Elizabeth: September 1569

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 9, 1569-1571. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1874.

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'Elizabeth: September 1569', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 9, 1569-1571, (London, 1874) pp. 120-127. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol9/pp120-127 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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September 1569

Sept. 4. 419. Passport.
Passport for Antonio Fugazza, a gentleman of Portugal.— Pychefelde, 4 Sept. 1569. Signed by the Queen.
Endd., with royal seal. P. 1.
Sept. 5. 420. The Regent Murray to Queen Elizabeth.
Acknowledges the receipt of her three letters, all of which he has well considered, and has travailed to satisfy her resolutely concerning the articles brought by Mr. John Wood. Is "deliberat," by advice of the King's Council, to send to her Robert, commendator of Dunfermline, instructed to confer with her in the matters imparted by her letters. Denies that it ever entered his mind to prepare any force to pass into the west. As for Dumbarton, there is no other kind of besieging used saving a very mean number of soldiers appointed to resist the daily incursions of them within the castle, from their daily depredations on the poor people of the country. Has suffered Mr. Thomas Fleming to return, but has thought it more sure to send his answer by the ordinary post than by such an one as his misreport has proved him to be. Paris, the Frenchman, suffered death by order of law, on Aug. 16, 17 or 18 days before the receipt of her letter. Desires a safe-conduct for the commendator of Dunfermline to come into her realm.—Stirling, 5 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 2¼.
Sept. 5. 421. The Regent Murray to Cecil.
Is heartily sorry that the Queen has misliked his answer sent to her by Alexander Hume. Desires him to expedite the safe-conduct for the commendator of Dunfermline. Where Cecil writes that he does not use Lethington as he has done, there is an accident fallen out since his coming to Stirling that is the occasion of the restraining of his liberty and the apprehension of Sir James Balfour. That was a public accusation of them both in presence of the council, that they were of the counsel for knowledge and device of the murder of the King's father; and upon the petition of the accuser (being servant to the Earl of Lennox) it was thought there could be no less done than to put them it surety, whilst the due trial might be had.—Stirling, 5 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
August 16.
Sept. 6.
422. Charles IX. to M. De la Motte Fenelon.
Extracts from two letters in which the King directs M. De la Motte Fenelon to desire the Queen of England to com mand her subjects to abstain from trading with Rochelle, and to promise that the same conveniences shall be provided for them at Bordeaux, and other towns still in his obedience as exist at Rochelle.
Endd. Fr. P. ½.
Sept. 6. 423. M. Dupin to Cecil.
Sends some pamphlets printed at Rochelle.—Shene, 6 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. P. ⅓.
Sept. 6. 424. The Cardinal of Chatillon to Cecil.
Desires his assistance in facilitating the dispatch and procuring licence for the exportation to Rochelle of certain "merchandises" of which they stand in great need.—Shene, 6 Sept. 1569. Signed. (See Aug. 22.)
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 1.
Sept. 7. 425. Lord Hunsdon to Cecil.
Will understand what he can of the marriage at his meeting with Murray. Has received advertisement out of Scotland that Lethington is committed to ward, being accused of treason, and that the parson of Fliske was also sought for. Has received a letter from the Council in behalf of certain of the Armerars, and one Carr and Fenwick. It came too late as the father and one of the sons were condemned of march treason, and had received their judgment a little before the delivery of the letter. Denies that there has been any partiality shown either by himself or Sir John Forster in this matter.—Newcastle, 7 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 7. 426. The Doge of Venice to Queen Elizabeth.
Thanking her for the liberation of the two Venetian ships which had been stayed in her realm.—Venice, 7 Sept. 1569.
Add. Endd. on parchment. Ital. Royal letter.
Sept. 8. 427. Lord Hunsdon to Cecil.
