Protestant Exiles from France/Book First - Chapter 8 - Note
Note.
In the reign of Louis XIII. there was a French ecclesiastic whose conversion to Protestantism was attested by his admission to the ministry of the Church of England. Paul de la Ravoire was major-domo to the Archbishop of Spalato (Marco Antonio de Dominis). That prelate, whose residence was in Spalatro, in Venetian Dalmatia, had sided with the Venetians against Pope Paul V.; he resigned his archbishopric, and came to England as a professed Protestant about 1617. De la Ravoire went back to France, but, either on his late master’s account or his own, was so ill received, that he had to take refuge in England. Both the Archbishop and he himself seem to have had some diplomatic dealings with Venice in favour of England, and to the supposed disadvantage of France. All that we know about the reverend French refugee is gathered from the Calendar of English State-Papers (reign of James L). A letter from the Archbishop of Spalato to Carleton, dated 5th July 1617, “recommends Paul de la Ravoire, whose dealings with the Venetian resident have had no bad end, and who is well confirmed in the true religion.” From another letter from the same, dated Lambeth, 2d January 1618, we find that he “has not heard lately from Paul de la Ravoire, and knows not whether he be alive or dead.” In his letter dated London, 27th September 1618, he “recommends the business of the bearer, Paul de la Ravoire, and begs that he may be protected from the malice of France.” Paul de la Ravoire himself writes to Carleton from London, 28th December 1618, that “his affairs in France go so ill” as to surprise the Archbishop of Canterbury (Abbot) and other friends, “I am with Spalato, but am of no use to him, he having got another maitre-d’hôtel in my absence.”
De la Ravoire again wrote to Carleton (London, 21st August 1619), “Thanks for favours. Am lodging with the Archbishop of Spalato, and hope, by Buckingham’s favour, to get a prebend, as promised by the king.” The small preferment that he actually got is known, only through the tidings of his death. There was an official letter to the Bishop of Bangor, dated 26th September 1622, “Admit Dan. Louhet to the donative of Llandinam, vice Paul de la Ravoire, deceased.”