|
| May 1. |
2154. Petition. |
|
Touching the goods of a certain Spaniard deceased in 1563
that they may be given over to his heirs.
Endd.: May 1. Broadside. |
| May 1. |
1255. Another copy of the above.
Endd.: April. Broadside. |
| May 1. |
2156. Petition of Gonsalvo Alvares to the Queen. |
|
Desires compensation for spoils committed upon him by
certain English pirates.
Endd.: 1 May 1568. Broadside. |
| May 1. |
2157. Advices. |
|
Intelligence from Rome of 1st May and from Vienna of the
29th April.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 3½. |
| May 2. |
2158. The Queen to Sir Henry Norris. |
|
Directs him to demand explanation of the King of France
of the secret preparation of a number of ships on the coast of
Brittany and Normandy pretended to sail into Muscovy, but
as she is informed certainly intended to pass into Scotland
with numbers of men of war. He is to say that she finds
this manner of dealing very strange, having regard to such
things as have passed between her and the King of France
about this matter of the Queen of Scots, for whose delivery
she has always shown herself as careful as any person; and
offered to concord with him in any thing that should be
thought fit for her aid and relief. As the bringing of strange
powers into Scotland has always heretofore bred troubles
betwixt her dominions and the same, he is to desire the
King that she may be made partaker of his intention before
any such thing be put in execution. He is to send some
person of good understanding to the coast and advertise her
with diligence.
Draft, corrected by Cecil. Endd. Pp. 6. |
| May 2. |
2159. Petition of John De Cuellar and others to the
Queen. |
|
Complain of spoils done to them by one Edward Cook;
and pray that he may be brought up to answer without delay,
and the judge of the Admiralty be written unto to proceed
severely against the receivers and buyers of their goods so
spoiled.
Endd.: 2 May 1568. Broadside. |
| May 3. |
2160. Mr. Elphinstone's Remembrance. |
|
Desires sharp charges to all the Wardens of the opposite
Marches to Scotland that they assist with such as the Regent
of Scotland shall appoint either for apprehending or putting
good order to the disturbers of the frontiers. Also that Lord
Scrope suffer none of Liddlesdale to have access to the market
or town of Carlisle; nor no victuals or commodities to be
transported to them, because they are the chief troublers of
both frontiers, and presently reset the murderers of the King
of Scotland. Also to write to all the Wardens that no
Scotchman be suffered to pass through England unless he be
recommended by the Regent.
Draft. Endd. P. 1. |
| May 3. |
2161. Proclamation in the name of the King of Scots. |
|
The Queen of Scots having escaped from Lochleven and
repaired to Hamilton, where sundry have come unto her
for what purpose is uncertain, all lieges are to repair to
Glasgow armed with fifteen days' provision for the preservation
of the King's person and authority and the establishing of
quietness.—Glasgow, 3 May 1568.
Draft. Endd.: 3 May 1568. Broadside. |
| May 6. |
2162. Charles IX. to the Queen. |
|
Desires the restitution of a vessel belonging to one of his
subjects which has been seized by certain English.—Paris, 6
May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. Royal letter. Fr. Broadside. |
| May 7. |
2163. Alexander Clark to Cecil. |
|
The Protestants, especially in this town, are in great
bondage; sundry great and cruel murders are done within
the realm and specially at Rouen and no redress therein. The
King not well obeyed in any his towns, and his proclamations
and edicts not regarded. The Prince and the rest of that
faction are at their houses very quiet. The King's men are
put in all towns in garrison, especially in those which hold
for the Protestants. |
|
2. The Prince and his adherents think them within the
country [to be] of themselves half party, which makes them
care the less for the King. The Guisians are all at Court.—
Dieppe, 7 May 1568. Signed.
