|
| Nov. 3. |
1216. [Coels] to the Queen. |
|
1. A long letter full of the most exaggerated flattery, in
which the writer desires that she will have some consideration for him for losses sustained at Malines through the
Spaniards. |
|
2. Protests his great devotion to the welfare of her realm,
and amongst other services states that Dame Margaret
Stanley can bear witness to the information which he sent
from Malines at the time when the Count of Feria sought to
cause "la divorsion," for which the unfortunate Calderon
suffered death.—Cologne, 3 Nov. 1573. Signed.
Add. Fr. Pp. 4½. |
| Nov. 3. |
1217. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. The King of Poland will come by Metz through
Germany. The death of the Duke of Prussia without heirs
is likely to produce troubles. |
|
2. The fleet of the King of Spain has gone to attack Tunis,
and that of the Turks has sailed towards the Levant. The
Huguenots of Languedoc have taken many towns and
castles, and amongst others two places in Avignon. M.
de Foix has been sent from the King of Poland to the
princes of Italy and the Venetians. This day the new
Bishop of Augsburg made his entry with a train of 400
horsemen and many of the nobility.—Augsburg, 3 Nov.
1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1. |
| Nov. 7. |
1218. —to Giacomo Spinola. |
|
Venice, 7 Nov. 1573.—News of the movements of the
Turkish fleet. Death of the poet Count Hercole Bentivoglio.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1. |
| Nov. 7. |
1219. Advices. |
|
Rome, 7th November 1573.—Great booty of oil, wool,
and other merchandize at the taking of Tunis. Movements
of troops. Birth of a monster at Bagnocavello. Rumour
of the intended marriage of Don John with a princess
of Lorraine. |
|
Vienna, 31 Oct. 1573.—News from Transylvania.
Ital. Pp. 3½. |
| Nov. 11. |
1220. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. The Pope is very much incensed at the loss of his places
in Avignon. |
|
2. The French King has sent his Swiss troops against the
Huguenots, who have taken many towns and fortresses in
different parts of France, and are daily increasing in numbers. It is reported that there is great jealousy between
the Kings of France and Poland. The Duke of Prussia is
alive, and is said to have married the sister of the Duke of
Cleves. Understands that Dukes Christopher and Casimir,
the sons of the Elector Palatine, have publicly admitted that
they were the authors of the destruction of the gunpowder,
which they would justify before the Emperor. Don John
is said to have taken Tunis, but the fleet under Andrea
Doria has been prevented by storms from joining him. Don
Alvaro de Sandes, governor of Milan, has lately died. The
treasury at Venice is nearly empty, as they have spent in
the Turkish war 3,600,000 crowns.—Augsburg, 11 Nov.
1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Lat. Pp. 1¼. |
| Nov. 12. |
1221. Thomas Morgan to Lord Burghley. |
|
The rumour of the Duke of Alva being in Amsterdam
straitly used by the burghers is but according to the old use
prognostications of his victories. There is no better likelihood but that this state will be much weakened through the
ill government and unskilful dealings in their martial affairs.
The Hague, a very fair and pleasant unwalled town, was by
the advice of M. de St. Aldegonde begun to be fortified, for
the guarding whereof were placed five ensigns Dutch and
one Walloon, who upon intelligence of the enemy's coming
retired to Delft without resistance. The enemy, who are
4,000 strong under Julian Romero, are entrenched at a stone
bridge half way between the Hague and Delft, and have cut
off the passage between that town and Leyden. The Prince
has burnt the houses outside the walls of Delft towards the
Hague, together with a fair mansion house which might
very well have been kept with 200 men, and much annoyed
the enemy. Maesland Sluice, which was begun also to be
fortified, was lost on the 4th inst., together with a very
pretty fisher town called Ulerdingh, for the said six ensigns
which came from the Hague fled immediately upon sight of
the enemy and left the place, which 300 men might well
have kept against 1,000. There was taken by the enemy
M. de St. Aldegonde and 130 soldiers, and now they are in
great possibility to do much hurt upon the Maes, and to visit
the islands for his provisions. The Prince's camp is broken
up by reason that Holland did not victual them sufficiently;
they have left the trenches before Middleburg, and at their
departure the enemy pursued them. The Prince about the
6th October sent for Morgan, and willed him to make up his
accounts, for that he was determined to discharge him, as
there were others who would serve him better cheap.
