Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 27: February 1581

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1872.

This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 27: February 1581', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625, (London, 1872) pp. 39-40. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1580-1625/pp39-40 [accessed 28 March 2024]

Image
Image

February 1581

Feb. 15.
Bayonne.
5. David Perrin to Lord Charles Howard. A certain friar has informed me of the pretence of the Kings of Spain, France, Portugal, Sweden, and the Pope, with all the power they may make, and the consent of the Council of Scotland, the rebels of Ireland, and those in England, who promise to be part helpers when the time shall serve. He showed me how that our Queen was to have been made away with by treason last January, and that if they then missed their purpose, it was to have been done the last of April, and by the consent of some of your own realm.
He said that King Philip, having Portugal and many ships, is very strong; and that where heretofore he has not made stay of any ships which have entered his realm, lest they should go to Portugal, he will now first pretend to favour them, to get many into his power, and then seize them, as will also the King of France.
With these ships they intend sailing for Ireland and Milford, and there is another army for Cornwall and Scotland. The King of France will send provisions to Scotland and Ireland, and with what he and the King of Spain may make, with the help of the Scots, they mean to have Ireland, and make the Queen of Scots Queen of England. King Philip will marry his daughter to the King of Scots; the Pope with his power will come down upon Yarmandea (sic), and Flanders, and the whole 17 lands, and the King of Poland by land, and the King of Sweden by sea, against Denmark, and against the cities which are Martin Luther's, and so will bring all to one religion if they may; but God will defend us against them all, I hope.
King Philip and all of them have never a better time than now, for he and the King of France have league with the Turk and the King of Morocco; and the Turk is making a great armada to go against the Venetians, and there are many galleys and argosies coming out of the Levant towards Spain, as also a great fleet making ready at Lisbon, and other parts by the sea side to the Groyne, and many soldiers. The report is that all these are to strengthen Portugal, but that is only to colour their pretences. There are also many ships and soldiers got ready in France, and upwards of 200 ships, laden with provisions, have come from Scotland during the last year, besides many from other places, which provision it is thought is intended for the French and Spanish army.
I am bold to advertise thus much, for the zeal I have borne towards you for a long time. I am a Barnstaple man, and dwell at the Floelig;-de-lis in Tower Street, and at my coming home from my voyage, you shall understand more of me.
P.S.—I am in a ship of Mr. Harry Oughtred's of Hampton, who married with my Lady Courtenay. [1½ pages.]