|
| Feb. |
747. Italian Advices. |
|
1. From Vienna, 18 Feb. 1573.—Reports about the Prince
of Orange and the Elector of Saxony. Suppression of the
revolt in Styria. Preparations for war at Constantinople. |
|
2. From Venice, 28 Feb.—Warlike preparations of the
Turk and the League. Siege of Rochelle. News from Rome
of different official appointments, and from other places of
naval and military movements.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 2⅓. |
| Feb. 1? |
748. Custody of the King of Scotland. |
|
The King has been kept and brought up within the Castle
of Stirling under the charge of the late Regent, the Earl of
Marr, almost from his birth, and the present Regent having
the like care of the King's sure preservation and godly
virtuous education, thinks convenient that the King should
still remain in the Castle of Stirling, and that Alexander
Erskine of Gogar should take upon himself the government
of the King's person and of the Castle of Stirling. He shall
himself and the friends and servants of the young Earl
of Marr, his nephew, for which he shall be answerable,
keep the Castle, and keep and observe the person of his
Highness therein, at the devotion and direction of the Regent.
The King is to continue as before under the nouriture of the
Lady Countess of Marr as towards his mouth and the ordering
of his person; he shall not be transported from the Castle,
and none disobedient to his authority or known to be not
well affected towards him shall have entrance or residence
in the Castle. No earl shall be received in the Castle with
more than two servants, no lord with more than one, and no
gentleman but single and alone, and all without armour and
weapons. The instruction and education of the King in
literature and religion shall be under Masters George
Buchanan and Peter Young, his present pedagogues, or such
as shall be hereafter appointed, agreeing in religion with
them; the exercise of religion as it is approved in Parliament and publicly used in the Castle shall in nowise be
altered, nor shall his present pedagogues be removed and
others placed in their charge without the special warrant
of the Regent. For all which Alexander Erskine and his sureties shall answer upon their honours, under pain of their lives
and heritages.
Endd. by Burghley. P. 1. |
| Feb. 1. |
749. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
The bearer is sufficiently instructed of all things necessary,
and can make report of the Castle better than any man in England or Scotland; it may please him therefore to give him more
trust than the report of the surveyor and the master gunner,
whose experience in that place and judgment are nothing like
his; he is fittest to be master of the ordnance, because he knows
how to place the ordnance to most advantage, and would deal
warily and substantially in his charge. He refers him to
Mr. Secretary's packet for all things concerning the expugnation of that den of troublers of themselves and their neighbours,
which will be safely done in the charge set down by Sir
Valentine Browne. Has sent six letters of Mr. James Kyrkcaldy taken since he came to Blackness, of which two are
in cipher and the rest in his own hand. The bearer has
instructions touching such ordnance as the Regent can furnish;
also touching the hostages, which if they be allowed of will
be ready the 15th of the month. He must go at that tine
to St. Johnstone's or Linlithgow about the conference, where
there shall be for the King the Earls of Arygle and Montrose,
the Lords Boyd and Ruthven, the Abbot of Dunfermline, and
the Justice Clerk, or four of them. The siege of Blackness makes
him carry in with him the other 500l. remaining here. Hopes
to send news of its surrendering, for he has seen two letters in
the Regent's hands written to him by the captain thereof,
tending to such an end unless great treason were meant. Lord
Herries came to visit him and made great show of his good
devotion towards the Queen, and of the hope he had in her
goodness; he did not think that any French were looked for
to land in the west, for if they came weak they would not pass
unsought to the succour of the Castle, and if they come strong
they would not go so far about, but come the next way to
Leith; he said also that he knew of no one in that quarter
but Lochinvar who was suspected of not being sure to the
King, and he would take upon himself to answer for him.—
Berwick, 1st February 1572 at night, late. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2⅓. |
| Feb. 1. |
750. John Maitland to the Earl of Huntley. |
|
Lethington and Grange wish Captains Hackerston, Wauchop,
and Patrick Bellenden to take ship and come about to release
Blackness. Mr. James Kyrkcaldy has money to serve the
turn; while such substantial support will come as to cast the
balance; which it will linger no longer, and will be here
sooner than it is looked for.—Edinburgh Castle, 1st February.
