|
| Feb. 4/14 | Henry III. to Elizabeth. |
|---|
| "Le Sieur Vuade [Wade] nous a presenté vostre lettre, et
faict entendre ce que vous luy avez donné charge de nous dire,
touchant la cognoissance que vous pretendez que a eue le Sieur
de Chasteauneuf, de nostre Conseil d'Estat, et ambassadeur
resident pres de vous, d' une trahison que l'on a voullu faire
pour actempter a vostre vye, chose de laquelle nous estimons
qu'il se scaura bien justiffier envers nous (a qui il a a respondre
de ses actions) et qu'il vous en demeurera la satisfaction raisonable, quant les choses seront bien entendues. Car nous le tenons
pour celluy qui a eu le cœur et la pensée du tout alliené
d'un tel mal, avec ce qu'il a bien sceu que nous en avions
l'esprit et la volonté entierement esloignée, d'aultant que nous
l'improuvenions et detesterions mesmes entre les princes qui seroient en guerre ouverte, et poursuiveroient la ruine l'un de
l'aultre. Et pour ce que nous ne desirons riens plus que de
faire paroistre la verité de ce faict, si claire qu'elle ne puisse
estre obscurcye, nous escrivons a nostre dict ambassadeur qu'il
est (oultre ce qu'il nous en a mandé cy devant) a nous en
escripre de nouveau. Cependant la responce que nous avons a
vous faire, sur la proposition dudict Vuade, sera ung peu
retardee, affin qu'il s'en puisse retourner avec une resolution plus
entiere. Mais nous vous prions affecteusement, ce attendant,
que pour le regard de de Trapes, qui est nostre subject, a la
suicte de nostre dict ambassadeur, et nostre justiciable, que
vous le faictes remectre entre ses mains, vous promectant que
s'il se trouve coulpable de l'accusacion que luy est mise sus,
nous en ferons faire telle pugnition que chacun cognoistra combien nous abhorons ung tel faict, et nous affectionnons ce que
peult concerner la conservacion de vostre vye, qui ne nous sera
jamais moings chere que celle de la nostre propre. Desirans
pour nostre part mainctenir nostre commune et fraternelle amityé
par tous bons et louables offices et rejecter les choses qui
seroient pour 'y pouvoir apporter quelque alteracion. Ainsy
que noz effects le feront tousjours plus cognoistre que les parolles,
dont nous pourrions estendre ceste lettre [sur] un tel subject;
laquelle partant nous finirons en suppliant le Createur . . .
qu'il vous ayt en sa tressaincte et digne garde."—Paris, 14
Febvrier, 1587. Signed "Vostre bon frere et cousin, Henry."
Countersigned Brulart.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVII. 21.] |
|---|
| Feb. 4/14 | Henry III. to M. Roger. |
|---|
| Having heard the Sieur Wade, whom the Queen of England has
sent to make known to me what has happened in the conspiracy
which she professes to have been made against her life by
the young Stafford and Mody, in which she says d' Estrappes
has joined and that the Sieur de Chasteauneuf has had full
knowledge of it:—I have thought well, while waiting for his
defences against the extracts of the depositions of the above
named three persons, to write to my good sister to divert her
from any hurried pursuit or rigorous treatment as regards d'
Estrapes, who is my subject, praying her to remit him into the
hands of my ambassador, who will take charge of him, that he
may suffer punishment if he has merited it. Desiring you to
present this letter to my good sister, and to pray her, in the
name of our mutual amity, to grant this my desire, which I
have the more reason to urge as I fear that those who desire men
to go on believing that this conspiracy has been formented by
the Sieur de Chasteauneuf and d' Estrapes, may try to push on
the matter against him, in order to confirm the calumny which
I believe has been drawn up against my ministers. In which
you shall govern yourself according to this, my intention and the
advice of the said Sieur de Chasteauneuf. Signed Henry. Countersigned Brulart.
Endd with date. Fr. 1 p. [France XVII. 22.] |
|---|
| Feb. 4. | Horatio Palavicino to Burghley. |
|---|
| The letter from the Duke to her Majesty which I now send,
will, as I believe, ratify his bonds. He sent me a copy of
it last week, so that I might write to the same effect, and
wished, in like manner to see a copy of mine, but not thinking
this either reasonable or convenient I excused myself, saying
that I had written several letters, and on divers matters, and
therefore he could not see the whole at once. He was annoyed
by this, would not accept my excuse, and has not told me whether
he has now written in accordance [with what he sent me]. |
|---|
| I see clearly that the interest of himself and his men is to
keep me here, making by my means ever new demands, which
would be so disagreeable to me that if I wish to come home,
I hope your lordship will not blame me. I have asked Mr.
