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March 27.
K. d. L. x.
365.
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736. ROGERS to WALSINGHAM.
I have just received the promise of the Estates in writing, as
required by my instructions. Two days ago it was made to show
the Estates, and was first signed this hour. I have not a little
trotted up and down the city to have it made in due form,
perceiving by experience that a man must not look for any great
expedition here, where things have to be approved by so many.
Now I am taking my journey towards Dordrecht by water, as the
Prince advised me, for greater safety.
The Emperor's ambassador and the Duke of Cleves solicited
the Estates again on the 24th to send commissioners to Liége
to talk of peace, because the King had lately requested the Duke
to employ himself that way. The Estates having heard that at
the request of M. de Selles, Don John had made a letter to the
Duke of such ' blanks' as he has from the King, have answered
that it is superfluous to talk of a new pacification, as they both
knew that Don John was not bent to any peace ; and all men
might guess what peace they would require by such demands as
are specified in the last pacification. For if the pacification of
Ghent be thoroughly observed, Don John with the Spaniards
retiring and Matthias remaining Governor they have all they
demand. It is certain that Don John by this proposal seeks only
to make the Estates suspend action till he is ready with his
reiters. I must hasten to Duke Casimir and accelerate his descent.
Nothing can hinder me but the 20,000l. which are to be paid at
the place of muster ; for as they have not yet received the obligations
from her Majesty, I doubt if they will be able to have
the other 20,000l. ready in time.
The Archduke wished me to dine with him to-day, but I excused
myself as being ready to depart, whereupon he sent me his letter
to Duke Casimir, a copy of which was delivered to me, which I
mean to translate and send herewith.
Count John of Nassau—whose son I hope may be courteously
handled in England, that the Prince may the more confirm his
judgement of her Majesty's goodwill—is daily looked for. The
Estates of Guelderland desire him for their Governor. In time
past the Counts of Nassau were Counts of Guelderland, before
it was erected into a duchy. If the war last two years longer,
the King will lose Guelderland and other provinces, so are all
men alienated from him, and they begin to hate abbots and
churchmen because of the 'lease' of the Abbot of St. Ghislain,
now Bishop of Arras, who was one of the chief in the Estates.
The Abbot of St. 'Va' is a prisoner ; those of St. Marcein and
of Bonne Espérance, with a number of others who would have
betrayed Douay, Arras, Lille, Mons, &c., are fled, partly to
'Perona,' partly to Don John.
The Duke of Aerschot told me to-day when mention was made
of Mendoza, that on his return from England three years ago, he
showed the presents her Majesty had given him, and mocked her.
It grieves me that such a one should receive any courtesy of her
Grace. The Marquis told me the same when I met him at Oudenburch.
—Antwerp, 27 March 1578.
P.S.—If my suit be not ended, I beseech you to add supremum
munus ; cum primus fueris, qui bene de me mereri inceperis.
I have left the original of the promise with Mr. Davison, as
it would have had to be sent back to him.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Ibid. V. 102.]
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March 27.
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737. EDWARD WOODSHAWE to BURGHLEY.
Having been sick a long time was the reason I have not oftener
written to you ; but having a good opportunity of writing by
report of a gentleman of Borgonia, an old acquaintance of mine,
who is Commissary-General of the musters and in great credit
with the Prince and Estates, and bears a good will to our nation,
as our English captains can bear witness, with whom I having
much talk and great conversation showed me certain advertisements
he had from France, and has daily more and more, promising
to advertise you from time to time of all he can learn thence.
He has dined once with Mr. Davison, and by my means gave him
certain intelligences. Hearing no news from you of these, he has
thought it well to write the letter inclosed [Qy. No. 728], so that
if you like him you may write back to him.
This month, for the service of the Queen and the 'servyable'
heart I bear to you, I have thought well to tell you the news
there is here. Since Don John has won the town of Nivelles in
Brabant, 'Bins in Henowe' and Mabuse have surrendered to him,
and the common voice is that he is gone back to besiege Philippeville.
He has great succour coming from Italy and looks for
more ; and it is thought that when his forces are together he
will besiege some of our strong towns. Mons, Arras, and
'Brydgis' were in great danger of being delivered to Don John
by treason, but thank God those treasons are 'opened.'
There is come to the Court a noble gentleman called the
Count of 'Newnart,' who married the Countess of Horn, with
whom I fell into acquaintance by Captain Cromwell's means, who
told me that he offered to serve the States with 1,000 horse, half
lances, half reiters ; but the Prince seeking to prefer his brothers
and kinsfolk rather than him, his offer was not accepted. But
as he told me further, his house being only three or four days'
journey from Antwerp, his horsemen would not be so much
'traveled,' but he would be able to encounter the enemy forthwith,
while the Count Palatine or Count of 'Swarsenbourcke' being
so far off, it was not possible for them to do service for a month
after their coming, 'as also six weeks in coming,' and meanwhile
the enemy would do more hurt in the country than we should
be able to recover in a long time. I found him very wise, and
one who bears a great goodwill to her Majesty. I brought Mr.
Daniel Rogers to talk with him ; and so has the ambassador,
as no doubt they have advertised you. If her Majesty has occasion
to employ him, no doubt he will do very good service. The States
to content him have sent him as ambassador to the Emperor.
I must further give you notice of Thomas Moffett, who has
remained in these countries since I last wrote of him. The captains
that are employed here, Mr. Gainsford, Cromwell, and
Bishop, think he is not so fit a man to be in these countries,
for we all think him to be a spy for Don John ; as also one
Captain Mowrehouse. Another very 'disordered' man was here,
called Weedon, who thought to have got a charge here ; but being
known in these countries both for a condemned man and a coiner
of false money, he was ordered away. Captain Gainsford told me
he doubted that Thomas Moffett, who is very great with Mr.
Morgan, would deceive the good gentleman, as he abused Mr.
Chester in Holland. As to the other man, called Captain Morehouse,
I was requested to tell you of him by Captain Cromwell,
whose soldier he is, that he has at times sent a messenger to
Louvain, and tells Captain Cromwell that he does it by consent
of the Queen's Council, and that he has divers times received
letters from Mr. Secretary Wilson to that effect. Please write
to Captain Cromwell, if it be for the Queen's service and by
your command, and we will all assist him. On the contrary case,
if we may know your pleasure, he and Moffett shall be sent over
to you ; for if it were known to the States or the Prince that
Morehouse frequented with the enemy, his captain would not be
able to answer it. He holds him a prisoner till he hears from
you.
I have further to request you to write a favourable letter in
my behalf to the Prince of Orange, both of my fidelity in the
time of the Spaniards' government and of the faithful heart I
have always borne to my natural country, as to his Excellency.
I trust you do not forget the advertisements and letters I have
at divers times written of all the news I could learn of the
Spaniards' practices against the Queen ; as also what was practised
against his Excellency by one Mr. George Martyn and
others, and of a letter that was written by the 'Commandor
maior' to the Governor of Flushing and sent by the said George
Martyn. I am so bold to crave your friendship that I may obtain
of his Excellency charge of 50 light horse, with whom, if I obtain
a commission, I doubt not but I shall be able to send you such
a prisoner that you will think well of me and not repent of
favouring me. I trust to make such spies among those continually
in the company of the Earl of Westmoreland, Stuckley, and
others, that with the advertisement of my espions I may entrap
them or some of them.
