|
March 1.
Florence. |
479. Cosmo de Medicis, Duke, and the Councillors of Florence to
Queen Mary. Credentials of Alphonsus, Bishop of Burgos, Envoy
to her Majesty and King Philip. [Latin. Broadside on vellum.
Signed by the Duke, and countersigned by Lælius.] |
March 7.
Venice. |
480. Peter Vannes to the Council. As occurrences of any importance depend on proceedings between those two mighty Princes,
he must be brief in this letter. Will, however, tell what he hears
and perceives by the communication and discourses had with some
wise men. First, in these matters of truce the Queen is highly
praised as principal author, mediator, and doer between the said
Princes; and her praise is the greater on account of the difficulty
and impossibility which every man thought there would have been
in bringing it to an [end], being so good and so great a matter.
The French openly confess that her Majesty's travail taken therein
has been a principal [cause of so good] a deed, trusting by her
means that this beginning of friendship will prosper, and increase
every day better and better. Whatever the conditions of the truce
are, the present state of these countries well considered, the truce
ought to be commended and nourished, for it will serve many good
purposes, and save a great shedding of Christian blood, and keep
Christian Princes from ruin, who, for their high degrees appointed
by God, ought not to be poor. It is easily conjectured that many
kinds of men had put great trust in the strife of those Princes, and
the intolerable charges they would have been at, for the advancement of their private devices, and for that end to abuse the
mischievousness of war. Thanks be to God, who has illuminated
and mollified Princes' hearts with His grace ! Here in Piedmont,
Sienna, and elsewhere, at this termination of war, there is like to
be some mischief and spoliation committed by the dismissal of
soldiers, but it is to be hoped, by the authority of Princes and good
ministers, with the helping hand of God, Qui non in æternum
irascitur populo suo, all things will be settled. The Duke of
Ferrara, having great commodity in all his estates, is making up
his 100 men-at-arms, to be distributed all about his dominions, and
kept continually in the way he has wittily devised most to his
own commodity; this is for his own safety, and not for any innovation of war, though he sees his neighbour armed. He has also
discontinued levying the 2,000 footmen before appointed. There is
news from Rome that the Pope has caused a muster of 3,500 foot
and 100 light horse to be made, and, what with them and the
others in his estate, has ready 10,000 foot and 1,000 horse.
Whether they are for his safety, or any mistrust, or any other
intent, cannot tell. Thinks the truce will accommodate all this
matter, to the pleasure of God and the quiet of Christendom, as
the Pope shows to be desirous of it. Hear from Constantinople
that there is no preparation of any armament by sea, though the
report is that the Turk will have much ado this year against
Transylvania and Hungary. It is to be trusted in God that, hearing of the truce, his preparation will be slacker. The Queen of
Poland, called regina Bona, is looked for within a fortnight at
Treviso, a town within seven miles of Venice, and the King of
Poland, her son, and others of her children, with all the state
of Poland, are miscontented with her, because it is said she has
conveyed out of the country, by divers secret ways, an infinite
quantity of treasure and [jewels]. The Cavalier Barnardo, who
was appointed [secret amba]ssador to the Turk, is dead, and
tha[t] . . . . . . he in judgment (by the reason of a
g . . . . . . had here) favouring a cause of a banished
man . . . . . . ned counsel on the other side, laid to his
charg[e], was a reproach that he secretly enjoyed pensions out of
E . . . . upon which words, not remembering that in Venice
omnibus est licitum impune maledicere, he took such a thought
and such a choler inwardly that he went home and cast himself in
his bed, daily increasing his sorrow till he died within 10 days. He
had become in such favour that no man's death has been so
generally lamented here. Understands that the Seigniory, besides
the Ambassador that is there already about her Majesty, has chosen
another to wait constantly on the King. He is a gentleman of
the family of Soriano, well esteemed in Venice. Sends herewith
advices from Rome and other places (missing). [Three pages and
a quarter.] |
| March 10. |
481. The Ambassadors of the Hanse Towns to Sir William Petre.
Concerning the restraints placed upon their exporting and importing
of cloths, and other commodities, and inclosing memorial to the
Council on same subject. [Latin. Two pages and a quarter.
Inclosure, two pages and a half.] |
March 14.
