Elizabeth: August 1585, 26-31 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.

Citation:

'Elizabeth: August 1585, 26-31', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585, ed. Sophie Crawford Lomas( London, 1916), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol19/pp680-692 [accessed 25 November 2024].

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August 1585, 26–31



Aug. 26.	Walsingham to Davison.
	Sends him his instructions and her Majesty's letters with their copies. It is left to his choice to diminish or add to the instructions as he finds may most further her service. He may omit the end of the 5th article, “which concerneth the authorising the commissioners here to conclude, for that it is to be doubted that it will draw the matter for the delivery of the towns to a great length.”—Barnelms, 26 August, 1585.
	Signed. Add. Endd. ⅓ p. [Holland III. 34.]
Aug. 26./Sept. 5.	Jaques Rossel to the Earl of Leicester.
	Being assured that your Excellency has shared my correspondence with Mr. Walsingham, I have not troubled you with letters, but in this conjuncture I have wished to put before you the state of the country since the loss of Antwerp, by which the enemy has received commodity and also incommodity, if her Majesty continues the aid which she has begun, to govern the country and to make war in the places whence they draw their provisions, whereby there would be on all hands, even in Antwerp itself and other large towns, such need of corn and other victuals that it would be impossible for them to hold them three months, if the prohibitions for transporting the said victuals into the havens of the enemy and the ports of France were observed. In which your Excellency would be doing a very good work by lending a helping hand, that her Majesty may order the United Provinces and the States to keep careful watch and punish the transgressors of the proclamations. For thus the enemy's army will waste away and there will be a general revolt in the large towns. And her Majesty's army will have all convenience by means of the canals and rivers, which the enemy cannot have if their country be ruined, as it might easily be by the means which I have put before General Norreys (Noritz). The most necessary is authority and command on the part of her Majesty, to which the people will very willingly submit, being naturally inclined to be ruled by the great; so that no one could be more pleasing to them, nor more respected and obeyed, than your Excellency, to whom all the people are devoted, they having already an inkling that her Majesty has given the government to you. For which I congratulate your Excellency, whose prudence will so greatly advance the glory of God and the service of her Majesty, that on every hand your name will shine, to the ruin and confusion of her enemies. For the means are not yet wanting in the United Provinces to continue the war, if with the authority of her Majesty and by your command the moneys destined for the war are collected and distributed.
	As to the state of the enemy, they are making ready strong vessels in Antwerp and in other parts artillery, showing that they mean to attack some place, some spreading the report that they are going to Ostend, some to Bergen, some to Lillo, others that they will pass into Guelderland. I think that if they have means to support their army, they would rather besiege Ostend than any other place, in order to aid those of Bruges, who have sent deputies to the Prince of Parma to deliver them from Ostend and Sluys, otherwise they will have to come over to this party in order to have victuals; the poor people having already, for lack of corn, mutinied and pillaged that in the market of Bruges. I do not see how the enemy can comfort or assist them, since all the other towns are oppressed in the same way; and he will think twice about besieging any place, considering the arrival of her Majesty's forces and their scarcity of provisions.
	We have no other news, save that we are looking forward to the time when the provinces shall satisfy her Majesty entirely, so that we may shortly see your Excellency here, to obey you and to serve you.—Flushing, 5 September, new style, 1585.
	Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [Holland III. 35.]
Aug. 27.	Stafford to Walsingham.
	I need not write to you of what has passed here, for this gentleman “hath so sufficiently executed all things here as I am sure he will as sufficiently report all things at home.”
	The Queen Mother's great confidant, the Abbot of Guadagne (Guadigne) is gone no man knows whither. The King is troubled about it, but says nothing. Some think he is gone to the Duke of Guise, others that she has sent him secretly to the King of Navarre. I am rather of opinion, if he be gone into that country, that it is to the Queen of Navarre, who, we hear, has sent Duras into Spain, to demand help of the King “in this her bad enterprise. She is half mad with the Duke of Guise for making the peace [for] she is further out than ever she was in, and raileth upon him with extremity. The King her brother and the King her husband, she would eat their hearts with salt. All her help is in her mother, who maketh show to mislike her.”—Paris, 27 August, 1585.
