Rome: December 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: December 1578', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, (London, 1926) pp. 538-548. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp538-548 [accessed 19 April 2024]

December 1578



1578. Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 443.	1004. News Letter. … “The Bishop of Ross, a Scotsman, despatched of late by the Pope to the Emperor about the affairs of Flanders, has quitted that Court for France, having many matters to discuss with the Most Christian King in the name of his Holiness.” (fn. 1) 3 Dec., 1578. Rome. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xii.	1005. Philip [Sega], Bishop of Piacenza, Nuncio with power of Legate de latere in the realms of the Spains to John Francis Cannobio, Protonotary and General Collector Apostolic in the realms of the Spains. “James Geraldine, Irishman, being at present in great straits for money to enable him to acquit himself in a service undertaken for the Pope and Holy Church, and well known to me, you will be pleased to cause to be paid into his hand, from the moneys of the Reverend Apostolic Chamber, the sum of six hundred ducats, the ducat being reckoned at 375 maravedis: that is to say, six thousand six hundred and seventeen reals and twenty-two maravedis (Reali 6617.22); upon security of two images of our Lady with the Saviour in arms, of St. Paul's Church at London in England; the one being of gold, and enamelled, weighing sixteen and a half marks or thereabouts, and the other of mere silver, weighing about twelve marks; which were on deposit in the possession of Lady Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria; and, which, at my suggestion, have been given to me by her Most Illustrious Ladyship, and to this end are now being actually consigned and left in your custody. And you will be pleased to have them thus kept, without damage, until, pending the six months next ensuing, either you shall receive the Pope's approval of the present disbursement aforesaid, or the said moneys shall be effectually repaid: to the one and the other of which conditions I by this present [writing] bind myself in good form. And you will cause due receipt to be taken for the justification of everybody. God preserve and prosper you!” 3 Dec., 1578. Madrid. Italian. Signed Philip Bishop of Piacenza, Nuncio Apostolic, and subscribed Valerius Angelicus, Secretary, and sealed.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	1006. Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como]. “There was here a Jesuit priest, a Spaniard, who interested himself in the affairs of the Catholic King, and particularly so when Don John of Austria was coming. He told me that he was departing this morning for Flanders at the instance of the Prince of Parma; and added that there was great hope of the complete return of the countries of Artois and Hainault to the obedience of the Catholic King, and the observance of the Catholic religion, provided they were not governed by Spaniards; but that the difficulty seemed to resolve itself into this, that, unless some Prince should intervene to guarantee to those peoples the observance of his Majesty's promise to them, they are not likely to rely thereon; and he has hinted that the Most Christian King should do so; wherein I think there would be no difficulty, M. de Bellièvre having already made this offer to the Estates when he exhorted them to make peace. (fn. 2) “This I have thought proper to communicate to the Pope; and to you likewise I would say that if, during the negotiation of the Spanish match with M. d'Alençon, the enterprise of England should be offered to his Highness to be done by and for himself, with the aid of the Catholic King, as I hinted to you on other occasions, it would be a very sure means of compassing his withdrawal from Flanders on terms as satisfactory as by my last letter to you I wrote must needs be offered him to lure him back.” 5 Dec., 1578. [Paris.] Decipher. Italian.
Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix.	1007. Alberto Bolognetti, Nuncio at Venice to [the Same]. “Yesterday the Signory resolved to send an ambassador to the King of Portugal with a message of condolence and comfort; and I think that they will choose him this evening. Which affords me hope that the business of sending to England an ambassador resident will go no further; because it was understood that those who desired it were obstructing the election of other ambassadors until a decision should have been taken as to that.” 6 Dec., 1578. Venice. Italian.
Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix.	By Letters most secret from Savoy of the last of last month to the 6th of the present month:— “He [the Most Christian King] was stoutly upholding M. d'Alençon's affairs, affirming that his nuptials will certainly take place in England with a niece or daughter of that Queen, albeit what he means to imply is not known.” 6 Dec., 1578. Venice. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. Germ. vol. xcix.	1008. Oratio Malaspina, Nuncio in Germany to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “As to the object of the Bishop of Ross in the matter of the business of the Monasteries of his Scottish nation, the bishop aforesaid, on his departure hence, left with me a memorial on this matter, and told me besides that he would have a man sent post haste to expedite the business; for whom on his arrival I shall not fail to do every office in accordance with your commands.” 6 Dec., 1578. Prague. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	1009. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Piacenza,] Nuncio in Spain to [the Same]. “The bearer of this, a young Irishman, Nicolas Hickey (fn. 3) by name, was very earnestly commended to me by James Geraldine on his departure, that I might do the same office with you on his arrival at Rome. Here at Salamanca he has for many months applied his mind to letters; and to continue the studies thus begun, he is going thither [to Rome] in the hope of sharing with the rest of his compatriots in the benignity of the Pope, so that he may attain the happy fulfilment of this his desire. I therefore crave your interest with his Holiness to this end; for James [Geraldine] assured me that he had ever been a good Catholic, and that his forefathers were most faithful and devoted sons of Holy Church; so that the work will be truly pious, and worthy of your powerful and hearty patronage; and so I commend him to you as best I may.” 10 Dec., 1578. Madrid. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix.	1010. News Letter. “Some young men of the Savi degli Ordini (fn. 4) have of late come to think that an ambassador should be established in England according to the Queen's desire; but the Vecchi are of the contrary opinion, and it is thought that it will not come to pass. This is solicited by the young men in order that they may have better opportunity of starting on the road to ambassadorship, because formerly they had open to them this embassy and also that to the King of the Romans; both which posts were given to young men; but now they have but the embassy to Savoy, all the other posts being given to men of mature age.” 13 Dec., 1578. Venice. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	1011. [Protonotary Dandini,] Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “John di Sparre (sic (fn. 5) ), for whom you sent me Father Passevino's letter from Angiers, whence I understood that he was to come hither speedily, has gone to England to see that island, purposing thence to pass to his own country; and as, unless I am sure of his being resident in a particular place, I cannot count on the letter reaching him; therefore, unless I see a possibility of sending it to him, I shall keep it till I hear from you.” 13 Dec., 1578. [Paris.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xx.	1012. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Piacenza,] Nuncio in Spain. “As to Geraldine's business I refer to what I have written on divers occasions; to wit, that should his Majesty resolve to despatch him, his Holiness is content that there be given him the arms and munitions that are in the control of Captain Bastiano. You are therefore to solicit, that, as soon as possible, the 20,000 crowns be given him by his Majesty; and the sooner this come to pass the better his Holiness will be pleased, in order that he may go, with the prestige of his presence, and with what aid he shall be able to procure, to the succour of those poor Catholics who await him with such longing.” 15 Dec., 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Ibid. vol. xi.	1013. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Piacenza,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “The 4,000 crowns were gotten from Montenegri and distributed among Geraldine, Sander and the others that were here, and have gone with him; and besides the 4,000 crowns I have caused the Collector to lend them 600 crowns upon certain images that are worth much more, as may be learned from the said Collector by means of the order which he himself will write in regard thereof, so that his Holiness will be able to take whatever decision he shall think fit. Besides which I purchased a suit of armour, and gave it to Geraldine; and to Sander I gave a complete set of the ornaments of the Mass. And as I am sending with them four discalced friars of the Order of St. Francis, I have purchased for them a young mule, crucifixes, and some other trifles which they must needs have, that they may go more cheerfully: all which expenditure I mean to bear on my own account as first fruits of the church which it has pleased his Holiness to give me, as I deem it applied to very good purpose. Besides which, as there has returned hither