Rome: June 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: June 1578', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, (London, 1926) pp. 448-463. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp448-463 [accessed 25 April 2024]

June 1578



1578. Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i. f. 111.	850. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic] to [the Same]. “The master of the ship has told me in confidence that during the voyage the Marquis told him that it was deplorable, because on his return from Ireland he would run a great risk of capture; and that on his arrival at Lisbon he bade him make a protest to me that the ship could not continue her voyage. He adds that for other reasons he deems it certain that the Marquis repented him of having taken this enterprise in hand. “The Bishop of Mayo, in view of the Marquis's procedure, has been instant with us that the succours be given to Geraldine alone; and has written advising him to go to Madrid to solicit this. “The bishop also says that the country of Leinster belonged of old to Childar [Kildare] and Ormonde and other grandees; which may serve to caution you as to what may be said about this matter. “The Marquis has sent the secretary to give account of him to the Catholic King, and, should money be found, he might send him likewise to Rome.” 1 June, 1578. Lisbon. Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xi. p. 330.	851. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France. “I write the enclosed to the Bishop of Mayo in Ireland in answer to a letter that I received from him some days ago. You can make enquiry whether he be at Court; and if he be not there, you can address the letter to S. Malo in Brittany, where I have no doubt that he will be with James Geraldine, also an Irish gentleman; and you will cause all care to be taken that the letter do not miscarry, because it is of great importance to his Holiness' service. However, I hope that he will be still at Court, and that you will be able to have it delivered into his own hand. And if the said Bishop and James Geraldine require any influence with their Majesties for the recovery of certain goods of theirs, you will not fail to accord it them; for such is the Pope's command.” 2 June, 1578. Rome. Italian. Draft. Enclosure:—
Ibid. f. 331.	852. The Same to [Patrick O'Hely,] Bishop of Mayo. Acknowledging his letter of 31 March, (fn. 1) and censuring him in the Pope's name for having lost his ship by landing without taking security from the master against desertion, and also for not making use of the English prize, and saving the cost of hiring another ship in Portugal. Announcing that if it be true, as reported by the Collector under date 23 April, that James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] has sailed from Brittany for Ireland with six ships and 2,000 soldiers raised in aid of him by a nobleman [La Roche (fn. 2) ] of that Province, he will not lack his Holiness' support if he make a brilliant beginning; that as to the recovery of the goods, which occasioned the Bishop's journey to Paris, the Nuncio Apostolic is being instructed to use his influence with the Most Christian King on the Bishop's behalf; that Stucley had reached Portugal and was tarrying there, chiefly by reason that he had no positive tidings of a start by James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald]. The Bishop is therefore directed to let Stucley know, through the medium of the Collector Apostolic at Lisbon, his and James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald]'s circumstances and plans in the hope of eliciting a like communication on Stucley's part. Owing to the risks involved in corresponding with James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] from Rome, if he has left Brittany, it is deemed best that he should rely on such information as the Bishop may be able to furnish. 2 June, 1578. Rome. Latin. Draft.
Vat. Arch. Arm. i. vol. 17. f. 103.	853. Refusal by Irish Priests of Alms Offered by Sir Thomas Stucley. “We the underwritten witnesses attest that the Most Illustrious and Excellent Lord Thomas Stucley, Marquis of Leinster, upon his arrival at this city of Lisbon, learning the penury of all the Irishmen that by order of his Holiness accompanied him, convened them all, and offered to each of them, according to his rank and the said Marquis's resources, a daily stipend from his own purse, their names being the following:—The Most Reverend Donat, Bishop of Killala, D. Cornelius Neachten, priest, Dr. Nicolas Quemerford, Cornelius Obuyll, priest, Laurence More, priest, Patrick Synod, priest, Nicolas Faggan, scholar, Richard Galvey, scholar, and Nicolas Sedgrave, scholar. All these, except the Most Reverend Bishop of Killala, Cornelius Neachten and Cornelius Obuyll, refused in our presence the benevolence of the said Most Illustrious and Excellent Lord Marquis, asserting haughtily and obstinately that they were subjects of no man, and would receive stipend from no man, save the Supreme Pontiff, or some King or great Prince. “In testimony whereof we the undersigned witnesses of the malice and obstinacy of the men have set our signs manual to these letters testimonial.” 3 June, 1578. Lisbon. Latin. Signatures of the Bishops of Killala and Killaloe, David Wolf, Cornelius Neachten and Cornelius Obuill, priests. Cf. Maziere Brady, Episcopal Sucession, vol. ii. p. 174.
