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April 26.
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710. DR. HAMMOND to L. TOMSON.
There came to me, four or five days since, some of the merchants
that deal for the trade of 'Eastland,' and brought with them certain
articles penned, as they said, by you, but collected, as it appeared,
for the most part out of the answers which those of Elbing made
to the demands or rather conclusions set down by Dr Rogers and
other commissioners, requesting me in Mr Secretary's name to
frame them in some order of words accustomed with lawyers ; a
matter of little difficulty to him that had leisure and wist what to
do. For my own part, I confess I do not understand what should
be done ; for if the intent be to draw the Elbingers' answers into
form, of which you have already made as good a collection as the
things would yield, I do not see that they contain any certain
resolution, or almost worthy [sic] the entry of them into any
articles.
For some of them, as you would perceive, are referred to the
king, and those of greatest importance, as matters which lay not
within the compass of their grant ; some others are referred to
further conference and communication to be had of those matters ;
others left in suspense till her Majesty shall determine what to
grant to this society, and on the other side what the Elbingers
should enjoy in England.
Most of the things concluded upon are such as needed no
capitulation or articles, to my understanding, for they were to be
looked for of common right in every country where there is any
'policy' and which is not barbarous ; as licence to sue or be sued
by a proctor, justice against malefactors, recovery of stolen goods,
and that one be not punished or 'contended' for any other's
trespass or debt, and many such like. Though these are specified
in the 'intercourse' of Hamburg, I see no great reason in that
precedent.
Again, if they mean to have such articles penned as they would
gladly should be granted to them, without regard to what is already
concluded or not, I fear it will prove either a fruitless or an endless
labour, because things will not so pass as we conceive them
here ; or if they pass, but with some correction, yet they must
still return to and fro till there be a full conclusion, except some
other way be thought of than has been taken already.
But 'whether' of these be meant, there are yet two things to be
considered ; oneforasmuch as these grants must be reciprocal,
it should first be considered by the Council what they may here
grant to the Elbingers without Parliament ; for I doubt there are
many things demanded by our merchants which her Majesty can
hardly grant to strangers but in that order.
The othersince nothing can be well granted to our merchants
but by the King of Poland, it should be considered in whose name
these 'articles of conclusion' are to be conceived.
If it be his Honour's meaning that I should in any sort deal with
this matter, pray make him acquainted first with what it is that I
stay upon.
I have seen the 'intercourse' of Hamburg, out of which I see
the matter of most of these articles was taken, and for aught that
I can perceive, the words of it may serve well enough for form in
these conclusions, with some little correction in a few places.
For your ease, or any other that shall deal therein, I have quoted
the articles of that as they answer to these in matter, noting to the
distinct numbers of both. [A comparative statement of the order of
subjects in the two documents follows.]
There wants provision in some points of greatest importance,
namely for such things as may be borne into Elbing, or carried
from . . . . thither ; imperfections which I have not now good
leisure to . . . . . 'fare you most heartily well.'London, 26 April
1582.
P.S.Since the merchants do not return to me, and our term
draws near, besides I must have something to do with physic before
the term, I thought good to write thus much to you, and to send all
the books, which I pray you deliver to their deputy, as they term
him, who I think solicits this cause.
Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Hanse Towns I. 69.]
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April 26.
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711. MAUVISSIRE to WALSINGHAM.
I will send you a line by this bearer to make two requests of you.
The first is to give me a part in your good graces according to my
desire to merit it ; the second to put you in mind to fulfil the
promise which you were pleased to make me for this bearer
"Nicosson," whom I have chosen at my wife's request and advice
to instruct my son ; to whom having been born in this country,
we wish to give a tutor of the nation. Since he has come
forward, according to my wish, he is going to call on you to obtain
the fulfilment of your promise, for which we shall be under obligation
to you.London, 26 April 1582.
P.S.In this postscript (apostille) I will ask you also to receive
a request on behalf of certain Bretons. It is worthy of all consideration,
for the king and Monsieur take great interest in it as a
thing very just and reasonable.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France VII. 62.]
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April 26.
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712. THE PRIVY COUNCIL to COBHAM.
