Simancas: May 1577

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

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Citation:

'Simancas: May 1577', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, ed. Martin A S Hume( London, 1894), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp540-541 [accessed 27 November 2024].

'Simancas: May 1577', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Edited by Martin A S Hume( London, 1894), British History Online, accessed November 27, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp540-541.

"Simancas: May 1577". Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Ed. Martin A S Hume(London, 1894), , British History Online. Web. 27 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp540-541.

May 1577

29 May. 459. John Smith (fn. 1) to the King.
Your Catholic Majesty knows that the great affection and interest of the Queen, my mistress, towards your Majesty has prompted her to send me to this Court respecting the concord and pacification of your Majesty's Netherlands. This commission being concluded, I have endeavoured to negotiate certain matters touching my mistress and her subjects privately, in conformity with my instructions, hoping that in a short time I might be dispatched. As I have, however, remained here fully five months, and have been able as yet to conclude nothing, notwithstanding my diligence and desire to do my duty between my mistress and your Majesty, the delay will be a disappointment to my Queen, and may cause a great prejudice to my reputation, as well as grave damage to my private affairs in England. I therefore beg your Majesty to be pleased to grant me audience, fixing a day when I may finish my affairs and take leave of your Majesty, after having obtained your decision respecting the matters contained in the memorials that I have handed to you and referred to verbally.—Madrid, 29th March 1577.

Footnotes

  • 1. Sir John Smith had a violent altercation, which nearly ended in blows, with the Cardinal of Toledo (Quiroga), a few days before the date of this letter, and no doubt this fact contributed to his desire to leave Spain as soon as possible (see Calendar of State Papers (Foreign), 19th May 1577, and also B.M, MSS., Add. 26,056c.
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