Elizabeth: April 1563, 11-20 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 6, 1563. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1869.

'Elizabeth: April 1563, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 6, 1563, (London, 1869) pp. 282-292. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol6/pp282-292 [accessed 16 April 2024]

April 1563, 11-20



April 11. Forbes, ii. 381.	607. Warwick and Others to the Privy Council.
	1. The orders prescribed by their letters of the 29th ult. and the 5th inst., shall be accomplished. They will understand by a minute here enclosed the full estate of all sorts of victuals of the Queen's store here at present, and how much more will make a full supply for three months for 8,000 men; having sufficient room for the same here. They cannot inform their lordships of the store of victuals amongst the inhabitants; but they intend next week to take a survey of all their families and victuals.
	2. They explain the diversities in the certificates of the number of pioneers under Pelham.
	3. The galley (which cannot be well spared) will occupy 192 rowers (having forty-eight oars at four men to each oar,) and thirty mariners; which with the ordinary gunners and soldiers will amount in the whole to 300 persons. There are already in her ninety-six. Two hundred and four men are required to make the complement, and of them fifty must be soldiers, who may be had from this garrison without further charges to the Queen. Signed: Warwick, Poulet, Denys, Vaughan, Bromfeld. Orig., with seal. Add. Endd. Pp. 4.
April 11.	608. Victuals for Newhaven.
	Account of victuals which arrived there 11 April.—Signed: George Tendring. Endd. P. 1.
April 11. Forbes, ii. 383.	609. Admiral Coligny to Warwick.
	1. Has heard that some ships have been stayed at Havre de Grace, which have been equipped and victualled by the merchants of that town for the Brazil and Newfoundland voyages. Begs him to pity these poor people, and to allow them to proceed on their voyages.
	2. Hears that he is ill-contented with the article in the treaty of peace which provides that all foreigners should quit the kingdom. This is not meant to apply to the Queen of England, for the Prince would not have her brought into the matter until the Admiral returned from Normandy, in order that he might learn what tone Throckmorton had taken with him. When he arrived the English Ambassador was told all that was passing; and nothing that touched the Queen was settled without her being first informed. For which purpose M. De Briquemault is sent, who will pass through Havre.—Châtillon, 11 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. Fr. Pp. 3.
April 12.	610. Montgomery to the Queen.
	Begs her to show mercy to Captain "Raulffe Eldercar" [?], who has chanced to strike some one with his sword, he being a man of good service.—Caen, 12 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 12.	611. Montgomery to Warwick.
	Desires him to send to him two Scotchmen named Balfour and Boyce, who belong to Captain Clerck's company. By the Queen's goodness he is now obliged to retire to his house, which he does not like to do unless well accompanied.—Caen, 12 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 13.	612. The Provost of Paris to Cecil.
	Declares his goodwill to the Queen and Cecil; and desires that his people who are in the Tower, and who are innocent, may be sent to him. The Queen should follow the example of Alexander the Great.—London, 13 April 1563. Signed: A. du Prat. Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 13. Forbes, ii. 384.	613. Smith to Cecil.
	1. Received Cecil's letter of the 24th ult. on the 3rd inst., which he answered on the 2nd inst. Cecil's letters of the 1st inst., he received by Lethington on the 12th inst. Lethington did not meet M. Briquemault by the way, but met Barlow at Abbeville, and Briquemault took his journey from Orleans two days after Barlow. Supposes Briquemault went by Newhaven. He takes Lethington to be such an one as he writes; but seeing the Queen is so precise in the demand of Calais, and the French so obstinate in their denial, he will not meddle in the matter, except they break it to them, and his motion will be to have commissioners appointed on each side. He comes he says on particular matters of his mistress; "which be now here rawe" by the death of the Duke of Guise, and absence of the Cardinal of Lorraine. His abode is most with the Cardinal of Guise. Expects full instructions from Cecil, if he will have him traffic in these matters after M. De Briquemault. He wishes him to be plain, for he cannot understand enigmas.
