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March 1.
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190. Deposition by Melchior of Vades that in February last, anno
1579 [sic], there arrived in 'this river and channel of this said city' a
little chaloppe, which the company said was called enemy to the
English nation, and was vouched by them to be of the company of a
ship of his Holiness, which is in this city and river, and of others that
are at Ferrol in Galicia, whither she is bound. And she has on
board nine men and a boy, whose names are as follows :William
All, Mr William Manners, Herne Legal, Julian Ciron, Pieter
Lyemote, John Bargine, Thomas Barre, John Nemet, and Nicolas
Albertre, and the French boy. There are besides in here two
vessels with their munitions and their muskets, 13 harquebuses,
6 targets, 3 halberds, 4 morions, 6 coffers of linen and apparel.
And I give this testimonial that if it happen that the shallop and
her company arrive at any other port before they come to Ferrol
they may not be stayed, because they have been here, and their
captain and company that remain in this city and river, upon shew
made of their authority from his Holiness and his Majesty, have
not only been 'disarrested,' but also furthered with all assistance.
'In witness whereof,' etc.1 Martii 1580.
Copy in writing of L. Tomson, and endd. by another of
Walsingham's secretaries. p. [Spain I. 36 (bis).]
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March 1.
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191. COBHAM to the QUEEN.
Letters of Feb. 19 are this day come from Madrid, wherein it is
certified that the Portuguese continue constant in their opinion
against the King of Castile and seem inclined to accept Doa
Caterina, wife to the Duke of Braganza, to be their Queen. Your
Majesty may thereupon, if it 'stand' with your policy, show yourself
gracious to another Queen oppressed in her right, according to
the honourable compassion of great Ladies.
Copy. [France IV. 40 (23).]
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March 1.
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192. COBHAM to BURGHLEY.
The death of the King of Portugal is confirmed, and also that the
Portugals are constant in refusing the government of the Castilian
king, and are putting themselves in arms and strengthening their
passages. On the other side, the king addresses his forces easily
and slowly towards the frontiers of Portugal. The five persons
appointed by the deceased king still 'keep the state' of the realm,
maintaining justice and the ordinary course of law. The Duchess
of Braganza is however respected as Queen. No ceremony is used,
nor coronation passed, but people's minds are fully bent that way.
The Queen of Spain is brought 'abed' of a daughter, and the
king minds to have his subjects sworn to his eldest son, before
pressing the cause of Portugal to the uttermost. Meantime his
Italian soldiers die and consume.
The king of this country visits of an evening the houses where
there is dancing or masking, as is now usual at Shrovetide ; and
when he is at St. Germain's he likes sometimes to go on pilgrimage
to the holy nuns of Poissy.
Monsieur remains at and about Angiers, visited by the principal
persons of Brittany and Normandy and those of his own 'partages.'
They of the Religion live in suspicion, but no apparent preparations
pretended.
From Italy is news of further aid to the King of Spain.
I send a copy of the Emperor's demands of the States of Bohemia,
at the parliament lately held at Prague.Paris, 1 March 1579.
Add. Endd. (and in a later hand). 1 p. [France IV. 25.]
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May 1.
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193. Copy of the above (without last two pars.) in Letter-book.
[Ibid. IV. 40 (29).]
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Enclosed in the last :
194. 'Advertisements sent Mr Secretaries concerning the
points following demanded by the Emperor of the States
of Bohemia.'
1. That they should give him means to pay his debts, and his
father's and Ferdinand's ; but that his own should first be paid.
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2. That they would give him on every barrel of beer two pieces
of silver called grossi more than they gave him last year ; which
were then given for payment of his debts, but now he will have all
the 6 grossi on the beer to be allowed for the maintenance of his
house, which will amount to 600,000 'dallers' yearly.
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3. That the grants given him in the last Diet may continue three
years longer, which was that every house pay him yearly three
'dallers,' that every Jew pay him fifteen ; and that the impost on
cattle may continue.
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4. Whereas in the Diet held last year the realm of Bohemia was
content to pay him 150,000 'dallers' towards the maintenance of
the wars in Hungary, 40,000 of which are employed in fortifying
two places in the confines, he now requests them to give him 20,000
yearly for continuing the fortifications and the above 40,000 to be
repaid to him, having been by him laid out to the use aforesaid.
