Rome: April 1578 | British History Online

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.

'Rome: April 1578', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, (London, 1926) pp. 397-422. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp397-422 [accessed 26 April 2024]

April 1578



1578. Vat. Arch. Arm. xlii. vol. 34. f. 3. No. 137.	777. Pope Gregory XIII to John Fraser, Scholar, of the Diocese of Aberdeen. License for the said Fraser's ordination by the Bishop of Paris, or other Catholic bishop resident in his diocese, and promotion to priest's orders. 1 April, 1578. Tusculum. Latin. Minute.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. f. 202d.	778. [Philip] Sega, Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “I have no further news of Stucley, which causes me great anxiety. I have letters from Lisbon from Captain William [Cleyburne] to the effect that he has intelligence by a ship from Ireland that in that island the differences had been arranged; that the Earl of Desmond had made terms with the Viceroy of the island; that peace reigned everywhere, and that of Geraldine there was no news. I have to-day the same information from the Duchess of Feria, who tells me that she has received it by another channel. She, as you should know, is an English lady of very high rank, and a holy woman who has the liberation of that country much at heart: besides which the Viceroy of Ireland [Sir Henry Sidney] is her uncle, so that it is likely that she has good intelligence from those parts. I also learn from her that she has letters to the effect that Geraldine (fn. 1) is in France; but she could not say in what part: perchance he might be in that port of Brittany of which I wrote. She says that she has also tidings that in England there was a new rising in the cause of religion, many nobles being disaffected to the Queen on that score. I am awaiting the return of Sander from S. James of Galicia [S. Iago de Compostela] to give me some clearer information, of which I will advise you.” 3 April, 1578. [Madrid.] Decipher. Italian.
Ibid. vol. xx. p. 188.	779. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Philip] Sega, [Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain. … “As to Stucley, if his Majesty has given him the 20,000 crowns of which you speak, it will, now that operations are beginning, be an aid of no little importance, particularly if he has given as much to Geraldine, (fn. 1) and if both should make a prosperous passage to Ireland. But the business now hinges entirely on whether his Majesty speedily decide to send the 120,000 crowns to Signor Paolo Giordano [degli Orsini], about whom you have discoursed excellently well, and with much prudence; and should the money come, he is eager and in a position to make ready and depart in a very few weeks. God guide his Majesty as may be for the best.” 4 April, 1578. Rome. Italian. Draft for cipher.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 82.	780. [Dr.] William Allen, [Prebendary of Cambrai] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. Reporting the dispersal of the English Catholic community at Douai by order of the new Governor of the City and Province on the day before Palm Sunday [22 March], 1578, and the migration of the exiles to Reims and their hospitable reception there. Referring him for further information to Archdeacon Owen [Lewis]. 4 April, 1578. Reims. Latin. Holograph. Printed in Letters and Memorials of William Cardinal Allen, ed. Knox (Rec. Eng. Cath.), p. 39.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 83.	781. Robert Bruce, Secretary to the Queen of Scotland's Ambassador Resident in France to Mr. Clambre [David Chalmer (fn. 2) ], her Majesty's Master of Requests. “This is to apprise you of the successful accomplishment of the enterprise of the Earls of Argyll, Atholl, Montrose and some others of the nobility of Scotland; who have deprived the Earl of Morton of his office of Regent, have declared the Prince out of tutelage, and chosen four governors and twenty-four gentlemen to be his counsellors, of whom the six chiefest are ever to reside with the Prince. The Earl of Morton was designated one of the twenty-four at his pleasure; but we are since informed that he voluntarily gave up his office, seeing that he could not do less; nor did he desire to do otherwise: but all he craved was liberty to withdraw to his house and pass the rest of his days in privacy and peace. But since then we have been apprised that the said Lord Morton has been cited to appear before the Prince to give account of his receipts while he was Regent and Governor on pain of treason; and that to preclude his escape he was surrounded with soldiers. “At the very time that the said Earls of Argyll and Atholl were on their way to join the Prince at Stirling the Queen of England's ambassadors, Randolph and Roes [sic Bowes (fn. 3) ], quitted Silbourg [Edinburgh], where they left the said Morton, for Stirling, thinking to arrange everything peacefully by good words or threats; but their labour has been in vain, because in their presence the Prince was brought out of Stirling Castle, and set at liberty, and declared to be no longer in tutelage. The Earl of Angus and Lord (sic) Carmichael, who had been sent thither by Morton as escort to the said ambassadors, remained prisoners. “The Prince himself wrote to all the lords of the great frontiers of Scotland, and to some others of the nobility, as also to all those that had been kept in prison by Morton, e.g. Lord Maxwell and Lord Ogilvy and some others, bidding them to join him at Stirling. They did so, and all that has been done has had their sanction, with many matters of detail besides, of which, as soon as we are, as we hope speedily to be, fully informed, we will apprise you, please God, by the post.” 6 April, 1578. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Arm. lii. vol. 31. Arm. xliv. vol. 23. f. 490. No. 256.	782. Pope Gregory XIII to [Sebastian,] King of Portugal. To the effect that the Prior of England [Shelley], a man of a very noble and Catholic house, who has on divers occasions been the Catholic King's ambassador to his Majesty of Portugal, is now in great adversity, being unable any longer to raise any money upon a general credit with Hippolito Affaitati and Jacobo de' Bardi, upon which he has drawn for the last thirteen years, so that he has been compelled to go in person to Portugal to procure redress; and though by the good account which Dom Joao Gomez de Silva, the Portuguese ambassador resident at the Holy See, gives of Jacobo de' Bardi, the Pope does not believe that the Prior will lose aught that the said Jacobo owes him, nevertheless he commends the Prior to his Majesty, and craves his good offices for the recovery of the money. 8 April, 1578. Rome. Latin. Draft and copy.
Ibid. f. 490d. No. 256.	783. The Same to Roderic (fn. 4) [sic Henry,] Cardinal Infant of Portugal. Enclosing a copy of the brief to the King, and entreating him to do all that is in his power, even to the exercise of his own authority, to ensure speedy payment to the Prior, so that he may pass the residue of his days in peace. 8 April, 1578. Rome. Latin. Draft and copy.