Her Majesty being advertised that the Pope has 'granted out' a
final Bull, for the relief and maintenance of English Jesuits and
'seminaries,' which is meant to be published throughout all the
realms and states of Christendom where his authority 'takes
place,' her pleasure is that you should let the king understand that
she hopes he will, in the course of his professed goodwill towards
her, have a care that no such Bull shall be published in his realm,
whereby her disloyal and unnatural subjects, who withdrawing
from their native country without her license or privity, under
pretence of their freedom of conscience (though indeed they have
in the time of their being abroad entered, and daily enter, into
actions that savour of nothing less than of conscience, tending,
contrary to all duty and conscience, to the disquieting of the peaceable
state that God has blessed her withal), shall there receive any
support or maintenance, to the encouraging of them to remain
obstinate in their disobedience, as a matter greatly prejudicial to
her estate and person, and which tends to the manifest breach of
the ancient treaties and leagues of amity between the two Crowns ;
as also the late treaty between Charles IX his brother and this
Crown, ratified also by himself, of which she doubts not he will
rather 'tender' the continuance than in any way tolerate the
relieving of such seditious instruments in his realm. Of whom,
and of her manner of proceeding in the case of other Catholics her
subjects, she is desirous he should, for his better satisfaction
against the malicious slanders that are raised against her, be informed
that though it has of late pleased the authors of certain
new books printed in his realm to publish certain catalogues
of divers her subjects of the Romish religion, termed by them
martyrs, with whose death they shamelessly charge her, it cannot
in any way be justly verified that since her coming to the crown she
has caused any man to be executed for his conscience. This may
be the more manifestly proved, in that, as is well-known to all the
world, the bishops themselves, and other principal persons of the
clergy, who in the reign of her sister Queen Mary were the chief
persecutors of the professors of the Gospel, and for divers respects
very dangerous men in due course of policy to be left alive, have
nevertheless received no worse usage at her hands than to be
restrained of their liberty in convenient places, where they have
neither sustained want, nor felt any other hard measure, lest being
let go loose they should have gone about to corrupt her Majesty's
subjects and withdraw them by degrees from their obedience. But
for these Jesuits and seminary men, though they outwardly cover
themselves with a cloak of religion, as others of the Romish Church
pretend, she has in effect found them to be traitors, practisers of
treasons, and the seed-men of sedition and rebellion in her state.
Examples of this are plain and manifest to all the world ; it being
publicly known that one Dr Morte, a seminary-man of Rome, was
the author and contriver of the insurrection in the North parts of
this realm, being set awork by the Pope, and Guerras, and the
ministers of the King of Spain, the Duke of Alva and d'Espes, then
ambassador here ; and that Saunders was the procurer of the late
foreign invasion in Ireland, and the stirrer of the people there to
rebellion, being sent thither to that purpose by the Pope and the
King of Spain, with intent not only to advance the Catholic religion,
but unjustly to deprive her of that Crown.
And for the Jesuits and seminary men lately come over, it was
manifestly proved against them by sufficient matter and witnesses,
and verified to all the world by some of their own confessions, that
their repair hither tended to no other end than to do the like good
offices among her subjects in this part of the realm, as the effect
of their dutiful well-meaning towards her, as had of late been
practised by their fellows in Ireland and in the North parts. Yet
of these men then apparently convicted of high treason, and
of conspiring against her person and state, she has not yet
executed above three or four, so far is she from taking from any
other of her subjects their lives, only for their conscience sakes.
Therefore she looks at his hands, that being now informed of the
treacherous and undutiful doing of these lewd persons, contrary to
their outward pretences, he will according to the late treaty made
with King Charles, not suffer any her rebels or fugitives to remain
in his realms upon her request made to him in that behalf ; and
also take order they shall receive no relief in his countries, much
less be suffered to have there a public seminary as a nursery of
such seditious and traitorous lewd instruments as are sent hither
to disquiet her state.
In this behalf you should also let the king understand that she
cannot but advise him, for his own behoof, and the weal of his
estate not to be so far carried away with an opinion of the
conscience and sincerity of these Jesuits ; for that as the first
author of that brotherhood was a Spaniard by birth, so are they
all at heart Spaniards and devoted to the King of Spain, for they
think him to be the only champion and protector of the Romish
religion, whose greatness by all means they seek to advance, and
serve him as spies abroad to that end, wheresoever they are ; the
chief of them having received secret instructions to bend their course
and proceedings that way ; most perilous instruments therefore to
be thought by all princes. He will in her opinion do well to carry
a watchful eye over them, lest they secretly work him some ill turn
at home, and all under the pretence and cloak of piety and religion.
Draft, with additions in Walsingham's hand. 4 pp. [France
VII. 63.]
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April 27.
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713. LORD JOHN HAMILTON to WALSINGHAM.