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5. That the kingdom of Bohem do cause to be fortified at 'his'
own charges a fort called Vizze, a place of importance in Hungary.
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6. That the debts of Ferdinand and Maximilian be paid, since
the interest of them is now growing to be almost as great as the
principal. The Emperor likewise means to cause those of 'Slesia,'
'Morania,' and Hungary to pay the portion due to the Archduke
his brother, which comes to 37,000 'dallers.'
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7. His Majesty desires that there may be assigned to the
Empress in Bohem 20,000 crowns, upon some city, that she may be
somewhat honourably entertained as Queen of Bohemia.
Copy. [Ibid. IV. 40 (25).]
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March 1?
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195. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
I hear that letters are come to this Court from England dated
five days ago certifying her Majesty's arming and preparing for
sea ; but the particulars I cannot at present learn. I have received
no letters from England since yours of Feb. 13, since which there
has come only one of the ordinary posts.
Awaiting daily to hear some good news of her Majesty's health,
and beseeching you that in these times I may in some way be
oftener remembered with a letter, wherein I shall be particularly
beholden [sic] to you, I take my leave.
Copy. [Ibid. IV. 40 (26).]
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March 1.
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196. COBHAM to WILSON.
As in my last, so now I must inform you that I have received no
letters from Monsieur's Court since Mr Stafford was here. Yet I
have written to M. Simier, and am now writing by M. Marchemont
to Monsieur because he has required me so to do. Monsieur's
Chancellor, the Bishop of Mende, is going with the book of accounts
for the affairs of his house, wherein he is taking better order than
before. The King's message to his brother by Marchemont is only
ordinary commendations, with thanks for his letters and offers, and
wishing him good success in his enterprise, meaning that of Flanders,
as I am informed. The Queen Mother has 'delivered somewhat
more warmly her liking' that Monsieur should 'have feeling' of
the King of Spain's enterprise against Portugal, and has promised
Marchemont to write a few words to that effect. But there is no
means ready here to enter into so great an action. Their intestine
wrangles and 'particular respects' hold them occupied in trifling,
while they let slip causes of more importance, and are wrapped in
further dangers, and no remedy is yet ministered to redress their
disunion. In this sort the days are passed here and now, with
banqueting and masking in Lent as at Shrovetide.
I hope the malice which is suspected to be 'bent unto' our
Sovereign will unite all noble hearts and virtuous patriots.
Copy. [France IV. 40 (27).]
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March 1.
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197. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
The other day 'il Signor Capitano del Bene' let me know his
views as to the Queen's arming by sea and land. He has thought
of sending one into England, or else going himself in person, to
offer his services, with a dozen or more with him, as she shall
please ; and asked my opinion therein. My answer was that I
thought his offer would be welcome to her and to his friends in that
Court ; but as yet there might fall out some chance such that she
would perhaps refrain for a while from entertaining any foreign
soldiers. I assured him however 'to write' of his courteous intention.
You may therefore if you think good signify to him that I
have written of his zealous demonstration towards her service.
Further news has come from Madrid, by letters of the 19th and
20th ult., that Doa Caterina, wife to the Duke of Braganza, is
accepted Queen of Portugal, and that the Portugals mean to resist
the Spanish forces to the uttermost. This came this morning.
'I think very long' to hear from you, for I have received no letter
since the 13th ult., which somewhat grieves me.Paris, 1 March,
1579.
Endd. p. [France IV. 26.]
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March 1.
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198. Copy of the above in Letter-book. [Ibid. IV. 40 (28).]
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March 1?
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199. COBHAM to SUSSEX.
Same news as in letters to the Secretaries of Feb. 29, to Burghley of
Mar. 1, and others. On Sunday, Feb. 28, the king sent a gentleman
called d'Abadia in post toward Portugal, and tomorrow they
send hence for Spain M. de 'Longley'. . . . .
Of the marriage is little speech here. As M. Marchemont goes
tomorrow to Monsieur, he requested me he might take with him
some lines from me. I have thereupon written to M. de Simiers ;
the copy of which I send you 'hereinclosed.'
