Rome: August 1578 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1926.

'Rome: August 1578', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, (London, 1926) pp. 481-503. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp481-503 [accessed 23 April 2024]

August 1578



1578. Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. iii.	918. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to Mgr. Fontana, Collector in Portugal. “It is probable that before the receipt of my letters written to you in regard of the Marquis [of Leinster] he will have gone with all the troops to Africa. And as it has so pleased God, it behoves us to suppose that it is for the best, and to busy ourselves now in making ready all that will be necessary to enable him, immediately upon his return from Africa, to sail upon the principal voyage. You will therefore neglect not to have all our arms and munitions in safe keeping, as also what moneys remain in hand; and if, when this reaches you, Geraldine has not arrived there, (fn. 1) as I am apprised by the Marquis that he had written (fn. 2) inviting him to meet him, you can by letters urge him to come to Lisbon, thereby the better in conference to determine what to do; but if for any just cause he should be prevented from making his way thither, then it will be for you to take care that at any rate by letters the time of departure, and how and where they are to land and meet are arranged, as it is very important that the one go not without the other. It will be necessary to do the same office, either by word of mouth or by letters, with the other English and Irish that are not with the Marquis, exhorting and encouraging them to persevere in the good purpose which they have ever evinced of going upon so just and holy an enterprise: and in a word you will do all the offices that shall seem to you opportune to keep them all united and in a good mutual understanding, for so God shall give you in doing your duty increase of spirit and strength to do more than you deem possible. And you will not fail to keep us ever apprised of all that happens. “I suppose you will have put the ship out of commission, as I wrote more than once should be done; and it would be a great mistake not to do so, because she costs us about 800 crowns a month, and perchance more.” 1 August, 1578. Rome. Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i.	919. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic ] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “By way of answer to your last letter, to wit, of 20 June, from the advices which you will since have had of the course of events, in regard of the Marquis (fn. 3) and his troops, as also of that other gentleman (fn. 4) who tarried in Brittany, you will have understood, that I was not in time to be able to do as you bid me, but that it is necessary to give new shape and scope to the business, if good is to be gotten out of it; wherein I shall always follow what ever instructions I shall receive from you or Mgr. Nuncio. As to our ship, besides what I have written in divers letters, I also apprise you that, if these gentlemen have, against my judgment and advice, been somewhat slow to put her out of commission, they have not done so without a good reason, which was many a time discussed among us; and that on her arrival here she was not in a condition to make the voyage, as she should have done: besides which, on the very day of her arrival, the ship's master, accompanied by Cliborne, came to my house to tell me expressly that she could not go further, unless she were repaired at great cost and with much loss of time—a matter, I think, known to many—but perhaps she might have been set to rights in a month or so: and as this matter was mainly the concern of others, I will leave it to them to give good account of it…. “The Bishop of Killala will not go hence at present, because he has received some aid in ducats, how many I know not, from the King; besides which he will have got some more from the Cardinal, to whom he went a little while ago.” 3 August, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 308.	920. News Letter. “Don John of Austria and the Prince of Parma, making a feint of retreat, formed a picked corps of 6,000 horse and 12,000 foot, with which they gallantly attacked the Flemish army, expecting to find it disorganised; but warning shortly before given by a spy of his Highness prevented a complete rout of the enemy: nevertheless the fighting resulted in the death, both sides included, of more than a thousand men; and by what the Count of Bossu, General of the Estates, writes, but for the valour displayed by the Scots and English, matters had gone badly for the said Estates. (fn. 5) And thereupon Don John retreated, purposing to renew the combat before the arrival of all the forces of the Duke of Alençon, who is expected in this city to-morrow, as also Casimir, who refuses to fight unless he receive the pays for his troops, and will be here, he too, to be godfather (fn. 6) to the daughter of the Prince of Orange, who the other day introduced here M. la Noue (fn. 7) with extraordinary honours; and although they have canvassed more than once Alençon's coming into these countries, nevertheless no result thereof is apparent, the general opinion being that the Estates are distrustful of a Frenchman, though the troops of the said Alençon, supported by the Duke of Ariscot [Aerschot], remain as yet on the confines of France; and we shall soon see the fruits of this labour.” 4 August, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	921. Memorandum. Proposition of M. de Bellièvre, ambassador of the King of France, made to his Highness and the Gentlemen of the Estates of the Low Countries in Antwerp, 4 August, 1578. See Bor, Nederlandtsche Oorloghen, Tweede Deel (1621), Bk. xii. ff. 44d–45. Cf. Archives de la Maison D'Orange-Nassau, ser. i. vol. vi. p. 443.