Secretary for licence, and I beg you, unless it be for her
Majesty's express service for me to remain, not to leave me
here; but in case her service requires it, I bow my head
thereto, and pray you to take no heed of my request, only asking
that if there is to be treating of more money and some new
agreement, you will send me a fellow-worker, who, with myself,
may grant the conditions demanded and will aid me in this
charge, too great for one person alone, and with only ordinary
servants about him. Moreover, if I should have to go to procure
and collect the money, there must be some person here upon
whom I can rely in my absence, as also in case of other accidents which might happen; for I by no means wish to submit
any longer to the anxiety and risk in which I have been, and
which is better known to me now than is was formerly.—
Frankfort, 4 February, 1586–7. |
|---|
| Add Endd. by Burghley. Italian, 1¼ pp. [Germany, States
V. 13.] |
|---|
| Also |
|---|
| Duplicate of the above. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Italian. 1¼ pp. [Ibid. V. 13a.] |
|---|
| Feb. 4. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I send you the copy of the Duke's letter to her Majesty,
and as he presses for a speedy answer, I beg you to gratify
him as soon as possible. The tenor thereof is not known to me
but I am given to believe that it is but to ratify his bonds,
and will give you due satisfaction; in which case it will be
best to answer it to the like effect, and to give him the aid
which shall appear reasonable. |
|---|
| As from myself, I have said to him and his that I believe
her Majesty will not be disposed to disburse more money for
the King of Navarre, having done it so notably and so alone
among the many princes as much concerned therein as she is;
but that matters may so fall out for her own service, that if
the Duke has such regard thereto as is fitting, and shall govern
his actions thereby, she may be able to give another succour;
and truly as the affairs of the world stand at home and abroad,
I believe that we may expect very grave accidents, and that it
would be well not to despise any advantage whatever. |
|---|
| [Concerning his return or the sending of a comrade, as to
Burghley.] |
|---|
| In mine of the 27 of last month, I told you of the ambassador
from Berne come to Heidelberg. I am told that he is a brave
man and a good soldier. Now, he has written me the letter
which I send you, by which you will see his offers on the one
side, and on the other the irresolution of the Sieur de Clervant,
which vexes me not a little, believing that to him he trusts
mostly for support. Whereto I have replied as your honour
will see, although by my writing, he and his may be little moved
from their own ideas. |
|---|
| But this man may do good service in the Low Countries, or
indeed in the designs of the Count de Soisson, and by this
[letter] you may see what I ought to reply to him, either of
hope or thanks, which I will execute with all diligence. |
|---|
| In Sicily they are making great quantity of biscuit, and
ships are sailing for Seville and Lisbon with provisions for
King Philip's fleets; but no other provisions of war or for sea
affairs are being made in Italy for his service.—Frankfort, 4
February, 1586. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Italian. 1¾ pp. [Germany, States V. 14.] |
|---|
| Feb. 4. | Also |
|---|
| Duplicate of the same. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Italian. 1¾ pp. [Ibid. V. 14a.] |
|---|
| Feb. 6. | Stafford to Burghley. |
|---|
| Your lordship will see by the date of this letter how long
we have stayed without getting a passport. I have written at
large thereof to the Secretaries, by which letters you will also
see that two days ago "speaking with M. Belliever, he fell into
our treaty underhand with Spain and the knowledge they had
of Champigny's coming into England; and told me that he
knew your lordship was very willing to hearken to that. That
he did not speak it for blame to you, for he esteemed you a
notable counsellor and a very wise man, and affected to your
country; but that if your lordship well looked into it, that there
was more surety now in the amity of France, and gave many
humming words out, wishing that we might well understand
one another, and understand ourselves better; and repeated again
that he would to God he had found her Majesty and her Council,
and particularly your lordship, in such terms as he might have
spoken freely and declared why he came," the cause pretended
being but a colour, and his chief object being "to set good
things in hand for the good of both the realms." I am even
now advertised that they that blow the coal here to make a
breach with us are assured of having Spain with them against
us; and though this is not from a source we may build our
faith upon, yet these sudden arrests make me know not what
to make of it. |
|---|
| "The Scottish Queen's favourers give out here that the King
of Scots hath openly declared he will have war with her Majesty
if she content him not in this action of his mother. He will,
never begin it, I think, if he be not assured of a better back
than his own."—Paris, 6 February, 1586. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. by Burghley. 1 p. [France XVII. 23.] |
|---|
| [Feb. ?] | Notes concerning complaints of Englishmen in Spain. |
|---|
| "I gave your lordship a brief note . . . wherein I said that
of 37 of the Spanish complaints, seventeen were not answered;
ten excused; five delayed and five denied. |
|---|
| "I understand since that the Spanish ambassador affirmed that
there was none denied. |
|---|
| "The five which I set down as denied were denials de facto,
viz.: denied that the complaints were true, and they were these: |
|---|
| 1. "The 18th complaint denied that Thomas Johnson was not
forced to kneel to the sacrament, nor had not 200 ducats taken
from him. |
|---|
| 2. The 20th: "that Peter van Loors, factor or agent was not
poisoned, but died of the tabardillo. |
|---|
| 3. The 28th: "That Gregory Hills' goods were not carried to
the confiscation house, but to the custom house. |
|---|
| 4. The 29th: "Don Luis [Fagiordo], saith it is false that he
ever forced any to serve in the armado. |
|---|
| 5. The 36th: "That D. L. Fagiardo never sent English ship to
