Note 719 — Chapter I · JEWS.

Corpo Diplomatico, VI, 248-9.—Ronchini, p. 41.

There is some satisfaction in knowing that Cardinal Farnese made but little out of this wretched business. The death of his grandfather, in November, 1549, deprived him of influence and, in 1550, João had the effrontery to demand his resignation of the see of Viseu. Farnese interposed difficulties but, in 1552, Gonsalvo Pinheiro was installed in his place. Soon afterwards, in September 1552, we hear of his taking refuge in his legation of Avignon, partly for safety and partly on account of his necessities.—Corpo Diplomatico, VI, 422, 423; VII, 151, 165, 174, 184.

João’s malignity towards Cardinal Silva was unquenchable. On the accession of Julius III, he heard that the new pope felt compassion for Silva and he instructed his ambassador to tell him that any honor or grace conferred on Silva would be regarded as an injury. By this time Silva was reduced to penury and the ambassador out of compassion forbore to deliver the message, when João angrily repeated his instructions with additional emphasis. In spite of this Julius wrote, some three years later, asking João to pardon Silva, who was borne down with age and infirmities. João left the letter unanswered for eight months, until March, 1554, and then wrote with studied evasiveness. Silva died in June, 1556.—Corpo Diplomatico, VI, 389; VII, 25, 244, 330.