|
| 1583. [Early in January.] | 699. Advertisements from Sundry parts. |
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| Empire.—The Diet in Hungary is to be “rejourned” until February, then to be kept in Possonia (Possovio) and to continue after Easter, despatching many things left unperfected in the former one. |
| Rome.—The Emperor has asked the Pope to lend him 200,000 crowns, to be employed in necessary provision for Hungary, lest next spring the wars may be renewed; but the Pope has not yet acceded to the demand. Signor Alfonso Ciccarelli has been
imprisoned here, “for that it was given forth how he had found the original bull granted by the Emperors Arcadius and Honorius unto the church of Rome, so as the Romish ministers were desirous to know the truth thereof.” [See p. 9 above.] |
| The Pope has ordered the collector of the spoglie in Spain to pay every year 4,000 ducats to the Jesuits in the provinces of Japan, in the East Portugal Indies, to maintain their proceedings in those parts. |
| Venice.—The Signory have revoked last year's ordinance in the matter of the Comediantes, and are now at liberty again to grant licences (at their good pleasures) to them to play their comedies after their accustomed manner. |
| The Venetian nobility have of late often entered the Great Council, to treat of causes touching their public government, which have been confirmed to the contentment of the whole estate. |
| A chaus has arrived at Venice and had audience of the Signory, to treat concerning certain heritages now fallen to the office of Cataveri. |
| Italy.—The Duke of Ferrara having sought by money to get into his hands the castle of Rolo, “which confineth upon” Carpi, Correggio and Mantua, could never obtain that grace of the Emperor. But now, to be safer from the incursions of the banished men, he has sent Signor Vespasiano [Gonzaga] with a troop and some artillery, who have surprised the castle, to the great displeasure of many princes near adjoining and especially of the Emperor, because the owner of the castle was under his protection. |
| The viceroy of Naples has sent a courier to inform the Spanish King that he intends to change all the offices in that kingdom, and to demand King Philip's consent thereto. |
| Spain.—It is confirmed that Don Diego, eldest son of King Philip, departed this life the 21st of November; being carried on the 22nd by twelve gentlemen of his house, accompanied by five friars, into the monastery of the Escurial, not far from Madrid, where he is to be interred. So that now, besides his two daughters by his third wife (this French King's sister) his Majesty has but one son about five years old, very feeble, and so subject to sickness that the physicians do not judge he can live long. The King's going into Castile is to be deferred, for several public and private causes. |
| Poland.—The King wishes to match a niece of his with the King of Sweden's son, alloting for her dowry certain towns in Livonia; but the Polonians seem unwilling to dismember this province, so that some disagreement may ensue between the King and his subjects, if the matter be not pacified. The ambassador sent to the Emperor is much discontented that he has yet no answer to his demands on the King's behalf. |
| Turkey.—The war between the Persian and the Turk continues and a great overthrow has been given to the Turks; for certain of their bands, returning to camp after succouring the town of Tiflis, were assaulted by an ambush of the Persians, and lost all or almost all their men, amounting to 4,000, or as some report, more. |
| Endd. 2 pp. [Newsletters XCV. 6.] |
| [Early in January.] | 700. Advertisements from Sundry parts. |
|---|
| Rome.—The Pope has committed the cause of the Archbishop of Cologne to M. Buonhuomo, nuncio resident with the Emperor. A courier brings news that the Archbishop has openly professed to be of the Augustan confession, “having uttered many words of reproach against the Pope” before witnesses; and is thought to have intelligence with the protestant princes. The banished men are beginning to gather in great troops, and it is said Piccolomini intends to invade the Pope's territories, threatening many outrages if his possessions are not restored to him. The Spanish ambassador is expecting orders to honour the Duke of Ferrara with the title of Serenissima. |
| The Pope has caused seven bulls of his predecessors to be published against those who hold castles, lands or livings belonging to the Church. Likewise, statutes by Popes Gregory and Leo will shortly be set forth, concerning the tenure of ecclesiastical lands, which will greatly vex many gentlemen and noblemen. |
| Cardinal d'Este has lately had audience, whereon a courier was presently despatched into France. It is judged that some new promotion and election of cardinals will shortly ensue, the said cardinal being more earnest in this than any other. But the Pope makes some difficulty in allowing the Cardinal of Bourbon to resign his legateship of Avignon to the Cardinal of Guise. |
| Naples.—The citizens purpose to give the Catholic King 2,400,000 crowns, if he will grant them certain privileges, and are daily expecting his answer. Seven gallies and some galliasses are to be sent to Spain, for the service of the army. The viceroy of Sicily is making no preparations of defence against the Turks, being advertised that all the Turk's forces “are bent to make wars in Persia.” |
| Spain.—The King has prohibited all transport of ready money out of his dominion, “but by bills of exchange.” His Majesty has been at Belem (Ballen), to celebrate the funeral obsequies of the last two kings of Portugal, whose bones were brought to Belem by boat from Almerino, with those of Don Luigi, Don Duarte, and others of the blood royal. He met the coffins, clothed in mourning apparel and using many solemn ceremonies, being followed by all the clergy of Lisbon. |
| Turkey.—Osman Bassa has discomfited 8,000 Persians, slaying 2,000 and taking 800 prisoners, including two principal captains. It is again said that the great Turk will go in person against the Persians. |
| Endd. 1½ pp. [Newsletters XCV. 7.] |
| [Early in January.] | 701. Advertisements from Sundry parts. |
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| Empire.—The Bishop of Liége and Archduke Charles have come to Vienna, and commissioners from Venice were expected to confer about the confines between the Emperor and Venice. Possevino
the Jesuit is also there on his way to Poland, having order from the Pope to treat with the Emperor to agree to the King of Poland's demands as to Silesia, not by restoring the same territories, but by compensation otherwise. The Emperor's brothers are content to receive “some reasonable entertainment” without partaking in their father's patrimony. |
| The Queen Blanche [i.e. reine blanche] widow of France, solicits permission for the speedy erection of a nunnery, where she intends to live solitarily. An ambassador has come to the Emperor from the Great Turk, demanding matters of great importance. |
| Rome.—M. de Foix, the French ambassador, has taken the orders of priesthood, having been consecrated by the Cardinal of Sens. The banished men spoil and rob the passengers between Rome and Naples, putting them to ransom. The corsairs do much harm in the Levant seas. The cities of La Marca and other provinces of the Romish church have sent to complain to the Pope of the extortions of his ministers. Cardinals Paliotti and Borromeo have earnestly entreated the Pope to give his parents and kindred in Bologna leave to resort to him and enjoy his presence, to show that he does not continue his ill-will towards them for causes which happened when he was in mean estate. And Cardinal d'Este has sued for favour for Count Pepuli. “But these Cardinals could obtain no grace in any of these causes, he remaining still in his accustomed hardness and malevolence.” |
| The new viceroy of Naples has been received with great honour, and the people have sought to gather 200,000 crowns [sic] to present to the Catholic King, but it was not agreed on. |
| Spain.—King Philip has declared to the Portuguese that he meant to depart from Portugal and go into Castile, giving them very loving admonitions to live united and continue their obedience vowed unto his crown, and promising to pleasure them in all their just occasions. He was leaving there the Marquis Santa Cruz to prepare a strong sea army, and there are four gallions newly built, with some great ships of war. The King will go by little journeys to Madrid, to hold his Lent there. The Biscayans have offered him fifty ships of war, promising to scour the seas and to defend his territories against Don Antonio, but under certain conditions which his Majesty has not yet ratified. The Duke of Medina Sidonia has brought to the court the body of King Sebastian, to be solemnly buried in the chapel of the Kings of Portugal. |
| Poland.—A diet has been held at Warsaw [see p. 13, above], whereat the King of Poland was present, requesting that one of his nephews might be declared his successor, but it was not agreed to by the Polonians. The differences between the King of Poland and Sweden are appeased, and the King has “licensed” his men of war. He has commanded the new calendar, sent from the Bishop of Rome, to be observed in all his dominions. |
| Endd. 2 pp. [Newsletters XCV. 8.] |
| Jan. 5/15—18/28. | 702. Advertisements from Sundry Parts. |
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| Rome, Jan. 28 [N. S.] 1583.—The Cardinal Archduke has been named by the Pope legate a latere to Portugal, his Holiness telling the College that having refused this grace to the Catholic king for a whole year, and it now being prayed for by the king and the clergy of that kingdom, for reasons of state, he could no longer refuse it, but has granted it for two years only and with very limited powers, as a nuncio rather than a legate. The king being about to depart, this legation will greatly promote the quiet of that kingdom, and it is a great honour to this senate that a Cardinal should be lord of such an Empire. His predecessors, for less needs, had granted a legate to Portugal. |
| Upon which proposal, the cardinals, astonished and surprised, gave their voices separately, and ten of them boldly alleged many reasons why his Holiness should not do this new thing, there being no doubt that France, the Empire and Poland might reasonably have demanded a like grace, to the great detriment of this Holy Chair; and on this side the chief of those who voted were the Cardinals Gambara, Dolfino, Commendone, Santa Croce, Sans, Madrucci, Albani and Este, which last reminded his Holiness that many times he had been promised by him, when giving legates to the kingdoms was discussed, his Excellency treating openly and boldly all which touched the most Christian King. The Pope replied that the case was very different, because Philip demanded only a legate for Portugal and not for the whole of Spain, for which there was need, while in France there appeared no such necessity; in fine the differences were many. With these votes and opinions many of the Cardinals agreed entirely, who have no other aim but the conservation of this State, but the will of the Pope prevailed, he being resolute in his desire for this legate in Portugal to the wonder of all, seeing the results which may follow from this innovation. |
