Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.
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'Elizabeth: July 1585, 11-15', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585, (London, 1916) pp. 594-603. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol19/pp594-603 [accessed 26 April 2024]
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July 1585, 11–15
| July 11/21. | Vicomte de Turenne to Walsingham. |
|---|---|
| The King of Navarre knows now more than ever how desirous the Queen is to show her magnanimity by her good offices to him, as we have heard from M. de Segur. By this she not only works for the said King, but binds to her all the churches of France and of other provinces who must needs be sensible of the ruin brewing for themselves. She infinitely obliges this King, by whom she will always be honoured and served as much as any princess in the world. And you also gain great praise by making yourself a solicitor in so holy a work. Persevere in it, Monsieur, and you will acquire for ever the affection of the many poor persons who you aid. | |
| I pray you, assure the Queen that I am her very humble servant, and believe that in me you have a faithful and affectionate friend.—Bergerac, 21 July, 1585. | |
| Holograph. Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [France XIV. 44.] | |
| July 12/22 | Anthony Bacon to Walsingham. |
| Since my last by Mr. Champernon, of the 11th of this month by the French account, the consuls of this town have received continual alarms of the French King's resolution “to restrain the use of the Religion in his realm, which when in honour and without breach of his edict he cannot directly achieve, it is feared that indirectly . . . he will let himself be brought thereunto by force.” The consuls, by three letters from the King of Navarre, have been advised to hasten their harvest and to finish the fortification begun in the last troubles; wherein all, without exception of degree, sex or age, most willingly employ their best endeavour. | |
| After four months' suspence what has become of my letters by Mr. Fenner, I have accepted the courteous offer of this gentleman, Mr. Lawson, who has very kindly undertaken this voyage to bring me news and speedy answers to my letters already sent; and to whose report I refer all you may wish to know. | |
| The testimony of the nobility with whom he has lived, and the minister and church where he has remained warrant me to avow him for a protestant, endowed with very honest and gentlemanlike qualities, and worthy to be loved.—Montauban, 22 July, 1585. | |
| Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. XIV. 45.] | |
| July 12/22. | The Duke of Bouillon to Walsingham. |
| Prays him to believe that only the great hindrances caused by these new troubles have prevented him from writing to his honour and his other good friends, to whom he is under so many obligations. Begs to be maintained in her Majesty's good graces and those of Madame Walsingham, and sends greetings to his “good bruder” Mr. Sydney and his brother.—Sedan, 22 July, 1585. | |
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XIV. 46.] | |
| July 12/22. | Count Hohenloe to the Queen. |
| The States General being in good hope that she will not only continue her good will and favours heretofore shown to the United Provinces, but will extend her arms to them and give them the means wherewith to solace their long afflictions, he cannot but very humbly implore her to lay her commands upon him and to believe that if ever he desired to do service to any prince, he wishes to do it to her, seeing that she is the only refuge of the desolate and protectress of the Christian religion.—Rammekins, 22 July, 1585. | |
| Signed in German characters, Philipe Graff von Hohenloe. | |
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holland II. 58.] | |
| July 12. | Rough Notes by Walsingham. |
| June 29. The Pais (?) had audience. | |
| June 30. Lord Chancellor's answer to their offer of sovereignty, and certain articles delivered unto them to be by them resolved. | |
| July 3. At Seething Lane. The Commissioners exhibited their answer to the articles. | |
| July 6. At the Lord Treasurer's. To show the means of their support. | |
| July 8. At Seething Lane. Relief of Antwerp. Answer. Government support. | |
| July 12. At the Lord Lumley's at Tower Hill. | |
| Endd. “A journal of proceedings with the States.” ½ p. [Ibid. II. 59.] | |
| July 13. | Elector Truchsess to Walsingham. |