the Indies, but by the goodwill and to the great benefit of the
owners. |
|---|
| "These are denied in fact, but the truth is that all the rest
almost, that are said not to be answered, or otherwise excused
or delayed, are indeed . . . in a manner all denied in jure, as
well as the other are in facto, for as yet there hath been no
just satisfaction given to any." |
|---|
| On the dorso is written: "Laid out to my Lady Coppinger"
[amount illegible.] |
|---|
| [Spain II. 76.] |
|---|
| [If the reference to the Ambassador refers to the date of
writing, the paper cannot belong to this period, but it appears
to be rather a collection of facts of past occurence, perhaps
gathered with a view to the peace negotiations with Parma
going on at this time.] |
|---|
| Feb. 8. | Robert Pecok to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Understands that when Jerome Horsey was in England, his
honour took great pains in furthering the merchants' business
to her Majesty and her Council, and in respect of their favour
towards Horsey and willingness to wink at his former misdemeanours, not only . . . to dispatch him away with her Majesty's
letters to the Emperor here; but also to be an adventurer with
him." Thinks it his duty to tell him something of the man,
lest he be deceived. |
|---|
| His state is not good; he owes four thousand roubles to the
merchants, and two thousand more to others; and of the goods
he brought over he hath little left, nor any commodities of this
country to send home to his honour and "other his friends
adventurers." But he will make shift to make return to his
honour with profit, that he may think well of him and be encouraged to adventure further. To tell of his disorderly be
haviour here would be "to enter into a sea that hath no bottom,"
and he knows his honour will hear thereof from others. |
|---|
| Thanks him for his good counsel given at Richmond, "to
maintain and keep that good name of honesty," which his honour
was pleased to say he had, and which he assures him Russia
shall not corrupt.—Moscow, 8 February 1586. |
|---|
| Postscript. It will be well to call Horsey home, and best
by his honour's letters to him, to put him in hope of other
employment. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. 1 p. [Russia I. 23.] |
|---|
| Feb. 10/20 | G. de Crulay to Walsingham. |
|---|
| When some time ago, I sent back to your honour an old
passport, you replied by Mr. Bel [Beale] that for a fresh one,
I must apply to the Lord Treasurer. This I did several times,
and finally received answer that I must return to you, as it
was not his place to give passports. Wherefore I pray you to
order it without further delay. I have heard that a new passport
was given to a company of Italians two days ago. I hope that
you will not treat me worse than another unless I deserve less.
I did not go away last year with the passport you then gave
me, because, you having desired me to remain, I lost the chance
of the merchant who was to have accommodated me with money,
and have only now managed to get what will barely suffice for
my journey. I pray you not to oblige me to waste it while
waiting for my passport, as I have done for nearly a month
already. Moreover, it is essential that I should go over at once
to procure wherewithal to pay my creditors, being in daily
danger of arrest.—London, 20 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1¼ pp. [France XVII. 25.] |
|---|
| Feb. 11. | Horatio Palavicino to Burghley. |
|---|
| I send a copy of mine to Mr. Secretary that you may see all
that has been done here and what D. Casimir still demands, who
is shortly sending one to her Majesty with his propositions.
If the state of her service induces her to lend an ear to them,
I believe he would bind himself to repay her with the first money
he receives from the French King, if peace be made in France,
or at least would make himself her absolute debtor to repay it
at Heidelberg on his return, or on the return of the army, in
case he remains at home. But this is only my imagination, not
gathered from his words or his men, and I cannot be sure
whether it was agreed to by him. |
|---|
| Your lordship will see the new severity of the Pope against
me, and the doubt which it breeds in me about my men, whether
they may abandon me, in which case I must certainly return
home speedily; but I believe them to be so honest and faithful
that they will do their duty, and therefore do not wish this to
excuse me from doing any service to her Majesty, here or elsewhere, being sure that your lordship will protect my interests in
my absence, as I pray you to do with all my heart.—Frankfort,
11 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. by Burghley. Italian. 1 p. [Germany, States V. 15.] |
|---|
| Feb. 11. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I wrote last on the 4th, by the two usual ways. On the
evening of the 5th, Quitry arrived here on his way to Wittemberg,
where he is to meet the colonels and make an agreement, carrying
with him the instructions of D. Casimir, although the capitulation
is to be made in the name of the King of Navarre. It is hoped
that they will return at the beginning of next month, and that
he will obtain an engagement [from the colonels] to cross the
Rhine two months after the date of the capitulation, that is about
the end of April, haste being very necessary for the succour of
the King of Navarre; for one of his gentlemen, lately come from
him, called Beauchamp, says that he cannot wait longer, and that
his affairs are in great extremity, not so much from the enemy
as because a great number of his best men are dead of the plague,
whence the country is very desolate, and that King left with
fewer followers than ever before; which is confirmed by a very
earnest letter from the Vicomte de Turenne to Quitry, appealing
to him on his honour to tell him the truth about the succour:
from which I understand that the King of Navarre has been
disappointed of the success of the meeting with the Queen Mother,
in which he had put great hope; but since this has been
hostile, our negotiation happens very seasonably; for the execution whereof D. Casimir shows himself very diligent in all
his letters to me, and lately, I hear, has sent to the Marques of
'Ansbak' to inform him of his resolution and ask his assistance.
