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1561.
22 Jan. |
122. The Same to the Same.
Since writing the enclosed letter Henry Sidney, who is the brother-in-law
of Lord Robert, came to see me. He is a sensible man and
better behaved than any of the courtiers. He began by beating
about the bush very widely, but at last came to his brother-in-law's
affairs and said that as the matter was now public property, and I
knew how much inclined the Queen was to the marriage, he
wondered that I had not suggested to your Majesty this opportunity
for gaining over Lord Robert by extending a hand to him now, and
he would thereafter serve and obey your Majesty like one of your
own vassals, and a great deal more to the same effect. I told him
that what I had so far heard of this matter was of such a character
that I had hardly ventured to write two lines to your Majesty about
it, nor had cither the Queen or Lord Robert ever said a word to me
that I could write. I said, moreover, that your Majesty had no
more need to gain over the kings of England than they to gain over
your Majesty, although, in matters of courtesy to you friends your
Majesty always exceeded, but in this affair your Majesty had no
means of guessing the thoughts of the Queen, and she had not
hitherto taken the advice you had given her, so that there was no
opportunity of offering advice again. We discussed this for some
time and he entirely agreed with everything I said, being well
informed of what had happened in the past, unblinded by prejudice
and a man who sees things in their proper light. He said that if I
was satisfied about the death of Robert's wife, he saw no other
reason why I should hesitate to write the purport of this conversation
to your Majesty, as, after all, although it was a love affair yet
the object of it was marriage, and that there was nothing illicit
about it or such as could not be set right by your Majesty's authority.
As regards the death of the wife, he was certain that it was accidental,
and he had never been able to learn otherwise, although he
had inquired with great care and knew that public opinion held
to the contrary. I told him if what he said were true the evil was
less, for, if murder had been committed, God would never help nor fail
to punish so abominable a crime, whatever men might do to mend it
but that it would be difficult for Lord Robert to make things appear
as he represented them. He answered it was quite true that no one
believed it, and that even preachers in the pulpits discoursed on the
matter in a way that was prejudicial to the honour and interests of
the Queen which had prevented her from taking steps to remedy
the religious disorders of the country and reduce it to a better
condition, in which task Lord Robert would help her. I replied that
although your Majesty would be very glad to see religion restored
in the country and elsewhere, this was a matter which the Queen
ought not to mix up with temporal affairs but treat it simply as a
question between herself and her God to be diligently undertaken
by her whether she was married or single, if she were a Christian at
all. He agreed with this also, and although he is not at all well
informed on religious questions, he did not fail to admit that the
state of the country was very bad, and a way must be found to mend
it. He told me a number of things in this respect which grieved
me and endeavoured to persuade me with solemn oaths that the
Queen and Lord Robert were determined to restore religion by
means of a general Concilio. He then pressed me still further to
write to your Majesty and forward the business so that Lord Robert
should receive the boon from your Majesty's hands. I said he knew
what happened with his wife in the matter of the Archduke when
the Queen had deceived both of us, and that I could not venture to
write unless the Queen authorised me to do so, and told me what to
say in which case it would be my duty. He said the Queen would not
mention the matter to me unless I began the conversation, but that
I might be sure that she desired nothing more than the countenance
of your Majesty to conclude the match, and that Lord Robert himself
would come to me and beg me to write to your Majesty what I
heard from him and assure you of his desire to serve you at all
times and in all things to the full extent of his means and abilities,
and more especially regarding religion, as is his duty. I told him
again there was no need to bring the religious question into these
transactions, and that if Lord Robert wanted to open his heart on
this point to your Majesty I did not prevent him, but at the same
time, although it was just and necessary that he should try to relieve
his conscience, yet, if he wished to negotiate with your Majesty and
expected to be believed and held as an honest man I thought it
improper that he should bring in the question of religion at all. He
(Sidnev) also asked me whether I thought that the Queen should
send a person of rank to treat of this matter with your Majesty and
satisfy you as to any points in which your Majesty desired satisfaction.
The antecedents of the present ambassador were such that
the Queen could not trust him in this business and particularly as
regarded religion as he is a very great heretic. I said she could do
as she thought best, but we would consider the matter, and I would
tell Lord Robert my opinion when I had heard what he had to say.
I imagine that Sidney himself is desirous of going so as to take the
opportunity of seeing the Countess de Feria who is his niece. We
parted with the understanding that they would both come and see
me in a few days.
The above is exactly what passed, and for some days I had
suspected that the Queen had some such idea, but as the business
is altogether such a bad one, I did not venture to broach the
subject to them, and simply remained quiet and gave the answers
I have related. I thought best moreover to listen to what they
said and to advise your Majesty thereof, so as not to arouse any
suspicion in their minds, or perchance to cause them to take some
bad course in their business. It is for your Majesty to decide,
but I have no doubt that if there is any way to cure the bad
spirit of the Queen, both as regards religion and your Majesty's
interests, it is by means of this marriage, at least whilst her desire
for it lasts. I am also sure that, if your Majesty's support fail her,
your Majesty could easily turn her out of her kingdom by means
of her own subjects. I well know the state of this affair and the
feeling of the people, and I am certain that if she do not obtain
your Majesty's consent she will not dare to publish the match, and
it is possible that if she finds herself unable to obtain your
Majesty's favour, she may throw herself to the bad and satisfy
her desires by which she is governed to an extent that would be a
grievous fault in a person of any condition, much more in a woman
of her rank. Things have reached such a pitch that her chamberlain
has left her, and Axele of the Privy Chamber (Yaxley?) is in
prison for having babbled ; indeed there is not a man who has not
some tale to tell. Cecil is he who most opposed the business, but
he has given way in exchange for the offices held by Treasurer
Parry who died recently of sheer grief. I must not omit to say
also that the common opinion, confirmed by certain physicians, is
that this woman is unhealthy, and it is believed certain that she
will not have children, although there is no lack of people who say
she has already had some, but of this I have seen no trace and do
not believe it. This being the state of things, perhaps some step
may be taken in your Majesty's interests towards declaring as
successor of the Queen, after her death, whoever may be most
desirable for your Majesty.
I pray your Majesty to order an answer to be sent to me quickly,
so that I may know how I am to reply in this important affair.—
Endorsed, 22nd January 1561. |
