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| June 16/26. | George Aldersaye to John Aldersaye, merchant. |
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| "Worshipful Sir," My last of the 22nd of the last, I sent by
my friend Gylles Bambrygg. Your goods are sold at Dunkirk,
and herewith you shall receive part of your return. |
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| Three ships have come from Scotland to Dunkirk, with salt,
wheat and rye. Some of the men of war of Newport have gone
out and the rest go to-day, as I am told by the searcher of
that place. A fleet of nine or ten sail have come in, and four
flyboats of Flushing "that durst not once speak unto them"
ride at anchor out of shot. Two were Spaniards' goods—Lisbon
commodities; and the Spanish merchants have come here to
receive them. |
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| Last night, her Majesty's Bull came over, and the Lord
Admiral's ship, which ride to the west of the haven. The
Flushingers are said to have taken three or four sail (some
say six), but one got away, both from the Flushingers and the
Queen's ship, and is come in with salt. |
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| There are two or three Englishmen here, who say they will
go in the Queen's ship. [Other movements of ships]. Tomorrow
I mean, God willing, to go up into the country.—Calais (Calles),
26 June, 1586, stila nova. |
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| Add. Endd. by Walsingham's clerk. 1¼ pp. [France XVI.
10.] |
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| [Only the covering sheet was in its place in France XVI.
but the letter was found amongst the Newsletters. "John Aldersaye" is perhaps Walsingham.] |
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| June 17. | Pietro Bizarri to Walsingham. |
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| By my two others you will have learned how I have fared,
both before I reached Hamburg and since my arrival. This is
to show you that I have not failed in my duty either towards
her Majesty or to you. I had meant to go with my packet to
Leipzig and send it from thence, or to go myself to Francfort;
but a very good opportunity presented itself to send it to
Norimberg by means of M. Virginio Sbarra, a Lucchese
merchant, a trusty man and of the Reformed Religion, and there
the packet will be consigned to Signor Cesare Calendrini, his
correspondent, and also the agent of Sir Horatio Palavicino,
to whom it will be at once forwarded in Francfort. I have paid
the courier liberally, that it may have quick and safe dispatch;
and this way was the most expeditious as there is no ordinary
courier from Leipzig to Francfort except during the fair, which
only comes twice a year, and from here to Norimberg it usually
goes in ten days. My greetings to your consort and to Mr.
Robert Beale.—Hamburg, 17 June, 1586. |
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| Add. Endd. Italian. 1½ pp. [Germany, States IV. 58.] |
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| June 20? | The King of Navarre to Burghley. |
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| "Mon cousyn, j'ay mande au sr. de busenval de vous dyre
de mes nouvelles. Je vous prye le croyre. II est tems sy
james, que les prynces crestyens & tous les gens de byen
semployent pour une cause sy juste & sy generale & en
laquelle toute la crestyente a interest. Jy aporteray ma vye &
tous mes moyens jusques au dernyer souspyr. Je vous prye
perseverer en v're bonne afectyon & croyre que je suys &
seray toute ma vye, v're plus afectyonne and tresassure amy,
Henry. [Undated.] |
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| Holograph? (fn. 1) Add. Endd. by Burghley, 20 Junii, 1586, but
this is perhaps the date of receipt. ½ p. [France XVI. 11.] |
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| June 20. | The Elector of Brandenburg to the Queen. |
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| Her Majesty's envoy, Horatio Palavicino, has diligently put
before him her benevolent and favourable good-will, and her
views concerning the new disturbances in France. Thanks her
for her friendly greeting and declarations of kindness, and in
his turn, prays for the happy success of these affairs and offers
his princely services. For the business itself, he refers her
to his reply, which he has copiously set out, and assures her
that he will omit nothing which can be done with safety to the
Empire, and by the general deliberation and decree of all the
Princes of the Augustan confession, as her envoy will declare
to her. Berlin (Colonia ad Suevum [sic]), 20 June, 1586. |
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| Add. Endd. Latin. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 59.] |
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| June 24. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
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| Here is nothing but murmuring about the publication of the late
edicts. The procureurs still remain obstinate, and the King's
demand has fallen from four hundred crowns to forty, but
they will not agree to pay anything; "which made the King send
to the Lieutenant Criminal the other day to have half a dozen
of the chiefest of them by the heels; but he sent him for answer
that if he took that course, it would make a mutiny in Paris,
so as now he hath sent them a dispensation to execute their
charges for a month, but they will not accept of it, fearing it
is but a cunning to deceive them, without he revoke his edict
clearly. (fn. 2) |
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| "The Count Soissons being sent two days [ago] to the Chambre
de Comptes, for the verifying of those edicts, they all rose and
would not hear him, except the President, the King's Procureur
and the greffier; which made the King to interdict all the councillors of that quarter, and now since hath interdicted the whole
chamber. The King is obstinately bent to have his edicts go
forward, whereof there is small likelihood. If they were duly
executed, by account they amount to three score and twelve
millions of crowns, but I think he shall not make three score
thousand crowns." |
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| The Parlement of Rouen, having refused to receive certain
edicts before these, were summoned to answer it before the
Chancellor, "from whom they appeal, and say they will answer
before the three Estates, when they shall be called and the King
sitting there. So as the first president hath Paris given
him for his prison, whereupon . . . four score villages
in Normandy have refused to pay the tailles." At Troyes, the
townsmen are said to have slain two of those sent to publish
the edicts, sorely hurt another, and cut the throats of those of
