Rome: October 1578 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1926.

'Rome: October 1578', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, (London, 1926) pp. 511-523. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp511-523 [accessed 23 April 2024]

October 1578



1578. Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xx.	962. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain. “There is no doubt that the needs of the King are great; but likewise not small are the burdens which in divers ways are borne to this hour by the clergy of Spain; who, after all, rich though they be for clergy, have no great wealth in comparison with the laity, and bear the special burden of maintaining the churches and the Divine cult, which involves no little expenditure. “The Pope will consider what can be done, and when the case is understood by the ambassador, I hope that it will be resolved to do something: but as to what you say about binding his Majesty to make an attempt on England, it seems out of the question at present, as it would give his Majesty good reason to suspect that this was but a way of refusing to give anything; because, if his Majesty can hardly make good the defence of Flanders—God grant he may do so—it trenches, so to say, on the impossible to undertake aught at present in other provinces. Doubtless by means of this diversion good service might be done to Flanders; but pending the diversion, as it would be impossible to effect it without the aid of part of the forces that are in Flanders, a way would be opened to the enemy to occupy all the country. Should his Majesty have the good fortune, as we hope he may, to assure himself of the succession to Portugal after the Cardinal Infant, it would thereby be possible to indulge the hope of one day accomplishing something. And if meanwhile his Majesty do not abandon Geraldine's business, albeit Geraldine should not do much for the present, the said hope will be kept alive, so that, when it shall be convenient to his Majesty, he may pursue it might and main. This clumsy dance of Geraldine and Stucley has by this time cost the Pope more than 50,000 crowns, though his sole interest therein was that of the service of God and religion; it will therefore be nothing extraordinary if his Majesty expend no less a sum for the same service and his own profit to boot: and for the present it will suffice that he mobilize the 20,000 crowns that are at Lisbon, which will enable Geraldine to enlist a thousand soldiers picked up wherever he can find them, and with two ships to sail forthwith to Ireland; and the Pope is content to supply him with whatever Captain Sebastiano San Joseffe (sic) has at his disposal, to wit, the arms and what few victuals remain; which after all is not a little; and you will be able to give the order to the said Captain Sebastiano. It seems that it is impossible to send any more troops or moneys from here, and that it would not be meet so to do: you will therefore do there whatever must be done in concert with his Majesty, and will exhort him not to lose the opportunity. As to the compensation for the loss of our troops and pays which Sander in his writing talks of claiming of the kingdom of Portugal, this is not the time to make the attempt, as the affliction in which that realm is at present must be so great that this should not be added; but certainly some day the attempt may be made. At present it will be well that the King despatch Geraldine forthwith as best he may; for if he go not speedily, those comrades that are expecting him in Ireland will lose heart, or perchance will be crushed before he arrives. “It is a serious matter that as to our 50,000 crowns there should be never a word said either there or here. The Pope has spoken several times to the ambassador in regard thereof, and will very soon do so again, and with more heat; but you personally should not fail to be insistent there, because it is rather for you than for us to do this office, since you with your own hand gave the money to Don John,” 2 Oct., 1578. [Rome.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 379.	963. News Letter. … “Mgr. of Ross, he too, is busy making ready for his departure, as likewise is M. de Pugni [Poigny] sent by the Most Christian King, as it is written.” 4 Oct., 1578. Prague. (fn. 1) Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d' Inghilt. vol. i.	964. Bastian di San Joseppi to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “By your letters of 28 August I am apprised of the Pope's great displeasure, partly at the Marquis' going to Africa, and partly at the late discontents between the said Marquis and me, all which I still remember with sorrow; but him that was the cause thereof God has punished. As to what you write me, to wit, that I should forget things past, I assure you that I never applied my mind to any such thing save when I saw that his Holiness' service was going awry, and that everyone was gambling at his Holiness' expense. Despite all the ill treatment that I have received, I have ever been and ever shall be ready to go on with the business as at first, no matter in what company; but I see that the opportunity is now gone by reason of the death of the Marquis and the poor Italian soldiers to boot; for which the responsibility rests with the Marquis who paid for it all in cash. And not content with ill-treating me on sea and ashore, finally, just before he departed for Africa, seeing that he and I were not likeminded, he made an attempt to justify his behaviour in regard of me and my affairs, seeking to saddle me with an accusation in despite of all reason and the truth: therefore I