Endd. P. 1. |
| May 7. |
2164. Proclamation in Scotland. |
|
Orders Martin Uddart, Pursuivant, with his assistants, to
go to the market crosses of certain towns and there in the
King's name charge all subjects that none of them assist or
obey the conspirators or any pretended authority of the King's
mother. If any of the said conspirators within forty-eight
hours after the proclamation comes to their ears shall come
and confess their error to the Regent, the King will receive
them into his favour and mercy. All who shall persist in
their treasonous conspiracy will have the ancient laws and
pains thereof executed against every one of them.—Glasgow,
7 May 1568.
Printed. Broadside. Endd. |
|
2165. Another copy. |
|
2166. Another copy. |
| May 7. |
2167. Sir John Forster to Cecil. |
|
Heard on Monday that the Queen of Scots was got at
liberty, and thereupon sent a man into Scotland to learn the
truth thereof. Hears that they are assembling on both sides.
—Alnwick, 7 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| May 8. |
2168. The Duke of Alva to the Spanish Ambassador in
England. |
|
Loys Thieryn a merchant of Bruges has complained to him
of a spoil made upon his ship by Sir Arthur Champernown in
1563 at Dartmouth of certain sugars and ostrich feathers, and
a sentence given by certain judges delegate that the said goods
were good prize. Seeing this sentence so apparently unjust
he is to pray the Queen of her royal power to restore the
goods.—Brussels, 8 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. Pp. 3½. |
|
2169. Brief of the Duke of Alva's Letter. |
|
An abstract of the above in English.
P. ¾. |
| May 8. |
2170. Bond of the Nobility for the Defence of the Queen of
Scots. |
|
Promise to serve and obey the Queen against her enemies and
her disobedient and unnatural subjects with their bodies, lands,
goods, and friends to the setting forth of her ancient honour
and the common weal of the realm; they also bind themselves
to refer all grudges amongst them to the commandment of the
Queen and the Lords of the Council.—Hamilton, 8 May 1568.
Subscribed by 9 Earls, 9 Bishops, 18 Lords, and others.
Endd., by Cecil. Broadside. |
| May 9. |
2171. The Regent Murray to Sir John Forster. |
|
Notwithstanding the "event" they doubt nothing but that
the action shall be conducted to a comfortable end, for they
are well accompanied with all the noblemen who were with
them at the beginning. Is sorry that his good meaning
should be impeded towards the repressing of their disordered
subjects.—Glasgow, 9 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
| May 9. |
2172. News out of Scotland. |
|
1. Upon the second day of this Instant a servant in
Lochleven who had since his birth been nursed in the same
place, and by reason thereof having credit there, stole the
keys in the time of supper and thereafter passed and [received]
the King's mother forth of her chamber and conveyed her to
the boat and locked all the "yetts" upon the rest who was
at supper, and spoiled the rest of the boats of their furniture,
so that none was able to follow them; and when they were
come to land George Douglas, brother to the Laird of Lochleven, who was in fantasy of love with her, and had provided
this money of before, met her at the Loch side, accompanied
with the Laird of Riccarton a friend of the Lord Bothwell's,
and with them ten horse. They took away all the horse which
pertained to the Laird of Lochleven. Within two miles Lord
Seton with James Hamilton of Ormiston met her with thirty
horse. In this company she passed the Ferry and was met
by Claud Hamilton with thirty horse, who conveyed her to
Niddry, where she made some dispatches with her own hand,
namely, one to John Beton to send to France, and another
to the Laird of Riccarton commanding him to take the castle
of Dunbar, who however failed of his enterprise. At her departing Lord Herries met her accompanied with thirty horse,
and altogether conveyed her to Hamilton to the castle thereof,
where she now remains, accompanied with all such as were
of the motion of this conspiracy, which are not a very great
number, and earnestly repents that ever they had meddling
therewith. The principals of that faction are the Archbishop
of St. Andrew's, the Hamiltons, Herries, and Seton; since they
have drawn to them Eglinton and Fleming with some mean
gentlemen friends to Bothwell. Their force is not great and
very evil "frayed." They intend to have all their force
about Monday or Tuesday at Hamilton. They cannot agree
who shall be lieutenant. The Regent's force will be ready
against that day, which will exceed their's very far in numbers
and goodness of men.—Edinburgh, Sunday, 9 May 1568. |
|
2. P.S.—Proclamations in the King's name are well obeyed;
but the Queen's are riven and the officers punished.
