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Sept. 6.
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231. DUKE CASIMIR to the QUEEN.
You have no doubt heard from my councillor Junius of the straits
I am in for having wished to please you. Since he went, they
have increased more and more, so much so that if you do not take
prompt order shortly by aiding me from your resources, I can
assure you on the faith of a prince that this whole army will vanish
to the great disadvantage of your reputation and the confusion of
the common cause. As for me, my only regret will be to have been
abandoned by a princess on whose faith and assurance I embarked
upon this confusion. But I hope you will not let things go so far
as that.From my camp, 6 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Germ. States I. 71.]
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Sept. 7.
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232. POULET to the QUEEN.
Your Majesty will give me leave to express the great joy I have
conceived at seeing it confirmed that you embrace the matters of the
Low Countries with so good and godly affection ; not after the
manner of ambitious princes desiring to decide their neighbours'
controversies with intent to enlarge their own territories, but to
deliver the oppressed from thraldom and tyranny, and to give the
oppressor his ancient and patrimonial right with honourable and
reasonable conditions. I think I do not abuse my terms, to say
that to be given which without your favour were clearly lost, and
as we commonly say, without redemption. There is no hope under
God that any other than you can deliver that poor people from the
tyranny of the Spanish and French, and the government of these
two nations is in such extremity of pride, covetousness and cruelty,
that I cannot tell which is the more tolerable. I say nothing of the
danger likely to ensue by such guests to their neighbours adjoining.
It was not enough to know that Monsieur had no intelligence with
the Spaniards, whereof in my opinion there was no question, unless
due consideration were had of the drift of his actions, which no doubt
shot chiefly at the mark of making himself great and satisfying
the ambition of himself and his followers. Good and provident counsel
prevented this mischief ; and yet if peace be concluded between
the King of Spain and the Estates, it may be feared lest new dangers
will arise. Some think it probable that the peace of the Low
Countries will work new friendship between Monsieur and the
Spaniard, which may work new trouble here and elsewhere. Your
Majesty's plain and honourable dealings grounded upon honour,
equity, and conscience would deserve to be requited with like roundness ;
but who can look that foreign Princes, trained up from their
infancy in the school of 'tromperie' will be sincere in their dealings
when it is not to their advantage? Experience has taught what is
to be expected in like cases, and that we must bind surely if we
look to find surety. I have long since been induced by many
arguments to believe that Monsieur has no intelligience with the
Spaniard ; but I must also believe that his army will not be idle.
The French humour will not permit it ; necessity must seek
another remedy, and then perhaps a new match may be made with
the Spaniard, unless the young ambitious counsellors think it easier
and safer to make themselves great in their own country than
among the swords of their armed neighbours.
We say here that the king has changed nothing but his
habit ; a new man only in outward appearance and trifling
shows ; but prodigal in his gifts and disordinate in his
affection towards some young men about him, to the great
offence of his nobility and to the utter ruin of his poor people,
whose miseries indeed are without end or measure. It behoves
him to cherish peace abroad when he has not peace at home ; I
mean that he wants the loving hearts of his subjects, the only true
blessing of all kings and princes. I am not one of those that take
pleasure in publishing the infirmities of great personages ; yet I
think it not impertinent to let your Majesty know the state of this
country, which depends greatly on the good or bad disposition of its
King.
Besides this discontent at home, the Popish cantons threaten to
renounce their league with the King, for want of pay, and new
practices are in hand for new associations. The details I have
imparted to Mr Secretary Wilson. For my part, I make the less
account of these foreign doings, or of any danger that may seem to
hang towards us, so long as I see that your Majesty stands on good
terms with Scotland. Yet we say here that there is some beginning
of troubles in those parts. If this postern door be safely shut, our
known enemies will want occasion to annoy us ; which they desire
much and can only effectuate by this way ; and others who are now
our friends in appearance will not be moved by advantage to be our
enemies.
Neville [i.e. Neufville=Villeroy] has been dispatched lately
from Monsieur to the King, and now is gone to Queen Mother
and the King of Navarre, having secret orders from Monsieur to
require the King of Navarre to put his whole power of horse and
foot in readiness to serve when required.
