Spain: September 1541 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 6 Part 1, 1538-1542. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

Citation:

'Spain: September 1541', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 6 Part 1, 1538-1542, ed. Pascual de Gayangos( London, 1890), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol6/no1/pp360-364 [accessed 27 November 2024].

September 1541, 1-30



7 Sept.	189. The King of France to his Ambassador in England.
Wien, Imp. Arch. Rep. P., Fasc. C. 231, ff. 90.	The King wishes that the negociations for the marriage do not fall into any other hands save those of the duke of Norfolk. The ambassador is to inquire whether Dame Mary is or is not to be declared the King's eldest legitimate daughter, and what dowry she is to have. The union of the two kingdoms of England and France would be beneficial to the parties. The King is now in treaty with the Emperor, that being the reason why he cannot treat publicly of the marriage of his son with Dame Mary, nor send powers to that effect.
7 Sept.	190. Chapuys to Granvelle.
Wien, Imp. Arch. Rep. P, Fasc. C. 231, ff. 90.	The ambassador's man informs me that he has seen letters from a secretary of State in France to this French ambassador in England (Mr. de Marillac), dated the 7th of October, assuring him that unless the King, their master, thoroughly changes his opinion, there will be war next spring, for the King fully intends invading the Low Countries now that he has the duke of Clèves under his orders, the latter having promised to do wonders and obey his command implicitly.
	Indorsed: "Deciphering of letters from king Francis to his ambassador in England."
	French. Contemporary deciphering. pp. 2.
10 Sept.	191. Idiaquez to Covos.
S. E., L. 869, B. M. Add. 28,593, f. 25.	The affairs of France are in the same state. The King and his ministers still insist on the release of Cesare Fragoso and Rincon, believing them to be prisoners in Gasto's hands, which they say they can prove by means of witnesses. I do not wonder at it, for by this time they must already have, as it were, in their power some of the boatmen and others who helped in the business. (fn. n1) In Piedmont the enemy's numbers are increasing, and there are no signs yet of matters improving at all.
	The Pope resolved to go to [Bologna?] to have an interview with His Imperial Majesty. He arrived on the 7th. His Majesty embarks to-day. Mr. de Granvelle went away three days ago to take charge of the negociation that is now going on. His Majesty says that he will not stop there more than forty-eight hours.
	There is much difference of opinion respecting the Algiers expedition, and it would seem as if the state of things in Hungary ought to decide the Emperor to remain in Europe and leave that for another opportunity; yet until now there is no sign of that, and the collection and storing of provisions goes on as briskly as ever.
	Spanish. Original. p. 1.
13 Sept.	192. King Francis to his Ambassador in England.
Wien, Imp. Arch. Rep. P., Fasc. C. 232, f. 149.	The letter dated St. Rivier, the 13th of September, is entirely devoted to stag-hunting, in answer to a paragraph in the ambassador's letter describing one made at Hatfild, near Doncaster.
	French. Deciphering. p. 1.
29 Sept.	193. D. Diego Hurtado de Mendoza to the Emperor.
S. E., L. 1,317, f. 82. B. M. Add. 28,593, f. 26.	This Signory has received letters from Constantinople dated the 19th ult., advising that a fleet of fourteen galleys was about to leave the Strait, which intelligence is confirmed from other quarters, and especially by letters from Zante.
	Eighteen more sails had put to sea at the Prevessa, although in what direction was not known. At La Bellona, and other maritime districts of that coast, provision of biscuit had been made in large quantities. The ambassador residing here for the king of the Romans has letters from the Turkish camp at Buda, telling him that the Turk was retreating for fear of Your Majesty's arms, and yet that his master's ambassadors had not been well received.
	I have been confidentially informed by a Venetian who frequents this embassy that the other day, whilst calling at the French embassy, he saw upon the ambassador's writing table the deciphering of a letter from France, in which the writer tells him that it was true that Paulin had been sent on a mission, and that the principal point of his instructions was to inform the dowager queen of Hungary that next spring a powerful Turkish fleet will put out to sea, and that should the present truce between Your Majesty and the king of France be broken, the object is for that fleet to meet the French, and both together sail towards Genoa. This much did the French ambassador say to my informer, adding that galley-slaves were already marching towards Constantinople, and that preparations for war were being made everywhere.
	The French, meanwhile, persevere in their endeavours to detach this Signory from Your Majesty's friendship; which attempt, as well as their former refusal to join the League proposed by Your Majesty, has been rather an advantageous and profitable move for us, inasmuch as, now, when invited to co-operate with the French king against Your Majesty, they can easily excuse themselves. Thus much have they written to their ambassador in France, and I hear that they intend answering the Turk's solicitations in the same strain, although, on the other hand, such is their fear and dread of the Infidel that no reliance can be placed on their words. I myself am thinking of despatching to the Levant two trusty men, who may bring back reliable information, for here at Venice nothing is known for certain, and the officials being new and inexpert, matters do not run so smoothly as before.