Sends a packet together with a letter to himself from the Regent, whereby he finds that his advertisement of Lethington is true. Balfour was taken out of Fife with certain horsemen and harquebussiers. They are accused by Crawford, a servant of the Earl of Lennox, of consenting to and aiding the murder of Lord Darnley. The Earl of Athole is also in his house upon bond. Crawford's accusation may be some part of the cause of their imprisonment, but surely the principal cause is a certain convention that has been of late at Athole, where were practised some matters for the Scottish Queen.—Alnwick, 8 September 1569. Signed.
P. ½.
Sept. 8. 428. John Sturmius to Cecil.
Writes in favour of a man who has translated the Bible into Spanish. They have no news from France.—Strasbourg, 8 September 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Lat. P. 1.
Sept. 10. 429. Catherine de Medicis to the Duke of Anjou.
His letter to the King has just arrived announcing the raising of the siege of Poitiers with great honour to the Duke of Guise. Approves of his false attack upon Chatelherault which has been of great service.
Extract from a letter written from Plessis les Tours, 6 September 1569. Endd. Fr. P. ½.
Sept. 10. 430. Sir Henry Norris to the Queen.
The town of Naverin for three months being besieged by M. Terrides, the captain sent secretly to the Queen of Navarre that unless presently he were succoured he would be constrained to yield up the place, whereupon the Princes dispatched incontinent to M. Montgomery to repair with the Viscount's troops to levy the siege. Danville sent in haste to Terrides willing him to retire to Orthez, or some other place of security, but by his too long abode his forces were put to flight, 800 being slain and he himself besieged and taken prisoner in Orthez, together with M. St. Colombe and divers others of mark, so as this province is again reduced to the obedience of the Queen of Navarre. MM. Danville and Monluc having joined their forces together, there is like to be some encounter between them and Montgomery. Since his last of the 28th ult. the Admiral has gained a tower at Poitiers and kept them so straitly pent in as for 16 days they were constrained to eat horseflesh, having great penury within the town. On the 3d M. D'Anjou made a general muster of his army in which he found 1,500 gendarmes French, 700 Italian horsemen, 1,000 Walloons, and 4,000 reiters, besides La Vallette's regiment of 400, and the Duke of Longueville's and some other companies. Of footmen he had 6,000 French, 4,000 Swiss, 2,500 Italians, and 2,000 Walloons. On the 4th instant he passed over the river of Creuse, and on Tuesday last planted his artillery before Chatelherault, and by noon next day had made a breach 40 feet long. The assault was granted to the Italians, whereat the French greatly misliking would not follow their captain but suffered 400 of them to be slain without rescue within the town walls. The Admiral judging the place to be in great danger, on Wednesday night last with 7,000 horse and 8,000 footmen marched to within three leagues of Chatelherault; whereupon Monsieur perceiving that he came with intention to fight, levied his siege, and on Friday the two armies skirmished together, when he had two cornets of horse defeated. Monsieur understanding that 2,000 horsemen be passed the river of Creuse, has advertised the King here to retire within the town, fearing lest they should surprise him. Monsieur's army is at Ingrande, so that they daily look for a battle to be stricken. Is informed that the Admiral yet maintains the siege of Poitiers.—Tours, 10 September 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
431. Occurents in France.
Abstract of the intelligence contained in the above letter, with the addition that the Queen of Navarre had come to the camp with 12 ensigns and 600 horse.
Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 11. 432. Queen Elizabeth to Charles IX.
Thanks him for his letter of the 15th August informing her of his intended marriage with the Emperor's second daughter, and of that of his sister Margaret with the King of Portugal, which she right well allows, and hopes that the whole estate of Christendom shall thereby receive increase of quietness.
433. Queen Elizabeth to Catherine de Medicis.
To the same effect as the above.
Draft in Cecil's writing. Endd.: 11 September 1569. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 11. 434. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil.
