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| 1579. Jan. 11. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
742. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Ambassador of Monsieur had arrived in England, and was well received and honoured by the Queen, whose desire concerning her marriage will be soon known. |
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Paris, 11th January 1578–9. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 15. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
743. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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On the 8th instant, De Simier was accorded a very gracious audience by the Queen of England, who answered him in substance that she had not fully persuaded herself whether Monsieur sought to marry her to be King, or for her mental and personal qualifications, and that, therefore, he must be content to cross the sea and visit her, when he would be satisfied and gratified in every respect. |
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Paris, 15th January 1578–9. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 23. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
744. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The States of Flanders, imagining that to obtain a treaty of peace, the Spaniards would agree to any convention however derogatory and disadvantageous, have raised difficulties upon every point, but considering the resolution of Artois and the other separate Provinces, and the want of understanding with the Prince of Orange and Casimir, who both remain at Ghent for the protection of the people, and also that the Prince of Parma had refused a suspension of hostilities, upon the ground that as the Catholic King had referred this negotiation to the Emperor, he could make no concession without a commission from the Emperor in person, the States sent M. de La Noue immediately to Monsieur while he was in a state of great discontent at Condé and on the point of entering France with the aid and at the solicitation of his most Christian Majesty, and gave him to understand that the States would consign three fortresses to him, namely, Ath, Mechlin, and Enghien (Angen) as security, until they could more effectually acquit their debt; and should peace not be concluded with Spain, they promised him to observe all that Spain had promised by the first and second agreements with them, and even more likewise; so his Highness, having formed fresh hopes, went to Ath with the intention of proceeding to Mechlin to see the end of this negotiation, which very greatly displeases the King, and the more so because by a letter which his Highness has written to M. de Villeroy, his Highness would seem but ill satisfied with all that has been done hitherto. |
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Paris, 23rd January 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 23. Copy. Venetian Archives. |
745. Letter from Mauvissière, French Ambassador in England; copy, enclosed in Lippomano's Despatch of 13th February 1579. |
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I charged the bearer of these letters, addressed to his Majesty, to relate the reception and favours which Mons. de Sinner had met with from the Queen of England and all her Court, and the hope that his voyage would not be useless for the service of his master, and on my part I do not fail to avail myself of all the means I possess according to the command of the King, to obtain a good and honourable termination to this negotiation, which has already lasted so long a time, and which, as appears row, either will be accomplished or be never spoken of more, and the persons who are most interested in it do not fail to show their desire, and to make every loving demonstration in its favour, so that according to all outward signs the affair might be held to be concluded, and, indeed, nothing is spoken of but this marriage, which God grant may take place for the welfare and happiness of these two kingdoms. |
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Mons. de Simier, together with a large retinue, is lodging with me, and he will not yet depart, because he desires to await his master, in order that if the marriage should take place he may remain as a hostage for what was promised. |
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London, 23rd January 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
| Jan. 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
746. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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I hear, on good authority that the Queen of England, suspecting that peace may shortly be made in Flanders and that the King of Spain will be at liberty to act on the offensive against her, is endeavouring to ingratiate herself with France by showing favour to Monsieur, and endeavouring to unite him with the Prince of Orange, and also with the King of Navarre, two of whose gentlemen have lately arrived in England. |
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Paris, 30th January 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