| The actual votes were given in Latin. Dezza [de Deza] did not say a word, six other cardinals gave the placet, others, not being ready in the Latin tongue were silent as to their opinions, which cannot be gathered from the silence imposed upon and observed by the cardinals, especially in a matter of such weight. There were not present in this consistory, Savelli, Perugia [Fulvio della Cornia, formerly Bishop of Perugia] Simonetta (Sermoneta) and Altemps was despatched for Carthagena in Spain, Malines in Brabant and Tournay, having received two-thirds of the payment for the expedition, the rest to be paid within a year. When there was a discussion concerning the churches of Tournay and Malines, Cardinal Sans made a digression all in praise of King Philip, judged by many to be uncalled for. And so, this affair ended, the Pope, riding away with a good mien, went to the Vigna of Cardinal d'Este on horseback. |
| It is believed that the city of Naples means to give a present to the Catholic King of two million, four hundred thousand crowns, provided that his Majesty will concede certain
privileges to them. The reply is expected from Spain, whither the expedition of the legate of Portugal has already set out. |
| It is said that the Pope has placed in the hands of M. Buonhuomo, his nuncio in Germany, 25,000 crowns for the business of Cologne. The banished men are increasing much hereabouts, in order to turn us out of this city, and it is believed that Piccolomini is arming in great force, in case the states and lordships should not yield to him. |
| Many notable lies are spread concerning the trial of Count Hieronimo Pepoli, in his favour and against the legate Cesis and the auditor del Torrone, who, at the last ridutto made the other day before Cardinal San Sisto [i.e. Buoncompagni] was reduced to confusion and terror by the procurator and the judge-delegates of the cause—to the great wonder of everybody and of the Pope, who hitherto has believed quite the contrary. It is said that at Easter the legate will return here. |
| The city of Algiers is said to be given into the power of the Catholic King, but there is no confirmation of this. It is said that shortly the Catholic ambassador here will have orders from his King to honour the Duke of Ferrara with the title of Serenissima and Altezza, which he has refused to so many other great lords. The treasurer of the Pope affirms that soon they will have the corn of Sicily, the Pope wishing to keep it at five crowns the rubbio in this city. |
| The Pope has lately published seven bulls of six pontiffs against detentor¸e terrarum, castrorum, locorum et luxium sanct¸e Roman¸e ecclesi¸e and will shortly issue also the Gregorian and the Leonine, both in relation to feudal matters, which will give some gentlemen cause for reflection. |
| This morning ten thieves, street assassins, were hanged, and while the people, to the number of more than 20,000, stood watching, many robberies were committed; in the night, in sight of those who were setting up the gallows a shop was robbed, and in the liberty of the Duke of Sora there were yesterday taken six other thieves, in vile upper habits, but beneath, adorned with silken stuffs and well armed with harquebusses. |
| We hear from Florence that the Grand Duke is going to arm four more galleys to send frequently to cruise about, which will be eight in all, well armed. From Paris they write that Don Antonio was there secretly and had once been visited by the King, who was preparing another fleet for him, and that the Duke of Alen¸ on would send him from Flanders 16 great, armed vessels. |
| Antwerp, Jan. 5.—The taking of Eyndhoven by treaty is confirmed, together with the castle, not far from Bolduc, which place was the defence and bulwark of all the champaign country and especially of the city of Bolduc; the passage of provisions being now closed to all the lands held by the Malcontents in that country. The soldiers of the garrison of Brussels have also taken the land of Almó;t but not yet the castle, which is very strong and well-garrisoned with good Albanese soldiers. They
hope, however, that it will soon surrender, some great pieces of artillery being planted to batter it. |
| On the 2nd instant, the French and Swiss soldiers who have lately come into this country passed the Scheld near to this city, all fine young people, well armed. They are lodged in the villages about here until they are mustered and receive their pay, which will be very soon, and then will be sent on some enterprise. |
| The soldiers of the Prince of Parma suffer so much from hunger and cold that they are found dead in great numbers here and there in the country, and therefore his highness has been forced to withdraw the rest of the army into Louvain, Tournay, Oudenarde, Courtray (Caltrai) and other places, in hopes that they may not be ruined before the spring. He himself is at present in Tournay. |
| Cologne, Jan. 10.—To-morrow the States of the province of Westphalia will begin their diet, summoned in this city, which it is hoped, will bear good fruit. |
| Duke John of Deuxponts with the other ambassadors sent here from Bonn by our archbishop have not obtained any thing with the magistracy save the liberation of some burgers of the Augsburg confession, imprisoned for having preached during the past months, outside the gate of the city, contrary to the orders of the magistracy, which has promised, in the future, not to keep in arrest any of the said confession, but as for the demands made by the said Duke and the ambassadors that they should concede places in the city where those of the confession may hold their exercises, the said magistracy would not consent to it, it being a thing of great consequence, and refers the whole to the will and disposition of the Emperor and the Electors and Catholic princes, with which resolution, the Duke and his ambassadors returned on the 5th instant to Bonn to report all to the archbishop. It is said that Count Adolf of Neuenahr (Neuenarde) has brought back to the devotion of the archbishop the city of Berche [qy. Rheinberg], a very strong post upon the Rhine, and that he has already put in a garrison of good soldiers, endeavouring to do the same with the city of Neuss (Neis), four leagues from here, a place of great importance, on the Rhine. The Chapter has raised 6,000 gold florins, and the archbishop has done the same, so that each seeks to be the first to sieze the entrance to this Criesa, where there is fear of war between the Chapter and the archbishop; the magistracy and the community meanwhile remaining in accord together, and resolved to live as Catholics. |
| We hear that Don Antonio of Portugal is at Boulogne by the sea, in order to embark for Antwerp. |
| Endd. Italian. 2¾ pp. [Newsletters XCV. 9.] |
| Jan. 12/22—19/29. | 703. Advertisements from Sundry Parts. |
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| Vienna, Jan. [12–] 22.—The Emperor is very well and has begun to give audiences. The last was to the Polish ambassador, concerning compensation to his King for the castles occupied by Maximilian, which is agreed upon, though not yet publicly known. On Friday were executed the three men who came from the Prince
of Parma to murder Count Landi, and the Emperor having ordered that they should dispatch many of the imprisoned malefactors, they often put to death five or six and send about sixty to the Venetian galleys. |
| The apostolic nuncio is making ready to go to Cologne with the legates who are expected from Rome, to arrange as well as may be the new matters there, which weigh much upon the Emperor, he not being able to do what he ought for fear of greater evils, and therefore waiting to see if the Chapter will resolve, as is believed, to elect a new Archbishop. He would be glad that the Prince of Parma should, with his people, stir up those of Cologne in case the new Archbishop should wish to attack it. |
| It is held for certain that in a few days the new calendar will come into use, and since the Duke of Saxony will have it observed in his States, the other protestant princes cannot do less than do the same. On March 1st, the diet in Hungary will certainly begin, in the presence of the Emperor, and meanwhile they will make the bridge over the Danube, by which he will pass into that kingdom. |
| The presents which ought to have been sent long ago to Constantinople are to be got ready, but slowly, for want of money. There being sent hither Signor Vespasiano Gonzaga with a full relation of the matter of the Castello di Rolo, it is believed the Emperor will send orders to the Governor of Milan to put the true owner again in possession, which the subjects of the Duke of Ferrara will oppose. We hear from Spain that the business of the marriage of the daughter of that king with the Emperor goes on coldly, in consequence of the demands made by the Spaniards to the Catholic King that the eldest daughter should not leave the kingdom, because of the ill health of the Prince. |
| Antwerp, Jan. 29, 1583, according to the new calendar.—The Duke of Alen¸on, after the unhappy issue of his design, went to the monastery of St. Bernardo on the 20th instant, whither the magistracy of this city having sent four commissioners with provisions for two days, and not having found him, because he had gone thence with his people towards Duffel, a place between Malines and Lierre, they returned on the 21st with the said provisions and report that they found on the road more than 300 French soldiers dead of hunger and of the wounds received in this city. |
| News has come that on the 22nd Alen¸on arrived at Vilvorde, where the said city and those of Bruges and Ghent sent commissioners to consult with him, and to pray him to withdraw to Brussels and there to treat with the States upon all things past and future, which was refused by his highness, he saying he did not wish to treat with the States unless they gave into his power the territories of Newport and Ostend, seaports of Flanders, and that he might make his residence in Bruges, and that all the French prisoners in Antwerp should be liberated, with which reply the commissioners have returned here, and although the Duke demanded of the commissioners that an absolute
resolution should be given, not later than the 23rd, no answer was sent. For want of provisions he left Vilvorde and went to Dendermonde and on his way was nearly drowned under his horse and only saved by the help of some peasants, who threw him pieces of wood, by means of which they drew him out of the water. And his highness ran no less danger in passing the river between Duffel and Vilvorde upon a bridge made by the peasants out of some boats, which broke; and in the two places there were drowned more than 400 French and Swiss. |
| Those of Flanders do not wish by any means to consent to the Duke's demands to the States, and particularly those of Ghent, who have already thrown down and dragged on the ground his arms, placed in his honour in several parts of the city as Count of Flanders, and those of Bruges, intending to recruit 800 Flemish reiters to guard their city. |
| Yesterday, fresh commissioners were sent to the Duke, who was still in Dendermonde. It is said that the Prince of Orange wishes his highness to remain in these countries. Those of Artois, Hainault and the Prince of Parma have written to the magistrates of this city and other cities of Flanders, offering good terms if they will return to their obedience to the Catholic King, and especially promising liberty of conscience to all of the Religion, except that they should not have public exercises. To which offers it appears that those of Flanders and even a good part of this city lend an ear, with an inclination to embrace them, so that in a short time we expect to see an alteration, one way or another; those of Holland and Zeeland not wishing in any way to treat with the Duke, or acknowledge him in the future as their lord. |
