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| 6 June. |
167. Sir John Forster to the Lords of the Privy Council. |
|
Edward Merrey will execute the victualling of Berwick no
longer than Midsummer next. These are the opinions of himself and the gentlemen of his wardency why the Borders are
not so well furnished as beforetime. First. They have had
so long peace that the inhabitants fall to tillage of the ground,
and have not delight to be in horse and armour as when the
world is troublesome; what they were wont to bestow in horse
they now bestow in cattle. Another cause is that the most part
of the good horses of this part of England, are brought to the
West Marches and open sale made of them into Scotland. The
third cause is that leases are taken at second or third hand,
and whereas the first taker pays two or three years' fine, the
tenant pays nine or ten, to his utter undoing, and he is unable
to keep horse and armour. The fourth is that if a man have
a tenement, scant sufficient to the maintenance of one person,
and he chance to die having two sons, he divides it between
them both. Men are so given to trouble, that if they cannot
get what they want at York, they will forthwith repair to
London for trifling matters, which is a great impoverishing of
the country. Their opinion is that the Queen should not
charge them here with taxes and subsidies, and that a commandment should come to the noblemen and gentlemen to
favour their tenants as their ancestors have done for defence
of the frontiers, and to give in certificates to the Wardens
what number of horsemen they are able to make.—Berwick,
6 June 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| June 6. |
168. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
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The King works privily by the Duke of Savoy to have
Danville render Aiguesmortes, and upon that he promises to
deliver Montmorency. There is news that there has been
an encounter in Guienne, and that La Noüe being ten
leagues away made such speed that he came to the end, and
so the King's power was defeated. It is said Cognac is taken
by the Protestants. The Duke of Guise dandles the King of
Navarre in such sort that he makes him believe he will make
him King if anything should come to the King. The Duke
of Lorraine and M. de Vaudemont are looked for at the Court
with much expectation to make up that faction. The Pope
lends the King 200,000 crowns, upon jewels, to be employed
in Poland; where it is said they have fought already, and
the King's part put to the worst. Montpensier keeps his
house, evil contented that he cannot have his precedence judged
against the Guises. Men are appointed at the Court gates to
mark who go and come, and are appointed whom they shall
so suffer, and specially what company comes to Monsieur.
Two are appointed to dog Monsieur and the King of Navarre
whither they go, and what resort is to them when they go
abroad. Both are suspected to have intelligence with the
Prince of Condé. The Queen of Navarre and her husband
are reconciled; he uttered that the cause of their discord proceeded from the King by the procurement of the Guises. It
is said the Duke of Florence has discovered a conspiracy
against himself.—Paris, 6 June. Signed. |
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Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1⅓. |
| June 8. |
169. Instructions for Daniel Rogers sent to the Prince
of Orange. |
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1. First. He is to declare that her Majesty is much aggrieved to see her subjects almost daily outraged and spoiled
by those of Flushing, who have most presumptuously entered
into some of her roads and carried out certain ships laden
with merchandise pertaining to her merchants, which is a
matter so touching her in honour as she neither may nor will
suffer the said injuries unrevenged unless that she shall see
present redress to follow thereof. |
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2. Secondly. Whereas the said Prince restrains her Majesty's
merchants from trafficking in Flanders, pretending therein to
follow the example of the Venetians in their wars with the
Turk, and also some like examples of other Princes, he is to
tell him that as she does not allow it in other Princes (saving
in the Venetian, because the Turk is a common enemy of
Christendom), so she cannot approve the same in him, and to
require him to forbear the continuance of the said restraint.