	The above-mentioned letters of the 19th speak of a forced loan which the Bashaws had imposed upon the inhabitants of Constantinople, though with little or no success whatever, since they had only collected a sum of 20,000 ducats. And that hearing of Your Majesty's powerful armament by sea, they (the Turks) had bitterly complained to the Signory of their not having informed them in time. The plague was raging at Constantinople and in the adjoining provinces.
	Advices from France refer to discussions and quarrels between the Dauphin's mistress and Mme. d'Estampes, adding that much time and money had been spent in making the two ladies friends. The King was about to send to Lucca a gentleman of his court, demanding the release of Cesare Fragoso and Rincon. He threatened war, but had no money to carry it on.
	A Frenchman has come with a letter from Your Majesty, commanding me to use my influence in a lawsuit pending between him and count Novelara; but, with Your Majesty's permission, I would rather be excused; I will do anything to obey orders, save, perhaps, in legal matters, in which I dislike to interfere.—Venice, 29 Sept. 1541.
	Signed: "Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza."
	Spanish. Holograph. Partly ciphered. pp. 4.
30 Sept.	194. Commander Valençuela to the High Commander Cobos.
S. E., L. 870, f. 119. M. Add. 28,593, f. 28.	Press of business and the Emperor's sudden departure from this place have hitherto prevented me from answering as quickly and fully as I ought your letter of the 29th of July.
	Santaella's petition (suplicacion) obtained at last the Pope's signature, though with great difficulty. "It will be the last of its kind that I grant," said His Holiness, when he was about to sign. The Datary being slightly indisposed, the bull could not be made out, neither could those relating to Santa Cruz and Torre de Pojul (Pujol?) for the same reason; but I hope that on our arrival at Bologna we shall see the end of that ecclesiastical affair, as well as of those of San Salvador and Rosario Chapel, which have been hanging on for a long time. Should they not be terminated at Bologna, they are sure to be so on our return to Rome.
	Of political affairs I suppose you to be well informed through my letters to secretary Juan Vazquez [de Molina], with whom I am in official communication. The Emperor appointed me lately to form part of the Junta that is now here [in Italy] deliberating about the General Council and other matters connected with it; but since then very little has been done, owing principally to His Holiness' journey, and the time he generally takes before he decides on matters of this sort. He has, however, promised that between this and St. Martin's Day he will determine about the place and time of its celebration, and he is now sending to Germany a prelate of exemplary life and learning on a mission for the reformation of bishops and other ecclesiastics. For the expenses of the Catholic League against the Turk he is now raising 2,000 infantry, who, joined to the three thousand of the Emperor, may be of some assistance in Hungary. That number being considered insufficient, we are now trying to make him send some money along with the men.
	The king of France sent a gentleman of his court to remonstrate against the detention of Cesare Fragoso and Rincon, his envoys, who, he says, were captured by the Emperor's ministers. After a long altercation on the subject, the Emperor has consented to the affair being placed in the Pope's hands, for him to judge and decide whether the truce should be considered as infringed through it.
	Orders have been issued for Mr. de Grandvelle to remain here forty or fifty days more to attend to business; but he will have so much work to do that I doubt whether that time will be sufficient. Among other affairs, that of Siena (Sena) is likely to give him much trouble. There was a talk of the marquis de Aguilar accompanying the Emperor's expedition [to Algiers], and of his getting some honourable post in the government, at least such was the Marquis' wish; but His Imperial Majesty has decided that he shall remain here until his return from Africa. I am in the meantime to replace him virtually, while this peregrination of the Pope lasts, and at Rome also if he chooses.
	The 800 ducats of the see of Tortosa during the 101 years that it was dismembered [from that of Saragossa] were granted to the College of the newly converted Moors of Valencia.
	I forgot to say that Poggio is again going as Papal Nuncio to the Emperor. We all are very glad of it, and I myself have no doubt that Your Signory will also rejoice at it. The bishopric of Turpia (fn. n2) will, I believe, be given to cardinal Santa Croce, and the protectorate of Germany to cardinal Farnese.
	Andalot is going with the Emperor, who has given him 2,000 ducats for his expenses. His post about Mme. Margarita will be filled by commander Giliberte until another "mayordomo" comes from Spain. I daresay that Your Signory knows who is the person designated for that honorable post. Here they say that Rodrigo Niño will be the one.
	We are going with His Majesty as far as La Spezia. His Holiness will leave Lucca for Bologna on the 21st of October. He will rest there ten days, and then go to Rome.—Lucca, 29 Sept. 1541.
	Signed: "Francisco de Valençuela."
	Indorsed: "The Commander's letter from Lucca; closed on the 30th."
	Spanish. Holograph. pp. 5.