|
Sept. 1.
Augsburg. |
435. Dr. Wotton and Sir Richard Morysine to the Council. On
the 26th ult. Mons. D'Arras, taking to him Malvenda, Dr. Colt,
Dr. Hansy, and other men no better learned in law than utterly to
set light true religion, summoned before them all the Protestant
preachers of this town, and charged them with disobedience to the
Emperor's commands in preaching against the Interim. These men
requested specific individual charges, as they had all, according to
their belief, preached true doctrine, and if any one of them had done
otherwise, the rest might be able to clear themselves. Malvenda
laid unto them they said no masses in their churches. They replied,
they durst say none, being more 10th to offend God whom they
ought not, than ready to please men where they may not; that there
was good scripture for their communion, and also the use of the
Apostles, who neither said mass nor heard of any; and that this was
no new fault, for they had used no masses for 14 years. Farther,
that they were ready to stand to it, that at no time they ought to
use any. D'Arras told them he and his companions did not sit there
for disputation, but to obey the Emperor, whose order was that they
should leave the town in two days, and as soon as they could thereafter
leave the empire. Mocardus, one of the stoutest of those preachers,
said they were free citizens, and desired to appeal to their magistrates.
This D'Arras refused; and as they perceived that in consequence of
the Emperor having so handled matters, that in the room of old Protestants, new Papists filled the magistracy, they were like to have mean
help at their hands, they were compelled to make oath to depart from
the city in two days, and from the empire as soon as convenient thereafter, and never to preach in either. They have all gone, in number
seven preachers and three deacons. Animadverts upon the Emperor's
conduct and his political relations with the Pope. The town is
sorely troubled by this event; men and women in a marvellous
dump. There are few shops wherein people may not be seen in
tears; few streets without men in plumps, looking as if they had
rather do worse than suffer this thraldom. Last Friday there were
about 100 women at the Emperor's gates, howling and asking in
their outcries where they should christen their children, or whether
their children not christened should be taken as heathen dogs?
Where they should marry? They would have gone into the Emperor's house, but the Catholic Spaniards kept them out, so reviling
and treating them, as they would rather send than come again.
Eighty of them went to the residence of the Duke of Wirtemberg,
who came the day before to town, with six or seven score men all in
harness. The Emperor has doubled his night-watch. For all this,
the Papist churches have no more customers than they had; not 10
of the townsmen in some of their greatest synagogues. The churches
where Protestants did by thousands at once communicate are locked
up, and the people, being robbed of all their godly exercises, sit
weeping and wailing at home, and say they will beg among Protestants, rather than live in wealth where they must be Papists. Three
couples, who on Thursday last meant to be married at Mocardus'
church, have to go to Strasburg to be joined together according to
the Protestants' fashion. Christening will perhaps set this town out
of time, if some other order be not taken; there be many babes
newly born that lie unchristened, and shall do so till they meet with
such as christen in Dutch. The people will have no Latin christening,
as they say, till they can understand Latin themselves. In this
D'Arras seems to have sought a sacrifice to his father's soul; for he
banished the preachers in the forenoon, and at afternoon had a dirge
for his father, it being then a just year since he died. Somewhat he
has obtained of the people; for they that were glad the father went,
weep now that his son lives. The Turk's army by land is said to
be divided into two parts of 30,000 horse each, on either side of the
Danube; so his Bassa, called Beglier bey, who rules almost all the
Turk's dominions in Europe, is like to do harm enough ere this
summer is finished. His navy has summoned Tripoli to surrender;
letters say the inhabitants have prayed a respite till they may send
to the Grand Master of Malta, and have sent out two ships laden with
women, children, and old folks, which are reported to have fallen
into the Turk's hands. The Grand Master writes that three French
galleys have gone to the Turk's army; if so, the French here say
they have gone to entreat the Turk's General to be good to Malta;
but they guess nigher the truth who guess quite the contrary to this.
