Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.
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'Elizabeth: September 1584, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585, (London, 1916) pp. 58-71. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol19/pp58-71 [accessed 25 April 2024]
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September 1584, 11–20
| Sept. 11. (fn. 1) | John Herbert to Albert Baranovski, Chief Secretary to the King of Poland and Bishop of Prœmisyl. |
|---|---|
| At the conclusion of a prolonged debate with the envoys of the city of Elbing at Levartow (Leopardia), on all the articles of our proposed privilege, the King of Poland's commissioners had a conference with me there, on the last of August and first of September. If the former commissioners gave me just cause to complain that, in considering this matter, they had little or no regard to the laws of the kingdom, the rights of Prussia, the public convenience, or the opportuneness and fairness of this right of trade, certainly these latter, although eminent and experienced, afforded me much greater cause of complaint. Things which, wherever merchants settle, are either matters of law or have been fixed by custom; things which have long been accepted without question among the princes confederate with my sovereign, were either called in question by them or else disapproved of in part or absolutely, and entirely repudiated; so that I was compelled, in some degree, to concede to them things which the princes of Spain, France, Denmark or Brabant, and even Muscovy and the Turks, would never have demanded. So far was I from wishing to seem to make no allowance for the judgment of the commissioners, or to give the least occasion for destroying the ancient friendship between my nation and the Poles, or diminishing the great goodwill which my sovereign bears to yours. Such indeed is that goodwill that she prefers to abate something of her strict right and thereby strengthen the present alliance, rather than, by insisting on such right, to give the slightest suspicion of estrangement. | |
| I have drawn up a short summary of this interview, which I now enclose, humbly entreating your lordship to make use of your great influence with his Majesty, to pray him to weigh the matter in his own mind, as we leave it entirely to his judgment.—Leovice (Leovitium), 11 September, 1584. | |
| Copy. Latin. 1 p. [Poland I. 32.] | |
| Sept. 11. | J. Herbert to Francis Veselini, Chamberlain to the King of Poland, and captain of Landscron. |
| I am so much in your debt, that although I have always preferred to have others bound to me, rather than to be myself bound to others, I am quite overcome by your kindness. And now I must plunge into your debt still further. The King of Poland's commissioners, in order to get something settled at last, have determined to forward to his Majesty their opinion on all the points. What that opinion is, I have hitherto been unable to find out, for they will communicate nothing to me in writing as is the custom, although I am the person most interested in knowing it. However, I am led to hope that they have now handed in their report; and as the matter, although in itself quite plain and straightforward, may be rendered difficult and obscure by being discussed among men of different temperaments (for we are so constituted by nature that we are prone to suspect something doubtful and fraudulent in even the clearest matters), I am compelled to implore you to urge his Majesty to employ that wisdom in which he exceeds all other princes, and himself to take into consideration the heads of the privilege. Then at last I may expect such a decision in the matter as shall be worthy of himself and not prejudicial to the demands of my sovereign.—Leovice, 11 September, 1584. | |
| Copy, on the same sheet as the preceding. Latin. 1 p. [Poland I. 32a.] | |
| Sept. 11. | The Archbishop Of Gnesen to the King Of Poland. |
| The city of Elbing, by reason of its loyalty to the state and to your Majesty has often claimed and obtained my goodwill in its affairs. And now the envoy of the Queen of England, accompanied by an envoy of that city, has shown me many reasons for fixing there the seat of the English merchants. Desiring the prosperity of the city, coupled as it is with the advantage of the state and fortified by the kindness of your Majesty, it is with the greatest pleasure that I undertake to promote this scheme and recommend it to your Majesty. Since you have announced publicly to all foreigners that free trade has been granted to them at Elbing, I pray you to protect the rights and privileges of the city, and to remove the difficulties which oppress it in no small degree, and disturb the course of trade instituted there by your authority. For the increase of port dues which your Majesty not unreasonably requires, and which they are quite inclined to grant, I think it might be carried out without inconvenience, if negotiations are opened with the Duke of Prussia as speedily as possible. Meanwhile, the English envoy must await the Assembly of the Realm, where the whole business can be most conveniently settled in such a way as to secure the dignity and prosperity of the realm and of your Majesty, the desires of the Queen of England, and the best interests of the people of Elbing.—11 September, 1584. | |
