Cecil Papers: July 1602 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 14, Addenda. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1923.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: July 1602', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 14, Addenda, ed. E Salisbury( London, 1923), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol14/pp228-232 [accessed 17 November 2024].

July 1602



	Sir John Poynte alias Poynes.
1602, July 2.	Extracts relative to the outlawry for debt of Sir John Poyntes alias Poynes, late of Acton, Co. Gloucester, and of London, knight, at the suits of Richard Egerton and Robert Grene in 1600 and 1601. Examined by Thomas Antrobus, deputy clerk of the outlawries. ¼ p. Latin. (2467.)
	Newsletter.
1602, July 5.	There is much fear in Constantinople that Transylvania, together with Prince Battori, may once again take the part of the Emperor, in which case, the Turks would be very doubtful of the success of their affairs, and therefore fresh orders have been given that all possible succours are to be sent to the said Battori. The chief of the janissaries has gone to Adrianople with money to appease the soldiers and get them to march as soon as possible. The rebels in the country are doing much hurt without hindrance, and making themselves obeyed by all, and there is great confusion in Constantinople, especially between the Bassas, all springing from lack of obedience.
	The last news from Dantzig confirms the defeat given by Prince Charles of Sweden to the Chancellor of Poland, who was wounded, and since then had been shut up in a valley from whence he cannot get out, and also lacks victuals. Levies were being made in Poland to send to his aid, but proceeded slowly, owing to lack of money. The plague was raging in Dantzig. Letters from Vienna say that Battori [sic: Bast] had left Saccomar with his men, taking the road to Transylvania where having set foot, being called by those inhabitants to give him the government, because they could no longer trust Battori, who sought the total destruction of that province; the said Battori had again sent ambassadors, offering to surrender himself at the discretion of the Emperor; to which however Bast would not give ear, continuing his journey towards Albaginglia.
	The Vaivode of Wallachia, finding himself with 20,000 fighting men, wished once more to try his fortune to take possession of that province, having received 200,000 dollars from the Emperor in order to go against the Vaivode Simon, who was in the field with a great number of Turks, Tartars, Moldavians and Poles.
	From the Bassa of Buda, who was taken prisoner, they could extract nothing save that the brother of the late rebel Scrivano was making more progress than ever against the Ottomans, making himself obeyed throughout Armenia, where all followed him willingly.
	From Alba Regale they hear that Count Isolani is taking good order for fortifying that place, men, women and children working diligently day and night.
	Germanico Strasoldi has arrived at Gratz, with money from the Spanish King, and the Duke of Bavaria is expected there to receive the order of the Golden Fleece from the Archduke Ferdinand.
	Letters from Spain of May 29 say that that King was again treating with the merchants to make a contract of a million for the service of Flanders. The Naples galleys, with the Countess of Lemos, the vice-reine, had reached Barcelona. Constantinople in great trouble because of a fresh rebellion in Caramania.
	From Prague they write that Signor Vicenzo Zuccone had arrived, sent by Bast with advice that all Transylvania had at last yielded to the obedience of the Emperor, Battori having given up all the fortresses to Bast, and in a meeting with Bast, having declared his desire to put himself entirely at the mercy of his Majesty; who is going to call him to the Court, where it is thought he will be honourably provided for. It is said that the Wallachian had joined Bast, who, it is believed, will this year be made lieutenant-general of Lower Hungary, as both the Emperor and Archduke Mathias desire it. The Duc de Nevers had arrived at the Court and had been banqueted by the Venetian Ambassador.
	No further details are known of the conspiracy in France, save that the ordinary courier who came three days ago, related that it was said openly in that court that the King had written to the governor of the city that to his great sorrow he had been obliged to have the Duke of Biron arrested for having enterprised against his own person and the state.
	Letters from Milan say that the only news from France was that the King had gone to Dijon, to secure that fortress and others in Biron's government, who was now a prisoner and fearing for his life.