The French Ambassador at Venice writes that the Bishop of Rome
weepeth water with his eyes, because he has almost as much as he can
borrow and has lost his revenues in France. "Ah!" saith he, "in
Clement's time Rome lost England, and shall it be said that in Julie
the Third's days Rome lost the realm of France?" He is thought
ready to incline to the French King upon any reasonable talk, and
this many suppose is the greatest cause of the expulsion of the
preachers. Farther meaning to gratify the Bishop, the Emperor
commands all the villages hereabouts to do the like, and they seeing
Augsburg has suffered hers to be banished, think it not convenient
to stand on terms with the Emperor. Schoolmasters are also called
and must appear very shortly; it is reckoned a deformation is to be
made in them too. The Emperor has written to Strasburg, but, as
informed by Christopher Mount, although they answered two of his
letters, they neither do as he wishes them to do, nor intend to reply
to his last one. He has also written to Nuremberg, but they have
told their preachers to proceed as usual, and they will either tarry
or be banished together. The people of Augsburg must do as force
compels them; for the Emperor and his brother are said to have in
their hands all the money which the city can lend, and so the lenders
must either do as D'Arras bids them, or they may perhaps forbear
their money, with small gain, longer than they would. He has had
1,500 gunners and pikes in the town all this year, and has now
ordered in six ensigns of Spaniards,—two of horse and two of foot.
It is thought that the Germans shall away, as they talk madly about
the banishment of the preachers. Strasburg and Nuremberg are
likely to follow the example of Magdeburg and resist. England may
judge hereby what amity she might expect from the Emperor if
occasion served him. It is reported that Sedan and Lumeq, two
borderers not far from Mezieres, the one French, the other Imperial,
have given occasion of some stir. The French Ambassador has
advices from Flanders, that there be a good sort of men up on both
sides. As they will play so long at war, it may perhaps at the last
follow in good earnest. [Six pages and a half. Partly in
cipher, deciphered.] |
Sept. 1.
Augsburg. |
436. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 27th ult. had audience
of the Emperor and declared his instructions. The Emperor said in
reference to the Lady Mary's matter, that as it was of importance
he would think on it and speak with D'Arras, who should communicate his reply. As to the request for the King's Ambassador
to have the communion secretly, the Emperor gave a resolute refusal
thereto, and a theological discussion ensued between him and Wotton.
The Emperor insisted upon the antiquity and universality of the mass
and its divine institution; Wotton that the use of the communion
which they had in England was the old and ancient use of Christ's
Church, even as they used from the time of the Apostles, and
denounced the service of the mass as but a modern thing, altered
and changed by man's devices from the first institution of it. The
Emperor said, he did not wonder they thought so in England now,
for they had called to them, and received daily, all the greatest
heretics of the time, as Bernardine, Bucer, and such others who were
able to seduce any man. Wotton replied, that the Emperor might
call Bernardine and Bucer, as it pleased him, but in England they
were known for great, wise, learned men, notwithstanding which
neither they nor a hundred such could have caused England to alter
anything in those matters, unless the truth itself had very plainly
appeared to them. What truth, said the Emperor, can appear to
the English, that does not appear to the number of learned men of
other nations, who are as learned as they; or what truth can
appear to them that the Church of Christ could not see all this
while? Finally, after much argument on both sides, whatsoever
Wotton could say, the Emperor would by no means suffer what he
felt to be against his conscience and would offend God. Concerning
the arrest of English vessels in the Low Countries, the Emperor
said he knew nothing about it; that the French had stayed some of
his subjects' ships at Dieppe, whereupon the French ships were stayed
in Flanders; and unless some English merchants' goods were in these
ships, he knew not what it should mean. Wherefore for this, as well as
for licence of the powder, he remitted him to D'Arras for reply, being,
as it seemed, either weary of giving audience, having given several
that day, or peradventure being somewhat moved with the Lady
Mary's matter. Wotton then announced his revocation and the
continuance of Morysine as Ambassador resident. On taking leave
the Emperor desired his hearty recommendations to the King, with
professions of amity. Next morning Wotton sent to D'Arras, but
had answer from him only yesterday. They had a long debate as
to the alleged promise made to Dilphius by the Lord Treasurer and
Lord Paget touching the Lady Mary, for whom to be permitted to
have the use of her religion, the Emperor requires Wotton to request
his Majesty. As for the staying of the ships, D'Arras made as
strange at it as the Emperor, who, however, will write to his sister
the Regent about it. Cannot obtain licence for the powder, notwithstanding all his earnestness for it with D'Arras, whose excuses
are that the King has at present no need of it, and that the Emperor
has great need and shall lack for himself, the Turk having opened
the war again. That the matters of Parma go still forward, and
the Emperor must provide powder for all his frontiers, for Milan,
Naples, Sicily, Spain, the Indies, Africa, the Rhodians, Hungary, and
for his galleys. On this Wotton observed that if all these countries
were to be supplied from the Low Countries, some of them would
lack ere it came to them; and that he thought powder was made
in the countries mentioned. D'Arras said it was, but not so good
as in Germany and Flanders. Farther parley was wound up by
D'Arras declaring that the Emperor, the Duke of Alva, and he had
long debated the matter on the preceding day, and found that the
Emperor could not spare the powder. Such was the answer appointed to be given to Wotton, who intends in a very few days to
take his journey homewards. [Six pages.]
