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| June 2. |
160. Instructions for Sir William Paget sent to the Emperor
Charles V. With reference to continued amity, the marriage of the
Lady Mary with the Infanta of Portugal, the proceedings with
France, the Scottish war, &c. [Twelve pages. Draft.] |
June 3.
Greenwich. |
161. The Council to William Dansell. In reply to his letter of
29th May, touching the offer of Lazarus Tucker for money to be
delivered at Frankfort, their meaning was not to pay him interest
for the same, but to give him bell-metal or lead for it, if he would
send word at what price he would take it. If he will not advance
except upon interest, they are not minded so to bargain with him.
Censure him at considerable length in reference to the bullion
transaction, there seeming to be discrepancies between his statement
and that of Gresham. Again press, that in his negotiations for
silver he will endeavour to get it in exchange for lead or bell-metal.
[Two pages.] |
June 3.
Antwerp. |
162. William Dansell to Sir Thomas Smith. Had on the 29th
ult. communicated the offer of Lazarus Tucker, who will not deliver
the money except here, or be repaid but in this town, and in ready
money only, refusing all kinds of merchandise, as lead, tin, or such
like. Desires to have a full answer thereon. Has this instant received a letter from his Grace, and another from Smith containing
a cipher. His letter of the 2d of May relating to the bullion was
delivered to his Grace on the 6th, and he learns that it is in the
hands of Mr. Honyngs. To that letter, of which he had forwarded
to him a copy, he refers for vindication of himself. Desires to
know his Grace's pleasure as to the payment of Cooke for the
saltpetre and harquebuses, which will amount to about 1,700l.,
whether by exchange or otherwise; also what order is to be taken
for payment of the money due in September. Hears that two
Cardinals are coming hither from Rome to the Emperor, and that
two or three have gone, or will shortly go, to Rome from the French
King. [Two pages.] |
June 3.
Antwerp. |
163. Same to the Lord Protector. Acknowledges his Grace's
letter as to payment of Cooke for the saltpetre and harquebuses, and begs to be informed in what mode payment is to be
made. He has lately received for the King's use by order of his
Grace and the Council of the account of Sharrington 1,050l., and
will receive more between this and August. Of this he has already
made payments to Guevara, Schetz, &c., so that he has not above
200l. remaining; wherefore the more reason to know as to the
payment of Cooke, and of the money due in September. [One
page.] |
June 11.
Richmond. |
164. The Council to William Dansell. The greater part of his
letter of the 3d has been answered in letters presumed by this
time to have been received. If Lazarus Tucker will not let the
King have money except upon interest, leave it alone. If he can
repay the money due in September with the commodities of England, so that the King may save the interest, he will do right good
service; but if he cannot, let him endeavour to prevail that the
amount may remain for another year at the same interest. Should
they refuse, let him borrow the amount required at as low a rate
as he can against the time, that he may be able to repay the same
to save his Majesty's credit. Cooke is content to receive his money
in London, so that need not be cared for. Are surprised that he
should now offer to supply at a lower price than Cooke; ought to
have seen to this in the first instance; beg him henceforward to
espy where the King can be best and most cheaply served, as he
knows his Majesty has need. [One page. Draft.] |
June 13.
Strasburg. |
165. Christopher Mount to the Lord Protector. Since he wrote on the
16th of May has been informed by letters from Wittenberg, that, at a
meeting of his own and his brother Augustus' subjects, Duke Maurice
harangued the preachers, urging them to increased zeal in religion.
His opinion of Maurice. Great anxiety in these parts as to the
Emperor's movements. The Council of Mentz is ended, but its decisions are not yet published. Recently heard that the French King
was pressing Count Christopher of Oldenburg for the transmission
thither of 10,000 foot in defence of Scotland, on account of the facilities afforded by the Weser. The Count is a brave and veteran
soldier, much hated by the Emperor, because in the war he led
20 companies of foot and 1,000 horse on the Protestant side.
Does not think he would forfeit his reputation by any act against
England; nevertheless, as that class of men are for the most part
mercenary and greedy, he will, should the Protector wish it, visit
the Count, accompanied by Bernard de Mela, who is the Count's
most intimate friend, and do his utmost to dissuade him from such a
step. The general opinion is that a league will be effected between
the Swiss and the French, but the people of Zurich and Berne will
not consent unless those who profess the same religion with them
are protected against persecution. The French King will doubtless
promise everything, but will perform according to the Pope's
pleasure and discretion. The aforesaid people of Zurich and Berne
openly declare that they will not fight against the English. Many
Spaniards go to Italy through Switzerland, discharged, as they say,
by the Emperor for eight months. [Two pages. Latin.] |
June 15.