| It is confirmed that in the affair in this city more than 1,600 French were killed, not counting the wounded who died afterwards. Of the burghers, 160 were killed and 80 wounded. |
| Those of Bruges have turned eight companies of French out of their city, those of Alost two companies and those of Malines three who were in garrison in these cities, so that there only remains in the power of the Duke the lands of Bergen St. Winoc, Dixmude and Dendermonde in Flanders. |
| It is said that those of Ghent have liberated from prison Monsieur de Champagny, brother of Cardinal Granvelle, and sent him together with eight of their principal counsellors to treat with the Prince of Parma for an agreement with the Catholic King, their natural lord. The same has been done by those of Ypres. |
| Guelderland (Gheldria) and Friesland (Frigia) do not wish for the Duke of Alen¸on, and those of Holland and Zeeland say that they will never have him for their lord, whence it is believed that all the united provinces will come to terms with the Catholic King. |
| The Italian and Spanish soldiers of the garrison of Lierre, hearing that the French were gone, sallied out by night to Borgerhout, where are still stationed the disbanded German reiters of the States, of whom they killed several and carried off 150 horses. Monsieur d'Hautepenne (Altapenna) and the Count of Mansfeld are gone with their men to the siege of Eyndhoven, where there are 800 French in
garrison; and some say that the Prince of Parma is gone to the siege of Dunkirk (Dunchelque). It is also said that the Queen of England has sent a galleon to the Duke of Alen¸on and invited him to go over into that kingdom. |
| Endd. Italian. 2 pp. [Newsletters XCV. 10.] |
| Jan. 24. | 704. Advertisements from Cologne. |
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| On the 28th of this month the Diet will begin in this city, there being summoned by the Chapter 4 counts, 300 nobles, and the deputies of 17 cities subject to this archbishopric. They are still expecting the ambassadors of the Emperor and the Pope, and the Chapter treats meanwhile of the matters which are to be proposed in the Diet. |
| In favour of the archbishop, the Duke of Deuxponts has returned to the city in company with the ambassadors of the electors and princes and with the other counts and lords who were in Bonn. There have likewise arrived the ambassadors of the Landgraves of Hessia, of the Duke of Würtemberg, of Duke Augustus, Elector of Saxony, and of the Marquis of Brandenburg. Duke Casimir will not fail either to come in person or to send ambassadors; towards the which duke all the princes and especially the Duke of Saxony have a great dislike, going so far that the Chapter for the time being will only elect a coadjutor who is not a prince, in conformity to the agreement made between the members of the Chapter in this archbishopric. Cologne, 24 January, according to the old calendar. |
| Italian.½ p. [Newsletters XCV. 10a.] On the same sheet as the preceding. |
| Jan 24. | 705. Letter from Cologne. (fn. 1) |
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| I have heard nothing from you since yours of Dec. 30, not even a reply to mine of Jan. 7, which I hope you received safely, with my opinion of the French pretensions, which that very day were evidently manifested to their confusion (thanks be to God). The same evening that the news came of this terrible tragedy of the Duke of Anjou, I was in the company of some men of letters and well versed in affairs of state, not biassed on either side but only desiring the quiet of Christendom, where we were talking of what had happened at Antwerp, and what was preparing for England, in recompense of the honour and advancement given to the Duke by means of her Majesty, in the possession of the Low Countries; they declaring that her Majesty was the sole cause that a personage learned and versed in the state affairs of all Europe (named Lanquett), whom I have known well, went to him in France and persuaded him to accept the offer of the States; who afterwards died of regret at Antwerp, before the arrival of the Duke, foreseeing the ingratitude which has ensued. Moreover that this was the cause of his having lost his good repute amongst the princes of Germany, especially the Duke of Saxony, from whom he drew yearly 500 dollars, and by
favour of bearing the title of the said Duke's counsellor, as he himself confessed to me, his life was spared at the massacre in Paris. One of the said personages, a man of great experience in state affairs and politics, told me in confidence that the last league made with the Turk (against the King of Spain), countermines things in a fashion unlooked for by the confederates, and that the bolt will fall upon England if her Majesty do not quickly decide what she will do, by means pleasing to God and Godfearing men, and profitable to herself and her posterity. He whom you caused your man to seek for when he last passed here, has told me that the said personage has communicated these things to him. He salutes you, and both for his affection to you and the good he desires for your country he would gladly go to see you, to inform you of many things. The gast of the Signeur Lister has also told me that he would like to make the journey. He salutes you and prays you to remember what he wrote to you when the Duke of Anjou was in England to build up the fine league under pretext of marriage, and you will see if the result has not followed and that the rest of the poison, still hidden, will not fail to spread. Matters here remain in suspence until the Chapter and nobles of the diocese, together with the deputies of the princes on both sides are assembled, who are beginning to come into the town, ready for the opening on Monday. God give good result! There is more appearance of war than of amity, for it seems that the Chapter claims to remove the Archbishop from his dignity, who by no means wishes to quit it. The result will make us wise. The Duke of Saxe Lauenburg, head of the Chapter, opposing the actions of the said Archbishop, some days since seized and unloaded a boat passing by Somst, a town of the Duchess, going from Kaiserswerth to Bonn, laden with a great quantity of oats, beef, powder and bullets. |
| The Venetians have lately written of the victory of the Persian over the Turk before Tiflis, which the Persian was besieging and has since taken, and to the aid whereof the Turk had sent Osman Bassa with a great force, whom the said Persian has defeated and forced the said Bassa to retreat to Osdran, whence he has accused Sinan Bassa, whom the Turk has degraded and would have beheaded, but for the prayer of his mother. Also his great Captain of the Sea has revolted, and made himself master of Argeyl [Azila or Argilla], which they say he will give(?) to the King of Spain. Cologne, 24 January, 1583, stilo vecchio. |
| Copy. Endd. Fr. 1½ pp. [Newsletters XXVII. 2.] |
Jan. 25.–Feb. 4.
[Latest date]. | 706. Advertisements from Sundry Parts. |
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| Venice, Feb. 4 [N. S.]—Letters of the 27th December from Lisbon say that on the 20th, the King went to Belem, whither he had caused to be carried the bones of King Sebastian, who died in Africa, and where were performed solemn obsequies with much honour from the Portuguese nobility. On the 1st of February, his Majesty was to leave for Madrid, having summoned the Cortes of Portugal on the 15th of January at Lisbon, to take oath to the prince, Don Filippo, in which, as was
understood, the Portuguese demanded from the King the confirmation of the articles offered them formerly and since the death of the Cardinal King; but his Majesty having been forced to conquer the kingdom by arms, claimed to alter them as he pleased. The Commendador Major, formerly viceroy of Naples, had been declared Major Domo Major in place of the Duke of Alva. In the Cortes there was treated an agreement for 400,000 dollars with his highness of Tuscany and in Barcelona there was joined to it other 400,000 to send to Italy on the galleys which are to escort the Duke of Terra Nova. The fleet for Terceira was being prepared in most powerful manner with great provision of artillery and artfully designed pieces, of which the King took great pleasure in seeing the various effects. |
| The French ambassador (by letters from Madrid of the 5th) was to leave within a week, and it was believed that Don Antonio had, in France, 100,000 dollars, part in money and part in jewels, brought upon some ships that came from India. |
| Cracovia, Dec. 10.—The King was expected there within a week, who as soon as he left Warsaw had sent away the chiaus by whom the Turk had sent to him to demand the Moldavian, and the money which he carried, with reply that his Majesty having found that the said Moldavian had wished to pass by force and as an enemy to his kingdom, he could not but in justice have him beheaded, and that as to the money, he had not known that he carried with him any amount of importance and that therefore he could not send to the Grand Signor either the one or the other. It remains to see how this reply will be received in Constantinople. |
| Paris, Jan. 7.—It is heard from Flanders that M. de Laval (la Valle) remains a prisoner, with many of his chief men, the Prince of Parma having made an ambuscade for them. That the Prince's camp was between Brussels and Alost, holding those two cities encompassed, so that they had nothing to eat except what they had provided within their walls. |
| That Colonel Birago issued often with his people from under the walls of Antwerp to skirmish with the enemy, the Spaniards having always the worst of it. Don Antonio was still in Paris, and doing his utmost to procure aid from the King, but met with only a cool response. It was certain that war with Spain would not break out, and that with all the incursions of the Prince of Parma over the frontiers of France the King would do nothing in reprisal, but would promote the affairs of Flanders, as he has done up to now. They were expecting at court to have festivities and dancing as usual, although Madame de Joyeuse (Gioiosa) was struggling with death for life; for whom the King was having prayers offered. |
| The creation of the nine knights of the Holy Ghost was on Jan. 1, viz. Charles de Lorraine, Due d'Aumale; Anne, Due de Joyeuse; Jean Louis de Nogaret, Due d'Epernon; Jean de Moy, Signeur de la Meilleraie [Mayelleraye] and one of the governors of Normandy; Philippe de Volvyre, Baron de Ruffec and Santa Brigida; Francois de Mandelot, Sieur de Passy, governor of Lyons and the Lyonese; Tannegui le Veneur (il cacciatore)
Count de Tillières, one of the governors of Normandy; Jean Jacques de Luzane, Conte de Servi and Tristan de Rustin, Baron de Breci. The evening after “the Kings” [i.e. Twelfth night], Madame de Vitri, a most lovely girl, was made “Queen of the Bean.” From Avignon, that the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condé having stayed for some days in those parts, there arose great suspicion in the city and country for fear of some Huguenot plot. |
