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August 5.
Venice. |
425. Peter Vannes to the Council. Cardinal Tournon, Mons.
Monluc, and the French Ambassador here have several times been with
the Seigniory, representing the great friendship of the French King,
how necessary the preservation of Parma and Mirandola is for the
welfare of Venice, and how injurious it were should they fall into
the power of the Emperor, and requiring the Seigniory to help the
furniture of these towns with victuals. Also that they should make
a mass of victuals, munitions, and other provisions requisite therefor
in some place of their countries, and that all French soldiers should
have free passage. The Seigniory replied that, fully appreciating the
friendship of the French King and the Emperor, they were resolved
to preserve neutrality; that they could not assist Parma and Mirandola with victuals, as they are compelled to make provision from
far countries for their own use, and the furniture of divers of their
places; that to suffer any store of provisions and munitions to be
made would give offence to the Emperor, to whom they have refused
a similar request; but that the soldiers may freely pass, and shall be
supplied with what victuals or necessaries they may need, paying for
them honestly in the same manner as do those of the Emperor. Various
opinions are expressed as to the tenability of Parma and Mirandola.
The French King has lately sent Signor Aluiso Allemayne [Louis
Alemanni], a gentleman of Florence, to the Seigniory of Genoa, thanking them for divers kindnesses shown to some of his men lately passing through their territories, and requiring permission for such other
soldiers as might be necessary to pass that way. Also that the
said Signor Aluiso should remain as his Ambassador at Genoa, as
that being known to the French King's friends, the Genoese might
be more friendly handled of the Turk's army. The passage of the
soldiers, on certain days to be appointed, was conceded; but as the
residence there of an Ambassador from France was a new thing not
used afore, and that erroneous suspicions might be engendered, they
required Aluiso with many loving and gentle words to return home
again. Paying a private visit to the French Ambassador to-day,
was congratulated by him on the increase of friendship between
France and England. The Ambassador had heard from his master
of the conclusion of the marriage between King Edward and his
daughter, and of the honourable behaviour at the French Court of
the Marquis, whose qualities in all other things that belong unto a
nobleman the King much esteemed. The said Ambassador had
received letters from Pietro Strozzi yesterday, informing him that
Mirandola, wherein is M. de Thermes, and Parma are well provisioned
for one year; and that the former place feareth nothing although
besieged by the Bishop of Rome's army. Since the taking of Mons.
D'Andelot and others, Strozzi has several times made a sortie from
Parma, doing much hurt to Don Fernando's camp, and has captured
Signor Camillo, a valiant knight of high trust with Don Fernando,
on his way to the Bishop of Rome with secret despatches. Strozzi
had also encountered a great band of Spaniards, both horse and foot,
going from Milan to Don Fernando, killing and taking prisoner a
great number, and putting to rout the rest, of whom many were
killed by the villains of the country. Great hopes and wishes that
the French King may withdraw his allegiance from the Bishop of
Rome's Court and laws. [Four pages.] |
August 10.
Augsburg. |
426. Dr. Wotton to the Council. When he was first sent hither, as
it was thought that he would not remain, the warrant for his diets
was made only for five months aforehand in prest. These expire
to-morrow, and he can henceforth receive no more in advance by the
same warrant, without which nevertheless he is unable to live here.
Since, therefore, he cannot be at home within the five months,
beseeches them to let him have another warrant to receive his diets
in prest, for as long time as they think it will be ere he can conveniently be at home: the warrant to begin from the 11th of this
month. And whereas his first warrant was directed to Mr. Cavendish, where, as their Lordships know, is no money to be had, begs the
new warrant may be directed to such other place, as he may have
the money without any long delay. He could wish some of their
Lordships to have been of late Ambassadors in this country, for
then they should well know how impossible it is for him to live here
with the diets appointed him. Trusts they will so order him herein,
as he may be able to bear the charges of this journey. As he understands that it is forbidden to carry any money out of the realm, or to
exchange any—from which prohibition none, as far as he can hear,
are excepted—unless they shall provide that it may be lawful to him
to cause money to be sent to him, or to make exchange with such
English or Foreign merchants as he shall think meet, he must needs
shortly eat his horses, and when they are eaten, die for hunger;
which he trusts their Lordships will not suffer. [One page.] |
August 11.
