Elizabeth: January 1572, 11-20 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 10, 1572-1574. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1876.

Citation:

'Elizabeth: January 1572, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 10, 1572-1574, ed. Allan James Crosby( London, 1876), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol10/pp15-26 [accessed 22 November 2024].

January 1572, 11-20



Jan. 11.	29. Francis Walsingham to Lord Burghley.
	Hears out of Germany that certain noblemen being secretly dealt withal by the ministers of the Duke of Alva, for the impeaching of the Prince of Orange's enterprise, have revealed the same unto him, and promise him all friendship. Paris, 11 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. P. ¾.
Jan. 11.	30. Walsingham to Lord Brghley.
	The fame of the arrest of the Spanish fleet by the Queen sets forward not a little the enterprise of Flanders, which is chiefly guided by the advice of K—, who thinks the same no longer to be deferred. As for the impeachment by inward troubles here, he hopes there will grow no let that way, though there lack no goodwill in some whose malice the King's great sincerity he trusts will bridle. If the Queen proceed at once roundly, she may have what amity she will with France, and therefore he prays that she may be more resolute than she has been heretofore in other matters. The King seeing the Duke of Anjou so Catholic, does much suspect false measure, and therefore makes great account of K—and his followers. From K — he looks for Du Pine, who was sent to this town of purpose to be a dealer between them. Hopes that Her Majesty will not be over hasty in releasing the ships lately arrested. Paris, 11 Jan. 1572. Signed. Add. Endd. Pp. 2.
Jan. 11.	31. The Earl of Marr to Lord Burghley.
	Marvels not a little at the delay in returning of James Cunningham, whom he sent in the beginning of December. Has sent some advertisement for him to communicate to his lordship, which he prays him to credit, and also to further his dispatch. 11 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. P. ⅓.
Jan. 11.	32. Lord Hunsdon to the Earl of Marr.
	Desires to know what articles of composition he would be content to yield to his adversaries, also that he will forbear to levy the revenues of their lands that are forfeited, lest he bring them into desperation, and they alleging that to be the cause, may perhaps make Her Majesty the more unwilling to use force towards them. Thinks it would not be amiss if there were an abstinence of arms, each putting in pledges for the performance thereof.—Berwick, 11 Jan. 1571. P. ²/3.
Jan. 12.	33. John Hay to Peter Hay.
	Desires him to write to M. Edmont to fulfil his promise of paying yearly the sum of 36 crowns of the sun for their brother William, who has entered a religious house at Louvain.—Antwerp, 12 Jan. 1572. Signed. Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Jan. 13.	34. Nicholas le Roux to Robert Seton.
	Forwards to him certain songs, according to his promise, and desires to be remembered to his father and brother.— Brussels, 13 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. P ½.
Jan. 13.	35. Lord Hunsdon to Lord Burghley.
	Encloses a letter received from the Regent in answer to his of 30th ult.—Berwick, 13 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. P. ¼.
Jan. 11.	36. The Earl of Marr to Lord Hunsdon.
	It is hard to devise articles and conditions until the return of James Cunningham, seeing no overture of their adversaries yielding to the King's obedience, according to the meaning of the Queen's letter sent in the beginning of October. Thanks him for his advertisement of the Spanish and French news, and will do what lies in him to prevent such evil as may fall out suddenly; but seeing foreign forces are on the seas, doubts not Her Highness will look unto the matter.—Leith, 11 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. Enclosure. P. ½.
Jan. 14.	37. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	1. Former treaties to remain in their integrity.
	2. The league to be defensive against all enemies of either party for what cause soever.
	3. In order to avoid the use of the word religion, it will be well to couch the article in such words as these "whenever any potentate shall interfere with the King or Queen, the order, state, laws, ordinances, and edicts established by their authority in their realms, &c."
	4. Scotland shall not merely be comprised in the said treaty, but shall enter into it as a contracting party, if it shall seem fit to the King, and that the Queen of England shall agree to his sending deputies into Scotland. 14 Jan. Endd. Fr. P. 1.
Jan. 14.	38. Sale of Spaniards' Goods arrested in England.