But if in the end he decides himself to take horse (of which nothing
is yet said) it would be a most satisfactory thing, and would,
I believe, insure the success of the enterprise; and possibly
necessity may stir up his will, either by means of the enemy or
the want of any to take his place. Towards the end of next month,
we shall be able more certainly to judge of this, it being natural
that now he is inclined rather to thought than to resolution.
Meanwhile I rejoice that he is making ready for it, hearing
that he is about to make a regiment of German foot and
Beuterich another, besides showing himself very solicitous that
we should write to your side for her Majesty to give further aid
to the levy; having urged me greatly thereto in a letter of the
6th instant, and resolving for her greater satisfaction to send a
special dispatch by a Swiss gentleman now with him and desiring to see your parts, who is to set out next week, by whom
no doubt he will fully declare his mind to her Majesty in such
manner that she will be willing to favour the enterprise. |
|---|
| It is very needful that you should there consider the state of
affairs, and seriously reply to his proposals, in order not to
feed him with doubtful hopes and then give him cause to excuse
himself afterwards by reason of the coldness of their execution.
To his aforementioned letter, I replied begging him to particularise what he desires from her Majesty, and at what time and
on what conditions, as, if he offered such as would give her
Majesty hope of being more surely and shortly reimbursed than
she expects to be by the King of Navarre, it might be well to
give ear to him, and satisfy him with some reasonable sum.
When he replies, you shall know it at once. He seems resolved that she must make up the money to the entire sum of
a hundred thousand crowns; that is ten thousand crowns [more],
if it does not come up to the true value of the 100000; because
the procuring of it and interest of the exchange are dear there,
as Giustiniano and Rizzo have written; and although it was said
that all this should go to the charge of the King of Navarre,
because he gave the bond to her Majesty for a hundred thousand,
yet D Casimir takes the occasion to demand it, wherefore, unless
the service of the state shall receive more aid, her Majesty ought
not to take any notice thereof, and so have I replied to him. |
|---|
| For myself, I have just heard of an accident which makes it
almost necessary for me to return home shortly, viz. that the
Pope having, since he learnt that I was in Germany, redoubled
his harshness and injustices against the property of my brothers,
has now, by a bull published in Genoa, commanded that neither
my mother, sisters, brothers or friends should either write to
me or receive letters from me, under great penalties. Wherefore
I fear that my two men may wish to leave me, in order not to
incur the like hurt; and they having all of mine in their hands,
I shall need to take greater care than usual, of which I give
your honour notice, not in order for you to say anything
to them, but that if, while it pleases her Majesty for me to
remain in these parts, any disorder should occur, you will give
kind protection to my house and goods.—Frankfort, 11 February,
1587. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. Italian. 2½ pp. [Germany, States
V. 16.] [Italicised words in cipher, partly deciphered.] |
|---|
| Feb. 11. | Duplicate of the above. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. Italian. 2½ pp. [Ibid. V. 17.] |
|---|
| Feb. 11. | Another copy of the above, also addressed to Walsingham, but
evidently meant for Burghley's perusal, as his cipher is used
throughout. |
|---|
| Not signed, but in Palavicino's own hand. Add. Endd. as
Copy of the letter sent to Mr. Secretary, both by Palavicino and
by Burghley. Italian. 2¾ pp. [Ibid. V. 18.] |
|---|
| Feb. 12/22 | G. de Crulay to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Urgently prays for an answer to his letter touching his passport, being told by his man, that having solicited these two days
at Court, he can not get any of his honour's men to ask him
for it. Would have come himself to beg for it, were it not for
the suspectes of the times. London, 22 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Fr. ½ p. [France XVII. 25.] |
|---|
| Feb. 12. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| The annexed letters, written yesterday to your honour, not
having yet gone, I have to-day had letters of the 22nd of
last month, whereby I have begun to feel the results of the
passions of those here at my not having wished to obtain all their
desires in unreasonable things; seeing that M. de Buzenvalle has
received intelligence that 22000 crowns are lost; which being very
far from the truth, I have tried to prove to him by the annexed
letter (fn. 1) which I pray you to read, or let him read in your presence, assuring him that it can be verified at any time. I am
sure he will not be able to answer it, and will acknowledge how
unjustly they have treated me from whom he had it. I pray
that if the Lord Treasurer have notice thereof, he also may see
it, or at least be told the truth; that I may have the satisfaction of feeling, that even if he [Buzenval] has no cause to
be obliged to me for the trouble and risk suffered, although both
the one and the other have been very great, at least he has
not received any prejudice thereby. And you may also consider
whether it be possible or not to satisfy one so blinded by his
passions.—Frankfort, 12 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. Italian. 1 p. [Germany, States V.
