|
| March. |
808. Advices. |
|
1. Corfu, 6 March 1573.—There are 240 galleys prepared
in the arsenal at Constantinople, and 60 more at sea in the
Archipelago. There will be 40 store vessels with the fleet.
Thirty galleys and four mahones are sent to Alexandria for
powder, and the Basha of Cairo has orders to go with an
army to the confines of Hungary, because it is said that the
Emperor will break the peace with the Turk. Another army
shall go to Dalmatia, and a third somewhere else, under the
command of the Beglibeg of Greece and Ursin Bassa. In
Constantinople there is great provision made of artillery
and carriages. The Grand Turk has sent to the King of
Wallachia demanding forces. Pialy Bassa shall be general,
and Occhiali lieutenant of the fleet. Commandment has
been given that throughout Natolia three households in
every street shall go to people Cyprus, where there are few
Turks and many Christians. |
|
2. Rome, 21 March.—It is said that the Pope has sent
to the King of Spain to ask for warlike provisions, and to
complain of the want of respect shown by Cardinal Granville
to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Naples; and further that
he has sent a brief to Granville to restore a certain prisoner
to the Archbishop under pain of excommunication. All
Venetian soldiers have been ordered to depart within five days
on account of their disorder. Occhiali is making haste to set
forth with a great force. A Turkish galley has been seized
and carried off by the slaves. The Pope has sent to Don John
to hasten his preparations. The Turks intend to rebuild the
fort on the straits of Cattaro. The Pope has had the bull
of Cœna Domini read, and denounced the penalty of excommunication against all who distrust the union of the league.
The Elector of Saxony has gone to the Imperial Court to
urge the Emperor to get the King of Spain to consent to
place one of the House of Austria in the government of
Flanders. In Urbino the Duke has imprisoned 20 of the
principal persons, and commanded that from a certain date
the inhabitants shall bring to Pescaro both the old and new
impositions. From Paris there is news of the arrival of the
Duke of Aumale at Rochelle, and other matters connected
with the siege. |
|
3. Vienna, 18 March.—Illness of the Emperor. Demands
of the Turk. The Turk has required passage for his forces
through Transylvania, which the Vaivode is unwilling to
grant. In Poland the expectation is still in favour of the
Archduke Ernest. News of the death of John William
of Saxony.
Ital. Pp. 3¾. |
| March. |
809. Advices. |
|
1. Vienna, 11 March 1573.—Embassy from the nobility of
Bohemia to the Lords of Poland to desire them to elect the
Archduke Ernest as their King. The Emperor has commanded the captain of Trieste to recover Finale. |
|
2. Venice, 21 March 1573.—Levy of rowers in Bohemia
for the service of the seignory. News of the Turks, &c.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 2. |
| March. |
810. News from Italy. |
|
1. Rome, 7 March 1573.—Offer made to Don John by certain people in Greece to rise against the Turks if he will
supply them with arms and land 15,000 or 20,000 infantry. On
Sunday the Pope as usual blessed the Golden Rose. Levies
of troops and other preparations against the Turk. Siege of
Rochelle. |
|
2. Vienna, 4 March 1573.—News from the Imperial Court. |
|
3. Rome, 14 March 1573.—Movements of the galleys of the
League. Civil war in France.
Ital. Pp. 72/3. |
| March. 1. |
811. Sir W. Drury to Lord Burghley. |
|
Received advertisement before he left Berwick from Lord
Huntingdon of Verac's arrival at Scarborough, which is not the
least argument of God's good meaning to the Queen and
country, for he is the man that would be best welcome to the
Castilians. If he visit Scotland yet he will there do great
harm. Will to-morrow sound him that came in his company,
a Scottish man, and will advertise what he can get out of him.
Lord Huntingdon minds to put the five hundred men in readiness, his doings are ordered with great discretion.—York,
1st March, at two in the morning. Signed.
Endd. by Burghley. P. 1. |
| March 2. |
812. Lethington and Grange to Sir W. Drury. |
|
Understand the continuance of his friendship towards them,
and his care for their well doing. It shall appear by their
doings that he has credit to lead them to do anything which
conveniently they may without their utter undoing, and for
that honesty which they have found in his dealing, they
trust he would not wish they foolishly should cast themselves
away. No man of his station shall be able to do so much
with them as he, his friendship would greatly avail them if
he were authorised to deal with them; there shall be such
moderation in all their actions as may be required from true
men. Have amply instructed the bearer what they intend
to do in all behalfs.—Edinburgh Castle, 2 March 1572.
