|
April 2.
Malta. |
585. Claude De la Sengle, Grand Master of Malta, to same. Had
dispatched the late Grand Conservator of the Order to thank
her Majesty for causing a portion of their property in England to
be restored, and to be resident at her Court, but while waiting at
Brussels for the King's return to England, he had died there. Has
now committed the like charge to the bearer, the Commander
Felizes. [French. One page.] |
April 10.
Rome. |
586. Sir Edward Carne to King Philip and Queen Mary. Yesterday a Consistory was kept in which the Pope has revoked all his
ministers within the realms of his Majesty, and specially revoked the
Lord Cardinal by name. This was done without any knowledge of
the Cardinals until the very time that it was done in the Consistory.
Had been to several of them to learn the cause, but they say they
neither knew of it nor could help it. And being with Cardinal
Morone about the Bishops, the Cardinal said that the Pope would
not suffer him to purpose Chichester there, neither Meath in Ireland,
which have not yet had his bulls. On this had sent to the Pope for
audience with the view of knowing whether he would suffer these
bishoprics to be purposed as well as the other three that were
purposed about Mid-lent; in which his Holiness had showed himself
as favourably as could be required, and had commended them
equally so to the Cardinals touching their favour for the annats.
This afternoon, "at twenty-two of the clock," had audience of his
Holiness, who informed that he would do for her Majesty and her
realm with all the favour he could, so that it came in her own name
without specifying that of his Majesty, and would take England as
a realm separated from the King's other dominions and would not
fail it, unless occasion be given thence that he can do nothing for it.
Had asked the Pope whether he might boldly write that his Holi
ness would provide for the said churches, and he said yea, and
would do any other thing he could, willing Carne whatsoever he
had to do to repair boldly to him. Antonio Caraffa is said to be
appointed General of the Pope's army and to be already to Reati to
make preparations for the said army. The expense of these wars,
they say, is to be divided between the Pope and the French King,
the latter to bear every month 215,000 crowns, and the Pope 85,000
crowns. Ascanio di Colonna is reported to be dead at Naples.
[Four pages.] |
| [April, prior to 14.] |
587. Notes by Dr. Wotton, headed "Advertisements of the
Admiral's practice upon Guisnes, given by N[icholas] T[hrockmorton], and the plot thereof delivered to N[icholas] W[otton]."
The Admiral has mounted some ordnance on wheels to go upon
marshy ground. His intent is first to win the town, and then to
roll all the earth before them into the castle's ditches. Also to
build in some place of most annoyance, probably between Guisnes
and Newnham Bridge. Is advertised by T. G. of two Englishmen
who offer their services to the French King and to place in his hands
a castle on the sea-coast, of which T. G. had seen the plot and
called it Plymouth. One of these men is a kinsman of the Captain
of that castle, the other is a servant to Thomas Stafford, named
Roger. They say there are not above 12 persons in it, and with 20
men doubt not to do their feat. In the castle are all manner of
things meet for fortification. Within a day or two thereafter one
named P. came to Wotton and confirmed this report, bringing with
him a copy of the plot [plan]: the name of the place, as far as he can
learn, is Scarborough. Roger told P. that his master T. Stafford had
left for Hull: they who know the forts must consider whether the plot
refers to Plymouth, Scarborough, Hull, or elsewhere. It is thought
the French King will not interfere, till he may perceive some likelihood of breach. Devisat is at Calais. Four bands of Scots have
arrived in France. Reported coming over of King Philip to procure
her Majesty's aid. Merchants and scholars come daily to Wotton
to know what they shall do: he cannot inform them. Rumour of
the Duke of Nemours being dangerously wounded at the siege of
Corregio, and overthrow of the French soldiers there by the Duke
of Florence. [Two pages.] |
April 14.