Endd. P. 1. |
| Feb. 2. |
751. Sir Valentine Browne to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. Paid for Mr. Randolph 200l., which nevertheless could
not serve the turn; there yet remains in his custody 1,000l.
odd, which shall be ready when it is called for. Has been
made privy of some reliefs to be minded towards the
King, and has given a brief note of the least charge the
same may come unto for one month. The charge and effect
stands most upon the expedition thereof; he would rather be
there with four or five battery pieces, than afterwards with
the whole proportion demanded. The sure pledges for the
same are also to be further weighed.—Berwick, 2nd February
1572. Signed. |
|
2. Postscript.—Prays him give a favourable end to his
account for the year ended Michaelmas 1571, about the which
his man Stephen has lain there almost a year, to his great
charge; having another to yield for the last year would gladly
have him as one he may not well spare if any business were
in hand; therefore has written to him to make the speed
hither that he may, and if there be any money or thing to
be despatched it may be safely sent, and in case any bullion
were to be eftsoons employed, it is not here to be had by
any means he can devise, which by his lordship's direction
Stephens may compass in London.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
|
752. Sir William Drury and Sir Valentine Browne to
Lord Burghley. |
|
There is nothing done to the bridge extending from the
town towards Tweedmouth, being in length eight score feet
and odd, which is so weak that it will not abide a carriage,
besides there is a drawbridge yet to be made to the main
bridge. Require his further help to the finishing of the
same, which done it appears to them and is so reported by
the workmen that the same shall need no more charge for
many years.—Berwick, 2nd February 1572. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
|
753. Bridge at Berwick. |
|
Enumeration of the timber, iron, &c. lacking for the Queen's
bridge at Berwick, with an estimate of the cost thereof and
pay of the workmen, amounting to three hundred and twelve
pounds twelve shillings. There is due and behind to the
workmen of the said bridge, for the winter quarter, about
one hundred and twenty pounds.
P. 1. Enclosure. |
| Feb. 5. |
754. H. Killegrew to Sir Thomas Smith. |
|
The Regent is found reasonable to the petitions of the
Earl of Huntley; nevertheless as it is not the first time that
the Earl of Huntley has used delays and shifts, he cannot
build upon any other ground than that he shall see or hear
with his ears at the conference. He can see by the enclosed
paper what the Regent's intent is if the accord grows not at
St. Johnstone's, alias Perth; his proceeding hitherto has been
so wise and temperate that it gives wise men a marvellous
good hope of the sequel, and if he have reasonable support he
is able to bring this troubled country to the King's obedience,
before the French King or any other shall be able to hinder
his purpose; the whole consists in the taking of the Castle,
which can be done one month at the uttermost with that
proportion Captain Errington carried with him, which if it be
thought chargeable may be qualified, if it be assured that no
forces will come out of France. For transport there shall be
no want, nor of horses to carry them to the place where they
must be planted. The number of men may be reduced from
800 to 300 footmen and 50 horsemen, and from eighteen pieces
of battery to twelve. It is thought that if they agree at the
conference at St. Johnstone's, the Castle hearing but of the
ordnance to be in the Leith Roads, and the men marching
from Berwick, would never abide the battery, but yield in
hope of favour, and in fear, if they did not, of all extremity.