Signed: W. Maitland, W. Kyrkcaldy.
Add. Endd. P. ¾. |
| March 2. |
813. Scottish League with England. |
|
An act for a league to be made with England for resisting
and repressing the treasonable cruelty of the Papists, by which
the Regent has power and authority to contract with the
Queen for the league, and to refer to her the comprehending
of Scotland in her league with other Christian princes, as she
shall think expedient for the weal of both realms.
Endd. by Killegrew. P. ½. |
| March 2. |
814. H. Killegrew to Sir Thomas Smith. |
|
The Earl of Huntley departed home from Aberdour well
satisfied and content. The 27th of February Captain Errington came, and the morrow after by the Regent's favour went
to the Castle to move them, as the Duke and the Earl of
Huntley had done by their letters. They answered in a scroll
unsubscribed that if they might speak with the Earl's friend
left in the town they would make him a reasonable answer.
Grange would not deliver the Castle out of his hand, but be
bound to keep the same to the King's use; will know on
the morrow how the Regent will like of this. The proclamation of the peace was published this day, and the honour
attributed to the Queen. Parliament was "denounced" to be
held the 23rd April next. Trusts he will think it necessary
to hasten the forces, which they of the Castle believe the
Queen will never send, for all that can be said to them.—
Edinburgh, 2 March. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| March 4. |
815. H. Killegrew to [Lord Burghley]. |
|
Touching the answer from the Castle, the Regent said that
unless the King had the Castle in trusty and sure hands there
could be no sound peace, and that Lethington's answer was
but to delay time. As long as the Castle holds out there will
be trouble and treason among them. Cannot but marvel
what they mean in the Castle to continue so obstinate, unless
they have blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts so
far as to have no power to receive reasonable conditions.
They have knowledge that Verac was stayed in England, and
peradventure hope he will help to make a better bargain for
them, or else they look for aid out of France, whereof he can
learn nothing. The Regent said the King was so poor that
he could give no recompense in consideration of the Queen's
charge but the conditions granted at her sending to Leith,
and to join with her in a good league, and, to encourage the
soldiers, they should have the spoil of all that was in the
Castle, gold, silver, or goods, that appertained to any man
except the King, or the value thereof in ready money. Looks
daily for the Duke and Earl of Huntley's letters. The Regent
willed him to write that the pledges and hostages might be
with some noblemen or gentlemen for ease of their charges,
as with the Bishop and Dean of Durham and some others,
wherein the more favour shown them the more shall they be
bound unto the Queen, and if none in the Bishopric would
take them, rather than they should lie at their own charge,
they would go farther into Yorkshire. The ships stayed with
Verac arrived this day, and new search and examination of
them taken by the Regent. The Regent would have no more
sending to the Castle until the army and munitions are ready
to enter, and then to have them openly summoned, according
to the custom in such cases. He has an instrument that goes
into the Castle and conveys Lethington's letters. On Saturday
he shall be taken. Captain Errington at his leaving willed
them to look for nothing but extremity. There was never so
fair weather seen in the country. Lord Seton's eldest son is
newly come out of Flanders, and one Peter Douglas with him,
and for news says the Duke of Alva lay himself at the siege
of Haarlem, and that he prepared 10,000 men at Antwerp, to
be shipped in 50 great ships, and 200 victuallers with them,
it is reported, to Flushing. John Hamilton has made his
commendation of service to the Regent, and was at his commandment to do what service he could, either with the Duke
of Alva or the Queen of Scots. The Regent is in purpose to
lay hands upon Lord Seton, and to put him in safe keeping.
Stephen Wilson, that carried letters from the Duke of Argyle,
is taken, and will be examined to-morrow. Has gotten James
Kyrkcaldy's wife leave to speak with him, and given her
instructions to inquire somewhat of him, assuring her that if
he deal plainly and truly he will be an earnest suitor for
him. The Regent confessed that as long as the Scottish
Queen lived there would be treason, troubles, and mischief.
Answered that he might help that. The Regent thought
at the next parliament to be holden he would prove the
noblemen to see what could be done. The Regent is minded
to proclaim a raid upon the thieves at the time "our" men
shall be ready to come in, supposing it will make them afraid,
and will keep good rule in the meanwhile.—Edinburgh, 4
March. Signed.