Ibid.	922. [Protonotary Dandino,] Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Ferrabosco will depart, by what I understand, for Italy in the course of a very few days, and with him that Englishman of whom I wrote, for the purposes of which I wrote. I am informed that they have some understanding with one of the gentlemen of Correggio, who is in receipt of a pension from the Queen of England; and I have just written to Cardinal Paleoto [sic: Paleotti (fn. 8) ], that he should have their movements and machinations watched in Bologna. (fn. 9) Those that discussed the enterprise of England with the Most Christian King, as I wrote, were, I understand, assured by his Majesty that it had his approval, and that he would like to discuss it with the Catholic King, but that at present he sees no ground for confidence or assurance.” 5 August, 1578. [Paris.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. Vat. Arch Nunt. d' Inghilt. vol. i. f. 124	923. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain to the Same. “Three days ago Dr. Sander came to call upon me, and told me that Captain Cleiborne was here very seriously ill and in peril of death, and had sent for him and told him in relief of his conscience what you will see in the enclosure in his handwriting; which I have seen fit to send you, to enable some decision to be taken about Stucley, in case he should return from Africa alive; as, by reason of that which I have already written you many a time, I deem it inexpedient, especially in the present circumstances, to let him go forward with those forces, lest by and by we should be hurt by our own weapons: I should rather be disposed to think that it would be very opportune that two orders should be sent, one to the Collector of Portugal, and the other to me, to be instant, either with that or with this King, as it might seem more to the purpose, and better opportunity should offer, to hold him in play, that he may have no ground to plume himself on his wicked devices. “As to so much as concerns Captain Bastiano in particular I know not what to believe. I go on drawing him out bit by bit, and I get writings out of his hands, that he may be unable to deny what I cause him to confess, though so far I see no possibility of charging him with more than being easy-going: however, I reserve judgment until I am in a better position to pronounce it. Meanwhile I do not let him go, and I hold him in play with good words and caresses to see how much I may draw from him, and likewise to await the decision of Geraldine; of whose coming we still know nothing more than what I wrote. This is as much as I have to say by this.” 8 August, 1578. Madrid. Italian. Enclosure:—“Captain William Cleyborn, being apprehensive of death, has bidden me in his name to let you know that which, if he had been able to arrive in safety at the City, he would have let his Holiness know; to wit, that Stucley is quite unfit to be entrusted with the conduct of this or any other business; especially because, on seeing that James Geraldine was granted an equal share with himself in the division of the 20,000 crowns, he said that he would make those by whose authority it was done repent them of it; that he would sell the Pontiff's arms, and with the Pontiff's soldiers betake him where he might make spoils; that in fine he would give the Pontiff's chair, or the Pontiff thereon, a rude shaking. Nor could Cleyborn ever discern that Stucley had a mind to contemplate going to Ireland.” Latin. Endorsed Scrittura del Sandero.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix.	924. Annibale di Capua, Nuncio at Venice to Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “By letter from Mantua we learn here that a man sent post-haste by Ottavio Gonzaga to the Duke has arrived with tidings that the Queen of England has changed her mind, and become partial to Don John; as you will see more at large from the report of the man aforesaid, which will be found in the annexed sheet. (fn. 10) Of this, however, the Signory have no advice whatever.” 9 August, 1578. Venice. Italian. Letters enclosed:— “They report nothing fresh, save that the Queen still withheld her consent to succour the Estates with money, as they earnestly solicit her to do. Nay rather, since the arrival of M. d'Alençon in Flanders, it was believed that she would do no more.” 21 July, 1578. London. Italian. “In the course of two days the ambassador of the Emperor will go to Don John to treat of peace; and if his Highness shall evince a desire that the ambassadors of England should visit him, they likewise will do so, to see if they can do some good, as they greatly desire.“ (fn. 11) 26 July, 1578. Antwerp. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1040. f. 317d.	925. News Letter. … Reporting intelligence from Spain that “the King of Portugal had arrived at Tangier in Barbary with a great force: which is confirmed by Portuguese in Rome, who are of opinion that, as soon as his Majesty shall have reinstated the Shereef, he purposes to betake him to Scotland to the detriment of the Queen of England, now sick unto death; following the example of the English duke in the island of Ireland, which is in insurrection against her.” 9 August, 1578. Rome. Italian. Copy.
Ibid. f. 308d.	926. News Letter. “The Most Christian King, after despatching Mgr. of Nazareth to Italy, has quitted Paris with the Court, but not until he had followed to the grave his favourite, M. de Semeri [ Saint-Mégrin (fn. 12) ] killed by an arquebusade: the delinquent is being sought for with great diligence. One of the King's counsellors has provided 300,000 crowns for the Duke of Alençon, who has sent Bussi d' Amboise to Antwerp; having learned that the ambassadors of the Emperor and of England, in concert with gentlemen of the Estates, are secretly negotiating the accord with Don John, being unanimously resolved to have none of the protection of the said Alençon, who had not yet been put in possession of the places.” 10 August, 1578. Lyon. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Arm. xliv. vol. 28.	927. Papal Secretary to The Bishop of Mayo. “From your letter to me dated the 6th of last month the Pope is rejoiced to learn what you intimated as to the receipt of my letter and the transmission to James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] of the schedule enclosed therewith. But as to what you add, to wit, that it is requisite that the faculty previously granted should be extended to all nations, it is now many days since answer was given touching this matter; to wit, that all such men, of what nation soever, as are of the company, or have been helpful by aid and influence, are included in the faculty already granted. Would indeed that there were such a concourse of nations that a larger extension were requisite! But if, nevertheless, something more shall be required by you or by James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald], you will write at large thereof, nothing doubting that whatever aid on our part may be meet we shall afford you. Furthermore, as I perceived in [your] letter to Cardinal Alciati that you desire to be commended to the Scottish Bishop of Ross, I have done so with the approval of the Pope; and herewith I send a letter written to him for this purpose. “For the rest we wish you well-being and felicity.” 11 August, 1578. Rome. Latin. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix.	928. News Letter. “By way of German merchants come tidings that the Estates, the Queen of England, and M. d'Alençon had agreed upon the underwritten Articles: but of this there is no mention whatever in letters of Italian merchants of the same date, to wit, the 16th, which say only that the negotiations for peace are now growing warmer, the Emperor's ambassador having returned to Don John, to whom the two ambassadors of England are going in two days; and it is said that the ambassador of France may also go thither with more than mediocre hope of achieving a good result. (fn. 13) “The Queen of England on 9 August had not as yet granted the Estates any succour in money, nor yet was it believed that she would do so otherwise. “Articles arranged between the Estates and M. D'Alençon according to the version of German Merchants. “1. That M. d'Alençon and another deputed by the Estates be generals of the army, and one, in the absence of the other, may command at his pleasure. “2. That the said Alençon be bound to hire for them 10,000 foot and 2,000 lances for three months at his own expense. “3. That the Estates at the close of the said three months may take into their service 6,000 men of the said army, foot and horse, at their expense for so long as they please. “4. That all acquisitions which jointly or separately they shall make on the further side of the Meuse belong to M. d'Alençon, and all which they shall make on this side to the Estates. “5. That after the end of August the Estates may not treat or conclude any matter of peace or accord without the knowledge of M. d'Alençon and the Queen of England. “6. That should the Estates desire, or be under constraint to accept, another patron, they may not accept any other than M. d'Alençon. “7. That in case, between the 16th of August and the end of that month, an accord should come to pass between the Estates and Don John, all the articles aforesaid are to be null and void. “8. That for M. d'Alençon's security the Estates are to deliver to his Highness three fortresses, to wit, Bavais, Landrecies and Quesnoy.” (fn. 14) 16 August, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. Postscript. It is reported “that the Estates, together with the Emperor and Alençon, had sent an ambassador to Don John to show him the foregoing Articles; and that three days afterwards the other ambassador of England was to depart for Don John with a commission in writing, the purport of which was not known: also that Casimir was expected that evening, and that his army would be at Breda that same evening.” 16 August, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. (fn. 15)