If the hostages are misliked, the Regent to supply the default
has given the names of the Earl of Eglinton's brother and
Lord Ochiltree, of which the Regent desires to be resolved with
all expedition; to the end that he may prepare thereafter, for if
the Queen's ordnance and men be sent in then must he take his
course accordingly; and because a great proportion of ordnance
asks a great quantity of powder, if there were six battery
pieces sent before abiding the rest, it is thought it would give
a great essay to winning the Castle. There was never more
wholesome weather that can be remembered, a comfort and
a blessing to the King's side, and a marvellous hindrance to the
other's designs. Blackness is lost and James Kirkcaldy and
fifteen thousand francs taken, and thereof 3,300 crowns brought
to the Regent, but with all that it cost him dear; the remaining
5,000 francs odd was bestowed in apparel, armour, and such
like, so that the Regent could not come to the fingering of
it, but was glad of this. The Regent said that that money,
together with what the Queen had bestowed, should be made to
stretch as far or farther than any like sum had done in any
of his predecessors' time heretofore. After the examination
this day of Kyrkcaldy by the Regent, he shall know what
news he has, and will be a mediator for his life. Kyrkcaldy
cannot afford France a good word, but that the Regent can
not yet trust, he confessed that the money came not from the
French King's treasury but of the Scottish Queen's dower, whereupon he (Killegrew) said the Queen of England had bestowed
of her treasure to find an unthankful and dangerous guest, and
thought it were a good deed to find the means that her dower
in France might be brought to be bestowed in England to
the finding of herself and her extraordinary charges there.
The Regent desires him to procure some warrant or to give
himself by virtue of his commission some public witness of
the Queen's opinion for suspending the murders of the King's
father and the Regents for a time, and herein if he have it
not he will give no remission to the Duke's sons for the
murder of the two Regents; but when it comes to that point
for them, and for the suspending of the King's murder and the
Earl of Lennox for the Earl of Huntley, he will drive them to
abide the Queen's judgment, which if he cannot determine out
of hand, may perchance breed great scruple, and as he can go
no farther than he has commandment, would therefore be
amply instructed therein, so that he neither offend the Queen
nor hinder the peace or concord here, which seems chiefly to
depend upon that point. There is a letter of Lethington's to
the Earl of Huntley in cipher taken in Blackness, but not yet
deciphered. There was an arrow found with a letter in
cipher, meant for the Castle, but it fell short, it was so torn
that it could not be deciphered. It is thought that some who
were induced to send hostages have advertised the Castle.
The Regent should have some pension to bind him to the
Queen's devotion, for he is a man to be deeply considered of.
"I write at this despatch to no councillor but yourself."—
Edinburgh, 5th February. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 5. |
| Feb. 5. |
755. The Earl of Worcester to the Queen. |
|
Informs her of his honorable entertainment in all the towns
and places on the road from Boulogne to Paris, where he is
lodged in a very fair house of the Duke of Bouillon. At
his access to the King he declared Her Majesty's great desire
for the continuance of amity between them, to which the King
replied that he hoped that it would appear to the world that
there was a mutual intention in both to continue the good
amity lately concluded, and that it should appear to Her
Majesty that there was in him no other meaning. On repairing to the Queen he showed her that he had been sent as
well to congratulate on the birth of the Princess her daughter,
as to supply the place of deputy for the Queen of England
at the christening. The Queen Mother told him that they
hoped that they might have to requite his mistress with like
office. Before consenting to assist at the baptism he found
that no other ceremonies should be used but such as were
incident on the mere action. The time of christening was
about 6 or 7 p.m. on Candlemas day, the Emperor's ambassador and himself being deputies in their own person, whilst
the Duke of Nevers was in the Duke of Savoy's place; the
young princess being named Mary Elizabeth.—5 Feb. 1573.
Copy. Pp. 1½. |
| [Feb. 5.] |
756. [Antonio Guarras to Lord Burghley.] |
|
Informs him of the outrage perpetrated on the coast of
Gallicia by Captain Fennar, and also that he and his com
panions have taken certain prizes near the Azores, with
which he is lying at Milford Haven or in the Bristol Channel.
Requests that order may be taken for their restoration to
their owner, and for the arrest of the said pirates.
Endd: Guarras, 1573. Span. P. 1. |
| Feb. 5. |
757. Outrages by Englishmen in Spain. |
|
Complaint against Captain Fennar for plundering a certain
village and some churches on the coast of Gallicia near Vigo.
