Elizabeth: September 1566

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 8, 1566-1568. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Elizabeth: September 1566', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 8, 1566-1568, (London, 1871) pp. 126-135. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol8/pp126-135 [accessed 25 April 2024]

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September 1566

Sept. 692. Cecil to George Van Holl.
The Queen having received his offer to serve her is much pleased, but has no need of his service at present.
Draft, in Cecil's writing. Endd. Lat. Pp. 1.
Sept. 693. Nicholas Sorinio.
A copy of Latin verses in praise of Nicholas Sorinio, who was besieged in the fortress of Ziget by the Turks.
Lat. Pp. 1½.
Sept. 1. 694. Sir Thomas Gresham to Cecil.
Arrived in this town on 29th August. On the 27th it was proclaimed that the King would have the churches made up again, and Mass sung and said. There has been much slaughter between the Protestants and Papists at an abbey near Dortrecht. The Prince of Orange is here, and it is thought that whatsoever outward face he shows to the Papists he is in heart a right Protestant, for his own brother who is with him does all amongst them. Most part of the wealthy merchants here have gone away. Has taken up two sums of 30,330 and 28,907 florins. Will travail the best he can for the taking up of the full sum of 21,000l. Trusts that the Queen will have no less consideration of his services than her brother and sister had. Desires Cecil to get the signature of divers noblemen to certain bonds.—Antwerp, 1 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3¼.
Sept. 2. 695. Valentine Brown to Cecil.
Beseeches his help for money that all superfluous charges for the works may be cut off at this discharge. The Earl of Rutland was in his debt for cattle spent in his house 332l., wherein he beseeches his help for payment.—Berwick, 2 Sept. 1566.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½.
Sept. 2. 696. Valentine Brown to Cecil.
Made a bargain with Mr. Allen, Her Majesty's servant, for Dadisinke (Dantzic) for spruce, deal, &c., which he has received for the furniture of this town.—Berwick, 2 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ¼.
Sept. 3. 697. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
1. Prays his help for his discharge from Berwick at Michaelmas, and that he may repair to London where he would be at the Parliament.
2. Lord Ogle being called among others by writ to the Parliament would gladly be dispensed with and tarry at home; his estate is not of the best to bear the charges in that behalf. His proxy he is content to bestow upon Lord Lumely and him.—Beauvoir, 3 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 3. 698. M. De la Forest to Cecil.
Desires that he will procure the pardon of a certain French mariner who having been taken in the company of some pirates has been condemned to death.—London, Sept. 3, 1566. Signed: Bochetel.
Add. Endd. Fr. P. 1.
Sept. 3. 699. Richard Candeler to Cecil.
Has order from his master for the taking up 5,000l. in London, and desires the Queen's warrant for the same.— London, 3 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ¼.
Sept. 4. 700. The Queen to Gresham.
Warrant for the taking up of 5,600l. in London.
Draft corrected by Cecil. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 4. 701. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.
1. Warns him to be firm, seeing that the Pope, the Emperor, the Kings of Spain and France, Queen of Scotland, and many others mean to set up the old religion over all. One will pass within three days to Scotland with great dispatch from the Cardinals of Lorraine and Guise and others.
2. One of the Pope's will pass into Scotland with 30,000 ducats and 20,000 crowns of the Queen's dower. Beseeches him to send hither with speed a wise man as ambassador. Informs him of movements of the Court. Desires that he may be advertised of news. There is appearance shortly of great trouble.—4 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
Sept. 7. 702. Advices.
Intelligence from Rome of the 7th Septr., and Naples 1st Septr. Addressed to Cecil. In Pietro Bizzarri's writing. Much mutilated. Endd., with seal. Ital. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 8. 703. Sir Thomas Gresham to the Queen.
Has taken up certain sums of money for her in Antwerp. Begs that she will have the like consideration for his services as her brother and sister had, whom he had not served two years apiece but they gave him 300l. land a year. Has done her more service than he did to them, for both their accounts and charges did amount but to the sum of 740,000l., whereas hers amount to 1,100,000l. Can find no horse or sword that will like her.—Antwerp, 8 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½.
Sept. 8. 704. Sir Thomas Gresham to Cecil.
1. On the fourth the Prince of Orange sent for him to dinner and discoursed to him all the proceedings of this town and what a dangerous piece of work it was, and that now he had agreed with the Protestants, which agreement he caused to be read, a copy whereof Gresham sends. Likes nothing of these proceedings, so Cecil will do well to consider some other realm for the utterance of English commodities. The Prince has now 1,600 soldiers for the defence of this town. It is reported that the Emperor will give the Turk battle. This matter is so cunningly handled that either the King of Spain is consenting to this business, or else the nobles will make sure work for themselves that the King shall do them no hurt and to part this country among themselves. In the midst of dinner the Prince and all the others drank a "carouse" to the Queen.—Antwerp, 8 Sept. 1566. Signed.
