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| May 2. |
939. Advices from Venice. |
|
Venice, 2 May 1573.—Great assembly of the gentlemen of
Poland for the purpose of electing a king. Levy of soldiers
in the Milanese for the service of the King of Spain in
Flanders. Disarmament of ships of war and renewal of trade
in the Levant.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 2½. |
| May 2. |
940. The Regent of Scotland to the Town of Edinburgh. |
|
Desires them to cause proclaim that no inhabitant raise
dearth or height the price of victuals upon the men of war,
but furnish and entertain them in their meals and bed upon
their reasonable expense. Also that the pioneers promised
by them be in full readiness the "morn" at afternoon. The
price of their "meltats" should be not dearer than sixteenpence Scots, where they eat they should pay nothing for their
bed, and where they have a bed and eat not fourpence Scots
may suffice.—Holyrood House, 2 May 1573. Signed.
Endd. Copy. P. ½. |
| May 2. |
941. H. Killegrew to the Earl of Leicester. |
|
Upon the fourth of the month the General intends to plant
his battery, although the Regent and others believe they will
never abide the extremity. Their water shall be taken from
them when the ordnance is laid both within and without.
Hope of succour there is none. Sends the roll of their names,
both "tag and rag," and is informed that eighteen of the best
of them would fain be out. The Earl of Huntley and the
Duke's children remain well content until some further declaration be had of the Queen's mind.—Edinburgh, 2 May.
Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| [May.] |
942. The Castle of Edinburgh. |
|
The names of those within the Castle, amounting to one
hundred and ninety-two persons, of whom there were fortytwo women and thirteen boys.
Endd. Pp. 3. Enclosure. |
| May 2. |
943. Advices from Abroad. |
|
Lyons, 21 April 1573.—Assault on the Bastion del Evangelio
[at Rochelle] reported, with great loss to the besiegers, the
Strozzis, the Duke of Nevers, and other leaders being wounded.
It is reported that Montgomery not being able to get to
Rochelle on account of contrary weather has made a descent
on Picardy, but has not done much harm. |
|
Naples, 24 April.—Naval and military movements in Italy.
Ships sent to the Goletta. |
|
Rome, 2 May.—Audience of the Ambassador extraordinary
of Venice with the Pope. News in the court. Seizure of
800 head of cattle by Fabio Farnese near Pitagliano. Levies
of soldiers for Flanders.
Ital. Pp. 4. |
| May 3. |
944. Earl of Huntingdon to Lord Burghley. |
|
As he has not heard contrary word to his opinion for
placing the ten hostages come from Scotland not nearer to
the borders than Durham, he has followed his own mind in
the placing of them. If their abode be long the Regent
minds to relieve them with hostages of the Earls of Huntley,
Cassilis, Eglinton, and Glencairn, the Earl Marshal, and others.
It seems the Castilians be very stout, and he cannot blame
them if so much has been said to them as has been talked of,
that if they stand to their defences for a while, either they
shall be released with aid or the Queen will withdraw her
forces, but such may not now be suffered, for if respect of
surety did sufficiently persuade to take the enterprise in hand
respect of honor persuades sufficiently the achievement of it.
Doubts not but that there be sundry devices used to dissuade
the Queen from following the matter, but trusts none shall
have the power to do it. Had the number of soldiers and
pioneers been greater at the first entry, they had made
quicker despatch, and the charges no whit the greater; by
some that have come from thence he hears that the pioneers
be almost over laboured, which makes him bolder to write.
—York, 3 May 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 12/3. |
| May 3. |
945. Sir W. Drury to Sir Valentine Browne. |
|
Has received a hundred pounds, for which he heartily thanks
him, it came not without need, all was gone, and so will shortly
this. Will not depart till he be revoked by letters from the
Queen or Privy Council, which will not be before the seven
days of his last imprest be run out, therefore he must provide
and coin for them.—Edinburgh, 3 May 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ¾. |
| May 3. |
946. Sir Francis Englefield to Chapin Vitelli. |
|
In commendation of Hugh Owen, a Catholic gentleman, who
on account of his religion has been obliged to leave his country
and family, and desiring that he will assist him in obtaining
the payment of a pension of 20 crowns per month promised
to him by the King of Spain.—Malines [Mechlin], 3 May 1573.
Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1. |
| May 3. |
947. Sir Francis Englefield to Hugh Owen. |
|
Touching his suit at the court he counsels him with
patience to bear the delays and little favour used towards
them, and to wait a convenient time, as six or eight weeks,
before he comes from thence. They will send him money to
supply him for that time. Whenever the Duke appears
abroad he is to tell him that Albanos can give no resolution
touching the King's patent which he brought. Parrot was
forced thus to do, who entering where the Duke dined
received his resolute refusal from his own mouth, which
Owen must have if he would return into Spain.—Mackelyn
[Mechlin], 3 May 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| May 3. |
948. Valentine Dale to Lord Burghley. |
|
On the 1st inst. there came a captain from Monsieur to
the King to advertise him that there was some motion of
treaty at Rochelle, and thereupon the King sent Secretary
Pinart thither to travail for an end. It is said that they of
Rochelle are much discouraged because Montgomery withdrew himself, and yet it is affirmed that touching the
Bastillion whereabouts they have been all this while, there
is no more done but that it is fallen down with the mine,
and serves neither party, The poorer sort of the camp are
much distressed for victuals.—Moret, 3 May 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½. |
| May 5. |
949. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley. |
|
The 29th April, Pilston, Sir W. Drury's man, departed
from the camp, where the ships were in safety arrived, and
the ordnance two days ago fully mounted, and the most
carried up to Holyrood House, where they yet remain staying
only upon the trenches and platforms, which are not finished
meet for the battery, albeit there is as much done as may be
by the pioneers whereof a new company is taken of the
Scots, and the soldiers are not therein spared. The circuit is
large and the trenches and platforms great. Hopes on
Whitsuneven all the batteries shall begin, and bring the
matter to good effect by one means or other. Beside the
carriages at the camp, all the horses he can get travel by
land with pickaxes, shovels, and spades, for which they
continually cry out, and for cornpowder, and match, and
now they begin to call for drink. There is not one idle
minister used in the service. Could wish there had been
3,000l. sent, which might then have been employed in the
cassing of the great numbers, lest they afterwards linger on
to great charges for want of their pay and conduct homewards. Is borne in hand from the camp that this day their
prest comes out, but it does not until Thursday. Has provided
that on Friday they shall have a new imprest for 10 days.
Prays all possible diligence may be used for the expedition of
the supply; a trusty man with secrecy having it in gold might
bring it in safety.—Berwick, 5 May 1573.
Pp. 1½. |
| May 5. |
950. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
Heard this morning by one that came out of Flanders that
the Count of Montgomery was met at Conquet with the
number of ships specified in his letter, farther that the Prince
of Orange's navy by sea in Zealand had obtained a great
victory over them, which from Antwerp and other places
went to the victualling of Middleburg. There was not so
full advice given in the Queen's last letter to the Regent as
was looked for. All is now quiet, and the Regent and his
friends at leisure to attend the expugnation only; he does in
all things promised perform the proportion and more. Their
obstinacy within is such void of all reason that there was no
remedy but to land the ordnance, which being a large proportion asked more time for planting than was well considered before, for this night of 24 pieces of battery and four
mortars there were but six planted, which he hopes on the
7th will play, and take their water from them, and dismount
some of their pieces which lie dangerously against the place
where the main battery must be planted. There are but
two men slain hitherto, one through his own folly. Lord
Herries made a motion to have been with the Earl of Rothes
to speak again with them of the Castle, to see what might yet
be done, and because they were both to be suspected it was
answered that the summons being made it were both more
honorable and convenient that they within should desire a
parley than that it should be offered them. They said they
had no more than when the Earl of Rothes went before, but
they would be loth to see their friends cast away if they
might help it. Another way was judged more reasonable,
that the Logans should desire to speak with their Chief, who
is in the Castle, and should marry Mr. James Macgill's
daughter, to see whether he might be got away, and by this
means to minister them occasion to desire parley. This was
thought good to see if the Queen's powder and charges might
be lessened. They work still as though they would abide all
extremity; God's will be done, they can but perish in the end.
