REVOLT OF THE DUKE OF BOURBON
Almost at the same time that Charles was crowned at Aix, the most
enterprising and accomplished of the Turkish sultans, Solyman the
Magnificent, ascended the Ottoman throne. The world has seldom seen
such a brilliant constellation of rulers as now filled the principal
thrones of Europe. Leo X., Charles V., Francis I., Henry VIII., and
Solyman the Magnificent each possessed talents which would have made
them conspicuous in any age, but which together made the history of
Europe during the first half of the sixteenth century peculiarly
interesting.
After his coronation, Charles returned to Brussels with Margaret. For
some time past alarming news had reached him from his regent in Spain,
where open rebellion had now broken out. Adrian of Utrecht was quite
unequal to the task of coping with the insurgents, and first Medina
del Campo, then Valladolid, and lastly Tordesillas (where Queen Joanna
was confined) fell into the hands of the rebels. The great seal and
state papers were seized, Adrian narrowly escaped being taken prisoner
with his Council, and only saved himself by flight.
When Joanna heard that the rebel leader Padilla and his host had
arrived before Tordesillas she ordered the townspeople to welcome
them, and ostensibly made herself head of the revolution, authorising
the leaders to summon the Cortes to meet in her palace. But although
the members of the Junta declared her sane, Joanna's refusal to sign
any documents or come to any decision hopelessly checkmated their
efforts, and early in December the Government troops were able to take
Tordesillas by assault after four hours' desperate fighting.[71]
[71] Martin Hume, _Queens of Old Spain_.
Meanwhile imploring letters reached Charles from his Councillors
begging him to return to Spain and quell the rebellion; this he
refused to do, until it suited his convenience, but appointed two
Spanish nobles, the Constable and Admiral of Castile, to assist Adrian
in restoring order, with strict injunctions to make no concessions.
Before many months were out peace was once more restored, and the
Communeros finally crushed in the following April at the battle of
Villalar.
In January 1521 Charles sailed up the Rhine to attend the Diet which
he had summoned to meet at Worms. It opened on January the 28th, and
dragged on its wearisome deliberations for several months. Of all the
questions the emperor had to solve, that of Luther was the hardest.
The Pope did his best to complicate matters by urging that Luther
should be condemned unheard; but the state of public feeling was such
that Charles deemed it wiser to consult the Diet, who decided that the
monk should be heard. A herald was therefore despatched to Wittemberg
bearing a letter from the emperor with a promise of safe conduct.
Luther appeared at Worms on April the 16th. Brought before Charles, he
admitted the authorship of his books, but refused to withdraw any of
his doctrines. He spoke boldly and impressively, but when he enlarged
upon the Pope's iniquities, the emperor reprimanded him, nor would he
listen to the monk's denial of the authority of Councils. Charles was
not impressed by Luther's manner or bearing, and during the interview
was heard to remark, 'This man will never make me a Lutheran.' This
was their first and last encounter, for the emperor and monk were
destined never to meet again.
The next day Charles handed his remarkable declaration to the German
princes in which he said: 'My predecessors... left behind them the
holy Catholic rites that I should live and die therein, and so until
now with God's aid I have lived as becomes a Christian emperor.... A
single monk, led astray by private judgment, has set himself against
the faith held by all Christians for a thousand years and more, and
impudently concludes that all Christians up to now have erred. I have
therefore resolved to stake upon this cause all my dominions, my
friends, my body and my blood, my life and soul.... After Luther's
stiff-necked reply in my presence yesterday, I now repent that I have
so long delayed proceedings against him and his false doctrines. I
have now resolved never again, under any circumstances, to hear him.
Under protection of his safe conduct he shall be escorted home, but
forbidden to preach and seduce men with his evil doctrines and incite
them to rebellion....'
But Luther's brave bearing at Worms was his most heroic moment, nor
was his power in Germany ever again so great as in 1521, nor was he
ever again so truly the voice of the people.[72]
[72] E. Armstrong, _The Emperor Charles V._
On April the 25th Charles ordered him to leave Worms, and next day
the monk departed, escorted by twenty horsemen. A few days later an
edict was published in the emperor's name, and by authority of the
Diet, depriving him of all the privileges he enjoyed as a subject of
the empire, forbidding any prince to harbour or protect him, and
requiring all to help in seizing his person as soon as the time
specified in the safe conduct had expired. In less than a fortnight he
had disappeared, rescued from his adversaries by the Elector of
Saxony, who kept the place of his retreat carefully concealed.
