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Oct. 6.
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306. POULET to BURGHLEY.
Know nothing worth writing except what is contained in the
articles sent by this bearer to Mr. Walsingham, which I only had
last evening, and must restore them in the morning, the same being
so long and tedious, as time did not serve to make more than one
copy. The King goes to Paris, and Monsieur has posted there,
intending, it is said, to go to La Fère in Picardy to see his sister,
the Queen of Navarre, but it is not to be doubted that this voyage
hath a further meaning, which I hope to discover when the Court
is at Paris. The messenger sent to Brouage to examine into the
late accident between young Lansac and the English ships returned
on the 3rd, and I hoped that some good results would follow before
the King's departure, and sent my secretary to M. Pinart to
remind him. But the King was gone before I could have
audience, which will only tend to delay their final resolution till
they see how her Majesty likes the matter. The circumstances
of their doings did easily bewray their inward meaning, especially
to me who am an eye-witness of their cunning devices.—Poitiers,
6 Oct. 1577.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [France I. 43.]
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Oct. 7.
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307. The FRENCH KING to WALSINGHAM.
Letter of credence for M. de Laubespine, Secretary of Finance,
whom he is sending with news of the peace.—Champigny, Oct. 7.
(Signed) Henry. (Countersigned) Pinart.
Add. Seal. Endd. ½ p. [Ibid. 44.]
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Oct. 7.
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308. ZAYAS to ANTONIO GUARAS.
Although I have advertised you in various ways that I have not
the key of the cipher that you employ with Don John, I repeat it
here, in order that you may at least send it, to let me understand
your letters. The last (of Aug. 17, I think), both one and the other
remain hidden, since I am too old to break my head by making
them out without a key, as I did when I was younger.
The most important news from here is that their Majesties and
Highnesses are well, and that the affairs of this realm are in their
wonted state of tranquillity. The great quantity of silver and
gold that has come in the fleets is very satisfactory to all.
I have asked you before for spectacles, and I now remind you
of the same ; for although, thank God, I do not want them, I
should like to oblige the Duke of Alva and other friends who
feel the need of them.
This goes to the French Court, to be forwarded to you by
Maldonado.—Madrid, Oct. 7th, 1577.
Add. Enclosure in no. 355. Sp. 1¼ pp. [Spain I. 9.]
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Oct. 7.
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309. The PRINCE OF ORANGE to the GOVERNOR and COUNCIL
of ZEALAND.
The ambassador of the Queen of England has requested that
English merchant adventurers may have exemption from tolls and
other charges as heretofore, when they used to pass with their
ships and goods, according to the voucher of the contents ; and
having had divers communications hereon with him, we have
thought good to advertise you of the same by the Treasurer Maumaecker.
And in the meantime you shall let pass by Walcheren
the first four vessels that shall come from England belonging to
the merchant adventurers, without taking any toll or otherwise,
shewing only their voucher, and having note taken of this, as
Maumaecker will tell you more at length.—Brussels, 7 Oct. 1577.
Copy. Fr. ½ p. [Holl. and Fland. III. 16.]
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Oct. 8.
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310. FRANCISCO GIRALDI to WALSINGHAM.
I reserve to a more convenient season, when we can meet, my
complete reply to yours of yesterday, enclosing the decree of the
Council ordering the ginger to be consigned to Pescioni. I
in no way approve this, but protest against it. The cause will
be reserved to the King against this Crown. If the Council had
wished to decide according to the rights of the case, the fair course
would have been, as in the case of the French ambassador, who
presented a letter from his King, that my right and justice should
have been examined ; but I could not bring my proofs so quickly,
Portugal being much further off than France. There were many
lawyers here who offered to defend my case according to the law
of the Empire. But as your Lordships did not think fit to hear
me, nor even let me state my case ; not to mention that a faculty
in a matter pertaining to the revenues of my sovereign has been given
to the party whom modesty prevents me from calling a thief ; my
only remedy is to refuse to recognise the decision, and to resist the
manner in which the Council have shown consideration to the giver
of the security, it being inconsistent with the dignity of my
sovereign any sort of favour should be shown, save in the regard
due to justice. So far as I privately am concerned, I am bound
to thank your Lordship for the good opinion you have of me.
