Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'Simancas: May 1584', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586, (London, 1896) pp. 525-527. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol3/pp525-527 [accessed 23 April 2024]
May 1584
| 1 May. Paris Archives, K. 1448. 8. |
378. The King to Juan Bautista De Tassis. [Extract.] The letter you sent me from the king of Scotland was received, and with regard to the request he makes to me about Colonel Stuart, I have ordered my nephew the prince of Parma to be written to, and asked what is the present state of the affair. When I have his reply, I will send it to you in order that you may forward it to, the King through his ambassador, to whom you may convey what I now say, and assure him of my great pleasure at reading the other points in the King's letter, and of my willingness to oblige the King in all things. You will impress strongly upon Hercules how much I depend upon him in these matters, as in others, banishing his suspicions which you mention and which have doubtless been aroused by others. You did well to keep your eye on the little expedition (in England). Keep me informed about it.—Aranjuez, 1st May 1584. |
|---|---|
| 15 May. |
379. Count De Olivares to the King. His Holiness ordered to be given to me Dr. Allen's discourse, and the original letters from the king of Scotland and the duke of Guise, the translations of which I send enclosed. I would send your Majesty the originals but for the danger, as they have to pass through France. (fn. 1) His Holiness orders me to write to your Majesty recommending this cause to you, leaving all details of the same to your Majesty's decision, as you will understand them better than he. He, for his part, promises to help to the extent mentioned in the statement of 16th August last. I have pointed out to him the difficulty that arises from the difference of opinion amongst them, as to whether the attempt shall be made on one side or the other, the larger force they request now than they did last year, and consequently the increased cost of the enterprise. I have also revived the former difficulties, touching as lightly as possible on points of detail, by promising to give a full account of everything to your Majesty, whilst I will try to be ready to take the course your Majesty may command. The Pope is now entertaining the hope that the departure of Don Bernardino from England, and your Majesty's refusal to receive the Queen's ambassador, may indicate a tendency in your Majesty's mind to make a demonstration against her.—Rome, 15th May 1584. |
| 27 May. Paris Archives, K. 1563. 18. |
380. Juan Bautista De Tassis to the King. The two Scots ambassadors have just sent me word that they have news through England that the Scots rebels had occupied Stirling, but had been afterwards forced to retire therefrom and take refuge across the border at Berwick. (fn. 2) The ambassadors are very anxious to have this news confirmed from Scotland direct, as, if true, it will be a most advantageous thing, and at least will extricate the country from the pressing and immediate danger that has recently threatened it. Richard Melino (fn. 3) has returned from Flanders, and he and his companion Allen are still of opinion that the enterprise should be directed against England itself, and on no account should be effected elsewhere. He tells me in confidence that the Scotsmen here, impatient at the delay, are discussing the possibility of managing the business through other hands than those of your Majesty, and although he and the other man (i.e. Allen) are trying to keep in with them as much as possible. they (Melino and Allen) assert that the English want no other patron than your Majesty, and they not only look to you for a remedy, but that even if you make the queen of Scotland their sovereign you will not leave them hastily, or until everything is permanently settled on a stable basis. They even say that they would be glad for your Majesty to have some of the ports in your hands, the better to assure matters. No notice need be taken of the discussion of the others, as they are doubtless nothing but chimeras, and although the talk of these men may have for its object only to flatter us, yet it is certain that the English really desire no other patron than your Majesty, and under cover of this we may well believe all the rest. Since I wrote the above, another man has been to tell me that the news from Scotland is true and that the King had arrested some of the rebels.—Paris, 27th May 1584. |
| 29 May. Paris Archives, K. 1448-9. |
381. The King to Juan Bautista De Tassis. [Extract.] You have done well to inform me so fully about England and Scotland. My desire in this matter still continues the same. We shall see how it is seconded by help from Rome, and other circumstances, by which my goodwill must be compassed. You will, in the meanwhile, assure the intermediaries of this, and try to keep them in hand, preventing them from being either rash or despairing and getting them to build on a sound foundation. I am sorry that the king of Scotland has been in danger of again falling into the hands of the adherents of the queen of England. Cause Hercules to warn him to be very vigilant. The money for the guard shall be sent shortly.—San Lorenzo (Escurial), 29th May 1584. Note.—In another draft letter of the same date, from the same to the same, the following passage occurs : "I have greatly rejoiced at the good fortune of the king of Scotland, and will try to send the money for his guard by the express messenger abovementioned. You acted very well with his ambassador Seton, and if he gives you the paper with the undertaking to abandon the French alliance and enter into a treaty with me, you will send it to me, but do not ask for it ; let him introduce the subject and confine yourself to repeating what he says." To this draft the King has added a marginal note, asking what "good fortune" to the king of Scotland is referred to. It was, of course, the collapse of the Gowrie conspiracy. |