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A. D. 1584–5
Feb. 19./March 1. |
Extract of a letter from Ruan [qy. Rouen]. |
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No fresh news from Spain save that King Philip was to be in Madrid on the 10th of last month; intending to pass by Lisbon for the swearing of the Prince, and to take order for some ships.
They write from Italy that Don Pedro de Meneses has 10,000 Italians and 12,000 Germans who will embark at Genoa and the port of Spezzia, where many ships and galleys will join them to come to Portugal. We desire confirmation of this. |
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There is need here to remedy the many injuries which every day happen to the poor merchants; those of Rochelle have taken four ships which were leaving this river of “Roan” with cloth for Laredo worth 60,000 crowns, which all falls on the Spaniards of this place and of Antwerp (Enberes).—1 March. |
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Copy. Endorsed, “ An extract out of a letter written from Roan. March, 1585.”Spanish. ½ p. [Newsletters XC. 16 bis.] [The mention of the ” swearing “ of Prince Philip and the return of the King to Madrid shows that this document belongs to 1584–5, not to 1585–6.] |
| March 2/12. |
M. du Pin to Walsingham. |
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M. de Segur has, on his return, made so good a report of the state of your kingdom, of the kind reception, honour and courtesy which he received there; of the noble and virtuous intentions of her Majesty, and of the certain assurances of her good will to the King my master, that I have never seen this Prince more satisfied or so desirous to go to kiss her Majesty's hands. |
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And amongst others, your virtue, piety, prudence and dexterity in the conduct of affairs, have been much noticed and esteemed, and have won for you great good will in this Court and company. Besides yielding to no one in this, from the knowledge which I have of the gifts and graces which God has given you, I have a special obligation to you which makes me ever desirous to do you faithful service. M. Fenner, the bearer of this, will be able to notify to you many particulars of this Prince, whom he has seen in this town, being with Mr. Bacon, a worthy gentleman, praised and esteemed by all honest men. We are going to Castres, whither M. de Montmorency is to come on the 16th of this month to meet the King my master, and confer on many matters of import to his service, to the good of this state, and especially to the repose of these two provinces and government. Which makes honest men hope that this interview will not be without fruit. |
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In a month or two, the King will dispatch one of his people to the Queen your mistress, to kiss her hands on his behalf.— Montauban, 12 March, 1585. |
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Add. Endd. French. 2 pp. [France XIII. 42 bis.] |
| March 14. |
News from France. |
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News of the taking of Chalons by the Duke of Guise, his rendezvous at the forest of Cressi, Maintenon's mission to him &c., to the same effect as Stafford's letter of this date. [See p. 354 above.] |
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Endd. “1585, at Paris, the 14 March,” the year being new style and the day of the month old style. 1 p. [Newsletters IX. 19 bis.] |
| March 14. |
Christopher Hoddesdon to Davison, her Majesty's Ambassador at the Hague. |
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Praying to be informed whether “Mr. Pawles Bws” [Buys] has certified his honour for the moneys assigned over at his [Hoddesdon's] departure or not; for if not, he must detain in readiness enough to satisfy such bonds or bills as he may receive from Mr. Coppcott.—London, 14 March, English style. |
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Postscript.—Prays to be commended to Mr. Pawles Bwes; and that his honour “will make some account of Mr. Pawles Fosse, pensionary of Leyden . . . for he is a very honest, plain man.” |
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Add. Endd. “From Mr. Hudson.” [Holland I. 70 bis.] Cf. Hoddesdon's letter of March 18, 1584–5 (p. 359, above). |
| March [qy. April] 6. |
Gelpin to Walsingham. |
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I wrote formerly that I meant to deal with the States here, but altered my intent—knowing that M. de Grise had opened at large the cause of his coming over—and thought it more convenient to continue in conference with particular persons of credit. I find a great inclination towards her Majesty, but joined with a kind of coldness, alleging that matters of such importance must be maturely pondered. Also some “harp upon an old string, as if her Majesty, for the security of her own estate, was to have the more care of their's here.” |
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Divers think that the putting of certain places into her Majesty's hands for assurance will hardly be yielded to, as a thing that might procure discontentment, “by reason that those should either be the more favoured, as being under the English Government., or else hardlier used, having foreign garrison, and therefore judged these islands will not be induced to have their towns kept by other than such be of these countries,” and that it were better for her Majesty to accept the absolute sovereignty than protection, seeing the one would bind all the people naturally to be devoted to her, while the others, upon sundry causes may breed a degoat, to which discontentment might follow, and cause a breach to the harm of both sides. “Concluding that nodoubtedly” her Majesty should in short time have all the places, forces and strengths so at commandment that she might lay on them what garrisons she thought good. |
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I have also talked with some of the preachers and elders of the churches, and those most zealously given to religion, who are “not only altogether affected to the matter,” but ready to employ all their endeavours that this grace, sent from the Lord, might be thankfully accepted. And to the end that those authorized to deal in like causes might be stirred up the sooner