the town that were to disburse the money; but this is not yet
verified. "They murmur greatly in this town, and a mutiny is
feared. The Chancellor is not without fear, nor all the rest
that are of the parties, which be most Italians. |
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| "M. d'Espernon prepares as fast as he can to go into Provence,
where it is thought he shall not be very welcome. M. Joyeuse
is gone yesterday. His artillery and munition goes up to
Mollins [Moulins], where his rendez-vous is; he says he will besiege Millaut, but most think he will go into Languedoc, to help
his father, but I rather fear, when they have all their forces
together, they will fall towards Guienne, and see if they can
shut up the King of Navarre into any town. |
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| "There is a speech that the King will go to Lions; but I
do not think that either he will leave Paris or go thither, where
perchance he should not be received, especially if Espernon go
with him, whom they hate deadly, and who would be revenged
of them if he might be the stronger. |
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| "The Queen Mother makes it to be given out that she will go
to Chenonceau, and from thence towards Guienne, to treat of
a peace with the King of Navarre, but it is one of her policies,
to abuse the world with an honest pretence which she means
not, hoping thereby to stay the succours that his friends will
send him. |
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| "The King hath given the Duke of Guise leave to besiege
Auxonne, . . . but I see small means to do it, for neither doth
the King help him with anything from hence, but doth draw away
all the forces he can from him, to send with Joyeuze and
Espernon. |
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| "The Marshal of Biron is mad to see half his lansquenets taken
away, and those light horsemen that came from Cambray, and
given to M. Joyeuze. He is now gathering together of an army,
which I think will be but a silly one. |
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| "M. de la Marsilliere is gone from hence. They would fain
have drawn him to speak of a peace, which was but a cunning
of them to abuse the world with a good show, . . . but he
had no charge to move it, neither is it yet time to speak of
it, till they be stronger, when they shall have more thanks
and make it more advantageous for themselves. All men think
that the King desireth nothing more, but he will have it sought
at his hands. |
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| "La Marsilliere hath governed himself very wisely here. I
have had often conference with him; he shows himself greatly
affected to the service of his master, and desirous to entertain
all love and amity with his friends, and above all with her
Majesty." |
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| The sea army still goes forward. Chattes, governor of Dieppe
is to command it. There are not above ten ships, altogether
not above 1500 ton, but there are eight or nine ships in the
coast of Brittany which may join them. Their "colour" is to
go to Brouage, but what other secret commission they have I
cannot yet discover. |
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| Assured news now comes "that M. Mandelot is dead, and his
government given to la Vallette, in spite of the Queen Mother
and Madame de Nemours, who were very earnest to have it
for M. de Nemours. If it be true, there is great suspicion it
was determined aforehand" but it may be as false as the bruit
that Cambrai was delivered into the King of Spain's hands. |
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| "I see all things here disposed to go very badly forward, for the
King is determined . . . not to revoke his edicts, and on the contrary side, some are determined not to consent to the passing of
them, and, if they be passed, generally nobody to pay for them;
[so] that there is nothing like to follow but sedition or worse.
But it is an ill wind doth nobody good, for I think if they whom
they seek to quiet had their forces ready, it would be nothing
the worse for them, for all men are here generally discontented."
—Paris, 24 June, 1586. |
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| Postscript. Since the writing of this, one has come to ask
me to write to pray for your aid in recovering a ship called
the Jonas, Adrian Dirixon, master, belonging to Odo de Breteville
and Nicolas Morant of Rouen, and coming from the Canaries
laden with sugar etc.; which was taken by two English men of
war in May last, and brought into the haven of Biswater [sic]. |
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| Signed. Add. Endd. "Jonas, a ship taken by certain English
pirates and carried to Bridgwater." 3 pp. [France XVI. 12.] |
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| June 24. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
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| I send a copy of a letter received even now from Mr. "Pallavesine," and two others from another place. I am sorry to hear
that their forces will be no sooner ready, "for if they were
coming now, while this discontentment is fresh in their minds
here. I do think they might work miracles. |
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| "There came one to me this morning, that left the King of
Navarre and Prince of Condé not ten days agone departed in
the night about an enterprise of some great importance. God
send them good success. I am advertised . . . that Aussone
is determined to be at the King of Navarre's devotion; God
keep them still in that mind, for it is of great importance.
Montpensier hath sent of late to the King of Navarre, to assure
him again of him, but he would fain linger the coming of the
reiters. Soissons is almost mad at it. Montpensier hath sent
Vray and Count Caravas to the King of Navarre, by the motion
of Chemeraut, (fn. 3) that was sent from the King to him, to move the
King of Navarre for a peace; but all that is but a colour . . .
for he doth not mean it, as he assureth the King of Navarre." |
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| I send to my Lords all that has passed between the Admiral
and those appointed to deal with me. (fn. 4) I pray you help to
construe all things to the best that come from me; "as one
unacquainted with those things, and yet constrained for reputation sake to answer somewhat." |
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| I beseech you to send this packet to Buzenval presently, as
the letters are recommended to me to be delivered with safety
and speed.—24 June, 1586. |
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| Holograph. Add. Endd. with note: "sent to the Lords what
hath passed between him and the officers of the Admiralty there."
