|
| June 16. |
381. The Council to the Marquis of Northampton. Had received
his letter of the 6th. On Sunday last the French Ambassador
notified to his Majesty his election into the Order of St. Michael, and
yesterday requested audience again that he might receive an official
acceptation thereof in order to certify the King his master of the
same; wherein, as they can conjecture, he is a very precise and
circumspect man, intending to write even the same words that he
should receive. Desire him to explain to the French King the high
gratification of their master, which was perhaps not so apparent to
the Ambassador. "The King's Majesty's young nature being of
such modesty that in his most gladness hath not much outward show
thereof, and besides that his Majesty's French speech being not
natural to him, cannot so abundantly express the joy of his heart as
if he should have answered in his natural speech as the French King
did in his." Are informed that the English Commissioners and the
Scots have agreed upon a treaty, the particulars of which in writing
they expect to receive by Sir Thomas Chaloner in four days, and
request him to notify this to the French King. [Three pages.
Draft.] |
June 16.
Nantes. |
382. The Marquis of Northampton to the Council. When he
reached Blois, Mandosse invited him to visit the King's children,
then in the castle. Next morning, horses being sent for him and
his company, they rode to the castle, where they were received by
the Governor with great ceremony, and being brought to the
Dauphin's presence, were embraced of him, the Duke of Orleans, and
the two young ladies, their sisters, as amiably as could be imagined.
On Saturday night he lodged at Saumur, and after supper was
visited by Marshal St. André, who told him that he intended to be
at Boulogne about the end of the month, whence he would proceed
by sea direct to London, minding to return by land to Dover and
thence to Calais. The Marshal again called next morning before
starting: he takes with him a train of 700 horse at the least. The
same day a "fond part happened in Saumur. A lewd priest had
been with his pix to minister after their manner to some sick person;" and passing by the lodgings of the Marquis, the most of whose
company were in the streets, and "seeing that none of them would
stoop to his idol, he fell in such a rage as were too long to rehearse."
This had been evil taken by the authorities, who committed the
priest to ward, and sent to apologise for "the priest's lewdness,
whom they would see punished as his folly deserved." He thanked
them, and interceded for the priest, desiring no man's hurt, the
rather that the fault had been found by themselves, no complaint
having been made on the part of the English. He arrived here
yesterday, and was welcomed with a solemn peal of gunshot out of
the castle. On his landing the President, Provost, and chief men
of the town met him and welcomed him with an oration. Was
attended to his lodging by the lieutenant of the castle with the guard,
and immediately thereafter M. de Chastillon also arrived, and,
booted and spurred, visited him with many congratulations, telling
him that the King would be glad to see him at Chateaubriand next
Friday. Believes that next Sunday the King determines to receive
the Order. Requests that if Sir William Pickering's credentials and
instructions have not been despatched, they may be forwarded in
time; and that they will send back Francis the bearer immediately,
as he is so necessary a man for divers good services that few of his
sort can handle so well as he. [Four pages and a half. Indorsed
by Cecil.] |
June 20.