	Opinion of divers merchants, as well English as strangers, touching the sale to be made of the goods, ships, and merchandise belonging to the subjects of the King of Spain, and arrested in England, exhibited to the Privy Council. 14 Jan. 1571. Signatures attached. Endd. Pp. 4.
Jan. 15.	39. The Earl of Marr to Lord Hunsdon.
	1. In answer to his letters they will be content to yield to the form of composition which the Queen of England, by her own letters, thought meet, which was that their adversaries should leave the maintenance of civil discord and give their obedience to the King, and in so doing she would deal with him to receive them into favour upon reasonable conditions, and that if they refused these offers she would aid him with men, munitions, and all other things necessary.
	2. Touching the levying of the revenues of the lands of them who are forfeited, the estate of the King standing troubled by civil war cannot be sustained without foreign support, and if they had the Queen's aid they would satisfy her in that demand. As for the abstinence he writes for, seeing the town of Edinburgh was fortified, and the forces levied within the time of abstinence agreed unto by Her Highness' advice, he trusts the Queen will not think it expedient or honorable for her to require any new abstinence until that town be first set at liberty.—Leith, 15 Jan. 1571. Copy. Endd. P. ¾.
Jan. 16.	40. Lord Scrope to Sir Thomas Smith.
	Has received the Council's letter enclosing certain articles against William Musgrove, who upon oath utterly denies any knowledge either of Story or Marston's wife, and prays that he may be suffered to repair up and clear himself in person.— Carlisle, 16 Jan. Much mutilated. Add. Endd. P. 1.
Jan. 16.	41. Dr. Nicholas Sanders to Lethington.
	Sends him his book "De visibili ecclesiæ monarchia," as a testimony that if he had a better thing to present him it should not be unoffered. Prays that Lethington may have long life and good health to the comfort of the oppressed, amongst whom Queen Mary is the chiefest in these days. Is called presently to Rome, but is ready to do anything for the honour of God, for the Catholic Church, the most afflicted Queen, or his Lordship.—Louvain, 16 Jan. 1572. Signed. Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Jan. 16.	42. Mr. George Hacket to Lord Seton.
	1. Informs him of the steps he has taken to procure a vessel for him, and desires him to resolve whether he will send or go himself.
	2. In Scotland they attend daily the coming of Englishmen. The Earl of Marr, with his adherents and all their power, press to the north on the Gordons. Lord Seton is put to the horn, and he is himself summoned to underlie the law for receiving him and Mr. Kirkcaldy.—Campvere, [Campen] 16 Jan. 1572. Signed. Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Jan. 16.	43. Negotiations for an Alliance between England and France.
	Articles limiting the amount of aid to be afforded by either party, and defining the occasions on which it is be rendered. Draft. Endd. Fr. Pp. 2.
Jan 16.	44. H. Knollys to the Lords of the Council.
	When he received their letter he put Borghesi into the safe keeping of the mayor. The Ambassador having an inkling thereof, came to him greatly appalled, and asked whether he would take his steward and chief servant from him; he then declared unto him the horrible enterprise against Lord Burghley, urged and solicited by himself and his servant Borghesi, with further additions of his practices, touching Scotland and this at home, all which he denied, as serving rather to enforce a quarrel than to utter any truth. He smiled, although it appeared to be "risus sardonicus mixed with fear," when he was told of money to be delivered by the Duke in aid of the rebels, and said he could not but complain of this manner of handling as injurious to himself and his master; he was told that as he himself was spared and his man only touched, it showed great respect towards his master, and that if after due examination his man's fault were not the greater, he should be restored again. Commends the mayor of the town for his readiness and diligence, who most willingly offered his service for the conveying up of the man.— Canterbury, 16 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add., with seal. Endd. Pp. 1¾.
Jan. 17.	45. Walsingham to Lord Burghley.
