Venice: November 1546 | 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: November 1546', 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/pp174-179 [accessed 25 November 2024].

November 1546



Nov. 3. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 22, tergo.	413. Mafio Bernardo.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	That the nobleman, Mafio Bernardo, accused of negotiations with the ambassador, ministers, and agents of the most Christian King, and especially with the late Bincono (sic), his Majesty's ambassador, (fn. 1) having written matters relating to the State secrets, and to the Signory's detriment, and having also obtained letters from said most Christian King in favour of himself and his affairs, without the leave and knowledge of the State, contrary to their laws, be arrested and by the ordinary council, with the intervention of the inquisitors (fn. 2) and the usual committee, examined, even by torture. Should the search for him prove vain, be he summoned from the edict steps at Rialto, to present himself in person within the next eight days, to defend himself from the aforesaid charge, on the expiration of which term, should he not appear, he will be proceeded against although absent. The committee (collegium) to have authority to arrest, examine, torture, and summon all other persons who shall appear implicated in the present case.
	Ayes, 18. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 4.
	[Latin.]
Nov. 3. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 23.	414. Mafio Bernardo.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	That the person charged with the arrest of Ser Mafio Bernardo do obtain his registers of letters and all other writings obtainable, and place them in a closet (fn. 3) sealing it carefully, leaving two of his men for its custody; the committee and the inquisitors, or the majority of them, doing with the papers as they will decree hereafter.
	Ayes, 20. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 4. Consiglio X., Criminal, Y. vii. p. 23.	415. Mafio Bernardo.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	It not having been possible to obtain possession of the nobleman Mafio Bernardo when they sent to arrest him, and as he is to be summoned on the edict steps at Rialto, it is necessary to draw up (dar forma al) the proclamation to be made, be it therefore carried to summon him, thus, “That the nobleman Mafio Bernardo, son of the late Ser Francesco, accused of divers detestable malpractices, perpetrated to the damage and detriment of our State, do within eight days present himself in person at the prisons, to defend himself against the aforesaid charge, on the expiration of which term he will be proceeded against, notwithstanding his absence.”
	Ayes, 27. No, 1. Neutrals, 0.
	Proclaimed on the 5th instant.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 5. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxv. p. 67.	416. Motion made in the Senate.
	That the summaries from Constantinople be sent to the Signory's ambassadors at Rome, etc., to the secretary in England, etc., and communicated here to the Papal Legate, etc., and to the English ambassador, etc.
	Ayes, 142. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 5.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 5. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxv. p. 67.	417. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	Concerning the coming to this city of Strozzi [Pietro Strozzi?] they heard of his arrival and departure at the same time, as he came privately, and with great secrecy, departing in like manner, knowing that he could not remain here without their permission. But as his Holiness has also asked the ambassador about Baldissera Alchieri (sic), will repeat that he continues to perform his office of English secretary, and occasionally acquaints them with such news and advices as reach him according to the custom of the other secretaries. To notify this to the Pope, telling him that from the Signory's proceedings, past and present, he may be very certain of their devotion and respect towards the Apostolic See.
	Ayes, 148. No, 1. Neutrals, 4.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 10. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X., v. xvii. p. 201.	418. The Council of Ten and Junta to Giacomo Zambon, Venetian Secretary in England.
	By reason of misdeeds perpetrated to the detriment of the State by their nobleman Maphio Bernardo, it was lately determined to arrest him, and having been unable to effect his seizure, as he immediately absented himself, they have outlawed him. As he may go to England, or this circumstance be talked of there, the Council of Ten and Junta send this present letter to him (Zambon) for his instruction, so that if spoken to about the matter, and not otherwise he may know how to reply. Have discovered Maphio Bernardo to be a man who for many years has been guilty of detestable acts, to the injury and mischief of the Republic; and as a ship of his is in some English harbour, commanded by (patronizata da) Zuan Maria Zucharino, they desire him (Zambon) to send to him by a trusty messenger express, the accompanying letter, if unable on account of distance to deliver it himself. Thereby give Zuccharino certain commands as by the enclosed copy; if able to confer with him, to repeat them by word of mouth, contriving that he depart thence without the slightest delay. To keep this order a very close secret.
	Ayes, 23. Noes, 3. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 10. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X., v. xvii. p. 201.	419. The Council of Ten and Junta to Zuan Maria Zucharin, Sailing Master {Patron) of a [Venetian] ship in England.
	Charge him, immediately on receipt of the present letter, without saying a word to any one about this order, which he is to keep a very close secret, to come away from England without any noise, together with the ship and the cargo already on board, without lading whatever else may remain for shipment, under penalty of the indignation of the Council of Ten. To depart as soon as possible and come straight to Venice; but in case he should have goods of Venetian subjects, or of aliens, to deliver at Leghorn, he is to unlade them according to the bills of lading made out by him, retaining the [freight] money.
	To complete as much of the ship's cargo as may be wanting, he is to load salt at Ivica, and proceed thence straight to Venice, as aforesaid.
	Rely on his obedience and diligence for execution of the whole, and thus will he find favour with them. Should any difficulty be made to him by the other officials on board the ship about this his departure from England, he is to call them one by one separately, the pilot (nochiero), the purser (parcenevole), and the supercargo (paron), (fn. 4) and to tell them that he has received this command from the Council of Ten, showing them the original letter, and charging them to keep the whole a most profound secret, and to obey in like manner under pain of capital punishment.