shall ever study to render a true account of myself, and frustrate the malignity of some that have sought my ruin: but in that affair he succeeded not. I shall not pause to tell you of the accusation or aught else, because, were I minded to recount all that the Marquis did, I surmise that time would fail me: enough that you be assured of my faithful service, and that, should it be necessary to continue the voyage, I am ready and at your command for whatever service you shall be pleased to bid me do. I have also to say that here is that bishop (fn. 2) who was sent from Rome with all those other Irish priests and clerks, who incessantly pester me, now for moneys to go to Rome, and now for succour to enable them to live, saying that they are here on the Pope's service. Meanwhile I know not how to shape my conduct: I shall therefore await your direction.” 6 Oct., 1578. Lisbon. Italian. Autograph.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	965. [Protonotary Dandino,] Nuncio in France to The Same “His Highness is still pertinacious, to the disgust of the Estates, and the disgust is reciprocal; whereby many are induced to believe that they are likely one day to come to blows. And so some of his adherents, who know the minds of both sides, are saying that if the Catholic King should be minded to gain this Prince, and by means of him to chastise the Flemings, he would have a good opportunity: but one should think how to solace him by according some one of his desires. And should it be true that his Highness never subscribed the articles of the League with the Queen of England, as I am to-day assured that he did not, though he accepted the terms offered him by the Estates, there might be less difficulty. He has received in instalments from his revenues and estates 500,000 francs, which they reckon to suffice for the pays during such time as he is bound to maintain his soldiers; and I understand that the King will not at present send him the pecuniary aid of which I wrote; because, as it seems that the negotiation of the peace is to be protracted, and that thereby he is secure in the meantime, and especially so in regard of Casimir, he sees that he may pretermit it. I understand that they go on negotiating the match with England, and that the King still deprecates it, and does so with animation.” 11 Oct., 1578. [Paris.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	966. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Placenza, Nuncio in Spain] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “On the 10th [inst.] I was admitted to S. Girolamo [Jeronimo (fn. 3) ], where his Majesty always is. “But on my return to the audience I discussed all the business that seemed to me to be necessary; and I had plenty of time; and in particular I gave his Majesty a compendium, to the effect enclosed, of the reasons that should disincline him to the suspension of arms, since so far I was in agreement with Secretary Antonio Perez, in order that the matter might be discussed with riper wisdom, point by point, for the justification of his Majesty; who received the said compendium, and bade me give it to the said secretary, that he might rediscuss the business with me. By which secretary I am informed that he has his Majesty's order to converse with me in regard alike of this business and that of Geraldine, a copy of whose petition carried by me to his Majesty, and by him given to the said secretary, that he may give me the decision, I send herewith; but, by reason of this emergency of Don John's death, his labours are so augmented that he has not been able to come as yet. Likewise I am still unable to forecast what resolution may be arrived at during the armistice, although these letters will be carried to Italy by a servant of Giovanni Mariani, who is ready to depart for Constantinople with a despatch of his Majesty which is supposed to be but to amuse…. “I complained to his Majesty that of the 50,000 crowns granted to Don John I had never been able to get from Garnicca any assurance whatever; and with due modesty I expressed resentment that Garnicca should treat me as an ordinary dealer, and bring himself to feed me with words; and to this effect I left a memorial, as to which I am disposed to think that Secretary Antonio Perez has orders to speak with me: I know not what the result will be.” 16 Oct., 1578. Madrid. Italian. Enclosures missing.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Germ. vol. xcix.	967. Oratio Malaspina, Nuncio in Germany to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “The Bishop of Ross is departing hence, having despatched his business here, to wit, that of the patents of the Scottish monasteries. He goes in good spirits, having been well treated by the Emperor and all the Court.” (fn. 4) 18 Oct., 1578. Prague. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	968. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Piacenza,] Nuncio in Spain to The Same. “At this moment, to wit, one o'clock, afternoon, we are certified of the death of the Prince of Spain—may he be in glory!