|
|
29 May 1522
The King has been frequently required by the Emperor to declare himself enemy to Francis in accordance with the treaty of London, on account of the invasion of Navarre, and the attempts of Rob. de la Marche, but wished rather to bring the Emperor and him to concord, and for that reason sent the cardinal of York to Calais. Although Francis was proved to be the invader, by his letters to the count de Cariat (Carpi) and other things, the King wished the Cardinal to forbear the declaration, and to continue the diet, that some means might be found to pacify their variances; and after his return, he continued to apply to Francis' mother for the furtherance of peace, and it was promised that persons should be sent to bring matters to a conclusion. The affair, however, was always delayed; and meanwhile Albany has been sent to Scotland, in contempt of the King who is supreme lord [thereof], to the danger of the young King and the dishonor of his mother, whom Albany has endeavored to separate from her husband, "and damnably to contract matrimony with her." The payment of the King's money has been refused, and Ric. de la Pole, his rebellious subject, entertained, contrary to Francis' oath. Francis has also allowed his subjects to rob the King's lieges at sea, and refused redress; he retains strangers not being his subjects in wages; he has caused the garrison of Tournay to make excursions against Flanders, and has acted more like an enemy than a friend to England. The King has therefore instructed Clarencieux to intimate to Francis that he will take part with the Emperor against him. 2. The message of the herald of England to the king of France On the 29th May, the French king gave audience to the English herald at Lyons. He said that his master bade the French king beware of him, as he was his mortal enemy, on account of his infraction of the treaty of Ardre,-- (1.) by making war on the Emperor, and assisting Mons. de Sedan; (2.) by employing foreigners; (3.) by allowing Albany to go to Scotland; (4.) by invading Navarre; (5.) by discontinuing his pensions to the king of England, and causing the French to pillage his ships. The French king, without waiting to deliberate, replied as follows: (1.) That he never assisted the sieur de Sedan, but offered to assist the Emperor against him, if he wished it. (2.) He was obliged to hire the Swiss, because the Emperor invaded Champagne, and took Moson under pretence of making war on Sedan; and before he engaged them, the king of England had an ambassador there, who gave them 50,000 angelots not to enter the service of France. (3.) The duke of Albany left without his knowledge, and he has tried without success to make him return. (4.) There was nothing about Navarre in the treaty of Ardre, but the king of England promised to put the said kingdom into his hands in three months, which he has not done. (5.) As to the pension, he has felt assured for two years that the King is his mortal enemy, and he will not pay him money to be used against himself. In proof of this assertion he offers to show articles, signed by Henry, and sent by him to the late Pope. Finally, he said he would give the lie to any man who said he had not kept the promise he made at Ardres; if this was Henry's only complaint, it was a bad one, and whenever he chose to come into the field he would be beforehand with him. |
|