Endd. Pp. 2¼. |
| May 10. |
2173. Sir William Drury to Cecil. |
|
There has been sent to him from divers heads of the Borders
of Scotland messengers who not knowing what England is
minded to do stand doubtful to whether side to incline, and
send to require his advice herein. Has answered them that
it is beyond his warrant to intermeddle or advise. Perceives
many (if England minds to be a party for the Queen) would
run to her Grace who now stagger, and so the contrarywise
on the other side. Will not say anything until he may know
what course shall best please the Queen. The Earl of Murray
has already assembled 3,000, and the Queen scant a thousand.
—Berwick, 10 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| May 10. |
2174. Memorial for Berwick. |
|
Notes of certain doubts and requests of William Drury for
the advancement of the Queen's service within his charge; as
to what entertainment shall be used towards the beaten side
in Scotland; how order shall be maintained on the Borders;
and desiring provisions of men and money. Signed.
Endd. Pp. 1½. Enclosure. |
| May 11. |
2175. Sir John Forster to Cecil. |
|
Sends news from Scotland. Desires him to remember the
twenty men for Harbottle.—Alnwick, 11 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| May 11. |
2176. Advices. |
|
Intelligence from Rome of the 8th May, and Rimini of the
11th May concerning events passing in the Papal Court and
depredations by the Turks; also from Vienna of the 6th of
the same month.
Ital. Pp. 4. |
| May 12. |
2177. Sir Henry Norris to the Queen. |
|
1. The Duke of Montpensier the 29th April declared to the
King that he much feared great inconvenience would grow
for want of good observation of the Edict and ministering of
justice generally to all men. The Cardinal of Lorraine
standing by said, "Sur ma conscience il n'y a rien plus
necessaire." The Duke Montmorency taking occasion here
upon repeating his words said there was nothing more
necessary for the maintenance of the King's estate than the
sincere observation of the Edict of Pacification, and such as
labour to the contrary are neither friends to the King or his
crown; and for his own part if the King did not forsee in
time with due execution of justice this growing mischief, he
was resolved with his leave to depart the court with his
friends and allies, and so to withdraw himself from such as
under the pretext of maintenance of their religion, continually
nourished this division, and in the end put out the glory and
renown of the French empire; devices so pernicious and
strange that he must needs conclude that they proceed from
the malice and rancour of strangers. And this ended he said
to the Cardinal, "I must partly tax you in this behalf, for
you have well declared in open council (whatsoever you have
done by secret practices) your endeavour herein." The
Cardinal coldly answered that whatsoever he had done in the
Council was for the advancement of the King's service, and
what in secret he intended no man was so privy as himself;
and if he should presently declare his meaning it was sufficient
to purge himself before the world. The King now as aforetime promised speedy redress of such disorders as he was
advertised of. |
|
2. The 2nd of May the Queen Mother being sick the
Council was held in her chamber, where the three Marshalls
Montmorency, D'Anville, and Vielleville, made certain oppositions against the lieutenantship of Monsieur the King's
brother; that it had not been seen heretofore that the
King being sufficient of himself should have a lieutenant,
and that they being Marshalls knew what appertained to
their charges, and that it was meet that every one marched
in his rank. The Cardinal of Bourbon adjoined that in
case the King would take no better order than he had done
he would depart the Court, and give the world to understand how he had to heart the honour of his house and the
welfare of his friends. Which all was said to no other end
than to ruin to the ground the platform of the Cardinal of
Lorraine's devices, who hopes to procure the continuance of
Monsr. D'Anjou in this his lieutenantship, and so the principal affairs of this realm again into his hands. Monsr.