2. P.S.—Gives a list of the different sums he has taken up, and desires the Queen's and the City of London's bonds.
3. There is no more money to be had here at any price.
4. Hopes that the Queen will have some consideration of his service.
5. This is the thirty-first journey of charge that he has passed the seas for the Queen. The Queen promised him in Cecil's presence to give him as much land as both her brother and sister did.
Add. Endd. Pp. 4.
705. Another copy of the above.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3¼.
Sept. 8. 706. Sir John Forster to Cecil.
1. The Secretary came to Stirling the 4th instant and laid at one William Betts; and on the morrow the Queen came to him and there dined with him, and liked him very well, and returned to Stirling Castle, and on the morrow came to Edinburgh (and) Murray and Argyll with her. The Countess of Murray remains at Stirling, and has the government of the young Prince until the Queen returns to Stirling. The Secretary is appointed to be at Edinburgh the 11th instant with the Queen. There shall be shortly a convention to appoint them which shall have the government of the Prince. The Queen's coming to Edinburgh at this time is to sit in her Exchequer to understand her revenues, and to appoint what shall be for the keeping of her house and the young Prince's.—Berwick, 8 Sept. 1566. Signed.
2. P.S.—The Queen has her husband in small estimation, and the Earl of Lennox (has) not come in her sight since the death of Davy.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 8. 707. Mr. Heneage to Mr. Hugh Fitzwilliam.
Will endeavour to be his furtherance either to make him like better the place he serves in, or to leave it with favour. Advises him to intreat Cecil earnestly to consider his condition.—Bradham, 8 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add., with seal. P. 1.
Sept. 9. 708. Mr. Aikman [Acquenan] to Cecil.
Desires to know whether he has received certain letters of Robert Stewart and Captain Cockburn which he has sent to him.—Dieppe, 9 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½.
Sept. 10. 709. The Queen to the Governor and Treasurer of Berwick.
Directs them to continue in pay twelve gunners of the great ordnance who have not been thought meet as well for their age as other respects to serve in the journey into Ireland.— Windsor, 10 Sept 1566.
Draft. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 11. 710. The Spanish Ambassador with the Emperor to the Spanish Ambassador in England.
Concerning the intentions of the Turk.—From the Emperor's camp two leagues from Comorn. 11 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Orig. Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Sept. 13. 711. The Queen to Gresham.
Directs him to pay certain sums of money to the Lord Treasurer to discharge certain debts incurred in the service of Ireland.
Draft. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 14. 712. John Man to Cecil.
1. There is a very sick Court at present. Don John of Austria is taken with an extreme palsey by using disordinate swimming after great heats only to keep the prince company. The Marquis of Aguilar who was sent to Rome for the confirmation of the Cruzada has so used himself that the King has not his purpose. The India fleet has arrived at Seville with near 4,000,000.—Madrid, 14 Sept. 1566. Signed.
2. P.S.—Looks every hour for money.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Sept 14. 713. Advices.
News from Vienna of different dates during September, the latest being the 14th.
Ital. Pp. 3½.
Sept. 14. 714. Hugh Fitzwilliam to the Queen.
1. Desires to be discharged with favour, or to have allowance for his charges. Now that Mistress Ashley is gone he has no friend about her to make his moan to. Does not crave office or gifts, although he has well deserved in her sister's days to have been well thought of, venturing his life for her present state.
2. Complains that he has no instructions. The Admiral is the rarest nobleman in Europe. Does not think that he would ever attempt such treachery against the Queen Mother as Du Moy charges him with. — Paris, 14 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3.
Sept. 14. 715. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.
The Rhinegrave is dead. Count Rocandolf is banished France. News is here that the Queen has set up the Mass again all over England. Mr. Fitzwilliams is very great with the Pope's, Scottish, Spanish, and Venetian Ambassadors. The Papists of England and France have posts passing daily betwixt them.—Paris, 14 Sept. Signed: George Beaumont.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 15. 716. Pietro Bizarri to [Cecil].
Sends him intelligence from Vienna of the 7th Sept., also a plan of the fortress of Sigeth.—Venice, 15 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Much injured by damp. Ital. Pp. 2.
[Sept. 15.] 717. Plan of Sigeth.
Plan of the fortress of Sigeth in Hungary, engraved at Venice in 1566.
Sept. 17. 718. Mr. Heneage to Hugh Fitzwilliam.
Recommends him to write to Cecil touching his estate, and also desires him to look after a young brother of his wife's, who is at the French Court.—Richmond, 17 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Pp. 2.