Meanwhile Francis I. had been actively engaged in sending forces
against the frontiers of Belgium and Italy. Charles, through Margaret,
made an appeal to the States-General convoked at Mons on February 9th,
1521. In a spirited speech she pointed out the perfidious conduct of
Francis, who she declared was daily trying to induce the European
powers to make war against the emperor's dominions. Amongst others she
quoted his efforts to obtain support from the Kings of Denmark and
Scotland, the Dukes of Savoy, Lorraine, and Ferrara, the republic, the
Swiss League, and Charles of Gueldres. She then implored the assembly
to grant help to protect the empire from its enemies. The people were
flattered by this appeal to their patriotism, and hastened to prove
that their emperor had not appealed to them in vain.
On the 5th of May 1521 the Archduke Ferdinand concluded his marriage
with Princess Anne of Hungary, and Charles conferred the five duchies
of Austria, Carinthia, Carniola, Styria, and Tyrol upon his brother,
to which he added later the German possessions inherited from
Maximilian.
On May the 29th he confirmed a secret treaty with Leo X. through Don
John Manuel, his ambassador in Rome, by which the Pope and emperor
agreed to join forces to expel the French out of the Milanaise, to
restore Parma and Piacenza to the Church, the emperor helping the Pope
to conquer Ferrara, in return for the investiture of the kingdom of
Naples. This treaty was carefully concealed from De Chièvres, whose
aversion to a war with France was well known. When at length he heard
of it, his grief was so great at this proof of his loss of influence
over his former pupil, that it is said to have shortened his days. His
death at this juncture certainly hastened the war with France, though
it freed Charles from an irksome subjection and greatly helped in the
development of his character. From henceforth the emperor was his own
master, nor was he ever again under another governor. Instead of his
boyish motto--'Nondum' (not yet), his device in future was 'Plus
ultra' (yet further).
The French were the first to cross the Pyrenees and begin hostilities.
When Charles, who was then at Brussels, heard the news, he exclaimed:
'God be praised that it is not I who begin the war: the King of France
wishes to make me greater than I am; for, in a short time, either I
shall be a very poor emperor, or he will be a poor King of
France.'[73]
[73] Letter from Aleandro de' Galeazzi, dated Brussels, 3rd July
1521.
On the 17th of July Margaret again addressed the assembled States
at Ghent, for the exchequer was very low, and men and money were
needed for the war. She implored them to use every effort to
protect their country, and restore peace by voting the much-needed
subsidies. She begged them to avert the threatening storm, and with
a voice moved by emotion said: 'Because of the love and peculiar
affection his Majesty bears you, being a native of these lands,
born, brought up, and nourished amongst you, he is anxious to
protect you from danger, and preserve you from all harm and
oppression, by driving war from out of his dominions, keeping you
in peace. Which things his Majesty has willingly put before you as
his good and loyal subjects, because of the entire confidence he
has in you, so that you may know all his affairs and understand the
danger you are in, for on this depends either your safety or ruin.'
She then promised 'a perpetual safety and abundance of all good
things' after peace was restored, and freedom from subjection to
France. She praised the fine example of Spain and Austria, who,
although they hardly knew his Majesty, had nevertheless of their
own accord raised superb armaments; 'and you who have his person
with you ready to use his life, his goods, and all that God has
given him to preserve, help, and defend you, ought not to be less
generous or less courageous than others, seeing that the case
touches you so closely, and with the noise of war so near, knowing
the harm which may come upon you if war breaks out, and seeing that
the quarrel is just, which is as true as God is, and that He will
help his Majesty. And on this account you ought to take courage and
show yourselves bold and fearless, and be more willing and anxious
than any others, as his Majesty does not doubt you will be, and
without waiting to be asked, offer liberally your persons, goods,
and chattels (as you have always done in times past) to help his
Majesty in this same enterprise, which is for your own and the
public good.'[74]
[74] _MSS. de la Bibliothèque de Bourgogne._
Margaret had not miscalculated the effect of this speech on her
audience. Enthusiasm and loyalty towards the emperor and herself
passed all bounds and spread like wildfire throughout the Netherlands.
An army of 22,000 men was quickly raised, and assembled in the
outskirts of Malines. Part of these troops the emperor despatched
under the Count of Nassau to subdue the inroads of Robert de la Marck,
lord of Bouillon, known as the wild Boar of the Ardennes, who had been
giving considerable trouble. The emperor having offended him, he left
Charles's service and threw himself upon France for protection. In the
heat of his resentment he had the audacity to send a herald to Worms
to declare war against the emperor before the assembled Diet. To
punish this insolent vassal the Count of Nassau was sent at the head
of 20,000 men to invade his territories, and in a few days took every
place but Sedan, and reduced De la Marck to beg for clemency. Nassau
then advanced towards the borders of France, where Charles of Gueldres
was ravaging the Northern provinces, and Henry d'Albret had crossed
the Pyrenees and occupied Navarre.
