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April 12.
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672. DR DAVID LEWES to WALSINGHAM.
I have received your letter with the enclosed request of the
Spanish ambassador, and have considered it. As touching the first
and second articles, they have been answered heretofore by way of
postill to certain of the same ambassador's requests. The first
was, that forasmuch as Roberts's sugars came directly from Tercera,
which is in the possession of King Antonio, as appears by public
'testimonial,' her Majesty did not intend to intermeddle one way or
the other in that action. And if that answer does not serve, or is
not thought fit, it may be said that Bristol and London are places
that have public magistrates always resident for administration of
justice in all causes, of what nature or quality soever the matters
be, and therefore the parties grieved are to resort to them to take
their remedies in course of justice.
Touching the third and last article ; it is so general that I have
not known the like either granted or yet asked by any ambassador,
or any stranger or subject ; for commissions pass for offences
'alleged committed,' at the request of such as are damnified, or
their procurators, and not for 'things to cover.'
Yet if so much be yielded to him, I see no inconvenience for my
part that may ensue, so that it be directed to magistrates subjects
of her Majesty, and against known pirates.
I am of opinion that though the ambassador has put the request
up at the motion of some other, he will yet not be earnest to pursue
it, and so he has been advised, as I am informed, by some of his
own countrymen. This is as much as I can at this time say on the
matter.—London, 12 April 1582.
Add. Endd. 1¼ pp. [Spain I. 88.]
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April 12.
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673. The DUKE OF ANJOU to the QUEEN.
Having heard from a subject of mine in the town of Angers,
named François le Fort, that a thief named Pierre Bazourdy,
otherwise la Lande Bordeliere, after robbing him last year of
the sum of £11,000 reals had retired into your realm, to London,
where he is at this present, I have ventured to beg you to do me the
favour of permitting that the said la Lande may be arrested
wherever found, to be conducted into France, where his case has
been tried, and it only remains to execute sentence in pursuance of
the verdict of the Court of Parliament at Rennes ; or in any event
that he may be arrested and detained under the authority of your
justices, until the proceedings can be reported to them (? la procédure
soit aportée en leus mains) for execution according to the tenour
thereof. This will be a public benefit, very just and not to be refused,
for which I shall remain personally obliged to you.—Antwerp,
12 April 1582. (Signed) François.
Add. Endd. Fr. ½ p. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 109.]
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April 12.
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674. Copy of the oath of abjuration of the King of Spain and
allegiance to the Duke of Anjou, taken at Antwerp and elsewhere.
Endd. by Herle, and in England. Fr. ½ p. [Ibid. XV. 110.]
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April 12.
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675. Another copy of the same, certified in Flemish.
Endd. Fr. ½ p. [Ibid. XV. 111.]
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April 14.
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676. ROSSEL to WALSINGHAM.
My last letters put you in hope of his Excellency's convalescence,
by dint of the good order restored between the doctors and the
surgeons [sic]. The sequel was such that all which could be hoped
for in the way of cure is apparent in the wound, to the great
contentment of the more part of his friends. I can say, however,
that some who bear the name of being well-affectioned to him,
besides that [sic] everyone despaired of his recovery, were not
displeased inwardly as they made show, ay, even those of his
household, as several persons remarked surely. They have, since
it was perceived that he was getting better, suspended [surce, qy.
sursis] several provisions of State ; and I can say, for I know it
well, that his Highness, impelled by his own people under hand,
was upsetting all the provisions that his Excellency had decided to
be fitting for the military command. One of them, namely the
Count of Laval, appointed to command the cavalry here, was
opposed to M. de Hèvre, formerly put in that charge by the States,
to whom his Highness inclined, knowing him to be a papist,
although this was against the intention of his Excellency, ay, and
that of those of the Religion, who remarked that all the principal
ports with the status of general, for the war, were given to French
papists ; M. de Bellegarde, general of all the French and Italian
cavalry, M. de la Rochepot, general of all the French infantry, the
Prince Dauphin, lieutenant-general of the army, if his Excellency
does not want to 'be there,' four marèchaux de camp and one over.