1 p. [France XVI. 13.] Words in italics, in cipher, undeciphered. |
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| June 24. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
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| I cannot but send you a letter by Mr. Offley, though I am
weak and faint at this time. He has delivered his charge to
me very sufficiently and discreetly, and can tell you what is done
for the safe and secret keeping of it. All things shall be ready
when they are ready to perform the promise on which this was
grounded. "There is no fault in Soissons, but Montpensier, who
was the hastiest, is somewhat slower, though within two days
they hope to have news from him, having sent from hence expressly ; as also the King of Navarre hath account, so that we
hope to have all things well very shortly. . . . Soissons is half
mad at Montpensier.—Paris, 24 June, 1586. |
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| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 14.] |
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| Pasted inside the covering sheet. |
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| Account of moneys delivered in Paris, June 5, 1586. Signed
Hugh Offley. |
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| Fr. ½ p. [France XVI. 15.] |
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| June 25. | Stafford to the Queen. |
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| I am fain to trouble your Majesty "more for to please the
humours of them that have so earnestly pressed me to it than
for anything that needed," having at large written to my Lords
what has passed between the Admiral and those joined with
him to deal with me for sea causes, and myself. But I was
fain to promise them to write a private letter to your Majesty
"to recommend the consideration of the inconveniences that
come for not having better order, and the expedition to your
wisdom, for the taking of some present order in it, whereof
they have made some overtures. I told them, because I knew
your Majesty's disposition in those causes, that it should not
need, but yet to fulfil their wills in it, I have presumed thus
much, humbly craving pardon of your Majesty."—Paris, 25
June, 1586. |
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| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 16.] |
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| June 25. | Stafford to Burghley. |
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| I have written to my Lords all that has passed here between
them that the King appointed and me about sea matters. I
beseech your lordship, help to construe all that comes from me
to the best. They very much pressed the matter of my lord of
Leicester, "which I was fain for reputation's sake to answer
somewhat" and hope my answer hath ministered no cause of
mislike, but pray for your advice, that I may be better instructed
another time. |
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| I have written to Mr. Secretary at large how all passes here.
"It is a great hazard if things grow not to some hard point
between the King and his subjects; how he is cried out upon
I cannot write. What good it would do the King of Navarre if
at this time he had any forces hereabouts, I dare not well write,
for fear of the changing of their minds, their heads be so
changeable." |
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| I send you a packet from my cousin Cecyll, who is here,
attending your pleasure. He tells me he has craved your lordship's favour for M. de la Noue. I pray you, "give me leave
to accompany it with my humble suit to your lordship, to help
the poor gentleman with all the favour you may, for his desert
deserveth all men's help."—Paris, 25 June, 1586. |
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| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 17.] |
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| June 25. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
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| I received the enclosed by order of the Duke of Bullion, and
yesterday a man of trust came again from him to declare
another matter, which, though I do not believe it, I thought
fit to advertise you of by this messenger. It is, that he is
certainly advertised "that the Duke of Guise hath at his departure obtained of the King and Queen Mother that Cambray
shall be delivered into the King of Spain's hands, and that
Balagni shall be sent hither, under colour to be greatly made
of, and by the way coming, shall be cut in pieces; or if he
will not come out, they will find some way to poison him within."
I do not believe it, but have given warning to one of Balagni's
folks here, that he may make his master know of it. |
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| The King of Navarre's ambassadors sent to the Swissers,
Marselliere and Rosny, arrived but the day before yesterday,
and were with me yesterday but for ordinary compliments;
leaving till to-day or tomorrow to come again, "both because
I was very weak and they pressed with the time and hour
appointed to be with the Swissers." |
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| My weakness makes me desire pardon of you for this time,
hoping in a day or two to dispatch one to you with all things
at large. "In the mean time I cannot but give you this small
hope of the Swissers doing any good here, that they, when they
come to the trial, are not the men they were desirous to be
thought afore they came; and that they be, especially the chief
of them, in affairs too much at the King's devotion. And for
my part, I see not their promptitude to assist the King of
Navarre thoroughly if there be no peace, as they gave out." |
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| Those of Germany are said to be already in France, and
looked for shortly. I pray God they carry some effect, or I
would there had none come at all. The bearer has been with
the Prince of Condé and the King of Navarre; sent to the Prince
by me with a advertisement against his person; "the men named
that are about him, and them that have practised them." I have
paid his charges and given him somewhat for his pains, yet
I pray, for my sake "that his packet may be mended" for he
has acted both warily and with expedition. I leave to him to tell
you how he left that King and Prince.—Paris, 25 June, 1586. |
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| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 18.] |
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| The names in italics are in cipher, undeciphered. |
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| June 25./July 5. | Lazaro Grimaldi to Palavicino. |
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| I wrote to you on the 22nd of this month by the usual way
of Venice, sending a duplicate by Lyons. I have only now to
tell you that Prince Doria has at length had a reply from the
minister to whom he wrote of the business proposed by you, the
letter being dated 31 of May. |
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| He [qy. Cardinal Granvelle] writes that the advice arrived
at a very untoward time, just when they had received news of
the great injuries done by Sir [Francis] Drake, which had so
greatly disturbed the mind of the King, that although he himself,
from his friendship with the said Prince, and his desire that
by his Excellency's means there should come about a pacification
between the two crowns, was very well inclined to it, he had
not dared to propose it to the King, not seeing on the part of
her Majesty any offer to give due satisfaction for the many
injuries done; yet if the said satisfaction should be offered, he
would not fail to make the attempt, and to do all good offices;
as the Prince is confident he will do; to whom it seems very
just that so much should be demanded; because where so many
and such grave offences are alleged, unless some satisfaction
is offered, it can hardly be believed that the Catholic King
will give ear to whoever should treat with him of reconciliation.