from Lisbon one Thomas Miniers (fn. 6) after a long incarceration, without cause, as he proves, by Stucley, I have resolved to send him back again; and I shall give him money for the journey and letters of recommendation to Geraldine and Sander, who have departed, the one for Biscay (fn. 7) to fetch his wife, and the other for Lisbon; whence the Commissary already writes me that he had virtually arranged for the ship in which he was to depart. They will assemble in a port of Galicia, (fn. 8) and thence will set sail for Ireland in God's name; and may it please His Divine Majesty to guide them safely to their destination, and accord their movements good speed. “It remains for his Holiness to take a decision as to the paragraphs written by Sander, and sent by me with the letters of 27 November. As to which I must needs say; that if his Holiness shall see fit, he may give, either to me or to him that shall be here pro tempore, or to the Nuncio of Portugal that is to come, faculty, in the event of unforeseen necessity, to afford aid by some amount of money; to be reimbursed from the funds that shall be gotten from his Majesty, from whom I doubt not succour will be had whensoever the business take a good course: but as affairs here move, as you know, so tardily, one must needs provide against this tardiness by having some aid ready in case of need; besides which, if faculty shall be had to grant dispensations in those cases of which they shall give notice, it will be much to the purpose on the score of expedition; and if those commissions shall come into my hands, I will endeavour to execute them with the circumspection that I shall deem meet. “There is here a son of Geraldine, twelve years of age, and in Lisbon there is another, thirteen years of age, who will come here. They will both be under my protection until some other decision is taken; and I have 400 crowns to expend in relief of their needs. Geraldine would be pleased if it should be agreeable to his Holiness that I should send them to Rome to be brought up in one of the colleges there. I await his Holiness' command in this particular; and meanwhile I will have them brought up here with the best possible training.” 15 Dec., 1578. [Madrid.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii.	1014. [Protonotary Dandini,] Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como]. “That Agamonte Ratelef [Egremont Ratclyffe] who, I wrote you on 26 June, was a comrade of Ferrabosco, (fn. 9) and was to come into Italy, fell into the hands of the Prince of Parma, how and why I know not; and I understand that he has condemned him to death. I also understand that Ferrabosco is a means whereby from here favours are solicited there. (fn. 10) As to the business which, I wrote you along with my letter of the last of last month, the Venetian ambassador had in hand with M. d'Alençon's ambassador, I have learned nothing more, and know not what to say to you in regard thereof.” 21 Dec., 1578. [Paris.] Italian.
Ibid.	1015. [The Same] to [the Same]. ”We are now perusing the last letters, to wit, of the 21st inst. from Flanders, which announce that the Imperial ambassador was still with the Prince of Parma treating of peace, of which there was very good hope indeed. It is not certified that those of Artois and Hainault have as yet accepted the terms offered them by the Bishop of Arras, as I had written; but nevertheless a prosperous course is anticipated for the affairs of all that country, and the more so as it is understood that the Estates will not admit the men of the Queen of England and the Prince of Orange to their councils. That Englishman Agramonte Rotelef [Egremont Ratclyffe] has been executed by order of the Prince of Parma for having purposed to murder Don John.” 27 Dec., 1578. [Paris.] Italian. (fn. 11)
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i.	1016. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to Captain Bastiano San Joseffi. “I have received from you of late two letters of October 6 and 21 respectively. In answer to which I need say no more than that which on divers occasions I have written to Mgr. Fontana and yourself; to wit, that if James Geraldine shall be minded to go, as he says, to Ireland, and would wish to have the arms which are at your disposal, you should not fail to give them to him together with all the munitions; and when you have consigned them to him, you can return hither, as you should readily have learned from the Nuncio in Spain. The residue of the moneys there, and those which you will have since recouped from Stucley's belongings, you can either send hither or bring with you, and likewise in writing the valuation of everything. God preserve you, and grant you a prosperous voyage!“ 29 Dec., 1578. Rome. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vcl. i.	1017. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “By order of Mgr. Nuncio the belongings of Marquis Stucley have been put up for sale by auction; and Commissary San Joseffo will have charge of whatever they shall fetch, of all which sum he will be bound to give account at the Pope's pleasure; and, as soon as this business is ended, I will send you a summary account thereof.” 29 Dec., 157[8]9. (fn. 12) [Lisbon.] Italian.