	[The French King] has desired Killegrew to be a means to broach a marriage with the other brother [Alençon], and if he see no hope then to further what he may the league. As for the party himself, if his years and personage may be agreeable there is more surety to Her Majesty in this than in the other. As for eye contentment he thinks there may be some device had for an interview before the matter be further opened, and that the conclusion of the league may give some just occasion therefore; where some noble personage is to be sent for the ratifying of the same. He perceives the King to most earnestly desire the league. Killegrew further wills him to advertise that the last marriage may not be made to [appear] desperate, how fit or unfit it may be thought, as it will greatly further the league.—Paris, 17 Jan. Signed. Add. Endd. Partly in cipher. Pp. 2.
Jan. 17.	46. Walsingham to Lord Burghley.
	Not knowing how the Queen will digest the Duke of Anjou's strange dealing, he sends such advices as he has received from K—. If the Queen could be induced to look to a second marriage, the Duke of Alençon's coming over might be procured. The Cardinal of Lorraine, with his nephew and the rest of his family, are in this town; their trains are not great, but their secret affairs are thought to be of importance. Soldiers have been levied secretly in this town to go into Scotland. Holds the French King to be sincere, but does not excuse the Duke of Anjou. There will never grow redress of this realm until they have fewer Kings, and be restored to a monarchy.—Paris, 17 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. Pp. 1½.
Jan. 17.	47. Sir Thomas Smith to Lord Burghley.
	1. On Friday he and Killegrew met M. de Biragues, the Bishop of Limoges, and M. de Foix at the castle, and began somewhat to "rough hew." To the first article of the treaty they would not have the cause of religion put in expressly, which held them long in dispute. They would acknowledge no power in Scotland but the Queen, and she their confederate; then was he fair to declare to them "all her good behaviours, her adulteries, the killing of her husband twice (if it might be) with poison and (as some say) strangling, besides fire and gunpowder; the shameful marrying of her adulterer and murderer of her husband, who had two wives at least, one in Scotland then living." Also how she made love to the Duke of Norfolk, when he at the same time wrote to the Council of England that he could understand no other but that she was guilty of all that was laid against her. Again, at London, though the thing was manifest, yet the Queen of England would not condemn her, for respect that she was a queen, and of her alliance, and could not absolve her. Last of all, the most traitorous practices against the Queen, now so openly discovered, the truth of which Smith offered to affirm by oath. This debate held long, and somewhat hotly, yet at the last so persuaded, that they durst not deny her evil deeds; but because she was married hence, and of parentage, the King could know no other King or Queen in Scotland but her, and if she had done evil, it was somewhat to be borne because she had been kept so long in prison, and she by any means desired to be delivered. Smith said that rather than this should trouble the treaty, he knew of one expedient which would soon make an end of all this debate, and question; Her Majesty should follow the advice of the council and wise men, and take her head from her shoulders, as justly she might do. This appalled them so much that they had no more to say.
	2. Smith then promised to show them a writing in cipher, made by the Queen of Scots and sent to the Bishop of Ross, and by him to the Duke of Norfolk, in which they should see not only the trace and design of this last conspiracy against the Queen of England, but also how the Queen of Scots had become altogether an "Hispanioll," imagining nothing but mischief, rebellion, invasion, and treason to her own country and others about her.
	3. On Tuesday afternoon they met again, when Smith, speaking of their refusal to have religion mentioned specially in the treaty, asked what they would say to the article for mer-0,00,00,33\| 193 193 0 0 chants and other subjects that go out of their Prince's realms, which he presented to them, as if they would not defend them in matter of religion, how would they defend the Queen of England and her country, if she should be assailed for that cause. Biragues said that was another matter, for they would not suffer their adversary to be so strong, or to take religion for a colour to invade and conquest. Smith asked why they should not tell them so before, and let them know that if they made that a pretence to invade either country, they would have both against them. This being once known, the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, the Esterlings, and princes of Almaine and the Swiss, would run and desire to be in it, so that this league would grow to be stronger than any in Europe.
	4. After a time, it seemed that they granted "etiamsi causa religionis invasio facta fuerit," in plain words. As to what was agreed for matters of Scotland Burghley may see by the enclosure.