A little before your departure from Paris you will remember that
I went to your lodging and conferred at length with you. At that
time I satisfied you in all such heads as you propounded to me,
and at the end of our communing I declared to you the hard estate
I was in, and desired you to cause the pension her Majesty had
granted me to be a little advanced, to the 'effect' that I might have
contented sundry men to whom I was 'auchten.' You promised
willingly to do it ; and now seeing the time is so long past, and the
distress I am in for lack of it, I have thought good to visit you with
this letter and pray that I may be remembered with what her
Highness has so liberally given me. You know further what inconvenience
we are come into by the breaking of the promise made to
her Majesty at the pacification ; and seeing we are fallen into so
great trouble thereby, it was most reasonable (at the time when her
Majesty by her favourable travailing for me and my brother to put
us into the estate we were in 'of before') that we should be in this
our distress entertained with that which she has given us for relief
in our necessity, for you know I showed you our only dependence
is upon her mediation for us, and for that cause we have left the
dependence on any others but her only. Wherefore considering
your promise I heartily pray you, as my special trust is in you, to
remind her to 'do' for us, and 'syklyk' cause to send that which I
desired to our relief. So praying you 'to haif me apardonit of this
my langsum letre,' etc.Moret, 27 April 1582.
P.S.I pray you to haste answer to me, for I have at present
much to do.
Add. Endd. Scottish. 1 p. [Ibid. VII. 64.]
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April 27.
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714. THE PRINCE OF ORANGE to WALSINGHAM.
I thank you for the thought you had for me during my illness,
as I saw from the letters you sent me by Mr Greville. If I did
not reply by him, please impute it to nothing but the greatness of
my malady, which hindered me. Now that God has granted me a
beginning of alleviation, and that I have hope that He will continue
and complete my healing, I wished to inform you of it,
knowing that as one of my best friends you will receive the news
with pleasure, and also to assure that when I have the means to
employ myself for you, I shall do it heartily.Antwerp, 27 April
1582. Usual signature.
Endd. in Walsingham's hand. Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XV.
126.]
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April 28.
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715. VILLIERS to WALSINGHAM.
You will understand from his Excellency's letter the present
state of his health, so I will write only that I hope he will go out
to-morrow for the first time, and go to church to thank God for the
singular benefit he has received at His hand.
You will have heard how this week we have taken Alost. Three
times the enterprise had failed, and the fourth it has come off
(a address). It is of as great importance to us as any place we
could have taken, because it secures to us Brussels, Mechlin,
Vilvoorde, Tenremonde, Ghent, Lietkerke, and Nynove, and frees
the country up to this town.
The enemy will not believe that His Excellency is cured, but I
think this capture will make them believe, for he drew up this little
plan (a bti ce mesnage) for them when he was ill. As for Oudenarde,
I do not think the enemy will besiege it, whatever show he may
make.
I send you the last picture of the entry, which has to be added,
on the day of the oath to the town. Please give the others to the
earl.Antwerp, 28 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. XV. 127.]
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April 28.
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716. HERLE to WALSINGHAM.
In my last I certified that the States of these countries among
other contributions had granted to Monsieur from the 1st of April
250,000 guilders monthly during the war for the entertainment of
the army. To this they have added since 50,000 guilders more, to
be allowed for the space of six months only, which is their proportion,
and further than this change they cannot be brought.
Therefore Monsieur must measure the forces that he is to have by
their ability and disposition ; otherwise they say plainly that they
will 'reject' the burden and difficulty upon him of any surcharge
that shall arise, 'remembering' him that those companies which
were already in service, and have well deserved of the States of
these countries hitherto, being 23 regiments of foot, besides the
cavalry, and many weakly filled, be first provided for, and then
such new supplies to be added as the surplus shall be able without
disorder or mutiny to maintain.
Monsieur has notwithstanding given out commissions to levy
8 regiments of French, which, after the rate of 200, for so strong
would he have each ensign, will be 16,000, or at 150 to the ensign,
12,000 'foot shot' ; which is judged by some to be too great a force
(namely of our nation, and the same to be French [sic]) within these
countries, and therefore 'grudged at.' He would also bring in
2,500 French and Italian lances, 3,000 Swiss, and 1,500 reiters,
with intention to be general himself in person when the camp is
'addressed,' and the Prince of Epinoy to be his lieutenant. The
Prince Dauphin is to be 'sovereign marshal of the field,' and next
to him four other marshals in the army, according to the French
discipline and order. Bellegarde will command the French cavalry,
Laval that of the Low Countries, and to other officers to be
appointed in their degree, when things are come to their maturity.
The French, English, and Scots that are at Eccloo have 'made
difficulty' to march towards Ghent before they have some pay,
whereof their need is so great that very poverty stirs them to strain
duty in seeking relief before they remove. It will be provided from
hence, between this and to-morrow, in trust whereof they march
forward.
A camp will begin presently of these soldiers at Mallt (?) a mile
from Ghent yet within the 'turnpike' of the town towards
Oudenarde. With them will join the other soldiers that can be
spared from the provinces and garrisons where they lie ; whom the
Prince of pinoy will command. He will also have a new regiment
raised of his own, consisting of 10 ensigns and two cornets.
