Venice: July 1575

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.

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'Venice: July 1575', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 531-532. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp531-532 [accessed 5 May 2024]

July 1575

July 12. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 627. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
It is heard from England that Mons. de Meru had departed for Germany taking with him a secretary of the Queen's, and it is said that if the Queen perceives that the projects of the Prince of Condé are likely to result in war being made against France, she will then take steps to advance the ten thousand crowns which she has already promised; and that in order to secure to herself repayment, she has now sent her secretary with De Meru, desiring, before she pays the money, to have good security from the merchants for its restitution, and also a promise from the Huguenots, under the obligation of a large sum of money, that they will never make peace with their King without her consent. If she takes the course which is expected, this negotiation will be accomplished.
Paris, 12th July 1575.
[Italian.]
July 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 628. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
During an entertainment given at the Palace on the occasion of the marriage, and in the presence of the King and the Queen mother, a report was current that Monsieur d'Alençon had fled, and their Majesties became so alarmed, that the Queen Mother arose and proceeded to the apartments of her son; and, having found him there, she led him to the apartment where the entertainment was being held, in order to contradict the rumour which had been spread; notwithstanding this, the Duke's lute-player and poet have been arrested and sent in a coach as prisoners to the Forest of Vincennes. These proceedings led to a belief that the prospects of Monsieur are changing for the worse.
Paris, 18th July 1575.
[Italian.]
July 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 629. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
It is suspected that the Huguenot deputies cannot come to any terms with regard to peace on account of a secret engagement into which they have entered with the Queen of England and with some of the Princes of Germany, not to accept any condition for peace without their consent; but, notwithstanding, it is asserted on all sides that the Huguenots will come to that conclusion which a favourable commencement has indicated. Mons. de Schomberg, one of the captains of his Majesty's Roisters, writes from Germany that the Prince de Condé will, in the course of a few days, have raised eight thousand cavalry, and had already spent for this purpose thirty thousand crowns, and that on the tenth of next month these troops would be on the frontiers of this kingdom; and it appears that this arrangement was made after the journey of the Secretary of the Queen of England and Mons. de Meru to Germany. This report leads to the belief that the Queen had accommodated the rebels with the money which she had so long promised them, that they might do their utmost so that this crown should continue to bear the afflictions of an intestine war; the Queen of England herself being persuaded that were peace to ensue, she might be troubled by the French with regard to the affairs of Scotland. In like manner the Spaniards are apprehensive concerning the affairs of Genoa. Thus it is seen that the Ambassadors here resident from Spain and England are both under different pretexts endeavouring by all means in their power to hinder peace being made, and, under these circumstances, those persons who most earnestly desire peace greatly fear it will not be accomplished.
A few days ago a circumstance happened of a dangerous tendency, but of less importance than might be believed, namely, that while the Duke of Alençon was playing at tennis and facing the King of Navarre, the Duke, while serving the ball, struck the King on the head with the handle of his racket; if he had struck with the racket itself he might have killed him, but luckily the hurt is not of much importance, although, having come from the hand of Monsieur, with whom the King is not on good terms, the result is more thought of for the latter cause than for any other.
Paris, 27th July 1575.
[Italian.]
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