	Holograph. Add. Endd. ” by Mr. Pallevicino.” 1 p. [France XIV. 76.]
Aug. 27.	Norreys to Burghley.
	I could not send you a perfect account of what money was delivered to her Majesty's treasurer, as the States have not yet fully paid the money for the month's pay; “neither that which her Majesty should reimburse for the sending over of the voluntary soldiers.” They promise it within eight days, and then I will advertise you thereof.
	It is high time that her Majesty sent over her Lieutenant, “for these men do govern their affairs in as bad sort as they were wont to do, and spend their money to small effect.” As long as I could, I kept the troops together in a camp, which I think is why the Prince of Parma has undertaken no enterprise. Now the States have withdrawn most part of the companies into garrison, so that with what are left, I cannot keep the field, or at least to little purpose; “Yet are there some forts in these quarters that I hope without any great danger to compass, if our pioneers were once come, whereof we have great need.”—Utrecht, 27 August, 1585.
	Add. Endd. 1¼ pp. [Holland III. 36.]
Aug. 27.	Walsingham to Davison.
	Touching the act you desire to be sent, it is thought meet her Majesty should be made acquainted with it, and then that it be signed by all the commissioners appointed to deal in that cause, which being done, it shall be sent with all speed. I will move her Majesty to take order both for my lord of Leicester and Sir Philip Sydney; “wherein by letters received lately from Calais, I find it is very necessary she should hasten her resolution, which you shall do well to further by writing hither as soon as you are over, that her Majesty must needs send thither with speed, lest otherwise there be an accord made before she be aware.”
	I have not sent your warrant because I wanted the privy seal; but my Lord Treasurer tells me he has already made you an imprest of a hundred pounds, which I doubt not will suffice for the time you are away; so you may now depart without further stay.—Nonsuch, 27 August, 1585.
	Signed. Add. Endd. ½ p. [Ibid. III. 37.]
Aug. 28.	Estienne le Sieur to Sir Philip Sydney.
	In my last of the 20th I told you what might be the cause of my stay at Antwerp; but shortly afterwards the Prince of Parma being certified that I was still there, sent me express orders to withdraw, and gave me a passport. I was forced to obey his command whether I had money or not to satisfy my creditors, who have been obliged to give me credit to come hither and thence send them by exchange what I owed them; which was and is impossible for me to do without your aid and usual favour. Wherefore I have taken the boldness, in your name to desire Mr. George Leicester (treasurer under Mr. Norreys) to give me a loan of twenty pounds sterling. I no sooner made the request than he granted it, and I have given him two bills addressed to your honour, which I humbly beg you to meet.
	Last Saturday I arrived here, intending at once to take my way into England, but the wind being contrary for England and good for Holland, where Mr. Norreys is, I have thought it not a bad plan to go so far, returning thence straight to Flushing to wait for a passage.—Middelburg, 28 August, 1585, stylo antiquo.
	Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holland III. 38.]
Aug. 29.	Richard Tomson to Walsingham.
	My last to you was of the 24th, since which time I went to Dunkirk about the release of Captain Udall, having received letters from him written in Antwerp on the last of August new style, which imported nothing but the agreement he has made with the Spaniards that have him prisoner, and that I should pay the money to a merchant of Dunkirk, which agreement exceeds 340 angels, far different from the sum you spoke of. But being desirous of his liberty, hearing of “the heavy irons and hard entertainment ” he suffers in the camp, I have given 400 crowns to a Spaniard, a special friend of mine, who is gone to the camp, hoping that shall suffice. “When not,” I have given my word for the overplus, as I hear that the gentleman is a very sufficient soldier; so I trust within fourteen days to see him here.
	The enclosed packet for you has come from Antwerp, directed to me by “one Stephen Leseuy [sic], the party being to me unknown.”
	The Prince of Parma has sent good part of his force into Guelderland; I know not for what purpose.
