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Sept. 1.
Bethune. |
823. Gilles de Sens to Queen Mary. Thanks her Majesty for having
at the request of Lord Clinton, her Admiral, taken his son into her
service as page. Hopes that he will do his utmost to perform his
duty, and requests he may have leave for two or three months that
he may come to look after his affairs. [French. One page.] |
Sept. 26.
Arras. |
824. Dr. Wotton to same. On the 22d inst. arrived at Lisle, where
the Commissioners for this peace are. These on the one side are the
Prince of Orange, the Bishop of Arras, and Ruy Gomez, and on the
other, the Constable and the Marshal St. André. His object being
both to salute King Philip's Commissioners and to see if he could
learn anything of their proceedings, and of the Ambassadors of the
Hanse, he thought that one day's tarrying there could not be ill
bestowed. He accordingly spent the 22d there, and visited the
Commissioners, from whom he learnt that they of the Hanse were
at Arras, and had already spoken with the Count of Feria and the
President Viglius, both then at that city. Heard from the Commissioners of certain difficulties attending their negotiations. The
matter whereof they have had most controversy is the restitution of
Calais, whereunto the French by no means will agree, alleging that
it is of the old domain of France, so that no King of England
(although some had pretended right to other countries of France)
could ever claim any right thereto, but by usurpation and force, by
which the French have recovered it again. Learned also from them
that her Majesty had been written to, to send Ambassadors to be
heard in the making of this treaty, and that hitherto nothing is
agreed upon. On the 24th came hither, where he received a letter
from King Philip with the copy of another which his Majesty had
sent by a carrier, whom Wotton missed, probably because the posts
ride another way than that which he took. Sends copies of these
to her Majesty (missing), whereby she will perceive that the Ambassadors of the Hanse, having no commission to the King for their
matters, were anon dismissed and returned homeward before
Wotton's arrival, "such good speed they had in their suit." Hears
that De L'Aubespine, the French King's Secretary, arrived here about
the same time as himself, and left yesterday for Lisle, so it will
appear he is to join the other French Commissioners. Heard at
Lisle, and it is also reported here, that their Holy Father the Pope
is departed, on whose soul God have mercy! Does not know the
certainty of this; but the Florentine Ambassador at Brussels told
a servant or secretary of Ruy Gomez three or four days ago, that
he had received letters from the Duke, his master, certifying him of
the Pope's death. [Two pages.] |
Sept. 26.
Arras. |
825. Dr. Wotton to Sir John Boxall. Had seen the Commissioners at Lisle on the 22d. There has been much ado betwixt them
for Calais, and the French stand very stiff in that point. Speculates
as to the policy pursued by them thereon. Suggests that the Ambassadors sent by her Majesty should not only be such grave and
wise personages as are meet for a matter of so great importance, but
quod est omnium primum, such as are grateful and acceptable to
King Philip, and who, as he takes it, must also make some speed if
they will come in time; for seeing that De L'Aubespine has
arrived, they will probably not be long about the matter now, but
will resolve, off or on, ere it be long. Unless this business of Calais
be earnestly followed, he much fears the worst of it. Muses not a
little on the sudden sending away of the Ambassadors of the Hanse.
Since they are to return hither sufficiently authorized, thinks
diligent search should be made everywhere for all privileges, treaties,
diets (of which they say seven or eight were kept in the times of
Kings Henry VII. and VIII.) Acts of Parliament, processes, and all
other like things concerning their pretended privileges; otherwise
those who shall be appointed to debate with them, shall be as far
to seek therein as Wotton himself, who has seen in a manner no
more of the premises than they of the Hanse have shown him.
Some of the best civilians should also be consulted how sufficiently
to answer their reasons and objections by the law. Speaking with
the Count de Lalaing of this treaty of the peace, among other words
he said "Il nous faut ravoir ce Calais," which seemed to sound in
his ears as though the Count had got some trust of the restitution
of Calais. Cannot well tell whether he meant so indeed, or whether
Wotton was the readier to understand it that way, because that
facile credimus quœ cupide credimus. [Two pages.] |
Sept. 26.
Arras. |
826. Same to the Council. Has received their letter of the
21st inst. with the two notarial instruments concerning the ill
handling of her Majesty's factors in Dantzic. But because the
meeting of the Hanse matter is deferred, when other Ambassadors
shall be sent to treat of such things, he shall have no convenient
occasion to make any further declaration of these matters at all,
seeing he has touched briefly upon this last ill handling in a letter
to King Philip. Seeing his errand is come to this point, if every
body else would be as well contented with it as he himself, he
would wish to be at Christchurch again. The two camps are within
five leagues of each other, and though the French are said to be the
greater number, they have trenched and fortified their camp so
that none can approach without great danger. Had they not done
so, is informed by Count Lalaing and others, that the King is of
such a courage that he would not fail to set upon them. In the
meanwhile, lying thus, nothing or little is done between them, and
each appears rather to try to weary out the other, and see who
shall first be constrained to break up. Thinks peace probable, and
the long forbearing of these camps to be not without cause;
besides the Duke of Arschot and the Prince of Orange would not
be at Lisle, or the Count of Lalaing here, but all should be in the
camp if any danger were feared. [One page.] |
Sept. 26.