M. des Pruneaux, superintendent-general of victualling, another
Frenchman claiming to be commissary-general of musters, for
which I was a claimant, and should be, were it not that I was
waiting to hear news of your favourable promises, and would give
up all posts, so as to swear to none other but her Majesty.
Though I have not renewed my claim, I was lately, namely on
the 9th inst. sent to the front in hope of finding the enemy before
a castle called 'Morcele,' near Lykerke, which he had a plan of
surprising when revictualling Alost. This done, he retired at once,
which caused us to return. I send you a copy of that commission,
from which please to consider what I ought to do, and send me
your opinion with all speed.
The Finance is not yet completely set up, owing to differences
that have intervened. M. Hessel, greffier of Brabant, who made
them take the solemn oath, has been chosen and appointed
Treasurer-general of the Finances ; la Prè, brother of Taffin, a
follower of the Prince of Epinoy is clerk (commis), a young man
named Wouters greffier, Ringoult and Ronk suspended.
After Easter a decision will be come to in the matter of the
Privy Council and the Great Council of Mechlin, on which his
Highness insists, as the sinew of his authority. The States-General
have consented, after all the expenses of the war have
been laid before them, to grant up to 350,000 florins per month.
On the 13th inst. departed he who has made the levy of Swiss
to the number of 3,000, to make them march with the reiters,
who all have their rendezvous about Metz, in order to pass from
thence across France to Calais, where the other troops of French
cavalry and infantry will join them, in such numbers as I wrote
in my last. While these are assembling, the enemy has been
amusing himself before Lens in Artois, which they have battered
with six cannons, since reinforced by four more. Those within
[are] resolved to lose their lives to the last man before entering
into any capitulation, which they have naturally sworn and
promised, and sent word that they are sure of holding out three
months. A rumour has been current that a very great man on the
Malcontents' side has been killed, and that it was Montigny ; but
it is not yet verified.
The news that Dannewitz has killed his master, the Archduke
Mathias, is held for certain, and that he was at once slain by the
guard. A rumour has run that the Duke of Savoy was in the
same case. I hear that something of the kind was deliberated, but
nothing effected.
Madeira has certainly revolted against the King of Spain in
favour of Don Antonio. They have torn down the arms of Spain
and dragged them through the streets ignominiously, after killing
the governor. I would tell you more details, were it not too long
and possibly tedious a story.—Antwerp, 14 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 112.]
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April 14.
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677. Translation of the above into English, made in Walsingham's
office.
Endd. 2¼ pp. [Ibid. XV. 112a.]
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April 14.
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Enclosure in the above :
678. Copy of Commission to Rossel by the Duke of Anjou
to arrange for the transfer to Dendermonde of the forces now at
Eccloo. (Signed) François, (countersigned) Sille (i.e. Rochepot).
Copy. Fr. ¾ p. [Ibid. XV. 112b.]
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April 14.
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679. DU PLESSIS MORNAY to WALSINGHAM.
This is only to accompany a letter which his Highness is writing
to you on behalf of a merchant, a subject of his, resident here, upon
whom a certain person who is in England is said to have committed
a notable theft. The person concerned is an honourable merchant,
who has long professed the Religion and is an Elder of the Church
in this town, and deserves to be gratified within the limits of
justice. Please have him in commendation, and you will oblige me
more and more.—Antwerp, 14 April 1582.
P.S.—M. d'Auquerque (?) to whom I am writing more in detail,
will impart the news to you ; which please take in good part from
him.
Add. Endd. by Walsingham : Touching Pierre de Basurti. (See
No. 673). Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 113.]
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April 15.
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680. ABRAHAM ORTELLE [ORTELIUS] to WALSINGHAM.
I have received yours of the 7th inst. respecting Mr Carleil's
account with the States ; and insomuch as Mr Ramsdon some time
ago had these matters in his hands, with all other things depending
thereon, and has promised to give me full information upon the
whole, I will not fail to employ myself so effectively that I hope you
will be content, and Mr Carleil will perceive the good affection I
have always borne him. And since part of the affair consists in
the declarations of General Norris, who is at present in this town,
I will communicate with him, that all may be done in the best
order. Pray command me in all matters wherein I can do you
service here.—Antwerp, 15 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. XV. 114.]
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April 15.