| [Venice.]—Tuesday the vigil of the Purification [N.S.], the Prince with the Signory, accompanied by the ambassadors of the Emperor and France, went on foot to solemn vespers at Santa Maria Formosa, to the astonishment of all, he being 94 years of age, and having been indisposed; and Wednesday, the morning after, his highness, for the aforesaid festival, and with the same company, went to the church of St. Mark to the solemn mass. The same morning the Imperial ambassador gave a banquet to the legate and the French ambassador. |
| Cardinal Borromeo arrived at Ferrara on the 28th of last month and left the following day for Parma, and while he remains in that city there will be no masque or any sort of amusement, by order of the Duke. |
| It is said that M. de la Noue (Nua) a prisoner of the Prince of Parma in Flanders died many months ago, either naturally or by violence. |
| Letters from Constantinople, dated December 23, bring news that the Grand Signor had at last had Sinam Bassa strangled, the favour of the sultanas not being sufficient to save him, to whom he had given all his most precious things, and it was added that his son had also been deprived of a certain post which he held, and the grand falconer likewise of his office, as being a follower of Sinam. There do not want some, however, who hold that Sinam is not really dead, but only that the Grand Signor after having deprived him both of his rank and power, had sent him word that he might go and end his days in any place whence no tidings of him would come to the Porte. Osman Bassa was expected in Constantinople from the borders of Persia, at whose arrival there would be concluded or rejected the peace with the Persian ambassador; the which Osman (as some judged) would be made Chief Vizier, though others held for certain that the office would remain with Thiaous Bassi, as being a kinsman of the Grand Signor, and to whom, on Sinam's deprivation, the seal was at once consigned, with the whole administration. It was said that near Domircapi, Osman had defeated 12,000 Persians, 4,000 of whom were killed and 800 taken prisoners, including two of their chiefs, but later news was much less good, and it appeared that though the Grand Signor still desired to go in person to that war, yet the provisions for those parts remained in abeyance, and also those for the fleet, which it was believed would go out but with only a small number. |
| Vienna, Jan. 8.—The Archduke Matthias had kept the Feast of Kings alla Fiaminga, creating a King with his officials by lot, the thing being then resolved into a sumptuous supper, at which were all three of his brothers with other lords and ladies, and
after supper they danced until the middle of the night. The Sieur Paul Store, chamberlain of the Bishop of Liége and Prince of the Empire, on the 7th renewed the fief of that city in the name of his master, with the usual ceremonies. The Catholic King has written to the Emperor that for less expence, he might send a deed and not a personage into Spain for the betrothal ceremonies, and that with it might be sent the commission to the ordinary Imperial ambassador at that Court. |
| The ambassador of Poland has not very earnestly solicited his business of the castles of Transylvania, it being said that between his King and the Grand Turk there had grown dissatisfaction, for as much as the Grand Signor at the instance of France, would not give him the title of King; a young man, nephew of Ambrosino Fossato, has there killed himself by a blow with a dagger, being suspected of ill-conduct with the concubine of his uncle, who since, in consequence of the death of the nephew and jealousy of the lady, wished to drown himself, but was prevented by one of his servants. |
| The Venetian galley which conducted the Proveditore Contarini as far as Zara has returned. |
| From Nuremberg they write that in that city and other places in Germany there would presently be recruited people for the affair of Cologne, on the one side and the other. |
| Sinam Bassa was not really dead according to the last letters, of the 4th of January, but some say that the Turks do not wish to publish his death. They are to make great preparations for the war with Persia, with whom will go two Bassas, and the Grand Signor has created a sixth Bassa, one called Ferrat, having been formerly Aga of the janissaries and then Beglierbey. |
| From Vienna it is said that although the nuncio had orders from his Holiness to proceed to Cologne, he would not move until the Emperor said his going there was necessary. The diet in Hungary was summoned for the first of March. The ambassador from Turkey was expected in that court, as is written, and the Venetian commissioners have had audience of the Emperor. |
| From Poland, that the King had arrived in Cracovia on the 20th of December. |
| Since the election of the ambassador Dolfino for Poland, the King of France has tried several times by his ambassador to work upon this Signory not to send him, to the end that he should not prejudice his own pretentions in that kingdom, but finally the Prince has replied to the ambassador that since they have made the election they cannot but send him, so much the more as it is said that the Polish King has already elected his ambassador to be sent here, and that soon the preparation will be made for his lodgings. |
| Endd. Italian. 3 pp. [Newsletters XCV. 11.] |
| Jan. 29. | 707. The King of Poland to Queen Elizabeth. |
|---|
| Stating that there is now detained as a prisoner in England James Bosgrove, a divine of the Society of Jesus, professor in
the University of Wilna, and a man of great piety and learning; for no other cause, so far as he can learn, than that having drunk in the Roman Catholic religion with his mother's milk, he still zealously professes it. |
| Does not doubt that her Majesty will understand of what consequence it is that a man so excelling in piety and learning should be so long absent from his university, by which it is easy to perceive how much the cause of learning is injured; wherefore he urgently prays that she will send him back freely that he may continue in his appointed station to teach piety and letters, which will be of such benefit and ornament to the church and commonwealth. Assures her of his willingness to allow freedom to those of her subjects who go into his kingdom, and hopes that by her benignity and clemency, the like freedom may be granted to the Catholics in her dominions. Niepolomice, 29 January, 1583, in the 7th year of his reign. Signed, Stephanus Rex. |
| Add. Endd. Seal. Latin. 1 p. [Poland, I. 21.] |
| Jan. 30. | 708. Advertisements from the Low Countries. |
|---|
| Monsieur, seeing that the treaty with the States would not end so soon as the needs of his men required, and that his person and forces were in danger about Vilvorde, hastened to Dermonde, where he lies, and his troops “thereabouts.” |
| Their intent was to have got into the land of Waes, but those of Flanders have so beset and “empeached” all the passages that they cannot get in. |
| Mr. Norreys is chief of the States' men there, 2,000 soldiers and five or six thousand boors well appointed, and so resolved to fight, that they daily pray to be allowed to pass the river and seek their enemy. The writing between Monsieur and the States continues with small effect, his claim to keep certain places making the people so jealous of the French that they know not how to trust them. It is said that Monsieur sent Mr. Norreys word that if he hindered the French troops he should account him his greatest enemy, and that “Marshal Biron and Rochepot, chief authors of the pretended and failed murder, braved as if they would pass over the river perforce and set upon Mr. Norreys,”to which he answered that he would perform his charge and stand to his defence, whoever should assail him. |
| To know the Prince's and States' pleasure he came to Antwerp on Friday, and returned on Sunday. Money from all the provinces is come for payment of the troops and other needs. None of the commissioners who have been with Monsieur will go to him again. |
| Marshal de Villiers, sometime governor of Bouchain, returned with the States' answer, and is come again to accompany Monsieur de Laval, by whose arrival it is thought his highness begins to yield to the States' demands. |
| Dermonde was provided for a year, but “thereupon his people and train spend all this while, so as it cannot long continue.” At Brussels the soldiers mutinied for pay and imprisoned the governor, but all is now appeased. Montigny and the Viscount of Ghent sent trumpets to demand its surrender, offering
conditions of agreement, but Brussels sent the trumpet to the Prince and States for his answer, who, it is thought, will delay the answer, and feed the enemy with compliments. Eyndhoven is environed by the enemy afar off, but the States have sent into Guelderland and Friesland for forces, hoping to rescue it. It is said the Prince of Parma will come to Lierre, and parley further with the States. A gentleman has arrived from the King of France to the States, who was so received by the people that if he had not, by the help of the burghers, got back to the ship, he “had been mischiefed.” Afterwards he was safely conducted to his lodgings by one of the town colonels and some shot. Middelburg, 30 January, 1582. |
| Endd. 1½ pp. [Newsletters I. 55.] |
| Feb. 8. | 709. Rudolf II. to the Count of Embden. |
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| We have received your second letters touching the English Adventurers at Embden, and perceiving the doubt you seem to have of the continuance of our decree last given in that behalf, we do by these presents again command you to follow the same as equity requireth, hoping you will show yourself herein dutiful and obedient, and not give us occasion more earnestly to take order therein, whereto (if there were any further complaints by the Hanse towns) we shall be forced. Of which our resolute determination we thought good to let you understand. Vienna, 8 February, 1583. |
| Endd. as is that to the Queen on p. 672 below. English translation. ½ p. [Germany, Empire, I. 46.] |
| Feb. 9/19. | 710. Advertisements from Venice. |
|---|
| From Lisbon, letters of Jan. 10th tell us that the Cortes of the kingdom were summoned to that city for the 20th, for the Prince to take his oath, and to discuss other matters of the kingdom. The King was then to go to Madrid, accompanied by many noble Portuguese, of whom he would carry with him a special council for the affairs of Portugal. The Duke of Candia had begun to execute the charge of his generalship, to the great satisfaction of the Portuguese. The preparations of the fleet for the Terceiras were going on very briskly in that city, in Seville and in Barcelona, and the King, hearing of the arrival of Don Antonio in France, had sent for the Marquis of Sta. Croce, and the appointed captains for that enterprise began to appear, to take up the charge of the expedition; and orders were given in all the maritime places, for great quantities of bread. They were diligently arming two galleasses come from Naples, which with two galleons in good order will be sent out very shortly. The grandees of Castile did not approve of the appointment of the chief major-domo, in the person of the Commendator Major, formerly viceroy of Naples. |