	2. Condé being now sworn in his full authority, is thought by many of those gentlemen which have done most for him, to be waxen almost a new King of Navarre. Those who are most zealous for the religion are offended with him, and in fear that shortly all will be worse than ever it was. All must not be counted desperate till they see what shall be done at this assembly at Fontainebleau.
	3. To send any special man to traffic with the Admiral or D'Andelot is in vain, seeing Middlemore is there, who has not left Condé; what good he does there may be seen by his letters. All that is to be done now, must be with the Queen Mother and the Prince; the rest say they can do nothing, they have enough to do to save themselves. If it needs be that there must be war with them, he should send some one to entertain reiters. They and the Spanish and Italian captains and engineers would gladly serve, which he knows by the offers made to him, wherein he would do nothing until he had commission from Cecil.
	4. Whatsover is presented, the French are not in a position to make war with England; nor will they be shortly for the causes he wrote of before, and that they cannot keep peace amongst themselves. The Ambassador of Spain tells him, that the King of Spain was ready to help and do his most, as long as the quarrel was for obedience, and rebellion to the King of France, or religion; but when it is a quarrel of the crown or of the territory of England and France, as Calais or Newhaven, he will not meddle, nor break the league of England for any new alliance, demand what we will. It would not be amiss that with the Ambassador there, or with the King himself, if this thing was so handled, to see what he will do. He would not now demand, but take Calais.
	5. Prays him to despatch one of his men again. He would not have sent him Favoris, but because he had sent so many and had no answer; and the ways so doubtful he thought they were intercepted; "and he had as leave he had been hanged as an honester man." He wrote two months before to Throckmorton, to know what he was; but had no answer, and that was the cause why he employed him at that time. Has not heard of him since.—Amboise, 13 April 1563. Signed. Orig., a few words in cipher, deciphered. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary . . . Huishart, Scotishman. Pp. 4.
April 13.	614. Warwick and Poulet to Lord Robert Dudley and Cecil.
	Encloses news received from the Rhinegrave together with a letter from Montgomery. Mr. Driver the bearer declared to him the state of things in France, and Condé's infidelity towards the Queen, and that Montgomery durst not for his life write what he would gladly were known, and that he is "expulsed" from the government of Caen, and put to the shift to retire to his own home, where he shall remain the Queen's servant till death. His discourse tended to the effect that this town would be very shortly besieged by land and sea with all the power the French can employ, and that a number of galleys are on the way hitherward.—Newhaven, 13 April 1563. Signed. Orig., in Poulet's hol with Warwick's seal. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 3.
April 13.	615. Horsey to Cecil.
	1. Warwick has sent for him and the companies here to Newhaven, whether he is ready to depart with the next convenient wind. At Warwick's first letters (for the Rhinegrave was then newly come into these parts,) the townsmen were loth to let him go, and requested him to stay till the Rhinegrave's pretence was discovered. The Rhinegrave being very desirous to speak with him, sent a safe conduct, whereupon he went to him, who after great cheer told him that his Lordship was minded to have him return to Newhaven, and offered him his safe conduct either by land or sea. He answered that he would not depart so long as the other remained in these parts, nor leave the place he had so long defended. He protested with oaths that his coming was for no hurt to Dieppe; to confirm which he promised to retire his force that night six leagues, and before he left he saw his companies marching. So the writer trusts that he may now with credit depart.
	2. An Almain (who arrived here last Friday with letters from the Queen to the Ambassador) requested him to direct him the best way to the Court; advised him to go to Newhaven, and the Governor prepared a boat for him, but he would not pass that way, and requested horses to convey him to the Rhinegrave only, who then laid within three leagues of this town, and said he was assured the Rhinegrave would help him with horse and conduct to the Court speedily. He said he was the Landgrave of Hesse's man. He was despatched on Friday morning, but the writer found him last Monday still with the Rhinegrave, of whom he demanded who he was, and whether he was the same that came hither with the Queen's letters. He said yea, and that he had also other letters from the Landgrave to the Marshal of Hesse to retire to his own home. Wherefore he said that the Prince had done well to conclude the peace so soon, otherwise he should have lost all his Almains when he should have had most need of them. The writer knows not how true this is. Whilst he was talking with him the Almain retired, so he could not see him again.