Rome. |
383. Intelligence from Rome. On Sunday night Matthew della
Porte, sent by his Holiness to Parma with a brief of peace, returned
with the same unperused. This highly enraged his Holiness, who
considered himself excessively insulted, because on Monday previous, the 8th inst., Duke Octavio had written to him from Reggio,
being there with the Duke of Ferrara and Cardinal de Medicis, of
his inclination to return to obedience, giving up Parma in exchange
for Camerino, and submitting almost to his Holiness' pleasure. The
refusal of the Duke to receive the brief is by many attributed to
Don Diego having early intelligence of its publication and sending
to Don Ferrante, who by the time it arrived in Parma had so employed his troops there as to make the Duke wish no more such
communications. Sig. Astor Baglione was arrested on Sunday, and
next day taken to a castle of Julio Duffalino; and on the previous
night the officers went to the house of the Count Pittigliano, but
did not find him there. Last Monday there was a consistory. His
Holiness made vacant the legation of Viterbo, which was St. Angelo's
and gave it to Carpi, who left on the following Monday to take
possession, and on the same day Sig. Rodolpho Baglione was sent
with 3,000 foot and 300 horse to take Castro, and being restored
in all that Pope Paul had taken from him, on Thursday left
Rome for the said enterprise. On Wednesday there was a congregation of Cardinals, at which his Holiness was present, where it was
resolved that Sig. Juliano Cesarini, Sig. Alessandro Colonna, and
Sig. Giovan. Anto, di Gravina should raise infantry and horse for de
fence of the city, as well as to patrol the coast, if necessary, in regard
of the Turk's fleet; and to raise money for this and other matters
besides the sums payable to all the officers, to levy a fresh housetax on the city, payable by landlord and tenant, at the rate of a
giulio per scudo on the rental; and the same day it seems his Holiness
sent his master of the household to Cardinal Farnese, wishing him
to give up the whole armoury, which it is said will supply more
than 800 men. On Thursday there was another congregation, where
it was resolved to send a brief to the two Cardinals Farnese exhorting them to return to Rome. The same day his Holiness gave
permission to the Cardinals of Tournon and Ferrara to leave Rome,
but conditionally that neither the one nor the other should go beyond
Ferrara and Venice under pain of privation of the hat. There is
a probability of peace between Duke Octavio and his Holiness.
It is said there is to be a creation of Cardinals for the purpose of
raising money. [Italian. Two pages.] |
June 21.
Venice. |
384. Peter Vannes to the Council. Letters from Rome of the
14th curt. mention that the Duke of Ferrara had been mediating
between the Bishop of Rome and Duke Octavio at the instance of the
former, and that the Duke had agreed to restore Parma on condition
of receiving the estate of Camerino, with 8,000 crowns per annum,
and the life-possession of Civitas Nova [Città Nuova]. The Bishop
was therewith well pleased; caused it to be propounded in the consistory, and despatched a brief to the Duke. Cardinals Tournon and
Farnese refused to be present at the consistory, and M. Monluc said
that the Bishop of Rome and others going about this kind of peace
did as they that reckon beside their host. On the other hand the
Emperor had offered to the Bishop, that in case Parma were restored
to him, he would be content to deliver into his hands such part of
the country as at present he occupies. The news from Lombardy
are that Don Fernando has entered the country of Parma; de
vastating the smaller towns and destroying the crops. In like
manner Pietro Strozzi had left Mirandola and entered the territory of
Bologna, spoiling the country and taking several towns and castles
belonging to the Bishop of Rome, the custody of some of these
castles being committed to Sig. Cornelio Bentivoglio. Wherefore
the Bishop's army was fain to return from the attempt on Parma,
thinking it more expedient to defend their own than to offend others.
It is said that at Mirandola much preparation was being made of
ladders, both of wood and of cord, and various kinds of vessels to
serve upon the Po, for what intent not known. The Emperor sends
into Italy 8,000 Almains and 1,000 horsemen. Letters from the
Duke of Ferrara to his Ambassador here of the 25th inst. mention
that on its march to join Don Fernando the Bishop of Rome's army
had encountered three companies of Duke Octavio's infantry, in
number 5,000 or 6,000, with some horse, going to Mirandola, and
being of larger force had defeated them with much slaughter on both
sides. The Duke's horse saved themselves towards Mirandola, and
the chief captains of the Bishop, sorely wounded, were conveyed to
Modena for recovery. On the same afternoon went towards a great
bridge called Lenza, whither Don Fernando had sent to meet them
200 light horse and 100 hagbuts mounted. Many think and wish,
for the pulling down of the Bishop of Rome's ungodly proceedings,
that the French King should shortly strengthen his army here.