Drayton. |
827. William Lord Paget [Lord Privy Seal] to the Council. Received their letter about eight o'clock last night. Thinks her Majesty
has made good choice of Commissioners for the peace, and devised
well for sending the commission over to Wotton, who is a wise man,
and will have the help of the Commissioners already there, should
the matter require such haste as it may not tarry for those who are
to be sent. Their Lordships have reason to require the restitution
of Calais, of Guisnes, and the Marches, with the furniture of
the artillery and munitions left therein, and that for avoiding contention hereafter the limits may be made certain. Thinks that the
arrearages of their debts and pensions should be asked, and earnestly
stuck to, to the intent that if Calais, which they never looked for,
be had again, they may forego the recompence (if a better bargain
cannot be made) that they never hoped for. These arrearages
amount to 15,000 or 16,000 crowns, besides greater sums covenanted
by King Francis than were paid by the present King for the restitution of Boulogne. Doubts not but the French will look for some
recompence either at the King's or Queen's hand if Calais be
restored; for institution, he believes, is made on both sides with
reciprocal recompence. At present thinks no other demands should
be made than those which are commonly inserted in all treaties.
Thinks overtures for the peace being extended to the Scots should
proceed from the French, when they can move their articles for the
Irish islanders, and the razing of Roxburgh and Eyemouth.
"Written on the morning about seven of the clock." [One page.] |
| Sept. 28. |
828. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. The King, her dearest lord
and husband, has signified to her Majesty the communication of
peace presently on hand between him and the French King, and
has required that the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord
Admiral, and Mr. Boxall, her Principal Secretary, should be sent
over with authority to treat and conclude of this matter. As the
Lord Chancellor cannot be spared from home at this time, and the
other three are all so sick and weak that they be in no wise able
to travel out of their chambers, her Majesty has appointed in their
stead the Earl of Arundel and the Bishop of Ely to act with Wotton
as her Commissioners therein. [Draft.] |
Sept. 30.
Arras. |
829. Dr. Wotton to Sir John Boxall. The Pope is not dead
but recovers, although he was thought to be past recovery. On
Saturday the 24th De L'Aubespine came hither, and next day
went to Lisle, where he remained Monday and Tuesday, and on
Wednesday returned here on his way homewards. This makes the
common people here fear that there is little hope of agreement
betwixt the Commissioners; and this is the more suspected as the
Prince of Orange, M. D'Arras, and Ruy Gomez have also left Lisle.
Gomez has gone to the camp, and the other two to a marriage at
Douai; but they may he at Lisle again when they will and perhaps
De L'Aubespine. Is informed by the Venetian Ambassador that
the Seigniory have laboured earnestly on both sides for peace, but
yet they do not appear to be aware of the present assembly of Commissioners for that purpose. Both this Ambassador and the Italians
here seem to reckon assuredly upon a peace; and the former says
that like as he finds this side well inclined, so does his brother Ambassador in France find the same there. It is said that the King's
camp will in a day or two remove a league near to Dourlons [Dorlens],
that is nigher home, and that the King will in a few days be here.
On Michaelmas Day [Thursday] 800 of the pioneers sent back from
the camp, left this for Gravelines under their captains Vaughan, Blunt,
Nogay, and another. Three or four of them were slain on their
way from the camp by the swartrritters, and some were robbed
and spoiled. The great fortifications begun at Gravelines troubles
his weak brain, for why should it be needed if there is any hope of
the restitution of Calais, which would be a bulwark sufficient for all
that side of Flanders. Faxit Deus ut vanus augur sit! Thinking
on this matter of Calais is sometimes to him what the trophœa Miltiadis were to Themistocles, so strange the sequel seeming like to
be if Calais returns not home again. If there be any hope of this
now is the time or never. [Two pages.] |
| Sept. 30. |
830. The Bishop of Ely to Sir John Boxall. Tarries at home
to-day for the better hasting forthward of his folks, but fears the
proverb "more haste, worse speed." His hasty calling upon them makes
them whilst they go about one thing to forget another. Prays him
heartily to cause the clerks to put in readiness their dispatches, viz.,
the copies of their instructions and of such leagues as may be considered necessary to be taken with them. Has a common place to
trust such things in, and finding that place empty, remembered to
write for them in time. Last night wrote to Lord Arundel the
Queen's pleasure for their speedy setting forth, and looks this day
for answer. When Lord Arundel shall be ready, he will not tarry
behind, though he should go on foot, as, according to the words of
Scripture, "in me mora non erit ulla." Prays God to send them
well forth to her Majesty's good contentation. |
|
P.S.—If Boxall forgets their passports and such other things as
shall warrant them in their journey, they shall make the worse
speed. [One page.] |