You cannot fail to remember that security is never taken without
the contentment of the owner of the goods. Moreover, I suspect the
Judge of the Admiralty, to whom they have committed it ; and
the approval of the French case and not of ours.
I did not mean to be so long ; and will only say that I seek
justice in respect of our goods stolen by the same English as were
in the caravel of the Isle of Wight, and Captain Bast. And now
they say that her Majesty's fleet has taken some out of a Danish
pirate who had plundered our subjects.—London, 8 Oct. 1577.
Add. Endd. : 18 (sic) Oct., "From the Portugal Ambassador.
Ginger. Ship taken from a Dane pirate." Ital. 2 pp. [Portugal
I. 4.]
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Oct. 8.
R. d. L. ix.,
567.
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311. DAVISON to WALSINGHAM.
Last night, between ten and eleven o'clock, I received your
letter touching the assurance demanded for the ships and goods
of our merchants now in Spain ; wherewith I immediately repaired
to the Court, but finding that his Excellency was at supper with
the Duke of Aerschot, and that it would be very late ere he came
home, I thought best to return again this morning. At first he
was not a little astonished at the propounding of this new difficulty,
untouched before either by the letters of the Marquis, by
M. de Famars, or Carington [Carenzoni], considering that they
were on the point of concluding upon the negotiations.
Howbeit, when I had opened to him the great hazard and peril
wherein her Majesty should embark herself for their cause, in
respect of the number of ships, mariners, and wealth of her
subjects now in Spain, which upon knowledge of her inclination
to assist them here might be detained, to the infinite prejudice of
her merchants and her whole realm, the value of them amounting
to double as much as their desired assistance, he confessed the
matter was very just and reasonable, but accompanied with so
great difficulties that he could not tell what to answer. For to
propound the same among the States now that upon the letters of
the Marquis they have grounded themselves upon the succour of
her Majesty would breed a marvellous astonishment ; and not to
satisfy her Highness might perhaps alien her, and bring themselves
into a worse state than before. But for the value of
£100,000 lent to desire assurance for £400,000, he thought would
prove a matter of very hard digestion among them, besides that
he saw not what caution the States could give for the same. For
the wealth of the Spaniards and Italians was insufficient to answer
the tenth part of such a value, and to deliver any town into her
Majesty's hands upon such a condition, he thought a thing hard
or rather impossible to bring them to. So that he could not tell
in the world what more to say, but that he would carefully consider
of it, and do the best that lay in his power to procure her Majesty's
full contentment, wishing at the same time that the shipping were
with all possible diligence revoked.
This in substance passed between his Excellency and me this
morning, and I am sure he will not neglect it, though being here
but as a private man, without authority or voice among them
other than with the 10 or 12 nobles of Brabant, which make but
one voice, and in all their consultations here things being overruled
by number, and not always by reason (for the greater doth
commonly master the better part), he cannot do as he would. So
what to assure you I cannot yet tell, but I will be diligent at his
elbow every day to urge some resolution, though a matter of this
moment cannot be hastily concluded, especially among a multitude
of so many and different heads and humours.—Brussels, 8 Oct.
1577.
P.S.—I have not thought good (following therein his Excellency's
advice) to break this matter with any but himself. Meanwhile
they have, upon the letters brought by M. de Famars and
Carrington, deputed certain among themselves to repair to Antwerp
about the provision of money, which being so far advanced,
I see not well how it may be altered or stayed.
I would have propounded to his Excellency the matter of Holland
and Zealand for caution, but the assurance between them
and the rest of the provinces is not yet such that they would
become a pledge for the whole. Howbeit I will sound the matter
by circumstances.