The Venetians and other princes of Italy preserve neutrality towards
the different parties, each looking to the conservation of his own
estates. No further intelligence of the Turk's army. [Two pages.]
Annexed, |
|
384. I. The information detailed in the preceding letter. [Italian.
Two pages and a half.] |
June 22.
Bologna. |
385. Intelligence from Bologna. The enemy's cavalry daily soeurs
the country, making great booty of the cattle, besides feeding their
horses with the crops in the ear, and so alarming every one, that the
terrified husbandmen, instead of reaping and thrashing the grain,
take refuge in the city, with their families, chattels, and cattle, and
there is only wheat and meat sufficient for 15 days. If matters go on
so, they who wish to live will require to reap the corn themselves with
arms in their hands; and if they delay too long, what the enemy
threaten, that they will burn the whole harvest, is likely to come to
pass; and it must happen if they take Crevacuore, round which are
encamped 2,000 of the enemy's infantry and 500 Celate, with many
pieces of artillery, that maintain a constant fire on two very strong
towers of the castle; these are gallantly defended by 800 infantry,
but who are in great want of provisions, there being only enough for
three days. And what is no good sign, 100 Celate ordered hither
by Don Ferrante at the request of Sig. Giovanni Battista in
defence of these places, would have wished to come within the city
last night, fearing some great attack by the enemy. Three days ago
our cavalry rescued M. Annibale Albergato, who had been captured
by the enemy's cavalry; besides him there are four of them prisoners
in Bologna, and other three were brought in yesterday, who were
deprived of their arms and horses and allowed to go free. But this
is a poor set-off for the numerous cattle they have captured, and of
which our horsemen have recovered very few. |
|
P.S. Crevacuore is taken, and the enemy have already arrived at
San Giovanni. [Italian. Two pages.] |
June 23.
Augsburg. |
386. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Arrived here on the 19th inst.,
having been longer on the way, partly by reason of the great heat,
and partly for the words which the Queen Regent and the President
de Saint Maurice showed him at Brussels. For, being persuaded that
the Emperor would leave Augsburg on the 2d, and that he would
be unable in time to meet his Majesty there; and knowing that the
Emperor's fashion of old was to give no audiences while travelling,
but only when he rests anywhere by the way, had thought none
could be had till he came to Worms, where the Queen and President
said he would remain some time. As it would take eight or nine
days for the Court to come from Augsburg to Worms, no great
haste was necessary; but on arriving at that place, and finding no
likelihood of the Emperor's coming, although he had met divers of
the Court, and amongst others the Chapel, going down, he proceeded
hither, and on the morrow after his arrival notified the same to
Mons. D'Arras, requesting audience. One had been appointed for
last evening, but postponed until this afternoon by reason of the
Emperor having received letters which required attention. As the
ordinary post leaves in the afternoon, he shall be unable to write
further, but will as soon as he conveniently may after he has done
with the Emperor. [One page and a half.] |
June 23.
Chateaubriand. |
387. The Marquis of Northampton and the other Ambassadors to
the Council. Mentioning their arrival at Chateaubriand about 4 p.m.
last Friday, and the occurrences of that evening and three following
days, including the ceremonial of investiture, the entertainments, and
coursing. Also the conferences respecting the proposed marriage of
King Edward with the Queen of Scots—declined in consequence of
her being affianced to the Dauphin—and then with the Princess
Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry II. [Sixteen pages. Indorsed
by Cecil.] |
| Eod. die. |
Copy of the preceding in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book. [Ten
pages. Printed by Tytler, Vol. i., p., 385.]
Portion of a more modern copy of the preceding. [Two pages.] |
June 24.
Chateaubriand. |
388. Sir Philip Hoby to Cecil. In reference to some private
affairs, which he requests Cecil will urge on and send the necessary
legal document for Masone's seal and signature. Their proceedings
with the French stand in good terms, and he hopes are like to
proceed to better. Requests to be informed of any intelligence
received from the Emperor's Court, as such may be of use to the
Ambassadors in their treating of the weighty matters whereon they
were engaged. [One page.] |
June 26.