	From Genoa it was rumoured that Montmorency was also arrested, and that the nurse of the Dauphin was dead from poison. Movements of the galleys of the Pope, Sicily and Genoa.—Venice, 5 July, 1602. Italian. 4 pp. (199. 89.)
	Newsletter.
1602, July 12.	It is said that Biron was committed to prison at Fontainebleau two days after he arrived at the Court, and after he had several audiences of the King; and that a packet of letters was intercepted from him to the Duke of Savoy, in which he declared his reasons for taking up arms against the King.
	Letters from Spain say that the English had disembarked at two places in Portugal, but the places are not specified.
	From Frankfort we learn that Holland and Flemish mariners had passed that way, going to serve the Emperor on the Danube, and that a treasurer of his Majesty was in that city to receive moneys from the Prince Electors and from that city.
	Letters from Vienna confirm the surrender of Battori. The Emperor has sent him money for his journey to Prague, whither Battori sent the Jesuit, Don Antonio Serriglia, his confessor, to receive his Majesty's resolution. Bast was going to make himself master of certain places [in Transylvania] which Signor Ciaschi, the governor there had already offered him, but only for good remuneration. The said Bast has advised the Emperor to send Battori into Tyrol in order to remove him to a distance from that province, whither his Majesty was sending Dr. Petzen and another personage, to receive the oaths of fidelity and take possession. It is said that 100,000 Tartars were already in the Black Sea, coming to Temesvar, and that in Upper Hungary some Imperial troops had been routed by the Turks. Ferrante Gonzaga was still in Vienna, but about to return to Italy, not being able to obtain the post he desired.
	Letters from Paris of the 20th of last month say that the King has committed the cause of Biron and the Count of Auvergne to the four presidents of Parliament with orders that if they are found guilty, justice is to be done. It was expected that they would soon have in their hands other accomplices, and as in this conspiracy no prince of the blood or any of the House of Guise has been concerned, his Majesty has given Biron's government of Burgundy and Bourg en Bresse to the son of the Duke of Maine, who has already taken possession. The King is gathering a great force of horse and foot; to what end is not known, though some say they are for Flanders, in case Spain should have abetted Biron's conspiracy.
	Letters from Constantinople of the 13th of last month say that as the janissaries and spahis would not advance without the Grand Signor, he had promised to satisfy them and was starting on his journey. Assan Bassa, who had gone against the brother of Scrivano, has been defeated. There was great scarcity of victuals in Adrianople in consequence of the troops being there. The plague was still raging in Alexandria and Cairo, eight thousand dying daily. It is said that within four months Count Isolani will have made Alba Regale impregnable.
	There is a report that the Seriffo of Barbarby is in the field in arms, saying that he was going to molest the Spanish King in the direction of Portugal. The governor of Ostend is dead, a person of great valour, and there is great mortality in that city. Signor Andrea Gabrieli has been elected Proveditor-General for the cutting of the Po. Venice, 12 July, 1602. Italian. 4 pp. (199. 91.)
	Newsletter.
1602, July 19.	From France comes news that the Constable Montmorency was not a prisoner, but had withdrawn himself, as had also the Duc d'Epernon, who escaped into Gascony, as well as the Sieur de Belleguard and M. d'Entragues, governor of Orleans, who is succeeded by M. "de la Sciatre [le Chatre ?"]. Marshal Biron is said to be convicted, and many others have been imprisoned for the same business. The King is assembling troops, to secure, as is thought, the places in Burgundy, the governors of which, so far, have not stirred; and he is also making a levy of 8,000 Swiss.
	There is nothing doing in Milan, but the Count de Fuentes has agreed to give the Duke of Savoy the Spaniards he demanded.
	From Vienna they write that Bast was encamped at Claudiopolis, waiting for Battori who was preparing to go to Prague. A body of Turks cut to pieces. Many Turks in the neighbourhood of Buda and Pesth, but very short of victuals, of which also there is great lack at Belgrade.
	It is believed by some that the Duc de Sessa, Spanish ambassador in Rome, will be governor of Milan in place of Count de Fuentes, who aspires to the leadership of the war.