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Venet. vol. xx.	929. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Annibale di Capua,] Archbishop Elect of Naples, Nuncio at Venice. … “It will be much to the purpose that you with all diligence endeavour to discover what manner of commission has been given to the Ambassador Micheli (fn. 16) in regard of England, because its character would decide whether it would be necessary to set about doing one's office, as on former occasions I have written to you. “If the intelligence contained in the sheet sent by you, to wit, that that Queen has changed and become partial to Don John, were true, it would already have found confirmation in divers quarters; but her sins allow not that God should give her at present light and understanding to do aught so meritorious.” 16 August, 1578. Rome. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	930. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Captain Cliborne is dead. May his soul be with God! From the few trumpery articles that were found I took care that the Commissary Captain recouped himself a small fraction of the great debt which the said Cliborne owed him.” 18 August, 1578. Madrid. Italian. Autograph.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	931. [Protonotary Dandino], Nuncio in France to the Same. “As to the letter which I craved of the governor of Reims for the English college at Douai, he said that his Majesty required in the first place to be apprised by his ministers of the number and quality of the persons; and that if he should find that they are not likely, either at present or in future, to prejudice affairs of state, he will write even as I have craved of him. “The Bishop of Mayo has asked me to warn you that there should soon arrive at Araceli in Rome a, pattened friar, Donat Milan (sic), (fn. 17) an Irishman, who, he says, is an apostate and a heretic, and has been well treated by the Queen of England, but pretends to have a grudge against her, perchance with intent to do some mischief.” 18 August, 1578. [Paris ?] Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 329.	932. News Letter. Reporting “that the Estates General and the Duke of Alençon had made an accord, the Estates having chosen him for their Captain General with one of themselves for colleague, so that in the twain are vested the command of the army and the conduct of war: which accord is as follows:—That the Duke of Alençon maintain for the behoof of the Estates 10,000 foot and 2,000 horse at his own cost for three months, after which time the Estates may at their own cost have the use of 6,000 picked men of the French army for as long as they may desire; that so much land as may be conquered between the Meuse and Luxemburg belong to the French, and so much as is on this side to the Estates; and that in the event of peace being made within the said term, all the leagues be annulled. “That the Estates have all the present month of August to come to terms with his Majesty; and thereafter may arrange no peace without the consent of the Queen of England and the Duke of Alençon. “That in case the Estates be minded to accept a new Governor, the Duke of Alençon be preferred to all others. “That for the Duke of Alençon's security there be delivered to him on the part of the Estates the towns of Landrecies, Bavay, and Chenoe [Quesnoy]. “That the ecclesiastics and religious of Brussels entreated Archduke Matthias not to tolerate preaching of any religion, or sect, but the Catholic religion: which was communicated to M. de Champagny, M. de Hesse [Hèze], the Marquis of Berges [Bergen], M. de Bossini [Baussigny], and M. de Celines [Glimes], and likewise to the Magistracy of the town; who concurred in holding that no preaching should be allowed save of the Catholic religion; and upon hearing of it some of the people summoned troops, and arrested these gentlemen and sent them to Antwerp. “That burgesses of Antwerp, to the number of seven or eight hundred, assembled, and went to Bolduc [Bois le Duc, Hertogenbosch] with intent to have the sectarian doctrine of Calvin preached in that town; and the inhabitants being apprised thereof closed the gates against them.” (fn. 18) 18 August, 1578. Antwerp. Spanish. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	933. Captain Bastiano [San Joseppi] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Of all that has happened until now I have given you account, and I am awaiting some decision from you as to the business. News has suddenly come that the King of Portugal with all his army has been routed, and is lost in Africa; which news has been confirmed for most certain by two or three couriers, who say positively that the King is dead, and that of the twenty-two thousand men that he had with him but sixty, and some others that were left in garrison at Tangier and other fortresses, have escaped. It is also said that the Christian King fought by the space of ten hours, changing horses thrice; but the enemy was too strong, being 60,000 horse, or thereabout, who lay in ambush in demilune formation, and enveloped the Christians so that they put them all to the sword, this by reason of the disarray of the Portuguese, who were rash and ill versed in warfare. This news I shall leave to Mgr. Nuncio, who will give you a fuller and more accurate account. I add that Captain William Climborro (sic: Cliborne) an Englishman, he that had in Rome (sic) (fn. 19) the hundred crowns, died here on the 8th inst., and in his last hour it was patent whether he were a Catholic, or no; for he would never receive the most holy Sacrament, nor yet extreme unction; and when they presented the crucifix for him to kiss it, he fastened on it with his teeth with intent to bite through it. I forbear to tell you all his characteristics, for 1 should be tedious, and paper and ink would not suffice me. Meanwhile, hoping one day to narrate everything to you by word of mouth, I will say that just as, by reason of the foregoing news, I was to depart for Lisbon by order of Mgr. Nuncio, they have learned and seen by a letter of Sir Thomas Stucley's groom of the chamber, dated the 24th of last month, that the said Sir Thomas was sending all his goods from Arsila in Africa, where the Christian King had his camp, to Cadiz; and this has made me think of going thither, to get payment, in whole or in part, of the sum due to me by the said Stucley, because, if he be dead, those goods will be in danger of being lost: but I shall make no attempt without Mgr. Nuncio's order.” 19 August, 1578. Madrid. Italian. Autograph.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	934. Copies of the Treaty of Accord between the Duke of Anjou and Alençon and the Estates General of the Low Countries Concluded at Antwerp, 13 August, 1578: with an estimate of the horse and foot at the disposal of Don John; and Articles of peace sent to Don John by the Estates, 14 August, 1578. 20 August, 1578. Mons. Italian. Cf. Bor, Nederlandtsche Oorloghen, Tweede Deel (1621), Bk. xii. f. 43; Léonard, Traités de Paix, Paris (1693), vol. ii. p. 624; and Cal. State Papers, Foreign, 1578–9, pp. 131–4.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix.	935. Annibale [di Capua,] Archbishop Elect of Naples, Nuncio at Venice to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “Ambassador Michele's commission to go to England was given in case he should prevent Alençon's going to Flanders, the Signory being minded that he should show that the purpose of his visit to the Queen was to induce her to intervene rather for peace in Flanders than for the purpose of fomenting fresh disturbance: and besides, that under cover of this office, he should justify to her the Signory's omission to gratify her often repeated request that they would send ambassadors to her; and should at the same time procure some arrangement about their merchandise without other consul being sent. “But should Michele fail to prevent the said Alençon['s going to Flanders], he was not to go to England, to avoid giving ground for suspicion; and so, being unable to dissuade him [the Duke] from his purpose, he returned to Paris; and last evening in the Pregadi they gave him leave to return to Venice as soon as may be.” 23 August, 1578. Venice. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	936. [Protonotary] Dandino, Nuncio in France to the Same. “From England is announced the arrival there of M. de Rambouillet (fn. 20) with a commission from the King; and that there is much suspicion touching the Queen and the King of Portugal, one of whose gentlemen, they say, has been sent to that Court to negotiate something, and to tarry there some months.” 23 August, 1578. [Paris.] Italian.
