Simancas: December 1574 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

Citation:

'Simancas: December 1574', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, ed. Martin A S Hume( London, 1894), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp490-491 [accessed 18 January 2025].

December 1574



5 Dec.	406. Antonio De Guaras to Zayas. On the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th ultimo I sent my last reports and copy of that of the 28th went by Lopé de la Sierra, who left here for Spain by sea. As all is quiet here there is little fresh to say. In mine of the 28th I sent the reply to that letter. I have no news since of the courier who took it, and I shall be anxious until I hear of its receipt. The Queen has been unwell last week, and the secret murmurs in Court, and amongst people all over the country as to what will become of the country in case of the Queen's death, were very remarkable. God grant her health, for upon the life of such depends the welfare of this realm. The Catholics wish in such case to proclaim the queen of Scots, and the heretics to take up arms against her and proclaim the son of the earl of Hertford. These tribulations are expected as a result of the refusal of the Queen and Parliament to allow a successor to be appointed. On the contrary, they have passed a law, making it treason to discuss the matter during the Queen's life. The people threaten, in the event of the above happening, to kill all foreigners ; but God preserve the life of the Queen for many happy years. A servant of Orange named Rogers left here in company with Dr. Wilson, the Master of Requests, whose livery he wears. This Rogers is an evil tool, and, I am informed, a Fleming. As I have written, the people here continue to carry on their differences with Portugal, and, either at the request of interested parties or on account of the Queen, they have secretly discharged the merchandise which the Portuguese were sending from Barbary to Flanders, to the value of over fifteen thousand crowns, notwithstanding the request of Giraldi that the goods should be detained as the property of rebels against his King, as the merchandise had been brought from Barbary without license. A person who has arrived from Zealand reports that many of the enemies' ships were put to sea, the sailors bearing on their garments the device of a crescent, saying that they would rather turn Turks than abandon their traitorous designs. Orange was at Delft with great numbers of councillors, providing for the continuance of his rebellion. The coming to Scotland of the brother of the Count de Retz has caused great surprise amongst the rulers here. Their anxiety has caused them to suspend the going of Killigrew in the three ships. The coinage of false money was said to have been stopped, but it has only been suspended for the present. The councillors here have discussed the intention of the Turk to attack Sardinia next year, of which they have information. Reply.—Ougan and Ellis.—5th December 1574.
6 Dec. B. M. Cotton, Galba, C. v. Original, Latin.	407. Bernardino De Mendoza to the Earl Of Leicester. Expresses Philip's wish for peace and amity with England and highly praises Dr. Wilson whom he has welcomed in the Netherlands, not only on account of the Queen and Leicester's recommendation, but also on account of his own merit.—Brussels, 6th December 1574.
Dec. B. M. Add. 26,056b.	408. Document headed "Substance of Letters from Antonio De Guaras from London, 12th, 19th, and 26th December 1574 and 1st January 1575." [Extract.] In consequence of the marriage which has been effected by Madam Lennox, mother of the late king of Scots, of her son with the daughter of the earl of Shrewsbury, who guards the queen of Scots, which marriage was celebrated in the house where the said Queen is, the queen of England had summoned and detained lady Lennox and the newly married couple were separated. The queen of Scots has also been ordered to be brought to the Tower of London or to a castle belonging to the earl of Bedford, to whose care she was to be consigned. The earl of Shrewsbury however had protested strongly that this was a great slight to him, because it showed a want of confidence in him, and the intention had consequently been suspended. The queen of Scots was in great fear of such a change which must imperii her, the more so as Killigrew was leaving for Scotland, and three ships were ready to accompany him ; the object being to obtain possession of the Prince if possible, and put an end both to him and his mother. They would then raise to power the son of the earl of Hertford whom they would marry to a daughter of Leicester and the queen of England, who, it is said, is kept hidden, although there are bishops to witness that she is legitimate. They think this will shut the door to all other claimants. This intrigue is said to be arranged very secretly.—London, December 1574.