	As yet the long expected new supply of Spaniards is not come, neither can the garrisons of Flanders get their pay, whereof they have great need. But for the prizes daily brought into Dunkirk, their necessity would be far greater.
	“It is said that the government of Antwerp is bestowed upon the Count of Arenberg (Awrembarghe) and that Barlaymont shall have the government of Artois, a thing that increaseth much the good will of the people towards the Prince, in that he giveth such dignities to those of the country, and incenseth the Spaniards much against him, who have served long in hope of these preferments. In so much as Mondragon and others of quality have required licence of the Prince to go for Spain, but cannot obtain it.
	“Here come daily Switzers out of France from about Paris, saying that they came to serve the French King, but he hath dismissed their regiment, so that they disperse themselves many ways to seek service, and two days past I saw three score received into pay at Dunkirk.
	“There are great commissions given by those of Antwerp and other places of Brabant for buying of corn in Artois, Hainault and Picardy, where the prices continue high, notwithstanding their harvest is gathered in reasonable good condition; so that if the passage of the seas be stopped, the dearth will be great, for the 'Artesens' make restraints of grain at their pleasure, especially if the price begin to arise.”
	The Ostenders, if they were 4,000 strong, might easily destroy the rivers by which these victuals come into Brabant and to the Prince's camp, and burn the corn, which is gathered in stacks, ” and then all hope of corn will be taken from them.
	“The Prince of Parma hath conceived such an assured hope of the fidelity of Aldegonde in reducing the provinces yet enemies unto a perfect subjection, that the Spaniards are so well persuaded of the man as if he never had been against them, and as they say, about the eighth of this month, our date, he departed for Zeeland and Holland to prosecute the effect of his promises; and I am the more induced to believe that he is become altogether Spanish for that the common bruit goeth that he hastened the surrendering of the town of Antwerp the more speedily after he had intelligence of the coming of the English succours.
	“The governor of Dunkirk was very inquisitive of me to know what noblemen of England were gone over, and the number of the soldiers, and because I made myself ignorant of the same (as in truth in part I am) he waxed angry, and sent for two Hollanders which were in prison, taken two days before at the sea, who affirmed that there was arrived a young Earl and certain other nobles but their names they knew not, whereupon he released the two poor men, and wished them to repair home with expedition and to encourage their countrymen to keep all strangers from entering into any their towns, except the King's forces of Spain; by which means the two Hollanders got their liberty.
	“The Prince of Parma hath set free all the Englishmen's goods that were taken to Dunkirk, and shipping also, which was yesterday delivered into their possession; and hath written unto the magistrates of the town to give our nation friendly entertainment, which they are the more willing to perform in the hope to have their wonted relief from our country.”
	There is great rejoicing amongst the Spaniards for a league to be concluded between the great Turk and their King. They have a copy of the Turk's letter and the rich presents sent by him to King Philip, which being translated into the Spanish tongue, I send you.
	The bearer is a young man who served under Capt. Udall and was taken upon the dykes by Antwerp. I have ransomed him at my own charges, “because he knoweth service and hath a good mind to return that way again. It is reported at Dunkirk that Col. Morgan should be drowned in the river of Antwerp by falling out of the ship wherein he passed towards Zeeland, after he had passed the staccado and made great cheer with the Count of Mansfield.”—Calais, 29 August, 1585, old date.
	Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Holland III. 39.]
	Enclosing:
	The above-mentioned “copy of the Turk's letter,” with list of presents. Endd. Spanish. 2 pp. [Ibid. III. 39a]
Aug. 29.	George Lecester to Walsingham.
