Venice: July 1577

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 1577', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 557-558. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp557-558 [accessed 19 April 2024]

July 1577

July 11. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 675. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
The Marquis of Villeroy has returned from the King of Navarre, to whom he was sent concerning the negotiations for peace, but the King would appear now to be more difficult to deal with than heretofore, and to demand the free exercise of religion as an absolute condition, asserting that unless his Majesty of France decided quickly he (the King of Navarre) would be powerless to do anything. He is greatly excited about the exercise of this false religion, having regard to the assistance which is being offered on all sides, and to the rumours concerning the preparations of Roisters for the invasion of this kingdom. Thus with the reports of the coming of the Roisters and the aids from England and the Prince of Orange, the prospects of the King of Navarre are changed from fear and despair to hopes for the future, for he feels that the spirits of the Catholics are depressed, while those of the Huguenots and his own partisans are raised.
These Majesties have made a fresh complaint against the English Ambassador here, representing that he frequently sends letters and messages by post to the King of Navarre to induce him to continue the war; and although the Ambassador has denied the charge, he is nevertheless in very bad odour, and more especially because the policy of his Queen is daily shown to be more and more hostile to this Crown.
Poitiers, 11th July 1577.
[Italian.]
July 22. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 676. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
Last night a courier arrived with news that a large armed galleon on its way from England to succour Rochelle, had miraculously foundered at sea, and to-day, when I waited on his Majesty to announce the death of the Doge Mocenigo, I found him well pleased. I congratulated him, and said that every good was to be hoped from these troubles, since it appeared that even the sea fought for him. His Majesty answered that “this was indeed good news, because the whole reliance of the enemy in those parts appeared to rest upon this galleon, for this Queen of England behaves exceedingly ill towards me. On the one hand she promises by words to be my friend, and on the other she injures me as much as she can by open hostility, and one of these days she may possibly be sorry. She has also offered sixty thousand gold angels to the Roisters to enter this Kingdom, but her avarice has hitherto prevented her paying the money ;” and the King then continued, “but should these Germans come I am determined to go to fight them in person, together with the greater part of the nobility of France.”
Poitiers, 22nd July 1577.
[Italian ; partly in cipher.]
July 31. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 677. Alberto Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Signory.
The Count di Montaguto has returned to the Escurial from the Court of the Emperor, and Escovedo, a secretary of Don John of Austria, has also come thither from Flanders to give account, as it is said, of the bad position of affairs there, and of the great peril which his Highness will run with regard to his dignity and life if he should remain in those parts, and to endeavour to obtain leave for his return, which his Highness greatly desires.
Madrid, 31st July 1577.
[Italian.]
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