Fitzmorris is shipped at Nantes for Spain with his wife and
family.
The King was advertised the last of August that the King of
Portugal was overthrown in battle in Africa, the greater part of his
nobility slain and himself dead or prisoner. This is the reward of
covetousness and ambition, and God grant the princes of this
country to profit by this notable example.
Queen Mother and the Queen of Navarre left Cognac on the 30th
ult., and it is said that the King of Navarre had started towards
them.
The King is now at Fontainebleau, having advertised the ambassadors
that he will return after three weeks ; but some think he
will not be here till Michaelmas, because he is not attended
by knights in sufficient number to solemnize the Order of
St. Michael to his honour.Paris, 7 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. 3 pp. [France II. 68a.]
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233. Later copy of first jew sentences of the above letter, by one of
Sir J. Williamson's clerks. p. [Ibid. 68a.]
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Sept. 7.
K. d. L. x. 800.
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234. Memorandum as to the marriage negotiations.
Die Dominica, 7 Septembris. At Horham.The Queen being
minded to give his answer to M. Baqueville, sent from the Duke of
Anjon to solicit the cause of his former suit of marriage, commanded
him to be brought to her in a withdrawing chamber and that Lord
Burghley, the Earl of Leicester and Sir Christopher Hatton should
be present and hear her speech, all others excluded.
Her Majesty said that she could not but thank the Duke, his
master, for his good will in sending him to renew the suit of
marriage, though it had been intermitted almost two years. For his
reasons alleged to excuse this, as in no wise proceeding from
himself, she said she was content to admit some, but others she
could not allow of. As for the matter itself, concerning her
marriage with anyone, she continued in the mind wherein she had
always been firmly determined and had so answered no small
number of princes, that she would never marry any person whom
she should not first herself see. Concerning his coming here, she
charged Baqueville to require the Duke to be well advised thereof,
and to determine with himself not to come with a meaning to
diminish his goodwill towards her in case there should be no
agreement ; but that he would continue the mutual amity, and
whatever fortune should do, whether continue his estate as
brother to a French king, or should be a French king
himself by the natural death of his brother, would continue
towards her Majesty 'a good friend and a good sister' as she had
deserved and would so continue. For if he meant to come otherwise
and not obtaining his purpose of marriage should alter the good
terms of amity betwixt them, she would he would in no wise attempt
to come. And therefore she concluded with an earnest request that
Monsieur would take advice of his friends, and not adventure his
coming but with a determination that if there was a mutual liking
there were no difficulty to breed any offence ; but if it should not
succeed as he desires, he would not alter his goodwill but that the
friendship professed not only between his brother and her but
between the Duke and her might continue without any diminution.
She added that this manner of dealing was only what had passed
from her to a number of princes in like cases, as to the Emperor
Maximilian for his brother, the Kings of Denmark, Sweden and
others.
If the Duke were disposed to come, she wished it might be without
any pomp, but as privately as he might, with pretence to see
her and her realm, so that if he do not obtain his purpose, no
offence may grow thereby. For the articles heretofore conferred
upon, which Baqueville had desired to see, she thought it best that
their consideration were deferred. Finally Baqueville pressing to
have a sight of them without taking a copy, it was answered that
they are not here at the Court, but were thought to be in the keeping
of Mr Secretary Walsingham ; whereupon Baqueville asked that
Mr Secretary might have leave, if the Duke sent to him, to come
and speak with him, and show them to him if he had them, or else
report the substance of them. To which her Majesty assented and
he took his leave.
In Burghley's hand. Endd. 3 pp. [France II. 69.]
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Sept. 7.
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235. POULET to BURGHLEY.
Nothing is more dangerous than security in these bad times,
when ambition and dissimulation have so great place in the heads
of princes, and the only remedy for the danger, as your Lordship
writes most truly, is to be trained in continual exercise ; sometimes
it is even profitable to be wakened by false alarms. The old saying
is confirmed by new experience, that our case is in question when
our neighbour's house is on fire, and nothing is more certain than
that our well or ill-doing depends greatly on the well or ill-doing
of our neighbours abroad. England has therefore great occasion to
shake off that sluggish sleep of security when it sees its only assured
friends 'traveled' and consumed with continual troubles.
