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| Sept. 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. p. 122. |
11. Receipt of Letters from the Ambassador Andrea Badoer in England, dated — August. An ambassador from the King of France, the Abbot of Fécamp by name, who was corpulent, had arrived. The King being in his palace of Westminster, determined to give him audience, and sent for him. The abbot announced the receipt by his King of a letter from King Henry, requesting friendship and peace, and stated that his King had sent him to confirm the said peace. Thereupon King Henry took offence, and, turning towards his attendants, exclaimed, “Who wrote this letter? I ask peace of the King of France, who dare not look me in the face, still less make war on me!!” With this he rose, nor would he hear any more; so the ambassador withdrew. After this, “tilting at the ring” took place. The French ambassador was invited to be present, but no place having been reserved for him upon a stage erected for guests, he departed in dudgeon. The King, however, had him recalled, and caused a cushion to be given him, and he sat down. In short, King Henry holds France in small account. |
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On the receipt of letters from the Signory announcing the taking of Padua, Badoer had sent one of his household to communicate this intelligence to the King. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 14. Deliberazioni Senato Secreta, v. xlii. p. 60. |
12. The Doge and Senate to Andrea Badoer, Ambassador in England. |
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The Emperor is still in the Paduan territory, accompanied by the French, Papal, and Ferrarese forces, perpetrating against Christians such cruelties that greater could not be committed by Infidels. Following the suggestions of the King of England, have endeavoured to effect a reconciliation with the Emperor, but the latter is kept so close by the King of France as not to be allowed either to deliberate or to do what would prove for his welfare. The King of France is also the cause of the Pope's bitter and continued enmity to them, and has also sent ambassadors to the King of Hungary, and made the Pope urge the King of Hungary to break his confederacy with Venice and invade its territory. Desire him (Badoer) to make this announcement to the King (of England) and add that there is no other Christian sovereign besides his Majesty who attends to the welfare of the Christian commonwealth, and that they have therefore placed their whole hope in him. To hint to the King that he has already lost the convenience derived from their galleys, which they are unable to send, because the King of France has a fleet at sea to intercept them. Therefore, either a general peace should be made, or the King should effect a reconciliation between the Emperor and them, so that, being united,—the King of England beyond the Alps, and the Emperor and the Signory in Italy,—they
would straiten the King of France in such a manner as to humble his present haughtiness. The Emperor and the Signory being now powerfully armed, the King could never have a finer opportunity for conquering France, like King Henry of glorious memory, and revenging himself on his most natural enemies. Were the King to attack France, the Pope and his Catholic Majesty (Ferdinand) would declare themselves against France. To press these considerations upon the King, and to perform the like office with all such leading members of the Privy Council as shall seem fit to him. |
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[Italian, 61 lines.] |
| Sept. 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. p. 133. |
13. Receipt of Letters from the Ambassador Badoer in England, dated the 2nd instant, how he had been in the King of England's presence, and good greeting was given him; and how his Majesty is the enemy of France, and other conversations held together. They were, in short, favourable letters. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 29. Sanuto Diaries, v. ix. p. 158. |
14. Receipt of Letters from the Same. |
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Had received the State's letters. Will go to the King. Announces the departure of the French ambassador, who was not in favour with the King, who had desired that King Lewis might send him the tribute, &c. The ambassador told him the tribute had been sent to his father. The King replied: “My father is me, and I am my father; so I choose to have it at any rate.” |
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Also other details, to the effect that the King is not on good terms with France. |
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[Italian.] |
