanity for performing so extraordinary an act. With regard to his giving a proof to others of his affection for me, I said that in addition to those so great and manifold which he had afforded at all times, this additional demonstration of freely confiding to me all his property ought to suffice. At length his Lordship yielded, and made his will in the form which your Magnificence may see.
	Having subsequently (fn. 3) risen from my bed, I with all earnestness made another request to his Lordship, namely, that he would make me understand as distinctly as possible his wishes concerning the distribution of his effects in the hearing of his old familiar friends, the Bishop of St. Asaph and the Dean of Worcester, and that of Messer Enrico [Henry Penning], and Giovanni Francesco [Stella], our countryman. Thus all these particulars were settled in the lifetime of his Lordship, a list of them being made in the handwriting of Messer Enrico, on the completion of which document I wished to have it signed by his right reverend Lordship; but from lack of time, and from the inconvenience of his malady, as from other impediments, it was impossible fully to understand all his wishes ere the last day of his life, or to finish the list in time owing to the fit of the last paroxysm, which came on before its usual time, and was so violent that it became impossible for him to sign this or any other papers. My aim in this was, in any need, to make it known that I had acted sincerely, and in no wise departed from his express will. After his death, by the advice of the persons above named, it was thought well and resolved not to communicate these particulars to anyone until after the expenses of the obsequies and sepulture and other matters of very great importance had been defrayed, the amount of which could not be well ascertained. Not knowing this, it could not be fully determined whether the funds would fully suffice for the execution of what I had understood in detail concerning the will of his Lordship, who, both in the testament itself, and by word of mouth, gave me full authority to alter his said bequests, as might seem most fitting to me. I thought, therefore, that in the event of any necessity for their alteration, by making such in the same sense or proportionally, as might seem best, none of the legatees could have cause for murmur or complaint against me, although no harm could consequently result to me thence, since the will guaranteed me abundantly; moreover, I considered that by these means I could keep the members of the household better to their duty through their hopes of being better treated according to their good and faithful service during the forty days that they remain at board, etc.
	Immediately on the Cardinal's death it was deemed well not to delay intimating it to the new Queen, recommending this household to her, and supplicating for her favour and protection in the execution of the defunct's will. Our messenger applied first to the Chancellor, but being unable to speak with him he went forthwith to her Majesty, who, without making any other reply, referred him to the members of her Council, and they, having consulted together, intimated that her Majesty would send hither immediately, as she did, the Earl of Rutland, who was also accompanied by two other gentlemen in great favour with the Queen. The Earl, having come to me, said that her Majesty had sent him to hear every particular in detail, for no other purpose than to aid the exccution of the Cardinal's will, which will he chose to see, and also to have a copy of it. I thereupon, in order to demonstrate to him my sincerity and good faith, narrated all details about his right reverend Lordship's will, and concerning myself. Then this Earl insisted on seeing the paper containing the particulars, and when I told him my reasons for not divulging it, requesting his Lordship to be, therefore, satisfied with my reading it to him alone, he nevertheless chose it to be heard by the other two gentlemen likewise; he also insisted on having a copy, signed in my hand, that he might send it to her Majesty, promising secrecy.
	They then proceeded yet farther, asking me and Messer Enrico of what amount and nature was the property left by the Cardinal, and this we specified with all sincerity, distinguishing between what was out of the kingdom, namely, at Venice, in Rome, and in Spain, and what was here, good part of which had been brought from Italy, namely, the greater part of the plate, and other things besides. I also mentioned my conclusion that the property here (namely, all the plate and the residue of the revenues of the Archbishopric levied last Michaelmas, together with the additional 4,000 ducats which the Queen had granted him for his own life, and to bequeath for one year after death, as also that part of the pension on the Bishopric of Winchester yet due) would not suffice for payment of the debts and expenses incurred since Michaelmas, and for other necessaries, including the Cardinal's obsequies and interment. The Earl of Rutland at length appeared well informed and satisfied on every point, and, as he had already frequently said, again told me not to entertain any doubt but that the Queen's disposition was excellent, and that her Majesty would have every honourable regard for me individually, and for all other foreigners, and that she would render all favour and assistance for the execution of the Cardinal's will. To this I ever replied that I could have no other belief, and I also freely told him that I was aware that her Majesty would receive the same reports as already prevailed, not only amongst the vulgar, but even in the breast of persons of condition, how that there were in the Cardinal's hands hundreds of thousands of crowns (centenera de migliara de scudi) on account of the property which the deceased Queen had restored to the Church, which remission being approved by the Parliament, its disposal was entrusted to his right reverend Lordship, the amount hitherto recovered not exceeding 30,000 crowns, as they saw and ascertained through the elucidation of Messer Enrico, who had received and dispensed the sums as ordered. I also added that I knew how another report had moreover been circulated of the Cardinal's great treasures derived from another source, and theréfore I was not surprised at her Majesty's being thereby induced to ascertain the truth of these assertions, most especially since she had not hitherto enjoyed any opportunity of obtaining particular knowledge of the sincerity and purity of this personage's mind; to which remark the Earl made me no reply, save by repeating that I was to rest perfectly assured. I also deemed it expedient to write a letter to her Majesty, the copy of which is enclosed, (fn. 4) and it was approved by Lord Rutland, who sent it by one of his attendant gentlemen, together with the other papers and informations which they found. I await her Majesty's reply and resolution hourly, and will afterwards intimate it to your Magnificence.