Accordingly he made them up and exhibited them on the
13th October, since which time he has been kept here
through the delays and the uncertain answers of the States
and the Prince's commissioners. Complains of their unjust
dealings and evil usage of the English. The companies which
remain with him being between 500 and 600 strong are rather
suffered to eat upon the poor inhabitants of Westmaes than now
in this necessity employed. There is neither credit or profit
to be gained here, such is their daily disobedience, divisions,
and dishonourable dealings. Has with his friends and a
great many good soldiers entered so far into the cause
and seen so much that they would be very glad to save
themselves, or to be some reasonable losers. Great and intolerable taxes have been raised and continually paid by the
commons, and yet neither soldier or merchant has been
satisfied. M. de Poyet has been evil used by the Governor
of Flushing, and the Walloons in Zealand do much grudge at
the Frenchmen. Julian Romero lies still at the Hague, and
has sent divers letters to the Prince, and requires earnestly to
talk with him. The Grave Vander Mark [Count de la Mark]
is prisoner at the Rammekins, and the Walloons and seamen
murmured much thereat, saying that the Prince and the
States do him wrong.—Delft, 12 Nov. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3. |
| Nov. 12. |
1222. The Prince of Orange to Walsingham. |
|
Has information that certain Italians under pretence of
making a voyage for their affairs into Ireland are equipping
ships in England for the service of the King of Spain in order
to join with the ships at Antwerp for the relief of Middle
burg; he therefore desires that he will procure the Queen to
forbid these practices in her realm, which are so prejudicial to
the cause. Delft, 12 Nov. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 1. |
| Nov. 12. |
1223. Ferniehurst to Sir John Forster. |
|
Since his last writing not only the town of Jedburgh, but
also the men of war that remain therein, daily cut and destroy
his woods, harass his tenants, and slay his deer. Desires him
to write to the Queen to get the men of war transported out
of Jedburgh, for if his woods and deer be destroyed in this
manner, it will force him to run another course for his relief,
which he would be loth to do. 12 November. Signed.
Add. P. 2/3. |
| Nov. 13. |
1224. The Regent of Scotland to Lord Burghley. |
|
Looked for some more particular answers in the matters he
delivered to Killegrew than as yet he has received, so is constrained newly to importune him specially for the discharge
of the indent made touching the recompense of pieces, powder,
and shot, and also to grant to the King some support of
money and powder. Prays that commandment may be sent
to the treasurer of Berwick to deliver the ordnance pertaining
to the King which was in Home Castle; he has refused to
deliver them without a new commandment as they are not
marked with the King's arms; if this allegation were admitted, it would be difficult to prove the King's ordnance
to be his as they were for the most part founded in the
parts beyond sea. Is a suitor that Sir Simon Musgrave
keeper of Bewcastle, whom he has always found honest and
forward in the advancing of justice, may be granted the
stewardship of Gillesland, now in the holding of Thomas
Carlton, servant to the late Duke of Norfolk; the joining of
the two offices would make him more strong and able to
concur with the opposite officers, as he should be called upon,
and would breed great quiet to the peaceable subjects of the
Borders. Sends a copy of Robert Melvil's examination. Dalkeith, 13 November 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 12/3. |
| Nov. 13. |
1225. Notes from Scotland. |
|
The causes that induced the council and nobility to fear
the French intentions to reduce Scotland to their absolute
obedience in the Queen Regent's time were very diverse, and
would "contain" a large volume if the matter were fully discoursed. Her pretence to have had an importable new exaction
of all the subjects, as she spake to maintain the laws, so far
proceeded as commandment passed to every parish to know the
names and number of the inhabitants, and the value of their
lands and goods. She sought to have had in her power the
salt and coal throughout the whole realm, but her intents
were resisted. The laws and "louable" customs were by her
and the Frenchmen placed in the public offices changed and
perverted, to the danger and unsurety of the lives and livings
of divers noblemen, through the captious interpretation of the