Endd. by Burghley: 5 Feb. 1572. Span. P. ¼. |
| Feb. 6. |
758. News from Italy. |
|
1. Strait of Cattaro, 15 Jan. 1573.—Capture by assault
by the Venetians of a Turkish fort near Cattaro, in which
were taken 300 prisoners, 17 pieces of artillery, together
with stores and ships. |
|
2. Rome, 6 Feb. 1573.—Tumult at Urbino on account
of the heaviness of the taxation. Arrival of M. Duras in
port from the King of Navarre. News from the fleet at
Messina.
Endd. Ital. Pp. 1⅓. |
| Feb. 6. |
759. Walsingham to Lord Burghley. |
|
Seeing the late friendship concluded with this crown not
likely to have any continuance, whatsoever they pretend, he
thought it not amiss, finding the Emperor's ambassador well
inclined to the general repose of Christendom, and also well
affected to the Queen and to England, to break with him
touching the best means for the reconcilement of the unkindness between Her Majesty and Spain. Found him the more
apt to deal herein for that he did not stick to show him
confidently the great misliking he had of their cruel proceedings
here, and how unkindly the Emperor took the competency
used by this King in the election of the King of Poland. After
complimenting the Ambassador, Walsingham proceeded to
show him that the wars that presently reigned in Europe were
chiefly grounded on three causes;—state, religion, or mixture
of state and religion. For the first they have had continuance from the beginning; the second is a new cause and
incident to the times; the third such as are ambitious serve
their turn with, thinking that cloak the best means for them
to grow great. It were to be desired that all Europe were
reduced to one religion; but seeing the parties were grown
to be so great of either side, as he who should go about to
reduce them to one, was likely to destroy both and reduce
the state of Christendom under the Turkish tyranny, he
thought that all men of judgment not transported with
passion would be of opinion that toleration was more necessary than force. Walsingham then laid before him that this
late "accident" in France had waked up a jealousy that was
almost laid asleep, whereof there would grow dangerous effects
if there was not remedy in time. This jealousy was
grounded upon a conference held at Bayonne, and a certain
determination at the late Council of Trent for the rooting
out (as is believed) of those who are termed Protestants. It
is now thought that the execution of that determination has
received its beginning here, and that it is like to extend
itself further. If there was no such meaning it were well
that that opinion were taken away; but if there was then
it would be not amiss that it were well weighed before it
were put in execution, for it is contrary to all good policy
in seeking to take away one inconvenience to breed others
of greater moment, which would be the issue of that determination if it took place. For the cure hereof there was
none so fit as the Emperor, and the help hereof could grow
by no means so well as by compounding the unkindnesses
between the Queen of England and Spain, for thereby it
would appear to other princes professing the same religion
that the said King is not so far transported as to think it
unlawful for him to have amity with a Prince Protestant,
or that he thinks it his office to intermeddle with cases of
religion otherwise than within his own dominions. "And
yet in that point his father Charles the Fifth thought it a
dangerous matter for a prince to use violence in religion in
his own country, and therefore advised the Queen my
mistress' sister after the death of her brother to carry
herself very temperately in that behalf, laying before her
the experience that he himself had thereof in seeking to
reduce the Germans to the Catholic faith, which was the
only let of his greatness. He well perceived that Paul the
Third, who set him on, was not moved thereto by zeal, but
only of policy, to convey the wars out of Italy on this side of
the Alps; for afterwards it was discovered that the said Pope,
fearing the greatness of the Emperor through his victory
had there, practised secretly with the French King by a
third person to support the Princes Protestant of Germany
against the Emperor, which was the cause of the foil which
he received at Inspruck." Walsingham further pointed out
what advantage it would be to the King of Spain to be
reconciled with England, which might easily be brought to
pass by a third party; and further, that the troubles in
France would be appeased, as when the King saw Spain and
England reconciled, he would in policy think it no safety for
him to be at division at home. The Ambassador answered
that there was great good will in the Emperor to compound
these troubles, but the Spaniards are so passionate and have
so great hope to do great things under colour of religion, as
the matter was very full of difficulty. The Emperor did not
spare to advise the King of Spain to deal more temperately,
and if his advice had been followed, the matters in Flanders
had not been in the terms they are, but for this the King
grew jealous of him; still he thought that the Emperor
would do what he could to breed reconcilement between him
and the Queen of England. He therefore advised that the
Queen should send some one thoroughly instructed touching
the causes of the unkindness, and that speedily, as it imported
very much. The chief points that Walsingham notes are, "that
the Spaniards hope to do great things under colour of
religion," and the other that "speed is necessary," which
makes him think that something is brewing which is not
yet thoroughly concluded."—Paris, 6 Feb. 1572. Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
| Feb. 7. |
760. Catherine de Medicis to Lord Burghley. |
|
Desires that he will assist in bringing to a good conclusion
the project for a marriage between the Queen of England and
the Duke of Alençon, and refers him to M. de la Mothe
Fenelon for further particulars on the subject.—Paris, 7 Feb.
