Mary: September 1554

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Mary 1553-1558. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1861.

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

Citation:

'Mary: September 1554', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Mary 1553-1558, ed. William B Turnbull( London, 1861), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/mary/pp117-121 [accessed 4 October 2024].

'Mary: September 1554', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Mary 1553-1558. Edited by William B Turnbull( London, 1861), British History Online, accessed October 4, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/mary/pp117-121.

"Mary: September 1554". Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Mary 1553-1558. Ed. William B Turnbull(London, 1861), , British History Online. Web. 4 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/mary/pp117-121.

This volume has gold page scans.
Access these scans with a gold subscription. Key icon

September 1554

Sept. 5.
Citadel of Dunslacken.
258. William, Duke of Cleves, to same. Congratulates her Majesty on her marriage by his Councillor, Dr. Herman Cruser, of whom this letter is accreditory, and who with his wife is for some time to remain with the Duke's sister. [Latin. Broadside.]
Sept. 5.
Compiegne.
259. Dr. Wotton to same. Returns thanks to her Majesty for sparing the lives of his nephews, Robert Rudstone and William Cromer, and soliciting that she may cause them to be restored to those self small livings which they before enjoyed. [One page.]
Sept. 8.
Brussels.
260. Sir John Masone to the Council. This morning the broker of Antwerp has been with him for answer to the bargain offered to her Majesty, which he seems to be very earnest to understand. Had informed him that in three or four days he expected to hear out of England. The Emperor is in person at Bethune; part of his army has entered France to retaliate for the ravages committed on the frontiers in the beginning of summer, and part remains to fortify Renti and to assist in constructing a new fort in a strong site between two rivers within a mile of Hesdin. If this is brought to pass, then may the French King say "Early in the morning and never the near," for anything that he does this year with great vaunting, for Marienburg being far from relief shall never have half that commodity to serve his turn, as this other if achieved will serve that of the Emperor. The Swiss have left the French right ill satisfied, having up to the very time of their dismissal been led to believe that they were to be entertained all this winter; and large offers having been made to them to return, upon knowledge of the Emperor's intention to build this fort, they have utterly refused to do so with high and brave words. The soldiers of Renti are bountifully rewarded, from the highest to the meanest, and in this war the Emperor has generally used more liberal payment than at any time he has heretofore used. These countries have granted him an aid of 1,450,000 crowns, each crown taken at 4s., viz.: Brabant, 400,000; Flanders, 600,000; Holland, 200,000; Zealand, 100,000; Artois and Hainault, 150,000; and the Pope has granted him the tenth part of the spiritual promotions in Spain, which will amount to no small sum. The Siennese are closed in round about. Dragut Rey has returned towards Constantinople laden with a poor sort of Christian souls, who have good cause to pray for the success of the French King by whose means they have come into the infidel's hands! Marvels at the conduct of the French King's dealings with the Turk, winning in effect thereby nothing but dishonour and the wrath of God. Sends copy of a letter found among P. Strozzi's writings. The deputies of the German States at Worms have agreed to enforce the ban against Albert, and to contribute thereto not only for the future but for the past, being the rather moved thereto by the Marquis returning to Germany and beginning to assemble a power. It is said that the King of the Romans will be at Augsburg on the 20th inst. to begin the Diet so long talked of. [Two pages.] Incloses,
260. I. "Copy of a letter written to Pietro Strozzi, found among other writings of the said Pietro Strozzi at the day of his overthrow." From the French King, communicating the Prince of Salerno's plan of enterprise on the city of Naples, for which he is to receive 12,000 crowns, and the use of the French gallies and navy of Algiers for 20 days to convey thither 3,000 Italian soldiers. Has informed Cardinal Farnese of this, and directed him to confer thereon with the Prince of Salerno, and has appointed the said Cardinal superintendent of his officers in Italy during the absence of the Cardinal of Ferrara. [Three pages. Translation.]
Sept. 18.
Brussels.