19.] |
|---|
| Feb. 12. | Duplicate of the above. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. Italian. 1 p. [Ibid. V. 20.] |
|---|
| Feb. 16. | Duke John Casimir to the Queen. |
|---|
| Although I have shortly advertised your Majesty of the resolution taken with the Sieur Palavicino your ambassador, and
above all of the pressing need that, for the full carrying out
thereof, your Majesty may be pleased to employ your means
further, having given my letters to the said Palavicino to send
with his despatch, who then promised and has since assured me
that he has always by his letters very particularly exhorted
you to it, and would continue so to do on every opportunity:—
yet the importance of the affair, the shortness of the time
and the need which increases daily, constrain me to send to
your Majesty the Sieur de la Huguerye, my counsellor, well
informed of the negotiation and its conclusion, at which
he has always assisted, to humbly show you that since
it has pleased God to give you at this time so generous
a resolution, accompanied with rare virtues and admirable wisdom, and miraculously to preserve your person from so many
evil attempts which have been and daily are directed against your
life and state, giving you hereby to know your enemies, open and
secret:—I doubt not that you have gathered, from his grace and
providence towards you, that it is in order more than ever to
use you and the means he has given you, for the advancement
and preservation of his church and to increase your will to spare
nothing to confine the evil designs of your enemies within the
bounds of their own states and prevent them from going further,
as you may well do, reaping good results from the resolution
taken with the said Palavicino and the good course which you
have taken with the other affairs put by God into your hands.
For which, it is so needful for your Majesty again and promptly
to employ your means, that without this, it is impossible for me
to bear such a burden, and we have rather to fear harm than to
hope for improvement, as the Sieur de Huguerye will give you
to understand on my behalf; to whom I pray you to give
credence as to myself and to dispatch him quickly with such
good resolution as the affair demands, my need for haste requiring him not to remain more than a fortnight with your Majesty. |
|---|
| I pray you to believe that no prince in the world is more
devoted to your service or desirous to employ his life therein
than I; hoping that by the kind affection of which it has pleased
you to assure me, you will not leave me in the trouble into
which I have chiefly put myself for your contentment and
service, joined to the advancement of God's glory.—Heidelberg,
16 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Germany, States V: 21.] |
|---|
| Feb. 16. | Duke John Casimir to Walsingham. |
|---|
| To the same effect (mutatis mutandis) as the preceding. Prays
for his influence with her Majesty to persuade her to do what
he asks.—Heidelberg, 16 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. V. 22.] |
|---|
| Feb. 18. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Informing him that Beuterich, who has long been ill with the
gout, died last week in Heidelberg. Cannot yet tell whether this
will disorder or further their affairs. Fears for the present, for he
was clever and prompt enough, but hopes the best for the future,
because his humours were dangerous with a prince who let
himself be guided by him absolutely. Besides which, he hears
such various opinions of his true disposition that he knows
not what might have been expected of him. |
|---|
| Has not had a word from the Duke and therefore has nothing
more to say.—Frankfort, 18 February, 1587. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. Italian. ½ p. [Germany, States
V. 23.] |
|---|
| Feb. 22. | Stafford to the Secretaries. |
|---|
| I have answered at large to her Majesty (fn. 2) the commission I
received from her "about the declaring unto the King the execution of the Queen of Scots without her Majesty's intent and
meaning." I could not deliver it myself, for though I pressed
for audience I was answered plainly I must have patience till
they heard of Roger, the valet de chambre, but thought to do
it by Belliever's means. He said he durst not take upon him
to do so, "yet I know he hath, and to all the Council, who
are all greatly piqued at it, though he will yet take no knowledge of it; which, as also my speeches with Belliever, and all
other things belonging thereunto, I leave to her Majesty's letters. |
|---|
| "Truly I find all men here in a fury, and all that love not
her Majesty in a great hope to build some great harm to her
upon it . . God is a good God, and I hope as he hath ever
done will still preserve her Majesty, but I see if things be not
very calmly wrought with this fury that is here, they will
fall out into greater extremities; it may be that well used they
may fall out better, which I have written more at length to
her Majesty. . ." |
|---|
| Mr. Waade and I send copies of the letters sent by other means,
hearing that they are all stayed. The bearer will take an
indirect way, "to see if at all adventures he can pass." |
|---|
| News comes to-day that the King of Navarre and Queen
Mother have met, and that she has sent hither certain hope of
peace, but I cannot assure you it is true.—Paris, 22 February,
1586. |
|---|
| Postscript. I am told for certain that the King has sent to
her by all means to make peace, but can no more assure you of
this than of the other. |
|---|
| "I am even now advertised that the King for a certainty was
yesterday told of this [i.e. the Queen of Scots' execution] by M.
