Mary: June 1555

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

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'Mary: June 1555', 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/pp173-177 [accessed 14 December 2024].

'Mary: June 1555', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Mary 1553-1558. Edited by William B Turnbull( London, 1861), British History Online, accessed December 14, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/mary/pp173-177.

"Mary: June 1555". Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Mary 1553-1558. Ed. William B Turnbull(London, 1861), , British History Online. Web. 14 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/mary/pp173-177.

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June 1555

June 1.
Brussels.
382. Sir John Masone to the Council. The news of the election of the Cardinal of Naples to the Pontificate, of which he apprized their Lordships at Calais last night, has this day been confirmed by a second courier, by whom he has received a packet of letters from Lord Montague, and perceives by the letter to himself which accompanied them, that their date is very stale, yet nevertheless he sends them to the said Lords at Calais to be forwarded. This Pope, whose assumed name is not mentioned, is at least 84 years old, and therefore the Ambassadors had need make some haste lest he serve them as the two others have done. One of the Dukes of Brunswick who was lately in France, levies troops on the edge of Friesland, abusing therein King Philip's name; this slight being made known to the Emperor, he has by letter done all such as it appertains to understand the falsehood meant therein. A daughter of the King of Denmark has been married to the Duke of Mecklenburg. The Duke of Holstein, brother to the King of Denmark, between whom is no great agreement, is expected here in a few days. By two ships lately arrived at Genoa with wheat from Constantinople it is reported that at their departure the Turk's navy was almost ready to set afloat, for which extreme diligence was used both by day and by night. The army of the Duke of Florence is before Port Ercole, in good hope to make a short enterprise thereof. The Portuguese fleet of 20 sail arrived at Antwerp four days ago, laden with spices and other merchandise, besides it is said a good quantity of money. The 6,000,000 agreed to be paid by the Low Countries in six years, are now at a full point to take effect; there has been some delay, because the Emperor and the Queen were bent to have a good part levied upon merchandise, which for sundry reasons is in the end not found convenient. [Two pages.]
June 6.
Padua.
383. Sir Philip Hoby to Sir John Masone. Although he has not heard from him since the 5th ult., enters into no jealousy of his lack of goodwill, but imputes his silence to occupation with matters of greater weight. His letters, besides giving life to them that lie slumbering from the dispatch of one post till the coming of another, extinguish many false rumours spread here concerning the Queen's health. Such reports emanated from the French Ambassador, who is here for the recovery of his health, and who affirmed that on the 7th of May the Queen was delivered of a mole or lump of flesh, and was in great peril of death; and shortly after, refreshing these his former inventions, asserted that subsequent letters confirmed the death of her Majesty, and that all the havens, ports, and passages about England were stopped. These his fond and fantastical inventions, much unmeet for such an Ambassador, yea and worse than Boisdaulphin, had occasioned general sorrow. The English Ambassador had done his utmost to cease such news, although he had no letters until the one from Masone, which enabled him authoritatively to contradict these rumours. As his letter has done so much good, requests that he or his Secretary will frequently write to him. Cheke daily amends, and after this summer they trust to come together to Brussels to visit Masone. About the end of the month, Hoby intends to depart towards the bains. [Two pages. The signature and nearly the entire letter half scored over in ink by Masone.]
June 8.
Brussels.
384. The Emperor Charles V. to Queen Mary. Returns thanks for her letter of condolence on the death of his mother, the Queen of Spain, conveyed by Sir George Howard. How much this weighs upon him may be imagined; but as he has a firm hope that she has left this world for the kingdom of heaven, and as all must go the same way when it pleases God, he submits to His divine providence. [French. One page.]
June 9.
Brussels.
385. The Queen Regent of Flanders to same. Thanks her for the letter of condolence on the death of the Queen, her mother, brought by Sir George Howard, bearer hereof. Regrets as much as it is possible the loss of one so near to her. While acknowledging that it is a law common to all beings, and that God commands they should accept in patience all that He sends, she will follow her Majesty's advice to leave all in His hands and at His disposal. [French. One page. Indorsed by Petre.]
June 9.
Brussels.
386. Eleanor of Austria, widow of Francis I., King of France, to same. Returns thanks for letter of condolence on the death of her mother [Joanna], and hopes for her consolation that she may soon receive intelligence of her Majesty's accouchement. [French. One page. Signed by the Queen, and countersigned by De la Monthe.]
June 9.
Brussels.
387. Sir John Masone to the Council. The bearer, Sir George Howard, has done his commission here very well, and is much liked by the Emperor, the Queen, and all with whom he has had to do. Despairing of peace, as the French will come to no reason, they provide with all possibility for the wars. The construction of the Emperor's fort near Givet goes forward apace, albeit the French by frequent skirmishes do all they can to let the work. In very few days it will be tenable, whereby they shall not need to fear the French meanings towards those quarters, where last year for a time they took their pleasure. Martin Van Rossen is fallen very sick; his loss at this time were great. Count Egmont has gone as the Emperor's proxy to christen the Duke of Cleves' son. By this time it is thought that the Duke of Alva is arrived in Milan; the Duke of Savoy is gone to Nice, and is expected here again soon. The armies of the Emperor and Duke of Florence lie at the siege of Port Ercole, in which is Pietro Strozzi, with nearly 1,000 soldiers, composed of French, Italians, and Germans. The whole hope of the French in its defence hangs upon the coming of the Turk's navy, of which they ought rather to be ashamed, as this, consisting of 70 gallies, was appointed to be afloat on the 20th or 29th ult. The French increase their strength in Piedmont, and so does the Emperor; he has recently ordered thither from Hungary 1,600 horse. The Princess of Salerno is coming here to see what she can do to make her husband's peace. The Duke of Brunswick, of whom he wrote formerly, has, abusing the name of the Emperor and the King of the Romans, raised in Westphalia and Friesland 1,600 horse and 5,000 or 6,000 foot, it is thought for the French King's service. For breaking of him before he grows too far, the Emperor devises the best ways he can, using therein the Duke of Schwartzburg and the Duke of Holstein. [Two pages.]