It failed but little that the Malcontents, while they made their
'countenance' to Oudenarde, had not surprised Ghent. It was
discovered by one of their own instruments. The like was to have
happened to 'Cortrey,' by the intelligence that the States had there,
but the enemy prevented the enterprise. Oudenarde is not besieged
closely, but by 'cordegards' and blockhouses. Their battery is
not yet arrived. Those of the town have put a third part of it
under water, the other parts being subject to the siege.
In respect of the river from Tournay to Oudenarde, and from
thence to Ghent, and of the convenient seat of Oudenarde, looking
very far into Flanders, it is of great consequence to either side, and
a foul rebuke and diminuing (?) to the Malcontents if they fail of it.
The Malcontents have taken the castle of 'Gasebeck' by a
stratagem, feigning by the mouth of a trumpeter to be certain of
the States' horsemen come to that place with booty from Alost, and
to be pursued very near by the enemy ; by which 'trayne' the gate
was opened, and the garrison put to the sword. The loss imports
them of Brussels much, being within 2 leagues of them : a place
strong by situation and belonging to the House of Egmont.
'Muskeron's lieutenant was he that betrayed the town of Alost,
and 'Muskeron' himself is suspected. In his room Monsieur has
appointed Thiant governor, and sent him a patent thereof.
The Prince of Orange, thanks be to God, by Whose miracle he is
preserved, is able to walk in his chamber. I was with him this
afternoon, and Col. Morgan with me, and was heartily 'demanded'
by him how you, the Lord Treasurer, and the Earl of Leicester
did. He spoke to me without impediment of tongue. Some little
contusion yet remains, which it is hoped will become better shortly.
The Princess is fallen very sick, as he himself told me, judging her
disease to be a pleurisy, for which she was four times let blood in
one day. Her watching and great travail with the Prince during
his hurt and indisposition has 'bred' this to her.
Letters have been intercepted that came out of Spain from one
Mallvenda (?) to Thomas 'Fiesche' at Genoa, by which is signified
that such money as has been disbursed by him and his company to
the Prince of Parma is not 'allowed' in Spain, and therefore they
should forbear to deliver any more for the King of Spain's service
till they heard more.
The Malcontents have likewise intercepted letters that were
coming hither from Italy last week. This was procured by the
information of Taxis, who was offended that his office of postmaster
is sequestered from him to another.
Baqueville is to depart for England tomorrow in place of du Bex,
whose journey was stayed when he was ready to take his leave.
La Fougre arriving at Flushing, when he came from England,
spread the rumour there, and so did his company all the way
hither, that her Majesty had sent treasure in great quantities to aid
Monsieur in the war, and would join forces to expel the name of
Spain wholly out of the Low Countries. When Monsieur was
advertised of this by one of his Council, how inconvenient the
report was, and meet to be suppressed, he answered that it was too
late to redress what was once done. But p ease do not make me
author of it. Some of the States were sorry to see the Duke's
good meaning and the seriousness of this trust as 'frenchly'
handled. They are coining at present at the mint, giving out that
it is French bullion.
The Estates take it very ill that the French king has not once
thanked them for advancing his brother ; but they comfort themselves
again in that the congratulations that proceed from a
tyrant are mere deceit, and his aid suspicious and dangerous ;
having a very hard opinion of all the rest of the nation.
The States-General dissolve their assembly next week, and what
has been proposed to them over and besides the contents of their
last commission, they are to report at home in their several
Colleges and not to conclude anything here before their next
assembly, which is to be about July 1. Their general and particular
contributions are to be confirmed in form, as signified in my
last.
Schenck's reiters, since his "taking," have broken their cornets
and mutinied for want of pay ; whereby the Prince of Parma is
"unfurnished" of 1,200 horse that he made account of.
The King of Spain, it is credibly reported, will by the end of
June have 200 great ships in readiness, 60 galleys, and more than
300 small vessels. The 5,000 Spaniards that accompanied the
Emperor into Spain are "entertained" in Andalusia, to be embarked
in this navy, and with them 10,000 or 12,000 soldiers more.
The greatness of these preparations threatens some other places
rather than Terceira. Five great ships departed from Lisbon
towards the "Indies of Portugal," laden with two millions of silver
for that traffic, having neither 'wafter' nor scout with them ;
whereby it appears that they neither 'doubt' the forces of
Terceira nor 'make difficulty' to have those Indies in quiet
possession.
On the 6th inst. news came to the King of Spain of the death of
the Prince of Orange the day following arrived a messenger who
affirmed that he lived. But at neither of the reports did the king
make any 'alteration' or semblance to be moved any way thereat ;
no more did he when he understood of the Duke of 'Angevie's'
reception here and of his 'auguration.'