Sept. 18. 719. Hugh Fitzwilliam to the Queen.
Messrs. De Vautigny and De la Tour, gentlemen of the Admiral, being brought face to face with Du Moy, who had accused them of persuading him to kill the Queen Mother, it was proved that De Vautigny was sixty leagues off at the time. The French King is embarking at Rochel 300 men-atarms and 2,000 soldiers. It is said that they go to aid the King of Sweden against the King of Denmark. There is talk of the marriage of the Prince of Scotland with King Philip's daughter. The Rhinegrave is dead of a cup too much. Monluc is fitting out ships for Florida. Begs that he may be called home or else have money.—Paris, 18 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3.
Sept. 18. 720. Hugh Fitzwilliam to the Queen.
Extract from the above in Cecil's writing: For Mr. Secretary hath not allowed me a groat as yet. I cannot tell what he meaneth by it, whether to undo me or to hinder your service, or his wisdom meaneth both.
On a slip of paper.
Sept. 18. 721. Dr. Nicholas Wotton to Cecil.
1. Intended to have remained in Antwerp unknown two or three days, but such straight guard is kept at the gates that the Prince of Orange perceived who he was.
2. The Prince and his brother have used him very courteously. They have no great hope of any good end of these matters.—Bruges, 18 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½.
Sept. 19. 722. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
1. Has sent the bearer, his servant, to attend some resolution for his coming up this Parliament. Has to look to the alteration of his will, which he now must provide for certain differences between the Earl of Rutland and the writer's wife.
2. As for sending shortly into Scotland he prays his help to quit him thereof. Thanks him for his help towards the gunners, and of Mr. Turney to be porter.—Northallerton, 19 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Sept. 19. 723. Sir John Forster to Cecil.
1. The Queen has made the agreement between Bothwell and the Secretary. She was in Holyrood House the 12th instant, and there sorted her jewels, and commanded the Lords to prepare for the baptism, and appointed every one of them to have a certain number in colours, and has given Murray a suit of green, Argyll red, and to Bothwell blue. The preparation for the baptism is making at Sterling. She has borrowed of the town of Edinburgh 12,000 pounds Scot, and intends to borrow of the rest of the borough towns certain money to set forward the baptism. She looks to have message forth of France and England for the coming to the baptism the 25th or 26th instant. She, upon information that the Earl of (Morton) and Lord Ruthven should be come into that realm, sent eight soldiers to search in Pinkey, Grange, Preston, Dalkeith, and Dirleston. The slaughters of late amongst the Kerrs (prevent) them getting meetings with Scotland.—Berwick, 19 Sept. 1566. Signed.
2. P.S.—At the enclosing hereof he received a letter from Murray, who has appointed the 25th that Cessford shall be at the Court, and to have one sent from Bedford and him for their Border matters. The Queen has received Mr. James Magill into favour, and the Earl of (Morton) is to come home into Scotland shortly, but he is like to pay well for it.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½.
Sept. 20. 724. Mary Queen of Scots to Queen Elizabeth.
Requests a passport for Alexander Clerk to pass through her realm to France and to return.—Edinburgh, 20 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Broadside.
Sept. 20. 725. Maitland of Lethington to Cecil.
The constant amity of such as Cecil is his greatest treasure. The same day that Cecil's letter came the Queen came to a friend's house secretly, accompanied only with Murray and Bothwell, to make an agreement between Bothwell and him. All differences have been accorded. Is received into the Queen's good favour and his former place. Though some have sinisterly reported Cecil's doings, the Queen has no misconceit of his devotion towards her. — Edinburgh, 20 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 20. 726. The Earl of Murray to Cecil.
Thanks him for his advice and council so lovingly bestowed upon him. Lethington is restored to favour. Desires a license for the bearer to purchase bows for Murray's friends in the Highlands. Reminds him of his long suit for the liberty of Lord Keith, his brother-in-law.—Edinburgh, 20 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 21. 727. The Earl of Bedford to Cecil.
Encloses a letter from the Lord Warden. Prays his help to obtain license for him to come up to this Parliament, and also to remember to stay Lord Ogle from coming up to it.— Newcastle, 21 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½.
Sept. 21. 728. Captain Cockburn to Cecil.
M. De Croc is called the Ambassador of the French King, but is only the ambassador of the House of Guise. There is great traffic betwixt the Papists of England and France. It were easy to take the letters by the way. The Pope's Nuncio has gone towards Scotland disguised as a merchant.—Paris, 21 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Sept. 21. 729. B. Hampton to Hugh Fitzwilliam.