	5. Once or twice they were in hand with him to know if he had any commission to treat with them of these matters, to which he replied that he was there to do all good offices, and that if good faith and amity were meant, that he would want no "pouvoir." Desires that he may have a commission under the great seal if he should go any further in such great matters, and that he may have some one joined with him, as these men are counted the wisest heads in France. On the 16th, in the afternoon, they had a controversy as to the form of the negociation whether it should be by notes or after the manner of articles in a treaty, and also as to the interpretation to be put upon certain words contained in the French Commissioner's notes.—Amboise, 17 Jan. 1572, by Roman account. Signed. Add. Endd. Pp. 5½.
Jan. 14.	48. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	Duplicate (see 14 Jan. 1572). Endd. Enclosure. Fr. P. ½.
Jan. 14.	49. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	Articles delivered by Smith to the French Commissioners which would be necessary to be considered if the English merchants should have a staple in any French town, providing that they should have the same privileges as they enjoyed at Antwerp or Bergen-op-Zoom, together with liberty to exercise their religion. Endd. Enclosure. Lat. P. ¾.
Jan. 14.	50. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	Providing for the protection from molestation on account of religion of the merchants of either country whilst trading in foreign parts. Endd. Enclosure. Lat. P. 1.
Jan. 16.	51. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	Copy of certain articles sent by the French Commissioners, with notes in Latin by Sir Thomas Smith in the margin. Endd. Enclosure. Fr. Pp. 1²/3.
Jan. 17.	52. Charges at Berwick.
	Certain payments out of 2,000l. received by Sir Valentine Brown, consisting of wages for soldiers, secret service money, and charges in the office of the ordnance amounting to 914l. 4s. 10d.—Berwick, 17 January 1571. Endd. P. 1.
Jan. 18.	53. Lord Hunsdon to Lord Burghley.
	Perceives by his packet of the 12th that all the conspirators are not yet known, for this villainous fact was not for the malice they bore him, but because he is a stumbling block to them who have conspired the destruction of Her Majesty. Trusts that the rack or some worse torment will make those traitors confess their setters on. Sends copies of the Regent of Scotland's letters. His servant has had sundry conferences with Lethington and Grange, who will be only directed by Her Majesty, and desire that either Hunsdon or some other sufficiently authorised may be there to deal between them, who shall be judge of their conformity and desire to accord. Both sides allege that this sending up and down is but tract of time. If the Queen will not suffer him to go, prays him to procure some other to be sent, as all the noblemen of both sides are in manner there at present. There is daily practising to accord without Her Majesty, and to have the Earl of Athole as umpire. They of the castle are content that the said earl shall hear their griefs, but not to conclude without Her Majesty, for they will by no means trust the King's side. —Berwick, 18 Jan. 1572. Signed. Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Jan. 11.	54. Lord Hunsdon to the Earl of Marr.
	Copy of Hunsdon's letter of 11 January from Berwick. Endd. Enclosure. P. ¾.
Jan. 15.	55. The Earl of Marr to Lord Hunsdon.
	Original of Marr's letter of the 15th Jan. from Leith. Signed. Add. Endd. Enclosure. P. 1.
Jan. 11.	56. Lord Hunsdon to Lethington and Grange.
	Desires to know their final resolution as to yielding to the King's obedience, for otherwise it is but folly to detract any longer time treating in the matter (for that Her Majesty has fully resolved to detain their Queen, so as she shall not at any time have any government). Will do the best he can with the other party to procure an abstinence. — Berwick, 11 Jan. 1571. Copy. Endd. Enclosure. P. 1.
Jan. 14.	57. Lethington and Grange to Lord Hunsdon.
	Declare their willingness to agree to an abstinence, and where he demands a plat in writing of those things to which they can agree, they promise that it shall be ready within four days.—Edinburgh Castle, 14th Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. Enclosure. P. ¾.
Jan. 18.	58. Sir Thomas Smith to Lord Burghley.
