Venice: December 1574

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Venice: December 1574', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 522-523. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp522-523 [accessed 25 April 2024]

December 1574

Dec. 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 611. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
A few days ago a Scotchman, who was continually transacting business in the house with the English Ambassador, was arrested, and he is said to be the Ambassador's spy in the pay of the Queen of England, and frequently employed in carrying to and fro advices from Germany to the Prince of Condé, and to the sons of d'Andelot; it is also said that this man, without being put to torture of any kind, has confessed all he knew, and also the hopes of the Prince of Condé, as well as the promises of assistance which had been made by, the Bernese and Genevese to their co-religionists here; from this confession it has been ascertained that great trouble is in store for this kingdom at the beginning of next year. It appears that their Majesties have been so well satisfied with their prisoner, that they have not only set him at liberty, but have sent him to Germany as a spy on their part. From the same man much information has been obtained concerning the Queen of England, and in particular that she has hopes of being able to borrow money to raise troops, a course which she says she is greatly persuaded to take by all her people; and this the Ambassador resident here does not deny, although many believe that he speaks to this effect in order to hold his Majesty in closer relations with his Queen, and to obtain some advantage in the articles for the league, which the Ambassador gives out that the Queen will not negotiate unless the King sends a representative expressly to England to demand it. The Ambassador also puts forward that the King has restored the fortresses of Piedmont to the Duke of Savoy, which he ought not to have done without restoring Calais to the Queen of England.
Lyons, 10th December 1574.
[Italian.]
Dec. 29. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 612. Giovanni Francesco Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
The most Christian King has expressed his determination to wage war all his life rather than grant the four demands of the Huguenots, or to convoke the States of the kingdom; but he has made flattering offers to the Prince of Condé. Notwithstanding these professions it would appear that his Majesty has another object in view, because it is said that he has sent the Secretary Pinard to England to persuade the Queen not to give assistance to the Huguenots, and that his Majesty also intends to negotiate with the friends of Damville.
Lyons, 29th December 1574.
[Italian.]
PreviousTable of contentsNext