|
| June 1. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| For a certain, the coming of the Swissers hither has been
practised by Villeroy, to make the world believe that the French
King meant to deal gently with his subjects and have a peace.
He hoped that thereupon the King of Navarre would have sent
commissioners to treat, and that report of an agreement would
have run through the world, and retarded the help of those who
meant to succour them. "And seeing that that cunning would
not prevail, they have now turned the Swissers a grazing home
again, with as sleeveless an answer as the rest; whereat they
be greatly discontented, and say they see the cunning that hath
been used with them." What makes me to least hope of them
is that Mellunes, suspected to have been made at the King's
devotion, is worse contented than any, and has more credit at
home. |
|---|
| The King of Navarre has, by La Marselière, desired me to
assure her Majesty of the continuance of his humble affection.
I find their drift is to ask no peace till his succour of strangers
is entering, and then—"to show to all the world that he is readiest
to make it when he is strongest"—to use all means to procure
it, with consent of her Majesty and all who have succoured
him; which, if it may be brought to pass, is the only way likely
to make it last. I pray you send this packet enclosed, which
is from Marseliere to Buzenvall. |
|---|
| Ere long I think you shall hear more at large from me,
for I think I shall shortly hear from Guienne and the King of
Navarre. Meanwhile, I pray you to pardon me, "being yet
very faint since my last sickness." |
|---|
| I send you a letter received from the Duke of Bouillon, whereby
you may see how careful he is to serve her Majesty. It were
good she should acknowledge his goodwill and show that she
would be glad to pleasure him. Mazin d'Albene desires
me to recommend his service to her Majesty. He is writing both
to her and to you, by one who will deliver the letters himself.
"Truly the poor man is with passion affected to her Majesty's
service," and she will greatly encourage him by taking notice
of it. |
|---|
| "Count Soisson hath been in the town but one night since Offley
came, and then I could not speak with him, for my sickness.
I look for him within a day or two. They do all that they can to
hasten on Montpensier, who is slower somewhat than he was,
or that they would have him. I think that is the chief thing he
[Soissons] is gone about, for he knoweth nothing is to be had
of me till then."—Paris, 1 June, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 2 pp. [France XVI. 1.]
Names in italics are in cipher, deciphered. |
|---|
| June 1/11. | French Advertisements. |
|---|
| On Sunday evening, a gentleman of the Grand Prior arrived
at the house of M. de Villeroy, who having heard the cause of his
despatch, hurried to the Louvre, and to the chamber of the
King, who with some difficulty was awakened, and before whom
he put the letters brought by the said gentleman; importing that
the Grand Prior learning that the Sieur Altoviti, husband of
Mademoiselle Chasteauneuf, formerly a favourite of the King,
had arrived, went to seek him in his lodging, and as he was
dining showed him a letter written to the Queen Mother,
advertising that the Grand Prior secretly favoured the party of
Montmorency in his province, and which letter the said lady had
sent to the Prior, that he might either desist therefrom or justify
himself. And after several times reproaching the said Altoviti
(who had risen from table) he struck him through the body with
his sword and made him fall at his feet; but in the fall, he
himself was pulled to the ground by Altoviti, who put his hand
to his dagger and twice struck the Grand Prior, once in his
thigh and again in his stomach, of which he died eighteen
[minutes?] afterwards, and the said Altoviti was dispatched by
the people of the Grand Prior, he who brought the news having
given him two or three strokes. The King was much displeased
and entered so deeply into discourse thereupon that he could sleep
no more that night. |
|---|
| As soon as it was day he rose and went to M. d'Epernon, who
was in bed, made him rise and dress in his presence and carried
him in his coach to the Bois de Vincennes; to whom he gave
the government of Provence, to be joined to that of the Marquisate
of Salluces, on condition of his giving up that of Metz to M.
de la Vallette. And to Charles, Monsieur, bastard of the late
King Charles, he gave the office of Grand Prior of the Temple,
and the Abbey of La Chassedieu, held by the late Grand Prior. |
|---|
| The day before news came that according to the resolution
taken by M. de la Valette and his Council he was gone with
his forces to take a fort in the mountain, near Ambrun, and
the 2nd of this month began to batter it so furiously that he
soon reduced it to powder; but those in it escaped and rallied
with the help of M. de Lesdiguieres who came to succour them,
and so well stood the charge of La Valette's strong cavalry and
weaker infantry that he killed twenty-five or thirty good men,
among whom were M. de Gordes, the Sieurs d'Anvinal and
Bonrepos; spiked [torn] great pieces and carried off two small
ones; keeping in the mountain, where the cavalry and nobles
could not fight without great hazard. And so La Valette was
forced to retire with this loss and without having done any hurt
save demolishing the fort and killing some footsoldiers. |
|---|
| There is news from Toulouse of the 28 of last month that M.