It seems that this exercise has bred good effects in our country,
and that her Majesty being plentifully 'endewed' with God's
blessings has now also put on a will to profit by them and to put
them in execution for the safety of herself and her state and to the
benefit of all Christendom. The matters of the Low Countries
give great hope of some good conclusion likely to ensue, if we
proceed as we have begun.
Although in my former letters I have been somewhat resolute
that Monsieur had no intelligence with the Spaniard, and was induced
by many evident reasons to be of that opinion, yet as I never
doubted that ambition was the principal or only end and scope
of his enterprise, if peace be concluded in the Low Countries, I do
not see but that necessity, joined with the mediation of so many
great personages will reconcile him again to the Spaniard, and then
I fear that the sequel will be as dangerous as the beginning was
suspicious. Such as follow Monsieur make their account of the
other side, and now hold Luxembourg and Franche Comt their own
already, and that Milan will not resist and then that Naples will yield
by necessity. Nothing but kingdoms and great states will serve those
fellows, and [they] do not think that their host when he comes will
call them to a new reckoning. If war continue in the Low
Countries then is good hope that Monsieur may also continue
in well-doing ; but it is a necessity for his army to be employed,
the ambition of his followers and want of money will force him to
new adventures, and perhaps to a new match with the Spaniard.
The only hope to the contrary that is conceived here is that his
counsellors may counsel him to seek his greatness in his own country.
The will of the Almighty must be fulfilled ; experience has shewn
that He is a principal workman in these dealings, sparing and
punishing at his pleasure.
You have no doubt heard of the overthrow of the King of Portugal
in Africa, and that the greater part of his nobility is slain and himself
prisoner if he be not dead. The King here heard of it on the
30th ult. Some think this will serve to work a peace in the Low
Countries.
It is thought that Queen Mother and her daughter have now
joined the King of Navarre.Paris, 7 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 pp. [France II. 70.]
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Sept. 7.
K. d. L. x. 797.
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236. DAVISON to BURGHLEY.
You may have heard from the ambassadors how little fruit their
labour has yielded in the treaty of peace ; Don John excusing his
breaking off by an advertisement which he says he has received from
the king that the whole handling of the matter is remitted to the
Emperor, and himself being by that means unauthorized to proceed
[al. excluded from proceeding] any further with the States, who,
holding peace desperate, now go roundly forward with the French.
Hitherto they have heard nothing from the Duke of Aerschot and
M. de Frezin since their departure into Hainault, which causes the
resolution where to employ the French troops to be still in
suspense.
The Camp near Mechlin are to remove in a day or two, the States
having sent money thither for a general 'imprest,' not being able
to satisfy them otherwise at present.
The difference at Valenciennes is not yet decided, the greater
part protesting against the government of Count Lalaing and such
as are of his 'partiality' in inclination [al. having sent to
the States to have a particular governor assigned them, being
unwilling to have to do with Count L. knowing his partiality] to the
French.
The Gauntois 'do wade roundly thorough' with their alteration
in religion, having utterly suppressed popery in their towns and
liberties. [al. In Flanders religion goes notably forward, the
contrary being in Ghent clearly suppressed, etc.]
At Lille, Ypres, Bruges, this town, Brussels and other parts they
now preach openly ; whose example is in hope to be [al. is daily]
followed all the country over.
[In draft to Leicester only.] Deventer is still unsurrendered to
the States of Guelders, who still entertain certain companies before
it.
The levies for Don John in Germany are confirmed, and some
say that part of them are already in Luxembourg.
La Motte has lately received 200 Spaniards into Gravelines, to
reinforce his garrison [al. being as is thought in 'jealousy' of his
Walloons] ; but hitherto has attempted nothing against his
neighbours.
