Spain: May 1530, 16-25 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, Henry VIII, 1529-1530. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1879.

Citation:

'Spain: May 1530, 16-25', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, Henry VIII, 1529-1530, ed. Pascual de Gayangos( London, 1879), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol4/no1/pp543-554 [accessed 27 November 2024].

May 1530, 16-25



17 May.	309. Paragraph of a Letter from Galeotto Fonseca
S. E. L. 849, f. 50. B. M. Add. 28,580, f.49.	Has received letters from Gripho of the 10th inst. to say that the Turkish armament "e refredata et quasi resoluta in fumo," that the 50 sail of which Curtogoli is the admiral, were being fitted out for sea, and that some of them had gone already.
	He further says that a corsair named Sessut Vaasi, who is now on the coast of Barbary, is arming a good number of vessels. In consequence of which the Signory of Venice had at the Emperor's request given orders to the proveditor of her bastard galleys to go to Sicily with 10 galleys. Accordingly the proveditor sailed from Gripho for Candia on the 6th, there to meet the proveditor in command of the fleet, whence they will sail to meet the galleys of Doria, and of the Grand Master of Rhodes.
	Italian. Copy. p. 1.
17 Mai.	310. Rodrigo Niño to the Emperor.
S.E.L. 1,308, f.38. B. M. Add. 28,580, f. 45.	Since his despatches of the 29th April, 7th and 12th inst. nothing new has occurred except that this Signory has received letters from their ambassador at Constantinople, advising that the Turk [Soliman] has considerably relaxed his warlike preparations, and is at present very much engaged with the festivities for the circumcision of his three sons. There is, therefore, no fear of his invading any of the Christian estates this year. Yet such was the power and greatness of the Turk (observed some of the senators in the College-hall) that he might all of a sudden raise a considerable armament by land and sea, against which it would be well for the Emperor to be prepared, &c.
	Further advices from the same quarter have been received stating that the Albanese, inhabiting the mountains close to La Belona, among whom the Turk generally enlists his infantry, had lately revolted, and that Soliman had sent against them a powerful force. Having inquired from the Vice-Doge what he knew about this, was told that the rising of the Albanese was quite true, but that the forces sent against them were considered insufficient to put it down.
	At this very meeting in the college hall he (Niño) was officially informed of what had been done in the affair of the queen of England. A man had been sent to Padua with letters of credence for all the doctor-professors of the university, forbidding them to give an opinion in the contemplated divorce of the king of England from his wife. On no account were they to counsel (conseiar) one way or the other, for it was not fair that persons who received a salary from the Signory should judge in a matter so arduous of itself, and so injurious not only to the authority of the Holy Apostolic See, but to the person of a princess so closely allied to the Emperor as the queen of England was. The injury might also extend to the present king of Portugal (Joao). whose father [Manuel] had married two sisters, (fn. n1) and had obtained a dispensation from the Pope in the second degree. Matters of this sort, so closely related to the authority and power (potencia) of the Pope, and principally affecting some of the Emperor's nearest relatives, ought not, and could not, be discussed at a university like that of Padua, nor could the Signory tolerate that its doctor-professors should give an opinion thereupon, especially when it was known that they had received beforehand presents and money from the king of England, which implied that they were disposed to vote in his favour. The Apostolic See might be offended, as likewise the Emperor and the other princes concerned in the affair, &c.
	Out of six professors five have answered that they are ready to obey the orders of the Signory, though they had been promised a great reward by the English agents. One only, Miçer Mariano, of Siena, persists in his determination, alleging that his holding a professorship at the university does not incapacitate him for giving counsel to whoever applies and pays for it. He had more than six months ago given opinion on this very case, &c.
	The senators having then asked him (Niño) what was his advice respecting Miçer Mariano and how his obstinacy could be conquered, he answered that they had better write to him again and upbraid him for not having immediately informed the Signory of it. He was expressly forbidden not to give counsel in a matter of this sort, so closely connected with the Holy Apostolic See, and naturally with the whole of Christendom, and with so great princes. Should he persist in his determination he ought to be ordered to state all the opinions given by the doctors, as well those in favour of the king of England as those against him, because the counsel being of this sort, His Holiness, the Emperor, and the rest of the princes concerned, will have less cause of complaint.
	The senators approved and promised to follow this advice.