to seek aid of a prince professing the Gospel, and not longer depend upon others, known to be utter enemies of the same; they would not only use their continual prayers, but also forward other lawful means towards the said rulers, to effect what may tend for the defence and establishment of the reformed religion; and am assured that those going hence to the General States' meeting have been dealt with effectually, as also those authorized to set down the instructions, so that I am in good hope that God will so direct the hearts of those to whom the handling of this action is committed, that a good conclusion may follow. |
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My simple opinion is that the less, by outward appearance, this people shall perceive that her Majesty is contented to take the protection of them upon her, “ the forwarder they will be to seek and send unto her,” for if they see it to come from herself, they will persuade themselves that it is for the security of our own country and from her fear of the King of Spain's greatness. But if they are seekers to her Majesty, and deem that she accounts not of the said King's might, but is sufficient enough to defend her realms, I think they may be brought to whatever she desires. |
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“Some present order they must and will set in their business, so as the enemy gain not too much upon them while they are dealing for assistance abroad. And to effect this, a kind of government will be established,” and the monthly contributions granted for so long as these wars shall endure. Moreover, will lay their plot for the war defensive and offensive, according to their powers as the “exigent” of their estate and country shall require. |
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All this may be cast up beforehand, and how it will fall out may be set down. But till this is done, it cannot but be good and requisite to temporise, in order to know the means these countries can make and their ableness to continue wars; and so to judge what charge it would be to her Majesty, so that these actions may be surely handled and executed; whereas if the agreement to take the protection be first made, they will then fall to their wonted terms “and keep the chief stay and rule of the rudder in their own hands . . . and to draw a foreign prince into their action cannot choose but tend to good purpose; for a war once begun must be followed,” and so they win time, in hope that things may fall out to cause alterations. But I must add, that the nature of this people is such as by fair means they will be won to grant any reasonable demand. |
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What these islands of Zeeland are, her Majesty and her Council do know. For their government, it is credibly affirmed never during these troubles to have been better; that they are long and careful in their resolutions, but these once taken, they would perform them to the uttermost. The country also very fertile and rich, and the Religion daily increasing, “ so that there is good hope to establish the same in full perfectness.” |
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Ostend and Sluys are kept by this Prince's soldiers; both places of importance, especially Sluys; and if Flushing could not be got at first, these two taken and well governed, would soon procure the other to accept of the like. |
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Count Maurice now writes himself Marquis of Camphier and Lord of Flushing. He is well loved of this people, “so as they could wish him to continue in authority, but see his great want of ableness, either by himself or friends to yield that assistance the terms they stand in . . . requires. He is generally very well reported and of great hope, so as it were pity but the nobleman be cared for and forwarded accordingly. I heard a murmur that it was doubted Flushing and Camphier would be sold again for payment of debts. . . . |
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” Our navy hath done nothing since my last. Those of Antwerp prepare more inventions, and somewhat will be done . . . and if it should fail in this, it is to be relieved,” either with an army sufficient to set on the Prince of Parma's camp at Staebrooke, or by laying siege to some other principal town, as Bois-le-Duc (Bouldouck), Lierre (Lyre), Dermonde or such like, to divert his forces, that the sconces on the river might be attempted; or else to cut off the bringing of victual to his camp. |
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Moreover, with a strong convoy, provisions might be sent from Barrow to Antwerp, and so the enemy wearied and driven to mutiny: of all which I hope M. Ste. Aldegonde will write at large. |
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I refer myself to Mr. Burnham's report for particulars, as also touching my proceeding as to the English soldiers.—Middelburg, 6 March, 1585. |
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Add. Endd. 3 pp. [Holland I. 54 bis.] |
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[Gilpin usually uses the English year date, but the contents show that the letter cannot have been written in 1585–6. Perhaps March was written in mistake for April.] |
| [qy. 1585, July.] |
Jacob vander Haghe, dit Gotthem to Davison. |
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I have received and carefully considered the explanations which Mr. Beale has sent me by your hands, and am very sorry to see the good gentleman so much abused and influenced by my adversaries that he believes all they say, without having ever heard me in my defence. As I fear that, having read the articles, you may also believe the blame which they wrongfully cast upon me, I cannot but send you my defence and justification, hoping that you will be satisfied therewith. I would willingly have discoursed of the matter at more length, but fearing to be troublesome to you in your illness, I defer it until we can talk together at leisure. [Undated.] |
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Add. Fr. ½ p. [Holland II. 76.] |
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[Cf. two letters written by Beale to Davison in July, 1585. (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1581–1590, pp. 251. 254.)] |
