|
| Dec. 2. | George John, Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria
to Elizabeth. |
|---|
| A long letter, of which the substance is very well given in
the following document.—Veldentz, 2 December, 1587.
Signed. Endd. "From the Duke of Petite Pierre to her
Majesty" and in a later hand. "This is the [sic] Duke of
Bavaria." French. 10½ pp. [German States V. 60.] |
|---|
| Dec. 2. | "Substance of a letter written by D[uke] George, the Count
Palatine, to the Queen's Majesty the 2 of December, 1587." |
|---|
| "That Duke Casimir hath in this treaty with the King of
Navarre sought his own particular profit, and preferred it before
the general cause, as M. Segur and other of the Religion have
openly complained and as may appear by the copies that were
sent herewith. |
|---|
| "That the King of Navarre and M. Clervant desired that
Duke George's son might be chief of the army, which both he
and his son did willingly agree unto, and Duke Casimir himself
did offer it to his son. And after, when M. de Buy, coming out
of England, had in charge from her Majesty to tell Duke Casimir that if he went not himself he should prefer Duke George's
son to the leading of the army, he propounded two things unto
him by the said M. de Buy:— |
|---|
| "First that the said Duke George should quit his action of
heritage, which is the third part of that which Duke Casimir and
his pupil witholdeth from him and the revenue of the 27th year. |
|---|
| "Secondly that Duke George should give assurance to attempt
nothing against him. |
|---|
| "To these two points the said Duke George made as lawful
an answer as could be reasonably demanded of him, as may
appear by the third answer. But this prevailed nothing, so that
the army remained five weeks without a head, to the great offence
of the Swisses, whose corn country was spoiled by this means. |
|---|
| "That in the end, Duke Casimir made the Baron of Donau
[Dhona] head of the army, and rejected Duke George's son,
to whom Duke Casimir said that his father Duke George was
in the fault thereof, and not he; seeking by that means to put
division between the son and the father. |
|---|
| "That Duke George hath letters in his hands whereby it appeareth that Duke Casimir, the same time he concluded by
Beutrich at Nimes to succour the churches of France, the same
time he treated secretly to make the Guisards kings of France. |
|---|
| "That M. Segur complained greatly that Duke Casimir went
about to force and change the capitulation, and would not sign
it until he was in a manner enforced thereunto, by reason the
army was so far advanced. |
|---|
| "That the said Duke George had a few years past engaged the
town of Pfaltzburg (fn. 1) to the Duke of Lorraine for the relief of
the Low Countries, and hath spent all the moneys thereof in
defence of the poor churches, and that M. Segur employed himself to have recovered the said town for Duke George upon
promise to the Duke of Lorraine that the reiters should not
spoil his country. |
|---|
| "That the said Duke George hath declared all these matters
aforesaid for the reasons following:— |
|---|
| "First that her Majesty may be certified that the fault of this
ill success was neither in him nor his son. |
|---|
| "Secondly to let her Majesty understand the injury that
hath been done to him and his son, and that after M. Segur
was entered into a capitulation with him for a second levy,
the said Segur was hindered and letted therein. |
|---|
| "Thirdly that the Baron of 'Donau' did rather hinder him than
assist him when he went about to treat with the Duke of Lorraine for the recovery of Pfaltzburg, and that the reiters burned
and sacked the Duke of Lorraine's country, who promised to
have been a neuter. So that now the forces of the Duke of
Guise and Mayne being grown strong, the reiters who before
might have passed into France without impeachment, are daily