Belliever; that he took it very evil, and said that he might easily
perceive how little account the Queen made of him in this. But
he desireth not yet to take knowledge of it." |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1¾ pp. [France XVII. 26.] |
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| Feb. 23./Mar. 5. | Gaspar Diz (?) to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Enclosed is a letter received from a friend of mine in Lixboa,
one George Morys, who charged me to convey it to your honour.
It is about a ship of yours which he has news of. He likewise
charged me to tell you any news of the country. God be
praised, we have plenty of victuals, though having our trade taken
away, we are greatly impoverished. "But we hope in short
time to have redress for that [by] the Condy which the Chamber
have sent to the King's Majesty to have a grant for English
men to trade with us, as they have done heretofore; which
otherwise it will be our utter undoing, for that we have no
other living but by trade of merchandise." I have no other
news.—5 March, 1587. Ponta del gada, Island of St. Michells. |
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| Add. Endd. by Walsingham's secretary "from A.B." ¾ p.
[Portugal II. 26.] |
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| Feb. 24. | Walsingham to Count John of East Friesland. |
|---|
| My most gracious lady, the Queen, has of late sent a gentleman in her service, Horatio Pallavicini by name, into Germany,
on business of no little moment, who—being about to return,
and apprehensive lest, by reason of the disturbed and uncertain
condition of affairs, he should run some risk between Bremen
and Embden—has earnestly entreated me that for his greater
security in returning, application may be made to your Excellency for a guard of soldiers to attend him on the journey. Her
Majesty, reposing (as she does) the utmost confidence in your
constant and sincere regard for her, and being too much occupied
with other and very great affairs to write herself, at least so
soon as is needful, has desired me to undertake the commission,
and to crave of your Excellency in her name that so soon as the
said Horatio shall have apprised you of his arrival at Bremen,
you will furnish him with a guard of soldiers, sufficient to make
his journey to Emden the safer. For which carrying out of her
request, her Majesty professed that she will be extremely grateful, as she will speedily acknowledge by her letters.—Greenwich,
24 February, 1586. |
|---|
| Endd. by the Copyist. "Copy of my letter to the Count John
of East Frizeland." Latin, 1 p. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns
II. 55.] |
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| [Feb. ?] | Robert Poly to the Earl of Leicester. |
|---|
| My three years' past determination, right honourable, to do
her Majesty and the State some special service, and my earnest
suit to Mr. Secretary for my entertainment and direction in the
same service, "will I hope persuade your honour that my reserving of Morgan's letter (as a testimony to be showed Mr.
Secretary of my credit with him), my recourses to Norres in
the Marshalsea . . . and my receiving and keeping of a few
purposeless books from the said Norres, with what else I have
coldly done, as seeming to favour their religion and cause,
will I hope, as I say, confirm your honour's judgment of my
loyalty and behooful service intended; and so acquit me of
and from all sinister reports or conceits for that part." |
|---|
| And if you need further witness, I beg that Thomas Audely,
a Spanish merchant (skilful in their language etc.) dwelling
at the Plough in Thames Street may be called. With him, a
good protestant and most affectionate subject, I have much
conversed for three years' past, and made him privy with my
intent (but not my intended service) to deal with Mr. Secretary.
He accompanied me to Greenwich, Otelands, St. James and
Seething Lane, "where I attended Mr. Thomas Walsingham
for my secret recourse to Mr. Secretary, but all to lost labour
then and my distress now." |
|---|
| About three or four months since, Mr. Audlye asked me to
acquaint him with Mr. Christopher Blounte, "for that he having
married a near kinswoman of your honour's first wife, was
determined by her to move some suit to your lordship. . . ."
I earnestly persuaded him to offer you his service for Spain,
for which he is very sufficient, and which, after much debate,
he condescended to do, and I brought Mr. Blounte to his house.
"Then went your honour immediately to Kylingworth; and he
since hath been delayed by your honour's great business of
the Parliament (fn. 3) and other occurences." He knows my intent
to do some acceptable service, "and I presume would be bound
life for life," for my accomplishment of the same. |
|---|
| "Further, whereas Mr. Secretary in my late examination did
charge me as justly to be suspected by your honour and him,
as procuring or knowing the procurers of certain libels against
her Majesty, the State and other persons of honour published,"
I protest that I am utterly innocent of all such traitorous libelling
or other undutiful practice against her Majesty or the State;
neither is there any conformity that I, who for three or four
years have instantly laboured to be admitted to serve the State
"in like discoveries," should in the meantime myself commit a
like offence, or conceal it in any other. |
|---|
| And if it be demanded why I have never discovered anything,
I humbly answer that if, without your or some of the lords'
consent and direction, I should have insinuated something against
any at home or abroad, and not shortly detected anything, I
should have been directly charged as a practicer with them. |
|---|
| But here I humbly beseech you "to direct or licence me in
some course of discovery and service either abroad or at home;
but rather, I wish, with Morgan, because my plat being laid
that way, my credit is both enough with him and also much
with some of them which were last sent over, as Norres the
priest and the rest." And I no whit mistrust but that in
short time I shall accomplish something worthy acceptance,
and also sufficient to countervail and recompense the offences
of my youth. Your honour's most humble etc. |
|---|
| Endd. "Pooley's letter unto the E. of Leicester." 2¼ pp.
