HOSPITALLER SOURCES 1515

1515. [Westminster].
King Henry VIII of England to Grand Master fr. Fabrizio del Carretto: Recommendation of fr. John Ranson. - Copy on paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 32r-v)

10 January, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII of England: The Orders sends presents to the King. Has received letters from Selim I. signed as Sultan of Persia, a dignity which he did not reach. The Ottomans havr troops of 50.000 men. Their fights against the Sophians. The Turkish pirate Cortogolus has returned from the West and was attacked by Rhodian ships. One of his vessels could be taken, several Christians could be freed. - Original paper, damaged by fire, signed. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 19r-20v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, 2, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 17, S. 5)

15 January, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII of England: Letters from Damascus about peace negotiations between the Sophi and the Turks, mediated by the Mamluk Sultan. Selim is unpopular having put many of his pashas to death wo wanted to stop his last military expedition. There is chance for the Christians to successfully fight the Ottomans when the Christians under their rule will try to liberate themselves from the Turkish yoke. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 21r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, 1, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 3, S. 6)

30 January, 1515. s. l.
Extract from espionage report from Rhodes concerning the conflict between the Ottomans and the Sophi whose army is increasing daily. The Ottomans organize a great levy provisions in Asia Minor though it is said that there is great scarcity. The ruler of Wallachia has asked for peace for three years. The Turks have imposed heavy taxes on Greece, and the Sultan is busy in building a navy, probably against Rhodes. - Copy on paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 22r-23v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, 1, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 76, S. 23-24)

Hospitaller Sources, JS 60 - 5 April, 1518
The Master Fr. Fabricio del Carretto to Pope Leo X.: expresses his joy that the pope has announced a crusade, informs him on the military preparations of the Turks and on the situation in the East.

Hospitaller Sources, JS 61 - 22 April, 1518
The Master Fr. Fabricio del Carretto to Pope Leo X.: sends Fr. Sabba da Castiglione as his envoy to Rome to inform the pope on the situation in the East; Fr. Giuliano de Ridolfis, Prior of Capua, will come as a substitute for the Proctor at the Roman Curia, Fr. Diego de Lorensana, who is on a mission to Spain.

Hospitaller Sources, JS 62 - 30 May, 1518
The Master Fr. Fabricio del Carretto to Pope Leo X.: rumour of a treaty between the Ottomans and Persia (the contents of which are not known to the master) and the preparation of a great fleet at Constantinople; also, Fr. Carretto asks the pope not to allow a suit at the Roman curia against the admiral, Fr. Carolo de Gesualdis.

June, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII of England: The Order has granted the preceptory of Schelebec to fr. Clement [West?] for his service in the East. He has written to the Prior, fr. Thomas [Docray] to give him the possession which has up to now deferred to do. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 26r-27v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, 1, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 650, S. 174)

Hospitaller Sources, JS 63  - 1 June, 1518
The Master Fr. Fabricio del Carretto to Pope Leo X.: reminds him of the dangers for the order and asks him to support the order's envoy, Fr. Sabba da Castiglione.

Hospitaller Sources, JS 64  - 7 June, 1518
The Master Fr. Fabricio del Carretto to Pope Leo X.: news of the Ottoman war against Persia; the rumours in Greece of a crusaders' fleet gathering in Brindisi and planning to move to Valona or Durazzo causes fears with the Turks.

16 July, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII of England: Turkish fights against the Sophi, the Ottomans lay siege on one of his towns. The Sultan is building up a large fleet to attack Italy. Fr. Thomas Newport and fr. Thomas Sheffield, Preceptor of Beverley and Captain of the Castle of St Peter, are not allowed to leave the island. The Grand Master sends 24 peta minora and three lareger, since the balsam he had sent before was only in small qunatity. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 28r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 715, S. 190)

12 November, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII of England: Retention of fr. William Darrell, turcopolier. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 29r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 1139, S. 301)

12 November, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII of England: Retention of fr. Thomas Docray, Prior of the Order of St. John in England. Asks to allow him to come to Rhodes, considering the urgency in the conflict between the Turks and the Sophi. The Ottomans are build a fleet. Since last month, Selim in Adrianopel to prepare for Hungary. He will spent the winter at Brussa, as the Sophians have taken Amach and are supported by the Goergians. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 30r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 1138, S. 301)

12 November, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to privy council of England: Recommendation of the Turcopolier, fr. William Darrell who has been slendered to the King. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 31r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign an Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 1140, S. 301)

9 Dezember, 1515. [Rhodes].
Fr. William Darrell to King Henry VIII.: He has been informed by letters from England that fr. Richard Neville has given him a bad reputation before the King. As a Turcopolier, he had to correct fr. Neville for irreverent speaking on at a meeting of the Order. He cannot defend himself before the king because he is not allowed to leave Rhodes in its present danger. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 34r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 1264, p. 333)

21 Dezember, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII.: In the spring, the Ottomans will send out a Turkish fleet of 50 galleys, and the Mamluk Sultan is accused by Selim to intend to attack him to support his son Anadola to recover his power. The Grand Master argue this is only a mere pretext to attack Rhodes. - Original paper, damaged by fire. (London, British Library, Ms. Cotton Otho C IX, fol. 35r-v / Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 1319, p. 357)

21 Dezember, 1515. [Rhodes].
Grand Master Fr. Fabrizio del Carretto to King Henry VIII.: Selim will send out a Turkish fleet of 50 galleys, pretending that he wants to attack the Mamluk Sultan. The Order is preparing for an attack. (Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, 2: 1515-1518, ed. J. S. Brewer, 1864, 1, 1319, p. 357)

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