weakened and cut off. |
|---|
| "Fourthly that her Majesty will be a mean that if any treaty
of peace go forward in France, the restoring of Pfaltzburg to
him may be comprehended in it, in respect whereof he will be
bound to furnish the churches with 100,000 florins if the wars
shall begin again. |
|---|
| "[Fifthly]. That M. Buy dealt with him touching the affairs
of the Low Countries to employ himself therein upon certain
conditions; and that he hopeth her Majesty hath already understood his resolution from the said Buy, whereof he doth assure
her Majesty to make full account of the performance. |
|---|
| "Sixthly that a good league might be made between her
Majesty and the Prince of Sweden, elect King of Poland, in case
her Majesty would aid him in the confirmation and assuring to
himself of the said kingdom, considering what good havens he
hath in Prussia and Liefland [Livonia]. |
|---|
| "Seventhly that the King of Navarre should put away his
wife, and marry the King of Sweden's daughter, and that the
young Prince of Sweden, now King of Poland, should marry out
of England some one near allied to her Majesty, which alliance
would do much good for the strengthening of the churches, and
herein he would gladly employ himself. |
|---|
| "Eighthly that her Majesty will not conceive the worse of him
in case he shall use the friendship of Catholics for the recovery
of that which Duke Casimir witholdeth, minding never to go
from his religion, but only to help himself by this means; notwithstanding he is better content that her Majesty and the
churches shall have the decision of the matter. |
|---|
| "Lastly he humbly thanketh her Majesty for her willingness
to prefer his son to the leading of the army; and that if a
better course be not taken than hath been yet, the poor churches
will languish still, and all these charges be spent in vain. So
that he holdeth it most necessary to make a greater support
speedily, as he would gladly declare by word of mouth to her
Majesty if he might be so happy as to come into England." |
|---|
| Endd. 3 pp. [German States V. 61.] |
|---|
| Dec. 2. | George John, Count Palatine of the Rhine etc. (Prince de
Petite Pierre) to the King of Navarre. |
|---|
| I doubt not but that your Majesty's ambassador, M. de 'Sigeurs' (fn. 2) will have told you of the wrong done to your affairs by
sending this German and Swiss army without a German chief,
a prince of a great house, to whom the reiters would have
paid due respect; and that you must by this time evidently perceive how greatly the delay of this army must have harmed you;
for if it had advanced three or four weeks sooner, it would have
passed into France and executed whatever was desired before
the hostile party had gathered their forces. |
|---|
| M. de 'Sigeurs' (fn. 3) and M. de la Noue will no doubt have told you
that if my advice had been followed, your Majesty's affairs might
have been firmly established, but my cousin Casimir was more envious than regardful of me and my advice, as is shown by the copy
of the resolution which I sent to M. de Sigeurs, upon the offers
made to me on the said Duke's behalf by M. de Buy; viz.:
that my son, George Gustave, should be made chief of the army
on two conditions: first, that I should quit my actions of heritage,
and secondly that I would give Duke Casimir security to attempt
nothing against him; on both which points I answered very
reasonably, and in accordance with the judgment of M. de Sigeur. |
|---|
| And seeing that the army collected was in danger of breaking
in consequence of the delay both in the delivery of the money
for their pay and in the holding of musters, I offered to march
with it in person. But although Duke Casimir knew that your
Majesty had written both to me and my son that if the Duke
did not go himself, my son was to command the army (M.
