Venice: December 1554 | 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: December 1554', 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/pp594-599 [accessed 25 November 2024].

December 1554



Dec. 6. Original Letter Book of Agostino Barbarigo, in the Venetian Archives.	967. Agostino Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	On leaving Blois, the King went for four days to d'Anet, the seat of Madame de Valentinois (Diane de Poitiers), and was to be at St. Germain yesterday, so the writer intending to go to Poissy to-morrow to be nearer the Court, writes the last news before his departure from Paris.
	The Prothonotary de Noailles, brother of the French ambassador in England, arrived thence at the Court lately, on his own private business, as supposed, and perhaps with orders from Queen Mary to persevere in the performance of such offices, as proceed invariably from her wish for a good understanding between the Emperor and King Henry. He remained two days in Paris, and then went to the Court. Will endeavour to learn something more about the matter, although the Cardinal of Lorraine said that by no means was the agreement to be any longer discussed, or thought of.
	Paris, 6th December 1554.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 11. Original Letter Book of Agostino Barbarigo in the Venetian Archives.	968. Agustino Barbarigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	Audience of the most Christian King having been appointed me for the day before yesterday, I went first by invitation to dine with the Constable, and after communicating the advices to him, and when he had asked me if I knew where the Turkish fleet was, he said he would also tell me his news. He commenced by saying that the Emperor was at Brussels in his usual house in the garden, (nella solita sua casaet giardino), with the gout in his hand, according to report, [though nothing could ever be said for certain about his Majesty's bad or good health, as he represented himself sick or sound according to his pleasure and convenience]; (fn. 1) and that the Duke of Savoy was going to England to perform a loving and complimentary office with King Philip, on his own private account, which may explain the report current at the court lately, although the writer did not allude to it, doubting its authenticity, that the Imperial troops were mustering to ravage France again under the command of the Duke. He then added that England had resumed her obedience to the Church of Rome, and that it might be hoped affairs would proceed from good to better, with God's assistance, and through the address of Cardinal Pole. [Inquired whether, as he (Barbarigo) understood, the fortress constructed at Hesdin had been in part destroyed. The Constable replied that a wall had fallen down, that they could retake the place whenever they chose, and that Barbarigo would soon see it in their power; and putting his hand to his heart, he said, You may believe it on my authority.] (fn. 1) Talking thus, he introduced me to the most Christain King, to whom I in like manner communicated the advices, and he made me repeat where Sultan Solyman was, and at what distance, [saying that every now and then he attacked the Sophy, but with no profit, as he was strong and powerful], (fn. 2) asking me also how long he had been on the present expedition; and his Majesty having told me moreover what I had already heard from the Constable about the affairs of the religion in England, I took leave of him, and went to visit Madame de Valentinois.
	There has arrived in Paris an ambassador from Portugal, who is going straight to England to congratulate King Philip, as told me yesterday by the Portuguese ambassador resident in France, who came to visit me, and has in like manner returned here to the court.
	Poissy, 11th December 1554.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 14. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	969. Cardinal Pole to King Henry II. of France.
	It having pleased the Divine mercy and goodness to bring to the desired end the return (la reduttione) of England to the unity of the Church, and obedience of the See Apostolic, Pole begins to have greater hope of operating more successfully according to the commission received from his Holiness to seek peace between King Henry and the Emperor, most especially seeing the first negotiation brought to its due end by those noble means which he always thought and hoped were most adapted to that end.
	Is therefore now induced to write to his most Christian Majesty, to congratulate him on this great work of God, accomplished so much to the benefit and consolation of the Christain race, knowing that by reason of his piety, it cannot but cause him great pleasure, as evinced by his Majesty in his conversation with Pole, who has the like desire to serve both France and the Emperor, and also the common weal, in this other legation, as, should the opportunity be afforded him, he hopes will be known by facts; and with all due respect he kisses his most Christian Majesty's hands.
	From London, the 14th December 1554.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 15. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta) v. lxix. p. 68, tergo.	970. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor.
	By letters from their ambassador with the most Serene King and Queen of England, having heard of the final decision formed by the Magnifìco the Parliament of that kingdom to return to the obedience of the Apostolic See, and to reunite the English Church to the Roman and universal Church, the pleasure and consolation caused them by this news was very great; so in the most loving form of words he can devise, he is to congratulate the Emperor in their name on this so fortunate and important an event; and knowing that it proceeds from the sage foresight (savio avedimento) and prudent counsel of his Majesty, to his eternal glory, they therefore choose to hope that the entire realm will persevere in this obedience and reconciliation, through the good and just government of the most Serene King and Queen, and that the affairs of the kingdom will proceed with such quiet and tranquillity as becoming so grand a conversion (riduttione) and renewal (renovatione), and that with this example, those of bad opinion (di mala opinion) may be brought back to the true and holy religion, to the glory of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and increase and exaltation of his holy faith. Is not to omit performing the same office with the Bishop of Arras, and such other personages of the Court as he shall think fit, in declaration of the Signory's goodwill, and of the satisfaction derived by them from the Emperor's prosperity.
