Venice: July 1544 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1873.

Citation:

'Venice: July 1544', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, ed. Rawdon Brown( London, 1873), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp123-124 [accessed 29 November 2024].

July 1544



July 7. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File no. 17.	312. News-Letter from England transmitted by the Doge and College, on the 26th July 1544, to the Venetian Ambassador in Rome, for communication to the Pope.
	On the 24th of June the Lord Privy Seal [John Lord Russell], having mustered his troops on this side the Channel, joined the Duke of Norfolk [at Calais], and the forces of these two commanders, the one of the van-guard, the other of the rear-guard, already amounted to 20,000 infantry, with some few horse. They were not understood to have done anything of importance, merely scattering themselves at some little distance from Calais, and in their own places, to give more convenient quarters for the other 15,000 men mustered by the King or by his lieutenant the Duke of Suffolk, who commands the main body of the army, and who with well nigh all the rest of the appointed leaders (signori deputati), and these 15,000 men, have already for the most part quitted London on their march towards Dover and Calais, with such great diligence that to complete the expedition little else remains for departure save the King in person, with some noblemen and his body guard. On the 10th or 12th of July his Majesty was to depart for Greenwich, and at the end of the month to be at Dover, which place many persons think he will not quit until he hear of some victory gained by the English and Imperial forces.
	The two German captains from Mastricht, who were on the other side of the Channel, have been taken into the King's service, together with their troops, amounting to 4,000 foot and 2,000 horse; and there having been some difference, the Emperor agreed to engage on his own account such part of these troops as are rejected by the King. These forces, together with others, including cavalry from Friesland and Spain under the Count de Buren, are supposed to have already joined the English army, which numbers 35,000 men, very fine troops, in good order and very richly clad (bellissima gente et ben ad ordine et adornata molto ricamente). (fn. 1)
	It is said that they purpose leaving garrisons in the French fortresses, and proceeding straight to Paris, and endeavouring to take it (at which the Emperor is reported to aspire), marching through Champagne.
	Off Falmouth harbour, four French ships excellently armed are said to have attacked eleven Spanish, Flemish, and Portuguese vessels, loaded with wine, sugar, and other merchandise; and after fighting for many hours, the French were at length victorious, many men being killed on both sides. The value of the prizes is said to exceed 200,000 crowns. And subsequently, three other French ships in those seas took two English merchantmen, and it is feared that they have also captured two men-of-war.
	His Majesty has taken 80,000 golden ducats on loan from the city of London (dalla camera di Londra), giving landed security to that amount at the rate of 5 per cent. interest. He has also asked certain Florentine, Genoese, and Lucchese merchants to draw bills on Antwerp, and to open credits for him in several other places to the amount of 200,000 crowns, promising to repay, with interest and costs, within six months, the sum being destined (according to report) for the pay of the German and Friesland troops; but all the merchants decline assuming this charge.
	[Italian.]