Elizabeth: December 1573

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 10, 1572-1574. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1876.

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'Elizabeth: December 1573', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 10, 1572-1574, (London, 1876) pp. 444-451. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol10/pp444-451 [accessed 19 April 2024]

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December 1573

Dec. 1. 1237. Benedetto Spinola to Lord Burghley.
1. Desires that he may receive some money to meet certain pressing engagements.—1 Dec. 1573.
2. P.S. News from Antwerp of the 24th Nov.
3. Arrival of the new governor [Don Luis Zanega y Requesens] at Brussels. The fleet which departed for the relief of Middleburg has not yet passed Bergen op Zoom; it is manned with soldiers, whilst that of Flushing is filled with good and determined seamen.
Add. Endd. Ital. P. 1.
Dec. 1. 1238. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley.
M. de Foix and his train are at Padua. On the 13th ult. Don John of Austria arrived at Naples with a great part of his fleet. The galleys of Naples returning from Tunis have been caught in a great storm, which has sunk one. The Duke of Arcos and the Countess of Benevento are dead. Avignon is in great danger as the Huguenots are masters of the passages, so that the reinforcements from the Pope cannot enter. The King of Poland was at Metz on the 20th ult. in order to pass through Germany into his kingdom.—Augsburg, 1 Dec. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. Pp. 1¼.
Dec. 2. 1239. Charles IX. to the Queen.
Has understood from Mr. Randolph her desire for their common good friendship, and the affection she has towards them, as well as the negotiation of traffic of English merchants. She will never have a better friend and neighbour than himself. Refers her for more particulars to Mr. Randolph.—Chalons, 2 Dec. 1573. Signed: Charles.
Add. Endd. Fr. Broadside.
Dec. 4. 1240. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley.
Perceives by his letters his good acceptation of his suit for his son, as also for bestowing upon his man the office of the customs. Perceives there has been some speeches used of the corn that has passed hence the last summer, which was done before the dearth now risen was looked for. Yet would he in the open sight of the town throw it into the seas, as he has done the like old store this year, being such as for the evilness thereof himself could make no adventure with, and therefore put it over in bartery, being heartily sorry for the loss the poor merchants had thereby, a good part of which loss will return to himself for want of their ability to keep covenant with him. Has remaining about 300 quarters of wheat not meet to be uttered, which he will rather abide the loss of than give advantage to some that can report good bad, or bad good, when they list. There is no doubt there is great plenty, and this dearth caused only by the coastmen, who cannot be restrained.—Berwick, 4 December 1573. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. P. 1.
Dec. 5. 1241. News from Rome.
Rome, 5 Dec. 1573.—Political and ecclesiastical intelligence from different parts of Italy.
Ital. Pp. 3¼.
Dec. 7. 1242. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley.
Progress of the King of Poland towards his dominions. Don John of Austria will visit Rome at the desire of the Pope. 200 tons of powder and 50 guns were found in the castle at Tunis, and Gabriel Serbellone has undertaken to finish a fort with five bastions within one month. On the 9th ult. the Marchesa di Marignano and her son aged 15 were seized in the night and taken by one of the Cardinal of Borromeo's household to a monastery of the Jesuits. From Spain they write that the wife of Ruy Gomez has left the guardianship of her children to the King and entered a convent. The Turk makes some difficulty in confirming the peace with the Venetians.—Augsburg, 7 Dec. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Ital. Pp. 1¼.
Dec. 12. 1243. Dr. Valentine Dale to Lord Burghley.
Sends a copy of his letter to the Queen. The pock-holes are many and thick rather than great or much apparent, saving in the bluntness of the nose, which might rather be expressed by pencil than with pen.—Paris, 12 Dec. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. P. 2/3.
Dec. 12. 1244. Dr. Valentine Dale to the Queen.
