May 5.
Rome. |
502. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. According to the
ancient custom of his predecessors, his Holiness last Easter-week
made and blessed certain Agnus Deis, which is not usually done
except in the first year of a pontificate and after every seventh
year. Of these, having received some, sends herewith a box of
them to her Majesty, with a little book in Italian, declaring the
ceremonies used in making them, and at the end of it their
virtue, which is great. Has put some cere-cloth about the
box, both for its safe carriage and lest it should be opened by the
way. Beseeches she will take it in good part. The Legates have
not yet left. Recently an Ambassador from the King of Poland
arrived here; he was honourably received, and this day had a
public consistory to give obedience to the Pope for the said King
and Kingdom. The Cardinal of Augsburg, who is most humbly
commended to her Majesty, has left for Germany in post. It
is commonly rumoured that the Turk intends to invade Hungary
this summer, and that the Pope intends to send in aid of the King
thereof, some say 4,000, others 8,000 men, under the command
of Ascanio della Cornia, nephew to Pope Julius the last. The
infidels have lately captured many Christians on the sea-coast
here. [One page.] |
May 30.
Venice. |
506. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. His only reason
for not writing has been the respect he feels for Petre's continual business. It is a piteous case that the Queen, having
employed all the days of her life and all her estates for the
conservation of her realm and religion from the thraldom of
gaping wolves and devilish inventions against God and the
world, should now, in lieu of thanks deserved by her, be by
traitorous and wicked persons so unnaturally and wretchedly
used. Doubts not that by her wisdom and the good advice of
her councillors she well perceives and foresees the proceedings of
her neighbours and what practices are secretly in hand in divers
places of the world. Has lately chanced (but begs he may not
be the author of this), to have had purposely familiar communication with one who, he is well assured, is privy of these great
matters, and gathers that their chief scope is towards England,
or some part of it, pretending perhaps, "id quod tacita hominum
corda loquantur," some vain title by reason of the young Scottish
Queen; pretending also that for the assurance of France it is not
expedient that England shall be brought to a conformity, union,
and wealth, nor have so puissant a friend, protector, and Governor
as the King is. By what means they will advance their ambition,
Petre is more competent, by his great experience, to discuss than
he is. The self man told him that Lord Clinton had arrived in
France in great haste to congratulate the truce, but that it was
thought there was some pad in the straw and that the French King
would send a gentleman to the King of England to know his mind
in certain points. It is written from those parts, upon what
likelihood is not aware, that the truce is not likely to last long.
The same is asserted here, and that after the harvest and the
forage is in, occasion of breach will not be wanting. Meanwhile
soldiers are not dismissed but kept in garrison, and money
collected from all quarters for their maintenance. The Pope, the
French King, and the Duke of Ferrara are counted all one, and
each pursues his own advancement and assurance. It is openly
said here that one of the causes of the Cardinal of Caraffa going
to France so honourably accompanied with wise and valiant men
is to induce the French King, upon considerations, to take the
protection of that noble family and the Duke of Paliano, late called
Conte di Montorio, to whom is applied the whole estate of the
Colonnas, amounting to 24 towns and castles. Daily process is
made at Rome against divers Barons and great men, and the Castle
of Paliano, not very far from Naples, which is very strong both
from situation and fortification, is fortified daily stronger and
stronger. Has perhaps in the premises exceeded his limits, which
are only to serve and obey and not to counsel or presume any
thing. Has not troubled the Queen with a special letter otherwise
than it shall seem expedient to Petre to give her knowledge.
As all this travail is only for God's glory there is no doubt He
will assist and strengthen her with His Divine Providence and
vanquish her enemies, so that for many years she shall prosper
in justice, victory, and peace. As he has written freely, prays
that the particulars may be kept secret from any Ambassadors or
strangers, to avoid the displeasure he might incur by evil interpreters. [Three pages.] |
