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| 1567. Jan. 23. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. |
378. Giovanni Correr, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory |
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The Count de Brienne has returned from Scotland, whither he went to hold the Prince, the son of the Queen, at his baptism; he reports that her Majesty awaited little less than two months Mons. de Moretta, who was to represent the Duke of Savoy, but as he
failed to arrive, she substituted for him the Ambassador in ordinary of his French Majesty. |
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The baptism was performed on the 17th of last month, when all the rites of the Roman Church were observed, very much to the satisfaction of the Catholics, who for the last seven years have never seen any bishop in pontifical habits. |
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The Ambassador from England would not enter the church, but prayed the Countess of Argyle (Aghilar), known as the Bastard of Holland, to go thither in his stead, and presented her for her trouble with a ruby worth five hundred crowns. |
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The Count de Brienne presented the Queen of Scotland, in the name of the King of France, with a necklace of pearls and rubies, and two most beautiful ear-rings. |
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Much greater was the present from England, as it was a font of massive gold, of sufficient proportions to immerse the infant Prince, and of exquisite workmanship, with many precious stones, so designed that the whole effect combined elegance with value. Mons. de Moretta, Ambassador from the Duke of Savoy, on his passage through this place, told me that be had with him as a present a fan of large size with jewelled feathers, of the value of four thousand crowns. |
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The King of France believes that the marriage of Queen Elizabeth with the Archduke Charles will be speedily concluded, very much to his Majesty's regret. |
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Paris, 23rd January 1567. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 25. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. |
379. Giovanni Correr, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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There is news from England that the people were urging the Queen to marry, and it is suspected here that the Queen, to oblige her people and take the burden off her shoulders, might conclude the marriage treaty with the Archduke Charles. The Queen of France, in order to interrupt the negotiation, has sent a person express to England, not of quality, but well informed about the English Court, to offer Queen Elizabeth the Duke of Anjou, his most Christian Majesty's eldest brother, as a husband. |
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Paris, 25th January 1567. |
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[Italian.] |