| Copy. Latin. 1 p. [Ibid. I. 33.] | |
| Sept. 11. | The Archbishop Of Gnesen to Baranovski, Chief Secretary, and Jaranowski, Referendarius. (fn. 2) |
| Deputies from Elbing, together with the envoy of the Queen of England, waited on me after the conclusion of the commission in relation to the English trade, and prayed me to intercede for them with his Majesty, and to beseech your lordship to procure his bringing the matter to an end. I sincerely wish this could be done, but as I see that the increase of the port dues which his Majesty demands cannot be confirmed without the consent of the Duke of Prussia, who is neighbour to Elbing on the sea-coast, I think the English envoy must be made to wait until the coming Assembly for his Majesty's answer, and that meanwhile, negotiations should be opened with the Duke of Prussia as to the dues, that all may be prepared in readiness for the Assembly. Care must be taken lest the English, leaving Elbing, betake themselves to Königsberg (for they will not live at Dantzig), which would be a great loss to his Majesty and the whole realm. Therefore I beseech your lordship to procure these things:—that the envoy be detained, that negotiations be opened meanwhile with the Duke of Prussia and that the whole business be devolved on the approaching Assembly.—11 September, 1584. | |
| Copy. Latin. ½ p. [Poland I. 33a.] | |
| Sept. 12. | Oudard De Jolitemps to Walsingham. |
| Having received your letter, I was on my way to you at the court [at Oatlands], but hearing that you had come to this town, I have returned to pray you to use all expedition with her Majesty, as I have found here a Holland man-of-war at anchor near Gravesend, which has promised to wait for me until this evening or to-morrow morning. If I cannot have my despatch in time, I beg you to let me know it, that I may delay the departure of the captain, who is here, lodging near the bridge, in Crooked Lane (la rue de Croquedeland), at the sign of the Swan, with the widow of Master Arnould. Also, if it is necessary for me to go to the court to obtain it, and receive her Majesty's commands, I pray you tell me.—London, 12 September, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XII. 68.] | |
| Sept. 12. | Gilpin to Walsingham. |
| You will have heard the news here from your servant Mr. Brune, during whose being here I was sore troubled with an ague, and must still keep the house, “where I am so wearied for lack of air as I cannot longer abide, whatsoever follow.” | |
| Here is no talk but of the French, and on the 25th the States-General are to meet at the Hague, to make report of each province's determination and so grow to a conclusion. | |
| The islands seem not to dislike accepting the French upon conditions, “with entire restitution of each place's privileges; a thing hard to be performed, the question standing still between this town, Flushing and Armewe, with other like between others, not so easily to be decided, much less ended. Moreover, in other provinces be jars and diversities of opinions, which to bring into one, hic labor hoc opus est.” | |
| Duke Maurice governs “by provision” with his Council of eighteen persons, and, it is thought, shall be prolonged to see what answer des Pruneaux (d'Espruneaulx) receives from his master, he plying the States meanwhile with large words, and as some say, with promises of great remunerations. All might yet be thwarted if her Highness would incline this way, but good assurance must be obtained, “and Bayard first gotten into the stable, without the which, the purse-strings should be so close tied as no money should come forth, unless it were pour les tenir en haleine (aleyne).” | |
| As yet the French give only words, which causes the people greatly to murmur, and if their afflictions continue pejorando, small hope of redress may breed great alteration; for the loss of Gaunt, said to be yielded with hard composition, “hath wrought a new maze” in them. “The castle must be built up at the town charges, and four churches in the town, through some of the which were streets made; six persons to be sent to the Prince of Parma, and none without passport to depart within the space of three months. Of religion no other liberty than Bruges obtained, besides must contribute a large sum of money (as is said) or 800,000 florins. | |
