Holograph letters on paper, written and signed in a Humanist cursive. Addressed to Raffaelo de' Medici, nuncio to the Imperial court at Antwerp, Ghinucci's letters contain detailed descriptions of his arrival at the court of Henry VIII; the receptions of foreign ambassadors and the nature of their business; and Ghinucci's impressions of Henry VIII's own advisors and diplomats. He comments particularly on Cardinal Wolsey and Cuthbert Tunstall, who was being dispatched to Antwerp as ambassador, Other subjects include the illness of Giovanni Matteo; the business activities in London of Florentine merchants; and Ghinucci's strong dislike of the cold English weather during his first visit to the country, and All signed: "Hir. Audit[or]."
Description:
In Italian. and Binding: modern red quarter-morocco slipcase; gilt spine title and decorations.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain., England., Great Britain, Holy Roman Empire, and Holy Roman Empire.
Subject (Name):
Henry VIII, King of England, 1491-1547, Matteo, Giovanni., Medici, Raffaelo de'., Tunstall, Cuthbert, 1474-1559., Wolsey, Thomas, 1475?-1530., and Catholic Church
Subject (Topic):
Court and courtiers, Foreign relations, Italians in Great Britain, Papal courts, Papal nuncios, Ambassadors, Diplomats, and Catholic Church
Byron, Frederick George, 1764-1792, attributed name
Published / Created:
May 12, 1790.
Call Number:
790.05.12.01+
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
"The King of Spain sits on a circular dais under a canopy, turning his head away from the English ambassador (left), a stout John Bull wearing top-boots behind whom stand four pugilists. Three Spaniards with pikes stand on the extreme right behind the throne, and three courtiers stand in the background. The King wears a short tunic and ruff with a feathered hat; all the Spaniards have long upturned moustaches, all look dismayed. Three of the pugilists are inscribed: 'Big Ben' [Benjamin Brain], 'Humphries', and 'Mendoza'; the fourth is Ward. Beneath the design is etched: 'Great Sir, I am arrived from Albion's Court, Who have taken in Dudgeon what you may think Sport; So it may for the present; but we'll soon make it appear, You'll have reason to laugh the wrong side of your ear! Our Traders in Nootka, by some of your Curs, Were all sent to Quod and robb'd of their Furs, Your right so to do which you claim from the Pope, We Britons dont value the end of a rope! It's a farce you may make your weak Subjects believe, But our right's equal to yours from Adam and Eve. Therefore if you don't make us immediate amends, No longer can we look upon you as Friends, Should you wish for a War we have got a new race, Of such brave fighting fellows, not the Devil dare face! A sample I've brought, only four of our men, Mendoza, Dick Humphries, Joe Ward, and Big Ben: So great is their power each Lad with one blow, Would knock down an Ox, or twelve Spaniards lay low, At home we can raise twelve hundred like these, That would crush all your Troops as easy as fleas. For Centuries past England's rul'd o'er the main, And if it please Heavn'n hope to do so again. Thus with Sailors and Bruisers we your power defy, Being determin'd to conquer or fight till we die!'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched above image., Printmaker identified by Andrew Edmunds as Frederick George Byron., Text etched below image: 'Great Sir, I am arrived from Albion's Court, Who have taken in Dudgeon what you may think Sport; So it may for the present; but we'll soon make it appear, You'll have reason to laugh the wrong side of your ear! Our Traders in Nootka, by some of your Curs, Were all sent to Quod and robb'd of their Furs, Your right so to do which you claim from the Pope, We Britons dont value the end of a rope! It's a farce you may make your weak Subjects believe, But our right's equal to yours from Adam and Eve. Therefore if you don't make us immediate amends, No longer can we look upon you as Friends, Should you wish for a War we have got a new race, Of such brave fighting fellows, not the Devil dare face! A sample I've brought, only four of our men, Mendoza, Dick Humphries, Joe Ward, and Big Ben: So great is their power each Lad with one blow, Would knock down an Ox, or twelve Spaniards lay low, At home we can raise twelve hundred like these, That would crush all your Troops as easy as fleas. For Centuries past England's rul'd o'er the main, And if it please Heavn'n hope to do so again. Thus with Sailors and Bruisers we your power defy, Being determin'd to conquer or fight till we die!', Publisher's advertisement in lower left corner of image: In Hollands Exhibition Rooms may be seen the largest collection in Europe of humorous prints., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., and Formerly mounted on blue paper, with residue on verso.
Publisher:
Pubd. by Wm. Holland, No. 50 Oxford St.
Subject (Geographic):
Spain.
Subject (Name):
Charles IV, King of Spain, 1748-1819, Humphries, Richard, -1827., Bryan, Benjamin, 1753-1794., and Ward, Joseph, active 1790.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Ambassadors, British, Audiences, Boxers (Sports), Ethnic stereotypes, Kings, and Reception rooms