Extract from the preceding in modern writing. [Four pages.] |
Sept. 1.
Augsburg. |
437. Sir Richard Morysine to Cecil. Is it not possible, that
seeing dickers will not be granted, somewhat else, as able to stretch
to the payment of his debts as dickers, may be obtained? Still to
sue, and never to speed, is a life for hope and not fit for an Ambassador, that must have and not still hope to have. He must else
make his men learn to hope for meat, and to miss of it. If they bar
the Ambassador of massings, and thereupon the Emperor calls for
him home, prays that he may be called for too, or else they may
hope to call when he shall be where he cannot hear them. Thought
it would have been his turn to come home first, but he must
do as he is commanded, because he cannot do as he could have
desired. Yet he does think his abode short here, and Cecil by the
next shall do him pleasure to give him some light. He might send
his wife a piece of the way, while fair weather lasts. [One page.] |
Sept. 3.
Augsburg. |
438. The Emperor Charles V. to King Edward VI. Re-credentials of Dr. Wotton. Countersigned by Bavé. [Broadside. Indorsed erroneously 13th.] |
Sept. 4.
Brussels. |
439. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to the Council. It is reported
that the Bishop of Rome and the Farneses are in communication
will small hope of agreement. What the Turk's army has done at
Tripoli is not yet known, but it is believed it will winter at Tolne.
News have arrived that the French have captured 17 great hulks
going to Spain, richly laden, to the extent of 800,000 ducats; which
news hath dashed the talk of Parma, Magdeburg, and all others.
Six ships are lately sent out of Holland to waft the herring fleet, it
is said. Letters from Rouen state that the French King appoints
a parliament at Paris to determine upon the supremacy of the
Church within his own realm. The Prince of Spain is reported to
have been in Navarre, where they have sworn and done homage to
him. [One page.] |
Sept. 4.
Melun. |
440. Sir William Pickering to the same. Last Tuesday the 1st
instant had received their letters of the 28th July, which thus had
been a month on the way. Next day had an interview with the
King, and thereafter with the Constable; of which the details,
chiefly on-the affairs of the Continent, are minutely narrated. Requests an increase of salary, not having half enough to defray his
ordinary expenses, inasmuch as, one day with another, he spends 13
or 14 French crowns, and all that he receives does not amount to
seven. [Fourteen pages and a half. Printed by Tytler, Vol. i.,
p. 408.] |
Sept. 5.
Venice. |
441. Peter Vannes to Francis Yaxley. [One page. Torn perpendicularly, like the letter from Vannes to the same party of 25th
July 1551, so as to be unintelligible.] |
Sept. 5.