The advertisements of Italy hold for certain that the Turk's navy
is to come forth this month, and that the treaty with Persia will
be concluded.
There is a rumour amongst some of good sort, and there are
advertisements of it, that the pope has sent a nuncio into Spain and
another into France ; and that there is a negotiation in hand to marry
Monsieur to one of his nieces of Spain, which breeds whispering
here among some of good sort, for the fear they have both of Spain
and Rome, and of France also, the 'producer of practice.'
Monsieur is again urging the 'Religious Frede,' but they are for
good respects slow to agree.
I am bold herewith to present a book to you, of Monsieur's
Joyeux Entre into this town, with representations of the theatres
and pageants they shewed of his 'augmentation' ; containing
things beside meet for you to consider, namely, as I note, that in all
their proceedings they try to entangle the Queen in this action, and
so it is spread all abroad.Antwerp, 28 April 1582.
Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 128.]
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April 28.
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717. FREMYN to WALSINGHAM.
I wrote to you last on the 22nd inst. His Excellency is doing
as well as can be expected. His wound is healed and it only
remains for him to get strong. He walks about his room, and eats
and rests well. As yet he drinks no wine. Next week he will be
able to transact business. God be praised for his recovery, for
these countries still have much need of him, notwithstanding the
schemes of those who have handled and still handle the present
state of things, with no other aims than their own private profit at
anyone's expense. Insomuch that as things are managed I cannot
but dread the disorders which have come and are coming daily
through this avaricious and ambitious fashion, and the presence of
his Excellency is very requisite beside his Highness, who honours
him as his father.
The enemy's camp is still before Oudenarde. He has not yet
brought up his artillery, which makes one think he has some other
design ; because the place is strong, the ditches good and wide.
Provided that the funk-fever (fivre poltronne) does not take hold of
the besieged, the place is in no danger. Meanwhile his Highness's
army will be got ready for the field, to preserve what is required.
The enemy had some enterprise on the town of Ghent, which has
been discovered ; which makes them keep good watch, on other
places too.
Last Monday our people surprised the town of Alost at daybreak.
There were those companies of infantry there, who did not
keep good watch. The day before, the Albanian cavalry and two
ensigns of infantry had gone out with some convoy, for which reason
our people found no resistance at all. Some 10 or 12 of ours were
killed and as many wounded, and some 200 of the enemy cut to
pieces. The governor with his wife and sisters were taken prisoners,
and some other captains, and the town pillaged, which did not last
long, owing to orders given by His Highness, promptly and without
disorder [sic]. M. de Temple was the head of it, and M. de Thiant
carried it out with 1,200 soldiers, of whom 150 were from our
garrison, and some from others. M. de Thiant is settled in as
governor and Grand Bailiff of Alost by His Highness.
On Wednesday the 25th the enemy surprised the castle of
Gasbeck near Brussels by the treason of the trumpeter of M. de
Temple's company who had joined the enemy and the garrison of
Notre Dame de Hault, and got the castle for them by giving out
that he was coming from Alost with baggage and booty, and so
they were taken. Our people had an enterprise at the same
time on Courtray which was discovered before anything was
executed.
Mr Norris is gone to Friesland to bring his regiment back to
these parts, at the request of the States of Guelders and Friesland,
who asked his Highness to that effect, as I hear, being not at all
content with the goings-on of the regiment. The custom is, they
want to be served by soldiers without paying them, and that they
should come to their help and requite them with insults. Their
aim is to put all the foreigners in the field and pay them for the
past, and let them be in the present under the authority of his
Highness, and to put their own garrisons in the towns, and
if they take any strangers in there, it will be by necessity,
or in such little force that they can turn them out when
they will. His Highness has given 4 companies to Mr North,
and as many to Mr Cotton, which is one regiment. They do
not intend to give more commissions for English ; I mean
for infantry. His Highness's 1,500 reiters led by M. Charles de
Mansfeld, brother of the late Count Wolrad de Mansfeld are at
hand, and will cross the Rhine on the 15th or 20th of next month,
as it is said, in boats. 3,000 reiters are also getting ready for the
King of Spain. The enemy's reiters, who were in Friesland, have
been disbanded, I know not for what reason. Utrecht, Deventer,
and Zwol have taken 400 of them into their service. There are
still 4 or 500 of them seeking service ; they have sent hither. I
have heard that M. Montmartin of Lorraine, who was at this Court
with his Highness, had commission as colonel of them, and was to
go to those parts immediately, if terms can be come to today (?)
inasmuch as they are all ready to march. They talk also of the
Swiss, who will join the 1,500 reiters. Commissions have been
given to MM. de la Fert, Beaujeu, Beaufort, and others from
Burgundy to carry on the war in Franche-Comt, where a regiment
of cavalry is being trained for the Spaniard.