| The bearer 1of this is recommended to me from a good source, and also by the valour and virtue which he has shown in the war here. I have kept him with me for some time, intending to employ him, but as that cannot speedily be done, he desires to withdraw into England, to serve her Majesty in the troops which Mr. Norreys (Noritz) is to conduct hither. I pray you to recommend him to Mr. Norreys, that he may have such advancement as he merits.—Honslerdyck, 13 July, 1585, stilo veteri. | |
| Signed. Add. Endd. Seal. Fr. ¾ p. [Germany, States III. 75.] | |
| July 13. | Passport from Gebhard, Elector of Cologne for Captain Ralph Bennet to pass into England with his servants, goods and baggage. —Honslerdyck, 13 July, 1585, stilo veteri. |
| Signed and sealed. Countersigned Arnouts. Fr. ½ p. [Germany, States III. 76.] | |
| July 14/24. | M. du pin to Walsingham. |
| It would be superflous to write what M. de Champernon has seen of the state of our affairs, and I will only say a word of the conspiracies in this realm, the results of the general league which begin to show themselves, and of the firm resolution of the King my master to employ his life and his means in so just a cause. | |
| Believe me, it is a matter which touches all Christian princes, who will be only too deeply concerned in the ruin of this prince. The preservation or the distruction of God's church is at stake, for such is their rage that it will not stay its course when it achieves its end in France. Your zeal for the advancement of God's kingdom and your piety will sufficiently urge you on to aid the counsels and means which God has put into the hands of his people, that they may be employed as promptly and liberally as the necessity and importance of the matter require. Many good men have their eyes fixed upon you, and with them I promise myself much from your virtue and piety.—Bergerac, 24 July, 1585. | |
| Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XIV. 47.] | |
| July 14/24. | The King op Navarre to Walsingham. |
| Monsieur de Walsinghan, tousjours et de tous endroits on ma rendu si bon et perfaict tesmoignage de votre vertu et sincerité de votre bon zelle a tout ce qui touche lavancement de la religion et de vos prudens conseils et deportemens que je vous tiens au nombre des plus gens de bien et plus vertueus de ce temps. Cest ce qui me faict vous escrire quant les commoditez si presentent et qui me donne un desir de vous voir, la commodite si offrant, comme elle peult naistre. Vous entendres du Sr. de Champernon present porteur de mes nouvelles et de ce qui ce passe pardeca, comme aussi ma patience et obeissance et la malice et peu de foy de ceus a qui nous avons affaire. Je luy ay donne charge de vous voir de ma part et vous asseurer de mon entiere affection envers vous. Jamais il ny eut si grand besoin davoir lœil vigillant et le cueur afectionne a la seureté et delivrance des eglises. Vous scaves assez quels sont aujourdhuy les desseins et efforts des ennemys de Dieu conjures contre les princes chrestiens; ausquels si on ne s'opose et si on est negligent dy aporter le soin, les conseils et moiens que Dieu nous a donnez, il ne faudra de le nous redemander, comme a deserteurs ou depredateurs de son eglise. Il n'est besoin de vous user de persuasion en telles choses. Les autres les doivent recevoir de vous comme de celuy dont les actions sont assez cogneues et aprouvees dun chacun. Cest pourquoy je feray fin en priant dieu vous tenir, Monsieur de Walsinghan, en sa sainte protextion. de Bergerac ce xxiiii Juillet, 1585.” | |
| Vostre afectyonne et plus assuré amy, Henry. | |
| Postscript.—” Monsieur de Valsyngan, je desyre davoyr le Sr. de Champernon durant ceste guerre aupres de moy. Je vous prye le ramantenoyr a la reyne vostre maistresse et y tenyr la mayn et maymer tousjours.” | |
| Holograph. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XIV. 48.] | |
| July 14/24. | Segur Pardeilhan to Walsingham. |
| I have seen the Elector of Cologne, and found him determined not to lose courage, whatever furies our enemies may pour out against us. He would have liked to go into Germany with me, to assist in our affairs, but wishes rather to inform her Majesty thereof, and see what will be done for these countries and the deliverance of Antwerp. | |
| I do not therefore urge him to go now, being sure that, provided her Majesty approves, and the affairs of this country permit it, he will always be ready. These good people look only to her Majesty, after God, for their deliverance. If they were united, wise and resolute, they would have means enough to save themselves, but since God chooses to make use of your Queen, she will do much for the whole of Christendom if she will let them quickly experience the benefit they hope for. Mr. Lovet will tell you more particularly the state of this country. I pray that the Queen may shortly send to Bremen what she promised me.—The Hague, 24 July, 1585. | |