Antwerp. |
166. William Dansell to Sir Thomas Smith. Having received no
answer to his letters touching the offer by Lazarus Tucker and the
payment of the money in September, is desirous of knowing the
Lord Protector's pleasure thereon, especially as the time draweth on.
The troops raised by Captain Hugford [Hackford] and Guevara have
four days since been arrested at Bruges by command of the Emperor and the Queen. Those of Hugford are released, or shortly will
be; but doubts as to those of Guevara, the matter being taken very
grievously, because as he is informed, Guevara, who is presently in
prison at Bruges, had allured some of the Emperor's retinue here,
as well as five or six of the guard of the Duke of Saxony and other
such, without licence, whereat the Emperor and Queen are much
offended. Mr. Hoby has probably already advised more fully of this
matter. Desires to know the Lord Protector's pleasure whether he
shall forthwith call upon Guevara's securities for the 800 crowns
advanced to him, or wait to see how they intend to proceed with
him. [Two pages.] |
June 23.
Brussels. |
167. Sir William Paget to the Lord Protector. Acknowledges
the letters from his Grace and the Council, and, as instructed, will
set forth that the French King reserves the greatest part of his
forces at home in expectation of the Emperor's death, and will
attend to the matter of the Count Rangone. [One page.] |
June 24.
Brussels. |
168. Same to Sir William Petre, and in his absence to Sir Thomas
Smith, the King's Majesty's two principal Secretaries. Requests
minute and explicit directions on several points of the instructions
given to him in regard of the confirmation of treaties with the
States. Desires to have "a quick despatch for these folks here; as
they use no delays, so they look for speedy answers." [Two pages.]
Copy of the preceding in modern hand. |
June 24.
Brussels. |
169. Same and Sir Philip Hoby to the Lord Protector. The
Comptroller (Paget) arrived on Wednesday the 19th. His agree
able reception by the officers of state. Had with Hoby audience
of the Emperor on Saturday the 22d, being escorted to Court by
Mons. de Bossut, le Grand Ecuyer, with a large retinue. Details
their conference with the Emperor, and that of the following day
with Granvelle, at both of which many professions of continued
amity; and gives very ample particulars of the conversation between Granvelle and Paget as to the suggested marriage between
the Princess Mary and the Infanta of Portugal. Had also been
with the Queen of Hungary and been equally well received. [Sixteen
pages. Autograph of Paget.] |
June 25.
Copenhagen. |
170. Francis Wegener, a native of Flensburger-Wick, to Christian
King of Denmark. Complains that on three successive occasions he
has been robbed by the English. First, a week before the Feast of
St. John in 1548, his ship had been plundered of all its freight and
provisions by the English at Rye, who treated his Majesty's letters
of safe-conduct with contempt. Secondly, in the same year, a week
before Michaelmas, when conveying some English soldiers from
Hamburg to London, he requested from them permission to trade
in England, and the English captain, Demack [Dymock], informed
him and his crew that they might go whither they pleased. With
this permission, and the safe-conduct of his Majesty, he sailed to
Daveren and Boen [Dover and Boulogne?], and on his arriving
there, his ship was thoroughly plundered by the Dover men, and
one of his comrades slain by a gun-shot. Thirdly, after Whitsunday this year, being shipwrecked off Scotland, he purchased
there a ship of a hundred lasts, as they term it, and making for
Dantzic was a third time attacked by the English, who took the
vessel and all its contents, together with his letters of safe-conduct,
and more than fifty pieces of gold, turning him and his crew adrift
almost naked. Implores his Majesty for assistance to obtain
redress, without which he and his will be reduced to complete
beggary. [Latin. Two pages.] |
June 26.
Brussels. |
171. Sir William Paget to Sir Thomas Smith. William Dansell
has been with him, much dismayed by the letters sent to him from
England. Has thoroughly vindicated himself in the matter of the
bullion. Much injustice has been done to him by the Council;
such a letter as that written to Dansell was the death of one of the
properest men that ever served the King abroad, as Lord Southampton knows right well, namely Hutton, whom the Lord Cromwell
upon an untrue information stroke to the heart and killed him, that
he lived not three days merrily after. Admonishes them to better
treatment of their agents. "A kind heart meaning truly, is easily
with unkindness undeserved soon despatched. Wherefore when
Princes be in sudden heats, and specially without certain ground,
we Secretaries must temporize the matter with terms convenient,
for else no man can be able to serve abroad." [Two pages.] |
June 27.
