Letter from Bernardino Spada to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-05-10, Paris
Cardinal rings
Cardinal Spada informs PF that his efforts with the archbishop of Paris (regarding the cardinal ring fee issue) had the same effect as those of the former nuncio to France, Cardinal Bentivoglio. Spada says that details about the latter are attached, but the attached file does not directly follow the document (see Additional Comments). The rest of the letter deals with Gabriel Sionita's travel to Rome.
Additional comments
a) Cardinal Spada was leaving the French nunciature that year; b) the attached "details" are probably SOCG 129, f. 41r, 46v (database item 3).
[Bernardino Spada]
APF SOCG 129, 10r, 16v
1627-05-10
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4 214r, 219r (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
2
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from Jean-François de Gondi to the nuncio to France, Guido Bentivoglio d'Aragona [1627], Paris
Cardinal rings
Copy of a letter fragment from the archbishop of Paris to Cardinal Bentivoglio regarding the cardinal ring fee, in which the archbishop explains that it is not his responsibility to pay it.
Date discussed 1627-05-21
Additional comments
a) The document was written between the dates of database items 1 and 2; based on its content, it was most likely written between April-May 1627; b) this is possibly the missing attached file to SOCG 129, 10r,16v (database item 2); c) Cardinal Bentivoglio was nuncio to France in 1616-1621; and d) elsewhere it is suggested that Bentivoglio was in Rome at the time. See: APF SOCG 129, 10r, 16v (database item 2).
Jean-François de Gondi
APF SOCG 129, 41r, 46v
[1627]
Addressed to Guido Bentivoglio d'Aragona
APF SOCG 129 & APF SOCG 130 passim;
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Contemp. copy; Italian
Italian
Letter
3
Origin: Paris
Destination: [Rome]
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Bernardino Spada, 1627-01-23, Rome
Cardinal rings
Letter from PF to Cardinal Spada, letting him know about the decision taken in the general congregation held on the 15 January 1627, which instructs him to convince the archbishop of Paris to have the heirs of the late Cardinal de Retz pay the fee for the cardinal ring. The letter suggests that Cardinal Spada mention the names of Cardinals de Sourdis, "Ricoglieu" and "Marimont," who have paid their dues, as examples to be followed. The second part of the letter deals with Gabriel Sionita.
PF
1627-01-23
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Bernardino Spada, 1627-01-23, Rome
Cardinal rings
Letter from PF to Cardinal Spada, letting him know about the decision taken in the general congregation held on the 15 January 1627, which instructs him to convince the archbishop of Paris to have the heirs of the late Cardinal de Retz pay the fee for the cardinal ring. The letter suggests that Cardinal Spada mention the names of Cardinals de Sourdis, "Ricoglieu" and "Marimont," who have paid their dues, as examples to be followed. The second part of the letter deals with Gabriel Sionita.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 6, 3v-4r
1627-01-23
Addressed to Bernardino Spada
Contemp. copy; not signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
33
Origin: Rome
Destination: [France]
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Bernardino Spada, 1627-03-13, Rome
Cardinal rings
Letter from PF to Cardinal Spada, letting him know that the cardinals of PF do not think it is a good idea that the pope write a letter to the archbishop of Paris asking him to pay the cardinal ring fee. Instead, PF asks Cardinal Bentivogli to write the archbishop an "effective" letter, hoping that it would produce the desired results, together with the efforts of Cardinal Spada himself, especially considering the success that he [Cardinal Spada] had had with Cardinal de Sourdis on a similar matter. PF also asks Cardinal Spada to remind Cardinal de La Valette about his promise to pay for his own cardinal ring, and about the fact that many other French cardinals have already paid their dues. The second part of letter refers to Gabriel Sionita.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 6, 34v-35r
1627-03-13
Addressed to Bernardino Spada
Contemp. copy; not signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
34
Origin: Rome
Destination: [France]
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, 1627-05-28, Rome
Cardinal rings
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, letting him know about the response of the archbishop of Paris to Cardinal Bentivoglio (attached on a separate paper and filed not in this volume, but in the SOCG collection), regarding the cardinal ring fee issue. PF, in the presence of the pope, decided to write the following to the nuncio: a) that the archbishop's argument that the late Cardinal de Retz was not supposed to pay the cardinal ring fee is not valid, because Cardinals Gusman of Spain and Richelieu of France paid it, even though they had not received the capello (the cardinal hat); b) the nuncio should try to see if the ring fee could be obtained from the owners of the late Cardinal de Retz's property, since the archbishop and the other relatives are excusing themselves by saying that they are not his heirs. Prehaps in this manner, they would have decide to pay it.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 6, 70v
1627-05-28
Addressed to Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
Contemp. copy; not signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
35
Origin: Rome
Destination: [France]
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, 1629-02-08, Rome
Cardinal rings
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, in Paris about various matters; the last part refers to the cardinal ring issue. PF gives a negative response to the nuncio's suggestion (following the archbishop's request) that PF ask the pope to grant relief from the archbishop's obligation to pay the overdue annate for an abbey he had administered for several years, in return for his paying the cardinal ring fee. PF did not find it "convenient" to ask His Holiness for this favor as a way to convince the archbishop to pay the cardinal fee. PF instructs the nuncio to talk again with the archbishop about the matter and try to convince him to pay for the ring, and then that he (the nuncio) should write again to PF, who will try to see what the pope can do to "give him satisfaction," all the while reminding the archbishop that he should 'ease his conscience' and pay the overdue annate.