Meanwhile a congress had been held at Calais, under Henry VIII.'s
mediation, with a view to settling all differences and establishing
peace. Henry gave Wolsey full powers to arrange the negotiations, but
the Cardinal, anxious to please both Francis and Charles, ended by
satisfying neither, and the congress broke up without any definite
result. During its progress Wolsey journeyed to Bruges and had a
meeting there with Charles and Margaret, the latter having come in hot
haste to visit her nephew, anxious to use her influence to procure an
armistice. The Cardinal was received by the emperor and his aunt with
as much respect and magnificence as though he had been King of
England, but instead of furthering the treaty of peace, Wolsey, in
his master's name, concluded a secret alliance with the emperor
against France. This treaty, which was drawn up at Bruges on August
25th, 1521, and signed by Margaret and Jean de Berghes for the
emperor, and by Wolsey for the King of England, arranged a marriage
between Charles and his cousin Mary Tudor (King Henry's only child and
apparent heir) as soon as the princess should have completed her
twelfth year; both Charles and Henry agreeing to invade France in the
spring of 1523 from opposite sides, each with an army of 40,000
men--the emperor promising to visit England on his way to Spain early
in the following year. It was especially stipulated that 'one month
before Charles undertook the voyage he would notify the time of it to
the King of England, who would then send his fleet to sea, with about
3000 armed men on board, to drive away all enemies and pirates from
the Channel and English seas, so that the emperor might safely come
over to Dover or Sandwich. The King of England would receive the
emperor with the greatest honour and accompany him to Falmouth, whilst
the English navy would escort the emperor's fleet from Zealand to
Falmouth, and together remain in that port until he embarked and then
accompany him to Spain.'[75]
[75] _Calendar of Spanish State Papers_, vol. ii.
During the years that had passed since Margaret left Savoy she never
lost interest in the memorial church she was building at Brou. In
September 1521 she sent her treasurer Marnix and some members of her
Council to report on the progress of the work. The church was rapidly
gaining shape, and the outer walls were nearing completion under the
skilful direction of Louis Van Boghen. The following letter from Loys
de Gleyrens, prior of the monastery of Brou (written to Margaret on
the 2nd of September 1521), gives a detailed account of de Marnix's
visit:--
'To our much-honoured Lady and very gracious Mother,--God grant
you a good and long life. You will be pleased to know that the
day of the feast of Saint Augustine Monseigneur Marnix came to
visit your church of Brou, with the gentlemen of your Council of
Bourg, and saw the progress of the same, and found that your two
chapels in the aisle of the choir are roofed over, as well as the
higher and lower aisles and oratories above and below, on the
side of the belfry, and that the pipes and gurgoyles for carrying
off water falling from the roofs are fixed on the said aisles.
And the belfry has grown this year to the height of twenty-three
to twenty-five feet....' He goes on to say that the workmen have
plenty of materials, wood, etc., to finish the work--but that
money is running short, and that only about fifteen or sixteen
florins are left, which will hardly last till All Saints Day, and
unless more is supplied, the work must be interrupted... 'but at
present it is in the best state and appearance possible, and
ought shortly to be finished, as those will tell you who have
seen it....'[76]
[76] J. Baux, _L'Église de Brou_.
Meanwhile the league between Charles and the Pope had produced great
results in Italy; Lombardy being the chief centre of war. On November
the 19th the Papal-Imperialist army entered Milan, and within a
fortnight the French held only the town of Cremona, the fortress of
Milan, and a few scattered strongholds. Parma and Piacenza surrendered
to Leo X., but amidst the rejoicings which followed this brilliant
victory and the fulfilment of his dearest wishes, the Pope was
suddenly struck down with malaria at Magliana, and died after a few
days' illness on the 1st of December 1521, in the forty-sixth year of
his age.
