Simancas: September 1583 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.

Citation:

'Simancas: September 1583', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586, ed. Martin A S Hume (London, 1896), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol3/pp506-507 [accessed 21 April 2025].

September 1583



12 Sept. Paris Archives, K. 1447. 207.	360. The King to Bernardino De Mendoza. I note the proposals for an agreement suggested by the queen of England to her of Scotland, and the brave way in which the latter bore herself and kept free from the snares which underlay the bait. Your counsel and encouragement are so good that they cannot fail to aid her greatly in the successful conduct of her affairs. I thank you warmly for them, and enjoin you to keep up your correspondence with her (the queen of Scots), and at the same time to continue to animate the English Catholics, urging them to unity and firmness in their good intentions, but to act very secretly, as their success or destruction all depends upon that. I hope the news of the king of Scotland's liberation may prove true, and that his mother may be able to influence him sufficiently to bring him to the Catholic faith, and place near him men capable of guiding him aright. Otherwise his liberation will not be a matter for much rejoicing. It would indeed be a pity that the son of such a mother should be lost, of which they say there is great danger, and that he will not depart from his errors unless he depart from the realm. On the other hand, that would expose him to the danger of being lost to us and falling under the sway of others, and the course can hardly be advised. Rather must we pray God to guide him aright, and with His almighty hand lead him to a goal so desirable for His service. Advise me of your opinion on these conflicting points and what may be looked for in either case. The sorrow felt by those in England at my success is quite in their usual spirit, and also is it that they should try to obstruct me by helping my rebels, but the Queen's new demand that certain places (in the Netherlands) should be surrendered to her, as a pledge for money owing to her, is a greater indication than ever of their intentions. It will be well to discover how they (i.e., the States) have received the suggestion, and whether it was made with the connivance of Alençon. Thank you for sending advices about the ships for the Moluccas and the trade with Brazil. If you can learn anything further about Diego Flores de Valdes' flagship let me know, as we have heard nothing here of her having been sunk, although we knew she had fought. Let me know if any other ships are fitted out there for their corsair voyages, and whether the Terceira affair has cooled their ardour. You may promise my pardon to Geronimo de Sousa, and send him hither by the first good opportunity, as he can be of the greatest service here in divulging the names of those who come and go between Don Antonio and Portugal. In order that they may not suspect him he should come secretly to Cristobal de Mora, from whom he will receive instructions. You may give him money for clothes, or what else you consider necessary.—Madrid, 12th September 1583.