	1. Forwards copies of writings touching the proposed treaty received from the French Commissioners. As to the article that he who desired the succours should pay the soldiers, they required that it should be at the payment of him who gave them. Smith said that neither was the realm of England so great, nor had they such quarrels with their enemies; besides the sea was a great bulwark for them, so that it was not reasonable that they should be equal in pay. As touching the merchants' matters for the staple, they said that the King liked it well, so that it be [at] none of his forts. They said Rouen, Dieppe, or Rochelle were very fit for it. Biragues said that he did not marvel that the King liked it, for if they did not like it they were fools. Smith replied that they [the English] were fools to offer to put such a treasure in the power of any foreign prince, and such an occasion to enrich his country. Long ago they were wise, and then Southampton was the port and Winchester the staple, Boston the port and Lincoln the staple, London the port and Westminster the staple, and other such, which then were goodly and flourishing cities; now they are beggarly, and they have enriched Bruges, Antwerp, and once Calais. "It is our merchants that will have it so, because they bring it into a monopoly and to a few of their hands." Cannot well go further until they understand how their proceedings may be liked. Desires instructions on certain points, and recommends Burghley to take the advice of some wise merchants, amongst whom he thinks Mr. Thomas Carew a fit man, who has charge in the Isle of Wight, and was belonging to the Lady Ann of Cleves. The King and Queen Mother and the Duke of Alençon greatly desire the marriage. The Bishop of Salviati is here already, and the Cardinal Alexandrino is looked for out of hand. He brings a holy sword for the King, and would bring him into the league, and a cap or some other toy for Monsieur from Rome. The Pope will make him general of the Holy League by land, and will give him a bigger pension in Italy than he has in France. "He will make him Emperor of Constantinople, and then shall the Duke, by my assent, make the Pope in recompense Caliph of Baldach [Bagdad], "hoc est summam pontificem Babiloniæ, for so he is spiritualiter already." Doubts that the Cardinal has come too late to marry Madame Marguerite into Portugal. Sends reports current in France, amongst others, of the great loss of Spanish vessels on the coast of England by tempest.—Amboise, 18 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd. Pp. 3⅓.
Jan. 17.	59. Treaty between England and France.
	Draft of articles for a defensive treaty between England and France.—17 Jan. Endd. Enclosure. Lat. Pp. 1²/3.
Jan. 18.	60. Treaty between England and France.
	Draft of articles proposed by Sir Thomas Smith and Killegrew, with additions by Burghley.—18 Jan. 1572. Endd. Enclosure. Lat. Pp. 2²/3.
Jan. 18.	61. Copy of the above.—18 Jan. 1572. Endd. Enclosure. Lat. Pp. 2²/3.
Jan. 19.	62. Guido Cavalcanti to Lord Burghley.
	Is very sorry that the principal matter is injured through delay, but the second proposition does not appear altogether hopeless.—Amboise, 19 Jan. 1572. Add. Endd. Italian. Pp. 1½.
Jan. 19.	63. Advices from Italy.
	News from Rome 12 Jan. 1572, and Venice 19 Jan., consisting of reports and rumours current at the Papal court, movements of different noblemen, negociations for the release of the Turk's nephews, who were taken at Lepanto, report of a conspiracy in England, and other matters. Endd. Italian. Pp. 7¼.
Jan. 19.	64. Walsingham to Lord Burghley.
	Has desired his brother Doddyngton to acquaint him why his bill for "espyall" rises to so great a sum. Divers are imprisoned here for the Scottish preparations, which makes him think that which was done was without the King's privity. —Paris, 19 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1.
Jan. 19.	65. News from Rome.
	The King of Portugal has replied to the Pope that though he is unwilling to marry yet, he will marry the sister of the French King if the latter will join the League against the Turk, which nobody believes he will do. The Catholics do not think that the marriage between the King of Navarre and the French King's sister will take place. It is reported that Selim has a fleet of 200 galleys. The son of the King of Spain was baptized with great pomp on 16th January under the name of Ferdinand. The captains of the Germans in the fleet of the League have gone to Germany to levy men to repair the losses they have sustained through sickness. It is reported from the Low Countries that all matters are settled with the English touching the restitution of goods seized by pirates. The French King is strengthening his old friendship with Selim, and sends envoys to him frequently.—Rome, 19 Jan. 1572. Lat. Pp. 1½.