This wholly unexpected event caused a cessation of hostilities for a
while--both monarchs turning their attention to the proceedings of the
Conclave. News of the Pope's death was brought to Charles on the 12th
of December, and he hastened to write a diplomatic letter to his
uncle, King Henry, and fully explained his intentions to the Bishop of
Badajoz, his ambassador in England, promising to do his utmost to
secure Wolsey's election to the Papacy. But after the Conclave had sat
for fourteen days, it was announced on the 9th of January 1522 that
not Wolsey, but Adrian of Utrecht had been elected Pope. The election
of the emperor's old tutor came as a surprise to Europe. Charles
received the news at Brussels, and on January the 21st wrote to Mezza,
his ambassador in London: 'However anxious was our wish that Pace
(Henry VIII.'s secretary) should have arrived in Rome at the right
time, and that the letters we had written in favour of the Sieur
Legate (Wolsey) had been conducive to the fulfilment of his wishes,
and those of our uncle the king; yet must we be thankful, the object
we had at heart having thus failed, that the choice fell upon Cardinal
Tortosa,[77] whose elevation, next after the Cardinal of York, will
certainly be most for the good, not of ourselves only, but of the
whole of Christendom. I hope to have the greater interest with him,
who under my own roof was my instructor in morals and literature.'[78]
[77] Adrian was Bishop of Tortosa. On July 12th, 1516, he wrote a
letter of thanks to Margaret from Madrid, attributing his
promotion to the bishopric of Tortosa to her influence.
[78] W. Bradford, _Correspondence of the Emperor Charles V._
The new Pope was in Spain when the unexpected news of his election was
brought to him. Adrian VI.'s letter to his former pupil, dated
Saragossa, May 3rd, 1522, is interesting as confirming the emperor's
statement that he did not interfere in favour of his election, but
honestly did his best for Wolsey, to whom he had promised his
influence with the Conclave.
'Very dear and much-beloved Son!--Health and apostolical
benediction. I have been rejoiced on receiving the letter which
your Majesty has written to me with your own hand.... I am fully
convinced of the satisfaction which you will derive from my
election to the Popedom; and I never entertained a doubt that
had it depended alone on your goodwill and affection towards me,
your suffrage would have been in my favour; but I was equally
aware that it was neither suitable to your own interests nor to
the good of the Christian commonwealth, that you should have
used any solicitation in my behalf, knowing that such
interference would have been fatal to your good understanding
with one (Wolsey) who at this moment is of all others most
necessary to your welfare in Italy.... Although my election may
in one respect be attended with inconvenience, in taking me away
from the management of your affairs in Spain, yet this will be
so much overbalanced by other considerations, as nowise to
diminish the joy which it will occasion you. And in this my
election, the feeling which influenced the sacred College of
Cardinals, as you will readily believe, and as has been
intimated by them to Don John Manuel, was, that it would be a
choice agreeable to your Majesty: for no one, it appeared, would
have obtained their votes who could be considered objectionable
either to you, or to the King of France.
'I cannot, therefore, express my satisfaction in having attained
to this elevation without the exercise of your influence,
inconsistent as that would have been with the purity and
sincerity which divine and human rights require in such
proceedings; and in saying this, you will be assured that I feel
as much, if not more truly devoted to your Majesty, than if I
had owed to your means and prayers my present advancement....
'Sire, I pray God to grant you a happy and long life. Written at
Saragossa the 3rd of May, _ad tempus sacræ Romanæ ecclesiæ_.
Entirely yours.'[79]
[79] W. Bradford, _Correspondence of the Emperor Charles V._
Adrian VI. was an upright, conscientious, and honest man, but quite
unfitted for the high position he was called upon to fill, and his
reign of ten months was unsuccessful and unhappy. As he himself once
exclaimed, 'Let a man be never so good, how much depends upon the
times in which he is born.' A learned scholar and rigid
disciplinarian, he regarded the conduct of the reformers with horror;
but at the same time candidly acknowledged the abuses and corruptions
that disgraced both the Court and Church of Rome. This moderation,
whilst it disgusted the great ecclesiastics in Italy, tended to
encourage the reformation in Germany. A host of pamphlets and
caricatures were circulated, and helped to popularise the new ideas
and spread the reformed religion far and wide. Charles hastened to
forbid under pain of death the printing of literature directed against
the Pope or the Church of Rome, and ordered Francis Van der Hulst to
hunt all Lutherans out of the Netherlands.
