Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 20, September 1585-May 1586. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1921.
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'Appendix: Miscellaneous 1585', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 20, September 1585-May 1586, (London, 1921) pp. 703-708. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol20/pp703-708 [accessed 26 April 2024]
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Miscellaneous 1585
| The following letters, formerly included in S. P. France, Vols. XIV, XV, were, in or about the year 1866, removed and placed with the Addenda, Domestic, of the reign of Elizabeth. They are calendared in the volume of Addenda for 1580-1625. | |
| Sept. 30. (fn. 1) | Thomas Rogers to Walsingham. |
| My last was of the 18th inst., since which my friend is departed from hence. Pray tell me how many of my parcels have come to your hands.—[Paris.] Last of September, 1585. | |
| [In invisible ink.] Dr. Allen and one Morrice a priest are gone to Rome. Parsons has followed them; if it be discovered, he wishes it to be given out that he is on pilgrimage, but his going is to further the invasion of England this winter. He and Dr. Allen will sift Batson, the Jesuit in Rome, about his being in England, and intend to discredit some of the Cardinals if they can, about the matter which Aldred deals in. | |
| Lord Paget's coming from Rome is to meet with Thomas Throgmorton at Genoa, whence they will go into Spain. Throgmorton is still in Paris, waiting for Malvesier [Mauvissiere], “the old French lydger,” hoping by him to hear from the Scottish Queen and to get money; but cannot stay long, as Lord Paget is already come from Rome to meet him. He brings answers from the new “lydger” about conveying of letters, and from Arnold the Frenchman about the Scottish Queen. | |
| The Irishmen who passed Scotland are now here, having been in Normandy with the Bishop that made this Irish bishop priest; who has given them a few crowns. They have begged of the convocation of Bishops here, alleging that they fled their country for fear of persecution. They have conferred with Lord Hamilton, to whom they had commendations from the King of Scots, and letters from Arran, Huntly, Maxwell and others; but being pursued, cast them into the sea. They go to Rome in the spring, to procure some pension. | |
| Drs. Gifford, Stillington and Barrett have returned to Rheims. One Bayle [Bayley] has direction of the seminary until Dr. Allen's return, who has said that no priest is to be sent into England before he give order from Rome. | |
| They are very vigilant here upon Aldred's doings, and will do him a mischief unless he is wary. The nuncio has received letters from Rome with articles against Charles Arundel, “tending that he is a spy for England and maintained from thence; the suspicion is for that he haunteth much the English ambassador here.” The nuncio has himself examined the gentlemen here and Arundel himself, and is satisfied of his being an honest man. This is supposed to have been done at Rome by Charles Paget. The Pope is desirous to be persuaded of Charles Arundel, as the Duke of Guise has commended him “for a meet man to have the conduct of any army to invade his own native country,” and Arundel has suggested to the Pope certain plots for doing so. He goes to Guise's camp next Friday. The Papists here hope to be in England with a force this winter, at least before Shrovetide. | |
| Add. Endd. by Phelippes with abstract. 3½ pp. [S.P. Dom., Eliz., Addenda, XXXIX. 45.] | |
| Oct. 18. | Thomas Rogers to Walsingham. |
| I sent you patterns of stuff on 18 and 30 September. The merchant says that because of the wars he will send no more of such value, least it should miscarry, therefore you must take some new order herein.—St. Luke's Day, 1585. | |
| [In invisible ink.]—The Irish bishop, having begged about fifty crowns, is gone towards Rome, to procure relief, with two of his company, whereof one is made a priest by the Bishop of Ross. Of the other two, one is with the Bishop of Saintes, in Normandy, and the other [O'Connor] remains here. Thos. Throgmorton is gone to Genoa to meet Lord Paget, and so to Spain to procure relief (as is given out), but I have said enough before of their journey. Lord Paget has no great need, as not long since he received 6,000l. from England. | |
| The robbing of M. “Malvesier”; upon the seas has lost the Papists here about 3,000 crowns, of which 50l. was Throgmorton's. | |
| The Jesuits say they proceed well in Scotland; have reconciled above 10,000 of late, and expect to gain the King, “which is the mark they shoot at, and cause of their going thither; the taking of which King is daily expected of the Duke of Guise. | |
| “It is not likely that the Duke of Parma will use the Earl of Westmorland in any matter, but rather 'Lyggens,' [Ligons] neither is it promised that he will invade Scotland, but the Duke of Guise; and shortly after the King shall be in the possession of the Jesuits.” Their most certain hope is from Spain, of men, money and ships, promised by aid of the Pope. | |
| Charles Arundel is gone to the Duke of Guise, whither also the Earl of Westmorland goes shortly to attend his sending into England. He and the Prince of Parma are at odds, for the Prince has taken away the charge of men the Earl had in Flanders, “whereupon the Earl hath forsaken his pension and is at defiance with the King and the Prince.” | |
| It is believed that the King of France is evil affected to England, solicited thereto by his mother; and the Duke d'Epernon (Pernone) sent away, lest he should hinder it. The Cardinals of Bourbon and Guise remain at Court. This much was delivered by the Nuncio to Mr. [William] Tresham, to say to the Prince of Parma. | |