Ibid. f. 489d. No. 255.	784. Pope Gregory XIII to Philip II, Catholic King. To the effect that the Prior of England [Shelley] after his return from Malta resided for a while at Venice, and afterward for about three or four years at Rome, awaiting an opportunity of going back to live in safety in his own country, which opportunity has not presented itself; and as the Prior must now go to Lisbon to recover some money from a merchant there, and on his way must see his Catholic Majesty, it has seemed meet to furnish him with this letter, that, if his Majesty, by what he knows of the Prior and of his conversance with the present state of factions in England, shall deem him capable of being of service to him in that realm, he may be assured that there are many ways in which he might make use of him, and in particular by employing him in travel in that island; for he gives out that by conferring with his friends in those parts he will be able to get such light as will enable him safely to conduct any enterprise that may afterwards be projected there, as his Majesty will be better able to learn from his own lips. 9 April, 1578. Rome. Latin. Draft and copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. f. 218.	785. [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “I learned from M. di Bigli [Billy (fn. 5) ] that the Queen of England failed not quite openly to give aid to the Estates, which, though in great confusion, neglected no means of expediting the reunion of the forces; in which endeavour they were greatly aided by the King's lack of prompt decision, and the signal weakness of Don John's forces, which make no such progress towards victory as to obstruct their designs.” 9 April, 1578. Madrid. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 135d.	786. News Letter. … “By letters from London of the 29th of March it is understood that the accord made by the Queen of England with the Estates had been modified, and that in place of English soldiers she would send to the said Estates Casimir in person with 5,000 reiters and 6,000 Swiss, i.e. the reiters at her charges, on account of which she has already sent to the said Casimir 40,000l. osterling, which amount to 200,000 florins, and the Swiss at the charges of the Estates; the said Queen guaranteeing them payment by the said Estates to the amount of 100,000l., i.e. 500,000 florins, payable at Antwerp or at Brussels on her credit.” 9 April, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. ff. 209–13.	787. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Late last Sunday Senor Francisco de Givara [Guevara], of his Majesty's Council of War, came to visit me, and as we discussed English affairs, he told me that they had now letters from Don Bernardino de Mendoza, who had arrived in England, and reported an insurrection by the Scots, led by their Prince under pretext of the liberation of the Queen Mother, against the Queen of England; he also told me that if Stucley, of whom to this hour I have no other advice, had arrived safely, he would be there at a most opportune juncture: but he himself is of opinion that Stucley's going is likely to be of little advantage, if it be not decided to send after him the force proposed by Signor Paolo Giordano [degli Orsini], as to whom he told me, very confidently, that he knew of no other difficulty save that of devising some way to secure his Majesty, bringing, as he needs must, money into the enterprise, against the risk of starting the hare for another, because, he tells me, there has been no lack of counsellors who have put this flea in his Majesty's ear, that the Pope might have a mind to that realm for the aggrandizement of his own [vassals]: mark the strange, ridiculous, cunningly devised fable. “I answered that this objection, when weighed in the scale against the Pope's sincerity, his carelessness about such aggrandizement of his own [vassals], his zeal for the salvation of those souls, which is a most powerful motive of the extraordinary diligence of his Holiness in this matter, and the distance which separates the hall from the kitchen, disappeared of its own accord; and that, were it possible for me to serve in such a capacity, I would right gladly offer myself as surety, that in regard to those realms his Holiness has no other thought than for the salvation of souls, and the recovery by the Apostolic See of that jurisdiction which formerly for so many years it so peacefully exercised. “By way of reply he bade me ponder well this point, because herein lay the difficulty: to wit, that to treat the enterprise as under the standard of his Holiness would be to deny to the French a word in the matter. And I rejoined that I was at my wits' end, for it seemed to me that the confidence which his Majesty should have in the intended captain of the enterprise ought to suffice, in conjunction with the other reasons aforesaid, to meet this difficulty, provided the counsellors walked with the uprightness which the service of God and these Princes requires; but that for all that I should not fail to ponder the matter, and tell his Majesty what God should inspire me withal. “He also told me that much good would result if his Majesty, taking occasion of his progress to these Courts of Monzon, were to go to Italy, where in conference with his Holiness many things might be settled, and many difficult questions solved; but that the same interested counsellors that deem their own designs assured of success by his not quitting Spain have ever to the best of their power diverted him from the idea; and moreover they find little difficulty therein, seeing that his Majesty has little inclination to travel. “I shall not fail to take the first opportunity of touching on this question of the course to be taken as to this proposal of Giordano; but in view of the dilatoriness that prevails here and the need of his presence there [at Rome], lest we lose, together with the soldiers that have been sent, some measure of reputation, for the business is being discovered, and considering the responsibility which rests upon the Pope, I should think it would be much to the purpose if his Holiness would consider whether he could take it upon himself to despatch Giordano, or such other captain as might seem to him more to the purpose; for in the event of success there is no doubt whatever that he might negotiate to much advantage (securing his reimbursement) either with those peoples themselves, or with that Prince [of Scotland], as might be most agreeable to his Holiness; and perchance those that now expect suit to be made to them would then be making humble suit to him. “And if for this service his Holiness should apply to the Venetians and Genoese, he might be provided with ships; besides which he might procure a Turkish or Ragusan ship or two in the port of Ancona. And if ever the time was opportune for his Holiness to apply his mind to so generous a resolution, this, I think, is the time, now that after so long a period of waiting, urging, proffering, beseeching and importuning, and hitherto in vain, the Scots at last are verily in insurrection, and there is the better promise of success by reason that part of the armed force of that realm is at his devotion; and if the truce with the Turk should prove to be a fact, there will be no reasonable cause to be anxious about the affairs of Italy, while the forces of Don John in Flanders will impart energy to those that will be employed in England and vice versa, and in consequence of the mutual suspicions of the two brothers of France we may pretty well be assured that neither the one nor the other will quit his own house, where they both have such pretensions; besides which, if, in case of need, the Kings of Poland and Sweden were solicited by his Holiness, I make no doubt but they would not fail to lend aid; as likewise that the Princes of Italy, for his Holiness' satisfaction, for the glory of the nation, and for so worthy an enterprise, would not fail to help; and should it also be necessary, when the work was done, to burden the Ecclesiastical State, for so holy and necessary a cause, with a subsidy, I should think that contributions would be furnished with open hands. “ And as it would be no easy matter to send Giordano, or such other captain as might be appointed, before September next, it might be resolved to send as speedily as possible, on the first advice of Stucley's landing, another captain with 500 foot and arms and munitions, and with assurance that he would receive all the purposed aid during the months of September and October. “All this I have been prompted to say ex abundantia cordis, and because, being here in the thick of affairs, I see that if we still continue to wait for the King, we shall be at pains to no purpose, because here they are, as it were, obsessed with dilatoriness in making up their minds to such a degree that most plans are not carried out until they are out of date.” 9 April, 1578. [Madrid.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. 1046. f. 118d.	788. News Letter. … “The report of the liberation of the Queen of Scotland is not confirmed by the Scottish bishop, her Majesty's agent here.” 12 April, 1578. Rome. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. f. 259.	