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Nov. 8.
Paris. |
554. Dr. Wotton to Secretaries Sir William Petre and Sir John
Bourne. The Court has left Fontainebleau, and the King goes
abroad to hunt and pastime, and will keep his feast of the Order at
Bois de Vincennes by Paris. As the King of Navarre, who has been
long looked for and has never been at the Court since he took that
title, is to be here shortly, it is thought the French King will return
to Paris before Michaelmas to meet him, because he comes with a
great train. It is reported here by the bankers, that Duke Octavio
Farnese has submitted to King Philip, and for better assurance of
the conditions between them, sends his son to continue with the
King his uncle; which news cannot be very pleasant to this Court.
Also it is said that one of the sons of the King of the Romans is to
be married to the elder of the two unmarried daughters of the Duke
of Ferrara: this seems rather strange considering the terms on which
the Duke stands with the French King, and it had been much
spoken of here that she should be married to the Duke of Nemours.
Hears that a servant of Dudley, and another Englishman of that
company, two tall men both, having robbed and shamefully
murdered a French merchant by Rouen, were lately set upon wheels
for it; "which is a most painful kind of death, as though they
might not have died as easily at Tyburn." This act shows what
great plenty of money is stirring among them and their companions.
[One page.] |
| Nov. 9. |
555. The Council to Dr. Wotton. His letter of the 29th ult. has
been received, and his proceedings are approved by her Majesty,
whose pleasure is that her Commissioners shall remain and meet those
of the French King on the 18th, provided they keep the engagement, and trusts that the question of the Sacrette may be then
debated and ended. Since receipt of his letter, the French Agent
having had audience, stated that he was instructed to require the
said Sacrette from her Majesty, and to request the meeting of the
Border Commission should be deferred till spring, without alluding
to what had already been said to Wotton on these points. With
reference to the former her Majesty had maintained her ground and
her knowledge of the support and countenance given to the Killigrews by the French King, who would find that they who could
be traitors to their own Sovereign, in the end would show themselves the same to others that trusted them; and as to the latter,
that having been advised by Wotton of the appointment for the
18th, it could not but seem strange he should now move this to her.
The owner of the house wherein the French Agent was lodged, hearing that the Bishop of Acqs had arrived and the Agent was on the
point of departure, had demanded his rent; but the Agent answered
him in round terms that it was the custom of England that Ambassadors should be lodged free, and therefore willed him to require
the rent from her Majesty, who he thought would see the same discharged, for he would pay him none. The owner accordingly
applied to the Council, requesting that as he could not have the
rent by fair means, he might be at liberty to arrest the Agent for it.
Had sent to the Agent to explain that while the Queen had houses
of her own she was content to lodge the Ambassadors free; but now,
these being otherwise bestowed for public uses, and her Majesty
having scarce houses to serve her own and the King's turn, they
thought it no reason that either she should forbear her own necessary houses to lodge him, or pay for his lodging in any other place.
If she had had the commodity to show him the like graciosity as to
others of his sort heretofore, she would willingly have done so; but
having no means thereto, he must be content to be used as Ambassadors both are in all other realms and have been also in this, till
now of late years. What the Agent will do they know not yet;
but if he still refuses to pay the man his rent, they cannot in a
place of justice let the party to do what he may by order of law
for the recovery of his money. Inform him of these particulars, as
in case any of the Agent's staff should be arrested, and he, according
as he has done in other things, should make the worst thereof,
Wotton may be able to declare the very truth of the circumstances.
[Draft. Ten pages.] |
Nov 12.
Paris. |
556. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Having this day received a
letter from one of her Majesty's subjects at Rouen, to the effect that
if he would send a servant thither he should be informed of matters
of great importance, had immediately dispatched his Secretary with
orders, that if he found the matter weighty, he should ride straight
thence in post to her Majesty with it. And in the evening a letter
from a gentleman, named Christopher Chudleigh, mentions that
certain conspiracies are being wrought against Calais, Guisnes, and
Hampnes, which the King and Constable are made to believe are
only victualled for 20 days, and that Dudley and the rebels have
promised to deliver Calais to the King: that men of war are
mustered at Rouen to take Calais, and that Testu, the Constable's
Secretary, had arrived at Rouen, which was thought very strange, as
it was also thought of the gifts which Dudley and his fellows have
had from the French King. Has dispatched another in diligence
with this letter to Calais, partly to warn them again to take good
heed, and also that her Majesty may be advertised of it, as it seems
of importance and should with all speed be looked to. [Cipher
deciphered. Two pages.] |
Nov. 15.