Add. Endd. by Burghley. Pp. 5. |
| March 2. |
816. Answer of Lethington and Grange to Nicholas Errington. |
|
They are content to obey the King and his authority on
these conditions:—That the Laird of Grange may continue as
Captain of the Castle, to keep it in the King's name to his
use and service. They are content to put in four to eight
sureties to the Queen of England that they shall not procure
any stranger to come into Scotland by land or sea, or assist or
aid any whereby she or the King of Scotland may be molested
or troubled, but be mortal enemies to them as much as any
of their quality, if she will be an authority for them and
others being within the Castle, and for the Laird of Ferniehurst, that they shall possess and enjoy the liberty of their
country, their lives, possessions, honours, &c., and have a
portion of money from her to pay their debts, otherwise they
shall be constrained to sell all their lands. This is their last
and determined answer, otherwise to abide all force or extremities that shall be prepared against them and theirs.—
2 March 1573.
Endd. P. 1. Enclosure. |
| March 6. |
817. News from Italy. |
|
Rome, 25 Feb. 1573. Fortification of Civita Vecchia.
Affairs of Urbino. Don John of Austria. |
|
Rome, 6 March 1573. Deliberations of the Council of the
League. Preparation of an army of 25,000 men by the King
of Spain. Offer of certain noblemen in Greece to assist the
league. News from Lyons of the siege of Rochelle. From
Corfu there come reports of great naval and military preparations by the Turk of not less than 300 galleys, besides other
vessels.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 2. |
| March 7. |
818. Sir W. Drury to Lord Burghley. |
|
The Castilians provide to the uttermost for their defence.
They have little earth, but with planks and timber they are
doing. Their sally is yet open, and they get water, which only
serves the "launderer." Either from home or France they
receive comfort, and little weigh the harm of a Scottish siege.
The sooner the Queen's forces enter the better. A greater
number than he has heard named is requisite. The enterprise
in sundry respects is great. He well knows the inconstancy
of that nation, and, but to guard the ordnance, 700 were too
few. They are to be divided into divers places, and the
distance great. Of the 500 in pay here, 100 are appointed to
Home and Fast castles, some away by passports, and some
through age and weakness not able to travel, not 200 to be
levied here, and but 500 to come from those quarters in the
Lord President's rule. In the opinion of all that speak of the
journey they think 1,000 too few.—Berwick, 7 March 1572.
Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| March 9. |
819. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
Is glad the Queen takes in good part his poor and simple
service, but no less sorry to see, as it were, a stay of her
purpose to assist the Regent, without the which all foundation
of surety hitherto laid is imperfect, and not without danger to
the crown and the Queen's own realm, as has of late been
confessed by some who have been instruments for promoting
foreign intentions and practices. Hopes that she will continue her good devotion to bring the realm to a perfect union,
whereby she shall reap unspeakable commodity, for it will
break the neck of foreign invasions and kill intestine practices
in both dominions. Sees three causes which may stay her;
first, doubt of war with France; second, great charges and
hazard of men and munitions; the third, which he believes
persuades her most, that is now the Castle is left alone it may
be compassed by other means. It is not unknown the goodwill he came with to do the Castle good; how near they were
at a point once or twice, and all was but dissimulation in
them to win time, as has appeared since by the Earl of
Huntley's own confession, and by Sir James Balfour, who left
them because he saw their purpose to bring in strangers and
procure the overthrow of religion; when they bare him fairest
in hand they wrought contrary. They had two things to
colour the matter; one was the law of oblivion, the other
the keeping of the Castle, which they knew could not be
granted. Saving those two points they had all manner of
security offered for life and lands, which he amplified by
putting them in comfort of the Queen's liberal mind towards
them. Never could tell what to make of them other than
that he had found since by sundry observations that they had
promised to France, they depended only on them, and they
assure themselves, for all that is yet past, to have aid and be
"inhabited" by France, Lethington being of opinion that if
by France he be not made the stronger party there is no life
for him, and upon that ground he builds, and by his wit
enchants Grange, saying the Queen would never send forces,
but only boast them, and that they could keep the house so
long till France came in. He uses this to persuade such as he
would blind that the French King will the sooner send them
aid, whereof alleging the promise of the Bishop of Glasgow.