789. [Cornelius Ryan,] Bishop of Killaloe to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain. “Before Easter we arrived in good health and spirits at Lisbon. The Marquis (fn. 6) was not there before us, nor to this day have we heard aught from him. I should have written earlier to you but that I awaited the arrival of some ship from Ireland to furnish me with exact tidings of the most Illustrious James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald]. And as no ship has arrived, I have resolved to write you what we have otherwise learned as to him: which is from two trustworthy merchants of the city of S. Maclou [Malo] in Brittany, and to the effect that he arrived at the said city of S. Maclou with two English ships which he had captured at sea, and there recovered all that had been taken from him by that Frenchman who deserted him; and also that he had gotten from a Breton nobleman his friend, M. de la Ros [Roche (fn. 7) ] by name, four ships with soldiers, for which he was to remit payment to him from Ireland. And so they attest that he, James, had those six ships ready there with soldiers and necessaries a month and a half ago, so that with the first wind he might sail to Ireland. By this we may well suppose that he has made Ireland, whence we expect ships at an early date; and should anything fresh transpire, I will forthwith let you know it. I will employ all my industry and address for the preservation of harmony and unity between James and the Marquis; and I trust no one will suspect me of a desire to foment discord between them, for this is far from my mind. God fulminate anathema upon me if I have meditated such estrangement!” 12 April, 1578. Lisbon. Latin. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 84.	790. Don Bernardino de Mendoza, Spanish Ambassador in England to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “By letters of the nuncio of Spain you will have heard of my arrival in this realm, and its cause; which is to negotiate by order of his Majesty some matters with this Queen, who has received me, and done me honour, as minister of a King who is so much her friend and brother; whereof I have seen fit to acquaint you, in order that, being apprised of my arrival, you may be pleased to send me your commands; for I shall bestir myself in your service with the zeal that is due from so obedient a son of the Apostolic See, as at my departure from that Court [of Spain] I intimated to the nuncio, and as I suppose he will have already apprised you; and not being certified thereof, and of the receipt of a paper which he will send you for our joint behoof, to put us in correspondence, I say no more than that herewith I send the speeches of the Prince of Scotland to Thomas Rendal [Randolph (fn. 8) ], ambassador of this Queen, and the [magnates] of his realm. Our Lord preserve and prosper you in person and estate.” 12 April, 1578. London. Spanish. Enclosure:—
Ibid. f. 85.	791. Speech of the Prince of Scotland in presence of his Council to Thomas Randal [Randolph,] Ambassador of England. “I doubt not that you have heard of the latest change that has taken place in this my realm; and as it may have been reported to you in a manner at variance with and contrary to the fact, I have sent for you, that you may learn the truth of the whole matter, so that my sister your Sovereign may be exactly informed thereof. “Morton, who hitherto has been Regent of this realm, is relieved (fn. 9) of the government, which I have taken upon myself, and appointed 24 of the most eminent of the nobility to direct and order everything under my sway, among whom I have chosen six to be ever about our (sic) person, who will be called the nobles assistant. This I have been induced to do by the advice and with the consent of the more part of my said nobility, whom you will see sign this same in your presence, setting thereto their names. Moreover, warned by what befell in your country in the time of our (sic) brother King Edward VI, I have expedited this enterprise, because the Duke of Somerset, while he was called Lord Protector of England, fell into such odium among the nobles that they ceased not to conspire and machinate against him until they took his life; and without doubt my nobility here would have dealt with Morton in the same manner, seeing that as some of them were his superiors, and others his equals, they would not have been able to endure that one man should have authority over all the rest. “After the Duke of Somerset had been put to death, the Duke of Northumberland by dint of intrigues and friendships succeeded in getting the custody of my said brother, and being overmastered by an inordinate ambition, and desiring and endeavouring to succeed to the Crown, cut short the days of my said brother; and so I have deemed that the said Morton might have such an intention, and might intrigue in like manner against me; and therefore, alike to preserve and protect myself against Morton, and for the peace of my kingdom, I have adopted this manner and system of government which I have now declared to you. And I ask you to depart hence this very instant, because I suspect his intrigues may cause some fresh sedition in this our realm; in which event I profess not to desire any aid of my sister your Sovereign in restoring peace, because I perceive by my personal experience that the Queen, my much beloved mother, for craving aid of your said Sovereign is kept by her against all honour and justice in ward as a prisoner; but I am rather disposed to apply for succour to my brother the King of France, with whom we are in league from of old, and who has never hitherto failed us in our straits. I trust that my sister the Queen will remain in amity with us, nor will any step ever be taken on my part to the contrary; and so, if as to this matter she should send an ambassador hither, he will be very much welcomed; and in the meantime I bid you do your good offices, for so I shall have cause to thank you for them.” Spanish.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 86.	792. Speech made by the Prince, now called King, of Scotland, when he was advised by the Nobility of his Country to take Charge of the Administration of his Kingdom, which till then the Earl of Morton had had in the name of Regent, the tenor whereof is said to be as follows; on which occasion he invited Thomas Randal [Randolph], Ambassador of the Queen of England, to be present. “Gentlemen, since you are resolved after full deliberation to have me take upon myself the charge and governance of this realm, young though. I be and possessed of so little experience and capacity, and since the Earl of Morton desires to be relieved, I will do as you wish, being of your opinion that a State cannot be safer than under the sway of the rightful heir: for it has often enough been noted that governors of another sort were hard put to it to please and gratify all their subordinates in authority, and that for the most part they found that they could hardly dispense with someone that had been long in possession. And in some cases it was easy to practise or perpetrate tyranny or cruelty, as some, if they were so minded, might tax the Regent Morton with having been suspicious of some by reason of excessive partiality to Princes our neighbours, and more harsh and austere towards our people than accorded with the weal of the kingdom: but no such complaints will emanate from me, because I have far too little experience in such matters. But indeed my malediction has ever been upon him that should be minded to make himself an odious tyrant, and an usurper of that which is not his, and should not voluntarily and with all sweetness be willing to submit to what is just and reasonable, and under colour of commanding and governing his equals to make himself their comrade. “They were also fain to make me believe that my person was not safe upon occasion of some tumults that occurred in this realm; and this may have been the reason why they kept me so long confined and a prisoner in Stirling Castle without so much as a means of taking the air. Nor yet did anyone give a thought to the misfortunes that have befallen the Queen my mother, and her long captivity, which continues to this day in England, where, it was said, that I ran the like risk, and was to be parted from you, of whom I cannot say that I have ever said aught that was not obedience, service and friendship, as I love you all with a love unexampled. “How ashamed should we be, you and I, to think that I could fail to find a place of safety in this realm, among the Scots who have ever been so loyal to their Princes, and have shed so much of their blood to preserve and defend their liberty, and resist those that have thought to attack them, wherein they have found the Kings of France very partial and even friendly to them; and so they have continued to be to this very day: wherefore I think we cannot do better than maintain this friendship, seeing that I am of the like descent on one side. “I also hope that you will all unite in giving me the counsel with which your years and experience are fraught, to enable me to do whatever things are useful, seemly and necessary for your and my own well-being, honour and ease. “Never will I countenance or approve oppressions and extortions practised upon the poor common people for the enrichment of any one person; nay, rather I will take measures to afford them complete relief. “And lastly there shall be no Viceroy or Governor but only I, since such is your desire: and I accept the office because it is your will and purpose; and I ask you by common consent loyally to assist me and with all fidelity to counsel me; and I promise by God's grace to protect you so far as my age will allow.” [8 March, 1578. (fn. 10) ] Spanish; translated from the Scottish language.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. f. 237.	