	After a troublesome and dangerous passage, the General with his company came to this town the 22nd instant, (fn. 1) where I could gather little save the manner of giving up Antwerp and the practices of St. Aldegonde therein, which I judged were well known to you. On the 24th, upon intelligence that the enemy meant to make head towards “Barges” and Ostend, the States despatched Count Hollock for Barges, and the General sent Captain Erington with his company and those of Captains Edw. Norreys, Havers and Rowles to Ostend, where they were well received by the governor and other captains there. This day I have letters from Ed. Norreys (with another addressed to the States) saying that if the enemy comes before the town, they will want artillery, powder and victuals. The States have promised to take order therein with expedition, which being done, “it seemeth the enemy shall get small conquest or advantage by charging that place. And yet it imports him greatly to have it, as well in respect of the town of Bruges, which is greatly distressed by want of victuals, as also for the maintenance of the traffic of them of Antwerp. For as they of Bruges have been forced to send their burgomaster to advertise the Prince of Parma that if he do not recover Ostend according to his promise . . . they must of necessity give over the town to him that will give them victuals, even so they of Antwerp will find themselves in worse terms than ever they were, if they may not have free passage and transport of goods to Dunkirk and Calais. And therefore it is to be supposed the enemy will bend his chief forces towards Ostend.” Yet some come from Antwerp say that he means to go for Berges, most of his artillery being already gone that way, but that might only be to seek forage, for the infantry had mutinied for their pay, though somewhat appeased by the coming into Antwerp of the 200,000 ducats which have been long expected, with a convoy of three thousand Italians, Spaniards and Dutches, as is reported. But whereas four days after the entry of the Prince of Parma, corn was fallen from seven gilders to four, now it is risen again to seven the firtel [i.e. quarter] and likely to grow dearer if England and these countries do not relieve them. They of Holland lately gave liberty that all men might carry victuals to the enemy, paying licence, but this was speedily overthrown by the States of Zeeland and others better affected to the cause. Yet it shows “how easily some of the States of Holland are drawn to keep a correspondence” with St. Aldegonde and Antwerp. Howbeit, on the arrival of the General and her Majesty's forces about Rotterdam and Delft, where he means to pass muster, “it seemeth the States and common people are reasonably well satisfied, and Utrecht as we hear, hath received seven companies for garrison and were glad of them, and so it is thought the rest of the towns will do.
	“But generally the people, as well of Holland as Zeeland and other places cannot resolve themselves of better success in the wars than heretofore they have had, so long as they are governed by their States, without a governor that may command all, whereby they that deserve well may be cherished, and practices against the state may be punished, and in that consideration the people generally cry out for my lord of Leicester, and daily make enquiry when he will be here, as men that were resolved no good can happen unto them without his help and by his means.”
	And therefore I think that if he or some other of account do not come shortly, the people will be so dismayed and jealous of the States' government, that upon any misfortune to her Majesty's forces they might revolt and seek to make their own peace with the enemy, “whereunto Antwerp will always be a great induction.” I have conversed long amongst them, and partly know their humours, which makes me bold to write so largely to your honour.—Middelburg, 29 August, 1585.
	Add. Endd. 3½ pp. [Holland III. 40.]
Aug. 31.	Capt. Roger Williams to Walsingham.
	“Understanding by the States her Majesty has accepted these countries, her highness must place garrisons with all speed if she means to do any good here, for all the commons does know her Majesty does accept them. I can see no triumph, according to their old custom, wherefore assure yourself the offers of the enemy are so large, unless her highness does resolve presently, all will be Spanish.
	“Seing my last letters are not come unto your honour I thought good to remember this again. If her Majesty does thus, Holland and Zeeland will remain enemies to Spain longer than they shall be able to make war on them. Her highness to save charges needs not to keep but three thousand in garrison; 800 in Flushing, 500 in Brill, 500 in Enchuysen, 500 in Ostend, 200, half in the Ramekens, the other in arms; these two will be necessary to assure the haven of Middelburg and road afore the Ramekens. The other 500 in Sluys, but it were better 400 of them were in Harling in Friesland, a port un vincible, the which commands all Friesland, being master of the seas. For Sluys 100 Englishmen in the castle were enough (“in noue”). Let the patriots place garrison in the town, for having the castle, if need requires, when we will we may place what we please in the town.