Vat. Arch. Arm. xliv. vol. 28. f. 102. no. 188.	854. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Gerard a Groesbeck,] Cardinal Bishop of Liège. Notifying him that the Pope has conferred a vacant canonry in the church of St. Paul in the city of Liège upon Henry Dethick, (fn. 3) an English priest, and requesting him to take care that he be in no way molested or obstructed in acquiring possession thereof. 3 June, 1578. Rome. Latin. Copy.
vat. Arch. Nunt. di Savoia, vol. vii. p. 63.	855. Ottavio Sta. Croce, [Bishop of Cervia,] Nuncio at the Court of Turin to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “So diverse of late are the reports of affairs in Flanders, consequent upon the move made by the Duke of Alençon, that we are in great confusion; for by letters from Paris of the 14th and 15th [ult.] to his Highness it was understood that to the said Duke's minister, M. de Rochepot, (fn. 4) there had been delivered by the Estates the fortresses of Quesnoy, Cambrésis, Landresy [Landrecies], Montz [Mons] and (sic: in) Enaud [Hainaut]; upon which intelligence the said Duke had determined to go ahead with the said enterprise, although he had promised the Queen Mother to have nothing more to do with it. Then there came from Paris in three days an express courier, bringing his Highness a letter of the 27th of last month to the effect that it was not true that the said fortresses had been so delivered; but on the contrary that, seven companies of foot having been sent by Alençon towards Ballemont [Berlaymont (fn. 5) ], two of them were roughly handled and all but cut to pieces in the suburbs of the said place by the troops of Don John, who had got wind of the affair, and some few that were taken prisoners were forthwith hanged by Don John's orders: which has been taken much amiss, as it is deemed that this severity will evoke resentment, especially in Picardy, where people were very well disposed towards Don John, the rigour of war not warranting such execution on those, who, though enemies, are neither rebels nor subjects, and the residue of them comers and goers: also that ambassadors from the Estates and the Prince of Orange had visited Monsieur, to thank him for his good intention, and inform him that he need make no further move, as they have no need of his aid; and that there was none in Flanders that solicited his coming but the Count of Salin [Lalaing (fn. 6) ]; besides which there were ambassadors to the Most Christian King from the Queen of England to declare her intention of making Monsieur desist from the enterprise, for that she could not but aid the Catholic King in this matter; whereby they profess to have completely changed Monsieur's mind, and withdrawn him from the enterprise; and though the intelligence is involved in some doubt by the said letters, I seem to gather that his Highness takes it to be indubitable that he will not go; and likewise, I have it from his own lips, that as this is a question of peace or war between these Kings, Juan de Vargas, agent or ambassador of the Catholic King in France, has, they say, in a very high tone warned the King to divert his brother from this enterprise, for otherwise his King will take the offensive to the best of his power against him; and has got for answer that this is not of his devising, and that he cannot govern his brother; and indeed on all hands it is affirmed for certain that the King has no part therein, and is displeased thereat, and resourceless against it.” 4 June, 1578. [Turin.] Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xi. f. 280d.	856. [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “As to the particular business of England—my chamberlain, Andrea Gambarini, whom I sent to Portugal, has to-day returned; and from his report and the instruction that I gave him, both of which I send herewith, it is evident how precise are the terms of the arrangement, and how past hoping for is the departure (fn. 7); so I think it would be well to give effect to what I write with my own hand at the foot of the report. My sole purpose in sending this is to prove that on my part there has been no neglect to do all that, as far as my knowledge went, was possible in this business; and sorry I am that, as it is already more than public, it is criticized in divers ways; and many deride it, as if his Holiness in his great goodness of heart had let himself be duped by the profuse promises of this man. However, I hope in God that his going to Africa will not postpone the chastisement, and that his Holiness will not lack opportunity of showing the world that when he makes his mind up, he lacks not the means of chastising that accursed woman.” 5 June, 1578. Madrid. Italian. Enclosure missing.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 226d.	857. News Letter. “By letters from London received at Rome it is understood that the Queen of England was speaking the Catholic ambassador fair to make believe that she favoured not the Estates of Flanders; and meanwhile she was enlisting troops throughout the realm, and had sent to the mole 200 pieces of bronze artillery (fn. 8) : also that the Prince of Scotland has assumed the government of his realm under the direction of some very prudent counsellors. It is confirmed that the important fortress of Gravelines is at the devotion of the King of Spain.” 7 June, 1578. Rome. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 178.	858. Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “Two evenings ago James Geraldine, the Irishman, came to me and gave me an account of the misfortune that befell him on his voyage; and said that here he had recovered part of his moneys; and besought me to assure the Pope that he is constant in the same desire that he had when he quitted Rome, and that he will neglect no opportunity of giving effect to it. You will receive his letter herewith.” 8 June, 1578. [Paris.] Italian. Enclosure:—
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 108.	859. James Desmond de Geraldines (fn. 9) to the Same. Referring him to Cardinal Alciati for an account of the difficulties which have hitherto delayed his action; and suggesting that two or three learned Jesuits should be sent to Scotland, and as many to Ireland, to arouse the Catholics from their torpor, and animate them with zeal against the enemies of the cross of Christ. 6 June [1578]. Paris. Latin.