Chateaubriand. |
389. The Marquis of Northampton and the other Ambassadors to
the Council. On Wednesday last, after dinner, they had another
conference with the French Commissioners respecting the amount
of dowry to be settled on the Princess Elizabeth in the event of her
marriage with his Majesty, the particulars of which are minutely
detailed. After long discussion they reduced their original demand
of 1,500,000 crowns to 800,000; and the French raised their offer
of 100,000 to 200,000 crowns. Desire to have farther instructions,
and that they may be sent speedily by the bearer, William Thomas,
as the King leaves for Nantes on Monday next, minding to tarry on
the way, and there not above eight or ten days, intending to
conduct the Queen where she shall be brought to bed. Such
removings greatly add to their charges, and they have already
troubled the country so much with the furniture of their numerous
horses, that if they have to wait till the King's removing from
Nantes, they believe it shall not be possible for them to be supplied,
the train of the Court being so great as it is. "Garter's reward was
a chain weighing 200 crowns and somewhat more, and the gown
which the King wore that morning, which was of damask, set with
agletts esteemed between 20 and 30 pounds." Have received the
reply of the French Commissioners in writing, and send it herewith. [Six pages.]
Annexed to this letter is the reply referred to. [French. Two
pages. Indorsed by Cecil.] |
| Eod. die. |
Copy of the preceding, without the reply, in Sir John Masone's
Letter-Book. [Five pages.]
The reply entered separately thereafter. [Two pages.]
Extracts from the preceding letters of the 23d and 26th June
[Three pages.] |
June 26.
Chateaubriand. |
390. The Marquis of Northampton to the Earl of Warwick. Their
proceedings stay only upon the sum of the dote, wherein they have
gone as far as their instructions lead. Requests speedy and complete
instructions. The bearer will communicate fully his private opinions
to him. [One page and a half.] |
June 27.
Venice. |
391. Peter Vannes to the Council. After Don Fernando Gonzaga
had joined the Bishop of Rome's army, he marched towards Parma
for the impeachment of the harvest there, and partly upon a mistaken trust of some rebellion in that city. Meanwhile Pietro Strozzi,
with 5,000 foot and 600 horse, daily hurts and damnifies with
spoiling and wasting the territory of Bologna and other possessions of
the Bishop of Rome. Wherefore Don Fernando had intended to go
towards him, but changed his mind, returning to Parma and pursuing the like course of devastation. M. Brissac, the French King's
lieutenant of Piedmont, has written to Don Octavio to be of good
cheer, as he has ready to aid him 4,000 foot and 800 horse, and that
15,000 Swiss shall shortly follow; the French King being resolved
to leave nothing undone that may stand for the defence of the
Farnese family, whom the Bishop of Rome is wholly bent to destroy,
levying for that purpose both men and money. The Duke of
Florence has lent the said Bishop 100,000 crowns, having his assurance upon the traffic of the alums in Italy, which remains in the
Bishop's hands; and the Bishop is about to make 16 or 17 new
Cardinals, all to the intent he may make money that way. With
great difficulty he permitted Cardinals Tournon and Ferrara to leave
Rome, upon condition and pain of deprivation that the latter should
remain at Ferrara and the former here. He has also written briefs
commanding under pains Cardinal Farnese and his brethren to
return to Rome, and is offended with the Duke of Urbino for
entertaining the said Cardinal, notwithstanding the Farneses are his
own brothers-in-law. These proceedings are greatly misliked by the
Seigniory and other princes of Italy. They write from the Imperial
Court that the French Ambassador there, having inquired of the
Emperor why he made war against Duke Octavio, received for
answer, to assist the right of the Bishop of Rome, whom he would
serve and obey to the most of his power. The Ambassador rejoined,
that his master would not fail to do the like for his friends. The
French here say that their King has been more slack in making of
necessary provisions, trusting that motions of peace, as the Bishop of
Rome had promised, had been at a point. Of the Turk's fleet since
it sailed from Constantinople no certain news have been heard,
whereat they much marvel here. Many think they will land on some
part of the realm of Naples. It is said the Prince of Spain will go
to Spain, and the King of Bohemia remain in Italy, who being so
great a personage is nothing allowed in the secret hearts of great
men of this country. [Two pages. Indorsed by Cecil.] |
June 30.
