Venice: September 1552 | 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: September 1552', 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/pp371-373 [accessed 29 November 2024].

September 1552



Sept. 19. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	737. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal Maffei.
	Was greatly comforted by his letter received this morning, and which evinces the same piety and zeal as demonstrated by Maffei in all his other actions. With regard to the advice asked by him of Pole concerning the Pope's holy intention of taking the opinion of the Cardinals, (fn. 1) it indicates great regard for the common weal, and great humility, his having recourse to a judgment so inferior to his own in this matter, by so much the more as Pole cannot know the particulars of the affairs, and of the persons on whom this resolve in great part depends, namely, the affairs of Germany and the present state of the Emperor, with which Maffei is much better acquainted than Pole; but nevertheless, as Maffei can command him, he will without introduction or ceremony say what he thinks.
	The Pope assigns as the chief cause of this proposed resolve, the troubles of Christendom owing to the discord between the Emperor and France, from which may be apprehended a great war, to the destruction of all civil institutions, and to the utmost encouragement of the enemies of the religion both at home and abroad, namely, the schismatics and heretics, and the Infidels, to the perdition of souls. Under these circumstances, his Holiness inquires what he is to do; to which, in the first, place, I would answer that he should do what of his piety he seems inclined spontaneously to do, that is to say, not to remain an idle spectator of this so horrible a tragedy, but use all diligence, and neglect no opportunity for exercising his pastoral office, for the remedy of so many evils which threaten Christ's entire flock, by endeavouring to make peace between these two most powerful Princes. Although they now seem very averse to it, yet ought the Pope to persevere in his endeavours, which, if vain, will at least exempt him from blame before God and man. With regard to the second point, and the means to be used, and the persons to be employed for obtaining this peace; namely, the mission of Nuncios or Legates, or consulting with the secretaries or confidential agents of those Sovereigns. Pole considers it requisite well to ponder the magnitude and importance of the cause, and determine accordingly by whom it could be most suitably treated. As to the cause itself, reviewing it in every light, there is none of greater importance to mankind, so it would appear fitting for the greatest person in the world to be its negotiator.
	But before deciding about the person, he thinks it necessary well to consider one matter without which there would be no hope of any one negotiating it advantageously, and that is, the root of this intestine war, which has lasted so many years, and although it has been occasionally stifled for a short time, always broke out again with more violence, which is now greater than ever; and although all remedies have been employed for its total extinction, none have succeeded. This can be attributed solely to the wrath of God, who uses this war as a scourge for our sins, so that it is necessary to destroy the root by appeasing God, making peace first of all with Him; and thus we may subsequently hope for peace between the Sovereigns. The true way to do this, is but to effect what for so many years has been so much desired by all pious men, namely, the Reform, which should his Holiness now choose at any cost effectually to accomplish, as now written by Maffei, he will have both more grace with God, and more credit with man, and on this foundation may hope to raise an edifice no less good than profitable.
	Returning to discuss the means and persons whereby to treat this peace, it seems to Pole that the cause being of such very great importance, in order to bring it to a fair conclusion, no less a person would be required than the High Pontiff, although to commence the negotiation and prepare the matter it might suffice to employ the medium of ambassadors, as it were to break the ice (come per rompere il giaccio) so as to prepare the way for his Holiness; who having already despatched Nuncios for this purpose, it would now seem fitting for him to send Legates, as instruments still nearer to his person, they treating in conclusion for a suspension of hostilities and a conference.
	To unbosom himself with Maffei about, the ministers, as he did with regard to the cause, saying we must make peace with God if we would fain make it with man; so does Pole inform him, with regard to the persons who have to treat it, that in his opinion the most suitable would be those most at peace with God, and therefore in this case he makes no such great difference between a Cardinal or other prelates, or agents of Princes, or other sorts of persons. Indeed should there be found in any corner of the world, in any monastery, wood, or grotto, monks, hermits, or others who could bring witnesses to prove that they had more of the grace of God, or were more at peace with him, Pole would be of opinion that his Holiness should use the instrumentality of such a one, it having been proved of yore that similar persons were excellent mediums for such operations. But amongst the rest, it seems to him one of the scourges of the 16th century, that men of that sort are no longer to be found; so he is of opinion that persons the most resembling this type should be chosen, whether prelates or Cardinals or any other condition of men.
	Such is his conclusion touching the ministers to be employed by his Holiness in so great an undertaking, as from their quality the world will form a great opinion, both of the Pope's will and of the success of the business. And in truth it would be necessary to have ministers of such a description, that should they find the Princes stubborn and averse to peace, they might have the ability and power to make it a case of conscience, alarming them by the consideration of the vital interest of all Christendom, which for many centuries has perhaps never been in greater danger of universal ruin through war.
	This is all he can write thus in haste, to acquaint Maffei with his opinion before the first consistory, although even had he more time he could say nothing more, nor so well but that it would be better known and said by Maffei, although from modesty he evinces his wish to depend on the judgment of others; and so Pole hopes that the Spirit of God will inspire him with his own, disposing his heart and tongue to say what is most for the honour and service of his divine Majesty, whom he prays in conclusion thus to vouchsafe, and humbly kisses Maffei's hands.
	Bagnarea, 19th September 1552.
	[Italian.]