1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. Fr. P. 2/3. |
| Feb. 8. |
761. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
The enterprise is taken to be more feasible daily. Since
(Morton's) Regency there have come in and subscribed more
than had done before the Lords Oliphant and Gray, the
Sheriff of Ayr and his son, the Lairds of Buccleuch and
Johnstone Borderers, the Lord Lochinvar Lord Herries has
undertaken for. The Earl of Huntley will not only come
to St. Johnstone's on the day appointed, but show himself
conformable to reason, &c. The Castle is so besieged that they
are kept from sallying, and from intelligence, and if the Queen
sent the aid desired by the Regent they might soon reduce it
to obedience. The Cardinal of Lorraine now begins to manage
the affairs of France, and no doubt he will use all diligence
to hinder this purpose. If any persuade him that the Castle
can be rendered upon composition without force they be
utterly deceived, for if the Castilians themselves were to swear
it he would not believe them, for he knows they do it to no
other end but to delay the Queen's forces, without which they
know they may abide the French aid, though it come not
before Midsummer. George Pringle has been commended to
him by the Marshal of Berwick, who has used his service a
long time, which makes him bolder to use him for the Queen's
service. Desires to know how far may he promise him
favour. He would be glad to do good to him, as he is willing
to cancel his fault, which was to follow his master the Earl of
Northumberland in his wicked enterprise.—Edinburgh, 8 Feb.
Signed.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| Feb. 8. |
762. H. Killegrew to Lord Burghley. |
|
For the qualities of Gordon and Chambers with all circumstances he will inform himself of by all the means he can,
and already hears that Gordon follows his father's steps,
"whose life I think your Lordship hath." He would that it
were any of their fortunes to come into the country during
his abode there, he means Gordon, Chambers, Liggens, or the
French, for he would make a good account of them, but the
Lord whom they scorn will overtake them; somewhat of
Gordon might be learnt from amongst the Duke's men.—
Edinburgh, 8 Feb. Signed.