Brussels. |
482. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Yesterday advertised
her of the conclusion of the truce. As Lucas the messenger is
dispatched with a letter from the King to her Majesty, has thought
good to send three or four words to her, having no manner of
occurrents worth writing about other than that his Majesty is in
good health. Lucas has been very diligent during his stay here,
which the King takes in very good and thankful part. [One
page.] |
March 15.
Antwerp. |
483. Thomas Gresham to same. Has received her Majesty's
letter of the 3d March, by Mr. William Watson. According to her
command, paid him on the 11th inst. 1,000l. for the provision of
Dantzic, and 500l. for her Majesty's provision in Holland. Mr.
Watson has departed towards those parts as expeditiously as he
could. He is very careful and mindful of the charge that her
Majesty has committed to him, as Gresham has written to the
Council of his proceedings. The other 500l. shall be paid at sight
of his letter, as her Majesty commands. On the 14th inst. was at
Brussels to confer with the Ambassador touching her Majesty's
affairs, and saw there the King, who tarries the coming of the
French King's Admiral and all his noblemen. Great triumph will
be shown upon the conclusion of the truce, which is here much
rejoiced at. Very shortly upon the departure of the Admiral the
King will make his repair home to her Majesty. As he has advertised the Council, has prolonged the whole sum of 70,000l. for six
months, to the full contentation of all her creditors, so that now
her Majesty has no more to sorrow for any payment here till
October next coming. She will do very well to put the Council in
remembrance some time for the better payment of her debts, for
which they have provision, though they are not unmindful of the
charge. It will redound to her credit, and be no less profitable, for
she would avoid the great loss of interest. Has sent the Council
a perfect note of all such bonds as must be new made, with advice
of all other matters pertaining to her Majesty's affairs in these
parts. Prays her to be good to her own mere merchants for their
suit of the steel-yard; it is one of the chiefest points she has to
look to for the wealth of the realm, wherein he has often before
molested her and the Council. [Two pages.] |
March 16.
Amboise. |
484. Dr. Wotton to same. Received her Majesty's letter of
the 27th ult. on the 5th, while the King was on his journey to
Amboise, whither he followed, and had audience of his Majesty on
the 12th. The King stated that the truce was chiefly made to the
intent that in the mean season communication might be had of
a final peace, which he trusted by her Majesty's means might be
brought to pass. Was sorry to hear of the Scots' doings in Ireland,
and should write to the Queen Dowager, who he was sure would
see such order taken in the matter as reason required. The day
before the Constable sent word to Wotton that the Emperor and
his Majesty had sealed and confirmed the truce as concluded by the
Commissioners, and that all things taken since the date of the
truce should be restored; whereupon when at Court he congratulated both the King and the Constable, whose inward joy was
manifested by their outward countenances, as was perceived by the
rest of the Ambassadors. The Constable informed him that it is
agreed that the prisoners on both sides shall be straight delivered
for the value of one year's income, except the Duke of Arschot, the
Duke of Bouillon (so the Marshal de la Marche is now called), and
the Constable's son. The King told him that he was content to
have let the Duke of Arschot go for M. de Montmorency, but that
it was refused, and yet the Duke may spend 100,000 francs per
ann. Wotton said to this, that the Duke of Arschot was a great
Lord indeed, but that he had a mother-in-law and sister-in-law
alive. "Marry," quoth the King, "and Montmorency has a father
and a mother yet alive, and four or five brethren, and six or seven
sisters; and what can he have then of his own?" Was informed that
although these three are not released, yet it is agreed they shall
within three months be ransomed and delivered. The Constable
mentioned that the delay in sealing and confirming the truce proceeded from the King's refusal to seal till the Commissioners should
be agreed also for the delivery of the prisoners, which the other
made no haste to go through withal. The Constable further said,
that to see the treaty ratified and sworn again by the Princes,
there should be notable Ambassadors sent on both sides; and for
that purpose the Counts of Lalaing and Megue. Upon Wotton
inquiring whether it was the fashion to ratify truces in that manner,
the Constable replied that it was not usual, but the Princes thought
it good to have this one so ratified. Doubts whether, as under
the colour of a communication for the delivery of prisoners, they
have concluded a truce, so these Ambassadors may, under colour of
a ratification, have commission to treat of a peace. Is informed
that the King has annexed Savoy and Piedmont to France, and
made a special Government of it, as Picardy, Burgundy, and other
provinces; appointing thereto Marshal Brissac, who is expected here
shortly. On his arrival it is said he shall be of the Council of
Affairs; that is to say, of them who, at the King's rising, enter
into his chamber. where all the chief matters of great importance
are debated. Of this number are the Cardinals of Lorraine and
Chastillon, the Constable, the Duke of Guise, Marshal St. André, the
Admiral, and a few more. [Two pages and a half.] |
March 16.