Copy. At end : Here endeth the packet sent by Mr Slingsby, and
followeth the packet sent by Mr Slingsby the elder. [France IV.
40 (30).]
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March 3.
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200. The KING OF NAVARRE to WALSINGHAM.
I address myself to you as to one who has ere now shown true
zeal and singular affection towards the Churches of God in general
and our poor Churches of France in particular. Help me, if you
please, to make my excuses to the Queen if I have not been as careful
in continuing to write to her as might perhaps have been agreeable
to the obligation that we all are under to her, of which I for
my part am infinitely conscious. But it vexed me to importune
her so often with the same thing, having nought to write to her
but complaints of the injustices committed day by day against us.
Now we were hoping that this conference would afford us some
better matter (argument) whereon I promised myself to write
something more acceptable to her. But on the contrary, all my
representations on the non-execution of the Edict have been treated
with contempt, and they talk only of spoiling us of what little
security we get from our fortresses, the surrender of which was
expressly stipulated on the peace taking full effect. On this basis
M. de Montmorency has taken arms against us, while M. de
Biron has failed in certain important enterprises, up to now
at any rate. In this difficulty we implore her Majesty's sage advice,
with whom I pray you more and more to deal, laying us ever under
more obligation to you. M. du Plessis will inform you of it
more at length.3 May. (Signed) Henry.
Fr. 1 p. [France IV. 27.]
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March 6.
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201. The ESTATES to the QUEEN.
We have received the letter from your Council, dated the 27th
ult. Understanding therefrom that your Majesty has at the urgent
request of Robert Hungate granted him permission to stay the
goods belonging to the merchants of the Low Countries, until the
settlement of [the sum] still owing to him from us for certain
[merchandize] which he delivered to us, in such wise that he should
[see to] the effectual execution of such stay, which [was done after]
mature deliberation by the Council ; and [seeing] that by this means
a door would be opened to all [persons] of similar kind, to whom
we might be [indebted] ; we would not omit to advertise your
Majesty, humbly beseeching that the stay in question and others
like it may be deferred . . . inasmuch as by this sort of
procedure traffic between these countries and your realm will be
cut off, which in the interests of good neighbourship must not be
hindered on account of a private suit ; especially if you will be
pleased to consider the endeavours we are making to give reasonable
satisfaction to Hungate, having put his debt into the statement we
have made of those that are most urgent, and upon which a resolution
is shortly to be taken. We therefore beg again that the
intended execution may be postponed (source) and delayed ;
whereby you will add to the number of the benefits we have received,
and oblige us to pray the Creator to bless (bienheurer) you, as we
hereby do.Antwerp, 6 March 1580. Signed Houfflin.
Add. Endd. by L. Tomson. Fr. 1 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XIII. 16.]
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March 6.
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202. COBHAM to BURGHLEY.
Since the Queen has accorded the exercise of Monsieur's religion
in some convenient manner, which testifies her good disposition
towards him, I trust that if his affection have power, and the benefit
of the match be well and duly weighed, he will surely not stay for
further liberty, nor tarry for more company at his ceremonies. But
undoubtedly, as it seems to me, if the sense of your words written
in your letter to me, had been 'with viva voce' delivered in French,
together with the last packet, it would have moved deeply one of the
best men in France to accept so reasonable conditions with so great a
possibility in England. And though this has not so far been done,
it may be trusted that if other backward dissuasions have not
pierced over deep, and secret policies 'possessed the contrary,' he
will without doubt easily incline to his desire, and satisfy his affection ;
which will be the maintenance of his honour in this country,
the increasing and emboldening of his well-wishers in the Low
Countries, and the establishing of the friendship of the Almaynes,
as well as the only means to set up his house, which is in a declining
and staggering state. Which I have partly at this time 'by
means' signified.
Monsieur's credit increases among the frontier towns, and they of
Cambray have accepted him for their sovereign lord, as may appear
by the enclosed copy of the articles agreed upon ; while further
hopes are offered him lately from those parts.
I hear that the Viscount of Ghent will willingly become French.
Some motherly admonitions, mixed with a little sharpness, have
passed of late from Queen Mother to the king in reprehension of
his manner of proceeding ; whereon there is grown unkindness,
and the king has kept himself at St. Germain's.