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| Feb. |
763. Occurrents in Scotland. |
|
The last parliament the Regent took his oath before the Estates
and they likewise were sworn to him, with a clause in their
oath that for any fault of his they would not leave the King's
obedience, The Earl of Eglinton protested against the Act
for religion that it might not extend to his prejudice, whereunto the Regent answered that no protestation could be
received against God and His true religion, and that the
common consent of the realm was to be trusted before him,
and his protestation would not avail. Lord Lindsay protested
that he might be stayed, examined, and tried whether he
were an heretic or no. There was some hold about the
confirmation of the Earldom of Lennox; the Earls of Argyle
and Montrose, the Lord Boyd, and the Laird of Luze protested
that it might not prejudice their tenures in the Lennox which
they hold of the King, but which heretofore were holden of
the Earl; among others a burgess for a town said he would
not consent unto it unless the party would come to dwell
in Scotland, as became a good Scottish man. When the
Act concerning a league to be made with England was read
many gave their voices to it, the Earl of Eglinton and
Lord Semple in especial with open detestation of the French
butchers, and the late horrible murder committed there,
saying they would willingly venture lives, lands, and goods
against such. The Earl of Eglinton since his protestation
cames to sermon with the Regent. It is reported that Sir
James Balfour discovered the coming of James Kirkcaldy to
the Blackness, and prepared his way; he is a great mean to bring
Huntley to composition. It was once resolved that James
Kirkcaldy should have gone to Aberdeen, whither Lord
Huntley drew his soldiers in hope of a pay; and being deceived imputes the fault to Lethington. Blackness is still
besieged and in great distress for want of victual, it is supposed the Regent will recover it by composition. The 31st
January, Captain Mitchell lying at St. Cuthbert's, and
fetching away in the night certain timber from under the
Castle wall, found an arrow, which was meant into the Castle,
with a letter in cipher, which is yet unciphered. Before
James Kirkcaldy's coming out of France it is thought one
Robert Hamilton of Milburn was sent by the Duke and the
Earl of Huntley to demand aid to relieve them and the
Castle. There was never so fair a winter seen in Scotland,
which has served the King's party's turn very well, to the
disadvantage of the adversaries. The 3rd of February, Blackness with Kirkcaldy surrendered to the Regent, who intends
to deal honourably with him. There are taken divers letters
in cipher sent out of the Castle to divers noblemen; the Duke
and the Earl of Huntley are like to accord with the Regent
shortly, or in case of the contrary to be assailed with sharp
war which they shall not be able to resist. All Ferniehurst's
men have come in and subscribed to the King. The Castle
is environed with trenches and guards round about so that
none can sally or get in; a boy that came forth was taken
going in, and confessed that four were slain and certain hurt;
that the soldiers are put to their pittance, which is slender;
and that there is great want of water, for which they spend
their blood in the getting of it, and therefore it is supposed it
will go hardly with them ere it be long; he said that when
the great ordnance goes off, Lethington is carried into the
low vault of David's Tower, for he cannot abide the shot.
For all the shooting of the Castle there has been little hurt;
the 4th inst. they sallied in the twilight upon them in
the trenches, and hurt four or five soldiers and killed a
boy of Captain Home's at the West Gate, but were repulsed,
not without great hurt as it is supposed. If the Regent be
driven to go north, there will remain for the siege of
the Castle the Earls of Glencairn and Eglinton and Lord
Lindsay, and after forty days the Earl of Cassilis and Lord
Semple will come for their relief. There is an Act proclaimed the 2nd inst. that no man out of the King's obedience
shall enter or answer action against any that serve the
King, till he be received to grace and put in caution to
serve the King truly, which has made divers to come in of
late. All the wells and water springs outside the Castle are
destroyed and poisoned, and the ways to them of the Castle
so watched as they dare fetch no more. It is reported by a
man of credit that neither the Duke nor the Earl of Huntley
would have the French to land and have any footing in
Scotland, how glad soever they would be of their money. The
Captain of the Blackness came to the Regent the third of this
present and brought him 3,300 French crowns.
Add. Endd. Pp. 2¾. |
| Feb. |
764. Copy of a portion of the preceding paper. P. 1. |
| Feb. 9. |
765. Charles IX. to the Count of Montgomery. |
|
1. Is glad to hear by M. de St. Jehan of his good will, and
that he is remaining quiet without favouring any enterprise
against the good of his subjects, and sends the bearer M. de
Chateauneuf to assure him of his favour and protection. |
|
2. P.S.—Has caused his plate to be redeemed for 300
crowns and placed in charge of the treasurer of his exchequer,
to be delivered to him.—Paris, 9 Feb. 1573. Signed.