Your honour may give them to understand this in England (if
you have no commission to go further) because if her Majesty,
following her good inclination to the King (of which you have
more than once told me) and to a peace with him, should do
what is reasonable, this Prince will willingly treat of it; and
his authority and credit with the King his master being so
great, we may hope for a good result; very much aided by the
aforesaid minister, who also has much influence with him; and
of this you need not doubt, and may know that I do not write
of it without good foundation; knowing that he is one of the
chief men the said King has, and in whom he most believes,
and rightly; he being of extraordinary worth. I know also that
he professes close friendship with the Prince and the Prince
with him, so that these lords aiding our intent, by the favour
of God we may hope for very good results. . . . And if her
Majesty, not being greedy to keep what belongs to others, will
resolve to release what she holds in the Low Countries, as I
promise myself from the moderation of her mind . . ., I shall
hope for most happy success. . . . |
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| I hear that the Prince is shortly to depart with the galleys,
unless order comes to the contrary. Before he goes, I will
consult with him what method we shall take to carry on the
project, and whom he will meet, and where. We have already
discussed this together, and he will not fail to forward so
important an affair; which also I myself will aid as much as
possible, and Signor Fabritio will do the same. He has lately
received your letter of May 28, from which I see that you have
postponed for some days your departure for Saxony; whence
I wish you a safe and happy return.—Genoa, 29 June, 1586. |
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| The original of this is sent to Francfort. If we have anything
new, I will advertise you of it.—Genoa, 5 July, 1586. |
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| Add. (to London). Endd. Italian. 2¼ pp. [Germany, States
IV. 60.] |
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| June 26. | Stafford to the Lords of the Council. |
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| The other day I wrote to Mr. Secretary upon a complaint for
a French ship taken in May by two English men of war, and
carried into Biswater [Bridgewater]. I have now been asked
to accompany the bearer (who is one of the owners) with letters
in his favour for the recovering of the ship and merchandise.
The ship is the Jonas, laden with sugar etc. at the Canaries for
Odo de Breteville and Nicolas Morant, merchants of Rouen;
and was taken by Cape Finisterre. The Admiralty officers
beseech your lordships that they may have present restitution
of the ship and goods, belonging wholly to French merchants;
which I humbly crave at your hands, that further cause of complaining be taken away.—Paris, 26 June, 1586. |
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| Signed. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVI. 19.] |
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| June 26. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
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| From Dresden I wrote fully to you, by your servant Piper
of Ipswich, of all that had happened to me in that Elector's court,
which I hope has come safely to your hands. Since then I
have been to the Elector of Brandenburg, by whom I was
honourably received, but his reply to what I gave him in
writing upon the affairs of France was to the same tenor as
that of his son-in-law, of which he had had full notice. I will
send it to you as soon as I reach Frankfort and then tell you
more particularly what little I am able to judge of the dispositions
of these princes. Meanwhile I send this by a Fleming whom
I have met by accident. Give me leave once more to remind
you to move the King of Denmark—who will certainly be with
these Electors within a month or six weeks—to exhort them
warmly to take to heart not only the particular matters of
France, but those of the common cause in general, and to this
effect dispose them to a firm and strong league, because, if
zealously done, I hope that would have very good effect with
them and as regards the public cause will be without doubt an
action of great moment, as it is evident that the common enemies
fear more such a thing than any other that may happen.—
Norimburg, 26 June, 1586. |
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| Add. Endd. Italian. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 61.] |
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| June 28. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I received your honour's letters for my lord of Shrewsbury's
cause now in suit here, and have done what I could; complaining
to the Admiral of the injustice done at Rouen, and getting the
parties to be called up hither. "The cause was almost desperate
when my lord's man came to me, being already judged by the
Tournelle at Rouen, and your honour knows how hard a thing it
is to reverse a definitive sentence given by a sovereign court."
It is committed to President Faucon, who I doubt not will
stay it to be judged here, where we shall have equity and
justice. I pray you, assure my lord I will labour in it as
earnestly as if the cause were mine own.—Paris, 28 June, 1586. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. ¾ p. [France XVI. 20.] |
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| June 30. | Segur to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Since my last, I have heard from a good source that the
King of Denmark, Electors of Saxe and Brandenburg and other
protestant princes will shortly assemble near this town, to settle
many affairs of importance, and especially the means of aiding
the King of Navarre and our churches. I see plainly that your
Queen will be the last to help us, although she is the most
interested, and was the first to exhort the others. But I believe
that it is not her fault; attributing it to some of her councillors,
whose malice may God bring to light. I will advertise you what
is resolved on in this assembly; the news of which is the only
thing which has brought me hither. |
|---|
| There is in this town a great personage called Helias Hutterus,
who is having the Bible printed in Hebrew, in new characters and
by so easy a method, that one can learn more in one month
than formerly in six. But as the printing is costly, and he
fears that when he has printed it in Germany, others may print
it from his copy elsewhere, i.e. in England, he begs you, as I
do also, to obtain the Queen's prohibition against the printing
thereof in any of her dominions for a certain number of years;
it being only reasonable that the author of a new and very
useful invention, and who has had all the expence of it, should
derive some profit therefrom. The said Hutterus also desires
to print all the versions made of the Bible, in Greek, Latin and
other vulgar tongues so far as he can collect them, even up to
a hundred; printing them so that on one leaf one will see all
the different versions. Learned men say that this will be a
fine work, and very useful. But as it will be very costly, and
a private man cannot undertake it, it is thought to be a matter
worthy of the aid of the Queen and other christian princes.
