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| Feb. 1. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
569. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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A courier arrived here yesterday from Lower Normandy with the news that Montgomery, who is now in England, had designs against the French, coasts, and that there were individuals at the Court here who habitually gave him intelligence and acquainted him with every event. The report caused so much uneasiness that yesterday the Council was summoned before daybreak, a proceeding which has produced more talk than any real result, but the discontent throughout the kingdom becomes more apparent. A legal functionary has just been arrested upon suspicion that he was the informer, and he has been sent to Paris, and other persons will be arrested likewise. |
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Poissy, 1st February 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 6. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
570. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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A spy has been arrested at Paris, and three other persons have been arrested with him. Letters and documents of great importance have been found upon all of them relating to a contemplated insurrection in Normandy, which province therefore now lies under great suspicion; indeed, certain intelligence has been received that many Huguenot nobles have assembled there, and are enlisting soldiers, and it would appear that these gentlemen are inspired by Montgomery, who, if he has not already left England, will soon be on the spot accompanied by forces. |
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Poissy, 6th February 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
571. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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When apprehensions were first entertained of an insurrection in Normandy, their Majesties sent again to England to beseech the Queen most earnestly not to permit Montgomery to retain the services of the Queen's subjects who had accompanied him to the island of Guernsey (Gerenze), adjacent to Normandy; therefore, Montgomery having remained in that place with but a small force, there is better hope of maintaining quiet in the province of
Normandy, especially as means have been taken to procure the same. |
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The English Ambassador, when discoursing with me on this subject, said, “It is proper you should know that my mistress, probably against the will of her Council, bears no ill will against the French, and indeed on several occasions she has endeavoured to ally herself with them, but she finds in them so much vacillation and change of purpose that she really does not know what solid result can ensue from their friendship. Formerly, with all sorts of professions, they endeavoured to arrange a marriage between the Queen and the King of Poland; the Queen, to say the truth, did not give her consent at once, but when subsequently she sent a Signor Smith (Smit) with full powers to conclude the contract, the French drew back and declined to complete it. Now they have put forward this Duke of Alençon, and are promising, among other things, to maintain peace and use well all persons who belong to the new religion. I can assure you that these proposals were very favourably entertained; but then the French, having endeavoured to obtain possession of La Rochelle by means of a plot, have thrown great difficulties in the way of negotiation, for the Queen sees that neither the hopes of an alliance nor the good will which she has shown, nor the promises which they themselves have made, are of any avail to keep them firm in their purpose. Nevertheless, my mistress will not fail to behave towards them as becomes a good neighbour and her own reputation, and she will regulate herself according to the terms of any agreement which may be made with the Huguenots.” |
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Poissy, 24th February 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 28. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
572. Sigismondo Di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Signory. |
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The news received on the 26th announces Huguenot movements in Guienne and Poitou, and that the insurgents have taken Mele and Batteville; and it was also heard that on the 27th eight hundred horse had gone towards Normandy by Orleans, Chartres, and La Brosse, and had reached Mantes, six leagues from St. Germain; the Court therefore sent for coaches and horses, and the Queen departed for Paris by night, the King remaining at St. Germain till the morning of the 28th. |
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Paris, 28th February 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