	Ayes, 170. Noes, 5. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 15. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxix. p. 69, tergo.	971. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	By letters from their ambassador with the most Serene King and Queen of England have heard, to their great content and satisfaction of the decision formed in the Magnifìcio the Parliament of that realm, to return to the obedience of the Apostolic See, and of his Holiness, and to re-unite that Church to the Roman and Universal Church, so earnestly and by such general consent (grande consento), as to cause them infinite pleasure and consolation, as for an event intensely desired by them. They therefore desire him to congratulate the Pope in their name on so auspicious and fortunate a result, which is by so much the more to their satisfaction and agreeable from its taking place in his pontificate, to his immortal glory; it being their hope that not only will all England persevere in this obedience and reconciliation, but that, with her example, the Catholic faith and religion will so much the more prevail and increase to the honour and glory of their Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ.
	Ayes, 158. Noes, 3. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 15. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta) v. lxix. p. 70, tergo.	972. The Doge and Senate to the “ Bailo “ at Constantinople.
	The Right Reverend Cardinal Pole had arrived in London, being 'sent by the Pope as Legate to the King and Queen, and in the Parliament-general, he being present there, it was decided for the kingdom to return to the Catholic faith, and everything passed off quietly, to the universal satisfaction; which advices he is to communicate as usual.
	Ayes, 175. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 15. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxix. p. 68.	973. The Doge and Senate to Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	Have read with agreeable satisfaction his letters of the 28th ult. and 1st instant, concerning the decision of the High Court of Parliament (in quel Magnifico Parlamento) to return to the obedience of the Apostolic See, and re-unite the English Church to the Roman and Universal Church. To congratulate their Majesties on so grand and auspicious an event.
	Desire him also to perform the like office with the Right Reverend Legate, the Bishop of Winchester, the Lord Chancellor, and the other Lords of the Council, as shall seem fitting to him.
	Resolved, to send for the English ambassador into the College, and to address him in conformity with what is aforesaid.
	Ayes, 171. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 21. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta) v. lxix., p. 71, tergo.	974. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	To congratulate the Pope on the return of the realm of England to the true Christian religion, and the pious reconciliation effected by that Church with the Roman and Universal Church, and also with the Holy See.
	Ayes, 167. No, 1. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 24. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x., p. 119, tergo.	975. Fragment, without name of Writer, or of the person to whom addressed.
	Postscript,—Yesterday, the same lords and judges returned, and with much difficulty it was at length settled that all the laws made at the time of the schism against the Papal authority should be abrogated thus: that in the Act of Parliament, all those [laws] which they have been able to collect, are to be specified, and to remove all difficulty, they have placed at the end a general repeal (derogazione) of all the others that may be found to this effect; thus deciding (concludendo) that his Holiness and the See Apostolic be restored to that same authority compatible with the supremacy of this kingdom, and all its dominions, which it exercised and was allowed to exercise in the first twenty years of the reign of Henry VIII., that is to say before the schism; and that the Church property is to remain in the hands of its present English possessors (et che nel stabilmento dei beni che pertenivano, tenuti hora da questi del regno, che si ha da stare): the Parliament inserting the petitions in this^r matter presented to Cardinal Pole (per il Parla-mento siano inserite [embodied] le supplicationi date a Monsr. Rev^mo, sopra ciò), making mention of his Right Reverend Lordship's concession, and basing this Act thereupon; so that, by the grace of God, matters have passed better than they expected.
	From London, Christmas Eve, 1554. (fn. 3)
	[Italian.]
Dec. 28. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta); v. lxix. p. 72.	976. The Doge and Senate to Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	After desiring him by their letters of the 15th instant to congratulate the King and Queen in their name on the fortunate and grand acquisition made in England, through the country's reconciliation and union with the rest of Christendom, and its obedience to the Apostolic See, they received his letter of the 4th instant, acquainting them with the solemnity and ceremony performed on the preceding day in St. Paul's Cathedral (nella chiesa grande di quelùa citta), (fn. 4) with the multitude of people present there, and with the universal satisfaction caused by the office performed in public by the Lord Chancellor, and what the King with so great a demonstration of love and affection towards the Signory, desired him to tell them in his name; all which things gave them the greatest pleasure; and therefore, besides the thanks and congratulations already offered by him to the King and confirmed by their letter of the 15th, they now desire him again to repeat them. Is also to congratulate the King on the prosperous course of religious affairs in England; which office he is also to perform with the Queen, the Legate, and the Chancellor, as shall seem fit to him.
	That the ambassador may know the Signory's intention with regard to his following the King (in reply to the inquiry made in his former letters), their will is, that should his Majesty quit England for the purpose of visiting the Emperor, as stated in his letter of the 4th, he is to do what shall be most agreeable to the Xing and Queen; and should he follow his Majesty, he is to leave his secretary in England, with orders to give the Signory, and the ambassador himself, daily account of all events worthy of their knowledge, and to do what shall be necessary for the Signory's interests, and for the merchants, until Michiel's return to England; and in the meanwhile is to make use of the secretary in the service of the Venetian ambassador with the Emperor.
	Ayes, 175.Noes, 10.Neutrals, 14.
	[Italian.]