Undated. [France XVII., 26 bis.] |
|---|
| Feb. 25. | Stafford to the two Secretaries. |
|---|
| Everything here grows more furious; I hope when some time
is blown over, men may be heard. "There is fire enough kindled;
for the honour of God let us put as much water as we may
to quench it. The usage of the ambassador well is the way to
make him deliver to the King the sincerity of her Majesty's
intent, and nobody will be heard nor understood so well as he,
for whosoever shall come else from her Majesty will but renew
the remembrance of the sore . . . and perchance run in hazard
of miscarrying"; for the King is greatly piqued and all is done
to increase it more, all others being bent to spare no way,
neither to her Majesty's person nor her realm.—Paris, 25 February, 1586. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [France XVII. 27.] |
|---|
| Feb. 28. | Buzanval to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Yesterday, before I arrived here, the Council was engaged in
the execution of their charge; which was the reason why I could
not fulfil mine. I have been solicited by several people to write
to you on behalf of the bearer, who is said to be an honest man,
wherefore I pray you to show him all just favour.—London, 28
February, 1586. (fn. 4) |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Fr. ½ p. [France XVII. 28.] |
|---|
| Feb. 28. | Abstract of letter from the King of Denmark to her Majesty. |
|---|
| Referring her Majesty to the Hamburghers' letter of the 7th
of November for many special reasons wherewith her Majesty
should be induced to return her merchants' trade to Hamborough,
his Majesty writeth: That it is likely to prove prejudicial to
the ancient privileges of the Hamburghers if the trade be translated from them. |
|---|
| That hereby all traffic is like to be translated from that side
of the river on which Hamborough stands to the other, to the
great hindrance and damage of Hamborough and other towns, his
subjects, on that side the river. |
|---|
| That himself shall sustain loss in his customs. Desires her
Majesty would forget the discourtesies of the Hamburghers at
his entreaty. |
|---|
| But if her Majesty be resolved not to put up those ill offices,
and consequently not to return the trade to Hamborough, that
yet she would choose out a place on that side the river, for
that right over against Stoad there be as convenient towns for
traffic as Stoad. |
|---|
| But if neither of these may be granted, he writes he and they
must think of some means how to avert all damage from themselves, seeing no commodity will arise to them by this residency. |
|---|
| He promiseth that if her Majesty think good that the cause
be committed to some equal persons that should compound it,
and will account him meet to be one, he will send some of his
Council to Hamborough to treat and mediate this controversy. |
|---|
| "That if any of the Adventurers have any ships ready fraught
with cloth bound for Stoad, her Majesty would at his request
make stay of them till some further treating, and (if it may be)
compounding of the controversy. Otherwise they may chance
to be by the Hamburghers, in respect of the defence of their
privileges, impeached and damaged." |
|---|
| Endd. 1½ pp. [Denmark I. 92.] |
|---|
| Feb. | M. Brulart to M. Roger. |
|---|
| Sending him the despatch made by the King on the occasion
of Mr. Wade's audience, which it is hoped will still find him
there [in England]; otherwise, he must return thither, to fulfil
the office with which his Majesty charges him, in case M. de
Chasteauneuf is still denied audience of the Queen, and not
accounted as an ambassador. Undated. Signed. |
|---|
| Covering sheet wanting. Endd. "Feb. 1586. M. Brulart to M.
Roger." Fr. ¼ p. [France XVII. 29.] |
|---|
| Feb. | "Pheodor Ivanowich the new Emperor's Gracious Letter of
Privilege to the English Merchants word for word: obtained by
Mr. Jerom Horsey, 1586[7]." |
|---|
| English translation, 6½ pp. Endd. [Russia I. 24.] |
|---|
| [Printed in Hakluyt, i. 530 (ed 1809), apparently from the
same translation, as the variants are few and insignificant.] |
|---|
| Feb. | Richard Gibbes to [Walsingham?] |
|---|
| Notes concerning preparations in Spain. |
|---|
| They have 18 great ships of five, six and seven hundred
[tons?] |
|---|
| Also 50 great hulks of Holland, stayed there a year and a
half ago, and above 60 great hulks "looked every day to be stayed
to serve the King at my coming away." They have stayed at
and about St. Lucas above 60 great ships; "also they have
coming out of the Straits 30 great argosies and six of their
best galliasses, and there is talk of 300 gallies from thence,
but many men doubt that they will not send them so far to
the sea." Spies should be sent into Italy to learn the truth. I did
not certify their honours hereof when I spoke with them, being
doubtful, but the truth should be learnt with speed. "Small
pinnaces for landing they have great store; most of them were
provided against the winning of Treserus [Terceiras]. Also
great store of victuals and all necessaries for an army. Biscuit
they have been baking night and day for two or three months.