Since the return of the Marshal de Retz the King and Queen Mother have shown themselves very desirous of her amity in a manner she can be contented best to like of, and since the coming of Mr. Randolph are glad to satisfy her in all such points as she is desirous to know. Surely they have great cause so to do, for their money is wasted, many of their men of service are gone with the King of Poland, they of Languedoc and Dauphiny are in arms, and the rest unusually miscontented. By the practice of the Guises, as it is thought, the Marshal de Retz has been requested to go with the king elect into Poland. He and Mr. Randolph have earnestly viewed the portraiture, and find proportion of the person and trait of the visage well expressed, saving there is overmuch color given to the picture.—Paris, 12 December.
Copy. Pp. 2. Enclosure.
Dec. 12. 1245. Dr. Valentine Dale to Lord Burghley.
The King of Poland has determined to go right into Germany from Nancy, under pretence it is the shorter way; but indeed because the Emperor's commissaries appointed to conduct him were commanded to receive him in Metz as in a free city of the Empire, which the French would not permit. The commissaries would not do it in any other place before they had a new commission, so the king elect and the Queen Mother were fain to linger about the frontiers. Divers appointed to go with the king elect make their excuse. The Marshal de Retz was specially requested of the King, many judge by the fetch of the Guises, who practise to step to the government. They doubted no man more than him, by reason of the King's favour to him, and certain words the King cast out that he would make his servants as great as his father had made his. The Pope's Nuncio desires passage for 3,000 men for the guard of Avignon, doubting the Protestants of Dauphiny, but was remitted by the King to Compeigne without great hope to have leave. The Prince of Condé would have excused himself of his journey to Poland, saying he had understanding the Germans would arrest him for his father's debts, being a marvellously great sum. The King has referred the matter of the staple for English merchants till his coming to Compeigne. The man that sent letters to the Queen to be delivered to her own hands seems but a light person, for he came to Mr. Randolph's lodging and his at Chalons, took as much as he could get upon the score, and went his way. The Queen Mother appointed to take her leave of the King of Poland on the frontiers of Germany the second of the month. There is much hope conceived of Mr. Randolph's coming, and very good liking of him, for they conceive of him that he will report things as they are, without making them worse, as they suppose some have done. The King of Poland is thought to be near Mayence by this time. Men speak much of the assembly of the Estates, and think the King put the Protestants in hope thereof, to pacify them for the time. The French make light of the taking of Tunis, and think it rather like to bring dangerous wars upon the King of Spain than to strengthen him.—Paris, 12 December 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3.
Dec. 12. 1246. Dr. Valentine Dale to Walsingham.
Thanks him for the note of the persons murdered in this town. If men would believe it and be moved by it as they are! It is well a man may be best beloved where he never was before; he is now gone to Poland by the great entreaty of the King of Poland, by the fetch of the Guises, as he himself takes it; in the meantime the Cardinal of Lorraine and the Guises do apply it. The King makes countenance that he is contented to assemble the Estates, but it is rather to please them than that he minds it indeed. The Pope makes much doubt that the King will be contented that the Protestants take Avignon, for he will grant no passage for soldiers for the garrison of that town. The French think the taking of Tunis will bring rather trouble than profit to the King of Spain. Refers the report of their journey and Mr. Randolph's countenance and negotiation to his own report; they think their doings are secret, but they who know this country know how secret they keep their things. —Paris, 12 December. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 12/3.
Dec. 14. 1247. [Maison Fleur] to the Duke of Alençon.
Urges him to come over to press his suit to Madame de L'Isle [Elizabeth], that she may see that his offers are not a trick of Mdlle. De la Serpente, as she has been told so often that she is almost constrained to believe it. Il y a dames et dames, and the way to gain this one is not by bargains, but by love, honour, respect, and obedience. He has only to pay his addresses in person to be successful. It were better he brought a good supply of money, and not more than six or seven persons in his suite.—14 Dec.
Copy. Endd. Fr. Pp. 8.
Dec. 15. 1248. The Duke of Alva to Queen Elizabeth.
