Simancas: May 1586 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.

'Simancas: May 1586', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586, (London, 1896) pp. 574-583. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol3/pp574-583 [accessed 16 April 2024]

May 1586



11 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 79.	433. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King. [Extract.] Biron has assured some of his friends that the King is hatching a secret plot which no one has been able to fathom, although, he says, it must come out within the next six months, as things cannot last as they are, with the putting of an army on a war footing after treating for peace. When his (the King's) mother pressed him the other day about the marriage of the princess of Lorraine, he told her not to trouble herself further in the matter, as he had obtained what he wanted, and would now very shortly be able to overthrow some of his enemies and avenge himself upon others. (fn. 1) There is indeed no person of judgment who doubts that the King is plotting something with Secretary Villeroy, and that Belièvre is in league with them. The Grand Chancellor and other Ministers complain also that for the last two months the King will not listen to business of any sort, and although he sits up nearly every night writing memoranda in his own hand until two in the morning, he burns them all the next day. They say that all he writes is about the religious orders, and the ceremonies to be observed by the monks in his monasteries. As he changes every hour, and from many other indications, Muzio (i.e the duke of Guise) tells me that the Chancellor assures him that the King's reason is unhinged, and it is feared he will shortly lose it altogether. They are more apprehensive of this, and its possible evil result, than of his otherwise poor health. The English ambassador in audience the other day, warned him in the name of his mistress that the Guises and the Catholic princes were in close communication with your Majesty, and that if he did prevent them by making a peace they would take his crown away from him. He replied that he knew it well, but that things had gone too far and he could not stop them now. He said there was no better remedy than for Bearn to become a Catholic, by which all his claims would be assured. I have asked Muzio whether he had any man in Normandy who could be sent to ascertain the condition of naval armaments in England. He replied that it would not be convenient to send anyone from Normandy, but he would give me a man who should go with letters for the French ambassador (in England) on a pretext of some affair of the queen of Scotland, and I might send anyone I liked with him in the character of a servant, who could stay some days in London and obtain information of the preparations, as it would arouse suspicion for him to go round the ports, and the ambassador would not aid him to do it. Muzio thought it would be better to send an Italian than a man of any other nation, but as I cannot find any such man at present fit for the task (pressing as the matter is, in view of the armaments), I have not asked Muzio to provide me with the messenger and letters. Another reason is that I have not a groat to give them, and I am quite sure that neither Muzio's man nor the other one will be satisfied with a trifle. I therefore again humbly supplicate your Majesty to send me funds for my extraordinary expenses, as I have not been paid a single penny for the whole 10 months that I have been here. Charles Arundel, an English gentleman, to whom your Majesty granted eighty crowns pension a month, in respect of the queen of Scotland, was constantly in the house of the English ambassador here, when he was in Paris, which Muzio assures me was at his instructions, as the English ambassador (fn. 2) was needy, and he, Muzio, had given him 3,000 crowns. In return for this the ambassador gave him certain information through this Charles Arundel, to whom I gave letters for your Majesty when he went to Spain. I did this at the request of Muzio, and as he took with him very much more money than he stated, I have some suspicion that he may have gone at the instance of the English ambassador, in order to discover something in your Majesty's court, by which means he would be sure of obtaining the favour of the queen of England. This may be concluded from the extreme care with which she obtains intelligence by every possible means of your Majesty's designs, and although I have found nothing at all to inculpate Arundel, it will be advisable for your Majesty to send him and the rest of them away from your court. (fn. 3) The King and his mother have rejoiced extremely (and so particularly has Epernon) at Drake's action at Santo Domingo and elsewhere, about which they say a thousand absurdities. (fn. 4) The French ambassador in England writes that the rage of the English for plunder is for ever increasing now that they see your Majesty is not arming, and this King and his mother are blowing the flame all they can. They are also helping the Flemings so much, that, upon my asking for a passport at the request of the prince of Parma for the salt that had been sent from Spain for Flanders, where it was much needed, and had been detained in Calais, they roundly refused me, although I promised that in case of salt being wanted here (where there is an abundance of it) I would have an equal quantity to that now detained sent hither within four months. I then asked for permission for the ships bringingsalt from Spain to discharge at Calais, and send the salt overland for the three leagues to Flanders ; and this they also refused with the greatest roughness in the world. They have also influenced the English Catholics here to write to those in England on no account to trust your Majesty or depend upon your aid, which, under cover of subjecting the country to the Catholic religion, would really aim at conquering their country. It is to be believed that they (the English Catholics) will take no notice of this, as they have sent a priest (fn. 5) to me, on behalf of the principal Catholics, to say that God has infused more courage than ever into them, and has opened their eyes to the fact that no time is so opportune as the present to shake off the oppression of the Queen and the yoke of heresy that weighs upon them, since most of the strongest heretics were now absent in Zeeland. They say that, as I have never yet deceived them, they beg me to tell them whether your Majesty had determined to help them to take up arms when they decided to do so. I replied in general terms, speaking of your Majesty's goodwill towards them, and encouraging them in their good intentions, and I sent the priest back well posted in what I thought necessary, and told him to return to me with full details, as in so important a matter we must have more than generalities.— Paris, 11th May 1586.