ancient assessments of their lands and privileges, driving all
things to the French form, so that no man was certain or
could conveniently dress his cause. Of the eight ambassadors
that passed into France for the marriage of the Queen with
the Dauphin, four with sundry gentlemen of their train were
poisoned, as was supposed, and died at Dieppe. Some began to
fear the French intentions towards the conquest of Scotland,
seeing the arms of Scotland placed directly under the arms of
France on the right side as a purchase, hearing therewith that
the Dauphin's ambassador had made homage to the Pope for
the kingdom of Scotland, howbeit nothing was granted to
him but the crown matrimonial. The travails for the marriage of the King's father, then Lord Darnley, are thought
chiefly to have proceeded of the Earls Murray and Athol,
being both of surname Stewarts, and desirous to have one of
the same race and name matched with the Queen, but the
circumstances thereof are not fully known, but may best be declared of Margaret, Countess of Lennox, of any now living.
That the Queen sought the crown of England after Queen
Mary's death cannot be verified in the registers and records of
Scotland; it is true at her homecoming a great quantity of
her plate was marked with arms, bearing quarterly the arms of
England, and some clothes broidered with the same arms.
Robert Melvil's declaration of his knowledge of the Queen's
marriage with the Duke of Norfolk is written with his own
hand; if it fully satisfy not, he shall be inquired thereupon
anew. Touching the lands and offices Lethington had of
the Scottish Queen, he had the office of chief secretary,
when he was placed in the Queen Regent's government,
which was worth one thousand Scottish marks by the year;
he had Strathnairn and Cullard of the Laird of Findlater,
when Findlater was restored to his living after the death
and execution of John Gordon, and the same lands were
given to the Earl of Murray for his lands in Cunninghame.
The lands of Cunninghame were by Lethington given to the
Laird of Bass for sundry parcels in Lothian. He had the
feu of the temporal lands of the Abbey of Haddington and
the abbey itself, which the Earl of Bothwell coming into credit
dispossessed him of. He had two parts of the lands of Bolton
in Lothian, and the lands of Dernik in feu of the Abbot of
Melrose. He had the priory of Coldinghame to his brother
John Maitland. His father, himself, his brother, and his
cousin Robert were lords of the session, and his cousin
was Dean of Aberdeen and one of the Commissioners of
Edinburgh. Bothwell having spent his whole patrimony, was
made lieutenant-general over all the Borders; he got the Abbey
of Melrose, the Abbey of Haddington, the castle and lordship
of Dunbar, he was made captain of Edinburgh Castle, and
Duke of Orkney . . . . . . . . . . . he had delivered to him
of the Queen's jewels worth twenty or thirty thousand
crowns.
Dated and Endd. by Burghley. Mutilated. Pp. 2¼. |
| Nov. 14. |
1226. —to Giacomo Spinola. |
|
1. Venice, 14 Nov. 1573.—Great festivities and banqueting
at Venice. |
|
2. Quarrel between two gentlemen. Return of Soranza
from Spain. Doubt of the departure of the King of Poland
for his dominions. Delay of the Turk in ratifying the
treaty.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1. |
| Nov. 16. |
1227. Robert Ardern to Lord Burghley. |
|
Thinks it his bounden duty to advertise him of the great
abuses and untrue dealings by merchant strangers being
Scots, as also by some Englishmen, who daily convey over
the dry Marches sundry kinds of commodities not answering
the customs liable for the same, besides the unlawful trades
in conveying horses, tanned leather, and raw hides into Scotland. By reason of the amity between England and Scotland,
and disliking between France, Flanders, and the same countries, the trade is much more frequent than heretofore. It
may therefore please him to direct commission whereby remedy
may be provided. Has since Michaelmas procured sundry of
the garrison to be secretly upon the frontier to intercept such
as he had intelligence used the trade, who have lighted upon
some petty merchants, but the great ones for want of full
authority have escaped. If he took such order that the trade
of merchandise pass only through this port according to the
ancient statute, the customs will be much more profitable.—
Berwick, 16 Nov. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| Nov. 18. |
1228. Pietro Bizarri to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. Arrival of Don John of Austria at Tunis, which he found
deserted. Fortification at the Goletta and capture of Biserta.