Jan. 20.	66. Answer to certain Articles propounded by Francisco Geraldi.
	The Queen is willing to agree to the first, second, and fourth articles (see Jan. 1), and also to the third, provided that the King of Portugal will on his side prohibit his subjects that none of them shall resort by sea to any places or countries in the north parts, which Her Majesty's subjects have of late years to their great charges and hazard discovered for the use of merchandise.—20 Jan. 1571. Endd. Pp. 2½.
Jan. 20.	67. Sir Thomas Smith to Lord Burghley.
	Sends a copy of a writing delivered to him from M. de Foix. Does not much like these helps at the charges of the helper, and especially from England to France. Calculates the expense for four months to be but 18846li. 9. Is told that Marshal Montmorency is in commission to treat with them of war matters. Must be earnest in the matter of religion.— Amboise, 20 Jan. Signed. Add. Endd. P. 1.
Jan. 20.	68. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	Providing that assistance should be sent to either country in case of invasion, at the charges of the sender, for the space of 4 months. Endd. Lat. Enclosure. Pp. 1²/3.
	69. Copy of the above. Endd. Enclosure. Lat. Pp. 1½.
Jan. 20.	70. Sir Thomas Smith to Lord Burghley.
	Had conference with the Queen Mother on the 19th inst., at which she declared her willingness for the marriage of the Queen of England and the Duke of Alençon, to which Smith replied that he could say nothing until he heard out of England. After this they had a long discussion on the insertion of the word "religion" into the proposed treaty, the Queen Mother insisting that it was contained in the general words, and Smith declaring that both by canon and civil law, put in all the general words they would, the matter of religion was not comprised except it were expressed, and therefore he could never agree that the Queen of England should make any league unless that was in it expressly and by open words. After Killegrew had dealt with her touching reports of aid to be sent from France to the Scots, she came to Smith again and said that she must need speak for the Queen of Scots, and could do not less than wish for her liberty, and that she might be restored. Smith thereupon informed her of the evil practice against the Queen of England by her, which had been discovered, and how dangerous her hasty deliverance would have been, the whole history whereof he had told to the King of France's deputies. The Queen Mother desired that if they found her so dangerous they would send her to France, and that though there had been some trouble they trusted she would be quiet, and that time had taught her. "Will ye have her head or her body," quoth Smith. "Tush (quoth she) we would have her whole and alive as she is, the Queen my sister is so merciful and so gentle that I cannot think she will do her any hurt." Smith assured her that they had a discourse of the Queen of Scots making by which it appeared that she meant nothing less than to come into France. Coming to the confinement of the Bishop of Ross, Smith told her that he had confessed his participation in the treason that had been discovered, and declared that his imprisonment was far from rigorous. Amboise, 20 Jan. 1571. Signed. Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3¼.
Jan. 20.	71. Henry Killegrew to Lord Burghley.
	Having advertisement from the Ambassador in Paris that men of war were gathering to go with Lord Fleming into Scotland, he declared the same to the Queen Mother, who answered that the King had indeed given money to such Scots as depended on him, as she thought the Queen of England had done on her part, howbeit upon report which had been made of Killegrew's complaint, he had given order to all who had to do in that matter forbidding them to suffer any to depart towards Scotland until he had answer out of England what should follow the travail of such as had been sent to compound the controversies of Scotland. She further desired him to write that it would please the Queen's Majesty to take the same order in her realm. Amboise, 20 Jan. Signed. Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼.
Jan. 20.	72. Articles for a Treaty between England and France.
	Considerations of the relative liability to attack and power of resistance of England and France, the former being surrounded by the sea without any neighbour save Scotland, and the latter being environed on nearly every side by possible enemies. Endd. by Burghley. French. P. 1.
Jan. 20.	73. Robert De Baillert to Edward Horsey.
	Having captured a Spanish vessel bound for the Low Countries, he forwards some letters in English concerning certain rebels in Spain which he has found on board. The Duke of Medina Celi setting sail from Lareda with five menof-war, has been compelled by the weather to put back with the loss of three of them. 20 Jan. 1572. Signed. Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 1.