If her Majesty would contribute, she would do well, and you
may speak to her of it if you know it may be of any use. |
|---|
| M. Junius also, who translated the Bible into Latin with
Emanuel Tremellius, has corrected this in such sort that it is
almost like a new translation, and has sent it to the heirs of
the late Wechel to be printed; but as they fear that some
English printer may make use of this edition, as happened to
the first which they issued (fn. 5) , they are determined not to print it
unless they also obtain a prohibition from the Queen to all
the printers of her Kingdom, for some years. And as many
learned personages who have seen this version declare it to
be very good and necessary for all Christendom, I beg you to
obtain this prohibition as well as that for Helias Hutterus, and
also the licence for Dr. Vitus Vinshemius to export a hundred
tons of butter from Holland; and to send me all three together.
I pray you not to be vexed by these requests; they are for a
good purpose, and will cost nothing; and I shall be as much
obliged to you as if it were for a private affair of my own.—
Hamburg, last of June, 1586. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. "31 [sic] June, 1586." French. 1½ pp.
[Germany, States IV. 62.] |
|---|
| [June.] | Pierre Lefebure, dit Lescordier, a captain of the King's Ocean
fleet, says that a ship belonging to Nicolas Gillot of Dieppe
left that port about June 15, 1586, to go to the parts of the
Belthe [sic], a country of Germany, to be laden with corn;
and being so laden was on its return when it was met outside
Boulogne by an English ship equipped for war; which took
the said ship and corn, together with Jehan Robin, a factor
in it and carried it to Flushing, where all was adjudged
good prize, which is a great loss to Lefebure, to whom the corn
belonged. If such things are done, it will be impossible for
the ships from the said haven to continue to use their ordinary
route. |
|---|
| Endd. "Pierre Le Febure, his ship . . . taken and carried
to Flushing, there sold. June 1586." Fr. 1 p. [France XVI.
21.] |
|---|
| June. | Deliberations in the Council of the King touching "depredations," with detailed resolutions concerning the measures to
be taken in the ports of the two kingdoms for preventing acts
of piracy on either side.—At Paris and St. Maur des Fosses,
June, 1586. |
|---|
| Certified by Le Sueur, secretary of M. de Chasteauneuf, as
having been collated by him with the original [signed by Pinart],
sent over by the King to his ambassador. |
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| Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [France XVI. 22.] |
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| June. | Declaration of what was ordained in the King's Council upon
the Placard of the Earl of Leicester. (fn. 6) |
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| The King having exhibited in his Council the said Placard,
whereby the Earl forbids merchants, of whatever country they
may be, to trade with the subjects of the King of Spain; or
to take into the neutral countries which are part of the Kingdom
of France any corn or other merchandise, without his passport
and safe-conduct; and that those who shall pass by the seas
and coasts of the United Provinces shall pay right of convoy;
failing which, they shall be held to be good prize:—As also
that those who sail towards France or other places to the
west shall keep on the high sea; and all those found within
the banks of Flanders shall be confiscated: And that all the
boats of Calais, Boulogne, Dieppe and other towns and harbours
between Calais and Nantes in which are found any subjects
of the King of Spain shall be forfeited and declared good
prize:— |
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| (1) His Majesty says that the said placard is contrary to
the treaties between their Majesties, whereby trade is declared free to his subjects, in whatever province they may be. |
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| (2) And although there be a quarrel between the Queen
of England and the King of Spain; his Majesty having remained
at peace with both, traffic cannot be forbidden to his subjects
in Spain, England or the Low Countries. |
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| (3) Also, it has always been customary that the subject
[of a country] with whom there is no war, is free to go to
the countries who are at war. |
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| (4) As was practised by the English during the last war
between the Kings of France and Spain; who trafficked freely
into these two kingdoms. |
|---|
| (5) And thus for the Earl of Leicester to hinder the said
parties from trade with the Low Countries or Spain, is to
break the alliance between France and England. |
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| (6) Moreover, to declare the French ships taken by the
Hollanders and Zeelanders good prize, is a manifest injustice
and contrary to all law, whether of God or man, and his
Majesty will not suffer it. |
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| (7) Wherefore he requires the said Queen to cause speedy
justice to be done for the said depredations, and to satisfy
the French who have been plundered. |
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| (8) And that she shall forbid the Earl of Leicester and all
others to hinder the traffic of the French to any place whatever,
as also the fishing, without restitution, seeing that it has always
been free, whatever war there might be between the said kingdoms. |
|---|
| (9) And that, in order to cause the said Earl of Leicester
to restore the goods pillaged by the Hollanders, she shall
cause sufficient goods of his own to be delivered to the offended
Frenchmen to recompense them for their losses; which she
cannot in justice refuse, seeing that the Earl is her subject,
and his goods held under her obedience. |
|---|
| (10) His Majesty long ago wrote to the said Queen to do
justice to Jehan Chevrier, a merchant dwelling in Auvergne,
for certain goods which he had laden at Calais in a Breton
ship, which were taken by Jehan Peden, a captain of Zeeland,
six leagues from Calais, taken into Zeeland and declared good
prize by sentence of the Admiralty of Zeeland on Sept.