| The French ambassador [Saint-Gouard] left Madrid on the 13th of January to return home, leaving behind him the character of a brave and prudent cavalier. |
| Cardinal Borromeo has summoned from Milan his doctor, Signor Zacaria Caimo and Signor Giovanni Battista Chiodo, his surgeon, both much esteemed, who left on the 7th to assist in the cure of the Princess of Mantua at Parma. |
| Letters from Paris of Jan. 25 say that the King and Queen returned there the previous Saturday, looking very well. That the Pope had finally agreed to let his Majesty dispose in pensions of the fourth part of the revenues of all the benefices, convents and abbeys in the kingdom, but only by letters, not by bull, which favour was praised by the courtiers and blamed by the priests. Others thought it right, hoping that it would aid the business of the publication of the Council [of Trent] in that kingdom, for which there are frequent assemblies. Don Antonio is lodged with the Abbot Guadagno. They say that by the spring he will have a fleet of 80 vessels; 40 English, 12 Flemish and the rest French. |
| On Sunday morning Zacaria Salamone, newly elected Proveditor of the fleet, went on board with a splendid equipage, and a show of great quantity of money. He is to start for the east on the 1st of next month. |
| On Monday morning there returned from Spalatro, on the galley called the Seven Columns, the Proveditor Contarini sent about the business of Clissa, who, they say, has had executed three accomplices of that conspiracy and has tried others. The following morning he went to the College to make his report. On Saturday the ambassador of Savoy returned from Turin, by whom it is understood that the Duke will take to wife the daughter of Lorraine, with a dower of a million of gold; but others say that she will give herself to the Prince of Cleves. |
| A special courier sent from Antwerp on Jan. 29 on account of the bankruptcy of a German merchant in that city for 90,000 crowns, brings news of the departure of the Duke d'Alen¸on and his French and Swiss people from the monastery of St. Bernard near Antwerp, taking their way towards the territory of Liége in order to return to France. There remain in the service of the States the Germans, English and Scots who have renounced the oath taken to the Duke, and sworn fealty anew to the States and Prince of Orange; and some add that while the Duke was in St. Bernard he sent to beg provisions from those of Antwerp, who sent him only half an ox, a wether, and ten pair of fowls, with bread and wine for his own table only. And at his departure thence, his people cut in pieces 300 English and Scots, because they would not follow them and help them to make themselves masters of Antwerp. Letters of the 10th of February from Genoa tell us of the arrival of the Duke of Terranova and the galleys in a port above Savona; whence he was expected in Genoa from hour to hour. The French ambassador was at the College on Monday, to discourse upon the late events at Antwerp. The couriers from Rome and the letters from Constantinople have not yet arrived. |
| Endd. Italian. 1¼ pp. [Newspapers XCV. 12.] |
| Feb. 2/12—16/26. | 711. Advertisements from Sundry Parts. |
|---|
| Antwerp, Feb. 12, N.S.—The Duke of Alen¸on is still at Dendermonde, in great want of money and provisions. Almost every day he sends commissioners here, amongst them M. de Laval and the Count de Rochefoucault, to treat with the States. The reply given to them is that all this negotiation is referred to the resolution of the United Provinces, viz. Flanders, Brabant, Holland, Zeeland, the bishopric of Utrecht, Guelderland and Friesland (Frigia); it being believed that the people will no longer accept the Duke (seeing that it is plain to every one that what happened in this city was planned by the French, who intended to do the same in other places), unless his highness will restore the cities and places which he holds, with the further condition that he shall reside in Brussels, with his Court and a guard of 400 Swiss, who must take oath to the States, and that M. de Temple shall remain governor of the city with the present garrison; but it is not known whether those of Brussels will agree to this course. |
| Some wish that no positive resolution shall be taken before the arrival of the English Ambassador, who is on his way. The Queen being much dissatisfied by this action of the French, it is said that she has dismissed the ambassador of the Duke and those of the Kings of France and Spain, demanding from the Duke's ambassador a good sum of money which she had paid to him a few days before to send to his Master. |
| Two ambassadors have come from the King of France to show his great displeasure concerning his brother's proceedings against Antwerp, and that as a sign of this, he had not detained or given any hindrance to the Flemings in his kingdom; and it was yesterday published here that the French merchants stayed with their goods should be released, and be allowed to go about their business as formerly, but the soldiers who were made prisoners have not yet been liberated. |
| The Malcontents remain quiet from great dearth of provisions, but almost every day write to those of this city, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Alost, exhorting them to be reconciled to the King of Spain. Up to the present time they have received no replies at all, the people not being willing to trust themselves to the Spaniards, in respect of religion. |
| The Catholics in Scotland wished secretly to send their King into France, but the plot was discovered and the principal authors of it taken. Of fifteen Flemish merchant ships returning from Setubal and Lisbon, ten are cast away. |
| Cologne, Feb. 17, N.S.—After many and long consultations concerning the Archbishop, the major part of the States of the bishopric have consented to an agreement with the Chapter, but with the condition that the Archbishop shall be proceeded against by way of the laws and without provoking a war, and with permission that all protestants of the said States may have liberty of conscience. And in that manner, on the 12th instant the Diet came to an end without giving any other reply to the propositions of the Archbishop or the protestations of the princes, counts
lords and ambassadors who support him. Upon this on the 14th instant he left Bonn with all his adherents for Dillenburg, a town and strong castle of Count John of Nassau, brother of the Prince of Orange, a day's journey from Frankfort, having on the Sunday espoused the Countess of Mansfeld publicly in the church of Bonn, in the presence of Duke John of Deuxponts and many counts, nobles and ambassadors of princes, and carrying with him all the writings, the seal, jewels and other property of the archbishopric. The same day there arrived here letters from the Electors Palatine, Saxony and Brandenburg to the Chapter, and one separately to the States of the archbishopric, exhorting them not to oppose the good proposition of the archbishop, otherwise they should be compelled to assist him, and give him aid as to their dear brother and friend. |
| The Elector of Saxony has likewise written letters to Duke Frederick of Saxony, one of the principal members of the Chapter and suffragans of Cologne, exhorting him with high and threatening words not to consent to allow anything to be done against the Archbishop; so that it is thought certainly that in the spring there will be war in these countries, seeing that Casimir, the Bishop of Bremen, and many other protestant lords are ready with their colonels to gather 8,000 horse and 10,000 foot in favour of the married archbishop, and the opposite party will not fail to strike also. |
| The three bishop-electors have likewise written to the Emperor, who ordered the Chapter of Cologne to keep the married archbishop in his dignities and electoral and episcopal authority, but it is believed that the Emperor will do nothing further, and so much the more it is doubted there will be war. |
| Since the close of the diet, the Chapter have recovered the land and Castle of Kaiserswerth (Caisersvert), the captain left there by the archbishop having departed, and it is hoped that those of Bonn may do the same by the persuasion of the Chapter, and also by their expectation of being attacked by the Prince of Parma, whose troops lie on the frontiers of Bonn by request of this Chapter. For the guard of that city there have remained Hermann Adolf, Count of Solms, the Lord John of Winnenberg and Charles Truchsess, brother of the archbishop, with some few soldiers. |
| Rome, Feb. 26. n.s.—On Thursday morning there was some dispute in the Congregation of the Holy Office, before his Holiness, on account of the Paleologo, amongst the cardinals, a part of them wishing that he should be put to death, and the other part not, but the vote of the pontiff prevailed, which was that the execution should be put off for awhile, and that in the meanwhile with the continued assistance of the pious divine of the Cardinal d'Este, who converted him, he should write to his ill-taught followers in Germany of his apparent false heresy, printed and preached to them, as he has already begun to do and write; and they are revising his works, two of which, one in Latin and the other in Greek will remain published
against the perfidy of the Hebrews. It is the opinion of many that this man has cost the Pope more than 20,000 crowns to get him into his hands. |
| Yesterday there came a courier from Parma to Cardinal Farnese, to announce (as is said) to the Pope that the cut given to the princess is mortal, and that even if she lives the doctors doubt whether the results will be lasting. This courier has brought the writings made concerning the occurrence, which displeases everybody. Cardinal Farnese has let it be understood that as the said princess might be forced into a monastery she had this operation in order not to give up her life. |
| Endd. Italian. 2 pp. [Newsletters XCV. 13.] |
| Feb. | 712. [Walsingham] to Alberto Baranoviski, Secretary of Poland. |
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| Her Majesty's envoy in your country has written to us much about the willingness of your people in the matter of establishing a free seat of English commerce at Elbing and so cementing the ties between the two realms by a closer bond, but more especially he speaks of your good will and zeal in the matter in such a way that I can easily see that you have used no less prudence than kindness and that you are largely responsible for the fact that your people seem willing at last to satisfy her Majesty's desire. This it is that impels me at this time, since her Majesty has sent letters to your King and the noble Senate of your realm, and the rest of her Council have done the same to some of the most eminent men of Poland, to choose you as the most fitting person to whom I can signify how welcome were these kindly offices conferred on our nation. Moreover, as it seems that from these beginnings may grow (as we most earnestly desire) a glorious alliance between the two princes and their realms, let me in accordance therewith make use of the blessing of private friendship (for that is the most powerful factor in conciliating men's minds), since I hold the same station in the state as yourself,—let me, the Queen's secretary, make friends with you, the King's. To sum up, if I have power, favour or wit, be firmly persuaded that when any occasion shall arise of doing a favour to yourself or any of your people, I will not willingly omit anything that could be desired from the closest or most obliging of friends. Likewise I most earnestly beseech you to use all the authority with your King which you possess, as we well know, by reason of your consummate prudence and loyalty, to keep his Majesty, as he has begun, in a state of willingness to satisfy the demands of her Majesty and show favour to the English nation; so that, since nothing is asked inconsistent with equity or the King's dignity or his subjects' well-being, a conclusion may be made to this matter with the consent of all parties. London. |