June 11.
Brussels.
388. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Letters from Italy of the 2d, received this morning, mention that one of the bastions made by the French for the defence of Port Ercole has been taken by assault, and its captain, with 60 others, slain, and the rest yielded to mercy. This is a good beginning, not merely as encouraging the soldiers, but because the place serves well for beating the rest with artillery; so if the Turk's navy does not make haste, the wars of Tuscany are like to stand in right good case. There are also news, not yet certain, that Aiace [Ajaccio] has rebelled, and the inhabitants have made a great murder of the French garrison there; if so, Calvi is like to have the better speed. Martin Van Rossen is departed out of this world; in him the Emperor has lost a good servant, not only for the leading of his army in the Duke of Savoy's absence, but for the stay of Guelderland, of which he was Marshal, with very great credit there. The French, towards impeaching the progress of the fort at Givet, have assembled about Avesnes; but being merely of their own nation, without any Swiss or Germans, no great account is made of them. There is a muttering that the Turk's navy has been discovered, but finding no certain author, trusts it is merely a vain talk.
P.S.—For all Petre's travail in behalf of his diets due three months since, he lacks yet 100l. thereof; and yet lacks not passing six days of the time that the same are due to him afresh. But he has written so pitiful a letter to the Lord Treasurer, as he trusts he shall shortly be insured both of them and the others. [One page and a half.]
June 13.
Brussels.
389. Same to the Council. The Prince of Orange is appointed both to the charge of the late Martin Van Rossen, and the temporary command of the army in absence of the Duke of Savoy. Van Rossen is much lamented, especially for the stay of the Guelders, among which nation, being one of them himself, he had notable good credit. The Turkish army, in numbers 60 gallies and 20 small vessels of corsairs, has been discovered about Prevesa in way to the Italian seas. The Admiral is Peluga Bassa, and the Vice-Admiral Dragut Rey: in the captain galley are some Frenchmen, hostages that no conclusion should be made of peace with the Emperor, notwithstanding the meeting of the Commissioners. The King of Poland has sent an Ambassador with an honourable train, to condole with the Emperor on his mother's death. He leaves hence for England to do the like office to King Philip. The Emperor has sent 150,000 crowns to Augsburg to levy there 10,000 foot and some horse. The old Duke of Brunswick has offered to furnish the Emperor out of hand with 2,000 horse, so he may have commission to do so and money to pay them: this has been accepted. The French are still strong in Piedmont and keep the field. They endeavour to win the town of La Langa, which lying on their confines makes the Genoese afraid lest, if it falls into the hands of the French, the Turks shall winter thereabouts. Vulpiano is very straitly besieged. The arrival of the Duke of Alva is trusted to put things in better order and abate the courage of those who by too many good successes already have promised themselves to have fortune at their command. The Duke of Savoy is expected to return about the 25th inst. [One page and a quarter.]
June 24.
Brussels.
390. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Such small occurrents at this Court as are worthy of advertisement, he has communicated to the Council. Sends him a letter lately received from Italy [see Hoby's of the 6th inst. supra], by which he may see the honest nature of the Frenchman, who makes as many bones to set out to the world a shameful lie with a shameful tongue, as he does to sup up a cup of good wine. Such kind of bruits many ill men have devised, as well elsewhere as in Italy, of the long keeping in of the Queen, who for that her Grace hath somewhat longer deferred the discharging of her burden than the world looked she would have done, devise the occasion of the stay as pleaseth themselves. Surely if there were no wiser than he, her Highness should come abroad and go to mass after her accustomed sort, until such time she might be certain it were time to retire herself. Wherein, having all things ready as she has, could be none inconvenience though she should travail within one day after her being abroad. This long keeping in with such a multitude of women, the time of the year being so hot, may breed by sickness many dangers which by taking air might be avoided, besides a great many bruits which thereby may be stayed. Had formerly written how honourably the Emperor had dismissed Don Ferrante Gonzaga, after he had lain a whole year at the Court to answer accusations brought against him. Since his departure the Emperor has further caused a declaration to be made to the world that he was not culpable in any point of the same. Sends a copy of this which, when Petre has read, he may show it to Lord Paget. Requests that the inclosed packet from the Pope's Nuncio here may be sent to the Lord Cardinal's house. [Two pages.]
June 27. 391. The Marquis of Winchester and the Lord Chancellor [Gardiner] to Thomas Gresham. As the money of Spain is not like to come to answer the Queen's pay to the English merchants on 15th July next, which amounts to 18,000l., request he will provide 10,000l. to satisfy the bills that his agent John Elliot will take up in London by exchange for that purpose, to be repaid about 15th Sept. following, before which they trust the money will be received from Spain. In this he must earnestly travail that there be no lack, otherwise they know not how the Queen's credit shall be kept. Beg him to write an account of his mind and proceedings to Elliot and to themselves. Will provide the 8,000l. as they best can. [One page.]