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holland II. 60.] | |
| July 14/24 | The Colonels and Captains of Antwerp to Counthohenlohe. |
| Announcing that the chief men at Antwerp are bent to a peace with the Prince of Parma; that the great Council has resolved upon a nearer communication, and that fifteen or eighteen persons are gone to him with articles. The lords and principally the Burgomaster have long laboured to have absolute commission, which is now agreed to except for five points, which they will not change without the knowledge of the great Council; to wit:— “the point of religion, no castle, no garrison, the departure thence of the Prince and no sum of money to be given; so as the causes may happen yet to go well.” | |
| Those that stand steadfast hope every hour that God through his lordship's means will send them succour and it must be with speed, for if the commissioners return with tidings that the Prince will not consent to the articles, “it is to be feared that the worst sort will be the stronger and force the Great Council.” | |
| The last fire and the spring ships have in divers places broken the bridge, and his lordship may be sure that the best and most steadfast will hold out as long as possible, but they have been much discouraged that so many opportunities of good winds have been let slip, which is daily cast in their teeth, and also that his lordship has sundry times written that they should have succour if the wind were good only for two hours. They pray him, unless he send a copy to the colonels, not to write in cipher, so that they may know the true contents. | |
| It were pitiful that so honourable a town should be lost, whereupon the whole province hangs; and if twenty or thirty ships laden with corn were to pass through the bridge, it would be out of danger. | |
| The time his lordship said “of two months to hold out and then to be succoured by land” is too long, for the evil-affected will overcome them, “who already every night sleep in armour, and such as never carried arms before do now daily provide armour.” | |
| Copy. Endd. 1⅓ pp. [Flanders I. 31] | |
| Copy in Flemish of the above letter. | |
| 1 p. [Ibid. I. 32.] | |
| July 15/25. | Sir James Colville, of “Estwemes,' to Walslngham. |
| Desires to know if it lies in his power to do any service to the Queen, or in his honour's own particular, wherein he would be as ready to employ himself as any living creature.—Castillon, 25 July. | |
| Holograph. Add. Endd. ½ p. [France XIV. 49.] | |
| July 15. | Harborne to Walsingham. |
| The month past, right honourable, for that the new Bailo despatched his ordinary secretly, I was prevented of accustomed conveyance, wherefore the occurrences since my last of the thirty [first] of May by the under written. | |
| Petrasco, hie vaivode of the Wallachia, supposed in safety to have recovered for his tuition the confines of Hungary, subject to the Emperor as our formers of the 5th and 6th April perported, was contrariways apprehended by the vaivode of Transilvania, who licenced him self with three of his company to escape, retaining his treasure, which in money, jewels, &c, now sent hither is found to surmount to 116,000 ducats. | |
| The generals of Malta and Florence in May last, with either four gallies, meeting but not agreeing of joint company at sea for that the Malteses required the Florentine his help in these parts of Turkey, who contrariways demanded his aid to do some exploit on the coasts of Tunis, Tripoli and Algier; the said Malteses pursuing their determination, made a rich prize, and had taken the whole Alexandria fleet if so be they hod been associated of the other, who intending in their resolution, having set on land about Tunis two hundred men thinking to have surprised a certain small town were in such sort prevented, as with loss of the most part hardly recovered their gallies. | |