Thank God, I have recovered my health. But for my sickness,
I should have had a charge from the States long ago.
This letter was written last Sunday, but before I could get the
commissary's letter the post was gone. Since it was written, the
news is that Don John was coming to besiege 'Nynehove' ; but
the Count of Boussu with the younger Count of Egmont departed
from Brussels with 17 'ancients' of foot and 700 horse, and have
put into 'Nynehove,' 'Atte,' 'Odenart,' and other frontier towns
of Flanders sufficient garrisons ; and whereas it was thought we
should have assembled our camp, we are forced for want of horsemen
to 'lee' and employ our men in garrisons. Unless we obtain
our horsemen shortly, I see that all will not go as well as I could
wish. In my last letter I wrote what hope or trust was to be
put in our Walloon soldiers. The 'probation' thereof fell shortly
after in the detestable overthrow of the camp by Namur.
If I thought any aid of our nation were coming over, I would
not 'put myself in wages,' but await the coming of the Lord
General, to whom I trust I would do good service and show
you what is in me.—Antwerp, 27 March 1578.
Add. Endd. 5 pp. [Written apparently with the same ink
as Jacques Rossel's letter, No. 728.] [Holl. and Fl. V. 103.]
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March 27.
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738. ARCHDUKE MATTHIAS to DUKE CASIMIR.
I hope that you have received, by John Christopher Scher
[sic ; qy. Freiherr] of Schwartzenberg, the letter that I wrote
you, together with the capitulation on my behalf and that of the
States. In the present I have to tell you what the Queen of
England says. In place of the 6,000 English she is satisfied to
succour this country by your means with a strong force of horse
and foot. Wherefore we beg that in addition to the 3,000 horse
and 3,000 Swiss, for whom you have already had the order, you
will levy 2,000 horse and 3,000 foot, and come to this country
as soon as possible. You will receive from her Majesty's ambassador
money in advance of what you and your men will receive
here according to your due. You will then have the obligation
and discharge made out on us and the States-General.
As we greatly desire your aid and advice in the affairs of the
present war, we shall await your coming anxiously from day
to day, with full assurance that you will not be slow to aid
these unhappy subjects. We therefore beseech you very affectionately,
and the Estates very humbly pray you to come in person
with the reiters and the infantry as soon as you possibly can.—Antwerp,
27 March 1578.
Copy. Fr. 1 p. [For. E.B. Misc. II.]
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March 27.
K. d. L. x.
363.
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739. WILSON to DAVISON.
Your advertisements are good and your pains are praiseworthy,
and therefore God grant you speedily the reward of your travail.
It is strange that the Estates should make peace before they are
sure what the issue of it will be. If they accord anything without
the confirming of the Perpetual Edict, they utterly undo
themselves, and the poor Prince of Orange shall be the first
that is like to smart, who hath deserved better of the Low
Countries than they all have done. The trial is now who shall
win, not how a peace shall be made, and methinks arms and
weapons are fitter to be used against the enemy than a treaty of
peace when no faith is meant. There is no choice but either
victory or death. It were better die once manfully than live
always scurvily. Occasion must not be lost and good heed should
always be taken to foresee what the adversary doeth, and in what
he is found most weak. The answer is not yet given to the Marquis,
but within these two days he is to know her Majesty's
pleasure, which howsoever it fall out the Estates must not be
dismayed, but must take heart. This course I would wish you
to take with them, and in any wise dissuade them from all
dangerous accords lest they lose more by peace than they have
lost hitherto by war. I do not think France fit to join with them,
nay, I think France unable, and perhaps unwilling whatsoever
French brag or brave offer is made.
I marvel Mr. Rogers does not write. You must chide him
for his negligence in the public service, although I have reason
to thank him for his letter written to me. Wanting leisure to
write more and referring you to the bearer, my servant John
Watson, I bid you farewell. Thank George Gilpin for his letters
of the 23rd, to whom I would write, but I want time. Commend
me also to M. Fremynge, of whose faith and honesty I do well
assure you.—From the Court at Greenwich this 27 of March
1577 (sic).
Add. Endd. : Received the last of March. 1 p. [Holl. and
Fl. V. 104.]
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March 27.
K. d. L. x.
361.
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740. WALSINGHAM to DAVISON.
Understanding by yours of the 23rd the alteration wrought in
the hearts of those people by Mr. Rogers' negotiation, I thought
it well, in order to stay any dangerous resolution into which,
finding themselves, as they interpret it, forsaken by her Majesty,
and the expectation on which they built their hope of recovery
of their liberty frustrated, they might cast themselves, to acquaint
you with what passed here from her Majesty, and was delivered
to Bernardino Mendoza after conference between him and my
Lords upon his message. You may use it as a matter proceeding
from yourself until you hear further, by such resolution as is
delivered to the Marquis, what is thought fit to be done for their
relief.
The sum of it, delivered as I have said, to Mendoza from her
Majesty, consists mainly of three heads : First, it was declared
to him how she had always laboured to persuade those people
not to forsake their natural Prince or diminish their obedience
due to him for any cause whatever. Then, how discovering the
practices of the French to enter Holland and Zealand to the
assistance of the Prince of Orange she persuaded the Prince on
the King's behalf that he should not entertain such a practice,
and declared most gravely the damage that might ensue ; and
this likewise to the Commendador, then Governor. Thirdly, how
sisterly she seeks peace wholly for the King ; for she plainly
sees that if he continue the war the poor people must be driven
to seek some assistance, to which France notably offers itself.
And they, fearing the evil result to their cause of French forces,
are incessantly calling on her Majesty as their safest refuge.
To conclude, because England may neither suffer Spain nor
France to tyrannize over those poor people, her Majesty has
answered that except the King will make peace she will, rather
than France should, give what succour she can, with protestation
never to impatronize herself of one town or foot of ground there,
but only to restore them to safety as their ancient liberties ; and
to this end, either to conclude a full peace with the King or to
assist these people, she has promised to send immediately some
person of quality to Don John.
Thus much was delivered to Mendoza, and you may use it
as a lenitive to assuage the sharp humours which seem to cause
a distemperature in the minds of them that are so soon cast
down with every contrary blast. Considering the niceness of the
points the King stands on, as appears by the Baron de Selles'
message, it cannot but be dangerous for them to enter upon a
sudden treaty or conclusion of peace ; and the advantage of the
enemy being so great by this accident it is feared the States
would be disjoined from the Prince, as at the beginning the
pacification of Ghent would be shaken off and the Prince left open
to the power both of the Spaniards and of the States, a matter
so carefully practised on the King's part, as that on which depends
the whole event of the war, which no doubt is foreseen, that you
will do well to be a means to stay it and breed some settledness
in them ; bidding them beware lest on this sudden apprehension,
which may not turn out as evil as they fear, they resolve upon
any counsel which may hereafter hazard their whole success.—
Greenwich, 27 March 1578.
P.S. [autograph].—Among other arguments to dissuade them
from this treaty of peace on a sudden, you may lay before them
the misliking her Majesty may conceive of such sudden determination
to enter into a treaty without her privity and not knowing
what answer the Marquis will bring back. Besides, to seek peace
at the enemy's hands cannot but make him stand upon proud
and hard terms.
The Queen is offended with Mr. Rogers for not sending the
States' answer.
Add. Endd. 2¾ pp. [Ibid. V. 105.]
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741. Draft of above, in writing of L. Tomson. Endd. 2 pp.