	“If your honour would place Sir Philip in Flushing, that will be a road all ways worth the best duiche [qy. duchy] in England. To say truth, there is no state to be compared to invincible towns. Mark La Mote of Gravelines, Gordon of Cales, St. Luke of Brouage (Bouraig) the governor of Marseilles, old Count Mansfelt of Luxembourg. All these their Kings would a displaced, but they remain still; wherefore her Majesty must make great choice of her governors, men of good substance and credit in their counties, firm in religion, constant, not to be ' deboised.'
	“These garrisons, with 6,000 men in the field, of the which there must be one thousand horsemen, will force the Spanish to a peace in less than two years, perhaps cause all the rest to revolt; but will assure Holland and Zeeland were both French and Spanish joined together. When we are masters of the seas, what army can hurt us, what treasure can we want to maintain wars. Could I write a fair hand, I would trouble her Majesty's royal person with letters; knowing my hand not legible, I trust my letters unto your honour will excuse me with the rest.”— The Hague, 31 August.
	This bearer, Mr. Shelton, desires your favour to bring him to speech with my lord of Leicester. I think he will make suit for a cornet of horse, but I humbly desire you to remember me. I would fain be lieutenant of the lancers, if you think me worthy of the place.
	Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Holland III. 41.]
Aug. 31.	Capt. Roger Williams to the Queen.
	“As I am to refuse no service for your Highness that I am able to perform, so do I humbly desire your Majesty to give me the place of lieutenant of the cavalry, if your Highness thinks me worthy. I have commanded divers times a squardon ot lancers afore the enemies. I trust neither they nor friends can prove that ever I received any disgrace hither unto. Referring all to your Majesty's favourable pleasure I do pray always to the greatest to preserve your most royal person to your Majesty's own desires.”—The Hague, last of August.
	“The copy of the letter to her Majesty, if your honour thinks it good this gentleman will deliver.”
	Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. III. 42.]
Aug. 31.	Commissioners of The Hanse Towns to the Privy Council.
	Stating that, immediately on receipt of the Council's last letter about freedom of trade, they transmitted it to the cities appointed to conclude the agreement. To their surprise, on the 27th of this month they received a letter from Beale which clearly differed from the Council's. They therefore sent their alderman and secretary to Burghley to point out that the Adventurers had the same liberties in the Hanse towns, Germany and Prussia as they are now claiming. [Arguments in favour of a full and unconditional abrogation of the decrees.]
	With notes by Burghley to the effect that the Hanse decrees have not been fully abrogated as regards the residency at Hamburg, and that they are asking for freedom of trade as it was before the prohibition, but will not grant the residency at Hamburg as it was before the prohibition.—London, 31 August.
	Add. Endd. Latin. 3½ pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 12.]
Aug.	M. de Lyee to Walsingham.
	My great obligations to you for favours received in times past, embolden me to refresh your memory by this letter, hoping that opportunity may be given me to show my zeal to serve you, and above all her Majesty, who I trust will be inspired by God and by your persuasions to undertake the tuition and defence of this poor desolate country, by which means the people who have been for long years assailed by tempests may reach one day a haven of rest and safety; in which you may rest assured that she will be served by all the chiefs and captains of these parts, whose only desire and hope is to fight under the banners of so renowned a princess, to whom we look for remedy of all our ills.
	For myself, I have the honour to command in the frontier island of Brabant called the Clunaert, where the late Prince of exalted memory had a house built shortly before his death, called by his name, Guillaulmeville [Willemstad] where I have vowed my small power and service to the glory of God, to the repose of this country, and consequently to the service of her Majesty, of which I have ventured to assure your honour, that it may please you to present my very humble service to her.—Guillaulmeville, Isle of Clunaert [torn] August, 1585.
	Mutilated by damp. Add. Endd. “From M. de Lyer.” Fr. 1 p. [Holland III. 43.]
[Aug. ?]	Advertisement concerning St. Aldegonde.
	As it is Parma's intention to send Aldegonde towards those of Holland and Zeeland in order to stir up dissension and discord and to recover certain towns of which they already have hope, there will be found here discovered certain acts, amongst others, of the said Aldegonde, to serve as a warning to all faithful men.