Amboise. |
485. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Acknowledges receipt of their
letter of 26th ult. As it is probable the Ambassadors for ratification of the truce will come both in the Emperor's and the King's
name, supposes it were no great hurt to give them the preeminence. Such he thinks the French Ambassadors will do likewise, whenever they meet with Ambassadors having commission
from the Emperor and his Majesty together. But if the French
Ambassadors meet with any having commission from the King
only (as at Venice he hears his Majesty's Envoy names himself the
King of Spain's Ambassador), thinks and believes that the French
Ambassador will look to have the upper hand of him. The English
merchants of Rouen have obtained letters under the Great Seal for
the maintenance of their privileges, and restitution of money garnished by them, if they may be put in execution as they are
granted. But strict reciprocity is required on part of England
for the French merchants there, and any restrictions on the French
will be met with similar restraints upon the English. This was
distinctly notified to the merchants on the delivery of their letters
to them. [One page.] |
March 18.
Brussels. |
486. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Thinks that by the
bearer Francisco, whom the King has caused stay his return into
England till this day, his Majesty has made answer to the things
which were the cause of the said Francisco's coming hither and
signified to him the conclusion of the truce. Much of the long
delay arose because the Commissioners, having full authority to
bind both Princes, nevertheless left the conclusion of the treaty
to be of effect or not as it should please the Princes to accept
or refuse it; as, by the latter end of the capitulations, which he
sent lately, her Majesty may perceive. The King doubting how the
French would use this liberty, thought it not good to publish the
truce until by the subscription and seal of the French King it
appeared he was content to accept it. Upon the delivery of the
writing to the English Commissioners, and the sending of it hither,
it was proclaimed in all places of these dominions, in the form
given in his last letters. It will be Saturday before the French
Commissioners can be here and their tarrying will not be over
five days. The Constable's son, the Duke of Bouillon, and Mons.
de Villars are sent for to be here against their coming. The
Estates having had proponed upon them the King's demands for
a subsidy, are returned to declare the same in both places as
appertains, and are appointed to be here again on a certain day
to make an answer. Has received by her Majesty's kindness
373l. 6s. 8d. for diets due last February. Thanks her most humbly
upon his knees. Prays God he may so demean himself in service
as the same may be acceptable to her, wherein no good will shall
lack. [One page and a half.] |
March 23.
Brussels. |
487. Same to Sir William Petre. Received yesterday a packet
of letters from Mr. Vannes. Sends them with a few words.
Nothing worth writing about has happened at this Court since
his last letter to the Queen. On Thursday they look for the
Admiral of France, Renard, the Lieutenant d'Aumont, who goes as
Ambassador into France, and Basse Fontaine, who comes with
the Admiral, and remains here for the French King: such a
couple for likeness in conditions, as a better match would hardly
have been found. The King of Bohemia and the Queen also appoint
to be here about the 20th prox. Francisco Bernardi who had a
good pension of her Majesty, is departed to God; a great cause of
his death is thought to have been, "for thought for that he was
charged to have received a pension without the knowledge of
the Seigniory." Trusts as such pieces fall back into the Queen's
hands, she will let them die and not bestow them again, considering
the estate she stands in, until she be at least out of debt and
able to satisfy her poor servants and answer her ordinary and
necessary charges. The Marquis of Villena, a Spanish nobleman
rented to the value of 80,000 crowns a year, is dead, as is also
the Count of Niebla, son and heir to the Duke of Medina-Sidonia.
Requests he will tell the Lords Treasurer and Privy Seal and
the Bishop of Ely that the King's letter of indemnity of Art Van
Dalle is dispatched, not without some difficulty made by the officers
of Finance. The King's safe-conduct for Mr. Watson stays for
word from him what proportion he provides of the things which
are to be bought at Amsterdam, the number of pieces of each
kind whereof these men will have in any case to be specified.