They of Paris have given the king to understand that the plague
is beginning in this town ; but other wanton discords have moved
them to desire his absence, together with the consent of Queen
Mother.
The nobility and the Estates seek to have the minions removed,
and the great secret gifts and expenses lessened, if they can.
There is not, as you write, any debts due to me for letters written
to you, but much duty owing to you on my part for goodness
received. It is enough for me that my service be acceptable.
Paris, 7 Mar. 1579.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [France IV. 28.]
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March 7.
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203. Another copy of the above in Letter-book. [Ibid. IV. 40 (33).]
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Enclosed in the above :
204. 'Certain capitulations made in the behalf of Monsieur,
between the Prince of Cond, la Noue, and the magistrates
of Cambray.'
Monsieur is recognised as sovereign lord of the said town of Cambray
and of Cambresis, with the same rights as the King of Spain.
He can place in the citadel 120 French harquebusiers under the
command of Captain Vallires.
M. d'Inchy shall however continue to command on his behalf in
the citadel, and shall have 300 harquebusiers.
The Prince of Cond shall be his lieutenant-general in the
district, and also of any army which may have to be employed in
the defence of the town ; in which case Monsieur shall furnish
2,000 foot and 300 horse.
The Prince going to Cambray to negotiate the above was
honourably received, with gratification and submission, even by the
ecclesiastics.
Endd. Fr. p. [Ibid. IV. 28a.]
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March 7.
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205. COBHAM to [the SECRETARIES].
Since my last nothing has happened which might move me to
signify it to you ; for the king has continued at St. Germain's
privately, and the Queen Mother has kept her chamber, attending
to the recovery of her health.
On the 2nd inst. between 10 and 11 in the forenoon, a person
'modest in sight, of years about 40, and as they say of some
quality of living,' came into the great court of the Louvre, where he
first knelt down, and with a loud voice lamented greatly the disorders
of the realm, of the little justice with the calamities and
oppressions which the people daily sustained, praying with fervent
words to God to have mercy on the people of this realm ; and concluded
that except the King should more carefully discharge his
duties towards God, and give audience in affairs, God would
shortly send vengeance upon him. All which was delivered with a
very loud voice, the people coming about him ; so that the king
being in the Queen Mother's chamber, and advertised thereof, sent
Chteauvieux, a captain of his guard, to apprehend him, which was
done forthwith. So he remains in prison.
Last week the king gave out commissions for levying soldiers ;
as to Marshal Biron for Langnedoc and those parts, and to Mogeron
[Maugiron] for Dauphin.
It seems that Monsieur's credit increases among them of the Low
Countries, as partly appears from the matter of Cambray.
M. de Belleville, governor of Xaintonge, was lately slain going
a-hunting. He was formerly one of the king's minions, when he
went to Poland ; and shewed himself an enemy to the King of
Navarre.
Today the Prince of Cond's horses and carriages have passed
on the way to la Fre from St. Jean d'Angely, with a passport from
the king.
I cannot yet hear of any preparations by sea ; but there is speech
of such.Paris, 7 Mar. 1579.
1 p. [France IV. 29.]
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March 7.
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206. Another copy of the above in Letter-book. [Ibid. IV.
40 (31)] with copy of the 'capitulations' (see No. 204) [IV.
40 (32).]
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March 7.
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207. COBHAM to BURGHLEY.
The Portugal Ambassador, Cavaliero Giraldi, has delivered me
under the colour of a 'visitation,' a packet with an inclosed letter
of 'Donnia' Catherina, Duchess of Braganza, which he desires
may be delivered to her Majesty's own hands with all secrecy, so
that especially none of the ambassadors 'ligiers' or others may
be made privy thereto as yet. His hope is that you will have the
right of his Lady favoured and the tyranny of the Castilian king
bridled by all such means as her Majesty may think good, both by
treating with the king and otherwise. He has in like sort requested
me to send his dispatch to Monsieur, since he is much watched by
the Spanish ambassador, and his doings looked into, so that if his
dealings for his Lady should be any way perceived, it would be an
occasion for King Philip to press upon them with great expedition.