	After this he (Niño) told them what further information he had respecting the case. The agents of the king of England (he said) had determined to apply to the Signory for permission to hold a meeting here, at Venice, of all the doctors and theologians who favour the King's views, which meeting the bishop of London (Stokesley) and all the King's ambassadors who have had anything to do with the divorce suit, will also attend. It was for the Signory to think beforehand of the answer they would give to such application, for it would certainly be made unless the rebuke received from the University caused the King to change his mind. The Vice-Doge and all present thanked him for the information and promised not to allow of such meeting or anything else that may be injurious to the Queen.
	Hears also that the agents of the king of England have again asked the bishop of Quieta (Chieti) to state his opinion in this case; and have brought him letters from his friends inviting him to do so. His answer has been such as might be expected from a man of his learning and parts, namely, that he is considering and studying the affair that he may speak of it in a manner favourable to the Queen. He (Niño) still urges him to go to England, and to conceal as much as possible what his ideas are on the subject, for fear people should say that it is not his own conscience and the King's iniquity that take him thither, but the Emperor's interest. However, he has been unable to dissemble, and as he has flatly refused to counsel for the King, the solicitations of the English agents are now directed to prevent his counselling for the Queen: such at least was their request the last time they spoke to him, which was on the 12th inst.
	The same people are trying to procure the opinion of a Franciscan friar of the name of Francesco de la Vina, a native of this city, and who resides now 20 miles from hence. No sooner did he (Niño) hear of it than he called upon the bishop of Civittà di Quieta (Chieti) and informed him of the fact. The bishop advised the friar not to mix himself up with affairs of this kind. Cannot tell what the answer has been.
	In the case of this friar and other private lawyers whom the English agents are endeavouring to gain over, he (Niño) has not thought fit to interfere or inform the Signory; because as they receive no pay from Venice nobody can prevent them from giving an opinion, but as they will not have the authority of the Paduan university it does not matter much.
	Before the Signory had informed him of the provision made for this purpose and the answer made by the doctors, he learned that they complained bitterly, saying that they had been cheated; the doctors had taken their money and now refused to give their opinion.
	Hears, however, that the meeting of these doctors has been fixed for Bologna.
	The bishop of Civittà di Quieta (Chieti) left this on the 15th for Padua, by the command of His Holiness, and also of this Signory, to report about certain heretical propositions which a friar preached there during the Holy Week. He is likewise intent upon ascertaining what sort of a life a German leads who has lately gone thither with his wife and children, and is suspected of being a strong Lutheran. Should he ascertain anything about him he will not fail to apprize the Signory, that he may be punished according.
	News has come that Barbarroxa was in sight of Alicante the other day with 40 fustees; a most furious storm surprised him, and he lost six of his vessels.—Venice, 17th May 1530.
	Signed: "Rodrigo Niño."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 8.
17 May.	311. The Same to Miçer Mai.
S. E. L. 851, ff. 30–1. B. M. Add. 28, 580, f. 62v^o.	Has written to the Emperor through Don Miguel de Velasco. The "fuorusciti" of Naples, who reside here in Venice, do nothing but boast and spread all manner of bad news. So does Renzo da Chieri (Ceri), who openly says that he is going to France to do all the harm he can [to the Emperor] as soon as the French princes are delivered from captivity. His own son had left apparently in disgrace, hut in reality to forward his (Renzo's) projects. He had with him 14 Italian captains, of those who had served in Pulla (Puglia), and boasts that he can cause 4,000 of the Italians, who are now serving the Emperor, to desert. Six thousand Switzers will join, and the entire force shall be sent to the relief of Florence, the besieged having furnished bills to the amount of 70,000 (?) ducats on Lyons. Of all this the Prince has been duly informed.
	News of the Turk, &c.
	On his return from Padua, whither he had gone on a mission of his king, the English ambassador called on a friar named Symoneta, a very bad man (mal hombre) after which he attempted calling on another friar, Fr. Francisco de Lavina (sic), who resides 20 miles from Venice. This, however, he could not accomplish. The same ambassador has been contriving to get lawyers to subscribe certain papers in favour of his master, but the Signory is so opposed to this that it will not be allowed. The English have likewise tried to gain over the bishop of Theati (Chieti), for whom the ambassador brought letters of introduction from their king. As the bishop did not answer them they [the ambassadors] called again with letters from the bishop of Verona (Gianmatheo Giberti). Finding every door shut against them here they are now about to try Bologna.—Venice, 17th May 1530.
