Elizabeth: December 1560, 1-5 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 3, 1560-1561. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1865.

'Elizabeth: December 1560, 1-5', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 3, 1560-1561, (London, 1865) pp. 417-421. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol3/pp417-421 [accessed 26 April 2024]

December 1560, 1-5



Dec. 1. Hardwick, i. 160.	758. Throckmorton to the Queen.
	1. Advertised her on Nov. 29 of the French King's state in his sickness, since which he is somewhat amended, yet so very weak that he could not keep the feast of the Golden Fleece on St. Andrew's Day. Now the physicians mistrust no danger of his life.
	2. Having written in the same letter that the French Queen was not then minded to send either her picture or a letter, as she had promised to the Queen, now understands that she has given order that Lord Seaton shall bring both to her. The French King has pressed thirty-two captains to be ready with their bands.—Orleans, 1 Dec. 1560.
	Orig. A small portion in cipher, deciphered. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 2.
Dec. 1.	759. Throckmorton to Cecil.
	1. Good accord and amity among all the Estates of Scotland is to be maintained. But if the devil will cast a bone amongst them, the Earl of Arran and his be most fit for England for many respects; and he, if he be wise, must needs be English. If the Scots upon the refusal of the treaty now resolve to seize into their own custody Inchkeith and Dunbar, and to put out all the French, then they should be committed to the guard of some fit men of the country, and such as be wholly at the devotion of the deputy of Edinburgh; for thereby, if some turn their coats and fall to catch who catch may, the said Earl being theirs, they will not make the worst end for themselves. Again, all the country on this side of the Clyde and the Frith shall be at the Queen's devotion, which is no evil frontier, and thereby also she may better order Ireland; but these matters must be cunningly handled.
	2. The bearer Alexander Clark will disclose, if Lord Seaton keep promise with him, some folks that are the intelligencegivers to the French. Has (fn. 1) not heard from Cecil since Oct. 19th. At this time the Queen will receive sundry letters from the writer, and in some matters there may appear some contrariety unless he reads them one after another as they are dated.—Orleans, 1 Dec. 1560. Signed.
	Orig., chiefly in cipher, deciphered. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 2.
Dec. 1.	760. [Franciscus] Hotomannus to Cecil.
	Commends the bearer, who has some business with the Queen. He has been the counsellor and Master of Requests of the King of Navarre and Prince of Condé, of whose misfortune Cecil is probably aware. Has written this partly of his own accord and partly through Mundt's advice. The business is important; serviceable to England, and necessary for the Church of France.—Strasburg, Cal. Dec. 1560. Signed: Hotomannus, Jurisconsultus.
	Hol., with seal. Add. Endd.: Hotomannus Sturioss [sic] Lat. Pp. 2.
Dec. 2.	761. Licence for Sir T. Grey of Horton.
	Licence to Sir Thomas Grey to leave Northumberland, and ordering him to let to farm his house and grounds to Lord Grey of Wilton.—Westminster, 2 Dec. 3 Eliz.
	Copy. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. P. 1.
Dec. 3.	762. Chamberlain to Cecil.
	1. Wishes that Cecil and the Queen may have better health than he had at his last despatch from hence on the 21st Nov. Answers Cecil's letter of the 19th and 20th October, with such matters as the humours of the Court minister.
	2. It is wished that the Queen without longer delay would resolve upon the disposing of herself, seeing that her own welfare and safeguard depend thereupon presently, and that of her realm and subjects in time to come. The Spaniards think the necessity of the case were sufficient to move her to some resolution, and greatly marvel that she so long forbears. All her suitors are liberally talked of, and finally some one for the necessary consideration wished to speed, which the best sort of Spaniards wish; not forgetting that the welfare of each estate depends on the other.
	3. Hopes for good success in the money matters, and that the abating of the value of foreign gold in England will not make them to have less. The talk is as to the person whom the Queen will send to the General Council now assented unto by the Pope, the Emperor, and the French and Spanish Kings to be kept at Trent; and that she, for the quietness of Christendom, will not refuse to understand and hear the matters in question debated. Sent the Queen long since a copy of the Pope's brief, which the Abbot of St. Salute should have brought her; but has not heard whether it arrived. Is glad to hear of the order taken for the discharging of the Queen's debt within one year. After the disturbance thereof with breach of peace, he does not greatly fear for that the adversary has work enough at home, and not like to be soon ended. Dares warrant the indifferent friendship and somewhat more of King Philip, upon the ancient assured friendship maintained on their part. A solemn embassy of two persons besides the Ambassador resident, has arrived from Venice to congratulate the King on this peace and his marriage. Such manner of compliments are friendly taken and earnestly looked for by the Spaniards where they have amity and friendship; wherefore Cecil would do well now and then to move the Queen to write two words of her own hand to Philip, though it were only acknowledging friendship, which he believes (with the good nature he finds in him) would work greatly to her benefit. Asks him whether King Philip was refused of the Queen for umpire in the last accord.—Toledo, 3 Dec 1560. Signed.
	Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3.
Dec. 3.	763. Mundt to Cecil.
	1. In his letter of the 26th ult. he mentioned the disturbances lately arisen amongst the Swiss. Forwards letters which he has received concerning these matters from Bullinger. Sends also a second letter of Melancthon, in which the writer fully explains his opinion about the Eucharist; the former one which Mundt forwarded is said by the Lutherans to have been tampered with. Has been told that Melancthon had written on this subject to the Archbishop of Canterbury; it would be very beneficial if this letter were published, in order to settle the dissensions and heart-burnings between those who hold the common cause. The minds of all are more inclined to discuss this matter at present.
	2. The French King is conferring with the Swiss about paying his debts, and offers two thirds, with a quarter for interest, and to pay the whole within three years; which condition they refuse, and desire him either to stand to his written promises, or that the matter shall be discussed in some place appointed in Switzerland.—Strasburg, 3 Dec. 1560. Signed.
	Hol. Add. Endd. Lat. Pp. 2.
Dec. 3.	764. Edwards to Cecil.
	1. Wrote last on Nov. 29, signifying the lading of twenty pieces of ordnance at Dieppe, the principal laden in a ship of 70 tons, the rest in two hoys, all ready to depart for Calais, but they remain for lack of wind to convey them. This day two poor men of the Congregation were condemned to death as seditious persons, one to suffer in the parish where the matter was commenced, the other in the common place. The first, in going to execution, was taken from the officers by the people, discharged of his fetters, and conveyed out of the town. As soon as this was known to the justices, the trumpets were blown, and proclamation made that no man, on pain of death, should go forth of his lodging after 8 o'clock, and great watch was kept all night for fear of prisonbreaking. The same day no man durst bring forth the other prisoner for execution. The next day all the gates were kept shut, and suddenly, about 11 a.m., the prisoner was strangled in the prison, and after, out of the prison window, within a court, was hanged, and the doors shut until he was dead. The people greatly murmured, saying that they could have no such justice upon them that killed their men and brake their houses on Corpus Christi Day.
	2. They cannot brook the Cardinal of Lorraine or the Duke of Guise, saying that this matter is of their brewing, to keep down Christ's true religion. They talk of the coming of a garrison. The Vidame of Chartres has been seen of late walking upon the walls of the Bastille, speaking with his servant. The Constable's son has not gone. Men say that D'Andelot will not be found. The king is sick eight days past, but it is not believed; they say it is devised by the Duke and Cardinal, that he should hear no prisoners' supplication.
	3. Can perceive no great preparation of shipping. The French shipping is not to be feared as long as the Scots may be trusted. The galleys of Marseilles must be remembered, especially if the King of Navarre and the Cardinal of Lorraine be agreed. Though they can do little with their galleys, they will go to some island. The Wight must not be forgotten.— Rouen, 3 Dec. 1560. Signed: F. E.
	4. P. S.—Yesternight the Lord of St. John came post to this town, and pretends to go with the first passage to England.
	Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3.
[Dec. 3.]	765. Complaint of the French Protestants at Rouen.
	A complaint made by the faithful children of God of the church of Rouen by a Confession of Faith presented to the Parliament of the said town, which they caused to be burnt before the cemetery of Notre Dame; sung to the air of the Psalm "De ma jeunesse." Twenty-eight lines of poetry.
	Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
[Dec. 3.]	766. Song of the Scholars of Paris.
	By which the Scholars of Paris are incited against the Huguenots, and advised to assemble in arms at 5 o'clock at the Carfoux de St. Geneviève. Sixteen lines of French poetry.
	Endd. Pp. 2.
[Dec. 5.	767. Prophecy of the Bishop of Viterbo.
	Note in French, without signature, enclosing certain prophecies by the Bishop of Viterbo of the accessions and reigns of Francis I. and Henry II., after whom there should arise a king named Francis, who should obtain possession of Venice and Rome, restore quiet to Christendom, and reign prosperously for a long time.
	Copy, in Somers' writing. Endd.: Prophecies of the Bishop of Wittenberg. Lat. Pp. 2.
[Dec. 5.]	768. Anagram on the Name of Charles of Valois.
	Eight lines of French poetry, headed "Non tourne [Nocturne ?] de Charles de Valois," beginning:— "Peuple François, resjoyr te faut oré, Car le bon Dieu ung roy t'a suscité."
	Pp. 2.
Dec. 5.	769. Lord Grey to the Privy Council.
	Has declared his full mind of the state of things in his charge to Mr. Grimston, who presently repairs to the Court. Desires to receive their directions. Will they consider how great cases of importance increase within his charge, which need examining, and which cannot be done by himself alone? Asks that a marshal may be sent, till which time he cannot suffer the absence of Sir W. Inglesby, who would gladly repair into his country.—Berwick, 5 Dec. 1560. Signed.
	Orig. Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Dec. 5.	770. Lord Grey to Cecil.
	Reminds him that Lord Erskine required a licence for transporting two geldings from England, and that, by reason of Cecil's grant, he promised to obtain the same. Lord Erskine has divers times charged him withal, and now has caused Lord James to write. Desires that the licence may be sent with Colwich, to save his credit.—Berwick, 5 Dec. 1560. Signed.
	Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 2.