Ibid.	937. The Same to the Same. “I understand that the match between Monsieur and the Queen of England is being diligently negotiated; and that as the man who was negotiating with his Highness has returned to her, the ambassador of his Most Christian Majesty in those parts has bidden his secretary give him account thereof. “In Scotland, by what I learn from the ambassador here, they are in arms between the tyrant that held sway (fn. 21) and those that ousted him: still there has been no disturbance.” 25 August, 1578. [Paris.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di. Portog. vol. i.	938. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “By this duplicate of my last letter you will see how tardily and confusedly I apprised you of the rout of our men by the Moors on the 4th inst. about midday. The cause of the delay was, as I wrote to you, that these gentlemen of the government kept the news secret from the 10th until the 17th, when the Cardinal (fn. 22) arrived at Lisbon, though all that time there were some that departed for Madrid; and the reason of the confusion was that not a soul that had been in the battle came thence, save one of the Cardinal's men who returned wounded on the 16th, and could render but a sorry account, as he must have fled at the beginning. And as to divining what happened from the surmises of the troops, the accounts they have given are so many and diverse and contradictory that it has proved impossible to know what to believe or not; and though most of the ships and stores of the fleet have now returned with many persons, some being of those that were in Arzilla, others the King's own servants, yet confusion and ignorance of details still prevail. That which, I think, I am best able to affirm as the sum of all the discourse that I have had with many of these chief lords, ecclesiastical as well as secular, is that his Majesty, against the advice and adjurations of all his counsellors and other captains and gentlemen, including Marquis Stuclei, and despite the warnings given him of the much cavalry and strength that Moluc was raising, made to all alike confident answers in injurious terms, and, with [but] 1,300 horse and — foot, weary and dying of hunger, thirst and heat, who, in great part, had left their arms behind, to enable them to carry victuals on the march, and with but 6 pieces of artillery of all that he brought hence, turned in disarray to engage (fn. 23) — Moors on horseback and — on foot, at the lowest computation, in a place where the enemy had 50 cannon and all possible advantages. He put in the van the Germans, Italians and Castilians, who, they say, with many hidalgos and volunteers fought bravely… … “They crave no other [rule] than that of the King, whose death is not yet acknowledged, not that of the Cardinal, nor yet that of the Council; albeit his Highness caused summon them on the — inst. together with the Duke of Braganza, (fn. 24) summoned with the rest, and in their presence with a fine speech on the late catastrophe and the present emergency, accepted, as lawful successor, the government of the realm, engaging to restore it to King Dom Sebastian in the event of his return. “Written on the 22nd. it is now the 25th. Last evening the Cardinal published the death of the King.” 25 August, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d' Inghilt. vol. i.	939. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to James Geraldine. “There were of late consigned to you, by way of Mgr. of Nazareth (fn. 25) sent to France by the Pope, 1,000 crowns of gold; and by the advices which we have received that they had already been remitted, we believe that you must have received them some time ago; nevertheless it will be well that you advise us thereof. “Now the Pope having learned that you had written to the Bishop of Killaloe that at the beginning of July you would have departed for Biscay, and thence towards Madrid, for a conference with the nuncio, I am bidden by his Holiness to write to you the present letter; and to exhort you earnestly, as I do, that, if you be at Madrid [or at the court], on the arrival of this my letter, you shift your quarters as soon as may be to Lisbon, and under the pretext of seeing your son prolong your stay in that city until the return of Sir Thomas Stucley from the war of Africa; which return, if it have not taken place when this letter reaches you, cannot, it may be supposed, be much longer delayed. And the Pope says that on his return to Lisbon you must not fail to be urgent with him about this business, so that with all speed it may be resolved that both go together with all the forces at your and his command upon the appointed enterprise; which being a making for the glory of God and the defence of the Catholic religion, there is reason to believe that the mischances that severally befell you and Sir Thomas, which have hitherto precluded your junction and departure on the appointed voyage, have come to pass by Divine providence, in order that, having effected your junction at a better time, you may be able to accomplish more in the service of Christianity. His Holiness therefore gives you his blessing, and exhorts you to go on your way, as soon as may be, boldly and with unwavering hope that it is God's will to guide you all, and have you in His holy safekeeping. And as the success of the enterprise depends in great measure on the good understanding which there should be between the chiefs, the Pope, to the best of his power, prompts and exhorts you to maintain a good understanding with Sir Thomas [Stucley], and to discuss all matters with him lovingly and with a pure purpose of serving God, each tolerating some imperfection in the other, because there is no man in the world that can boast him to have none. And so, having no more to say at present, I remain, praying the Lord to grant you a prosperous voyage and success to crown it.” 26 August, 1578. Rome. Italian.