d'Audou had at last taken the [Mas] de Pamiers and that M. de
Turenne had raised the siege of St. Bertrand de Comminges
and taken some other forts in the same country, where he has
very well settled matters. M. de Joyeuse, the father, was assembling his forces, with those of M. de C [torn] (who has not
dared to attack the strong places of Albigeois and has only
ruined the Catholics there) to make an offensive war against
those of the Religion and Marshal de Montmorency; but they
fear they will not be able to protect the harvest, so strong are
they in all that country. |
|---|
| From Bordeaux they wrote on the 30th that the Sieurs de
Duras, Vaillac and Lansac senior wished to come thither to
see M. du Mayne, but M. de Matignon and those of the Parliament
would not permit it. Although they professed to wish to reassemble the army of Messieurs du Mayne and Matignon to go
to besiege Castillion on the Dordogne, they were beginning to
disband so many of their troops and to retrace their steps
towards Poitou that it was thought they might in the end take
that route, in order to aid in holding in the King of Navarre. |
|---|
| From Poictiers they wrote at the same time that those of
Lusignan continued to fortify themselves by order of the
King of Navarre, who had visited all the strong places in those
quarters, and provided for them, being urged by those of Rochelle
to shut in Brouage by land as they were doing by sea, in order
to take it, as they hoped, very shortly. And that M. de Biron
was waiting for his troops and artillery in order to succour it,
and play his game against the said King. |
|---|
| The journey of M. de Joyeuse into Auvergne, Rouergue and
Givaudan is said to be deferred for a week, yet all his baggage
and artillery is going and an infinite number of nobles, whom
he has invited, are preparing to follow him; to the chief and most
favoured of whom he daily has gifts given by the King, to
encourage them. |
|---|
| The Swiss protestant ambassadors are going away, some to-day,
the rest tomorrow, having each had a chain and a sum of money
and taking a letter, conform to the copy which I enclose, very
"captieuse." It is still said that those from Germany are coming,
and that the reiters are to march on July 15. |
|---|
| There is a rumour that M. de Mandelot, governor of Lyon,
has seized the castle of Pierre Assise (fn. 1) which was held by the
Bishop, and has turned out an Abbé whom the Bishop left there,
but that this was done by the will of the King. |
|---|
| All the court has returned to St. Maur since Monday except
the great Council. It is said that the Sieurs de Rosny and La
Marsilliere, come from the King of Navarre to meet the Swiss
ambassadors, have only once spoken with the King, in the
presence of these ambassadors, and said to him that they had
no charge save to assure him of the King of Navarre's fidelity
and obedience; who had armed only for defence of his Majesty,
his kingdom, and his person against those of the League, who,
having armed themselves with his Majesty's forces, were trying
to ruin him with his own arms. The King replied that he was
also of the League, having signed and avowed it, to which they
answered that the King of Navarre knew well it was done against
his will and by force. His Majesty asked if they had any charge
to treat for peace. They replied that the King of Navarre did
not think of war, and had not put himself in arms against his
Majesty, whom he revered as his King and lord and from whom
he demanded nothing; but was resolved not to lay down his arms
until he had made him obeyed and revered also by the League,
the sole authors of the war; and that from them peace must be
demanded, not from him. |
|---|
| As soon as the Senechal of Toulouse had left Albigeois without
daring to attack those of Lombers, Realmont, Briteste and Salvagnac, as he had intended, those of Castres drew out the cannon,
and went into the diocese of Vabres, where they have already
taken three or four places, and continue their proceedings without
hindrance, gathering the harvest in that country as in Albegeois
and most part of Languedoc. |
|---|
| There are some who hold it for certain that the King is going
a fortnight hence to B [lois?], and the Queen Mother to Chenonceaux, to be near Poictou, where he will try if possible to drive
the King of Navarre into a corner before the reiters march or
enter France, and for this purpose it is thought that all his
Majesty's armies will be brought into Poictou, and there encouraged and enticed by the approach of the said King to B
[torn] or further if need be. |
|---|
| Before departing, the Swiss ambassadors, perceiving better
by the letter which the King gave them than by the verbal
reply which he made them, with the ambiguity which he usually
employs in speaking, that he means to make every effort to
establish a firm and stable peace in his Kingdom, and not such
as the former ones, made supplication to him to give them the
explanation, and in writing, that they might make clear to their
cantons the manner in which he meant to proceed. To which
his Majesty replied that it was not his custom to give his
answers in writing, and moreover that when it came to a treaty
of peace with his subjects he would inform them of it. It is
said that the Swiss only came hither on the prayer and solicitations of the King, made through his ambassador resident in
Switzerland with the Catholics, with whom they bargained beforehand for their expences, which have been paid them here. And
that it was only at their instance that the King of Navarre sent
de Rosny and La Marsillière hither, who told them frankly that
they had no instructions to speak of peace, [although] his
Majesty intended to draw them into the lists for the treaty and
to make them dance attendance thereupon. (fn. 2) |
|---|
| His said Majesty has sent for them this morning and
they are gone to speak with him at St. Maur, and it is feared
he will scoff at them, being irritated at not being able to embark
them therein; and may afterwards try to gain them by large
promises. |
|---|
| The colonel of the lansquenets who were coming to the King
is dead, which may delay them until another is elected. |
|---|
| The Duke of Saxony has written to M. de Chomberg, praying
him to use his interest with the King for Wolf Chomberg his
brother and two other colonels of the reiters who had promised
to come for the service of his Majesty, and had received 7000
crowns apiece, as the said Duke had need of their attendance
in a visit which he is making through his State, and to go to
the Emperor to render him homage; but that in regard of the
money advanced to them, they will hold it as so much paid of
the money his Majesty owes them of the old debt. |
|---|
| Most part of M. de Joyeuse's army is going into the Bourbonais, to Chelles. M. de Suse has sent his son to the King on
the death of the Grand Prior, to pray him to restore to him the
place of lieutenant which he had given up to the deceased; so
that thereupon it is said that M. d'Epernon may go into
Provence, for fear of some disturbance happening there.