	Ayes, 23. Noes, 3. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 16. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X., v. xvii. p. 202.	420. The Council of Ten and Junta to Giacomo Zambon, Venetian Secretary in England.
	Wrote to him on the 10th what was necessary with regard to their nobleman Maphio Bernardo; and as after absenting himself, as written by them, he was murdered in the territory of Ravenna, therefore send this notice to him that he may be fully acquainted with the circumstance, and know bow to reply and speak to such persons as may discuss it with him, but not otherwise.
	Ayes, 28. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 16. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 23.	421. Mafio Bernardo. Lodovico da l'Armi.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	On arriving at the truth, by means of our nobleman Ser Francesco Mocenigo, son of the late Ser Leonardo, about the accomplices of the late Mafio Bernardo, and the revelation being of importance to the State as acknowledged by this Council, Count Lunardo di Megi, his [Mocenigo's] son-in-law, to be absolved.
	Ayes, 20. Noes, 5. Neutrals, 3.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 20. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 24.	422. Mafio Bernardo. Lodovico da l'Armi.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	The inquisitors and the ordinary committee (collegio) together to summon Zuanfrancesco Mocenigo, and tell him he must know that in so great a crime as this committed by the nobleman Mafio Bernardo and his accomplices, those who have knowledge of it and do not divulge it are liable to the penalty incurred by the principals; and therefore, as Ser Zan Francesco has every day of late told their lordships that if the Council of Ten would promise him pardon he would bring the individual guilty into their presence; and as the Council of Ten has decreed that should he give such evidence that “questo mandante delta morte de Maphio Bernardo” be the person who revealed the secrets of the State, and if the truth be obtained, his [Mocenigo's] son-in-law, Count Lunardo di Megi, shall be absolved from his sentence of banishment, and an annuity for life of 200 ducats from the chest of this Council shall be given to said Ser Zan Francesco Mocenigo; should he not be moved by this offer, and persist in his obstinacy (persevererà in star pertinace), be he taken to the rack, (fn. 5) and deprived of the benefits aforesaid, and compelled by torture this evening, before the Council adjourn, to reveal the truth.
	Ayes, 25. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 20. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 24, tergo.	423. Mafio Bernardo. Lodovico da Larmi.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	That the nobleman Ser Zanfrancesco Mocenigo be dismissed with an admonition, to be given him by the inquisitors, that under penalty of death he is not to say anything about what was asked of him, or what was said to him.
	— 12 — 13	Pendet primo.
	— 10 — 10
	—5 — 4
	[Italian.]
Nov. 24. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 24.	424. Mafio Bernardo. Lodovico da l'Armi.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	That Lodovico da l'Armi, accused of having been an accomplice and privy to the death of Ser Mafio Bernardo, be arrested and examined by the inquisitors and usual committee, even by torture should it seem fit to the majority.
	On search being made should it not be possible to arrest him, be he publicly summoned on the edict steps at Rialto, to present himself in person at the prisons within eight days, to defend himself from the aforesaid imputation, after which period, should he not appear, he will be proceeded against, notwithstanding his absence.
	— 10 — 13	Pendet primo.
	— 8 — 8
	— 8 — 5
	[Italian.]
Nov. 24. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 25.	425. Mafio Bernardo. Lodovico da l'Armi.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	Put to the ballot that, should any person accuse any of the murderers to the Chiefs of this Council, and the truth be ascertained, the informer be rewarded with 2,000 livres from the chest of this Council, and be authorised to free [from his sentence] any person banished from any Venetian town or place, for mere homicide (homicidio puro); (fn. 6) and that the revelation to be kept a profound secret.
	Should the “mandante o mandanti” of this murder be accused by any one, the said mandante or mandanti to be rewarded with 3,000 livres, and to have two exemptions from banishment ut supra, and his name to be kept a profound secret; and should any of those who killed Bernardo come to reveal the case, and the truth of it be obtained, and also of the person or persons who caused the murder to be committed, the informer to receive the aforesaid benefit of 3,000 livres and exemptions from banishment, and [his name] be kept secret, he, together with his comrade or comrades who shall have been present at the murder, being freed from any penalty which may have been incurred by them in this case. Should it come to light that the mandate (mandate) for the murder aforesaid was given for a State affair (per causa di Stato), in that case the accuser, besides the aforesaid benefit, may also exempt any individual banished for whatever cause, save for peculation and rebellion, and shall receive an annuity of one hundred ducats from this Council; and the same benefit may also be obtained by the second mandator on his coming to reveal the aforesaid case.
	Ayes, 18.
	They again made the motion, pending on the 24th instant, for the arrest of Lodovico da l'Armi, in omnibus ut supra.
	Ayes, 5. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 2.
	And as the period for presenting himself was omitted, they moved that it be fifteen days.
	Ayes, 23. Noes, 2. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 27. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 25.	426. Mafio Bernardo.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	Put to the ballot, that if any one shall accuse any of the murderers to the Chiefs of this Council, and the truth be ascertained, he is to gain 2,000 livres from the chest of this Council, and moreover be allowed to release an individual banished for mere murder (homicidio puro) from the Signory's towns and places, &c.
	Ayes, 18.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 27. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 25.	427. Lodovico da l'Armi.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	Repetition by the inquisitors of a motion, pending on the 24th instant, for the arrest of Lodovico da l'Armi, in omnibus ut supra.
	Ayes, 5. No, 1. Neutrals, 2.
	[Latin.]