On the 15th of March 1522 Margaret convoked the States-General at
Brussels. The emperor, through his Chancellor, complimented the
citizens on their loyal conduct and bravery at the recent siege of
Tournay, which had greatly helped towards its reduction. 'The French,'
he said, 'have sustained a great loss in losing Milan and Tournay,
which are of such importance, as every one knows.' His approaching
journey to Spain was then announced, and he informed them of the
treaties he had made, and the precautions taken for the defence of the
country, thanking his brave subjects for the zeal they had shown in
his service. He informed them that during his absence the government
would be confided to Margaret, 'who for so long has shown by her
praiseworthy, memorable services and great experience, that she well
knows how to honourably acquit herself of the said government and
administration. For which good rule and conduct his Majesty and you
are beholden to her through the fervent zeal and natural love she
bears you.' The Chancellor ended his long speech by saying that the
emperor hoped they would live peaceably with each other during his
absence--'for their strength lay in unity....'[80]
[80] _MSS. de la Bibliothèque de Bourgogne._
Charles, who was now preparing to visit England on his way to Spain,
was sadly in want of money. Margaret did her best to help him, and in
order to raise funds pawned her jewels to the Count of Hochstrate.
'My said Lady, obeying the order of his Majesty, has offered to leave
her rings with the said Hochstrate, until he has been acquitted and
discharged of the last sums he furnished... at the very pressing
request and insistence of my said Lady, knowing that in this lies his
Majesty's honour, but he has behaved so well that he will not keep
them.'[81]
[81] _Correspondance de Marguerite avec Charles-Quint._
Before leaving Bruges the emperor made his will on the 22nd of May
1522, arranging that if he died in Flanders his body was to be buried
at Bruges, near his grandmother Mary of Burgundy. He then bade
farewell to Margaret and set out for England, sailing from Calais,
with a gorgeous retinue of a thousand horse and two thousand
courtiers, and landing at Dover towards the end of May, was welcomed
by Wolsey in his master's name. It had been arranged that King Henry
should meet the emperor on the downs between Dover and Canterbury; but
to show him greater honour the king rode into Dover, and after
together inspecting the English fleet, which was duly admired by the
emperor and his train, the two monarchs made a triumphal progress
through Canterbury, Sittingbourne, and Rochester to Gravesend. From
Gravesend the splendid processions rowed in royal barges to Greenwich.
At the entrance door of the palace Queen Katharine stood awaiting her
nephew, surrounded by her ladies, and holding little Princess Mary by
the hand. The emperor, kneeling on one knee, then asked for his aunt's
blessing, which was readily granted, and from henceforward for six
weeks his visit to England was a continual round of feasting,
dancing, hunting, masquerading, and splendid entertainments.
But amidst all this hospitality his thoughts were mainly fixed on
Spain, and as he wrote to Margaret, 'the six weeks seemed a thousand
years.'
Whilst Charles was at Greenwich a messenger arrived from France
bearing a letter to King Henry, in which Francis I. bade defiance to
the King of England. The letter was handed to the emperor for his
perusal, who must have rejoiced at its contents, for now he and his
uncle could join forces against their common enemy France; and soon
after an eternal friendship was solemnly sworn between them upon the
Sacrament in Saint George's Chapel, Windsor, and an abiding alliance
in peace and war cemented by Charles's betrothal to his cousin Mary
Tudor. Glittering pageants in London and Windsor, where Charles was
made a Knight of the Garter under his uncle's presidency, brought his
visit to a close, and on July the 6th the emperor set sail once more
for the port of Santander.[82]
[82] Martin Hume, _Wives of Henry VIII._, and _Rutland Papers,
The Somers Tracts_ (Camden Society).
A few weeks later an Anglo-Belgian army, under Florent d'Ysselstein,
Count of Buren, invaded Picardy, whilst the Earl of Surrey's fleet
hovered off the Norman coast, and threatened all French shipping in
the Channel.
Margaret meanwhile was busily employed in harrowing the Duke of
Gueldres, whose troops appeared before Leyden, and pillaged the
village of La Haye. The States of Friesland upheld the regent in her
endeavours, but it was not until June the 4th, 1524, that a truce was
concluded with Gueldres, and peace restored.
Whilst Charles, Henry, and Francis were thus employed wasting each
other's strength, the Turkish sultan, Solyman the Magnificent, invaded
Hungary with a large army, and took Belgrade. Encouraged by this
success, he besieged the Island of Rhodes, then the seat of the
Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. The Grand Master of Villers de
L'Isle Adam sent imploring messages to the powers of Europe begging
for assistance. Adrian VI. did his utmost to persuade Charles and
Francis to forget their quarrels and join forces in saving Rhodes,
then the chief bulwark of Christianity in the East. On March the 3rd,
1523, he wrote to Charles exhorting him and all Christian princes to
make peace with one another, and wage a common war against the Turks.