de Clervant having declared this to him); also that the Queen of
England had written demanding the same and that he himself
had made overtures to my son, yet he thought only of his
own interests, and sent to me again to demand me to give up
my actions of heritage. |
|---|
| In the end, M. de Sigeur, seeing me to be vexed, not without
reason, and knowing that I was sought after by the house of
Guise, thought good to treat with me, as your Majesty will see
by the copy annexed (letter B) (fn. 4) ; but although he gave me
the offers in writing, the envy of Duke Casimir's people finally
prevented him from signing them, saying that his embassy did
not empower him to make a second levy, but that he would
send the articles to your Majesty, and in ten weeks would have
an answer. Whereupon I gave M. de Sigeur and M. de la Noue
to understand that this was not the first time that my good will
had been so ill-recompensed, nor the first tricks that Duke
Casimir had played me, showing them how I had always wished
to employ myself in this service, and how I had been treated. |
|---|
| Firstly, when Colonel Rolzhausen was sent into France (fn. 5) by
Duke Wolfgang, Palatine, Duke Christopher of Wurtemberg,
Philip Landgrave of Hesse and others, Duke Christopher seeing
that I had always loved the French nation, was beloved by those
of them that knew me and was then negotiating the matter of
their succour in France, thought good that I should be the chief
of the army. But although I was very willing, Duke Wolfgang
(my guardian) would not permit it, saying that he had promised
the King of Sweden to send me to him for the completion of my
marriage, which had been arranged with my consent. Now,
coming from Sweden, the Prince of Porcian, (fn. 6) my cousin—related
to me through the house 'Crouy,' to which my grandmother belonged—desired me to assist him against the Cardinal of Lorraine, who had wished to imprison him, as was shown by the
confession of a gentleman at Paris. |
|---|
| Upon this, an alliance was made between the Elector Frederick
Palatine (father of Duke Casimir) and myself to aid the Prince
of Porcian, while at the same time the Elector was in danger
of being besieged by the Emperor Maximilian and Duke John
Frederick of Saxony. For this levy, it was decided that Duke
Casimir should march with me, and that in case war was made
on the Elector, we should go to his help. |
|---|
| But at the very time that my ambassador was with the Prince de
Porcian, to inform him that my colonels, rittmasters and captains
were ready to march, the Prince was poisoned and died. (fn. 7) I
offered still to carry on the war against the Cardinal of Lorraine, but the Elector now beginning to reconcile himself with
the Emperor, and having hope of marrying Duke Casimir to
the daughter of the Elector of Saxony, did not wish to pursue
it; and when I complained of the great sums of money which
I had already disbursed, advised me to write to the chief of
the churches, as also to the Prince de Conde and the Admiral, that
I had heard that the war was about to begin again in France;
that I had desired to fight against the Cardinal of Lorraine,
which had been interrupted by the death of the Prince de Porcian; but that having my people ready, I should be willing to
aid them with the said troops. These offers were sent by M. de
Chambre, named Infantius. The Prince de Conde and the Admiral replied that they thanked me for my offer and wished
to employ me. Then Duke Casimir (who had formerly promised
to march with me) and the Elector Frederick his father, learning this, played me a trick: viz. that after the churches had sent
ambassadors to learn if I still meant to march to their aid,
and I had replied that I was as determined as before, if they
would give me good assurances and agreements; now, the ambassadors coming again to Heidelberg, were corrupted by the
Elector Frederick, and decided, without my knowledge, that Duke
Casimir should march, as he did. (fn. 8) Thus, I was obliged to pay
my colonels, rittmasters and captains for their waiting, of whom
the Count Bourckart de Barbi was one, and will testify what
great expences and losses I thereby suffered. |
|---|
| After Duke Casimir returned from France, I reproached him
in open camp before Billickheim [Billigheim] for the wrong he
had done me, who excused himself by saying that the ambassadors
had told him that I did not wish to march. |
|---|
| The third loss I have endured for the churches was when
Duke Wolfgang went into France, (fn. 9) and the Marquis de Renel, (fn. 10)
brother of the Prince de Porcian, had agreed with me to advance
30000 florins which I had at Strasbourg (being part of my
wife's dowry) and to make a levy for the aid of the churches,
to which I agreed, and began to raise men. Some weeks later,
it chanced that I went towards Heidelberg, and on the way
met the Marquis with M. de Francourt returning from thence,
although the Marquis had promised me not to resort thither or to
talk of my levy. He then told me that Francourt had agreed
with Duke Wolfgang to make the levy; and since I had been
put to some expence, they would see to it that the Duke should
arrange matters with me, which he never would do, and thus
I suffered my third loss. |
|---|
| The fourth loss was that those of Languedoc had sought my
help (fn. 11) by M. de Montbrun and M. de Saint Romain, sending two
ambassadors, the Seigneur Gasques (fn. 12) and Alexander Gotin, who
after having made long journeys to the Emperor and Electors
had gained permission to raise aid and so entirely free the
churches, by the help of God. Coming to Heidelberg; and having