And whereas it has been alleged by the Governor of Flushing
and his brother that by a contract between them and the
Merchant Adventurers all other her subjects were excluded
otherwise than by such licence as they should receive at their
hands, he shall tell him that the same being examined is found
not to be so, and if it were so, yet the same being done without authority is of no force. |
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3. Thirdly. Whereas sundry strangers, being neither subjects
of the King of Spain nor enemies of the said Prince, trafficking
into her Majesty's realm are also spoiled by such as serve him,
the Queen wished the Prince to consider how thereby he
renders himself and those who serve him odious to the world
in that under pretext of religion they most irreligiously
maintain a good cause by evil means; and also that so many
nations finding themselves aggrieved he will procure himself
ten for one enemy he now has. |
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4. Fourthly. Whereas her Majesty is advertised that the
said Prince has entered into so inward a dealing with the
French King as that he should mean to yield himself and the
countries he now possesses into his protection, he shall
plainly say that she finds it so perilous to her state that
rather than it should come to pass she minds to bend all her
forces to the assistance of the King of Spain for the impeachment of the same, and to procure the Emperor and the Princes
of Germany to join with her in this action. She also means
presently to despatch a gentleman into Spain to the King to
persuade him to grow to some such composition with his
subjects as they may be assured of their safety and enjoy
freedom of conscience. But if Rogers finds him so far entered
into this secret dealing as he may not easily be dissuaded
from it by these reasons, then he shall furnish him with
examples from history of the insolent dealing of the French,
who upon like trust reposed in them have rather sought to
act as conquerors than protectors, and may also remind him
of the late murder of the Admiral and the rest in Paris. |
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5. Fifthly. As the Queen is given to understand that the
Governor of Flushing and the Admiral have no great liking
of the Prince's proceedings with the French, he is to use all
the persuasions he may to continue and increase the said misliking; and also acquaint them with her misliking thereof
and with the message which she has sent to the Prince. |
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6. Last of all he is to admit to any conference he may have
such merchants as have been chosen to be sent over by those
who have been spoiled. He is to advertise the Prince's answer
to each point, that if necessary he may receive further instructions. Signed by Smith and Walsingham. |
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Endd: 8 June 1575. Pp. 2½. |
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170. Another copy. |
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Pp. 2¼. |
| June 9. |
171. Depredations on English Merchants. |
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1. Petition to the King of France that he will cause execution of the judgment made by the Seneschal of Rennes against
Captain Landereau and other his accomplices, by reason of
depredations on and homicides of certain English merchants
of the city of London. |
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2. Answer of the King ordering that all necessary steps be
taken. |
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Fr. Endd. P. 1. |
| June 10. |
172. The Queen's Answer to Sir William Melvil. |
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She is greatly beholden to the Count Palatine for his friendly
dealing in showing her frankly the small hope he had of any
great good to follow the disbursing of 50,000 crowns, for that
there could not by so mean an assistance be put in the field
sufficient forces. Touching his opinion for her disbursing
150,000 crowns, she does not see how she can do so openly
with honour, having lately renewed the league with the
French King. Notwithstanding his opinion of the small good
to be done by disbursing 50,000 crowns, she has been so
earnestly pressed by Monsieur Meru with her former promise
of assisting them and assurance of good to follow that she
could not deny the same. |
|
Incomplete draft. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| June 10. |
173. Memorandum from the Exchequer. |
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Note by Richard Stonley, Teller of the Exchequer, of money
paid by him to Sir Valentine Browne in the 5th and 6th
years of the reign of Philip and Mary, and the second year of
Elizabeth. Signed. |
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Endd. P. ⅓. |
| June 12. |
174. Sebastian Danvaulx and Marie Windebank. |
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1. Captain Sebastian Danvaulx prays M. de la Mothe
Fenelon have remembrance of the petition he presented
touching the extortions made upon him by one Margaret,
wife of Robert Somer, ally of one Marie Windebank. Prays
him obtain for him a letter from the Council to the Lord
Chief Justice, so that he may have right done him. |
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2. M. de la Mothe Fenelon forwards the above to Walsingham, praying that he will refer it to the Council, so that the
suppliant may have what reason demands.—London, 12 June
1575. Signed. |
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Endd. Fr. P. ¾. |
| June 13. |
175. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
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It is constantly reported that Danville is dead and much
joy therefore, and much expectation what may be the sequel,
yet many doubt whether it be true. Men discourse diversely
of the marriage of the Prince of Orange with the daughter of
M. Montpensier.—Paris, 13 June 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. P. ¾. |
| June 13. |
176. John Willes to Walsingham. |
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Gives details of the various rumours and reports of the
death of M. Danville. The greatest number think the report
but fabulous, although they have given away his office. The
Duke of Nevers is made Governor by the Queen's means;
The King was "agoing" to give it to M. Guise and M. de
Joyeuse. Matignon that took Montgomery is Marshal, and
there is like to be strife about it. They of Aiguesmortes in a
night let in 20 ensigns of footmen. They of Beaucaire will
not let in one or the other, but keep it to themselves. There
has been a bruit five or six days that Narbonne is taken. It
is thought to stop the people's mouths, and to make the
King merry withal, to say that Danville is dead. It is said
M. de Torcy is at Geneva with 3,000 or 4,000 horse, and
marches, and Montbrun marches against him. The quarrel
between the King of Navarre and the Duke is greater than
ever it was, so that one of these days they will cut the
throats one of the other. The King of Navarre and his wife
are farther out than ever they were, and will not agree. The
Irishman is gone to St. Malo, what to do he cannot learn;
he spoke with the Queen three times. At St. Malo there is
an English ship taken with a man of the Prince of Orange.
