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| Feb. 1. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
697. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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By the last advices Don John was lodged eight leagues from Brussels. In a skirmish with the enemy, his Highness, while crossing the Meuse with the army, encountered great danger from a harquebus shot, which struck his cloak but without peril to his life. An Ambassador from the Queen of England had come to his Highness in answer to the Ambassador sent to her, but I hear that he subsequently passed to the States, serving them as a spy, and told them to arm themselves thoroughly, because Don John did not by any means desire peace ; and although many of the Flemish Lords incline to quiet and to some agreement, yet should the Prince of Orange not consent, it will be difficult to effect such a result, as the Prince has placed his confidential captains and governors in all the towns. |
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The States do not fail to show the world that they would wish for peace, though after their own fashion, and they have again written to all the Princes of Christendom to intercede with his Catholic Majesty to that effect. |
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Paris, 1st February 1578. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
698. Alberto Badoer, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Signory. |
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Besides Don Bernardino de Mendoza, who is accredited to the Court of England, and who is to leave in a few days hence, the King has sent Don Francisco de Erasso to the King of Sweden, and the King of Denmark, to give an account of the state of affairs in Flanders, and to seek the goodwill of those Kings. The gentleman from England [Thomas Wilkes] is about to leave with a courteous communication, which has referred him concerning the negotiation of peace in Flanders to Don John, and concerning the liberation of prisoners to what will be said by Don Bernardino de Mendoza, and he was presented by his Majesty with a collar of the value of four hundred crowns. |
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Madrid, 2nd February 1578. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 7. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
699. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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Secretary Gassot has returned hither from Spain, where he says he was well received. He brings the portraits of the two Princesses, with some hope of the marriage of the second one, who is now only eleven years old, to the Duke of Alençon. |
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For the rest, the King of Spain returns endless thanks to these Majesties for the goodwill they have shewn to preserve the peace, and especially for the promise not to allow any assistance to go from France in favour of the rebels in Flanders. |
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Paris, 7th February 1578. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
700. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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It is reported that the Queen of England, after having learned the victory of Don John, had permitted many persons to go to the assistance of the States, and has intimated to the States that she will not fail them in any way. |
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Paris, 19th February 1578. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 25. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
701. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Queen of England would appear to be under some apprehension, as she has sent troops to the principal ports of the kingdom, and is fitting out several ships, owing to a suspicion that an English Duke, an outlaw, who left Rome lately, has some understanding there; and the Ambassador resident here [Paulet] says that if the Duke visits England he will surely leave his head in that country. |
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Paris, 25th February 1578. |
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[Italian.] |
