Spain: March 1548

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 9, 1547-1549. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1912.

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'Spain: March 1548', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 9, 1547-1549, ed. Martin A S Hume, Royall Tyler( London, 1912), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol9/pp260-261 [accessed 27 November 2024].

'Spain: March 1548', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 9, 1547-1549. Edited by Martin A S Hume, Royall Tyler( London, 1912), British History Online, accessed November 27, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol9/pp260-261.

"Spain: March 1548". Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 9, 1547-1549. Ed. Martin A S Hume, Royall Tyler(London, 1912), , British History Online. Web. 27 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol9/pp260-261.

March 1548

March 22. Vienna Imp. Arch. Van der Delft to the Emperor
My last letters were dated the 27th ultimo, since when the Protector and Controller Paget have been to inspect their frontier ports and the isle of Wight, from which journey they returned to London the day before yesterday.
There has also arrived here Lord Grey (de Wilton), who had been left as general in command on the frontier of Scotland. The ostensible intention was that he should return thither, but, as I understand, they really intend to send him to Boulogne, of which place he had always been the governor. (fn. 1) The reason for this is that they entertain some suspicion, in consequence of the French intrigues that they have discovered for the purpose of surprising and capturing Lower Boulogne. This plot was divulged to them by a Frenchman, who informed them that more than a hundred armed men had entered the place secretly one by one, and that there was a great number of Frenchmen outside ready to be employed in the same business, according to circumstances. The The people in Boulogne having, in effect, made enquiries in consequence of this intimation, found in the town a considerable number of armed Frenchmen, whom they expelled.
It appears that this circumstance has caused them to recall Lord Grey from Scotland, in order to send him to Boulogne again, as they evidently fear now that the French are more likely to attack them than your Majesty. This idea is strengthened by the news current here that your Majesty has dismissed your German troops.
Nothing of importance has happened in Scotland since last advices, except that some twenty Spaniards who were left in garrison at Hume Castle, had entered into some sort of understanding with the Queen (Dowager Mary of Lorraine) and that, in consequence, fourteen or fifteen of them had gone over to the other side. The others were detained and arrested with their Captain by the English, and the leader, having confessed the treachery, was executed after trial with three of his accomplices. This has had the effect of making them less desirous than formerly of having foreigners in their service. (fn. 2)
There have recently come hither flying from justice some French soldiers who had killed their three principal Captains whilst they were taking the muster in the Boulognais. The earl of Warwick has had them put into prison, and to-day the French Ambassador went to court, as I understand, for the purpose of demanding their surrender.
They have recently had printed here a certain book respecting the Holy Sacrament, in which it is set forth that the Communion will be administered sub utraque specie, the consecration being effected in the customary manner, pending further orders. It is also ordered that every person should in future confess his fault to God, and if he has any scruple of conscience he should declare the same to his clergyman, and after consultation with him obtain his absolution. It also says that those who prefer to confess in the usual way should not be reprehended, nor should they reprehend others who follow the course now laid down. It would seem that they are not yet unanimously agreed as regards their new doctrine, for the ordinances and statutes issued on the subject change from one day to the other. They have also again prorogued the time they had announced for the re-assembling of Parliament.
Sire, I have been requested by some members of the Council and also by the Genoese merchants themselves who are directly interested, to petition your Majesty to grant them your favour in the recovery of their property and friends captured by the Turks and Moors since the truce was declared, the capture having been effected whilst the ship was anchored in a harbour of your Majesty's realm of Sardinia. I am writing fully on the subject to M. de Granvelle by this courier.
London, 22 March, 1548.

Footnotes

  • 1. This probably was the reason for Grey's recall when Lord Shrewsbury went to Scotland in command of the fresh force intended to relieve Haddington. But the progress of events in the North soon rendered his presence there again necessary and he returned.
  • 2. The purpose of these Spanish mercenaries to murder Pelham the English captain of Hume Castle and hand the fortress to the French, had been made known before to Grey de Wilton by another mercenary named Captain Tiberio, an Italian, who had been sent with his band to Broughty Craig, and was subsequently in command at Haddington. When, therefore, the attempt was made, a beacon was fired from the walls of the castle, and a body of men whom Grey had forewarned rode to the place and captured the Spanish Lieutenant and twelve of his men. The rest of them fled, pursued by John Carre who took two and killed one. Whilst being conveyed back to Hume to be hanged, after they had been taken for trial elsewhere, the Lieutenant and a companion escaped, but he was subsequently caught and hanged by his own countrymen, who were outraged at his disloyalty. Although his name was Perez, they declared that he was not a Spaniard but a Burgundian.
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