Elizabeth: September 1575, 15-30

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 11, 1575-1577. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1880.

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'Elizabeth: September 1575, 15-30', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 11, 1575-1577, (London, 1880) pp. 137-146. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol11/pp137-146 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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September 1575, 15-30

Sept. 16. 354. Notes by Reginald Fox.
Notes of certain sums of money that can be taken up at Cologne and elsewhere for five per cent. interest.
Endd. P. 2/3.
Sept. 17. 355. John von Holtz to Frederick Schwartz.
Thanks him for his friendly motion touching his only son Alexander, but considers that it will be more profitable for him to continue a year or two at Frankfort, to the intent he may be somewhat better instructed and disciplined. Desires him to confer with Gaspar Schomberg touching the other matter. If he may serve with 1,000 horse and a regiment of footmen, the said Schomberg being his partner in the profit, he will, upon advertisement, soon prepare himself fully furnished at his own credit and charges.—Ryklyng, 17 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ger. Pp. 22/3.
356. Translation of the above.
Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 18. 357. Killegrew to Sir Thomas Smith.
The day after he received the Queen's letter of revocation he went and took his leave of the Regent, who seemed sorry for his return, but could not but think the causes reasonable. He stands in hope that the Queen will send another into Scotland, and meanwhile will omit nothing to continue and increase the amity between the realms. Has been stayed by a horse almost treading off the nail of his great toe so that he cannot well suffer any boot on his leg.—Newcastle, 18 Sept. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Sept. 18. 358. James Harvie, junior, to Lord Burghley.
Informs him of the negotiations that he has had with various persons for the purpose of raising money. The Spaniards do not mind to assault Woerden, but to famish them in a short time. The Commendator has gone this morning to Barrow [Bergen-op-Zoom] to set his armada of ships upon Zericksee, or some port of Zealand, and has above 2,000 soldiers to put in the ships, with many ladders and other inventions to give the assault to some town.—Antwerp, 18 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 2.
Sept. 20. 359. Thomas Wilkes to Lord Burghley.
A councillor of the Palatine has written to him at large touching the impediment to the French obtaining the large aid and assistance promised to them. The Prince's Council here is compounded of so many contrary humours of persons, of which some of the nearest to him are imagined to be traitors to the cause, for that they are assured Papists, some desirous to carry away the authority by an imagination of their own sufficiency, other some persuaded that the victory must needs be theirs without any stroke stricken, that it is almost impossible to make any harmony or consent among them. The Palsgrave therefore required that they would contract either upon the victory or peace concluded to deliver into his hands the keeping of Metz, Toul, and Verdun as a lieutenant to the King, taking his oath to preserve them to his use, and to assure this covenant he would receive garrisons of the French into either of these towns such as should be allowed by the Churches of France: Also that the Duke Casimir should be put in present and quiet possession of the three bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun for his life, in consideration of the charge he should be at for the levy and payment of 1,500 reiters, 8,000 Swiss, and the leading of 12 pieces of artillery with munition unto them: Further, that the Prince of Condé and his party should bind themselves if at any time hereafter the Count Palatine should be assailed by any enemy to aid him with 2,500 horse and 6,000 shot French, at their own charges for three months. The Prince of Condé, however, would have Duke Casimir to acknowledge the tenure of the three towns as his lieutenant under himself as governor, which he refused, as he did not think the investiture from a subject sufficient, and also that the Princes leaving Picardy would be a means to weaken his party. They hereupon broke off, and returned to Strasbourg, but have since sent back two deputies with full powers to accord the same. The Prince also levies 6,000 more reiters to be ready to march under Duke Casimir by the end of next month. The troops levied at the charges of M. de Thore, who are 2,500 reiters, 500 French horse, and 1,200 shot, are about Saverne, ready to depart to France in four days. There is a new enterprise for the escaping away of the Duke.—Strasbourg, 20 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3.
Sept. 20. 360. The Regent of Scotland to Walsingham.
Desires that he will let him have some taste of what their neighbours are doing in the world. Sends up his cousin John Carmichael, who was the principal on the ground when the trouble happened, to know her Highness's pleasure, and has also entered some of his servants at Berwick. Nothing shall be omitted that in reason and honour tends to her Majesty's contentation, although he has found the providing at the Earl of Huntingdon's hands harder than he looked for. Has delivered some hawks for his use.—Dalkeith, 20 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 20. 361. The Regent of Scotland to Killegrew.
