Simancas: June 1575 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

'Simancas: June 1575', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, (London, 1894) pp. 493-495. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp493-495 [accessed 25 April 2024]

June 1575



24 June.	412. Antonio de Guaras to Zayas. On the 18th instant I sent my last report. I send this letter by special courier to report that the Lord Chancellor, Lord Burleigh, the earl of Lincoln, and other councillors, who remained here after the Queen had left, are warmly, but secretly, endeavouring to promote the business they are attempting, respecting which Colonel Chester came hither from the prince of Orange. In order to put the project into execution they have begun to send various English captains to Dover separately, and with as little noise as possible. It is certain that the common people have no knowledge whatever of it, nor has, indeed, anyone excepting those immediately concerned. They send thither to-day captain Bingham, who, I am assured, they enjoin on pain of death to keep his departure secret. Chester himself has gone, or is hidden ready to go, Sir William Drury has been discussing the matter with the Council for some days. He is now departing, it is supposed to take an important command in the affair, the principal leader, however, being Lord Hunsdon. During the last three days, at night or at unsuspected hours, they have taken out of the Tower sixty waggons and guncarriages, which have been shipped for Dover. The guns themselves, battery pieces, culverins, and small field-guns, will be taken by four of the Queen's ships which are being prepared in great haste near Rochester. Last night a list was made very secretly of the mariners needed for these four ships, and I am informed by a man from the Court that Cobham has been ordered not to leave until the outcome of the business is seen. They are hurrying the collection of the thirty thousand pounds, which I reported that this city had lent to the Queen. Since writing the above I learn that M. de Meru, Montmorenci's brother, has left very secretly. No doubt they will all go together to Germany, and I am informed that they will go by way of Flanders, and return through Holland, in order to carry through their project in some part of the States.
28 June.	413. I enclose copies of previous letters, one of which was sent through his Excellency, and the other by way of Paris. I now have to add that an Englishman named Lusies (Lewins?) left here a fortnight ago, he having been sent hither by the English ambassador in France, and immediately afterwards the earl (of Oxford?) left for Germany accompanied by a son (fn. 1) of the Lieutenant of the Tower. This Lewins (?) is a person of great intelligence and efficiency, although he will employ his talents in a bad cause. There are signs that these men were despatched on this enterprise. I have had good spies on Sir William Drury who left two days ago. He was asked by a friend when he would return, and whispered in his ear, "the first news you have of me will be that I am in France." The master blacksmith and master carpenter from the Tower have been sent in a boat to Dover with some of their men. Colonel Chester left on the 25th, with one servant, in the direction of Dover, and I am told from a good source, that two hundred thousand crowns, all in sun-crowns, have been sent by some of these men, for the purpose of enabling Condé to raise two thousand horse and four thousand foot in the country of the Palatine for the support of the enterprise. These and other signs show that they are determined to attempt it. I have heard from Court now that Cobham will not be detained, but will leave at once. People from Rochester tell me that there is no show of arming ships, but that two of the Queen's vessels are fully armed and equipped.— London, 28th June 1575.