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| June 4. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. |
329. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Queen has come to Paris to visit the Constable, who has been indisposed for the last six days. His malady is not serious, but he is very old. It is also said that her Majesty came to consult him about the expedition to Havre de Grace. |
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Paris, 4th June 1563. |
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[Italian.] |
| June 10. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. |
330. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France. to the Signory. |
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The Queen proceeded with such address, and so lovingly, that she at length induced the Prince of Condé to consent to enter Paris, he being brought here by her, three days ago. But then the Queen, continuing her usual mode of proceeding, had him arrested, and the Prince remained under arrest until this day, when her most Christian Majesty attended the procession of the Corpus Christi, which was made solely in this city, with a great universal concourse of this populace; and although things are very pacific, the processions were nevertheless accompanied in the parishes by bodies of armed troops, and armed guards were likewise in all the streets, and for good reasons, because the Huguenots are allowed to return freely to their houses in Paris |
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At the time of the procession made to-day, the Prince of Condé remained in the suburb of St. Germain, out of Paris. |
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There are advices from Scotland that some prelates and many people there have rebelled, entreating the Queen to live Catholically, because the whole island was living heretically. I understand that the Queen was displeased with the manner observed by these people, and that she imprisoned two of them, not because she is not a Catholic, but because their action was seditious. |
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Paris, 10th June 1563. |
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[Italian.] |
| June 11. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. |
331. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France to the Signory. |
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The son of Marshal de Brissac has arrived here from Lyons, bringing with him eleven companies of Frenchmen, who were heretofore in Piedmont. It is said that he will go to Havre de Grace, which expedition is more and more confirmed. It is said that Mons. de Bourdin is expected in two days time, and that there is no hope of any adjustment. |
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Paris, 11th June 1563. |
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[Italian.] |
| June 27. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. |
332. Marc' Antonio Barbaro, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The proposals made by the Ambassador [Thomas Dannett] who came from England about the affair of Havre de Grace, were such that this Queen has determined to reconquer that place by force of arms; for this Ambassador has demanded the payment of five hundred thousand crowns, and the delivery of six hostages, to the satisfaction of his Queen, although, not necessarily Princes of the blood, for the restitution of Calais at the expiration of eight years. The Queen of England also insisted that this agreement should be signed by the King Catholic. |
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These proposals have increased the desire of the most Christian Queen to resort to force, and it also seems that she has undertaken this enterprise as a point of honour, she being a woman. Her Majesty shows herself so enthusiastic in the matter, that she proposes to go in person very near to that place; so she gave immediate audience to the said Ambassador, and on hearing the proposal, departed from the Wood of Vincennes, and went with the King to Gaillon, on the way to Havre de Grace, to assist this enterprise as much as possible. This resolution proceeds entirely from the will of the Queen, the chief members of the Government having opposed it, both in respect of the strength of the fortress, which they think it difficult to take, as also of the confusion which still prevails in this kingdom; but nevertheless her Majesty has ordered the attempt to be made. Some persons think that this sudden display of energy is merely to facilitate an agreement, because the King has not more than 3,000 Germans and 5,000 Switzers, which troops are not suitable for an assault, and therefore only from four to five thousand Frenchmen would be available for the purpose. Moreover the Queen has not opened her hands to satisfy the claims of many chiefs and military men, who are creditors for pay. I regret to hear the great resentment of all those who come to see me, and who speak too freely on this subject; and some good chiefs, and old servants of the Crown, have departed in despair. |
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Paris, 27th June 1563. |
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[Italian.] |