Delivered his packet into the Queen's own hands, who commanded him to signify for answer that she thought he had much forgotten himself in some passages in his letter where he utters certain speeches touching Mr. Secretary. She says that Fitzwilliam was to no man more beholden than to him, both for the enlargement of his diets and for any credit he has with her. She will keep from Mr. Secretary's knowledge his unadvised speeches. The Queen having no further occasion to use his services commands him to return home.— Richmond, 21 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 21. 730. John Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
Has informed him of the submission of John Brown, who now desires that he may safely come home and close accounts with Mr. Fisher, and take order for the payment of his debt to the Queen. Places have been appointed for preachers to preach. The Prince of Orange has been obliged to take order to save a church, and also some of the Grey Friars who have returned. There has been as great a change in traffic as in religion in this town.—Antwerp, 21 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Sept. 22. 731. Passport for certain Scots.
Passport for the bearers, Alexander Clerk, Mr. Mychell Chisholm, Andrew Slater, and David Adamson, Scotsmen, to pass with their horses to the Court.—Berwick, 22 Dec. 1566. Signed by Sir John Forster.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 24. 732. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
Thanks him for his goodness towards him, and beseeches him to pardon him for anything which has passed his mouth or pen since his letter of the 18th. Has received 100 crowns. —Paris, 24 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3.
Sept. 28. 733. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
1. Excuses himself for his former letters. Captain Cockburn is very honest and friendly, but never told him anything of consequence which fell out as he affirmed. Saw divers Englishmen yesterday, and was told they were Sir Francis Englefield and others, that were come out of Flanders for matters of Hungary and Italy.
2. P. S.—The King has made peace with his treasurers for a certain sum by the Constable's means, whereof something cleaves to his fingers. It is reported that out of fourteen ships from the Indies there be six come short to Seville, whereof the King of Spain has complained.—Paris, 28 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 5.
Sept. 28. 734. John Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
There have been foundations laid for five new temples, two for the Martinists and three for the Calvinists. Where the town is weakest the Prince of Orange takes care that it shall be fortified. The Turk has taken two towns of the Emperor's. —Antwerp, 28 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 28. 735. Advices from Italy.
Intelligence from Messina, 16 Sept. 1566; from Vienna, 26 Sept., relating to the proceedings of the Turks by sea and in Hungary; from Rome, 28 Sept., concerning the Pope and Cardinals.
Orig. Endd. Ital. Pp. 4.
Sept. 28. 736. Lord Scrope to Cecil.
Of the attempts of the Liddisdales he has long sought to be answered; and the poor under his charge being yet daily spoiled by them, Scrope desires him to procure at Her Majesty's hands either that he be restrained to answer any attempt till he be answered of those, or else to take remedy upon the parties for the relief of the said poor ones.—Carlisle, 28 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Sept. 29. 737. Richard Clough to Gresham.
Money is very difficult to be had here. There is news of the taking of Sigeth. They are building four temples for preaching so that the least shall hold 10,000 persons. They lack no labourers without wages some that are esteemed worth 10,000l. and upwards. The priests and the Spaniards wrote to the Regent in Brussels that they were not temples but more like bulwarks to beat the town. Brederode has caused the images to be pulled down in Holland and takes up men-of-war. At Maestricht they preach in three places within the town. At Amsterdam they will have no Mass. Sighet was taken after fifteen assaults, the last endured three days long. The Pope has laid the foundation of the House of Inquisition at Rome.—Antwerp, 29 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 5.
Sept. 29. 738. Hugh Fitzwilliam to Cecil.
1. Complains that he is compelled to run into debt, and that he is not allowed sufficient money for necessaries.
2. Sigeth is so fiercely assailed by the Turks that without speedy succour it is not possible to hold out.—Paris, 29 Sept. 1566. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
[Sept. 29.] 739. Charges at Berwick.
The charges of the garrisons there, ordinary and extraordinary for one year ending Michelmas 1565, 18,004l. 17s. 2d., and of the works 13,436l. 13s. 4d. Total 31,441l. 10s. 6d., whereof was paid by Stonley and others 40,074l. 6s. 6d., leaving towards the payment of them for 1566 8,602l. 19s. 4d. (8,632l. 16s.) The charges of the garrisons and works for the year ending Michaelmas 1566, 30,058l. 2s. 8d., whereof with what was paid by Stonley and others and the remain of 1565 amount to 22,083l. 10s. 4d. (22,113l. 7s.), leaving to be paid 7,974l. 12s. 4d. (7,944l. 15s. 8d.), towards which there is appointed in December 2,200l., leaving to be paid 7,774l. 12s. 4d. (7,744l. 15s. 8d.) Besides these sums of money there was paid 500l. for the discharge of soldiers into Ireland. Signed by Humfrey Shelton.
Endd. Pp. 2¼.