Add. Endd. 1½ pp. [Holl. and Fland. III. 17.]
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312. Draft of the above. 1 p. [Holl. and Fland. III. 18.]
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Oct. 10.
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313. DANIEL ROGERS to WALSINGHAM.
You will remember how among other things which Duke Casimir
proposed to her Majesty by Mr. Sidney, he mentioned an
assembly to be held last September at Frankfort, to which he had
solicited the reformed Churches to send ministers, in order that an
uniform confession might be agreed upon and established, which
all such potentates as profess the reformed religion should afterwards
sign ; and, therefore, requested her Majesty to send some
one of her divines to this assembly. You also no doubt remember
how, in the private memorandum which you gave me, you desired
me to "travaile" with the Prince of Orange to hinder this assembly,
for avoiding of offence ; which as you shall see he did by writing
to Duke Casimir that he feared lest the ambition and arrogance
of some divines assembled together might engender rather discord
than unity ; and because he doubted that the Senate of Frankfort
would not favour such an assembly, he thought it had better be
deferred, and that first the condemnations were to be hindered.
Wherefore Duke Casimir began also to change his advice ; but
as he had written into France, into the Low Countries, Poland,
and Hungary, to cause ministers to come from these and other
places to Frankfort, so he did not advertise them this counsel was
changed, since the time was too short to certify. Accordingly
divers ministers arrived at Frankfort out of divers countries, who
on their arrival, understanding that the counsel for which they
had been desired to come was altered, went on to Neustadt, in order
to learn further the Duke's pleasure. The French churches sent
Ludovicus Cappellius, Jacobus Coetius, and Joannes Hesnartus ; out
of Poland and Hungary came Christopherus Thretius and
Joannes Pretorius Zotensis ; for the Low Countries appeared
Dr. Joannes Junius and Petrus Dathenus ; and for the
reformed Churches in the Palatinate, Dr. Hieronymus Zanchus,
Balthazar Copus, Daniel Tossanus. The Duke seeing so learned,
godly, and moderate men to be come together, thought how he
might use their presence to the establishing of some good counsel
for the advancement of the reformed religion ; wherefore calling
his councillors unto him, he thought good that they assembled to
consult of three things : first, how this condemnation of the
Ubiquitaries might best be hindered ; secondly, whether it were
more expedient for the present time to make an uniform confession
of the belief, and after what sort ; thirdly, who should write this
confession, and how it might be signed by the reformed Churches.
This being concluded, he sent Mr Languett and Mr Zowleger,
his councillors, to my lodging, where the Duke, unknown to me,
had appointed the divines to meet to consult about the questions
mentioned ; who, in the Duke's name, requested me to moderate
this consultation. I answered that his Excellency knew very well
for what causes her Majesty had sent me to him, and that I had
no commission to deal in such matters as were proposed. It was
true that she had understood from Mr. Sidney the Duke's advice
for an assembly to be held at Frankfort ; but that at my departure
nothing was concluded on this matter. Nevertheless, being
pressed by the councillors to give my opinion on the first question,
I declared to them the great care her Majesty took to establish the
reformed religion ; and inasmuch as she understood that some
ambitious divines went about to condemn their brethren, and that
very 'unorderly,' before they were heard, she had thought good
to send an ambassador to the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg,
etc., in order that their purpose might be hindered by the intercession
of her Majesty's authority. I judged that if Duke Casimir
and the deputies thought good, it were not amiss if one were sent
from them to those Electors, with a supplication on behalf of the
reformed Churches, desiring them to stay the intended condemnation,
and rather call together a synod, to let them be heard before
they were condemned ; which counsel everyone approved, and M.
Languet was appointed to make the supplication, and Dr.
Knybbius, a lawyer, was 'designed' to be sent by them to the
above-named princes, and to accompany her Majesty's ambassador,
Mr. Beale.