Endd. Fr. 3¼ pp. [Newsletters IX. 29.] |
|---|
| June 6. | The Queen to Count Edzard of Embden. |
|---|
| Being given to understand "that the Earl findeth himself
grieved for that divers outrages and spoils have been committed
by certain ships maintained by the States in the river of Ems"
upon his subjects and those of other parts trading thither, her
Majesty hopes, that having given order to the Earl of Leicester
to deal with the States in her name to stay all such outrages,
before the receipt of this her letter, there will be somewhat done
to his contentment; having ordered that Earl to send a special
messenger to him, to show him the great care she has that
good friendship may continue between him and the United
Provinces. |
|---|
| Being further informed that of late the said Earl has "made
difficulty to renew the privileges heretofore granted to her
subjects, the Merchant Adventurers," alleging that as the
Emperor and princes of Germany oppose themselves thereto, he
cannot with safety yield to the Merchants' request unless assured
that her Majesty will protect him if anything should be attempted
against him; she assures him that in that case, "she will not
fail to assist him to the uttermost of of her power with all such
good means as God hath given unto her," and hopes that this
assurance will persuade him to grant the said privileges, as a
thing no less beneficial for his own subjects than for her Majesty. |
|---|
| Lastly, hearing that he finds himself grieved that the Merchants
Adventurers have not shewn themselves more grateful to him,
she has commanded them "to acquit themselves towards him
with that thankfulness that appertaineth" both in respect of
themselves and for the great devotion and love which the said
Earl has always professed to her, "whereof she holdeth a thankful
memory; as shall always appear unto him when occasion shall
be offered." |
|---|
| Draft, corrected by Walsingham. Endd. "The heads of a
letter to the Earl of Embden, 6 June, 1586. 3 pp. [Hamburg
and Hanse Towns II. 48.] |
|---|
| June 6/16. | List of edicts published by the French King on this date. |
|---|
| Endd. "The French King's edicts, 1586. Added by Burghley,
"To get money." Fr. 1½ pp. [France XVI. 2.] |
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| June 7. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| The broils here since my last make me to send you this
dispatch. "The government of Provence is given to Espernon,
with whom Joyeuze had strife for the Admiralty, which is ever
wont to go apart with the government, and to be separated from
the Admiralty of France. But Espernon would have all or none,
and so hath had; whereupon a great jar hath grown between
Joyeuze and him, and so great as the King being gone on his
way to Dolenville, where he meant to have stayed four or five
days, came presently back when he was half way, only to agree
them, which yet he cannot do. I think he would rather lose
half his kingdom than have them to disagree." |
|---|
| There is another broil in the court on the death of Mandelot,
governor of Lyons, whose government long ago was promised to
M. de Nemours. The Queen Mother demanded it for him, but
the King flatly refused it and gave it to La Vallette, Duke Espernon's brother, whereat she has raged marvellously, and made
herself sick over it, but all would not serve. "Since, it is
fallen out that Mandelot is not dead. Some say he was never
sick, and that this bruit . . . was but a practice of Madame de
Nemours to sound the King's goodwill. She hath now, if it
be so, found that which she should never [have] sought for;
and farther, . . ., the K. [sic, should be Queen Mother] requesting the King that the next government that fell, he would
bestow it upon M. de Nemours, he answered her that if there fell
six governments, they were all promised already. She asked
to whom. He answered, to those two that had the last; whereat
she is in a great rage." |
|---|
| Espernon makes great preparation to go to take possession
of his government. As the deputies of the country are come
hither "to require to have either a prince to govern them or a
chief gentleman of the country," and because there is already
some stir there, he is preparing an army to go with him of
four regiments of foot and twenty-eight companies of men at
arms; and is, as he says, to depart this next week. M. de
Joyeuze "assureth" to go on Saturday or Monday with the army
that Marshal d'Aumont should have led into Auvergne. My
opinion is that these are but shows, and that when they are ready,
they and Marshal Biron will join together, and "light all upon
the King of Navarre at one clap," shut him up in some town,
and assail it by all the means they can. And I think that the
arming by sea is with intent, if they could put him into Rochelle,
to shut up that haven. "That army goeth but slowly forward
yet it goeth on; but there is great strife between la Milleraye
and Chattes, the Governor of Dieppe, who is M. de Joyeuze's
cousin, who shall command in it." |
|---|
| The King seems to be in a great choler that the King of
Navarre has not demanded peace; and he has disavowed the
capitulation made by Biron with the Catholics that are now in
Lusignan (the soldiers of the Religion being now retired out
of it)—that they should live quietly with the townsmen, and
that these should have exercise of their religion—and sent
in post to Biron that it is not his will. |
|---|
| "There is here no speech of nothing but of wars; no word
of peace, nor no regard to the great misery that is already, and
likely more and more to fall upon this country. Yesterday I
had it assured of one that came out of 'Avernia' that there is
many thousands there already dead for hunger, and in that
extremity . . . that they feed upon grass . . . like horses,
and die with the grass in their mouths. |
|---|
| "The King is so little careful for all this misery of his