	Spanish. Contemporary copy. pp. 3.
17 May.	312. Rodrigo Niño to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 1,308, f. 38.	Hears that the Doge and Council have, according to promise, dispatched a secret messenger to Padua with executorial letters to the doctors and professors of that university, forbidding them entirely to counsel or give opinion in the affair between the king and queen of England, as it was repugnant to the Signory (said the letters) to allow people who received a salary from Government to mix themselves up with such an arduous undertaking, so injurious to the authority of the Apostolic See, and to the interests of a princess so closely allied to the Emperor, one which affected equally the king of Portugal, who, besides being nearly related to the Queen, had himself been married by Papal dispensation under the same degree of consanguinity. This being a sort of thing which affected singularly the authority and power of our Holy Father, as well as the honour and reputation of His Imperial Majesty, the Doge and Signory could not possibly tolerate that doctors and professors in the pay of their treasury should give opinion in an affair of the kind, especially knowing, for it was public and notorious, that they had received grants and money, which excluded all idea of impartiality and justice on their part.
	Out of six professors five of them answered that they were willing to obey the Signory's orders. They had, it was true, been engaged by the English ambassadors, and promised their co-operation; but since the reasons adduced were of such nature, and the affair itself one of such importance, they would get out of the engagement as honestly as possible. The remaining one, whose name is Mariano di Sena, still persists in his resolution not to abide by the decision of his colleagues. He alleges that, although a professor at the university of Padua, he cannot be prevented from giving counsel to whomsoever pays him for it. He gave his opinion in writing more than six months ago, and could not retrocede.
	Having been asked by the Doge and councillors what was to be done with so obstinate a man, he (Niño) suggested that he should be told how wrongly he had acted in this business by not informing thé Signory of the attempt made by the English the moment he heard of it; and warned not to deliberate or counsel in future in affairs of this kind, concerning especially the Holy Apostolic See, and consequently affecting the whole of the Christian community, and principally such mighty princes as those above mentioned. Should he still persist in his idea of expressing his own private opinion on the subject, he was positively forbidden to do so in writing, unless he took care to embody also those of other doctors consulted, whether in favour of the King or of the Queen: this being the only mode calculated to give the Council, the Pope, and the Emperor less ground for complaint.
	The Doge having assented to this proposition, he (Niño) proceeded to acquaint him with more facts, which had come to his knowledge since their last interview. Told him that the English, seeing themselves baffled in their purpose, were determined to ask the Signory's permission for all doctors of the party, who approve of their master's divorce, to meet here, at Venice, together with the bishop of London and the rest of the ambassadors or agents who have hitherto taken part in the affair. Pointed out to him the danger of allowing such a meeting to take place in this capital, in express contradiction to his own orders about Padua, and warned him against such an attempt, that he might prepare his answer accordingly. The Vice-Doge was thankful for the information, promised to refuse the petition of the English, when made, for as before stated, the conduct of the King and of his ambassadors in this affair has met with general disapprobation. So far the plans of the English ambassadors have been defeated; but, nevertheless, the bishop of Quieta (Chieti) still continues to be the object of their importunities. They surround him on all sides, bring letters from his most intimate friends, and press him to take up the affair and give his opinion in writing. His answer to their application is such as might be expected from a man of his wisdom and parts, and who is also a faithful servant of the Emperor. He absolutely declines all their offers, and yet expresses himself in moderate terms, avoiding as much as possible all that might make them suspect that he is entirely on the Queen's side. He (Niño) keeps pressing him to undertake the journey to England, and shew by his words and conduct that he disapproves the King's wicked doings, and is attached to the Emperor's interests. But though he has strictly followed his (Niño's) advice, it would appear that he has not succeeded in concealing entirely his attachment to the Queen, for lately the English ambassador, suspecting something, has requested him that since he cannot make up his mind to counsel in favour of the King, he should not take up the Queen's part openly. Such at least was their proposal when they called upon the Bishop on the 13th instant.
	The same ambassadors are trying to get sight of an opinion delivered by a Franciscan friar named Fra Francisco de Lavina, a native of this city, but who resides now at a place 20 miles distant. No sooner was he (Niño) informed of it than he called upon the Bishop and begged him to write a letter to the friar, bidding him to excuse himself, and have nothing to do in the affair. Cannot say whether an answer has come, nor how it is couched.