Strasburg. |
442. Christopher Mount to the Council. The continuation of the
Council summoned for the 1st of September at Trent is deferred by
the efforts of the Emperor. The Bishops of Treves and Mentz
have arrived there; those of Cologne, Strasburg, Besançon, and
Constance are daily expected; and almost all the German Bishops
are forced to go to them by Imperial mandate. On the other
hand, Duke Maurice and the Elector of Brandenburg and their
theologians, with some learned in the law. The theologians of
Wittenberg have lately drawn up a confession of faith, which has
been received and authorized by a great number of Saxon theologians and preachers. In Upper Germany, Brentzen, with the
assent of the divines of Tubingen and Strasburg, has also prepared
a confession, which has been signed and approved by the Duke of
Wirtemberg and the community of Strasburg, and now theologians
on both sides in the dominions of Duke Maurice agree that out of
both one confession shall be formed, to be exhibited to the Council
and defended to their utmost. The Duke of Wirtemberg, and Strasburg take up the subject warmly, but Nuremberg, Augsburg, and
Ulm are very remiss and cool on the matter. De Fresne is said to
be sent by the French King to the maritime cities, and Maurice to
have interceded for easier conditions of peace to the people of
Magdeburg. But the Emperor holds to his first determination. The
treaty between England and France will produce much good if
persisted in. The question of the Duchy of Wirtemberg is still
unknown, but the result, it is feared, will be very grievous to the
Duke. [Latin. One page and a half.] |
Sept. 8.
Augsburg. |
443. Sir Richard Morysine to the Council. Last Sunday Wotton
departed for England. Tarries his good hour, still looking for the
delightful letters that shall call him to follow; meanwhile will most
willingly carry hods in Egypt, till it shall seem to their wisdoms time
to call him into the land of promise. Beseeches them to remember
that though the skies in these parts afford plenty of frost, cold, and
snow, yet there falls no manna whereon to feed, but such as ready
money fetches out of the market; a cater that had been out of his
service seven months agone, but that he finds such as will lend, and
he is afraid they shall be driven to seek such as be able to pay. Their
Lordships must pardon need; he has so oft put his suits in the latter
end of his letters, and seen them speed so evil, that he has now
changed their place, and hopes their honours at the last will help to
change his luck. The Emperor sends Don Giovanni Manricha [Manrique], master of his household, to Rome; some think to keep the
Bishop that he start not, as one weary of the wars, others to reply to a
letter which the Nuncio would deliver into the Emperor's own hands.
Some think the Emperor has been the Bishop's broker, and doth
appoint round chapmen for a good sort of his hats. Friday next, if
there be no new lets, the Duke of Alva leaves this for Spain. The
Duke of Wirtemberg was nearly at a point for his fine, but when all
was agreed upon, D'Arras, from the Emperor, wished him to expel
from his duchy Brentius and all others who preached against the
Interim. The Duke replied that even were he as willing as the
Emperor to expel them, it was not in his power to do so, unless he
could expel all his subjects with them; and that if the preachers had
not stayed his country from rebellion better than the Spaniards who
were garrisoned there, it had been wrong with the Spaniards ere
this time. Last week the magistrates here ordered that all christenings and marriages should be celebrated at the parish church,
and the parties thereafter hear a mass; and during the last three
days five or six marriages have taken place by a species of compromise on either side. The priests obtain licence for parties to marry
without massing, contrary to the magistrates' order; and then the
priest wins this again, and those who have to marry wait at the
church door till the priest fetch them in, and as he casts on them at
their entry holy water, so they wipe it off as if it were horse-dashings.
They that marry are content he cast his water, and he that casts it
is content they wipe it away. At first he much mistrusted lest haste
in marrying would cause many here divorce from right religion; but
a good number of their English priests have come to the sweet of the
gospel, content to eat flesh on fish days, and taking pain to marry with
their heart. But these will no mass as yet, and since the magistrates
already dispense with men, mass is like to be heard of no more than
were wont to hear it. Libels against the Emperor, D'Arras, and the
magistrates have been posted on the door of the Council house, and
1,000 crowns reward has been offered for the discovery of the makers
of these pasquils. Some horsemen quartered at Frankfort are reported
to be making towards Italy; but because the landsknechts have
made foul work in the Venetian territories, for which no redress can
be had, it is thought that the Venetians will not allow them to pass.
The Bishops of Treves and Mentz have come to Trent, and find the
Council deferred until the 11th of October. The French King has
sent his Ambassador thither to protest that none of his shall come to
this Council. There is much talk of 16 Flanders ships taken by the
French on the coasts of Britain; at which the Emperor smoketh,
the prize being reported to be worth to the French as good as
800,000 crowns. The matters of Lumeq grow greater every day.
