Simancas: October 1582

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.

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Citation:

'Simancas: October 1582', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586, ed. Martin A S Hume( London, 1896), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol3/p404 [accessed 27 November 2024].

'Simancas: October 1582', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586. Edited by Martin A S Hume( London, 1896), British History Online, accessed November 27, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol3/p404.

"Simancas: October 1582". Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 3, 1580-1586. Ed. Martin A S Hume(London, 1896), , British History Online. Web. 27 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol3/p404.

October 1582

12 Oct.
French.		 287. The Queen Of Scotland to Bernardino De Mendoza.
I have recently been visited here by M. de Fontenay, the brother of my French secretary, and as I had freely every opportunity of instructing him fully of my intentions in all things concerning my state here, and that of my poor child, I have decided to send him to the Catholic King your master in order that he may give him an account of certain matters which would be too long to write, but which are necessary for the forwarding and conclusion of my latest overtures, respecting which I am most anxious to have a decision one way or the other. If they are not to be successful I have decided to seek, by any means and under any condition, permission to retire to some place of repose, where I may pass the rest of my days with greater freedom of conscience, instead of still wasting myself fruitlessly here. I pray therefore that you will aid the said Fontenay with letters of recommendation, both to my good brother the Catholic King, and to Cardinal de Granvelle, Señor Idiaquez, and others ; which letters please send to M. Englefield direct, for him to deliver to Fontenay when he arrives. I should have wished him to have been able on his way through London to confer with you on the whole matter, but these times are full of distrust in consequent of the recent occurrences in Scotland, and I dare not address him to you, in order to avoid trouble to either of you. You may, on my authority, pledge yourself for his entire fidelity, to whomever you may introduce him. No matter what be the nature of the task confided to him, he will do it faithfully in the interest of religion in general.
I hope as soon as you may receive news from Spain you will let me know. Do not trouble youself about that Archibald Douglas who was recently arrested by Walsingham. He has been a great mischief-maker in times past, and this will divert him from all secret understandings and agreements with Walsingham. (fn. 1) — 12th October 1582.

Footnotes

  • 1. Castelnau, writing to Henry III., 17th January 1583 (Harl. 1582, fol. 324), says Douglas has asked him to lend him 1,000 crowns, "as do several others here whom I have diverted from the Spanish party ... He is a man of quality and great service, who has refused a pension of 2,000 crowns from the queen of England, and is so competent that I can refuse him nothing in my power." The subsequent behaviour of Douglas, who was one of Darnley's murderers, proved that the Queen's distrust of him was well-founded. See his correspondence in the Hatfield State Papers (Hist. MSS. Com. Part III.).
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