The application of certain histories concerning ambassadours and their functions, by Francis Thynn, Esquire. Taken out of Sir Robert Cottons library.:

CHAP. 4. What Lawes, and privi∣leges were made, and allowed for and to Ambassadours.

ALthough this matter may best by a Ci∣vilian be discussed, for that the same is most plentifully known unto them, and is a thing that I cannot well intreat of, for that I have not acquain∣ted my selfe with Justini∣ans Writings, and De∣crees: yet so far-forth, as either in History, or other Authoritie, I have read, or collected any thing

thereof, I shall not refuse to say what I can, though not so much as I would, though not so much as the matter could bear, and though not so much as your Lordship might learn from others to your contentment, and my de∣sire; And therefore to say what I can, I affirm, That it is but reason (since Am∣bassadours endanger their persons, consume their substance, travell their wits, toyle their bodyes, serve their Countrie, and uphold their Prince) that they should be Franchised with such liberties, as both might be safety for them∣selves,

and guerdon for their deserts; or else who would willingly discharge that thing, the perform∣ance whereof shall not so much as defend his life? But to leave proofes of reason, wee will descend to the writings of others who have treated thereof. And first for the order how Ambassadours were received and used, Alex∣ander ab Alexandro thus writeth.

Apud Graecos nisi prae∣conibus adhibitis, * 1.1 Legatos minimè hostium fines in∣gredi docebat; neque Le∣gationis munere fungi quenquam, nisi prius infusa

aqua ab eisdem manus abluissent, Jovi{que} corona∣tis poculis propinassent. Hi tamen Legati qui cum pa∣triis sacris, Olympum aut Pythiam missi erant, sacri: qui vero foed ra percutie∣bant quasi pacis arbitri, & Interpretos 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dicti sunt.

Which Alexander fur∣ther speaking of the time when Ambassadors should be received amongst the Romans, and in what lan∣guage the Legates should speak, saith in this or∣der.

Neque illud praetereun∣dum, &c. * 1.2 Neither is it to be overpassed, that it is re∣membred,

that to Legates, and forraign Nations, ad∣mitted into the Senate, the Roman Confulls were not accustomed to give any answers, but only in Latin, who being admitted after the manner of the Fathers, the Senate gave them pow∣er of that they would have; but the Greeks (by their Deputies appointed) did declare their minds, if any body required any thing, as the Atrebates, and Belo∣naces did assemble their Councells by the sound of Trumpets. But if they would speak any thing in their own Language to those (being admitted in

the Senate) were Inter∣preters given, by whom they did propound what was needfull, and receive the agreement, and answers of the Senate.

And although Molo the Rhetorician is first said to have declamed in Greek in the Senate; yet so much did Tiberius hate the Greek tongue, that endea∣vouring to speak (I well know not what in the Se∣nate) in Greek, hee first craved pardon therefore.

And Claudius Caesar did rase out of the Table of the Judges, and sent away the Governuur of a Province in Greece, for that

hee was ignorant in the Latin tongue. Further, this custome grew in force amongst the Romans, that in the month of February, stiled the Calends of March (by Consuls appointed therefore) the Senate did daily apply themselves to hear the requests of Am∣bassadours, and complaints of their fellowes, lest they should be deceived in the end by long delay, and tedious expectation. Thus far he.

In which is worthily to be noted, that the Ro∣mans with great reason did use to give answers to Legates in their Mo∣ther

tongue, which was the Latine, and that hee which spake in the Senate should have the Latine tongue. The which ob∣servation if it were at this day used, it would judge most allowable, that what Prince soever should by his Ambassadours request any thing of us, should use our tongue, they standing in need of us. And so like∣wise when we are to re∣quire of them things ne∣cessary for us, wee to use their language, because the truth of the matter should better be under∣stood thereby than other∣wise, upon the ambiguitie

of the word (not known of the Ambassadour ig∣norant of our tongue) might great contention rise. As did to Frede∣rick. Duke of Saxonie, in Sentence given against him by Charles the Fifth, in the Dutch tongue, where Frederick under∣standing one word to sig∣nifie absolution and par∣don of life, was by the same word condemned to death, that word having double signification. * 1.3

Now what Privileges and Immunities are fur∣ther to them belonging, Marcus Popilius Lenas being dispatched Legate

unto Antiochus Epiphanes (who had besieged King Ptolomy, * 1.4 friend to the Ro∣mans) to will him that hee should abstain from molesting the Compani∣ons of the people of Rome, * 1.5 did compasse about An∣tiochus (deferring answer) with a circle which hee made with a wand, charg∣ing Anti chus not to de∣part out of the same, till such time as he had deli∣vered an absolute answer, the which Antiochus fear∣ing lest of his war where he doth by manifest error place C. Octavus for Po∣pilius.