Prince Doria, who was sent to Spain, as they would make men
believe, to fetch Maximilian and his wife, was by tempest driven to
strike at Nice, after at Villafranca, then at Savona, and is now
returned to Genoa. They say he has come for more military ammunition, and retired not so much from tempest as to avoid the French
galleys that were abroad and seemed inclined to show fight. His
mission is said by some not to be to Spain, but to see that the
French ships land no Gascons in Italy; and then Maximilian has a
time either to play or complain him in, being kept in Spain when his
father's state and his whole inheritance is beset with perils on all
sides. Suspicious men guess worse than he hopes there is cause,
and much mislike as well that Gastaldo, the darling of Mons. D'Arras,
should be all the doer for Ferdinando, as that now Maximilian is so
far from his father. The Turk's army is before Tripoli, wherein are
50 Knights of Rhodes and soldiers, as many, it is said, as the place
can well hold, and threaten to give no quarter, if they have to take it
by force. Various speculations as to the Turk's proceedings in respect
to Transylvania and Christendom: his numbers are five to one.
Some of the soldiers going from the Tyrol to the King of the Romans
have been drowned in the Danube. From Italy it is written that
Strozzi, mistrusting that Octavio and Horatio should wax weary of
the wars, and afraid of the murmuring of the Parmese for want of
better help, had advertised the French King thereof, who immediately
wrote most gentle letters to the brethren, stating that aid was at
hand. The Duke of Ferrara labours his utmost to bring matters to
an accord; but the King by his letters has hindered more in a
moment than the Duke has wrought in a month. He wrote similar
letters to the inhabitants of Parma and Mirandola, which were read
in the market places with sound of trumpet, and have made the
people content to abide the chances of the war. Alessandro Vitelli
was not taken, but a nephew of his was slain. He and Camillo
Orsino are at variance, and both are gone to Rome. For six months
there has been practising for a truce: Camillo furthereth it as far as
he can; Vitelli will have the war continue. The former is suspected
to favour France; the latter is known to be wholly Imperial. During
their absence at Rome the French have oftened skirmished successfully.
The Bishop's men are ill paid their wages; of late on his side was
slain the only son and heir of Count Guido Rangone, not more than
16 years old. His young cousin, who now serves the King's Majesty
[Pallavicino], has a good turn by it, as he will succeed to all the
Count's goods and lands, the latter of which is counted better than
5,000 or 6,000 crowns per ann. A friend sent Ferrante a fine horse,
valued at 300 or 400 crowns. Captain Goyto met the person who
had charge of it, and sent him to Ferrante without the horse, with a
message that as the animal was young and unwayed, he intended
to break him for Ferrante. Ferrante, enraged, sent for the horse,
and was answered that as the horse was better than he took it for,
Goyto meant to keep it for his own saddle. Ferrante again sent,
saying that if the horse was kept from him, he would sent Goyto's
nephew, whom he had in prison, to the galleys. Goyto bid him
take heed he did not so, for if he did the 90 Spaniards whom Goyto
held prisoners should be all hanged in fair array upon the walls of
Parma. Spaniards in detachments of 30 and 70, more or less, come
hither apace: for although the people are as quiet as any people can
be, these are afraid of stirs. A friend has just informed him that
letters have arrived from Andrew Doria mentioning that the French
King has proclaimed war against Spain at Marseilles. The Court is
full of these news, which God send to be true! Had sent to the
French Ambassador, who says he has no letters from France, and
knows nothing of the matter beyond this report. [Seven pages. A
few words in cipher, deciphered.] |
Sept. 12.
Venice. |
444. Peter Vannes to the Council. Had received their two several
letters in favour of Captain Spinola and Sebastian Cabot, and as
regarded the former had declared unto the Seigniory at length his
honest qualities and good service done to the King's Majesty, whereby
he has deserved his Majesty's good will, opinion, and estimation, and
also that his service had not been unrecompensed. The Seigniory
for his Majesty's sake will at all times, as occasion shall serve, show
to him any friendship or favour in any his affairs and honest requests.
Spinola is well esteemed here amongst divers gentlemen and men of
reputation, and makes very good report, and that worthily, of England. Touching Sebastian Cabot's matter, concerning which the
Venetian Ambassador had also written, he has recommended the
same to the Seigniory, and in their presence delivered to one of their
secretaries, Baptista Ramusio, whom Cabot put in trust, such
evidences as came into his hands. The Seigniory were well pleased
that one of their subjects by service and virtue should deserve the
Council's good will and favour; and although this matter is above
50 years old, and by the death of men, decaying of houses, and
perishings of writings, as well as his own absence, it were hard to
come to any assured knowledge thereof, they have commanded
Ramusio to ensearch with diligence any way and knowledge possible
that may stand to the said Sebastian's profit and obtaining of right.
By the inclosure their Lordships shall perceive such occurrents as be
known here. The Bishop of Rome endeavours to make peace by
means of the Venetians and the Dukes of Florence and Ferrara; but
he has kindled more fire than he at this time can well quench.
Andrew Doria, on his way to Barcelona with 20 galleys slenderly
accompanied, was encountered with 33 galleys of the French King,
and constrained to retire to Nysa, being protected by the ordnance
of the castle from the French galleys; which, it was said, made sail
towards Narbonne. Doria diligently seeks by means of the Viceroy
of Naples and the Duke of Florence to increase his fleet and proceed
on his voyage; but it is thought that, rather than expose himself
and his company to the danger of the Turks and French, the King
of Bohemia would take the pains to go about and pass over to
Flanders by the Spanish seas by England away. The war being
commenced in Piedmont, Don Fernando has proceeded thither, leaving the Marquis of Marignano and the landsknechts about Parma.
The Seigniory had desired their Ambassador to offer congratulations
on the alliance between France and England. The Turks daily send
men and money to Hungary. Can say no more respecting Dudgeon,
who will shortly make answer himself, being towards his journey, if
his long sickness and weakness do not let him of the same. Desires
to know their pleasure as to his going to Lucca, being thereunto
provoked by the ruin and decayment of his poor inheritance there.
[Four pages.] Annexed, |
|
444. I. "Advertisements from sundry places." Letters from
Rome of 5th September mention the formal protest of the
King of France against the proceedings of the Council.
Letters from the Grand Master announce the surrender at
discretion of Tripoli; that M. D'Aramon had saved 200
men of note, besides knights and other people, and sent
them in safety to Malta; that the rest of the soldiers, in
number about 500, were put in chains, and others fit for
the oar impressed. The Turkish fleet had gone to Zerbi,
whence they had despatched a frigate, some say to Toulon.
The French King is reported to bring many from Normandy in 20 new galleys, and the King of Algiers to
have offered to the said King his 12 great ships. From
Mantua on the 6th they write that in Piedmont the French
have occupied S. Damian in the territory of Montferrat,
as well as Brusasco [Bricherasco], Salugea [Saluzzo],
Monteglio, and two other places; they have also attempted
to carry Cherasco by assault, but have been repelled
with great loss. [Italian. Three pages.] |
Sept. 15.
Augsburg. |
445. Sir Richard Morysine to Secretary Sir (sic) William Cecil.
More than he has said to Cecil and others, he cannot devise what
he should say. It is small reason that because his diets are scarce
able to bear half his charges, that he shall by no suit be able to get
them. May it be possible that he who could not live his chosen
mean life at home without yearly running farther and farther into
debt, can live here like a King's Ambassador of his own revenues?
This matter is too testy for him quietly to write of it. Let him not
be every way ashamed; let him be able either to follow the Emperor,
seeing he was sent to wait upon him, or else let him be called home.
It is now thought certainly he will go into Flanders; all men are
warned to be ready by the 24th of this month. It is well that they
warn not Ambassadors, for he thinks if he were warned he should
scarce be ready to go, if he went not before he had made even with
his creditors before Easter. For in that space he may chance sell
as much land as will pay others all, and leave him nothing. His
brother Stephen has made Cecil a fault; desire to do things well
forced him to it, knowing none more willing to speed Morysine's
matters than Cecil. There was time enough between his sisters'
death and Stephen's coming to Cecil, or if there were not, prays for
his sake Cecil will pardon the fault. Malit eum culpam deprecari
quam patrocinari. Prays he may have his diets shortly, else will
think that Cecil is also angry with him. |
| Oct. 6. |
P.S. These letters have been at Venice, and so have those that he
sent, or at least meant to send to the Council. Is glad, seeing it
was evil, that it happened no worse. Thought they had been taken
up by the way. Now they shall to Inspruck, and so, if the Emperor continues his purpose, into Italy. He may not neglect his
things there; they are too great to be lost without fighting. France
has the hand, hold it if he can. The Emperor seems to mean an
earnest war and a lasting enmity. Shall Morysine go into Italy
with neither money nor credit? Entreats Cecil to obtain from the
Council letters to Schore, or to whom they will, that he may freely
borrow as much always as double his diets come to, for he is past
the single already, and that will not serve. If he does not pay
what he has borrowed shortly, he must seek new creditors. Can
Cecil and all his friends devise no ways to keep him above the
hatches? He would send his wife home, but he has neither to keep
her here, nor to send her from him. His friends shall have much
ado to seem so to her, if his life and hers continue in this pickle that
it has been in these six months. [Three pages.] |
Sept. 15.