La Ferté Milon. |
588. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Within the last
three or four months has sent several letters, but having no
reply from her Majesty or the Council fears they have not been
delivered. Also 13 weeks ago dispatched his servant Christopher
Ambrose, of whom since then he has heard nothing, whether he be
dead or alive, or what has become of him. His long absence has
been the more annoying, since trusting to have been revoked ere
now, and therefore having made little provision for money, had
ordered him to bring letters of bank, to receive money here.
Wherefore he had sent John Somer with letters to her Majesty and
other credentials. A month has elapsed since he left, and as he
promised, knowing the case in which Wotton stands, to return with
all convenient speed and bring him letters of bank, marvels not a
little at having no intelligence of him. Cannot suspect his fidelity,
therefore is afraid somewhat has chanced him by the way, whereof
in case he had letters from Paget, or have not come to him at all,
thinks it meet to certify him thereof. Hears that of late great
bands of horse have gone down to Picardy: prays God their pieces
on this side be well garrisoned, for if any thing be meant it will
appear that small numbers will not well serve for such purposes
nowadays. Thinks people should be going to and fro between
Calais and the Court here, if only in journey, as at the least they
might learn what warlike preparations are being made and whether
the passage were stopped. Every one here looks for war between
England and France, and he to be again a prisoner. The Duke of
Vendôme has gone to Picardy. The Pope has made new Cardinals,
of whom the Garde des Sceaux here is one, now named the Cardinal
of Sens, which archbishopric he had by the death of the Cardinal
of Bourbon. Hears that the Bishop of Beziers, brother to Marshal
Strozzi, is another. The news of the Cardinal of Trent's nephew
being slain by the Marquis of Pescara, and his flying to Mantua,
were pleasant to the Court here. Some think he will be soon in
France, and that there are men practising him already. The
Mantuan Ambassador here lately went home on pretence of private
business; this he cannot believe, as it is not likely that such a mean
man as he would bear the charges of posting thither and back. He
left again on hearing of the Marquis' arrival at Mantua, and his
servants say he only went to Paris and would be back by the 12th,
but he has not yet returned, which makes it doubtful whether he
be still in Paris or gone to Mantua, as before, to practise the Marquis for the French King. Sir Robert and Thomas Stafford, the
Tremaines, Asheton, and other rebels, have been here at Court a
good while, which leads him to believe they shall shortly be
employed somewhere. The Venetian Ambassador was at Court
lately, very long with the King, and much made of. Hears that
the Rhinegrave and Rykrad have levied 12,000 landsknechts for the
French King. |
|
P.S.—Heard that Thomas Stafford left the Court three or four
days ago for Paris, whence a correspondent writes that he has
been told by one of Stafford's servants that when at the Court his
master was shown much favour and received money to retain men
of war, and that he had agreed with a merchant in Paris to have
of him pikes, harquebuses, morions, and shirts of mail for 200 men,
and had hired a boat to carry all these to Rouen. Within these
few days there have passed this way 300 out of 400 horsemen, who
go, it is said, to Laon. Since writing thus far his Paris correspondent,
who is the same who took him the plan of Scarborough which he
sent by Somer, has been with him, and mentioned that T. Stafford
had required him to hire a boat for him to Rouen, which he had
done, and had willed him to set at a merchant's house 25 halberts
and as many partisans, and to carry them in that boat, which this
man had done also. Further he said that eight or nine Englishmen
of Stafford's company had gone with the boat, and that Stafford
told him he would have another plot [plan] made of a place in
Sussex, which he promised to do, but he knows not yet the name
of the place. Also the name of the young man who says he is of
kin to the Captain of Scarborough is, he says, Thomas Brooke.
[Cipher, deciphered. Four pages and a half.] |
April 17.
Rome. |
589. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. On the evening of
the 12th Cardinal Morone sent the Master of his Household to
know how he had done with the Pope, although his Eminence had
been informed of all that passed by Mr. Pinning, who had gone to
apprize him thereof on Carne's return from the audience. Had
sent to say he should be with him next morning. That same
morning the Cardinal came to a place of his called Santa Maria
trans Tiberim very timely, not far from Carne's lodging, and sent
the said Master of the Household to inform him of his arrival.
