Elizabeth: December 1566

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 8, 1566-1568. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Elizabeth: December 1566', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 8, 1566-1568, (London, 1871) pp. 152-159. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol8/pp152-159 [accessed 18 March 2024]

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December 1566

[Dec.] 832. Robert Melville to Cecil.
Has received letters from Scotland which he sends to him. Begs him to be a means that some order be taken with Mr. Graham. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Dec. 1. 833. Richard Clough to Gresham.
1. Writes touching certain letters and of the payment of the Queen's debts now due. Cannot find in all the town pearls that would like the Earl of Sussex.
2. The stores for Mr. Secretary are arrived. It is said that about ten days past the Lords of this town were of meaning to have taken all the preachers and the principal of the congregation in the night and have put them to death.
3. The Duke of Cleves has commanded that throughout his country no more Mass shall be said. Sends two books. Also a pasquil set up at Brussels.
4. There is news that all the ships in France are stayed from coming into Spain or Flanders.—Antwerp, 1 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 5¼.
Dec. 2. 834. Queen Elizabeth to Mary Queen of Scots.
Complains of the publication of a certain book, and hopes that she will announce her detestation of it to the world. Will search for and punish the authors and printers of another book.—Westminster, 2 Dec.
Draft. Endd. Fr. P. 1.
Dec. 3. 835. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
Hears that the ceremony shall be on the 12th instant. Desires to know the Queen's pleasure for the naming of the child in case it be offered.—Berwick, 3 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Dec. 4. 836. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.
The Pope's [Nuncio] who should have passed into Scotland has made strange traffic there by means of De Croc and others. There is some great things to be done shortly at this great convention.—Paris, 4 Dec.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Dec. 4. 837. M. De Zweveghem's Commission.
Authorises him to raise the sum of 200,000 angelotz in England and send them into the Low Countries in the name of the States of Brabant.—Brussels, 4 Dec. 1566.
Copy. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
Dec. 5. 838. Sir Thomas Gresham to Cecil.
Sends him Clough's letter of 24th ult.—Gresham House, 5 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Nov. 24. 839. Richard Clough to Gresham.
Desires to know the Queen's pleasure for paying or prolonging her debts. The Turk has come in person into Hungary. The matters of religion are quiet here and the temples go well forward. It is said that the men who were taken up for King Philip in Germany are discharged. Cannot understand of any number of soldiers save those appointed by the towns and 1,000 or 1,500 of the Regent's. If the King comes with a power, then adieu all their privileges, and he will have against him Papists as well as Protestants.— Antwerp, 24 Nov. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3½.
Dec. 5. 840. Richard Clough to Gresham.
Doubts whether he will be able to find money here to pay the Queen's debts. A number of people gathered together to assist Valenciennes were upon Sunday last overthrown and dispersed. Captain Van Host, a mighty big man, was slain in a skirmish by a boy of 16.—Antwerp, 5 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
Dec. 5. 841. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
Commends to his favour two Scotch gentlemen, archers of the French King's guard.—Berwick, 5 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Dec. 5. 842. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
The Queen of Scots would have him enter Scotland on the 8th. The christening will not be till the 15th. Desires to be certified of the name of the child. On Tuesday a Scot, being delivered by the Warden of Scotland to Richard Riveley, the bailiff of Chatton, refused to go with him, and struck him with his dagger under the short ribs. Will demand justice of the Queen. The borders were never so far out of order as now (since her being so lately near them) they are. She is not altogether recovered and strong.— Berwick, 5 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Dec. 6. 843. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
Has been most earnest with De L'Aubespine for the suppression of the books, which seems very difficult. The last news out of Spain was that the King would come with his forces the latter end of this month. The Queen of Scotland has sent one to Rome to thank the Pope for his great liberality and for his advice. It is commonly talked here that the Pope and other Catholic Princes be all confederate to restore the old religion. They say the French be departed out of Madeira. On Saturday the King kept the feast of the Order of Burgundy, but all the service time all the Protestant Lords were with the Prince of Conde in his chamber. If the Turk had not bent his power this way there had been much destruction of Christian blood for religion, for all was set of mischief.—Paris, Dec. 6, 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 8.
Dec. 8. 844. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.