	3. This day he received letters from Montgomery, who writes that he is commanded by the King and the Prince ot deliver up all places in his charge to Marshal de Brissac.— Dieppe, 12 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3.
April 13.	616. Pelham to Throckmorton.
	Driver has brought secret advertisements from Montgomery that the French army is marching hither to besiege them, and twenty-five galleys from Marseilles are coming to keep the haven, and that in every place war is prepared for. If the Queen would bend her brows and wax angry against their shameful treason, she might yet work her will. The Lord Lieutenant with all his people will spend the last drop of their blood before they shall fasten their foot in "our" town of Newhaven. Writes this in haste and half in choler. Wishes him not to spare to speak that they want nothing needful for the defence of the town.— Newhaven, 13 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Hol., with seal. Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
April 14.	617. Middlemore to Cecil.
	1. Since his last of the 2nd inst. by Barlow, the Queen Mother and the Constable have changed their resolution for dispersing their forces. The reason is said to be because the Emperor threatens Metz, Toul and Verdun. Some think that they will employ those forces and the rest to recover Newhaven. Again some say it is because they fear lest the Queen, finding herself unsatisfied in all that they have promised, would send some army over. Others say the meaning is no good to them of the religion. The Prince's forces and all others of the religion are clean dispersed; Orleans is held no more for them; Paris, Tours, Angers, Rouen, and all other towns, where these troubles happened, continue their cruel persecutions; and Condé, it is greatly feared, is already won from them.
	2. On the 10th inst. the Prince said to him that if the Queen persevered in her obstinacy not to leave Newhaven until Calais be rendered, she will lose both her right and all she has in this country; whereas if she would show herself according to her protestation, and as she had done in Scotland, she should (with a little forbearing) have that she now requires, and make him able always to be a worker for it.
	3. He said to him that in asking her right she did not go against her protestation, wherein mention was made of the doubt she then had that the house of Guise would seek to keep her from Calais. And as to her doings in Scotland, she had dealt more favourably to them of France. First for that these wars had cost her another manner of sum of money than the war had done in Scotland, and they were more dangerous to her. Having occasion offered to make herself lady of all Normandy, and to have in Picardy what she would, she had never taken any place thereof, but has only kept Havre, which by the contract between her and Condé was delivered to her. In that contract it is said that she was to keep Havre until Calais, together with the money lent to him and his associates, be rendered to her. Thereupon he desired him to consider what she had done for him, and how it touched his honour. He answered that he was desirous to do her service, but that she took away by these demands all occasion for him to show himself accordingly. He trusted at the return of M. De Briquemault to hear better news from herself; and that he would procure for her what she now desires, and also travail to make such a league, offensive and defensive, between England and France that both should have occasion to rejoice.
	4. Is well informed that there are none here more against the rendering of Calais to the Queen than the King of Spain. On the 7th inst. Condé was established in his Lieutenantship, and next day took his oath before the King. It is greatly feared here by the Prince's friends that he will become another King of Navarre. No other liberty is granted in the matter of religion than is mentioned in the printed edict.