They of Rochelle and that country do very well. The Duke
of Montpensier and his son are gone home ill contented, as
the talk is abroad.—Paris, 13 June 1575. Signed. |
|
Add., with seal. Endd.: "From John Furriar," by Walsingham. Pp. 1⅓. |
| June 13. |
177. Dr. Dale to Walsingham. |
|
Shows how ready they are in this Court to disquiet them
when they will hearken to such a one as James Fitz Morris
at this time. If Danville be dead, he may be well assured
the House of Montmorency will be utterly persecuted. The
sickness of the King has made a calm in Court for awhile.
The King of Navarre is set agog to make himself party against
Monsieur, even for the nonce, and yet cannot the young man
perceive that he is as little trusted as Monsieur, being
watched both night and day as well as he.—Paris, 13 June
1575. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| June 13. |
178. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
|
The news of the death of Danville begins to wax cold, and
be called in doubt more and more, neither does there come
any confirmation; it is thought, indeed, he has been very sick.
The King has given his office of Marshal to M. Biron, and
his government of Languedoc to the Duke of Nevers. Upon
news of Danville's death, Montmorency was shut up in a
close chamber, his men taken from him, and he, being sick,
straitly used. News comes that Narbonne is taken by them
of the religion. Don John of Austria is arrived with 40
galleys before Genoa, and takes upon himself to compose the
differences of them in the city, wherewith this Court is very
much grieved. An ambassador is come to this Court from
the King of Portugal, and thereby it is reported that the
treaty of marriage between him and the "Queen blanche"
is renewed. Stukeley makes great vaunts in Rome, but he
begins to be as well known there as he was in Spain.—Paris,
13 June 1575. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| June 15. |
179. Daniel Rogers to Walsingham. |
|
Would have been very glad of Mr. Villars' company if the
merchants had been ready to contribute to his charges. Has
spent five days with them for his own charges and expenses,
and has hardly agreed with them, but they flatly refuse to
contribute anything unto Mr. Villars' charges. They have
have promised 150li sterling for his voyage, half he is to
receive this day, and the rest at his return. Has spent
already 34li in Holland and Zealand, and in returning to the
Court. They promise, if restitution be made, that they will
liberally reward his travail. The wind is clean contrary, but
minds to depart towards Sandwich. The Estates have been
assembled at Antwerp, of whom the Commendator demanded
great sums of money, who declared a way by which he
might get great treasures by taking the land which the
clergy have purchased contrary to the law of Charles V.
There has been a great revolt at Burgos in Spain, for that
the King demanded new contributions. The Prince of Orange
came to Brielle on the 8th inst. to receive his espouse.—
London, 15 June. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| June 16. |
180. Count of Meru to Walsingham. |
|
Prays him, according to his promise, to obtain him a ship
for his passage into France.—London, 10 June. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd.: 16 June 1575. Fr. P. ½. |
| June 16. |
181. M. de la Mothe Fenelon to Walsingham. |
|
1. Begs him or the Earl of Leicester to inform the Queen
of the illness of the King of France. He has had an affection of the buttocks, extending to the left thigh, just where
sciatica is used to come. The doctors say that it is only a
cold, and on the 5th they gave him a medicine to purge
him, but he vomited the greater part. It, however, operated
well, and he was better the same evening. The next
morning he complained to his wife, who has not slept apart
from him since they were married, that his head was bad, and
the doctors judged that this was a relapse, and in truth the
fever attacked him at eight in the morning and held possession of him during all that day. It left him in the evening,
and he slept so well during the night for six hours that he
was much relieved and perfectly cured on his awakening on
on the 7th. |
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2. The King has anew referred the complaints of the
English merchants to M. Chiverny. Prays to know who
has been selected to carry the King the Garter, and when
he will set out.—London, 16 June 1575. Signed. |
|
Add., with seal. Endd. Fr. Pp. 1¼. |
| June 21. |
182. M. Calvart to Mr. Tomson. |
|
Has sent to Mr. Walsingham all news that he has received.