Excuses himself for using his servant's hand on account of his indisposition. Is secretly given to understand that Poitiers is still environed with sufficient forces. No gentleman from within that town has come to the Court but only two spies to Monsieur. Monsieur is with his army at Ingrande and the Admiral is at La Selle two leagues from thence. Monsieur advertising that 2,000 horsemen were passed the Creuse caused the Court to dislodge at midnight with a great tumult. The Prince's army is very puissant and much redoubted of their enemies. The Queen of Navarre banqueted the Count Mansfield and the chief rittmasters before Poitiers renewing their capitulations. There is a levy of soldiers in La Beauce. It is ordained that those of the religion within Orleans shall be put out of the town, which the Duke Montpensier misliked the other day in council, saying that the chasing the Huguenots from their houses had strengthened their enemies above 8,000 men. The Swiss say that they are not bound to furnish any more men. The news of the descent of the Germans into France is lately confirmed. The Duke of Savoy during these troubles does not omit to make his profit thereof, and treats of a league with Berne and Zurich which is greatly suspected by them of Geneva. Begs him to have the Admiral's cause in remembrance.—Tours, 11 September 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3.
Sept. 11. 435. Sir Henry Norris to the Earl of Leicester.
Sends the same information as that contained in his letters to the Queen and Cecil respecting the progress of the siege of Poitiers, the alarm at the Court, the coming of the Queen of Navarre to the camp, &c. Six lines in cipher at the end of this letter.—Tour, 11 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 2⅓.
Sept. 15. 436. John Bateman to Cecil.
Here is great care and pensiveness taken for the Laird of Lethington being, as it is informed, in great peril, and most earnest desires and wishes are made that Cecil would stand his friend in this extremity. Is thus bold to advertise him, being thereto moved by those who singularly trust unto him. —Wingfield, 15 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ¼.
[Sept.] 437. The Regent Murray to [Cecil].
Desires that sharp commandment may be sent to Sir John Forster to redress divers enormities and spoils committed on the subjects of Scotland by certain of the West Marches of England. Signed.
P. ½.
Sept. 16. 438. Albert Frederick of Brandenburg to the Queen.
Desires that restitution may be made of the goods of certain of his subjects, which have been seized by her fleet.—Konigsburg, 16 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. Lat. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 16. 439. Cassiodorus Reimius to Cecil.
Has after eleven years labour finished the translations of the Bible into Spanish. Describes the different obstacles thrown in the way of accomplishing his task by Satan. Desires Cecil to procure the Queen's favour for his work.— Frankfort-on-Main, 16 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. Lat. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 18. 440. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil.
Finds now that the siege is wholly levied from Poitiers. There is great want of money on both sides. The King's Swiss are unpaid for three months, and his reiters for five. The Admiral is behind hand for three months, and has repassed the Creuse. Desires him to credit and thank the bearer for his painful and dangerous services lately done.—Tours, 18 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 19. 441. The Cardinal of Chatillon to Cecil.
Desires him to procure licence for two French gentlemen to sell a cargo of fish which they have captured coming from Newfoundland, in order that they may be able to procure victual and other necessaries for their return voyage to Rochelle. —Shene, 19 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 2/3.
Sept. 20. 442. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil.
Monsieur is yet at Chinon, and has passed certain of his men over the river of Vienne, putting garrisons in the towns upon the Loire. The Admiral besieges the castle of Mirebeau. Monsieur has much ado to keep his army from "scaling." The King has made proclamation for all gentlemen to repair to their regiments, and footmen to go to their ensigns. The Viscounts have repassed the Garonne. The Duke of Guise, after his thin diet in Poitiers, making some excess here, is fallen into a fever, the Marquis, his brother, being sick of the same disease. A cornet has been brought hither which was taken in the retreat of the Admiral from Poitiers. Is advertised that a small town in Auvergne called Aurillac is taken by the religion, some motion beginning in those parts.—Tours, 20 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp.1¾.
Sept. 23. 443. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil.