Went incontinently and detailed his conversation with the Pope.
The Cardinal thereupon desired him to write to her Majesty, requesting that she would intreat his Majesty to send some worthy
personage as Ambassador to his Holiness to treat of his Majesty's
reconciliation to the Church, with a letter from him to the Pope
himself offering his obedience. In such a case much good must
ensue; for if the Pope took it in good part, besides quiet to
Christendom, the French would be disappointed of their purposed
intent; and if the Pope did not agree, the world would judge that
his Majesty had done all that any Christian Prince might conveniently do, and lay all the fault of this variance and wars on his
Holiness. Those who had been previously sent,—such as Don
Garcia and Don Ferrante,—came through the hands of the Duke
of Alva, and that the Pope cannot abide, as he must be directly
applied to by the King; and the Cardinal stated that in all his
declamations of his Majesty in the Consistory, one part invariably
is that he does not send to seek any reconciliation to him. Further,
the Cardinal suggested, that as his Holiness has revoked his
Legate de Latere, on the ground that he will have no Minister of
his where his Majesty is, considering the realm of England, through
her Majesty's goodness, has been newly reduced to the unity of the
Church, and there may happen many cases there daily necessary
to be helped, and which cannot be done conveniently without a
Legate, her Majesty would address a gracious letter to his Holiness
to request the continuance of the said Legate, it would not be
denied. But such matter should be laboured by her Majesty's
Ambassador here, and by none of the Lord Cardinal's agents. Begs
her Majesty will take all this in good part. Cardinal Morone
bears great goodwill and service towards his Majesty, and minds
nothing but his honour, which makes Carne so bold as to send this
to her. [Four pages.] |
April 17.
Rome. |
590. Same to King Philip and Queen Mary. Since his
letter of the 10th, the French gallies have arrived at Civita
Vecchia, 40 miles hence, and are said to have brought 3,000 or
more French soldiers, and are to sail to the coast of Naples. On
the 12th Cardinal Caraffa was at Neptuno, and remained there two
days to see preparations there made for them. The reason assigned
for the gallies going thither is, that it is much nearer to Naples
than Civita Vecchia. Yesterday all the Pope's troops here departed
to their camp, whence, he is informed, they proceed to lay siege to
Monte Fortino, four miles beyond Veletri. The troops that were
at Tivoli had gone there two days ago. To-day have been sent
great ordnance, shot, scaling-ladders, and other engines for the
assault, the Pope, it is said, being resolved to have it burnt and
destroyed in anywise; because that after the taking of Vicovaro,
those within Monte Fortino met with two bands of his soldiers and
destroyed them all. Although no great thing, it is said to be
strong and well manned; it is within six miles of Anagni, where
are a good number of Neapolitan soldiers well appointed. On the
12th, 14 great pieces of ordnance were brought hither from Tivoli.
Hears that all is well at Naples, and good provision there to avoid
the enemy. The Duke of Guise is said this Easter to lie at
Loretto, and his camp thereabouts; also that the Duke of Ferrara,
would have him to come back to help against Signor di Corregio,
who has entered into Corregio, not far from Ferrara, with a good
number of foot and 100 horse, and some Germans that are nigh to
the duchy of Ferrara. Cannot hear that the said Duke of Guise
removes as yet. [Two pages and a quarter.] |
April 24.
Rome. |
591. Sir Edward Carne to King Philip and Queen Mary. The
Duke of Guise and his army still lie at La Marcha, near Loretto.