Vat. Arch. Arm. xliv. vol. 28. f. 103d.	860. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Patrick O'Hely,] Bishop of Mayo. “I wrote to you a few days ago in answer to your letter then received: but Cardinal Alciati having since communicated to me your letter to him written on 24 May, and having also shown me a letter from James [Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald] to you, I reported all their contents to the Pope; and his Holiness, being much grieved that so many misfortunes should have befallen him, and paternally sympathizing with him in his calamities, but still hoping that his valour and stoutheartedness will yet enable him to repair his losses and resume his original plans, would not omit to send him a subsidy, to wit, 1,000 aurei which have been delivered to the Archbishop of Nazareth, who is going to the Royal Court, that he may see that they are faithfully delivered to James in person, wherein you will co-operate, that it may be done in the meetest manner possible. The rest you will learn from the said Archbishop.” 14 June, 1578. Rome. Latin. Draft.
Vat. Arch. Arm. xliv. vol. 28. f. 102d. no. 189.	861. [Cardinal Alciati ?] to James Desmond. (fn. 10) Acknowledging his letter from Lisbon, which he forebore to answer in expectation of news of his arrival in Ireland; condoling with him on his misfortunes reported by the Bishop of Mayo, and announcing that the Pope is sending him a subsidy of 1,000 aurei. The letter concludes as follows:— “I suppose you have heard the news about Stucley, who some months ago started with a great ship, well equipped, and with all his company, arms and veterans aboard, to go to your support; but having no tidings that you had gone forward, tarried in Portugal; nor do we know for certain what he purposes to do. It will be well that you and he take counsel together, and come to a decision as to all matters. Vale in Domino.” 14 June, 1578. Rome. Latin. Draft.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. i. f. 115d.	862. Robert Fontana, [Collector Apostolic in Portugal] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “The Marquis [of Leinster (fn. 11) ], it seems, had offered the King these arms from the ship, as if they were his own, and purposed to embark them for Africa; whereof I sent the Commissary to apprise Pedro d'Alçacova [Alcaçova], who thereupon craved them of me in loan or sale or otherwise; and when the said Commissary showed him an order left with him by Gambarino, that he was not to remove them save by the advice of the nuncio, or with my consent, the said Pedro d'Alçacova [Alcaçova] made the same requisition of me on the part of the King; and I replied that I could not comply, because I had written to the Pope that they should remain in statu quo until further advice from him, and for lack of the said order of the nuncio; nor, much as he has said to me, have I complied therewith, being warned by the nuncio that he has an ulterior design, and that, if they were given to the King or the Marquis, they would run a great risk of being lost. “The said Pedro remains dissatisfied. I know not what the result will be.” 16 June, 1578. Lisbon. Decipher. Italian.