Augsburg. |
392. Sir Richard Morysine to the Council. Because Wotton
writes at large what answer the Emperor makes to the requests
moved for, and has no leisure as yet to learn the news of the Court,
Morysine is again driven to do as well as he can, because the one
that can do better is, by greater affairs, otherwise occupied. Letters
from Italy confirm the skirmish for the passage, and most of them
agree that the slain on both sides are much fewer than were reported
at first to have been on the one. Matters of Parma had been nearly
agreed upon between the Bishop and Octavio, but Ferrante Gonzaga,
enemy to this atonement, while they were on the point of settlement,
fell to the spoiling of certain villages; whereupon Octavio tore the
writing in pieces, and will hearken to no more accord. So solicitous
for peace is the Duke of Ferrara, that he left not to offer to Octavio
his son in hostage and his fortresses in pledge, that the Bishop, or
he for the Bishop, would see performed whatsoever was promised;
but Octavio, now past trusting the Bishop, means to trust himself,
and such as he hopes will not deceive him. Ferrante has done no
more harm about Parma than Strozzi and Octavio have done about
Bologna. Ferrante is battering Colorno and Peu, two castles now
in the hands of Octavio. Strozzi has sacked Crevacuore, not far
from Bologna, and has taken Castel St. Agatha, in which he has left
a garrison. Horatio has taken Castel St. Giovanni, and left in it as
guardian Sig. Cornelio Bentivoglio. Camillo Orsino was opposed
to Baptista di Monte leaving Bologna without a garrison of 2,000
men; but the Bishop's nephew, furious and headlong, not much
unlike his uncle, uses haste and heats for his councillors, and by
leaving Bologna thus unprovided, has put it in great hazard, if
Bentivoglio has any friends alive that dare help him home. It were
not amiss that Julius III. did render by force to this man's family
what Julius II. took from them by violence. Speculates on certain
possibilities of those wars. The French say there are men in
readiness among the Swiss who but tarry the sound of the drum.
The Duke of Florence has sent Sig. Atto da Monte Aguto with
2,000 foot to the Bishop, and Sig. Rodolpho Baglione is coming from
the same Duke against Octavio with a good number of horse. The
Emperor has sent to Italy Baron Zesnicke with 4,000 landsknechts
and 600 heavy armed horse. Gentlemen of his chamber report that
the French Ambassador has been of late with the Emperor, who
used very quick language to him, saying, "Mons., in France and in
Almaine, I am dead once in a fortnight, or once in three weeks.
True it is, I am oft sick, and could many times, in my pains, be
content it were God's will to take me from this painful life. But
when my pains do cease, and I hear that in France it hath been
noised I was dead, or could not live, I pluck a good heart to me
again, and think I find no physic that doth me more good than this
my mind and desire to disappoint others that so fain would have
me gone. Mons. Ambassador, I am, as you see, alive; and see that
you tell your master, if he will not let me alone, I am like enough
to live to put him to farther trouble than ever I did his father."