	Firstly, the said Aldegonde sent a letter to Brussels in the names of the States of Brabant in favour of and for the release of the clerk Rouck, General Corpelles, the Sieur des Monstres, vander Beken and other traitors, after his wife had received (for this purpose) by the hands of the old Martini the value of 2,000 florins, which traitors being set free pursuant to the said letter, crushed the authority of the magistrates of Brussels; all which was practised by Aldegonde against the express orders of the said States and the States General, who had twice sent positive orders to seize the above mentioned and their adherents in order to punish them exemplarily according to their deserts. Maitre Jehan Nicolai, doctor of laws, having been eschevin of Brussels, will be witness to this.
	The said Aldegonde has confessed that since last Christmas he has written to M. de Montigny in relation to the peace, but that it was, as he said then, on condition of having Religionsfriede.
	About the 1st of May, i.e. twenty-six days before the enterprise upon Couwenstein dyke, he sent the greffier Martini to the Chancellor Liesvelt to persuade him to join with himself in forwarding peace with the enemy, saying that the Chancellor could do much with those of the Roman Religion, as he, Aldegonde was doing with those of the Reformed religion. Witnesses, Chancellor Liesvelt and Maitre Jehan Goiswini, then greffier of the Council of War at Brussels.
	By his letters of May 3, he gave such satisfaction to the enemy that since then they have looked upon Antwerp as certainly theirs, as some officers of the Prince of Parma have certified at the brasserie of La Couronne in the new town. And when it was answered that since then they had been put to flight at the above-mentioned dyke, and that if we had held it they would never have been able to gain the city, they replied that the enterprise of the dyke was bound to happen, in order to break the forces of those of Antwerp, and so reduce them to despair.
	He generally prevented order being taken with the victuals as was desired; suppressed the letters of the Council of State, States General, of Holland and of Zeeland, and had cipher letters deciphered at his posthouse. Witnesses, the Sieur Pelgrim Conincxloo and others.
	Under pretext of sending by night goods and letters to the States, he has sent them to Mansfelt, Richardot &c., and has often sent his secretary himself. Witnesses, divers captains of the city.
	Having sent vanden Damme, formerly burgomaster of Courtrai to the enemy, he assembled the captains to deliberate whether it were expedient to send him; he being already departed.
	He employed divers sinister practices to draw the commons to begin the treaty, giving them to understand that it was a general peace for the whole of the Low Countries, and undertaking for those of Holland and Zeeland, that they should have Religions-friede to the satisfaction of all, and that those of Antwerp should not be charged with soldiers, taxes or castle— in fine that they should have all things to their desire.
	He practised that the six confreries, of whom the most part are Papists and Martinists, sought by request a peace with the enemy. Witnesses, the Chancellor and Goiswini. Also he aided many mutinous Papists in forcing certain quarter-masters, captains and others who did not wish to betray their country, to keep in their houses.
	Having brought the commons by wonderful cunning to be willing to listen to the enemy, he refused hostages for his going to Beveren, being sure of a good agreement with Parma, with whom he held long and private communications, without any of the deputies being present, so that he has since boasted of having learned there the said Parma's most secret designs.
	He sent his servant from Beveren to Antwerp to spread a report there that Aldegonde had found the deputies of Holland and Zeeland with Parma, to treat for a general peace.
	On his return from Beveren, he exalted Parma to the skies in the full Council, saying that he was a virtuous, magnanimous, gentle and affable prince, and that the town, yea, the Low Countries, would be very happy to come under the government of such an one; and that if he had known it, he would have worked and counselled for years in order to treat for peace with him. Witnesses, Dionys de Laet and others.
	By cunning he has crushed all who might cross his opinion and intention and has discharged the captains of their oaths to the generality, saying that oaths did not bind people further than in extremity and necessity.
	He has slandered the Queen of England, saying, amongst other things that it was a great folly to expect succours from a lady and especially from the most inconstant lady in the world; as he has also many times blamed the Prince of Orange for ambition and avarice, as at the banquet which he had with his cousin, a follower of Parma, the Saturday after his return from Beveren.
