Venice: December 1584 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 8, 1581-1591. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

Citation:

'Venice: December 1584', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 8, 1581-1591, ed. Horatio F Brown (London, 1894), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol8/pp104-105 [accessed 12 February 2025].

December 1584



Dec. 7. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	252. Giovanni Dolfin, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Ambassador of England has had another audience, and renewed his request in a most urgent manner. He touched on the progress of Spain, which is a standing prejudice to the greatness of France and the peace of England. The King, while assenting to the argument, would give no other answer than that, before he could come to a resolution, he must wait the arrival of the Deputies from the Netherlands, who, he said, would not be long now in appearing. He puts off giving an answer to the English Ambassador, and delays to receive Mendoza. I shall keep a wakeful eye and endeavour to penetrate the inner meaning of these actions.
	Paris, 7th December 1584.
	[Italian.]
Dec. 21. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives.	253. Giovanni Dolfin, Venetian Ambassador to France, to the Doge and Senate.
	The Queen of England summoned a Parliament on the 6th instant to assist her with money in order to succour the needs of Flanders. Certain Lords seized the occasion so beg her to name her successor, urging her not to leave England exposed to the risk of a cruel war and much bloodshed, after her death. On the other hand, it was proposed that the Queen should declare her successor at the time she thought fittest, even in articulo mortis, and that all should pledge themselves to ratify her Majesty's choice.
	It is said that under pretext of sending people to assist Holland, the Queen of England has massed one thousand five hundred infantry, and, in accord with the Scotish enemies of the King of Scotland, has placed at their head Charles Hamilton, who has promised to seize the King and to bring him to London. At this juncture Claude Hamilton, brother of Charles, arrived from France, Charles told his brother of his plans, and Claude persuaded him to defer the blow. He then went straight to the King, and disclosed the plot to him. The arrest of some Knights and Earls followed.
	Paris, 21st December 1584.
	[Italian.]