Appendix: Miscellaneous 1555 | 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:

'Appendix: Miscellaneous 1555', 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/pp1644-1648 [accessed 25 November 2024].

Miscellaneous 1555



Jan. 4. Mantuan Archives.	132. Secretary Carolus Polus to the Duchess of Mantua.
	Received her congratulatory letter of the 12th October, with regard to the Queen's pregnancy, which still proceeds auspiciously, giving hope of such prosperous result as is desired for the complete comfort and quiet of this realm. Has congratulated her Majesty in the Duchess's name. The Queen seemed very much to value such loving affection, and to be well aware of the Duchess's rare piety and virtue, and to love her as she deserves.
	Rejoices with the Duchess at the prosperous course of religious matters in England.
	London, 4th January 1555.
	Postscript.—Through the Secretary of the Marquis her son-in-law, has now received the Duchess's last letter of the 18th December, congratulating herself on the happy result which it has pleased the Almighty to concede to the affairs of the [Roman Catholic] religion in England. With this opportunity he also performed with the King the office desired by her Excellency, acquainting him with her great affection for his Majesty, who seemed greatly to value this demonstration, and extreme piety.
	[Italian, signed.]
[Oct ?] MS. St. Mark's Library. Cod. XXIV., Cl. X. pp. 239, verso, 240 recto. Printed in Vol. V. 57, 58, “Epistolarum Reginaldi Poli.”	133. Cardinal Pole to King Philip.
	Regrets the project for the Emperor's voyage to Spain, especially at this season of the year, which is the most perilous of any, and because were the wind fair for his Imperial Majesty it would doubtless prove very contrary for the return to England of King Philip, which would be so necessary for the country, especially at present until the better establishment of affairs, which as yet are very fluctuating, and as daily experienced by us they veer with every wind. Will say nothing of the bitter and grievous effect produced by his protracted absence on the Queen, on whose health and tranquillity the welfare of the realm depends. That the Emperor should think of withdrawing himself from public business when the Christian Commonwealth is harrassed by such serious warfare, seems no less detrimental to his honour than the winter voyage to his health, his renown and glory being no less affected by abstaining from counsel than by retiring from a battle. If Pole thought his prayers could have any effect upon the Emperor, the Channel would not prevent him from flying to his feet to obtain the delay of his voyage until after the winter, during which interval by peace or truce matters might be so regulated as to enable him to depart with dignity, leaving the administration of his kingdoms at a more fitting time to King Philip, whose presence in England would in the meanwhile admirably serve to confirm what is wanting for its stability (statum), and to comfort the Queen, thus simultaneously comforting all good men. Should Pole's prayers not take effect with the Emperor, the matter is well worthy of the King's support both for himself, for Pole, and for the country, which by the grace of God is acknowledged by all to be recommended to him, no less than the entire Christian commonwealth. In the meanwhile will pray God, who has the hearts of kings in His hand, that their Majesties may take such counsel as may turn to His honour, to their dignity, and to the advantage of the whole Christian commonwealth.
	[London, October 1555 ?]
	[Latin.]
Nov. 23. Original Letter Book penes me. Letter No. 24, pp. 63–65.	134. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Doge and Senate. (fn. 1)
	The French Cardinals Lorraine and Tournon at length arrived here on the day before yesterday; both one and the other of them chose to avoid ceremonies and meetings [before entering Rome], and Lorraine [Louis de Guise, uncle of Mary Queen of Scots] went to dismount at the apartments of Cardinal Caraffa in the palace. On the morrow, which was yesterday, they, together with Cardinal Caraffa, remained for four hours with the Pope. On the first evening Tournon was received by Cardinal Farnese in his palace, but I understand that he will have apartments in the Pope's palace. Will endeavour to let your Serenity know what news they bring.