Ibid. vol. iii.	1018. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Robert] Fontana, [Collector Apostolic]. “By the advices that I have from Mgr. Nuncio of Spain, I suppose that when this arrives James Geraldine will have gone thence for Ireland; and you will have caused Captain Sebastiano San Joseffo to consign what arms he had to the said Geraldine, if so by him requested, and the munitions likewise, in accordance with the will of the Pope; so that, touching this matter I need write no more, save that, while you abide there, you must not fail to report what you shall learn of the course of events in that enterprise.” 29 Dec., 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xx.	1019. [The Same] to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Piacenza,] Nuncio in Spain. “The Pope is glad to learn that Geraldine is at last despatched. God grant us likewise early tidings of some good result of his going. As to which topic I shall say no more to you; but shall credit you with having given in Lisbon, as you intimate that you have done, all the necessary orders; and in particular the order for the consignment by Captain San Josefo of the arms and munitions to Geraldine, if he shall say that he has need of them, and shall evince a desire to have them; and afterwards San Josefo can return hither, as I am writing to San Josefo himself. His Holiness is pleased to grant to all the Irish bishops faculty to preach and absolve in the form craved by Sander; and the brief therefor will be annexed hereto. “The Pope has also approved the alienation of those two images of which you write, seeing that the money thereby raised is to subserve a work so just and holy. “As to directing that pecuniary aid be given in the event of success, the Pope deems that he has done enough by what you know him to have expended, and that it should now be for others to do the rest, especially as, not religion alone, but the interests of all the neighbouring states are at stake; nevertheless, exhausted though he is by the great and incessant expenditure which it behoves him to incur, if he shall see affairs well started, and in such sort as to afford sure hope of gain to religion in those parts, his Holiness will not fail to do what he may; and of that Geraldine may be assured, and go with a cheerful spirit.” 29 Dec., 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Vat. Arch Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi.	1020. Memorial to his Catholic Majesty touching Geraldine's business. “James Geraldine will go to Ireland most firmly resolved to do all that is in his power to divert the forces of the Queen of England from the offensive in Flanders; and to raise against them, by means of his friends and kinsmen, all that island in support of the Catholic religion of his Holiness and your Majesty. “Nor will he give up service to this end until his death. “And the same obligation he devolves upon his sons after his death. “Which sons he will meanwhile leave with his wife in Spain as hostages for his good faith. “And the credit which he has with his kinsmen and friends he pledges for the prosperous course of the affairs. “The more so because, if the state of affairs shall accord with what was written him some months ago from Ireland, he promises to have 5,000 foot-soldiers in being for this service a week after his landing there. “There are here for transport with him two bronze pieces of artillery, ten smaller iron pieces, fifty arquebuses, two hundred pikes and twenty-four corslets. “The port of his disembarkation it is proposed to take and deliver to troops of his Holiness or of your Majesty, as he shall be bidden. “He will cause to be paid to the Apostolic See the ancient tribute of S. Peter's pence: likewise he will cause all the island to live in the Catholic way, rendering due obedience to his Holiness in spiritual matters, and either to his Holiness, or to your Majesty, in temporal matters, as he shall be bidden. “If affairs shall have a prosperous course in Ireland, he will, to compass the same ends, cross to England, if so it shall be deemed meet, with all the forces that he can muster; and in short he will not intermit the prosecution of the enterprise in accordance with his orders as long as he shall have strength and energy. “On the other hand to facilitate the said enterprise and the insurrection of the friends and kinsmen, the said James craves, if so it please you, that he be provided with the commodities underwritten; to wit:— Six ships, one of 400 somes' burden, the second of 50, the third of 20, and three small ones for crossing rivers. “Six hundred soldiers armed and paid for six months. “Ten captains experienced in warfare. “Six great pieces of artillery, and at least fifteen lesser pieces. “Arms for three thousand soldiers. “Twelve barrels of powder with projectiles and lead in sufficient quantity. “License to take English ships out of the ports of Spain. “License to sell in Spain spoils taken during the voyage. “Four horses to enable advices to be sent to his friends and kinsmen pending disembarkation. “[It is further] provided that, should some of the