Venice: February 1572 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

Citation:

'Venice: February 1572', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, ed. Rawdon Brown, G Cavendish Bentinck( London, 1890), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp483-484 [accessed 29 November 2024].

February 1572



Feb. 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	538. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	The Secretary of the English Ambassador, who went lately to England, has returned, and he has been to wait on me to express the satisfaction of the Queen of England at the great victory [the battle of Lepanto] which your Serenity has obtained, and to congratulate you thereupon.
	With regard to the negotiation with France, I understand that the Queen of England is using all her endeavours to make the alliance offensive, and she declares that in case of war she will be prepared to spend annually four millions of francs, which amount to one million two hundred thousand crowns, with other conditions highly advantageous for France, such, for instance, that in the event of the conquest of the Low Countries the greater part of the territory should be ceded to France. Upon good authority I hear that these offers have greatly impressed the French, and that they will probably consent to make the alliance offensive. And with regard to the marriage, the Queen says that though she could not come to terms with Monsieur on account of religious difficulties, she would consider the offer of the third brother, but owing to his youthful years, and other important questions, she could not then come to any decision; and she has acted thus so as not to raise any impediment to the conclusion of the alliance, which she is most anxious to effect on account of the new conspiracy lately discovered, and organised by the Duke of Alva, for the second time, to assassinate Lord Robert and two other principal persons, with a view, subsequently, to make an attempt against her own person. The individual accused is the majordomo of the Ambassador of Spain,. who was lately here; this majordomo was arrested as he was about to embark with his master, and he is now in prison with certain Englishmen who are said to be his accomplices. Although the Duke of Norfolk has been sentenced to death, he will not be executed until after the termination of the present proceedings. The negotiations with England are suspended for the present, and until the gentleman sent from hence to Scotland together with the gentleman from England, to procure the obedience of Scotland to the infant King, shall have returned.
	Blois, 9th February 1572.
	[Italian; partly in cipher.]
Feb. 21 Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	539. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France to the Signory.
	The Queen-Mother has visited the Queen of Navarre for two days, and although their conferences were secret it is understood that they related to the marriage, which is considered certain to be accomplished, and in the meanwhile the marriage of the Prince of Condé with the third sister of the Count de Nevers, who belonged to the Queen's suit, is announced.
	The most Christian King has informed the Legate of the Pope that his proposed alliance with England was not intended to disturb or offend anyone, but for the adjustment of their own particular differences, and to keep on friendly terms with the Queen of England; and certainly for my own part I am confirmed in the belief that whatever may be the fate of the alliance, these Majesties are greatly indisposed to undertake any new wars. When I was lately speaking with the Queen Mother concerning the unfortunate vessel Vergi, she assured me in most earnest terms of her wish to preserve peace with Spain, and if the King of Spain did not compel them to do something against their will, they would remain at peace. In confirmation of this I can add that a friend of Mons. de Bricinoro (sic), who is a principal officer of the Admiral's, having asked him whether they meant to lose the favourable opportunity of attacking Flanders, when the Catholic King was occupied elsewhere, received for answer, “What can we do ? We are good for nothing, for we have to deal with a scared King and a timid Queen, who will not come to any decision.” (fn. 1)
	Blois, 24th February 1572.
	[Italian.]