Prays him send him the news of France.—London, 21 June
1575. Signed. |
|
Endd. Fr. P. ½. |
| June 22. |
183. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
|
Sends his treaty with Bellieure and Pinart. If their doings
would be as their sayings it were well. Letters are come from
Danville of the 7th of this month, and divers letters of a later
date, declaring him to be alive. Divers discourses are made of
the cause of this rumour; some say that he was poisoned, or
poison prepared for him. Has credibly learned that his cook
has come away from him as suspected, and was one of the
first that brought up the rumour. Montmorency has one
more man than he had, and some more liberty, but very little.
The Duchess of Ferrara is dead, and much rigour used to
them which were accustomed to repair to the preaching in
her house, which was permitted while she lived. All the
Court is occupied in entertaining the Duke of Lorraine.
M. Vaudemont, Monsieur, and the King of Navarre, with all
the chiefest of the Court, went to receive them.—Paris,
22 June 1575. Signed. |
|
Add., with seal. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| June 21. |
184. Causes of the English Merchants. |
|
Upon the 21st Bellieure and Pinart came from the King
saying that he understood the Queen had granted letters of
reprisal against his subjects, and that as he understood at the
request of M. de la Mothe she had granted a respite of one
month, he has appointed them to come to him (Dale) to
proffer present contentment of those matters for which he
supposed the letters were granted. They said there were
many at the Court suing for like letters against the Queen's
subjects. Said he had no advertisement of any such thing,
but that he would deliver them the books, by which it would
appear to what sum the demands did extend, so that the
Council might set down what money might be paid, to the
intent the Queen's subjects might know what they might
trust unto. They would hardly believe but that he knew of
it, having been passed in England the 7th of the month. Told
them it were no marvel if the Queen were moved with the
continual complaints of her subjects. Desired them to take
pains severally to answer the requests by the manner of
postils, and so entered with them to the explication of the
articles, article by article. Bellieure said his request was
reasonable, and it should be done as he desired. Among other
things required that judges should be appointed for hearing
of the causes. Pinart would not believe the Queen had appointed any such in England. |
|
Pp. 1¾. Enclosure. |
| June 24. |
185. Instructions for Cares Richie from Lord Scrope
wherein to deal with Mr. Killegrew. |
|
Relating to various matters upon the Marches, such as the
giving up of outlaws, redress of injuries, &c. |
|
Endd. by Killegrew and Walsingham. Pp. 1½. |
| June 25. |
186. Antony Wallhall to Daniel Rogers. |
|
Understands that of the two ships of Hull, laden with
wool and fells, stayed by the Flushingers, one has been released
on payment of a great sum of money, and the other confiscated and the goods sold. Hopes that by virtue of his
commission he will procure the delivery of the said goods
without payment, and also the restitution of the money which
they have compelled the merchants to pay. Upon hearing
from him the merchants will repair to the Council and let
them understand of the spoil which the Flushingers make of
their goods.—London, 25 June 1575. Signed: Antony Wallhall, for the Merchants of the Staple at Hull. |
|
Add. P. 1. |
| June 26. |
187. Killegrew to Walsingham. |
|
1. Sends hereinclosed a note of the ordnance taken in Home
Castle which pertained to the King, which he received from
Sir Valentine Browne. In Sir Valentine Browne's warrant it
was specified that he should deliver up such as had the King's
mark or arms on them, and he, finding none so marked, has
not delivered any. There are few pieces in Scotland that
carry that mark, for the ordnance of Scotland came out of
France, or was given them, or taken from strangers. Desires
that he will write his mind touching this matter. Has taken
order for the receipts and payments of her Majesty's treasure
and safe custody of that which remains until his return.—
London, 25 June. |
|
2. P.S.—Sends enclosed a note of the Lord Home's touching
the ordnance. The Regent challenged those mentioned in his
schedule as the King's and not properly pertaining to any
subject.—London, 26 June. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
|
188. Memorandum of artillery taken out of Home Castle. |
|
P. ⅓. Enclosure. |
| June 27. |
189. James Fitz Morris to Sir John Hay and Sir John
Sullivan. |
|
Desires and prays them both to be good and favourable to
this ignorant student, the bearer, Edmund Magawaime, as in
showing him their diligence, if they can find any company
going to Rome. They shall make for him a supplication to
the King, in the hope he shall recover some alms for God's
sake from him; so doing they will show him (Fitz Morris) a
pleasure and also for themselves an almsdeed.—St. Malo
27 June 1575. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. by Burghley. P. ½. |
| June ? |
190. Treaty of Commerce between England and France. |
|
To the propositions of the French Ambassador the following are proposed by the Queen's ministers as proper articles
for a treaty:—1. There should be a league for mutual protection between the merchants of each country. 2. To obviate
the depredations of pirates each ship carrying arms should
give caution to double the value of the ship and cargo, and
those carrying merchandize only to the single value. 3. If it
be possible all suits are to be decided within six months.