Verac's man and Livingstone's are still where they were.
The man who spake the words of the Queen in the Castle was
called Sandy Smith, and slain since at the well, shot through
the throat whence came the sound of the blasphemous words.
—Edinburgh, 5 May, late in the night. Signed.
Endd. by Burghley. Pp. 4. |
| May 3. |
951. The Baillies and Council of Dundee to the Regent of
Scotland. |
|
According to his commission directed to them, they have
apprehended certain persons come out of France, who all
landed in England at Orfordness. The Laird of Melgrund
after he had passed one day's journey returned again to the
ship, the others came through England to Berwick, where
they received passport, and came therewith to the Earl's sea
at North Berwick; landing at Fife they came with diligence
to this town last Saturday at even, and so departing through
the town they apprehended them and have them in keeping.
This day William Linlithgow's ship arrived, wherein the
persons were, and thereafter the merchant landed, and
amongst others the Laird of Melgrund, and one other passenger, whom they have reserved to his pleasure. Their
bailiffs boarded the ship and arrested all that was there, until
the time they might search for writings, and left officers
behind them in the ship.—Dundee, 3 May 1573.
Endd. by Burghley. Copy. P. 1. Enclosure. |
| May 6. |
952. H. Killegrew to [Lord Burghley]. |
|
Is moved, upon the death of Mr. Lovel, the gentleman
porter of Berwick, to write for his favour for the placing or
staying in that room of William Scopeham, who has thereupon bestowed most of his substance. The man is not much
known to him, yet the good report he has heard moves him
to crave that he may be at least continued in the place till
the Queen be further determined therein.—Edinburgh, 6 May
1573. Signed.
P. ½. |
| May 7. |
953. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley. |
|
It has pleased God to take into his mercy Mr. Lovel, the
gentleman porter of the town; he is therefore a humble suitor
that the office be given to one of his own bringing up, called
William Scopham, who has honestly and diligently served
the Queen for eight years, and sometimes in the leading of
soldiers, as in the late rebellion, and as he now does, with a
hundred under Sir W. Drury; he is of good parentage, and of
such honest fidelity that he would be bound in life for him.
By the advice of Sir W. Drury he has committed the charge
to him until the Queen's further pleasure shall be determined.
Would be glad himself to serve the Queen in so mean an
office if he might be disburdened of his dangerous room,
being put at the present to the loss of the greater part of
3,000l. laid out in corn, which has taken such heat by long
lying on the seas that it must be cast away.—Berwick, 7 May
1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| May 8. |
954. Edinburgh Castle. |
|
"A true copy of the mutual bond betwixt the Castle
and town of Edinburgh, contracted in the obedience of the
King's Majesty our sovereign lord, published that all men
may the better perceive how the Laird of Grange, against
his faith, honour, and promise, is and has been the instrument and occasion of the present unquietness and bypast
vastation of the town, to the suppression of the exercise of
God's true religion, the hindrance of justice and policy, and
calamity of the whole commonwealth." |
|
At Edinburgh, the 8th day of May 1568, it is agreed
between Sir William Kyrkcaldy of Grange, captain of the
Castle of Edinburgh, and Sir Simon Preston of that ilk, provost
of Edinburgh, that as it is not unknown that the Queen, the
King's mother, and certain of the nobility seek by all means
to depose him of his authority, and for the more hasty performing thereof are already in arms for the invasion of the
Regent and all others who will not assist them in their
ungodly proceedings, that they will upon their great oaths
take plain and true part together in defence of their sovereign
and his authority. They will fortify and assist all others for
the defence of the sovereign and his authority against any
that shall molest or invade them. Neither shall hear or see
damage done to others in their lands or goods, but shall warn
others thereof, and make impediment to the famine to the
utmost of their power.