The plague, which is severe in the enemy's country now begins to
wax warm in our camp, where the numbers are already greatly
diminished [al. the fear whereof with other accident has greatly
diminished the regiments of all the nations that serve].Antwerp,
7 Sep. 1578.
Draft. p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 8.]
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[Sept. 7.]
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237. DAVISON to LEICESTER.
Practically the same as the last. The chief variants are given above.
Draft in Davison's own hand. p. [Ibid. IX. 9.]
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Sept. 8.
K. d. L. x. 799.
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238. BURGHLEY to WALSINGHAM.
The Queen wishes you to know that at Baqueville's departure
when he had received his answer, he desired to have either a copy
or a sight of the articles which heretofore had been treated on
for the marriage between her Majesty and the Duke of Anjou, to
which she answered that she would be loth to deliver up a copy
of them, and for the sight of them, they were not to be seen here,
but she thought they were in your custody. Whereupon he asked
if the Duke should send to speak with you or send to you for the
sight of them, whether she would be content you should speak
to him, to which she agreed, and commanded me to write to you.
When I doubted whether you had them there, she answered, it
made no matter, 'for then he may make a report in words of the
substance of them,' so that I see if he had not so pressed the
having of them, or the sight of them, she could have been
content to have it forborne till there was more probability of
effectuating the principal matter. Of this I cannot tell what
to affirm, yet I, with my Lord of Leicester and Mr Vicechamberlain
only, heard her make the last answer to him at his departure,
which was yesterday afternoon. The substance was that whereas
she understood a disposition in Baqueville to 'provoke' his master
to come hither, there being no assurance given of 'speeding,' her
Majesty not expressly refusing his coming earnestly requested that
he would not come except with the intention of continuing in amity
with her if it should chance that the marriage should not take place
with so long 'delatation' thereof that truly I cannot tell how
Baqueville understands it, but I know how I should understand it,
if I were in his place, and be very loth to 'provoke' my master to
come over upon such an uncertain answer.
The will of God be done to her comfort and her poor realm,
which cannot but suffer by her lack, either by not marrying or by a
husband. Thus I end marvelling that since Jacomo came we have
not heard from you.From Sir John Cutts', 8 Sep. 1578.
Holograph. Add. Endd. : Backeville see treaty or his master
confer. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 10.]
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Sept. 8.
K. d. L. x. 801.
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239. HATTON to WALSINGHAM.
Though I had nothing special to write I was loth that so convenient
a messenger as this bearer should be dispatched without
my letter of salutation to you. I may also advertise you her
Majesty's good hope of the success of your present negotiation,
wherein as you have laboured to notable good purpose, to the very
good liking of her Majesty and Council for your wise and discreet
proceeding, so I trust that her acceptance thereof at your return
will appear to your good contentment.
For news we have only that 'Signor Barkevill,' ambassador
for Monsieur, was dispatched hence on the 7th ; who on taking leave
specially requested that you might not depart from the Low
Countries till Monsieur had digested her Majesty's answer ; in order
that if occasion of conference with you might be offered, she might
direct her commission to you for the same. Of which you need take
no advertisement from me unless by her Majesty or my Lords it be
otherwise signified to you.From the Court at Horram [Horeham]
Hall, Sir John Cutt's, 8 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. : No notice to be taken of stay for Monsieurs
digesting the matter. 1 p. [Ibid. IX. 11.]
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Sept. 8.
K. d. L. x. 802.
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240. R. MARTIN and R. YOUNG to the AMBASSADORS.
We have received your letters dated the 3rd inst., and have been
advertised by Mr 'Oratio Palavasina' that the Queen has taken
order for the 16,000 due to him and the 12,000 due to Mr Baptist
Spinola, and had signed the warrant, and that the Lord Mayor and
citizens have given their seal for the same on the 5th inst., so you
need take no further care for it. And as Mr Smith and Mr
Aldersey were out of the city at the receipt of your letters we thought
good to let you know the state of the case.London, 8 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. p. [Ib. IX. 12.]
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Sept. 3.
K. d. L. x. 798.
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241. The QUEEN to the AMBASSADORS.