Touching the confession to be made, there were divers opinions ;
for some thought it were not good to make it according to the
Augustan Confession, and that the Lutherans themselves did as
it were contemn it, and that it was made according as the time
then required, and that now a fuller and perfecter might be made.
Being asked my opinion, I said I thought it were good to have
regard to the cavillations which both the Lutherans and the
Papists used against us, which affirmed we did not believe as they
of the Augustan Confession believed, and that, therefore, if it
were thought expedient to make an uniform confession it would
be good to make it so that it might appear unto all men that
our confession agreed as near as the purity of religion would
suffer with the confession of 'Auspurche ;' which opinion Dr.
Zanchus and Dr. Junius liked so well that the others at last
approved it likewise.
Touching the last question, I was desired to 'supplie' her
Majesty to send one or two of her divines, not only to be present
at the assembly which they thought should meet on August 15
in the following year at Frankfort, but also might direct the
writing of the confession. I was further asked to subscribe the
petition which Dr. Knybbius was to carry to the above-named
princes. I replied I would not do that, having no commission
to do so. Then they asked me to subscribe as a witness only,
which I thought I could have done if Master Beale at his arrival
had not thought it superfluous. Wherefore M. de la Persona and
M. Argentlieu, being asked to subscribe in the name of the King
of Navarre and the Prince of Condé, did as they were desired,
and then the ministers subscribed likewise, and then it seemed
not necessary that I should subscribe. What was concluded,
Petrus Dathenus put in writing, whereof I send you a copy, as
likewise of the petition sent by Dr. Knybbius and composed by
Languet, that you may better judge of the whole action. If you
judge it expedient that her Majesty sent some divine, I think
Mr. Nowell, Dean of 'Powell's,' were a very meet man, being
learned and discreet, and having laboured in making a Latin
Catechism, would be more apt to be present at the writing of
this confession. In sum, all things are left to her Majesty's
arbitrament.
Being come thus far, I think it good to write more particularly
to you touching the reasons why the Prince of Orange thought
the assembly which was to be held here the 'mart' last past
could not take effect. First, he doubted that her Majesty would
not as yet be easily induced to send her divines. Secondly, he
thought if they were assembled at this last fair, they would give
occasion to the Ubiquitaries to suspect that they went about
something which might be against them. Thirdly, he judged
the time was too short, for that they of Zurich and Switzerland
were first to be talked with, seeing they differed from their
brethren in the Supper of the Lord, in the word substantialiter.
Fourthly, he thought it right that the magistrates of the place
where the synod should meet, should favour so reverent [sic] an
assembly as this would be ; and because he doubted of the magistrates
of Frankfort, he thought that it might best be held at
Basile or Zurich, or in some place of England.
For the rest both the Prince and Duke Casimir judge that it
would be necessary to consult how this uniform confession might
be made and pointed. If you this consultation worthy of preferment,
let me understand your meaning therein, that I may know
how to rule myself in these matters.—Frankfort, 10 October 1577.
Add. Endd. by Walsingham and Tomson. 3½ pp. [Germ.
States I. 29.]
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Oct. 10.
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314. DANIEL ROGERS to WALSINGHAM.
I trust you fully understand both by my letter sent from Neustadt
by your servant Dransfield, as also by what I last wrote from hence,
and by that which I send herewith, what is to be expected of the
things which were committed to my charge, and especially of
Casimir's expedition into France. If I had once received an answer
from you, it would the sooner make the Duke to conclude, and
would deliver me of many doubts, because of the reports touching
a peace in France, otherwise ; for I am now idle and would gladly
know what I should further do here. I have received but two letters
from you since I left England, sent before you received my dispatches
touching my negotiations with Duke Casimir, the Elector
Palatine, and the Landgrave. I came for the nonce hither with
Mr. Beale, in order that I might hear some news from you. I
judge that you may best send letters by the 'stilliarde' to Collen,
and from thence direct them to Frankfort, either to Wechelin's
house, where M. Languet abides, or to Dr. Joannes a Glaupurche,
my friends.