261. Sir John Masone to the Council. Has this morning their letter of the 14th, and is glad to understand their resolution not to meddle with the dishonourable bargain offered by the broker in the name of certain merchants of Antwerp. "To such a pride are those kind of men become by the reason of the disorder of Princes, as all seemeth to them reason that necessity maketh to be sought for at their hands; so as contrary to nature and all God's forbode the merchant is now become the prince, and who needeth aid at their hands shall so pass therein as he shall feel the tyranny they have by princes' wilful desire either of enlarging of dominions or of revenge attained unto. Ex quo discordia, &c." The letter for Mr. Vannes shall be forwarded to-morrow. The Emperor's fort in course of construction within a mile of Hesdin goes forward lustily; the soldiers, who have sixpence a day beyond their ordinary wages, being as diligent in working as the ordinary labourers. It will be as strong as any earthwork may be. With his next shall send a plot thereof. The Emperor at present is at Arras, whither he has summoned the States of Flanders and Hainault, and it is thought he will remain there 18 or 20 days, being anxious to understand some perfection of the fort before he withdraws farther hence. Marquis Albert was sent to Metz, to see what could be done by invasion of the coast of Namur to divert the Emperor from this enterprise; but the Count of Meghem and Martin Van Rosse have too well assured those parts. The Diet at Worms is adjourned to Frankfort, there to be resumed next month. In the meantime the Palsgrave, the Bishop of Strasburg, and the Duke of Wirtemberg are appointed to see to the common expenses of the Empire, ne quid respublica detrimenti capiat by the said Marquis. Sienna is still firmly inclosed. The Marquis has dispatched the whole cavalry of Naples and has dismissed Don Juan de Luna with the whole aid of Lombardy, retaining about Sienna 15,000 or 16,000, which he considers sufficient. Nothing before next spring is to be feared of Strozzi. Andrea Doria is still in the Levant for the defence of La Puglia [Apulia]; on his return after the departing of the enemy, which is shortly expected, he will freight his gallies in Sicily with corn and other victual, of which there is a marvellous necessity in Tuscany, for the furniture of the Duke of Florence's state and army. Valle Ferrara in Piedmont, a town of much importance, whereof the French made an assured account, is so re-victualled in spite of their teeth that the siege is raised. Is informed by the Ambassador of Ferrara here that there is some heart-burning because of precedence being assigned to the Ambassador of Florence over him of Ferrara at their late being in England, whereby the latter was fain to absent himself at the day of the triumph, which is alleged never to have been seen in any place before. Pleaded ignorance thereof, and said he doubted not that in such a controversy their Lordships adopted such a course as had respect to the honour of both Dukes. Sends herewith portion of a letter sent to him last Saturday by Mr. Gresham's factor, who is a right honest man, whereby they may perceive how ready the English are to bring over lewd and false reports and to promulgate the same. Suggests that such persons should be talked with severely in order to check similar licentious rumours. "In all other countries speeches be at liberty, for such are the people's natures as when they have talked they have done. In our country it is otherwise, for there talking is a preparatory to a doing; and the worst act that was ever done in our time, was the general abolishing of the act of words by the Duke of Somerset, whereof we have had already some experience, and I pray God we have no more." Has sent to Antwerp not to examine the matter, but to inform the honest sort of the truth and put the rest to silence; for such a bruit was suddenly risen upon these reports as it was wonder to hear. [Three pages.] Incloses,
261. I. Portion of letter from Richard Clough. Three or four men have arrived here to-day, who state that when they left England there was a great noise that the Earl of Pembroke had gone into Wales, and it was the common opinion in London that next day he should be proclaimed traitor for divers causes. Also that some or all the Lords of the North had assembled at York and called a parliament. Antwerp, September 16, 1554. [One page.]
Sept. 25.
Naples.
262. The Duke of Amalfi to Queen Mary. Being engaged in her Majesty's service in this kingdom, he is unable to pay his respects to her in person, wherefore delegates the bearer to discharge that duty. [Italian. One page.]
Sept. 26.
Brussels.
