Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.
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'Simancas: March 1576', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, (London, 1894) pp. 528-530. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp528-530 [accessed 24 April 2024]
March 1576
| 6 March. |
445. Antonio De Guaras to (Zayas?). On the 28th ultimo I sent my last report and have little now to say, as M. de Champigny will have to write at length regarding his negotiations with the Queen and Council. The substance of his communication is that she displays great willingness to take part in bringing about an honourable and advantageous settlement of the troubles, to the satisfaction of his Majesty, and the submission of Orange and his people. Her desire is to send Cobham or some one else to his Excellency with this message, and to arrange a suspension of hostilities at once It is to be hoped that the Queen's good intentions may produce a favourable result. Aldegonde and his companions are still at Court and there is no talk of their leaving ; in the meanwhile troops and stores are constantly being sent to Holland and Zealand, probably without the Queen's knowledge, as M. de Champigny tells me that the Queen assured him two days ago that not a single soldier, and no guns or ammunition have ever been sent to the aid of the rebels from here in the Grand Commander's time, whereas in Haarlem, Tregus, Holland, and Zealand, four thousand of such men have lost their lives, and if it were not for the incessant aid in victuals and stores sent from here, the enemy would have been routed and overcome long ago. In a port in the north eight or ten ships have arrived with Scotch soldiers who were paid their wages there and sailed for Brille and Holland. When M. de Champigny first arrived here they received him very sourly, as they thought that he brought some message different from that with which he is entrusted, but his great talent has changed them and he is now much caressed by the Queen and Council. Mr. Hatton, the Captain of the Guard, has entertained him like a prince, although lampoons greatly libelling Hatton have been circulated, of which M. de Champigny has a copy. They have not yet given a decided reply but no doubt M. de Champigny will manage the matter as such a great gentleman and wise servant of his Majesty should do. Parliament has granted the subsidy to the Queen to the amount of six hundred thousand crowns, and those who wished to raise the question of the succession have been silenced, as also have those who wished to jeopardise the queen of Scotland. It is also hoped that others who are trying to pass new laws against the Catholics will be frustrated, and that the Parliament will close in ten or twelve days.—London, 6th March 1576. |
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| 24 March. |
446. Antonio De Guaras to Zayas. I sent my last report on the 12th instant, which I hope will have arrived safely. Copy is sent enclosed and the dispatch of this has been delayed until the departure of M. de Champigny, who leaves to-day. There is a constant stream of soldiers going over to Orange as well as artillery and stores. Aldegonde and his companions are still at Court promoting their treason, but the arrival of his Lordship (Champigny) here was so opportune that his great talent and valour have impressed the Queen and Council every day more, and they are now making demonstrations of their wish to preserve friendship and kindliness with our King. God send that this may be so, particularly since the Queen is making such earnest offers to bring about a settlement, and shows by her actions her great desire to please his Majesty. Affairs are now in such a position that I have the greatest hope that the project of which I have so often written may be brought about easily, without costing anything until the service is done, in accordance with the plan I sent, and if it had not been for the death of the Grand-Commander it would have been settled already. When the new Governor arrives, I will give him information, and on no account shall I dream of conveying the matter to the Council of Flanders or to anyone else of their way of thinking. I only write this because of my great hope of being able to promote so notable an object. My meaning will be understood although I only send a good hand plan. As it is of so much importance I do not dare to mention it by name, but hope that it will be borne in mind, and the new Governor, who will come from Spain, be instructed to entertain the matter. (fn. 1) The Regent of Scotland is governing entirely in the interests of the English, and a few pieces of money have been coined there, or rather here, bearing the inscription "Jacobus Rex Scotia ; Rex Angliœ, protector de Hollandiœ et Zelandœ." The malice contained in this inscription is evident, and is intended to excuse the employment of Scotch and English forces in his Majesty's dominions, the using of the words "Rex Angliœ" being simply to throw dust in the eyes of the people. However amiable they may be to M. de Champigny, I have trustworthy information that they mean to attempt some great evil to the Netherlands, which intention is proved, as I have often pointed out, by the false money which they arranged to coin here, at (Scilly?) and in Scotland. They have done so and I send a specimen piece herewith. These wicked people will be the ruin of the world. They do not stop here for, by their heretical and diabolical arts, they persuade themselves that his Majesty (whom God preserve to us for many years) is to die before the 27th of June 1577, and, in the meanwhile, will be in sore danger. It is constantly being asserted at Court and elsewhere that he is already dead, and so with these vain and devilish hopes, in which they believe, they will continue to trouble the States. If it is expected that the Queen will bring about a settlement, time will prove to the contrary. They are rather plotting some new wickedness. This winter they were busy hatching a plan by which a score of men were to be sent to Scotland to steal the Prince and carry him to Friesland in order to raise up more discord, but the plan failed by reason of their fears. The Queen of Scotland is well, and the late King's sister died this week, leaving a daughter.—London, 24th March 1576. |