Augsburg. |
427. Sir Richard Morysine to Cecil. Most unapt to write long
letters at this time, he must desire short and witless be taken in
good part. Both at once! Who can lodge such sorrows with so
small a warning? But the Lord's will is the rule that they must go
by; the line that man's felicity is met and marred withal when it
pleaseth him. Trusts God's wrath for this time hath his fare, and
will tarry for no more. Cecil is where he may comfort the poor
mother. Lady Somerset doth less than due is, if at this time she
do not visit the sorrowful. He has lost two sisters, and could have
been very glad to have found them alive. But they could never
have gone so little bewailed. Public loss dulleth the sense of private
damage, and calleth his tears another way. He would not advise
his son Charles to go now, for that he should scarce do justa to him,
being elsewhere too too much encumbered. His brother Stephen Hales
doth sue for his diets, seeing they are already spent, and twice as
much more. Thinks it maketh no matter whether they come, or
tarry till better aid may come with them. He cries to Hales to
sell land; leather is dainty, no meat for poor Ambassadors. Thinks
Wotton will one day complain; and then if men do weigh complaints aright, Morysine may hold his peace. If Wotton cannot
abide his charges, his own reckoning is soon cast. But not knowing
where to speak, or how to speed, he will keep all for cries at his
home coming. No great honour can it be to others, if it be his
shame to come home in debt. Wishes Cecil wealth, or never to be
Ambassador, which he thinks the worst occupation under the sun,
and wills Charles to be anything else rather than it. [Three pages.] |
August 15.
Venice. |
428. Peter Vannes to the Council. The Turk's army was at
Malta four days, and battered it both by sea and land. They landed
a considerable number of men, against whom the Knights of Rhodes,
with some of those who kept the suburbs, made a sortie, and defeated
the Turks, killing and taking prisoner many of their assailants.
Seeing that the place was stronger and better defended than it had
been represented to him by Dragut, the Turkish General departed
and took the island of Gozo, belonging to the aforesaid Knights,
destroying, burning, and slaying, and carrying off 3,000 persons.
Thence, as is said, he sailed towards Africa. Letters from Malta
mention that some of the Turkish prisoners have confessed that their
General had orders to attack Corfu, but perceiving how well it was
fortified, he durst not meddle therewith. He blames Dragut, upon
whose representation that it was easy to be had, he attacked Malta.
Letters from Vienna of the 1st inst. mention that the Turks had
made several incursions on the frontiers of Hungary, and killed
and taken prisoner 8,000 Christians, with a loss of only 200 Turks.
The King of the Romans made as great provision as he could of
horse and foot out of Hungary, Bohemia, and other parts for defence
on that side. The Queen of Transylvania and Petro Vicchi [Petrovitz]
were resolved to surrender that kingdom, crown and sceptre, to Signor
John Baptista Gastaldo for the King of Hungary; which done, the
said Gastaldo was to draw himself to the defence of certain passages
of Transylvania from the Turk's displeasure, highly conceived for
the said surrender. To save expense the Bishop of Rome had
licensed the greater part of his army to depart from Mirandola,
excepting his horse and 3,000 foot, which are stationed in three
forts near the town, which he intends to hold in siege all winter; but
the inhabitants being well provisioned and defended have no fear.
Four thousand landsknechts have arrived in Don Fernando's camp
beside Parma. Much talking here of the marriage between his
Majesty and the French King's daughter: had been asked many
questions concerning this and the treaty of peace, but had replied
that he had no certain intelligence as the sudden sickness of sweating had let the despatch of many matters. Requests information
from England. Incloses the advertisements contained in this letter,
written in Italian. [Two pages.] |
|
Inclosure. [Italian. Three pages.] |
August 15.
[Hampton Court.] |
429. The Council to Dr. Wotton and Sir Richard Morysine. Acknowledge Wotton's letters of 29th June, and 14th, 21st, and 28th
July. Instruct him to refute the rumours spread by the French party
in Italy that the treaty between France and England is in express
derogation of his Majesty's treaty with the Emperor. Think
it very strange that the Emperor, notwithstanding the repeated
contradictions and testimony to the contrary by the Lord Treasurer
and Lord Paget, should persist in maintaining the permanency of
the grant to the Lady Mary for use of her religion. Such grant his
Majesty had allowed for a time only, upon the hope that by this
forbearing his sister might be reduced to that order of her own good
disposition which was universally received of the whole realm. But
now of late his Majesty sees, that this long sufferance of her and her
family to do manifestly against the laws and common order of the
realm, not only works not in her that obedient conformity that his
Majesty wished and looked for, but also has of long time been, and
yet is, a great occasion of much strife and contention, and a very ill
example of disobedience to the rest of the realm. Therefore his
Majesty will no longer suffer such, and has sent for the officers of
the Lady Mary's house to give them in commandment to see the
laws from henceforth sufficiently executed in her house accordingly.