793. [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “The embarrassment which they depict is in some measure real, but it all arises from the revenues of his Majesty being distributed I know not how, ita ut alius exurit, alius vero ebrius est. And besides the imposts with which the clergy are being burdened, there are so many pensions and pensioners that only the most insignificant fraction is left to serve the purpose to which the funds are dedicated. However, in order to make it impossible that his Holiness should be accused of neglecting to do what is in his power to obviate the ruin of the Catholic religion in those countries, I cannot but approve the oblation; and I expect that it will have the approval of all good men that shall consider the motive which actuates his Holiness, who, I think, no matter how he may be pressed and plied by the ministers, will do well not to exceed the limit of 200,000 crowns by the year, to be appropriated to the account of the war in Flanders for two years only, et deinde ad beneplacitum; since we may be pretty sure that the troubles of Flanders will not be terminated by war, even though they be tackled by his Majesty with such force as he may have at his command at an earlier date; and there should also be added a clause to the effect that in the event of capitulations of peace or truce, the grace is thereupon to be suspended and annulled. Indeed, as I write in the letter, I think it would be better to grant the grace by way of separate subsidy, so as to retain the power of making some demonstration without further ado in the event of the suspension of hostilities with the Turk (fn. 11) proving to be not altogether to the satisfaction of his Holiness; and if his Holiness should also insist on his Majesty binding himself to appropriate 150,000 crowns of these moneys to the English enterprise, it would perhaps be good policy; because, when last I pressed his Majesty, after he had seen the instructions in writing that I was to insist on the oblation for [Paolo] Giordano [degli Orsini] being made a reality, I was not able to induce him to commit himself to aught but general words, as that it is a serious matter and labours under difficulties, and that thought will be given to it, so that, for myself, I, in a manner, despair of any result. “But to turn to the question of the affairs of Flanders: Don John, to effect a settlement of the old debts, has agreed to pay 600,000 crowns and upwards in a month; and now by M. de Bigly [Billy (fn. 12) ] presses that he be furnished with 350,000 crowns per month, which will indeed be a heavy expenditure, if the war should last long; nor is there now any hope of other remedy than that of arms, because the offices of M. de Sely [Selles (fn. 13) ], as I have already written, have produced a result the very opposite of that which was anticipated. Accordingly, as the King is now manifestly about to tackle matters in earnest, it would be well that his Holiness afford him such aid as he meetly may, and as I have indicated above; and his Majesty will be satisfied with whatever shall seem good to his Holiness, albeit the ministers will carve largely, having no other object than to lay hand on new exactions. “This is all that I have to say about this matter. And, returning to the affairs of England, I say that his Majesty seemed not very well satisfied with the general that is proposed, though why I know not. And the day before I took to my bed I learned from Señor Francisco de Givara [Guevara] that there had been laid before his Majesty by a French gentleman of high rank another proposal as to the affairs of England, and that his Majesty had given the writing to him, Givara [Guevara], to have his opinion on it; and that the said gentleman proposed a method of chastising Casimir, and showed great prudence in his treatment of both matters; and that without opposing the Frenchman's proposals, he [Guevara], availing himself of his arguments, had endeavoured to persuade his Majesty still to attempt the enterprise, but under the Pope's standard; and since then I have heard nothing more of the matter. May his Majesty be inspired by God to take that course which subserves at once the Divine interest and his own. “As to Stucley I hear nothing more; and I am in great anxiety, the more so that the affair is much bruited abroad. All the people and moneys that I sent hence are in Lisbon, as the Collector of Portugal writes me under date the 3rd inst. God grant Stucley a prosperous journey. As to Geraldine, (fn. 14) the said Collector writes me that they are advised that, after recovering his goods in Brittany, he has gone forward. “When I had written thus far, there reached me more recent letters from the said Collector of the 14th inst., in which he advises me that on the 10th it was understood that Stucley was at Cadiz with the ship and the soldiers; and by letters from Stucley's own secretary, also from Lisbon, I understand that Cleyburne had been sent to the said port of Cadiz to get news, and that he hoped that they would all speedily arrive. In the Collector's letter there was a paragraph in cipher which I have added hereto for your information.” Enclosure:—“‘On the 10th inst. there was news that the ship was at Cadiz, and forthwith it was divulged that she was to accompany the King to Africa; so I went to his Majesty to tell him the whole matter, as I had it in writing from the Cardinal of Como; but he, alleging many difficulties that might hinder the voyage to Ireland and the enterprise, the Pope's design being known to the Queen, by what he learns from his ambassador in England, was bent on arranging for the ship to go with him for two or three months to Africa: and as I answered that I had no power to allow it, there was nothing for it but to apply to the Marquis [of Leinster] when he shall arrive; and as the King would not allow the ship to enter any of his ports, she will be arrested in Cascaes.’” 17 April, 1578. [Madrid.] Decipher. Italian.
Pub. Rec. Off. Arch. di Stato di Napoli. Carte Farnes. Fascio 186.	794. Guido Lolgi to [Alexander] Cardinal Farnese. … “We are expecting the return of the King from Olinville [Ollainville], where he has been purged, and where the Queen Mother also is, having gone thither from Monseo [Montceau] after the Duke of Lorraine left her. There is no little gossip about the Estates of Flanders having gained over Monsieur by an offer of the country of Artois; and likewise they say that the places which they had promised the Queen of England are to be given to her; but meanwhile the news is that Gravelingues [Gravelines (fn. 15) ] had declared for the Catholic King, the townsfolk and the Governor [de la Motte] being of one and the same mind.” 17 April, 1578. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 88–91.	795. Oberto Spinola [Paymaster] to Lorenzo Spinola. “From Montemeor [Montemór Novo] Signor Giovanni Antonio [Merlo] and I, wrote to you, and afterwards twice from here, where immediately upon our arrival we repaired to the house of the Collector Apostolic, but did not stay there, though invited, as he had but little room to spare; but, that very same day, we procured some rooms as near the Collector as possible, where we still are. The next day we visited Mgr. of Killaloe, Signor Carlo Bruni [Charles Browne (fn. 16) ] and Baron Dacre, who forthwith pressed me to the uttermost of his power to pay him the 1,000 crowns; but though he has daily continued to press me, I have not as yet paid them, because the ship, for which day by day we were anxiously on the lookout, having heard of her safe arrival at Cadiz, still did not make her appearance; and so, with the approval of the Collector and Signor Giovanni Antonio Merlo, I have continued to make excuse with the said Baron for not paying him the said 1,000 crowns, by saying that, to enable me to take out of this realm the crowns which I have brought into it, I found it necessary to register the said crowns in the custom-house here, and by reason of the King's many engagements I have not as yet been able to get delivery of them. And as it seemed that nevertheless he was not satisfied, I offered meanwhile with the approval of the persons aforesaid to pay him 200 crowns on account, which offer he would not accept, notwithstanding that at last I offered to pay him on account, with the approval of the persons aforesaid, as much as 400 crowns: but he said that he wanted the whole sum at once, or at least my word and promise to pay it without fail within two days. This we would not accord, as the ship was not then here. She arrived safely late yesterday evening, and cast anchor in the offing opposite Cascaes, four or six leagues from here. She has since reduced the distance by three leagues; and this morning at daybreak Signor Bruni [Browne] and I took one of the Collector's boats, and went aboard the ship, and had a hearty welcome on the part of the company from the highest to the lowest. “While we were on our way to the ship, and as yet unobserved by her, she set sail with intent to enter the port and make the Tower of Belem about a league hence; therefore, as soon as we boarded her, we gave the Marquis [of Leinster (fn. 17) ] to understand what good reasons there were that the said ship should not enter the port, as well because the King will, perhaps, not welcome her as that in the port there are many English, Irish, Flemings, Bretons and foreigners of other nations with many spies; and for many other reasons which I cannot conveniently explain to you at present. “It is with much mortification that I give you to understand that this business has been widely divulged and made known here to all sorts of persons of all nations, as well by a prayer which they mean