Venice: November 1585

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 8, 1581-1591. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

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'Venice: November 1585', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 8, 1581-1591, (London, 1894) pp. 125-126. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol8/pp125-126 [accessed 26 April 2024]

November 1585

Nov. 8. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 294. Giovanni Dolfin, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
The French Ambassador in England wrote last week that the Queen had sent three thousand men to join the Scotch exiles, and, all together, they attempted to capture the King who took refuge in a small but strong castle. This news has caused great excitement at Court and has made the Scotch Ambassador ask for an audience. The King said to him that this news is probably on a par with the French Ambassador's other news about Don Antonio, for it is impossible to believe that the Queen would attempt so many things at once. As a matter of fact his Majesty's opinion was confirmed three days later, for it turned out that the troops were sent to Holland and that the King of Scotland had retired to that castle for fear of the plague, which is making great progress in his country, as indeed here and throughout the kingdom.
Paris, 8th November 1585.
[Italian.]
Nov. 11. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 295. Giovanni Dolfin, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
The English corsairs are reported to have seized some Spanish merchantmen on their way to Flanders, from whom they received a rich booty. They say the Earl of Leicester is to leave for Zealand. He is only waiting a fair wind.
Paris, 11th November 1585.
[Italian.]
Nov. 25. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 296. Lorenzo Bernardo, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate.
Last week two Englishmen arrived here from Ragusa, and, after stopping here a few days, set out on their return journey by way of Poland. There was some suspicion that they came here on a secret mission, especially as one of them is very clever, and has a wide knowledge of the world. I could not find out their object although I asked them to dinner on purpose. But now another Englishman has reached this by way of Poland. He is lodged with the English Ambassador, who for many days has been very busy, and in constant conferences with David Passi, the Jew, who is always ready to take a part in such matters. He has let fall the remark that perhaps the Porte will send an agent to the Queen of England. All this, taken in conjunction with what the English Ambassador recently said, that there will be war between Spain and England on account of the protection which the Queen affords to Holland and Zealand, makes me suspect that the English Ambassador is negotiating with the Porte for the despatch of the Turkish fleet, though everyone holds it certain that the Sultan will not be able to move on account of his own political position and the difficulties of the Persian war.
As regards the Turkish fleet, nothing is going on in the Arsenal. And so I consider that the fleet will not take the sea next year, all the more so as some Turks returned from Messina, report that though the King of Spain has a large fleet yet there is no reason to be alarmed about him, as he is at war in various quarters.
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 25th November 1585.
[Italian; deciphered..]
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