| “To Albert Baranovio, knight of Poland, chief secretary, no[minated?] bishop of Premislien” [Prenzlau]. |
| Endd. Feb. 1582. Draft. Latin. 1 p. [Poland I. 22.] |
| Feb. 28. | 713. Occurrents from Cologne. |
|---|
| The arrival of the Cardinal of Austria is daily expected, who brings the dismissal and deprivation of the Archbishop, but the deprivation is still doubtful, as I have heard from a person of quality, “where” I had the fortune to meet le Lusque, (fn. 2) the secretary of the Cardinal of Trent, Demutius, who has brought letters from the Pope to the Archbishop to divert him from his enterprises, and one Curtius, agent of the Emperor, who has brought letters from his Majesty to the senate of this town, exhorting them to remain faithful to their ancient customs and religion, and the like letters to the Chapter. |
| In this said company there lacked not divers discourses on the present times, and amongst them, of the tragedy at Antwerp, and the Valois perfidy, which will not cease to conspire, seconded by the seditious spirits of the country itself, at least of Brabant and Flanders, who are considered already in France to belong to that crown. And that notwithstanding these first practices they will find means to radoubter their fault by good promises and oaths, even that the Queen of England will assist, in order to nourish the war between France and Spain. From France we hear that the King is sending 200,000 crowns to his brother, and that the Queen Mother is getting ready an army for Don Antonio. |
| The assembly which the protestant princes and towns of the Empire are to hold at Ulm or Worms on Dominica Judica, which is a fortnight before Easter, on the business of the bishopric fait mettre le leawe [qy. la lie] au vin du Chapitre, and even to their designs. |
| This assembly of the three circles, Upper, Lower and Westphalian, is in order to finish off the matters left over by the diet of Augsburg; where as usual, there will be much noise and little done. You shall learn all that passes there. Last Friday, the 22nd, the Count d'Aremberg, a vassal of this bishopric and in the service of the chapter, approached Bonn in order to prevent provisions reaching it, and intending to besiege it with two German regiments and one of Walloons and 500 lancers, all in good order, but starving. |
| He was in this town on Saturday, dining with the Duke of Saxony. The Chapter has sent ten messengers with letters to the Princes of Germany to inform them of the crimes committed by the Archbishop, which are the cause of their depriving him, but it is believed that his declaration will neutralize them all. Cologne, 28th February, 1582 [old style (fn. 3) ]. |
| Endd. Fr. 1½ pp. [Newsletters XXVII. 3.] |
| March. 3. | 714. Occurrents from Cologne. |
|---|
| The commissioners of the three circles, Lower, Upper and Westphalian, have gone, having only consulted amongst themselves
what it will be well to propose at the Journée of the Empire (“pour restat” of the diet of Augsburg), which is to be held at Frankfort next May, where they will discuss matters concerning money, justice, the towns estranged from the Empire, the extermination of freebooters and the like. The Squint-eyed has added his pretensions [margin: “he meaneth Dr. Suderman and the Hanses' causes”] to which he has received little response so that he despairs of the issue, saying that the said Journée is his last refuge, in which however he foresees little good. Amen ! |
| On the 25th of last month Count d'Aremberg withdrew his men who were hanging round Bonn, for want of artillery and pay, which the Chapter cannot give them, for they are as much and more in need of money than the Archbishop. They have only withdrawn about two leagues, eating up the country people, while waiting for better things. Meanwhile, the Archbishop is at Arnsberg (Ansbourgh), the strongest town and castle of Westphalia, held from the diocese, for whom all the nobles and commons of Westphalia have declared themselves, having unanimously embraced the Religion. On the other side, the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg is trying to surprise divers places, and amongst others the castle of Hulsraet [sic], belonging to the diocese, but held in gage by the Count de Moers, who supports the Archbishop, wherefore the said Duke thinks to take advantage of the opportunity and has summoned the soldiers of Aremberg, who are said to be marching thither to-day. |
| This is the day appointed for the assembly of the protestant imperial towns at Heilbronn, to consult, and then report their opinion to the Journée which the protestant princes are to hold concerning the business of the Archbishop, who, it is said, will certainly be supported and maintained in his episcopal dignity and electorate. The assembly will be at Ulm, Dominica Judica, a fortnight before Easter. |
| On the same 25th ult, there arrived a gentleman from the Emperor, who at once took post to go to the Prince of Parma. |
| The Prince is at Tournay, waiting for 400,000 crowns which have arrived at Besan¸on. Meanwhile he mixes himself up in the Alen¸on factions, which the clear sighted believe will bring about a tour de gascons of which the States and their neighbours will feel the effects. Cologne, 3rd of March, 1583. |
| Endd. March 3, 1582. Fr. 1 p. [Newsletters XXVII, 4.] |
| March. 7. | 715. Advertisements from Cologne. |
|---|
| We are here looking for the Cardinal of Austria, who brings the dismissal of our archbishop, and it is thought will pass first by Liége, where peradventure the said dismissal will be published. Which, however, the Archbishop will take no account of, being assured that the princes and cities of the Empire will maintain him in his dignities and the authority of the electorate, in order that henceforward the protestants may have the plurality of voices in the election of the Emperor. This is the object of these changes. But the Elector of Saxony has promised the Emperor
that he will not meddle in the matter, and the like hath the Duke of Wirtemberg done; and by the instigation of the Pope, who made the peace with the Muscovite, to the King of Poland's advantage, the said king has notified to the Elector of Brandenburg that if he declares for the Archbishop he will spoil his country. But notwithstanding all these practices and threatenings, papal and imperial, it is known that these give aid to the Archbishop, underhand, whereof the effect will shortly be seen. |
| The day before yesterday there arrived in Bonn 200 reiters and 400 lansquenets. The Archbishop is expected there very shortly, with good troops. The regiments of the Count d'Aremberg are retired down towards Somst, to meet the Duke of Saxe Lauenburg, who, it is said, means to besiege “Hulsraet.” The affairs of Monsieur d'Anjou are doubtful and the issue hazardous. He makes show of treating with the Prince of Parma to bring the States to his side, and especially in order to withdraw the French prisoners; and having these, will declare himself more openly. Cologne, 7th of March, 1582, old style. |
| Endd. Fr. ¾ p. [Newsletters XXVII. 5.] |
| 716. English translation of the first part of the preceding. Endd. ¾ p. [Ibid, XXVII. 6.] |
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| March. 7. | 717. Letter from Cologne. |
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| I yesterday received yours of the 1st of this month and the 22 of February, this last having been intercepted, with all the ordinary post, by those of Lierre, but (thank God) not opened. I have been well pleased to hear their contents, and especially the entrelasse in the vulgar tongue, which I have at once imparted to the gast de Leyster, who was much pleased, seeing the diligence which you use for the services of those who merit it, and for which he labours to the utmost of his power, without regard to the hate which some bear to him. He will not cease, for all the tempests which may ensue, to go on doing the services required, which from his youth up have been printed on his heart, even to the risk of his life. But he has desired me to acquaint you that he cannot before the middle of April absent himself from these parts without losing the knowledge of several negotiations of importance which are in hand, and very necessary to be known for the safety of the services required. He wishes me to go with him, which I cannot refuse for the sake of my old friends, but in order to this I must pray you to consider how my wife for more than a year has been confined to her bed, deprived of the use of her limbs and given up by all the doctors, who believe that she will remain so all the days of her life, to my great sorrow and expence. I cannot leave her unless she has sufficient attendants and what is needed for her and their subsistence, which I lay before you that you may bring it to the right ears, and some good provision may be sent me, so that I may go on my way with a more easy mind, and bring the work commenced to a good end. This being done, be sure I will do
good service and you need be under no apprehensions, for the journey of the said gast will be found very needful. If they give you this provision, it may be changed at Antwerp, consigning it to him who sends me your letters. As to the pretensions of the Squinteyed [Sudermann, see p. 669 above], they are as I wrote to you before; he is in despair from one day to another, fearing a disjunction, or at least that they will let all fall under their feet; for some of the principals who have contributed to the expences of the proceedings have said to me, and declared to the said Squinteyed, that henceforward they would be at no more expence and will be content with what they can do by friendship. From my last you will have learnt the intercourse I have with le Lusque and those intimate with him. Cologne, 7th March, 1583. |
| Copy. Endd. Fr. 1½ pp. [Newsletters, XXVII. 7.] |
| March. 11. | 718. Letter from Cologne. |
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| By my last, of the 7th inst., you will have learnt of the satisfaction of the gast de Leyster in reading in the vulgar tongue that your honour has done the part of a loyal servant, for which you need have no doubt but that you will be recompensed in due time. For his coming thither will not only be agreeable but very necessary, and I pray you not to fail to send him speedily the necessary means, for be assured the journey will deserve much more, and it should not be delayed beyond the middle of next April. The same day, the 7th, Squinteyed [Sudermann] came to the bourse, which he seldom does, and found me speaking with one of the principal of his Company, who has resolved to contribute no more, and whom le Lusque is trying to call back to his support. He took us both to dine with him, where we urged him that one should not let fall and tread under feet the benefits acquired by ones ancestors three hundred years ago, and when he had so many powerful friends who will support him and bring his claims to a good end. He replied that this will be ad calendas grecas, for the opposite party are too strong, and will not be constrained or forced in their houses, and that the best was to let them peaceably enjoy the benefits which their neighbours leave to them, and seek to gain some advantage by friendship, for by force one would gain nothing; and it would be but trouble and money thrown away. This is the determination to which the gast de Leyster has brought them, and he will not cease to confirm them in it, not doubting that discord will in time ensue. Cologne, 11th March, 1583. |