Ibid.	940. [The Same] to Sir Thomas Stucley, styled Marquis of Leinster. “I cannot deny that the Pope, by reason of his great desire to be soon apprised of some good result of the business on which you were sent, was greatly displeased to learn that you were unable to continue your voyage this summer. However, having since pondered the fact that this is a cause in which the glory of God and the service of Christendom are exclusively concerned, he has become resigned, indulging the belief that all the hindrances that have occurred are ordained by the divine will, so that at a more opportune time you may make greater progress in the service of his Divine Majesty. And in this opinion his Holiness is yet more confirmed by your letter of 28 May, in which you so stoutly promise soon to justify by deeds the opinion which his Holiness has ever had of your valour and sincerity. Now in order to give effect as soon as possible to this holy purpose, his Holiness, having understood that James Geraldine should have departed from Brittany for Madrid at the beginning of last month at the latest, has commissioned me to write him a letter, as I have done, in order that he may, as soon as possible, shift his quarters to Lisbon in accordance with your desire; so that you and he in conference may make all arrangements preliminary to departure upon the destined enterprise. I am sending the said letter to Mgr. Nuncio at Madrid, bidding him cause it to be delivered to the said James, who, it is reasonable to suppose, arrived at Madrid some time ago, so that on your return from Africa he may well be at Lisbon. “His Holiness therefore prompts and earnestly exhorts you, as soon as all the hindrances have come to an end, to unite with the said Geraldine in starting as soon as possible on the principal voyage, endeavouring by speed to compensate the time lost by the delay. And as in such an affair disunion and scant understanding between the chiefs are ever wont to occasion the ruin of the business, while, on the other hand, good understanding between the leaders is of the utmost importance for its successful termination, his Holiness prompts and exhorts you to be ever in accord with the said James [Geraldine], as he hopes you will be. And I entreat you on every occasion to bear yourself in such manner as that his Holiness may see by the results that the testimony which I have ever borne to your valour, goodness and loyalty is true, as I cannot bring myself to think otherwise of your generous spirit: and with the soldiers likewise, and especially with the captains, I entreat you so to bear yourself as that” (fn. 26) … 26 August, 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d' Inghilt. vol. i.	941. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to Captain Sebastiano San Joseppi. “His Holiness has felt great displeasure, in addition to that occasioned by the Marquis' going to Africa, at the disagreements which, he hears, have occurred between the said Marquis and you, as reported by your letter of 24 July, and learned by another channel; for his Holiness knows how great a hindrance to the successful conduct of affairs misunderstandings between those who have charge of them are wont to be. He has therefore bidden me write to you that it will be well for you to return with all speed to Lisbon, to dismiss past affairs entirely from your memory, and for the future to study to obviate by your prudence all occasions of possible dissatisfaction between you, alike on the one side as on the other; making the successful conduct of the principal business your constant aim, as it is reported in writing that you did in the past, to the great satisfaction of his Holiness; who is also satisfied with the diligence that you have used in the other matters of detail, and especially in the good care which you have taken of the arms and munitions. You will therefore fail not still to take the same care, in order that when the time shall have come to go upon the appointed enterprise, everything may be ready to hand. As to which all the orders that seemed necessary have been issued hence, as you will be able to learn in detail from Mgr. Nuncio, and subsequently also from Mgr. Collector, to whom I refer you.” 26 August, 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Vat. Arch Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	942. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “While I was awaiting the arrival of this Benedict Garnicca (fn. 27) to give me at one and the same time an assurance for the 50,000 crowns, and a notification of what he had to say as to their pretensions in regard of the new subsidy which his Majesty craves of the Pope, though to me it seemed reasonable that his Holiness, prior to the discussion of other graces, should have an assurance for the restitution of his moneys, there came to me this morning Secretary Antonio Perez, and brought me the subjoined writing, (fn. 28) informing me that this is all that can be submitted to his Holiness on the part of his Majesty by way of inducement to grant the grace. “I replied that Garnicca, who had undertaken to present it to me, did not come for inability to announce that he had provided for the 50,000 crowns; and that I protested that the course things had taken had ended in mere futility, for I deemed myself in a manner well nigh derided in so plain a matter of business, and in which his Majesty has assured me of his intention to make amends, as is meet; and I added that I deemed these methods ill adapted to dispose his Holiness to confer favours. He replied that his Majesty was making sure that provision should be made; but as he said nothing specific, I doubt these are words to Ephesians (fn. 29); and I am minded in my first audience to pluck a crow with his Majesty; and in the meantime, as to the sheet, I have not omitted to tell Sr. Antonio [Perez] that I will send thither [i.e. to Rome], as I am doing; and that I shall not fail to do those offices that shall seem to me expedient for disposing his Holiness to grant the grace: but in fine I see not from the writing that is in preparation, that which Contadore Garnicca had led me to expect, to wit, a method set forth of how the grace might be made; but merely descanting on all that passed in our conversation he indicates the straits in which his Majesty finds himself, the difficulty there would be in giving effect to what I proposed in the Pope's name, and the reasons why the clergy can bear a heavier burden. The need is real and palpable, and real likewise is the difficulty there would be in giving effect to the method proposed; as they observe in the writing, and as I also failed not to intimate to you when I gave you account of all that passed in this business. As to the reasons that are alleged to make believe that the clergy can bear yet heavier burdens, I deem them rather probable than conclusive. Nevertheless, in the straits in which his Majesty finds himself, I cannot but say that his Holiness may deem it necessary to give him some satisfaction, especially at this juncture, when Don John has sent hither Don Alonso di Sottomaiore, (fn. 30) to crave of his Majesty fresh succour to enable him to withstand the overwhelming forces of his foes, accumulating in Flanders. But I still should think that if his Holiness should be minded to grant him another grace, he should decide to make it conditional upon some enterprise being made in England also; for verily it is lamentable to think that so much money is being spent, and yet it has never been possible to persuade his Majesty once and for all to go strike at the roots of the evil, to wit, in England; though not only is it thence that the Estates are supported by credit, by money and by troops, but there is