The Pope allows the King a great sum of money monthly; what
army he provides I know not. |
|---|
| Overleaf: |
|---|
| A further note "to certify your honour that I went from hence
to carry a great hulk to Porchmouth, there to take in Portingales
and 'Negers,' and being there, by th' entreaty of Peare de Vaus,
which was chief of the Portingales—who knowing that I was pilot
of the ship, demanded of me what countryman I was—I answered
him, a Scottishman; and he promised me that if I would bring
him to Lisbon, he would get me a licence of the 'Car[di]nal and
Markease' to pass quietly to and fro with such ship and goods
as I myself should come in, which licence he had grant of the
'Carnall' for; and brought me before the 'Markease' and was an
earnest suitor to him to affirm the same. And being before him,
he demanded of me whether our King were married or no. I
answered No, but he was toward marriage with the King of
Denmark's daughter. He demanded of me also what store of
money I thought he had. I answering said he must needs
have good store of money, because he hath had peace so long,
which was wont to have wars. He asked me again what strength
the King of Denmark was of; I answered of great." Also "what
good havens or rivers were in Scotland for a navy to come in.
I answered him the Frith [of Forth?] in these parts of Scotland,
for that was a fair river without danger." Also "whether one
might ride over between England and Scotland. I answered,
Yea. Then he demanded of me what parts I did 'occupy'
most. I answered Denmark, Danske, Hambrow and all these
parts, France, England and Spain. Then he asked me whether
I had been at Bristo in England, or in any good harbour
thereabout. I made answer, No, I was never in that part of
the sea. Then . . . what good harbours or rivers were in the
West part of Scotland. I answered him, I have heard there be
good harbours, but I was never in them, nor about that coast.
Then . . . whether I had been at London or in that river. I
answered, Yea, we came now from thence. Then . . . what
manner of river it was to bring in a navy. I answered him,
It is a very ill river, full of sands within and without sight
of land, and not possible to bring in a navy. . . . Then Peare de
Vauce was in hand with him for my licence; and he willed him
to come another time when he was at leisure and bring me with
him, for he must talk more with me. I liked not well of his
demands, and doubting lest . . . he should learn that I was an
Englishman, the next day I got aboard a small 'fleebote' of
Holland which was ready to come away. I was hired to bring
home a hulk which would have been ready within fourteen or
fifteen days, and should have had eighteen pounds for bringing
of her hither. I,—to certify your honours of the news in that
country—was loth to tarry so long, which made me come away
with all haste, making no man privy to my coming but one
Englishman who dwelt there." Signed. |
|---|
| Undated, but endd. by Walsingham's clerk, "February 1586."
1½ pp. [Spain II. 77.] |
|---|
| [Feb.] | Spanish preparations. |
|---|
| 1. In Biscay neither ships nor men making ready, nor any
warlike provision in Biscay or Galicia. In these countries, corn
very dear. |
|---|
| 2. At Lisbon, on Feb. 2, six great ships making ready and two
new ships new 'barreled', thought to be for the East Indies, and
to keep about the islands of St. Michael and the Tercera. No
other preparation in Portugal. |
|---|
| 3. At Seville and in the river of St. Lucar, 16 sail of "Biskins"
preparing for their ordinary trade; some of them thought to
have taken in their most lading." on Feb. 1. |
|---|
| 4. At 'Sheares' in Andaluzia, seven new ovens built, making
now fifteen in all; occupied day and night in baking biscuit. All
wines of that place embargoed for the King's use. In force on
Feb. 16. |
|---|
| 5. The report was "that the King, his army and fleet was providing in the Duke of Florence his country . . . both ships and
gallies to be ready the 15 of March." |
|---|
| 6. In France no shipping making ready, and their principal
shipping gone to Spain to lade salt to go to Newfoundland
for fish, and to Peru (the Perrow) and other parts. Undated.
Endd. ¾ p. [Newsletters XC. 32.] |
|---|
| [Feb.] | Petition of Nicolas Masselin to the French Ambassador. |
|---|
| Prays him to put before the Lords of the Council the case of
Nicolas Masselin, French merchant, who loaded a French ship
called the Christofre, of Croiset, Nicolas, Mirault master, with
grapes and cochineal in Spain; which ship was taken by John
Oradon of Chichester, going from Spain to Rouen, and the said
goods brought to Bristol and then bought by some of the inhabitants of that city, to the number of 636 barrels of grapes
and 29 puncheons, as appears by the informations hereunder
written; viz: by the Limao of the customs at Bristol; Mr.
Anthony Stanbank, master of the Common Pleas there, and
George Ollam and John Fil (?) searchers of Bristol and Richard
Tissan searcher of the sheriff de Longs of Bristol; the said
sheriff himself, Toby Franche and many others. |
|---|
| Endd. French. 1¼ pp. [France XVII., 30.] |
|---|
| [A letter of assistance was granted him by the Privy Council,
"according to a commission out of the Admiralty Court, dated
the 10th of this February, 1586[–7]" (Acts of Privy Council,
1586, 1587, p. 329.] |
|---|