| Copy, on the same sheet as the preceding. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Newsletters XXVII. 7a.] |
| March. 11. | 719. Advertisements from Cologne. |
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| The Cardinal of Austria arrived at D¨sseldorf on Saturday and went to the Duke of Cleves, who holds his court there, accompanied by the Bishop of Liége. As I hear, he will remain there until Duke Augustus of Saxony, the premier protestant prince, has declared his resolution upon the embassy sent by the
Emperor to him, and likewise to the Archbishop of Cologne, to both of whom his Majesty has represented that the constitutions of the Empire and the Landfriede which they have sworn to observe and cause to be observed for the public quiet and welfare, contain (among other things) the following: When the magistrate of a state shall require to have the Religion in conformity to the Confession of Augsburg, it will be permitted to him, and likewise to the ecclesiastics of the Empire to marry, on their renouncing and giving up their benefices. Now there are certain crimes imputed to the Archbishop which are (as the Chapter has announced to the protestant princes) very odious, and it is asked if the said princes with conscience and honour can or will maintain the transgressor of the said laws and constitutions. Upon this their definite replies are awaited, in order to proceed in the accustomed manner. |
| Meanwhile the Duke of Saxe-Lauenbourg besieges Hulkraet, intending to batter it with cannon in as much as they will not surrender upon composition. It seems that the Count d'Aremberg is going with his men towards Eyndhoven. |
| There are divers speeches as to the affairs of the States and the marriage of his Excellency and also of his daughter. Many prophecy the ruin of Antwerp, to my great sorrow; this French alliance will bring nothing but misfortune both to them and to their neighbours, if matters are not seen to very speedily. Cologne, 11th of March, 1582[–3]. |
| The mignons of Ba and La [margin, the Emperor's and Cardinal Granvelle's ministers or commissioners] have gone to the said Cardinal, who, from there will go towards Ca [margin, Spain] about Easter, as he has told me en amys per advyso. |
| After I had closed my letter, one came to tell me that the Bishop of Liege arrived here last evening with 30 horse, and that the Cardinal will be here to-day or to-morrow. Also that the Archbishop is holding the Estates of Westphalia at Arnsberg, to decide with them what they shall reply “a cette venue Cardinalienne.” |
| Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Newsletters XXVII. 8.] |
| March. 22. | 720. Rudolf II. to the Queen. |
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| We doubt not but that your Majesty's messenger “at the last meeting of the Empire” has declared to you what the Princes and States of the Empire “did decree to be executed to the propounded griefs of the Hanse cities, concerning the restitution of their privileges” in England, as also the monopolies of certain of your subjects trading within the Empire, and what we thereupon answered to your messenger's complaint on the 27th of September; “yet sith hitherto neither the required restitution of the Hanses' privileges nor revocation of the said monopolies, as we hoped, is happened, the rather for that many of the States and the Hanses have thereunto warned us and do urge execution of our said decree,” therefore we have thought it part of our office imperial to communicate this unto you, that your
Majesty, following the steps of your predecessors, and renewing to the Hanses their privileges, may take away all occasion of complaint. Vienna, 22nd March, 1583. |
| English translation from Latin. 1 p. [Germany, Empire, I. 47.] |
| This letter is printed in the “Correspondance du Cardinal de Granvelle,” X. 468. |
| March. 25.–April 4. | 721. Don Antonio to Walsingham. |
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| As the Doctor will bring this to you, I refer myself to him, only assuring you that I shall never fail to be grateful to you for your good-will and affection to me, and praying you always to hold me in your favour, and when occasion offers, to bring me a little to her Majesty's remembrance. You will learn from the Doctor the state of my affairs, and my resolution therein.—Dieppe, 4 April. [No year date.] |
| Signed “Rey.” Add. Endd. “1582, 26 [sic] March. Don Antonio.” Italian. 1 p. (Portugal II. 6a.) |
| [Almost certainly 1583, when, towards the end of March, Dr. Lopez was sent with letters to Don Antonio, then at Dieppe.] |
| March. 27. | 722. Letter from Cologne. |
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| I have communicated yours of the 25 and 21 of March to le gast de Leyster, who thanks you for your good affection to him, and hopes to repay it by faithful services. |
| The dangers, and the charge which he will leave behind him are more than he can declare in writing, and he leaves them until he can declare them by word of mouth. The great and incurable malady [of his wife], (fn. 4) the nurses [gardes] which he would have to support and leave for this cause, joined to the great dangers and perils of the way, would demand that he should have some fair liberality, both for provision for his family and the expences of the journey, so that if he met with disaster, his family would not be deprived of all, both of their chief bread-winner and of the means which God has given them. He assures himself that the weapons with which he will be furnished and which are most necessary for the safety and the preservation of his country, will be found useful and grateful. |
| I can assure you of it, provided there is not too much delay, and if he can speak with you and your friends in April, which is the best season. But without liberal provision, he will not go. This is the plain speaking (rondeur) which he uses towards us, relying entirely on your friendship. |
| As to the means for disunion, which, without doubt will follow, he prays you to wait until he can speak with you, when he is sure he can satisfy you. It is wonderful to hear the lamentable discourses of the Xe [qy. Sudermann] foreseeing future separation, and the ridiculous inventions which he proposes to keep in play those who are discontented. As to your desire to hear if there is any intelligence between the merchants, Bi [The K. of France]
and Bo [Queen Mother] you may be assured there is, but with great dissimulation. This is why the mignon of La [Granvelle] is starting five days earlier than he intended to go to the said Bi and Bo and thence into Ca [Spain]. This traffic is a part of the weapons of the said gast, which he desires to discharge in Ci [England] and to show the true way to forestall them all, by an honourable and healthful path, both for the present and for posterity, which is a thing of no small consequence. Hec tibi soli. |
| A.D. 1583. |
| Concerning the troubles here, tending more and more towards war and ruin of the surrounding country and of the Roman ecclesiastics, you will have learnt by my last of the 21st how the Electors Palatine and of Mayence had sent their ambassadors to the Chapter and to Count Aremberg to cause the foreign gendarmerie to retire from the territory of the Empire, who had received but poor response. But on the part of the Emperor (he having felt that the Turkish contribution would not fall into his hands unless he did what pleased them) there arrived orders to the camp surrounding “Hulqueraet” to withdraw at once, which they did, without their having received a penny from the Chapter, but having robbed and eaten up the peasants on the lands of the said Chapter, the Duke of Cleves and the Count d'Alpen [qy. d'Haultepenne], without respecting one more than the other. |
| The Comte d'Aremberg colours his retreat by the necessity of aiding those of Miedlen near Nymegen, who have for long been pressed by those of Gueldres, and thence going towards Eyndhoven to prevent help reaching it. The Comte de Reifferscheit (Riverschiet), a Domheer, having levied some Liégois soldiers to protect his lands, and hinder the proceedings of those of Bonn, had put his lieutenant into a village of his called Mylem [Mehlen], above Bonn, whose company being drunk or asleep were awakened early in the morning by the soldiers of Bonn, who killed 50 or 60 of them, carried off some as prisoners and burnt part of Wylem (sic). Count Salentin, Captain-General of the Archbishop, does not move, waiting for the coming of the Cardinal, who will be here very shortly. |
| The Archbishop is at Dillenburg, awaiting the resolution to be taken at the assembly of protestant princes, which was to meet yesterday at Worms, and where the chiefs who will take his part will be declared. He has asked for aid from the King of France, offering to resign to him some place in the diocese which may be useful to him to prevent the carriage of provisions from hence into Hainault. |
| Duke Magnus of Saxe-Lauenburg, who married a daughter of Sweden, has been here and was lodged with your host. He has gone to the States to offer his services. The said host would not have been so favourable to you if he had known who you were and what was your business, as I have discovered since. |
| It is rumoured that the Queen Mother is coming to Dunkirk, and that 40 companies of French are near Hesdin. Cologne, 27th March, 1583, old style. |
| Copy. Endd. Fr. 3 pp. [Newsletters XXVII. 9.] |
| March 31. | 723. The City of Elbing to the Queen. |
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| In our former letters (which we hope were rightly delivered) we remember having pointed out what was then our opinion of this privilege we have obtained, and what was our expectation as to the declaration of the royal will of our King. After we had waited long for this declaration, we received letters from the royal Chancery containing almost these exact words, 'that his Royal Majesty would decide nothing until the arrival of an envoy from your Majesty on the subject, and that, too, after summoning this city and others perhaps interested in the matter.' |
| Now these words, although they seem to agree in wish and hope with your Majesty's intention, approved by us, of sending an envoy, have yet caused us great trouble and anxious thought, because we understood that by the words `others interested' the men of Dantzig were meant, whom we know to be not only using all means at the King of Poland's court to hinder the present system of free commerce and the fixing of the seat of English affairs in our city, and to be enticing by various allurements the English nation, alienated from them by many past insults, but also, in the hope of gaining their end, to have not so long ago transferred to the King a half of their port dues (portorum), which they promised him long ago but had not yet granted. By which means they have made much progress with his Majesty, but still leave nothing untried whereby the seat of affairs may be stopped from being in our city and transferred to themselves. |