people, that he layeth still more and more upon them. Yesterday he was at the Parlement himself in person to make certain
edicts to pass which the Parlement would not pass. There he
passed them himself to the number of twenty seven, all unjust
and domageable to the people; among the rest, to make all
offices but them of justice hereditary, and constrain them that
have them for life to buy the inheritance. |
|---|
| "All the world greatly cry out and openly upon them. He
made the colour of it in his oration to the Parliament, the
necessity of these wars, but it is thought that the money that
shall proceed of these edicts, which is two millions and six
hundred thousand crowns, is already disposed; most of it to the
use of these minions and their followers, which maketh all the
world to stamp at it here, and maketh them hated, cursed and
blamed with extremity. |
|---|
| "There was a placard set up upon the Chancellor's gate the
morning afore these edicts was published with these words—
Garde toy Chancellier, et conseille mieux ton Roy qu'il n'oppresse
et foulle son people comme il fait, car autrement il y a cinq
cents en ceste ville qui se vangeront de toy, son Espernon et
son Joyeuze, et te traineront par ung licol [i.e. licou], toy et
toute ta race par la boue. This did a little startle them, for
fear of a sedition; but for all that the next day the King would
needs go and have these edicts pass. |
|---|
| "There is a great ado made for a placard that my lord of
Leicester hath made in the Low Countries, and the Admiral here
hath made a counter placard against it which will be greatly
domageable to them I think. I have stayed it till I speak with
Joyeuze, who hath promised it shall be within these two or
three days, having not yet for his great business spoken with
him at all for nothing. When I have, I will send your honour
both the placard, and what I have done with him."—Paris,
7 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. 3 pp. [France XVI. 3.] |
|---|
| June 7. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I am advertised, "but under great benedicite, for it cometh
from one that M. de Joyeuse said it to in great secret, that the
Queen Mother is very mad at the death of the Grand Prior,"
who by her appointment had great traffic with 'Memorancy,'
only to entrap him, which was upon the point of execution at
his death. That she, forgetting that twelve months ago she had
set this Castillan who killed him as a spy over him, when
the man advertised her that the Grand Prior had intelligence
with Memorancy, sent the letter to the Prior, that he might
"keep his actions more secret, seeing that that fellow had discovered them. The Grand Prior being in a choller to see this
man had gone about to espy his actions, went up into his
chamber where he was, to have killed him, whereupon . . . the
one killed the other; and now the Queen Mother, to cover the
matter, would lay the fault upon the poor gentlewoman his
wife; that she had given the Grand Prior advertisement of
this. |
|---|
| "Count Soisson is returned. Yesternight I spake with him.
He has had news from Montmorency, and assureth he will be
in a readiness in all points within this fortnight at the farthest";
but I believe he will not stir till the strangers be ready to enter." |
|---|
| I send you a book which I am sure you will take pleasure to
read. Pray send this packet from Madame de Bouillon to the
Princess of Orange. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 4.]
[The names in italics are in cipher.] |
|---|
| June 9/19. | M. du Pin to Burghley. |
|---|
| Recommending the "Sieur de Bradbery," who has served
the King of Navarre very well as page of the chamber, and has
now permission to return to England. M. Bacon, his lordship's
nephew, should be removed, and have change of air, or he will
continue to be ill. He is still at Montauban, and cannot recover
his strength. God has favoured him greatly, above all he has
virtue and piety, and deserves his lordship's care for his
preservation. |
|---|
| The army of Messrs. de Mayenne and the Marshal de Matignon
is much harassed and diminished. It is going to attack Castillon,
a little town upon the Dordogne, newly fortified. Montmorency
is approaching "us."—La Rochelle, 19 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. by Burghley. Fr. ½ p. [France
XVI. 5.] |
|---|
| June 11. | Stafford to Burghley. |
|---|
| Sending the bad news out of the Low Countries, but "for
haste," referring him to his letter to Mr. Secretary. Fears, if
the news be true, that worse will follow, "for those country
people commonly upon one great loss are amazed and lose
more." Prays God that some good luck had by the English in
the beginning "have not bred an overweening, and that those
old foxes that are there, that do still lie at wait, take not their
advantage." Within half an hour of writing his last letter, his
lordship's son arrived and now awaits his pleasure. Sends a
letter from him enclosed.—Paris, 11 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 6.] |
|---|
| June 11. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| News came yesterday that the Prince of Parma has taken
Grave, and that Venlo is surrendered to him; upon which sudden
good fortune he went to make some attempt upon my lord
of Leicester, then at Henem [Arnhem] who, seeing this, retired
with his forces, and Henem yielded to the Prince. The news
came from Antwerp, to divers private persons, and the Spanish
ambassador gives out that he has it from the Prince himself,
and has sent two couriers into Spain. One of his household
tells me that he has no letters from the Prince, but that the said
Prince "sent expressly to Antwerp to him that writ it to dispatch
one hither presently to the ambassador with it, because he
himself upon the suddenness of this enterprise, had so much
to do to give order to things that he had not leisure to write."