to print as because, though Brother David [Wolf] and some others are of opinion that little is to be gained by publishing this design, nevertheless a preacher in a public pulpit has spoken of this matter, in order thereby to quicken his hearers with zeal for a certain project of voluntarily taking up arms against the Moors, and other enemies of our holy Roman Catholic faith. And to enhance our misfortune it has now come to this, that it is impossible for the ship to continue the voyage, both because she is small for so many persons, and also because she lacks sails, shrouds and masts, for those which she has are so old as to be unserviceable, and the master makes excuse by saying that they were good for the voyage to Marseilles, for which in the first instance she was chartered. “We have therefore thought of arranging for her to go to Sezimbra [Cezimbra], a port betwixt this place and Settuval [Setubal], there to transfer her cargo to two hulks, of the best that are procurable there, a matter of no little difficulty, as is likewise getting sails, biscuits and other needful things. “The Marquis has not as yet come to an understanding with the Collector, who has pressed him much for information as to the sort of hulks that he would prefer: and this is necessary; yet he has but intimated that it is impossible to keep the 600 soldiers on shipboard, seeing that after about three months' voyaging, they are eager to go ashore; in which event they would for the most part desert, some of them having let it be known that they have no mind to continue the voyage; and of this I make no doubt, seeing that here they will be welcomed and gladly enlisted [by the government] for their war [against the Moors]. Moreover the said Marquis, against the will of the Collector, who has sought to dissuade him, has positively made his mind up to have speech of the King, with whom he is to be closeted this very night; nor know we to this hour what he purposes to say to him. “Moreover from Nicherosso Carega, the master of this ship, I have learned that in Cadiz he found Simone Roccatagliata, who had come thither in his own ship from England, where, he says, there was nothing talked of but the expedition of the said Marquis with the ship and soldiers. All which matters and many others which I cannot at present conveniently communicate to you in writing, but must reserve for another occasion, besides others that will daily occur, cause me to think that this business is very perilous and ill directed, as, all things considered, you will see to be the fact. And this is the very truth: and beware of thinking that I say this for reluctance to go forward, because, all perils notwithstanding, Signor Giovanni Antonio [Merlo] and I are bent on continuing the voyage—God grant the result may be the opposite of what by the matters aforesaid seems imminent—and in spite of everything the Marquis, his captain, the said Father David [Wolf], Mgr. of Killaloe, the Baron [Dacre] and Bruni [Browne] evince great courage and no dread of the enemy, though he were thrice as strong as he is; and most of them care not a fig for the discovery of this business. “To the said Marquis and other captains of the soldiers I have given, and caused to be read, the letter which I had for them from the nuncio, by which they have been gratified, and most of all by what by word of mouth I have told some of them, though I have hitherto found little opportunity of doing so. And the Marquis has asked me whether his Catholic Majesty has favoured him with any aid from those parts; and when I answered that I knew nought of that, he seemed dissatisfied. “The Collector tarries at Belem to discover what the Marquis would have of his Majesty, who sleeps to-night at Belem, and has given the Marquis an hour for an audience to-night; for which reason both the Collector and Signor Giovanni Antonio Merlo remain at Belem for the night. I have not stayed there because I cannot by night leave the moneys, which during the day I have left in charge of our two servants; for we deemed this might suffice to secure them because they were in the house of a person of whose character we had a good report, besides that they were in their boxes secured under lock and key in a great strong chest from the Indies in a room that has a lock to it. “And as on my arrival here from Belem I learned of the impending departure of the bearer of this letter, I resolved, though weary and in a hurry, to write you the foregoing, and beseech you to make my excuses to the nuncio, to whom I cannot write herewith; and it should be of little moment, because you should be able to communicate this to him. And so I end, kissing your hand, and praying for your prosperity. “The eighth hour of the night. (fn. 18) In haste and without revision.” 19 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i. f. 90.	796. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic in Portugal] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Had I understood this business from the beginning, I might have been able to make some suggestion as to what should be done; now nothing remains for me either to say or to do; for I have, to the measure of my knowledge and power, left nothing unsaid or undone with the King and his ministers; but they think that they have good reason for the course they have taken, as I write in cipher; and you will gather what a pass we are brought to. The Catholic King's ambassador has walked very warily in this affair, making excuse that he has no letters from his Majesty in regard thereto: and I think that the King is now writing to his Catholic Majesty to get him to consent to his carrying out his purpose. “It is certain that the business is in all respects brought to a deadlock, for among possible courses of action I see nothing to choose; so that I yearn beyond measure for your counsel, consolation and help. “The purveyors and commissaries here write further particulars as to this matter, all of which are of infinite importance. I beseech you to despatch all matters well and speedily.” 22 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Ibid. ff. 87–8.	797. Enclosure:—“On the 18th inst. the ship rounded Cascaes to make Lisbon: which I no sooner learned than I went to meet her. She was coming under sail; and I made her stop and cast anchor about three leagues from Lisbon. I took the Marquis [of Leinster (fn. 19) ] to task for having come in, seeing that by divers channels I had advised him to the contrary. His excuse was that he had received no such message. He expressed surprise that the King of Portugal should have made this difficulty; and complained about the very sorry service which the ship had done him in the matter of making headway. “I answered that the King was loath to afford the Queen of England this occasion of suspecting him; and that I was vexed that he was in need of a ship, both on this account and because, knowing that this ship is not fit for the voyage, his Majesty, by representing to him other difficulties, such as contrary winds and risks due to the Queen's suspicion of his own preparations as hostile to her, particularly as, by what his ambassador has written to him, she knows of the Pope's intention, might endeavour to persuade him to join forces with him, and accompany him to Africa for two or three months, after which they might go to Ireland, as he had intended; and as it was not known for certain that the Queen was armed, I told him that it was for him to be prepared so to answer the King as that he would not stand in his way. “Accordingly I went to his Majesty to apprise him of the arrival of the Marquis, and of the need of the ship. His Majesty would have the Marquis go speak with him at Belem that night; and at the close of the conversation he told me that for the reasons aforesaid he had pressed him hard to go with him to Africa, but that he stood firm and besought his Majesty to aid him, and had craved of him a place where he might disembark the soldiers and recreate them, and a ship in which to embark them, and change for certain moneys, which the King promised him, as also that I should speak thereof with his secretary, Miguel de Moura, who made me a long speech on the difficulties attending the voyage to Ireland, and how much better it would be that the troops should go to Africa. “I replied to all his arguments, ending by saying that there was nothing to hinder the voyage save the lack of ships; which his Majesty ought to give us, seeing that I had twice in the name of the Pope besought him to aid these men. The secretary, after conferring with the King, made answer that his Majesty was at peace with the Queen, and was making use of her supplies and munitions for the war of Africa, so that he must not now give aught to her disadvantage; but that, when the war was ended, he would suffer the Marquis to go, for then he would have no more need of the Queen; and that he cannot give him ships because they have not enough for themselves; averring that his Majesty would for the present give him neither ships nor aught else save for going to Africa; and, what is worse, I believe the said Marquis has signified his intention of so doing, provided the Catholic King approve it. All this I suspected when I first conversed with him, though the suspicion departed when he assured me that he had disabused his Majesty of the idea that he was going to serve him.” Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i. f. 89.	798. Another enclosure.