11 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 81.	434. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King. As confirmation comes from all sides of the armaments in England, I have decided to obtain intelligence about them by means of sending an Englishman to London, a man who is recommended to me by Paget as being thoroughly trustworthy. He has already left, and takes with him credences for friends of mine in London, and also other letters from Charles Paget requesting them to dispatch men to all the ports to inquire fully into the armaments, and report the result under cover through the French ambassador in London. If they cannot do this they are requested to send back this man fully informed verbally. I have also sent specially to the priest who came to me from the English Catholics to delay his return hither for a week, in order that he and his friends might take similar steps. I have also asked the Scots ambassador for some Scotsman for a like task, and he has promised to find me one with the same diligence as he always displays in your Majesty's interests, sending me as he does instant advice of everything, even at midnight. In acknowledgment of this, and of the fact that every interview that Iniguez and I have had with Muzio has been arranged by him, the letters all being sealed with his own hand, I did not think it would be too much to make him a present, but, as he is a man who could only be offered a very large sum in money, I took the opportunity of his having greatly admired a tapestry bed of mine, and I had it dismounted and sent to him. The value of it is 380 crowns, and I have considered it advantageous to your Majesty thus to mark your approval of his services. Charles Paget also is doing his best to serve your Majesty here, and both he and Lord Paget, his brother, well deserve the pensions your Majesty has been pleased to bestow upon them. An English priest, whom I know well for a good soul, and who is now at Rouen, and used to administer the sacraments to the countess of Arundel, has informed me that, much as he is indebted to that family, his first duty is towards his conscience, and he feels himself bound to say that Charles Arundel had gone to Spain by orders of the queen of England, in order to discover what was being done there, she having supplied him with money for the purpose. This confirms my suspicion, and your Majesty should order him to return. (fn. 6) —Paris, 11th May 1586.
11 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 82.	435. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King. Since my last advices about England I have heard that the earl of Leicester (who has himself addressed as "your Highness") is again pressing the Queen to send troops, and that she would order the raising of the men mentioned in the statement I send enclosed, which will reach a large number if she carries out the intention. Master Randolph was also pressing in Scotland for the raising of 4,000 Scotsmen for Zeeland, the money being provided by the queen of England. This is confirmed by fresh letters from Scotland, but as the money had not come nothing had been done. Letters from England, dated 31st March, report that the Queen had ordered the recall of those who were sailing under letters of marque, the object being for them to await in port news of Drake, and then to proceed accordingly. Letters of 15th and 21st April confirm this, and add that, when the news arrived of Drake's having sacked the city of Porto Rico, in the island of Santo Domingo, some 20 ships had left the ports of Chichester, Exmouth, Weymouth, and Dartmouth, to unite in Plymouth. Some of them were of 250 and 300 tons burden, and they were being fitted out with furious haste by the means of Bernard Drake, uncle of (Francis) Drake, for the purpose of their going out to the help of his nephew, the intention being, it is said, to sack the island of Cuba as he had done the island of Santo Domingo. The report is that they will sail at the end of May, and will take victuals for six months, but I have been unable yet to learn what men they take. Sir Harry Cavendish, son of the countess of Shrewsbury, was also making ready. He served as Colonel of the Flemish rebels in the time of Don John, and is now fitting out seven ships in the river at London. The earl of Cumberland was fitting out three, one of which was of 600 tons and another of 300, which he had purchased of merchants, his professed intention being to go to the Moluccas. It is said that he also would sail at the end of May. I have spoken to a person who has recently come from London and have seen these ships, and, when I asked for what length of time victuals were being provided and the strength of the crews, the man told me that he was unable to say, as at the time of his departure it was not decided, only that they were being got ready in a great hurry in consequence of the news of Drake's exploit. Things were quiet in Scotland, and the King, who was in Edinburgh, had ordered Claude Hamilton, who went from here, to remain always near his person. He had also liberated Lord Morton, who had been arrested as a Catholic. I send herewith a document published by the Lord Admiral of England, to the effect that the only prizes taken from your Majesty, which will be considered lawful, are the ships containing stockfish. I have fresh advices from England, dated 21st, which confirm the rumours of the fitting out of the afore-mentioned ships, but assert that the Queen is not assisting in the preparations, which were being undertaken entirely by private persons. In order to complete the 20 ships which Bernard Drake said he would take out, Don Antonio offered to provide four. It had been impossible to discover exactly whether they would really leave at the end of May, how many men they would take, or for how long a time they were to be provisioned,—Paris, 11th May 1586. Postscript.—After closing this letter advices have arrived from the French ambassador in England, dated 28th ultimo, saying that the Queen had ordered all French Catholics to leave the country within six days. No one was allowed to enter her chamber except her own sworn domestic servants. The people of Holland and Zeeland had offered to fit out twelve ships to join those of the queen of England.