[Ibid. V. 106.]
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742. Copy of above (without P.S.). 2½ pp. [For. E.B.
Misc. II.]
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March 27.
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743. The ESTATES to M. DE SELLES.
In reply to your last letter we beg to remind you of our reasonable
representations made to his Majesty and subsequently repeated
in our letter to you ; by which it appears that we have never
desired aught but to be at peace under his Majesty's obedience
if he will be pleased, unformably to our prayers, to withdraw
Don John and his forces, and confirm the Archduke Matthias
in the government, subject to the fulfilment of our offer in regard
to the two points, according to the terms of the pacification of
Ghent. Upon which you have written two letters to us, one
without date from Hevere in February, the other on the 18th
of that month, saying that you have sent into Spain and are
awaiting his Majesty's definitive reply, without which you are
aware that we can get no further by way of communication. If
his Majesty in his reply accepts our offer without further delay,
there will be no difficulty in ridding these countries of this dangerous
war and preserving them to him and his posterity, without
further misery to his poor subjects.
We beg that according to your promise we may soon have the
answer, and understand once for all his Majesty's intentions. If
it conforms to our reasonable offers, we shall, as we have always
done, conform to all that is equitable and befitting good subjects.
Otherwise, as past experience shows, we fear to be abused. The
enemy is still in the country, sacking and fire-raising (branscattant),
and ever increasing his forces, bringing in numerous strangers,
especially Italians and Spaniards : by which one may see the
good intention of Don John and the counsel he gives his Majesty.
Again we protest that if any alteration or inconvenience arises
from the delay, it should be imputed to him and his adherents,
and to the evil counsel they have given to the King.—Antwerp,
27 March 1578.
Copy. Endd. by L. Tomson. Fr. 1½ pp. [Holl. and Fl.
V. 107.]
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March 28.
K. d. L. x.
367.
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744. ROGERS to BURGHLEY.
I have written at large touching my negotiation to the Secretaries,
who I trust will communicate it to you ; and I think
it now my duty to write to you of the state of the country
here, which I found in great perplexity. They understood that
the promised forces were not coming from England, and Don
John was winning towns daily ; which though not of great
importance and only such as he that was master of the field
had always at his devotion, yet as they heard of nothing but
losses and heard that Don John's forces increased daily, while
they were unprovided, they were much dismayed. There were
also the practices and intelligences which Don John had in sundry
towns, as Douay, Lille, Mons, Arras, Courtray, Ath, St. Omer,
and Alost, which 'stood in terms' of surrendering to him ; by
which means he stirred divisions among many of the Estates,
easy to be made, where perplexity and irresolution was joined
with fear, and where fair promises wanted not on his side. He
wrote to the States that if they would maintain the Catholic
religion and be obedient to their Sovereign, he would preserve
all their liberties and privileges ; to others he caused to be said
he would do anything for them, so that they sent the Prince of
Orange away. M. de Selles wrote to the States-General from
Liége that if they would send their commissioners there to deal
for peace, the Bishop of Liége, the Duke of Cleves, and many
Princes of the Empire would gladly travail therein. All which
seemed to be invented to make division and hinder the Prince's
designs ; those who did not wish well to him, objecting that it were
better to seek peace when offered, than to await such aid as he
told them would come from England ; also the States being busy
to agree upon the general means for nourishing the war, these
occurrences greatly hinder the general resolution that was looked
for ; for the Prince finds that taxes on all sorts of merchandize
and victuals bring in sums both greater and more secured.
Wherefore at my coming the common sort began to despair,
because they saw no aid come from England ; while the wiser
sort began to doubt of the end of things. But when treasons were
in many places detected, and the Prince had provided garrisons
to be sent to those towns where Don John was expected, then
Don John found himself greatly hindered ; and my message
greatly encouraged the Estates, so that the difficulties moved
them less.
The same day that they gave me their answer, they learnt that
the Bishop of Arras, alias Abbot of St. Ghislain, the Abbot of
Bonne Espérance, the Abbot of St. Marcein, the Abbot of St. 'Va,'
all of the States, and others had concluded to surrender Douay,
Arras, Mons, and other towns of the greatest importance to Don
John ; so that he would have had all Hainault and Artois, which
if he had obtained other provinces would have followed. They
had written in the Estates' name to all the towns of Hainault
and Artois, that as Don John, who was very strong, promised
to maintain their religion and privileges, seeing the Estates had
not sufficient force to withstand him ; and because the longer
the war lasted, the Prince's authority would increase to the
overthrow of the Catholic religion, and that at last they must
come to a composition with the King, they advised them to yield
their towns to Don John to avoid further inconveniences, in case
he should take them by force, which he would do, because the
States had not power to help them. These letters were intercepted
before they were delivered ; whereupon on the 19th were
taken prisoners at Arras, the Abbot of St. Va, who is father
[sic] to Vasseur, Don John's secretary, M. Cornelle, one of the
council of Artois, and the secretary of the Bishop of Arras. The
Bishop himself and others of credit are escaped to Peronne in
Picardy. The Abbot of Bonne Espérance is fled to Don John,
with other abbots ; for which cause ecclesiastics are more and
more suspected. The Prince is presenting an oath to all abbots
and ecclesiastics, in order that if they commit anything against
it, they may be met by order of justice ; and whereas the abbeys
were formerly free from soldiers, they are now compelled to
receive them in garrison.
In short, for the present the affairs of the Low Countries are
in good terms. Don John sent a trumpeter on the 22nd to Havenes
[Avesnes] to summon it ; but those of the town took him and
hanged him forthwith. Now he has retired to Philippeville with
most of his army to besiege it, that he may better resist such
forces as are coming for the States ; but it is thought he will lose
his time, because Baron Floreine is in the town with 8 ensigns
and a cornet of horse, with good provision.
The Prince doubts not that in three weeks he will have 5,000
reiters, and 10,000 in two months. If Don John has his reiters
by then, the Prince assures himself that he will compel them to
retire by famine ; if not, he will constrain Don John to go to
towns, which he will besiege, and 'give him the law.' He will not
lack provision for his own reiters, having the Rhine free and the
sea open. As the country lacks oats, he has sent to Dantzic and
to Brittany for 100,000 bushels, by which he reckons that the
States will gain as good as 20,000 florins a week. It is calculated
that for 10,000 reiters they must have 70,000 'pickotins' or
measures of oats per day.
The Prince is occupied, acording to your advice, in fortifying
towns, providing money, and repairing the camp. Brabant,
Flanders, Hainault and Artois are to provide 500,000 florins per
month ; while Holland, Zealand, Friesland, and Guelderland,
which have greater privileges, and cannot be taxed like the other
provinces, will entertain 25 companies of the bands of ordnance.
Count John of Nassau, whose eldest son is now in England
with the Marquis, is expected daily. He will command 1,200
horse, and on his return will be made Governor of Guelderland.
In sum, the longer the war lasts, the more the King will lose.
