The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

FRANCISCO DE VARGAS. 25
the obstinacy with which they opposed one another, it seemed
as if the election would be indefinitely prolonged. In the
meantime Spanish diplomacy interfered in the most incon-
siderate manner with the proceedings of the election, and the
confusion was thus increased to the highest degree.
The Spanish ambassador, Francisco de Vargas, ^ had arrived
in Rome on September 25th, and he presented himself before
the Cardinals on the following day.^ In his person a diplo-
matist of no ordinary skill and obstinacy appeared upon the
scene. It annoyed Vargas to hear in Italy that since Clement
VII. no staunch adherent of Charles V. had ever gained the
tiara, whereas, on several occasions, a Cardinal who had been
excluded by the Emperor had succeeded in so doing. ^ Vargas
del Monte are missing. Thurni also reckons Medici, Innocenzo
del Monte and Mercurio among the neutrals, but not Cesi and
Cueva. A *third list in the Avvisi di Roma of October 7, 1559
these
(Urb. 1039, Vatican Library) counts 20 friends of Gonzaga ;
are the Cardinals given as his friends by Guadagna with the
exception of Morone, Medici and Mercurio. Among the opponents
of Gonzaga this third list reckons all those quoted by Guadagno
as opponents and neutrals, and in addition, Medici and Mercurio.
Morone is not mentioned at all in this list. According to Vargas
(letter of November 5, 1559, in Dollinger, Beitrage, I., 290)
Sforza, Madruzzo, Morone, Cicada, Cornaro, Mercurio, Corgna,
and Puteo, among the Spanish party voted for Gonzaga.
1 Vargas, a zealous adherent of Ruy Gomez, had in spite of
Alba's opposition, been appointed principally on the recommendation
of Granvelle (Hinajosa, 49; Susta, Pius IV., 129
seq.). Susta gives in this connection an able picture of the
diplomatist Vargas. Constant, Rapport, 186 seq. gives the best
account of his life, quoting much literature in connection with it.
^Vargas to Philip II., on September 27, 1559, in Dollinger,
Beitrage, I., 267. Philip's letter to the Cardinals on September
9, 1559, which Vargas communicated to them on September 27,
is printed in Sagmuller, 93 seq., of. Herre, 44. Extract from
Vargas' speech before the Cardinals and du Bellay's reply in
GuiDUs, 615.
^Vargas to Philip 11. , on January 31, 1560, m Dollinger.
Beitrage, I., 330.