already disboursed more than 40000 florins, and finding the
Prince of Conde there, Gasques was corrupted and led away, with
all his papers. The Prince and Duke Casimir each put the
doing thereof upon the other, sending to me certain gentlemen
and M. de Lanti, whose arrest I had demanded at Strasburg
in order to regain the documents, and who said in excuse that
Duke Casimir and his father had made him do it. By this, the
succour for the churches was delayed almost a year and a half,
the poor churches languishing in pain, and myself in shame and
loss. And now my last loss for the churches of the Low
Countries, when they sent to me with these words:—We pray,
implore and adjure you not to abandon us—has cost me the
pawning of Pfalzbourg, and the great hurt and shame which
I and my son have suffered in this last war. |
|---|
| Moreover, being applied to by the Duke of Lorraine to mediate
between him and the chief of the army, I had sent word that
I would go to Nancy, whither I had already begun to take my
way and had written a letter by advice of M. de Segeurs, with
the Duke of Lorraine, whereby the reiters would have been assured of 300000 florins, and Pfalzbourg would have been restored
to me, but they let slip this excellent opportunity, both for
themselves and me, and have ruined the Duke of Lorraine, without gaining any profit whatever. I had already obtained the
said Duke's promise not to enterprise anything against the
King of Navarre, as he can testify. |
|---|
| I have sent you this discourse in order to let the churches
understand that it is not my doing that they have not been
aided, either formerly or by this last levy, and also that your
Majesty may arrange with the churches to recompense me
for my losses on their behalf, and for my constant good offices
to those of the Religion in my countries. Also that the town
of Pfalzbourg (as a very necessary passage for the succour
of the Huguenots and the French church) may not remain in
the hands of the Catholics, or peace be made by your Majesty
until it be restored to me; offering, if you will gratify me in this,
to make myself always responsible for 100000 florins to enable
my son to make another levy when necessity requires. |
|---|
| For although the other party has made me great offers, I
have never wished to accept them, although the ill-satisfaction
given to me and my son might have drawn me to do so; being
confident that your Majesty, who has always assured me of your
friendship, will agree to the inclusion of this demand for Pfalzbourg in the capitulation for peace, if such be made; and as to
the 100000 crowns owed me by the King of France, I am willing
to give up my claim upon him. |
|---|
| I pray you to let me know whether you desire to employ my
son for the first levy that you make, that he may not lose his
time, having an opportunity to gain some advantage for him
in the affairs of Poland and Sweden, and only regretting that
having taken so much care to bring him up in the fear of God,
and with [knowledge of] letters and divers languages, he has up
to this time, through Duke Casimir's envy, not been able happily
to serve the churches, for the glory of God and the service
of your Majesty. And that the Pope might at least have one
German Prince of the Religion to make war against him. |
|---|
| I send you copies of the letters I have written to the Queen
of England, praying for your resolution on such points as touch
your Majesty; also intelligences from Sweden and Poland. And
that you may know whence came Duke Casimir's desire to revenge himself upon me and to prevent my son from being chief
of the army, it arises from a letter which I wrote for your
Majesty's service; that he should not treat so rudely and unworthily your ambassador, M. de Sigeurs, or use such stratagems
in regard to the Duke of Lorraine as he had begun to do,
warning him of the letters of Beutrich, which were not found
good seeing that at the same time that he had settled with the
churches of Nimes for the succour and his last levy before this
one, he was also treating to make the Duke of Guise King of
France; and also admonishing him to take another and better
way with his army and more fitting expedients. But instead of
taking my faithful admonition in good part, he has given very
ill recompense to myself and my son, but God will in time make
known the difference of the humours and that in the end the tord
will fall upon himself. |
|---|
| Thus, my much honoured cousin, I pray you not to take in
ill part so long a letter, by which you will see the true affection
I have always borne to the churches, my ill recompense, and
my most reasonable demands in regard to Pfalzbourg. With
the offers I have made both for myself and my son for the service
of the churches and your Majesty. Praying you earnestly by
my ambassador to send me your resolution.—Veldentz, 2
Dec., 1587. |
|---|
| Postscript. Although I have had advertisement of the retreat
of the Swiss and the flight of some cornets of the reiters; of
the state of your army and the dangers which threaten it, I
do not desire in this your adversity to withdraw my entire affection for you; but by continuing to send you the same letters
and declarations that I had dispatched before receiving the
said news, hope that I shall give you to see that you still have
friends and servants if you hasten your declaration on the
proofs and what depends on them. |
|---|
| Endd. "Copy of the Duke of Petitpierre's letter to the King
of Navarre." And in another hand "The Duke of Bavaria." |
|---|
| Fr. 10 pp. [Germany, States V. 62.] |
|---|
Dec. 2/12.