Ibid. f. 118.	863. The Same to the Same. “The Marquis, on hearing from me this morning of the requisition made to me by Pedro d'Alçazova [Alcaçova] of these arms, has concurred in thinking that they are safer here, and seems content to leave them in the custody of the servants of the Commissary and one of his own. God grant that this is the end of the affair; for they have run many a risk heretofore, and last of all this betwixt the Marquis and the Commissary. The said Marquis is ill at ease because his secretary, whom he sent to report matters to the Catholic King, has not returned.” 17 June, 1578. Lisbon. Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Portog. vol. iii. ff. 182–3.	864. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to Mgr. [Robert] Fontana, [Collector Apostolic in Portugal]. “As to our soldiers I need but repeat what I last wrote you by my letter in triplicate, whereto the Pope still adheres: to wit, that if you receive tidings that Geraldine (fn. 12) has gone, or has made ready to go to Ireland, you should by all means see to it that the Marquis follow him with the said soldiers; and if it should be impossible to procure from his Majesty ships and other necessaries, for which you will not fail to renew your application, in that case you may adopt one of the suggestions of the nuncio of Spain (fn. 13); i.e. that the soldiers be transported in our ship either to Galicia or to one of the ports of Brittany, and somewhere or other procure ships and whatever else is necessary, and go ahead to join the said Geraldine, and do some good in the service of God and the Catholic religion. But if Geraldine should not have gone to Ireland, or should not have arranged a place of rendezvous with the Marquis, so as to go in company with him, in such a case it would not be well for our soldiers to go thither to get themselves slaughtered; and we might do his Majesty the favour to lend them to him for the war of Africa, provided he should pledge his royal word to restore us our soldiers on his return from Africa, and lend us a greater number, and give us ships, munitions, victuals, and whatever else is necessary for the enterprise of Ireland. Hereby you will know how to steer your course in this business, following the written instructions in regard thereto of the nuncio aforesaid, so far as they clash not with what I have said above. “And in case it be decided to send the soldiers to Africa, Captain Bastiano may remain there [i.e. at Lisbon] in charge of our arms and munitions: and in either case you will bid the Marquis [of Leinster] in the Pope's name to behave well to the captains and soldiers of his Holiness, and not to harass them, as we understand he does, because, besides that he would not get good service from them, his Holiness would be dissatisfied with him. “As soon as your decision is taken to make no more use of the ship, you will put her out of commission, because till then she costs us about 800 crowns by the month, and as soon as she is out of commission, we are at no more expense. You have done well in not giving the 500 ducats, if the ship is so rotten and ill equipped as the Marquis says; but if this should not be the actual truth, but a mere guess made by the Marquis by way of pretext, as may be suspected, in that case you will give the 500 ducats, if the master of the ship shall demand them. However, in any event the Marquis must make out a protest to the said master that by reason of the ship's unsoundness it was impossible to continue the voyage, and must send us an authentic copy thereof.” 18 June, 1578. Rome. Italian. Draft for cipher.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. xx. pp. 228–30.	865. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Spain. “It has been made clear that what you and the Collector of Portugal write as to the detention of our soldiers and the expedients adopted by you to persuade and induce the King of Portugal to allow them to continue their voyage, and the Marquis to do his duty, has been altogether approved by the Pope. “Now as to this business I cannot but refer to what I wrote of late by letters in triplicate; which in substance is that, if you have tidings that Geraldine (fn. 14) has gone or has arranged to go to Ireland, the Marquis ought by all means to go there also with the said soldiers to do some enterprise for the service of God and the Catholic religion in those parts, because such and no other was the end for which the expedition has been made at such cost to his Holiness; and if the King of Portugal will not furnish ships and munitions, as he has been requested to do, the Marquis may adopt the method prudently devised by you and approved by his Catholic Majesty, and provide himself therewith either in Galicia or in Brittany; and the passage from Lisbon to Galicia is so short that our ship cannot but be good for that purpose; and, should she after all not be so, there will be no lack of other means, so that, if Geraldine has gone or made ready to go, the Marquis should on no account stay, particularly as the King has given you to understand that, when the Marquis has arrived in Ireland, and begun to make some progress, he will not fail to provide him with a larger sum of money; whereby it is evident that his Majesty desires the affair to reach the goal by us appointed. But should it be known for certain that the said Geraldine had not gone to Ireland, or could not go there at once, in that case we might shut our eyes, and suffer the King of Portugal to make use of the said soldiers for the war of Africa, provided that he would pledge us his royal faith that on his return he will provide us with ships, munitions and soldiers to the number that we shall need for the passage to Ireland. To the same effect I have already written, and am now writing again to the Collector Fontana, telling him in this matter also to follow your directions: since you will be able to make sure whether Geraldine has gone or no, and in either case to give the orders that you may deem expedient for carrying out the Pope's command.” 