	In the midst of so many troubles, and a matter most disagreeable in its nature on many accounts, I find myself, by God's grace, in a frame of mind more vigorous than usual and very tranquil, experiencing thus how much it imports to have a just and good cause, and to treat it guilelessly and with sincerity, and without any interested private motive, for all these matters have indeed rather lessened than augmented my quartan ague, which yet clings to me. As a proof of this on that morning when the Earl came hither I was expecting my paroxysm in the evening, and had it, but much more lightly and of briefer duration than my former attacks, and afterwards I slept for eight hours consecutively without ever waking; the like of which I do not remember having happened to me for a very long while. Today, which is again the day of my quartan, I feel stronger than ever; for all which praised and thanked be God's infinite goodness.
	I wrote thus far on the 21st, since when no messenger has been despatched hence. On the following day the before-mentioned Earl said that he had received an answer from her Majesty, who was very well satisfied with my letter; and he again said that I might be of good cheer and without any anxiety, whereupon I rejoined to his Lordship that by God's grace so I was. And besides the proof of my better health since his Lordship's visit, another cause for satisfaction was that besides the former councillors, who were all friends of the late Cardinal Pole, and are now confirmed in office by her Majesty, she has also appointed some new members from whose courtesy I can expect all due favour, and particularly from the Earl of Bedford, who is known and loved by all as a courteous nobleman, and from having been in Italy he evinces great affection for all our nation. To me he has frequently made great offers showing himself grateful for a signal service which your Magnificence rendered him when he was in Venice; nevertheless it never occurred to me to have recourse to his Lordship or to anyone else for her Majesty's favour, not considering it necessary. The two gentlemen above alluded to have been backwards and forwards repeatedly, ever bearing the best possible words from the Queen, but in the end I hope through the Earl of Bedford (whose courtesy induced him to come to me today, not permitting my paying him a visit as I had intimated to him was my intention) we shall shortly be enabled to perform the obsequies for the Cardinal's good memory, and commence executing his other orders and legacies. The details I will communicate on another occasion, nor shall I now tell you of public affairs, having written thus at length of private matters, knowing that the prudence of your Magnificence will not communicate them, save in such quarters as you may deem opportune. Concerning State affairs, I will merely say they have passed and continue their course most quietly, her Majesty having professed and professing her intention of not choosing in any way to change the matters of religion, and to be bent on keeping these her subjects united and well satisfied, which may our Lord God give her grace to do for His Divine Majesty's service, and for the salvation of this kingdom.
	They will commence (si cominciaranno) by performing the obsequies of the late Queen on the (fn. 5) —, after which her present Majesty will come from the Tower (whither it is said she will go tomorrow) to her palace here at hand; whence she will pass to Greenwich for the Christmas holidays, and afterwards be crowned.
	I send to your Magnificence a copy of the will, with the additions which you will see, and I wish you to inform me as speedily as possible whether this mere copy will suffice to render my order valid for drawing out of the Mint (Zeccha) part or the whole of such moneys as are there, or any others that may be in Venice, belonging to the Cardinal's good memory. I still continue better of my quartan by the grace of God, who gives me strength of mind and body according to my need, so I hope the like for the future also.
	I exhort your Magnificence to receive all these things with that courage and good patience, which our Lord God has granted you in so many of your other troubles and adversities, and I much recommend myself to the prayers of her Excellency, my sister-in-law, the consort of your Magnificence, saluting all the family affectionately.