Neither he nor the gentlemen of France that came with him upon
their own heads only for love of him, are said to be well contented
of their coming, perceiving that they be of no power to do any great
hurt in the realm of Naples. Hears that Antonio di Caraffa,
with such as he has of the Pope's army, does what he can to draw
them forwards, and for that purpose had invaded some small and
defenceless villages with that view, but in vain. The force of the
French is said to be not above 10,000 horse and foot. It is reported
that those who came in the French gallies are fortifying in an
island called Pontia, not far from Gaeta, in order to stay the
passage to the latter place. This rumour has continued here these
four or five days, notwithstanding their Majesties' fleet,—viz., 26
gallies, the rest ships and fusts to the number of 40 sail,—have
passed towards Naples, and it is thought will not suffer the French
to nestle them there. Some say Monte Fortino has yielded upon
discretion; others say not, and that the countrymen there are so
desperately set that the besiegers cannot come by it without great
loss of men in the assault. Is informed that Bartholomeo di
Beneventino, General Commissary to the Pope, intends to take
order that all the corn in the country here that is yet on the ground
shall be taken for the Chamber here upon certain prices, leaving
to the owners sufficient for their households, and no more; by
which they intend not only to provide necessary corn, but also to
get thereby a great sum of money. As far as he can learn, the
Caraffas would gladly have agreement between his Majesty and
the Pope. The forces of the Church are but small, and the foreign
troops that they have, have destroyed the country of La Marcha
and all the way they came through the Pope's lands, with infinite
other misorders so that every one cries out upon them as far as
he dare. Since the news arrived that their Majesties had met
together, no intimation has been given to him to come to the chapel,
neither in Passion-week nor all Easter, where the officers were wont
heretofore never to fail to intimate the chapel to him as oft as they
did to the Cardinals. |
|
P.S.—News have arrived that the soldiers of Monte Fortino
yielded, and left shortly after it was taken. All in it, men, women,
and children, were destroyed; the chief countrymen and the
feeblest that were taken hanged, and the rest sent to the gallies.
All else burnt, and the Pope's troops have gone towards Anagni.
[Three pages.] |
April 24.
Rome. |
592. Intelligence from Rome, Ancona, and Ferrara. Letters
from Rome of the 24th April mention that the Papal troops have
taken Monte Fortino, which after three assaults surrendered at
discretion. The soldiers who were within were disarmed; the
greater part of those of La Terra cut to pieces, the others
made prisoners; the women and children all placed together were
burned, it is said, by a fire which accidentally broke out,—some say
by the inhabitants of La Terra, who set fire to it. From the army
the other day there were sent to the Pope two ensigns of Italian
infantry taken at Campoli, with news that many other places in
the neighbourhood, though not of importance, kept their keys
without expecting a contest, and that in these places there was
yet something to live on. What has been done up to the present
time has been by the troops of the Marquis of Montebello and some
arquebusiers of the vanguard of the army. Of Mons. de Guise is
nothing known except that he was at Loretto. The Duke of
Paliano has had a touch of tertian, so that his departure will be
deferred for some days. Marshal Strozzi will depart in five or six
days for Bologna. It seems advices have been received that the
Imperial fleet, having previous notice that the French still remained
at Ponza, where it seems fortifications are being made, set sail and
arrived in Sicily, where it has placed the Duke of Medina Celi,
then levied eight Sicilian gallies, together making a number of
30 gallies, and thus are coming towards Naples with warlike
intentions. |
|
2. By letters from Ancona of the 24th April it is stated that the
French army is still at Fermo, Marano, Ascoli, and in that vicinity,
and waits for victuals, oxen, and waggons which have been ordered
to pass the Tronto; nevertheless Mons. de Guise wishes to move
slowly and considerately, it is said. He goes amusing the enemy
here and there, wherever he can get subsistence. The people of
Ascoli went with some Gascon arquebusiers, and took without a
contest Campoli and other places of little importance. |
April 27.