11 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 83.	436. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King. With regard to Don Antonio, I have to report that he is in London, and that the Queen has given him 3,000 crowns to pay certain debts. She has also assigned him a yearly pension of 8,000 crowns, of 10 reals each, (fn. 7) which amounts to a little more than the 6,000 sun-crowns they gave him here. The French King and his mother greatly praise the English Queen's reception and treatment of him ; whilst, at the same time, they keep feeding him on the hope of the great things they will do for him after they have concluded peace. There is nothing serious in it yet, however, and they only wish to keep him in hand in view of eventualities. I cannot hear of any close understanding between the Queenmother and the queen of England to help him in common either in any particular enterprise or in arming ships. Sampson wishes to retire for the rest of his life to Spain or Portugal, and begs for money for his journey and maintenance. (fn. 8) —Paris, 11th May 1586.
12 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 86.	437. Bernardino De Mendoza to Juan De Idiaquez. I beg you to have the following very carefully deciphered and put it into His Majesty's own hands. It is written and ciphered by me personally. I am advised from England by four men of position who have the run of the Queen's house, that they have discussed for the last three months the intention of killing her. They have at last agreed, and the four have mutually sworn to do it. They will on the first opportunity advise me when it is to be done, and whether by poison or steel, in order that I may send the intelligence to your Majesty, supplicating you to be pleased to help them after the business is effected. They say that they will not divulge the intention to another soul but me, to whom they are under great obligations, and in whose secrecy they have confidence.— Paris, 12th May 1586. Note.—In another letter of the same date to Idiaquez, Mendoza mentions the arrival in Paris of a German sent by the king of Denmark to Philip II. ; but as he fears this may be a trick of the queen of England, "to scent out what is passing in Spain," he wishes to put the King (Philip) on his guard. In an autograph note to this the King says, "This man cannot have come, and I do not know what his object can be."
14 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 89.	438. The King to Bernardino De Mendoza. [Extract.] I have pressed you most urgently to give reports from England, especially as to the fitting out of ships, their destination, whether they are going to the Indies, and all other particulars, such as the number of the ships, their strength in men, etc. You will understand how important this is to guide me as to the route to be taken by my fleet which is to sail under the marquis of Santa Cruz, and I once more enjoin you to obtain this information for me. If possible, also, I should like to know what news they have of Drake, and what orders they are sending him as to his retreat, or if aid is going to him, and by what route. This is of great moment, and if you can possibly obtain the intelligence, send it on to me by all means, flying, and continue the same care in future.—Toledo, 14th May 1586.
15 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 90. Latin.	439. George, Earl Of Huntly, to Philip II. As nothing distinguishes your Majesty more than the help you extend to other princes, which is especially proved by the kindly interest you have ever shown in the case of my Queen and her son, apart from your earnest zeal for the Catholic faith which is acclaimed through all Christendom, I venture to address the present letter to your Majesty. As our King is at present, by the intrigues of his insidious sister, the queen of England, in the power of his enemies, I, together with other nobles, have taken counsel together, and by the advice of the duke of Guise, have decided to beg your Majesty to aid us in placing him in his former liberty and restoring the Catholic faith in the realm. For many reasons, a successful issue may confidently be anticipated. The queen of England and her policy are not popular even in her own country, and I, and others of my kin and faith, with the most potent men in this country, appeal fervently to your Majesty to help us in this holy work of vindicating the liberty of our King and the integrity of our Catholic faith now utterly down-trodden in our country. Not only will your Majesty gain by so doing immortal lustre for your name, but solid advantage for yourself. Begs full credence for Robert Bruce, a nobleman of proved trust and a good Catholic, and prays for a prompt answer to their prayer.—Elgin Moraviæ, 15th May 1586. Majestatis Vestræ Catholicæ, Humillimus et obsequentissimus servus. Georgius, Comes de Huntlye.
20 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 91.	440. Lord Claude Hamilton to Philip II. A letter, similar in effect to the aforegoing, mentioning besides Huntly, Morton, and the writer, Crawford and Montrose, as joining in the appeal.—Edinburgh, 20th May 1586.
