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| April 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
268. Vincenzo Gradenigo, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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It is said here that the Queen of England has sent a large fleet to Peru, to work as much mischief as possible. If this be true it will greatly hamper his Majesty's designs. |
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The departure of the King from this city has left so many thieves at liberty, that no one can live secure in his own house, nor walk abroad. Last night fifteen of them attacked the Bishop's Palace. |
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Saragoza, 14th April 1585. |
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[Italian.] |
| Enclosed in Despatch of April 26th, from France. |
269. Agreement made at Middelburg. |
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The Ambassadors of Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen of France, England and Ireland, Henry of Bourbon, King of Navarre, the Most Mighty and Illustrious Palatine Duke of Casimir, Duke of Pomerania, Landgrave of Hesse, Duke of Wirtemberg, and Prince of Ortughe (?), Swiss Confederation, Prince of Condè, town of Bruselles, and allies generally, by their legal representatives and plenipotentiaries met in the town of Middelburg on the 25th, 1584. |
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The miserable state of Christendom and the origin of all these ills having been explained to this assembly, all are invited to join in common means towards their common end, the proper establishment Christendom, in the following way:— |
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That the King of Spain be begged to observe the Act of Pacification by which the free use of the reformed religion was permitted throughout the kingdom, and that he be asked to swear such observance. If he refuses, each member of the assembly shall formally renounce all alliance or friendly relations with him. |
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The members will take such steps as may be necessary to prevent Christendom from suffering. And to that end the following provisions shall be ready by April 15, 1585. |
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The Queen of England shall contribute one thousand horse and four thousand Swiss, not counting the two thousand English she already intends to land at the most convenient spot in France, on the advice of Navarre and Condè. |
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The Count Palatine four thousand horse. |
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The Count of Pomerania four thousand horse. |
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The Landgrave of Hesse two thousand horse. |
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The Duke of Wirtemberg two thousand horse. |
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The Swiss six thousand men. |
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The King of Navarre, the Prince of Condè and other allies twenty-four thousand harquebussiers and four thousand horse. |
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No member to make truce or peace with the King of France without the consent of all his allies. |
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The Queen of England promises to send commissioners to Basel in the month of May, there to meet other doctors and to settle the question of the Lord's Supper, about which there is at present a difference. |
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The Prince of Orange shall be supported in the recovery of the Low Countries. |
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The allies pledge themselves to attend the first Imperial Diet to endeavour to reform the Bishop of Rome ; as they are well aware that all the heresies and disturbances of Christendom come from the luxury and avarice of that Prelate. |
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[Italian.] |
