Cecil Papers: June 1602

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 14, Addenda. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1923.

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'Cecil Papers: June 1602', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 14, Addenda, (London, 1923) pp. 222-228. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol14/pp222-228 [accessed 12 April 2024]

June 1602

Newsletter.
1602, June 7. Letters from Milan of the 29th of last month say that Spinola's troops were entering Lorraine. At least fifteen hundred have run away, to his great vexation. They were no longer dealing in Milan for the raising of soldiers, but instead of the 3,000 Spaniards demanded by Archduke Albert, 6,000 Neapolitans were to be sent.
From Constantinople we hear that the soldiers who had been at the taking of Agria were demanding to be made janissaries as had been promised, and used very high words against the Grand Signor, being urged on by the janissaries and spahis, whence there had been some tumult there. The preparations for Hungary were being diligently carried on and the Aga of the janissaries was to set out within two days. The fleet, besides other wants, is in great need of rowers. The disputes at Damascus between the janissaries and the people have been referred to the Porte.
From Vienna, details concerning the war in Hungary and Transylvania. Contributions from the circles of Franconia and Suabia and Bavaria for the war. The Turks increasing greatly in numbers at Kanisa. General Ermestein expected at Gratz. Death of the old Duchess of Bavaria on the 27th of last month.
From Prague they write that the business of Doria was not yet despatched, it being believed that his ensign had confessed matters of importance, having been cruelly tortured. A follower of Count Gio. Vincentio d'Arco has been taken, about the same matter.
Bast and Battori have, it is said, had a meeting in Transylvania to treat of an agreement, of which there is some hope. Signor Ferrante Gonzaga had stayed his departure for Italy by order of the Emperor, and Count Isolani, appointed governor of Alba Regale, had demanded 120,000 florins for the fortification of that city, part of which had been given him down, with promise of the rest.
Letters from Lyons says that the French King, on the 10th of last month was going to escort the Queen to Tours, where she would stay with the Council while his Majesty went to Poictiers and La Rochelle, where some agitation had arisen about their privileges. In this journey he has increased the number of his guards. All the young princes who were at the court have followed him. The Constable having got rid of two large stones has grown better of his illness, who had given himself over. The president "Giannino," having returned from Flanders, had gone to the King, but what resolution he brought from the Archduke Albert in the affairs of Artois was not known. No warlike movements were to be seen in the kingdom.
In Rome, on the 23rd instant, a rocket accidentally set fire to S. Giovanni Chrisostomo, about forty houses being burnt and several persons killed.
Some who have come from Provence say that at Marseilles eight persons in the habit of pilgrims have been hanged for holding intelligence with the Conde de Fuentes.
It is reported from Vienna that Bast is to have the office of the late Duc de Mercœur, his place being taken by Ferrante Gonzaga.
From Milan they write that the Duke of Mantua will go to Flanders after all, when he has escorted the Duchess of Ferrara into Monferrato.
The galleys of Naples have departed from Spain, and those of Genoa and Sicily are expected to follow. It is said that most of the fleet is to go to Majorca and many believe that the Spanish King will go in person.
The King and Queen of France are in Poitou. His Majesty intends to make a levy of 6,000 Swiss.
The ambassador of Ferdinand of Gratz has returned to Milan from Spain. A brother of the Elector of Saxony has been at Turin. The Cardinal of Verona has arrived here to-day from Rome. Venice, 7 June, 1602.
Italian. Four very closely written pages. (199. 81.)
Richard Tre[ema]ine to John Mowbray.
[1602] June 12. Urges Mowbray to obtain an answer from the Lord Treasurer or other Lords, in regard to a certain suit. Mowbray shall command him in as great travail, if ever it be God's pleasure to grant him liberty.—June 12.
1 p. Damaged. (205. 41.)
Newsletter.
1602, June 14. Letters from Rome which arrived last week say that the English who are there, sent, as is said by the Queen, and introduced to the Pope by the French ambassador, have lately presented to his Holiness a writing in which the said Queen prays that all the censures published against her by former Popes may be removed, in return for which she promises that all the Catholics in her realm shall have security for the public exercise of their religion; and this she does because knowing how great is the number of Catholics, she fears lest, if promised liberty of conscience, they might deprive her at once of life and kingdom, by virtue of the said censures, which being taken away, she would have no occasion for such fear. In this writing, it is said, she greatly commends the goodness and sanctity of the Pope, calling him the true Vicar of Christ and teacher of the people, and that he governs Christendom well and holily. Of all this, the King of France is said to be the author and mediator.
Spanish troops, as well as Neapolitan, are to go to Flanders for Archduke Albert's service. The Princes of Savoy will not start until September.
