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Nov. 2.
Caudebec |
254. Sir John Masone to Sir William Cecil. Refers to his letter
to the Council for an account of his proceedings. "If words can
make all things hot, here lacketh none of that stuff." The French
profess much, but he doubts their sincerity:. the thing that feareth
him most being "that they know too well our estate, and thereby
think they may ride upon our backs." Is at present confined to
bed with the gout, and his body so droops that he fears he shall
never see the end of winter, a great part whereof will be spent in
journeying. Earnestly begs to be recalled, as he would gladly die,
if it might be, amongst Christian men. Mons. D'Estrees, who has
been appointed to join the other Commissioners, is esteemed a sober,
wise gentleman; he was lately captain of the guard, and has since
been preferred to the office of the Ordnance, which is one both of
more ease and reputation. Hopes the Council will select a person
of like quality to answer him, and suggests Mr. Blount of the privy
chamber, if he is sufficiently acquainted with the language, because
having been long in these parts he knows the ground. Hears that
their Lordships having found some fault with the rolls of Parliament, have determined to commit them to the Exchequer. If this is
done in his absence, it may compromise him, and therefore begs it
may be deferred until his return. [Two pages.] |
Nov. 3.
Caudebec. |
255. Sir John Masone to the Council. On the 30th ult. had
received their letters of the 27th thereof, and next day had audience
of the French King, to whom he communicated their consent to the
renewal of negotiations, and their wishes as to the withdrawal of
the troops from Sandingfeld. With the former the King was well
pleased, and promised to give immediate orders for the removal of
the latter. Had thereafter a conference with the Constable on the
same subject, and received equally satisfactory assurances of amity
from him as from the King, the details whereof he gives at great
length. Notwithstanding their apparent sincerity, is suspicious of
them, and recommends caution in regard of Guisnes and Hampnes,
especially the latter, "for the weakness thereof is like to be their first
shot if they mean untruth," and "better are bestowed 500 to keep
than 10,000 to recover." The Low Countries, that not long before
could supply 300 able horsemen, are now unable to do so; the cause
assigned being that the rents of the King's lands are so raised "as no
man is able to live thereupon unless it be a sort of poor dryvels that
must dig their living with their nails out of the ground, and be not
able scarce to maintain a jade to carry their corn to market." How
this might be remedied. The mistaken report of the King's going to
Picardy had arisen out of a joke of his Majesty to the Duke of
Vendôme, the Governor of that province, who is ordered thither to
be stationed at L'Affre, near to St. Quintin, with 24 or 25 captains.
Some 25 or 26 Spaniards, formerly in the English King's service,
have been sent to join him; and as the Spaniards are chiefly famous
at an assault, reiterates vigilance on Guisnes and Hampnes. The
French have five ships at Newhaven, hitherto not unarmed (sic), and
are building 20 more; of these four are almost ready at Dieppe, four
at Havre de Grace, four in the river Seine, at Tucke [Touques] Castle,
four at Brest, and four at Rochelle. The galleys at Marseilles are
being fitted out, it is supposed to be to guard against the Imperialists' doings on Africa. There has been great consolation as
to Scotland, the French desiring to keep the Queen Dowager in
France, and to appoint a Frenchman there, to which the Scots will
not agree. The recent death of the Duke of Orleans by small-pox
has caused much heaviness at Court. His salary, due on the 1st of
October, but not yet paid, has forced him to live awhile by borrowing and selling, but this cannot long continue; would lament his
estate with many words, were he not in good hope their Lordships
will shortly call his weak body home. [Fourteen pages. Copy in
Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.] |
Nov. 9.
Augsburg. |
256. Philip Prince of Spain to King Edward VI. Much mutilated;—apparently recognizing the Ambassador sent in room of Sir
Philip Hoby. [French. Broadside. Signed by the Prince, and
countersigned "G. Perezius."] |
Nov. 9.
Venice. |
257. Peter Vannes to Francis Yaxley. Being aware of his regard
and affection, he ought to have been fully informed of Yaxley's health,
mode of living, lodgings, companions, and progress in Latin and
Italian. Expects to have a longer and more satisfactory letter from
him. [Italian. Postcript in English.] The matters of Scotland
are in good quiet and well appeased. Commissioners on both
sides will shortly meet, with every prospect of continuance of
peace. [Two pages. Inclosed, a sketch of the siege of Mirandola,
mutilated.] |
Nov. 14.
Westminster. |
258. The Council to Sir John Masone. Since receipt of his letter
of the 3rd, had seen the French Ambassador, who conveyed to them
the like expressions of amity on part of his master, as the same had to
Masone. As M. D'Estrees has been appointed an extra Commissioner
on the part of France, Sir Thomas Wyat has been appointed on that
of England. The commission as to depredations will forthwith be
attended to. The French Ambassador had complained of the restraint
on the exportation of lead, and of the detention of a Scottish ship
of war which had come into Dover haven with a Flemish vessel
which it had captured, laden with herrings; had explained to him
that the restriction on the exportation of lead arose from its excessive
scarcity, and affected not foreigners only, but the King's subjects,
there not being sufficient for his Majesty's use; the detention of
the Scottish ship was in consequence of its want of a safe-conduct,
which by unfailing custom rendered it a lawful prize. Request him
to keep a close eye to the naval preparations of the French, and
endeavour to ascertain wherefore they are being made, and the precise meaning of certain expressions of the Constable. [Four pages
and a half. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.] |
Nov. 18.
Westminster. |
259. King Edward VI. to Herman, formerly Archbishop of
Cologne, re-accrediting the bearer James Omphalius on his return
to the Archbishop. [Latin. Broadside. Signed by the Members
of the Council. Indorsed "The King's Matie to the old B. of
Collen."] |
Nov. 18.
Westminster. |
260. Same to Christian King of Denmark. Recredentials of Albert
Knoppert, lawyer, sent in reference to complaints of injuries done
by the English to subjects of Denmark. He has been attentively
heard, and reciprocity is expected on part of the King of Denmark
in similar instances. Signed by Somerset, Wiltshire, Bedford,
Northampton, Dorset, Huntingdon, Clinton, the Bishop of Ely, and
Sir Thomas Cheyne. [Latin. Broadside.] |
Nov. 22.
Westminster. |
261. Same to Otho Duke of Brunwick. Regrets that in consequence of the state of his own finances he cannot comply with the
Duke's request for more money. [Latin. Broadside. Signed by
the Members of the Council.] |
Nov. 29.
Westminster. |
262. Commissions from the King to Sir John Wallop, Sir Richard
Blunt, Sir Richard Rede, Dr. William Cooke, and Francis Hall,
Esquire, to meet with the French Commissioners for settling the
boundaries round Calais. Signed by his Majesty, and counter
signed by the Lords of the Council. [Latin. Broadside. Indorsed
"Commission to treat with Commissioners of frontiers about bounding of the frontiers."] |
Nov. 30.
Westminster. |
263. The Council to Sir John Masone. Send copy of a commission for settling the question of depredations, wherein the Dean of
St. Paul's and Dr. Glyn of the Arches are appointed to act during
the absence of Rede and Cooke. Mention the argument between
them and the French Ambassador as to jurisdiction, &c., and that
Sir Richard Blount of the privy chamber was appointed a Commissioner of the boundaries in room of Sir Thomas Wyat, who is unwell
and unable to act. [Three pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's LetterBook.] |