Nicholaus Damastenus

being sent of Herod, King of the Jewes (whose deeds he wrote with more flattery than troth) Em∣bassadour to Rome, to Au∣gustus, did pacifie the Emperour offended with Herod for warres made against the Arabians; * 1.6 And so wrought that Syllius the Legate of the Arabi∣ans was condemned. Aga∣petus the Roman was sent of Theodorus king of the Goths to Justinian the Emperour to excuse the death of Amalasuenta, where the Emperour be∣ing pacified, and hee at∣tempted by the Emperour to follow the Heresie of

Eutiches, by his con∣stant denying thereof so wrought, that in th'end he enforced the Emperour to return to a sound opinion of Catholique Religion.

Francis Dandalus the Venetian Orator, * 1.7 being sent into France, to Cle∣ment the Pope to pacifie him, for that hee was of∣fended with the States of Venice for the receiving of Feraria, when he had divers times used many perswasions, and yet could not remove the anger of the high Bishop, falling groveling upon his hands and feet (of his voluntary motion, not by compulsi∣on

as some affirm) with a Chain about his neck, in the manner of a Dog, did prostrate himselfe at the feet of the Bishop then at Dinner; At which strange sight the Pope being asto∣nied, * 1.8 received him into his favour, and forgave the injurie of the Vene∣tians.

Laurence Medices, Am∣bassadour of the Floren∣tines, sent to Naples to King Ferdinando, when one of the Kings horles was brought forth on which Laurence should ride together with the King (who came to meet him, not as a private per∣son)

into the Castle, said, hee should then need a horse, and not before, when hee had obtained Peace of such a King, whereby hee might with quick speed carry such message to his City, whose hope in this was not de∣ceived, for Ferdinand be∣ing allured with the in∣ticement of his Speech, & courtesie (which plain∣ly seemed to represent a kingly Majestie) did so bind him unto him, that of a bitter enemy he made him a dear friend to his Country, in such sort, that he which made the warre by the malice of this

Laurence to the Floren∣tines, did also leave off the same by the words of the same person. Brutus, hist. Flor. li. 7. When Clement the seventh Bishop of Rome, and Charles the Fifth, the Emperour, had met at Bononia about di∣vers affaires, Francis Al∣vares the Legate of Di∣vide, commonly called Presto John, was King of the Abissine Aethiopians (which doe possesse the middle part of Affrica) be∣ing come to Bononia by the conduct of the Am∣bassadours of John King of Portugal did in the Senate, in the name of his

King, promise faith and obedience to Clement, * 1.9 Bishop of Rome, in the year of our Lord 1533. in the moneth of February. And so with these exam∣ples I conclude this title, of such persons as have been commended for the wise dispatch of their Embassie. After which I mean with like examples more plentifully to utter many wise Answers gi∣ven, and made by, and to the Legates of other Pro∣vinces, in which their wit, and learning was notably declared.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Alex. ab Alex. lib. 5. cap. 3.
• * 1.2

  Alex. ab. Alex. li. 4. cap. 21.
• * 1.3

  M.. Ae••odius Titus liv∣ius, Des. 4. li. 8. Theatrum vitae hu∣manae. V••••. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 5.
• * 1.4

  Valer. Max. li. 6. cap. 6.
• * 1.5

  Livius, lib. 45. Valer. Max. Plinius.
• * 1.6

  Joseph. li. 6. cap. 17
• * 1.7

  Volater••. li. 12. Anthrop.
• * 1.8

  Ignatius, li. 6. cap. 2.
• * 1.9

  Polidor. de Jnven. lib. 4. M. 2.