Rome: September 1574

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1926.

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'Rome: September 1574', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, (London, 1926) pp. 184-186. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp184-186 [accessed 24 April 2024]

September 1574

1574.
ibid.
f. 267d.
347. News Letter.
“Three English gentlemen who have come from Flanders report that during the journey they saw Count Louis of Nassau and from 5,000 to 6,000 of his soldiers in those parts, picked men and disciplined.”
4 September, 1574. Venice. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. vii. p. 600.
348. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop [of S. Papoul], Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
… “It is understood that Tore [Thoré] had been at Geneva to crave aid for the rebels of France, and especially in money, and that he had gone away with a refusal, a matter which is infinitely vexatious to the English ambassador, who would gladly see garboils in France and Flanders, and particularly in France. And so I have heard a report that he has had to say that in the last resort his Queen will not fail underhand to give pecuniary aid to the Prince of Condé. In sooth he is likely to have need of it. The [Count] Palatine has sent to visit the King.”
6 September, 1574. Lyon. Italian.
Vat. Lib.
Urb. Lat.
1044. f. 281.
349. News Letter.
“By letters from Flanders of the 28th of last month it is understood that the Prince of Orange was dangerously ill, and that the fleet that is on its way from Spain for the recovery of Zealand reached England on the 17th, and was welcomed by the Queen, who had caused the obsequies of the late King of France to be celebrated according to the diabolical rites of her religion. The said King's widow it is proposed to give to the King of Portugal.”
11 September, 1574. Rome. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. d'
Inghilt.
vol. i.
ff. 389–90.
350. News Letter.
“There goes to Spain Lord Edward Seler [Seymour], third son of the Duke of Solerset [Somerset], who took the chief part in establishing the heretical religion in England, being Protector of the realm and of King Edward, as all the world knows, and was the cause of so much evil. And to this day his sons have followed in their father's footsteps, and are mainly supported and encouraged by Secretary Secil [Cecil], who was their father's servant and by him advanced to the service of King Edward, because there was none so adroit as he in promoting his innovations and pretensions, as he has done and still does with results so disastrous to all Christendom, endeavouring by means of a new religion and new titles to abrogate the right to the Crown of England, and give it to the house of the Duke of Solerset [Somerset], with which he also seeks to ally himself. And now the said Lord Edward Seler [Seymour] pretends to be a Catholic, and gives out that he desires to serve under Don John of Austria, and nevertheless will not allow that the Queen of Scotland has any right to the Crown of England. Some say that Secretary Secil [Cecil] is minded to do something for him, and to try if the Catholic King will give ear to a proposal for the marriage of one of the Infantas with the son of his brother, the Earl of Arford [Hertford]; and that Secil [Cecil] has just of late begun to countenance the Catholics and show them favour, speaking them fair from time to time, and expressing a wish that they might live on their estates and in their houses with liberty of religion and conscience; but whether this proceed from fear or something worse, God knows.
“It is understood that before many days are past Henry Coban [Cobham] will be again at that Court [of Spain]. Some of our Catholics are also going to Spain to crave support because they see that no provision is here made save for those that have first negotiated it in Spain, notwithstanding that they have spent much time here about the business, and, by advice from Spain, have done their best to avoid the journey, it being said that it is his Catholic Majesty's will that none should go thither to be there provided for; and that his Majesty had given order that so it should be.
“Among these are some that have secretly quitted England, and also some that have served the Prince of Orange.”
17 September, 1574. Flanders. Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna,
vol. xv. f. 513d.
351. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Nicholas Ormanetto,] Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain.
… “His Holiness is apprised of what you write as to the necessities of the Bishop of Meath. Two years ago he received a letter from the said bishop, then in Flanders, and caused 100 crowns to be given to him, and now he bids you give him other 100 crowns from the Collettoria fund, for his maintenance until it is known what his Majesty will do for him. And if his Majesty shall provide him with a maintenance, there will be no need to do more; but otherwise you will apprise us here; for in that case the Pope will assign him an ordinary provision to meet his needs. Meanwhile you will exhort him to have patience, and to believe that his Holiness bears him good will.”
24 September, 1574. Rome. Italian. Draft.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna,
vol. xv. f. 533d.
352. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Nicholas Ormanetto], Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain.
… “Dr Nicholas Sander, the Englishman, who is there [with you], writes that he has ever found the Bishop of Conca [Cuenca] heartily in favour of the business of which he has come to treat with his Majesty; and he craves that you be commissioned in the Pope's name to exhort the said bishop to continue to promote the said business, and also to commend it to the Bishop of Segobia. I have spoken with his Holiness, and he is well pleased that you do this office with both bishops, giving them to understand that by compliance they will gratify his Holiness. Whereof you may inform the said Sander for his better consolation.”
24 September, 1574. Rome. Italian. Draft.
ibid.
f. 540d.
353. The Same to the Same.
“As to English affairs I see his Majesty's forces so dissipated and his purse so ill-furnished, and on the other hand so little hope of uniting Spain and France, by reason of the rivalries and suspicions that ever were and will be betwixt these two kings, that it seems to me as it were impossible to think at present of that enterprise, though the offices that you are doing are good, and the answers that you get evince that they are gratifying to his Majesty; and so it may come to pass provided an opportunity present itself.”
24 September, 1574. Rome. Italian. Draft for cipher.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. vii. p. 665.
354. [Fabius Mirto Frangipani,] Archbishop of Nazareth to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
“There is coming from England a special ambassador to congratulate the King; and it is understood that he is already in the realm, which is a good sign, if not of good friendship, at any rate of dissembling and of indisposition on the part of that woman to discover herself as this King's enemy.”
27 September, 1574. Lyon. Italian.