At this present I thought it expedient to send my boy with this
dispatch to the Court, that I might with the more speed receive
an answer, by which I might satisfy the Duke and myself, and learn
in what you would further employ me here ; for as concerning the
league, I think you easily gather from the letters I have sent you,
what hope is to be conceived of it, and will better judge when you
hear the condemnations are hindered, which first are to be frustrated.
It is marvel in what credit this Jacobus Andreas is at present with
the Duke of Saxony, so much so that it will not be very easy to
remove the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg from the purpose
in which they are persuaded by him.
When last at Neustadt I learned from the Duke, Dr. Zanchus,
and M. d'Argenluy, that the Ubiquitaries had stipends of the
'clergies' in France, to withstand the Calvinists [Walsingham's
mark in margin here]. The Duke told me that a great man
in France had advertised him of it ; Dr. Zanchus said that
both he and Andreas were with the Cardinal of Lorraine at
Zabern, not far from Strasburg, Anno 1556, at which time the
Cardinal offered Dr. Zanchus a stipend of 200 crowns a year ; and
he affirms that Andreas had likewise a stipend of him. I can
easily believe if the Cardinal would give a stipend to Dr. Zanchus
he would specially have regard to Dr. Andreas. But M. Argentluy
adds that le general le Fevre, General [i.e., Receiver-general] of
Picardy, sometime treasurer to the Queen Mother, was sent to pay
the Ubiquitaries their stipends. He thinks that if you wrote to Sir
Amyas Paulett on this matter, one about him might talk to some
clerk or commis of this le Fevre, and obtain some quittance given by
Dr. Andreas for his stipends ; which would be an argument and
means to divert the Elector from trusting him any more. Languet
thinks nothing would do so much to alter the Elector of Saxony's
mind.
It is a piteous thing to observe the security of these princes, who
will never hearken to the league which her Majesty proposes, more
for their safety than for her own, unless by some adversity they be
awakened. Yea, they travail as much to undo their brethren as
the Papists to ruin their enemies. The 5th of this month the
Elector Palatine deprived 100 poor scholars from their stipends,
because they would not subscribe to the Ubiquity, giving them
nothing to return to their friends ; besides such divines as daily he
deprives from their livings. Dr. Zanchus is retained by Duke
Casimir, who is as like his father in virtue, and desire to further
the common weal, as his brother the Elector is forward and ready
to evert that superstitiously which his father religiously and devoutly
established. But I doubt not that Mr. Beale will fully write of
these things to you.
One thing remains, of which I most desire your honour ; to wit,
that you will send me some bill of credit or more money, for I have
already spent £21 more than I received. I desire you not to think
that I do it to 'herd' up any sum ; hitherto I never could learn
this art. If I had done well, I should have written long ago, but
such is my shamefastness ; and being afraid lest you should judge
me to be an unthrift if I had demanded some succour before, made
me stay this long. Which needed not ; for by Mr. Beale and
others, who shall come hither you will understand how dear travelling
it is here. At least I have well tried it, and yet have laboured
to be thrifty. I have been absent four months, and have been in
continual journeys. I beseech you, therefore, to send me a letter
of credit, or if you please to aid me with ready money, my friend
Mr. Humphrie Dannet, cursitor of the Chancery, with whom I
have left order for my affairs, will attend your pleasure.—Frankfort,
10 Oct. 1577.
Add. Endd. by Walsingham. 2½ pp. [Germ. States I. 30.]
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Oct. 10.
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315. DANIEL ROGERS to WALSINGHAM.