Grave is said to have been taken on the 5th of this month by
their account, which was their Corpus Christi day. |
|---|
| The same writer says that the Prince means to follow his
fortune and go presently to Utrecht, which he is in very good
hope to have, both by the great intelligence he has within the
town, and also because part of the town is extremely weak,
"upon the left hand where the citadel was; where there is a
great space of a curtain of the wall without anything to defend
it"; and by quickly bringing his ordnance thither, he hopes so
to amaze them that they will yield to him. It may be that all
this is but a Spanish bravery, but I thought it necessary to
advertise you with all diligence, that my lord of Leicester may
have it from you, to look to it if there be any such thing.
I have written two or three hasty words to him, leaving it to
you to advertise him at large. Pray tell me whether you have
sent him a copy of the cipher between yourself and me, or
any other, as I have once or twice desired you before. Having
it, I could sometimes find means "from hence."—Paris, 11
June, 1586. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. 2 pp. [France XVI. 7.] |
|---|
| June 12/22. | Lazaro Grimaldi to Horatio Palavicino. |
|---|
| I did not write to you last week by way of Venice as I had
nothing to say; now although there is little, I do so to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 18th of May. I hope you have
returned in good health from the journey you were about to
make into Saxony. |
|---|
| The Prince Doria having returned from Loano, I went to
him at once, and have been with him again today, and imparted
to him what I had received from you. He listened attentively,
and I am sure that he will keep alive the design in Spain,
from whence so far he has had no answer, either from his
Majesty or his ministers. What is the cause I know not;
perhaps the belief that he had already gone out with the fleet
has held them back. Whenever it comes you shall know of it. |
|---|
| If her Majesty has not ordered her ambassador with the
Turk to demand a fleet for the molestation of the King of Spain,
the Prince assures me that will help matters greatly, because they
will be satisfied that she will do nothing. The said Prince will
sail some days hence, but it is not known whither; if it should
be to the parts of Spain, as being nearer the Court, he might
have opportunity of doing something further in our design, and
perhaps treating of it with some minister. I hope it may be
brought to a good end, and nothing shall be left undone either
by the Signor Fabritio or myself which we think may serve
thereto. You shall have notice of anything that happens.
Martia and Cassandra send greetings to you.—Genoa, 22 June,
1586. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. by Burghley. Italian. 1½ pp. [Germany, States
IV. 55.] |
|---|
| June 13/23. | News from Bayona, "the front town of Spain." |
|---|
| The first fleet set forth against Sir Francis Drake, being
about forty sails is returned to Lisbon and Cales [Cadiz] about
24 days past, the sickness in them being so great that most
of the men died. They that have come home are not suffered
to land, for fear of infection. |
|---|
| The King is greatly discontented with their return; and is
taking up all the men and mariners in Biscay, whether they
will or no; but to content them, imprests them with twenty
or more ducats beforehand. Also he takes up all fishermen,
old and young. Many that were imprested in Biscay have
run away and fled into the mountains. |
|---|
| The King is come into an Abbey at Toledo. "He is very
unwilling and disliking of these causes [qy. courses] but the
Cardinals and clergy enforce him thereunto." |
|---|
| He "hath set forth a promettica [prematica, i.e. proclamation] wherein is a prohibition that no Spaniard shall buy
any wares or goods made or growing in England (upon pain of
confiscation of the goods by the buyer, and his body at the
King's pleasure) either of English man or Frenchman"; and
no Spaniard dare be seen to speak with either for any wares. |
|---|
| Corn is very dear; wheat worth 28 rials a hannick (i.e.
hanega, a bushel). "The common people do grudge and murmur;
saying the gentlemen have enough, or have money to buy,
but they lack. They say also that if they may not buy and
sell with Englishmen or French for English wares, they shall
either beg or starve." |
|---|
| The King is said to be making ready 12 sail of great ships
at Passage and elsewhere in Biscay. It is reported that he is
preparing 500 sail, "to come for England and these countries
the next year. |
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| Endd. 1¼ p. [Newsletters XC., 31.] |
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| June 15. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
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| I dispatch the bearer more to obey your commandment so to
do and that of my lord Admiral "to write presently what state
the arming by sea was in and how it went forward," than for
anything else worth the writing. |
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| There is no fresh news here "but that upon the edicts . . .
