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749. Robert, Earl of Leicester. |
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1579, Aug. 2. |
Warrant under the Sign Manual for an exchange of lands of the value ef four hundred pounds between the Queen and the Earl of Leicester.—Greenwich, 2 August 1579, 21 Eliz. |
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Signet affixed. |
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Parchment, one membrane. |
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750. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 19. |
Will begin by saying that at the present moment he recognizes the truth of the old saying “qun maleur nest jamais sans aytre suyvi dun plus grand,” which he now experiences to his extreme regret, having never had a sorrow equal to the one he now feels; which is so much the greater because it was the last thing in the world that he would have expected to see her Majesty, “ranplie de tant de rares et belles perfections,” mistrustful of herself. Assures her of his affection “qui ne peut par nulz artifises aytre alterée ni changé, pour aytre la rezollution que je fete de vous honorer si constante que rien desus la terre ne la peut esgaller, ayant plus de dessir que je nus jamais de vous montrer par mes effes conbien je suys veritable et eslougne des caloumenies dont mes ennemis se sont voullus servir pour
meslougner de vos belles et bonnes grases.” Is convinced that at last in spite of so many inventions she will regard him with favour as one who abhors nothing so much as ingratitude, and who is thoroughly conscious of the favours which it has pleased her to show him, the memory of which he protests will accompany him to the tomb. In order, however, the better to enlighten her Majesty with regard to any doubts she may have entertained has commanded M. des Revaus to instruct himself with very full and true particulars who, if her Majesty will honour him with an audience, will he has no doubt, satisfy all her scruples.—La Fere, 19 August. |
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French. 2 pp.
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751. Simier to Queen Elizabeth. |
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[1579], Aug. 28. |
“Madame,—Je ne veus hoblyer à vous représenter le peu de repos que vostre grcnouille a heu ceste nuict, n'ayent james faict que soupirer & plaindre & autes [?à huit] heures m'a faict lever pour me discourir de vos divines beautés, & du regret extrême qu'il a de s'élogner de vostre majesté, jolyère de ceur & mestresse de sa lyberté. L'espoir qu'il a de vous revoir bien tost luy donne quelque consollation. II m'a fait mille sermatz [serments] que sans cella il ne pouroit & ne vosdroit vivre ung cart d'heure. Ne soies dont cruelle envers luy qui ne veut conserver sa vye que autant que vous l'aures agréable. II n'a peu sortir du lict qu'il n'est premièrement mis la main à la plume, m'a conmandé vous despêcher le Capitene Bourg, atandent que je puisse partyr. qui sera tout ausitost que je l'aray veu en mer, les voylles au vant. Le tanps est fort beau & la mer bien calme. Je crois que son passage se fayra sans tourmante, s'il n'enfle les ondes par la bondance de ses larmes. Le singe vostre prant la hardyesse de vous baiser très humblemant les belles mains.” |
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Addressed : “A la Royne. |
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Holograph. 1 p.
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752. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 29. |
The present letter, of which he is greatly envious, will serve to express his regret that he cannot in person thank her for her care of him. Dare not commit himself to a long discourse “connoysant bien que je ne suys moy mesme, estant continuellemant ocqupe a estindre les larmes si frequantes qui de mes yeus sorte sans intermition.” |
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Assures her of his affection, and that he will ever remain “le plus fidelle et affectionne esclave qui puyse aytre sur la terre. Comme tel sur le bort de sete facheuze mer je vous bayzeray les pies.”—Dover, 29 August. |
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French. 1 p.
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753. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 30. |
Being about to set sail does not wish to lose the present opportunity of recalling himself to her remembrance by M. de Mauvissier, whom, however, he will not delay further. “De vostre navire.”—30 August. |
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French. 1 p.
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754. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 30. |
Will send her “vostre singe” (Simier) as soon as he has embarked. Can not however refrain from taking his pen before rising from his bed to assure her that never any night brought him less repose, nor had any man ever so much regret as he himself experiences at leaving her. Without the hope of soon seeing her again, life to him would be impossible. Finds some consolation in the thought that “nostre singe” is going to her. It seems to him as if it were a part of himself, at least he (Simier) knows all the depth of his heart. Bids her adieu, “avec pleurs et soupirs.”—Dover, 30 August. |
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French. 1 p.
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754A. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 30. |
Sends back her “Singe,” who can no longer make him smile, his melancholy being too great at the approach of the hour in which he will have to cross the seas separating him from her Majesty. |
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Protests that were it not for the hope she has given him of continuing in her favour he would rather meet death.—Dover, 30 August. |
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French. 1 p.
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755. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 30. |
Cannot sufficiently thank her for the courtesy he has received from her Admiral, “le navire auquel estoit si propre si net et moy si bien trété.” Begs her to communicate this to the admiral and also to Monsieur [ ], from whom he has received the greatest assistance possible. The only news he has to tell her is that he has not been at all ill, having felt no symptons beyond those which he experienced at parting with her Majesty, which will not leave him until he has the great pleasure of again enjoying her presence.—Boulogne, 30 August. |
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French. 1 p.
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756. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 31. |
Since his eyes may no longer behold her whom he adores, nor his words reach her ears, is compelled to have recourse to his pen, which on all possible occasions shall assure her of his fidelity. Beseeches her to do him the great favour of communicating to Monsieur “Aovart” her satisfaction at the agreeable companionship he has afforded the Duke, who will on that account be under a perpetual obligation to him.—Boulogne, 31 August. |
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French. 2 pp.
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757. The Duke of Anjou to the Queen. |
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[1579], Aug. 31. |
Although he has already written to her by M. “Ouvart,” having since recollected M. de Stafford, the present bearer, he again takes up his pen with great pleasure to recall to her memory one who will be always more devoted to her than any person in the world. |
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Ought not to conclude without recommending to her notice the said bearer who is so attached to her, and who has so well executed her commands during the period of the Duke's visit.—Boulogne, 31 August. |
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French. 2 pp.
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