—who in the convent of San Girolamo passed, from the indisposition that I wrote of, to wit, fever and flux, at 12 o'clock to-day, the feast of St. Luke, to a better life. “Of the grief, which is universal, and yet should be felt still more, I say nothing, because I am sure that you of your own accord cannot but very well apprehend and utter it. The illness was of very brief duration; for it was but eight days ago yesterday that I had audience of his Majesty, and saw the child go running through those rooms, looking hearty and healthy, so that I infer that the flux and fever were malignant. It is conjectured that this death will quite prevent the journey to Monzon, albeit I cannot as yet speak positively. This, however, I say, that we, who are here while so many emergencies are happening, ought not to be blamed for the sluggish pace of business; for besides the difficulty of discussing matters with his Majesty, the sluggishness of the ministers is such that one must arm oneself with great patience. This I say because, although Secretary Antonio Perez is bidden to be with me in the business now pending, and especially in what relates to the decision to be taken in regard to James Geraldine, he has not yet come; and James is staying in a villa not far from here at great expense, and is already beginning to importune me for aid. So likewise do the two bishops that are at Lisbon, some priests that remained here, and the soldiers that escaped from the catastrophe in Africa, not only for themselves but also for those that are prisoners in the hands of the Moors; for whose ransom I know that the Collector of Portugal omits no possible office with that King, while by my offices here I am doing the best I can to elicit from his Majesty the solution of the question what should be done in the matter of Geraldine. But for my part I discern here little hope of the King applying his mind to the matter in such good earnest as it requires; for so harassed is he by current affairs that all idea of attempting anything fresh is excluded from his mind; besides which it is abhorrent to him by nature, as it is and has been patent all along; for all the pressure which it has been possible to bring to bear on him has not sufficed to shove him, so to speak, a step forward. It will therefore be well that thence [i.e. from Rome] there come directions what to do with the arms and munitions that are in Lisbon, in case his Majesty should not resolve to give aid to Geraldine. And as to the soldiers that are prisoners in the hands of the Moors, it would be well that his Holiness do some office with the King of Portugal, either by means of whoever may come charged with the customary compliments, or by brief for the express purpose; for as their captivity was consequent on their service of that Crown, it seems meet that likewise by the same Crown they should be ransomed.” 18 Oct., 1578. Madrid. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i.	969. Robert Fontana [Collector Apostolic,] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “The redistribution that Stucley made of his troops so as to quarter them among the Castilians when the combat began, as also his death by a piece of ordnance, besides what Captain Hercole [da Pisa] wrote, is confirmed by a Castilian soldier, who happens to be in hospital here at Lisbon. Touching his property, which has now been inventoried and placed on deposit, I spoke to the King, suggesting that without further judicial process he should have it consigned to our Commissary, as Mgr. Nuncio likewise desired: but as in the decree of consignment they added that security should be given de stando iuri, &c, I changed my mind, and made a new application; to wit, that since they would not give the property freely to the said Commissary, and the said Marquis was one of his Holiness' men, they should have it consigned to the said Nuncio, whom his Holiness had entrusted with this enterprise and business; that he, better informed as he also is, might make such just provision as might be proper in such a case; which would be more to the advantage of the son of the Marquis, who was in those parts, since his Majesty had no jurisdiction in regard of the said property but that which was founded on their arrival in this port; reminding them how great was their obligation in this matter to his Holiness, whereon I enlarged far beyond what T need report; and after the ministers had conferred together, they made answer to the effect that they must go speak again with the King; and that I believe will not be till after the Jubilee. I am letting the Nuncio know everything; and his will shall be done. “A ship or more from England having of late put into Cadiz with munitions consigned, some say, to King Dom Sebastian by his ambassador, and four English captains, who came to serve as soldiers of fortune in the war of Africa, and bore letters from the Queen to his Majesty; they, though apprised of the termination of the said war, nevertheless with one exception resolved to come to Lisbon, and present the said letters to the new King, (fn. 5) as they did in Nossa Senhora de Luz, where he is. The chief among them, by what the Bishop of Killaloe says, was James Geraldine's prisoner while he made war in Ireland, and by reason of good treatment received at his hands also became his friend: on receipt of the King's answer he will return to England. The other three purpose, it seems, to go to Italy. “The agent of the said ambassador will likewise take his departure with his congé and moneys, in order that from England he may pass to France, where he has to serve as ambassador: and to England will be sent Desembargador (fn. 6) Antonio Castiglio [Castillo (fn. 7) ]; all which matters were decided in the lifetime of King Dom Sebastian.” 18 Oct., 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xi.	970. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France. “The affairs of Scotland the Pope perceives to be in such a plight as to stand in need of prayers to God for lack of aid by any other method; and this aid his Holiness offers in charity and piety appropriate to his charge; nor is there need of other answer than this to what you write me in regard of this matter.” 20 Oct., 1578. Rome. Italian.