20 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 92.	441. John, Earl Of Morton, to Philip II. A letter similar in effect to the aforegoing. The Catholic religion in Scotland is totally collapsed, and the only hope of a revival is the aid of an armed force from without. —Edinburgh, 20th May 1586. Note.—It would appear from a remark in a subsequent letter from Mendoza to the King that these three letters from the Scottish nobles were written in Paris from the dictation of the duke of Guise, Robert Bruce having taken with him to Paris the papers in blank, signed at the bottom by the three nobles in question, who left the whole matter to be managed for them by the duke of Guise. The particulars of the help they demanded will be seen in other letters included in this Calendar. See note page 595.
20 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 93. French.	442. The Queen Of Scotland to Bernardino De Mendoza. By your two last letters of 10th February and 26th July 1585, which only reached me on the 20th April last, I have been pleased to learn of the good choice that the Catholic King has made in sending you as his ambassador to reside in France, in accordance with the request I formerly made to him. I have been so strictly guarded during the last 18 months here, that all secret means of intelligence failed me, until last Lent, when Morgan contrived to open the present one. As I have received nothing else yet, I do not know how he will have proceeded in the promotion of our designs, and I am perplexed as to the best course to adopt here. William (Paget) has been instructed by me to convey to you certain overtures from me, and I beg you will impart to him freely what you think can be obtained from the King, in order that I may not importune him if you think I am not likely to succeed. There is another point, however, upon which I have preferred to write to you privately, in order, if possible, that you may communicate it to the King without any other person learning of it. Considering the great obstinacy of my son in his heresy, for which, I can assure you, I weep and lament day and night, more even than for my own calamity, and foreseeing how difficult it will be for the Catholic church to triumph if he succeeds to the throne of England, I have resolved that, in case my son should not submit before my death to the Catholic religion (of which I may say that I see but small hope, whilst he remains in Scotland), I will cede and make over, by will, to the King your master, my right to the succession to this (i.e. the English) crown, and beg him consequently to take me in future entirely under his protection, and also the affairs of this country. For the discharge of my own conscience, I could not hope to place them in the hands of a prince more zealous in our Catholic faith, or more capable, in all respects of re-establishing it in this country, as the interests of all Christendom demand. I am obliged in this matter to consider the public welfare of the Church before the private aggrandisement of my posterity. I again beg you most urgently that this should be kept secret, as if it becomes known it will cause the loss of my dowry in France, and bring about an entire breach with my son in Scotland, and my total ruin and destruction in England. Pray thank from me the King my brother, for his kindness and generosity to Lord Paget and his brother William, whom I trust most affectionately he will continue to favour for my sake, and to grant some pension to poor Morgan, who has endured so much, not for me alone but for the common cause. My experience of him enables me to assure you of his entire fidelity, and his sincere behaviour as an honest man in all with which he has hitherto been entrusted. I also recommend Foljambe to you as being worthy of some aid, in addition to the allowance I have granted him out of my poor dowry, which I am sorry is not large enough to satisfy them all as I should like, and they deserve.—Chartley, England, 20th May 1586. Note.—This letter is included in prince Labanoff's collection.
30 May. Paris Archives, K. 1564. 101.	443. Bernardino De Mendoza to the King. I have received letters from England dated 20th and 22nd instant, advising the arrival there on the 7th of an ambassador from the king of Denmark, with three great ships well armed with 300 men. He had not yet seen the Queen, but his mission is understood to be to ask her the reason why she was making war upon your Majesty, and taking under her protection the Netherlands. He is to point out to her how much better it would be for her to come to an agreement on reasonable conditions ; but if your Majesty refused such conditions, he, the king of Denmark, would be the first person to join her in making war upon you. At the date of the report no ships had left England, and the preparations are, as I have previously mentioned, all on account of private persons. Eight large ships were being got ready for sea at Norwich, which, although they were ostensibly in the names of merchants, were really under orders from the Queen, and were specially for an enterprise of Don Antonio, who signified to the Queen his intention of going with them in person. These eight ships would not be ready to sail under two months. By next letters I will advise tonnage, and the crews and stores they take. A muster of mariners had been called in London of the sailors who work the little vessels they call boats there. There were 250 of them, and the Queen ordered them to go on board of two galleys, which they did, to fight the Dunkirk ships. Lord Sidney (fn. 9) father of Philip Sidney, had died on the 17th, and it was believed that Philip Sidney would consequently return from Flushing to England. On the 1st May the Queen sent Mildmay, one of the Privy Councillors, to Scotland with 4,000l., to be paid there on the conclusion of the offensive and defensive alliance with the King, who is to receive 6,000l. a year pension from her, on condition of his banishing the earl of Arran and the rest of his party from Scotland. To ratify the terms of the treaty the earl of Rutland and Lord (?) Randolph had been appointed Commissioners, and were to be at Berwick on the 20th July. (fn. 10) The French party in Scotland were still objecting that this treaty could not legally be entered into without the intervention of the king of France. The king of Scotland had sent to ask the queen of England for some money for the raising of 4,000 Scotsmen to be sent to Holland and Zeeland.—Paris, 30th May 1586.