|
Dec. 7.
Brussels. |
298. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends letters from
Mr. Vannes. The Duke's army has taken from the Siennese Crevola
and Massa. The Pope's Nuncio and the Venetian Ambassador
earnestly follow a peace, of which they say they are in a right good
hope. There is a talk of peace between the Turk and the Sophy; if
that takes place Christian Princes must be driven to the peace, or
else God has determined to bring his religion into a narrower room.
They say here that it is possible that Cecil may succeed Petre, whose
good meaning must needs be commended of all good men; and
surely if in case he well needs be disburdened, he can devise to place
so sufficient a successor, the world must needs think, that in leaving
the office he minded not to leave his commonwealth unfurnished of
a convenient minister, whose match of those pieces Masone knows
not within the realm of England. [One page.] |
Dec. 8.
Venice. |
299. Peter Vannes to the Council. The Tuscan affairs about
Sienna remain in the same state. On the one side, those in Sienna
suffer all kinds of hardness, feeding themselves on bread, water, and
hope as long as they can, rather than yield; on the other side, the
Duke of Florence's men, masters of the open country with plenty of
refreshment here and there, continue their siege, preventing any
succour from entering the town. They have called together the
whole of their army and artillery about Sienna, which has given
rise to many opinions. Some think they mean to make batteries
and then give an assault, trusting to take the town; some that the
people will hold out to the last, so that the charges of the war will
be very great. Pietro Strozzi attends to the fortifications of Porto
Ercole, Montalcino, Chiusa, and Grosseto, looking for provisions
from Marseilles, as the French in Venice say. Cannot see any
great assurance that the French have of the winds and weather to
make them blow how, when, and where they like. The descent of
a great number of foot and horse out of France into Piedmont is
spoken of. Reckons them at not more than 6,000 foot, which is a
very small number to pass into Tuscany or to venture any exploit
in the state of Milan. Thinks either by their brags upon the
confines to the state of Milan they might induce the Governors there
to revoke their horsemen from Sienna for their own defence, or that
they trust intelligence of treason in some place, and may be utterly
deceived in that also, as has lately happened at Genoa, where by a
certain treaty they had thought to get one of the gates of the town,
but the conspiracy is discovered, and many of the authors taken. The
state of Milan has not been for many years so faithfully assured to
any prince as they are now to their Duke. Thinks the arrival of
these few French will do no good beyond consuming the store
which their countrymen have in those quarters, and reinforcing
their old bands, partly employed and wasted upon the enterprises of
Sienna and Corsica. The other occurrents they will learn from the
inclosure. [Three pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Inclosure, |
|
299. I. The capture of Crevola has not been followed by anything
of importance in Tuscany. The Marquis Marignano has
brought together all the army and artillery with the
Guastatori under Sie[nna], from which it appears he
desires to make a battery on one side or other, and give
the assault at once. It seems strange so large a city
should hold so long, and it is likely that the inhabitants
support themselves more on obstinacy and hope than on
bread or victuals. They write from Florence that it is
reduced to extremity, and that except bread it suffered
great want of all necessaries; that they relied more on the
hope of peace than on the aid of the French, who make
large promises. Shows at some length the various difficulties with which the French have to contend. There are
considerable hopes of peace, to which the Emperor is said
to be inclined for the general good. The Turk is sending
an Ambassador to Venice; it is reported that he has made
agreement with the Sophy, whose Envoy with the terms is
expected. The Venetians have recalled their Ambassador
from France, and have for two years suspended his
privilege of sitting in the Council, for contravention of
their laws in chartering one of his vessels with corn
from the Levant for other states. They have appointed
in his place the Cavaliere Soranzo, who was formerly
Ambassador. [Italian. Two pages. Injured by
damp.] |
Dec. 12.
Poissy. |
300. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Has been cited by William Le
Gras, a merchant of Paris, to appear before a judge there in reference
to the spoiling of a vessel belonging to him in time of peace, and
for which he alleges he cannot obtain redress in England. Details
at considerable length his interview and conversation with Le Gras
upon the merits of the case, and the competency of his instituting a
suit against an Ambassador. One Roger Edwards, by some called
Roger Arnold, his father's name having been Arnold Edwards, born
near Monmouth, has been with him and disclosed his instructions as
a spy employed by the Constable to visit England and report upon
affairs there and the state of Calais. This Arnold says he intends
not to do, but will before leaving endeavour to learn more of the
Constable's mind and inform their Lordships thereof. He was in
the service of the late Duke of Northumberland, and thinks Lord
Pembroke knows him. Cannot well tell what to make of him, and
therefore certifies their Lordships that they may decipher the man.