And if any chaplain of hers, or any other whatsoever, shall presume
after this warning to use the mass, or any other ceremony or service
contrary to the laws, they must look to feel the punishment of the
laws according to justice. His Majesty also considers the Emperor's
demand for his Ambassador in England to use the mass, and his
denial to suffer his Majesty's Ambassador within his dominions to
use the communion, too much unequal and unreasonable; and therefore doubts not the Emperor will otherwise consider this matter.
Wotton shall farther understand that all the ships of his Majesty's
subjects, or which were freighted with any of his subjects' goods, have
lately been twice stayed at Antwerp; and besides that certain edicts
there set forth declare sweet wines, spices, and sugars to be comprehended under the term of victuals. Upon which pretence, the
export of victuals being prohibited, the said ships were stayed. Desire
him to remonstrate with the Emperor thereon, that the ships be no
longer stayed and the traffic be continued with like liberty as heretofore. Also to move him again for licence for the export of powder
to the King's use. Farther to declare that as the Emperor is well
contented Morysine should remain as Ambassador resident, his
Majesty determines that he shall so remain, and minding to employ
Wotton otherwise, revokes him accordingly. Thank Morysine for
his several advertisements, notify the recall of Wotton, and his
Majesty's will that Morysine shall continue Ambassador resident,
requiring him to take patience for a while for the supply of that
room, which his Majesty says shall not be long. [Draft. Ten pages.]
Two extracts from the preceding in modern writing. [Four
pages.] |
Aug. 25.
Augsburg. |
430. Dr. Wotton and Sir Richard Morysine to the Council. They
received on the 22d inst. their Lordships' letters of the 16th, written
from Hampton Court, perceiving thereby whom-his Majesty willeth
forthwith to return home, and whom they leave in good hope that
he shall shortly follow: the one as sorry to stay as the other is
glad to depart. Wotton expects hourly to have access to the Emperor; and Morysine beseeches that if the Emperor's Ambassador be
driven by ship to sail for new masses, he may not be left where the
communion, else made for the increase of quietness, may breed in
him some new troubles. He has already met with his part, and may
well spare any new coming troubles. They hear from Italy that
Alessandro Vitelli, with 50 of his horse, has been taken at Mirandola
in an ambush, into which he was led by a false spy, whom he
was accustomed to trust, but who was employed by M. de Thermes
to mislead him. Detail the particulars. Much talk in Italy of the
marriage concluded between his Majesty and France. They that
would the French to seem big, say the league is offensive and defensive, and embraces Scotland and Sweden, with great hope that
Denmark will follow. They say M. de Tournon practises with the
Venetians, and that the French King has sent the Duke of Ferrara's
Ambassador back to his master, not in displeasure, but to make
certain offers. "They also add, that one of the covenants between
France and England is, that we must return to the true faith of holy
Church, as they call it, that is, as we know it, to the blind Romish
synagogue. Would God the French King were as like to become a
right Protestant, as our master is unlike to become a blundering
Popistant! They do what they can, poor honest men, to comfort
the side, saving your Lordships' honours, with well-devised lies, by
which they laid their first foundation, by which they set up their
pillars, they made their walls, and covered their roofs; by which
only, these many years, they have stayed the fabric of their whole
state. It may be some friend to France bleareth the Bishop's eye,
in scattering these grateful news in Rome." The Turk's navy has
taken Gozo, an island near Malta, and is either returned to Malta
or gone to Tripoli. They landed at Gozo nine great pieces of
artillery, and battered the castle for three days continually. At
their first shot it is reported they killed the Governor, a Spaniard
of Valentia, and Knight of Rhodes. They have carried off 5,000
Christians, with loss of a very few Turks. All men are afraid lest
the Turk shall this year get a great piece of Transylvania. The
men of Magdeburg were never stouter, skirmishing with great disadvantage to the Mauritians. This month they have been often at it,
and slain on one day above 1,000, and on another above 500, with
small loss on their side. Duke Maurice is more in love with diets
than skirmishes, and has called a new one to treat on conditions of
peace. The winter is nigh, which is likely to do great harm to the
besiegers and little to the besieged. Send a chart of Malta, with
Gozo and the adjacent islands (missing). [Four pages.] |
Aug. 28.
