Simancas: October 1574 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

'Simancas: October 1574', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, (London, 1894) pp. 485-486. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp485-486 [accessed 24 April 2024]

October 1574



October. B. M. Add. 26,056b. Transcript.	403. Document headed "Substance of Guaras' Letters." The Council were disputing warmly as to the legitimacy of the sons of the earl of Hertford, and it was understood that they had unanimously agreed that they were not legitimate ; and that the legitimate heir was the prince of Scotland. They are therefore putting great pressure upon the gentleman who holds him to deliver him to the Regent, to which it is said, he agrees, on condition that he is not to be taken out of the country. They had therefore adopted the expedient of giving him up to the countess of Lennox, his grandmother, who was already on the road to receive him if they would consent to give him up. The Scotch people were so much disturbed at this, that they were already crying out that, if the Prince is surrendered to the English, they will murder all the nobles, as the only object is to kill the Prince and his mother. Bingham was still firmly set upon doing the service and offers to put to sea at once and await orders. Two ships were being fitted out to plunder Nombre de Dios and Panama, as they did to so great an extent last year. A person of confidence had told him (Guaras) that it was secretly asserted that Don Bernardino de Mendoza had received instructions from his Majesty to request the Queen to reform religion in England, and that she had excused herself on account of her Council, by saying that God was witness of her conscience, but that the matter could not at present be dealt with in the Council and amongst the people. She hoped however that, in time, God would intercede, as it was His affair. The matter was in such a position that the Queen had confirmed as Lord Mayor of London a man who was looked upon as a Catholic. He had been elected by the people but opposed by the heretics. Some new events are expected to arise from this, and they even say the Catholic bishops are preparing sermons.—London, October 1574.