He complains that 'so far all his exhortations have been fruitless,
and the Turks have conquered Belgrade on one side, and it is said they
have taken Rhodes on the other. There is no doubt that the Turks will
continue their conquests in Hungary (where the emperor's sister Mary
is queen), as well as in the Mediterranean, till they have rendered
themselves masters of the whole of Europe. This danger can only be
averted by a reconciliation of all Christian princes....' The Pope
ends by saying that he has written in the same sense to the Kings of
France and England.[83]
[83] _Calendar of Spanish State Papers_, vol. ii.
But the rival princes turned a deaf ear to all these entreaties, and
after six months of incredible courage, patience, and bravery on the
part of the garrison, the gallant little band of knights were forced
to capitulate, and the town was razed to the ground. When too late,
Charles, Henry, and Francis, ashamed of their conduct, tried to lay
the blame of this misfortune on each other, and Charles, by way of
reparation, gave the Knights of Saint John the Island of Malta, which
from henceforth became the chief home of their order.
The year 1523 was marked by the revolt and conspiracy of the Constable
of Bourbon, a powerful and accomplished French nobleman descended from
the Montpensier branch of the Bourbon family, who through his marriage
with Suzanne, daughter and heiress of the Duke of Bourbon, had
acquired the wealth and honours of that powerful house. Francis I. on
his accession had made him Constable of France, and treated him with
every mark of favour.
When the king left Italy in 1516, Bourbon remained behind as
lieutenant-general of the French forces, and greatly distinguished
himself by his military talents and valour; but soon after his return
to France he fell into disfavour, and from henceforth became the
victim of a vindictive persecution. The cause of this sudden change is
generally attributed to a passionate attachment on the part of Louise
of Savoy, the king's mother, who, on his wife Suzanne's death in 1521,
offered her hand to Bourbon; but the Constable declining the honour,
the humiliated queen, in revenge, disputed Suzanne's will, herself
claiming the succession to the Bourbon estates as next of kin. In this
she was aided and abetted by the Chancellor Du Prat, and soon
persuaded the king to withhold Bourbon's appointments, and disallow
his just claims for money he had furnished during the war in Italy.
The Constable at first bore these indignities with great moderation,
but when in presence of the whole army the king passed him over, and
gave the command of the van to the Duke of Alençon, the injured
Constable retired from the Court, and began a secret correspondence
with Charles's Ministers, offering his services to the emperor.
The campaign arranged between Henry VIII. and his nephew for the
simultaneous invasion of France had not proved successful, but led to
a more formidable attempt in the following year. Charles therefore
welcomed the proposed advent of so powerful a partisan as Bourbon,
from whose revolt he expected great advantages, and warmly received
his secret overtures. It was proposed that the emperor should enter
France by the Pyrenees, whilst Henry VIII., in co-operation with
Margaret, should invade Picardy, and Bourbon with twelve hundred
Germans penetrate into Germany. A lengthy despatch sent to Charles
from London, on June the 1st, 1523, by De Praet, his ambassador, and
Marnix, Margaret's treasurer (both accredited at the English Court),
gives a full account of a negotiation with Wolsey on the conditions of
the above confederacy, and shows what a large part Margaret played in
the arrangements. In the latter part of the despatch mention is made
of the King and Queen of Denmark's visit to the Netherlands, where
they fled to take refuge from the troubles which threatened them in
Denmark.
'... Sire! By our last letters your Majesty has been able to see and
understand the offers we have made to the King of England and the
Sieur Legate (Wolsey) through the intervention of madame, your
Majesty's aunt, in reference to the co-operation and assistance of the
army which the said king would send across the sea against the common
enemy of your Majesty and himself.
'... Sire! They could nowise be satisfied with the number we have to
offer for the said co-operation, but persisted in pressing for three
thousand horse and five thousand foot with the half of the artillery
munition and equipage, requiring us to write immediately to the said
lady, which we have done, and have, moreover, received her answer.
She, having communicated with M. de Beuren, your Majesty's
captain-general, and acting on his advice, declares that it is quite
impossible to augment the number she had already offered, to wit, two
thousand good horse, and four thousand foot, with twelve pieces of
field-artillery; but if they would pass the sea, we should be ready to
give all the assistance in our power; and were the enemy to offer
battle or commence a siege, there would be a force always ready of ten
or twelve thousand Flemish foot to come to their assistance....' The
despatch goes on to say that after several days spent in discussions,
during which time Wolsey pressed for more troops from the Netherlands,
and lost his temper, nothing definite was settled. 'Although I,
Marnix, have... pressed for permission to return, the Sieur Legate
has nevertheless wished and requested that I should be present and
concerned in these proceedings, with me De Praet, in order to make a
report of them to madame.
