|
June 1.
Antwerp. |
784. Sir William Pickering to Colonel Wallerthum. Was
anxiously expecting his letter presented to him to-day. Would
have been better pleased, however, to see him with the men of
whom he writes. Is glad that he arrived safe and sound in
Hamburg and that he is likely soon to be provided with ten
ensigns of soldiers. Is sure the Queen will take his industry in
good part. Has his despatches from their Majesties. In two or
three days will leave for Amersfort, the place appointed for the
muster, three leagues from Utrecht, where he hopes Wallerthum
will join him soon with all his people. Touching the captains
desirous of serving the Queen, as Pickering's commission only
extend to 3,000 men and it is not the time to signify the good will
of these men to her Majesty, thinks Wallerthum will do well to
bring with him no more than the number assigned. Requests he
will join him at the place of muster with all speed. [Copy. Italian.
One page.] |
| June 1. |
785. The Council to Thomas Gresham. Have received his
letters of the 23d inst. and reported them to the Queen. As the
payments of this mart are now a good time past and those of the
next do not begin before 15th August, it will be a good plan for
him to forbear making any more bargains, unless for the year, so
that the Queen be not bound to pay again before the "Cinquecen"
mart next twelvemonth; for this last bargain with Paulus Van
Dale is such that a month of the year will be gone before the bonds
arrive and Gresham receive the money. Think that his stay will
be a furtherance to him when it is known that he is not greedy of
money, and will be taken to imply that the Queen has not so much
need; but he is so to temporize that the money merchants may be
brought to the bait if need be, wherein they doubt nothing of his
good dexterity. Touching the receipt of the new coined philippuses
think it in no wise convenient that he receive more than he knows
he can pay out again, but to receive the rest in stivers or other
small coin that be permission and valued monies. If he should
receive them there and have to bring them to England, it will be a
great loss to the realm. Have had a difference with the Governor
and merchants here. The Queen owes them 30,000l., to be paid
the last day of June by Gresham on that side the sea, at the same
rate per pound that they delivered it, and with the advantage of
the interest that was promised them. They have refused, saying
that they should have occasion to use money there. Intend to
charge them to make no exchange from thence hither save through
Gresham's hands, wherein he is to get rid of some philippuses and
cause the exchange to rise there and consequently here. He is to
deliver the money on exchange to those persons to whom he knows
the Queen owes money, of which he may be certain, as they think
he has a book with the names of the lenders and their loans. They
will send him a book with the names of merchants and their loans,
part of a prest of 20,000l. of which they doubt not he has lately
heard. He shall by their next receive the Queen's warrant signed.
If few of the Queen's creditors want to take up money there by
exchange he is to consider what bargain her Majesty might make
there for bullion at 5s. 4½d. ½f. the oz. of fine silver. If he find,
considering the value of the philippus there and the aforesaid price
of bullion, that the Queen would not be a loser by buying bullion
for the philippus, he is to do so. In case of doubt in any point he
is to communicate with the Council and give his opinion. Such
great sums of gold have lately come out of Spain they trust he will
light upon some of it at the hands of those with whom he has
engagements. Six of the seven ships containing the Queen's
provision have arrived. [Three pages.] |
June 4.
Rome. |
786. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since his letter of
28th ult. intelligence has been received that the French having
over night obtained a town in Piedmont, called St. Germain, by
treachery of some of the inhabitants, were on the following day
attacked by his Majesty's troops, who recovered the same and slew
and took prisoners the whole of the French, in number about 2,000.
Also certain Lutherans have been discovered in Cremona, men of
reputation there, and these have been taken by three of the Council
of Milan, who have them in safeguard and sure hold. The
Emperor's Ambassador as yet has had no audience of the Pope,
neither can he have answer whether he shall. His Holiness keeps
Belvidere commonly all day with certain hermits, returning to his
lodging in the palace every evening, and giving no audience to
Cardinals, Ambassadors, or others, except to such as are with him,
and to very few even of them. Cardinal Caraffa does as much as
he can to make his Holiness resolve him concerning the matters that
passed between his Majesty and him in Flanders, but as yet cannot
succeed; the Pope, it is understood, wishing his Nuncio first to be
sent to the King and thereafter will resolve him. The Bishop of
Terracina, it is said, will therefore be sent there in two or three
days. As far as he can learn, Thomas Wilson, to whom in April
last he had delivered her Majesty's and the Council's letter under the
Privy Seal to appear in England on the 15th inst., does not, although
he has only eleven days left, make any preparations to depart.