[latest date]. | Occurences from divers parts. |
|---|
| Rome, 5 December, 1587. It is almost the universal opinion
that in the next promotion, the Pope will only make five cardinals, viz.: Paris, Mendoza, the Patriarch Gonzaga, and the
Archbishops of Cosenza and Genoa; but if more, that they will
be the Auditor of the Chamber, Fabio Orsino, Todi and the
Grand Master of Malta, who is today to arrive at Marino, where
he will be received by Cardinal Colonna, his Excellency not
wishing to enter Naples, wherefore he will be visited by the
viceroy at Pozzuolo. |
|---|
| On Monday he will make his entry here, with, as is said two
hundred knights and five grand crosses, who will accompany
him. |
|---|
| Our merchants have not yet been able to obtain licence to
bet upon the forthcoming promotions. Cardinal Savello is dead,
and is to be buried today. There will be thus several vacancies,
amongst which is one of 8000 crowns outside Rome, which it is
believed Monsignor Savello, nephew of the Pope, will have, and
the Abbey of Osino, which, it is understood his Holiness has
given to the Cardinal of Perugia, and the place of vicar of
Papi to Rusticuccio, there still remaining to distribute that of the
Chief Inquisitor; the Bishopric of Portuense [Oporto] of three
thousand crowns, with the Abbey in the Cremonese; a commandery of Malta in la Marca and many lapsed pensions;
amongst them one of a thousand crowns paid him by the Archbishop of Capua, who returned three days ago from his nunciature of Venice, but has not yet been able to have audience of
the Pope. |
|---|
| It is said that Savello's castles and patrimony of 10000 crowns
of rents and his wardrobe, which is very rich, are left for twelve
years to the Counts Prospero and Nicolo, brothers of la
Ginga, masters of his household and chamber, and that then
there is substituted as universal heir the eldest son of Signor
Bernardino Savello. . . . |
|---|
| In yesterday's consistory, the church of Nazareth was proposed for Fra Gieronimo da Spelo, confessor of the Pope; his
Holiness arguing that making one frate a cardinal, he will
make this one a priest. |
|---|
| There was also read and renewed a decree made in the time
of Leo the 10th, prohibiting cardinals from publishing matters
treated of in Consistory. |
|---|
| His Holiness has lately received as his private chamberlain,
a nephew of the Cardinal of Verona. |
|---|
| There has been published a new bull against bastards; that they
may not be received into any religious order; and also a reform
of the tribunal of the governor of Rome, concerning civil causes
transacted by the present governor for the benefit of poor litigants. |
|---|
| Cardinal Gaetano this week has entered upon his office of
High Chamberlain, with the usual ceremonies and in presence
of all the clerks; and yesterday the rector and all the professors
of this school in Rome went to his house to give their oaths
to him and acknowledge him as their superior. |
|---|
| Aragon has returned from Proceda; Farnese from Caprarola
and Sforza from Lombardy; and Cremona is expected tomorrow. |
|---|
| Letters of the 27th ult. from Messina say that the galleys of
Sicily, returning from Naples, have taken a rich merchant ship,
going to the Levant with divers Greeks, French and English. |
|---|
| There is come hither Signor Minutio, sent by the Duke of
Bavaria. On Wednesday he had audience of the Pope, but no
particulars of it are known. |
|---|
| Antwerp, 21 November. On the 17th, the Duke of Parma
left Brussels with his court, and a band of cavalry and archers
as his guard, so sumptuously attired as had never been seen
with any other lord or governor of these countries; his Highness
having had made fourteen sorts of very superb liveries; amongst
which was one all of gold, even to the equipment of the horse.