—“On the 18th inst. in the evening the ship arrived and rounded Cascaes: this I learned at daybreak on the following morning, and forthwith I went to meet her in order to stop her, as neither letters nor messengers despatched for the purpose had served the turn—the Marquis indeed made excuse that he had received no advice whatever—and though he had set sail for Lisbon, I caused the ship to cast anchor at a distance of three leagues, or thereabout, from the city; and I conversed a long while with the Marquis, advising him of all that the King would do and say to induce him to accompany him with the soldiers to Africa. And having learned that among his other needs was that of other ships, that which he had being unable to continue the voyage, as she was so shattered and dismantled that it would take more than two months to refit her, I went to the King to announce his arrival, and the need in which he stood of a ship. “The King told me that he must come to him at Belem, where he then was, that same evening at one hour of the night, (fn. 20) which was much to the mind of the Marquis; who, after the King had dismissed him, told me the long argument that his Majesty had had with him to persuade him that it was inexpedient that he should now go to Ireland, because of the difficulty of the voyage and the preparations that the Queen, who is very suspicious, might have made; but that he had assured him positively that he could not give up the voyage; and he therefore craved of him other ships, and a place whereat to disembark his soldiers in order to recreate them, besides which he asked him to give him change for some gold and silver coins, that he might not lose so much in spending them. The King said he would so do; and that I was to speak to Pietro di Alcazava [Pedro de Alcaçova], his overseer of revenue; whom I had much ado to find, and who, when at last found, made me a long discourse on the difficulties attending the voyage to Ireland, and how much better it would be that they should go for the present to Africa, for that enterprise was also against infidels. I replied to all his arguments, and concluded by saying that there was nothing to stand in the way of this expedition save lack of ships, which the King was bound to make good to the best of his ability, for twice already I had besought him on the part of his Holiness to show these people favour, and treat them courteously. Whereto Signor Pietro, after conferring with the King, replied that his Majesty is at peace with the Queen, and is making use of her munitions and supplies for the war of Africa, so that neither by doing nor by giving can he, or should he, oppose her in aught at present; but that, when the war is ended, he would suffer the Marquis to go to Ireland, because by that time he would no longer have need of the Queen. Moreover he added that the King cannot give him a ship, as he has not enough ships for his own needs, and ended by saying that his Majesty would at present give neither ship, nor refreshment, nor aught else, unless the Marquis would make up his mind to serve him in Africa, as it is already rumoured he will; and, what is worse, I believe the said Marquis has offered him his services subject to approval by the Catholic King. And in the first conversation that I had with him I suspected all this, though afterwards the suspicion ceased for a while, because, after he had spoken with the King, he affirmed that he had disabused his Majesty of the idea that he meant to serve him. I will speak again, and will advise you of what I shall succeed in discovering. Meanwhile I desire to know at once what I am to do.” Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i. f. 86.	799. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic in Portugal] to [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como]. “As to Geraldine (fn. 21) the Bishop of Killaloe has learned from two Bretons that many days ago he was to have quitted Brittany for Ireland with six ships and 2,000 soldiers given him by his friend, M. de la Rosse. (fn. 22) Our ship that was in Cadiz has not arrived. Father David [Wolf] says that M. de la Rosse is the same that the Most Christian King sent to Ireland to explore that province.” 23 April, 1578. [Lisbon.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 94–5.	800. Bastiano San Joseppi to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “On our arrival at Palamos I reported to you our voyage from Port' Hercole to the said place; and I make no doubt that you have received the letters. I will now apprise you of the sequel: to wit, that on 17 Feb. after according the soldiers some recreation, and with great difficulty and at much cost getting a supply of water, we quitted the said port to continue our voyage, and tacking perpetually arrived on the 27th of the said month at Porto Salò [Salou] hard by Daragona [Tarragona], at which place, by reason of the prevalent gales, there was much ado to get water, the ship's boat being unable to approach the shore. However, this being with difficulty and expense procured, and provision made of some things necessary for the sick, on the 5th of March we departed, and on the 11th of the same month arrived at Alicante, where we were at much expense in recreating the troops, who were in much need thereof in divers respects which I forbear to specify. We departed thence on the 19th of the said month, and shaped our course for Cadiz, where we arrived on the 5th of April, and forthwith sent the boat ashore for some casks of water; which being gotten not without cost, and wine also provided, we took aboard a pilot to guide us to Lisbon, for ours had never been there; and on the 7th of the said month we departed, and that day sailed far; but at midnight we were caught by a gale from the north-west which the sailors told us would blow for a long time; and so we were constrained to return towards Cadiz and Porto Sta. Maria, where at tierce on the following morning, the 8th of the said month, we put into harbour; and afterward in that place we procured much wine and water, but with much trouble and at great cost. And in fine in all the ports on the Spanish seaboard water was sold very dear, and was very hard indeed to come by. “However, we got away on the 12th of the said month, and sailed until on the 17th we were but fifteen miles, or thereabout, from Lisbon, and as the wind forbade putting into the port, we lay to and cast anchor; and then there came a letter from his Holiness' Collector addressed to the Marquis [of Leinster (fn. 23) ], the purport of which was that for certain good reasons he must go no further. However, instead of complying with its terms and tenor he went ahead against my will, sailing betwixt two fortresses; and the King of Portugal, seeing how opportune these soldiers were, resolved to avail himself of them for the enterprise that he contemplates in Africa; and so he called the said Marquis to him, and told him that he required these soldiers for his service. How the Marquis made answer I know not; but I now find that for sure his Majesty is resolved not to lose this opportunity, but by all means to turn it to account, although the Collector has been at great pains in seeking the chief ministers of the King, and finally the King himself, with whom he reasoned much, telling him that such was not the mind of the Pontiff, and that his Majesty should be pleased to suffer the disembarcation of the soldiers for their recreation for a while, that afterwards they might continue their voyage. “To which his Majesty replied that the time was not ripe for the soldiers to go on the enterprise you know of, and that the Pope should be content that he should avail himself of them, as they would still be in the service of his Holiness; and that, the enterprise of Africa accomplished, his Majesty would lend his aid for the accomplishment of the prearranged business. “Such is the King's decision; whereat I marvel much, and most of all that the Marquis should with such facility, as if he were the King's good subject, have fallen in with his Majesty's will, though he knows that such was not the desire of the Pope, from whom he has received so much by way of benefit and honour. Yet I never expected aught else; and almost as soon as I heard of the enterprise of Africa, I had a presentiment that the King would press us into his service, which is what indeed has come to pass. I have as yet, however, consented to nothing, nor shall I ever consent unless compelled, until I learn his Holiness' mind. In the meantime I shall take care that the arms are landed and placed in a magazine under my control, that the Pope may suffer no loss, and I shall do all that I possibly can for his profit and honour to prevent misdirection of the said service.” 23 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 96–7.	801. Bastiano San Joseppi to [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Spain. Acquainting him with the circumstances at Lisbon detailed in the preceding letter, and craving his advice. 24 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Ibid. f. 98.	802. [Sir Thomas Stucley, styled] Marquis of Leinster to Pope Gregory XIII. “I have written detailed accounts of our voyage to the Cardinal of Como and the Archdeacon of Cambrai, (fn. 24) who will be able to inform your Holiness thereof. Still I cannot but write to yourself these few lines, humbly to supplicate your holy blessing and the continuance of your favour, commending to you with all humility myself, and after my death my son, as your Holiness' most humble and affectionate servants, and hoping after a little while to afford you satisfaction of that which you desire. Nor shall I fail to take all care of your soldiers in accordance with your command, and so as that there may be no loss to your Holiness, but rather all honour and contentment. For it will not be long before they are engaged in those operations which your Holiness desires, and that of a surety. Our Lord God preserve your Holiness to length of days in accordance with the need of holy mother Church, and all Christendom, and the desire of me your most humble servant.” 