| “After this Bruxelles and Mechlin are doubted will follow, and then will be seen where the enemy bendeth to prosecute his victories; continuing still on the river of Antwerp, shooting at the ships as any pass. The long talked of invented fort to be used on the river is now reported to be finished and with all diligence to be set forth; God grant it perform the half thereof boasted and hoped. All other matters depend there in former state, the people growing in some more quietness and contentment with that the Lord layeth upon them.” | |
| Some of the States men coming from Zutphen through the Kempen spoiled and burned the country as they passed and now are about Antwerp, “whereby” the English, as they come, are placed and others, drawn from sundry garrisons, as if they would make a camp. Others say, and it is not unlikely, that M. Aldegonde practises to bring them, “then to govern at his pleasure, but as yet cannot induce the burghers thereto.” | |
| Sluys and Ostend are at a stay, “the soldiers growing thin by dearth and evil payments, besides the question between the Admiral and M. Marquette for the government; the one for that he assured it with his men when it was in danger, the other by the Prince's promise after his coming forth of Ypres, where he was forced to take oath not to serve against the King of Spain in six months, which time being near expired, soliciteth here to be admitted.” Treslong fills his purse as prizes come in, our nation being but hardly dealt with, and small redress when they ask for their own. | |
| I send a packet of letters, “directed to an honest young man of our Company from Liége, and finding the fashion of his writing strange, though not in respect of the matter,” thought it my duty to leave the disposing of them to your wisdom.—Middelburg, 12 September, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XXIII. 5.] | |
| Sept. 12/22. | Edmund Yorke to Walsingham. |
| No “passage” [boat] has come from Antwerp these eight days because of the light nights and calm weather, and our only news from thence comes by way of Bergen-op-Zoom, yet by the help of a friend I sent your letter and that of the agents to Mr. Stewne [qy. Stephen le Sieur], knowing that in my brother's state there was no, time to be lost. | |
| By consent of all the United Provinces, the French King is now chosen their prince and absolute lord. He required that his acceptation should be made in each province, which was done. He made no demands on his part, but what he may do hereafter is unknown. | |
| Those of Tergoes (Tregos) would hardly agree, and said they would rather wish an accord with Spain, “but seeing all the rest were agreed, they must needs consent, and so concluded.” Whereupon M. Haultain sent thither a whole company, although they have “a letter of prehibitation” that they shall not have more than a hundred, and to-day he sends his nephew with two hundred more, “which he saith he doth to assure the island, the people being of that disposition.” | |
| M. de Marquette was sent yesterday into Holland with the resolution of these islands, having been delayed by those of Tergoes, which they will repent. | |
| M. de Pruneaux returns to-night or to-morrow into France, accompanied with M. de Vansberg [?] and others, to carry the acceptation and congratulate the new King. | |
| The affairs of the King of Portugal, Don Antonio, “have taken good success here,” and last night it was resolved that whatever ships pass into the Spanish dominions without safe-conduct from himself or his ambassador here, Don Diego de Botelho, may be taken as lawful prize; and have granted him the ports of Sluys and Ostend for his retreats. Botelho has written to his master to advertise the Queen and your honour of it, and also to his agent, the Sieur de Vigos in England. It is thought this will annoy the Spaniards greatly, for already divers sue for letters of mart, and he hopes within seven days to have twelve good ships of this country at sea. | |
| The composition at Ghent is said to be thus:—To pay four tons of gold in two years; “those six whose heads were demanded were pardoned by M. de Champagny's means”; to re-edify the castle and the churches; “those that will remain to enjoy the liberties without the extremity of excise”; no garrison but in the castle. | |
| The enemy has taken all the forts about Bruxelles, so that none can pass without passport from both sides, which I fear the States will not consent to. | |