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681. STOKES to WALSINGHAM.
My last was the 8th inst, at which time I gave you to understand
such speeches as were current here ; since which very few have
passed, which are these.
The magistrates of this town received a speech from Meenen that
those of Cambrai have taken Landrecies by surprise. But because
this comes from no other place, it is doubted not to be true.
Those of Lille have given to the soldiers of the enemy's camp for
a reward 'in' taking Lens 4,000 guilders, with promise, when the
town of Meenen is taken, that they will give them 100,000.
Since the taking of Lens, for want of victuals, the enemy have
sent part of their forces to Bell [Bailleul] and those parts, and the
rest lie beside Lens, where they are preparing and devising to
besiege some other town, as Dunkirk, Ypres, Meenen, or Oudenarde ;
one of these it is thought will be dealt with.
'By good advice,' the enemy has as much aid and friendship
from France for victuals, munitions, and other necessaries, with as
much favour as they can wish or desire ; which is a great help to
them and a great hindrance to Monsieur's cause. This sufferance
of the French king mislikes them here very much.
Many speeches are given out here by the French captains of
great forces preparing in France and coming 'for' these parts for
the aid of Monsieur. But 'by' merchants and others that are
come this week from thence, 'says' they heard of no such gathering
of soldiers there, nor of any marching hitherward.
This week an enterprise was to have been done on Namur,
wherefore all the soldiers that lie at Eccloo, and about Ghent, and
this town, were sent thitherwards ; and when they were all past
and gone, the enemy victualled the town of 'Haulst' with two
hundred waggons. It was in great extremity for want of victuals ;
so the dealers of this enterprise are taken and put in prison at
Ghent, for it is thought it was but a device to send their forces from
thence that they might the better victual Alost, for when they came
to Namur they found no such matter as it was given to understand.
Whereas, it was said last week that the enemy had taken Cambrésis,
advice is since come that it is not so. Those of Douay and Bouchain
were thereabouts, but they returned home and did nothing.—
Bruges, 15 April 1582.
Add. Endd. 1½ pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 115.]
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April 16.
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682. The KING OF NAVARRE to the QUEEN OF ENGLAND.
I am sure that you so much desire the good of this State and the
repose of the reformed Churches, and I am so much obliged to you
for the testimony which you have heretofore given of your goodwill
and affection towards the late queen my mother and to me,
that it is my reason for sending you M. de la Roque, my chamberlain,
to visit you on my behalf, to let you know the trouble I am every
day continually taking to have peace established in this realm on
the side of those of the Religion, according to the credit I have
with them. On their part very little remains to be effected of the
Edict of pacification, which is the way to give prosperity and
growth to those Churches, not only in France, but in the
neighbouring kingdoms where God has imparted His true religion.
This I desire that England and Flanders especially may feel, and
that the matters in treaty between you and Monsieur, the king's
brother, may turn out to your mutual satisfaction all the sooner, to
a good and happy result ; and wish for nothing so much as to do
you service.—La Rochelle, 16 April 1582.
Holograph. Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [France VII. 53.]
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April 18.
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683. The KING OF DENMARK to the QUEEN.
You doubtless remember the message you lately gave our
ambassador George Schuavenius [sic] to bring back to us. On his
return he faithfully reported it in detail, and could not say enough
of your good will to us, which, though we never doubted it, was
pleasant to be reminded of it, and it gives us no common spur to
continue in our effort to render mutual services. However, in order
to give evidence of this, we thought it would not be beside the
purpose to testify the same by this letter, and our servant and
councillor Matthias Budde, whom we are sending over.
Nor would we miss this opportunity of affectionately calling upon
you to furnish us with two pacing horses, as we understand that
much better horses of that breed are to be found in your kingdom
than elsewhere. Our reason for preferring in future pacers to
trotters is that age begins to weigh on us, and makes that comfort
in riding desirable and suitable. If, as we are confident, you
comply with our request, we have made arrangements for the
conveyance of the horses in the ship which is bringing our minister ;
so do not blame us if we have already made up our minds to it. If
you should ever use carriages for four horses, or more, or fewer, we
have here a remarkable method of building such, equal to a litter or
a sedan-chair [? pilanti] for comfort ; or if there be anything else in
which we can oblige you, and are informed of it, nothing would
please us more than to do so. These may seem small matters, but
princes above all people consider the thing less than the mind of
him who offers it, and are therefore more pleased by presents of this
kind than persons of lower rank.—Cronenburg, 18 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Latin. 2½ pp. [Denmark I. 11.]