no evil that is not devised by that woman, who, it is perfectly plain, succoured Molucco (fn. 31) with arms, and especially with artillery. And I should think that, if his Holiness should take his stand on this, proposing some scheme for the enterprise, the King would resolve to take action; or if his Majesty should refuse to do so, his Holiness would be warranted in giving no new subsidy, so as to give the clergy no cause for dissatisfaction; which would cease if in due time they knew for how grave a reason they had been newly taxed. And I should deem it very meet that his Holiness should then evince to the ambassador a little resentment that here, on the part of his Majesty's ministers, there should be so much dilatoriness in providing for the discharge of so manifest an obligation as the restitution of the 50,000 crowns; for it is now two months since his Majesty referred me to Contadore Garnicca, and he acknowledged that he already had the King's order to make the provision, and that he was responsible for the business; and never yet, for all the diligence which I have used in my mandates, have I been able to get assurance more definite than this:—‘Tell Mgr. Nuncio that I am about to speak with his Majesty.’ As to which parley he is still in my debt; and I deem it an indignity to be treated in this manner; insomuch that the resentment which I have evinced with Signor Antonio, and which I purpose to evince with his Majesty, does not suffice me; for it has also seemed to me necessary to write these four lines, in order that there (fn. 32) also some resentment may be manifested; for verily this passes all the bounds of the wonted dilatoriness of this Court in a matter of business which should on no account be handled in this manner.” 26 August, 1578. Madrid. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	943. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Geraldine (fn. 33) has arrived at a villa a league and a half from here. I would not allow him to come to Madrid without his Majesty's consent; which resolution his Majesty has approved, and bidden me to confer with him here in a house of the Discalced Friars outside Madrid; whither I have been wont to repair for relief many times, and pass the night there also; so that it will be a convenient place in which to treat with him: and that will be the day after to-morrow. The truth is that I do not expect to take any decision until I know whether Stucley be alive or dead; as to which I have as yet no certitude, though I believe that he is dead, because it is said that the Italians fought bravely, and that they were all put to the sword save only a few sick that had remained in Arzilla. And anyhow, should I arrange with Geraldine that he go alone, I shall not do so without consulting his Majesty; from whom, besides the moneys which are still at Lisbon, I shall try to procure for him some experienced soldiers; and I shall cause Captain Bastiano to accompany him, and his son, whom he keeps at Lisbon, to be sent by him to this Court, here to remain by way of hostage for the fulfilment of what he shall promise; and I shall try to initiate writing in terms as plain as possible. Meanwhile, should it be possible to send thence [from Rome] more detailed advices, nought but good would be done, for in my opinion it will not be possible so to expedite the business that they should fail to arrive in time: apropos of which I send you the subjoined writing, which some days since was given me by Dr. Sander, in which he perpends certain matters which may be discussed there [at Rome], and decided as it shall seem meet and necessary. “Captain Bastiano is no longer here, the fact being that as soon as tidings came of the rout of the King of Portugal, and it was discovered that Stucley, after the landing in Africa, had sent all his goods to Cadiz, I resolved that he [Bastiano] should go to that city, to see if he might recover some part of the great sum owing to him by the said Stucley, with instructions thence to pass to Lisbon to take care of those arms and munitions until receipt of further and more precise order from me, and in all matters to use due diligence: which shall be to you by way of information and the close of this letter.” 26 August, 1578. Madrid. Italian. Enclosure. “A. Besides James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] a Nuncio Apostolic should accompany the army with the most ample powers, in order (1) that the cause of the faith, which once hurt will not easily be made whole again save by the authority of a most prudent protector, may ever be unimpaired; (2) that ecclesiastics, who from all parts will flock to the holy war, may not lack their chief, from whom they may receive authority to grant absolution to others; (3) moreover, that secular princes, Irish, English or Scottish, who might be loath to submit to James, may without envy and rivalry submit at least to a Nuncio Apostolic; (4) finally, that, should perchance a Legate Apostolic be afterwards sent to them, none may deem the advent of the legate to be an innovation, the place of the legate having previously been supplied by the nuncio. It is indeed a matter of much importance with what authority the conduct of affairs in the first instance rests. “B. The Nuncio should be an Italian, lest offence should be taken by the English, that an Irishman, or by the Irish, that an Englishman, should be preferred to them; and the same reasoning holds equally good as to the Scots. “C. And if two of the fathers of the Society of Jesus, one to succeed the other, be appointed to this office, their venerable sanctity and grave wisdom will be extremely helpful to the cause in every respect. “D. With this Nuncio Apostolic there should be associated English, Irish and Scottish priests, two at least from each of these nations, as well that they may make known to the Nuncio the plight of persons and things, as that they may conciliate the minds of the people by orations; and that, if need be, there may never lack persons to be sent hither and thither with mandates. For it is scarcely possible but that upon the outbreak of war in any one of the three islands, it must soon be begun in another also, especially if the business be managed with prudence and address. “E. Nor indeed is there lack of such priests either in Urbe, or in other cities of Italy. “F. It would be much to the purpose if his Holiness were to give his Nuncio faculty of a bull of composition, so that it might be lawful for him to compound and dispense touching ill gotten ecclesiastical goods, and disputable debts, with those that join the army, being penitent, and having confessed, pro modo facultatum cujusque. For thus the war would be fed, and more by far would join therein. “G. A procedure should be adopted whereby the kingdom of Portugal may make amends, as well to his Holiness as to the Catholics, Irish and English, both for thwarting us and for depriving us of six hundred soldiers: for that which the King did must also be deemed to have been done by all the realm. Therefore James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald], having by his Holiness' letter been appointed commander-in-chief of the Catholics in Ireland, is competent to appoint some one his agent to claim compensation for this loss; and should he fail to obtain all that is due, yet he can hardly fail to obtain ships and seamen, and at least some soldiers, or at any rate soldiers' stipends, especially if his Holiness plainly write that he cannot exonerate the Portuguese of this loss; both because it has ceased to be res integra, and some right has already been acquired by a third party, and also because it was God's business, and to God one must discharge one's obligation as it were ex voto ad