Besides what we have written to you by John Sommer, our will is
you declare to the States that whereas we have at our charges
disbursed willingly the first 20,000 to Duke Casimir for their aid
and afterwards were content to defray other 20,000 at the place of
muster, on condition that the latter sum should be repaid to us upon
the bond for 100,000 and money had thereon ; and that moreover
they not performing the said repayment seek to have 28,000, we
marvel greatly what they mean herein, and so go about to charge us
with new payments. You shall therefore deal plainly and roundly
with them for this kind of dealing ; and require them, if they will have
the 28,000 and odd upon such conditions as were lately sent by
Sommer, to agree among themselves that Duke Casimir may have
the 11,000 remaining to be received for the payment of his reiters,
which, as we think, will much content him. Otherwise if they continue
in this manner of dealing, and seek still to burden us with such
excessive payments, we cannot endure to be thus abused by them ;
and therefore would have them plainly to understand that if they
persist in this kind of proceeding, they will force us to withdraw our
aid from them, seeing they will no better consider us, who have so
frankly aided them in their extremity.
Nevertheless use the contents of this letter as you see occasion,
according to your discretion.Horeham Hall, 8 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. by L. Tomson. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 13.]
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242. Draft of above. Endd. : Sent by Fant, servant to Mr
Secretary Walsingham. 1 p. [Ib. IX. 13a.]
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Sept. 9.
K. d. L. x. 814.
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243. WALSINGHAM to BURGHLEY.
As you write, he had need to be furnished with patience that deals
in such sour service as we are employed in, 'being almost ashamed
to show our faces abroad, having entertained them with hope of the
continuance of her Majesty's favour ; and now in the end when
they stood in the greatest need of her assistance to be as it were
quite abandoned.' Besides the alienation of their hearts from her
Majesty, which cannot but be perilous to herself and her realm, it
will render her hateful to the world, many hard speeches being given
out against her ; which we hear with grief, and you could not but
read with grief, if we set them down. We forbear therefore to make
mention of them.
To have all the world your enemy at once, it is greatly to be
feared you will return Monsieur's ministers unsatisfied. If that
come to pass, I know not any prince whose friendship you may
assure yourself of. The King of Navarre and Prince of Cond are
to learn by your dealings with the Prince and States here what to
look for in the time of their necessity. As for Duke Casimir, he
curses the time he ever left his country, especially finding her
Majesty now grown so hateful to this people and himself for
her sake less esteemed. How unpleasant it is to be employed
in so unfortunate a service, I leave to your judgement. We
do what we can to remove this discontent, and to stay these
people from running a desperate course, by putting them in
'comfort' that when her Majesty is truly informed by us at our
return of the state of their affairs, she will take such resolution as
shall content them. But when they ask us what assurance they
may have of this to induce them to rely on it seeing how former
resolutions have taken no better effect, we know not how to
answer ; yet we are not silent, though our answers satisfy neither
them nor ourselves. So the mischief grows irreparable, through
distrust of the performance of what hereafter may be promised.
I know no help but a peace, which might the more easily be
brought to pass if by her Majesty's assistance their army now in
the field might be maintained in good countenance for two months ;
which I fear will otherwise fall out for lack of pay.
The King of Spain is weary of the war, especially as his return
from the Indies (besides his fear of the French) fall not out according
to his expectations ; having as I am credibly informed brought
from thence only 900,000 [crowns] whereas he was wont to have two
millions at least. I think that Don John too will find his expectations
frustrate touching 100,000 which he looked for from
Genoa, being advertised from thence that only 70,000 have
been sent from Spain for the payment of his army ; which cannot
but hasten the peace, especially if the States' camp could be enabled
to continue in the field during the treaty.Antwerp, 9 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 14.]
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Sept. 9.
K. d. L. x. 805.
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244. WILSON to DAVISON.
Your advertisements of Aug. 22 and the 1st inst. are very well
received. I make them known to her Majesty first, then to my
Lords.