	London, 27th November, 1558.
	[Italian.]
[Nov. 27.] St. Mark's Library, Cod. XXIV. Cl. X. ff. 202–206. No date of time or place in MS.	1287. Monsignor Alvise Priuli to Messer Antonio Giberti.
	I am sure that ere the receipt of this the news will have reached Rome of the deaths of the Queen and of the Cardinal, our master, and you will be the less surprised at not receiving letters from us on the subject, knowing under such circumstances how many events would arise to keep us all harassed and occupied. I wrote to you a few days previously how I was ill of my quartan, and that the health of the Queen was publicly considered hopeless, whilst that of his Lordship was in great danger on account of a certain defect and obstruction. Nor were the contents of this letter falsified, for both grew worse daily, so that the Queen passed away on the 17th instant, about seven hours after midnight, and the Cardinal at seven o'clock after noon of the same day, affording a resemblance both at the close of their illness as at its commencement. The similarity did not merely consist in these respects, for they also gave mutual and manifold signs of their piety, communicating frequently with great devotion, and two days before their end they each received the sacrament of extreme unction, and by their amelioration on the following day proved that this holy medicine had operated not only on their souls, but also on their bodies. On the morning which followed that night wherein he received this holy sacrament, his Lordship communicated, and caused the mass of the most Holy Trinity to be celebrated, and on the next morning, which was his last, he listened to the mass of the angel, who, we may verily believe, accompanied that sainted soul to heaven, and indeed of this he gave some sign by his most tranquil and placid transit, which appeared a slumber. At the commencement of that day's paroxysm, which was his last, his right reverend Lordship, having heard of the Queen's death, said he felt this would be his last fit, and desired that there might be kept ready near him the book which contains the prayers for the dying, and they were repeated in the presence of many of his attendants, and of the Bishop of St. Asaph [Thomas Goldwell] and the Dean of Worcester, who remained here with us almost throughout his illness. The Queen also made her passage so tranquilly that had not a physician remarked it on its commencement, all the other persons present would have thought her better, and that she would fain sleep.
	Some days before his death my right reverend Lord made his will, as you will see by the enclosed copy. (fn. 6) On hearing of its tenor, I myself, being then ill in bed, by means of our Messer Giovanni Francesco, entreated his Lordship earnestly, as more expedient for his will's execution, to appoint another or others as executors, or that he would at least specify distinctly in the testament the precise distribution of his property; begging his Lordship not to do me this honour by giving such a proof of his trust in me, since I neither wished nor sought for such, being convinced of the fact; however he would not alter his resolve, and Messer Gio. Francesco was of opinion that I ought not to persist in my refusal, but consent to his right reverend Lordship's pleasure. Added to this, I had another dispute with his Lordship, who insisted at any rate on leaving me some considerable part of his property, to which I would not consent, not having by God's grace either want or wish for the increase of my paternal inheritance, which I find very sufficient for my maintenance in the state in which I am. I even told him that whatever I might have accepted would have seemed to me so much snatched from his relations under age (pupilli-parenti), from his poor servants, and from other alms and pious purposes, to which it was his intention that this property should be devoted. Finally, his Lordship contented me by specifying what is stated in the will; bat I protested at the time and since, and am determined on not taking anything but a few trifles as a mere memorial. Afterwards, on rising from my bed, when I could myself speak to his Lordship, I urged him earnestly to satisfy me by ietimating to me most distinctly his wishes concerning the distribution of his property, and not only to me, but also to my Lord of St. Asaph, to the Dean of Worcester, and to Messer Enrico [Henry Penning], and Messer Giovanni Francesco, our countryman; and thus, by questioning his right reverend Lordship very closely, sometimes Messer Enrico and sometimes I myself, the whole was at length written in Messer Enrico's own hand with the knowledge of the others before named I also wished and requested him to sign this list in his own hand, but from divers impediments having been unable to terminate this writing until the day of his death, this my desire could not be gratified, neither could his Lordship sign certain other papers as was requisite, because the paroxysm came on earlier than usual. I was anxious for these distinct declarations both for my own satisfaction, that I might depart as little as possible from his right reverend Lordship's express will, and also to enable me to exculpate myself with those who might complain of having received less than they expected, by manifesting openly that everything was done by his Lordship's express will, although, as was necessary, both by word of mouth, and by the testament itself, he allowed me to alter his intentions according as I might see necessary from the amount of his property, which neither then nor now can yet be correctly estimated; nor did I seek this elucidation from his right reverend Lordship on any other account, since I was too well secured against any trouble by the manner in which the will was worded.
