Page 159 - sfogliabile 49

«No great glory in chasing a pirate». The manipulation of news during the 1535 425

and c. 50,000 men . Consequently, the announcement led to more
37
fear, speculation and a multiplicity of false rumours, including one
that he had declared war on Süleyman . The few individuals who
38
knew his decision to lead a campaign against Tunis were sworn to
secrecy . Some, including the minister Francisco de los Cobos was
39
still pleading ignorance of the emperor’s motives and target, but
besides Perrenin, others were beginning to talk. Andrea Doria told the
Mantuan ambassador in confidence . Perrenot de Granvelle revealed
40
the truth to the papal nuncio, but such was the level of suspicion and
disinformation that the nuncio did not believe him, and claimed that
the emperor was lying to his own ministers to spread confusion .
41
Francis I laughed at the emperor’s announcement, scornfully
noting that no monarch had ever needed 300 ships and thousands of
troops to escort him to his own lands. The proclamation strengthened
his conviction that Charles V was about to invade, not visit, Italy. Pio
di Carpi disagreed, but was highly critical of the emperor’s tactics,
condemning the mix of hypocrisy and obfuscation of the imperial
proclamation . The French court was prey to wild rumours regarding
42
the emperor’s intentions . Unable to ascertain the emperor’s target,
43
without confirmation of Ottoman help, and with such powerful forces
on his borders, Francis I announced that he would maintain peace
with the emperor during the campaign against the Muslims, making
some propaganda capital out of necessity .
44
Henry VIII was more frustrated than amused by the emperor’s
letter. Having read it in silence, he curtly asked the imperial
ambassador if he had further information. Eustace Chapuys admitted
he did not, nor could he confirm or deny rumours that the emperor
was heading for Naples, or personally commanding an expedition
against Tunis. This prompted Henry VIII to speak at length of the great
power of the Ottoman sultan. He accused Chapuys of disseminating
false rumours that Süleyman had been defeated when the opposite

37 LP, viii, n. 744, Thomas Badcock to Cromwell, 6 and 21 May 1535.
38 Csp Sp., 5 (1), Lope de Soria to Charles V, 21 May 1535.
39 KFI, V, pp. 226-228, Charles V to Ferdinand I, 10 May 1535; ivi, p. 248, Ferdinand
I to Charles V, 7 June 1535; ivi, p. 251, second letter same date. Ferdinand did not
reveal that he knew; ivi, p. 258, Ferdinand I to Mary, 7 June 1535. Charles wrote in his
own hand and apologised for not having revealed this earlier.
40 Asm, Ag, b. 588, f. 69, Agnello to the duke of Mantua, 13 May 1535.
41 Asm, Ag, b. 588 ff. 32-33, Agnello to the duke of Mantua, 6 April 1535.
42 Ang, Carpi, pp. 34-35, Carpi to Ricalcato, 23 May 1535.
43 Du Bellay, I, p. 485, Gregorio Casale to [Jean du Bellay], Rome 14 May 1535; LP,
viii, n. 874, Edmund Harvel to Thomas Starkey, Venice, 15 June 1535; ivi, viii, n. 807,
Casale to Cromwell, Rome, 1 June 1535.
44 CKKV, II, p. 186, Charles V to Mary of Hungary, s.d. [early July 1535].

Mediterranea - ricerche storiche - Anno XVII - Agosto 2020
ISSN 1824-3010 (stampa) ISSN 1828-230X (online)