M. d'Assinburche [Assembourg] and Dr. Hetsteyne [Hettestein]
who were sent hither to the diet from Don John, have often been
heard. I have read a long oration which they made in defence of
him, in which they "burthen" the Prince for not having observed
the peace, and answer such objections as he might make against
Don John. As to the cyphers intercepted, they deny that the sense
of such matters as the Prince picks out of them can be gathered
from them. The scope of his oration is that it might please those
gathered so solemnly here to send deputies into the Low Countries
for the establishing Don John's authority. They had an answer
the 8th of this month ; to wit, that some should be sent as they
desired. But first they will send to the Emperor. In summa, the
Papists here are afraid to 'eneger' the Prince against the Catholics,
and, therefore, have not thought good to 'decerne' anything more
grievously against him, as some required.
The Baron of Winnenburgche is returned from the Low Countries,
and is now here.
About the end of last month there was a meeting of divers princes
at Munichen, in Bavierland, under the pretext to exercise shooting,
in which manner of meeting commonly privy and secret practices
are concluded. The Duke of Saxony was appointed to be there,
but came not ; nor is it known what is concluded. Some think
that Archduke Ferdinando, who was there, is levying for Don John.
I will hearken diligently of this matter, and write to you of it.
—Frankfort, 10th Oct. 1577.
Add. Endd. by Walsingham. 1 p. [Ibid. 31.]
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Oct. 10.
|
316. [ROBERT BEALE] to the PRINCES OF GERMANY.
My mistress, the Queen of England, having been informed by
her agents within the Holy Empire that steps are being taken to
draw up a formula, in which under colours of the Augustan confession
a condemnation is to be passed upon the Churches, not only
the few in Germany, but all, whether in her Majesty's realm or
in other provinces, who, in a small point, dissent from that confession,
and thinking that if this matter proceeds it will lead to
great evils within the Empire and elsewhere, has thought good
friendly to forewarn you of the same by her unworthy ministers,
to your Highness and the other princes. But whereas I have been
unable, by reason of the distance, and that I was in haste to go
towards the Elector of Saxony and Brandenburg, to aproach your
Highness, I have thought it expedient to transmit to you her
Majesty's letters, together with two writings signed by my hand
containing the sum of those things, which by virtue of my letters
of credence I was to signify to you. Which I beg you to take in
good part, or to send me an answer to the house of Joannes à Glauburg,
against my return from Saxony.—Frankfort, 10 October
1577.
Copy. Endd : The copy of my letter to the Duke of Wirtemburg
and Marquis of Brandenburg, 1577. Latin. ¾ p. [Ibid. 32.]
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Oct. 10.
K. d. L. x. 7.
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317. LEICESTER to DAVISON.
I have received sundry letters from one Wm. Morehous, a soldier,
he has been among the Spaniards, and seems to have some
familiarity with our rebels. His intelligence has not yet any great
substance. Her Majesty's pleasure is that you shall from time to
time communicate such matters as he has to open to you, and advertise
hither. If you shall find him to bring matter for her
Majesty's service, she will reward him accordingly. And upon a
good piece of service done in deed, if his need be very great, you
may, if your purse serve you, let him have some 20 crowns till you
hear from home. But let some desert first go before, and inquire
by some secret good means to learn what the man is.—10 Oct. 1577.
Add. Endd : Recd. 23 Oct. 1 p. [Holl. and Fland. III. 19.]
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Oct. 10.
K. d. L. x. 4.
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318. DAVISON to WALSINGHAM.
In some of my former letters I wrote of a practice in hand for
bringing down the Archduke Matthias to be Governor here. Yesterday
the Duke of Aerschot informed the Estates that he is certainly
on the way hither, and within a day, or two days', journey of Collen.
The Duke himself, the Marquis, the Count of Lalaing, Egmont,
Bossu, M. de Champagney, the Abbots of Maroilles and St. Gertrude,
with two or three others, are said to be they by whose special
commission this matter is compassed. How they will go through
withal is doubtful. If he comes without the King's authority, they
cannot receive him, sans violer l'obeissance due au Roi, one of the
two strings they do commonly touch ; and if sent of the King it is
to be doubted that it is not done without some stratagem, which
will carry them from one extremity to another ; but we shall understand
more within a day or two.
