Calais Papers: June 1548

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Edward VI 1547-1553. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1861.

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'Calais Papers: June 1548', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Edward VI 1547-1553, (London, 1861) pp. 350-351. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/edw-vi/pp350-351 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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June 1548

June 22.
Boulogne.
161. Sir John Brydges to the Lord Protector. Sends with all speed the intelligence from an espial received this morning. [Six lines.] Intelligence inclosed,
161. II. Marshal du Biez commands the camp. The report that the Dauphin and the King himself would come has died away, and it is said the latter will go to Villers-côté-Retz, in Picardy, near Amiens, to spend the winter there. Others think that the Emperor and he may hold a parley in some frontier town. The King was at Sarpont six leagues beyond Abbeville. There are 7,000 or 8,000 Germans in the camp, that is to say, eighteen ensigns not fully accoutred, who guard the artillery and munitions; 3,000 Picards, 4,000 Nobles, nine ensigns of Piedmontese. The Spaniards and Italians do not amount to one thousand. There are 500 men of arms; the company of the Dauphin, which arrived there last Tuesday fortnight; and those of the Constable, the Marshal, Brissac, Villebon, la Roche, Maine, Rochepot, Vendôme, and Enghien. The report that there are also 500 men of arms mustered at Abbeville is incorrect, for they are only infantry. There is great want of forage. They have 40 pieces of artillery. A person with whom he has spoken saw at Montreuil near the gate of Abbeville, fifteen pieces large and small, which were said to be going to the camp. Provisions are moderate. They are said to be supplied by commissaries at Amiens, Abbeville, and Montreuil; but they have not yet stored the fort. They receive supplies by sea from Dieppe and Normandy. In the fort are five bulwarks not yet finished; they are laboring at the ditches and the coverings of the earthworks. There is a well in the middle of the fort: they say they will make one at each bulwark, but they have had great difficulty in procuring the one which they have, having tried three places in vain. Wood and water will be their chief wants. More than 6,000 pioneers are at work on the fort, and are beyond what the smallness of the place requires: they are all clothed in black, yellow and red, for fear they should desert. They give out that by means of their fort they will prevent Boulogne being supplied by sea, but others think it will rather serve for the battering of Bas Boulogne, which they will endeavour to take and the Tower of Order, for they do not expect to have Boulogne this year. There are four ensigns of Piedmontese in the fort, commanded by M. de Tez. All their wood-huts are not yet completed. They have three sheds for their ammunitions. They are repairing their vessels, which leak. Some Gascon light horse of the company of M. Des Moulins have been discharged; nearly all these were mounted on Spanish genets, and 400 gentlemen complain bitterly of the loss of their horses, which having purchased at a high price, they have been obliged to sell for nothing. The Admiral is with the King. Last Sunday week all were in arms and battle order in the morning, in consequence of a report that the English had passed, and were going to reinforce Boulogne. They have near the bridge, in the valley through which lies the road to the camp, an earthwork defended by some Italians. Has had letters from the camp stating that Mons. de Sedan had been informed that the Landgrave of Hesse has raised 20,000 men, and 200 horse in name of the King of England, and will muster them on the 20th of August, and descend upon Mouson at the end of the month. Does not know what information they receive, except that frequently Mons. de Villebon has had news of Boulogne by one called Valerian, who is now made a man of arms of his company; and that when passing by Terouanne heard that M. de Neufville, the Captain there, was expecting some one from Calais. Money is by no means plentiful at the Camp, and it is said that at the end of this month the King will be a whole year indebted to the cavalry. The Gascons, of whom M. de Monluc has 2,000 under his command, were at St. Valery. It was reported that they were coming to the camp, but they have not yet moved from their quarters. Last Friday week the people of Ganache and the neighbouring village arose and killed many Spaniards and also the captain: the lieutenant with some others are in the custody of the Prevôt de l'Hotel. Last Sunday week at night some of the Boulognese alarmed those of the fort, when a few were killed and wounded. The camp is on the side of the hill, and in the valley at some distance from Boulogne. [French. Three pages.]