5, 1585, (fn. 7) on the ground that the said Chevrier had brought
the goods from Spain, trafficked at St. Omer, and bought part
thereof in the Low Countries. And although his said Majesty
had also written to the Estates of the said Countries, they
referred the decision of the matter to the said Earl of Leicester,
who did no justice therein, but on the contrary, by his letter
to the English ambassador (which he produced in the Council
of the King) the Earl defends the said sentence, grounding it
upon the said placards, and nevertheless, it cannot be thought
good, if the said Queen wishes to maintain the good faith
and alliance of the two kingdoms. |
|---|
| (11) Seeing that by their treaties it is in no wise forbidden
to the French to traffic with the subjects of the King of Spain,
and that such prohibitions of the Earl of Leicester can only
be binding on those who are under his rule. |
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| (12) Moreover, if such prohibitions had been approved by
her Majesty, yet such sorts of merchandise as those of Chevrier
have never been forbidden, even in countries where there was
war, and could not without great injustice be confiscated. |
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| (13) And seeing that the said Queen well knew the injustice
done to the said Chevrier, his Majesty prays her to give him
prompt satisfaction; otherwise the good faith of the two countries
is broken. |
|---|
| (14) His Majesty also prays the said Queen to make like
satisfaction to the many Frenchmen who have been taken by
the said ships of Zeeland, even since the time when, upon their
prayer, she had granted them surséance [i.e. stay of proceedings] for six months for the ships seized. |
|---|
| (15) And also to give orders that all French vessels be let
to pass freely, whether coming from or going into France,
without confiscation, forfeiture or stay of the said vessels or
their furniture, as happened three months ago to several ships
laden with corn in other provinces to carry into France. |
|---|
| Otherwise, his said Majesty cannot deny to his subjects the
ordinary means they have been accustomed to make use of in
the case of those who deny them justice. |
|---|
| Made in the Council of the King, both in Paris and at
St. Maur des Fossés, June, 1586, and signed Pinart. |
|---|
| Certified as collated with the original—sent by the King
to the Baron of Chasteauneuf, Ambassador with the Queen
of England—by his secretary, Le Sueur. |
|---|
| Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [France XVI. 23.] |
|---|
| [June.] | Answer of Sir E. Stafford to the Preceding Complaint. |
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| 1. The King and Council were mistaken in thinking that the
placard was against the treaties between their Majesties, for
her Majesty had no interest for or against anything done by
those countrymen against subjects of France, "for first and
foremost, they were not her subjects"; nor my Lord of Leicester
appointed by her to govern those countries, but to be General
of the English troops sent to aid them to maintain their ancient
liberties, as the King himself would have done but for the
troubles in his own country; who had often, both by his
ambassador in England and by himself [Stafford], there, requested her Majesty, for pity's sake, not to deny them, which
was the cause why she entered into the matter, his lordship
being chosen both for "the wisdom was known to be in the
man to govern," and for his authority and greatness in the
realm. If they of the Low Countries have put further authority
into his hands, and being in that authority, he has done somewhat which may not content all parties, her Majesty is no
more answerable for it than the King was for his brother's
actions. |
|---|
| 2. He knew of no war between the King of Spain and her
Majesty. If there was anything between them, "it was but a
matter of some denial of justice, whereupon letters of reprisal
were granted and executed, without breach of peace"; therefore
he knew of no reason why the subjects of all three Princes
might not traffic with each other, when satisfaction was once
made for the injuries they had done. |
|---|
| 3. Did not deny that this has been always a custom, and
is not yet hindered, for aught he knew. |
|---|
| 4. This was a thing before his time, but he believed it was so. |
|---|
| 5. His lordship has not broken the alliance between the
realms, having no authority (so far as he knows) from her
Majesty to do it. |
|---|
| 6. His lordship is so wise that he doubtless could give a
good account why he did it. |
|---|
| 7. Her Majesty can promise to wield no justice save over
her own subjects, which they of the Low Countries are not;
but if it pleases them, he will move her Majesty and is sure
she would willingly admonish them of the Low Countries to
give no cause of misliking to the King and his subjects, and
command his lordship to use his best endeavours to make them
do it. |
|---|
| 8. She can, and he is sure will forbid her own subjects to
do it, but with others could (he thought) use only the methods
of the article before. |
|---|
| 9. That it were no reasonable demand to make the Earl of
Leicester surrender the goods, it not being in his power but by
way of entreaty, and this he had endeavoured to do, as was
shown by his letter to the Admiralty, "upon the letter he received from the King for the cause of Chevrier"; and for the
Queen "to deliver his goods to answer the French men's losses,
because he was her subject" was no more reason than for the
King to do the like with the noblemen who were with Monsieur,
yet he would never answer for anything they did. |
|---|
| 10. If her Majesty had written in the cause of Chevrier,
it showed that she would do anything to help his subjects, but he
could not believe that she did it by way of commandment.