Hol. Add. Endd. by Burleigh. Fr. P. ½. |
| Feb. 10. |
766. News from the Low Countries. |
|
1. The writer Samuel Lister of Yarmouth being on the
3rd inst. at Antwerp, thinking to speak with divers of his old
acquaintances Catholics, found that they were lately dispersed
from thence, some to Louvain, some to Ghent, and some to
serve the Duke of Alva against the Prince. One Foy, steward
to Lord Morley, means shortly to return to England; he was
lately there and kept company with James Clerk of Yarmouth,
who meant to convey treasure out of the realm. |
|
2. On Ash Wednesday one of the chief preachers at the
Grey Friars in Bruges most lewdly and slanderously railed at
Her Majesty with despiteful speech and reproachful terms like
a villain. At Ostend were 14 or 15 sail of the Scots, who
have great traffic and favour there. It is reported that the
Duke and the Prince have had another conflict of late, where
the Duke by entering of Haarlem lost 5,000 of his men, and
has retired and left behind his great ordnance, and that the
Prince has re-victualled the town and fortified it with seven
ensigns of Frenchmen. There is not one man in ten in this
country but wishes the Prince well. |
|
3. A Dutchman named John White who has kept at Rye
these 28 years, and has there wife and children, was lately
put cruelly to death at Antwerp, for that he being in a church
whilst the priest was at mass and lifting up the Host over
his head, took it from the priest and brake it, saying that it
was against the Word of God to worship any strange gods.
The poor man was presently taken and judged to have a cruel
death, and before he was put to execution had a bodkin put
through his tongue; his right hand struck off with a chisel
and burnt before him; and then himself tied to a stake and
fire about him until his bowels fell out, and then the fire withdrawn, and so much of his body as was left hanged on a gibbet
in the field.—Ostend, 10 Feb. 1572. Extracts from a letter to
Sir Christopher Heydon and Sir William Butts.
Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| Feb. 10. |
767. Walsingham to Lord Burghley. |
|
For suppressing of the book he knows of they were determined to have forbidden the sale by edict, wherein he opposed
himself, saying that it would rather do harm than good, considering how little their edicts are weighed; for by the edicts
men understanding of such a book would be the more curious
to have it. His advice was that the parties who are suspected
to be the authors should be commanded upon pain of some
great punishment to take order for the suppressing of the
said books. They have promised to take this course, but
their promises are slenderly performed.—Paris, 10 Feb. 1572.
Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1. |
| Feb. 12. |
768. Walsingham to Lord Burghley. |
|
Has shown the King the great grief that Her Majesty had
conceived that the travail of both their ministers took no
better effect touching the appeasing of the matters in Scotland,
as a thing dishonourable for them both to be deluded and
scorned by such "petty companions" as those that are in
the Castle, especially seeing that they were the first chief
doers in deposing of the Queen and setting up of the King.
He also showed that this civil war touched the Queen more
particularly, as during these troubles her subjects who are
Borderers are marvellously outraged by outlaws and thieves,
whereof no redress can be had. As for Home Castle, the
King said that though by the league it was not expressly
mentioned, yet the meaning was to deliver it to Lord Home;
whereunto he replied that the clause in the league had not
respect to any particular person, but generally to set that
country free from all foreign forces, and therefore that the
Queen might render it to whom she would of that nation.
The King replied that he would rather that it remained in her
hands than be delivered to any of the other party. Told
him that the Queen would capitulate with those to whom it
should be delivered to restore the same to Lord Home, when
he recognized the King's authority. The King took occasion
upon these Scottish matters to recommend to the Earl of
Worcester the Queen of Scots' case, who answered that such
was her dangerous and unkind dealing towards Her Majesty,
as he should forget the duty of a good subject if he once
opened his lips for her. To this the King said that he did
not desire any favour to be shown unto her, otherwise then
may be with the Queen's safety. At their access to the
Queen Mother she desired his Lordship, that whereas there
had been long in treaty a marriage between Her Majesty
and her son M. le Duc d'Alençon, he would at his return
move her that the same may grow to some conclusion. To
this he answered that the cause why the same grew not to
some conclusion was that they had not answered the two
points propounded by the Ambassador resident concerning
religion and the interview. After saying that she did not
remember anything whereunto they were to give answer, she
answered that her son was of the same living and religion
as the other (Anjou) was, and therefore hoped to have no
less favour in the point of religion. Walsingham replied that
he did not remember that any liberty was accorded to M.