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April 18.
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684. ABATE DEL BENE to WALSINGHAM.
If I have not hitherto been able by effect to make you aware of
the service I have vowed to you, for your infinite good qualities,
nevertheless the wish having always remained in my mind, I would
recall myself to your memory in these few lines. Relying on your
singular kindness, I venture to beg you to favour this gentleman,
by name Signor Bartholomeo Spatafora, a Sicilian, well-affected
towards the Crown of England. He has many good qualities, and
is especially full of knowledge of many tongues, and of belles lettres,
and I esteem him highly. He is returning hither because he likes
his stay here very much ; and having need of your protection to get
rid of some business which he has in your country, if you will
favour him for my sake, according to your usual kindness, you will
have him for your servant for ever, and I shall be infinitely obliged.
—Paris, 18 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Ital. 1 p. [France VII. 54.]
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April 19.
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Enclosed in
685. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
This bearer brought me a letter from the Abate del Bene, desiring
me to recommend this said party, Bartholomeo Spatafora, a Sicilian,
to some honourable person in England, that he might on occasion
receive favour. Understanding that he has seen many nations, as
Poland, Sweden, Germany, Spain, I have thought it most convenient
to address him to you.—Paris, 19 April 1582.
Add. Endd. ½ p. [Ibid. VII. 55.]
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April 19.
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686. A. MALLART to WALSINGHAM.
Forgive me for taking the liberty of writing to you to beg you to
do me the favour of speaking to Mr Stafford, who has owed me
250 crowns nearly two years for some pearls which he had when he
was here, and for which I have had to pay for him since that time,
with some interest. His promise is in the hands of M. Hardret,
who has often spoken to him, but without any advantage. I hope
he will do something for you.
One of my friends is about recovering the portrait of the late
M. de Briquemault. If you desire to have it, I will send it over when
I have got it. If I can serve you in anything here, you will find
me ready.—Paris, 19 April 1582.
Add. Endd. : M. de Mallart. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. VII. 56.]
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April 19.
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687. TOMMASSO SASSETTI to WALSINGHAM.
I wrote to you not many days ago, to pay you my due compliments.
I write daily, when there is occasion, to Signor Manucci, who I know
communicates my news to you. I am now writing at the request
of Bartholomeo Spatafora, a gentleman of Sicily, and other gentlemen,
to recommend him to you and beg you to do him favour in a
cause he has, as you will hear from him. I have been bold to
recommend him to you warmly, since I am told he is a man of
worth and honour, and I beg you to embrace his [cause] that his
friends may know how agreeable my service is to you.
Having written at length to Signor Manucci, and given the letter
to a messenger, with a gazette come from Rome, I will refer to what
I have written to him. The Prince of Tuscany, 5 years of age,
has passed to another life, and his Highness has no other sons lawfully
born.
The . . . of soldiers in Italy go coldly, save the shouting.
They say that the Duke of Savoy is levying Swiss and other
people for the enterprise on Monferrat. The Duke of Mantua gives
out that if no one but he meddles in it, he has no fear.—Paris,
19 April 1582.
Somewhat damaged. Add. Endd. : From Cap. Sassetti. Ital.
1 p. [Ibid. VII. 57.]
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April 20.
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688. MASINO DEL BENE to WALSINGHAM.
I have not written to you for a long time, nor have I had news of
you. This is only to remind you of me, also to beg you for my
sake to show favour to Signor Barto. Spadafuora [sic] on all reasonable
occasions. From what I hear from my cousin the Abate del
Bene and others, he is a virtuous person and a good man ; of which
sort of persons you having been a protector, I will only say that
if you will help him, I will put it with my other obligations towards
you.
The world here is the same as you left it ; and I, being perhaps
too hard to please, hope no more from it than I did when you were
here.—Paris, 20 April 1582.