Has written to Watson and looks daily for a bill from him
containing the said pieces. Forgot to signify in his last letter
that Francisco, on leaving Brussels, had 100 crowns given him
for his journey into Spain. Sir Thomas Newenham is here now,
about he knows not what suit. It should seem, however, it is
touching the stalling of some debt. |
|
P.S.—Requests orders may be given to Mr. Cliff or some
other for conveying the inclosed letters to London. [Two
pages.] |
March 24.
Ferrara. |
488. Francis, Earl of Bedford, to Sir William Cecil. Is glad
to find by Cecil's letter of 12th ult. that the Council take his
doings in good part. Has written to Mr. Isham, in reference to
his suit for a lease in Ibearye [Highbury], that being left with bare
houses void of land or ground in all places, he has thought it meet
to keep the same in his own hands; otherwise, he assures him,
Isham should have it before any other; and though in this, by
reason of his great lack, he may not without his extreme discommodity let Isham have it, yet shall he not fail hereafter to do
him as good a turn, if ever it lies in his power. Has returned
here from Rome and Naples. The latter, to his mind, is one of
the fairest cities in Italy, having great commodities by the sea;
the buildings are very fair, and the country so fruitful as he
has not seen the like. Rome is beautified through the Pope's
and Cardinals' palaces, whereof there is a number passing
fair; the antiquities are so many and so worthy to be seen,
that no small time will suffice to note them all, nor his capacity
reach to bear them all away, but such as his wits will serve
unto he shall make Cecil partaker of them at his coming
home. Sends his hearty commendations to Lady Cecil, and thanks
him for his great good will. [One page and a half. Indorsed by
Cecil.] |
March 29.
Brussels. |
489. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Lord Fitzwalter, returning presently to her Majesty, can declare the occurrents of this
Court, and the state of the Emperor and the King. Will therefore
not trouble her with a long letter, leaving to him the fuller report
of these matters. The Admiral of France visited the Emperor
yesterday; to-day it is decided he shall take his leave. The King
travails to employ the time of the truce in such a manner as that,
if the peace he most desires succeed not, he may be ready when
the truce expires to meet the enemy. He therefore daily studies
to cut off all superfluous expenses, and to set the affairs of the
states right; and because in his father's time, by reason of the
wars, his debts have grown very great, he has demanded a great
subsidy, of the particulars whereof when it is granted her Majesty
shall be advertised. The Turk makes very great preparation for
the annoyance of Christendom this year by sea and land; if God
do not set to His helping hand, the scourge is likely to be great in
Hungary and elsewhere. [Two pages.] |
[After March 22.]
London. |
490. Sermon by an Archbishop and Legate Apostolic in London.
[Italian. Forty pages and a half. This discourse is evidently by
Cardinal Pole, as the author distinctly says he is Archbishop and
Legate, and Pole was the only person who held those two offices at
the time; and the words "ultimo arcivescovo che voi avete" as clearly
denote Cranmer. Its date, too, may be very nearly fixed. Pole's
first sermon, "quando prima come arcivescovo io entrai," &c., was
preached in Bow Church (a peculiar in the diocese of Canterbury)
on the day of his consecration, March 22, 1556. After that, as
we know from Beccatelli, he continued a series of similar discourses, "nella lingua patria," in various churches of his diocese;
and this, from the manner in which he refers to the first, was evidently the second. It must have been delivered therefore early in
the summer, if not in the spring, of 1556. This discourse, which
never appears to have been printed, has manifestly been translated
from the English; the subject is mission, apostolic succession,
and unity.] |
| [March.] |
491. Reply of the Council, by order of their Majesties, to the
memorial submitted to them by the Ambassadors of the Hanse
Towns. [Latin. Copy. Three pages.] |
|
Another copy. [Two pages.] |
|
Draft of the preceding. [Three pages.] |
|
Translation of the preceding. [Three pages and a half.] |
|
492. Report to King Philip by Lord Paget, the Bishop of Ely,
and Secretary Petre, of their conference with and reply to the
Ambassadors of the Confederate Cities of the Hanse. [Draft,
Autograph of Petre. Seven pages and a half.] |
|
Jottings in reference to the preceding, autograph of Petre. [One
page.] |