| And in this they are said to be helped in some degree by certain Englishmen, who favour the city of Dantzig rather than Elbing and prefer the advantages of the former to the liberties of the latter, and who have gone so far as to sow certain discords between their English fellows who are at Elbing and to oppress those who from the beginning of the present treaty and alliance have ever been most friendly to this city. Therefore, although we have no doubts of the kindly intention of our prince to us and our cause, or of your Majesty's good will, which indeed has long been clear to us, or of the mutual and constant zeal of your subjects and the whole society, and see no need for anything except a certain amount of haste, we pray your Majesty most humbly to be pleased to counteract in good time the obstacles and hindrances we have mentioned, and to send your envoy as soon as safely may be, well furnished with commands and powers to put the long desired end and crown to the things which remain to be completed, both among our community and with his royal Majesty, touching certain heads of our privilege. We will suffer nothing to be lacking in us for the accomplishment of the matter. |
| Moreover, we would have your Majesty know that the Papal Legate, who is much at our King's court, is circulating letters of certain religious or priests of the society of Jesus complaining that they are most cruelly imprisoned in your Majesty's realm and are afflicted for their religion's sake with grievous and exquisite tortures, as will be seen by the enclosed copy which our intermediary in the King's court had communicated to him at his own request by
a man of high rank (to whom the legate had given it to be handed on to the King, maybe), in order that he might learn the truth from the English and inform him thereof. And so, since we consider the thing to be untrue and that your Majesty is wronged by complaints of this sort, we have thought best to certify you of the matter, so that the envoy you are sending may be instructed in this affair also and be able, if occasion demand, to unfold the truth of the business and confute the accusations of adversaries. |
| We pray your Majesty to receive in good part what we have set forth in loyal zeal and to follow up to its desired ending the business of the present interchange of privileges. Elbing, 31 March, 1583. |
| Latin. 2 pp. [Poland, I. 23.] Enclosure wanting. |
| April 1. | 724. Advertisements from Cologne. |
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| At the Journée lately held at Worms, near the Rhine, it was settled between the electors and the other lords and also the cities of the Empire belonging to the Religion to support the quarrels of our Bishop of Cologne, and to protect him against all who would remove him from his estate. They have chosen Duke Casimir to be the head of their army, and he is assembling reiters and soldiers in all parts. They have ordered him money for his army for six months, and I hope by God's grace we shall see a good issue both there and here, for in the wars of the Low Countries, these German countries are also much interested, the fairs of Frankfort, Leipzig and Strasburg not being half so good as they used to be, since the merchants are afraid to travel. |
| The war in our Chapter increases from day to day, but I hope that M. de Croeninghe [margin, “a savoir, den couronne van de Pape”] may give a better bargain when Duke Casimir begins to march. |
| Those of Bonn, under Count Charles Truchsess lately defeated a party of the Comte de Reifferscheit's men near the village of Mehlen, and brought back some prisoners and some of their flags, which are placed on the gate of Bonn. The Spaniards are still in Count de Meurs' country, where they treat the people very badly. |
| The Cardinal coming from Rome has not yet arrived. Duke Casimir would not give him passage, and he comes by Lorraine and Metz. With him are his conductor, Polviller [qy. Baron de Polveillers], the nuncio of the Pope [the Bishop of Verceil], the Marquis Malaspina, and several priests. |
| Duke Casimir, the Bishop of Cologne and the Landgrave were openly in Frankfort last Wednesday in the Holy Week. Cologne, 1st April, 1583, old style. Signed, “Le tout vostre que cognoissez.” |
| Endd. Fr. 1½ pp. [Newsletters XXVII. 10.] [This letter, unlike most of those from Cologne, appears to be the original.] |
| April [5]. | 725. Memoir of what the States General desire Mr. Somers, ambassador from the Queen of England, to lay before her Majesty. |
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| 1. To thank her for her affection towards the Low Countries. |
| 2. To excuse the furnishing of interest by Palavicino and Spinola, because of the present necessities of the States General; praying her Majesty to have patience for a little time, as it is impossible for them to do it now. |
| 3. To recommend to her Majesty the request of the merchants of the Low Countries trading to England. |
| Endd.: “Memorial delivered by the States to Mr. Somers. Received, 22 April, 1582” [sic]. French. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XIX. (4a).] |
| (Somers' mission was in 1583. He was not in the Low Countries in 1582.) The States' answer was given to him on April 5. See p. 245, above. |
| April 6. | 726. City of Elbing to the Queen. |
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| Although we recently showed your Majesty by our letters what we had found out as to the good will of our King towards the seat of free trade in our city and as to the zealous efforts of the men of Dantzig to thwart us, nevertheless, since there is another person to whom we may safely entrust our letters and also certain things have become more clearly known to us in the meanwhile, we have thought best to apprize your Majesty of the same. |
| Every day we learn more and more from trustworthy warnings that the men of Dantzig by their envoys in the royal court are leaving no stone unturned to accomplish by royal authority the removal from us either of all freedom of commerce or at least of the seat of English affairs. Of these, the former, that of the freedom of commerce, his Majesty will not change since he has once approved it by public authority, but the latter he still leaves undecided, either because he awaits the arrival of your Majesty's envoy or else because he is still doubtful as to one of the reasons by which the men of Dantzig are striving to persuade him not to allow anyone to be bound down to a fixed place and seat of trade, namely, that such restricted trading may seem to have the appearance of a monopoly for those benefited and to tend to the weakening and detriment of the royal port dues and the city of Dantzig. |
| And, indeed, they have as supporters, not only some of the English who prefer to be men of Dantzig, but some patrons in the royal court, and are in hopes that when once the seat of English affairs in our city has been taken away, it will not be long before all the English and all their trade must needs return and flow back to Dantzig. So we have made it our business and have decided to instruct by reasoning the mind of his Majesty, perhaps wrongly informed in the matter, and to confute the arguments of our opponents. But we trust that your Majesty, for the sake of your good will towards us and the business in question and for the sake of your royal authority, will effect that the Residency as it is called, established in our city, to protect which your Majesty has the greatest power over your subjects and the most weighty reasons, be not after all transferred (to our shame!) to those who have been most hostile and injurious
in many ways to your Majesty's subjects and to us. Your Majesty has no lack of causes of offence or of reasons for avenging injuries, and there will not be wanting a way whereby not only the suspicion of a monopoly may be removed but also that there may be no failure either as to our King's port dues or the affairs of your Majesty's subjects. |
| Wherefore we earnestly and humbly pray your Majesty to be pleased to preserve and continue to us the clemency and royal kindness you have already shown us, by protecting this seat of free commerce now established, with difficulty indeed but with sufficiently happy auspices, not only among your own subjects, but with his Majesty of Poland, with whom you have the greatest influence both in mediation and authority; if indeed your Majesty has known us to be reverers of your august name and true and zealous lovers of your subjects, and hopes us to be the same henceforth. |
| Moreover, we pray you to be pleased to send your envoy, of whom you have given us hopes, as quickly and safely as may be, in order that, after settling with us those heads of this privilege of ours which are not yet absolutely agreed upon, he may then go straight to our King to get the same confirmed and utterly refute the objections of our adversaries. God willing, we will be with him by our own messengers, that nothing be found lacking in us which may seem to belong to our zeal and obligations, or to prove the constancy of our affection to yourself and your subjects (from whom we expect a similar return). Elbing, 6 April, 1583. |
| When this letter had been written and sealed, by good luck it happened that letters of his Majesty of Poland were delivered to us, requiring us to hand the enclosed letters to some trusty messenger to be carried to your Majesty by the first ship sailing, because they concerned a matter that would not brook delay, and to take good care that he should have an answer at the earliest opportunity. Accordingly, we have given them, together with our own, to this bearer, William Watson, hoping and praying that he will reach his destinaton quickly and safely. |
| Add. Endd. Latin. 2¼ pp. [Poland, I. 24.] |
| April 6. | 727. The city of Elbing to Walsingham. |
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| Your honour's well known virtues and fame, together with your high dignity, influence and favour with the Queen of England, have long made us desire to commend ourselves to you in a separate letter, and also to establish our regard [observantiam etiam nostram constare]. For we well know of what importance it is to us, and what weight it will have. But so far, we have been prevented from addressing you personally, by our knowledge of the press of business which the greatness of your kingdom must involve, and also because we know that the correspondence between your Queen and us is well known to you, and engages your attention; and are firmly persuaded that your opinion and desire touching our affairs are identical with those of your Queen. But we now think well to write this to you, because we are anxious lest, in the
confusion of these times, letters of ours dated 31 March, which we gave to an Englishman for delivery, both to the Queen and the society, might perchance have been intercepted. We therefore enclose copies of the said letters, so that if they did not reach her Majesty, their contents may now be communicated to her. Elbing, 6th of April, 1583. |
| Add. Endd. Seal. Latin. ¾ p. [Poland, I. 25.] |