	Letters from Lyons bring confirmation of the imprisonment of Marshall Biron, his secretary and the Count of Auvergne. So far the two first had confessed nothing, although they had suffered many tortures. The third has been confined in the Tower of the Bastile for life.
	The King was in Paris, and was taking cannon from the arsenal there and at Lyons, to be sent into Burgundy, whither he had already despatched the Marshal de Lavardin with a good force, to see whether any governor in those parts was playing the rascal. The King, besides the 8000 thousand Swiss, had now 12,000 French foot and 4,000 horse, and was going to Lyons.
	It was not certain that the Duc d'Epernon had withdrawn, or some other barons, and the government of Burgundy had not yet been conferred on anyone. On Monday the French ambassador went to the College to give an account to these Signors of the rising in that kingdom.
	From Prague they write that Ferrante Gonzaga has been paid 10,000 florins at Vienna and will be provided with a fitting office, the rumour being that he will go as governor to Transylvania, and that Bast will be lieutenant-general in Hungary, as soon as the affairs of Transylvania are settled.
	The Duc de Nevers, after a very gracious audience from the Emperor, is gone towards Poland. Rosworm [Roswan?], Master of the camp, is about to depart for Vienna and Hungary.
	From Gratz they write that Archduke Ferdinand has sent commissioners to the frontiers to meet Duke Maximilian of Bavaria, who is coming to receive the Golden Fleece. The Turks of Kanisa are pillaging all the villages round, and drawing ever nearer to Capronizo [Kopronitz?]
	From France we hear that Biron has sent a petition to the King for pardon, but it has not been granted. The breaking out of war is feared, for throughout the kingdom there is nothing but raising of soldiers and military preparations. The Spanish ambassador is said to have declared to the King that his Master knew nothing of these things, and that if any plotting was going on, it was not with his connivance. To which his Majesty replied that he believed assuredly he knew nothing of it, but it might be that his ministers had some hand in it. By way of Flanders we learn that Biron has been executed, and that his intercepted letters to foreign princes touching the conspiracy are to be printed.—Venice, 19 July, 1602. Italian. 4 pp. (199. 93.)
	Newsletter.
1602, July 26.	An express has arrived from France, who gives out that Biron has been sentenced to death. He refused to be sentenced by Parliament, desiring that his cause should be examined by the Marshals of the kingdom; but by law the sentence of Parliament must stand. It is said that some have been pardoned by the King.
	The quarrels between the janissaries of Damascus and Aleppo have been settled, so that the trade of the merchants is once more free and safe.
	Letters from Vienna bring news from Transylvania that Father Carriglia, Prince Sigismund Battori's confessor had returned from Prague; that prince having finally submitted to the Emperor, and sent Signor Ciasche to Georgio Bast to ask for a passport, which has been granted him. He will be accompanied by a good escort of horse and foot, and meanwhile Bast keeps Ciasche as a hostage, proposing to keep him company until the arrival of the Prince. The fortresses are surrendering one after another; Battori's people leaving them and going to serve Bast in the field; the said Bast replacing them by his men. He meets with no obstacles nor has there been any rising in the province by the motion of the Prince.
	The Turks had been driven back by the garrisons of Upper Hungary with great loss. From Strigonia, Alba Regale and Giavarino there was news that the Turks were scouring the country day and night, rendering the passage to those places very dangerous, especially to Alba Regale, where Count Isolani is completing his works but is asking for succours of men and provisions, which are being sent. Archduke Mathias makes some difficulty about going into the field this year with Rosworm only, urging the Emperor to send him some person of intelligence to be a third, as Rosworm was too bold and daring.
	From Gratz comes news that those of Copranizo, learning of the Turks' intent to surprise that fortress, issued out, putting the Turks to flight, but they, joining the great mass of their army, made a great onset on the Archduke's men, who with difficulty and some loss got back to the fortress.