At his arrival at Bruges, he sent hither in all haste for thirty
carpenters. Some say that he is already at Dunkirk and that
daily men on horse and on foot resort to him there. The great
artillery, munitions and victuals have been sent to Ghent, whither
there come also many barks from Malines and other places;
his Highness also keeping some ships of war at I'Escluse and
Dunkirk, where, it is said, there are stayed seven vessels from
Hamburg with 200 mariners, for his service. Small vessels with
the carriages, carts and instruments of war go by way of Bruges,
and the soldiers who were in the 'Campigna' [or Kempenland]
and round about this city are marching towards Flanders. |
|---|
| Amongst the many vessels which have been made here are
four very great ones, which cannot sail in these rivers, but only
on the high sea; especially one made by some Italians, with
these words on the prow: "Vias tuas, Domine Jesu demonstra
mihi." |
|---|
| To what end all these provisions are designed, we cannot yet
know certainly, but all believe that they are against England,
whence His Highness has recalled M. de Campagni, (fn. 13) who awhile
ago was at that court to negotiate the peace, and who is to
go to him, wherever he may be. |
|---|
| Just now there comes news that the Duke of Parma has
laid siege to Ostend, his Highness' intention of making himself
master of the small island of Sud Beverland ("Suit Befferlant")
not having succeeded, there having been suddenly placed there
a garrison of 5000 men; also the guards in the fortresses in
Holland having been doubled. |
|---|
| The Hollanders these last days have been making rejoicings
for the accord not yet established between the States of Holland
because the Earl of Leicester was to return into England with
his troops, with whom he is said to be already arrived at Flushing. This Earl had tried to change the magistracy of Enchuysen, but the burghers were opposed to it. |
|---|
| The States of Holland and Zeeland have not yet entirely come
to an agreement, but they are fortifying every day, and are
re-inforcing their fleet at Lillo, where thirty ships of war are
already arrived, and others are expected to come to serve the
country if there should be need. |
|---|
| Cologne, 26 of the same.—The day before yesterday, 3600 German soldiers, who, for many weeks had been in these quarters,
set out with the Sieur Gio. Manriques to go to the Duke's camp
with 400 horse, as escort for a large sum of money for the
payment of the troops. |
|---|
| At Dusseldorf are gathered deputies of the barons and noblemen of the Duke of Cleves, earnestly desiring the concession
of the Augustan confession and liberty of conscience. |
|---|
| Our Archbishop and Elector is leaving this state, because of
the great scarcity here, and is going with his court to Liége,
his bishopric. |
|---|
| Venice, 12 December, 1587. Letters from Prague of the 25th
ult. say that the Grand Chancellor of Poland had again tried
to get away from Cracow with the crown, but the people prevented it. Also that many of the lords assembled there to
discuss what was to be done, who had been supporters of the
Swede—and amongst them one of the chief palatines and four
bishops—had declared for Maximilian, and gone out to take the
oath of fealty to his Highness, who, with his other adherents
designed to crown him this last month; it being said that all
the regalia had already been given up to him by those assisting
in that Diet; and it was expected to settle this business, excepting that of Lithuania; which would be known within two
or three days. |
|---|
| In the meanwhile, Maximilian had sent towards Petrocovia
[Piotrcow] 2000 horse and 600 harquebusiers to find the Prince
of Sweden, and to announce to him that if he did not turn
back and give up his pretensions to the crown, his Highness
declared himself his enemy, he being vestito alla Pollacca and
having sworn to live and die with that nation. Count Ferdinand of Nogarola, General of the Archduke Charles, was
on the borders to block the way to the Tartars who were
coming to the aid of the Grand Chancellor; who had sent an
express to the Diet of Hungary to persuade those lords not to