18 June, 1578. Rome. Italian. Draft for cipher.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 20	866. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Sir Thomas Stucley, styled] Marquis of Leinster. “The Pope has received your letter; whereby, and by what you write to me, and likewise at more length to the Archdeacon of Cambrai, (fn. 15) he fully understands all that has happened; and his Holiness remains fully satisfied of your integrity of purpose, and makes no doubt that your future behaviour will afford clear evidence that the course which matters have hitherto taken has been determined by sheer necessity, and not by your will; for the Pope deems you sincere, valiant and honourable. And I omit no opportunity of confirming him in this opinion, and of doing in your favour all those good offices that are dictated by the love that I bear you and the opinion that I have of your virtue, being confident that by your deeds you will abundantly answer all the expectations that we have of you. “Now as to the business I apprise you that his Holiness is still of the same mind which you will have learned from my last letter, and more particularly from the lips of Mgr. Fontana the Collector, from whom you will likewise presently learn what must be done; nor will you fail faithfully to give effect to all his directions, particularly as his Holiness understands that James Geraldine (fn. 16) was ready to put himself in motion, and go whither you know. And therefore his Holiness says that it is for you to have that good understanding with him which is meet, and in concert with him to carry out all that has to be done. And knowing, as I do, that in this and all else you will not fail to afford the Pope complete satisfaction, I shall say no more at present than to refer you to the said Mgr. Fontana, and place myself with all my heart at your service, praying God ever to aid you, and fulfil your every desire.” 20 June, 1578. Rome. Italian. Draft.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 246	867. News Letter. “There has arrived here the expected courier from Portugal, bringing the ambassador of that country here a credit of 300,000 crowns sent him by his King to meet the exigencies of war; and it is confirmed that his Portuguese Majesty detains the English Duke with the galeoncino, and the Italian troops, because the Queen of England, having discovered his design and the agitations in Scotland, had sent a great fleet to sea.” 21 June, 1578. Rome. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 201.	868. Patrick [O'Hely,] Bishop of Mayo to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. In answer to the Cardinal's letter of 2 June the Bishop notifies him that the Collector's report of James Geraldine's departure for Ireland with six ships and 2,000 soldiers was entirely erroneous, as he has not been able to charter a vessel of any kind for the voyage. Having heard a vague report that Stucley had set sail from Italy, Geraldine had forthwith sent messengers in divers directions with letters for him, though he knew not the place of rendezvous; and the Cardinal's letter brought the sole definite tidings that it has as yet been possible for him to receive. Letters will be sent to Stucley until some definite understanding is reached. It was in the hope of receiving a letter and aid from the Pope that Geraldine came to Paris; but being disappointed he forthwith returned to Brittany, where he awaits an opportunity of crossing to Ireland, and his Holiness' mandate and aid. The Cardinal is therefore implored to exert his influence with the Pope on behalf of so brave and devout a leader. 22 June, 1578. Paris. Latin.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 205.	869. Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “Since writing the other letter which you will receive enclosed herewith I have conversed with the ambassador of Scotland, who returned two days ago from the baths; and I have communicated to him the intention which you write me the Pope has of sending a man to those parts in accordance with the suggestion which he made to me and I wrote to you. And as he has told me that perhaps at present it would not have the result that it would have had in the past, as the realm is now again in confusion by reason of the banishment of one of the chief governors of the King, and the recall of that tyrant [Morton (fn. 17) ] who was there before, no longer as chief but as joint governor with the rest, I resolved to apprise you thereof, as also that the Queen of England has of late sent out sixteen ships of war ostensibly to make some voyage, but, it is supposed, for the purpose of giving chase to Stucley in particular, and to the rest that are conspiring against her. I am also assured by the same ambassador that he would now deem it no difficult matter to extricate the young King from that upbringing, and that it might be effected with but some slight understanding with one of his governors who is a Catholic. As to the business about which I have twice written you in cipher I have no more to say than that the same good purpose remains, but the power is lacking, to wit, the money.” 23 June, 1578. Paris. Italian.