For the matter of money, the States have deputed Commissioners
to repair to Antwerp with Caringtzon, there to try what may be
done in that behalf. The Prince's opinion is that her Majesty will
do them a gracious pleasure and benefit in relieving their present
necessity, but she will do well to bind them surely, wherein I find
no difficulty for the principal ; but for the accidents touched in your
last, I cannot yet see what caution will be there given. As soon
as his Excellency has sounded them, he will acquaint me with their
opinions. Between this and delivering of the bonds your Honour
shall hear some news out of Spain.
Of other matters, all that I have presently you may see by the
occurrents herewith sent.—Brussels, 10 Oct. 1577.
P.S. Even now the news is confirmed of the arrival at Colloigne
of the Archduke ; about whose receiving they are already in earnest
dispute, as the Duke of Aerschot this morning 'flang' in a fury out
of the Council, because the Prince, debating of the peril in receiving
him ere they had established things in some good policy and order,
bade them look well about them what they did.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fland. III. 20.]
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319. Draft of the above. Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fland.
III. 21.]
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Oct. 10.
K. d. L. x. 5.
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320. ADVERTISEMENT from BRUSSELS.
We hear that the Duke of Guise and his Highness met about
Marche-en-Famine ; but yet there is no certain word of the marching
of the Duke's forces, howbait of this smouldering fire the flame
must soon appear.
The bruit here is hot of the preparation in Portugal, coloured
with an enterprise against the Moors, but destined as they doubt
hitherwards. There are said to be 120 ships, whereof 20 of 600
tons and upwards, 30 of 300 tons, 30 of 200 tons, and 40 under
that burden.
Ressingham is returned hither to shuffle the cards among the
States, wherein he has already played his part well. But were it
not that the Prince is here, who having the whole people at his
back, might be 'made a party' of any outrage of theirs, they
would have gone near ere this to have trussed him up, so deadly
they hate him. Others of his coat, as the Secretary Berty, Scaremburgh,
and Assonville were in the way to return, since his Highness
departed from Namur ; but the people assuring themselves
that their return has no other scope than to do lewd offices, have
countermanded them, with provision that they will take such order
with them if they come hither, as neither the country shall be prejudiced,
nor their enemy served any more hereafter by their treason.
In the late defeat of the States' men, about 8 or 10 days since,
such as had yielded to the enemy upon promise of life, have since,
as we hear, been cruelly forced to 'pass the pikes.'
His Excellency has desired leave to go to Breda for a few days,
which I think he will do shortly. His well-willers utterly mislike
his stay here. His presence does not yield the good hoped for,
by reason of the factious corruption and partiality here ; and besides
on his person depends the whole welfare of this state.
The news is that the French King, wearied by the homē wars,
hath licensed all such as will serve in the Low Country, either on
one side or the other ; whereupon divers Frenchmen have offered
to serve the Estates, but I see no inclination on this side to employ
them.
Enclosure. 2/3 p. [Holl. and Fland. II. 22.]
|
Oct. 10.
K. d. L. x. 3.
|
321. DAVISON to BURGHLEY.
[Same news as in letter of even date to Walsingham.]
I send you herewith the names of all such as are at present of
the Estates, but in a note apart ; you shall see by my next who are
the good patriots and favouring religion, of which latter sort among
the nobility the Prince stands alone. What principal men of this
country are with his Highness your Lordship may also see at the end
of the catalogue.—Brussels, 10 Oct. 1577.
P.S. [As to Walsingham.]
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. 23.]
Enclosure : A list of members of the States General, including
"s'ensuit ceux qui sont avec Don Johan." Endd. in Burghley's
hand : 10 October, 1577. The persons of the States following the
common cause against Don John. 4 pp. [Ibid. 23A.]
|
Oct. 10.
K. d. L. x. 1.
|
322. DAVISON to LEICESTER.
[Same news as to Walsingham and Burghley.]
Draft. 1 p. [Ibid. 24.]
|