Great Papists, who three months ago were alogether 'addicted'
to the King, are now his mortal enemies ; and the Council of
State, which mostly consists of Papists, will not have to do with
the King directly, but by a third person, and they are hardly
to be brought to that. M. de Selles, foreseeing what inconvenience
will happen to the King if some talk of peace is not agreed
on, is dealing with the Duke of Cleves, to move the Estates
to send their commissioners to Liége to treat of peace, who
answered that unless the King himself wrote to him, he would
not meddle in any such matter. Selles advertised Don John of
the Duke's answer, and two days after he sent a gentleman to the
Duke with letters to the same effect, made I think of such
blanks as he has in store. So on the 24th, the Duke and the Bishop
of Liége (who was made a cardinal last month) sent letters to
the Estates by M. Buckholbe [Bocholt], bastard to M. de Grevenburche,
desiring them to send commissioners to Liége ; the Baron
of Winnenberg (who was employed last year by the Emperor to
withdraw the Spaniards from the Low Countries) was on the way
from the Emperor to make peace. Count Swartzenborche [Schwarzenberg],
the Emperor's ambassador here, a dangerous man, urged
the same. These proposals engendered new difficulties ; and the
States are not fully resolved whether they shall send or not. But
as they are persuaded that Don John and not the King wrote to the
Duke of Cleves, and as they know he means nothing but war,
and causes these things to be moved in order to make divisions,
the Prince is trying to prevent any from being sent, and I hear
that the States at present intend not to send. The Prince told
me yesterday that they wrote on the 25th to the Duke and the
Bishop that it was vain to propose a new act of pacification, as
they might easily know what they desired by the last peace. If
Don John were departed, the pacification of Ghent established,
and Matthias authorised as Governor, they had the peace they
required. But the nature of this people is covetous, 'and doth
hardly contribute,' and the wiser sort see that all hangs upon
the Prince. If he miscarry, they foresee nothing but confusion.
Wherefore I judge they will meet with such difficulties as will
break their constancy in defending themselves, or make them
in despair yield themselves to the French King unless aided by
some other prince. Wise men therefore think that her Majesty
would act politicly in sending her forces hither to their aid. If
she does not wish to do so, then, because the war will be dangerous
to the King of Spain, if she pleased to send an embassy to
Germany, both to the princes and to the Emperor, she would
constrain the King the sooner to embrace some reasonable peace.
Those who before would not permit her to meddle that way,
would now be well contented that she would employ her credit
for the pacification of things ; which would be very honourable
to her. In Germany all things are done by doctors ; and 'Loodwich
Guiardin' and some other Italians who have reminded me of this
and know Secretary Wilson, judge he would strike the best
stroke for making peace if he were sent into Germany. But the
Prince says it is not time to talk of any peace as yet, and that the
only way to overthrow the States is to parley for peace now ; for
it would suspend their cogitations and retard necessary resolutions.
Count Bossu, who among the nobles is the only man after the
Prince for feats of war, came lately from Brussels to talk with
the Prince about 'redressing' the camp that is to be made near
Brussels. Meanwhile Don John has sent 16,000 dollars to Eric
Duke of Brunswick to levy 4,000 reiters for him. In this state
of things the Prince has caused the Archduke and the Estates
to send Count Adolf of Newenar to the Emperor and Electors,
for the furtherance of their affairs and hindrance of Don John.
[Count Adolf's instructions are given in almost the same words as
in Rogers's letter of March 24, No. 732.]
When these instructions were read openly to the Estates on
the 22nd, some of them advised that a clause should be added
to let the Emperor understand that they were minded to send
the Archduke back to Vienna, if he would not help them. The
Count departed on the 23rd.
Don John has sent M. de Robles, alias Billy, a Portugal born,
through France to the King. He has also sent 'Maria Carduiny'
and the Archdeacon Taxis to the Pope ; two of the three being
among his best colonels. There was great talk here that the
Pope was minded to send his son, the Castellan of St. Angelo,
with 8,000 Italians to Don John ; but the last news says nothing
of Italians, but rather of 5,000 Spaniards, to come under one
'Figuerolla.' Count Hannibal de Emps is making two regiments
of 'lansknights' in Allmany. It is certain, as Duke Casimir
writes to Beutterich on the 14th, that the Archduke Ferdinand
is sending 10,000 florins to Don John and that the Emperor is
lending him great sums out of the money contributed by the
Empire against the Turk.
I dealt privately with the Prince, according to your instructions,
to make him think well of her Majesty's resolution. He liked
the reasons alleged, if they had not lost so much time in waiting
for English forces, and thereby given Don John occasion to
triumph as he does. Touching English soldiers to be sent over
to serve, he says they do not lack footmen, if Casimir comes with
6,000. If Casimir is content to have some English among them,
and they would put themselves under his orders, he would like
it well. Please let me know therefore if I might not deal with
the Duke for 2,000 or 3,000 English soldiers to serve under
such captains as shall be thought fit. Dr. Beutterich thinks well
of this device.
A Diet is appointed at Worms, to begin April 12, as I hear,
to talk of a peace which may be made in the Low Countries.
The States mind to send Allagonda thither, or some other, who
will accompany me to Duke Casimir.
To-day I received the Estates' promise in writing, specified in
my instructions ; wherefore I am minding to depart hence for
Germany about evening, by way of Dordrecht, as the Prince
advises.—Antwerp, 28 March 1578.
Add. Endd. 8 pp. [Ibid. V. 108.]
|
|
March 28.
|
745. WALSINGHAM to DAVISON.
The bearer of this, Thomas Gled, merchant of Ipswich, has,
since the last dealing of the Flushingers upon the seas in making
and taking of prizes, been a suitor to the Prince and Estates
of Holland and Zealand for recovery of his goods taken by them.
He has been well received by his Excellency and has had favour
showed him, the said Estates having agreed to pay his debt
about the beginning of April next. The man's case is as pitiful
as may be, not having wherewith to relieve himself and his
family ; besides the decay of his credit, which is like very shortly
to break off his trade of occupying. This if it comes to pass
must bring him to that low ebb, which all men who know
his honesty in conversation and zeal in true godliness would be
heartily sorry to see. His case is well known to M. Villiers,
who has often showed such friendship as he could in commending
him to the Prince. My request is that you would earnestly
solicit the Prince for the accomplishment of what was promised
him. I am sure M. Villiers will join you herein if you find
it needful, and so request him. He must either be relieved now,
or utterly cease from prosecuting his suit for ever. His friends
have with much ado held him up hitherto, but they cannot
stay his creditors any longer. What the sequel may be you can
conjecture, and therefore I desire your help with the more
instancy. I am persuaded you will do what you can, and the
rather at my request ; so I pray you be a means that he may
be quickly dispatched, for his ability is nowise able to bear the
expense of long waiting.—Greenwich, 28 March 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. V. 109.]
|
|
March 28.
|
746. [DAVISON] to POULET.
It is not long since I sent you news, and though no great
alterations have happened here, I will make you aware of all
that the meantime has brought forth. Since the winning of
Lewe about two leagues from Diest, before which the enemy
lay at the time of my last advertisement (the enterprise of Maestricht
being abandoned upon the discovery of his intelligence
with the Jesuits and friars, who are since expulsed the
town), he came down to the siege of Nivelle, which after
sustaining two desperate assaults he received to composition,
and from thence went to Braine and Bins, both
which with other little towns thereabouts yielded unto him ;
and now having transported the war in manner whole into Hainault
(where he lately practised the surprise of Mons by the
means of Villers, a bailiff thereabouts, though the treason being
happily discovered the traitors were apprehended and the enemy,
God be thanked, prevented), he has divided his force into two
camps, the one making towards Philippeville, a little place, but
of good strength, upon the frontier of Hainault, wherein the States
have eight or nine companies of 'pyetons' and two cornets of
horse, the other marching to the hither side of Hainault, making
a continuance to besiege Ath, Condé or some other town thereabouts.