that the King had made to be published, this town is greatly
grieved and amazed, and the Palais [court of justice] is quite
without pleading; for there will never a procureur, which we
call in England solicitor, come thither to call upon any cause
or to answer to any." The Parliament has made great complaint
to the King of that edict, and it was thought once he would have
revoked it, but M. d'Espernon, to whom he had given it and
to whom it should have been worth 400,000 crowns, being a
thousand procureurs at 400 crowns a procureur, hath impeached
it with all the means he could, and this morning hath procured
the King to send the Count Soissons to the court of Parlement
. . . to have it go forward. What answer they will make him
I know not, but I am very sorry he is employed in it, and so
is he himself, but . . . the King took him upon such a sudden
that he could not refuse it." |
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| The Chancellor is in such fear that he has some of the guard
always with him. One or two of the procureurs the last day,
"having the 400 crowns given them underhand to offer themselves to bring on the rest, did so, but they were like to be
had away and thrown into [the] river as soon as they opened
their mouths; and they have all agreed among themselves that
whosoever shall open their mouths about it shall die for it." |
|---|
| I can write nothing of the sea preparation, other than I have
done before. Also I have written it to my Lord Admiral, to
whose letters I refer you. I send you a book that is come out
very secretly. I have but one, therefore pray you to impart
it to my lord Treasurer. "They would fain have it thought
an Englishman's doing," but I hear it is by a Jesuit, affected to
the League. |
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| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 8.] |
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| June 15/25. | Mazin del Bene to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I am extremely glad to learn by your letter that the Queen
was not offended by my writing to her, and had not taken amiss
what I wrote to your honour, for which I humbly thank her
Majesty and you who moved her to receive it favourably; which
will encourage me in the future to persevere in so doing. |
|---|
| I rejoice greatly at the happy success of Drake's enterprise,
and pray God to bring him safely home, that upon his relation,
her Majesty may with good ground and brave forces put in
effect her resolution to give real trouble to the King of Spain on
that side. As to the affairs of the Low Countries, we have
here quite other news than those which I thought to hear from
the hope given me by your letter; for news comes by way of
Antwerp affirming that after a certain ravelin had been assaulted
and taken by force on the 5th of this month by our style, Grave
surrendered, and that the Prince of Parma, with all the cavalry
and arquebusiers, both horse and those in groppa [i.e. mounted
behind the horsemen], had pushed on to "Harnem" where the
Earl of Leicester then was, and had dislodged him from thence;
and that by this fright, and that of the taking of Grave, the
place surrendered; but of this last, he who wrote from Antwerp
was not certain, but—the rest being true—it is greatly to be
feared, and if the taking of Grave be true, which God grant it
is not, this would greatly confirm what I wrote to your honour
of my opinion of the fortresses of those countries, founded
upon good informations; and also by the sight of one of them,
because it is a serious matter that in all this time they have not
fortified a place of so great importance as Grave so as to render
it impregnable. If it is true, God grant that this may be the
first and last injury to be received in those parts from the like
cause, and make me rather a liar than a prophet. |
|---|
| Here it is said that the ambassador of the King of Denmark
is come to your country to persuade the Queen to make an
accord with the King of Spain. God grant that some honourable
and safe means might be found to please his master, for it
seems to me that her Majesty would have obtained a great
thing if by means of her war waged against the King of Spain
she should in the end obtain from him an honourable, safe and
good peace. And as to me, I cannot but be very desirous for
the quiet and safety of that state, and especially when I put
before my eyes the general disposition of the affairs of the
world, and particularly of our state, and to how many very
dangerous accidents the events of the wars are liable, especially
in this most corrupt century, when faith is very rare, and I
see the Queen of England bearing upon her arms alone so
powerful an enemy as the King of Spain, and having to resist
him with only her own means and forces; who it cannot be
denied is a very powerful prince, furnished with good captains
and excellent soldiers; having moreover a great fortune, managed by a very wise Council. |
|---|
| And I feel not a little concerned, from the especial affection
which I bear to your honour, when I consider that the ministers
of princes are more likely to receive blame and harm from the
ill success of the enterprises of their patrons, than praise and
advantage from the happy results of the same. Which last I
pray God may be the ending to this and all other undertakings
of her Majesty; and that of his infinite goodness, he will be
pleased to deliver the Queen and yourself from every evil.
Finally I beg you to offer my reverence to her Majesty and
assure her of my affection and readiness to do her service.—
Paris, 25 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Italian. 2¼ pp. [France XVI. 9.] |
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| June 15. | Horatio Palavicino to Burghley. |
|---|
| Having found an English servant of Mr. Secretary's at this
place, he has written by him all that has happened to him in
this court, from whence he to-day takes his journey to the Marquis
of Brandenburg; praying his lordship to look both at the letter
and the [enclosed] sheet for the information which he would
give him particularly if he had time.—Dresden, 15 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. Italian. ½ p. [Germany, States
IV. 56.] |
|---|
| June 15. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I used such diligence on my way from Frankfort that I not
only arrived here before M. de la Verriere, but have done my
work, and he has not yet appeared. I arrived on the 11th,
and was honourably received and lodged; had audience [of the
Duke of Saxony] on the 13th, when I fulfilled my office of
condolence in the Latin tongue, and was answered in words full
of gratitude and kind expressions by the Duke's chancellor.