| M. de Barson, who was lieutenant of the Prince's company of men-at-arms, is to conduct 1,000 horse to Bergen and so to Bruxelles. The Governor here tells me they have not yet passed, for with them are to come 1,500 footmen, “to remain there till his pleasure was else to employ them.” | |
| The ship you sent has returned with the two Jesuits yet remaining. If my letters could have had wind, I hope the other had fallen into your hands. The Admiral wrote to the States that he thought it convenient to send those men unto her Majesty, having found about them pictures, papers and books which he thought concerned her; and desired present answer, having advertised you but not having any reply. | |
| I find some little discontent both in the Admiral and the Governor, for “the Governor hath dealt plainly with the States, like a true countryman and an honest faithful subject, that their slackness hath greatly hindered the advancement of the cause.” | |
| The Princess of Orange is coming to her house at Flushing. M. de Villiers is at his house here. | |
| There is one Mr. Lovell, an Englishman, at the Hague, who greatly desires to do you service, and says, if he might write to you, he could advertise you “of the best and first.” He means shortly to withdraw from these parts, is wise, discreet and allied to divers of the best, and therefore the better able to pursue this design. | |
| If you please to “will” M. de Grise and M. Ortel in their letters to remember my brother, you will “perform your gracious and pitiful charity”; I humbly beseech you not to leave unfinished what is so honourably begun. | |
| Captain Martin asked me to pray you to remember what he told you, and which he says he is able to perform. | |
| This bearer's success has been but ill, and his case is to be pitied, “for his ability [i.e. means] is not great, and he counted an honest man.”—Middelburg, 22 September, 1584, stilo novo. | |
| Add. Endd. 3¼ pp. [Holl. and Fl. XXIII. 6.] | |
| Sept. 13/23. | De Hericy to M. De Bouillon. |
| Was about to take horse for Rouen when he received his letter, by which he was glad to learn of the victory of their good friends, in spite of the practices of the allies. Would have come to him from Ougny, but was ordered by the Admiral to return to him at once. Will write again more at large, but his horses are bridled and his company waiting for him. The gentlemen and ladies here send greetings, as he himself does likewise, and to his godmother.—Caen, 23 September, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. [France XII. 69.] | |
| Sept. 14. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
| This bearer, George Sulcher, coming hither yesterday, asked me to advertise you of the [haste ? (fn. 3) ] he has made in his journey. The [King] has not yet been at Blois, but lives pri[vately at Bois de Vincennes ? and will not] be spoken with by any; but I have sent to him to ask for audience. We [have received com]mandment not to go yet to Blois, but if [I cannot get] access to the King here, I mean (although I [have been] sick these ten days) on Monday next, God willing, [to set forwa]rd, unless my sickness increase, and upon my arrival will write to you.—Paris, 14 September, 1584. | |
| Postscript in his own hand.—I have not been so “evil” for ten years as these last six days and more, but begin to mend and hope within two days to write to you at large; and if I cannot see the King here, to go to “Bleez” next Monday; where he says he will be the Wednesday after, but he changes so often that we have no certainty of anything. | |
| Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. XII. 70.] | |
| Sept. 15. | Harborne to Walsingham. |
| “Fearing to be tedious, right honourable, in our last of the 1st instant discoursing the change of Ciaus Bassa, Vizier, worthily displaced, and commendable proceeding of Osmond in lieu of him invested, we referred for brevity part of the underwritten to this present advice. | |