The King having appointed the Grand Commendator of Castile to succeed him in his government, he cannot depart for Spain without sending the Baron D'Aubigny to thank her for her favours, and to assure her of his willingness to serve her.—Brussels, 15 Dec. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. Broadside.
Dec. 16. 1249. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley.
The King of Poland has passed through Frankfort, and is expected to make his entry into Cracow on 17th January. Jesuits are protected by the Abbot of Fulda. Ambassador sent to Turkey by the King of Poland. New fortifications at Tunis.—Augsburg, 16 Dec. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1.
Dec. 17. 1250. Complaints of the English Merchants trading to Antwerp.
Complain that they are charged duties contrary to former treaties of commerce; also, that a tax is levied on provisions brought by them for their own use, that a new prohibition has been placed on the importation of alum to any other place than Antwerp; and desire that the free exercise of their religion which they have had for more than 100 years may be still allowed to them.
Notes in margin in reply to these demands postponing their consideration.
Endd. Fr. P. 1.
Dec. 17. 1251. Another copy.
Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
Dec. 18. 1252. Articles for a League between the Queen and the Princes of Germany.
Providing for a league of mutual defence between the Queen of England and the Protestant princes of Germany, and for a certain sum of money to be provided by each according to their means and retained at Bremen for the purposes of the League.
Endd.: Articles propounded by the Count Palatine's man unto Her Majesty. Lat. P. 1.
Dec. 18. 1253. Fair copy of the above.
Endd.: 18 Dec. 1873. Lat. Pp. 1½.
Dec. 18. 1254. Charles De Boiset to the Queen.
Cannot give absolute answer to her letter, as the matter belongs to the Admiralty, where all marine causes and prizes be come in judgment. Complains that certain of her subjects yield their names and marks to all sorts of their enemy's merchandise, to the great prejudice of the cause. Though they have been constrained by necessity to use unlawful means of relief, yet their meaning is to fully content the merchants for the same. Expresses their willingness to punish those who under their name commit any spoils.—Flushing, 18 December 1573. Copy, translated.
Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Dec. 19. 1255. — to Giacomo Spinola.
Venice, 19 December 1573.—The Venetian Ambassador has been admitted to audience at Constantinople. Great contentment at the peace. M. de Foix has gone to Florence, where he will wait for leave to proceed to Rome. The Duke of Saxony is much displeased at the destruction, by Duke Casimir, of the powder intended for the Duke of Alva. In Spain many have been burnt by the Inquisition, amongst whom are some people of quality.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. Pp. 1¾.
Dec. 21. 1256. Duke of Alençon to Walsingham.
Declares his perfect affection towards the Queen of England, and prays him to do his best to keep him in her good favor, assuring him that he could never employ himself for any prince from whom he would receive more favor and advancement than from himself.—Rufet, 21 December. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. P. ½.
Dec. 21. 1257. Proposed League between the Queen and other Protestant Princes.
Answer by the Queen of England agreeing to the articles proposed by the Count Palatine, and suggesting that the Kings of Denmark and Sweden should be included in the league, and offering to send 20,000l. to Bremen on condition that the German Princes also contribute according to their ability.
Endd. Lat. Pp. 1¼.
Dec. 23. 1258. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley.
Understands that the King of Poland has passed Frankfort. M. de Foix has taken leave of the Seignory and set out for Florence and Rome. Don John is ready to depart for Spain. The Duke of Savoy is unwilling that the forces sent by the Pope to Avignon should land in his country on account of the scarcity there. The Venetian envoy has kissed the hand of the Grand Turk at Constantinople. The Seignory have sent Francisco Morisini into France. Giulio Comares and his partners have failed in Naples for 150,000 crowns.—Augsburg, 23 Dec. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1.
Dec. 26. 1259. Advices from Rome.
Rome, 26 Dec. 1573.—News from France of attempts of the Huguenots to seize Angouleme. Baptism of certain Turks. Accident to the Cardinal of Alexandria's master of the horse.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 2¾.