aid Maximilian; who daily expected in his camp the Duke of
Ostroch [or Ostrog], palatine of Volhinia and the Count di Tincinio with some other Polish lords. |
|---|
| There was come to the Imperial court the Bishop of Argentina
[Strasburg] on account of certain differences with those of his
diocese, and also with the Archduke Ferdinand; for having taken
from him some of his castles. |
|---|
| The Emperor is sending the Count Antonio d'Arco to compliment the Grand Duke of Tuscany. |
|---|
| Monsignor Calandra is still here, but no one knows the reason,
though the speculators will have that it is for some business of
the Duke of Mantua. |
|---|
| Some deny the departure of the Marchese Santa Croce from
Lisbon, (stated in letters from Madrid of the 10th ult.) but
say he was about to set sail not against Holland and Zeeland,
but for the enterprise against England, towards which also the
Duke of Parma was making his way. That in Biscay there were
embarked two thousand lances, and that, as well as the armada
of the Marquis, which was to disembark in Ireland or in Scotland,
there were 16000 footmen. |
|---|
| The Senate has resolved to rebuild the bridge of the Rialto
(which is now falling into ruin from old age) of stone, for the
greater adornment of the city and permanence of the work; and
to appoint two or three deputies over the business, it being
said that in order that the cost may be met without oppressing
private people, they will create three proctors for the moneys. |
|---|
| The going of the President of Ravenna to Cesena was by order
from Rome, for the beheading of the Doctor and Count N. de
Tiberii for having said that the Pope by law was not able to
impose the tax for the galleys which was now exacted from the
community; but the Doctor, being warned, saved himself by
flight. |
|---|
| Letters from Paris of the 15th ult. say that several had
been taken in that city on the charge of having tried to set it on
fire in many places there, in order to bring in the reiters, or some
[say] the Duke of Guise. Joyeuse is very greatly lamented
by the ladies of the court. (fn. 14) |
|---|
| Meanwhile, his Majesty's camp daily became stronger, being
on one side of the river Loire, and on the other side the King
of Navarre and his forces. The German reiters were lodged
about Berri and other neighbouring places, living on the provisions brought by the peasants of the villages, that they might
not suffer any further injury. |
|---|
| Two or three couriers have this week passed towards Rome,
sent from the Imperial Court with letters from the Nuncio there
and the agent of Spain for the Pope and Count Olivares, to
give account, as is said, of the proceedings in Poland, and to
favour, in the name of the Emperor, the Archbishop of Naples,
in the next promotion. They reported that Maximilian had
entered Cracow, and that any day the coronation might take
place. |
|---|
| On the 7th instant, the obsequies of the late Grand Duke were
to be begun in Florence. It is said that the Duke of Mantua
sent one express to offer the same compliments as the Cavaliere Dovara had already done for the Grand Duke. In the
matter of precedency between the Cavaliere Capello and the Count
dal Zaffo, the lords of the Council decided in favour of the Count. |
|---|
| Since the Senate appointed as proveditori for the building of
the Bridge of the Rialto the proctors Barbara and Foscarini and
Luigi Georgio, the Savio grande have resolved that the Marchese
Malatesta, already employed by the Republic, shall have his
profits given to him. |
|---|
| Some believe that the couriers gone from the Imperial Court
to Rome were sent with this intent:—that the adherents of
Maximilian desiring to crown him before others might present
themselves or that time might bring about some disturbance,
wished to make sure of the Pope's assent to the said coronation. |
|---|
| By an extraordinary courier from Turin to the ambassador
of Savoy, we hear that the Duke of Guise had defeated eight
other cornets of reiters, who had separated themselves from the
army in consequence of a quarrel with the Swiss; and that the
