[War preparations given up and attention turned to jousts,
touneys and pastimes – Queens coronation at Whitsuntide]
26 March.[1540] 401. Marillac to Montmorency.
(Almost the whole text.) London, 26 March:--
No news since his last letters of the 19th. Thinks the English, by the reports which they have obtained from divers places, have several conceptions all tending to the end which they most desire—to escape war for this year and remain at peace with their neighbours, especially France.
Cromwell says a settlement is certain between the Emperor and the duke of Cleves. This will exempt them from assisting their new ally. People understand here that the legate, [Cardinal Alexander Farnese] nephew of the Pope, who they once feared had come to publish the censures of excommunication against them, and thus provoke the Christian princes to attack them, is returning shortly; “qui ne leur est moindre satisfaction d'entendre qu'on permette ainsi qu'ilz ont institué,” which is in fashion the same as ours except the refusal of obedience to the Holy See and the suppression of religious houses.
They have heard that Montmorency's journey to Flanders is given up, and think the final resolution between Francis and the Emperor is not so near as was said. Assures them of Montmorency's going immediately after Easter, but they seem to give little faith to it, and say they are otherwise informed from Flanders.
They interpret to their advantage that the Turk has made no truce with the Venetians or the Christian princes, but rather prepares his armaments, so that the Christian princes will have to defend themselves rather than make war on one another. These considerations, with the confidence they profess in Francis, make them give up all war preparations and turn their whole attention to the jousts, tourneys and pastimes they intend to make after Easter, before and after their Queen's coronation, which shall be about Whitsuntide. This King spends Easter at Hampton Court, and the writer will be there.