Ibid. vol. xii. p. 435.	971. Protonotary Dandino, [Nuncio in France] to [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como]. “The match with the Prince of Condé is at present in this position:—that by the Most Christian King, to whom it was never agreeable by reason chiefly of the difference in religion, though the Queen Mother perchance had some desire for it, the Prince was given to understand, that, if he would bring himself to live catholically, his Majesty would give his consent, but otherwise not, to which the Prince returned no answer; so that I have nothing more to do but to confirm his Majesty in this good intention by pointing out the evil that would result if the match were made. “As to the match between the Queen of England and M. d'Alençon (fn. 8) there is little that I need do with his Majesty; for he himself feels it to be a very bad match, and as he sees his Highness extremely bent on it, he would do his utmost to divert him from it; but perchance with him his efforts would have the contrary effect; for the more he sought to dissuade him the more, perchance, would his desire to compass it be inflamed; since either of his own bent, or swayed by the counsels of those whom he has about him, he readily believes that he is always withheld by his Majesty from that which is most to his honour and advantage; nor knows he whom to employ as intermediary with the Queen of England without dread of affronting his brother, who would hear of it either from her or from the very man that might be sent there by his Majesty, who in this matter knows not whom to trust. Hope there is none save in this, that it is deemed certain that that lady is treating rather with some other purpose and other designs than with a mind to conclude the affair: this is indicated by her demeanour towards his Highness, and confirmed by knowledge of her character. There is, however, no doubt that his Highness purposes to visit her at her invitation, that she may see him; whereat folk are full of suspicion of some insidious design, and not without misgiving lest, once she have him in her power, she may be minded either to keep him prisoner, or to have Calais and other places from the King by way of ransom. The King is sending someone to treat with her ambassador, and he will arrive before an envoy of M. d'Alençon who is here on the way thither. “The match with England is in negotiation on the same terms as when that Queen negotiated before with the Most Christian King while he was M. d'Aunjou.” 20 Oct., 1678. [Paris.] Italian. Decipher.
Arch, di Stato di, Napoli. Carte Farnes. Fascio 186.	972. Guido Lolgi to [Alexander] Cardinal Farnese. After touching on the private affairs of Madame de Montmorency the writer continues as follows:—“The King has for some days been at Olainville, (fn. 9) though the Court has remained at Fontainebleau, and, it is supposed, is likely still to remain there for a good while. His Majesty is bent on getting some edicts passed by the Parliament, edicts of which the subject matter is new imposts, which the Parliament is reluctant to pass; whereby the King is ill satisfied, while, on the other hand, the people at large detest these imposts, and inveigh against them, complaining that the sole purpose for which they are being laid is to provide funds to bestow upon a few who are absorbing everything. It is supposed that the Queen Mother must defer her return for a good while yet, and after establishing good order in Languedoc is likely to go to Provence, where the King had sent M. de Suze to take the place of M. de Carces (fn. 10); but the people are in revolt, for that they will have not Suze but the other, who, nevertheless, for his part offers to obey his Majesty's will. “From Flanders it is understood that there is open discord between the Estates, and in particular between the Prince of Orange and the Count of Lalaing; and it is said that they are in arms on this account, and that the Count of Lalaing would have been glad of Monsieur's aid, but the said lord excused himself by reason of the conventions which he has, not with a part of the Estates alone, but with them all. This discord is founded in the matter of religion; and in particular those of Ghent are among the heretics, and it is said that they have the closest possible understanding with Casimir. (fn. 11) As to Monsieur one ponders the occasion of his dissatisfaction with the Estates, on whose behalf it was that he embarked in the action which he has taken—and it was deemed enough to make them promises without performance— save that he left some of his troops at Bins [Binche], since the capture of which place most of his troops have been disbanded— so it is said—and he was at Mons. And some say that he is returning to France; but on the other hand it is reported that the negotiation of the match between him and the Queen of England has been resumed, and that he is sending one of his men, Cimier [Simier] by name, to England for this purpose; but as he first sent him to the King, it is deemed that the King will not approve his design, or at least will counsel him that, should the Queen of England invite him to go to that realm finally to arrange the terms of marriage, he ought not to consent thereto, but should defer his visit until the terms have been arranged. But—so the Queen pretends—it is for the better arrangement of the said terms that she would fain have Monsieur go thither; and she promises to this end to assemble the Estates of the Realm, whose deliberations, she assumes, are likely to have results very greatly to the advantage of Monsieur. And this is as much as I know of current news.” 27 Oct., 1578. Paris. Italian. Autograph.