His Highness's army cannot be ready for two and a half months,
whatever they may say. The Count of la Rochefoucault has
arrived at this Court, to receive commissions to levy sold. If all
those who have commissions bring the people they promise, it will
be a royal army.
His Excellency has established the Count of 'Holo' as his
lieutenant-general in Holland and Zealand with the approval of
the Estates of those provinces. The Count makes good cheer and
drinks as well with the Estates or deputies of Holland, and notably
with Paul 'Butz,' Advocate, or little King of Holland, and when
the said Paul is well 'roasted' [translation : well typled] the
Count has a good horse accoutred for him, with trappings of
velvet broidering with plenty of gold trimming, and lots of torches,
and has him escorted to his lodgings. He takes this in good part.
That is how you must behave to the Estates of these parts, if you
want to be in their good graces.
The Ghent people have made gallant preparations for the entry
of his Highness. Two thousand harquebusiers will go to receive
him outside the town, with the lords and magistrates, and as many
will be drawn up in the streets as far as the palace, and 530
maidens to receive him where the streets cross and in front of his
lodgings. They have had made a long robe of purple velvet
furred with ermine and a cap of the same with twelve great pearls
and a rope of smaller pearls and a cordon of wrought gold, and a
present of a gold lion. I hear that he has given the present that
is to be made him, up to 10,000 florins to M. du Plessis, who
deserves it ; and some to others.
The Empire has given commission to Duke Casimir to levy 3,000
reiters for the guard and protection of the place where the Diet is
to be held, which is a great honour. Those people will be better
paid than such as serve here. I am sending you the Entry with the
printed papers ; I have not had time to get them bound. There is
nothing else at present that concerns the service I have vowed to
you.
I hear that your step-son Mr. Carleil has sent his portrait and
a ring to the pretty milliner, with a letter mentioning the affection
and friendship which he bears towards her, with a view to
marriage. This is not handsome, nor honourable for a gentleman
of his quality, to fall in love with a courtesan, and do this disgrace
to himself and his relations. For this reason I have told you of
it, that you remedy it, without saying who sent you word, in
order that he may not get himself laughed at.Antwerp, 28 April
1582.
P.S.It is rumoured (Von bruit) that the Prince of Cond will be
employed to carry on the war in Franche-Comt.
Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 129.]
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April 28.
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718. Translation of the above, with the exception of the
paragraph relating to Mr Carleil.
In the hand of one of Walsingham's secretaries. 4 pp. [Ibid. XV.
129a.]
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April 29.
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719. GILPIN to WALSINGHAM.
Since my last we have heard that the Diet appointed at
'Ausborough' is deferred till June 2 or 22 ; but the certain news
will be known 'per' the next 'Dutchland' post, who is expected
within 2 or 3 days. During the time of my stay, as I wrote in my
last, I thought it my duty to continue the 'following' of her
Majesty's cause, and this day, after earnest and continual solicitations,
I had a kind of promise by the Pentionary Vander Werke, that
within 6 days at furthest there shall be paid to him that has due
commission to receive it the whole year's interest for so much as
touches the part of Brabant ; and besides, those of this town will
do their endeavour to the States-General to procure good assurance
for her Majesty's yearly 'contentment' yf the interest, protesting
there neither has been, is, nor shall be any default on their behalfs.
They of Holland and Zealand promise in like sort to pay the
6,000 guilders by them granted towards the satisfaction of the
interest ; and for the rest will not omit to do what they can or for
their parts ought to 'yield unto' or contribute.
Next Monday I mean to bring Reynold Copcott to those of this
town and others as I may be required, to receive the money by
them promised. I will advertise you by the next of all more
particularly ; and entreat for answer to my 'formers,' and to be
commanded in any respect wherein I may do my service as fully
or more than heretofore. Our common news are these :
This week the States won by scaling ladders the town of Alost,
a place long and often before attempted without success. The
particulars of its taking are not known as yet, the soldiers being
still busy with and about the spoil, and ransacking, which was great ;
for it was a 'receptable' for all papists and Romanists of Brabant
and Flanders. About 10 days before the enemy had victualled and
provided it ; which, by reason it was so distant from his other
places, and he could not do without main force. Most of those that
enterprised it were upon the walls, and marched into the town, 'er'
knowledge or discovery.
The governor's lieutenant [sic] called M. de 'Mucheron,' was
taken unarmed with all his, on the sudden, in the Town House.
The enemy has since sent certain men thereabouts, but frustra, for
from this town, Brussels, and other adjacent places, it was victualled
and fully provided for within 16 hours.