Antwerp. |
172. William Dansell to same. By order of his Grace has
paid 250 French crowns of six shillings and fourpence each to
Garret Fitzgarret, who says he will leave this for Calais next
morning. Not having received the kerseys, lead, and bell-metal for
which he had written, has been unable to bargain with them for
the 9,000l., but shall in default of other remedy take it up for another
year as profitably as possible. Complains energetically and at
much length of the letters which he has received in regard to the
bullion, giving very ample explanations thereon. Can have 120,000l.
Flemish for 12 per cent., taking with it 30,000 ballets of wood and
other merchandise. If informed what munitions and artillery are
wanted, doubts not to be able to supply his Majesty on as favourable terms as any other can do. [Three pages and a half.] |
June 27.
Paris. |
173. Dr. Wotton to the Lord Protector. On Wednesday the
26th, dining with the other Ambassadors at the Duc d'Aumale's,
had met the Constable who informed him that the King his master
had appointed as commissioners for the conservation of amity
Mons. de la Rochfort, M. de la Chastillon, and M. du Mortiers.
Told the Constable that as the King of England would not nominate
any of his ministers of the frontiers, he hoped the French King
would in like manner name indifferent people. Details their conversation at length. Does not for certainty know the fate of
M. du Biez, who has been taken back to Melun; some say he was
brought to Paris to be degraded from the order, and that done,
death to be commuted for perpetual imprisonment; others, that
sentence is not yet given. [Two pages and a half.] |
June 28.
Copenhagen. |
174. Christian King of Denmark to King Edward VI. Incloses
the letter and complaint of Francis Wegener, and requests that
justice may be done in his regard. Besides the losses specified by
Wegener, the greater part of the property stolen belonged to George
Rantzow, his Majesty's principal Sewer (aulœ architrinus). Remonstrates with dignity on the treatment experienced by his subjects
and the contemptuous indifference shown to his letters of safeconduct. [Latin. Broadside.] |
June 30.
Brussels. |
175. Sir William Paget to Sir William Petre, or, in his absence,
to Sir Thomas Smith. Requests their good services in procuring him
speedy and certain replies from the Protector, and that they will
return to him by the bearer (whose expenses to and fro are paid), a
copy of his letter of the 24th inst. Has had news by Antwerp of
great masteries by the English troops in Scotland, and from France,
that Vervins has been beheaded and De Biez sentenced to be drawn
in four quarters, but a pardon is hoped for. Also that 16,000 Swiss
are being brought into France. The cipher wherein he writes is
that of Hoby. [One page.] |
June 30.
Brussels. |
176. Same to the Lord Protector. Desires to know his Grace's
pleasure as to his manner of proceeding in his mission to the
Emperor, which is divisible into two branches; the first to have the
former treaty confirmed, the second to engage him with them in
war with France. If the Emperor agrees to the former, his friendship may be relied upon; and if he will accept Boulogne into defence,
as offered on terms of reasonable reciprocity, then, considering its
present doubtful position in regard to an attack, and as he is
apparently determined to fall out with the French in regard of his
own affairs, he is sure to do so though England should not move
therein. According to his conduct his Grace will know how to act.
It is enough if he agrees to defend Boulogne; there will be no need
for moving a mutual invasion; but if he will not except upon condition of mutual invasion, rather consent than let slip the anchor hold.
Desires to know his Grace's pleasure as to the matter of the marriage,
since he notes "that hitherto they have given us leave to make all
overtures in all points, and they only give never." As the Emperor
is advancing now in age and desires to ride easily, suggests that
his Grace should, by the Lord Cobham, present him on his coming
to Gravelines with six hackneys of mean stature going safely, four
in the King's name and four in that of his Grace, which will be
very kindly taken. "Sometimes such trifles stir more occasions of
friendships than greater matters or practices do." [Three pages.
Partly cipher, deciphered.] |
June 30.
Brussels. |
177. Sir William Paget and Sir Philip Hoby to the Lord Protector.
Give an account of their conference on the 26th with Mons. d'Arras
and S. Maurice and Viglius, the two Presidents of the Council, when
they partly considered the former treaty and had animated discussion
on several of the Articles, particularly in relation to the jurisdiction
of the Privy Council and the Admiralty, and the ratification of
treaties by Parliaments. [Seven pages and a half.]
Copy of the preceding in modern hand. [Seven pages.]
Another copy in the same hand. [Six pages.] |