That the States left the decision to the Earl of Leicester did
not appear by their letter (which he now again showed to the
Council), in which "they defend their sentence to be good,
which her Majesty cannot do withal, neither can it break any
treaty or alliance between the King and her." |
|---|
| 11. And therefore the conclusion that followeth in the 11th
article is of no weight. |
|---|
| 12. Believes her Majesty "would not annoy and impeach the
traffic," but help all she could to keep things on good terms
between them and the King. |
|---|
| 13. She "taketh no knowledge of those things but by way
of mediation," which he thinks she would do very willingly. |
|---|
| 14. Is sure she will mediate for any reasonable thing for
the King's subjects, but thought she would not otherwise intermeddle. |
|---|
| 15. Believes she would give no commandment, but use the
means aforesaid to maintain good amity. Thinks however "that
they of the Low Countries had the same reasons that all men
of war have to impeach their enemy to be so victualled, and
if upon open publication to forbid it, anybody bring victuals
and were taken" he thought it was a custom at all times to
confiscate it, for the answer they made him the last day in that
point "was nothing vallable, that the King openly forbid the
transportation of any victuals out of the realm, for if, for all
that, his subjects did transport to the enemy that which the
King had forbidden, it was not reason they should let their
enemy be succoured before their noses, and to send them that
they had taken to the King to do justice . . . it was a thing
in like cases (he thought) in time of war had never commonly
been seen, and besides, it was not like the King would do open
justice for that, if they were sent him, for that were open
breaking with the King of Spain, and therefore . . . it were
better for him not to see them that were taken for that matter,
nor to take knowledge of it." |
|---|
| 16. And so he would not need "to be in pain of the 16th."
Will, as they request, write to the Queen "to make some good
order between them," which he "dare say" she will very willingly
do, desiring them in the mean time to pardon him for dealing
plainly in a matter he "had no charge to deal in, and was
altogether unacquainted with." |
|---|
| In Stafford's own hand. 4 pp. [France XVI. 24.] |
|---|
| [June ?] | "A memorial of the conference about piracies," in Walsingham's hand. |
|---|
| 1. The answering of the matter touching the placard. |
|---|
| 2. The answering of the ambassador's complaints. |
|---|
| 3. The goods of her Majesty's subjects. |
|---|
| Resolutions: |
|---|
| "That touching the placard, first it belongeth to the States
to answer it, for that the Earl of Leicester is only General of
her Majesty's forces; 'secondarily,' that her Majesty doth mislike
of the said placard in sundry points, both for the form and the
matter. And lastly that her Majesty, in respect of the mislike
that the French King hath of the said placard, she hath given
order to the Earl of Leicester to deal with the States for
reformation of the same. For the more expedition in yielding
satisfaction to the said King's subjects' complaints, it is thought
meet that an especial commission shall be directed to certain
persons for the hearing and determining the said complaints. |
|---|
| That the judge of the Admiralty shall deal with the merchants
interested to make choice of a solicitor to follow their complaints
in France. In Walsingham's hand. |
|---|
| Below, written by Burghley, list of the commissioners:— |
|---|
| Richard Staper, John Fisher, George Hanger, London. |
|---|
| John Barker, Ipswich. |
|---|
| Robert Smyth, George Wykes, Dartmouth. |
|---|
| Michael Pepoll, Bristol. |
|---|
| Titus Johnson, Richard Arnolt, Thomas Androise, London.
—Hassall, Lyme. |
|---|
| Endd. "Resolution taken touching conference with the ambassador about redress of piracies." 2 pp. [France, XVI. 25.] |
|---|
| June. | "Resolution taken upon conference with the French ambassador for matters of piracy, June, 1586. |
|---|
| J. Prior. "To write a letter to Mr. Seymer either to make
satisfaction or to appear before my lords. To deal with Mr.
Rawley to make satisfaction or to show some reason why he
should not do the same. And to know what answer he hath
received of the governor of Brest. |
|---|
| The judge of the Admiralty to proceed with all convenient
expedition in the ending of the cause. |
|---|
| Margin. "Jeronimo Andrea. Ordered by the Judge that Bird
etc. shall pay 296.9.6. to Tresell, the 30 of July, 1586. |
|---|
| Baynard. "Touching the wheat sold in Cornwall, a letter
to be written to the judges of the Admiralty there to see
restitution made, according to the price that wheat bare in
that country at the time of the sale thereof. |
|---|
| Pape (fn. 8) . "Sir Wm. Courtenay to be ordered to make restitution,
for which purpose, letters are to be written unto him, either
to make the said restitution, or to appear before the lords. |
|---|
| Nowell. "The judge to proceed to the examining and sentencing of the cause. |
|---|
| Ravenell. "That Young shall either make restitution of certain
packets of canvas belonging to Ravenell, or appear before my
lords of the Council to show cause why he should not make
restitution accordingly. And Young's commission for the dealing
with the said canvas to be suspended. The said Ravenell offereth
to yield 1500 crowns to the said Young to be assisted in the
execution of his commission. |
|---|
| Russell, solicitor for the merchants of Toulouse. "His proofs
made at Flushing touching the woad (oade) taken by the ships
that transported the Prince of Condé to be examined by the
Judge of the Admiralty, and to make report to the commissioners. |
|---|
| Viveux [?] "Mr. Harbart to bring Mr. Campion and Gifford to
the French ambassador to the end they may treat of an accord. |
|---|
| Muriscovesia. "Ordered that the two cautionaries shall answer
such satisfaction as by law shall be adjudged. |
|---|
| Durie [?] Parrye. "To be considered by the Lords the especial
commissioners, wherein the advice of the judge and the assistants
is:—That a letter be written to Sir George Carey for the
restoring unto Jeffrey Prior of the Flanders wares specified in
an inventory returned into the Admiralty Court." |
|---|
| Endd. as the headline. In Walsingham's hand. 2¼ pp.