Perceives by a letter sent out of Spain that there is some practice intended by the Spaniards against the Queen by nourishing the intestine wars in Ireland, they thinking that they can no ways sooner finish these wars in France than by troubling England. There has repaired to M. D'Anjou's camp many gentlemen and certain foot bands, and most of those about the Court. Monsieur has passed his artillery over the Vienne, as though he would fight the Admiral. His army is in great need of victuals. The Admiral's office is given to the Marquis de Villars, his ancient enemy. There have been discovered certain practices of poison intended against the Admiral, but the parties are apprehended. Mentions places taken by those of the religion, also sundry motions in their behalf in Brittany, Normandy, and Picardy. The Italians so much mislike their entertainment lately at Chatelherault as they will not winter in France. There are sundry strange bruits of England which he trusts are not true.—Tours, 23 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp.1¾.
Sept. 24. 444. The Queen to William Landgrave of Hesse.
Expresses her feelings of good will towards him, and is sorry to say that the report of the death of Wolfgang Count Palatine is true.—Windsor.
Draft in Cecil's writing. Endd., 24 Sept. Lat. P. 1.
Sept. 25. 445. William Garrard and Valentine Dale to the Privy Council.
Repaired to the French Ambassador and opened to him the difficulties of his request, and required him to consider how it would stand with the treaty for the Queen's subjects to be restrained from free access to such places as were best for their commodity, and required to know how they might be assured of their traffic since they had been arrested in so many places, and how they might have as convenient trade in other places as at Rochelle. For answer he made a long discourse what requests he had made, and what answers he had had, and how grievously his master took it that his rebels were aided with cannon, powder, munitions, and money, without which they had not been able so long to annoy him, or to besiege Poitiers; also that now the galleys were come down it might be occasion of harm to the English upon the seas. They asked him whether he made this request of courtesy or by way of prohibition, at which he was somewhat abashed, and after certain conversation said that if the merchants would tell him of any particular wares that were to be had cheap or commodiously at Rochelle, he would cause the same to be procured at other places.—London, 25 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2¼.
Sept. 28. 446. Henry Champernoun to the Queen.
Gives particulars of the siege of Chatelherault, and of the levying of the siege of Navarin, by Montgomery, whose letter to the Prince of Navarre he encloses. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½.
Sept. 28. 447. Henry Champernoun to Cecil.
Arrived here on the 20th Sept. where he found good entertainment, after no little troublesome time passed upon the seas. Sends a copy of Montgomery's letter to the Prince of Navarre, of 15 August. Is sent for by the Admiral to come to the camp. There is some small likelihood of peace. Sends a letter from the Princes of Navarre and Condé.—Rochelle, 28 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Sept. 28. 448. The Princes of Navarre and Condé to Champernoun.
Were very glad to hear of his arrival with such a good troop of English gentlemen and soldiers, who have volunteered for their succour. As they shortly look for a battle, desire that they will make haste and go to the Admiral's camp.— St. Maixent, 28 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½.
Sept. 30. 449. The French Ambassador to Cecil.
Complains that his packet, directed to his master, has been stolen, and the bearer wounded, and desires him to inform the Queen, so that redress may be had.—London, 30 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. P. ½.
Sept. 30. 450. Valentine Browne to Cecil.
Recommends Captain Yaxley, a man of long service, to him, whom he perceives Lord Hunsdon would be glad to have helped with the Queen's liberality.—Berwick, the last of Sept. 1569. Signed.
Pp. 1½.
Sept. 30. 451. Valentine Browne to Cecil.
Sends up the bearer about the soliciting of his causes of accounts, and thanks Cecil for his goodness, extended always towards him and his wife.—Berwick, 30 Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ⅓.
Sept. 452. The French Ambassador to Cecil.
Has sent copies of the French King's and the Queen Mother's letters to the Duke of Anjou, to the Earl of Leicester, in order that he may show them to the Queen. Desires an answer to his request that the Queen's subjects may be prohibited from trading with Rochelle, and that more diligence may be used in the restitution of the goods which have been arrested.—London, Sept. 1569. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 2/3.