| “Mustafa Chaouse, (fn. 4) our chief dragoman, ambassador in Poland, the end of the last month returned, having had due performance of that promised here by Petro Stoloskey for the King, his master, so as the ancient league continueth. In conference with this Mustafa of that passed, he declared the King and his so much feared the Sultan would have made peace with the Persian, and in revenge of the violated truce bent against him his whole forces, that upon the return of the said Stoloskie with the Chaous in every town and city passing to the Court all degrees extolling his wisdom greatly reverenced him and exceedingly rejoiced of the reconciliation; notwithstanding the King being certified the Beglerbey of Greece after the Chaous his arrival there to be come down with his army upon the confines of Moldavia, sent a great power under the charge of the Vaivode of Podola to attend in like manner on his borders for defence thereof, committing the said Chaous to custody of the Chancellor, without audience, unto such time as upon answer of his letters hence the Beglerbey was repealed, which is thought of the wisest here had not been without some revenge if the Tartarian war then begun had not forced the Sultan to abandon that exploit. After which the thirty-two pieces of great ordnance were delivered and the Chaous richly rewarded, licenced and conducted out of the country by Petro Dirsack, a gentleman of the King's chamber, chieftain of 2,000 men in his charge, where on the way at a strong city called Caminitz, bordering on Moldavia, were in his presence beheaded thirty-three gentlemen, chieftains of the late Casake's, who all of courage invincible with joyful countenance, wearing garlands on their heads, at liberty without bands reproached the rigour of their prince towards them, testifying their fact to be godly, exhorting the audience to the like as a deed meritorious in destruction of the professed enemies of Christ and his religion, with whose vehement exhortations the gentlemen of the country their allied and the rest generally were so moved that their execution was deferred from the morning to the evening, in such sort as the Chaous, aggrieved with this delay, distrusting partly his own security, seeing them walk at large with the others, urged the said Dirsack to accomplish his charge, at whose request he made to them a compendious harangue, inferring that if the faith of princes violated by their subjects should not be by beheading or more severely punished, no kingdom might long stand, when as authority of justice should not take place to maintain the good by suppressing the evil, aspiring to nought else than the subversion of the state to effectuate their wicked devices; whom therefore they ought rather to detest than pity, as they did, being perjured to God, traitors to their prince, rebels to their countries, enemies to good men; as monsters degenerating and inciting by cruelty and malice the simple and ignorant to rebellion, procuring to the uttermost the insuperable forces of the Sultan his master against their prince and country, hereto fore defective in resistance, as the death of Sladislaus their King in the time of Amurath and the overthrow of Sigismond in the time of Sulleman, yet fresh in memory, did witness, which he required them so to remember as the like harm might not now or hereafter happen by communicating with these or other men their offences, thereby to hasten the destruction of prince and country, themselves and their progeny, but rather, as they ought, to seek the physician to cut off the putrified member to preserve the head and whole body free from further infection of any contagious corrupted limb; upon which conclusion the condemned were beheaded, yielding themselves both willingly and boldly to the boia without any sign of outward fear whatsoever; after buried in honest manner by their parents and other friends, from whom the orator conveyed himself in post and never thought himself sure until he recountered those of Moldavia sent by the Prince to receive him. The Almighty grant us in his fear a conscience void of sin through faith to expect in our last comical or tragical hour the consolation of his holy spirit, leading to eternal felicity purchased only through Christ our Redeemer. Since which time we have not heard any news thence, whereas this man reported the King pretended to call a diet and after to send as accustomed his ambassador hither, who bearing in mind the other his disgrace, is thought shall take charge against his will, to comply with his duty. Du Germigny here ending five years time, by the earnest suit of his wife to his master is repealed, and after the accustomed order of the French, by permission left his secretary agent unto the coming of another ambassader to supply that place, which his master hath promised shall be presently thence despatched. Notwithstanding, we suppose it will be these two or three years 'or' he come, for so was it with his predecessor, only to spare the charge of a present, which they give at such time as they personally visit the Sultan, according to country custom. This man, a mean gentleman at his hither coming, since his here being hath been honoured with the order of St. Michael and enriched with a barony of 8,000 francs annuity for term of life, and as it is here credibly affirmed, hath by