|
1576.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. ix. p. 89. |
486. [Fabius Mirto Frangipani,] Bishop of Nazareth, Legate in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
… “As to the terms craved of the King by Alençon in the Peace, which he has asked me to propose as of my own motion, one is that there should be granted him for his portion either Normandy, in which he has his Duchy of Alençon, or Brittany; which, I believe, is but a scheme of those malignants to draw this youth to those seaports near England, and in concert with that wicked Queen to harass the realm on that side also; and so I have told that youth, adverting also to the objections that I feel in regard to those frontier ports, pointing out that former Kings were never wont to give portions either to brothers or to sons on frontiers where it is possible at once to gather foreigners together, but for fear of this have ever been wont to assign them in the heart of the realm. He seems to be rather disposed to acquiesce, as being without a mind of his own, and in the end he spoke to me of the Duchy of Anjou with other places in Auvergne, seeing that as the present King held them during his father's lifetime, while there were three brothers, he deemed they might well be given to him now that there are but two brothers. To this I made no objection, deeming that it sufficed to have induced him to give up the two former demands; and also that it would be worth the King's while so to do in order to gain this brother, which done he would be able to count on him and the states in every emergency.”
13 Feb., 1576. [Paris.] Decipher. Italian.
|
Vat. Lib.
Urb. Lat.
1045. f. 58. |
487. News Letter.
“M. de Champigny has had an audience of the Queen of England; and it is understood that he has little reason to be gratified with the answer that he has received, so that he will shortly return with no result of his labours. The said Queen did not disapprove the raising in that realm, at the instance of rebels against these States there resident, of troops to be sent to the aid of the confederates of Holland and Zealand.”
18 Feb., 1576. Antwerp. Italian. Copy.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt.
Germ. vol.
lxxiii. p. 121. |
488. John [Delfino,] Bishop of Torcello, Nuncio at the Imperial Court to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
… “It is said that the Duke of Guise has cut to pieces four of Casimir's cornets of horse; but details are wanting.
“From Flanders the news is that Orange was minded to sell the states that he now holds to the Queen of England.”
18 Feb., 1576. Vienna. Italian.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna,
vol. ix. f. 90. |
489. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to Nicholas Ormanetto, Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain.
“I cannot reply in detail to every question mooted in your cipher that reached me this morning with your last letter, to wit, of the 20th ult., because the courier is on the point of departure. I will therefore say no more than that Engelfid [Englefield] and Dr. Allen arrived here six days ago, but hitherto little converse has been had with them. I hope to have an early opportunity of telling you something. Dr. Sander's tarrying there is approved by the Pope for the reasons adduced by you. The zealous offices which you have done with his Majesty touching the public weal, and the mention which you make of other offices yet to be done with his Majesty and the Catholic ambassador are very gratifying to his Holiness, albeit he himself has never failed to do all that he perceived to be of possible service to Christendom, as also he has not neglected to do by means of persons of the highest rank many and many a time most zealous and strenuous offices with the Grand Duke [of Tuscany] to detach him from that woman; but to no purpose; and therefore you may suppose that it is an undertaking less easy of accomplishment than one perhaps supposes by the means you suggest to persuade the father to pardon the daughter and take her back into his house: that would do no good whatever, as it is deemed certain that she would never accept the arrangement. And so, as there is no known means of at present inducing that Prince to have done with such a scandal, whom not even I would charge with any other sin; it is for you to pray God as we do, to give him of His grace that light which we cannot give, that he may recognize his perilous state, and make up his mind of his own accord to that which by the advice of others he seems indisposed to do.”
20 Feb., 1576. Rome. Italian. Draft for cipher.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna,
vol. ix. f. 97. |
490. [Francis Alciati, Cardinal Protector of Ireland] to [Nicholas Ormanetto,] Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain.
Authorizing the payment to the Irish Bishop of Meath or his proctor, if he have left for Brittany, of a further sum of 100 crowns of gold from the Collettoria.
20 Feb., 1576. Rome. Italian. Draft.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. ix. p. 99. |
491. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop of S. Papoul, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
… “MM. de la Mothe and de la Porte have returned from England, where they have been greatly caressed by that Queen, who manifests a desire for accord in this realm, and uses potent arguments with the King to that end.”
21 Feb., 1576. Paris. Italian.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Venet. vol.
xviii. p. 48. |
492. John Baptista Castagna, Archbishop of Rossano, Nuncio at Venice to the Same.
… “With John Michael [Soriano], upon his mission to France to congratulate the King upon his marriage, there went, as is usual, certain young Venetian gentlemen, among them a nephew of the Prince; and they to see the world crossed to England, and were there greatly caressed by the Queen, who in the course of conversation evinced no small desire to have at her Court an ambassador from the Signory, and likewise to have an ambassador on her part here; which being reported by the young gentlemen on their return, I learn that the idea is heartily approved here because it would be a great advantage to re-establish navigation and trade with that realm. And so I understand that they are already treating of this business with great good will, though nothing has yet been settled; of which, as it seems a matter of importance, I have resolved to apprise you.”
25 Feb., 1576. Venice. Italian.
|
Pub. Rec. Off.
Arch. Napol.
Farnes. Fasc.
186. |
493. Guido Lolgi to [Alexander,] Cardinal Farnese.
… “We are in expectation of the return from Monsieur of M. de Biron, who ought not to be long in coming; and by him we shall be better apprised of what may be hoped. It is now eight days since there came here those three whom Monsieur with the King's consent despatched on the business of the marriage to England; and should they return, as it is rumoured, after visiting the said Monsieur, it will be a sign that the affair is making way. The King of Navarre's baggage and furniture were courteously sent to him. He is no longer in Normandy; he has gone to La Flèche in Anjou. The said place is his own. We are waiting to learn whether he has gone to find Monsieur, or whither. By reason of the muster which they made of their vessels it was doubted whether the English were not minded to make some descent. The danger is for the time passed. The merchants should rather and with no less care keep clear of the vessels of the King himself, which do by sea what is likewise done on land in the matter of warfare to the ruin of the country.”
26 Feb., 1576. Paris. Italian. Copy.
|
Vat. Lib.
Urb. Lat.
1045. f. 63d.
|
494. News Letter.
“The Queen of England, it is manifest, has taken Holland and Zealand under her protection, for we have intelligence of the arrival at Flushing of 600 English soldiers, and that she has sent thither money and 30 pieces of artillery, and has now made 50 captains; and M. de Champigny writes that she has a great fleet ready and about 120 pieces of artillery to send to those parts, as they have used their artillery to equip the vessels.
“On Monday and Tuesday there was heard the din of much artillery firing in Zealand; and it is said that some of our vessels remained there, and that the Vice-admiral was slain or taken.
“Our people were keeping Sirichse [Ziericksee] closely invested, and the garrison had sent all useless people out of the place, being resolved to continue the defence.”
29 Feb., 1576. Brussels. Italian. Copy.
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