unguem. “H. Besides three of the Irish clergy, who are at Madrid, there is said to be resident in a town of Portugal which they call Portus [Oporto] Dr. [Nicholas] Quemerford, (fn. 34) who, I am informed, is of great authority among the Irish by reason alike of doctrine and of probity. It would be well that he were admonished not to depart thence, as it was said he thought of doing. “I. As James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] says that he not only has very many friends in Ireland, but also of late has received by letters, from—among others—the Earl of Desmond himself, an invitation to return as soon as possible, armed or unarmed, we have reason to entertain the greatest hope of doing the business splendidly; nor should we allow the avoidance of a trifling pecuniary loss to deprive us of the greatest of gains. “L. Therefore, though the Nuncio say that he is loath that a greater sum of money should be hazarded before he learn that James has landed in Ireland; nevertheless, since a war of this sort demands the utmost despatch, both lest the Irish should grow weary by prolonged exertion, and also lest larger reinforcements should be sent privily from England to Ireland, it is expedient that on landing James take charge of all the war; and as he will be much more at ease in so doing if he have no lack of means to pay the soldiers, it is at least desirable that his Holiness should, from the money which he has in the Spains, lend James some thousands meanwhile, and afterwards recover them by the Nuncio. And certainly there will be much more difficulty in transmitting money subsequently, since there will neither be the same leader, nor so many soldiers to preserve it from the pirates. “M. It is of the utmost importance that his Holiness write to the Earl of Desmond, exhorting him to defend the cause of the faith; for he is more potent than the rest and more intimate with James.” Latin.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xx.	944. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain. “Should Geraldine have resolved to come to Madrid, as you write that you have news that he would soon be there, and we also have gathered as much by letters from Portugal, it is probable that he arrived there some time ago; in which case the Pope supposes that, besides the other arrangements that you will have made with Geraldine, you will have induced him to betake him to Lisbon, there to await Stucley's return from Africa, as you know that it was always purposed that they should meet, so that, going in company, they might achieve a better result. “But in case on the arrival of this letter Geraldine should still be there [at Madrid], the Pope would have you persuade him to start as soon as possible for Lisbon, where, as I have said, if he should arrive before Stucley, he is to await his coming; and then in consultation they will have to determine the time and plan of action proper for the accomplishment of some good result, to the glory of God and in the service of Christendom. And accordingly I am writing to the said Geraldine the subjoined letter, (fn. 35) which you will be able to deliver to him yourself, if he should still be there; and otherwise you can send it to him at his abode by some safe channel, enclosing a letter from yourself, and exhorting him to unite with Stucley and maintain a good understanding with him, &c. It would also be well that you should do with Stucley the same office as I have done by a letter which I am sending to the Collector, and so endeavour by all means to obtain the best possible result. “And now that we are in the dance we must needs lead it as far as we may, and disguise certain shortcomings, which, affairs being as they are, cannot be helped: therefore it will be well that you walk warily, and not only make no display of dissatisfaction, but encourage and embolden them by exhortations to make their deeds substantiate the Pope's expectation and their own. promises, especially now that there will be no more of the difficulties that hitherto made it impossible to go ahead. “You will likewise do your every endeavour that those Irish priests, who, we understand, have come from Lisbon to Madrid, return as soon as possible to Lisbon, because they also may be in time to embark. And in case they should lack the means to go, you can bid Mgr. Canobi give them moneys by way of viaticum. “If Captain Sebastiano San Gioseffo (sic) has not departed by the time the present letter arrives, you can in like manner cause him to return as soon as possible to Lisbon, and take good care of the arms, victuals and munitions until it is time to embark them.” 27 August, 1578. Rome. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Collettore (sic) di Portog. vol. iii.	945. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Robert Fontana,] Collector [Apostolic] in Portugal. … “Since it has pleased God that the Marquis has not gone on his voyage, we must take it all in good part, and believe that His Divine Majesty, begun though this business was for His glory and the service of Christendom, has resolved to postpone the enterprise to a more opportune season, that it may have a better termination. Therefore, as here there has been no failure in aught that concerns us to enable that which could not be done last summer to be accomplished this autumn, when all the hindrances will have ceased to exist; so on your part you will not fail to do all that you shall be bidden to do, and what more you shall deem to be expedient, to assure the success of the project. “With this intent the Pope has caused make a brief to the King, which is herewith subjoined, and which you must present to his Majesty immediately after his return from Africa; and that you may know the contents of the brief, and accordingly may accompany it with suitable words, I send you herewith a copy thereof. Besides which I am writing a letter to the Marquis, which will also be found herewith; and I likewise send you a copy thereof, that you may do with him on the part of the Pope the like office as mine, exhorting and inciting him to hasten his departure, and above all things to maintain a good understanding with James Geraldine. “I have likewise written, and sent to Mgr. Nuncio of Spain, a letter for the said James, assuming that on the arrival of this courier at Madrid he is likely to be there. Of this letter I likewise send you a copy, in order that, when Geraldine is there [at Lisbon] you may do with him the same office that you will have to do with Stucley. “For the rest I do not think that you need to be solicited to see that the arms of Captain Sebastiano San Giuseppe are kept in good custody and condition, and on every occasion to do all proper offices, because, as his Holiness is satisfied with your diligence, I am glad to believe that you will not fail in the future so to employ yourself as that the Pope's satisfaction with your services may be enhanced. “You will also be fair-spoken with all those Irish priests that have remained there, and with the others that will have to return from Madrid, as I have written to the Nuncio that he must do his utmost to induce them to return; and you will encourage them, earnestly exhorting them to continue steadfast in their good purpose of going on so just and holy an enterprise, in which the glory of God, the service of Holy Church, and their own interest are at stake; and should they be short of means of subsistence, the Pope is content that you give them some half-scores of crowns, that they may not suffer.” 27 August, 1578. Rome, Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 345.	