They have sent the French King word to hasten his forces, and
they will put the Castle in his hand and go to France themselves, whither the Earl of Athol threatens to go, if he be put
at for religion. Lord Home was offered his houses and living if
he would put his son in pledge to obey the King, which he
refused, but would be contented if the Queen would give him
leave to go through England into France. Thinks Lethington's offers and desires all dissimulation, and nothing meant
but to delay time and stop the supply of aid. Is out of doubt
that the commodity will far exceed the charge, or the doubt of
the war with France, which can have no ground upon this
enterprise. If the Castle be not recovered, and that with
expedition, sees the beginning of sorrows, and Her Majesty's
hitherto peaceable reign decaying, as it were, in post. His
(Burghley's) shoulders, next the Queen's, shall not carry the
least burden. The Regent has had his hostages ready and
been at charges ever since the 15th May. There is some
account made that the Queen will send as though they were
come already. If they come to Berwick there may be some
device used to summon the Castle before the forces shall
enter, and at that time to tempt them with new offers. If
they agree the Queen's men may quit their charges by making
a raid upon the Borders for quieting the same, and bringing
them to order. If it continue obstinate, and the forces come not,
the siege will be long and the charge great, and so they must
seek farther, and so practise in the mean of all sides. Seton has
been in hand with the Regent to win him to France. Verac had
a commission to insinuate his goodwill towards them to the end.
He might have had access to Stirling, where his purpose was
the corrupting of the Castle of Dumbarton with money, and
to have stolen the King thither, as fittest place to convey him
into France. He had farther commission to persuade them to
beware of the Queen's practices, and to give pensions, to suffer
no league to be made with England, and to nourish division
in the realm. Stephen Wilson is come out of France, and has
brought letters to the Castle and to other noblemen from the
French King, the Bishop of Glasgow, &c. He confesses the
intention of the Pope and the rest of the league against
Scotland and England, and that one James Irvine is to come
shortly with the Pope's money to begin the matter. This
Wilson has been for a long time a pestilent instrument for
the Queen of Scots and the Papists. Made him be taken, or
else he had escaped. He says that assuredly they have intelligence in France from the Queen of Scots by La Mothe's
means. There be two practisers more taken newly come out
of France and Flanders, and one come with letters out of the
Castle. In the meantime, for the love of God, his Queen,
country, himself, and all that profess Christ, let him do what
he reasonably can to persuade the Queen to win the Castle
and the nation, that being hers by good desert they may serve
her turn in time of danger as she has done theirs. Writes at
this time to no man but himself.—Edinburgh, in haste,
9 March.
Add. Endd. by Burghley. Pp. 6. |
| March 11. |
820. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
Sends two letters which John Gordon wrote heretofore to
the Earl of Murray, at what time he was in France, and
depended another way, a good witness of his falsehood and
doubleness. These other letters came from Alexander Hay
also, whose they be he may safely perceive by the manner of
writing, which he takes to be dissimulation altogether.
Stephen Wilson confessed that John Chayne brought one of
the books set forth in Paris by John Gordon, which he tore or
destroyed, nevertheless has written to the Lord President
at York to examine the man upon the book, and to look
well to him, for he is a very false merchant, and a great
practiser for the papistical faction.—Edinburgh, 11 March.
Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 11. |
821. Walsingham to Lord Burghley. |
|
The bearer, Mr. Ashby, can acquaint him with the circumstances of a conflict between those of the camp and the
Rochellois, in which the Duke of Aumale was slain and
Chavigny sore hurt, the two chief contrivers of the mischiefs which have here happened, and therefore have received
their deserved payment. Hopes that the rest of the bloody
murderers may have like punishment extended to them.—
St. Cloud, 11 March 1572. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 2/3. |
| March 13. |
822. The Regent of Scotland to Lord Burghley. |
|
His sure expectation is that he will be a good mean to the
Queen that such things as he has motioned may be speedily
considered and provided for accordingly. The enemies of
God's truth and the present state of both the realms sleep
not. Prays he may know the Queen's good pleasure and
resolution for that time is precious.—Edinburgh, 13 March
1572. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
| March 14. |
823. — to Benedetto Spinola. |
|
Venice, 14 March 1573.—Names of officers appointed to
take charge of infantry. Those of Trani in Dalmatia have
given an overthow to the enemy and made a great booty of
cattle. Great preparations of the Turk by land and sea.