Poissy. |
557. Same to same. The bearer his servant has matter of importance to declare. Trusts her Majesty will provide for the danger
likely to ensue from it as its weight requires, and hereafter have
such trust of the French King's fair words as experience shows
they deserve to have. James Chillester and Richard Vincent,
who had fled the realm, have been with him confessing their offence
and humbly suing for pardon, which he trusts may be granted.
Incloses a letter to the Council and one to himself from them
(missing). On the 14th received the Council's letter of the 9th,
which for lack of passage was somewhat longer a coming, and immediately certified the Constable that the English Commissioners would
remain at Calais till the arrival of those on the French part at the
day appointed. Sends the letter mentioned in his despatch of the
12th (missing), and the Constable's reply now delivered. [Partly in
cipher, deciphered. Two pages.] Inclosing, |
|
557. I. The Constable Montmorency to Dr. Wotton. St.
Germain-en-Laye, 15th November 1556. The Commissioners have set out four or five days ago. [French.
Half a page.] |
Nov. 17.
Poissy. |
558. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Trusts that his packet of the
12th has been received. On the 15th dispatched his Secretary
merely with credentials, but lest he should have been stayed now,
writes what the said Secretary was instructed to report touching
Dudley's designs on Guisnes and other places. Dudley has told
the French King that there are only 300 men in Guisnes, which
would require 2,000 for its defence, and that it has only provisions
for six weeks. The drum has gone at Rouen to gather men of war
who are sent to Abbeville. The King, besides rewards to the rest,
has given Dudley 2,000 crowns and a letter to a rich gentlewoman
in Dudley's favour to marry with her. The King and the Constable are to be in Normandy very shortly, and all this is with a
view to surprise or besiege her Majesty's towns there. All is confirmatory of the former reports. Various ships laden with armour
and ordnance have gone to Rouen, and 18 ensigns of foot and 1,000
horse will be speedily at Abbeville. One of her Majesty's subjects
has recently been asked by a gentleman of the King's chamber
whether Dudley's brother was not Captain of Hampnes? and being
answered in the affirmative, "Why then," quoth the Frenchman,
"he may do the French King's pleasure," which words the said
subject suspects very much. Hears that 8,000 or 10,000 men of
war are being gathered in the Boulognois. Has much fear, unless
her Majesty has provided or shall provide suddenly for this danger.
Yesterday the Duke of Guise took leave for Piedmont, accompanied
by his two brothers, the Duke of Aumale, the Marquis d'Elbœuf,
the Duke of Nemours, and others: they shall find there all
ready 9,000 Swiss, 500 men-at-arms, a good number of light
horse, and 20 ensigns of French infantry, besides those previously
there. The Duke of Ferrara's Ambassador is expected in a day or
two, and it is thought will bring an answer from his master for the
French King's purpose. Is much afraid that henceforth his letters
will not be suffered to pass. [Cipher, deciphered. Four pages.] |
Nov. 30.
Poissy. |
559. Same to same. Trusts that his Secretary and letters
have arrived. Had hoped to have received further information
from one William Lant, who had been in communication with
his Secretary, but not having heard from or seen him, incloses a
letter (missing) from Hugh Offley, a merchant who had introduced
Lant and the Secretary to each other, in reply to one from Wotton
making inquiries regarding him. On the 27th had brought to
him the inclosed letter (missing), written by Thomas Stafford to
the Constable, whereby her Majesty may perceive the man's godly
mind and purpose. The person from whom he had the letter says
that Stafford names himself to be a lord, and bears strangers in
hand that if her Majesty were dead he were next heir to the crown
of England. Also that Dudley still continues his practices upon
Calais, and has secret intelligence with some of the merchants there
who like nothing the fashion of religion now used in England.
Dudley and his people prepare to go to sea, and had asked Wotton's
informant to accompany them, but as he refused he was not made
privy to their intent, which, however, he supposes is to keep the
narrow seas whilst the French shall execute their enterprise on
Calais and Guisnes by land, in order to stop the passage and
prevent the transmission of provisions and aid. Whether this be
true or not, her Majesty by sending some merchants to Normandy
and Brittany may soon ascertain. In addition to other commissions,
hears that the King has sent for captains of the marine to set
them a work, and amongst other captains retained, Tutty, who
served before with 50 light English horse, has now his commission
renewed for the 100. Crayer, too, is sent for, and three Scottish
captains have commission each for 100 Scottish horse, and is said
other four Scottish captains have a like commission. The Marquis
De las Naves and Don Luis Davila were here and went to the Court;
but prior to seeing the King and Queen spent an hour and a half in
the Constable's chamber. Thinks from this long interview that they
had commission to talk of some greater matter than they seemed to
come for, but whereof knows not. Kirkandry [Kirkaldy] offers to
serve her Majesty for the like pension he had formerly in England,
wherever she pleases; and whether in England, the Low Countries,
or here, says he shall have good intelligence of the affairs of
Scotland and of France by his intimacy with those of both nations.