Additional comments
PF
APF LETTERE 8, 24v-25v
1629-02-08
Addressed to Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
Contemp. copy; not signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
40
Origin: Rome
Destination: [France]
Letter from the nuncio to France [Bernardino Spada] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-02-02, Paris
Cardinal rings
Cardinal Spada informs PF that the archbishop of Paris is heir (but not beneficiary) of the late Cardinal de Retz, and that he could perhaps be "lured" to pay the fee for his late brother's cardinal ring (which had not been paid) by way of a brief from the pope, which would do him honor, especially since he (the archbishop) seems well disposed toward "Rome." The note on the back indicates that PF did not deem a brief appropriate, but instead charged Cardinal Bentivoglio to send the archbishop a letter to this effect, and entreated Cardinal Spada to also work himself on convincing the archbishop, considering that he (Cardinal Spada) had had great success in convincing another French cardinal to pay the fee for his ring (i.e. Cardinal de Sourdis). Cardinal Spada was also asked to remind Cardinal de La Valette to honor his promise to pay his fee as well, if he wants to please PF, following the example of other French cardinals who paid their own. The second part of the letter/note refers to Gabriel Sionita's planned travel to Rome and request for supporting funds (granted by PF only to a max. of 100 scudi).
Date discussed 1627-03-08
Additional comments
a) Cardinal Spada was leaving the French nunciature that year. b) Other cardinals who had not paid for their rings according to the "constitution" of Pope Gregory XV are mentioned in other documents, together with the nuncio's efforts to extract the money. See for instance "Cardinale della Cueua" in SOCG 129, f. 3-3v/note6v (letter by the nuncio from Paris, 15 April 1627). Josef Metzler discusses the matter in "Foundation of the Congregation 'de Propaganda Fide' by Gregory XV," in J. Metzler, ed., Sacrae Congregationis de Propaganda Fide Memoria Rerum, vol. I/1 (Herder: Rome, Freiburg, Vienna, 1972), 79-111, here 99-100. Metzler notes that "most of the Italian Cardinals were prompt in making their offering" but that there were difficulties with the French. Metzler mentions that Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal de Sourdis eventually paid at the end of 1624, and de Sourdis even paid double, i.e. 1,000 scudi. For these cases, Metzler cites APF Lettere vol. 2 (1622-1623), f. 29v, 49r, and 64r-v. NB: The "constitution" of Gregory XV (1622) established that the fees traditionally paid by the heirs of the deceased cardinals for their cardinal rings be turned over to PF; a later decision by PF (same year) stated that current cardinals should feel free to make their payment in advance in order to support PF; and that, in the future, newly created cardinals would have to pay their fee to the PF on the day they were appointed (Metzler cites APF Acta vol. 3 (1622-1625) f. 5v-6r).
Bernardino Spada
APF SOCG 129, 2r, 7v
1627-02-02
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian note on 7v in Italian and Latin.
Italian
Latin
Letter
1
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France [Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-07-16, Paris
Cardinal rings
The new nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, lets PF know that the solution suggested by PF in a letter from 20 May 1627, namely to collect the fee for the ring of late Cardinal de Retz via litigation with the owners of his goods, would be too difficult and costly. Instead, he tried to convince the archbishop of Paris to pay the fee out of "liberality" and for the sake of the pope and PF. The archbishop promissed to do so, but with a delay of "several months." The nuncio accepted the promise without rushing the archbishop to fulfill it by the time of the following PF general meeting; the nuncio is going to follow up with the archbishop in order to make sure that he pays the fee.