Ferrara. |
3. By letters from Ferrara of the 27th April, mention that it is
said the Duke of Ferrara will make great preparations for the
storming of Corregio, and that at the least he will have 1,500
infantry, 300 men-at-arms, and 800 light horse, and the battery
will be made in a cross with 30 guns, such as the Emperor made
when he was before Landrecy; and it is thought that the victory
will be very bloody, for the besieged are finely fortified and have
made two bulwarks of strong defence. They have recently placed
within two companies of infantry and cavalry, and are cutting
down the corn precipitately in order to make straw. The other
day they sent money to procure oil and salt, and it is said that
those of Carpi made a sally and seized the money, but this is not
verified. It is understood that by their account there are at
Parma and Cremona 4,000 infantry, and Sign. Geronimo negotiates
everything at Milan. Strozzi is hourly expected at Ferrara with
the French troops which he will bring with him to join with these
and those whom he shall levy; meanwhile Sig. Cornelio Bentivoglio
makes private levies at Modena and Reggio, and carries on the
works of the fortification by day and night. It is said that at
Milan a proclamation has been issued that all the Ferrarese there
are to evacuate the country within a certain time under pain of
death, and it is said that his Excellency is doing the same thing
here as to the boundary neighbourhood. The Duke has sent into
France with speed "il fiaschino," for what purpose is unknown, and
was present at his dispatch. The Cardinal is better, and has
begun to go out in a coach. [Italian. Two pages.] |
April 27.
La Ferté Milon. |
593. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Five or six days ago sent one of
his servants by Dieppe with a letter to Sir William Petre, whom he
yet took to be one of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries, mentioning
the purchase of arms, &c. by Thomas Stafford. Since then has
had a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton corroborating these
things, and stating that Stafford has with prest assembled 400 or
500 men, and is to have as many more; that Stafford's friends
spread many reports concerning this, but he takes it they blast one
thing and mean another, though he fears they meditate an attempt
on Calais or some of the other pieces on this side, and they let fall
secretly that some invasion is meant into England, talking of
Scarborough, Hull, the Castle of Dover, or of the Camber, and
another while of mustering in Champagne as though they should
serve against the Imperialists. Sir Nicholas continues that it is
not to be liked that the French have so many ships ready or in
preparation, the leading of which he hears John Rybawde and
Captain Hores shall have, and that the passages are stopped or
shall be shortly. Somer has now returned, and informs him
that all these bands of horsemen are now in Picardy. The
Dauphin's, the Admiral's, those of the Prince De la Rochesurion,
Prince of Condé, Count of Sancerres, Jarnac's, four Scottish bands,
and that of Tutty. Besides those there are others near Reynes
[Rheims], which may soon join them. As Somers came by Boulogne
he found there Devisat who leapt the wall at Calais. Doubtless he
is not there for nothing; he is now brave, and it is openly spoken
that he is now of the King's chamber. The Venetian Ambassador
says that it is concluded that the Duke of Guise shall invade
Naples, and that by this time the army has marched; also that he
believes the report of the Cardinal of Trent's nephew having been
slain by the Marquis of Pescara is incorrect, having received letters
from Mantua which make no mention of it. Having written thus far
was required with the other Ambassadors to be present at the Feast
of the Order of the Garter, which was kept after the accustomed
fashion. On the right hand of the choir, over the chief seat, were
her Majesty's and the King of Spain's arms united. The King kept
his place on the left side of the choir, and the Constable his on the
right before her Majesty's place. Believes there was never so joyful
a St. George's Feast kept here, for the night before news came from
Brissac of the taking of Valsernier, a place of such ignobility and so
little known to Wotton, that he has much ado to remember its
name, and is not well assured whether he hits right upon it. For
all that the French look upon it as of right great importance, for as
they say the only three places in Piedmont which rest in the King
of Spain's hands are Chierasco, Fossano, and Coni; and these
must shortly yield without siege, seeing by the loss of Valsernier
they cannot be succoured. The cause of the loss is said to have
been a dissension between the Spaniards in the town and the
landsknechts, who were in the majority. Hears that the landsknechts
were suffered to depart with their swords by their sides, the
Spaniards onlycon la bachetta in mano. On that day, when one
of the Ambassadors was congratulating the Cardinal of Lorraine
on the good news, he heard the latter say, "If God will you shall
hear of more things than that done there shortly;" and two days
after, when returning with the other Ambassadors from seeing the
Cardinal of Sens receive his hat, he heard the Venetian Ambassador
say to the Nuncio that news of great importance from Piedmont
were daily looked for at the Court. Sir Robert Stafford, Dudley,
and other of that sort are yet at the Court, why he knows not.
