Simancas: January 1590 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

Citation:

'Simancas: January 1590', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603, ed. Martin A S Hume (London, 1899), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol4/pp564-565 [accessed 21 February 2025].

January 1590



1590. 12 Jan. Paris Archives, K. 1571.	575. Bernardino de Mendoza to the King. [Extract] Secretary Curle and his sister have recently been dangerously ill. This fact, together with the arrival here of the Legate, had led me to consider whether it would not be desirable that Curle and his sister, the apothecary Gorion, and the archbishop of Glasgow, should make a formal deposition before the Legate of what they know respecting the renunciation made by their mistress in your Majesty's favour. Affairs in France are now in such a position that there need be no hesitation about publishing it, and it would be inconvenient if any of these people died without making a declaration. I submit this to your Majesty for your decision. The archbishop of Glasgow immediately ceased his functions as ambassador when he learnt that the king of Scotland had married a heretic. He, however, still continues to watch your Majesty's interests in every possible way ; and this makes me humbly beg that your Majesty will be pleased to remember him and grant him some favour.—Paris, 12th January 1590.
31 Jan. Paris Archives, K. 1572.	576. Diego Maldonado to Philip II. Reports with regard to the capabilities of the coast of Brittany for the fitting out of a Spanish fleet. There are only three ports that can admit ships in safety, and where mariners can be found, as the Governor cannot force them to take service. The provisions are plentiful and good, and the beef well salted with Brouage salt, and put into wooden tierces, such as they make in Brittany, will keep good for a year. The ships are small, weak, and unarmed—quite unfit for fighting. The sailors are Catholics, it is true, but ill conditioned and not to be trusted. They should always be outnumbered in every ship by sailors of other nationalities.— Nantes, 31st January 1590. Note.—The above report refers to the offer of the duke de Mercœur to Philip II., to place the coast of Brittany at his disposal for the purpose of fitting out a second Armada against England. In subsequent letters, Maldonado points out that the three principal ports, namely, Brest, St. Malo, and Blavet, are against the League ; and states that Mercœur intends to attack them. Shortly alterwards Blavet was taken by him, in co-operation with Lansac, who captured some English and Rochellais ships which were carrying reinforcements to the place, and then attacked it by sea, whilst Mercœur advanced against it by land. The port was handed over to the Spaniards, who held it until the signature of the peace of Vervins. Blavet is now called Port Louis.