Such contempts be not to be suffered. The Pope has called all the
Treasurers here since the time of Pope Paul III. to accounts of fresh.
News from Venice state that part of the Turk's navy has been
seen at Vallona, and that 20 of his gallies go to keep the coasts of
the Rhodes. Also that the Venetians set forward to reinforce the
realm of Cyprus with 15,000 foot and 500 horse. The Dukes of
Florence and Ferrara will shortly meet to conclude the marriage
between their children: notwithstanding it is said the French have
offered to the Prince of Ferrara the Dowager Queen of Scotland,
whereby they would stay the alliance between the Dukes if they
could. [Contemporary copy. Two pages.] |
June 5.
Antwerp. |
787. Sir William Pickering to same. Received letters from
Wallerthum on Sunday last, dated the 20th May, recounting his
arrival in Hamburg, the difficulty he had in providing for 3,000
men in those parts, his desire for the admission of certain other
additional captains into her Majesty's service, and a signification
of his good affection thereto, as appears by his letters which
Pickering sends to Boxall with his own answer. Since then
Wallerthum has sent letters of 25th May to the King, wherein,
after declaring his diligence in providing the men and sending part
of them already towards the muster, he asked for an advance of
three crowns each to many of them in consideration of their staying
here during the time of his late attendance at Court, as well as
for their abstaining from the service of other princes during that
time, and for their charges in coming to the muster. He also
wrote to the same effect to the Duke of Savoy and the Lords of
the Council, which letters by the Duke's command were sent for
Pickering's perusal. The strange contents gave them occasion
rather to laugh than to comfort him by any answer to look for
any other covenants than were already concluded with him. On
the chance of Wallerthum's speedy arrival at Amersfort the King
has appointed one Hans Engelpart of the same nation to accompany
Pickering thither as commissary. He has also given his warrant to
Gresham to receive 40,000 florins of the Rhine at 4s. 2d. a piece
for the wages for the first month and other necessary charges.
Thinks that as the men are likely to be paid on this side the seas in
philippus dallers [thalers] it would be well to make them current
where the men are likely to employ them to prevent any difficulty
or discontent. Received with the warrant a command from the
King to Gresham to become bound to Peper for 6,000 crowns, or
the value of the harness delivered by him to the soldiers at the
muster place, as appears by the copies of letters sent to Boxall. The
only cause of his stay now is to have at Erasso the Secretary's
hands the order that the King has given him to provide ships,
victuals, &c., necessary for her Majesty's business in the place of
muster, which he trusts to have this day. It is thought that
Wallerthum will be there within six or seven days, and that within
eight days after his arrival the men will be all shipped at Dort or
at Swol, or at some place thereabouts most meet. Her Majesty
will please command ships ready against that time for their safe
wafting across the seas, and give orders for their landing at
Newcastle. The King has nothing to send but his most affectuous
recommendations to her Majesty. [Two pages.] |
June 6.
Antwerp. |
788. Thomas Gresham to Queen Mary. By his letter of the 23d
signified to her Majesty his bargain with Van Dalle. Since that
has had nothing worth communicating but that the King is well.
His Majesty departed this day with his Court to Brussels. Has
received the passport for the harness and the crowns. Has bought
45,000 weight of saltpetre, and has written to the Council more at
large. [One page.] |
June 6.
Antwerp. |
789. Same to Secretary Boxall. By his letter of 29th ult.
signified to him that he had spoken with the King for his
general passport for all armours. The King desired to speak with
the Duke, upon whom Gresham has attended ever since, and to
whom, on the 2d inst., the matter having been before debated
amongst the Council, he had access. The Duke asked what commission he had from the Queen in that behalf, and was assured that
he had commission from the Council by the letter of the 14th May,
which he showed. The Duke read all the names and Gresham
read him the matter that touched upon the point, adding that he
had brought the King a letter of credit for all things for which he
should move him upon the Queen's behalf; that the Lord Admiral,
when he was in Antwerp, moved the King for this same general
licence, and Gresham understood from him it had been granted.
The Duke replied that he must speak with the King again before
he could proceed. Three days after Gresham sent Don Antonio de
Toledo to see if he could speak with the King, who replied that
he was writing and referred him to Toledo. Showed the whole
matter with the Duke to him, and the Council's letter of 14th May.
