Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 8, 1545-1546. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.
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'Spain: May 1545, 16-31', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 8, 1545-1546, (London, 1904) pp. 111-113. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol8/pp111-113 [accessed 25 April 2024]
May 1545, 16–31
| 19 May. Vienna Imp. Arch. | 54. Chapuys to Joos Bave, Flemish Secretary of State. |
|---|---|
| I take the opportunity of this messenger leaving for Brussels to write you a few words. As you will have heard, the English have captured a French galliot and have driven a galley ashore near Boulogne but without loss of life by drowning, although the whole crew fell into the hands of the English. The latter assert that they have during the last few days captured the place of Ardellot in which were a considerable number of men holding it for the King of France. These men marched out by arrangement, and the English count upon keeping the place. If they do they will have to exercise more care than they have at Guisnes, where about a week ago they allowed to pass about a hundred sheep convoyed by a small number of Frenchmen who took them into Ardres; and on the following day, in order still further to improve their soup, the soldiers in Ardres raided a hundred and fifty head of cattle from Guisnes. Two days afterwards the French passed through so large a number of waggons and men as to revictual Ardres. | |
| With regard to this arbitration conference (diette) we have had no meetings yet, except one at Calais and one here, the former of which I could not attend; but when all is said and done, even though the English representatives may have full powers and increase them by words, it looks as if they wanted to draw out matters indefinitely, to judge by the innumerable complaints they have brought forward. Many of these complaints are very old, and some of them have been already dealt with by legal process in Spain and elsewhere. It appears that they propose only to make restitution to our people pari passu with the decision of these old claims. They have not omitted to include in their claims the one per cent, tax imposed at Calais during the late wars, and on this account the English claim no less than 30,000 ducats. I doubt not that his Majesty and the ministers who represent him in this conference will resolutely refuse to go into these old complaints, for the examination and decision of which a century would not suffice. God send that all may be satisfactorily arranged. In consequence of the uncertainty of this messenger and the absence of really important matter, I have not cared to trouble our patron (fn. 1) or Monseigneur d'Arras, to both of whom pray commend me. | |
| Gravelines, 19 May, 1545. | |
| 13 May. Simancas. E. 1377. | 55. The Emperor to Figueroa. |
| Yours of 27th and 28th April received. In answer to your enquiry as to what is to be done with the galleys this year and the stay of the Prince at Genoa on the occasion of the declaration upon the alternative marriage, we refer you to our last letters. With regard to the French suspicions about negotiations between the Prince Doria and the Marquis del Guasto, although we had already understood here that there was not much foundation therein, we are still glad to know that the truth of the business has come out; and that no cause of complaint has been given in this or anything else. | |
| Our ambassador in France has informed us that a certain Genoese called “Something” de Fiesco, a man of credit and position in Genoa, has been with the King of France recently, pressing him to aid his brother the Governor of the city. He professes to have already won over the populace and says that, as soon as they see a certainty of French support, they will declare themselves. The King of France rejected the overtures and replied that he had no desire to break friendship with us, as the city was not only under our protection, but had also been included in the treaty of peace. It is said that the Dauphin had exerted great pressure upon his father to aid this Genoese, on the pretext that Prince Doria intended to make himself master of Genoa. Though this business seems to be as groundless as the others, yet as sometimes inconvenience is caused by not striking at the root of such rumours, we think best to let you know, so that you may, in the manner you may consider advisable, speak to Prince Doria about it, and discover secretly if there is such a man in Genoa as the person mentioned as having been in France lately, and as being the brother of the Governor; and any other particulars you can learn. If you find there is anything in it, take such measures as may be necessary to stop it. | |
| Worms, 30 May, 1545. | |
| 30 May. Simancas. E. 1377. | 56. The Emperor to Prince Doria. |
| Letters of 26th and 27th April received. Thanks for notes of measures necessary for the defence of Sicily against invasion, and for suggestion for relieving Milan somewhat by sending a portion of the Spanish infantry now in Lombardy to Sicily. When we are sure of the Turk's intentions etc. your suggestions shall be considered. We need say no more here about what is to be done with the galleys, as we are sure that you will act in accordance with what we wrote to you in former letters; namely to have the galleys ready . to go out and join the others as soon as possible, in order that the combined force may do what may be considered necessary. Glad to be assured of the groundlessness of French suspicions. We never thought you or the Marquis (del Guasto) would do anything of the sort without our knowledge. | |
| Cardinal Farnese has come hither from the Pope, with a great show of friendship and desire for a complete understanding between his Holiness and us. He makes very liberal promises, and says that the Pope wishes to act in entire accord with us in all public affairs, and to place his house and people under our protection and guidance. We replied fittingly, saying that there should be no lack of reciprocity on our part. In accordance with this, we have considered the question of resisting the Turk, for which object he, (Farnese) brought a bill of exchange for — crowns which has been duly deposited. We have also discussed at length the subjects of the Council, religion, and the obstinacy of and difficuties raised by, these protestants, together with the measures which may have to be adopted in regard to them. The Cardinal found that matters were more perplexing than his Holiness had imagined, especially owing to the obstinacy of the protestants in refusing to accept or take part in the Council. They still remain obdurate about the Council in the discussions at this Diet; and the Cardinal, although he seemed to wish to stay here longer, has accordingly decided to return to his Holiness to inform him better of the position, and to consider what had better be done. The King of France informed us that he had opened negotiations for a truce with the Turk, and suggested that we might send a person to accompany his envoy, to endeavour to bring about repose to Christendom, and thus to free ourselves from this obstacle, so that we could the better attend to other affairs, notably that of religion and the faith; which we always wished to take in hand and now more than ever, seeing the present peril. We have therefore, with the approval of our brother the King (of the Romans), decided to send a person with instructions to conclude a truce, which shall include all Christian potentates. | |
| Worms, 30 May, 1545. | |