Brussels. |
446. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to the Council. Does not think
that the report of the Emperor's coming hither shortly is likely to
be true, since by his having expelled the Protestant preachers
lately, whereby all Germany is stirred, he will not probably be well
received. Inclines to believe it has been set afloat in the hope of
inducing the French King to withdraw his forces from Piedmont,
where they are said to have taken two castles, and are about a town
called Asti. Some say war is already proclaimed at Marseilles. The
Emperor is reported to have sent the Duke of Alva to Spain, and
Don John Manrique, one of his stewards, goes to the Bishop of
Rome. The garrison of Magdeburg, he is informed, has lately made
a victorious sortie on their enemies; but the people here say the
garrison had the worst of it. Little is said of Parma and Mirandola.
Skiperus is still in Zealand and Holland, and it is said that he and
M. de Bure have already sent 10 ships of war to the sea to conduct
the herring fleet home; but some report that the French have been
before and taken 40 vessels laden with herrings. Other 12 ships
of war are rigging out of Holland. This forenoon about 11
o'clock the French Ambassador was arrested, and is confined to his
residence under the charge of the Queen's guard. [Two pages.
Directed, "Haste, post haste, haste, haste, haste for thy life. Cito,
cito, cito."] |
Sept. 20.
Strasburg. |
447. Christopher Mount to Secretaries Sir William Petre or Sir (sic)
William Cecil. Is aware that they have been informed by Morysine
of the banishment of the preachers from Augsburg and its neighbourhood. This has caused great dissatisfaction among the people.
Its probable effects on the Council and future results. [Latin.
Half a page. Mutilated, and injured by damp.] |
Sept. 20.
Lunenburg. |
448. John Brigantyne to the Council. The report that Lazarus Von
Schuendi, colonel and commissary of the camp before Magdeburg, had
been taken prisoner by the citizens, is incorrect. The Marquis of
Nuremberg, or Anspach, has been ordered by the Emperor to have
no communication with the enemy, or to receive any writings from
them, and to avoid their skirmish unless forced thereto. They have
mounted several large pieces of artillery on a church in the new
city or suburbs, which does much injury to the city, because they
flank the chief streets longwise. Their Lordships shall shortly better
understand this by a plat, or description of the city and camp, which
Cortpfening by means of his acquaintance has achieved, and intends
to present to his Majesty and them. This and the adjacent cities
have received two strict injunctions from the Emperor to obey the
Interim, published at Augsburg in 1548. This they must either
embrace, or defend themselves and their neighbours before Magdeburg, and, as he understands, they will utterly refuse obedience;
wherefore on Monday next, the 21st, one of the principal persons of
each city will meet at Lubeck. There is sharp sickness in the
camp before Magdeburg; they are three months unpaid, so that
among them is much misery. There are 24 ensigns, and in each not
200 able persons. Count Mansfeldt's two ships, mentioned in his
letter of 27th ult., have sailed from Hamburg; each of 100 tons,
thoroughly furnished for the wars. [One page.] |
| Sept. 20. |
449. The Council to Sir William Pickering. Although to avoid
precedent it is not considered expedient to increase his allowance,
yet it is intended that he shall be looked upon otherwise. Desire
him to ascertain in what manner and at what time the French
Ministers propose the ratifications of the late treaty shall be exchanged. Also to inform the Constable that the King has granted
permission to the Queen Dowager of Scotland to land in any of his
ports, and to pass through the realm to Scotland. His Majesty is
in good health, and the kingdom in good order, and so likely to continue with good heed taken thereto. A new and just coinage will
shortly be issued. [Three pages. Draft.] |
Sept. 22.