If her Majesty think good, I shall willingly deliver any such message
to the Spanish agent as I may be commanded. It is understood
that he has been a busy dealer against Monsieur's marriage with
her Majesty, and a frequent visitor and a great practiser with the
Scottish Queen's ambassador and with the Bishop of Ross.
Methinks Giraldi would be glad if her Majesty and the Christian
King would join together for the protection of the Duchess of
Braganza's right, and desires that such expedition may be used as
the necessity of the cause imports and it shall seem good to her
Majesty. As yet the ambassador of Portugal 'ligier' in England
is not made privy thereto ; but in time, Giraldi says, he will be
trusted, as one known 'confident' enough in this cause.
Copy. [France IV. 40 (34).]
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March 7.
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208. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
The ambassador of Portugal understanding that this gentleman
was about to pass towards England, requested me to send in my
packet to the Lord Treasurer his letter to her Majesty, in which was
one from the Duchess of Braganza. He desired with many earnest
words that this may be kept most secret and in any case concealed
from the ambassadors.
I enclose a letter to my cousin Edward Wootton which the
Portugal ambassador delivered to me, wishing he may be advertised
to have it kept unknown. His 'pretence' is that the Spanish
ambassador watches him. He seems now 'appassionate' against
the Castilians, and delivers his mind therein more freely than
before.
Copy. [Ibid. IV. 40 (35).]
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March 7.
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209. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
I send inclosed a note of [name blank] acknowledgement for the
receipt of 330 crowns. By the next I think he will write to you the
causes which move him to press me to disburse so much to him.
If the effect follow his designs, he may be a great means for her
Majesty to stay some way her further charges.Paris, 7 March 1579.
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A note follows :
Written also at the same time to Mr Secretary Wilson, certifying
him of certain Italian music-books which I sent by his servant
Jackson in behalf of her Majesty, desiring to be advertised
of the receipt of them, and that he would remember my suit as
time permitted.
Copies. [Ibid. IV. 40 (36, 37).] At the end is written : Here endeth
the packet sent by Mr. Slingsby the elder, the 7th of March, and
followeth the dispatch sent by Jno. Wells the 12th of the same.
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March 8.
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210. A REPORT from SPAIN.
The examination of Robert Frede of Harwich, master of the
Salomon, of London, taken at San Lucar 8 March, anno 1579, by
the Duke Medina Sidonia. First he asked when he came out of
England : the master said, three weeks past. Further, in what
state the realm was, and how all the castles were furnished : the
master answered, very well and in good order, for they are repaired
yearly.
Further, whether there was any mustering of men throughout the
realm. He answered, not to his knowledge at that time. Whereto
the duke said there was mustering ; saying further to the master
that he should tell him the truth of all things and not jest with him,
for he would not be jested with.
Further he demanded in what time a number of men would be
ready in England. The master said, if need were, in 8 days ;
whereto he said to his secretary : 'You may now see.'
Further he asked how many ships the Queen had, and in what
readiness they were. The master said that she had 60 sail always
in readiness to serve ; to which the duke said : 'Jesus! hath she so
many?' ; saying he always thought she had not above 30.
Further he asked if at that time any of them were abroad in her
service. The master said there were three then going abroad.
The duke asked whither : the master said for 'Yerland' as he
thought. The duke asked what they would do there : the master
said he thought, carry munitions for the Queen's towns and castles
against the rebels.
The duke further said he was sure there was mustering of men
in England. The master said he knew no such thing ; but if any
men were mustered, it was for Ireland, as he thought.
The duke said he knew there were 14 of the Queen's ships
abroad. The master said it was more than he knew.
Further the duke asked what speech there was in England of the
King of Spain's fleet. The master said the bruit was in England
that it was for 'Argier,' Barbary, or Portugal. With that the duke
shook his head and said no more ; saving he asked the master how
'chance' the Queen of England lent certain soldiers to a nobleman
of Portugal whose name he does not remember. The master said
he knew no such thing.
All this the duke caused his secretary to write. (Signed) Robert
Frede.
Add. to Walsingham. Endd. by L. Tomson, with date March 8,
1580. 1 p. [Spain I. 37.]
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