Ibid. p. 208.	870. The Same to the Same. … “It is also understood that the Queen of England is arming many ships, to the number, they say, of 30, to succour the Flemings in case they should not have recourse to Monsieur. And furthermore it is recently reported that that Queen had made common cause with Casimir and the Estates, who by consequence said that they no longer wanted his Highness' succour.” 23 June, 1578. Paris. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 211.	871. Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “I have heard from one, for whose credit, however, I cannot vouch, that M. d'Alençon's going to Flanders will prove futile, and that it is a device of M. de Metmoransi [Montmorency]; who, bearing this Crown a grudge by reason of his imprisonment, and being hostile to the Guises, has resolved to make use of his Highness, none too fond as he is of the brother, to take his revenge, and has chosen for his intermediary the Count d'Alin [de Lalaing (fn. 18) ], his especial friend, who, unknown to the Estates, has invited his Highness, who has since made proffer of himself and his troops, purposing, however, to return to do this realm a mischief, being, it is believed, exhorted thereto by the Queen of England; however it is understood that the Most Christian King has someone nigh the Estates who will disconcert his Highness' going. “Their Majesties here had rather his Highness went not in person, lest Don John of Austria should attack and vanquish him, in which case they would be compelled to succour him, and so to go to war. It is said that the Duke of Saxony offers M. d'Alençon his daughter with all the money that he shall require by way of dowry, and a promise of liberty to live as he may choose in the matter of religion. It has also been said, but without foundation, that the Prince of Orange seeks to give him his daughter, and that the Queen of England offered to take him for husband. “The King of Navarre is urgent that the Queen his wife be sent to him, threatening that in default he will do something disagreeable. “There has arrived here one Alfonso Ferrabosco, (fn. 19) of Bologna, brought hither by the Cardinal of Lorraine as his musician. Determined against the will of his father to serve the Queen of England, he had been there for many years, requited with favour and pay. But at length, it being alleged that he had gone to Mass in the house of the ambassador of France, he was forbidden access to the Queen's chambers and the Court. He has visited me, and told me that, though he is now reinstated in his office and the favour of his Patroness, he has resolved to be quit of that servitude, and acknowledge his error, and go home to Italy; and that he has taken occasion of the death of his mother to crave leave of absence for a few months, purposing not to return. And so he besought my advice, and also letters of recommendation to procure him pardon of his error, and enable him to live at home as a good Catholic and Christian; assuring me in point of belief he had never swerved from the Catholic religion, and that as far as was compatible with secrecy he had not given up the Mass, confession and communion in the house of the ambassador of France, whose certificate in scriptis I have seen. He adds that he desires to apply to Cardinal Paleoto for absolution of his errors, being loath to approach the Pope without his invitation for fear of imprisonment by the Inquisition: and he begged me to furnish him with a letter to the said Cardinal. I commended his professed resolution denouncing the servitude; and I exhorted him to go at once to the Pope without trepidation, adding that if he had rather not do so, he might go to you, provided he were resolved to comply with all your directions; and that I would give him a letter, as he has also craved of me through others. “I understand that this is a most evil-spirited, evil-minded man, and very knowing, and excellently informed of the affairs of those countries; that the Queen of England makes much use of him as a spy and complotter, in which character he might now be employed, so that if one had him in one's power, one might learn many things; that it is in order that he may better play his game that he affects to have a grudge against the Queen of England; and that therefore he will go to Italy, and in particular to Rome and Bologna. I know not what of good to believe, as here he