[France XVI. 26.] |
|---|
| [June ?] | [Thomas Rogers (fn. 9) ] to Francis [Mills?] |
|---|
| "According to your direction, I have hereunder set down
the matter that concerneth the Lord Ambassador, which matter
being both dishonourable and very perilous is worthy to be
noted and wisely to be foreseen. |
|---|
| "First, by a letter that Tho. Fitzherbert wrote to Geoffrey
Foljambe (Foulgiam), I do find that the Lord Ambassador, in
consideration of 6000 crowns, and in performance of his promise,
did show to the Duke of Guise his letters and intelligences out
of England. |
|---|
| "Secondly, that he imparteth also his said secrets to Charles
Arundel, and that he told him that M. Arnault, that lately
attended upon the French ambassador here was a spy for the
right honourable your good master [Walsingham] and that he
gave him at his first entertainment a chain of gold, upon his
promise to perform that office; which matter was delivered to
Queen Mother, who presently was much perplexed with the
matter, and gave order to remove him from hence. |
|---|
| "Thirdly, there was a captain that had served in the Low
Countries . . . that passed by Rheims toward Paris, who had
a packet of letters from Dr. Gyfford and others to Charles
Arundel and others at Paris, who presented the said packet to
the Lord Ambassador; but he delivered the letters again to him
to carry into England, and gave secret notice to Fitzherbert and
the rest to seek out the party, and to procure his letters out
of his hands. |
|---|
| "Fourthly, I found that Charles Arundel had a special care and
hope that the Ambassador might stay in France until his return,
and this I persuade myself, that Arundel imparted his intent
of going into Spain to him, for they were very conversant, and
their most meeting was at Monsieur Simier's (Scimer's) lodging
in the rue de Beaver [qy. Biévre]. And further I find that
Arundel can send any man into England by the ambassador's
means . . . and did secretly procure letters of commendations
on my behalf to his honour for my return into England, upon
hope that I should or would receive his letters at his return from
Spain, which maketh me think that I shall hear from him if
he be returned. |
|---|
| "Lastly, it was concluded between the ambassador and the
rest, that the better to increase his credit in England, they would
deliver him from time to time such intelligences, or the first fruits
of the new books or libels as should first come forth and be
grateful unto him; which was curiously observed by the Papists
for all common matters, but for other matters, they never
troubled his head withal. |
|---|
| "And further, I did always find him evil affected to our
honourable good friend [Walsingham], as being glad to hear of
the peril of death that he was in about Christmas last (as was
then reported in France), and for example, there passed some
special messenger from the King of Navarre towards England
about the same time, who had order from the King to pass in
secret through Paris without speaking with the ambassador,
and in England to deliver his letters and messages only to our
honourable master and to conceal the same from the right
honourable the Lord Treasurer; but the ambassador understanding thereof, by means procured from the said messenger
his whole ambassage, which he then sent into England to the
Lord Treasurer. |
|---|
| "I have before this time advertized his honour of the premises,
but I perceive since my return that the most part of them were
concealed from him by Palavicino, to what end I know not;
but his honour now being fully instructed thereof, I would it
would please him to let me know whether he will conceal them
or let Palavicino know that he is certified of them; for Palavicino
willed me not to bewray them (wherein I should have had small
discretion); but fain I would learn what answer to make Palavicino if he ask me, and to avoid the suspicion of the bewraying
of the matter to his honour. |
|---|
| "There is lately arrived in England one Lighe, a priest, and
one Langdale, a priest also, who came from Rome, and entered
England in mariners' apparel, shipped from Treport. Lighe
haunteth the company of the Lady Jarrett, and is lodged for the
most part at the Swan in Strand. He said mass in Newgate to
the Papists there on Sunday last. Langdale resorteth to the
Lord Vaux. |
|---|
| "Hereinclosed I send you a letter which I received from
Palavicino, wherein he desireth to know what shall become of
the Ambassador. I would be glad to have order what answer to
make him. I pray you ask his honour's advice, and keep the
letter safe." |
|---|
| [Messages to Walsingham]. "This Wednesday night in haste,
as may appear by my scribbling." |
|---|
| Postscript. Asks for letters from Walsingham to Mr. Bostock,
high sheriff of Surrey, on behalf of a kinsman, John Martyn of
Tillingdowne (fn. 10) , whose landlord, Allen Hord (a Papist) is about to
turn him out of the farm of which he has a lease, because "he
made default of payment of his rent at his day," though he has
now paid the whole.
Add. but the name carefully cancelled. The Christian name
is however evidently Francis, and it may therefore be pretty
safely assumed that the letter is to Fras. Mills, one of Walsingham's secretaries. Endd. "Secret advertisements." 3 pp.
[France XVI. 27.] |
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