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| Dec. 5. |
587. The Council to Sir William Pickering. Send him copy of all
their proceedings with the French Commissioners for depredations.
Yesterday the Lieutenant Civil of Paris, M. Villandry, and the
Advocate took leave of the King, and have promised on their return
to France to do their best to procure redress for the merchants, their
commission having been not to grant such redress but to hear and
report on the complaints. The King had appointed to the Lieutenant
for reward 500 crowns, and to the Advocate 100 marks. [Four
pages. Draft, autograph of Petre.] |
Dec. 5.
Compeigne. |
588. Sir William Pickering to the Council. Has spoken to the
King and the Constable concerning the Council's proceedings with
the French Commissioners: had many good words, but for full
answer has been deferred until the King's coming to Compeigne,
when within three or four days he will know their mind. On leaving
Rheims the King determined that the Constable should go to
Hesdin with an army of 22,000 men, but suddenly that determination is staid. The Queen with her train was likewise sent to Paris,
but whatsoever the matter meaneth she cometh back to this town.
Mr. Barnaby [Fitzpatrick] has obtained leave to depart, and shall
have his dispatch within three or four days. [Two pages. Principally in cipher, undeciphered.] |
Dec. 8.
Compeigne. |
589. Henry II., King of France, to King Edward VI. Has given
permission to Mr. Barnaby [Fitzpatrick], gentleman of his chamber,
to visit England on his private affairs: expresses high satisfaction
at his conduct, and recommends him as greatly deserving of his
Majesty's favour. [Countersigned by De l'Aubespine. French.
One page. Indorsed by Cecil.] |
Dec. 8.
Compeigne. |
590. The Constable Montmorency to King Edward VI. Recommends to his Majesty Mr. Barnaby [Fitzpatrick], gentleman of the
chamber to the French King, whose behaviour has been so meritorious, that it would be a failure of duty on the Constable's part
were he not to certify it to his Majesty. [French. One page.]
This and the preceding letter are printed in the "Literary Remains of King Edward VI.," Vol. i., p. 90. |
Dec. 9.
Compeigne. |
591. Sir William Pickering to Sir William Cecil. Hopes soon to
have the merchants' matters brought to good conclusion. Requests
speedy instructions from the Council as to affairs now in hand.
Refers for news to his friend Mr. Barnaby [Fitzpatrick], the bearer.
[Half a page. Indorsed by Cecil.] |
Dec. 9.
Compeigne. |
592. Same to the Council. Had received their letters of the
14th November on the 23d of same month, together with the
copies of proceedings with the French Commissioners. Details his
conversations with the King, the Constable, and others of the French
Ministry regarding the grievances of the English merchants, which
had not been settled, as expected, by the Commissioners when in
England; in all these conferences the usual promises of redress consistent with justice and equity had been made. The fair words and
goodly promises of these men he would believe with more surety, if
the like that they have made him many times before had produced
some fruitful effect. The intimation which he previously gave to
their Lordships of a treaty in hand has been confirmed to him. The
doers in these matters for this part are M. Chauin or Choux and
M. Vaudemont, and for the other part M. D'Arras and the Marquis
Marignan. These men's weariness brings with it suspicion of some
conclusion, though no man can imagine how an equal match might
be made in these two Princes' matters, for though Hesdin be of great
importance, and would peradventure counterpoise Ivoix and Damvillers, and that Metz might according to reason be rendered as a
member of the empire to the right owners, yet Sienna, by all men's
judgment, must needs stick so much in the Emperor's stomach, as
any full conclusion betwixt them may hardly be invented. Has
delivered a brief memorial of the other news here to Mr. Barnaby
[Fitzpatrick], who returns fully instructed in those things. Had
sought leave for him on account of his father's sickness in Ireland;
the King, in granting such permission, "set him forth with many
good praises both for his wisdom and diligent service, saying he
would be a very good and meet servant for the King's Highness,
his good brother and son, and was very sorry, he said, that he had
done no more for him that worthily deserved any goodness." |
|
P.S. "Mr. Barnaby shall have in reward 1,000 crowns."
[Eighteen pages. Indorsed by Cecil. The portion relating to the
treaty in cipher, deciphered. That with reference to Barnaby
Fitzpatrick has been printed in "Literary Remains of King
Edward VI., Vol. i., p. 91.] |
Dec. 9.
Compeigne. |
593. "A brief memoriall gyven to Mr. Barnabe Fizpatrik at his
departure from Compeigne, the 9 of December 1552." Dragut
Rey winters at Previsa, a port of the Turks, with 40 galleys, where
also are the French galleys and the Prince of Salerno, waiting for
spring to attempt the enterprise of Naples. M. Vendôme has charge
of the camp about Hesdin, and the Admiral is General of the infantry, estimated to be composed of 9,000 landsknechts and Swiss,
and 7,000 or 8,000 French. The newly-raised troops near Paris
remain there, to be employed on the frontiers of Champagne as
occasion may serve. The Duke of Ferrara has sent hither to have
his son restored, and otherwise is at point to protest being forced
thereunto, unless he would put two of his towns in risk of confiscation, viz., Modena and Reggio, feodaries of the Emperor. [One
page.] |
| Dec. 9. |
594. "Des Inventions de Harquebouze incogneues et de pratique
dicelles passant les aultres communes." [One page. Indorsed by
Cecil, "Mr. Barnabees' Remembrances," and annotated also by Cecil,
"This of Thom. Crave's Report." This invention appears almost
anticipatory of the "revolver" of the present day.] |
Dec. 11.