has gone to dine with the ambassador of England on Friday, and has eaten meat, and is constantly busy there: and as I have learned that before going to Bologna he desires to know what Cardinal Paleoto's feeling may be towards him, I have warned his Most Illustrious Lordship to avoid saying aught in reply that may hinder his going; and my reason for writing to your Most Illustrious Lordship is that, in case he should come to Rome, the Pope may hear of it. Meanwhile I have placed persons about him to try if they can penetrate his mind, and I will apprise you of the result. “I have heard that Stucley's move and the letters taken on the Bishop of Mayo have greatly incensed the Queen of England, and that she perhaps is thinking of doing some mischief.” Cf. Burghley Papers, ed. Murdin, p. 306; Cal. State Papers, Foreign, 1578–9, p. 23. 23 June, 1578. Paris. Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1046. f. 250.	872. News Letter. “These countries are favoured at every turn by the Queen of England, from whom they are expecting a Milord, her favourite, and a secretary with a great sum of money; of which they stand in more need than of soldiers, because, besides the Flemings in great number, the Count of Suartzemburgh [Schwarzburg] and the Duke [Julius] of Bransvich [Brunswick] are about Bolduch [Bois le Duc] and Breda, awaiting the infantry of the garrisons and the cavalry, which will not be slow to appear after the arrival of the troops of Casimir, to whom money will be sent to pay them; and then they will clear scores with the enemy.” (fn. 20) 24 June, 1578. Antwerp. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 112–3.	873. [Sir Thomas Stucley, Styled] Marquis of Leinster to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. Announcing that he has embarked with the Papal troops under his command for Africa in the service of the King of Portugal, and referring him to the Collector for an account of the circumstances. The Papal munitions and arms he has left at Lisbon; but he advises the Cardinal to cause them to be removed either to Cadiz or to Puerto Sta. Maria, that they may be more readily available when the time comes for the expedition [to Ireland]. Meanwhile the Cardinal is implored to give no credence to reports that the writer had given the pay [of the Papal troops] to the heretics, the said reports, and other slanders, being disseminated by heretics, and spies of the Queen of England, who pretend to be Catholics. He promises to make good his obligations to the Pope and the Cardinal, and desires that the commission for which he wrote to [Owen Lewis], Archdeacon of Cambrai, be sent to him, and that, if possible, Dr. Allen may join him. 24 June, 1578. Lisbon. Italian. Postscript.—To the effect that the writer had been so hurried by the King of Portugal as to be unable to close the foregoing letter until his arrival at Lagos; whence he is despatching Captain Clayborn and his (Stucley's) Italian secretary, Philiberto Cotto, to Rome, to apprise the Cardinal of everything, and to counteract the false reports which are being circulated by the heretics, and to which the nuncio at Madrid is giving credence. 27 June, 1578. Lagos. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 109–10.	874. [Captain Bastiano San Joseppi, Commissary and Paymaster] to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. Whereas in the year 1577 Antonio Spinola's ship San Giovanni Battista was hired by order of his Holiness, and on account of the hire the sum of 1,000 crowns d'oro in oro was paid by the Cardinal of Como's own hand to Nicolò Carrega, master of the said ship, with promise of the balance on due performance of the contract: whereupon there embarked on the said ship at Port' Ercole 600 Papal infantry, who were carried in her as far as Lisbon; and whereas the agreement with Antonio [Spinola] was at the rate of 825 ducats by the month, and the ship has been in commission five months and a half, as appears by Captain Bastiano San Giuseppe's certificate, and no more has been had than the said 1,000 crowns and 1,179 ducats of the money of Naples; therefore order is craved for payment of the balance, to wit, 2,078, 1, 10 ducats of Naples, seeing that the poor mariners have suffered very great loss by the said voyage, and by reason of the pest at Genoa have until now been prevented from coming to claim payment. [25 June, 1578. Lisbon.] Italian. Copy.