Date discussed 1627-08-13
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 129, 21r-v, 28v
1627-07-16
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
APF SOCG 129 & APF SOCG 130 passim
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian note in Italian and Latin.
Italian
Latin
Letter
4
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France [Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1628-05-26, Paris
Cardinal rings
The nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, writes to Cardinal Ludovisi about various matters; among which is the "cardinalizio" (cardinal ring fee) of Cardinal de Retz, which the archbishop of Paris had promised to pay the previous summer. The nuncio says that all he has received so far were kind words, but that he will do everything possible to obtain "facts."
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 34r, 35v
1628-05-26
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
7
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to [Ottavio Bandini], 1628-12-13, Paris
Cardinal rings
The nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, writes that the archbishop of Paris again claims that he has no obligation to pay the fee for the cardinal ring of late Cardinal de Retz (particularly since he had died before receiving the "capello" and before PF was even founded); and that he had always rejected similar requests from Mons. Cortino and Card. Spada; but now that he, the nuncio (Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno), has managed to make him promise to pay, he feels bound by that promise alone and by no other obligation. In the same conversation, related by the nuncio in this letter, the archbishop asked for a favor (from the pope, via the nuncio) regarding the cancelation of the obligation to pay the annate due from one abbey, called "Beata Maria de Pietate," which was left to his care after the death of Cardinal de Retz and which he had administered for six or seven years already, seeing as with that money he could pay the cardinal ring fee. The nuncio responded that the cardinal ring fee and annate were different issues and could not be combined. In his letter, however, the nuncio asks [Cardinal Bandini] to consider the archbishop's request nonetheless, because otherwise he fears that the cardinal ring fee issue will not be solved any time soon. A separate note containing the name and status of the abbey concerned is attached (on f. 6r).
Date discussed 1629-01-13
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 131, 5r-6r, 8v
1628-12-13
Addressed to [Ottavio Bandini]
See also: APF SOCG 129 & APF SOCG 130 passim; APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian and Latin
Italian
Latin
Letter
17
Origin: Paris
Destination: unknown
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to [Ottavio Bandini], 1629-06-22, Alès
Cardinal rings
The nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, writes [to Cardinal Bandini], among other things, that he continues to pursue the cardinal ring fee from the archbishop of Paris even while away from Paris; yet without any effect so far. The nuncio also reminds the cardinal about the archbishop's request to have "la speditione gratis" for an abbey of his, in exchange for paying the said cardinal ring fee, and in that respect he mentions the note (regarding the abbey) that he had attached to his letter of 13 December 1628.
Date discussed 1629-08-07
Additional comments
Written "from the camp in Ales."
Ottavio Bandini died a year later in Rome, and was also the dean of the college of cardinals. Therefore he was possibly in Rome.
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 131, 34r-v, 41v
1629-06-22
Addressed to [Ottavio Bandini]
See also: APF SOCG 129 & APF SOCG 130 passim.
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
18
Origin: Alès
Destination: [Rome]
PF minutes, 1627-05-21, Rome
Cardinal rings
Minutes of PF general meeting discussing, among other things, the issue of the cardinal fee due by the heirs of the late Cardinal de Retz.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 4, 214r, 219r, issue 9
1627-05-21
Original registry entry; Latin
Latin
Minutes
43
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1627-08-13, Rome
Cardinal rings
Minutes of PF general meeting discussing a letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, who let the cardinals know that the archbishop of Paris had promised to pay the overdue cardinal fee of his late brother. See the attached file.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 4, 273v, issue 21
1627-08-13
Original registry entry; Latin
Latin
Minutes
49
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1629-01-30, Rome
Cardinal rings
PF deems it inappropriate to convince the archbishop of Paris to pay the fee for the cardinal ring of his late brother, by waving the annate overdue for a certain abbey that the archbishop had been administering for seven years. PF decides to instruct the nuncio to convince the archbishop to pay the fee and then petition the pope separately for the abbey-related problem.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 6, 214v-215r, issue 21
1629-01-30
Original registry entry; Latin
Latin
Minutes
48
Origin: Rome
Destination:
PF minutes, 1631-08-26, Rome
Cardinal rings
Minutes of PF general meeting mentioning, among other topics, that the fee for the cardinal ring of the late Cardinal de Retz was paid (supposedly by the archbishop of Paris, but he is not mentioned) thanks to the efforts of Cardinal of Balneo, the nuncio to France at that time. The final sum was higher than the standard fee (690.75, versus the regular 500 scudi).
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 7, 366v, issue 2
1631-08-26
Original registry entry; Latin
Latin
Minutes
51
Origin: Rome
Destination: