|
June 3.
Brussels. |
213. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. The French have
made a road as far as Dinant in Liege, the castle of which is said
to be strong and well furnished. The body of the army has still
remained at Marienburg where the King arrived the last of May
[in orig. June]. To-day they leave, but whither is unknown,
so closely do they handle these matters. The Emperor's army
is still within five leagues of this town; it increases daily and
now amounts to 20,000 foot and 6,000 or 7,000 horse. The
rest approaches by the way of Luxemburg and Namur; within
a day or two they will begin to march, for which the places
where they have been all this while will never a whit be sorry.
Requests that on the first news of the Prince's arrival or approach
he will cause Mr. Cliff to write three or four words, and deliver
his letter to the Emperor's Ambassador, who, Petre knows, will
dispatch out of hand as soon as he hears but half a word of that
matter; and at convenience that he will think upon his commission, if any shall be required upon the marriage. The merchantadventurers would be glad to make some triumphs to declare
their good will, but doubt whether to do this at the coming
of the Prince, or upon his coronation, if there shall be any.
[One page.] |
June 3.
Brussels. |
214. Same to the Council. As the Ambassador of Ferrara
sent to her Majesty departs presently towards England, thinks
good to advertise their Lordships of his coming. He is a gentleman of the Duke's house, and has the keeping of a fort not far
from Ferrara; his name is Count Roderigo de Monte Cuculo.
Gresham left here to-day with his full despatch; has written by
him to the Queen and their Lordships, trusting that he will be
in England before the bearer. He intends to remain all Monday
at Antwerp, for the satisfaction, if it will be, of the merchants,
touching the date of the bonds; and on Tuesday will finally
depart homewards. [One page.] |
June 4.
Brussels. |
215. Same to Queen Mary. News having reached the Court
of the Prince's departure from Valladolid on the 12th ult.,
and of the likelihood of his having reached Logrono before this
time, there are great rejoicings thereat; and the Ambassadors of
the King of the Romans and Bohemia, who have long been here,
propose to go to England forthwith. The former Ambassador is
Don Pedro Lesso de Castilla, Majordomo to his master, and a man
of much reputation: the other is Don Hernando de Gamboa, one
of Maximilian's chamber. The Ambassade is very honourable, the
train being composed of nearly 70 persons, whereof a good number are gentlemen. To-day Ambassadors from the Dukes of
Florence and Ferrara have arrived, also en route for England; and
the Duke of Savoy, with others of the nobility of this Court, will
not long be behind. Suggests the appointment of gentlemen to
meet them at Dover and to instruct them for the rest of their
journey. In the East countries had like to have been a stir by
reason of a quarrel between the Duke of Brunswick and the town
of Hamburg, for defence of which the King of Denmark, Duke
of Holstein and others, had begun to levy troops; but by the
wisdom of the Emperor there is great hope the thing is brought to
a good end. The French King has written to the King of the
Romans and others to stand upon their guard, as however the
Emperor yet dissembles with them, he minds to declare his discontent with them, as they shall perceive soon after the Prince's
arrival in England; and that this warning proceeds from friendship. These Princes have forwarded the letters to the Emperor,
expressing their confidence in him and their knowledge of the
French practices. A truce for five years is nearly concluded
between the Turk and the King of the Romans: the latter wishes
the term to be prolonged and is in some hope of obtaining it.
Marquis Albert stirs from place to place poorly attended: he would
fain be doing, but wants the instrument wherewith to work. The
Bishops' and confederates' troops lie before his towns of Swainefort
[Sueinfort] and Plassenberg, which are defended manfully but
cannot long hold out. Sends herewith the capitulation between the
Marquis and the French King (missing), whereby his meaning may
appear, had not his falsehood been espied in time. The cause of
Count Mansfeldt's coming here was to make his peace with the
Emperor and desire his mediation in a dispute between him and
the Duke of Brunswick, and to place himself at his Majesty's service.
He hath not his answer yet. The siege of Sienna goes diligently
on, and the besieged are in great straits, although the French make
great brag to the contrary. The army of the Duke of Florence
increases daily: 2,000 Germans have arrived before Sienna commanded by Madruccio, brother to the Cardinal of Trent. With
these went 4,000 Italians, and 5,000 more Germans are ready
near Augsburg to march into Italy. The Prior of Capua has been
within the town, and is now attending to the fortification of Port
Ercole. The Marquis of Marignano has devised about the beginning
of this month to waste the country, in order, by destroying the
crops, to deprive them of aid of victual. Although the Pope has
ordered that no provisions shall pass through his dominions for
either side, yet Bishop Tornabuoni, to whom the execution of such
command is committed, being a Florentine, it is thought he will
rather enforce it against the French than his own countrymen.
The Pope has sent for the Duke of Urbino, Captain-General of the
Church, to levy foot and horse for the protection of his states, in
consequence of the proximity of the war thereto. Should the
Turk's army come out this year, it will probaby not pass the
Levant, their preparations being so slow. Arcanio de Cornea, the
Pope's nephew, recently captured by the Siennese, has attempted
to escape in the apparel of a man of that country; but being
discovered by a confederate he is sent to Port Ercole in order to
be conveyed to France. 4,000 Grisons and 2,000 Swiss, levied by
the French King for relief of Sienna, are on their march thither:
they are sought to be impeded by the 5,000 Germans previously
mentioned, and others. "The French King, being half in a mistrust
of the help of the coming of the great devil to his aid, hath bargained with a less devil for the navy of Argel [Algiers], amounting
to the number of 20 vessels, whereof eight are gallies, and 12
foists and brigantines." The French army being now in Champagne, nothing as yet of the number reported attends the coming
of the 6,000 Swiss who are ready to march to that service;
and the Emperor being apprised of this by Martin Van Rosse,
who lies in Luxemburg, has ordered 12,000 Germans to the frontiers of Liege and Luxemburg, 6,000 of whom are already in
Triers or thereabouts. The Emperor is in very good estate of
body, and is able to walk two or three hours daily. He has
retired himself into a little house within a park, where he is not
much seen of others than the Queen, the Council, and such as be
privy about him, and where he dispatches such business as does not
admit of delay. All other matters he defers till the coming of his
son, which makes many suitors pray to God for his short arrival
into England. [Four pages.] |
June 5.
Santiago. |
216. The Earl of Bedford and Viscount Fitzwalter to the Council.
Inclose letter brought to them from the Prince of Spain by the
Marquis de Sarria, who arrived at Betanzos, where they then were,
on 20th May, having been detained on the road by a fall from his
horse, whereby he hurt his leg. He feasted and banqueted them at
his house near there; is a man of large property in Gallicia, and is
to accompany the Prince to England, whence he will proceed to
Rome in embassage from the Emperor. They arrived here on
30th May, and intend to reside till the Prince's coming, about the
15th. Mention the route to be taken by the Prince, and send
schedule of names of those who are to accompany him (not with
the letter). |
|
P.S.—The Prince is wont to be very sick at sea; in case he should
be desirous to land at the nearest point, suggest that preparations
for his reception may be made at Plymouth and along the neighbouring coast, although they will do their best to bring him to
Southampton, where all is ready for him. [Two pages. Printed
by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 408.] Incloses, |
|
216. I. Credentials of Marquis de Sarria, Valladolid, 30th
April. [Spanish. Half a page.] |
June 11.
Brussels. |
217. Sir John Masone to the Council. Thanks them for their letter,
it being to him right great "newelty" to hear any thing from his
country, especially from their Lordships; yet even in this his fortune
has been so ill that the same, as he perceives, having been written
on the 25th May, it remained so long after unsent that its keeper
was fain to alter the date to make it seem fresh. Is glad to hear of
the honourable entertainment of their Ambassadors in Spain; prays
God send shortly a good wind whereby both they and their master
may be blown safely into the realm. Will do what may conveniently be done in the matter of Mr. Clement. The English
merchants at Antwerp are very much dismayed on understanding
that it had been reported to the Council that some of them have
lewdly demeaned their tongues in matters touching the state of the
realm; they have made fruitless inquiries to discover the offenders,
and humbly desire to be informed of such names as may have been
mentioned to their Lordships. Must needs say that this last winter
there were undoubtedly some of them that used great liberty of
speech in matters above their reach, which then he signified to the
Council; but since his last coming he has not heard of any such,
although from time to time he has diligently inquired thereof.
With respect to Hawes, who has obtained a letter from the Council
to the merchants in his behalf, they have declared unto him the
case, whereby it does both appear the matter to be very ill, and
the man in the cloking thereof to have openly and wilfully perjured himself. This, at their request, he communicates to their
Lordships, with their humble petition that their decree for the
penalty of his misdoing, whereof more than the one half is
diminished at his own suit, may take place: for so long as all men
shall hope to have their punishment released by favourable letters
of the Council, so long will they not care what good and wholesome
orders they shall break. [One page.] |
June 11.
Brussels. |
218. Same to Queen Mary. The Turk will condescend neither
to a peace nor a truce with the King of the Romans, unless
Queen Isabella and her son be admitted to the whole proportion of
Transylvania, for restoring of whom by force, if by treaty the same
cannot take place, he has taken order with such as are left to
govern under him during his absence. Many wise men think, if
these news be correct, that King Ferdinand were better upon an
assured peace quite to give up Transylvania, than by endeavouring
to keep it, of which the Turk has already a good part, put the rest
of Hungary in hazard. That such is not his view appears by his
having sent to levy 4,000 horse in Bohemia, and a number more
in Hungary; the success being very doubtful, considering his own
poverty and lack of friends, and that his brother's hands are already
full. Enters at great length upon the many evils likely to befall
Christendom in consequence of this, and impresses strongly upon
her Majesty the propriety of her exerting herself to attempt the
mediation of a peace both for the general interests of Europe and
her own realm. If even for three or four years she may enjoy the
commodity of such a peace, that peace which she has begun between
the realm and God might in that time be brought to a full perfection. "The new and tender branch newly grafted, being subject
yet to shaking and every little wagging of the wind, should be so
fastened and grown into the whole tree as no danger of any blast
were afterwards to be feared. The people which be yet diversely
drawn, some by opinions and some by other means, may in that
time grow to one conformity; and your empty coffers shall have
something in them, to be able to strive with such storms as by any
malicious enemy might fall unto the realm." Even though such
effort should be unsuccessful, God shall the rather preserve her
Majesty, "even like, as willing the Apostles entering into any house
to say 'peace be here,' he promiseth, in case peace would not there
take place, yet at the least reverteretur ad illos." The Emperor
daily increases his army; his Germans and Frieslanders, consisting
of 15,000 foot and 3,000 horse, are stationed on the frontiers of
Triers and Liege, in such readiness that they may be here, if necessary, in six or seven days. He has also ten ensigns of Germans in
Germany, in such sort that they could be here in twelve days or a
fortnight. He has moreover furnished Thionville with 5,000
Germans, and all these frontiers are garrisoned; of Burgundians and
others of the Low Countries, he has 3,000, and of Spaniards 2,500;
so that when he pleases he may set on the field five or six and
twenty thousand. He has ordered the Imperial ban to be put in
execution against Marquis Albert; the effect of which is that his
body, lands, and goods, are at the pleasure of any that will or can
lay hands upon them. The Diet proceeds, notwithstanding the
Princes' requests to the contrary, but none of the estates have yet
resorted to it saving three or four bishops and the agent of the
Duke of Cleves. To allure these Princes and estates nevertheless to
repair there more willingly, the Emperor has authorized them to
proceed and determine as freely and fully in all things as if he were
present. The 400,000 crowns granted to the Emperor for Brabant,
and the like amount for Flanders, are to be levied upon merchandise: in this Antwerp and Brussels have much and long sticked,
with request that the same should be levied by acre upon the
ground, alleging the hindrance of traffic that may ensue, seeing the
whole wealth of the country depends upon trade. The inclosed
abstracts of certain letters from the French Ambassador in Switzerland will show what bruits the French King sows in Germany to
the disadvantage of the Emperor. No tidings of the coming of the
Turk's army by sea; but the French King has bargained with
Sala Reis, Governor of Algiers, for his navy, which is said to have
already arrived at Marseilles. The Duke of Savoy is appointed to
be general of the army in these parts; it was thought to have
been assigned to John Baptista Castaldo. Castaldo has sent her
Majesty a fair present, the parcels whereof are a cushion of purple
satin perfumed and richly wrought, a pair of beads, made of perfumed matter and garnished with gold, and a great many boxes
of sweet soap. These being consigned to Masone, he has sent them
to Antwerp to be conveyed by sea to Lord Paget, whom Castaldo
has required to present them to her Majesty. When on the point
of closing his letter, is informed that the King of the Romans has
dismissed out of Hungary 7,000 Spaniards to serve the Emperor in
Italy and elsewhere he may appoint; this, if true, gives better
promise of peace between him and the Turk than seemed probable
when he commenced writing. The matters of Sienna hang yet
in balance. Last Friday, the Ambassadors of the Kings of Bohemia
and the Romans left for England, intending to remain at Dunkirk
or Gravelines until they hear of the Prince's landing or approaching
the realm; but in the mean season they will pass their horses and
the most part of their train. To-morrow departs towards her
Majesty, Regente Figueroa, one of the Emperor's Privy Council.
He is of a noble house, and a right wise and grave counsellor, whose
errand is to attend for a time upon the Prince and advise him in
such things as may tend to the demeaning of him and his to the
contentation of the realm, and after a month or somewhat more to
go to Spain. The Emperor is in right good plight, and was not
more lusty these four years than he is at this present. [Four pages
and a half.] Incloses, |
|
218. I. Extracts of letters of 6th and 12th April from the
French Ambassador in Switzerland, as to the Prince's
voyage to England, Cardinal Pole's unsuccessful treating
of peace in France, the Emperor's desire to coerce Germany, the movements of French troops, and reported death
of the Duke of Prussia. [Latin. One page and a half.] |
June 11.
Brussels. |
219. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Castaldo had sent to
him a fair present and relative letter for her Majesty, desiring the
same should be presented to her by Lord Paget. Understanding
that his Lordship has departed towards Hampton [Southampton],
has forwarded them by Antwerp to the care of Petre, whom he
requests to see them delivered to the Queen, and be the mean to
her that the party may understand by three or four words that
they came safe to her hands. Three or four of the merchants
of Antwerp have been to him to purge themselves of the charges
made against them; they suspect these have been falsely imputed
to them by some such as, having forfeited certain sums of money
for violent breaking of their honest orders here, think to shift off
the payment by the discrediting of them at home. The case of
Hawes is a bad one; leaves it in the hands of Petre, who has
ever been wont to be a man of orders, and whom he has often
heard find fault with these kinds of shifting by letters from the
Council. The impropriety of such. Has written a babbling letter
to her Majesty touching his wishes of a peace, induced by D'Arras
having informed him that the French King had said to Wotton
that he would sooner hearken to a mediation at her hands,
than at those of any other prince this day living. [Three pages.] |
| June 12. |
220. Memorial by Queen Mary to Thomas Gresham, Esquire,
her Majesty's agent in Flanders, for the purposes ensuing. After
narrating the respective sums to be borrowed and the lenders
thereof, he is desired,— |
|
1. To embark from Dartmouth or Plymouth for Spain, taking
with him this memorial and the Emperor's licence. |
|
2. Before departing to commune with such merchants in London,
English or foreign, as traffic with Spain, with a view to getting
them to deliver here to the Queen's use the sums they shall have
occasion to employ in Spain, which he shall there repay them
out of the money to be received to her Majesty's use; provided
always no loss of exchange or interest ensue. |
|
3. If the Prince of Spain be not departed thence before the first
payment, he is to confer with the Earl of Bedford, Keeper of the
Privy Seal, and according to his advice distribute amongst the best
and safest ships of the fleet that are to accompany the Prince
the treasure which he has received, so as not to adventure more
than 5,000l. in one bottom. |
|
4. In case the Prince be come from thence before the receipt
of the money, he is to send over by way of exchange, to be repaid
at sight to the Queen here, or at Antwerp, as much of the money
as he can. |
|
5. He is to have the rest of the money sent over in ships, so
that no more than 8,000l. be adventured on one bottom. |
|
6. He is to furnish 10,000l. and send it to Ireland. |
|
7. His diets, hitherto 20s. a day, are to be increased by 10s. a
day until his return out of Spain. [Seven pages.] |
June 14.
Soissons. |
221. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Although Petre
takes it that great suit was made for audience to open very little
matter; yet, as it was handled, matter enough might come of it.
Nevertheless believes the person came for another purpose, and rather
to see than to speak, for it was commonly noised here that her
Majesty was departed. As the Prince will shortly be in England,
desires to be informed how he shall use himself in his writings after
the Prince's arrival. [One page.] |
July 14.
Rheims. |
222. Same to Queen Mary. The French Queen and divers of
the Council are here, as also the different Ambassadors: being far
from the King's camp it is late before they hear any news, and then
only such as the Council pleases to publish. Since the King went
to the camp, on its march towards the Meuse they sacked and
burned Chimay, Beaumont, and Gienez, places without defence;
but they were subsequently obliged to make a small fortification
round the latter place for the surer conducting of their provisions
down the Meuse. For some time they lacked bread and wine;
especially bread, which was exceeding dear: wherefore all the
bakers in this town and those of the borders have been ordered
to the camp, except such as are absolutely necessary for the towns;
also all the masons that can be found, as well as all the cart-horses,
for conveying provisions and ammunition; which is a great displeasure to the husbandmen, who at this time have most need of
them at home. On the surrender of Marienburg the Captain was
not permitted to depart with the soldiers, but was brought prisoner
to Paris, which is thought to imply his complicity with the French.
The camp have since taken Bouvines in Namur: the defenders of
this small and unimportant town resisted two assaults with great
loss to the enemy, but on its being taken they were all either slain
or hanged. The town and castle of Dinant, belonging to the Bishop
of Luyke [Liege] have been taken: the former surrendered by
composition, without loss of goods; the latter, wherein were some
Spaniards, of whom Captain Julian who formerly served in England
was one, made a gallant resistance, but by weight of superior artillery at last held parliament and yielded, the soldiers departing with
their swords by their sides. The French were more glad to accept
these compositions, as 12 ensigns have entered Namur, the next
town on the Meuse, and about 10,000 or 12,000 men are encamped
in the neighbourhood, whom the King intends to visit, to offer them
fair play if they intend to make any sport. The Queen received
these news on Friday morning about 2 o'clock, and attended by all
the Court, went on foot from the Abbey of St. Remy, where she
lodges, to Nôtre Dame, the chief church here, to hear mass, and
return thanks to God for the good tidings. Thence also went some
of the greatest ladies, as the Duchesses of Guise and Valentinois, on
foot to divers other churches, for prayer and thanksgiving. It is
reported that part of the army has returned to besiege Avesnes;
but, if well manned and provisioned, it will likely stay them awhile.
The King has with him in camp one of the house of De la Marck, to
whom he has given the Abbey of Beaulieu and other promotions.
It is said he was once chosen to be Bishop of Luyke, but the
Emperor would not suffer him to enjoy it; but it is said the King
will now put him in possession of the see, driving out George of
Austria, the Emperor's uncle, who now is Bishop. It is said that
the Prince de la Roche sur Yonne and M. de Villebon command
10,000 men, wherewith they intend to besiege Renti. Is credibly
informed that Peter Carew is determined to leave France and go to
Italy, relying upon her Majesty's mercy; but expects to be more
certainly informed of this by Edward Randal, who will be here in a
day or two. [Two pages. The portion relating to Carew in cipher,
deciphered.] |
July 14.
Rheims. |
223. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Has not yet received
her Majesty's pleasure concerning Throckmorton, who, he is informed, continues his suit still to be received to mercy, and is now
driven to such extremity that he must needs serve in these wars,
having no other means whereby to live. But he will not, he
understands, serve with the rebels, and labours to be employed with
the Gascons. Would be glad to learn what answer to make concerning him. Yesterday Cardinal Tournon told one of the Ambassadors that it is understood the Prince of Spain has returned from
the sea-coast, because of the mortality among the soldiers that should
come with him: wherefore it is thought he will not be in England
so soon as expected. The siege of Sienna is said to be raised; save
that the Florentines have left 5,000 men in the forts near the town,
and that Pietro Strozzi is joined with the French aid of Italians
and others who were at Mirandola, so that he now seems to
be strong enough to resist the Duke of Florence. The latter is
said, however, to expect great succour shortly from Milan and
Naples. The French have embarked in their own navy a number
of troops for Sienna; and they say that the navy of Algiers joins
that of France to conduct it safely, but it is thought Prince Doria is
ready to meet them by the way, as strong, or stronger than they are.
[One page. The first portion, relating to Throckmorton, in cipher,
deciphered.] |
June 16.
Venice. |
224. Peter Vannes to Queen Mary. Prays for her success. Since
she has overcome her enemies she will be the more likely to
bear more equably, even to hold in contempt the few words
which he shall write. About a month ago a servant of his, one
William Page, native of London, whom he employed at the
recommendation of others, and of whose assistance he has availed
himself both as a domestic and in writing English letters for the
last two years and a half, but who is also a headstrong and
obstinate youth, most atrociously beat, in Vannes' absence, a boy
whom he had left at home. Upon his return had inquired both
of the English and Italians the cause of this. These all agreed in
saying that nothing had been either said or done by the boy which
could by rights offend, and that a gentle admonition would have
sufficed. Next day when his anger had somewhat subsided, Vannes
privately inquired of his godson Peter Oviat [Wyat ?], an Englishman, (a youth of rather a simple character, servant of Wm. Patten,
well-known in the Royal Household,) whether he had perceived
any previous disagreement between Page and the boy. Oviat
replied that he had frequently heard Page admonishing the other
English servants to beware of what they said before the boy, as
he was a spy of Vannes; and then tremblingly advised him to be
careful of Page because he saw from his frequent disrespectful
speeches that he was very ill-disposed towards his master. Had
treated these remarks with contempt, having already discovered
Page's evil mind from certain letters of his which had been intercepted by an enemy, but had pardoned him at his own petition,
because he was English and in hopes of his reformation. Incloses
a schedule (lost), containing in Oviat's own hand the atrocious
remarks of Page, which he has kept a secret. Meanwhile, after
observing as far as he could with whom Page was chiefly intimate,
he applied to the chief magistrates, explaining the matter in general
terms, and asking for the apprehension of the offender, with a view
to his public examination. They postponed their reply for a more
careful investigation, and at length answered that the matter was
one of great moment, quietly refusing to grant the request. Cannot
divine the cause of this, Page being unknown, and of no influence;
but thinks the Seigniory chiefly desire that good and bad shall
have equal liberty of living and impunity of wickedness in matters
that do not touch the Republic itself. Will do all to compass his
object, even if he have to proceed to Mantua, Ferrara, or the
dominions of the Emperor for a time. If her Majesty desires to
write to the Venetians let her send secret letters to him, so that
he may execute her commands privily with the many English who
daily flock hither. Meanwhile he intends to try if the Duke of
Ferrara or of Mantua will grant what the Venetians have refused;
but reminds her that those robbers who rage with hunger and
madness should be rather rejected and despised. Advises her to
command one of her councillors to summon Francis Donato, a
Venetian merchant who, he thinks, has lately arrived in England,
and ask him a friendly manner what he heard from any Englishman
of words similar to those in the schedule, with whom of those in
Vannes' suite he had words before he left Venice, his informant,
and what were the words of the conversation. Of the author's
name Vannes could elicit from his informant no more, as he feared
perhaps to injure one who had spoken to him in confidence. [Latin.
Three pages.] |
June 16.
Venice. |
225. Peter Vannes to Queen Mary. As he was at the point of
packing his letters, being somewhat sick in bed, the Secretary of the
new Duke of Venice, Signor Francisco Venerio, came to him. The
Duke is a man of great virtue and estimation in the state, lusty,
and of no decrepit age, knows well England, where he has resided
as a merchant, and has always, as occasion served, exalted that
country highly, praising especially Kings Henry the Seventh
and Eighth, and her Majesty's self. He has sent to Vannes his
letter to her Majesty declaring his election, with loving offers
of service, which she will receive herewith. Prays her to command answer to be made to it with a loving letter much
praising his virtuous qualities, for such kind of proceeding is here
well and honourably taken; it is to be sent to Vannes to be
delivered, and besides being read openly with much honour will
serve sometime some good purpose. The letter to the Duke to be
in Latin. His other letters give advertisement of the great preparations for the war in Tuscany. Will not fail to give attention to
the business of Sir John Leigh which her Majesty recommends to
him. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] |
June 20.
Brussels. |
226. Sir John Masone to same. Had received the Council's
letter of 8th ult., with that of her Majesty to the Emperor, touching a licence for bringing 3,000,000 crowns out of Spain. Although
he perceives that her Grace at that time was not aware that a
great piece of the matter was before dispatched by a safe conduct
delivered to Mr. Gresham, wherewith he was departed into England,
yet he repaired to the Emperor and delivered her letter. After
some talk as to the discontent which might be bred in Spain by
the bringing out of such great sums, and the difficulty he had found
in the drawing of money thence for his own service, the Emperor
said he would talk thereon with such as had to do with the finances
of Spain, and should give him his answer in a day or two. Has
not yet received such reply, but supposes, as immediately after
leaving the Emperor a post had been dispatched into England, that
her Majesty has been answered by the Ambassador there. Meantime he has received a passport for 600 barrels of powder, which he
has sent to Gresham's factor at Antwerp. The Emperor's army
will be in the field on the 24th, about Namur. If the French
advance to Bapaume or Cambray, as the bruit is they will, then
the army will move in that direction: if they do not, then it is said
they shall be sought near home, and that Ardres shall be assailed.
The army is in number about 34,000 or 35,000 foot, and 6,000
horse; in addition to which 10,000 foot and 4,000 or 5,000 horse are
being prepared. The Captain-General is the Duke of Savoy; his
assistants and councillors, John Baptista Castaldo and Signor
Anthony Doria, two such personages as the like were hard to be
found either in this Court or elsewhere. The Master of the Camp
is M. de Benincourt, and when the whole army is assembled it will
be one of the fairest these many years levied by the Emperor.
God send money enough! Last Monday, the 9th, there was a great
fire in Luxemburg, taking in four quarters of the town at one
time, whereby the substance thereof is quite brent, with great part
of the munition for defence. A large portion of the artillery is so
parched that it is past service. The origin of the fire is unknown,
but it is thought to have been by treason of the enemy, and
Marquis Albert is not out of suspect of the compassing thereof, who
having no safe dwelling in his own country, has lately retired to
Metz. Regente Figueroa, who departed yesterday, is the bearer to
her Majesty from hence of the story of the taking of Tunis, made in
tapestry, which, as she will see, is one of the fairest pieces of work
that has been made in these times. If the subjects of the Duke of
Florence are true to their allegiance, though the contrary is to be
feared, his success is likely to be good, as the Pope inclines indirectly
to his favour. [Two pages.] |
June 20.
Brussels. |
227. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Acknowledges his
letter of the 7th, received on the 11th. Sir Philip Hoby arrived
here on the 14th, and still remains with him, waiting the Emperor's
pleasure for the delivery of her Majesty's letter; in the mean season
he passes his time amongst physicians and chirurgeons, communing
with them touching the recovery of his health. Their advice is,
that he shall first essay what success he shall find with the drinking
of the water at Liege, and in case he find not there such help
as he desires, then to repair to the bains of Pau, and to use
the commodity of them in the month of September, as he mindeth
to do, unless her Majesty commands him to make a shorter return,
which he is most ready to do on her pleasure being known, health
and all other respects set aside. Has written to Lord Paget to
help him to one that has the French language, whom he may use
as his secretary in his business with this Court. Hears one Peyto
much commended; if he is disposed to go abroad, and not otherwise
employed, would be glad of him. [One page.] |
June 22.
Naples. |
228. The Cardinal of Burgos [Pacheco de Ceralbo] to Queen
Mary. Being unable to pay his respects in person to her Majesty,
sends his nephew, Pedro Pacheco, to do so. [Spanish. One
page.] |
June 26.
Brussels. |
229. Sir John Masone to same. On Tuesday the 19th, the
Duke of Savoy, Castaldo, and Doria entered into Cambray by
post, because the French were said to be not far off from that town,
and because a practice had been discovered for delivery of it and
its castle to the French King. The chief deviser of this practice
was the engineer who had constructed that and other fortresses in
those parts; he has been sent prisoner to Valenciennes. The hope
of so obtaining these was probably the cause of the French King
setting himself to the field at that time; but seeing the plot has
come to light, he has retired with no great company, minding,
nevertheless, to seek advantage at Avesnes, or some other piece
where train or sudden force may take place. After the Duke and
the others have seen to the safety of Cambray, and made full
examination into the details of the treason, they will return to the
army, which is not yet in the field, but so posted that they can be
assembled in a few hours. Such is the poverty of the frontiers,
especially for horse-meat, that it is impossible to keep the field but
with such provision as must for the time be brought out of the
under parts of the country. Wherefore the Emperor intends, after
he has mustered the troops which are in readiness, to distribute
them in different quarters, whence they may be easily called at
short warning, until he perceives the full meaning of the enemy.