All that he has hitherto taken are places of no great
moment, and such as were devoted to the Prince of Orange, when
he came last out of Germany with an army, notwithstanding
that the Duke of Alva had his army then in the field. But of
importance he neither has, nor as it is thought dares yet attempt
any one place, lest, with the stain of his reputation gained in the
overthrow of the camp, he risk the ruin of his army ; because
there is no town of importance in the country that if provided
will not be able to stand half a year's siege, and to take one after
another will be endless work. In short the country is naturally
so strong, the 'holds' so many and the condition of the people
so desperate, that by the grace of God the enemy shall not be
able to reduce it to his 'pretended' slavish estate ; and unless he
inclines to peace (whereof the Emperor, the Bishop of Liége and
others, to put them here to sleep and make them negligent in
their provisions, have of late made some overtures), the two points
whereon the King hath always 'grounded,' to wit, La deue
obeisance a soy mesme, et, la Rel. Cath. Romane, will as far as
I see go very near to fall underfoot. It is indubitable that the
hope which they had of setting the provinces one against the other,
that they might have the more easy market of both, was the chief
ground of this course, but that hope having failed them drives
them to a more narrow issue than they looked for, and though
he has entertained intelligence in a number of towns, they have
hitherto yielded him very little or no fruit at all. His chief
instruments have been the churchmen, who grow so odious to
the people generally, that if the war go forward we expect the
like alteration of their state here as happened in Holland. At
Arras there was of late apprehended the Abbot of St. Vaast with
others for some conspiracy ; the Bishop of that place, who was
chief of the faction, being fled to Péronne. And at St. Omer
there has been a tumult upon a like suspicion. They of Ghent
have in the meantime seized on the town of Courtray, and on
the 20th inst. entered the town of Bruges ; and from thence it
is thought they will Ypres (sic). Then you see in what combustion
the state is here.
Mr. Rogers went hence to-day to Duke Casimir, whom the
States have resolved to entertain. Her Majesty having promised
to disburse 20,000l. that lies at Hamburg or 20,000l. at the place
of muster. But we do not look for him till about midsummer,
though the others entertained under the Count 'Zwartzenborch,'
the Marquis of Havrech, Shenck and other colonels, are expected
within a month or five weeks.
The Duke of Alençon does not give over his practice with the
Prince and States. He did the last week write to the States
for a resolute answer, off or on. Having received some satisfaction
in their long-trained negotiation with her Majesty, it
seems they will deal more openly with him than they have.—
Antwerp, 28 March 1577 (sic).
P.S.—Being ready to close this letter I received yours of the
11th, and though I was glad to hear from you, I would have
wished your letter some better subject than it seems the times
afforded.
Draft. Endd. 3 pp. [Ibid. V. 110.]
|
March 29.
K. d. L. x.
378.
|
747. DAVISON to the SECRETARIES.
Little has happened since my last, the enemy since the capture
of Bins seeming uncertain what to attempt. He has divided
his forces into two camps, one making as though to besiege
Philippeville, a small but strong place on the frontier of Hainault ;
the other bending to the hither side of Hainault, with intent it is
supposed to besiege 'Engwyen,' 'Aeth,' Condé or some other town
thereabouts, in each of which Count Bossu, now general of the
field for the States, has put garrisons to keep the enemy occupied
on that side, both that the reiters may find less hindrance to their
entry on the other side, and to keep him from attacking places
of more importance. Don John himself has retired to Namur
to keep his Passover there.
The tumult at Arras is now appeased, the Abbot of St. Vaste
and the others whose names I send herewith, accused of intelligence
with the enemy, being apprehended ; but the Bishop, chief
of that faction, escaped to Péronne. At St. Omer there has been
some 'esmotyon' for the like cause ; but since the coming of the
Abbot of Maroilles all is pacified, some of the principal of the
town being apprehended. At Bruges everything is quiet since
the coming of the Guantoys, with no innovation save the establishing
of a council of 18 composed of the most sufficient burghers.
Lord Seton, who [was] forced first out of Mechlin, and then
out of this town by the people, on account of the credit he had
with the Duke of Alva, is now a prisoner at Bruges. He has
asked me lately for a passport for one John Nesmith to repair to
our Court and solicit her Majesty's safe conduct to pass home
through our country ; to help extinguish the fire lately kindled
in Scotland, with the adding of matter apt to entertain the combustion,
and perhaps to do some good offices by the way. You
who know the man and the condition of things in that country,
may best tell how to deal with him.
Mr. Rogers departed on Friday afternoon ; and if some of the
Prince's horsemen had not arrived by chance, he had been taken
between this and Oudenbosch by some of the enemy's 'freebutters,'
five or six of whom being taken are brought prisoners
to this town.
The French that served under Count Charles are said to be
retired malcontent. On the other hand news has come from
divers parts of the frontier that the Duke of Alençon is gathering
6,000 or 7,000 men ; to what end is yet in expectation [draft :
though it be vehemently suspected to tend to the offence of these
countries.]
Carenzon arrived here last Friday with the duplicate of a
dispatch sent by one Roger Williams ; who embarking last Tuesday
from Gravesend to come 'by long seas,' he thinks has
miscarried in the tempest which has continued in a manner ever
since,—Antwerp, 29 March 1578.
List of names of prisoners at Arras : The Abbot of St. Vaast ;
Lieutenant of Arras, Vos ; Maître Jacques de Latre ; Maître
Andrien Denis ; the Clerk to the Estates, Maître Jehan Cornel ; M.
Mastin ; the bailiff of St. Vaast, Vasseur. [This par. in Fr.]
Add. Endd. by Walsingham and (incorrectly) in another
hand. 2½ pp. [Ibid. V. 111.]
|
|
748. Draft of the above, dated March 28. Endd. 2 pp.
[Ibid. V. 111a.]
|
March 29.
K. d. L. x.
379.
|
749. DAVISON to BURGHLEY.
It is five or six weeks since I wrote to you ; and though the
condition of things here has improved, I will no longer defer to
repair my fault with such advice as the time affords.
Since the taking of Lewe, the enemy, abandoning his projected
attempt on Maestricht upon the discovery of his intelligence with
the friars and Jesuits there, who are now expelled the town, came
down to the siege of Nivelle ; which having capitulated after
sustaining two desperate assaults, he attempted Bins, Braine, and
other little places, which he took without resistance. Now the
brunt of the war is transported into Hainault, where he hoped
to have surprised Mons, by practice with one Villers, bailiff of
Antuyn, a Seignory thereabouts ; who with others had undertaken
at a given moment to seize on the gates of the town and let in
some of the enemy's horsemen bestowed in ambush not far off ;
though, God be thanked, the treason being in time discovered,
the traitors were apprehended. He has divided his forces into
two parts, one making head towards Philippeville ; the other
'making countenance' to besiege Enghien, Condé, Ath, or some
other town in that corner. The places which he has hitherto
got, being such as the Duke of Alva, though he had an army
in the field, could not prevent the Prince from taking when he
last came out of Germany, he has been forced to attempt, as well
to save his own reputation as to entertain his army ; but to
assault Brussels or any other town of importance, having neglected
to do it during the general astonishment of the people and
improvision of the States, and giving them time to fortify and
provide themselves, is now thought a thing unlikely. In sum,
having but two means to effect his purpose, either by treason or
by force, and the former being full of danger and uncertainty,
it is hoped that the latter shall little avail him, having to take
one town after another, a number of which must cost him at
least half a year's siege, with an infinite charge, loss of men, and
hazard of his fortune and reputations ; because, as men of war
are apt to say, one good town, well defended, suffices to ruin
a mighty army. But as no certain judgment can be made of
these matters, which above all others are subject to uncertain
accidents, I leave the experience to the time.