Add. Endd. Ital. 1 p. [Ibid. VII. 58.]
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April 20.
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689. The QUEEN to the KING OF DENMARK.
A discussion as to the interpretations of certain clauses in the
treaties between Edward IV and Christian, Henry VII, and John,
etc. touching the English trade to Iceland and Holgaland, and
alleged to prohibit trade with Muscovy. 'What then ? Since neither
by subtle arguments from the pages of the treaty, nor from a friendly
interpretation of the words Ad terram and In terra can it be shown
that we are behaving otherwise than befits a friendly prince and
your well-wisher, seeing that the later treaty with John omitted
the article in question, a fact involving a faint revocation of the
former treaty, our people's trade into the sea of Öresund [the Sound]
having much increased in quantity and value upon that of early
times, and your tolls at Öresund profiting, we beg you not to be displeased
by our expeditions to Muscovy, nor do anything of a nature
to dissolve our amity for so trifling cause, which would benefit our
enemies and injure us. Rather let us endeavour by all good offices
on both sides, to make the friendly relations, neither hastily nor
uselessly established between us, wider and more lasting ; to which
end we will do our utmost.'
Draft in hand of L. Tomson. Endd. by him : 20 April 82.
Answer to the king's letter of 13 Jan. 1582. Latin. 1¾ pp.
[Denmark I. 12.]
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April 20.
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690. ALVISE LULLINI to HENRY SAVILE.
I did not so impatiently wish for you while I was at Verona as I
do now that I have returned to Venice ; whether it be that locus ipse
me admonet in which we used to converse so delightfully, or merely
on account of that blessed ειδωλων Φαντασιαν of the Epicureans, by
means of which not only do you often touch my memory, et in
pectus advolat, but also Insula Britannia, your fatherland, which
seemed so foreign to our man of Arpinum. But pray let us set
aside these fancies. To me in truth no plaster could come better
adapted to diminish my desire, than your letter, in answering
which αυθωρςι (this moment) I promise so to do that you shall be
satisfied both with the map (?) of that demostr. sec. Arabas and
also with the information about the undiscoverable books ; of which
I am shortly expecting a very copious inventory from Patmos,
whither my agents in Candia have already sent writers to copy
anything that is good there. Περι πρκκτικων there shall be no lack
of diligence, though those gentlemen are pretty jealous of me
about your business. Et hæc quidem αποτομως, reliqua σχολης.
Only let me know where to address, which I beg you to advertise
me quicquid et ubicunque terrarum eris. I am looking for Gemistus
and the Halicarnassian, intending one day to repay you with a
like gift ; wherewith I remain, etc. My salutations to Mr Neville.—
Venice, 20 April '82.
Add. Endd. 'the year I came out of Italy.' Ital. 1 p.
[Venice I. 4.]
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April 20.
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691. ALFEYRAN to GREVILLE.
I had resolved to wait to write to you till some good news with a
better opportunity should present itself, but my desire that you
should be assured both of the continuance of my goodwill and of
how much your recollection lives in me, having been unable to
endure further delay, has made me hasten this ; which I had put
off till the departure of Mr Norris, since nothing intervened since
yours, a rare thing in your Court.
The health of the Prince of Orange is, thank God, assured, since
he is up, and ready to come to Court, and enter the Council, as good
a friend to the King of Spain as ever. That of his Highness is no
less, as also his will towards Spain, always accompanied by the
frank goodwill of these people, which we see growing visibly ; which
makes us hope that our army being ready and in the field, the
affection will grow yet more, since their relief is jointed to the
greatness of his Highness will follow from it. Wherein the hope
of seeing you, with a good force of gentlemen of your nation,
refreshes at times my memory of our past discourses and the
infinite good treatment of England. Wherefore while waiting
cheerfully to repay you for it, I will salute you, with my humble
remembrances thirty times over (?) begging you to distribute them
as you choose to all our good friends in your Court, especially Sir
F. Walsingham. Your friend as great as true, and such as I think
there are few like him in England ; not forgetting also Mr Sidney,
'Dayr,' and 'Stenop' [qy. Dyer and Stanhope].—Antwerp, 20 April.
(Signed) De Viçose D'Alfeyran.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 116.]
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