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432 María José Rodríguez-Salgado

Tunis, which was expected to fall easily. That was the last trustworthy
news for several days . On 17 August, thanks to information from the
79
Venetian ambassador and sources in Naples, the French court had
solid information of events in Tunis up to 6 August, including the fall
of the city, Barbarossa’s escape and the emperor’s imminent departure
for Sicily. The king shared the information with Mary of Hungary
and Leonor in Cambrai; Leonor immediately ordered a service of
thanksgiving .
80
By the time that Francis I received the emperor’s letter officially
informing him of the «defeat of Barbarossa» and the taking of Tunis,
he had been given enough time to consider how best to respond.
Charles V wrote that he was confident Francis I would be delighted
with the good news, not least because of the benefit to Christendom
and the 20,000 captives who had been released . The imperial
81
ambassador, Hannart, confirmed that the «glorious victory at Tunis
had been received with the utmost joy» and that Francis I declared
Charles V the greatest of all Christian conquerors over infidels, adding
that if he wished to continue, they needed to make a closer alliance .
82
The French ambassador in England complained that the emperor had
not asked Francis I to accompany him to Tunis . Carpi wrote,
83
unhelpfully, that the news would have «the impact that could be
expected» on the French . Ferdinand I thought it would lead to a firm
84
peace . As did Hannart, much to the alarm of Pio di Carpi who feared
85
it obviated the need for Paul III to mediate and would deprive him of
the opportunity to lead the next campaign against the Infidel . Mary
86
of Hungary was not so certain. She thought the victory had helped
restrain and frighten the French, but only because they had not
succeeded in getting allies. Francis I’s ambitions in Italy had not been
dented, and he would pursue them whatever it cost. At best he might

79 Du Bellay, II, p. 33, Francis I to Du Bellay, 15 August 1535, mentions Vély’s letter
and the lack of news thereafter. Carpi only mentioned receipt of Pate’s letters; the king
may have kept Vély’s report secret. Ang, Carpi, p. 60, Carpi to Ricalcato, 7 August 1535.
80 Archives Generales du Royaume, Brussels, Audience, 48, ff. 137r-142v, Mary of
Hungary to Charles V, Brussels, 31 August 1535. The meeting took place between 16
and 19 August.
81 PEG, II, pp. 361-362, Charles V to Francis I, 23 July 1535.
82 Csp Sp, 5(1), n. 202, Hannart to the empress Isabel, 6 September 1535.
83 LP, ix, n. 58, Chapuys to Charles V, 10 August 1535.
84 Ang, Carpi, 60, Carpi to Ricalcato, 7 August 1535.
85 KFI, V, p. 298, Ferdinand I to Mary of Hungary, 24 August 1535: «J’espere que les
bonnes nouvelles de Tunèz viendront à cestuy afere fort à propos. Je prie le Createur
que viegne à quelque bonne conclusion».
86 Ang, Carpi, pp. 69-73 this at p. 72, Carpi to Ricalcato, 26 September 1535.

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