26 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. iii. f. 175.	803. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [John Francis] Canobio, [Collector in Spain]. (fn. 25) “The nuncio [in Spain] writes me that he has given 50 crowns to an English gentleman by order of his Holiness, who therefore would have you reimburse him.” 26 April, 1578. Rome. Italian. Draft.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 142d.	804. News Letter. “The Estates are expecting 4,000 English from the Queen of England, who will send a good sum of money to pay the reiters and Swiss enlisted at present. They have distributed their army among the principal fortresses, postponing the concentration of the forces until the arrival of the entire body.” 26 April, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 92–3.	805. [Sir Thomas Stucley, styled] Marquis of Leinster to [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Spain. … “I have arrived, with the soldiers, thank God, in safety at this port, which seems to me a miracle, the ship being quite out of gear, i.e. utterly ill caulked, without shrouds, the few that there are being but just fit for small fishing craft, the sails all in pieces and good for nothing. All the timbers are broken and rotten, so that, when it rains, the poor soldiers get all there is of it. In fine, as you will learn from the Collector and Commissary, the ship is so damaged as to be quite unseaworthy; and assuredly I may praise and thank God that He has given me grace to bring the men hither into a safe haven. The cause of the slow navigation is, as I wrote to the Cardinal of Como from the port of Palamos, that it was necessary either to have another vessel or to repair this, which, besides, is not commodious, so that it would cost more than ten times as much as it is worth. “The King of Portugal was minded on no account to allow the soldiers to be put ashore; which was intolerable, because, if they stayed on the ship, some pest and disease would befall them, incapacitating them all, and likewise the vessel; and it was only with great reluctance that he suffered them to be landed. His said Majesty tells me that he would by all means have me go and serve him with the soldiers on this enterprise of Barbary; which accomplished, he would give me the full tale of my soldiers and much more to boot, and land me wherever I might choose; and that it will be better for me to go and serve him since these English have armed, and when they learn that I am going to serve him, they will, he says, lay aside their arms, and so I shall be able to accomplish my purpose the more easily. “I answered that I would on no account do so, but would certainly continue my voyage; and he rejoined that his will was even as he had said: so that I know not what to do, being in his power, and unable to contend with his Majesty. But provided you induce his said Majesty not to detain me, I am ready, my men being in excellent condition, to embark on a good ship at an hour's notice, being close to the shore; and I shall act as you shall direct, neglecting none of your commands. Take such action as you please, I shall ever be most ready to do your bidding. “I have been visited by the Bishop of Killaloe, Baron Dacres and Signor Carlo Bruni [Charles Browne], whom I have received and embraced for love of you; and I shall ever do my best to pay them every courtesy. As for Oberto Spinola and Giovanni Antonio Merlo, I have given them a hearty welcome, and shall always have them in particular regard, and treat them with all loving-kindness. And if need be, you may report that they accompany me on my voyage, which I shall not give up. I had rather die a thousand deaths, were it possible—and I hope that matters will turn out according to his Holiness' desire; and of this you may be assured, that as often as you give me your advice I shall deem it the most lucky thing that could befall me, knowing as I do your prudence and great judgment. And with great desire I shall await your decision, and in all that you shall command and write me I shall obey you. “Of the seven months during which the soldiers are paid by his Holiness four have gone by; and while we tarry in this port the King of Portugal will pay the soldiers. The balance is therefore three months' pay, which with the 20,000 crowns which you sent by the said Oberto Spinola will enable me to accomplish more than if I had 500,000 crowns, as, if God grant me health, you will see. And doubt not that this delay will be advantageous to the business; and to a person of good understanding such as you few words suffice.” 26 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 100.	806. [Sir Thomas Stucley, styled] Marquis of Leinster to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. Describing the situation in much the same terms as in the preceding letter, and craving the Cardinal's advice: adding that the arms and munitions furnished by his Holiness have been much damaged by reason of the ruinous condition of the ship; but he will direct Captain Sebastian to set all matters right; that as to the 500 crowns, which the Cardinal had directed to be paid to the captain of the ship, he had besought the Collector on no account to disburse them, because he had already received more by way of freight than the value of the ship; and that as for the four pieces of artillery which by the Cardinal's order he borrowed from the castle of Civitavecchia he has determined, lest there should come to be some quarrel about the ship, to keep them until the close of his operations, and then to send them back to Civitavecchia. Referring him for further information to the Archdeacon of Cambrai. 26 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xx. pp. 205–7.	807. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Philip Sega, Bishop of Ripa,] Nuncio in Spain. “It is with much satisfaction that his Holiness has learned what you write of the resolution which his Majesty also has formed of taking part in this enterprise of Geraldine (fn. 26) and Stucley, by giving in aid thereof the 20,000 crowns which he has sent them besides the donatives granted to those who have gone thence upon the said enterprise. His Holiness is also gratified by the method adopted of letting everything pass through your hands, and by the address and prudence with which you have initiated and arranged all matters: and of a truth nothing more could have been desired. Such good principles and methods, and the absence in this business of any other aim than the service of God and the public weal cannot but inspire hope of the best results, which in their turn should with reason prompt his Majesty to decide once and for all upon the main enterprise [of England], without which it is impossible ever to restore tranquillity in Flanders, seeing that it is from England, and from England alone, that the rebels against his Majesty derive encouragement. God teach his Majesty once and for all to recognize this, and apply thereto the proper remedy. As to the report that reached you that Stucley's ship was sunk, little reliance should be placed thereon because by this time it would have been certified. Likewise little importance is to be attached to the misfortune that befell Geraldine by the treachery of the master of the ship because by God's grace he afterwards recovered all that had been taken from him; and had a ship in which to continue the voyage; however, it was well and wisely done on your part not to let the matter reach his Majesty's ears. “By the zeal which you evince for this holy enterprise, even to the point of offering to go thereon in person if need be, his Holiness is much edified. But you must be content to serve God and His Vicar where you are, and you may still be useful in military matters, if war should be made. “Touching Paolo Giordano [degli Orsini] and what is proposed in regard to him, we shall await his Majesty's decision, when he shall be pleased to send it us, though it would be much to the purpose that what has to be done should be done speedily, so as not to allow the enemy time to place herself on her guard: however, as it is not in the nature of that Court to allow decisions of this sort to be taken with despatch, one must have patience: nevertheless you will not omit with due modesty from time to time to endeavour to quicken his Majesty, and those whom you know to be well informed as to the enterprise, for it cannot but be of use.” 27 April, 1578. Rome. Draft for cipher.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 99.	