From Transylvania comes news that Battori had sent as hostage to il Bast, Signor Steffano Craschi, his nearest relative, who has been his counsellor since the death of Cardinal Battori, together with the articles drawn up, which Bast has sent to the Emperor, who, having altered them, sent them back to Saccomar with express orders to Bast to present them to Battori, and if he will not accept them as they are, to continue the war to his complete destruction. But there was assured hope that an agreement may follow, and the rather as there have lately come over to Bast a thousand Cossacks and five hundred Haidocks in Battori's service, who is now abandoned by all. Four thousand Turks have been cut to pieces by the Haidocks, where was taken great booty in money, victuals, &c., which were going to places held by the Turks in Upper Hungary. Further news concerning the war.
The Moldavians are said to be negotiating to surrender to the Emperor, demanding as their chief the young son of the Vaivode Michael, who is with Bast.
From Gratz we hear that many Turks have appeared in all parts of Hungary and also in Croatia, where the people are in much alarm, the Turks coming out this year a month earlier than usual; and it being reported that a great number of Turks and Tartars are quartered within two days of Gratz. The Archdukes Mathias and Ferdinand were arranging to send out commissaries, with soldiers and pioneers to cut down the woods and close the roads. From Kanisa they keep guard towards Gratz and Austria. At Gratz have been performed the solemn obsequies of the Duchess Renata of Bavaria, in presence of all the princes and princesses of that house.
From Constantinople the news is confirmed of the departure of the janissaries, spahis and other troops for Hungary. In Adrianople the janissaries and spahis came to blows amongst themselves, and many were killed on both sides. The Grand Signor had given orders for the sending of large sums of money to the Vizir General in Hungary, to pay the soldiers. The tumults between the janissaries of Aleppo and Damascus still continued and the latter were said to have beaten down the mosque at Aleppo. They write from Prague that Ferrante Gonzaga has started for Italy, though some believe that he will find at Vienna the Emperor's orders what he is to do.
The negotiations for peace between the Emperor and Battori are being pressed on more than ever, and in that case, Georgio Bast might be Lieutenant General of Hungary, his Majesty inclining to him rather than to any other. The Duke of Brunswick has arrived at the Court, to seek help in regard to his people of that city, who will not obey him.
From Spain we hear that the King has given the government of Catalonia to the Archbishop of Taragona. Everywhere they were raising soldiers and provisions for war, and it was again rumoured that his Majesty would go into Italy.
Signor Germanico Strasoldo has passed this place on his way to Gratz, on his return from Spain, going to take help from the Spanish King to his cousin the Archduke Ferdinand, against the Turks.
They write from England that the Queen is arming diligently, on account of the great preparations made by Spain, which, as many suppose, are meant for a new enterprise upon Ireland.
From Milan they advertise the death of the Adelentado of Castile, general of the galleys, which happened unexpectedly in the harbour of St. Maria.
Most of the fleet had come to Majorca, but so far it was not known where they were to be employed.—Venice, 14 June, 1602.
Italian. 4¼ pp. (199. 83.)
Newsletter.
1602, June 21. Letters from Milan say that the Duke of Mantua had passed through on his way to the baths of Spa, but others say he is going to Flanders, to take up a very high charge in the King of Spain's service. The Princes of Savoy have deferred their journey into Spain until October.
At Fanno is arrived a very rich and noble gentleman, who having given up his all for the love of God, and wishing to live the life of a hermit, has obtained permission from that bishop to have a little room built close to the Cathedral, with only one window from which he can see the Blessed Sacrament, and has desired to be walled up there wishing for no food but bread, water and herbs.
Concerning the negotiations between Battori, Bast and the Bassa, and movements in Transylvania, &c.
Chisel, the General of Croatia has arrived at the court of Gratz, to pray that forces might be sent to the frontiers, for which they were beating the drum there, about 5,000 being already collected. Ferdinand has received large sums of money from the King of Spain, his cousin, for the service of the war. They are making great provision, and offer continual prayers for victory over the infidels.
From Constantinople they write that an innkeeper has been tortured for having wine in his house, and some Turks condemned to the galleys for having drunk it.
The departure of Cicala with the fleet has been deferred by him, because of the circumcision of one of his sons, also for lack of many necessaries. All the shops in Constantinople were kept shut during the passage of the troops going to Hungary; whither the Grand Signor had given out that he wished to go himself, but was held back by all from going further than Adrianople. He has given orders for the enterprise upon Alba Regale and Strigonia, and at the same time ravaging Austria, but appears to trouble himself little about the fleet, sent out solely to please Cicala.