Touching the bonds for which you have a procuration, I send
them to you by this bearer, Fante, Mr. Secretary's servant, being
24 in number, 12 from our sovereign and 12 from the city, as
Spinola and Pallavicino desired. You are to use them as directed
by the message lately sent by Mr Sommers, and not otherwise
deliver any of them till you hear further from her Majesty. I
wished it might have been otherwise, but our sovereign's command
must be obeyed. The condition annexed to the bond, which was
that you should receive the money and not deliver it till her
Majesty's pleasure was known, was well liked by her.
I would she had disbursed 100,000 of her own, so the peace were
securely made to her satisfaction, for I see we are not apt to abide
troubles not to intermeddle with 'garboils' but to live quietly without
breach of peace.From Sir John Cutts' house in Essex, 9 Sep.
1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 15.]
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Sept. 9.
K. d. L. x. 803.
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245. WILSON to the AMBASSADORS.
The hope of peace conceived by your letters of Aug. 27 appears by
yours of the 3rd inst. to fall out illusory and vain. The Queen likes
well your dealings at both times and wishes they had taken good
success. But now it appears to her that Don John seeks to gain
time, and upon advantage, when other forces come (which it is
thought are hastening towards him) he will hazard a battle. Would
God the States were so provided that they might deal with him at
once. He is thought to want men, money, and victuals, and to have
a very mutinous camp, as Dr. Junius informs her Majesty ; who was
lately here, and is dispatched to Duke Casimir without hope of any
more money. And hereupon her Majesty has written to you both,
that you may plainly show the States her mind, if you think it meet
for her service to do so.
I have been earnest for the bonds, which I send by this bearer,
being 24 in number, that for the 17,000 received, of which you
stand bound for 5,000, the bonds may simply be delivered, and the
rest, for 11,000 upon gages and the conditions expressed ; but
I could not move her Majesty herein, though I said I feared that
Spinola being driven to desperation would perhaps arrest you both,
when he saw no other remedy, and protest against her Majesty.
But all would not serve. Then I desired my Lord Treasurer and
Mr Vicechamberlain to join me, and her answer was that till she
heard somewhat of Mr Sommers' message she would not determine
otherwise than she had done. I moved earnestly for your return,
and alleged that your stay was needless, as no peace could be had,
but I could not receive any grace as yet.
I am commanded to write to you, Mr Secretary, that if Monsieur
sends for you, you must address yourself to him without delay, for
so her Majesty has promised M. Baqueville. Yet what will come of
these wooings, God only, I think, knows. I am certainly in doubt ;
yet 'somethinks' that Monsieur will come over this next month
upon hope only. But how that stands with policy you may judge,
knowing the world here as you do.
He who gave Don John that report of our sovereign's speeches
was a bad subject, and I would he were known. But I think it was
Don Bernardino, and so I said to the Queen. That man spoke of
himself a great deal more evil against Don John than ever she did ;
as that he was ambitious and aspired not only to be Lord of the
Low Countries, but of all the dominions the king of Spain had.
Matters of Scotland still stand in doubtful terms, and I fear that
unless some nobleman be sent to deal with the king and the lords,
there will not long be quiet there. The lords there seem to pretend
a greater goodwill to our sovereign than Earl Morton and those
that serve the king. But their informations are not lightly to be
credited ; no more than that the Earl of Athol is suddenly become
a most earnest Protestant. But as Mr Bowes, whose worthy service
deserves good reward, has informed you of these matters I forbear
to write any more.From the Court at Sir John Cutts', 9 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 16.]
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Sept. 9.
K. d. L. x. 819.
|
246. DAVISON to LEICESTER.
I wrote you a line or two last Sunday by the ordinary post.
Our camp has since removed to Kempenhout on the further side of
the river, whence it is thought it will again dislodge to-night or
to-morrow ; but whether to seek the enemy, to attempt Louvain, or
to intrench themselves in some place between it and Brussels is yet
unknown. The Court is to remove from hence in a day or two
to Brussels, both to content the Bruxellers who have long sued for
it, and to draw them the rather to agree to the renovation of the
moyens grands expired last month ; in which they must break the
ice for the rest of the towns.