There is a common rumour of intelligence between the French King
and some of the principal inhabitants of Calais; but so numerous
are the false reports, as to their Majesties and the state of England,
that he gives like credit to all rumours. [Five pages. Half in
cipher, deciphered.] |
Dec. 12.
Brussels. |
301. Sir John Masone to same. Sends copy of such writing
as the Emperor's Commissaries have made and exhibited to the
Assembly at Frankfort for answer to a letter lately written by
the French King to the same, of which he had not long since sent
their Lordships a copy (missing). The Assembly is dissolved,
without anything being concluded; but all is reserved to the Diet
at Augsburg, which is not likely to meet before Christmas. The
French increase in strength both of foot and horse in Piedmont:
some think they will pass by the Po or any other way they can to
the relief of Sienna; others that they will attempt to set foot in
Asti, Vercelli, Vulpiano, or some other unconquered fort, which they
will find difficult to do in this weather, so as to withdraw some of the
forces before Sienna. They have made an ineffectual attempt on
Vulpiano, and are now moving towards Savona. Monluc with two
of the chief officers of Sienna have had a parley with the Marquis of
Marignano. Has been told for certain that by means of the Pope,
the Venetians, and the Duke of Ferrara, both Princes have agreed
to a commission in Italy as to a composition for Sienna and Corsica,
with powers to conclude if they agree. It is confirmed that the
Turk is to winter at Constantinople, and that a treaty of peace
between him and the Sophy is on hand. The Duke of Savoy leaves
for England in two or three days, taking in his suite the substance
of the nobility and gentlemen of this Court to the number of 100
at least; among them is Don Louis D Avila. A number of Ambassadors, regents, and agents from sundry states of Italy also prepare
to go thither, who, with their trains, will not be fewer than 200.
"God send them horse-meat! which they shall the better find if you
make an end shortly of your Parliament." [One page and a
quarter.] |
Dec. 12.
Brussels. |
302. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Refers to his letter
to the Council of same date with its inclosure. Since closing it has
seen another answer to the French King made by some one bearing
good will to the Emperor's affairs. Sends copy of it, albeit by the
perusal it may seem to have been written by one rather to essay his
wit, and declare his affection, than of intent to answer particularly
the matter. Was this morning told by one of the Emperor's
Council, who misliked much the matter, that a preacher of theirs
whose name he rehearsed beateth the pulpit jollily in England for
the restitution of Abbey lands. "If it be so meant by the Princes,
and be thought convenient so to be, then doth he his duty. But if
contrarily it be neither meant nor thought convenient, it is a
strange thing in a well ordered commonwealth that a subject shall
be so hardy to cry unto the people openly such learning as whereby
poor winter works may in the summer be attempted with some
storm. And were the thing fit to be talked of, yet were the Princes
and the Council, who might remedy it, meeter to be spoken with
thereon than the multitude, who thereby may receive an ill impression and an occasion of lewd thinking and lewd talking, and lewd
doing also, if it may lie in their powers (and that is all that of
sowing these matters amongst them can ensue). These unbridled
preachings were so much to be misliked in the ill governed time,
as good men trusted in this good governance it should have
been amended. And so may it be when it shall please my Lords
of the Council as diligently to consider it, as it is more than
necessary to be looked unto. The party, methinketh, might well
be put to silence, if he were asked how, being a monk and having
professed and vowed solemnly wilful poverty, he can with conscience keep a deanery and three or four benefices. "Hears by
report of other Ambassadors here of the return of the realm to
the unity of Christ's Church, whereof all good men have cause to
rejoice. Would have wished this confirmed to him by certain
knowledge, but as it is the ordinary of English Ambassadors to
know least of all others of the matters of the realm, he must be
content; trusting that as he is informed it is thought unnecessary
for the father to have an Ambassador to the son there, so shall with
time the office on this side, being no more needful, be discharged also. If his abode is to be longer, then would be a suitor
to Petre to be a mean for licence to him to come over for three weeks
or a month to see the King's Highness. [One page and a
half.] Inclosure, |
|
302. I. "Copy of an answer to the French King's letter written
lately to the Assembly at Frankfort, incerto authore."
[Latin. Six pages.] |
Dec. 16.
Brussels. |
303. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends a little
packet from Mr. Vannes. News from Italy state that a conspiracy
to deliver Sienna into the hands of the French had been detected
by interception of a letter, and the authors had partly fled and
partly been executed. This appears to have been the occasion of
the large power lately sent into Piedmont by the French King,
which now he must either employ about some other enterprise or
scatter them again. The Commissioners for the talk of Sienna are
sent into Italy; those named for the Emperor are his Ambassador
and a Cardinal; "I trow it be Carpi." The French King has chosen
such as pleased him. The result will probably depend upon the
power of Sienna to hold out. Here to-morrow they shall have a
general procession, as well for the certainty of the Queen's being
with child, as for the good success of the matters of religion in
England. The haste of the messenger has made him send a scribbled
letter. |
|
P.S.—On Monday the Duke of Savoy dispatches hence. [One
page.] |
Dec. 18.