restoring of Peter the Vaivode of Wallachia at his master's great suit, and by sparing three years annual pension of twelve thousand crowns, for that of the train of the said prince lodging with him he was honourably served without any charge, the whole supplied by the Prince (of money taken at interest at sixty in the hundred, payable the next year after his creation), and also by the princely liberality since his investing, is said now to carry hence with him in money 50,000 ducats; notwithstanding, so avaricious and nonchalant of his duty, as since the said prince's departure a year past, hath lived more like a private person, too, too slenderly accompanied and worse served than as he ought and is apertinent to the like most honourable calling. He departed in disgrace of the Sultan, suspecting him to have converted part of the present his master sent at the circumcision of the young Turk to his own use, and therefore neither received the full of the accustomed reward given before to other in that place, neither of many graces demanded for the Sultan his subjects (as other had) any one whatsoever. God grant us soon the like congé, but with more grace and in favour of this moon in the wane; to have the sight and light of that full moon taking her light ever continually from the bright sun Jesus Christy whom he preserve us, his glory, her joy and our comfort. | |
| “The Beglerbey of Greece being created Bassa, yielding his place to Jefferbeg that married the widow of 'Mavumed' vizier deceased, made their several presents this month; the first 35 boys, 12 great vessels of silver plate, double gilt, 107 silk garments of divers colours; the other 57 boys, 14 the like vessels of plate, 110 garments, three striking clocks, representing a negro, a monkey and an unicorn, and one other little clock set so richly with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, as valued in 10,000 ducats, which all his wife gave him, left rich of her late husband twelve millions, being but the one half of his wealth. Of these people Apollon, a Cheek author, saith rightly aurum hominibus sanguis et anima est, which of itself being blind, deaf and dumb, worketh often the like operation with this, to whom it is presented, for here it maketh [sic] not how it be gotten, so they have it; for after the Italian che ha roba fa roba, et che non ha, nulla trova, explaining Plutarch his enigma, great riches be easily gotten, but small riches not without travail and much time. To conclude, of these it may worthily be said, the desire of riches, as it hath no end so is it the chief of all mischiefs, whose sweetest food being bribes, perverteth all right, according to Menander, accipere si non esset nullus, esset malus. God grant all Christians such grace as to endeavour to be good stewards and deliver them out of the power of these and such like, quoram ipsis venter est deus dicentes in corde non esse deus. | |
| “News out of Christendom we have not, Saint Mark commanding the contrary. In Persia and Tartary is said to have passed some things of importance, which for that we covet better to understand by true relation and also not to weary your honour, we refer till our next. Here is news which I am right sorry to understand that the corsairs of Argier have sunk two ships of ours and captived the men, whereof upon better information I will diligently endeavour to seek redress according to my duty, as also hereafter to 'obvent' the like success; which if I should not obtain, were much better to give over this trade than with vain hope to seek profit and reap the contrary, travailing with great expence to make white a negro. Thus commending your honour to God his most mighty direction and holy tuition, in humble manner I beseech the same to have my poor aged parents in their needful occurrences for recommended, whom with myself and theirs shall never cease to crave of him to bless, 'prosper and preserve your honour and yours with increase of honour here and future eternal felicity.”—Pera, over against Constantinople, 15 September, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. Cipher, undeciphered. 3¾ pp. [Turkey I. 25.] | |
| Sept. 16. | Du Plessis to Walsingham. |
| The King of Navarre sends a despatch to the Queen which he hopes, from your affection to him and to his cause, you will persuade her to receive in good part. This Prince holds fast to his resolution to serve God and the repose of his Church. By permission of the [French] King, he has been holding a general assembly of the Churches in this town, in which they have deliberated on many important articles concerning the establishment and confirmation of our peace. And in order to gain some fruit therefrom, the Count de Laval and I have been nominated by the King of Navarre and the Assembly to go to his Majesty. You shall be informed of what results from our negotiation. | |