D'Anjou has marvellously stomached these dealings, and has
kept his chamber, having uttered most despiteful words
against them of the religion, saying that he hoped to march
upon their bellies. So the end of the war gives no end to
this mortal hatred between the Houses of Guise and Montmorency. Fears their particular quarrels will the sooner
cause this realm to turn unto its former division; for first
he sees the King easy to be seduced; the Queen wholly bent
to entertain these partialities; and M. D'Anjou so perilous a
matter to work upon and so addicted to follow the Cardinal's
advice as he doubts the other faction shall be forced for their
sureties to have again recourse to arms. The Queen Mother
perceiving these two factions thus to begin to play their parts,
and not assured of either, hopes by her uncertain dealings to
nourish their enmity to her commodity without profit to
either, and so proceeds giving countenance sometimes to the
Guisians and other whiles to them of Montmorency. And
although the principal affairs of the realm be dealt in the
body of the Council, yet is that propounded which is not
meant, nor that executed which there is determined, but
every man's opinion heard she makes her profit thereof, and
resolves what she thinks best to serve her turn. And in
secret dealing she sometimes uses Limoges, other whiles
Morvillier or Sens, and some other times the Cardinal of
Lorraine when the matter serves to his humour; but having
experience of his readiness to take great enterprises in hand
and doubting his too much forwardness imparts her mind to
the Chancellor, undoing in one day what the Cardinal had
intended long afore. Besides these she uses some men's advice
who are of meaner calling, who are reported to be of greater
practise for her commodity than benefit to this country. With
these she not only confers of the government and policy here,
but also is directed by them in raising extraordinary taxes
and impositions, which has greatly withdrawn the goodwill
of the people from her. It is suspected that these men have
been instruments in causing this sedition that lately chanced
in this realm; whereupon it is doubted whether it were
directly done by this confusion to maintain the Queen's
government, or else moved hereunto by secret intelligence had
with some other foreign prince. The jealousy which he
before advertised has again appeared between the King and
Monsr. D'Anjou. The Chancellor has endeavoured to withdraw all such occasions as might increase this mischief, and
finding himself to strive against the stream, and willing to
eschew that no decay should fall in this state as long as he is
in government, has made suit to be discharged of his office;
the which falls out according to the Cardinal of Lorraine's
desire, for this one man's authority has been the greatest
countermand of his devices. |
|
3. The reiters and other foreign soldiers saving the 6,000
Swiss who lie at Villeneuve St. George are despatched. There
is not a town or village in the Isle of France that is not
furnished with soldiers, which makes men think that there
is some great matter in hand to the hindrance of religion.
There was of late a bruit of a conspiracy to seize the King's
person; and to persuade the world that there was some such
thing meant, and so make them of the religion the more
hated, the Queen Mother has caused to be built two porches
at both the gates of the Court, where shall be placed a new
guard of harquebussiers. |
|
4. Hears not that the Prince of Conde and his companions
have any great assemblies or men prepared to take arms about
them, for they are fully bent to observe the Edict.—Paris, 12
May. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 4¼. |
| May 12. |
2178. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil. |
|
These here go about to strengthen themselves and weaken
the religion, and that the devices they have now in hand
may not be disclosed they have cassed all them that be of
the religion, with intent to rid the King's house of all that
be suspected thereof. All things are ruled now by Monsr.
