Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.
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'Venice: May 1573', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 486-487. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/pp486-487 [accessed 6 May 2024]
May 1573
| May 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 542. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
|---|---|
| Her Majesty the Queen Mother said to me yesterday that “there were certain ministers within La Rochelle who preached after such a fashion as to make the inhabitants believe that all the angels from Heaven would come to their assistance, but since they have lost any hope of assistance from Montgomery, they appear more willing to accept the conditions which had formerly been offered to them; but Monsieur, my son, expects that if we stand firm we shall improve even these.” “It will be a good thing,” I replied, “if this could be done, but you should remember, Madame, that by negotiation we may obtain a result which great battles have failed to accomplish. Extinguish the fire in your own kingdom rather than be consumed by it yourselves, and then your Majesty will learn that in time you will obtain your own terms in every way; and you should consider also that Montgomery, although put to flight, is not defeated, and that he can obtain reinforcements from England with the ships which the Queen of England will have at her command now that she has come to an arrangement with Spain; and should Montgomery reappear, then the inhabitants of La Rochelle might also return to their former ideas.” The Queen answered, “You are quite right. Still, we desire to see whether we cannot arrive at the point of agreeing with them without permitting them the exercise of their religion.” | |
| Moret, 2nd May 1573. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| May 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 543. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
| A few days ago I met the new Ambassador from England, (fn. 1) who showed great anxiety that our merchant ships should recommence their voyages to England, and the Ambassador informed me that if it were necessary to take precautions for fear of corsairs, her Majesty his Queen would be prepared to do her utmost for that purpose. Concerning the agreement lately concluded with England by the Flemings, the Ambassador told me that the particulars which were to have been published on the 20th of last month had been postponed until the 8th of the present month, but that he did not know for certain whether the agreement would be carried out, because on two former occasions, and under more favourable circumstances, it had failed, and this might perhaps be the case now. | |
| Moret, 10th May 1573. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| May 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 544. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
| The agreement between England and the States of Flanders not having been published, I inquired the cause from the English Ambassador, who answered that the differences between the two States concerning reprisals had not been adjusted, and that the English were disinclined to transport their merchandise to Antwerp because it greatly exceeds in quantity the merchandise which the subjects of the King of Spain possess in England; and they are the more distrustful in this matter because the agreement appears to have been concluded only by letters which had passed between the Queen and the Duke of Alva, and the assent of his Catholic Majesty had not been given, and could not be speedily obtained, in consequence of the despatches from Flanders upon this question having been intercepted, and before communications could be made and returned a thousand changes might take place; and, therefore, according to the Ambassador's opinion, the negotiation will continue in suspense. | |
| Moret, 20th May 1573. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| May 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. | 545. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
| It is believed that the inhabitants of La Rochelle will not come to any terms until they see what course Germany and England intend to take. The understanding between these heretics is like a solid mass which only moves by a common consent, and hence the whole affair for a moment is in suspense. | |
| Moret, 27th May 1573. | |
| [Italian.] | |