	This form of proceeding has also marvellously served to remove certain suspicions that his Lordship had left great treasures, not only on account of the ecclesiastical property ceded by the Queen, which Parliament had placed at his disposal, for it was said that vast amounts had consequently been paid to him, but also on other accounts. The former suspicion concerning the Church property, which was disseminated long before he fell ill, rested on the following facts: the Queen gave up 10,000l. and other property, amounting in all to 40,000 ducats annually; and without further research or inquiry it has been hence said, that in two years and a half, which is the term that has elapsed since this concession, the Cardinal received 100,000l., which form 300,000 chamber crowns (scudi di camera). This calculation and these various suspicions were easily elucidated by shewing that when the Queen ceded this property to the clergy, it was so encumbered with pensions, assigned for the lives of several persons, that the said sum did not even suffice for its payment, but left a deficit exceeding 8,000 ducats. However, some of the pensioners died off, and thus in this period it was contrived to levy from the said property 8,000l., which was disbursed by the bishops, who collected this amount in their diocese. Besides their testimony, my Lord of York [Nicholas Heath] and the Bishop of Ely [Thomas Thirlby], and some others his friends, knew that there had reached the hands of Cardinal Pole, or rather those of his Messer Enrico, who managed all the moneys, only the said 8,000l., which for these wants of the war were given to the Queen, who in compensation made over to the bishops the presentations to many rectories in her gift, which they considered of much greater value than this amount, the receipts for which Messser Enrico has also exhibited, as likewise other writings, and the clearest attestations, with her Majesty's authentic seals.
	With regard to the other suspicions concerning the treasures accumulated by his Lordship through other channels, though his disbursements are not specified, it nevertheless ought to be manifest to all how from the Legation he not only failed to receive any profit, but on the contrary incurred the expense of many ministers to whom he had to give board and stipend, whilst from the Queen he never asked or received anything, either for himself, or for any friend, or relation, or servant, save those 1,100l. which her Majesty offered him spontaneously before he had the archbishopric, and afterwards granted him for his life, with power to dispose for the term of one year after his own demise of certain property which had heretofore depended on the See of Winchester. It might be clearly proved that besides these revenues and those of the archbishopric his Lordship had never received any others from the Crown, excepting in the first year of his arrival in England, when he got 3,000l. It can be further demonstrated how in that year he expended upwards of 20,000 ducats, and in the following years he not only expended all the rentals which he drew hence, but also all those which he derived from Spain and Italy. For the very evident proof of all these facts it has greatly served that I was enabled to show this precise note of his right reverend Lordship's will concerning the distribution of his effects, and to compare its amount with the estimate made of his property, both abroad, in Venice, and in Spain, as also with the plate brought from Italy, and other purchased here and presented to him, as is the custom here on the first day of the year by the Queen (she having first received an equivalent), together with other chattels and rents (et di altri mobili et entrate) on the aforesaid accounts, part being already levied, whilst part remain due; and it is well that what I have before said should be so clear. The suspicions nevertheless had so increased that we were half prevented from commencing the execution of the defunct's will, although the Queen's Majesty ever forwarded most excellent messages, intimating the goodness of her intentions and dispositions, by the persons whom she sent and kept here.
	By God's grace we have at length come to the end, and can now attend to the pale of the plate and other saleable property, as also to the obsequies and sepulture of his right reverend Lordship; and with her Majesty's goodwill the body will be moved towards Canterbury within a few days, although at the same time there have to be performed here the obsequies of the deceased Queen. Notwithstanding this the Bishop of Worcester and the Bishop of St. Asaph have received the present Queen's good leave to accompany his right reverend Lordship's corpse, and attend his obsequies, her Majesty having heard of their long intimacy with him in Italy, and appearing to take well the gratitude and sorrow of these two prelates on this occasion.