'Sire! The said madame (Margaret) has written to inform us how the
King of Denmark,[84] who, with the queen and his children, is, as we
have already made known to your Majesty, in your Low Countries, has
demanded of her three things. One that she should be willing to
render sufficient aid and assistance to enable him to reconquer his
kingdom; a second, that she should grant a passport to one of his
people whom he intends to despatch to your Majesty, and by him should
write to you in his favour; the third, that you should write to
monseigneur, your Majesty's brother, and the electoral princes, that
right and justice may be rendered to him in his quarrels and
contentions against his uncle the Duke of Holstein, who, with the aid
of the city of Lubeck, has occasioned his expulsion. To these demands,
in as much as regards the two latter, madame has signified her willing
acquiescence; but, in respect to the first, she begs to be excused, on
account of the impossibility of acceding to it; and refers all to the
good pleasure of your Majesty....'[85]
[84] Christian II., King of Denmark, who had married Charles's
sister Isabella in August 1515, was hated by his subjects, who
combined with the city of Lubeck and the Hansa League to drive
him from his kingdom. He then took refuge in the Netherlands with
his wife and three children.
[85] W. Bradford, _Correspondence of the Emperor Charles V._
In a postscript of the same despatch De Praet says, referring to
Bourbon's intended revolt: 'In truth, Sire, this affair, I know not
why, has not long remained a secret, and in a short time cannot fail
to be publicly known. Even at this Court there are to my knowledge
more than ten people now acquainted with it. The day before yesterday,
when the cardinal and I met concerning the present war, he immediately
began to talk of the coming over of Bourbon, and related the whole
transaction from beginning to end, and this in the presence of the
Duke of Suffolk, Messieurs Talbot and Wingfield, three bishops, and
the treasurer Marnix. M. de Badajoz and I knew it ever since the past
month of January, but we obstinately denied it before the King of
England and the cardinal, until your Majesty orders us to be candid on
the subject.'[86]
[86] _Ibid._
The emperor sent Adrian de Croy, Lord of Beaurain, to treat secretly
with the Duke of Bourbon, and on the 22nd of July he writes: 'Sire! I
came into communication with M. de Bourbon the 3rd day of July at
Monbrison, which is three days' journey within the French territory,
and there treated with him.
'Monsieur de Bourbon is ready to declare himself the enemy of
France.... I have despatched... my secretary to the King of England
to apprise him of all I have thought necessary, urging him to hasten
his army according to the advice of M. de Bourbon; and I have
advertised madame (Margaret) that if she should hear of what has
passed, respecting the said duke from any other quarter, to be
cautious, lest any difficulty should be thrown in the way.
'M. de Bourbon has made friends with many rich people who are ready to
come forward with several thousand crowns for the payment of his
debts, at which I rejoice, for he is a fine fellow....
'I have treated with him according to the secret articles with which
you were pleased to charge me. He will take in marriage either Madame
Eleanor or Madame Katharine,[87] but would greatly prefer the former.
'M. de Bourbon will stir up a fine commotion in France.
ADRIAN DE CROY'
[87] The emperor's sisters; Eleanor, Queen of Portugal, was now a
widow, whilst Katharine was still unmarried--but neither of these
ladies was destined to become Bourbon's wife.
On the 9th of August 1523 Louis de Praet also wrote to Charles that
'the Duke of Bourbon declares himself ready to serve him (the emperor)
against all and every person, whoever he may be, and to enter into his
offensive and defensive league...' but in return 'the duke expects
that he (the emperor) will give him his sister (Eleanor, Queen of
Portugal) in marriage, or if the queen refuses to be his wife, Madame
Katharine. The dower of Madame Eleanor or Madame Katharine to consist
of 200,000 écus, while the duke promises to give his future wife a
jointure of 15,000 écus a year....'
'The Duke of Bourbon also expects that the emperor will give him the
command of ten thousand German troops, and 100,000 écus wherewith to
pay the German as well as the other troops... and that the King of
England will contribute 100,000 écus for the maintenance of the German
and other troops of the duke....'[88]
[88] _Calendar of Spanish State Papers_, vol. ii. Printed from a
copy preserved in the Archives Générales du Royaume in Brussels
by M. le Glay.
Soon after Bourbon made good his escape and reached Italy in safety,
although Francis, whose suspicions were aroused too late, tried to
arrest him.
On hearing of his safe arrival the emperor, writing from Logrono,
hastened to send him a warm welcome. 'My brother, on the 16th of
September Gracian arrived and gave me news of you, which afforded me
the greatest satisfaction.... Anxious as I am for your safety, you may
rest assured there is nothing which the King of England, my good
father, and I, as well as all our friends and allies, will not be
ready to do for your succour and assistance; and that, faithful to my
promise, you will ever find me a true prince, your good brother,
cousin, and friend, who, come what may of good or evil fortune, will
never abandon your interest, as I am sure you will never cease to feel
and do the like for me....