Of the Duke of Aerschot's negotiation in Hainault we know
nothing yet. The towns which should be yielded to Monsieur,
especially Quesnoy, have sent deputies hither to declare to the
States their resolution rather to die than suffer themselves to be
dismembered from the rest of the country, disavowing the authority
of the States to make any such alienation. The Abbot of Maroilles
is dispatched to see if he can bring them to better terms ; though
some think he has neither commission nor will to press them much
in that behalf. The number of the French given out as 10,000 or
12,000 does not, we hear, much exceed half. The Abbot of 'Gertruyl'
and Councillor Liesvelt are sent to Brussels to take information
against Champagny, who from the house of M. de Riom [Ryhove]
at Ghent is now 'translated' to the palace where the rest of the
persons remain.
Draft ; date at head. Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 17.]
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Sept. 9.
K. d. L. x. 811.
|
247. COBHAM to BURGHLEY.
As I have already written to you that this people, to put away the
yoke of Spain, will take themselves to any master, so I now see plainly
that having only declared her Majesty's answer, brought by
Mr Sommers, to the Prince of Orange, the Marquis of Havrech,
and the Count of Bossu, who at two separate times were sent to us
by the States for supply of the money, a bruit is given out that she
has forsaken them ; which breeds such alteration here, and such
a confusion in the camp, that we were credibly informed it was
likely to be broken, such is their desperate state. How unhappily
this answer came you may judge, when the burghers of 'Landersey,
Kenoye, and Bawaye' were here, and refused to open the gates to
the French, though the States had written to them.
They have as far as their treasure would suffer sent every
regiment some pay, but so little that it contents neither the colonels
nor the soldiers. But the plague is such, and the ground whereon
they lie so 'steynchide,' that they were forced to cross the river and
go to a village called Vueren, within two leagues of Louvain. What
will follow of this confusion, and of this army of discontented
persons, you may easily judge. I can assure you that the people
will no longer depend upon uncertainties, for now 'they stand upon
making and marring,' and that we do what we can to stay them from
taking a desperate course ; putting them in hope that upon our
return when her Majesty is thoroughly informed of the state of
affairs, she will not abandon them.
Casimir is most unsatisfied that having received such letters from
her Majesty she will now abandon him ; and hearing that the
bonds for 100,000 are to be revoked, whereby he hoped to have
been paid, he is now 'grown to a marvellous discontentation,'
insomuch that we have been told by an honest person that if some
order was not taken to content him, he would do what would be
to her disliking. We may think ourselves most unfortunate to be
employed in such a negotiation. I hope the world will witness
that we have spared neither life or travail to advance her Majesty's
service ; but if the success be hard the fault is not ours. We have
written to her at length and have as we hope satisfied her in all
things ; which before we referred to Mr. Sommers, a person well
known to her Highness and to my Lord.Antwerp, 9 Sep. 1578.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 18.]
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Sept. 10.
K. d. L. x. 820.
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248. LEICESTER to WALSINGHAM.
I wrote to you lately, and as I have no better hope of our proceedings
here than when I wrote, I can say the less now. I am
sorry in my soul to see the slack determinations here, fearing they
must come in the end to her Majesty's utter harm. We make certain
account here of Monsieur's coming though she has given his
messenger no hope of speed, but 'to take his adventure,' as they say
he will do.
Casimir's servant Junius had but a cold welcome, nor so good
words for his master as no doubt he desires. The man is much
grieved, and will shortly be dispatched, I doubt with little contentment.
I am at present at Wanstead, and came hither Monday last : and
this Wednesday morning am returning to the Court. God send good
news from your parts ; the best methinks that will serve is a peace.
The bonds for the money are sent ; you see upon what conditions.
I fear credit, honour, and all will be in hazard. I would rather than
1,000 that you were at home and a couple of greater folks in your
place. In some haste, ready to horseback, having no better news to
write, this 10 Sep.
S.P.I trust you do and shall hear that I have failed (sic) to
discharge my duty for my advice in these matters ; and so shall do,
God willing.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. IX. 19.]
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