The Ambassador told Wotton and him a piece of the tale; but,
taking them for his friends, bestowed only the sweet upon them,
keeping the sour for himself. Wotton says D'Arras told him a good
piece of the tale, all but the threats; notwithstanding divers of the
chamber tell the tale out as has been written. Subsequent to this
interview with the Emperor, the Ambassador forthwith despatched
his cousin Mons. de Formes to his master. Speculates on the results
of the double dealings of "the Bishop that trotteth up and down
from French to Imperials, from Imperials to French, who hath gain
for his God and loss for his greatest evil." The Turk's navy seems
to him to have the Jews' Messias for their lodesman, so is it still
a-coming and never cometh. One of the best proofs that it is
abroad is that on the 1st inst. the Venetians sent out their General
to see their sea towns safe, as well from Christians as from Turks,
and who will not return till foreign galleys be where they may do
the Venetians no harm. It may serve as a likelihood of his coming
that the Bishop of Rome gathers money to provide against his navy
at all his sea towns, Terracina, Ostia, Civita Vecchia, and Spiaggia.
The Bishop disburses 10,000 crowns, his Cardinals among them 5,000.
the clergy, his officers, and the people of Rome 50,000. The scholars
have been sent away from Pavia until the wars be at an end.
There are news from Hungary that Ambassadors have come to
Sig. Castaldo, saying that Fra Georgio and the rest of the realm,
unless it be the Queen, Count Petrovitz, with a few others, would be
glad that Ferdinando had the Vaivode's part, and so the whole realm
of Hungary, so that he did provide some honourable recompence for
the son and heir of the Vaivode. Supposed that the best is written
to the Court and bettered in the telling, to give stomach to the
Imperials, and abuse such as could better bear the contrary news.
"Here is within these two days much noise of seven millions of
gold come, if God will, from Peru into Spain. Two millions are for
the Emperor's part, the other five millions are to be parted among
a great sort of venturers such as could, what chance soever had happened, have lost no more than others do gain that bide no adventure
at all. This massy treasure hath been too long a-coming, to come
now so quickly. Princes are not wont to trust the seas so long
with so much gold; much less merchants are to be entreated to
leave such sums these many months out of their hands, not only
without any usury, but with a continual hazard of the principal."
If the gold were come, men think the Prince would make more
haste homeward. He is still in Italy, and it is not known where
or when he will embark. Hears that Melancthon has drawn up a
confession for the churches in Germany; that Brentius and other
learned men do the same; the whole to be afterwards gathered and
confirmed by consent of the learned men in Germany. This is to
be exhibited to the Council, if any, protesting thereby to the world
present and to the time to come their faith which they profess
toward God. If the Bishop will needs have his partial and private
assembly to be taken for a General Council, then they will use such
means of defence as right and law offer them against an unrighteous
judge in his own cause. Trusts their Lordships will now either let
both Wotton and him come home, or, if they shall alter purposes,
send him his despatch and Wotton his abode. Most humbly beseeches
them that he may come home if they mean (which he trusts in God
they do not) to suffer the Emperor's massing Ambassador, by foul
and hateful idolatry, to provoke God's wrath upon the realm, and
shall not be able to provide at the Emperor's hands that the King's
Ambassador may rightly serve God abroad. "Whatsoever he saith
of me, how gentle soever his answer is, I must pray your honours
to remember what he writeth of me, and not what he saith to
Mr. Wotton of me. I suspect his gentleness a good deal worse than
I was afraid of his testiness. I am in no better favour with him
than any in my case can be; neither do I desire to buy his love
upon such price, as both he holdeth it, and I am certain hereafter
I shall not be able to live of it. I trust your Lordships do perceive
the fault was in the matter, and not in me, that I sped no better.
Mr. Wotton hath a more mannerly nay than I had, but even as flat
a nay as mine was, the Emperor's choler spent upon me, hath taught
him to use others with more gentleness." [Four pages and a half.] |
June 30.