'I pray you, my brother, if it be possible, that you will speedily
unite yourself and yours with my army, at least with that part of it
which is in Italy, as I have communicated my desire to them that this
junction be accomplished, when and where the occasion may offer....'
At the same time the emperor wrote to Margaret, and, after referring
to the difficulties of communication with Bourbon, and lamenting that
Francis had seized several of the duke's friends and adherents, he
asks her to write to Henry VIII. and request him to order the Duke of
Suffolk (then commanding the English troops in Picardy) to detain
every prisoner of rank and not allow them to be ransomed. This was no
doubt by way of reprisals, but when the English army under Suffolk was
within eleven leagues of Paris, it was driven back by Vendome and his
troops, and a severe sickness breaking out amongst the soldiers, this
unsuccessful campaign was brought to a close. Thus the intended great
invasion of France by the allies dwindled from various causes into
three separate and unavailing attacks from Spain, Germany, and
England.
On the 14th of September 1523 Adrian VI. died in Rome after a short
illness, and was buried in the church of Santa Maria dell'Anima. His
death again raised Wolsey's hopes of the Papacy. Although Margaret
sincerely mourned the loss of her old friend, still she lost no time
in doing her utmost to procure the English cardinal's election. De
Praet, writing from London to the emperor on the 6th of October, says:
'Moreover, Sire, I have to inform your Majesty that I have received
letters from madame (Margaret), dated the 25th of last month,
containing the afflicting news of the decease of the Holy Father,
which took place on the 14th of the said month, commanding me on this
account to repair without delay to the said cardinal (Wolsey) to give
him as it may so happen the first intelligence of this event, and to
offer him on her part all the favour and assistance in her power
towards his promotion to this dignity. This I lost no time in doing
according to her order, as well on the part of your Majesty as on
hers; to which he made the most grateful and suitable reply,
expressing his profound thanks to madame for such demonstrations of
her goodwill in offering her services for his advancement to a dignity
of which he felt himself utterly unworthy.
'Nevertheless, in acknowledging her gracious intentions, he could not
but bear in mind in what manner your Majesty, when with the king at
Windsor, had touched upon this subject, exhorting him to think of it,
and promising every possible aid on your part in bringing about its
accomplishment.
'He expressed the willingness of one who was always ready to conform
with the wishes and advice of both your Majesties, begging that
madame, in case such a promotion and election should appear to her as
tending to the benefit of Christendom, and to the common interests of
your Majesties, would write without a moment's delay to your
ambassador in Rome, and to other of your good friends there....'[89]
[89] W. Bradford.
The emperor replied from Pampeluna on November 27th: 'The principal
point is the advancement of the cardinal (Wolsey) to the papal
dignity. We have always desired, and with most sincere good feeling
and intention have wished to promote this to the utmost of our power,
having full recollection how we and the king, our good father and
brother, being at Windsor, opened to him our minds on this subject,
exhorting him to think of it, and promising our best services in his
assistance, because it appeared to us that his promotion and election
would be attended with great good to Christendom, and advantage to
our common interest.... We firmly believe that the Cardinal de Medicis
will give his assistance to the Sieur Legate, from the little chance,
we are informed, of his own success; and we well know and acknowledge
how cordially and sincerely madame, our good aunt, is occupied in this
affair, not only in her own name, but in ours. We entertain a good
hope, therefore, that all these efforts will prosper, and are
anxiously expecting favourable news which has been hitherto retarded
on account of the tempestuous weather at sea.'
On the 15th of December the emperor writes to De Praet: 'We have here
received the news by a letter from the Marquis de Finale that, on the
19th of November, Cardinal de Medicis was elected Pope.... You will
do well to communicate the above to the seigneurs, the king, and the
cardinal, advertising them that our ambassador, the Duke of Sessa, had
written to inform us that he was doing everything in his power, and
with the utmost diligence, to influence the votes of the Conclave in
favour of the Sieur Legate.'[90]
[90] W. Bradford.
It certainly appears from the above correspondence that Charles used
all his influence in Wolsey's favour in both this and the former
election, but the cardinal himself chose to consider otherwise, and
from this date he visibly cooled in his friendship, and though
outwardly affecting to rejoice in the Cardinal de Medicis' elevation,
he never forgave the emperor his supposed duplicity.