Discovery of a conspiracy in Famagosta by the Grand Turk,
who has changed the Turkish garrison for one of Tartars,
and caused Pialy Bussa to be impaled. News from Vienna
that the Czar of Muscovy has caused one of his sons to be
served and treated as if he were King of Poland.
Add. Endd. Ital. Pp. 2. |
| March 14. |
824. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. By all intelligence that comes hither there is no appearance but that France will have war with England as soon as
they may possibly. Assures him that unless he had granted
to the writing he delivered to the Earl of Huntley and the
Duke's son, touching the murders, there would have been no
peace, the necessity of which made him grant thereto to avoid
many dangers to the King, the Regent, and the whole Estate;
and he had farther for him that the Queen's ministers had gone
as far and prevailed not then. In his poor opinion the Queen
may in honour consent to save the kingdom from shipwreck.
"The first Regent had the contriver of his death the Bishop of
St. Andrew's hanged, and the doers be yet excepted; the
second, although the war was not just was slain, as many
examples have been of the like, and yet the murderer and
enterpriser of the exploit executed." To follow a war with so
great danger to the King for a more ample revenge he knows
not per quam regulam. If Lady Lennox be not satisfied it
would be asked whether war would make the matter better
or worse, and whether it be not more necessary to preserve
him that is alive than to continue the danger of his life in
seeking a revenge for the dead; yet if she were to persuade
the Queen to send the Regent means to win the Castle, she
could not be better revenged, nor do the Queen and this young
babe greater service. The only thing desired is the Queen's
private letter to the Regent requesting him to oversee these
things, for the King's weal and common peace. The bond she
makes as surety for the good behaviour of the noblemen reserved
to mercy may take some light of their own bond to her. The
sum of pensions to content the Regent, Huntley, Argyle, and
others, and to keep them at her devotion, is after his calculation 1,200l. sterling by the year. If 1,000l. be bestowed on the
Castilians some will have to be left out. Has felt the Earl
of Argyle, who will accept 200l. if the Queen would bestow
it, and yet he may have 2,000 crowns out of France, and
Huntley, Athol, and others as much. France shall fail of her
object if the Queen shall run a good course for herself and
neighbours. The Regent will not wade too far. Argyle desires
license to buy four geldings, and the Regent half a dozen;
as these wars have spoiled them of horses. The Hamiltons
have Arbroath and Paisley, and so need no pensions, but a
gentle letter if the Queen think good. If means are not
sent to reduce the Castle it will come evil to pass, and the
Regent will press for money against the end of May, for he
can furnish no longer. Would rather go to Rome barefoot
than deliver the message from the Castle that Captain
Errington sent him. If there be not good meaning to proceed
in these causes, or the Queen will be brought no farther,
prays to be revoked, else he shall return with no good news
to the Queen or comfort to his friends. If the Regent find
once that he begins to halt or wax "tepidus" that hitherto he
has found so true, "he will smell a rat." Is desperate to do any
good with the Castle, yet should he move it it would be
against the Queen's service, so ill could they hear of any more
favour to be shown unto them that were from the beginning
and still continue the troublers of the state.—Edinburgh,
14 March. Signed. |
|
2. P.S.—His brother William has requested him to beseech
him to be his good lord in the suit for a groom's room in the
privy chamber, wherein he will serve him and the Queen
both truly and painfully. There is something in Stephen
Wilson's confession touching the Captain of Dumbarton, and
the Regent's advice is to avoid the worst, seeing the King
could not help him with living, Lady Lennox should be per
suaded to make him receiver and overseer of the earldom of
Lennox during the Earl's minority, and make yearly account
thereof, which will be a small matter by reason that the land
is all mortgage, which he must unmortgage with his own
money and policy. The marriage of the Earl of Angus and
the Earl of Marr's sister is concluded to be celebrated in
June.
Add. Endd. Pp. 6. |
| March 15. |
825. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley. |
|
His man Beverley, whom Mr. Killegrew borrowed to take
into Scotland, has written to him to send up to Mr. Randolph
certain jewels upon which he has disbursed 300l., for the
which he was willed to take Mr. Randolph's bill to be again
repaid. Prays he may be a good mean for the Queen's warrant for his discharge, because hereafter the matter may come
in his accounts as paid upon Mr. Randolph's letters without
warrant, and so allowance be doubtful to him.—Berwick,
15 March 1572. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