Imprented at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik, anno 1573.
Endd. by Burghley. Broadside. |
| May 8. |
955. Advices. |
|
1. Vienna, 29 April 1573.—The Princes of the Empire have
sent envoys to the lords of Poland for the purpose of furthering the election of the Prince Ernest. The Turks have taken
and burnt a town two leagues from Castel Nuevo. |
|
2. Venice, 8 May 1573.—The seignory have disbanded the
men that they had in Padua. Siege of Rochelle. The
Venetian ambassador has had audience with the Pope.
Action between some Ragusan vessels and a Venetian galley
through mistake. Election in Poland.
Endd. by Burghley. Ital. Pp. 2¾. |
| May 9. |
956. News from Italy. |
|
1. Rome, 9 May 1573.—Audience of the Venetian ambassador with the Pope relative to concluding a peace with the
Turk. Unimportant news from different parts of Italy.
Landing of Algerine corsairs near Ajaccio. |
|
2. Vienna, 6 May 1573.—Levy of troops in Germany.
News from Warsaw.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 3⅓. |
| May 10. |
957. Sir W. Drury to Sir Valentine Browne. |
|
His man has supplied them with money for ten days
beforehand, the leaders of the pioneers and labourers think
themselves something behind-hand. Has increased their
number by fifties for certain days, for were there five hundred
more they might well be set on work. With so few hands
there has not been done so much labour as is now done; they
all that be there of any degree take spade, pickaxe, and shovel
in hand to perform the same. The labourers are over-wearied.
Hubbard has been ten days underground, and now almost
under the Spur. Without money they can do nothing; in
this hazardous enterprise he could but wish he were not in
debt. On Tuesday they begin with the greatest part of the
ordnance. If the pieces there be plied as the case requires
they will spend the powder that is there in three days, they
must borrow some serpentine powder, which he requires him
te send by the first vessel that comes. Last night he understood certain were come out of the Castle towards the well,
and gave orders to put them in again; those of the English
lying near the walls were entertained with shot and stones,
and no one hurt except Nicholas Nevill, who was shot
through the thigh with a harquebuss. Is called for, and
must away, God be with him, and if they meet no more in
this world, farewell for altogether. Cannot live without
money; if they had some cheer they would set Scottish men
to work with petty wages, who without money cannot work;
they have fair words but little help.—Edinburgh, 10 May
1573. Signed.
Endd. by Burghley. Copy. Pp. 1½. |
| May 11. |
958. Sir William Drury to Lord Burghley. |
|
Has received a letter from Grange touching some earnest
desire of his, which he sends, and because the same is misliked
of the Regent will not grant it. Intends on Wednesday next
shall be the battery, having between that time sufficiently to
do for preparation thereof. Must by force deal with the
Castle, which by some is rather desired than otherwise. On
Friday last he understood that certain men were come down
to a well standing under the trenches, and sent certain to put
them in again, but they were entertained with stones and
shot as though they had a world thereof, notwithstanding
they were repulsed in the end. Mr. Thomas Cecil is looked
for this night. Coming out of the trenches to make this
despatch was out of the Castle twice narrowly missed.—Edinburgh, 11 May 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. by Burghley. P. 1. |
| May 11. |
959. Thomas Sutton, Master of the Ordnance at Berwick,
to Lord Burghley. |
|
Has already made a motion to the Earl of Leicester to be a
mean that he might have the charge of the ordnance in this
journey, but understands the place is laid upon Nicholas
Errington for avoiding charges. His purpose was mistaken,
for it was his purpose to have supplied the place at his own
charges. Thought it neither stood with his honesty or credit
to loiter at home, when other his companions in service
venture their lives abroad, whereupon he has taken upon himself to see their service, not as an officer but a private soldier,
wherefore he beseeches pardon if he has made any offence in
coming without leave, and to require the General to license
him to see the end. For his office and for his furtherance
since in other causes he offers his poor service. Reason leads
him to think he is persuaded against him, but trusts he has
not lifted him up to give him the greater fall.—Edinburgh,
11 May 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. by Burghley. P. 1. |
| May 12. |
960. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
By the General's conference with the Regent, old friendship,
somewhat shaken, was renewed. Indecent words being
renewed again by those in the Castle, and coming to the
General's knowledge, he desired the Regent that he might
charge them, whereunto he consented, and offered his own
body to the revenge of it. What he will do will be
known some time this day. Will observe his warning not
to spare the posts, but having nothing to write but of things
pertaining to the General's charge, it might breed some
jealousy, whereof he would be loth. Can write of no more
speed in the expugnation, yet the General is careful, and has
as much assistance from the Regent as he requires. The
quantity of the artillery is great, and the trenches long a
working by reason of the rocky ground. About the 18th
all will be ready and then the matter will take some end.
