To: His Holiness, Gregorious XIII
From: Maximilian von Hapsburg
Your Holiness, I fear I must echo the sentiments of my brothers in Spain and Milan. For His Holiness, the Lord's representative on earth, to sell the whole of the Italian peninsula to the rule of King Charles of France is such a misfortune, and so unfitting of your Holiness that I could scare believe my ears when word was brought to me. The Holy Bible itself tells us not to covet that of our neighbor, yet you openly approve of Charles attempting to rule over his neighbor's kingdoms, which are not rightfully his.
Imperial soldiers have died on the field of battle, driving back the heathen Turks from Europe for God's greater glory, and yet you disrespect their memory by allowing the King of France to bribe you so. We fear that his Holiness may not have understood the implications of his actions when he promised these lands to Charles, and perhaps you were blinded in your excitement for the upcoming Ecumenical Council and the glory that it has brought to the Church. Whatever the case, we beg your Holiness to repeal this false recognition of Charles' rule over Italy, tainted as it is by bribery and the blood of good Christian soldiers.
To: His Holiness, Gregorious XIII
From: Maximilian von Hapsburg
Imperial armies shall continue in these upcoming years to drive the heathen Muslims out of the Balkans, conquering these lands for the greater glory of God. As a sign of our goodwill and wishes of pleasant health for your Holiness, we send a gift of 500 gold liberated from Turkish coffers in Sarajevo and Belgrade.
TO: His Imperial Majesty, Maximilian von Hapsburg, Emperor of Austria, Most Catholic King
FROM: Gregory, Servant of the Servants of God
Your pious generosity sings to the heavens and sounds forth the pure faith in your heart, and your intended gift warms our heart; yet, we pray that your majestic gift be borne back to you, that you may instead put it to good works among the heathens, that they might witness the goodness of our God and Church, and find themselves blessed by God through his Church and through his servant, Maximilian.
For the piety of Maximilian is now known to us, but, yea, even in a good man there resides an evil tongue, for the tongue is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. We see even now that out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing; these things ought not so to be. In a moment's rage, we are led by the devil, who holds special power over the tongues of men, to say things rashly, to speak out on those things about which we have no understanding. How much the more when we find our vision narrowed to the purposes of state, and the conduct of war! So it is with Maximilian, beloved child of God and rightful Emperor, who speaks out nobly, seeking to chastise wrongs and correct God's Church, though perhaps without the most charitable of tones, nor most humble of audiences. Seeing what he believes to be iniquity, Maximilian finds himself so filled with indignation before the Lord that he forgets himself, so fervent is his desire that justice be done! And thus far is he to be commended for his zeal for what is right and just, if not for his moderation.
We are overjoyed, however, that Maximilian may be assuaged once the facts are understood, once it is understood that justice has indeed been served. For the Church has granted Charles only those prerogatives which already existed in those domains which are his by right, namely some delegated prerogatives of appointment with regard to local clergymen. This right has Charles had for nearly a century now, and yet no complaint was raised by the Imperial Throne in all those years. If perhaps the Emperor perceives some irregularity or question with regard to the realms which Charles claims, we urge you, bring forth your evidence with all haste, that Charles may be made aware of the injustice (for he and you are as brothers, both honorable, pious Kings) and your differences may be resolved. (As for your hasty and immoderate (we hope that you will accept a gentle rebuke from your spiritual father) accusations, the Church has received no funds from Charles, nor does the Holy See lay claim to the lands of Italy, and so your charge that the Church has "sold" Italy is groundless: there is no competence in the Church no sale and no transaction took place.)
As for your charges of bribery, we will forgive you your rashness and boldness of tongue, but we are not pleased with your lack of humility in this matter; and yet we know that a monarch so wise and just as Maximilian would only take leave of himself in such a way if greatly moved in the cause of justice, however misunderstood the circumstances may be. Again, we say to you, if you believe that Charles' claims overstep his right, produce the evidence. As for the Holy See, we have granted nothing that did not already exist.
Let us put this unhappy moment behind us, for you are known to us and, as a man loves his own son, so too do we bear you all love. We pray for you constantly, and know that nothing is further from your heart than the division against which Christ warns us, and which is known to be inimical to the Body of Christ. You are a wise and pious king, this we know well.
TO: Carlos VIII of France, Il Papa Gregorious XIII
FROM: Juan I, King of Spain and Navarre
It brings a great heaviness on my heart and soul that so shortly after the passing of my father from this mortal world and into the arms of our Lord that such a travesty could occur. Carlos has purchased the divine right to Italia. Beyond the bonds of your earthly possession you must know that in Heaven above our God resents such a pact. Our faith is the one truth and we must admire and follow it without question. Yet I see Carlos, on his throne of many lies, coveting his neighbors property. Gifts of our Lord to our brothers in Italia, and forsaken by the Holy See. My father and mother trusted Roma in the ways of our holy faith and guidance, but now I see the truth behind the veil. Carlos will relinquish all rights he has claimed to the thrones of Italia before Easter in the year of our Lord Fifteen Hundred Sixteen. I am not my parents and I will not allow the continuation of such a vine in the holy church. Spain will cut the vine at the root; bringing down the tangled web of lies.
TO: Juan I, King of Spain and Navarre
FROM: His Holiness, Gregorious XIII, Bishop of Rome, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Servus Servorum Dei, Vicar of Christ
We are thrown into consternation regarding your most recent letter, for we are certain a forgery of the Royal Seal has been made, for surely, no King of Spain so pious, judicious, and wise as Juan, the First of that Name, would speak as one uninformed. Juan, we know, knows well that the Holy See neither forsakes nor abandons her children, nor does the Church sell what is not hers. If Juan has a complain against the lands claimed by Charles, only produce evidence that his claims are false and he shall deal with you as one deals with a brother, for you and he are brothers, children of God both, and Most Catholic Kings. Therefore, I pray you, work out your differences with charity and thanksgiving; slander not the Church, but remember that are preeminent among kings, and the evil of your tongue can unleash a greater evil. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood.
To Pope Gregorius XIII, his utmost holiness, the representative of God on Earth
From the humble Janos Corvinus
If you may excuse me for saying so your Holiness, I happen to agree with the illustrious Juan I of Spain, and with the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Gifting the Italian peninsula to any one monarch of Europe would be an unreasonable act. But when said monarch also has been shown to openly aid pagans in their slaughter of God-fearing men, to engage in intrigue throughout Europe, seeking to kidnap by kind mother from her summer home, de facto annexing the Kingdom of Naples, and many other things which I need not list here, well, it is rather obvious what kind of a person he is, no matter how pious he claims to be.
Thus, I have to join my Christian brothers is protesting the recent privileges you have given Charles of France. I hope that in your great wisdom, your Piety will arrive at a satisfactory solution to this issue.
TO:Janos Corvinus
FROM: Gregory, Servant of the Servants of God
We pray God's blessings on you, for we have found a good man in Jersualem! Janos Corvinus is an example to his brothers of how to seek guidance on troubling matters gently, with Charity, and in the spirit of Christian humility. Bless you, Janos, favored child of God, and know that your fears are without foundation. We have granted the King of France no privileges more than he has had these past hundred years; only that he has the prerogative of appointment with regard to local clergy within his domain. If you believe some claim or other of his to be invalid, only step forward with proof, and entreat Charles in the name of Christian brotherhood, and it shall be resolved.
We pray constantly for you and your kingdom, and we rest well knowing the heights of your virtue.