Desires that he may be resolved in writing of those things which he looked to have been answered by speech, the sum of which he has briefly noted and sends herewith. Trusts he will let the Earl of Leicester and Mr. Randolph know his honest meaning and good part towards his Lordship. Recommends the bearer, who is known unto him, to his lawful favour. —Dalkeith, 20 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½.
Sept. 20. 362. M. de la Mothe Fenelon to the Earl of Leicester.
Prays his aid in thanking the Queen for the honourable and gracious adieu that she has given him, for her recommendation of him to the King, her good treatment of him and favour towards him, and for her liberality in giving him a cupboard of silver gilt plate far exceeding his merits. After the duty that he owes his master, she will always find him a devoted and affectionate servant. The King has written to him and to de Mauvissiere, touching the matter of Monsieur, and he would that their affection were cemented by a firm league, than which none could be better than the marriage of his brother with the Queen; hopes that he himself in France shall be able to advance the same. Prays him to ask Walsingham to obtain the Queen's letter to the King, touching her refusal to allow him to see the Queen of Scots, and her putting off for a month or six weeks her permission for the granting of a passport for Scotland.—London, 20 September 1575. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
Sept. 20. 363. M. de la Mothe Fenelon to Walsingham.
Prays him to join with the Earl of Leicester in thanking the Queen for his good entertainment; will always have a lively remembrance of his favours towards him, and will omit no occasion to serve him. Will do all he can to bring about a happy conclusion in the matter of Monsieur and the Queen. Attends only the arrival of his nephews from the Queen of Scots to depart at once. Beseeches him to obtain the Queen's letter touching the difficulty she has found in allowing him to visit the Queen of Scots, and also with regard to her delaying the granting of a passport for Scotland for a month or six weeks because of the differences lately arisen on the frontiers, she promising to grant one at the end of that time to such gentlemen as it may seem fit to the King to send. He dare not appear there without such a letter. Prays him to write to the English Ambassador in France to grant a passport to Hannibal Estuard, who will replace Florent as servant to the Queen of Scots.—London, 20 September 1575. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. by Walsingham. Fr. P. 1.
Sept. 21. 364. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley.
1. Cannot express the state of these new troubles better than by a copy of his letter to the Secretaries. Men think the King will be constrained to condescend to the will of his brother and of the nobility; he dares not declare his brother enemy.—Paris, 21 September 1575. Signed.
2. P.S.—Trusts the Queen was advertised of the first of Monsieur's departing, for he made shift to send word two or three ways.
Add., with seal. Endd. P. 1.
365. Dr. Dale to [Sir Thomas Smith and Walsingham].
The King was many times advised to commit Monsieur to ward, in which the Cardinal of Guise was very stout and earnest, insomuch that within two hours of Monsieur's departure the King was determined to have committed him to prison if the Queen Mother had not earnestly withstood it. Monsieur borrowed the coach of the wife of Vomeny, who is in prison, and set it at the back door of his house in the town, coming thereto from the Louvre in his own coach. In the coach of Vomeny's wife he came out of the Porte St. Germain alone, and so passed a league towards St. Cloud, where one Chyny, a gentleman of his chamber, tarried with two horses. By the time he had ridden a league or two, Guitery, that was taken at St. Lo, Baron St. Remy, brother to him that is in prison, one of the Rambouillets and divers other gentlemen resorted to him in troops, and so he came to St. Leger and Montfort, about ten leagues from Paris. By that time he had above 300 or 400 horses, and so went to Dreux, where he was received. Divers were sent after him, but understanding he was accompanied they returned. The next day the Queen Mother plucked up her spirits, sent M. de Nevers to him to persuade him to return with promise of anything he would require. The King sent De Gas to gather such company as he might, and send forthwith to all the ports to stop the passages, and that no man should pass without passport. With this all the Court was amazed. The King tormented himself upon his bed; the Queen Mother sat much dismayed and lamenting. The Chancellor, Chiverny and others went apart to their lodgings and lamented themselves to their friends. All men were at the Queen Mother, as far as they durst, because she was the let that Monsieur was not stayed. Most were booted in the Court, and they that were not, were noted as not