Venice: July 1562 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

'Venice: July 1562', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 339-341. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp339-341 [accessed 27 April 2024]

July 1562



July 1. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	287. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	The particulars of the peace arranged by the Queen and the Prince of Condé are of course difficult to ascertain, as they were the sole negotiators, and the result was not committed to writing. The terms appear to be, that the Duke de Guise, the Constable, and the Marshal de St. Andre are to retire from the Court to their houses; and that the Prince of Condé shall present himself at Court to render obedience to the King, remaining a prisoner until all the places occupied in the kingdom shall be restored to his Majesty. As to religion, the Edict of January, permitting the preachings, is to be observed, but only outside Paris. The arms of both armies are to remain in the hands of the King of Navarre till all the tumults are quieted.
	The publication of these conditions has greatly incensed the people of this city, who, having been armed, and being so numerous and a material of such a nature (et una materia di tale natural), may cause their power to be felt. Yesterday proclamation was again made that the Huguenots are to leave the city under pain of life, and already some loss of life has taken place. On the other hand, those Huguenots who have left Paris have taken up positions in the neighbourhood in great numbers, and commit many treacherous acts and assassinations. Thus there are worse troubles than ever, and I cannot believe that the proposed conditions of peace will serve to remove the causes of the war. (fn. 1)
	Paris, 1st July 1562.
	[Italian.]
July 16. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	288. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	The Chevalier Calcina (sic) has returned from. Orleans, the Queen having sent him thither to effect the release of a merchant who had been captured with six thousand crowns. Calcina contrived to see the Prince of Condé, but not so advantageously as he wished, because of the unexpected arrival of the Prince's wife and others of those lords, to whom the Prince had given a promise not to treat of anything without their intervention; whereupon they showed some resentment.
	My Secretary has been told by Calcina, in confidence, that the Prince used many haughty words to him, alleging that although he knew the result would be the ruin of this kingdom, nevertheless he was not the cause of it, but those who had forced him to act in this manner. He added that these lords of the Government had chosen to introduce foreign troops into the kingdom, such as the [German] pistolers and Switzers, and that they were endeavouring to obtain still further forces from foreign princes, and would cause them to come from many parts in such great numbers that they would set fire to every place in this kingdom. Upon this subject the Prince grew very angry, and, shrugging his shoulders, said that he was forced and compelled to adopt like measures (ad operationi tali).
	Calcina also reports that d'Andelot, the Admiral's brother, had left Orleans and gone to Germany, where offers had been made to him by many of those Lutheran Princes of succours of troops to as great a number as might be required; so that it is said he will bring back a large force. He adds that the Prince of Condé had sent an envoy (uno) to England, to that Queen, from whom he had a promise of aid of troops, as soon as there should be delivered to her a place on the sea coast, where in any event the English troops might find a footing; and it was proposed to give her Havre de Grace, a strong maritime city, which was some time since occupied by the Huguenots. Thus affairs here appear to be in greater confusion and peril than ever they were.
	Paris, 16th July 1562.
	[Italian.]
July 17. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	289. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	The Huguenots of Orleans, besides having sent two persons to Germany and England for supplies of troops, as I wrote, appear to have sent another to the Switzers for the same purpose, so that they are seeking to increase their forces from all quarters.
	Paris, 17th July 1562.
	[Italian.]
July 24. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	290. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	The Queen of England seems to remain on the watch, hoping, if matters proceed to an extremity, to obtain Calais with this opportunity, or, by occupying other places, to exchange them for it. It may also be assumed that King Philip will not neglect such an opportunity. The Catholics are expecting six thousand Spaniards and five thousand German infantry, besides those who have already arrived, so that with the Switzers they will number twenty-five thousand foot. The camp remains at Blois, and it is intended, on the arrival of the Switzers, to besiege Orleans before the Huguenots can receive reinforcements, which they profess to be expecting in great plenty from Germany, England, and other parts of France.
	Paris, 24th July 1562.
	[Italian.]
July 26. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives.	291. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	Condé continues to talk valiantly, though with very modest words; and he says he shall have great assistance and favour from many parts. These two days there have been various rumours and accounts of succours [coming] from England, where it is said they were arming; but at present I have heard no confirmation of this intelligence.
	Describes the passage through Paris of six thousand German Lansquenets under the Count Landgrave towards the camp at Blois, they having been preceded by five thousand Switzers.
	Paris, 26th July 1562.
	[Italian.]