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	973. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Placenza,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “In the course of a few days three couriers have arrived here with letters from Italy, and particularly from Rome, to divers people: but for all that I have none from you save by the last, who, you say, passed to this Court by way of Sicily. By him, then, I have received your letters of 2 October with the details that you write touching Geraldine and the loan of 50,000 crowns. In answer whereto I shall have little to say; because, having never been able to speak with Secretary Antonio Perez by reason of these retirements which still continue, I have nothing certain to say. I shall not give up doing all that is in my power to ensure that there be given him at least the 20,000 crowns, that with them and the other things he may go on his voyage; since I rather think as I hinted in the other letters, that it verges on the impossible, as matters now stand, to hope for more than this. Of the result I will apprise you when the time comes. From Cadiz they write me that some ships have arrived there with some English captains, who came (say they) to go to Africa in the service of the King of Portugal; and I am told that they bore letters of that Queen to that King—may he be in glory!—and that one of them has presented the letters to the King that now reigns, and is returning to England. Other two, they say, purpose to go to Italy, by what way I know not. I suspect them of being spies; and so I would not omit to report the matter, although I incline to think that the Collector of Portugal will perhaps have given you more detailed information thereof. “In the matter of the 50,000 crowns you may be sure that I have done and do all that is possible; but to this hour I have been and am unable to elicit a single word suggestive of settlement —to say nothing of accomplished fact—; but for all that I shall not give the enterprise up until I see some decision taken.” 27 Oct., 1578. Madrid. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. iii.	974. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Robert Fontana,] Collector in Portugal. “As to Marquis Stucley's effects you, in concert with the commissary San Joseffi, will be at pains to make the best possible profit of them, and thereby pay in the first place the debts incurred by him to the Reverend Chamber; and if there should be aught to spare, it may be given to the other creditors, or the heirs. You will also keep an eye on the said San Joseffi, so as to safeguard for the benefit of the Reverend Chamber all that is in hand, whether money, or arms, or munitions, or victuals; for, account being taken of all these items, there is a considerable sum in hand.” 27 Oct., 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	975. [Protonotary Dandino,] Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “What I wrote you in cipher on the 14th inst. as to the negotiation pending for the marriage of the Queen of Scotland has recently been confirmed, as also that it is conducted by the very same methods and intermediaries; and I am further informed that the affair, being suspected here by the English ambassador pending the negotiation, has come to the knowledge of that Queen to her great annoyance and irritation. As to the death of the King of Portugal they say that she evinced the utmost pleasure thereat.” 29 Oct., 1578. [Paris.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i.	976. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic] to the Same. “I send you the duplicate of my letters of the 18th inst., not being sure that the road by which the originals went was safe. What more I have to tell you is this: that I have been busy enough negotiating for the possession of the [late] Marquis's effects, and at last with difficulty have obtained the decree that accompanies this letter: because these Ministers do not readily part with what is in their hands; and because the servants of the said Marquis, and the masters of the ships in which he had gone, craved justice, and one must needs accord it them; of all which matters in the end I shall give you full account. “From Ireland the news is what you will see in the enclosed note of the Bishop of Killaloe, to whom, as also to the other Bishop, to wit, of Killala, Mgr. Nuncio has caused to be given by the Commissary 25 crowns apiece towards expenses.” 30 Oct., 1578. Lisbon. Italian. Enclosure. “Our Lord the King is content that the goods and chattels of Marquis Thomas Stuclei, Englishman, which are on deposit in the control of Emanuele Alvarez Sobrado, be given and consigned to the Commissary of the Pope, by order of his Holiness' Collector, in consideration of the said Marquis having been Captain General of the Italian soldiers of his Holiness, and having come on his service.—At Lisbon, 22 Oct., 1578.” Signed. Ruy Fernandez de Castanheda. Further enclosure. “Most Reverend Lord.