ready to do the King service. Soon after Monsieur's departure, Madame Montmorency was committed to strait ward and examined. Upon the 18th, Monsieur wrote that he went not away for any harm he meant the King or the commonwealth, but only for preservation of his life and liberty, and to avoid the practices which his enemies wrought daily against him, rehearsing how evil he had been handled, how many ways and how many times he had been in danger, both of person and life, and desiring the King to call to remembrance what he would have done, if he had been so used in the time of their brother that dead is. The King has showed himself since the departure of his brother very sad, and as a man out of courage. The Queen Mother is very sorrowful, she was determined to go to Monsieur to persuade him, but now she is better advised. The Duke of Nevers is retired to Chartres for safety, for most of the gentlemen that went with him are gone to Monsieur. Monsieur writes himself, "Gouverneur General pour le Roy et protecteur de la liberte et bien publique de France." By the way he met President Sequier, and stayed him, and willed him to write to the Court of Parliament and to the King that in such manner as St. Remy and the rest of Monsieur's servants were used, so should he be. Since his departure the Queen Mother has been with Montmorency. Madame Montmorency was committed to ward, but now she is at more liberty. It was reported that he would pass the River Loire at Seroncy beneath Tours, and that young Bussy and the Count St. Aignon would meet him there with forces out of Poitou, but now he has so much repair to him in this country, it is thought he will remain in Normandy about Alençon. This day the King sends Monsieur his plate, jewels, apparel, and household stuff, and such of his servants as are remaining behind. The King is in a marvellous perplexity; he considers if he should use force against his brother and send any other man against him no other man should be obeyed, and if he should go himself he doubts lest he might be forsaken, neither has he means to levy an army or money to maintain it. In the meantime musters are made in Paris of as many harquebussiers as may be made. It was much doubted what should be done with the King of Navarre, because it is thought he cannot continually be kept as he is, and therefore it was thought best either to have him in sure guard, or else to give him credit and permit him to go to his government. He is much made of and bears a more cheerful countenance than he was wont. The Duke of Guise's camp goes slowly forward, and the King is advertised from M. de Pienes, Governor of Metz, that the first 3,000 reiters march, and that Duke Casimir levies other 6,000 to come with the Prince of Condé.
Endd. by Burghley. Enclosure. Pp. 4¼.
[Sept. 22. 366. Frederick Schwartz de Ruissingen to Lord Burghley.
By letters of the 20th of the month has intelligence of the flight of the Duke of Alençon on the 15th from Paris, who went in a coach with two companions only, and six miles off met 800 horsemen, who were expecting him. The King sent M. de St. Sulpice after them. Hears from Germany that 2,000 reiters, under the Lord of Elffenstein, with a legion of French footmen and Burgundian harquebussiers in the service of the Prince of Condé and the Protestants, are already in Lorraine, between Strasbourg and Basle. The Governor of the Low Countries left Antwerp the 18th of this month for Bergen-op-Zoom, where he has a fleet and 8,000 footmen. They say Zericksee is to be besieged. Most of the King's forces in Holland are in winter quarters. Intends within a few days to return to Germany, but will first pay his respects to the Queen.—London, 20 September 1575. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. Lat. Pp. 3.
Sept. 22. 367. Roger Bodenham to Lord Burghley.
This country coming once into the hands of the King of Spain, he will be as evil a neighbour to England as any foreign Prince in Christendom who should have possessed the same. Dares not enter into more in this matter till he comes to England. It is reported that those of Dort keep the Prince in their town, and will not let him depart, saying that he shall fare as they do, and have charged him with demands to know whether he were a Papist or a Protestant; in fine it goes hard with him. It is thought Woerden cannot long be defended. M. Boissot is at Zericksee to defend it against the enemy who are said to be 5,000 or 6,000 strong, with all the galleys and shipping they can make at Barrow (Bergen-opzoom), so that daily it is looked for that they should meet and fight upon the water. The victory of either side will in a manner make or mar. Howsoever it happen, these people cannot of themselves long continue and defend the enemy. Daniel Rogers is not sufficient for the cause if anything is committed to him by the Queen or Burghley.—Middleburg, 22 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 24. 368. Benedetto Spinola to Lord Burghley.
