Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 1, 1558-1567. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.
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'Simancas: August 1561', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 1, 1558-1567, (London, 1892) pp. 211-212. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol1/pp211-212 [accessed 25 April 2024]
August 1561
| 29 Aug. Brussels Archives. B. M. MS. Add. 28,173a. |
137. Bishop Quadra to the Duchess Of Parma. A messenger from the King of Sweden (fn. 1) arrived here on the 26th, and it is stated that the King will shortly come as he was to embark on St. Laurence's day. Two ships have already arrived with his goods, and it is said that they expect eight more. The Ambassador here asserts all this so positively, and is so anxious for lodgings to be got ready and dresses brought out that I think well to advise your Highness of it, although I am not sure of the truth of the news. They say that the King will be accompanied by the duke of Saxony, his kinsman, and the count of Embden who is his brother-in-law, with many other gentlemen of rank. I am much surprised at this, because I know that the Queen refused him a passport which his Ambassador had requested. She told him that she had already given him two which were quite enough, and it was not meet that a woman who, like her, had made up her mind not to marry, should be constantly giving passports to a young bachelor prince. If, however, he wished to come the previous passports would suffice. The Ambassador replied that the passport given when his King was only prince would not serve now, and the one she sent after he ascended the throne had never reached him, as the courier who took it had been drowned. After this fencing the Ambassador sent a secretary called Martin to the King, but I do not know whether he took the passport. If, however, it be true that the King is coming, the resolution about his journey cannot have been taken after the arrival of the Secretary, as he could not have arrived in Sweden until this week. Your Highness will be so well informed as to what is going on in Germany, that you will be able to judge better than we can about this visit, but all I can say is, that I am sure the King has not been summoned by the Queen, and that his coming is not even inspired by hopes of marrying her, but that he has other designs. Some people think that the announcement of his coming here is only a feint and that he is really going to Scotland, but your Highness will also be better informed on this point than I, and I am confident that your Highness will give full consideration to what might result from the visit of such a prince as this young man with plenty of money and ambitious to get away from his swamps as he is. A list of all foreigners here has been made, and they say the number is incredible. The object is believed to be the expulsion of some of them. Cecil has sent to tell me that the fishermen of the maritime towns in Flanders can now proceed on their fishing voyages without fear of pirates, as five of the Queen's ship's have cruised along the north coast to ensure their safety. I thanked him, although I know the ships were not sent for this purpose at all, and begged him again to take steps that this security should continue. This week Dr. Haddon left here for Bruges. He is the Queen's Master of requests, and it is said that he goes at the petition of the English merchants to make some arrangements with the Bruges people about the contracts for the cloths and wool which are sent from here. He is a great heretic and one of the Commissioners against the Catholics. The ships for Guinea will leave the week after next. Vendôme's Portuguese who came here lately has now left. They say he has gone by way of Antwerp, but I am not sure.—London, 29th August 1561. |
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138. Bishop Quadra to the King. Some days since there arrived in the Isle of Man a ship with some English corsairs who, from the account I had of them, I thought might be those who had robbed the Indiaman in which I understand there was some property of your Majesty. I therefore at once sent a person expressly to enquire into and take charge of the affair. I have since learnt that these are some corsairs who were in prison in the Canaries, and on Christmas day revolted and seized a vessel that was in port with a cargo of wines and oil, and have brought her hither. Ten of them are in prison, amongst whom is one of the two captains who jointly committed the robbery. His name is John Polo (fn. 2) ; the other, called Thomas Champneys, escaped with the rest of their companions. I have complained about this, and have requested that the prisoners should be forced, so that we may know from them who committed the robbery of the other ship. I also understand they have two Spaniards amongst them, although Cecil says he has no knowledge of it ; but I have thought best in all respects to send a person of my own to ascertain the truth. The man suspected of being in the robbery of the other ship is an Englishman from Southampton called Cook.—Without date. |