Augsburg. |
393. Dr. Wotton to the Council. . . . . . . Had informed
the Emperor of his Majesty's desire to be supplied with 20 lasts
of powder, and other things, as contained in a schedule delivered
to Mons. D'Arras. The Emperor expressed himself glad to gratify
his Majesty if there were sufficient powder in the Low Countries
to serve necessities at home and friends abroad, and turned
Wotton over again to M. D'Arras, who prayed him for the passion of God to bear with him three or four days till the King of
the Romans be gone. He then begun to speak of the friar, and of
the report of the naming of England to be all Jewish, when the
Emperor by signs and nods willed those of his chamber to depart
so as to leave them alone. . . . . (illegible). The Emperor
continued, "Ought it not to suffice you that ye spill your own
souls, but that ye have a mind to force others to lose theirs too?
My cousin, the Princess, is evil handled among you; her servants
plucked from her, and she still cried upon to leave mass, to forsake
her religion, in which her mother, her grandmother, and all our
family have lived and died." Said to his Majesty that when he left
England she was honourably entertained in her own house, with
such about her as she herself best liked, and thought she must be
so still, since not hearing to the contrary he was driven to think
there is no change. "Yes, by St. Mary, saith he, of late they handle
her evil, and therefore say you hardly to them, I will not suffer her
to be evil handled by them. I will not suffer it. Is it not enough
that mine aunt, her mother, was evil entreated by the King that
dead is, but my cousin must be worse ordered by councillors now?
I had rather she died a thousand deaths, than that she should
forsake her faith and mine. The King's Majesty is too young to
skill of such matters." Professing that it became him not to dispute with his Majesty, yet was forced somewhat to answer him,
said he knew the King's Majesty was young in years, but yet, the
Lord be praised for his gifts poured upon him, as able to give an
account of his faith as is any Prince in Christendom being of thrice
his years; and as for the Lady Mary, though she had a king to her
father, hath a king to her brother, and is akin to the Emperor; yet
in England there is but one king, and the king hath but one law to
rule all his subjects by. The Lady Mary being no king, must content herself to be a subject. "A gentle law, I tell you, said he,
that is made, the King's Majesty being no" . . . . (illegible).
Wotton appears then to have sought permission for Chamberlain to
have the English service in his own house, without access of
strangers. "English service in Flanders! quoth he; speak not of
it. I will suffer none to use any doctrine or service in Flanders
that is not allowed of the Church." . . . . Said, that "if his
cousin the Lady Mary might not have her masses, he would provide
for her a remedy, and in case his Ambassador were restrained from
serving of God, he had already given him order if the restraint come
to-day that he should to morrow depart." . . . . While he was
writing the French Ambassador called and mentioned that two days
since he had letters from France, and that there never was greater
hope of amity between his country and England than at present.
. . . Many think France will break with the Emperor. Venice
arms 50 galleys, which is considered a sign that the Turk will come.
The Emperor is amended very suddenly, and looketh meetly well of
it. Upon Saturday last he invested his son in the Dukedom of
Burgundy. Men much wonder that the Prince was not invested
while the Electors were here, more that he neither tarried to do this
while the King of the Romans was gone, nor brought it to pass that
the King of Romans, being the next door to him, came to this
solemnity. Their houses stand so that the King of the Romans at
pleasure may come to the Emperor unseen. Most true it is that
neither the King of the Romans, nor Maximilian, nor the Archduke
came thither, and yet the Emperor came out of his chamber and did
his son this honour in the chamber of presence. To-day or tomorrow the King of the Romans departs. On Friday last took leave
of him; he sends his Majesty most hearty commendations with
offer of perpetual amity. The King is much fallen away since he
saw him last. . . . . There is great dearth in Italy, especially
in Rome; many dead there for hunger. Bread in Rome is in
wonderful scarcity: their corn was wont to come from Sicily, Naples,
and Spain, and now in all these places restraint is made that none
go abroad. Magdeburg does well. "If your Lordships shall think
well the Ambassador to be restrained . . . . doubt but
ye will also . . . . away, for I may happen to meet with a
mess of foul play ere I get home. I think to do me pleasure he
himself would witness that I am very fit for the fire that is God's
angel. If your Lordships keep this there till I be past the places of
peril, I will think I have great wrong if he be not in his grave
when I shall be out of the fire." [Eight pages. Imperfect draft.