Presently Toledo went to the King and brought answer that he
would grant no general passport, but one for things specified, and
asked the quantity and number of things. Replied that he could
not tell, but understood from the letter that they were to serve the
whole realm according to the law made last Parliament. Finally he
said that the number and quantity of everything must be definitely
known. Begs Boxall to be a mean with the Council to take
further order by the next, as he cannot proceed. Perceives, however, that the fewer things are asked for the better it will be liked,
for they have great need themselves, and there is nothing to be
got. Wrote to Boxall what ways the King had taken to come by
more ready money. Most of the rich counters and merchants have
been had in confession before the Duke and the Council, and he
hears that 100,000l. will be had shortly. His Majesty will use the
same practice through all his good towns shortly, having sent again
for all the States of the land, who will have the handling of the
matter, for the report is the King and his nobles leave Antwerp
to prepare for the field, as Mons. Benincourt is gone towards the
borders to assemble the King's army, which will be at least 15,000
horse and 40,000 foot, between Châtelet and Hayne. The French
King's army lies within three miles of a town of his Majesty's
called Thionville, out towards his town of Metz, and it is thought
that he would lay siege to it if his provisions were come together,
for there have been hard at it 7,000 or 8,000 men, who were
put off, it is said here, "very valiantly." Great provision is made
for the field; 40 cannons, 20 demi-cannons, 20 field pieces, and
20 serpentine pieces are already set forth for the King's camp;
20,000l. was sent in to Zealand on the 4th inst. for the setting
forth of the ships and payment of the soldiers and victuals. Has
often written that there was no payment but in philippus pieces
at 5s. 10d., but receiving no answer has proceeded in the matter,
and has received all in his hands in those coins. There came of the
King's money and others 100,000l. in pistolets, valued in England
at 6s. 2d. a piece, and sold here at 25s. per hundred. Has bought
20,000 ducats at 20s. per hundred. Intends to get them to bring
the money in gold ducats, for it is more profitable than the
exchange or the philippus at 5s. 6d. The pleasure of the Council
known, will proceed in the Queen's business. Desires to know
what conduct he is to have from Antwerp to Dunkirk, and what
she will venture in one ship, for news came to-day that the French
King has five great ships lying between Flushing and Nieuport
with above 3,000 men in them, and on the 29th May they took
two English ships that came laden out of Spain. Praises God that
the boys have arrived safely. It were well the masters were
imprisoned for not keeping faith with him in waiting for the
Queen's ships in Zealand. Since the 29th May has bought 45,000
weight of saltpetre at 4l. 1s. 8d. a hundred; very cheap as times go.
Has the rest of the serpentine powder ready: so now all the
powder and saltpetre is provided. Has had more ado to come by
the saltpetre than he ever had with anything in his life. His
servant whom he sent into Germany gave him notice of its coming
as he rode between Cologne and Frankfort, and Gresham laid in
wait for it and bought it the same day it came into Antwerp.
Within 10 days will have ready dags, morions, &c. Begs wafters
for their safe conduct. Will ship no more in the hoys until he
hears the Queen's ships are in Zealand. Has received Boxall's
letters of 20th May by Mr. Randall, and will see them safely
forwarded. Will also see Randall paid upon his bill the 30 or
40 crowns when he orders it. The Lord Admiral writes to pay
him 40l., promising the Queen's warrant. Has paid this and put
it to her Majesty's account. Received this day letters of the
30th May from the Lord Treasurer, containing the number of pieces
of armour for which passport is to be got. Moved the King in
writing for that number, and was referred to the Duke of Savoy,
who told him the King would only grant passport for a third of it.
Has accepted this until further orders. Believes that a letter from
the Queen or Council would get him all he wants. Don Antonio
de Toledo tells him that some English have already tried for a
passport for armour, doing no good but only injury. The King,
the Dukes, and the Court have left to-day for Brussels. [Four
pages and a half.] |
June 6.
Antwerp. |
790. Sir William Pickering to Secretary Boxall. Thanks him
for answering his last letters, and for the speedy sending home of
his messenger with the Dutch papers to be signed by the Queen.
They and the letters arrived on 22d May. Since then has written to
the Council by the Lord Admiral in that behalf, and that the Lord
Privy Seal rather mistook the Duke of Savoy's estimate for the
monthly entertainment of the Dutch regiment than that Pickering
committed any error in casting it up in his former letters.
