Venice: May 1579

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: May 1579', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 599-600. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp599-600 [accessed 25 April 2024]

May 1579

May 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 758. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
The rumours which are in circulation concerning the levies of troops which the Catholic King is raising in Italy and Spain, to act against the Portuguese, should they not acknowledge him as their Prince, give rise to great discussions in this Court; and I hear that the Queen of England has sent an Ambassador to offer the Catholic King every kind of assistance, whether of soldiers, armed vessels, or money, in the event of his being attacked by other princes, and says that she will spare nothing in order that the King of Spain may obtain the object which he seeks.
Monsieur lives upon such loving terms with the King that he gives great consolation to all right thinking persons. His Majesty also endeavours to please his brother in every possible respect, and Monsieur likewise professes to be content with whatever pleases the King; and although rumours are daily in circulation concerning the discords of the favourites of both parties, hitherto nothing has occurred to interrupt the good understanding between the princes.
Upon the arrival of the Queen-Mother many affairs of great importance will be decided. It is said that she will not arrive here till the end of next month, as according to latest advices she was now on the road hither from Narbonne by way of Avignon.
Paris, 20th May 1579.
[Italian.]
May 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 759. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
Although the Court is now absent and it is therefore difficult to learn secret negotiations, nevertheless I have heard upon good authority that the day before the departure of his Majesty from Dolenville a gentleman arrived from the Queen of England, He brought to Monsieur the marriage articles which had been agreed upon, and proposed that his Highness should as soon as possible proceed to England, where he would be honoured and served by her Majesty and the whole of the kingdom; and the gentleman also begged Monsieur not to lend an ear to those who would make evil representations to him, and instil into his mind false suspicions.
The Queen herself has written the above in substance with her own hand to Monsieur, and also to the King, saying that they should keep her letters by them as a witness of her goodwill, which she assured them they would discover every day to be better and more sincere. An appropriate answer was given to the gentleman in loving terms, saying in conclusion that when the Queen-Mother arrived his Highness would set out for England. For this purpose they will send in advance a suitable personage, Mons. de Lansac the elder, to settle the time and all other particulars not yet agreed upon; and a messenger is being despatched to the Queen-Mother to send forward Mons. de Lansac, who is now with her Majesty. Monsieur has also said to a person who is in his confidence that he is married, and that he is satisfied with having consulted the Queen his mother, and that she had written that she would accompany him to England. The English gentleman has returned with the articles signed, as it is said, by both the brothers, and, as I am informed, the same in substance with those which I have already sent to your Serenity.
Paris, 27th May 1579.
[Italian.]
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