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: July 1576', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, (London, 1894) pp. 531-534. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp531-534 [accessed 25 April 2024]
July 1576
| 28 July. |
448. Antonio De Guaras to Zayas. I sent my last report on the 21st instant and now have to say that the Queen's Vice-Admiral (fn. 1) arrived from Zealand three days ago accompanied by Beal, the secretary of the Council, who has been for some negotiating with Orange. The Queen abandoned her progress and hunting in order to return to the Palace here to await their arrival, the Council being also summoned. When these men had given an account of what had been done with Orange, the sorrow of the Queen and Council was very great and they at once gave orders for ten of the Queen's ships to be fitted out with the greatest expedition, and, at the same time, a general embargo has been placed on all ships in the country. Orders have been sent to the coast to bring into port all English ships coming from Spain and elsewhere, and a courier has been sent to Hamburg ordering that the ships there should be detained, and that no vessel should leave Antwerp for here, although many people believe that this courier will not be allowed to pass. The information brought by these men to the Queen is publicly stated to be that Orange has levied a forced loan, never to be paid, on the English merchants there, of thirty thousand pounds, on condition that he liberated their ships loaded with cloth, as he has done, assuring them that no ship shall go to Antwerp nor return without paying five per cent, duty on the merchandize. He has, however, refused to restore much of the property which he had stolen from the Englishmen. The Queen openly declared on her honour that she would be revenged upon him for this and other excesses, and according to appearances her intention is to send a strong force to Zealand for the purpose of seizing and holding it until these robberies are redressed. I wrote on the subject on the 17th and 27th of June, when I foretold what is now happening and mentioned the probability that the Queen would avenge herself on these bad people, as she herself told me she would. She said she considered them worse than wicked, and if things turn out as we expect, this will be a means of getting the Island (Zealand) surrendered to the King, as I am sure this Queen is wishful to please his Majesty in the matter. I will continue to report, although I expect that this courier will be stopped at Dover. One of Orange's captains is here to receive four ships of his which were sieze in Falmouth the other day, but which are to be restored with all the stolen goods. Some of the Flushing people, having landed at Southampton the other day and committing robberies on shore, they have been ordered to be set at liberty, which is incomprehensible. (The enclosed document is with the above letter). Since closing this letter, information reaches us from many sources that the arming of the Queen's ships and the embargoing of all vessels on the coast has not been ordered for the purpose of landing in Zealand but to go against Flushing. Opinions agree so much upon this that it is no doubt true, although time will show. I have been very anxiously awaiting the reply to the letter taken by Pedro de Barrientos on the 26th of April on the matter of which I wrote. The business is now ripe for execution and a person will leave for Antwerp about it in two days. I sincerely hope that it will be carried through successfully. I have been most careful not to mention it to any one, and have only written on the subject to Antwerp. (fn. 2) —London, 28th July 1576. |
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| 31 July. |
449. Antonio De Guaras to Zayas. On the 28th instant, I sent my last report by way of Flanders and a copy through Paris, by which road the present letter goes. The fickleness of people here causes me to write in the contrary fashion that I do. On the 25th instant, the resolute determination of the Queen was published to arm ten of her ships and thirty private ships to go against Flushing and land in the Island. On the 29th everything was changed to such an extent that Orange and his friends are no longer looked upon with enmity, and the embargo upon all ships on the coast has been raised, the arming of the Queen's and other vessels being abandoned. She left yesterday on her progress and hunting tour, and all the noise of last week has now come to nothing. I will give further details in my next as the bearer is obliged to go hurriedly, and I have not time to write at greater length now. I am greatly surprised that no reply has been sent to what I wrote on the 26th of April as the matter cannot be longer delayed it being now ripe for execution.—London, 31st July 1576. |
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450. Summary of an Address from the Queen of England
to his Majesty, dated Hampton Court, the 24th September
1576, and of the Memorial presented to the King therewith
by the Queen's Ambassador, John Smith. She begs his Majesty to receive and give credence to all that may be said or proposed to him by Mr. John Smith, (fn. 3) a gentleman of her family, towards the pacification and settlement of questions in Flanders and the tranquillisation of affairs. She recalls frequently the many favours she formerly received from his Majesty, and has constantly endeavoured to benefit his interests, but, as her goodwill has not been duly appreciated, the results have not been commensurate with her desires. Wishing, however, to again display her sisterly affection in these new troubles, she had sent a gentleman to the States, where people were looking to her for help, for the purpose of learning from them the reason why they had taken up arms, and whether it was true that they were expecting aid from any other sovereign ; at the same time admonishing them to submit themselves to his Majesty, whom otherwise she would be obliged to support. In reply to this, the States shortly thereafter sent Baron D'Aubigny to assure her that their intention was not to disobey his Majesty in anything, but only to ask that the Spanish soldiers should be withdrawn in consequence of the injuries they had done them. They begged the Queen, in consideration of the old friendship and commercial connection between the countries, to intercede with his Majesty to pardon them and restore to them their ancient laws, customs, and privileges, which they enjoyed in the time of the Emperor, on their undertaking to pay all the salaries due to the foreign troops who were in the country. In view of this and the apparent justice of their request she had decided to send and beg his Majesty to pardon them and receive them again into his favour by her intercession, conceding to them what was just and reasonable in the exercise of his clemency and pity, as it is clear that, by this means, everything will be brought into accord and tranquillity. |