	In all these great and varied troubles I, by God's grace, have felt myself very strong, both in mind and body, trusting principally in the truth and piety of my cause, and in that sincerity wherewith His divine bounty has endowed me for its execution and treatment, devoid of the slightest personal interest. I have yet my quartan, but it is very slight and bearable, and I feel that in His goodness our Lord God gives me sufficient aid for all this need, and I trust He will continue deigning so to do until its termination. It was necessary to communicate with the Queen the details of the late right reverend Cardinal's legacies; but of his own household none save myself and the four persons above named are yet acquainted therewith through us. This reserve was deemed advisable, because the amount of his Lordship's property cannot be told until the expenses of his obsequies and interment, and other important and necessary household costs, shall have been defrayed. Hence a necessity may very possibly result for altering and diminishing all or great part of the private legacies, in which case it would not have been fitting that the persons affected thereby should have heard what was originally intended for them. His Lordship remembered us, as you shall hear at a future period. Communicate all this my letter to the Cardinal of Trani, as also the copy of the will, praying his Lordship to communicate what he shall think fit thereof to his Holiness and to others.
	Concerning public affairs I will merely tell you generally that the Queen, even before her sister's death, had evinced (ha mostrato) her intention of not making any further change in the affairs of the religion; so the second day after she was proclaimed she published an edict announcing that she did not intend changing anything which had been ordained and established by the Queen her sister during her reign, desiring that all should conform to this her will. Thus no change is to be seen in the churches, nor has any outrage been offered either to the priests or friars who frequent London, and her Majesty has continued as previously to hear mass, and to have it heard every day by her whole household. She immediately confirmed in their posts some of her sister's councillors, and appointed other new ones, giving also divers principal offices of her household to her chief favourites. The Archbishop of York was the first person confirmed in his office of councillor, and the intention was intimated to him of also confirming him in his post of Chancellor, which has since lacked effect. Moreover it seems to be supposed universally that the Dean of Canterbury, the learned Wotton who was ambassador in France, and is now in Flanders for the treaty of peace, will be very much favoured, and that with the archbishopric of Canterbury he will also receive the office of Lord Chancellor.
	May the Lord God of His infinite mercy grant that this kingdom may ever persevere in its union and obedience to the Church, for the honour and service of His Holy Majesty, for its own salvation, and to the consolation of all good and pious persons, both here and throughout the rest of Christendom. Since the demise of Cardinal Pole the Bishop of Rochester (fn. 7) has also died, so there will be seven churches requiring appointments, and the Bishop of Durham and other bishops besides are so infirm and aged that it can scarcely be credited they will be long for this life.
	A few days before the death of the Cardinal his brother Sir Geoffrey Pole died, Father Soto being in his house, and de prœsente illo, according to his paternity's report, he made a very pious and catholic end; after which Father Soto also became very dangerously ill, so when his Lordship heard of it he sent to visit him by Messer Leslie (M. Leslio), (fn. 8) who was likewise the bearer of pecuniary assistance, Father Soto being in domo nedum tenui, sed etiam paupere. Sir Geoffrey has left five sons, the eldest of whom according to the laws here will inherit that small property which scarcely sufficed to maintain in poverty the whole family, including four maiden daughters, one of whom is already with the nuns of Sion, and determined on taking the vows and living with them entirely. He also leaves two other married daughters, burdened with families, whose husbands are very poor, and these are those poor relations to whom his right reverend Lordship desired that part of his property should be distributed. You must know that during his lifetime, both in Italy and here, the Cardinal never failed to succour them as paupers, though he never asked or received anything from the Queen either for them or for anyone else, either friend or relation, or dependent on him in any manner. Nor can I omit telling you of two examples of this nobleman's [the Cardinal's] sincerity: one is, that being entreated very earnestly by the husband of his only sister (fn. 9) (who is also much burdened with a family, though not in such want as the brother was), merely to notify by letter to a very wealthy widow that should she wed one of these his nephews, as she seemed inclined to do, she would thereby please his right reverend Lordship, he declined to be thus persuaded by his brother-in-law, most especially because he had not a very high opinion of the young man (del giovane). The other instance is this: a very wealthy gentleman having notified his intention of marrying one of his brother's daughters without any dower, but for the purpose, so far as could be seen, of being favoured and assisted by the Cardinal in a very important lawsuit, his right reverend Lordship gave him to understand that in his suit he could have justice and nothing else; so the intended marriage was broken off. Non satis intelligimus non esse in tempore.