	On the 14th instant the Dukes Maximilian and Albert of Bavaria arrived at Gratz, being met by the Archdukes Ferdinand and Maximilian. The ceremony of the Golden Fleece was to be on the 16th. Germanico Strasoldo had left for Vienna, going as a volunteer to the Imperial camp, of which Rosworm had been made marshal.
	Letters from Denmark say that within five months the marriage of the Elector of Saxony to that King's sister will take place; and at the same time, that of the King's younger brother, Duke John, to the daughter of the Grand Duke of Muscovy. There were ambassadors from the Queen of England at the Danish Court, but on what business was not known, and the Duc de Nevers had arrived there and been well received by the King, who has banqueted him with great splendour.
	There has been found in Norway a new and very rich mine of silver and copper, which will bring much profit to the Danish crown. It is rumoured that Duke Charles of Sweden has gone mad and is shut up in a castle, which if true would be very advantageous to the King of Poland, who might get back what has been usurped from him.
	From Prague they write that Rosworm has started for Vienna and Hungary and that he will supply the place of the lieutenant general. Battori continued in his good resolution to cede Transylvania to the Emperor, and was settling all his affairs in order to go to Prague. The Emperor has demanded two years' contributions from Bohemia in advance. It was said that Doria was to be sent under guard to a castle.
	From Constantinople they write that Cicala was to go out in a week with only a hundred galleys, he having fallen much in the Grand Signor's estimation because of the loss of the three galleys of Alexandria, taken of late by the Tuscans. In Asia, Scrivano's brother still goes forward, having, since his defeat of the two Bassas, sacked and burnt the country of Torcata. The Grand Signor becoming more silly every day, the Bassas have resolved to nominate his successor. He has only two sons, and part favour the first born, part the second, these latter alleging that the elder is incapable of having children, which has caused no small dissension amongst them. The plague is still raging as before, and also in Tripoli.—Venice, 26 July, 1602. Italian. 4 pp. (199. 95.)
	David Barry to [Sir Robert Cecil].
[1602] [July]	The bearer has spoken to Mr. Watson for 100l., which Barry's father thought Barry should receive from Watson by "your honour's" means, the same to be repaid to the paymaster of Munster, or deducted from the entertainment that is grown due to his father and his company. Mr. Watson answered that because Barry had not the paymaster's letter or warrant, he could not pay him. Prays "your honour" to take order with Mr. Watson to furnish him with the money, and he will send over to his father for the paymaster's acquittance.—Undated. 1 p. (98. 40.)
	David Barry to [Sir Robert Cecil.]
[1602] [July]	Although the Treasurer thinks there is nothing due to Barry's father, yet if [Cecil] will deal with the Treasurer that Barry may receive the money, according to his father's (fn. 1) expectations, he will write to his Lordship to take order with the paymaster of Munster for paying the same to him, if it be not paid, or cause it to be deducted from the entertainment due to his Lordship and company. As to sending over the paymaster's bills for the same. If [Cecil] cannot remedy him therein, he must be forced to borrow the same of [Cecil] till it come to him.—Undated. 1 p. (98. 39.)
	Captain T. Jackson to Sir Robert Cecil.
[After July, 1602.]	He did not propose that Cecil should hear from him until his arrival in Swethland: but having received letters from the Prince of Swethland, acquaints him therewith. Understands by the messenger that the Prince determines to be crowned King about Christmas and that he has brought letters to the Queen requesting some companies to be sent over to him this winter, with letters to my Lady Marquis and Sir Richard Lee to mediate for him. The Prince has sent particularly for the writer. Although he is enforced to hew out new fortunes in foreign countries, yet no otherwise than shall stand with the Queen's pleasure, and he therefore refers the Prince's demands to Cecil. If the Queen had granted him some small place or maintenance, his endeavours should have witnessed how much he tendered the good of his country; but seeing his fortunes are so perverse, and that by so powerful a power he is traduced to his sovereign, he must be content to be undone by his good services. It pleased the Queen on his return out of Brittany to call him her honest captain, and so long as she lives she shall never falsify that word. Offers to bring Cecil the Prince's letter.—Undated. 1 p. (98. 136.)