Some think that the enemy, seeing his hope of effecting a
division between the Prince and Estates, deceive him, and his
intelligence in the towns fails him, and desirous of a peace, if
he may compass it with the honour of the King, the conservation
of the Catholic religion, and his own credit, has suborned the
Bishop of Liége and M. de Selles [to entertain (sic) the practice
of a peace, by means of the Emperor and the Bishop of Liége, L.]
to make some new overtures. Others, acquainted with Spanish
subtleties, though they doubt not that Don John has his interest
in the motion, take it rather to tend to the rocking of the States
asleep to make them more negligent in their provisions, especially
in diverting the succour out of Germany, than to a sound disposition
towards pacifying their troubles, the continuance of which,
according to the judgement of some of good discourse, is like to
hinder their Romish religion [to hazard the loss of those two
curious jewels, de la Religion Catho. Romaine, L.] and la denc
obeissance au Roy. As to the first, it seems that divers of our
clergy here take the same course their like did in Holland, and
they [the clergy being the chiefest instruments to serve the
enemy's turn, L.] become daily so suspect and hateful to the
people that if like causes bring forth like effects we cannot but
expect a like alteration ; and no means is more apt to put the
other in hazard than by continuing this violent course to increase
the desperate condition of the subjects and drive him to take
some course tending perhaps with the change of religion to the
change of master, or at least of their form of government ; a thing
which some already divine upon the proceedings of the Gauntoys,
who resuming their old nature have seized the town of Courtray,
and on the 20th inst. entered Bruges, by intelligence, with 1,000
footmen and 250 lances ; both which places being vehemently
doubted, they have now assured. In the latter, having established
a council of 18 of the most discreet and honest burghers, they
have withdrawn their horse and left their foot.
At Arras the Abbot of Vaast and others were apprehended ;
and at St. Omer a tumult being raised upon a like occasion
and the parties suspected being committed to prison, the people,
who have been moved in this way twice or thrice since Christmas,
are appeased. We want our reiters here with great devotion,
though we look for none of them ; nor for Duke Casimir till
about midsummer.
Mr. Rogers started yesterday afternoon, and I hear had been
taken by the enemy if some of the Prince's horsemen, arriving
by chance, had not rescued him and conducted him on his way.
Information as in letter to the secretaries, No. 747, with reference
to Carenzoni, the French contingent, and Lord Seton.—Antwerp,
29 March 1578.
P.S.—List of the persons imprisoned at Arras, as before.
Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Ibid. V. 112.]
|
|
[Mar. 29.]
|
750. DAVISON to LEICESTER.
[Almost identical with the last. The principal variations are
inserted above in brackets, indicated by L.]
Draft. Endd. 3 pp. [Ibid. V. 113.]
|
March 31.
K. d. L. x.
383.
|
751. DAVISON to WALSINGHAM.
Mr. Williams, whom [sic] as I wrote yesterday we feared had
miscarried with her Majesty's packet, arrived immediately after
the departure of the post. By him I received two several boxes
sealed with your seal, containing the originals of which Carenzon
brought the copies, together with advertisements of the affairs
of Scotland.
Some time to-day I look to have audience with the Prince
and States, to whom I doubt not my news will be agreeable.
Meantime, this Dutch post being ready to depart, I would not
fail to signify thus much.—Antwerp, the last of March 1578.
P.S.—I have just received a letter from you by Watson, Dr.
Wilson's man ; which I have not yet perused, and therefore
cannot answer.
Add. Endd. by L. Tomson. ½ p. [Ibid. V. 114.]
|
|
March 31.
|
752. HODDESDON to BURGHLEY.
In my last of the 20th I sent you such occurrents as I had
received. [Summary follows, including 'of Stewkley's shipping
from Civita Vecchia.'] Since then there has been throughout
these parts taking up of horsemen both for Don John and for the
States ; for the former by Duke Eric of Brunswick and Duke
Francis of Saxony, and for the States by Duke Casimir and the
Duke [sic] of Schwarzburg, who it is said will serve with 8,000
horse. Some princes in these parts dislike those who serve Don
John, as the Duke of Mecklenburg and Duke Julius of Brunswick,
who have given strict orders throughout their dominions that no
subjects of theirs shall serve, under heavy penalties.
At Warsaw the States of Poland have been called to parliament.
They are much offended by the peace with Dantzic, but the King
with his wisdom has pacified the matter. They are much occupied
about a peace to be made with the Muscovites. They would also
have in Poland three chambers, as in the Empire, and much
desire the establishment of the succession.
The Tartars have destroyed a great part of Podolia and have
carried off captive 8,000 people out of the 'Russe Lember' [Lemberg].
The Turks' corsairs have made divers 'rodes' into Hungary
and have carried away many prisoners.
The Muscovite has done great damage both in Lettowe and
'Leffelane.' Duke Magnus, brother to the King of Denmark, has
fled from him, and is now in Cooveland, out of the Muscovite's
power. The commons have elected a new duke in 'Prucia,'
because the other has been so long lunatic ; whereof trouble is like
to ensue.—Hamburg, the last of March 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Hanse Towns I. 35.]
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|
End of
March.
|
753. ARTICLES proposed to the QUEEN OF ENGLAND by the
MARQUIS OF HAVRECH, Ambassador to her Majesty, as
well from the ARCHDUKE MATTHIAS, Governor and
Captain-General of the Low Countries, as from the
ESTATES-GENERAL.
|
1. That her Majesty will be pleased to ratify the treaty lately
made with the said Marquis, and to send the succour of horse and
foot in pursuance thereof.
(Her Majesty has already declared her intention in this matter. As regards the
succours, for certain considerations already stated, she has been induced to
avail herself of another expedient for their assistance, which the Estates have
accepted.)
|
2. To give her own bond and those of the City of London, up
to the sum of 100,000l.
(Bond already sent, according to the request of the States.)
|
3. Since we understand that her Majesty has already sent the
bonds, which the States were not aware of, will she let us have
duplicates ?
(No need for this, as they have come safely to hand.)
|
4. As it seems that the negotiation of them will be a long business,
money not being so easily obtained as in former times ; and
as the aid in men has with the consent of the Estates been converted
into a commission to Duke Casimir to raise 2,000 horse and
3,000 Swiss over and above his former commission for 3,000 horse
and 3,000 foot, whereby the country will be a good deal burdened ;
and as there is reason to fear that, owing to the heavy charges on
them the Estates may not be able readily to meet the first payment
of the Duke's people, and thereby fail in great measure to obtain
their services, whereby her Majesty's kindness will turn to their
own hurt ; will she be pleased to furnish another 20,000l. to meet
the first payment to their people over and above the 20,000l.
already assigned by her in the town of Hamburg ?
(Since the additional forces to be brought by Duke Casimir only amount to 5000
men, the country will suffer no more burden from them than it would have
done from 6000 English.)
|
5. That for the greater security of the Estates they may have
the handling of the said money ; or at least that Casimir's receipts
for it may be made out to them for all moneys advanced or to be
advanced to him.