Thanks him for remembering at his recommendation the gentlemen
in his company, and for sending their causes to Mr. Baker. Has
paid them according to Boxall's order. Has contented the Secretaries of the Chancery here with 60 crowns of the sun instead
of the 80 settled by himself, and the Lord Admiral when he
was last at Antwerp. Remits him to the Queen's letters,
praying him especially to remember the dispatch of the ships
for the transport of the soldiers, and the valuing of the philippus
dallers paid them here at 5s. 10d. a-piece. Sent him with other
pieces an acquittance of Col. Wallerthum for the receipt of 3,400
crowns. Begs it may be sent to him again, or safely kept until
his return. |
|
P.S.—Sends in his packet letters from Po. Antonio Pecchi. |
|
P.S. 2d.—Went this morning to the Duke of Savoy, expecting to
get his dispatch for his company to the muster place. But in consequence of news having arrived of the death in Holland of the
Admiral, who was to have had the appointment of the transports,
and of the King's sudden departure, is staid till his arrival at
Brussels, which will be two days longer at least. They have
decided to appoint Dordrecht for shipping of the Germans. Sends
two warrants of the King to Gresham and Wallerthum's last letter.
[Three pages.] |
June 7.
Rome. |
791. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Takes opportunity of
the departing of the ordinary of Flanders to write, albeit the occurrents since his letter of the 4th are few. It is currently reported
and believed that some of the Turk's navy have captured a ship of
the Venetians laden with merchandise, who had put her in defence
of one of the Venetian brigantines that had been to discover, and
being chased by four Turkish gallies took rescue of that ship which
she overtook, who kept off these four gallies until 12 more came to
their assistance, by which she was at length taken. They also took
another Venetian galley coming from Cyprus, and many think that
if the Turks do not restore both vessels, it may occasion the Venetian
and his Majesty's fleets of Spain and Naples to join, whereby they
will have the superior strength over the Turks in these seas. The
Pope still keeps him close and will see no one; understands he
has been moved to allow Cardinal Caraffa to sign and dispatch for
him, but this he no wise will affirming that no man shall have that
authority while he lives. There has been neither Consistory nor
signature for more than three months. Thomas Wilson is here still,
and makes no preparation to depart, and the Duke of Norfolk's
dispensation is as nigh now as it was at the beginning. [Contemporary copy. One page and a quarter.] |
| June 8. |
792. Queen Mary to Thomas Gresham. Warrant for payment
of all sums needed for the furnishing of armour by Herman Peper
to the German troops. [Minute. Broadside.] |
| June 8. |
793. Same to same. Warrant to pay to certain merchants of
the company the sums due to them, specified in a bill inclosed,
amounting to 30,000l. in Flemish money according to the agreement
of the whole or the majority. [Minute. One page.] |
| June 10. |
794. Sir William Petre to same. He will receive herewith the
Queen's bond to Paul Van Dalle for 36,800 florins 16 stivers Flemish,
and her warrant for payment of all sums for the weapons and
armour of the band of Germans as the King shall appoint. Also
now or shortly the warrant to pay certain English merchant adventurers the sums due to them by her Majesty. Thanks him for his
letters. [Minute. Last five lines autograph of Petre. Two pages.] |
June 10.
Brussels. |
795. Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, to Sir William Pickering.
Touching the transport of Wallerthum's ensigns there are many
routes to England from Amersfort. The first is towards Gorkum
and Antwerp, and so crossing the river towards Bruges, Ostend,
Nieuport, and Dunkirk, whence they could be conveyed by English
vessels to Dover. This would be a route injurious to the men. The
second from Amersfort towards Dordrecht, whence 40 boats would
be required to transport them to Ulissinghen [Flushing], in
Zealand and thence to England, whereby they would have several
favourable winds and the Flemish ports always at hand for shelter
in case of a storm or in any other necessity. The third route is
towards Brill and thence to England. This is the shortest of all,
but to the difficulty of conveying the troops from Amersfort to Brill
is added the entire want of boats at the latter place. The fourth
place of embarkation is Amsterdam, where there would be a good
supply of boats. There is, however, this inconvenience that to get
out to sea many and divers winds are needed; but, being there, only
the east [sic] or north-west winds serve for the voyage to England;
this would prolong the voyage and might lead to further inconvenience. All these considerations weighed, it seems that the best
route would be by Flushing. Has written to the Council of the
King of Holland to send some experienced person to assist him in
coming to a decision. [French. One page and a quarter.] |
June 20.
St. James's. |
796. Reply by the Council to the Ambassador of Sweden.
Her Majesty agrees to the proposed interchange of commercial
relations. [Latin. Copy. Half a page.] |
June 20.