Ibid.	875. Certificate by Bastiano San Joseppi of the safe arrival at Lisbon Rio on 18 April, 1578, of the ship San Giovanni Battista, from Port' Ercole with 600 infantry embarked there on 3 Feb. of the said year, the disembarkation of the troops at Lisbon Rio on 26 April, and the munitions, &c., on 30 April, and the detinue of the ship there until 1 June, when she was put out of commission. 25 June, 1578. Lisbon. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 217.	876. Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “M. de Mondoucet, formerly ambassador of this King in Flanders, who has just come thence, brings tidings that a league between the Estates, the Queen of England, and Casimir has been arranged, or at any rate is at the point of being concluded. (fn. 21) … “The Queen of England is doing her best to kindle a blaze; and her emissary [Stafford (fn. 22) ], who, I wrote you, was here to make her protest to the King against Monsieur's going [to Flanders], went also to his Highness [Alençon], as I apprised you, to do, it was said, the same office; but it is supposed that he did the contrary, and exhorted him to go, though without the King's consent, offering him money and men. It is also thought that the Queen has since urged the Estates not to accept him, and that she promises to succour them herself with all her strength, deeming that this rumour of his Highness' going might result for the Flemings in peace on good terms, such indeed as that the Spaniards should evacuate that country, where she is apprehensive of them on her own account, and for the Catholic King in such disgust as that war between these [two] Kings might readily break out”…. 26 June, 1578. Paris. Italian. Postscript.—“The Queen of England is sending to Germany four ambassadors to negotiate an accord uniting Casimir and his brother the Count Palatine in religion, and also the renewal of a league which the Kings of England had of old with Germany and Flanders; and, should they fail, the ambassadors that are in Flanders will go thither. As to Ferrabosco, what I hear still accords with what I last wrote, to wit, that he will certainly go to Italy to do mischief; and that, though he affects to be incensed against the Queen of England, he had from her, nevertheless, a present of 8,000 crowns on his departure, and is taking with him two jennets to bestow in Italy on two persons of quality who are at her service for this turn. There will also probably come to Italy and Rome one Agramonte Lef [Egremont Ratclyffe (fn. 23) ], brother of the first major-domo (fn. 24) of the Queen, who was at one time her prisoner, and makes a pretence of being angered against her, but in truth goes in her service. “It is said that the Queen of England is the medium of some negotiation for an alliance between M. d'Alençon and the sister (fn. 25) of the King of Navarre; and I know not but it may be true, seeing that she does all that she may to avoid returning to the husband. I have heard that M. d'Alençon will never make his peace and reconciliation with the Most Christian King, until his Majesty accords him in his absence that authority in the realm which his Majesty had in the lifetime of King Charles; and this his Majesty will not accord him, expressing disapproval of what his brother did, and averring that, as he deemed it ill done, he himself made a self-denying ordinance in regard thereof.” Decipher. Italian.
Vat Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. f. 112.	877. Sir Thomas Stucley, styled [Marquis of Leinster] to Pope Gregory XIII. Accrediting to him Captain Clayborn and his Italian secretary, Philiberto Cotto, for whom he entreats of the Pope a benignant audience; expressing his confidence that when his Holiness has heard the truth from their lips, he will do nothing in prejudice of his and his son's life and honour; and holding out hope of the speedy accomplishment of the business to his Holiness' satisfaction. 27 June, 1578. Lagos. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Venet. vol. xix. p. 125.	878. Annibale di Capua, Nuncio at Venice to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “For some time past the Queen of England has evinced a desire that the Signory should have an ambassador resident at her Court. But they have refrained from compliance for respect to the Apostolic See, and lest they should displease the Pope. “Just now upon occasion of sending this ambassador to France there has been serious discussion in the Council of Ten about sending an ambassador to reside in England; and though no decision has been reached, nevertheless I have deemed it proper to forewarn you thereof.” 28 June [1578]. Venice. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. xii. p. 230.	879. Protonotary Dandino, Nuncio in France to the Same. … “This hope in particular that Monsieur may refrain from going to Flanders is now all but universal; for what I wrote by my last letter, to wit, of the 26th, about the league between the Queen of England, Casimir and the Estates is confirmed; and thereto it is added that the said Queen is lending 1,000,000 florins, (fn. 26) and gives them 6,000 foot, stipulating, however, for a place of great importance on the frontier which formerly belonged to the Kings of England. But the other hope, to wit, of Monsieur's return to Court and his reconciliation with the King, is not so well grounded, for it is believed that Monsieur will hardly bring himself to that, unless the desire which, I wrote, he has for that authority in the realm, which the King his brother had in the lifetime of King Charles, be gratified: still both the Queen Mother and the Queen of Navarre exert themselves mightily in the matter. “Tournai is the name of the place that is to be given to the Queen of England on the conclusion of the league; and it is said that Casimir will have no responsibility whatever therein; but that whatever he does will be done in the name of Prince Matthias. It was said, but has not as yet been confirmed, that last Friday there passed this way a brother of the Count of Alin [Lalaing], who was going to Monsieur with a message from him [the Count] that, if his Highness was ready to take the field, he would put him in possession of certain places, but that there must be no delay. It is understood that 4,000 Frenchmen from Amiens, who on the borders of Flanders behaved with excessive licentiousness, had been dispersed by the inhabitants. It is reported that the Flemings in the neighbourhood of Arras are far from being reduced, and that the Prince of Orange sustains them by holding out good hope of driving out the Spaniards before four months have gone by.” 30 June, 1578. [Paris.] Italian.