d'Anjou, and if there were, that what is tolerable at one
time is not so at another. To the Earl of Worcester's request
that she would set down roundly in her letters what she
and the King required in the matter of religion, she said
that their Ambassador should signify in that behalf, and
when that was accorded, she doubted not but that means
would be found to bring the interview to pass to Her
Majesty's satisfaction. After a similar conference on matters
of Scotland as that which they had with the King, she
complained that certain ships were preparing in England by
certain rebels there, and desired the Earl of Worcester to put
the Queen in mind for redress thereof, which he promised to
do on his return. On the morning of the Earl's departure
the Queen Mother sent for Walsingham and excused the
absence of the Duke of Alençon, on account of the uncertainty of the Earl of Worcester's coming. Walsingham said
that if it had pleased the King not to have employed him
against those of the religion, he would have been in better
opinion with Her Majesty and more grateful to her subjects.
To this she said that he could not with honour remain
behind, seeing his other brother employed. |
|
2. P.S.—Commends the dutiful conduct of the Earl of
Worcester in refusing to receive a servant who came from
his sister the Countess of Northumberland, whom he declared he should esteem as a mere stranger until she submitted
to Her Majesty.—Paris, 12 Feb. 1572. Signed.
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3½. |
| Feb. 15. |
769. Maisonfleur to the Queen. |
|
1. As he can only think that her refusal of an audience
proceeds from the false accusation with which he has been
charged, he considers that though the letters which he sent
to her should have been sufficient to clear him from all
imposition, it will be well to send her the copies of two or three
which he has written to "Don Lucidor," which will give
further proof of his innocence from the calumnies with which
he is charged. Where he has mentioned in his letters that
Germany has entered into a league with England, Don Lucidor
charged him at his departure to tell her that he was determined to espouse her fortunes and constitute himself chief of
the Protestants, which La Mole repeated two or three times,
and Don Lucidor told him that M. de Guise intended to make
himself king, but that he hoped to prevent him. Her Majesty
may also be surprised that in his letters he has assured Don
Lucidor of success if he comes over, which he begs her not to
consider evil, his intention being to persuade his master to
withdraw from the midst of tyrants and so avoid the divine
judgment, being certain that as soon as she has seen his
natural good qualities her heart will be touched and he will
find favour in her eyes. |
|
2. Praises his master for his generosity, courage, and religion,
and for his hatred of vice and hypocrisy. Enumerates his
other good qualities, and declares that he has a "vray teste de
soldat," and that in his glance there is a "je ne scay quoi
d'Auguste." Though his face is somewhat marked by the
small-pox time will remedy that, and reminds her that beauty
of face is not of so much importance to a man as vigour and
courage, in both of which qualities he excels. The poor young
Prince has strong motives not to come over without the
required assurance from her. She ought to be thankful for
the advantages she has over him in beauty and wit, and not
to contemn those whom nature has less gifted with bodily
perfections. It is the will of God that she should be Queen of
France and Empress, and instead of one crown that she should
possess three, and for this purpose that she should marry Don
Lucidor. The peace of the afflicted church is in her hands,
and if she marries Don Lucidor and he has the title of king
he will be chosen chief in Israel against the Philistines.
Desires also that she will send aid to Rochelle. Knows that
she is wiser in a quarter of an hour than he is in ten years,
but begs that she will believe in his candour and honesty.
Has been miserably calumniated to her.—London, 15 Feb.
1573. Signed.
Add. Endd. by Burghley Fr. Pp. 62/3. |