	5. It is commonly reported here that a marriage is concluded between the Queen of Scotland and Charles Archduke of Austria, and the Queen Mother has not let to confirm it. Also that D'Anville is to go shortly into England and so into Scotland to the Queen. Men speak doubtfully of the death of the Duke De Nemours; but whether his is dead or no, his estates are already given to others, for the little Marquis, Condé's son, has half of his company of men at arms, and M. De Grammont the other half. M. D'Andelot has a new company of men at arms, and M. De la Rochefaucault has his increased by twenty, so he has in all fifty. Some here say that the inhabitants of Metz have secretly accorded to the Emperor 200,000 crowns to make this war, to reduce the same with Toul and Verdun into their ancient state of liberty. It were almost incredible if he should report the discontentation generally of all those of the religion in this country now. They have promised that at this assembly at Fontainebleau order shall be given therein, which to do they have sent for the Cardinal of Lorraine, whereunto the Prince consented, although he openly denies it. They need no greater argument of his being won to the other side than this. On the 12th inst. the Constable retired in anger from this Court to Paris, and from thence he goes to his own house; the cause being the state of Grand Master having been refused to him for his son, the Marshal of Montmorency, which the young Duke of Guise shall still enjoy. They have lately caused the Queen's protestation to be printed anew, and sold in this town and Court, where the great recourse of strangers is. The 13th inst. he wrote to the Earl of Warwick of the state of things here, also on the 10th to him and Cecil by the same way. Is promised by a gentlemen that Montgomery shall not deliver the Castle of Caen until he sees them of the religion in more surety. There was a bruit yesterday that M. D'Andelot had stayed the reiters, but it does not continue. The Admiral doubts to come to the Court, lest he should be entrapped; advice is given him that he and his brother be never there to gether. Believes that if the Cardinal of Lorraine comes to this Court Cecil shall hear shortly after that he is but homely entreated. These have sent in garrison into Normandy from hence fifteen ensigns of footmen, as well to keep it in stay as also because they fear a descent there. The force of footmen that the Duke of Guise had before Orleans was not, with the strangers, above 7,000; 2,500 Swiss lie besides Blois in garrison, and not above 1,500 Spaniards lie in the suburbs of that town. The rest of the French companies lie in the country thereabouts. So all their forces now in those quarters cannot come to above 5,000 men. Brissac is in Rouen, and Vielleville in Metz. The 13th inst. the Court left this town to go to Chenonceaux, a house of the Queen Mother's upon the Cher, where it continues five or six days; and from thence goes to Chambord, a house of the King's besides Blois, and so to Orleans, and from thence to Fontainebleau. It will be twenty days before it comes thither, and they prolong the time that the ministers lately sent abroad may return to meet them there with their negociations; wishes a minister of the Queen were there. Lethington arrived at this Court the 11th inst.—Amboise, 14 April 1563. Signed. Orig., passages in cipher, deciphered. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 6.
April 14. Forbes, ii. 388.	618. Warwick and Poulet to Lord Robert Dudley and Cecil.
	1. Upon the stopping of Dryver here last night by a sudden change of the wind he received these letters enclosed this morning from Smith and Middlemore which he sends with the copies of two letters to M. Beauvais from Condé and the Admiral. Montgomery is not only put out of his charge at Caen (like all others are of that faction throughout France, except Condé), but also out of favour amongst them, and rests in doubt of himself, being the man of all others in France that bears a true English heart.
	2. The Rhinegrave's advertisements seem to have ground of truth. The fame of the Emperor's presence towards Metz should not be so much credited as that thereby this place shall be defaced of anything.—Newhaven, 14th April 1563. Signed.
	3. P. S.—Yesternight the letter addressed to the Queen from Montgomery arrived. The bearer is an English gentleman (who would have continued in service with the Count) and affirms much of what Dryver reported. The Count told him plainly he could not retain him without peril to both, unless he served against his own country, whereto he would be forced if he tarried there long. Orig., in Poulet's hol., with seal. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 2.
April 14.	619. Cuerton to Challoner.
	All the Englishmen in France are at liberty. Hears nothing of Farnham. They say there is past by Act of Parliament in England that other three weeks in the year shall be kept as Lent, so they will have fish days enough.— Bilboa, 14 April. Signed. Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. by Challoner. Pp. 2.
April 15.	620. Valentine Brown to Cecil.
	Has left no means unsought for the discharge of the workmen and labourers to be cassed; he borrowed 840l. of the merchants belonging to this garrison trafficing to London, and those of Newcastle, upon the promise that it should be paid at London within twenty days. And therewith, and by other credit he has discharged the appointed number, and paid those of Ireland and the south parts of this realm up to the 8th inst. who had been unpaid since Christmas 1561. Also the conduct money according to the old rate, to take them to their homes.—Berwick, 15 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
April 15.	621. M. D'Assonleville to Cecil.