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 28. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	1288. Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	When in hourly expectation of hearing of some decision about the affairs of Calais through the return of the agent (di quello) who was expected from England, so as once for all to close this negotiation, and no longer to keep the whole of Christendom in suspense, his Majesty was advised, by an express from Cercamp, of the death of the Queen of England, which according to some persons took place so long ago as the 27th ult., since when it was concealed by allowing no one to leave the island; but according to others (perhaps more probably) she died on the 18th instant; “Miladi” Elizabeth having been published and proclaimed Queen on condition that everybody might live in their own fashion with regard to religion, and as to her marriage that she may not marry out of the kingdom, with such other particulars as your Serenity through other channels will have heard long ago, together with the dangerous illness of the Right Reverend Cardinal Pole. On account of this demise it seems that King Philip's ministers, in order not completely to break off the negotiations for peace, proposed and requested a two months' truce, so that the Commissioners on both sides might in the meanwhile withdraw to their Princes, and see during this interval what may be determined about peace or war by this new Queen. The truce was immediately accepted by King Henry without any difficulty, he having forthwith sent his consent to the Commissioners, and urged the Cardinal to return with all speed, leaving the Constable and Marshal St. Andre to go back to Flanders, so that in the intervening period they may (if they have the means) release themselves by paying their ransoms. Although it was said that the price put upon the Constable and his son, M. de Montmorency, had been fixed at 140,000 crowns, and 50,000 for the Marshal, of this nevertheless there is no certainty, but it is certain that the Admiral's ransom has been agreed to for 50,000 crowns, and that of the Duke de Longueville for 90,000 and 4,000 for his expenses, half of which sums has been already paid, and the remainder is to be disbursed in six months, the said Duke having arrived at the Court today to the joy of everybody. The Cardinal of Lorraine is expected the day after tomorrow, his coming being the more desired in proportion to the great need of his counsel concerning the mode to be observed by the Queen-Dauphine, his niece, who, by the death of the Queen of England, claims the legitimate succession to her crown, as the true heir, and nearer than any other of that blood, she being the daughter of a son of Henry the Eighth's eldest daughter [sister], whereas the Queen lately proclaimed, although the daughter of said King Henry, yet being considered illegitimate, is consequently deemed incapable of succeeding to the crown. Secretary Robertet was sent to the site of the Conference not only to meet the Cardinal but to confer with the Constable and Marshal St. André, to have the opinion of all of them together about what he (Robertet) will have to do on crossing over to England, whither he seems to have been appointed to make for the present (per hora.) the due protests, in the name of the aforesaid Queen Dauphine.
	The joy caused to almost the whole Court and to a great part of the French nobility, besides the dependent of the Guises, by this recent occurrence in England in not to be fold, it being supposed that it will not only impede but completely break up any pacific adjustment which had been expected to take place through the restoration of Corsica, Tuscany, and Piedmont, an arrangement considered by this kingdom to be not only detrimental, but so disgraceful, that it was said freely that worse terms could not have been made had the King been a prisoner. There is already a talk of provisions for the war, and a loan has been contracted for with certain German merchants, who, on having assigned to them 10 tithes from the clergy (X decime del clero) to be levied in three years at the rate of 3 ⅓rd annually, and having the consent of the bishops and the abbots, bind themselves to disburse the entire amount, which is calculated to exceed a million and a half of crowns.
	Poissy, 28th November 1558.
	[Italian, partly in cipher; the portion in italics deciphered by Signor Luigi Pasini].
Nov. 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	1289. Michiel Surian, Venetian Ambassador with King Philip, to the Doge and Senate.
	Don Ruy Gomez has returned to the Conference, and after much debate the suspension of hostilities, as agreed to at Candlemas, was prolonged; but the truth is that the conference is dissolved, the Commissioners on either side being at liberty to go to their respective Kings, and they spread a report of a fresh conference to be held at Cercamp or in some other more convenient place.
	The cause of this dissolution proceeded from the French, who raised difficulties about everything, most especially after they knew of the death of the Queen of England, which was but too true, she having died on the 17th, as the King's Confessor told my Secretary to-day; and on the morrow Cardinal Pole also died, having been wasted (consumato) by a slow fever, which had harassed him since many months.
	Of the marriage of the new Queen I have heard nothing further, except that the Bishop dell' Aquila went, with King Philip's consent, to treat about giving her to the Archduke Ferdinand, the Emperor's son.
	Brussels, 30th November 1558.
	[Italian, partly in cipher; the portions in italics deciphered by Signor Luigi Pasini.]