Brussels. |
595. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to Sir William Cecil. Thanks
him for his gentle letter of approbation. Trusts it may be perceived
by his common scribbled letter that he has proceeded according to
his poor capacity, which is not so great as his goodwill to serve;
but the less he is able to do with such as lack disposition to do for
themselves, or receive when it is offered. "How much wood soever
be laid on, if there be want of fire to kindle it will be long or the
pot do seethe." Where Cecil does wish his ministry to be prosperous,
it shall be much the better if he often hears from England; for until
now, to be plain with him, he thought he had stood in the place of
the cipher ("0"). [Two pages.] |
Dec. 13.
Brussels. |
596. Same to Sir William Petre and Sir William Cecil. They
will now perceive by his common letter the answer which was
promised. The thing stands upon one point, which yet perhaps the
time may qualify and good ministry withal. Of the Emperor's success at Metz, good or bad, here is presently no talk, nor yet of any
other thing of moment. [One page.] |
Dec. 22.
Compeigne. |
597. Sir William Pickering to Sir William Cecil. The French
Commissioners are expected here daily. Villandry says, "que toutes
choses s' accommoderent bicn d leur venue." Hopes they may to the
advantage of the English, and not to the profits of the French
merchants. Earnestly beseeches Cecil will procure his revocation, as
his undoing is manifest. Cannot find the pedigrees anywhere, but
hopes to be able to do so at Paris, where he will be soon, if, as is
reported, Hesdin begins to parley. M. Boisdaulphin returns shortly,
and, it is said, will be replaced by M. Lansac. The like he trusts
shall follow in his request. Recommends the bearer Rolle, who has
recently lost his father, and is one of his best servants. "If the
French hand inclosed should stray by any misadventure too far
abroad, it might be the occasion of trumping up some in these
quarters." |
|
P.S. [Partly cipher, deciphered] "The more I cry out, the worse
words I give these men, the more am I cherished, banqueted, and
presented with venison. Then judge you what devils these are to
deal with. Mr. Barnaby's 1,000 crowns are in one predicament
with my reward at my first coming hither, which they promised him
three times, saying that it was the King's commandment, yet hitherto
without delivery." [Two pages.] |
Dec. 24.
Venice. |
598. Peter Vannes to the Council. The enterprise of the Imperialists against Sienna goes on with great diligence. It is written
from Naples to the Emperor's agents at Florence, that their troops,
consisting of Germans, Spaniards, and Italians, to the number of
18,000 foot and 2,000 horse, were setting forth from Naples toward
Sienna on the 15th inst., and that Signor Ascanio della Cornia,
nephew to the Bishop of Rome and servant to the Emperor, had in
readiness 4,000 foot levied from divers parts of Italy, to join the
Imperialists. The Bishop of Rome is in great fear of the Imperialists, having heard from his Nuncio at Naples that they intend to
march close by the gates of Rome instead of taking their journey
25 miles off, as before they had seemed to be content. Wherefore
mistrusting some stratagem, he is levying 8,000 foot for his own and
his State's defence, to be ready before the approach of the Imperialists. The French exert themselves for the defence of Sienna,
and have already there 5,000 foot and 600 horse, which number it is
thought they will increase as may be found necessary. The Cardinal
of Ferrara has done much good in abolishing the factions and reconciling the hearts of the Siennese, which people being very plentiful
and warlike will make good defence. It is supposed that the first
attack of the Imperialists will be made upon certain havens very
commodious for the town. The Duke of Florence has not yet
declared himself, but men think that being at the Emperor's devotion,
and his father-in-law, the Viceroy, being General of the enterprise,
and the war so nigh to him, he will be fain to declare himself
Imperial, and aid them to the most of his power. Don Fernando
Gonzaga for the Emperor, and Mons. de Brissac for the French King,
are very strong in Piedmont: 3,000 Swiss are daily expected there
for the French King's aid. By letters from Constantinople of the
20th ult., it appears that the Prince of Salerno has had audience of
the Turk, who has made much of him and appointed him 20 crowns
a-day for his entertainment. The Prince has endeavoured to prevail
on the Turk to send his army in the spring to help forward the
enterprise of Naples, but it is supposed he will have much to do to
bring this to pass. Rustan Bassa, the Turk's General, has been
revoked, the Persians having withdrawn themselves out of that
country, as required by the season of the year. [Two pages.] Inclosed, |
|
598. I. List of the captains and the number of men under their
command (amounting in all to 11,940) sent to Sienna by
the Cardinal of Ferrara and Mons. de Thermes, at 16th
December 1552. [Autograph of Cecil. One page.] |
| Dec. 27. |
599. Instructions for Sir Andrew Dudley, K.G., one of the
chief gentlemen of his Majesty's Privy Chamber, sent by King
Edward VI. to the Emperor Charles V. to express his Majesty's
desire to mediate for peace between the Emperor and the French
King. [Draft. Ten pages.] |
Dec. 29.
Chelsea. |
600. The Duke of Northumberland to Sir William Petre and Sir
William Cecil. Has received their letter at seven o'clock this evening, and perused those from Pickering. The copy of the one written
in French contains no secrets but merely gives account of various
sorties made out of Metz into the Emperor's camp, the removing of
certain of the Emperor's battery pieces, and the making of two new
trenches "that they may reach one another with the shot of their
hand guns level, saying that if the Imperials give them peason they
will render unto them beans again." Has not yet seen Lord Shrewsbury, but thinks he will come to-morrow. [One page.] |