| For the rest, you have laid me under new obligations by what the Sieur d'Angroigne has told me of the paper which has been returned to him.—Montauban, 26 September, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XII. 71.] | |
| Sept. 16. | Jaques De Gryse and J. Ortell to Walsingham. |
| They are informed that certain factors of Dover and Sandwich have advertised their masters, merchants of London, that they may now freely send corn or other provisions to the enemy's parts in Flanders, seeing that her Majesty's restraint is taken off, and that people pass daily to the said places without danger or impediment. | |
| As these are matters of great consequence, contrary to former promises and to the good assurance of the United Provinces, who had so humbly desired her Majesty rather to continue the said prohibition than to relax it in any way, much less abolish it altogether, the commissioners pray her Majesty to put an end to so great a disorder, tending to the entire ruin of the said provinces; besides that their enemies seeing themselves so abundantly succoured with all necessaries from these parts, it would certainly be the way to draw them with all their forces towards the Flemish coasts.—London, 16 September, 1584. | |
| Signed by both. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XXIII. 7.] | |
| Sept. 18. | Stafford to Burghley. |
| I received a packet from your lordship by Pinard's means, which came from the French ambassador, and in it one for your son, which I have delivered him. | |
| I do not send you the book of the new martyr that killed the Prince of Orange, because I am sure your son has done so. I send you another “with a 'petigree' following the leaf which I sent Mr. Secretary by my last, with the King and Queen of Scot's picture, but they be yet closely enough kept.” The chief penner of the other book that was so impudent an answer to the Execution of Justice in England is Dr. Allen; Morgan's head and many others laid to it, especially one Dr. Nicolson's that is here. | |
| I hope you have my letters of the Duke of Savoy's marriage, with the cause of the King's hasty going to Lyons and speedy return; that is the hope of the marriage with the Princess of Lorraine, which seeing himself deluded of, he came away and storms greatly, but will do nothing in revenge, as I take it. | |
| Your lordship takes too kindly my goodwill to your son, which I owe and more for his being an English gentleman, but chiefly as your son. He has pressed me for nothing, though he might have had what he would, save for so small a sum that I am ashamed to write of it, viz., sixty crowns. Seeing you “will needs so hastily repay it,” pray send it to my house to Robert Shefeld in term time.—Paris, 18 September, 1584. | |
| Postscript.—According to your directions I wrote often, a good while since, to my lord of Leicester, but have never received either letter or thanks. I would not have him know I have written this, as perchance he might write, which, as “he doeth not of himself, I had rather he should not do it at all.” I have now written again, more to obey you than of my own disposition to him, who, I think, is but badly disposed to me. | |
| Add. Endd. by Burghley as sent “by Mr. Chamberlen.” 1 p. [France XII. 72.] | |
| Sept. 18. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
| Duke of Savoy's relations with Spain. The house of Guise making assemblies in Lorraine. Assembly at Montauban broken up. King of Navarre has openly professed the Religion. The Huguenots will not deliver up their towns for three years to come. Videville (Villevelle), one of the treasurers, suddenly put out and believed to have appropriated great sums. Report that others who have had dealings in money or farms will be “researched,” as Chiverny, Marshal Retz, Gondy, Villequier, d'O, Bishop of Paris &c., but will probably escape by the porte dorée, as the King lacks money. Pique between the two mignons. Messenger come from des Pruneaux that all goes well and he will be here presently with deputies. To make Mauvissière acquainted with despatches does no good and much harm.—Paris, 18 September, 1584. | |
| Partly holograph. Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Ibid. XII. 73.] | |
| Calendared at length (from copy 'sent to Burghley) in Report on the Cecil Papers, iii, 65, and printed by Murdin, pp. 422, 423. | |
| Sept. 18. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
