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 1546, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 8, 1545-1546, (London, 1904) pp. 392-395. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol8/pp392-395 [accessed 19 April 2024]
May 1546, 1–15
| May 1. Paris. Archives Nationales. K. 1486. | 258. St. Mauris to Cobos. |
|---|---|
| The negotiations for peace with England still continue, and have progressed so far that three days ago the Admiral went to Ardres to meet the Lord Admiral of England. He is authorised to give 1,200,000 crowns in cash for the arrears, and a million in gold for the war indemnity and the expense incurred in the fortification of Boulogne. This million in gold will be paid within 6 years, in addition to the payments falling due; the amount being deposited in the hands of a third party. On the expiry of the six years the English will be bound to surrender Boulogne etc., which they are to hold until that time; the King of France to retain in the meanwhile his new fort. As these conditions are decidedly favourable to the English, it is presumed that they will be accepted. We shall soon learn the result of the negotiations, and I will report to you from time to time. Notwithstanding the negotiations the English continue to strengthen themselves on this side of the sea, where they have some ten or twelve thousand men in the field; but without having as yet attempted any exploit except to throw themselves upon the garrison of Ardres. It is understood that if the peace is concluded the galleys will very shortly go to the Mediterranean, of which I think well to advise you. You requested me to keep my eye open to see whether anything is being planned here to the prejudice of Spain; and in reply I may say for certain that nothing fresh will be undertaken this year; as these people will have to find money to pay the English, they will hardly raise war elsewhere, even next year. The people are in great distress. | |
| Melun, 1 May 1546. | |
| May 1. Puris. Archives Nutionales. K. 1486. | 259. St. Mauris to Prince Philip. |
| Letters of 31 March received. No reply needed. I will only add that the infant daughter of the Dauphiness has not yet been christened; and it is said, I know not with what truth, that if the peace is made with England the King of England will be godfather. The Queen (of France), it is said, will be one of the godmothers. | |
| Melun, 1 May 1546. | |
| May 9. Simanoas. E.73. | 260. Prince Philip to the Emperor. |
| (Acknowledges receipt of letter of 17 March from Luxemburg, most of the points of which were anticipated by the writer's letter despatched immediately before receipt. After many dutiful expressions of rejoicing at the Emperor's good health etc. the letter proceeds to deal in detail with the subjects referred to in the Emperor's abovementioned letter (q. v.). As in most cases conformity is expressed, the paragraphs, with exception of the following, do not call for reproduction.) The Commissaries at Cambrai for the settlement of maritime questions (between the Emperor and France) having separated without coming to any decision, warning has been sent to all the Spanish ports for vigilance and care to be exercised, in order that shipping may escape molestation. This, however, seems but a small remedy for so great an evil at the hands both of French and English, and also from the Scottish corsairs. We are of opinion that your Majesty should have the matter considered, to see whether some means cannot be devised to avoid these attacks. In the meanwhile we will discuss here the adoption of the suggestions made by the Burgos people that ships should only sail armed and in flotillas. (fn. 1) With regard to the projected passage of the French galleys now in the western sea to Marseilles, due notice was sent to all the ports to hold themselves in readiness for defence; but in the matter of your Majesty's recommendation that they should be told not to supply provisions to the French or to receive them well, in consequence of the damage they committed on their outward voyage, we wish to make the following remarks: as your Majesty notices in your letter, there are very few ports on our coasts which would be able successfully to refuse to supply provisions to the French, or treat them otherwise than well, whilst there are many that might suffer much for doing so, being merely open roadsteads. From these the French upon such a pretext, or any other, might take anything they liked, even if it were refused to them, and this would be a greater loss of prestige for us than giving it to them. We have therefore thought prudent to moderate somewhat your Majesty's instructions on this point. | |
| Madrid, 9 May 1546. | |
| May 14. Vienna. Imp. Arch. | 261. The Emperor to Van der Delft. |
| We have received your letters of 29 April, and have noted the conversation you had with the King of England respecting his satisfaction with the course taken by our sister the Queen Dowager in the matter of Penninck, and also touching the communication between Secretary Paget and M. de Monluc, for the conclusion of peace with France etc. We thank you for your repeated advices; and, although we see no great indication as yet that the peace negotiations will be finally successful, you will do well to discover as much as possible of what is done, and inform us and our sister. | |
| As to events here: we are daily expecting the arrival of our brother the King of the Romans; and in the meanwhile we have come to this place for a few days rest. (fn. 2) On the arrival of our brother and the other princes and estates, who are already appearing, we will see how best we can set the Diet to work. | |
| Strowbynge (Ströwingen), 14 May 1546. | |
| May 14. Vienna. Imp. Arch. | 262. Van der Delft to the Emperor. |
| Since my last, of 29th April, nothing of importance has happened here, as all depends upon the issue of the Conference between the English and French, which is still proceeding; although the Lord Admiral when he learnt that the French galleys were at sea and had captured two pinnaces and some boats, left the Conference and put to sea. It is said here that he has had an encounter with the said galleys, and that some of the latter have had to seek refuge in Dunkirk, whilst the others fled into French harbours. (fn. 3) The expectation that these people entertained of peace seems therefore to have cooled, though I heard to-day from a man coming from Calais that Franciso Bernardi, who is managing this Conference, declares that he is certain that an arrangement will be arrived at. I have also been informed that this King is now more disposed to peace than he was, in consequence of his desire to lead personally a large force against Scotland. Whether anything will come of this I do not know, and I have had no opportunity of seeing the King to sound him on the subject. He came to Westminster a few days ago, leaving his Council at Greenwich, where I am told they are constantly busy against those suspected of holding forbidden opinions; by which it is evident that the authority of the bishops and churchmen is on the increase, and is more favoured by the King than formerly was the case. They (i.e. the churchmen) have so managed that a grave old doctor (fn. 4) much liked by the King, who had preached about the sacrifice of the Mass in accordance with the new opinions, was severely rebuked and ordered to retract publicly. As he did not do this so thoroughly and explicitly as he ought to have done I am told that he will be in peril of losing his life if he persists. The Conference (between the English and French) has somewhat delayed the settlement of the business entrusted to Councillor Van der Burgh, who we hope will soon be able to return. | |
| London, 14 May 1546. | |
| May 14. Vienna. Imp. Arch. | 263. Van der Delft and Van der Burgh to the Queen Dowager. |
| The Bishop and the Dean of London, who have been appointed to communicate with the writers instead of Dr. Petre and Nicholas Wotton, have hitherto been detained by other duties, and no further progress has therefore been made. London, 14 May 1546. (fn. 5) | |