	Respecting the said Franciscan and other private lawyers and theologians, whose opinion has been or may hereafter be solicited by the English ambassadors, he (Niño) has not considered it prudent to interfere, inasmuch as not receiving a salary from Government, they cannot be prevented from giving counsel to whomever applies first and pays for it. But as such opinions cannot possibly have the authority and force of those delivered by doctors and professors at such a renowned university as Padua whatever counsel the English can procure in this way will be of little use to them.
	Must not omit a circumstance which shews how disappointed the English have been, for some time before he (Niño) was officially informed by the Vice-Doge and the Council of the preventive measures taken at Parma, the said ambassadors began to complain most bitterly and in public of the manner in which they had been treated by the Paduan doctors, who, they said, had taken their money beforehand, and now refused to give counsel.
	Has just learned that there is some idea among the English of transferring to Bologna the meeting of doctors which the Signory will not allow here in Venice. Miçer Mai at Rome has been advised of it, that he may tell the Pope and be on his guard.—Venice, 17th May 1530.
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty of the Emperor, our Lord."
	Indorsed: "From Rodrigo Niño, the ambassador at Venice, 17th May 1530."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 5.
19 Mai.	313. Giovan Antonio Muxetula to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 851, f. 12. B. M. Add. 28, 580, f. 50.	Wrote yesterday by Paolo, a secretary of the count of Potença. Nothing new to report except that the prince of Orange writes to say that as the 40,000 ducats remitted from Naples will only pay the force now [before Florence] up to the 15th of June, money must needs be provided for another month's pay. The siege might last longer than was anticipated, especially if the men do not receive their stipend regularly.
	Florence is reduced to extremities (muy estrecha). If the marquis del Guasto succeeds in Empoli the city will be reduced to the last extremity, for it is almost the only place whence they receive men and provisions. Marramaldo has closely invested Volterra, thus preventing the Florentines and Pisans inside the place from scouring the country. The same is being done with respect to Pisa.
	The marquis del Guasto has determined to remain, notwithstanding the leave of absence he lately obtained. He has made his peace with the Prince and gone to the undertaking of Empoli. Gonzaga is absent on leave at Mantua but has promised to return soon.
	The Pope's Nuncio at Naples.—Rome, 18th May 1530.
	Signed: "Jo. Ant^o Muscetula."
	Addressed: "S. Ces. et Cath^ce M^ti."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 5.
22 May.	314. Miçer Mai, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 851, f. 27.	Two English ambassadors are shortly expected here at Rome to take up the divorce suit instituted by their king. May it be so, for if they come and commence judicial proceedings there can be no doubt that we shall gain our cause. It is said that they will be here within three or four days. Immediately after their arrival will not fail to apprize the Emperor of their doings.—Rome, 22nd May 1530.
	Signed: "Mai."
	Indorsed: "Paragraph of a letter from Miçer Mai of the 22nd May 1530."
	Spanish. Original. p. 1.
23 May.	315. Dr. Garay to the Emperor.
Arch, de l'Emp. Neg. Pap. de Sim. L. 1,483, No. 47, f. 53.	Has been unable to obtain, notwithstanding the assistance lent him by the Imperial ambassadors, the signatures of the doctors and theologians who concluded in favour of the queen of England. The opposite party, however, enjoy so much favour at this court, and have, moreover, employed such means of seduction, money, prayers, and importunities that they have been able, as the report goes, to obtain no less than 35 signatures in their favour, among which are four or five of doctors who had formerly subscribed a contrary opinion. This will convince His Imperial Majesty of the violent and unruly (violento y desordenada) manner of negociating these people have. Is much afraid that they will end by causing the whole Faculty of Theology to assemble, and as half the votes are in their favour, and besides they are all powerful at Court, may prevail on them to decide for that which the king of England wants most. Thinks that in order to parry such a blow it would be advisable for the Pope to issue a brief annulling the said signatures, and whatever else has been done hitherto against the queen of England, since it is decidedly against the authority and prestige of the Holy Apostolic See. The brief might enjoin to all universities, doctors, and private persons under pain of excommunication not to meddle in an affair so scandalous and so much commented upon in the taverns (bodegones) of this capital. Indeed the scandal has been so great in Paris and in other universities of France that he (Garay) would rather live among the Turks than witness such a spectacle.
