Venice: March 1594 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 9, 1592-1603. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1897.

Citation:

'Venice: March 1594', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 9, 1592-1603, ed. Horatio F Brown( London, 1897), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol9/pp121-123 [accessed 27 July 2024].

March 1594



March 7. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	256. Giovanni Macenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The day after his coronation, at the hour of Vespers, the King took the habit of the order of Saint Esprit as Grand Master, and swore, in the hands of the Grand Chancellor and in presence of twenty knights, to observe the rules of the order as framed by the late King of glorious memory. His Majesty was to have given a fête to all the Court that evening, but being attacked by a violent toothache, it was put off. His Majesty passed the evening in listening to Don Antonio, to whom he promised all the aid that his forces would permit him to give. Don Antonio was highly satisfied. He is thinking of returning soon to England; where he can live in safety.
	It was thought that the Spanish must by this time have been driven out of Beauvais; but news from that city shows that they are still in occupation to the great discontent of the inhabitants.
	The Queen of England has promised a thousand infantry to help the King against Count Mansfeldt.
	Chartres, 7th March 1594.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
March 12. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	257. Francesco Vendramin, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	News from Lisbon that many English ships are infesting those shores and plundering the Portuguese. It is rumoured that the English fleet will put out in strength to ravage the coast of Spain. Off Cape S. Vincent the despatch boat of the flotilla has been captured with the despatches declaring the route the fleet will take this year.
	It is said that Don Antonio and Antonio Perez have crossed over into France, where they will treat with Navarre for a supply of ships, with which, supported by English activity and maritime power, they will harass the King of Spain.
	Madrid, 12th March 1594.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
March 15. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	258. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Archduke Ernest has summoned the States in Brussels and proposed terms of peace. The States have referred the matter to the King of France and the Queen of England. The Queen is ill. She has taken a Portuguese doctor (fn. 1) out of prison to attend her case.
	Prague, 25th (sic, but 15th in rubricario) March 1594.
	[Italian.]
March 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	259. Francesco Vendramin, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	The King has ordered all the horse guards down to the shore to protect the coast from Biscay to Seville, and more especially the kingdom of Portugal, where they fear that Don Antonio may effect a landing. There are rumours of vast preparations in England; it is supposed that his Majesty has information, but it is kept a profound secret.
	Meantime they are enrolling the infantry for Italy. Unless some fresh development takes place they will be sent there to the number of seven thousand. Owing to the famine the enlistment is easier than it usually is.
	Madrid, 18th March 1594.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
March 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	260. Francesco Vendramin, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate.
	The news from Flanders and England is so serious that the question of the ambassadorial etiquette is being put off as far as possible by merely complimentary phrases.
	Madrid, 20th March 1594.
	[Italian; deciphered.]
March 22. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	261. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	There is news from London that a conspiracy to poison the Queen has been brought to light; so her doctor confessed under torture. He is said to have kept up secret relations with Spain for the last ten years.
	Prague, 22nd March 1594.
	[Italian.]
March 26. Deliberation of the Senate. Original Minute, Venetian Archives.	262. To Ambassador Venier in Constantinople.
	We learn from your despatch of February 13, that the English Ambassador wishes to sue the heirs of the late Charles Elman before the Turkish Courts. As this would prove injurious to the party sued, and would also be an infringement of the jurisdiction belonging to you, our representative, we instruct you that, in pursuance of your present prudent policy, you are to use all means in your power to secure that the hearing of the case shall take place in your court, unless, as you advise, the question is settled by arbitration.
	You are to forward to us the petitions you have received on this subject.
	[Italian.]
March 29. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	263. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate.
	Some English regiments have reached Middelburg. The King of Navarre is prospering in France.
	Prague, 29th March 1594.
	[Italian.]