Mutilated, and almost illegible; the document being destroyed by
the injudicious application of galls.] |
|
Along with the preceding, in handwriting of the early part of
last century, is the following précis either of the original letter,
now missing, or of the lost portions of the draft. |
"Mr. Nicholas Wotton, Ambassador with the Emperor at Augsburg, had audience of him, and having declared his instructions unto
the Emperor, his answers were:—
"1. That my Lady Mary's matter concerning mass was of importance, and therefore he said he would think of it and speak with
D'Arras, of whom he should know his answer in it.
"2. That as for the request for the King's Highness' Ambassador
to have the communion secretly, &c., he knowing in his conscience
that the communion, used as it is in England, is not good, but
contrary to the order used by all the Church so many hundred years,
he should offend God if he permitted it, and that therefore he may
not and would not do it.
"3. That as for the arrests made in the Low Countries, the
Emperor made strong at it, and said he knew nothing of it. 'Marry,'
quoth he, 'the French at Dieppe had staid some of my subjects'
ships, whereupon the French ships were staid again in the Low
Countries; and unless there were some of the English merchantmen's
goods in their ships, he knew not what it should mean.' He could
say no more to it at this time, but he said he would write to the
Queen his sister of it, who shall certify and satisfy the English
Ambassador there in this point.
"4. That the Emperor did remit Mr. Wotton for an answer for
the licence for the powder to Mons. D'Arras, whereupon he was
earnest with Mons. D'Arras for it. His excuses were, that the King
of England had no need at that time of it; that the Emperor had
need of it, and should lack for himself, for now the Turk hath opened
the war again." |
June 30.
[Greenwich.] |
394. King Edward VI. to Sir John Masone, recalling him from
his embassy in France. [One page. Draft.] |
June 30.
[Greenwich.] |
395. Same to Sir William Pickering, intimating his appointment as resident Ambassador in France. [One page. Draft.] |
June 30.
[Greenwich.] |
396. Instructions from King Edward VI. to Sir William Pickering, to be observed by him on entering upon his duties as Ambassador after the departure of Sir John Masone. [Five pages.
Indorsed by Cecil. Draft.] |
June 30.
Greenwich. |
397. Second instructions given by the King and Council to the
Marquis of Northampton and his colleagues. They may accept of
600,000 crowns, but no less; shall agree to no relinquishment of his
Majesty's titles, rights, or claims to anything in France or Scotland;
shall decline any offensive and defensive war treaty; and shall listen
to no alterations of religion in England, that "perchance may be
moved by the practices of the Romans and their adherents." [Two
pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.] |
June 30.
Greenwich. |
398. Letter from the Council to the Marquis of Northampton and
his colleagues. Have received their letter of the 23d by Sir William
Cobham, and highly approve of their proceedings. The suite of the
Marquis de St. André had been ordered to take shipping at Boulogne,
and on the 1st or 2d of July the Marquis himself would embark at
Dieppe. Send farther instructions. By letter from Morysine of the
9th inst. learn that Dr. Wotton was at Ulm and would in two days
be at the Emperor's Court. In Flanders the Regent waxeth very
gentle to English merchants, has granted the requests of the merchants that made the forfeiture there, and farther offers by their
Ambassador in England to cause the penal laws of Flanders touching
the punishment of not tolled merchandise to be qualified and made
easier. The gentleness is more than has been wont, the cause whereof
may be conjectured. Hear that there is preparation of ships to the
seas, and Skipperus appointed thereto; and that the frontiers of
Flanders are full of men of war and upon good guard. Inclose the
letters and instructions of Sir W. Pickering. [Nine pages. Indorsed
by Cecil. Draft.] |
| Eod. die. |
Copy of the preceding in Sir John Masone's Letter-Book. [Three
pages.] |