(Her Majesty will give orders that the Duke shall give his receipts, and shall
receive the sum from Hamburg as if from their hands, on condition that the
Estates give security to her Majesty's agent for the repayment of the sum.)
|
6. That on account of the 20,000l. asked for at once, her Majesty
will furnish 5,000l. worth of munitions of war, as powder, saltpetre,
and cannon-balls.
(She will give orders that that sum be furnished to buy the said munitions.)
|
7. If her Majesty should not decide to advance the said 20,000l.,
that it may be her good pleasure to advance them towards the
repayment of the 100,000l. which shall be obtained on her bonds
for that sum.
(The Queen begs the Marquis to be content with the answer given him in this
matter by the Privy Council.)
|
8. That the Estates and the deputies of the Provinces in union
with them may have leave to buy munitions of war, cannon, &c.,
in the realm, without payment of customs.
(It will be necessary to know the quantities, that the officers of the ports may
have orders to let them pass.)
|
9. That they may have the same permission in regard to
victuals, especially oats.
(In the same way it will be necessary to know the quantities, that enquiries may
be made as to the part of the realm where they can be provided most conveniently
without burdening the country.)
|
10. Whereas certain merchants of this realm having delivered
and sold, at a very high price, certain merchandise to the Estates,
have caused certain merchants of the Low Countries, resident in
London for some years past, to be arrested for the debt of the
Estates, in the sight of all men on the Exchange of London, that
her Majesty will be pleased to cancel the said arrests, and order
that the said merchants be no further molested for the debts of
the Estates, whereby the intercourse between the said realm and
the Low Countries will greatly fall off, not without much injury
to the poor commons.
(If the names of the said merchants are given, her Majesty will have order given
to them to desist, and to others [not] to attempt anything of the kind in future ;
provided that the Estates will satisfy the said merchants, deputing some
persons to treat with them to that effect.)
|
11. And that her Majesty will have letters of licence sent to
the deputy of the city of Ghent to take out of the realm gunpowder
to the sum of 1,500l. sterling, without paying custom or duty.
(Granted.)
Endd. : Articles proposés a sa Majesté par Monsr. le Marquis.
Replies in the writing of L. Tomson, signed, by him, at the end :
Fran. Walsingham. All Fr. 3 pp. [Holl. and Fl. V. 115.]
|
|
754. Another copy. 3 pp. [For. E.B. Misc. II.]
|
|
[March?]
|
755. ROLL of the FORCES which the ESTATES of the LOW
COUNTRIES have, both horse and foot.
In all 136 ensigns of foot ; besides 25 (exclusive of garrisons
in Holland, and 'the Scots who are expected [note in Davison's
hand : 'venus']) in addition to the six ensigns which came about
December 24 ; 13 ensigns.' Commanders : Bossu, Montigny,
Capres, Champagny, la Garde, de Bours, la Marche, Hèze,
Bersele, Egmont, la Motte, Count 'Hollach.'
'Though the number of ensigns is large, they are not a great
multitude of soldiers, the companies not being full.'
Of horse there are 10,300, of whom not more than 1,400 or
1,500 are yet at the camp.
List of commanders ends with Count of 'Zwartzemberg' and
Casimir.
Endd. as above ; apparently by Pierre Fornari. Fr. 1½ pp.
[Holl. and Fl. V. 116.]
|
[March]
K. d. L. x.
382.
necessity.
seeking of help.
advise to send and prepare.
thorough dealing or none at all.
war matters and civil matters different for their handling.
To leave them,
to aid them,
which is better?
To aid them the best advice.
|
756. An OPINION for the present time whether it be good to
send aid or no.
Anything is just that is done by necessity. The Estates are
driven now either to take to their defence for the safeguard of
their liberties or else to submit to continual servitude. The first
is natural, lawful and just, and either they must with hazard
of death avoid certain death or else with an unjust peace they must
wilfully fall into extreme misery, which is unnatural, unmeet,
and a thing altogether injurious to themselves and to their country.
They seek help here, and if none comes, they must be forced to
give themselves up to others that will be their defence. Or if
none come, either they must stand to it of themselves, and so be
undone, or else put themselves into their hands, that will make
in the end a conquest of them, be it French or Spaniard, to the one
for help, to the other for mercy. However the Estates speed
amiss, it cannot be for our safety here ; their loss cannot be
our gain. And therefore I would wish a nobleman were sent
to urge the perpetual edict to Don John, and if that may not at
present be agreed unto, then to aid without delay, and in the
mean season to have all things here in readiness, as well for the
defence of the realm as for aiding our neighbours upon the
sudden. And either to deal roundly and thoroughly, or else not
to deal at all, for it is not with matters of war as it is with
civil causes. Any opportunity lost or error committed in war
causes present ruin, whereas many faults may be made in civil
government, without overthrow to the State ; and things done
amiss in time of peace may soon be remedied, whereas it is not
so in matters of war. If to leave the Estates be for our benefit
when they are clean subdued, let us take that course ; if aiding
of them be for our safety and for the assurance of a perpetual
sound peace let us then join with them for our own commodity
and welfare. To leave them is our undoing as well as theirs,
and therefore it were best to aid them for our own sakes, except
we be disposed to perish with them ; which is not credible.
Dr. Wilson's handwriting. Endorsed as above. 1 p. Dated 30
Martii, 1577 (sic). [Ibid. V. 117.]
|
|
[March ?]
|
757. Statement of the rates of exchange of certain amounts
of bar silver, Philipsthalers, angelots, pistolets, Hamburg and
Hungarian ducats, and 'Portingalese,' into Flemish and English
values ; the total amounting to 20,000l. Also into Reichsthalers.
Endd. Xpofel udeston [Christopher Hoddesdon], 1578. Germ.
and Fr. 2 pp. [Ibid. V. 118.]
|
|
[March.]
|
758. The SUBSIDY to DUKE CASIMIR.
(1.) The Queen to Hoddesdon.
Whereas by our letter to you of we desired you to
transport to Hamburg the 20,000l. which was delivered to you
out of our exchequer for provision to be made in the East
Countries of powder and saltpetre ; and also to keep the money
till we should appoint to whom and how you should pay it ;
we let you 'weese' our will and pleasure as you shall pay it
in such kinds, as you transported it to the bringer of these our
letters, so that he deliver to you a sufficient acquittance under
the hand and seal of Duke Casimir, brother to the Count Palatine.
And this letter with the acquittance shall be your sufficient
warrant and discharge.
In margin : To Mr. Hoddesdon at Hanboroughe.
|
(2.) Walsingham to Hoddesdon.
Her Majesty is pleased that the money delivered to you shall
be employed by Duke Casimir in Germany, and has given order
to that effect by a letter which is to be delivered to him for you,
which shall be your sufficient discharge. As in that letter is
wanting the name of the other who was directed to you for the
transport of the money, because I lacked the copy of the same,
I thought well to let you know, so that notwithstanding this
and the want of the date of the letter, you might make no stay
of delivery to such, as the Duke shall depute to receive the money
by virtue of that letter. Also as by directions received from
hence you may have employed some part of the money in merchandise,
you must find the means to make it up, that when it is
demanded none be wanting, whereby the Duke may be disappointed
and the service hindered. When you have delivered
the money and received a sufficient acquittance, you shall send
a copy of it, that order may be taken for putting in bonds for
the repayment of the same to her Majesty by those for whose
behoof it is employed. Also send a copy of your own letter ;
I mean that which this last letter of her Majesty has relation to,
for I have no minute.