| Osmond Bassa being in Esrome had taken forcibly from him by his spahis mutinying against him all the provision for his horses, whereby as it is thought, this year for want thereof he cannot proceed to meet the Persian at Tauris, but must defer it to the spring; during which time order is given into all parts of these dominions for provision of his army, which being above 600,000 persons is supposed will be hardly relieved. The continuance of these wars have very much impoverished this country's wealth and greatly diminished his soldiers in Europe and Asia, for out of Greece he hath sent thither all the people in pay, in so much as upon the borders of Transilvania, Moldavia and Wallachia there now remaineth no garrison as accustomed, but they them selves are commanded to keep their and the adjoining confines against the Hungar, Jermayn, Powle and Tartar, whereof if any one should with his forces accept this occasion, he might without resistance both easily occupy this city and also expulse the Grand Signor out of all Europe, but for that as it should seem God hath not yet appointed the time; they are all so quiet as there is not here at this present any speech of them or their proceedings.—From Rapamat, this 15 July, 1585. | |
| Add. Endd. Entirely in cipher, undeciphered. 1 p. [Turkey I. 42.] | |
| Duplicate of the above. [Ibid. I. 43.] | |
| July 15/25. | News from Divers Parts. |
| Prague, July 25.—It is said that Paul Trautzen, Marshal of the Court, was sent to Saxony to congratulate the Prince on the birth of his son, but it is believed it was for matters of greater importance. | |
| The Dukes of Silesia are still here, who desire his Majesty to make a militia in Silesia, to defend it on any sudden occasion; but there are many difficulties in the business. | |
| The Chapter of Vratislaw desire to elect one of themselves as Bishop, but this may not please his Majesty, who, it is believed, wishes to divide the income of that Bishopric with him, as to give the revenue of 60,000 thalers to a bishop not of noble birth is too much. It is said that he will do the same with the other bishoprics, abbeys and heads of the regulars in this kingdom. | |
| They begin anew to discuss the Emperor's going to Vienna this next September, although it was said it would not be until February or March, as the Hungarians are pressing urgently to have him for their Diet. | |
| Rome, July 6.—On Saturday, twenty-eight persons of all qualities were sent to the galleys, and next night one of the family of Cardinal Caraffa was also sent thither, a dagger having been found upon him. | |
| On Sunday the new ambassador of Malta arrived to congratulate his Holiness, and lodged in the house of M. Neri Neri, a Florentine, and M. Horatio Rocellai has also arrived from France for the 20,000 crowns which he made over to the Duke of Sora in the time of Pope Gregory. | |
| In Monday's consistory the Pope despatched the bishopric of Ancona for Monsignor Carlo Conti, being the first church settled by his Holiness, with a pension of 1,670 crowns to Cardinal Farnese, which will serve to disburden his Abbeys, and of another hundred to the son of Horatio Massa, that church yielding nearly 6,000 crowns a year; and the church of Cortona was despatched for Monsignor Casciano, ambassador for Tuscany at this court. There was also published a very severe bull against the bandits which annuls all the deeds of trust (fedei-commesi) against the barons and vassals of the church, but it is believed it will not be printed, it being a very difficult matter to observe. | |
| On Tuesday morning his Holiness gave the rochet with his own hands to the Bishop of Ancona, whom he received very kindly, promising him promotion to a higher dignity when opportunity arose. | |
| On Monday evening, twenty-eight persons were taken in a gaming house in the Liberty of the French ambassador, who, it is said, are all sent to the galleys by the Pope's order; many of them being gentlemen. | |
| That day Cardinal Vastavillani was with Cardinal Farnese, and next morning was taken in the house of Cardinal Allessandrino and conducted to the Pope. So far nothing more is known of it. | |
| On Wednesday three men were hanged on the bridge; one of them, an ensign, only for having wounded an enemy of his during the Sede vacante, who is not dead. Another of them had killed his sister for the sake of honour. That evening the Cavalier Senefonte Amaseo, Major domo to Cardinal Vastavillani was taken to the castle; where is also Maestro Neri, who, they say has petitioned his Holiness, being willing if his life be spared that all his estate should be taken, and promising to tell the truth as to all that is brought against him; but it is not believed that he will obtain his life, | |
| The bandits in a territory of Cardinal Farnese, called La Farra have taken the bargello and seven sbirri, and have hanged and quartered them. The bargello of Ascoli has also been slain by bandits. | |