946. [Fabio Mirto Frangipani,] Archbishop of Nazareth, Legate (fn. 36) in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “There has arrived of late—sent by Monsieur to the King—M. de la Nuevil [Neufville (fn. 37) ], one of those gentlemen whom Monsieur sent to treat with the Estates at Antwerp; and he has brought terms accorded with the Estates, and some others proposed by the Estates to Don John as conditions of peace; and both the former and the latter having been rendered into Italian, copies of the same are sent in the sheets subjoined. “On reading the terms accorded it plainly appears how ill advised was that youth to suffer himself to be brought to a form of accord, not only unworthy of one who is son to one king and brother to another king of France, who is next in succession to the throne, and makes profession of being a Catholic prince, but also difficult, nay, impossible for him to carry into effect. As to all which, in order to keep his Majesty steadfast, since it has proved impossible to hold the other back, I have uttered my warning here to the King: and first and chiefly that, while he [Monsieur] professes himself a Catholic, he has made common cause with heretics, rebels against God and their natural prince, with Casimir, who, besides being a heretic, makes it his profession to hire himself out to all rebels against God and the princes of the world by way of assassin, and as an open robber of peoples, churches and all countries, wherever he goes, in concert with the King of Navarre and his adherents, which is as much as to say all the heretics and rebels against God and the King in the realm of France; and with the Queen of England, who, it is notorious, is a bad woman, the instigator and maintainer of all discords of peoples and princes throughout the world; which I construe as a league against God, against the Pope, and against the Kings of France and Spain; [secondly,] that the evil advisers of this youth make him dissatisfied with his position of authority and dignity at his brother the King's Court, besides a fine state which he has; and make him disposed to join a band of men the most nefarious in the world, and place himself as a private person at the service of the Estates of Flanders, the inferior and, as it were, servant of Prince Matthias, an adventurer brought there for a sign (fn. 38); that the promises which the Estates make to him are but words that they give him for deeds that he is to do at his expenses promises, as the saying goes, of the bird on the tree, things that, when well sifted, will be found to contain nothing; and since they make more concessions to him in the States of Luxemburg and Burgundy than in those of Flanders, it is plain that their purpose is rather to hurry him thither than to keep him in Flanders. “I have said that it will be impossible for him to perform what he promises because he has not the means, not even to perform the fifth part of what he promises, as his affairs are not attended with as much success in Flanders as in France, where he might keep twice as many troops without pay, as it is the custom to do at the cost of the poor peasants, whom they devour and rob. But he will not be able to maintain a fifth part outside that country, as there it will be necessary to keep them in pay and discipline, and he will hardly be able to pay them, and they will hardly submit to discipline. “And as I am informed that the said la Nueville [Neufville] has made pressing appeals here to the King for aid, and has since had recourse to the [Queen] Mother for the same purpose, I have spoken here to the King and written to the [Queen] Mother, warning them of this embranglement, and entreating their Majesties to give no ear to that youth's evil counsels, as he has refused to give ear to their good counsels; warning them also of the great evils that would result therefrom to all Christendom, and especially to their Majesties themselves, and reminding them of the promises which they have made to me in regard thereof, and caused me to make in their name to the Pope. And as the said accords have been divulged by the selfsame la Nueville [Neufville] in whose keeping they were, it is believed that there must be others more shameful, which are kept secret. “In regard of all the said warnings his Majesty, in the presence of Mgr. Nuncio, who was with me, after expressing his great displeasure at his brother's error, has evinced so firm and constant a resolution to keep altogether clear of it, and ever to maintain good peace and amity with the King of Spain and other Christian princes, as assuredly left nothing for me to desire; and when he told me that he believed that his brother had already repented him of that error, I suggested to his Majesty that, if occasion should serve, he might see fit to make his brother sensible of the unworthiness of the course that he pursues, and remind him of the good opportunity which he has of retracing his steps at the instance of the Pope and other princes who entreat him to do so; and in case he should be minded to consent, I offered to return to him and repeat the appeals to him in conjunction with the same ambassadors that were there at the first. This his Majesty has approved, and we have arranged that he shall write, and I too will write to-morrow and send a gentleman posting for the purpose. “As I remain of the same opinion which I have ever expressed as to the possibility of dealing to advantage with that Count of Lalen [Lalaing (fn. 39) ], I have intimated to the Catholic King's agent here what you will be better able to ponder while reading the said accords; to wit, the dissatisfaction of the Estates and Orange with Lalen [Lalaing], seeking as they do to the best of their power to dissipate the forces of his government by [the transfer of] those towns which they promise to Monsieur: and the little trust which they repose in that Count is manifest by what, in case he should make a difficulty about giving them, they say as to purposing to make other meet arrangements; whereby not only am I confirmed in my opinion, but I also forecast that thereby there might arise misunderstanding, and perhaps a breach between the said Lalen [Lalaing] and Monsieur. And therefore one should not let opportunities slip. “And should it be said there, as it is said here, that on other occasions the said Count has been put to the test, but fruitlessly, I answer that perchance the fruit was not then so ripe as it is to-day, and therefore we should gather it in due season. It is believed that the Queen of England is not minded to come into open league, her purpose being to keep those States and the King in trouble, and to have in store for this King and kingdom likewise troublesome matter enough to relieve her of the necessity of going the length of this declaration. “The King says that he purposes to go the day after to-morrow to Fontainebleau, where he will tarry till Michaelmas, the ambassadors and the Council being left at Paris; and during this vacation, if nothing happens pending the arrival of letters from Rome, I shall perhaps go away to a house a league from here near to a place of the Capuchins, to get a breath of better air with my little company, more en famille and more at ease than one is at Paris; and I am craving leave accordingly. “To my great sorrow I have to say that this morning the agent here of the Catholic King has told me that he has news from Spain that on the 4th of August the King of Portugal was routed in battle with great slaughter and loss of all his troops; and as yet there was no news of the King, whether he were dead or a captive: a great calamity to Christendom, and a great encouragement to the enemy. May it please God to deprive him alike of his courage and his forces, and to protect and safeguard Christendom with His powerful hand.” (fn. 40) 31 August, 1578. Paris. Italian. Autograph.