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July 11. Poissy. |
220. Sir John Masone to the Council. Had received their letters
on the 3d. In consequence of the French King's absence at the
hunting, had been unable to have audience till the 6th. Narrates
what passed between the King and him, in presence of the Constable,
as to the encroachments, the appointment of Commissioners, and
the demolition of the Scottish forts. All the English prisoners in
the galleys have been liberated. Andrea Doria has lately taken
Monasterio in Barbary, a place of much importance, and being hopeful
to recover Africa out of the hands of Dragut Rey, has sent to Genoa
for men and ships. The affair of Roygnac is in course of settlement.
De Selva, lately French Ambassador in England, took his leave
three or four days ago as Ambassador to Venice. Has only this
day received the inclosed nomination of Commissioners from de
L'Aubespine. The King leaves to-morrow for a house of the Duchess
of Valentinois, and will be absent about 11 or 12 days. The Prior
of Capua goes to Scotland shortly to bring the Queen to France.
[Ten pages. Copy Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.] |
July 11. Westminster. |
221. The Council to Sir John Masone. Gives an account of the
detention of the Archbishop of Glasgow [James Beaton], because
of his coming without letters of safe-conduct, a custom observed
between the Scots and English these 500 years, "which deserved the
rather to be put in execution upon this man, for that he came in so
secretly, and would have so departed again, especially coming from
Rome." Also the discussion relative thereto between the French
Ambassador and the Council, when it was agreed that on the
prelate's finding sureties for 20,000 crowns, he should be permitted
to go about the city at his pleasure, and that as soon as the prisoners
of St. Andrew's were at liberty to go where they pleased, he should
be allowed to depart without ransom. Further discussion as to the
Scottish hostages. Guidotti's claims had also been discussed. Letters
have been received from Bowes stating that he has fully ruinated
Roxburgh and Eymouth. Stourton may have liberty to return.
Francois Robin had been set free prior to receipt of Masone's letter.
Desires him to send to Marseilles for information as to the English
prisoners, if he has not already done so. [Seven pages. Copy in
Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.] |
July 11. [Westminster.] |
222. "A clause of a letter of the Lord Protector and Council to
Sir John Masone, Ambassador in France, touching the staying of the
Archbishop of Glasgow." [One page. Copy.]
The first portion of the preceding letter, with copies of the signatures of the Members of Council. |
July 17. |
223. The Council to Sir John Masone. The French Ambassador
had signified the appointment of the French Commissioners for
settling the boundaries, and Sir John Wallop, Mr. Hall, Sir Richard
Rede, and Mr. Coke have been commissioned to act on part of his
Majesty. On the Ambassador's representation, the Council have
agreed to permit Frenchmen to export Scottish horses through England, on the condition that such horses be shown, and their number
reported to the King's officers on the frontiers; also, that although
it had been necessary to prohibit the exportation of coals by reason
of the dearth and scarcity, yet to gratify the French King the said
restraint is released. [Three pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's LetterBook.] |
July 20. Poissy. |
224. Sir John Masone to the Council. Complains of the French
Ambassador's misrepresentation of him in regard to the Scottish hostages, and gives an account of his explanatory interview with the
French King and the Constable, who said that the Ambassador had
been mistaken, but that, under the impression of a promise of their
liberty having been made by some of the Council in London, the King
had released the Scots taken at St. Andrew's, who otherwise should
have rotted in prison, so cruel was their offence, so cruel was their
murder [of Cardinal Beaton]. The King refused to interfere for the
Archbishop of Glasgow, who must "stand to his folly." Incloses
memorial from de L'Aubespine as to liberation of the French prisoners
in Jersey. After great suit by the French King, and considerable
difficulty made therin, the Bishop of Rome has extended the jubilee
to the French Court. One or two sons of Lord Stafford have lately
passed through Paris towards Rome; knows not whether Horsemonden has gone with them, but here he appears no more. The
Emperor's Ambassador and Nuncio from the Bishop of Rome have of
late been twice or thrice at the Court together, it is supposed to
persuade the King to agree to the Council. Intended exchange of the
Emperor's Ambassadors at Rome and France. Roygnac's castle taken,
and himself escaped to Flanders. No English prisoners now at
Marseilles. In seven or eight days the Prior of Capua and suite go
to England on their way to Scotland to bring the Queen. Having
the grant of the keeping of the abbey of Abingdon by letters patent,
requests the Council's aid against the recusancy of a previous occupant to vacate the same. M. de Humiez, who was the Dauphin's
governor, is dead. Villebonne, who made the first payment of the
money [conditioned in the surrender of Boulogne], is also to make
the second; it is whispered at Court that his present at said first
payment was very simple; if it were so, the Council have now
occasion to make amends. [Ten pages. Copy in Sir John Masone's
Letter-Book.] |
July 26. |
225. "Acta Conventus Augustani anni 1550 summatim et breviter expositis Ces. M. ac principum responsis confecta xxvj° Julii,
ex Cæsa. Matis. propositione." Copy of the proceedings at the Diet
of Augsburg, assembled professedly for terminating the difference
between the Catholics and the Protestants. [Latin. Twenty-one
pages.] |