| A mariner has been sent post to Cardinal di Medici with the news of the Tuscan galleys, which not only were not taken, but had gained great booty in Barbary, sacking a place called Monas-tero del Turco and finding there about a hundred persons, including four knights of the Religion; but the galleys, seeing reinforcements coming against them were obliged to set sail and had not time to embark these people, who have been lost (perdita) there; but the galleys went towards Livorno joyfully, laden with great booty. His lordship gave twenty crowns to the mariner who brought the news. | |
| His Holiness of his own accord has granted the erection of a monte of 100,000 crowns from the estate of Giuliano Cesarini, for the benefit of the creditors of his father, Giovanni Giorgio, to be carried on until the debts are paid. | |
| It is said that he wishes to raise two millions of gold, 300,000 of which will be got from the people of Rome, as much more from the clergy, and two months' pay from the officials and other revenues of the Church. | |
| On Thursday the governor had secret conference with Cardinal di Medici, who then sent for Don Lelio Orsini, lieutenant (viceduca) of Paolo Giordano, and a post was hastily sent off to Bracciano. | |
| They write from France that Alfonzo Piccolomini has been made general of the foreign horsemen of the Duke of Guise, the Generalissimo of the League, a post only given to great men; and that seven skirmishes had taken place with much honour to the said Piccolomini. | |
| On Thursday morning Cardinal Altemps was with the Pope to obtain pardon for the Duke of Gallese his son, who is in the Castle, and it is said it will be settled—besides his having married the girl—by the distribution of 50,000 crowns for the marriage of other girls; but so far there is no resolution taken about it. | |
| Cologne, June 27.—Although it has been said all this week that M. d'Aldegonde, burgomaster of Antwerp and other chief men were gone to the Prince of Parma's camp, and that his Highness had sent hostages to Antwerp, yet according to advices from Tournay of the 21, nothing is yet concluded, but it was daily expected, Aldegonde having written to the Prince that he wished to treat not only on behalf of Antwerp but of Malines, Bergen-op-Zoom, and the province of Zeeland and part of Holland. This, however, is believed to be for the sake of delay, to see if Holland will once more try to gain some advantage; but it is not thought to be possible, seeing that in the two provinces they cannot find, casa per casa, six thousand crowns for the aid of Antwerp, which city, as we learn from many quarters, will be in the hands of Spain before July is over. | |
| Letters from Middelburg of the 20th state that there are two hundred and fifty vessels in that neighbourhood, very well armed, with intent to attack the bridge or the Couenstein dyke. From other sources they write that all the Holland and Zeeland ships which were in Portugal have been stayed; which, if true, would do very great hurt to those two provinces; whose commissioners have departed for England, with orders to give themselves into the “devotion” of that Queen, but there is great dissension amongst those peoples. | |
| They write from Vilfort on the 23rd instant that M. d'Aldegonde had arrived with his company at his Highness' camp in order to make an end of the business of the people of Antwerp, who long for nothing but peace. | |
| By way of Cleves we hear that the Count of Mœurs and Colonel Schenk, finding themselves in Arnhem, and learning that Colonel Verdugo and M. Haultepenne were coming with a good force of horse and foot to besiege that city, came out with a few followers to escape from their hands, but were attacked near the city of Cenen [sic]; many of them, including the Count, slain, and Schenk taken prisoner. (fn. 1) We shall know more surely of this by our next letters. | |
| The States of Westfalia and the Bishopric of Cologne are assembled here to consult concerning the business of the city of Neuss and the war in this Archbishopric. | |
| No letters have come either this week or last from Antwerp, two ordinaries having been intercepted by the Malcontents, and a courier robbed who was sent from that city to Middelburg in Zeeland. | |
| Venice, July 13.—Advices from Milan say that his Holiness has declared that Count Rinaldo Tettoni, lately taken in a house belonging to the Church is to be punished Icitra penam sanguinis, and he has therefore been condemned to the galleys for life, and his companion beheaded; which sentence has been executed to the astonishment of all. As the Bernese (Barnese) or those of Basel (Basilea) would not give free passage to the 6,000 Swiss going to the Duke of Guise, they have gone by way of Lago Maggiore, being now increased to 8,000. The Colonels taking the 10,000 Grisons and Swiss to the French King have protested that they would not act against the Catholic faith, to which his Majesty replied that they need not do so, he having sought for 10,000 others. | |