Huguenots (contrary to the agreements) had attempted, but in
vain, to surprise Avignon. |
|---|
| It is desired on the Piazza to have news of the entrance of
Maximilian into Cracow and of his coronation, for which there
had been great rejoicings in 'Ispruch' [Insbruck], but letters from
Prague of the 30th ult., sent by way of Augsburg, say nothing
save that his Highness was still in the Monastery of Magil, a
league from Cracow; and that the 2000 horse sent against the
Prince of Sweden, having met him with his sister and the Queen
widow on this side of Petrocovia, on the road to Cracow, with 1800
persons in very ill order, he took to flight, turning back towards
Petrocovia, whence, it not being safe to stay there, as all the
houses are made of wood, he was gone towards Warsaw with his
said company. |
|---|
| And the Bohemians, in their Diet, had consented to give the
Emperor, for Maximilian's service, a thousand reiters and a
regiment of foot, paid for three months; which were being enlisted with the greatest speed. |
|---|
| Italian. 4 pp. [Newsletters CXV. 38.] |
|---|
| Dec. 10. | Her Majesty to M. de Clervant. |
|---|
| Thanking him for his letters, delivered by M. de Chalonges,
which have pleased her much, as well by their assurance of
affection to herself, as by showing her the good state of their
affairs, which she prays God may continue, that all the pain and
toil which he and so many other honest men are undergoing
may result in a happy peace, to the honour of God and the
welfare and repose of that realm. This, she is assured is also
the desire of all who are aiding in this enterprise, amongst whom
she hears that Baron Dhona has been so forward as to esteem
less of his life and fortune than of the service and advancement
of the common cause.
And seeing that he has written her a letter by M. Chalonges,
by which, as by a picture, he shows his devotion to herself, to
whom he has been hitherto unknown, she prays M. de Clervant
to thank him on her behalf, and to assure him that she will
hold both himself and his good will in remembrance. Refers
him to the Sieur de Chalonges for news of what has happened
during his visit.—Somerset House (Palais de Somerset), 10
December, 1587.
Copy. Endd. as being to "M. de Clervault." French. [France
XVII. 140.] |
|---|
| Dec. 10. | Her Majesty to Baron Dhona. |
|---|
| She has asked M. de Clervant to thank him on her behalf for
his letters, yet cannot omit herself to assure him that although
hitherto unknown to her, he will be henceforth among the
number of those to whom she esteems herself much indebted
for their devotion to herself, as shown by what he writes. Is
also very glad to learn that a person of his quality and good
judgment is employed to command in affairs of so great consequence; whereof it is to be hoped the issue will be so much
the happier and better in that he will serve as a pattern and
mirror to those others who hold charges in his army, and that
they will imitate him in the constancy and good affection which
he has so well made apparent by the many difficulties he has
overcome. |
|---|
| Draft, much corrected. Endd. French. 1 p. [France, XVII.
141.]
Also,
Rough draft much corrected, of the above two letters, differing
in their wording but to the same effect. French. [Ibid. XVII.
141a.] |
|---|
| Dec. [10?] | Her Majesty to the Duke of Bouillon. |
|---|
| Expressing her pleasure on receiving his letters, brought by
M. de Chalonges, both because of his relation of the happy
success which God has given to the troops under his command
and of the harmony prevailing in an army composed of so many
divers nations. Prays God so to lead and strengthen them that
in the end they may achieve a good and assured peace to the
honour of God and peace of that realm. |
|---|
| In regard to M. de Chalonges, she has found in him such
ability that she is well content to leave it to him to make report
on her behalf of what has passed between herself and him,
both touching the common cause and his Highness; towards
whom, for many respects, she feels herself bound to show all
favour and friendship.—Our palace of Somerset, etc.
Copy. Endd. French. 1 p. [France XVII. 142.] |
|---|