—Five days ago there arrived here ships from the city of Waterford in Ireland, which are to-day ready to sail for the Port of Cadiz, thence to bring wines to the said city. In one of those ships there came—and as it was not until yesterday that he arrived, I was unable to give his most Reverend Lordship earlier information—an intimate friend of mine, who explained all matters to me exactly. For he, shortly before his arrival, was conversing with the Earl of Desmond and his brother, Lord John Desmond; who asked him to meet Lord James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] wherever he might be, and persuade him not to postpone going to Ireland, because in all Munster there are no Englishmen, and like wise the people are ready to harbour and aid him; and since the Viceroy of Ireland was about to go to England, there was now more possibility than hitherto of something being accomplished before more Englishmen should be sent to Ireland, seeing that he might make a stand at the outset before they should capture munitions and some cities; which being taken, though all England should attack Ireland, it would be in vain. Lastly two sons (fn. 12) of the Earl of Clanricarde, who formerly aided Lord James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] in war, have just of late risen against the English, and are able to lend no little aid and support to the affair. Also the sons of the late Lord John [Shane] Ynell [O'Neill] will march with 600 Scottish soldiers to join Lord James as soon as they are apprised of his advent: besides which all the more eminent nobles of all the realm await him, and most eagerly desire his advent; nor is there any watch or aught else to hinder it. Among the common people of our country the general bruit is that Lord James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] has gone to Flanders, thence by way of Scotland to come to Ireland. Such is the news that I have been able to learn; and if his Most Reverend Lordship has learned aught either at Rome or at Madrid touching our business, may he deign to inform me thereof.” Signed. Cornelius Bishop of Killaloe. Latin.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. f. 115.	977. Instructions to Mgr. [Alessandro] Formento [Frumento,] Nuncio to Portugal. (fn. 13) Stucley having abandoned the Papal service for that of Dom Sebastian and lost his life in Africa, James Geraldine, (fn. 14) an Irishman, and a person of great consequence in his own country, succeeds to the command of the expedition to Ireland, and is to be aided by Frumento to the best of his ability, as is also the remnant of Stucley's forces, which consists of but a few prisoners, and some sick that were left behind in Arzila [near Tangier]. All the business has passed through the hands of Mgr. Nuncio of Spain (fn. 15) and Mgr. Fontana; and from them Frumento on his arrival at Lisbon is to take his instructions, reporting all that happens day by day to his Holiness. Should he find Geraldine at Lisbon, he should accord him all favour and aid to enable him to start upon his voyage as soon as possible. He should also do every office with the King of Portugal, to induce him to procure the redemption of the prisoners at his own expense; which seems to be but his duty, as they were constrained by the late King to enter his service without his Holiness' sanction. Of this Frumento may be fully apprised by Mgr. Fontana, through whose hands all that business passed. From the propitious answer which Mgr. Fontana has already received from the King there is reason to hope that his Majesty will not be found wanting in a work so just and pious: but in default of other means Frumento is authorized by the Pope to see that they receive aid from the Papal moneys in the hands of his Holiness' Commissary, Captain Sebastiano San Josefi; and should they not suffice, to draw upon Mgr. Cannobi [Canobio], Collector in Spain. 31 Oct., 1578. Rome. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Reg. Lat. 2023. f. 418.	978. [Sir] Andrew Wyse, Irishman (fn. 16) to Cardinal Sirleto. “The Archbishop of Genoa received me into his house because I told him of my dutiful regard for you. I earnestly beseech you to write to him intimating your gratification thereat. It is settled that Dominus Frumentus [Mgr. Frumento] is to go to Portugal as nuncio. It would, perchance, be all the better for my affairs were it possible for me to accompany him as far as Madrid. Not my equals alone but also my inferiors have gotten from the King monthly allowances at Naples of 25 gold pieces; and unless luck is ever to be adverse to me, I shall procure the same allowance. If it seems that I may undertake this journey with this hope, do me the favour to ask Mgr. Frumento to take me with him to Spain. I have no doubt of a successful result. If fortune smile not now, I have no resource but to return to Rome. In you alone next to God are founded all my hope, all my confidence. If ever I needed your aid and patronage, I need them now indeed and in the last degree. For I see not whither to turn; and am nearly destitute. At Milan and Turin I have been compelled to sell clothes and books and everything. I implore you to make these my woes known to his Holiness. Meanwhile, as this cannot be done at once, and I am in need of present help, pray write to the Archbishop, asking him kindly to put up with me in his house while I await your counsel. Not that by any covert hint I surmise that I am burdensome to the Archbishop, but that I am ashamed. If you would solace me in my most grievous plight, you will see that a letter to the Archbishop is despatched by the first messenger. Christ keep you safe to utmost length of days.” [Oct., 1578.] Genoa. Latin. Autograph.