Has sent his Lordship's letter by the ordinary post to Venice to be delivered into the hands of the Earl [of Oxford] No letters have come from thence for six weeks on account of the great pestilence at Trent, through which place the post has to pass, so that it is no marvel that the Countess has not heard from her husband. Encloses advices from Genoa and Flanders. Has sent to a friend in France about the apricots and other trees, which his Lordship desires. The Carrara marble for the Queen will shortly be ready for shipment at Leghorn, about which order should be taken that the charges may be reasonable, as the stone will serve for ballast. Signor Giraldi has sent to know when his Lordship will be likely to return to London, as he desire to treat with him about the affairs of Portugal.—London, 24 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. Pp. 2.
369. News from Genoa and Antwerp.
1. Genoa, Aug. 28.—Endeavours of the Duke of Gandia on the part of the King of Spain, Cardinal Morone on the part of the Pope and the Emperor's two ambassadors to compound the present dissensions at Genoa. Giovanni Andrea Doria, with 24 galleys, has gone to Naples, as is thought to confer with Don John of Austria. The Governor of Milan has stayed the embarkation of soldiers for Naples, which some say is for the service of the party of the old nobility. The Duke of Gandia will go to the government of Sicily.
2. Antwerp, 18 Sept.—There is just expectation of the success of the great expedition which started three days ago, as many say, for Zericksee. The Duke has gone this morning with his council of war to Bergen. It is everywhere confirmed that an expedition will come from Spain.
Endd. Enclosure. Ital. Pp. 1¼.
Sept. 24. 370. M. de Mauvissiere to Walsingham.
Prays him to continue his favour and good offices to him that he may worthily fulfil the position of ambassador. M. de la Mothe desires to hear of the Queen, so that he may make a good report on his return to France, wither he makes diligence to return. Hears that Monsieur has left the Court at a time when he had been promised that there should be the greatest and most perfect friendship that could exist between two brothers.—London, 24 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. Fr. P. 1.
Sept. 25. 371. James Harvie, junior, to Lord Burghley.
Informs him of the arrangements which he has made with different merchants for furnishing money. The Commendator lies still at Barrow (Bergen-op-zoom), and gathers mariners and men-of-war, but as yet no attempt has been made of this side. They understand that Monsr. D'Alençon is at Dreux, 18 miles from Paris, with 1,800 horsemen.—Antwerp, 25 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3½.
Sept. 27. 372. Thomas Wilkes to Lord Burghley.
M. de Thore has departed hence, and the Duke of Guise has sent part of his forces as far as the mountain near Phalsberg, which is the ordinary passage into Lorraine, who however retired before M. de Thore. The passage might have been kept very easily, and with a few. It was an only highway over the top of a mountain, and thick of woods a league or two round about. These 3,000 horsemen were levied only to join the Duke of Alençon, who escaped from the Court on the 15th inst. With these and other forces they will be able to keep play with the King until the Prince of Condé comes unto them, who is looked to depart hence about the beginning of November.—Strasbourg, 27 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 28. 373. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley.
The bearer has come from Berwick with declaration of the state of his charge there, wherein his ministers are so hardly dealt with that they write that they will no longer endure the burden. And because he has comforted them so often with the coming of the new victualler he sends him purposely to his Lordship as thereby they may well perceive he is in repairing thither.—Hoggesdon [Hoddesdon], 28 Sept. 1575. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ¼.
Sept. 28. 374. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley.
1. The Queen Mother went about tamquam Cyrene to train Monsieur by treaty, while the King prepared forces to environ him. She went almost as far as Dreux to speak with him, and the King made forces out of Paris, Rouen, Orleans, and Chartres to besiege him, but he went his way with 800 or 900 horses the same morning the Queen Mother meant to speak with him towards the Loire, where La Noüe and the Viscount of Touraine are to meet him.
2. The Queen Mother lingers about Chastres to hearken of his doings, and to induce him to treaty. The King makes out forces against him and minds to go in person, yet men doubt he will go further than Orleans.
3. The King of Navarre was never so merry nor so much made of. The Queen of Navarre and the Princess of Condé are commanded not to go out of the Court gates for the goodwill they are thought to bear Monsieur. The Duke of Guise employs the King's forces against Bussy d'Amboise, the father, who is in arms with the most part of the gentlemen of the country till the reiters come. The King's forces in Dauphiny and Languedoc are drawn into Burgundy and Champagne. All Auvergne, Bourbonnais, Nivernais, and Gatinois, even to Beauce, are in arms, and the gentlemen of the country for the most part gone to Monsieur. They had well nigh surprised Moulins, Nevers, and La Charite all in one day.