Mr. Cecil with Mr. Cotton arrived yesternight, and after
supper must needs see the trenches; he says that he (Burghley)
does not know of his coming, but hopes not to be long absent;
his presence is comfortable both to English and Scottish.—
Edinburgh, 12 May. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| May 13. |
961. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley and the Earl of
Leicester. |
|
Other than common letters to friends, the Regent cannot
get any matter of weight from those who came out of France
and were stayed, and Sir James Irwin, who also is in his hands,
being lately arrived out of Flanders. He is minded to use
them after another sort if they will not confess the sooner,
especially Irwin, against whom he has vehement presumptions.
He thought they had brought over certain books, in answer
to Mr. George Buchanan's written against the Scottish Queen,
but they were others written by Twye the Jesuit in answer
to a book of John Knox. One of them confesses that one of
the answers to Mr. Buchanan's book was delivered to the
English ambassador in France, and further that certain bulls
were brought over from Rome, and sent to the Rector of the
University of Aberdeen. Both he and the General were
borne in hand that the ordnance might have been planted ere
this time, but it required more labour than they were ware
of. This morning the General desired to have some scaling
ladders, two falconets, and certain harquebusses, for which the
Regent took order incontinent, as he does always for anything that lies in his power. The battery which is the
chiefest is to be placed before the Spur or blockhouse. They
remain indurate within still. Cannot see what hope they have
so to do, otherwise than they hope to resist the first brunt,
and so afterwards make as good bargain for themselves as
before with more honour, for hope of aid he sees none. Their
end must be miserable without they obtain mercy. They
have wrought so much for their defence since they heard
the Queen's forces were coming into Scotland, that the
supply of powder may be scant, for by the force of cannon
the entry must be made. The mine is very near the place
it would be at to make a way into the Spur. Hears of
none slain since his last except one labourer, and yet have
they planted all the ordnance saving one battery, for which
the platforms will be ready in two days. The Regent has
assured him that not only his 700 soldiers shall to the
assault, but as many more as will do anything for him, and
has sent warning to all his friends to be here against that time,
and is without fear of any trouble or let that may grow to
the enterprise, though some be jealous thereof. There is
good account made that for every defendant there shall be
twenty assailants. The Regent and Scottish captains be of
opinion that they within being in doubt of their company,
will never abide the assault.—Edinburgh, 13 May. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
| May 14. |
962. Siege of Edinburgh Castle. |
|
Prests and other payments made to the army in Scotland
for ten days, to end on Monday, 17 May 1573, amounting to
1,063l. 10s. There remain in the hands of the treasurer
543l. 7s. 2d. which will not furnish the charge above five days
more, that is to the 22nd May, and in that time the charge
will augment by the fifty new supply of pioneers, which are
sent for.—Berwick, 14 May 1573.
Endd. by Burghley. Pp. 2⅓. |