There is great enterprise in hand among the Papists, and specially a great traffic in Scotland with (money) by means of M. De Croc. Is advertised that some of the great persons about the Queen that speak against him and his being in Scotland give him advertisement.—Paris, 8 Dec.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Dec. 8. 845. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
Mr. Heron, of Chipchase, repairs unto him for certain suits, and at his request he commends him unto Cecil.—Berwick, 8 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½.
Dec. 9. 846. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
This day enters the Scottish Queen's realm with all the gentlemen that came for that purpose. Looks to be met at the bound road and Dunbar by a great company. Is advertised that the Scottish Queen understood of the death of Mr. Randolph four days before it came hither.—Berwick, 9 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Dec. 9. 847. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
Has received his letter touching the nomination of the young Prince. Is sorry for his lack of health, and that his leg is the cause thereof.—Berwick, 9 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½.
Dec. 10. 848. Archibald Graham to [Cecil].
Begs that he will be a suitor to the Queen that he may have an end of his long suit, and that she will either grant him the license he required or 150l. of ready money. Signed.
Endd. P. ½.
Dec. 11. 849. Lord Scrope to Cecil.
Has according to the Privy Council's letter levied fifty horsemen to be sent into Ireland, and asks when they shall set forward.—Carlisle, 11 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½.
Dec. 11. 850. Sir John Forster to Cecil.
1. The 9th instant Bedford passed from Berwick towards the christening, which is appointed at Sterling the 15th instant. Bothwell is appointed to receive the ambassadors, and all things for the christening is at his appointment, and the same scarcely liked with the rest of the nobility. The King and Queen are together at Cragmillar by the earnest suit of the ambassadors. The French Ambassador begins to be weary of his tarrying in that country.
2. Since Bedford's departure the writer has been informed that there are some that practise to poison the Earl Morton, or some of his company, whereof he has given him warning.
3. Bothwell is lieutenant of all the Marches of Scotland, and has allowed him in wages 200 horsemen for reforming of Liddlesdale. Since the Queen's departure from the frontiers the Liddlesdales have daily committed spoils in Scotland.— Berwick, 11 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1½.
Dec. 13. 851. The Ambassador of Portugal in France to Leicester.
Desires him to ask the Queen that certain matters contained in a letter which Don Guzman De Silva, the Spanish Ambassador, shall give her may be hastened forward.—Paris, 13 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Portug. P. ½.
Dec. 13. 852. The Ambassador of Portugal in France to the Queen.
The ships belonging to her subjects in Lisbon, which were arrested on the news of the insolence committed by the young Monluc in Madeira, were liberated as soon as the King's army had sailed. The King of France has ordered that all those engaged in the expedition shall be imprisoned, and their good's confiscated.—Paris, 13 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
Dec. 14. 853. Guillaume Acqueman to Cecil.
Forwards certain packets and desires to know whether he has received others which he has sent.—Dieppe, 14 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Fr. P. 1.
Dec. 14. 854. John Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
1. Has been to Brussels for the delivery of a letter of the Queen's to the Regent, recommending certain merchants suits. There lies about Valenciennes, sent by the Court, 600 or 700 horsemen, and 6,000 or 7,000 footmen. They of Valenciennes refuse to take in any men at the Regent's appointment, and stand to their defence.
2. The Count of Horn is counted on of the earnest for the new religion.
3. The Gueux have appointed forty persons to take order for anything which may be pretended against them. There is a great piece of money levied among the Protestants for maintaining their quarrel. There is order from the Court that there shall be no more christening, marrying, or burying after their order.
4. There is great exclamation against the French, who have taken divers great ships richly laden.—Antwerp, 14 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2¼.
Dec. 15. 855. Sir Thomas Gresham to Cecil.
It is time that the Queen's pleasure were known for the prolongation of her debts. Desires him to deliver to the bearer the new bonds for the city to seal before the holidays. —London, 15 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Dec. 15. 856. George Gilpin to Cecil.
Encloses a letter from an Italian. The troubles of this country are like to come to greater extremity. Valenciennes and Tournay are both belaid with men of war.—Antwerp, 15 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Dec. 15. 857. Advices from Antwerp.
News from Antwerp, 15 Dec.