Then I said that her Majesty had commanded me to declare
the present state of affairs in France, as also that she wished
to testify to the Duke her desire to join him with herself in the
care of such things as concern the common cause, and offered
to give it them in writing, but the Chancellor replied that
the Duke would send his councillors to me, which he did the
same day; to whom I not only gave the writing, but showed in
Italian (which they all understood) some other matters, upon
which they consulted the next day and brought me the reply
which you will see in the annexed letter to her Majesty
with which not being satisfied, as being dilatory, and little conformable to the urgent necessity, I put before them anew how
needful it was to find a remedy for the evil in France in case
the embassy should not obtain a peace; and that to wait to
take counsel until after hearing the result was so slow and
so dangerous that it was to be feared it would be to call in
the doctor when the sick man was dead. Upon which reply they
consulted afresh, but did not recede from their first resolve;
with the confirmation of which when they returned to me they
bade me farewell, and thus have dismissed me without giving
me any further opportunity of seeing the Duke. These are the
facts from which and from other private discourses with some
of the chief of the court, I have got together the collections in
the annexed sheet, in which having specified plainly every thing
that I have gathered, I pray you to accept it in good part, and
to send me a speedy answer. I have here met with a servant
of yours, to whom I have committed this packet, and hope he
will carry it faithfully.—Dresden, 15 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Italian. 1½ pp. [Germany, States IV. 57.] |
|---|
| Enclosing:— |
|---|
| I. Christian, Elector of Saxony to her Majesty. |
|---|
| Thanks her for her goodwill, as shown by her letters and
the speeches of Horatio Palavicino, her ambassador; laments
the untimely death of his father, snatched from them in these
very troublous times, when his wisdom, advice, authority and skill
in treating of and settling affairs were so necessary to them,
and declares his intention, by the divine aid, now that the task
of governing the State has fallen upon him, to fulfil it to the
glory of God's holy name and the benefit and advantage of the
Christian church and state. Offers hearty thanks for her
promises of aid, and begs her to be assured that he will omit
nothing that may conduce to the maintenance and increase of
that friendship which for many years has existed between his
late father and herself, as both respect to her requires, and these
times evidently vehemently demand (in which the fierce devices
of the Roman pontiff against those who have forsaken the errors
of Rome are revealed more and more) in order that the care and
vigilance of those princes who have embraced the true gospel
may be roused and sharpened. |
|---|
| Thanks her for what she communicates to him of French
affairs, and heartily approves of her piety, wisdom and solicitude
for the safety of the Christian state. |
|---|
| Had learnt with great grief how, by the ambition and wickedness of certain restless men, the peace sworn and not long since
renewed being disregarded, that flourishing Kingdom was again
plunged into civil war. In regard to which matter, when last
winter the King of Navarre, by his ambassador, informed his
late father and himself thereof, the Duke of Brandenburg being
also called into Council, they replied that it was their intention,
on the first opportunity, to send ambassadors into France, to
exhort the King to observe his former edicts of peace. What
was then spoken of, they have since done their utmost to carry
out, as doubtless her Majesty has already learned, and are now
awaiting the result of this legation, hoping that by means of
their own and others' exportations, that King's mind may be
drawn away from this intestine war to peace. |
|---|
| But if (against his own belief), that which her Majesty fears
should happen, and this legation be without result, he will then
willingly—together with the other Evangelical Princes of Germany, from whom he cannot separate himself—undertake to do
that which, saving the laws of the Empire, he shall see to be
profitable for the restitution of a good peace in France. All
which her Majesty will learn more at length from her ambassador,
Horatio Palavicino.—Dresden, 13 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. "From the young Elector of Saxony."
Latin. 2½ pp. [Germany, States IV. 57 I.] |
|---|
| II. A Relation of things met with at the court of the Duke
Elector of Saxony, noted on 15 June, 1586. |
|---|
| I do not find that they have here the present troubles of France
so much at heart that they do not plainly prefer their private
interests thereto; or will meddle in these affairs without a general
consent of all the protestants of Germany; holding it not to
be in conformity either with their customs or the laws of the
Empire, and very odious to the Emperor that they should practise
to aid France by means of a levy under the conduct of Duke
Casimir, conceiving that this Duke would never give him publicly
either approval or aid. |
|---|
| Duke Casimir, who knows likewise that this action of his will
be very obnoxious to the Emperor, designs, as they suspect, to
embark this Prince and others publicly; but it has been so
badly managed that his plan is known and disliked, whence it
comes that this Prince is very cautious, and on his guard,
being most anxious not openly to offend the Emperor, for
reasons of state; besides that in this beginning of his government,
he will have need of his authority in many matters, especially
in the confirmation of his feofs, which is not yet settled; a
thing of which they make great account. |
|---|
| Moreover, there remains in this Prince enough of his father's
humour and of the memory of his views, for him not to interest
himself openly in the affairs of France. |
|---|
| To this must be added that the Navarrese ministers left this
court very ill-satisfied with them, having spoken very indiscreetly, not only of what they had understood of the willingness of the late Duke to favour them, but much more, whence
there arose much talk, to the great displeasure of this Prince.