The enemy had made show of a mind to lay siege to Meenen, but
such a skirmish was offered him at his first show that he retired
with loss and hurt of many men, and coming to Oudenarde lies
now within a league about it, but stays further attempts ; and having
shipped the cannon for Outeryne (?) and afterwards returned it
home again is thought to have some other purpose, or that the loss
of Alost troubles his enterprises.
The enemies at 'Hall,' hearing of the loss of Alost, issued out,
and under colour of being the States' men, and to bring a spoil
from Alost, got into a castle or strong house called Ghaesbeck, and
entered and slew the States' men and now possess it.
The States' forces in Flanders are removing from Eccloo and
other places to a place between Ghent and Oudenarde, where it is
said they mean to make their force. Mr Norris is gone into
Gelderland, and brings his forces thence to join the others in
Flanders.
There is a great talk of men both from Germany and France,
but 'the certainty expected.'
The Palsgrave's wife is dead, the 'Rixdack' uncertain, the
receipt and choice of Monsieur here 'overpassed' ; but what the
issue will be, time must try and lay open, which God of His
omnipotent power has provided.Antwerp, 29 April 1582.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Ibid. XV. 130.]
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April 29.
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720. DIEGO BOTELHO to WALSINGHAM.
Through Antonio de Veygua I had news of your good health, at
which I rejoiced much, because I shall always court your favours,
and it is a thing which all the good men in the world desire. Since
you have this bearer, from whom you may learn the state of the
king my master's affairs, I do not write of them ; but I cannot omit
to remind you that he has right to hope that the Queen will aid
him with her resources at this time, since he went to seek her
before any Christian king or prince, and that to restore things in
his kingdom and secure himself from the King of Castile he will
not be able to do without [?] her. And how much more right is
he in asking her to take his loss (?) for the expense he incurred in
the fleet of Francis Drake, of which he got no profit, because her
Majesty would not let it (him?) start, nor will she now consent to
his going to (?) serve with it. And the delivery to the ambassador
of Castile of the goods that came in the caraval which Henry
Roberts brought, which he took coming from Brazil, belonging to
Portuguese, when orders had been given that they were to be
delivered to me, by a paper from yourself ; which was the cause
that the king my master lost more than 20,000 cruzados with
which he could have paid in this kingdom a good part of the
debts he made ; since her Majesty ought, in order that you as
well as I may be bound to her service (?), to aid in this matter,
and I should not like it to be known that so powerful and just a
queen could be said to have behaved ill to the king my master
alone, at a time when she ought with so much reason to aid him.
I am confident that you will in this matter do far more than I can
ask.Rochelle, 29 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Port. 2 pp. [France VII. 65.]
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April.
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721. THE QUEEN to the KING OF SPAIN.
Antonio de Castillo, the Portuguese nobleman whom King
Henry VI sent to us three years ago as his ambassador, has
handed us your letter, from which we understand it to be your
desire that he should go home to perform those offices about you
for which by his integrity, his education, and his uncommon
experience of experience, he seems both born and trained. We
cannot abstain from congratulating you on the return to you of so
accomplished a man. He has left with us an approved character for
prudence in the handling of the business entrusted to him, with a
disposition inclined by all means to preserve peace and amity
between princes, and in no way to foster discords, which seems to
us by far the best natural disposition, and we have liked him
accordingly.
Copy. Endd. Latin. p. [Spain I. 89.]
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March or
April.
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722. THE DUKE OF ANJOU'S ADDRESS to the STATES' DEPUTIES.
Since the States-General of these united provinces who sent you
here have been pleased to choose me and call upon me to undertake
their protection against the tyranny of the King of Spain, and at
the same time the general government of the country ; and since to
proceed thereto on a good and sure foundation and without such
confusion and disorder as has been seen among you in the judgement
not only of foreigners who have cast eye on your doings and
behaviour, but also of yourselves, it is requisite and necessary above
all things to select and establish a certain order and policy according
to which the government of the country has to be carried on in
regard as well to the war and all that depends on it, as to the
management of the finances which are the sinews of war, and without
the good management of which it cannot be properly carried on.
For this reason, after long and mature considerations, we have
thought it necessary to point out to you two things needed above
all, and without which experience shows there can be no good
government. First, a well-ordered Council of State, composed of
the persons most qualified and experienced in local affairs that can
be found, without putting in anyone on grounds of private favour,
as it may seem was done in the past, not without great injury and
disorder in the affairs of the country. Also the Council should be
composed of a practical (comptent) number of persons, to avoid the
confusion that grows from a multitude. And inasmuch as we can
in this respect point out to you nothing more acceptable than the
order, regulations, and feeling which were kept up under the late
Emperor Charles V, wherewith he so happily conducted the affairs
of his realms, we have decided to request you to agree that in
imitation of the order established by him, we be permitted to constitute
a Council of State composed of the ten most notable and fit
persons whom we can find, and with whom we may entrust and
hazard our life and honour in the service of the country ; on the
understanding that they be all inhabitants of these parts, and that
to them we may join two Englishmen for certain good reasons, and
for the singular service done by that country. We are content that
the orders and instructions given by the Emperor to his Council
should serve for those appointed to the present Council, since they
are much to the purpose and could with difficulty be improved upon ;
besides that we think it ought to be acceptable to all the people to
see themselves governed with the same order, policy, and regulations
as in the time of the Emperor, their good Prince.
