DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0265
BOURBONS RETREAT
285
After this, the chief political incident which the
Count had to record was the arrival of the Emperor's
long-expected envoy, Monsignore della Rocchia, or,
more correctly speaking, Gerard de la Plaine, Sieur
de Magny et de la Roche, who was sent to Rome
by Charles V. to discuss terms of peace, and, if possible,
obtain money from the Pope.
' I visited Monsignore della Rocchia in V. E.'s
name/ wrote Castiglione on August 20, ' and assured
him of your devotion to Cassar. His lordship was
very cordial, and told me that the Emperor loved
and trusted V. E. more than any other Italian prince.
He also spoke very warmly of Don Ferrante, telling
me how much he is beloved by the Emperor and all
the grandees of Spain. The said Mons. della Rocchia
has paid the Pope two visits, and seems to me a
discreet and modest gentleman. The Archbishop of
Capua is about to start with the post, on the journey
which I hope to take in ease and comfort, and I think
that he and I will both set off very soonA
But these expectations were disappointed. In the
first place, Alberto Pio's demands were so extrava-
gant that hopes of peace seemed vain, although Sessa
wrote that the Emperors want of money made a
truce absolutely necessary. Then De la Roche him-
self fell ill of fever, and died on August 81, before he
had been a fortnight in Rome. This untimely event
interrupted the progress of negotiations, and Francis 1.,
encouraged by the failure of Bourbon's attempts to
take Marseilles, obstinately rejected all proposals of
peace.
' Mons. della Rocchia came in an evil moment to
Rome,' wrote the Count on September 5, ' for, as I
i Serassi, 'Neg.,' i. 1S8.
285
After this, the chief political incident which the
Count had to record was the arrival of the Emperor's
long-expected envoy, Monsignore della Rocchia, or,
more correctly speaking, Gerard de la Plaine, Sieur
de Magny et de la Roche, who was sent to Rome
by Charles V. to discuss terms of peace, and, if possible,
obtain money from the Pope.
' I visited Monsignore della Rocchia in V. E.'s
name/ wrote Castiglione on August 20, ' and assured
him of your devotion to Cassar. His lordship was
very cordial, and told me that the Emperor loved
and trusted V. E. more than any other Italian prince.
He also spoke very warmly of Don Ferrante, telling
me how much he is beloved by the Emperor and all
the grandees of Spain. The said Mons. della Rocchia
has paid the Pope two visits, and seems to me a
discreet and modest gentleman. The Archbishop of
Capua is about to start with the post, on the journey
which I hope to take in ease and comfort, and I think
that he and I will both set off very soonA
But these expectations were disappointed. In the
first place, Alberto Pio's demands were so extrava-
gant that hopes of peace seemed vain, although Sessa
wrote that the Emperors want of money made a
truce absolutely necessary. Then De la Roche him-
self fell ill of fever, and died on August 81, before he
had been a fortnight in Rome. This untimely event
interrupted the progress of negotiations, and Francis 1.,
encouraged by the failure of Bourbon's attempts to
take Marseilles, obstinately rejected all proposals of
peace.
' Mons. della Rocchia came in an evil moment to
Rome,' wrote the Count on September 5, ' for, as I
i Serassi, 'Neg.,' i. 1S8.