He affirms that what is above written as to the sending of horsemen from Scotland is true; and although Cockburn, one of the
said captains, who goes now in diligence by England into Scotland
to make his band, says he is appointed to have it here by the end
of January, Kirkandry thinks they cannot be so soon made, not by
a month or more, and that their number is rather greater than what
has been stated; also he says that the King trusts to find means
that the Bishops and clergy of Scotland shall pray for them, under
the colour that this war is the Pope's and not the French King's.
Tutty reckons to have his band out of England, for of those who are
here few are able to arm and horse themselves, and those who call
themselves gentlemen will not serve under him. Further, in case
Crayer has his band again, as it is thought he shall, then will he
to fetch his men from England unless her Majesty secretly takes
some order for the let of it. Claver, another English captain, lies
in prison at Amiens for a spy; a worthy reward for his long
service. Crayer, who has married a rich widow, has come to the
Court and his commission is being written out; he goes to Picardy,
whither the Admiral is said to have gone, and the Council have
done nothing this last fortnight but dispatched captains both of the
marine and army. Duke D'Aumale did not go with his brother,
but followed him a day or two after in post. The Prince of Ferrara
has not yet gone. Some say the Duke of Guise goes to Marseilles,
and thence by sea to Rome; others say to Naples. The fever has
left the Dauphin, but he comes not yet abroad. The Queen of Scots
seems to be meetly well amended, and is expected soon at Court.
M. de Bonnivet, a worthy gentleman and well-esteemed, colonel of
the infantry in Piedmont, died yesterday; it is said he will be
succeeded by the Vidame of Chartres. Oliver Wrothe, brother to
Sir Thomas Wrothe, desires to obtain their Majesties' favour to
return home, although he says he might have a good marriage here
and also be retained in service at a far better living than he looks
for at home. Sends herewith a letter from Wrothe to him. It was
of him that the gentleman of the King's chamber inquired whether
Lord Dudley was brother to Dudley. Wrothe would fain be out of
this country, having her Majesty's favour; as would many more,
including Henry Killigrew, who still continues his suit. Hears
that Marshal St. André goes to Picardy, and that the report of the
Duke of Guise taking ship at Marseilles for Rome is incorrect; but
he will go fair and softly to Lyons, where the Prince of Ferrara
and the Duke D'Aumale will join him, in order to go to Piedmont.
It is said they will set upon Parma, and that their numbers are
26,000 foot and 4,000 horse. [Cipher, deciphered. Seven pages.]
Incloses, |
|
559. I. Wrothe to Wotton. Paris, 22d November 1556. Having
by ignorance frequented the company of some in England
who afterwards were committed to prison, and being a
poor young man and fearful of getting into trouble,
had fled hither, where he has lived quietly, saving sometimes he has been in company with such here as be
offenders. Begs their Majesties' pardon and permission
to return to his native country. [One page.] |
Nov. 30.
Poissy. |
560. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. The French King
has caused to be sent to Picardy divers files called limes sourdes,
which will very easily and noiselessly cut through any great
chains, also instruments to sap and break walls, and a bridge
to cast over a ditch although it be very large. An Italian miner,
who promises to do great things, has likewise been sent thither.
Thus, late and cold as it is, they evidently intend to do somewhat,
and if these things be able to do such feats as it is pretended they
can do, sees not what defence will serve against them, but only
great strength of men. The person who brought Thomas Stafford's
letter to Wotton is the same of whom Petre inquired in his last
whether he kept company with the rebels; had not named him
in his letter to the Queen, as every one in like case fears to be
named among the whole Council lest by some of them it might be
spoken abroad, whereby their lives would be in peril here. The
Secretary of the French Ambassador desires to be recommended
to Petre, excusing himself for not taking leave of him for fear of
suspicion, but says he is quite at his command. [Cipher, deciphered.
Two pages.] |