808. Bastiano San Joseppi to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “I deem it consonant with my commission to impart to you so much as is needful touching this affair of our soldiers. After our departure from Alicante—tidings of an earlier date you will have received by way of Madrid and Palamos—we soon by reason of the little way which the ship made, neither her sails nor aught else being, as I suppose you have been apprised, in good condition, were compelled to put into the port of Cadiz to procure water, which cost us many a ducat; and there we were weatherbound for eight days. And when at length we were about 15 or 20 miles from Lisbon the Marquis (fn. 27) received by a little boat a letter from the Collector, in which he urged him strongly not to enter the port for many reasons; which notwithstanding, his Excellency resolved to continue the voyage. Early the next morning the Collector came in a frigate to meet the ship, which was under sail for Lisbon, and having brought her in he besought the Marquis to cast anchor there, which done, they withdrew together for converse; and afterwards the Collector went away to see the King, and in the evening the Marquis sent to crave an audience of his Majesty, with whom he conversed that night; and both before and afterwards there was much converse between his Excellency and the Collector. “The next day the Marquis sent me to the Collector because there were some matters that we had to negociate with Dom Pedro d'Alcazzova [Alcaçova] (fn. 28), and thus I made myself known to the Collector, showing him my commissions; which caused him to converse freely with me of that which was in negotiation between the King and the Marquis, to wit, that the Marquis should go with him to Africa, whereat the Collector evinced the utmost displeasure, and craved my opinion and counsel. And seeing that the Marquis was pliant and inclined to yield, that our ship was good for nothing, and no other was to be had, as the King would not give us one, we knew not what else to do save to oppose and endeavour to frustrate this scheme; wherein we found ourselves hampered by the soldiers, who were altogether bent on disembarking, being upon a voyage to which they had no mind, knowing not whither they were bound, so that they too would probably consent to the said project as soon as they knew what it was. And so, as the Marquis had to go back to the King, the Collector and I reminded him of his duty and his obligation to the Pope, and that his Majesty would by no means constrain him if he saw that he was resolute, and that on no wise could he consent without his Holiness' leave, enlarging much on this matter. But in the end his Excellency, on his return from the King, told us that he was minded to serve the King, and that he would send a courier to the Pope, and speak with the Collector; who, hearing this, conferred with me, proposing to speak also in my name about the loans for the soldiers, and to make no such payments for the future, and likewise as to all the other expenses and such munitions and arms as remained in my custody; all which being approved by me, he, after conference with the King, reported to me that he had learned all his Majesty's purpose, and discussed it all with him; and he told me the answers that he had gotten, and that the King had, moreover, referred him to the said Dom Pedro, with whom he was for a long time, as you will be apprised by him. I need say no more but that the displeasure which we have both felt at this affair is more than may be believed, and that till now we have rested neither day nor night.” 27 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i. ff. 93–4.	809. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. Postscript:—“The master of the ship presented to me the bill for 500 crowns; which I dishonoured at the instance of the Marquis [of Leinster], who made endless complaints about him, and said that he was bound to restore the money that he had had. And as the Commissary, Captain Bastiano, was of the same opinion, the more so by reason that the said master had said that the ship could not continue her voyage, as they say she was bound to do, I therefore think that therein I not only did my duty but a thing that will be agreeable to you, to whom I report that in the matter of the thirds the churchmen still complain loudly of the behaviour of the commendators, who will on no account pay.” 27 April, 1578. Lisbon. Italian.
Ibid. and f. 106 infra.	810. The Same to the Same. “I send by way of the Catholic ambassador a long Information (fn. 29) as to the business of the soldiers. You will send forthwith to crave of him the letters sent to him by the ambassador here. This course I have taken, that they may not be opened, the matter being too long for cipher. What I write is but the substance in continuation of the other cipher sent just before this. “When I afterwards in the presence of the Commissary, Captain Bastiano, spoke to the Marquis, who was minded to return to the King, reminding him of his duty and his honour and the obligation under which he stood to the Pope, he made answer that he knew not how to withstand the constraint. I replied that the King would certainly not constrain him, and that he could return with the ship to one of the Catholic King's ports. He rejoined that the ship was unnavigable, and that the soldiers would mutiny because they needed, as they had been promised, to be put ashore, and that he had neither money nor munitions. I rejoined that I would send a courier to the nuncio, who would supply his need. “In fine, when he came back from the King he told the Commissary and myself that his Majesty would have him go with him, and that he would write to the Pope for leave; in default of which he would not serve the King. “The other day the King sent for me, saying that he had caused this matter to be looked into, and that it could not at present be carried out for the reasons already stated, and that he could not in this port furnish a ship against the Queen, as the Catholic King, whom the business concerns, is not minded to discover himself; whence it is inferred that he (fn. 30) has disclosed to him all the secret, perchance to save the expense; and he was minded so to write to the Pope, and crave his permission to take him [the Marquis] with him to Africa. I replied that, as his mind was so made up, I had nothing more to say to his arguments, having given him my answer already; but I bade him bethink him of the Pope's honour and reputation, and the respect and reverence that he owed him, and therefore despatch as soon as possible a courier, and meanwhile make no use of the soldiers: he replied that the courier should be sent forthwith, and that no use should be made of the soldiers unless he went [to the war] in person. Thereto I did not consent; besides which I craved that he would give the Pope to understand precisely what aid he could afford him for Ireland when the [African] campaign was ended, because by that time death or disablement would have reduced the effectives to less than half their original strength. He answered that he would so write, and as to the other soldiers; but whether he will do so I know not, because Pietro d'Alcaçoua [Pedro d'Alcaçova] said that the King was not as yet bound to declare himself in regard to this particular; and when I said that the campaign against the Queen was of more immediate importance because then the soldiers would already be his, he answered, 'Not so, because after the campaign they are disbanded and go whither they will'; whereupon, seeing that it was futile to reply, I added, on the part of the Commissary, that he was minded no longer to pay the soldiers, and therefore he claimed to recover from his Majesty as loan the advances that he had already made on account of pay; and he answered that he was content it should be so. I further told him that the said Commissary was taking into consideration the great expenditure and loss that the Pope had incurred upon these soldiers and other people that were bound on this enterprise. He answered that that was not reasonable, for that there was no hindrance on his part, but it was only the impossibility of now going that postponed the expedition. I also told him that I purposed to keep the arms and the munitions of the Pope until I heard from him: he replied that he was content it should be so, and referred me to Pietro d'Alcaçoua [Pedro d'Alcaçova], with whom I had a long dispute, for there lack not rejoinders to his replies; and I forbore to make a public protest to his Majesty, in order that the Pope might be the better able to dissemble, if he should be so minded: this with the concurrence of the ambassador of Spain and the Commissary, who with Uberto Spinola and the associate held a consultation in my house, because it would have required an expenditure of 7,000 crowns on two ships and munitions to transport the infantry hence to Ireland.” 28 April, 1578. Lisbon. Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 152.	811. News Letter. “That good hope of accord which there was here at first now begins to fail; nay, rather there is much apprehension of war; for there is a continuous influx into the country for the service of the Estates of foreign soldiers, such as English and Scots, and German cavalry, and it seems also as if there were a prospect of French soldiers coming. “To raise money the Estates have convened the Nations of foreign merchants, and in the presence of the Archduke and the Prince of Orange have craved of them a loan of moneys, to meet the exigencies of the war; but all these Nations have replied that it was impossible to find money in these times, that trade was, as it were, totally extinct, and it was not possible to raise more than a trifle by exchange; and in particular the Genoese nation replied that the Estates owed them about 400,000 crowns, so that they had little money in hand. In consequence the Estates, for lack of any other method, have by common consent resolved, notwithstanding that they have never hitherto done so, to put a general duty of one per cent. on all commodities, whether imported or exported; and some goods, such as groceries and the like edible commodities, will pay as much as 3 per cent.” 30 April, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. Copy.