| The Prince of Genevois being arrived at Nice with the Duke of Savoy, rode post to the Duke of Nemours (Namurs) who was seriously ill; but he died before the Prince arrived. Don Blasco, the son of that governor [of Milan] is returned from Spain, bringing news to the Duke his father that his Majesty would shortly send him the Golden Fleece. The Duke and Duchess of Savoy meant to spend ten days at Nice and six at Savona, to give time for the preparations for their entry into Turin. | |
| By letters from Barcelona, we learn that the Spanish King was about to go to Saragoza, and that he had given orders that all English ships, merchants, and the goods of English merchants should be stayed wherever they were found in his kingdoms, since he had learnt assuredly that the English ships that were said to be going in a different direction from the fleet of the Indies, were in truth determined to go to fight them. | |
| Letters from Paris of the 22nd of last month say that the King had sent 1,500 foot and 600 horse to meet the Swiss and convoy them, they being in some danger from the forces of the Leaguers, who had ready 15,000 foot and 2,000 horse, besides the 1,000 reiters who, at a little distance, were awaiting the result of what was being done, in case the treaty were not concluded, which, however, was held to be certain by the arrival of M. Miron, who was expected the following day with the Queen Mother and M. de Villeroy in that town, in order that the King might sign the articles accepted by the Leaguers. So far as could be discovered, all were settled to the ruin of the Huguenots unless they would restore the places held by them belonging to the crown. The King of Navarre was at Bergerac, where he was strengthening himself as much as he could, as were also many other Huguenot chiefs, at Montauban (Mont' Albano), Parnies, Ivoix, Macres [qy. Pamiers, Foix, Magrie] and other cities of the League, fearing greatly that the comedy begun between his Majesty and the Leaguers might turn into tragedy for them, and the Queen of Navarre being suspected to be on the side of [Cardinal] Bourbon. | |
| Letters of the 12th from Constantinople say that the Bailo Moresini was to depart on the 16th, not having been able to get his dismissal earlier, as the Grand Signor had been in retirement in the old seraglio. Occhiali had not been able to obtain permission to go out with the fleet this year and a priest (papasso) who had tried urgently to manage it, by order of the Grand Vizier, had been severely bastinadoed. There was a report of a great fleet to be made next year, the Bassas offering to provide five or six galleys of their own, and meanwhile forces were being sent into Persia, whither Osman was going, to make an end of that enterprise, seeing that peace was despaired of. That day, muster was made at S. Zacharia of 300 footmen to be sent to Candia. On the borders of Croatia, Archduke Charles' men have burnt a castle of the Turks in the Sanjak of Clissa, wherefore the Sanjak and others in the neighbourhood were arming to begin a vendetta. | |
| Urban Theone of Cadegnero, a famous bandit of the States of the Church who turned Turk at Castelnuovo, has come to the governor of “Rimena” with a Portuguese girl and many jewels, and has presented to him a bull of Pope Gregory by which order was given that on his delivery of such a girl, he should be free; and he had been reconciled to the church, having only feigned to be a Turk to achieve his purpose. | |
| The Japanese princes will leave Padua on Wednesday for Vicenza, Verona and Mantua, accompanied by the secretary of that Duke [of Venice] having been entertained at the cost of those Signors. | |
| At their departure they presented his Excellency with one of their scimitars, “subscribed” by Don Mancio, the nephew, by Don Martino and by the third colleague, to be kept in memory of them, declaring therein the cause of their embassy, and celebrating the greatness of that republic and the generosity of their usage, and offering their kingdoms, though so far away, with their persons and fortunes to its service. Last week a gentleman of the Forty-eight was hanged at Padua for having robbed the Monte di Pieta in that city of 30,000 crowns. | |
| Italian. 9¼ pp. [Newsletters XGV. 24.] | |