There is a report that 30 of the English bands who serve here had
conspired to have taken the King of Navarre while he was
hunting at Fere, and conveyed him to Flanders, but this being
disclosed by some of their own company, they fled to Flanders.
Knows not if this be true, but would not be sorry if it were, as
thereby the rebels here were like to be so much discredited that
little trust should be had in them. |
|
P.S.—Has received a letter from Thomas Randall [Randolph], a
scholar of Paris, who mentions that Thomas Stafford took ship on
Easter day at night, and that he is accompanied by more French
than English. He went on the Fleur de lis, whereof the captain is
John Rybawde, and with him another ship laden with artillery.
The voice at Dieppe is that they go to Scotland; scarcely credits
this because of Rybawde, whom he fears more than any man that
fled out of England this great while. Another letter from Sir
Nicholas Throckmorton mentions that both the ships are well
armed and manned, and that there is a proclamation made at Paris
for the speedy mustering of the Arrière-Ban. There is likewise a
rumour at Court that the Spaniards have landed at Belle Isle, an
island of Brittany, and taken the fort and keep the island, which
when known is likely to trouble the French very much. [Chiefly
in cipher, deciphered. Six pages.] |
April 30.
Ancona. |
594. Intelligence from Ancona. Mons. de [Guise] with the camp
is near Civitella, divided into three squadrons. They have taken
a church, distant from Terra an arquebuse shot, with the loss of 20
Gascons. On the 28th inst. they planted 10 pieces of artillery in
the church, which is such a troop as can batter it, and battered
it incessantly; and, as some say who were there, they cannot bring
the artillery nearer than this church, because from the church to the
city there is a descent into a valley and then a great ascent to Terra.
Those within still resist valorously, and there are between Spaniards
and Calabrians 1,400 infantry in pay; they have destroyed the
houses opposite the battery, have sent the women and children to
the mountains, disarmed the inhabitants of Terra, and injure those
outside with the artillery; they stripped a trumpeter who was sent
to them, and sent him back in his shirt, with a message that they
had no desire to have to do with any more such embassies; whereupon Mons. de Guise determined to have the place or to leave all
his troops there. They say that there are provisions within for
ten years, and all the grain of the neighbourhood. The inhabitants
would suffer greatly if the enemy cut off their supply of water,
which is a fountain outside the city, where they have made bastions
and covers that they may go to procure it without the camp being
able to damage them, and within Terra there are no ponds from
which, if the fountain were taken, they could obtain water. [Italian.
One page.] |
April
Westminster. |
595. King Philip and Queen Mary to Ivan IV. [Vasilevitch],
Emperor of Russia. Have received his letters by his Ambassador,
Oseph Nepea, whom they and their Council have frequently heard
on the subjects of his mission, which they trust have been satisfactorily concluded, and will tend to perpetual amity between the
two nations. As it has pleased God to open this voyage by sea
which was unknown before, so they trust He will prosper the same
for the advancement of His honour and glory and increase of the
Catholic religion, as well as the common profit of their respective
dominions. The merchants of both countries are to enjoy equal
privileges of free trade and protection. Oseph Nepea has very well
and wisely demeaned himself in his charge: he will declare the full
particulars of the commercial treaty. [Latin. Draft. Four
pages.] |
|
Translation of the above. [Six pages.] |