Copy. 2 pp. [For. E.B. Misc. II.]
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[March ?]
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759. Statement of the total amount of a month's pay and
allowances of bandes d'ordonnance, light horse, and reiters ; also
infantry regiments, Walloon, Scottish, English, French, Low
German, and certain private companies not included in regiments,
together with the salaries of commanders and colonels.
[List follows of various regiments, &c., with the names of
their commanders. Of reiters, 'in black harness,' there are 5,000
under Duke Casimir, having 'for pay in future 32 or 33 livres
art. per month, by reason of the rise in money, a florin of Germany
being worth 31s. 3d. art.' Three thousand reiters are under the
Count of 'Zwartzenborch.'
Commanders of foreign regiments are : Scots, Colonel Balfour,
and (of Scots newly arrived from Dantzic), Colonel Stuart ;
French, M. de la Garde, and the Baron de Hargenlieu ; Germans,
Colonel Lazarus Muller, Count Boussu ; English, 'M. Mauris de
Margan,' Captains 'Gensfort,' 'Cromvelt,' and 'Bisschop,' Mr.
Henry 'Candich' and John Porter.]
Fr. 9 pp. [Holl. and Fl. V. 119.]
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[March ?]
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760. REMARKS as to the present condition and distribution
of some of the Forces of the Estates.
Of Montigny's Walloons, three companies have not been disarmed ;
two are in garrison at Nivelle, one at Soignies. The
rest are being got together again by Commissary Tsarratz. Champagny's
regiment is collecting again at Havet ; it was disarmed
at Templou. It was returned at between 700 and 800 in Commissary
Tserclaes' report. Fiacute;ve companies of Count Egmont's
regiment were disarmed at Templou. The lieutenant's company
and those of Adrian de Meruse and Jean de Waha returned to
Diest, and surrendered to Don John. Those of Guerart d'Ans
and M. de Noyelle went to Sichem and were massacred there.
Only 150 men out of the five companies returned to Aerschot.
M. de Lumay's regiment was broke at the end of January,
and afterwards re-embodied under M. de Glimes.
Regiment of Scots under Henry Balfour, 15 ensigns. Of these
13 were disbanded, and are being got together at Brussels ; two
at Mechlin passed muster on January 17. Two private companies
of English passed muster on the February at Lierre, and a
third at Cantecroy.
Apparently in writing of P. Fornari. Fr. 2¼ pp. [Ibid. V.
120.]
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March.
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761. List of persons in the suite of the Marquis of Havrech ;
Count William of Nassau, the Sieur Yeman, M. de Perck, M. de
Ghibersi, M. le Docteur, M. de Liere, M. Butkens, Sieur Vanderstrepen.
Endd. : Mart. 1577. ½ p. [Ibid. V. 121.]
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End of
March [?].
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761. (bis.) M. DE LA MOTTE'S answers to the articles contained
in the instructions given by his HIGHNESS to M. DE LA
MOULLERIE, one of his gentlemen, and JACQUES MASCART,
deputy of the STATES-GENERAL assembled at Antwerp.
1. M. de la Motte is glad that his Highness is satisfied with the
order taken in the matter which happened at Gravelines on the
8th inst.
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2. His reason for making M. de Vaulx his lieutenant, and his
company, leave the town was on account of the lieutenant's swagger
(bravesse) toward his (la Motte's) soldiers, going so far as to
threaten them with ill-treatment after he was gone. The company,
which was only two months in arrears, is ordered to be paid for
one ; while the Governor's with arrears and losses is twelve months
short.
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3. As regards Hennewyn, jurisdiction of Bredenarde, in la
Motte's government, and Le Rybus, it will be found that he only
put six soldiers in Hennewyn, one afternoon (environ l'apres dîner)
and none in Le Rybus ; and withal on account of the alarm caused
by hearing of gatherings, and the seizure made of the passages
that morning. The changing of the six soldiers placed in Hennewyn
was not the cause of disturbance, as has been given out.
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4. The lawyers, soldiers, and M. de la Motte himself cannot
thank his Highness enough for leaving him in his government ;
and they hope by God's grace to do their due and proper service.
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5. It has been proposed that the soldiers should renew their
oath. The answer is, that it is unnecessary, as they have taken
none since that of union, and have given no cause for distrust.
They will hold the town and account for it. They thank his
Highness for the proposed provision for their payment monthly,
and beg that their old dues may be remembered, and that persons
may be sent to reckon these up and give them some satisfaction.
Further the deputies formerly sent by M. de la Motte have declared
that they will take the oath as above subject to proper payment.
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6. As for the charge of the artillery during la Motte's absence,
he thinks, under correction, as his advice has been asked, that
Lieutenant Baccart might be left ; in hopes that it will not be for
long, and that he will be able to attend to it when things are
settled again.
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7. As regards the delegation of his government to M.
d'Esquerdes, la Motte could be what he is ordered, and as his
Highness's deputies have given him to understand.
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8. In the matter of religion, which is the main object, all most
humbly beg that such order as is fitting may be taken at the
approaching assembly at Dendermonde, and that the poor prisoners,
spiritual and temporal alike, may be set free ; and the reform may
be made of admitting no suspected persons to the magistrature in
place of Catholics, conformably with the pacification of Ghent.
(Signed) Valentin de Pardieu.
Copy. Fr. 2¼ pp. [Holl. and Fl. V. 122.]
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March [?]
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761 (ter). [DAVISON] to LEICESTER.
. . . . Let us compare the peril with the profit, the difficulty
with the facility, the travail with the fruit to be "attended"
from such an enterprise. If it be said that her Majesty will enter
into a war chargeable, dangerous, and important, the continuance
and "success" of which may be long doubtful, that she will draw
both France and Spain and the friends of both upon her shoulders,
to join with a people of whom she can have no great assurance ;
that the minds of those with whom she deals are divided ; that
[a blank].
It may be answered that the mark and end of war is peace, which
her Majesty cannot enough have when the neighbours and allies
of whom she is most assured shall be ruined by those who are
most determined to shoot at her person and her state ; and she
must seek by supporting her friends to "entertain" her own
peace and security. As for the charges of the war, she is queen
of a wealthy kingdom and a people well-affected and willing to
employ the means they have for the welfare of her Majesty, themselves,
and the country. For the combination of France and Spain
against her, her Majesty can perceive, whether she enter or not
into the action, the case is not altered, the French having already
assisted him [?] and purposing every day to proceed. How little
cause she has to fear them if she will use the means which the
time affords. I "report me" to such as understand the state of
both countries. For the country and people whom she is to assist,
neither the one and other are [sic] of so little account as is
esteemed ; the country, by nature one of the strongest in Christendom,
has in it a number of strong towns and fortresses, to win
which one after another cannot be done without great difficulty,
the rather in respect of the desperate condition of the people, who
having tasted the tyranny of the Spaniard, and knowing the heavy
yoke prepared for them, are resolved rather to run any fortune
than to return into so intolerable a condition.
Fragment of draft. (Cf. letter of Mar. 8, No. 676.) Endd,
¾ p. [Holl. and Fl. V. 123.]
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