Venice. |
431. Peter Vannes to the Council. The Imperial army, consisting
of 4,000 Germans, 2,500 Spaniards, and certain Italians, daily spend
and waste all the countries about Parma, so that though the land is
fertile, there is likely to be small harvest next year, by reason of
such destruction and no preparation of saving being in hand. The
Bishop of Rome begins to be weary of his proceedings, as they add
nothing to his profit and do not answer his expectations. Sends
herewith certain advertisements, which the hasty departing of the
courier prevents him from translating. The Seigniory make efforts
to bring about peace between the parties, and hearing that the
Turk's army intends to remain all winter in the parts of
Christendom, have appointed their General, with 48 galleys, to be
abroad in their Gulf during the winter for the defence of their
places, which will be to them no small cost. [One page.] Inclosure, |
|
431. I. The Turk's army had arrived at Tripoli and summoned
the Governor of the castle to surrender, promising to
respect life and property, but were informed that it should
be defended to the utmost in the name of the Grand
Master of Rhodes. Whereupon the Turks landed several
pieces of artillery and commenced to batter the fort, with
what success was not yet known, but there is much fear
that, by reason of the strength of the Turks and the weakness
of the place, it will be lost, which will be very serious both
to Sicily and all Italy. Letters from France mention
that the King had dismissed the Pope's Nuncio, having
offered to him with friendly expressions both money and
intercourse as Archbishop of Toulon and as member of
the house of Triulsi [Trivulci] so attached to his crown, but
as Nuncio he must leave, because he would give him no
farther audience. Also that in two Councils held in
France, the power of the Pope to interfere with ecclesiastical matters there had been taken away, although his
agents might collect as usual; but no remittance was to
be made to him while this war lasted, to the end that the
King should not be combated with his own money. The
King likewise was said to be raising 4,000 men-at-arms,
and 50,000 infantry, intending to go in person to the
relief of Parma. Between the King of France and the
close vicinity of the Turk's army, the Pope was in a sad
plight and knew not what to do. The Duke of Ferrara
was exerting himself to restore peace between the two
Princes; and for this end were to be sent to Venice on
part of the Pope, De Crassis, the lately created Bishop of
Monte Fiascone, and on the part of the King of France,
the Prior of Rome. The ecclesiastical electors, viz., of
Treves, Mayence, and Cologne, were to go to Trent to the
Council. [Italian. Two pages.] |
| Aug. 29. |
432. John Dominic Panizonus, the Emperor's Secretary, to King
Edward VI. Informing his Majesty of the death of William
Panizonus, and requesting that his sons Constantine and Christopher,
whom on his death-bed he had recommended to his Majesty, may be
taken into his service. Two of the same family,—Francis, a physician, and John Baptist, a valet (domicellus),—had previously died
while serving the Crown of England. [Latin. One page.] |
Aug. 30.
Fontainebleau. |
433. Sir Anthony Guidotti to the Earl of Warwick. Last Wednesday the 26th inst., in a private interview, the Duke of Guise
suggested that, during the trouble between the French and the
Emperor, England should arm by sea for the defence of her coast;
whereby the Emperor might be put in some doubt, and yet could
have no occasion to be offended. And thus England keeping one
side, and the French having a strength on the other, the Emperor
would not be too hasty to adventure into the canal between both.
If he may offer an opinion, it would be well to do this, even
though they should expend 50,000 or 60,000 crowns, as by such a
step they would secure for ever the good will of France. The Duke
also mooted a marriage between the Duke of Ferrara's son, who is
one of the goodliest young men of all Italy, and the Princess
Elizabeth. The Duke of Florence's son is 11 years old. If this
party were liked, it were an easy matter to be concluded without
any excessive dote. [Two pages and a half.]
Contemporary translation of the above. [Two pages and a half.] |
Aug. 31.
Hamburg. |
434. Colonel William Wallerthum to King Edward VI. Requesting his Majesty's interference towards procuring payment from
Henry and John Albert, Princes of Magdeburg, and John Margrave
of Brandenburg, for a body of cavalry which he had raised for their
service; and begging his Majesty to recommend him to the King of
France for employment. [Latin. Three pages.] |