The Turks have fortified Navarino, where they have left 40
galleys. |
|
2. The Pope is making warlike preparations to go into
Avignon against the Huguenots. The Duke of Prussia has
recovered from his sickness and married the sister of the
Duke of Cleves. Certain envoys on their return towards
Poland have been attacked and plundered by reiters near the
Abbey of Fulda. The Elector of Saxony has called together
all his colonels and captains at Torgau.—Augsburg, 18 Nov.
1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. Pp. 2. |
| Nov. 18. |
1229. Dr. Valentine Dale to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. Has spoken with the Marshal de Retz of the coming of
Mr. Randolph. The King has taken such a cold in hunting,
that he is compelled to remain at Vitri in a little unhandsome inn, looking daily for the Queen Mother and the King
of Poland, who came not till the 8th. Their stay was
difficultas rei nummariæ. Men were hardly induced presently to disburse such great sums, the most provision was
made among the merchant Italians. The Queen Mother had
to furnish very richly six chambers for the King of Poland.
Suddenly there was a rumour spread of the death of the
Queen, but sent to the Court and reported it to be untrue.
Despatched one to Rouen who brought letters and good news.
By means of these things there was slender provision made for
Mr. Randolph. Cauriana, a Florentine physician, has sent to
the Queen a history in Latin; has never seen anything
so well written of the French matters in this age. Touching
the negotiations of Mr. Randolph, the Marshal de Retz is
appointed to accompany the king elect to Poland, so they
are constrained to go to Metz to treat with the Queen Mother,
else they should want the Marshal's presence. There is no
outward appearance of the pox upon the King, but he is very
pale and weak, and his flesh much fallen away.—Vitri le
Brusle, 18 Nov. 1573. Signed. |
|
2. P.S. Understands how much he is bound to him touching
the Deanery of Wells. For the archdeaconry of Surrey, if the
Queen might please he should keep it for some time for his
service here, she should find it employed in her service, with
all he can make besides. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
| Nov. 20. |
1230. The Marshal de Retz to Lord Burghley. |
|
Thanks him for his good remembrance of him, which he
earnestly desires occasion to return. Refers him for all
matters to the bearer, who will acquit himself favourably
therein.—Nancy, 25 Nov. 1573. Signed.
Add. with seal. Endd. Fr. P. ¾. |
| Nov. 20. |
1231. Catherine de Medici to the Queen. |
|
Has received her letters by Mr. Randolph. Touching the
traffic of merchants and other matters, refers her to his sufficiency to make full report thereon. Nancy, 20 Nov. 1573.
Signed: Caterine. Brulart.
Add. Endd. Broadside. |
| Nov. 21. |
1232. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley and Sir
Walter Mildmay. |
|
Yesterday received their letter of an information by Mr.
Lichfield that by virtue of the Queen's warrant he received
in the second year of her reign 273l. for the taking of the
accounts of officers and others then in these parts, whereof it
is supposed he had 158l. more than he ought to have done,
for that at the same time he was appointed treasurer of the
field towards Leith. What special sums he received are out
of his memory, and so are his particular travails, wherein he
hopes that, his clerks that had charge under him being dead,
this answer may be accepted. True it is he was ordered to
repair to these parts as an auditor, and was afterwards
commanded to the service of the field, being another function,
continuing his other office of auditorship all that whole year.
If either of his clerks were living, or his books, abstracts, or
other documents in his hands, he could make it evident that
they did try, cast, and examine all the books, and hereabouts
they gave attendance upon the Court of Prests and the auditors
above a year. Trusts he shall be favourably heard, as he
did not receive so long as he and his clerks lay thereupon.
It is further informed by Mr. Lichfield that being appointed
to be treasurer for Leith did take 30s. more per diem than the
Queen's warrant allowed him, amounting to 240l.; he did not
presume to take or enter into his books any penny more of
allowance than the Queen assigned him; he calls to mind finding his charges in that place far to surmount the strict allowance, and that he did make petition to have such allowances as
the treasurers for the field in France or Scotland formerly had,
and the allowance was given him after report made to the
Queen of his travail and petition, which, in his opinion, is
taken to be of as great validity as if it had passed by warrant
under the Great Seal. By the great hurt done to the old
walls of the town by great rages of fresh water and tempests
from the sea, the prison is so undermined that it is now
abandoned, and about 100 poles so undermined as it is in
great danger to fall, and so let the sea into the storehouses
and lower parts of the town. If it fall 10,000l. will not set
it up, and that in long time; so prays that Johnson the
surveyor may be dispatched with speed, with direction of his
opinion for repairing the same. The Regent has received
letters from the Prince of Orange for aid of more men of war,
which he will do with all speed; he has caused Black Ormiston,
who was the chief slaughterer of the late king, to be apprehended, with divers others outlaws, upon whom he minds to
execute justice; he is yet upon the Borders and keeps courts
of oyer.—Berwick, 21 November 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| [Nov.] |
1233. Revenue Accounts. |
|
Accounts of money received at various times by Sir
Valentine Browne from the treasuries of Northumberland and
York.
Endd. by Burghley. Pp. 2. |
| Nov. 25. |
1234. Pietro Bizarri to Burghley. |
|
Proceedings at Tunis. The King of Spain makes earnest
request to the Pope to remove Cardinal Borromeo from
Milan. M. de Foix is at Venice waiting for a new commission
from the King. The Pope refuses to receive him or to appoint
him Cardinal until he clears himself of certain past matters
with the Inquisition. It is reported that the King of Spain
has recalled Don John for the purpose of sending him into
Flanders as governor.—Augsburg, 25 Nov. 1573. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1. |
| Nov. |
1235. Occurrents in France. |
|
They of Paris have made a restraint that no wine shall
pass down the river to Rouen, and they of Rouen that no corn
shall pass to Paris. Don John of Austria is advertised that
the fortifications of Tunis are but weak, the garrisons but
slender, and the soldiers ready to rebel against the King. It
is confirmed that the nephew of the Bishop of Posonia was
robbed in his return towards Poland. There is some difficulty
about the sureties the King of Poland should put in that
his train should make no spoil as he passes through Germany.
The deputies of Dauphiny and Languedoc were dismissed till
the return of the King to Compeigne, but with so little hope
of reformation that they of the country have taken in the
meantime a town called Orange. Duke Ferdinand the
emperor's brother sent 15 cartloads of powder to the Duke
of Alva, which was met on the way and set on fire by
certain Almains. Pp. 1½. |
| Nov.–Dec. |
1236. Advices. |
|
1. Vienna, 23 Nov. 1573.—The Commissaries of the Emperor have taken possession of the Castle of Finale. The
Turks are content to have peace with the Emperor. From
Cassovia they learn that the Turkish camp is breaking up. |
|
2. Venice, 12 Dec. 1573.—M. de Foix will be ambassador
at Rome for the King of Poland. The French King will
hold a general council of his nobility, both Catholic and
Huguenot, to put an end to the troubles in his realm. Arrival
of Giovanni Andrea Doria at Genoa with 17 galleys. News
from Avignon, Dauphiny, and Antwerp.
Ital. Pp. 3⅓. |