	Should the ecclesiastic, who is to bring the brief post haste, be a man of letters and authority, capable of instituting an inquiry into the acts of these people, much might be gained for the justice and honour of the Queen. Fancies that the Pope cannot refuse to grant a brief of this sort, especially when, as reported, he has sent a message to the King to restore conjugal rights to his Queen under pain of excommunication.
	Begs and entreats the Emperor to attend as soon as possible to this, because any delay under present circumstances might prove exceedingly injurious to the affair. If his advice is followed a letter might be written to say so, and perhaps powers to be drawn out for him to follow up the affair, for not unfrequently he has been asked what his business is in an affair of this kind. Had he had such powers as are required he does not hesitate to say that four months before these people began their game he (Garay) would have remitted to Court the signatures of the doctors, and perhaps also the conclusion of the faculty in due form with the university's seals, &c. But a Spaniard without letters [of credence] or authority has very little chance in a capital like this; everyone is against him.—Paris, 23rd May 1530.
	Signed: "Garay"
	Spanish. Original. pp. 2½.
	Addressed: "A la Sacra, Cesarea, Catholica Majestad del Emperador nuestro Señor, en Augusta."
24 May.	316. Pope Clement to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 849, f. 25. B. M. Add. 28,580, f. 55.	Such are his love and esteem for the Emperor that he would not for the world conceal any fact or intelligence likely to be injurious to his interests, which course he sincerely hopes the Emperor will carry out towards him. The fact is that he (the Pope) has received information from Spain to the effect that some of the Spanish grandees and others grumble at his long absence and are discontented with the government of the Empress Isabella, or rather of those persons who compose her Council. Should the Castillian nobles imagine that they can find favour either with him, who is so much bound to His Majesty, or with the king of France and others, they might attempt some revolutionary movement, inasmuch as Prince Philip, having been sworn, and the Constitution of the Spanish monarchy requiring the King to reside in Castille, this might afford them a plausible excuse for any change.—Rome, 24th May 1530.
	Italian. Original. pp. 2.
25 May.	317. Rodrigo Niño to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 1,308, f. 47. B. M. Add. 28,580, f. 5G.	After his despatch of the 17th, giving an account of what has passed here [in Venice] respecting the English affair, he (Niño) was informed that the bishop of Vasone (Vaison), the Pope's grand steward (majordomo), on his return from the Imperial court went to Vincenza, where he learned the doings of the English agents with the doctors and theologians of this country. He spoke to them and told them how wrong they were in taking up the King's case, bad and detrimental as it was to Christianity and to His Holiness. Those to whom he (the Bishop) could speak were easily converted from their bad purpose; to others he wrote in the strongest possible terms saying all he could to induce them to change their opinion. One of the doctors gave him the conclusions which the King wants to be maintained and voted, as well as a copy of all the allegations made in his favour. Encloses the whole that it may be seen and examined by the doctors whom His Majesty may be pleased to appoint, for in these things it is always useful to know before-hand what the contrary party allege. The Bishop has done more, he has caused one of his friends, a great lawyer (fn. n2) and they say a good servant of the Emperor, to write a paper against the opinion of the English king. This, however, he would not shew, or mention the author's name until the Pope saw it first. This being done he has promised to let the Imperial ambassador at Rome have it that he may forward it to Court.
	The Bishop left this for Rome on the 23rd. He takes the road to Bologna that he may do in that city all that is required for the success of this affair. The Emperor might write him a letter of acknowledgment for certainly he is a good Imperialist. These English agents are doing such things that it is impossible to find appropriate terms to describe them; they are continually looking out for people who can counsel in these matters, and there is no Jew or Christian whom they do not solicit and bribe to gain their object. Yet with all this they are not over satisfied with their success. All of them have met at Bologna. To-day prothonotary Casale, the English resident ambassador at this Court, has arrived. He is the same who was in company with Ricardo, the solicitor, who went about getting the opinions of Padua and of all this territory (comarca), and with all the Jews here and at Bologna (y con quantos judios aqui y en Boloña ay). The first thing they tell them is that both the Pope and the Emperor are very glad that the affair is to be disputed, and that after that their King will grant them more favours than they can wish for.