Antwerp. |
797. Thomas Gresham to Queen Mary. Received her Majesty's
warrants for the payment of Herman Peper yesterday, and the
merchants will see them paid out of hand, and will convert the rest
of her treasure in hand into gold and bring it over, after having
settled all her business. Before coming will wait upon the King
for commands. His Majesty is now at Brussels, well, and in great
forwardness with his army, being strong in 10,000 horse and 30,000
foot, and within 12 days he will have 16,000 more men at Namur.
The Duke of Savoy, his Captain General, departs from Brussels
to-day to take them into the field. [One page.] |
June 23.
Dordrecht. |
798. Sir William Pickering to same. As he was preparing this
morning to repair to the place of muster, having provided ships,
victuals, &c. there for the transport of the Dutch regiment to Newcastle according to the former orders, he received the King's letters
to the like effect, a copy of which he incloses (missing). The dissolving of the first determination seemed somewhat strange, but
humbling himself, as his duty was, to the King's commands, he
discharged forthwith all the ships stayed here for the soldier's
passage. Will dispatch the rest of the provisions with the least
possible loss to her Majesty. [One page and a quarter.] |
June 23.
Dordrecht. |
799. Same to Secretary Boxall. His own business and the time
suffer not the writing of long letters. Refers him therefore to those
now sent to the Queen, to understand how the plan of shipping
Germans at Dordrecht for Newcastle is abandoned. Sends a brief
proportion of the Queen's charges in that behalf, by which it appears
that she is likely to suffer some loss. |
|
P.S.—Sends inclosed the Duke of Savoy's letter to him with his
own answer, whereby the Queen may better understand the King's
letter. The mariners cry out at the discharge of the ships and require reward for the arrest of these. Knows not how in the
world to treat them, never having had to do with such folks
before. Something must needs be given amongst them. [One page
and a half.] Inclosing, |
|
799. I. Sir William Pickering to the Duke of Savoy. With
respect to the letter lately sent by the Duke to the Council
of the King and to himself concerning the embarkation
of 3,000 Germans and the most convenient route into
England, the Council having well considered the matter
have agreed to ship the said men at Alblasserdam,
a half league distant from Dordrecht, as being the most
convenient place for the purpose. For besides that
Flushing is out of the direct route for Newcastle, it
would be a great inconvenience and might be an occasion of trouble to disembark them before the end of the
voyage. The Council have sent him a Mons. Wassomhouer, who spares no pains in providing ships, &c.
necessary for the voyage, so that Pickering hopes very
soon to complete his arrangements. They have hitherto
found 35 boats, but as they are of small burden 15 or 20
more will be needed. Has heard nothing of the Colonel,
but on his arrival here sent a gentleman over to Amersfort to wait the Colonel's coming, and heard from him this
morning that there are six ensigns of Germans already
come and that he had received certain news that in two
days Wallerthum will be with his people at the place of
muster. It remains for the Duke to make his good
pleasure known touching the places of embarkation at
Amsterdam and landing at Newcastle. [French. Copy.
One page. Indorsed by Pickering, "Myne answer unto
ye Dukes letters."] |
| June 26. |
800. Volume of complaints of the merchants and citizens of
London against the Hanse traders, containing, inter alia, "Defensio Mercatorum Anglie contra Sociatatem Anze Commissariis
excellentissimarum Majestatum Philippi et Marie, Dei Gratia Anglie,
etc., Regis et Regine, per Advocatos Mercatorum Anglorum secundo
exhibita, videlicet xxvje. Junij., Anno Domini 1558." [Latin.
Copies and Drafts. Ninety pages.] |
| June. |
801. Queen Mary to Thomas Gresham. Gresham having written
to the Council informing them that he thinks it expedient to
forbear borrowing any more money at interest to her use, and
likewise making suit to come to England for a month, which
absence would, he alleged, further her service, she is pleased, when
he has paid her merchants in Flanders according to the tenor of
her late warrant, and converted the balance of the money in his
hands into gold, that he shall take order to return. Meanwhile he
is to advertise the Lord Admiral of the time when he shall be
ready to embark. [Minute. Two pages.] |
| [1558.] [June.] |
802. "Ordre que on tient au pays de pardecha en faisant et
passant la primere monstre des gens de pied," &c. Customary
fees allowed at the first musters in Flanders. [French. Two pages.] |
|
Translation of the preceding. [Two pages.] |