The Persian ambassador is returning home well satisfied in words, for the Grand Signor, troubled by the rebellions in Asia, the war in Hungary and other evils, desires to maintain friendship with Persia, although he still holds out against restoring anything, it not being the way of the Turks to give up anything which they have in their hands.
From Spain it is said that Don Pedro Toledo will have the place of the late Adelentado as general of the intended enterprise, which is to be upon Ireland; the Spaniards having a design upon a place in England where they hope to fortify themselves. Federico Spinola is still in the harbour of Ste. Maria with the galleys, and at La Crugna there were ready 5000 footmen, of those who were before in Ireland, to go there again, prayed for by the Earl of Tyrone.
Letters from Prague of the 10th inst. say that there arrived there daily colonels and captains having charge to enlist men. They were expecting Bast's decision from Transylvania who was ready to go forward with the troops whenever Battori determined not to accept the conditions of peace offered by the Emperor.
Letters from Florence confirm the report that the Grand Duke's galleys had taken two Turkish galleys of Rhodes, and sunk two more, with 600 slaves, gaining much booty.
At Alexandria, the plague was hard at work, killing five or six thousand daily.
Some report from France that a plot against the King has been discovered, but without particulars.
At Genoa there has fallen out a great quarrel amongst the principal men, in which some of them were wounded. It is rumoured that Biron, Montmorency, Epernon and the Count of Auverge were all concerned in the conspiracy in France, and the King is said to have had two of the chief men of that kingdom put to death; fearing great disturbances.
The Spaniards are reported to be holding intelligence with the King of Scots, for the aid of their intended enterprise.— Venice, 21 June, 1602.
Italian. 3¾ pp. (199. 85.)
Newsletter.
1602, June 28. Letters from Milan say that the Duke of Mantua was still there. The deputies of Savoy had arrived at Turin, having taken oath to their prince, and his Highness had summoned M. d'Arbigni [d'Aubigny ?] to treat upon the business of Savoy. The French King was going to Lyons, before returning to Paris.
The plague still rages in Alexandria and Cairo; in a month, 100,000 persons, men, women and children are said to have died there.
The Prince and College with a large company of senators, went the other day to visit the Cardinal of Verona, who is at Murano, lodged in the palace of Ca Grimani.
From Transylvania it is reported that Bast, having discovered there was no confidence to be placed in Battori, because of the great succours coming to him of Turks and Tartars, as well as from Poland and Moldavia, had left Saccomar with ten thousand men, to go to find and fight the enemy before these succours should reach him; having left orders for the regiments of Petzen and Prainir, with the French horsemen of Count Solms, to follow him as soon as they arrived. Further news from thence, concerning the doings of the Turks, &c.
Letters from Constantinople say that the Grand Signor, who continued to give out that he intended to go into Hungary, had given the office of Grand Vizier to the second Vizier, but the cause of the change was not known. Several divans have been held where have been discussed the business of Hungary and preparations to be made against the rebels in Asia. So many troops are needed for this, that few can be taken from the defence of Asia to go into Hungary and many men who are sent there desert on the way. Cicala could not find rowers for his galleys, and it was reported he would not be able to go out until August.
At Prague they were still expecting Battori's answer. The capture of the Bassa of Buda was confirmed. A kinsman of Gio. Ambrosio Doria had arrived from Italy, whose despatch was hoped for, and there was a roumour that Nicola Bast, the cousin of Georgio, would be called by the Emperor to his service, and made lieutenant of Lower Hungary.
The Signoria here has made Ferrante di Rossi general of the Artillery.
Letters from Flanders say that Count Maurice intended to lay waste all Brabant, and even Flanders, in order to draw away the Spaniards from the siege of Ostend. From Constantinople it was also reported that the Polish ambassador was despatched, with the exception of what he demanded concerning Moldavia and Wallachia.
The last advices from Spain say that the fleet was going to Lisbon, from whence it was universally believed it would pass into Ireland, although some still thought it was for Flanders, whither Spinola is gone with the galleys consigned to him by the Spanish King, to do damage to the Holland and English vessels.
Letters from Paris say that the King had returned there from Poitiers, when he had called to him the Marshal Biron, who, it was said, would not otherwise have gone to the Court.
The Duke of Mantua had started for Monferrato much pleased with his entertainment by the Count of Fuentes. The Cavalier Barton had arrived in Milan, sent, as is said, by the Duke of Savoy, but the cause not known.
An extraordinary from Lyons brings news that the French King has imprisoned Marshal Biron and the Count of Auvergne, accused of having plotted against his Majesty and his states.— Venice, 28 June, 1602.
Italian. 32/3 pp. (199. 87.)