Augsburg. |
450. Sir Richard Morysine to Cecil. If Cecil has leisure, prays
shortly to have some inkling what he shall do; whether he has to
tarry any long time, or shortly to come away. Does he think,
though dickers do not come, anything else may be sued for? Can
Cecil help his friend to nothing? Is sorry if he cannot, knowing
his good will. Money is shrunk in this town; those that make the
wars will let men of peace enjoy but that they have already bor
rowed. Money is now at 25 on the 100 better than himself. Must
have his own sent him in season, else it may chance to do him but a
little pleasure. Thinks they reckon at home that he has found some
treasure, that they think he can live without his diets. Has prayed
Cotton to take some pains to solicit; hopes small suit will serve,
and yet he that has so long sued, and still must, may fall in error in
thinking due easy to be come by. Is sure Cecil might in a month
steal one quarter of an hour to write a few lines this way. Are all
his desires so great that he is to be barred of them all? Neither
dickers, nor diets, nor letters, nor any kind of comfort? He still
looks for Francis; if he does not come, prays he may hear somewhat from Cecil. Mr. Cheke, Mr. Wrothe, and everybody has so
much to do with themselves, that he can be no man's care but his
own. Beseeches he may see that he has some one that thinketh
him, for pity's sake, worthy to be comforted. [Two pages.] |
Sept. 29.
Hampton Court. |
451. The Council to Sir William Pickering. His Majesty having
resolved in compliment to the French King to hold the Feast of
St. Michael, had invited the French Ambassador, who came here last
night, and has been very well entertained both by the King and the
Council. "This day he was present in the chapel at the whole
service of the communion, where he saw the King's Majesty reverently with us of his Council communicate the sacrament, wherein
as we perceive he seeth and understandeth great difference betwixt
our reverence in our religion and the slanders thereof usually spread
by evil men." He dined with his Majesty in the privy chamber,
and at a Council held thereafter preferred a request from his master
touching regulations to be made for the trade in wines between
France and England, which would serve to the mutual advantage
of these countries. Inform him of the points thereof to enable him
to confer with the Constable thereon. [Three pages and a half.
Draft.] |
| Sept. |
452. Notes of "Occurrents out of the French Court" by Sir Anthony
Guidotti. The greater portion of the French nobility and members
of the clergy, including four Cardinals, are presently at the Court, consulting as to the affairs of Rome. The Duke of Ferrara, his brother
the Cardinal, and the Cardinal of Tournon, have endeavoured by
favour of the Venetians to make an agreement between the Pope and
the French King; their success is doubtful. Mirandola and Parma
are besieged; the former very closely. Both are well provisioned till
May. The Vidame of Chartres is appointed Captain of the light
horse, and M. de Thermes captain-general of the infantry, 25,000 in
number. The Turk has abandoned the siege of Malta, finding its
castle impregnable. His troops are now before Tripoli, and their
future movements are uncertain, but it is commonly supposed they
will not return to Constantinople this year. Poulin [De la Garde]
has beat the Flemings at sea, and captured 19 large ships laden with
brass ordnance, sent by the Emperor from Germany for the defence
of Spain. A person of note is hourly expected here from the Emperor; his name and the object of his mission unknown. The
Burgundians have ravaged the frontiers of Picardy, to the great
offence of the French King, whom, if the war proceeds, it is said
the Emperor intends to invade by Flanders, Burgundy, Narbonne,
and Piedmont. In 15 or 20 days the French King is able to bring
into the field 50,000 men, and 14,000 or 15,000 cavalry in defence
of France; and he is in no want of troops for Italy. The Parmese
have taken prisoner Count Camillo Castiglione, whom Don Fernando
had sent as Ambassador to the Pope with instructions of great importance. The Romans have already built three or four forts in the
vicinity of Mirandola. The Regent makes great warlike preparations
in Flanders. [Five pages. Italian two; French three.]
Contemporary abstract of the above in English. [Two pages
and a half.] |