D'Anjou, who though young is a most earnest and cruel
enemy against the favourers of religion, and has his privy
counsellors, the Cardinal of Lorraine being the chiefest, and
further has his Chancellor, who seals all such things as the
good old Chancellor of the King refuses to seal; who neither
for love or dread would seal anything against the statutes of
the realm. The King's garrisons in the Isle of France are
thought to attend no other thing but till the corn be off the
ground to begin where they left off. |
|
2. Was advertised on the 7th inst. of the arrival of one
Fleming of Scotland, who keeps himself very secret and has
recourse to the Cardinal of Lorraine. Since the Edict was
proclaimed the Lord of Arbroath, the Abbot of Kilwinning,
and their Ambassador endeavour by all means to get force
for the delivery of the Queen of Scots. The King's answer
was that he had so many irons in the fire, that until his own
were well framed he could not attend to others.—Paris, 12
May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 2. |
| May 12. |
2179. Sir Henry Norris to the Earl of Leicester. |
|
There is small appearance that they mind to deal according
to the Edict of Pacification, for they have divers bands unbroken. The King has the towns that were in the Prince's
hands rendered. The Prince's reiters attend yet for the
receipt of their pays. News of the Court. Understands
that Mons. De Foix late ambassador in England is commanded
home, being suspected to be of the religion. The Queen
Mother is sick of a catarrh. Has stayed ten mules for the
Queen for carriage and litter; they are very dear at eighty
crowns a piece.—Paris, 12 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2¼. |
| May 13. |
2180. Battle of Langside. |
|
Lists of the Lords on the Queen's and Regent's sides, with
names of the principal that were slain on the Queen's side, and
also of those who were taken prisoners.
Endd. Pp. 2. |
| May 14. |
2181. Sir William Drury to Cecil. |
|
The Queen's power and the Regent's met yesterday, when
the Queen's had the worst of it. She with 100 horse has
escaped into Dumbarton. Lord Home showed great courage.
—Berwick, 14 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| May 14. |
2182. Botolph Holder to Cecil. |
|
Perceives by Cecil's letter that it has pleased the Queen to
think well of and to accept his services, for which he is very
thankful. The most talk here has been this winter past
about such ships as departed out of England in October last
towards Guinea, of which they had large intelligence, and
whereof they make not a little ado. Has told them that they
were bound upon adventure with their merchandise and not
to the Mina. Notwithstanding they provided an armada of
ten sail, which departed towards Mina in February. There
is news that the English ships took a couple of caravels upon
the coast of Barbary. There are here eleven poor men who
were taken at Terceira, against whom it is laid that they
with others have robbed and spoiled about the same islands.
The black money coined by the late King is decried from the
value of ten to three, whereby the common people received
great loss, and are marvellously moved against strangers,
especially the English, slanderously saying that there were
two streets in a town in England where they did nothing
but coin black money.—Lisbon, 14 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd., by Cecil. Pp. 4. |
| May 15. |
2183. Sir William Drury to Cecil. |
|
Gives the names of the noblemen taken prisoners on the
Queen of Scots' side. The Earl of Murray did his best to
stay bloodshed. Home is hurt with a spear in the leg. There
is of the March some lairds who deal with him to shroud
themselves in England who doubt that the Earl's victory will
turn to their evil, not that they were in the field with the
Queen in person but in heart, and minded within a few days
to have led the rest there; to whom he gives but a deaf ear
until he knows the Queen's pleasure.—Berwick, 15 May 1568.
Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| May 15. |
2184. Sir John Forster to Cecil. |
|
Sends the Regent's letter to him and a proclamation. Is
practising with the gentlemen of the Borders of Scotland for
the keeping of good rule this busy time.—Alnwick, 15 May
1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| May 15. |
2185. William Douglas of Bonjedwart to John Mow. |
|
On Thursday the 13th was a battle between the Queen and
the Regent with great slaughter, 2,000 slain on the Queen's
side and 1,000 on the Regent's, to whom was given the victory.
The Queen is said to be in Dumbarton. Gives names of some
of the slain and hurt. The Regent has a great spoil of the
Queen's munition and other great riches left in the field.—
Bonjedwart, Saturday. Signed.
Add. Pp. 2. |
| May 15. |
2186. Advices. |
|
Intelligence of the events passing in the Papal Court.—
Rome, 15 May 1568.
Ital. Pp. 3½. |
| May 15. |
2187. Pietro Bizarri to Cecil. |
|
Rome May 8th, 1568. Death of Cardinal Simonetta. Roses
for the last year sent by the Pope to the Duchess of Parma
and the Princess of Florence. Intelligence from Vienna, 6th
May 1568. Capture of a Turkish galley and release of eighty
captives.—Venice, 15 May 1568. Signed.
Add. Endd. Ital. Pp. 3. |