	The bishop of Civittà di Quieta (Chieti) has returned from Padua. He is quite concerned at the spreading of the Lutheran doctrines in the dominions of this Signory. Has found much sympathy and good-will in the Doge as well as in some of those who hold the reins of government here, though he has met with so much coldness on the part of others that he does not know what to do (que no sabe que se haga). He (the Bishop) wants Niño to speak to the Signory about it in the Emperor's name. Has promised to write home on the subject, for although he knows that no one in this world desires the destruction of the Lutheran heresy as much as His Imperial Majesty, yet as the Emperor is now engaged in war against the Turks he wishes to consult him first as to the form in which the application to the Signory is to be made. Meanwhile he has exhorted him to continue his exertions, assuring him that they will be most acceptable to the Emperor. The poor Bishop (el pobre hombre) perceiving the great injury that is being done [to Christianity] is determined to solicit the Signory to promulgate a general edict in this city and in the territory of the Republic commanding under severe penalties that all those who possess books of the Lutheran sect shall bring them to a certain public place here to be burnt, and that in future no one dare approve the doctrines of Luther by word or deed under pain of confiscation of property by the Camara (Fiscal Chamber). This for the first offence, if he should repeat it he is then to be condemned to the stake. The same punishment to be incurred by those who being aware of the existence of such heretical books or persons do not denounce them within so many days.
	Such are the terms of the edict which the Bishop wants the Signory to publish. Doubts much of his success, for although the Doge and some of the senators hold this to be a pious work, so many votes are required in favour of the motion that it will be almost impossible to pass it in Council, especially if the said senators think that they may lose one single vassal through it. Is the more inclined to believe this because, notwithstanding the many entreaties made by prothonotary Caracciolo, Mons. de Currières, and himself (Niño) to the Doge, not to permit Lutherans and other heretics from the estates of the king of Hungary, to take refuge in Venice and its territory, the Doge would never promise to do it. Mentions this that the Emperor may at once send him instructions how to act, because, though anything undertaken against Lutherans cannot fail to be highly meritorious in the eyes of His Majesty, yet he (Niño) dares not join in the application without a special mandate. Has, nevertheless, encouraged the Bishop to persist in his demand, because the thing itself is very important, especially in a city of this sort, inhabited by people who live in complete freedom.
	To-day the Signory have letters from their ambassador in France, dated Angoulême, the 18th inst., saying that the delivery of the sons of France is delayed. The French ambassador in this city has also letters from his king confirming the fact. Indeed, some of the Venetians who still adhere to the French party give out that the cause of all this delay is that the Emperor does not wish to keep his engagements towards the King, whereas the latter has completely fulfilled his: and that it is the Pope who persuades His Imperial Majesty to act in this way and delay the liberation until the affairs [of Italy] are quite settled and Florence reduced. His answer to those who hold such language has been that neither the Pope nor any other person in the world can prevail upon the Emperor to disregard his engagements, and that immediately after the fulfilment by king Francis of the terms of the treaty, the liberation of his sons will take place. It is also added that the Constable of Castille (Pedro Fernandez de Velasco) has removed the Dauphin and his brother to a place 13 leagues in the interior of Spain. To which he (Niño) has answered, "If the news be true it must be owing to the delay in the fulfilment of the conditions and that the Princes may be better lodged and entertained, Fuentarrabia and its immediate neighbourhood being a poor mountainous district without any accommodation and where provisions are scanty. No other cause can be assigned for it."
	It has also been rumoured that the Emperor does not choose to deliver the sons until their father has consummated matrimony. His reply has been that he (Niño) cannot believe this, for in granting his sister to the King the Emperor thinks he has conferred upon him the greatest boon that ever one prince bestowed on another, and therefore such an idea could never cross his mind.
	The duke of Ferrara (Alfonso d'Este) has also come to Venice to solace himself, as he says. He arrived this morning. Was about to visit him when one of his secretaries called to say that he has come incognito, and will see no one for the present. The duke of Milan (Francesco Sforza) and the marquis of Mantua are also daily expected, and what with this and with the coming of the others (estotros), who are said to have also promised to be here, the minds of these people generally inclined to speculation are sensibly affected, and conjectures of all kinds abound. Nor is the Papal Legate less moved than the rest, suspecting that the duke of Ferrara's arrival in Venice has something to do with His Holiness, so much so that he has actually set spies upon him in order to see whom he visits and what he is about.—Venice, 25th May 1530.
	Signed: "Rodrigo Niño."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 7.