4. All judgments against pirates are to be in money, and
sureties should be taken for the payment. 5. After three
months from the judgment letters of reprisal may be granted.
6. No armour or other munitions of war (the different kinds
being particularised) are to be transported to Spain. 7. It is
not fitting that letters of reprisals should be issued in isolated
instances, arising from the negligence of their Majesties'
ministers, but that representation thereof being made to the
Sovereign, means may be adopted for remedy. 8. Such
reprisals are to be severely punished. 9. It were better if
letters of reprisal were abolished. 10. Such ships as are in
public use and inscribed on the lists shall be deemed as of
the Navy, and the Sovereigns shall see to the punishment
of whatever they do if wrong. 11. No spoils are to be
sold or otherwise appropriated without judgment by the
Admiralty. |
|
Lat. Endd. Pp. 2⅓. |
| June. ? |
191. Copy of the second, sixth, seventh, and eleventh articles of
the above. |
|
Lat. Pp. 2. |
| June 29. |
192. Sir Valentine Browne to Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer. |
|
Understands that order is given by the Queen for some
one to make a pay to the garrison of Berwick, and that
knowledge should be taken of prests and victuals delivered
toward the same. As he has already intermeddled therewith, never suspecting any alteration, he declares that he has
received from the Receiver's since Lady Day 4,800l., being
under the sum that will make the half-year's pay, and has
disbursed the same in prests to captains and soldiers for
victual, the payment of freight, and other needful charges.
Knows not the exact sums he has received and paid, but
sends an estimate. Has been detained from looking into his
charge committed to ministers who have not evenly respected
the same. Hopes the Queen will not be induced to turn
him out of his office after 15 years' service, and if he have
not continuance is like to lose many debts and odd reckonings.—29 June 1575. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
|
193. Note of receipts amounting to 4,800l., and payments amounting to 4,761l. |
|
P. ½. Enclosure. |
| June 30. |
194. Johannes Landscadt to Sturmius. |
|
Points out to him the advantages which a marriage between
the Queen of England and one of the House of Austria
would bring to the cause of religion, and desires his assistance in bringing it about.—Zweybruck, 30 June 1575.
Signed. |
|
Add. Ger. Pp. 7½. |
|
195. Latin translation of the above.—Bipontium, 3 Cal. Jun. (sic).
Endd. Pp. 6. |
| June. |
196. The Queen to the Prince of Orange. |
|
It seems strange to her that he should in anyway attempt
to excuse the robberies and outrages committed on her subjects by persons who aver his authority. Finds it still more
strange that having made request by her letters she can
obtain but little reparation, and hears every day new complaints of further outrages. If she cannot obtain satisfaction very soon she will be obliged herself to take steps for
the safety of her subjects, as she has given charge to the
bearer, Daniel Rogers, to tell him more fully. |
|
Copy. Endd.: June 1575. Fr. P. ½. |
| [June.] |
197. The Regent of Scotland. |
|
Things noted and misliked in the Regent chiefly in the
matter of the coinage of silver, which he manages to his own
particular advantage. |
|
Endd. P. ½. |