	Thanks him for expediting his request concerning Christopher Pruen. Sends him the reasons why he cannot be contented with the letters of simple sequestration offered by the Council. —Durham Place, 15 April 1563. Signed. Orig., with seal. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 15.	622. The Privy Council to M. D'Assonleville,
	They have written to the Earl of Warwick directing him to use all means to induce M. De Beauvoir, governor of Havre, to restore Pruene's ship, who has replied that the said alum was taken lawfully. They will, however, write again to the Earl. The Queen does not pretend to any right over the said town, which is governed by its own magistrates. The treaty that he speaks of only applies to the ports in her own kingdom. Corrected draft, endd: 15 April 1563. Fr. Pp. 3.
[April 15.]	623. Christopher Pruen's Ship.
	Petition that the Queen will order the Earl of Warwick to restore immediately Christopher Prunnen's ship, as she has been requested to do by the King Catholic. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 15.	624. The Queen to Warwick.
	1. Recites her two orders for restitution of the ships taken by Francis Clerk, especially a ship with alum belonging to Christopher Pruene.
	2. She is not only required by an Ambassador sent by the King of Spain to procure their restitution, but is also informed by him that the goods are not sequested. Requests him to further Pruene's agents. Draft, partly in Cecil's hand. Endd.: 15 April 1563. Pp. 2.
April 15.	625. The Queen to Wolfgang, Count Palatine.
	Has received their letters sent by Gallus Tuschelin, expressing their readiness to serve her, and wishing that his son might be brought up in her Court. Thanks him for the first; but these civil strifes in France are at an end, and she has no present intention of making war on that country. Will be very glad to receive his son if he will send him over. Draft, in Ascham's hol., corrected by Cecil. Endd.: 15 April 1563. Answer to letters of 19th March 1562. Lat. Pp. 2.
April 15.	626. Gallus Tuschelin to [Cecil.]
	Is anxious for an answer in order that he may return home, and also because the Count, his master, promised to let those Captains (whom he would employ in collecting troops) know for certain by the 15th inst. whether they should assemble. His master has made all preparations for equipping them if they are required.—London, 15 April 1563. Signed: Gallus Tuschelin. Orig. Hol. Lat. Pp. 2.
April 15.	627. Cuerton to Challoner.
	Has received his letter of the 4th by James Caldwel, in which he writes that he has given 1,500 reals to John Mertenys De Recalde to pay to him in Burgos by his brother. Has heard nothing of them, nor does he think that he is likely. Caldwell will embark to-morrow in a ship "for Lyrpo."—Bilboa, 15 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Hol., with seal. Add. Endd. by Challoner. Pp. 3.
April 16.	628. James Macconel to Randolph.
	Has seen his letter and thanks him for his "novellis." Has spoken with Captain Pers and has seen his commission from the Lord Lieutenant, upon consideration whereof they have entreated of divers articles and have concluded thereon. For his part holds the double of the said articles, which are subscribed with the said Captain's hand; and in like manner has sent another part thereof with the said Captain to be taken to the Lord Lieutenant. Desires Randolph to send him one fine bow by the bearer, his servant, for whom he asks credit.—Kintire, 16 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Hol. [?] with seal. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 2.
April 16.	629. Admiral Coligny to the Queen.
	Having been obliged to borrow largely, he has given assignations on the sale of Francis Clerk's prizes in repayment, He therefore begs that Warwick may be ordered not to throw any hindrance in the way.—Châtillon, 16 April. Orig. Add. Endd. Fr. Pp. 3.
April 16.	630. The Privy Council to the Council at Newhaven.
	Understanding that they have sundry sick soldiers and labourers, they have sent over 12,000l., that they may be paid and discharged. And perceiving that there remain certain Frenchmen and Scotishmen at Caen and Dieppe upon the Queen's entertainment, they think that she should be charged with the defence of Newhaven only. Draft in Cecil's hol. Endd.: 16 April 1563. Pp. 2.
April 16.	631. The Privy Council to Warwick.