Dec. 30. 1260. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley.
M. de Foix has received from the Seignory 1,000 golden crowns, from the Duke of Savoy 500, from the Duke of Mantua a gold cup worth 400, from the Duke of Ferrara a diamond worth more than 300, besides which he will not leave the Duke of Tuscany without having presents, and will perhaps receive the scarlet hat from the Pope. Jacomo Foscarini, the Admiral of the Adriatic, has been welcomed with great state in Venice. The Venetian envoys have been very courteously entertained by the Turk, with whom they are anxious to keep peace. The Emperor's ambassador has also entered into a fresh truce with him. The King of Poland is everywhere royally received in Germany. Many are astonished at the fierceness and cruelty of his aspect, and others secretly point to him as another Sennacherib, and that he will meet with no better fate. The Muscovite is in arms, and the Tartars are stirring, so that many evils are impending over Poland. It is reported that the Huguenots have taken some more places in Avignon and Narbonne, and that they have put to flight certain forces under Danville.—Augsburg, 30 Dec. 1573.
Add. Endd., with seal. Lat. Pp. 1½.
Dec. 30. 1261. Ralph Rutter to Lord Burghley.
Has written divers letters to the worshipful company of his state here, and how he is not able to bear his charges home, considering his goods have been twice taken from him by the Prince. Has had word that Thomas Glover has been cast into prison. Begs that he will command the worshipful company that he may have their "quytsest" sent, that he may come home without any trouble, and that they will not give credit to any that shall seem to father their evils upon him to cover their own naughtiness till he may come to answer them little to their credit. The Emperor [of Muscovy] has sundry times opened his mind to him both of the matters which he requested of the Queen of England, and likewise of his meaning towards his own country, which Rutter never has, nor means to open to any, save the Queen and Burghley. Could enlarge of matters kept from him, and thinks that for that cause some men lay the blame of all matters upon him to keep him absent.—Lubeck, 30 Dec. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½.
Dec. 1262. Advices from Spain.
Forts to be built on the coast of Guipuscoa. George Jenye being at Madrid was put in the Holy House, as is said by Thomas Stukeley's means. The Pope's Nuncio in November declared before the Council of Spain that the English were renegadoes who had forsaken their faith, and wished that none of this land should intermeddle with them either in talk or buying or selling. By proclamation all prayer books in Spanish have been called in to be burnt, and other new books are to be set forth in Latin. Mrs. Stukeley has sent certain letters from Ireland to her husband. It is said that Don John has taken Tunis. Burgos and Valladolid have lent the King 250,000 ducats. Mr. George Chamberlain passed towards Flanders 23 Dec. Dr. Sanders came to Madrid in December from Rome with letters for the King and the Nuncio. There have landed, coming from Flanders, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Tichbourne, Stradling, Swinbourne, and Tyrrel, who was a servant to Queen Mary. Dec. 20, Egremont Radcliffe was prisoner in Madrid for debt. Michael Tempest and his son were here on their way to Flanders, to whom the King has given 30 [crowns] per month.
Add. to Burghley. Endd., with sea. Pp. 1⅓.
[Dec.] 1263. Benedetto Spinola to [Lord Burghley].
Informs him of what has passed touching the money of the merchants of Genoa and Lucca; objects strongly to any money being paid except to those who have sufficient discharges, and recommends that Mr. Hatton, who is at Antwerp, and who is solicited to obtain payment of the money without any other discharge than that of Fiesco, who will be bound to hold her Highness harmless, shall be better advertised how things have passed. If, however, the discharges brought by Fiesco's factor shall be thought sufficient, he will deliver the bonds, so that he may have the money.
Endd. P. 1.
[Dec.] 1264. Accounts by Benedetto Spinola.
Statement by Benedetto Spinola of different sums of money owing by the Queen of England to the merchants of Genoa and Lucca, amounting to 27,670l. 15s. 4d.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 2.