Venice: June 1577

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.

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'Venice: June 1577', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 556-557. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp556-557 [accessed 20 April 2024]

June 1577

June 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 673. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
A week since my illustrious predecessor departed hence on his way home. Two days previously he received the usual Ambassador's present, namely a purse with a thousand gold crowns, presented by a gentleman who addressed to him the most flattering observations, which should be considered of greater value than the present itself.
Tours, 5th June 1577.
[Italian.]
June 25. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 674. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
Yssoire has been captured by the King's forces, and it is intended to commence operations against Rochelle and the port of Brouage, but the difficulty which attends the execution of any plan unless it be quickly carried out is that the Queen of England, perceiving that while the affairs of this Kingdom are beginning to prosper, those of the Huguenots are in the worst possible state and verging upon ruin, has determined, although she is not by nature over liberal to open her hand and give sixty thousand angels (which amount to a hundred thousand crowns) for the levy of Roisters, to persuade Casmir, the Marquis of Anspach, and the Landgrave of Hesse (d Ax) to proceed to the destruction of this Kingdom; also to permit English infantry to the number of ten thousand to be sent, together with provisions, to the assistance of the inhabitants of Rochelle, in order that these latter may not make peace but carry on the war; to advise the Genevese to contribute the twenty-five thousand crowns which they have voted; and, finally, not content with the above, she is endeavouring by all means in her power to induce the King of Navarre to declare himself the chief of the Roisters, and to go to meet them when they arrive, and join them with all his adherents after they have entered this Kingdom, alleging that if this be not done the Roisters will not come. His Majesty therefore, having been assured by the Duke of Montpensier and by Biron that they had seen in the hands of the King of Navarre these promises of the Queen of England in writing, made a loud complaint to the Queen's Ambassador [Paulet], saying in short that the matter was so clear that it was impossible in any way to conceal it, and that if the Queen intended to observe the conditions stipulated by the convention for peace, it was not proper to violate them by these hostile operations; but if the Queen had changed her mind, she should at least say so openly, because his Majesty would then have to take a totally different course for the future.
The Ambassador then denied with an oath that he knew anything whatever to the discredit of his Queen. It is also reported that the Prince of Condé has sold a large quantity of salt that was in his possession for the price of forty thousand crowns sterling, and that he has offered this sum, together with his own person, for service against France.
Tours, 25th June 1577.
[Italian.]
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