Upon which words of these ministers, and the conceived hopes and
discourses in Duke Casimir's court, there was there drawn up
by their fancy, that list of contributions from all princes of
which I have already given you notice (fn. 3) , and which was published so indiscreetly that it came to the notice of the Emperor,
who thereupon made such complaints as anyone may imagine,
whence it is said there ensued amongst them cunning pretences
of threats on the part of Rome and promises on the part of the
Emperor; since the Pope has written that he will not molest the
protestant princes of Germany, if they do not mix themselves
in the affairs of France. |
|---|
| My journey to the Marquis of Brandenburg cannot be fruitful,
it being probable that he may know from his son-in-law of his
deliberations and that they may act in concert together. Nevertheless, I will make proof whether—as being more free from
reverence to the Emperor—he will secretly join himself, and
under his name this prince his son-in-law also, with her Majesty,
to make ready a brave and sufficient levy, or if he does not
wish to do this, she being a foreign princess, whether he might
be willing to let France taste of their succour by means of the
Landgrave, on whose wisdom and advice they here much depend. |
|---|
| In case he refuses both one and the other, there is no hope
of their treating with Duke Casimir, unless new accidents change
their resolutions. |
|---|
| And therefore if it is deemed necessary by some means to
make a levy, although it will not be ready to serve until November
or December, it will be needful to resolve to give more money
and to supply the feebleness of the King of Navarre's ministers,
otherwise there cannot be an army strong enough to do anything.
I believe 40000 crowns more would be sufficient. |
|---|
| It will be well for her Majesty to get the King of Denmark
to work continually to get this Prince to aid the French business
with money, by the hand of a third party. |
|---|
| In conclusion I say that the expence of the money which
this Prince might have to disburse to succour France does not
weigh so much as the above-mentioned reasons and the improper
methods employed by Duke Casimir and the Navarrese ministers,
against which I see no remedy if the Prince of Brandenburg
will not join, or if the Landgrave do not heartily undertake it,
of whose interposition I have very little hope, as I believe he
has small love for Duke Casimir or for anything that, by his
means, may be done for France. |
|---|
| An express must be sent to Frankfort that I may know her
Majesty's will as soon as possible, and how I am to act. |
|---|
| I learn by advices from the Emperor's court that the King
of Spain is angry with Cardinal Granvelle, who has withdrawn
from the court, but I cannot discover the reason. Perhaps it
is not yet known. Pasquils have been put up in Madrid against
the Cardinal, whom they threaten to beat to death. |
|---|
| In Aquila, a city of the Abbruzzo formerly belonging to
Madame di Parma and now to Duke Ottavio her husband and
the Prince her son, some forts had been made by order of this
Duke on the shore of the Adriatic, in order, as is said to
make sure the country against Turkish corsairs; but have been
pulled down by express orders of the Viceroy of Naples, who,
it is believed had orders for it from Spain; which matter has
greatly vexed Duke Octavio and all the house of Farnese. |
|---|
| The bearer will tell you verbally about Doctor Dee and
"Kele," (fn. 4) banished from the States of the Emperor, at the
instance of the Papal nuncio. |
|---|
| At this instant I understand from one of the Council that the
Duke will be within three weeks with the Marquis of Brandenburg and then both will go to the King of Denmark; at which
time it will be very a propos that that King should speak
not only of the aid for France but of a general league, wherefore
let your honour look to it that the opportunity be not lost. |
|---|
| I have myself urged this to the said councillor and he thought
it very needful and has promised to keep it in mind. Besides,
he has suggested a method by which he gives me hope that
this prince and his father-in-law may aid Duke Casimir's levies,
whereat I am much rejoiced, and shall not be slothful in
bringing it to pass. |
|---|
| They have advices from Rome concerning the affairs of Spain.
Every day there was less hope of the Prince's life. The King
was in great anxiety as to the Indies and the affairs of the
Low Countries. I gather from many things that it infinitely
imports her Majesty to strengthen and re-inforce Drake; for
so long as he remains there, there is nothing to fear except
treacheries against her own person, in which the Spaniards
place great hopes, and to which your honour will give the
thought that you are wont to do, and to which your office
obliges you. |
|---|
| Endd. Italian. 3¼ pp. [Germany, States IV. 57 II.] |
|---|
| III. "Copy of Mr. Horatio Palavicino's declaration unto the
Duke of Saxony at his first access." |
|---|
| Paper so endorsed. Latin. 2 pp., in his own handwriting,
2 pp. [Germany, States IV. 57 III.] |
|---|
| IV. "Copy of Horatio Palavicino's speeches delivered to the
Duke of Saxony at his second audience." |
|---|
| Paper endorsed as above. Latin. 2¾ pp. [Germany, States
IV. 57 IV.] |
|---|