The French King is not in such force that he can attempt any
great enterprise; his Swiss, who are the great strength of his infantry, being not yet come to him, for lack of money, as is supposed.
His horsemen have run up and down the country between St.
Quentin and Cambray, as far as Cambresis; which quarter is so
spoiled, as their overcoming it now neither has made nor could have
made it much worse. Marquis Albert having provided himself
with 200 horses out of Metz, and made shift for 300 more among
his friends, entered lately with them into Sueinfort, an imperial
town usurped by him three years past, and which for the last three
or four months has been besieged by the Bishops and confederates.
But finding all things desperate there, after setting the munition
and such things as pleased him on fire, he left during night, with
the 500 horse and 1,500 foot who have so long endured the siege,
so secretly that it was not known till next morning that the town
was abandoned On his way towards Thuringia he was encountered by the Duke of Brunswick, who defeated and slew the
substance of his band; and he himself escaped by flight, with only
seven or eight horses in his company. So often down and so often
up again, thinks there was never none; but now there is nothing
to fear at his hand, since the only poor castle belonging to him,
Plassenberg, cannot longer hold out. Had his plans not been
detected in the beginning of the year, the Emperor had at one time
between him and the French King been assailed in Friesland,
Utrecht, Guelderland, Luxemburg, and Thionville. Another
treason has very lately been brought to light: there had been a
plan to set the munition in the Castle of Naples on fire, when, the
soldiers being engaged in its suppression, the castle should have
been surprised by men ready for that purpose. This much increases
the suspicion that the fire in Luxemburg had been devised by the
French, who build a good piece of the foundation of their successes
on such practices. No certain news from Hungary of truce or
peace. The Emperor has offered Africa, which three years ago he
won from the Moors, to the Knights of the Order, with 20,000
crowns a year towards keeping it; but the Religion, after consultation, have humbly declined it, on the ground that they are far
unable to maintain a piece of such charges as that requires. This
refusal is ascribed to the French King's persuasion of the Grand
Master of the Order, being desirous to see the Emperor's charges
augmented rather than diminished. It is now believed for certain
that the Turk's navy comes forward to the number of between 50
and 60 sail, to be joined by Sala Reis, with 30 vessels and 20 gallies
of the French King. This will much hinder the affairs of Florence
and Corsica. The Emperor is now in so good case that he is
able to arm himself, and is on horseback in his park sometimes
three hours together. In consequence of the Duke of Savoy being
sent to the field sooner than he expected, is obliged to send an
Ambassador to her Majesty, instead of visiting her personally, as
he would gladly have done. [Two pages and a half.] |
June 26.
Brussels. |
230. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Is written to from
a sort of poor men serving in England painfully for the conveyance of letters, to help them to some money. The passengers
with letters between Dover and Calais having long time been
unpaid, let not also to put him in remembrance of such money
as is due to them. Beseeches Petre, as the time will serve, to
put his aiding hand to the helping of so poor a company; and
for the passengers, thinks it well if they might be paid out of
the treasury of Calais. The Emperor and Court here hang in the
same expectations that he is sure they do in England, and a great
piece of their passengers is to inquire one of the other which
way the wind doth blow. If the French were so puissant as
they have bragged they would have been by this time, the occasion
of the Prince's long tarrying might have served them to some
purpose. Here are plenty of troops to beard the enemy without
hazard; but money lacks, which detains John of Nassau with his
bands in Germany, as also those of the Truchses, cousins to the
Cardinal of Augsburg, and the forces of the Duke of Brunswick.
The help of this matter is looked for out of the navy of Spain,
besides the number of soldiers, whereof is here made a great
account. God hold them at the least one year in peace, being so
unmeet for the wars as Vœ illis! whensoever they enter thereunto.
[One page.] |