Much injured by damp. Endd. Ital. P. 1.
Dec. 16. 858. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
1. It is written from Antwerp that the Calvinists and Martinists be accorded to petition that if they may enjoy their religion they will give 3,000,000 of gold. The Prince of Orange in the town where he was commanded that there should be no preaching, and when the people assembled in the market-place to have a sermon a piece was shot out of the castle, which killed divers.
2. Sends news from Transylvania and Turkey.—The Louvre, 16 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
Dec. 18. 859. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
1. Sends news of the Turk's preparations.
2. The French King has sent to the Pope to have his base brother M. De Angouleme made a cardinal, which the Pope will not condescend to.
3. M. Monluc's son is slain at Madeira.
4. Hears daily of great preparations to oppress the Protestants.—The Louvre, 18 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
Dec. 18. 860. Sir Francis Englefield to Cecil.
Herewith comes the King of Spain's letter to the Queen in his behalf, which he beseeches him to aid.—Madrid, 18 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Dec. 19. 861. John Man to the Queen.
The King has willed him to write in favour of Sir Francis Englefield, that he may have in what place he likes best to live the revenues of his lands.—Madrid, 19 Dec. 1566.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½.
Dec. 19. 862. John Man to Cecil.
1. Has sent a letter to the Queen in favour of Sir Francis Englefield at the King's request.
2. P.S.—All the ambassadors have great favour shown to them except himself.—Madrid, 19 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Dec. 20. 863. Maitland of Lethington to Cecil.
By the bearer he shall understand the order of the Prince's baptism. Equality has been used both to the Queen's and the King of France's representatives. Is sorry to hear of his sickness.—Stirling, 20 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Dec. 20. 864. M. De Foix to Cecil.
Condoles with him on the deaths of Hoby and Cook, and expresses his goodwill towards him. Commends the conduct of the bearer, Mr. Fitzwilliams.—Paris, 20 June 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 1¼.
Dec. 23. 865. —to [Cecil].
In behalf of an Englishman named William Burlace, who has been some time in the service of the King of Spain.— London, 23 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Span. P. ½.
Dec. 23. 866. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
Complains of his incapacity for service. There is great preparations of all sides, and 100 captains at the Court attending for charge. Yesterday the Ambassador of Spain had great conference with the King and Queen Mother. The King of Spain sends to the Low Countries 3,000,000, besides other great sums.—[Louvre], 23 Dec. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 7.
Dec. 24. 867. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
There have been twelve commissions signed to levy men in Picardy. This day Count Brissac came out of Hungary, in post with twenty-three captains, who was well received. Trusts that he is forgiven. Understands that the King has taken from all Estates their privileges, and commanded that all soldiers shall pay reasonably for all things they take.— The Louvre, 24 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 4.
Dec. 24. 868. M. De Foix to Cecil.
Expresses his strong regard for him and wish to serve him. —Paris, 24 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr.
Dec. 869. Cecil to M. De Foix.
When he received his letter was troubled with the gout. Was much refreshed to behold his goodwill.
Draft in Cecil's writing on the back of De Foix's letter. Pp. 1½.
Dec. 28. 870. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
Is informed that the Emperor has a great army ready to besiege Metz, whereupon the King has sent his Marshals to levy men, and to repair to their governments. Vigor this day preached before the Court, and said to the King in the name of the chief of the city of Paris, that if the Huguenots were suffered to preach in the city against the edicts, they would take them and burn them all, which the Constable took in very evil part, Has taken his leave of the Court and delivered the plate.—Paris, 28 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
Dec. 29. 871. Count Rocandolf to Cecil.
As the protection which the Queen granted him is about to expire he desires that he will procure another for him. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. P. 1.
Dec. 30. 872. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
Has been six or eight days at St. Andrew's with the Earl of Murray, who by himself and friends has used him with much honour and courteous entertainment. The Queen has granted the Earl Morton and Lords Ruthven and Lindsey their relaxation. The Earl of Murray and himself have been very friendly towards the Queen for them. The Earls of Bothwell and Athol and all the other Lords helped herein, else it should not so soon have been gotten. Understands that there is new matter attempted by the Earl of Rutland. —The Halyards in Fife, 30 Dec. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1½.