	Rome, 23rd November 1555.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 7. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives. 3rd letter. (See Venetian Cal. vi. 273.)	135. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	I hear that before the Cardinals of Lorraine and Tournon came hither, when there was a question about the lodging to be assigned to Lorraine, the Cardinal of Carpi [Rodolfo Pio] said, “That of the Inquisition will never fail him,” (fn. 2) which having been repeated to Lorraine, and this antagonism (una simil oppositione), as it ought to do, having stung him to the quick, he a few days ago, in the presence of the French ambassador, kneeling at the Pope's feet, demanded justice and reparation of his honour, renouncing the cardinalate and his commission from the most Christian King. On hearing these words, the French ambassador approached, he having been at a little distance, and added, “Holy Father, I demand justice of your Holiness in the name of my King against the Cardinal here present, as his Majesty, being most Christian, neither can nor will tolerate that any of his subjects entertain opinions contrary to such as are Catholic, especially those who are so dear to him as the right reverend of Lorraine; and I, therefore, who, as the King's minister, know his intention, beseech your Holiness to proceed against this Cardinal without respect, it having been said that for his palace and lodging the palace of the Inquisition would never fail him.” The Pope, confused and provoked by these words of the Cardinal and of the ambassador, enquired the cause of their utterance, and, evincing resentment equal to theirs, chose to hear why they had made these complaints to his Holiness; so after some becoming reluctance, they told him what I wrote above about Cardinal Carpi. To this the Pope replied, sighing, and quite in a fume, “It is enough, we shall well know what to do;” and embracing the Cardinal of Lorraine, he said, “You are our beloved son, and the ornament of the Sacred College: those who willed to slander you shall themselves be condemned.”
	Rome, 7th December 1555.
	[Italian.]
MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. XXIV., Cl. X. pp. 208 verso, and 209 recto.	136. Opinion of the most Serene Queen of England, which she wrote with her own hand and gave to his Right Reverend Lordship the Legate [Cardinal Pole] at the time when the Synod was held. (Translated from the English tongue.)
	First.—I should wish that all the Church property, which for the discharge of our conscience the King my husband and I have totally renounced, should be distributed as shall seem best to my Lord Cardinal and to the rest of you, so that what has been commenced for the increase of the religion in this kingdom, may produce its due effect.
	Secondly.—I desire that the preachers by their piety and doctrine do smother and extinguish all those errors and false opinions disseminated and spread abroad by the late preachers, making provision at the same time that no book be printed, sold, or purchased, or brought into the kingdom, without our licence, and under very strict penalties.
	Thirdly.—I should deem it well for the churches and universities of this kingdom to be visited by such persons as my Lord Cardinal and we may know to be fit and sufficient, to execute what is requisite in this matter.
	Fourthly.—Touching the punishment of heretics, I believe it would be well to inflict punishment at this beginning, without much cruelty or passion, but without however omitting to do such justice on those who choose by their false doctrine to deceive simple persons, that the people may clearly comprehend that they have not been condemned without just cause, whereby others will be brought to know the truth, and will beware of letting themselves be induced to relapse (ridur a cader pià) into such new and false opinions. And above all I should wish that no one be burned in London (e sopra-tutto desidererei che in Londra non fusse abrusato alcuno) save in the presence of some member of the Council; and that during such executions, both here and elsewhere, some good and pious sermons be preached, &c.
	Fifthly.—I really believe it to be by no means fitting for a plurality of benefices to be placed in the hands of one individual, but that they should be so distributed that each priest may be resident and have care of his flock, whereas at present quite the reverse is seen, to which I attribute so great a lack of preachers throughout this kingdom; nor are they of such a sort as they ought to be, so as by their doctrine to overcome the diligence of false preachers in the time of the schism, and also by leading an exemplary life, without which, in my opinion, their sermons would not be of so much profit as I could wish; and in like manner as their good example will, through them, effect great good, so I acknowledge myself to be very greatly bound on my part also to give the like example by aiding in the disposition and maintenance of such persons, that they may perform their office and duty well; not forgetting, on the other hand, to have those punished who shall do the contrary, that it may serve as a very evident example to the whole of this kingdom of how I discharge my conscience in this matter, and administer justice, by doing so.
	[Italian.]