|
| March 6. |
2220. Advices from Antwerp. |
|
Seizure by the Count Palatine of two boats laden with
money on the Rhine. The matter of the Prince of Spain is
more openly talked about, it was said that he was plotting
against the person of his father, and that the Queen, the two
younger children (doa figlioli putine), and the King's sister
were joined with him, and that the matter was discovered by
Don John of Austria, to whom he had communicated his evil
intention, and whose assistance he had requested. He is very
strictly imprisoned, and it is said that the King means to
proceed against him by course of justice. The Prince of
Orange refuses to appear to his citation. |
|
Endd. Ital. Pp. 12/3. |
| March 15. |
2221. Advices from Antwerp. |
|
Different reports from France, the Low Countries, and
Spain.—Antwerp, 15 March. |
|
Endd. Ital. Pp. 1¼. |
| March 7. |
2222. Sir Thomas Gresham to [Cecil]. |
|
As on the 14th he wrote there was a marvellous piece of
work to see, for there was above 40,000 men up of all sides,
and as the Prince had agreed with the Calvinists so they
would not go down until they had their articles in writing,
but continued upon a street called the Maire in order of
battle in armour, with their great brass pieces of ordnance,
until the 16th at 1 p.m. The same day the Prince and the
Lords warned all the town and nations to be in their armour
by 8 o'clock, saving the English. The Martinists and Papists
grew in one company, and the Spaniards, Italians, and Portuguese joined in battle array by themselves against the Calvinists, and likewise the Prince and the Lords of the town
joined together. About 10 a.m. the Prince and the Count
Hoogstraten came forth with 100 horsemen and proclaimed
the articles whereunto they should trust, which he encloses,
and which, being once read, the Prince cried Vive le Roi, first
before the town house and afterwards amongst the Italians
and to the band of Martinists and Papists, and last to the
Calvinists, who accepted the articles and also cried Vive le
Roi. After this there grew a contention between the Calvinists and the Italians and Spaniards as to who should leave
off their armour first. In the end the Spaniards and Italians
were fain to give way, for they were in number but 2,000,
and the others were 10,000 at least. There was up of all sorts
above 50,000 men, very well armed, who were all down and
in their houses by 3 p.m., and not one man slain or hurt in all
the time. If the Prince had not been here there would have
been manslaughter and spoil to the loss of 20,000 men, for he
never saw men so desperate and willing to fight.—Antwerp,
17 March 1567. Signed. |
|
Pp. 12/3. |
| [March 15.] |
2223. Articles of Pacification for Antwerp. |
|
Articles providing for the free exercise of religion, the preventing the entry of any garrison, and other provisions for the
security of the town. |
|
Fr. Pp. 5. Enclosure. |
| March 17. |
2224. News from Antwerp. |
|
News of peace in France. Payment of the German reiters.
Money detained by the Palsgrave. Disturbances on account
of religion in Italy.—Antwerp, 17 March. |
|
Endd. Ital. P. ½. |
| March 21. |
2225. News from Antwerp. |
|
News that peace is concluded in France; preaching to be
permitted, except in the neighbourhood of Paris; and the
Queen Mother not to have any part in the government. It is
thought that the reiters will be employed in some other enter
prise, wherefore the Duke of Alva has sent to levy cavalry in
Germany.—Antwerp, 21 March. |
|
Endd. Ital. P. 2/3. |
| March 28. |
2226. News from Antwerp. |
|
Peace concluded in France. The Duke of Nevers wounded.
The French desire to borrow the money stayed by the Count
Palatine to pay the foreign soldiers, offering interest at the
rate of 16 per cent. per annum.—Antwerp, 28 March. |
|
Endd. Ital. P. 1. |
| March 31. |
2227. Benedetto Spinola to —. |
|
Conditions of the peace in France. Great levy of soldiers
in Germany to aid the Prince of Orange. It is hoped that
the Duke of Alva will shortly proclaim a general amnesty.
Points out the advantages which will grow to the Queen of
England and her country by encouraging a certain company
established for the purpose of working copper mines.—Antwerp, March 28. Signed. |
|
Endd. Ital. Pp. 3. |