4. That the Prince Dauphin has taken himself to Tours is not true. All the troubles the Queen Mother had in all her life never vexed her so much as this matter, for she is blamed on both sides, grieved on every side. It is said Monsieur demands Normandy or Brittany for his partage, assembly of Estates, liberty of religion, and that the King would be contented therewithal to appease these troubles.—Paris, 28 September 1575. Signed.
5. P.S.—Has sent home his wife to be out of these troubles, commends her specially to him.
Add., with seal. Endd. Pp. 1½.
Sept. 28. 375. Dr. Dale to [Sir Thomas Smith and Walsingham].
Upon the 20th the King and Queen Mother sent for all the ambassadors, and specially for him. At his coming the King told him to advertise the Queen of his brother's departure, much to his grief, and without any cause given of his part; his brother had written him divers causes of his departure, which were not true. He hoped the Queen would not assist his brother against him. The Queen Mother said further that it grieved her to think of this misfortune, yet she hoped it was but a frolic of youth, which she trusted would be well enough appeased, so that her son Alençon were not supported by other Princes, she therefore desired the Queen to forbear to assist him, and she hoped all should be quieted. Said he thought the Queen would be very sorry to hear of any variance between the King and his brother for both their sakes; if the Queen's advice to them for the continuance of brotherly love had been followed, things had not grown to such extremities, and wished there were as much love between them as she would desire. The King was very heavy and sorrowful, the Queen Mother as one dismayed, they spake both very lowly for their degree.
Pp. 2¼. Enclosure.
Sept. 28. 376. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley.
Prays his help in remedying the injustice he declares has been done him by one Speede, a tailor, who claims and has obtained a verdict for ejectment against one Warren, the tenant of a chamber in a tenement in Dale's possession. Before Dale's coming to France, Speede took an action against him, but let it fall.—Paris, 28 September 1575. Signed.
Add., with seal. Endd. P. 1.
Sept. 29. 377. Petition of John Jenkins to the Privy Council.
Desires that his accounts may be favourably considered, as they have been so suddenly called for, and also requests their consideration for certain suits, and that care may be taken that those evidences remaining at St. Mary's in York which appertained to sundry late religious houses may not be embezzled by sinister means.
Endd.: "1575, Mr. Jenkins, receiver of Yorkshire. His petition for his service being paymaster at Berwick."
P. 1.
Sept. 4. 378. Charges at Berwick.
Declaration of the account of John Jenkins, paymaster of the garrison of Berwick for the year ending Michaelmas 1575. Ready money by him received, 12,503li. 6. 7. Money issued and defrayed by him, 12,339li. 4. 7½. Remaining in his hands, 164li. 23½d.
Endd.: 4 Sept. Broadside. Enclosure.
Sept. 29. 379. Charges for Berwick.
1. The state of the charges for the garrison of Berwick for a whole year from 30 Sept. 1574 to 29 Sept. 1575.
2. Sum total for Berwick, 12,544li. 2. 8. For Tynemouth, Holy Island, and Wark Castles, 680li. 15. 5., and for extraordinary charges, 212li. 18. 4.
Endd. Pp. 9½.
Sept. 380. The Queen to the King of France.
The reason that she denied licence to his late ambassador to visit the Scottish Queen was that it seemed a very strange matter that now a motion that has long lain asleep was newly revived by him and the Sieur de Mauvissiere tending to a straiter degree of amity between their Crowns, such a request should be made which would make it appear to all the world that she gave credit at her own expense to one who by her actions and open practices was so entirely her enemy, and which could not accord with his professions of amity towards her. Those who profess friendship towards her can have no cause to allow her treatment of the Scottish Queen to be otherwise than favourable. Therefore he should have great reason to forbear to press her to the doing of anything that may tend to the countenancing so dangerous an enemy. With regard to the request of M. de la Mothe to be allowed to go to Scotland, she showed him that by reason of the disorder happening on the Borders the permitting of him to go thither might make the Scots to be more insolent and the harder to be driven to acknowledge their error. She so honorably judges that his desire to send was only to visit the young King and the Regent that she will grant safe conduct to such messenger as he may send hereafter, assuring herself he will make choice of such a one as shall have no meaning to disturb the present quiet, but do all good offices as may tend to the continuance of the same.
Copy. Endd. Fr. Pp. 1¼.
381. Draft of the above in English with corrections by Walsingham.
Endd. Pp. 1¾.