263. Sir John Masone to same. The Emperor's fort near Hesdin goes so well forward that in 15 days it is thought it will be tenable. Already in some places it is 15 feet high. The contention of the noblemen to whom the charge is committed, each to advance his part, is so great, that the one causes the other's instruments to be stolen over night, in order that he may be able next day to set more men to work. The matter of the fort is tough clay and faggots, 16 and 17 feet in length. The foul weather, though it has been tedious to the labourers, has been very good for the settling of the work. Sends a plot of it, with the names in each corner of those to whose charge each portion is committed. It will be to great purpose for defence of these frontiers and the annoyance of the enemy, and be a right good recompence for Marienburg. When completed, the Emperor intends another enterprise, supposed to be Dourlens. On the 18th the Duke of Savoy devised to have met with the garrison of Montreuil, who are in number 2,000 horse; but the garrison, being advertised by espial or otherwise, kept themselves within the walls, and suffered the foragers to carry away what they pleased, and their villages to be set on fire in their sight. 200 horse harquebusiers, coming out for a fray, made such haste to return that they did not even discharge one of their pieces, but for all their haste 30 or 40 of them were laid on the ground, and as many taken. The seeking of this enterprise was partly to revenge the breaking of the arm of M. de Champeigny, brother to M. D'Arras, by the stroke of a harquebuse four days previously. The Emperor is still at Arras, having in this changeable weather been somewhat troubled with the gout; he is now very well amended, and minds shortly to be here. Hears from Italy that the Siennese, though in great misery for lack of provisions, gallantly stand to their defence. They have rid out of the city 3,000 mouths of the poorest sort, and many of the richer would also leave, if they were not afraid to be taken by the way. An envoy, sent by them to declare their state to the French King, narrowly escaped the hands of the Marquis of Marignano; but his servants and baggage were taken. Pietro Strozzi, who has been made one of the four Marshals of France, labours by all means to amass provisions in Montalcino, with the view of conveying them afterwards to Sienna by sleight or force. The Duke of Florence's army has taken Monte Regione, a place of importance, and said to be impregnable but by famine. It was surrendered for want of water. The French King has sent to Strozzi nine ensigns of Gascons. M. de Thermes has laid siege to Calvi, in Corsica: to impeach this, the Genoese have ordered Prince Doria, who was at Messina, to sail thither. Marc Antonio Colonna, who was at this Court all last winter suing for some living for his mother and himself at his father's hands by mean of the Emperor, has in his way from Sienna, with the Neapolitan horse, taken forcible possession of his father's house, called Marino, 12 miles from Rome, where his father lies sick, intending to do the like with the whole estate. The qualities of the father are such, and the ill-handling of his wife, who was sister to the late Marquis of Pescara, is so misliked, that very few lament his case. His misery and niggardness is so great, that having two daughters of 24 and 22 years of age, he keeps them both unmarried for lack of dowry, he being a man of notable riches. Many think that of late he has had secret practices with the French, because the Emperor had taken from him a charge of horsemen, with the entertainment of 2,000 crowns per annum, and given it to the son, for pity to see the young man so destitute of living. Since the dissolution of the Diet of Worms, wherein was concluded a contribution for the late wars sustained by the Duke of Brunswick and the Bishops, there has been another at Ulm. At this is concluded the setting of 8,000 horse into the country, under the conduct of the Palsgrave and Bishop of Strasburg, for defence against Marquis Albert, who hovers about Metz, sometimes with a small and sometimes with a larger company. On the 14th of next month there is to be a meeting of the two Circles of Germany at Frankfort, to treat of measures tending to bridle the insolent meanings of the Marquis, and for the general peace of Germany. [Two pages and a quarter.]
Sept. 26.
Brussels.
264. Sir John Masone to the Council. For general intelligence refers them to his letter to her Majesty of same date. Has narrowly examined as to the authorship of the lewd bruits in Antwerp, and finds no fault attaches to any of their countrymen, the same having been first uttered by certain Flemings, who arrived at Antwerp in hoys on Saturday week, and since then confirmed by two or three merchant-strangers' couriers, who affirmed to his face that at their departing from London the whole city was full thereof. Requests they will order one of their clerks to signify to him weekly that all is quiet, as on the moving of every air people resort to him for the truth, and so he may be able to make answer. The labour of the clerk will not be much, nor the conveying of the letter be costly, if the same be sent to Titchett. [One page.]