	They direct him to cause to be stayed twelve or sixteen ships of Fécamp laden with wines coming from Bordeaux, in recompence of the prizes taken by them of Fécamp of Englishmen resorting to Newhaven. Draft. Endd.: 16 April 1563. Pp. 2.
April 16.	632. Charles IX. to M. De Beauvoir.
	Directing him to restore certain saffron taken from Christopher Walser, a German, by Captain Clerc and others.— Chenonceau, 16 April. Copy. Add. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 16.	633. Thomas Weldon to Challoner.
	At the time that King Philip was married to Queen Mary, Don John De Benevideo (now Marquis of Curtes) had his [Weldon's] house in Cannon Row, and by the entreaty of Sir Robert Rochester, Controller of the Household, required the writer to take his wife and children suddenly out of his said house, which he did, leaving behind certain stuff to the said signior, prised by Mr. Lewen, steward to Cardinal Pole (which bill he encloses,) which was sent for the rent of his house and stuff. Sir Robert told him [the writer] that Thomas Denis had received 300 crowns or pistolets of the signior; but he said that he had only received thirty pistolets, which he kept. As the said Denis is now in service with King Philip, he begs that he will procure payment of the same, and encloses his quittance. (fn. 1) —Westminster, 16 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. by Challoner: From Mr. Cofferer Weldon; received 29 July 1563. Pp. 2.
April 16 & 17.	634. Shipping at Newhaven.
	List of a fleet of fifty-five ships, (with the names of the masters and the owners of the goods,) which arrived at Newhaven 16th and 17th April 1563, with salt, wines, and woad to the value of 10,230l. 11s. 10d. Endd. Pp. 13.
April 17.	635. The Bishop of London to Cecil.
	Sends herewith a piece of a letter translated out of Dutch, received by Joannes Utenhovius from Dantzic, and containing news of the state of Polonia. It was written at Petricaw, where the King of Poland lies, and sent to Carolus ab Egmonde, who is descended from the bastard house of Burgundy, and who has a son staying in the house of Utenhovius.—17 April 1563. Signed: Edw. London. Orig. Hol. Endd. Pp. 2.
April 17.	636. Maitland to the Queen.
	1. The King, the Queen Mother, and all those who have the affairs of this realm in hand are disposed to end this matter of Newhaven amicably. For that effect they will send to her shortly to require her to retire her forces; esteeming that if she make difficulty, she shall give the world to understand that she has acted by other passion than the zeal of religion, and hoping that the Princes of Germany, and all other Protestants, shall conceive a sinister opinion of her proceedings. Preparations for war are made with diligence. Marshal Brissac has departed from Paris towards Normandy, the Swisses shall also go thither. The French bands directed towards Metz are countermanded, as also the old bands of Piedmont, which are now in the circuit of Lyons. They send towards Paris the whole artillery taken from thence for the siege of Orleans. The bruit is that the King goes to Fontainebleau, and thence to draw nigh to Normandy. They think it behoves them either to compose this difference of Newhaven amicably, or else quickly recover it by force. Would gladly himself, according to the commandment of the Queen, his mistress, do any good office.
	2. Desires her, if she would employ him here, to name unto him by the bearer, those whom she will depute commissioners for treating of this matter, which he will keep close. Prays her to take this proposition only by way of advertisement, and if she would not have him meddle further, to signify him thereof that he may desist, having the Queen of Scots' commandment to proceed no further in it than may stand with the office of mediator and the contentment of both parties.—Chenonceau, 17 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. Pp. 4.
April 17.	637. Christopher Pruene to the Queen.
	Begs that she will command the restitution of his ship, the Petit Abraham, laden with alum, which was taken intoHavre de Grace by Francois Clerc.—Antwerp, 17 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Fr. Pp. 2.
April 17.	638. Christopher Pruene to Benedicto Spinola.
	Begs him to assist him in obtaining restitution of his ship.—Antwerp, 17 April 1563. Signed. Orig. Add.: To Spinola in London. Fr. Pp. 2.