| No intelligence yet to be had with the Queen of Scots, but daily hoped for. I have no skill to decipher their letters, but will send copies by my next. The time is likely to be dangerous to those of the Religion, who are known and have their letters searched. We expect Allen and Parsons from Rome. | |
| Add. Endd. with notes of contents by Phelippes. 3½ pp. [S.P. Dom., Addenda, XXIX. 47.] | |
| Dec. 6. | [Thos.] B[arnes] to Walsingham. |
| Charles Arundel is now here, as I wrote in my last, and I suspect is framing a plot against England. At his coming, he imparted his intent to Thos. Fitzherbert, for I saw a letter from him to Foulgiam, saying that Charles Arundel was come about some matter that would shortly turn to the benefit of all the persecuted here; but had sworn him to secrecy. Arundel has had secret conferences with Acconner [O'Conner] the Irishman, left here by the Irish bishop when he went to Rome; who has been very forward to solicit the gentlemen here to rebellion. Further, Arundel has had conferences with Captain Gaye, “which is towards the Duke of Guise,” for procuring him 500 men to come into Picardy, which was promised. “I heard him also tell Anthony Rolestone that the Earl his master and he had determined to proceed shortly in a matter that would either gain them liberty and lands or prove the loss of their lives.” | |
| He has order to receive money of the Queen of Scots' agents, and has lately pawned or sold all his jewels. Westmorland and he are very busy about this matter with Don Bernardino, the Nuncio and the Bishop of Glasgow. They mean to go to sea, and “make a great estimation of a certain place in Dorsetshire to land men in . . . not far from Poole, in a bank upon the seacoast. The place is between Blonvord and Berry. There dwelleth one Williams, within a mile at the furthest, a great friend of theirs,” who will help with a hundred men; but their greatest friend is Richard “Feejames” [Fitzjames], a justice in that part, allied to Sir John Young. I find in Arundel's “tables” a note to write to the Earl of X, but who he is, I cannot say.—Paris, 6 December, 1585. | |
| Endd. by Phelippes. 1½ pp. [Ibid. XXIX. 52.] | |
| Dec. 16. | Thomas Rogers to Walsingham. |
| Charles Arundel, after staying ten or eleven days here, departed again towards the Duke of Guise, intending to return on Christmas Even. He came to receive 3,000 crowns from the Scots Queen's officers, which he had laid out for her affairs in England, but has only got four or five hundred in all. Paget and Morgan, by reason of old quarrels, hinder it, and Arundel was like to have slain Paget with his dagger, in presence of the Bishop of Glasgow and Lords Claudius Hamilton and Westmorland, but was prevented by Hamilton. The controversies are to be heard by Glasgow, Westmorland and Hamilton, after Christmas. | |
| Arundel also wished to get money from Don Bernardino and the Nuncio for furnishing three or four ships of war about St. Malo, wherein he and Westmorland, with Captain Gaye and six or seven hundred men, meant to go into Somersetshire to rob and burn, and to take some gentlemen of account, ransom them and so return with the spoils; but as yet, Arundel has not got his money, and neither Bernardino nor the Nuncio yield them any comfort, so “that matter is dashed for this time, for Westmorland is now sent for again by the Duke de Mayne to receive his charge for these wars, which he is ready to do if he may have money to furnish himself and his men.” | |
| The change in Scotland has made many here very melancholy; they only have the report from England that the banished lords have the King in their custody, “which if it prove true (as Bernardino told them), his master will be twice advised before he invade England,” and would not venture unless sure of a good party in England or Scotland, or both; “which words of his have impressed so deeply in the minds of these melancholy men that I fear they will be mad, and they that lately hoped to be kings are now almost `presured' to die beggars. And further Bernardin told them that he was very persuaded the King would employ his whole forces for the Low Countries before he began with England,” though he might pass by some part of it to burn and spoil, as Drake did in Spain, to make her Majesty employ her force to defend her own frontiers. He said that he liked well of this device of Arundel's, but could not contribute to the expences for want of commission. | |
| If the Jesuits in Scotland do not yield good reason of their doings, they will lose their credit with our Papists here, who expected, from their letters of Nov. 28 that the King would have been in their safe custody, with Huntly and Maxwell (Maxfelde); but they hope Lord Hamilton will prove for their party, as his brother Lord Claudius has assured them, and the rather if Lord Maxwell and his brother continue friends. | |
| “They have also some hope that the Lord Mar will be also easily made a party for them in short time, if any of the Jesuits, especially Hayns, may come unto him.” | |
| Dr. Allen writes from Rome that he has spoken with the Pope, and has licence to come to him at his pleasure, whom he finds “a clement prince and very well affected to our country.” But he fears “they shall not long have two seminaries, by reason the Pope allegeth great poverty; and for that viaticums are costly, he feareth the seminary at Rome will be dissolved, and the rather for that they have not lived there in so quiet sort as they might have done; but yet he hoped to find the Pope in a better vein.” | |
| William Tresham, at his departure, opposed himself, with Paget and Throgmorton, to the proceedings of Parsons, not liking that gentlemen should be directed by priests; but a Rheims doctor so well handled him that he has recanted his opinion in writing to Parsons at Rome. | |