Now coming to the second point which we find it our duty to
place before you, not less necessary than the preceding, since it
tends to the good management of the monies necessary for the
conduct of the war, without which it cannot subsist, as everyone
knows, we have similarly thought it our duty to request you to
approve of our establishing a Council and College of Finance composed
likewise of the most faithful and experienced persons whom
we can find, with the same instructions, and on the same footing,
as was ordained by the Emperor in 1545 in the city of Maestricht.
To them should be referred the cognisance, handling, and disposal
(always under our superintendence) of all monies, whether from the
moyens gnrauc or from licences, if it should be found expedient to
grant any, from confiscated Church property, and from the domain.
We agree, in order to obviate all suspicions and jealousy, that
two should be nominated by you, if you think fit ; it being
understood that of these funds we do not intend to employ
one penny towards the payment of the soldiers who are at the
charge of England and have come for your rescue, but only towards
the benefit of these countries, which we hope by God's grace to do
in such wise that all the people will have full contentment, and not
only be in future excused from greater charges and impositions, but
soon be relieved from those current at present, to their great
burdening.
Hoping and trusting that you will find no difficulty in the above,
since you may justly be sure that we shall not proceed uselessly in
the setting-up of these two Councils, the election of the persons
requisite for them, but shall do it with such mature deliberation as
would answer before God and men and with them being ready to
venture our life and honour, we can assure you that by doing this
you will do not only what is agreeable to her Majesty, but what is
necessary and profitable for the state of your affairs.
Copy. Endd. : Vander A.'s advice given to the Deputies of the
States. 6 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 131.]
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[Early in
the year.]
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723. "Points for an instruction to Sir H. Cobham to treat
with the king's commissioners about the overtures made by
the king for association against Spain, and to relieve Don
Antonio upon the enterprise of Strozzi."
That Sir H. Cobham may have authority to give knowledge to
the king and his mother, that the offer made by him to confederate
with the Queen to annoy and impeach the King of Spain, likes her
very well.
That it be required to know on what terms the King Catholic may
be impeached in Portugal ; how Don Antonio may be relieved, to
continue in strength this winter-time, till further provision may be
made before the spring for the French King and the Queen of
England to concur together.
And to promise that the Queen will, to her power, and in such
proportion as shall be agreeable to her estate, concur with the king.
Her Majesty 'likes of' the secrecy to be used in the present
handling thereof.
And to request the King to discover what means he thinks best
to be taken herein ; which being opened, the ambassador may say
that he will also deliver his opinion, and with speed procure the
Queen's resolution. And in case it be not remembered on their
part, the ambassador may propound by way of demand these things
following :
Why M. de Strozzi might not presently transport himself from
Nantes with 3,000 or 4,000 soldiers to the aid of Don Antonio, only
to conserve the post towns and other places of strength to which he
has, that hereafter further aid may be sent into Portugal to avenge
his quarrel.
That some confident person be sent to accompany Strozzi.
That also some victual, as specially wheat, might be sent to
Antonio to relieve his necessity for a time.
That strict order may be given that no corn be suffered to pass
out of France to any part of Spain ; and that the Queen may do
the like for England.
That if the French King shall agree to permit Strozzi to go with
such a power, to the support of those charges the ambassador must
say that he doubts not but that the Queen will 'yield' to a portion
of money on her part, which may be delivered in secret sort.
That strict 'inhibition' be presently made upon all the French
King's dominions towards the Low Countries to stay all victual and
munition for those who withstand the States.
That the king may be moved to cause a perfect peace to be in his
own realm, so that they of the Religion might also be more able to
serve against the King of Spain, which they will most readily do ;
and so also will the people of England be more willing to join with
the French King in this quarrel.
To ask the king's opinion why the King of Navarre might not
take upon him, with the aid of the King and the Queen of England,
to make war for the recovery of his kingdom of Navarre, the title
being so just to him.
Draft in Burghley's hand, with each paragraph summarised in the
margin by Walsingham. Endd. by L. Tomson as above, with date
1582, but is it not sooner, after Don Antonio's original defeat? 2 pp.
[France VII. 65 bis.]
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