	Before the treaty,' he wrote from Beveren to the magistracy of Antwerp that they should send cables to Calloo, in order to secure Parma's fleet against those of Holland and Zeeland. Witness, Secretary Backart.
	He did not wish to go the second time to Beveren without absolute commission; by this means (as it may be presumed) to make an accord according to the Prince of Parma's design.
	And finally, to take away zeal for religion, he has asserted in full Council that religion did not consist in any exercise or outward ceremonial.
	This is only a small discourse of several similar ones.
	Endd. by the writer “ Secret advertissement d'ung bon patriot d'Anvers envoié aux Estats d' Hollande et Zeland, contenant quelques machinations perpetrés par Philippe de Marnix, Sieur de St. Aldegonde pendant l' assiegement de la ville d' Anvers susdict.”
	Also, in another hand, “An advertisement touching the purposes of Saint Aldegonde by his coming into Holland.”
	Fr. 4½ pp. [Holland III. 44.]
[Aug. ?]	“A memorial for Mr. Colonel Norreys.”
	To send over Captain Williams.
	To take order for bestowing of the soldiers presently to go over; and for the 2,000l. which is to be paid by the States for the levy of the 5,000 men.
	Endd. “Memorial for General Norreys.” ¼ p. [Ibid III. 45.]
Aug.	Note of soldiers embarked for the Low Countries, with the place of their embarkation.
	London. Delivered by the Lord Mayor. 150 men (each) to Capts. Erington, Thos. Knollys, Thos. Wingfield, and 50 to Thos. Norrice.
	Gravesend. By the Justices of Kent, 150 men to Mr. John Scott.
	Dartmouth. By the Justices of Cornwall, 100 men to Capt. Lucar. By the Justices of Devonshire, 200 men to Capt. Lucar.
	Poole. By the Justices of Somerset, 200 men to Mr. Arthur Brett.
	Southampton. By the Mayor, 150 men to David Powell.
	Gravesend. By the Justices of Sussex, 150 men to George Denton.
	Kingston-upon-Hull. By the Justices of Lincolnshire, 150 men to Mr. John Brough; by the Justices of Yorkshire, 150 men to Mr. Vavasour and 150 to Mr. Edward Yorke.
	Harwich. By the Justices of Essex, 150 men to Mr. Walter Waller.
	Yarmouth. Delivered in Zeeland by the town of Yarmouth 400 men levied out of Norfolk and Suffolk.
	Endd. 1¾ pp. [Holland III. 46.]
Aug.	Draft, in French, of Queen Elizabeth's Declaration of her reasons for aiding the Low Countries.
	18pp. Endd. by Burghley “Aug., 1585. The French draft, corrected by Fontayn.” [Ibid. III. 47.]
	[The document was issued simultaneously in English, French and Dutch. The Dutch version (together with an addition made to it later) is printed by Bor, bk. xx. f. 87.]
	Another copy of the same, incorporating the alterations made in the above, but with further corrections.
	Endd. Fr. 17 pp. [France XIV. 77.]
[Aug.?]	Act made and decreed by his Excellency [Count Maurice] and the Council of State. They have delivered to the deputies of the town of Middelburg their opinion in writing how they ought to proceed, “sur la torture par provision demandé de par le Bailly de Middelburg, à rencontre le Sieur de Treslong”; with express charge to the burgomasters and echevins of Middelburg that they are to keep their opinion secret and that meanwhile the matter be held in abeyance until his said Excellency and Council shall have resolved upon the last letters of her Majesty.
	“L'advis de l'Admirai sur la dicte Acte.”
	And his said Excellency and Council would have come to a resolution upon her Majesty's letters if it had not been too late at the time when the opinion was agreed upon.
	It is to be marvelled at that any opinion upon the said torture should have been given by the said lords before they came to a resolution upon her Majesty's letters, it being presumed therefrom that the said resolution has been suspended in regard of some then present, and that in their absence, it will afterwards be again resolved upon.
	Fr. 1 p. [Holland III. 48.]