| I must needs accompany this bearer, Mr. Chamberlaine, with all due commendations, as he well deserves. Few gentlemen coming from this side have used their time better than he has done, and if he had stayed here, I should have made further trial of his ability, in which I think he would very well have acquitted himself. | |
| You give me more thanks beforehand than I am worthy of for the good usage of your servant, Mr. “Elwis.” His deserts deserve it, and I will not fail to do my best to him or any that come from you.—Paris, 18 September, 1584. | |
| Holograph. Add. Endd. ¾ p. [Ibid. XII. 74.] | |
| Sept. 18/28. | Gervase Elweys to Walsingham. |
| Though I cannot yet furnish my letters with any matter of consequence, I humbly thank you for your late thanks to my lord ambassador on my behalf, having this opportunity by Mr. Chamberlen, who has greatly helped me here in all things, especially in my late sickness. I pray you let him know that I have mentioned how well he has deserved of me. For himself, he is “thought to be as sufficient both for his experience and discourse as he is worthy of a better commendation than mine,” and is more at your devotion, as I have often heard him protest, than at any one's living.—Paris, 28 September, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. 2/3 p. [France XII. 75.] | |
| Sept. 20. | George Gustavus, Palatine of the Rhine, to the Queen. |
| [A long letter, chiefly on affairs at Strasburg, which are very fully treated on p. 172 below.] | |
| Remembering her kindness to him two years ago, he wishes to give her his opinion on the state of affairs. | |
| Was called home from his travels on account of the beginnings of the Cologne affair and made attempts to secure a military command against the Papal party, but failed. Considers that the success of the Protestant party does not wholly depend on Cologne. At the College of Strasburg, where the illustrious prince his kinsman Richard the Palatine was provost and would have been elected bishop had he not preferred of his own free will to resign his orders in order to marry, the Popish mass was given up, and sound doctrine has been preached for thirty years; but the Jesuits have lately got control of the College—owing to the success of the Cologne affair and the rumoured intention of his kinsman, Duke Casimir to retire from all concern in reform or war—and are said to have made a loan out of the treasury to the Duke of Bavaria, in defiance of their oath and of the privileges confirmed to the city by the Emperors. Their opponents have challenged their action and the Senate of Strasburg has taken the Protestant side. | |
| The result is that the Papal party is now full of fair words, and pretends a zeal for compromise. But anyone who is not blind can see that they are employing the same stratagems that deceived the Protestants at Cologne. Things being in this state, he secretly offered the Evangelical party at Cologne his help, who answered that they were negotiating in another quarter. Has no doubt that her Majesty has already been requested to render aid in the matter, and sets forth reasons for thinking that this will prove an excellent opportunity for restoring the balance of power and administrating an antidote to the Cologne affair.—Veldenz, 20 September, 1584. | |
| Signed. Add. Endd. “To her Majesty from the Duke of Petite Pierre.” Latin. 10 pp. [Germany, States, III. 40.] | |
| Sept. 21./Oct. 1. | P. Dathenus to Walsingham. |
| Having miraculously escaped from the dangers in which I found myself in Ghent, and arrived in this town, I have greatly desired to come to England before returning to my lord and master [Casimir] in Germany, both to inform you of what I have heard here, and to learn what may be worthy to report to my said master. But being for the present detained here, I wish to assure you how glad I have been to hear of your kind offices for the deliverance of Captain Yorke (Jorcq), whom I have known as an honourable and virtuous gentleman, who has shown as much favour to those of the Religion as any captain here. And, in my opinion, he had no lack of courage, good speech or goodwill to acquit himself as his charge demanded; but the affairs of Ghent being, by the dissensions of the leaders, come to an apparently incurable extremity, except by reconciliation with the King, having taken oath to his colonel and commander, M. d'Hembyze, he did what he was commanded by him, for which, as a soldier, he can justify himself before all men not carried away by their passions. Wherefore I pray you to continue to endeavour his deliverance, and hope before long to be able to have more familiar intercourse with your honour.—Middelburg, 1 October, 1584. | |
| Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XXIII. 8.] | |