| Here is one George Truberfilde [Turberville], who is made great account of to serve a turn if England should be invaded upon the parts where he dwells. “He was of counsel with the conveying over of Roger Yardley.” The Papists here have some friends very near her Majesty; their names are kept secret, but if I go over I am promised secret commendations to them, and that they shall serve me with very secret intelligence to send over; thinking me a meet man for the purpose, as also to receive letters and procure answers. | |
| This was Arundel's persuasion to me. Paget desires I should procure friends by my father's help to go home, who, being Protestants, could easily do it. He thinks the longer I stay here, the worse it will be; wherefore he hastens me greatly, and is sorry I should lose my time, considering that I am able and in conscience bound to do good service. (“Oh, horrible traitor, that maketh no conscience to betray his own country.”) But wherein he would use me there, I know not. I have promised to cause my father to be dealt withal for my coming home in safety, and leave it to your consideration. I have been asked if I would deal with the receiving and delivering of Don Bernardino's letters in England, at my return, but I have delayed my answer. Here are a number of priests resolved to go into England.—16 December, 1585. | |
| I am not so confident of Charles Arundel's practice now in hand but that I will be diligent to survey his doings, and the rather that Don Bernardino is urging his going into England. Arundel desires me to help to convey his letters by the ordinary post, so if they come to my hands you shall hear of them, as they may discover more than I can. | |
| 5 pp., all in invisible ink. Add. Endorsed by Phelippes, with abstract of contents. [S.P. Dom., Addenda, Eliz., XXIX. 55.] | |
| Dec. 28. | Rogers to Walsingham. |
| The last letters from Rome certify that the new excommunication against England is granted, and will shortly be sent there “to be fixed upon the Court gate and upon 'Powles,' but who shall be the doer of it I cannot learn as yet.” Some say it went about five weeks since, and that either Gilbert Gifford or some of the priests carried it, but I think this not possible, as Dr. Allen was then but newly arrived at Rome, and had not had audience. I know that Thomas Fitzherbert made Gifford acquainted with the French “convey” for letters, and also had conference with Gratley, to confer with Henry Donne, but to what end I know not; nor was I privy to his going into England till he was gone. While Dr. Gifford was here, Gratley went with him to Rheims, and brought Gilbert with him, and gave him directions for England. “He is no priest, but lately made a deacon. There is news of his apprehension at the coast, whereof here is great sorrow, and they are the willinger that I should venture home.” | |
| Charles Arundel is here, and is not minded to return to the Duke, being malcontent that of all his pay, he has only had 300 crowns. Captains Gaye and Francesco have promised him 2,000 men for his attempt upon England, and I believe he will shortly set forward (if he can get the rest of his money out of the Scots Queen's officers' hands). He brought earnest letters from the Duke of Guise to them in his favour. “There is some unkindness lately fallen out between Westmorland and him, for that he is more affected to Paget in his late quarrel than to him, so that I think they two will not join in the practice.” Westmorland says that he will not go to the Duke de Mayne unless he gives him a charge of men; but I do not see how he can provide horses and armour for himself and them. | |
| Since the coming of Lewis de Pace, the Spaniard, I have heard no more of the conveyance of the ambassador's letters to England, so I think he [Pace] has satisfied him or conveyed his letters for him, or both. | |
| “This day the quarrels between the two Charles here are in hearing by Glasgow, Hamilton and Westmorland. Here is great desire that Lord Claude Hamilton may return home, to make some new party in England . . . by the help of his brother, the Lord Huntly and others. The Bishop of Glasgow hath made him a man meet for the purpose, for they have made him a perfect Papist, though he doth yet use his religion very secretly.” | |
| Since the banished lords returned, the Papists here have been passing melancholy, but they hope that Secretary Pinart's son that is gone into Scotland will bring them better news. The Scots Jesuits have their letters conveyed into England to one Boste, a priest in the North parts, who sends them hither by Newcastle and Dieppe. | |
| All the Papists here hope that if the marriage proceeds between Duke d'Espernon and Madame Montpensier, the Duke will persuade the King to aid the Duke of Guise in any attempt against England or Scotland, and to join effectually with the King of Spain if he attempts it. “Pernone” promised as much to the Duke of Guise at Chalons a month since, but the Papists here were persuaded before that both the King and his mother were willing to wink at and further in secret any attempt against England. It is said that they have also agreed to try to bring in the Council of Trent to be received in France, and that it shall shortly be conferred upon, both by the Council and clergy. | |
| My abode here is likely to be short, as the Papists are so very desirous to have me procure safe means to go home, that they may employ me there. I have written to my friend, and if he concurs, would return under your warrant. Meanwhile I will labour to know what they will employ me in. I am persuaded they have no safe means to convey any man into England, and so wish me to get safely there by the help of my friends at home, but I know not whether their business will be worth the accepting.—Paris, 28 December, 1585. | |
| 5 pp., all in invisible ink. Add. Endd. by Phelippes, with brief abstract of contents. [S.P. Dom., Addenda, Eliz., XXIX. 62.] | |