Dilingen. |
304. The Cardinal of Augsburg [Otho Truchses] to Queen Mary.
Congratulating and commending her Majesty on having reduced
England to the obedience of the Church. If there is joy in heaven
for one sinner that repents, how much greater joy must there be for
the repentance of a whole nation! [Latin. Two pages.] |
Dec. 20.
Friday at Night. Calais. |
305. Thomas Stukeley to Sir Thomas Cheney, K.G., Lord Warden
of the Five Ports. The Duke of Savoy arrived at three o'clock p.m.
and intends to go to England as soon as the wind serves. He has
at least 50 gentlemen of reputation with him, so that his whole
train will at least be 200 horses. The Duke has commanded him
to attend upon him. Offers his services to Cheney. [One page.
Indorsed by Petre.] |
Dec. 21.
Warsaw. |
306. Bona, Queen Dowager of Poland, to Queen Mary. Has
learned with much pleasure, by her Envoy John Laurence Pappacoda, both of the welfare of her Majesty and her royal consort, and
the Emperor's resignation to the latter of the Kingdom of Naples
and the Duchy of Milan; on which event she begs to offer her
congratulations. Sends herewith, as Ambassador to King Philip,
Camillo Brancati a Neapolitan nobleman, to request that her rights
and privileges in these states may be maintained, towards the
support of which petition she solicits the favour of her Majesty's
influence as a wife. [Latin. Two pages.] |
Dec. 24.
Poissy. |
307. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Since he wrote to them of
Roger Edwards, has received from him the bill inclosed. Does not
know what to think of Edwards and his information, because he
supposes that Calais and Guisnes are so officered and furnished that
there can be no mistrust of these places, and the French speak so
fair as if they had no haste to intentions. Nevertheless considers
it a duty to certify them of these advertisements that their Lordships may duly weigh them. Before this letter reaches, hopes
Captain Drury may be with them; he will mention what communication was had with him at the Court after his delivery, which
may seem to make Edwards' tale the likelier to be true. It is
rumoured that the King sends back to their own country the Scots
who have been serving here, and with them about 3,000 French
under the command of the Duc D'Aumale, brother to the Queen
Dowager of Scotland, who shall be his lieutenant there. They say
the Emperor labours very earnestly to have aid from England next
summer, and makes large offers for it; this alarms them lest it
be granted, and is probably the cause why they now send to
Scotland. Yesterday M. de Lansac, the French King's Ambassador,
who had been taken by the Duke of Florence's men near Sienna,
came to visit him and the other Ambassadors here, sent by the
King to inform them of the news which he had received from
Marshal Brissac, his lieutenant in Piedmont, which were that on the
second day of battery, the town and citadel of Ivrea, containing 800
Spaniards and some landsknechts, surrendered. This place is considered of importance, being within 28 Italian miles of Milan, and
lying between the Val d'Aost and Vercelli, so that neither that
city nor the adjoining country can henceforth be provisioned from
Val d'Aost; but Ivrea shall be victualled thence, D'Aost having
been declared neuter about two months since. Lansac is not freely
discharged, but permitted to return on similar conditions as those
prescribed to Ascanio della Cornia, the Pope's nephew. Besides
their Ambassador Resident here, the Siennese daily send Envoys
Extraordinary to hasten the aid intended for them by the King.
The city is victualled for all February, but they are very urgent
either to have succour, or permission to come to some composition
while favourable terms may be had. The troops sent to Piedmont
are probably intended to divert those of the Duke of Florence from
Sienna. The Count of Vaudemont, who is to be married to the
sister of the Duke of Nemours, very near a kin to the Duke of
Savoy, is looked for shortly here. It is said he shall have with her
100,000 crowns. Marquis Albert is reported to be at Chateau
Thierry or its vicinity, and that he will marry the Duchess of
Castro, the King's bastard daughter. This he thinks not very
likely. [Two pages and a quarter.] Inclosed, letter from Edwards, |
|
307. I. The King is speedily to send 3,000 men into Scotland;
ships for their transport are in preparation. Suspects
some other practice is intended, and suggests that the
Council of Calais should be warned. Taytue went four
day ago to Dieppe, and has not returned yet. Had
mentioned this to Mr. Somers. As far as he can perceive
they doubt him partly. The Constable has made a warrant for 30 crowns to his use, yet he cannot be dispatched; if need be, must commit himself to Wotton's
tuition. Crayer has come to the Court, and the King
said he was glad of his coming. Since he saw Wotton,
the Council have commanded him to wait until the
arrival of a post from England, writing home in the
meantime to endeavour to ascertain whether any garrison is shortly to come into Guisnes and Calais, and
whether the magistrates of those places are to be changed.