possessions of the Geraldines themselves be taken, they remain free in the same family. “That if the port that is first taken shall belong to the Geraldines or their confederates, it be restored on security given by him to his Holiness or your Majesty for other safe ports and places. “That there be sent with or soon after him a Legate or Nuncio Apostolic, and Dr. Sander with 20 good priests. “That if he make a good beginning, he be succoured within six months at the latest with six thousand foot-soldiers. “That your Majesty engage, by writing under your own hand, to undertake the defence of the princes of Ireland against the Queen, when they have expelled the heretics from the island. “That, if he manage the business successfully, then he be by his Holiness and your Majesty invested, for himself and his descendants, with his said possessions and those titles that shall seem proper.” “It seems that God is minded to aid this purpose of Geraldine, because [Sir] Henry Sidney, Viceroy of Ireland, is persecuted by the Earl of Ormonde, (fn. 13) who is urgent in England for his discharge from office; and he, having a thorough understanding with [Turlough Luineach] O'Neill, makes excuse with the Queen alleging obstacles to his return, while the said O'Neill has written to the Queen to the express effect that, if she remove him, he will not suffer another Viceroy to go there. This Henry is friendly to the Catholics, and it is for that reason that it is sought to compass his removal; and as he is apprehensive on his own account, it would be likely enough that at their instigation he should rise with the Province against the Queen, if he be assured of support. “The rising of the Scots gathers strength, and their movement will impart energy to this, and vice-versa; and aid may be given in two ways, first, by money to be carried by Geraldine for disbursement to the King of Scotland himself; which money should be sent to him by one of the very same ships that will carry him to Ireland, the said ship sailing round the northern part of the island so as to pass safely to Scotland; and secondly, by means of the expedition of Baron Dacre (fn. 14) who, despatched in hot haste by Don John with a few men by way of Sweden to Scotland, may thence reach England to raise his people, who are near neighbours of the Scots, against the Queen, and assure the passage by that part of Ireland into England, if matters should take such a course as that Geraldine might go there. “But it is necessary that a decision be speedily reached as to what may be done.” Italian. Copy. Found in conjunction with the foregoing letter of 29 Dec., 1578, but whether enclosed therewith quaere. Apparently the writer had not heard of the death, 2 Oct., 1578, of Don John of Austria. Cf. Cal. State Papers, Foreign, 1578–9, p. 233.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xi. p. 399.	1021. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Protonotary] Dandino, Nuncio in France. … “As to the proposals of Negri, (fn. 15) which are many, the Pope holds them for many reasons in so little account, that he will be glad to know that you have accorded their author no further hearing or credit.” 29 Dec., 1578. [Rome.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. p. 122.	1022. Don Bernardino de Mendoza, [Spanish Ambassador in England] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal [of Como]. “Though of the receipt of any of the letters that I have written to you advice I have none; yet, as the ambassador gives me advice of the receipt of the letters to himself, in the folds of which mine went under cover to Don Fernando (fn. 16) de Torres, I understand that they arrived safely, and likewise that he will have given you more exact account than I did of some affairs, to which you have, I see well, put your hand with the seriousness which they require. “As to the people here there is nothing of moment of which to apprise you, save that this Most Serene [Highness] is awaiting the arrival of the Frenchmen who are coming to treat of her marriage with M. d'Alençon; and though their coming has been for some days expected, they do not actually arrive, which notwithstanding, she has bidden make grand preparations for their entertainment. God guard your person and prosper your estate as we your servants desire.” 31 Dec., 1578. London. Spanish.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i.	1023. Don Bernardino de Mendoza, [Spanish Ambassador in England to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Piacenza] Nuncio in Spain. “Though letter of yours I have none, I will not let a courier depart without one of mine. Of the letters which I have written to Mgr. of Como since I came to this realm I have as yet no advice of receipt, though the ambassador gives me advice of receipt of the letters to himself in the folds of which they went; and as I am sure that your Most Reverend Lordship will have received from that court advice of certain matters in those letters, I shall not repeat them in this.” [The rest to the same effect as the second paragraph of the foregoing letter.] 31 Dec., 1578. London. Spanish.