Also whether the Queen and King of England are to aid
the Emperor, and whether it was concluded for the
coronation of the Prince of Spain as King of England.
Some captains of Picardy are here, the King being
minded to place a great number of men towards Boulogne
and Montreuil. [Unsigned and undated. Two pages.] |
Circa.
Dec. 24. |
308. Memorandum by the Council concerning the Legate's
[Cardinal Pole] reply to the petitions by the Parliament and
Clergy, in reference to the erection of cathedral churches, matrimonial dispensations, &c. [Draft. Autograph of Petre. Two
pages. See Strype's Memorials, Vol. iii., Part I., p. 254. 8vo.
Edition, 1822.] |
Dec. 25.
Brussels. |
309. Sir John Masone to the Council. Received their letter
of the 10th instant on the 19th. Had openly given thanks to
Almighty God for the joyful and comfortable news therein contained [of Pole's absolving England and restoring it to unity with
Rome]. Had audience of the Emperor on Sunday the 24th, to
communicate the same. Describes the interview minutely. The
French being baffled both at Sienna and Asti, are besieging Ivrea
in Piedmont, but by reason of its strength and the season of the
year, they are not likely to continue before it long. The Duke of
Brunswick and the Landgrave, who have been always mortal
enemies, have lately had sundry meetings and communications,
and it is said that the Landgrave's daughter shall be married to
the Duke's son and heir. Letters from Constantinople of the
3d ult., mention that there have been great triumphs made for
the Turk's victory; his escape being so considered, although the
truth is he had a dishonourable overthrow; and to congratulate
the same, an Ambassador named Ibrahim has been sent from him
to the Signiory of Venice. The Janizaries and a good piece of
his army are sent to Constantinople, and he remains at Amasia
awaiting the return of the Sophy's Ambassador, his wintering
there or his return to Constantinople depending upon the issue
of their communications. [Four pages. Partly printed by Tytler,
Vol. ii., p. 624.] |
Dec. 25.
Brussels. |
310. Same to Sir William Petre. Has received his letter of
the 12th, and with it one from the Council of the 10th inst.
which, if it had come with a fresher date, and been dispatched
before its matter was known everywhere, would have served
to better purpose. In the packet was a letter to the Emperor
not mentioned by the Council, but by the seal and superscription
perceived it was from the Queen. Not knowing what was to be
said at the delivery of it, and the Council's letter coming in name
both of the King and Queen, there was no remedy but to open it,
and by reading learned the errand was to be done on her behalf,
which otherwise he could not have conjectured. So by doing an
act more than was convenient had not necessity constrained him,
he both found the argument of his commission, and had time to
frame some excuse for the oldness of the date, which was of the
5th inst. Requests that in the like case another time he may
receive either a copy of the letter or a memorandum of instructions,
and that letters for him may be sent either to Titchet or to
Mr. Spilman, as they will reach him sooner and without any extra
cost to his Majesty. Sends herewith a prognostication just received,
wherein may be seen the lewd author's blind prophecies both of
these countries and of England. There is a rumour, which he
hopes is incorrect, that the town of Ivrea has surrendered to the
French, but that the castle still holds out. [One page.] |
Dec. 29.
St. Germain en-Laye. |
311. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Hearing
that it has pleased God to reduce her subjects to the union of
His Holy Church and obedience of the Holy See, sends the Prothonotary De Noailles, his Almoner in ordinary, bearer hereof, to
congratulate her Majesty on these most agreeable news. [French.
Copy. One page.] |
Dec. 30.
Brussels. |
312. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends to him two
letters received this morning from Mr. Vannes. The news of the
taking of Ivrea were too true. The devil is in the Frenchmen,
whom neither time of the year nor any other thing can stay from
the attempting daily of some mischief. The poor Duke of Savoy is
like to feel these ill-favoured news, which will probably shorten
his residence in England. Here it is said he will go to Italy.
The French make a power about Mezieres, whether for the
revictualling of Marienburg or other mischief is not yet known.
The King of Velez, having been three or four years ago driven
out of his kingdom by the Xarif, and since having got thither
again, is finally taken by his said enemy and beheaded. [One
page.] |
| [End of year.] |
313. "A note of examples wherein Ambassadors of England with
other foreign Princes have in their writings delivered, preferred
their names before the Ambassadors of strangers." [Two pages.
Modern writing.] |
