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| A.D. [1575.] |
1. Renewal of the Intercourse between England and
Spain. |
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Book roughly bound in parchment entitled "The Colloquy
in 1573," containing different documents relating to the
renewals of the intercourse between England and Spain. |
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1. Copy of the confirmation of the treaty between Burghley
and Alva by King Philip. Dated at Madrid, 8 June 1573. |
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Lat. Pp. 4¾. |
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2. Copy of a commission by the Queen appointing certain
persons to settle all controversies arising out of the late arrest
of the goods in England and the Low Countries.—Hampton
Court, 22 Feb. 1574. |
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Lat. Pp. 1¼. |
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3. Copy of a commission by King Philip giving full power
and authority to the Duke of Alva to treat for a renewal of
the intercourse between his subjects and those of the Queen
of England.—The Escurial, 31 March 1573. |
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Lat. Pp. 22/3. |
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4. Copy of appointment by the Duke of Alva of certain
commissioners to negotiate with the Queen for a renewal
of the intercourse.—Amsterdam, 29 Sept. 1573. |
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Fr. Pp. 2. |
| 1575. Jan. 2. |
2. Geoffry Preston to Lord Burghley. |
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Doubts not but that he has received his former letters,
especially those sent from Emden, in which, amongst other
things, was mentioned the unprofitable entertainment of Earl
John. Upon receipt of his answer will give advertisement,
and put in practise greater matters for the Queen's service.—
Hamburg, 2 Jan. 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| Jan. 2. |
3. Answer of the Flushingers to the English Merchants. |
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Some of their armed vessels having seized an English
ship laden with cloths, and bound for Ostend and brought
her into Flushing, and Thomas Middleton and John Rings
having presented a request on the part of the Merchant
Adventurers that she might be given up, it was proposed to
purchase her cargo at the same price which it would fetch at
Antwerp or Bruges, to which they say the petitioners have no
commission to agree. As the seizure was made through exigencies of war, without any intention of injuring the English,
they desire that they will send full commission to their
deputies to treat for the said sale.—Flushing, 2 Jan. 1574.
Signed: Charles de Beaulieu, Adrian Marmarke. |
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2. Acknowledgment signed by Middleton and Rings of
the fact of the above offer of purchase, and the receipt of a
similar letter to be delivered to the Governor of the Merchant Adventurers at Antwerp.—Flushing, 2 January 1574.
Signed. |
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Endd. Fr. Pp. 2. |
| Jan. 2. |
4. The Grand Commendator of Castile to the Queen. |
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Passport for Mathias de Monte Hermoso, who is desirous of
returning into his own country.—Antwerp, 2 Jan. 1574. |
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Copy. Add. Endd. Fr. P. 2/3. |
| Jan. 4. |
5. Roger Bodenham to Lord Burghley. |
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1. It is reported that there is a peace concluded for life
between the Queen and the King of Spain, which is joyful
hearing. Cannot perceive that there is any peace meant
here, for of late divers men have been taken and imprisoned
by the Inquisition and their goods taken and spoiled, so that
though peace is made with the King of Spain there remains
another King to conclude with who commands, and who is
of the spirituality. Will bring him a book by a learned
physician called Dr. Monardos, in which he finds many things
which may do his gout good.—St. Lucars, 4 Jan. 1575. Signed:
Roger Bodenham. |
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2. P.S.—Roger Hawkin of Harwich is prisoner with the
Inquisition at Seville. |
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Add. Endd. Pp. 2¼. |
| Jan. 6. |
6. News from Cologne. |
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Arrival of the Counts of Swartzenburg, Oldenburg, Hohenlohe,
Gleichen, and other noblemen, to treat of peace with the
Governor of Flanders and the Prince of Orange. The Emperor
will go into Bohemia to make his second son Ernest king,
and afterwards to Augsburg, to hold the Diet there, when
will be determined what is necessary for the peace of Lower
Germany.—Cologne, 8 Id. Jan. |
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Endd. Lat. Pp. 1½. |
| Jan. 8. |
7. Dr. Wilson to Lord Burghley. |
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1. Until he hears from the Council only deals in particular
causes. |
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2. There is dealing for an agreement by certain sent from
the Commendator to the Prince, as Leoninus the learned man
of Louvain, but he doubts greatly of its success. Count
Swartzenburg and Count Oloffe [Hohenlohe] are sent from
the Emperor to deal herein, and are now at Bois-le-duc. The
Emperor has sent heretofore an ambassador to King Philip
for the same purpose, who has referred all to the Emperor, to
do and deal as he shall think meet. The Marquis Vitelli
has discharged himself of his pay, which was 1,000 crowns
monthly, and has in reward 1,500 crowns yearly pension
during life. He would fain be gone into Italy, and craves
licence from the King. It is written by way of Hungary that
the Turk passed out of this life the 13th Nov., at Adrianople,
and his son succeeds, being 23 years of age, and greatly given
to war. The Neapolitans desire King Philip to build at
Biserta. King Philip has lately sharply charged the Venetians
with the loss of the "Goletta." It is reported that of late the
King had a sore fall as he came out of his coach; the "nodel
of his head" being sore hurt, and that he is in some danger
with a burning fever. The Cardinal of Lorraine was dangerously sick of the "petezzi," a kind of plague. The French
King does not give that satisfaction that was looked for
when he was Duke of Anjou. It is said that there are
2,000 Frenchmen in the Downs, others report that so many
are come from Rochelle to serve the Prince. An Englishman
called Wynche lately wrote that three English gentlewomen,
very sumptuously apparelled, and one or two men were
lately apprehended at Flushing upon the accusation of one
Bishop. |
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3. Richard Thompson of York, servant to Edward Dacres,
has lately come out of France and returned to Brussels to
the English assembly there. Has made a large offer to know
their secrets.—Antwerp, 8 January 1574. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| Jan. 8. |
8. Duke Casimir to Dr. Dale. |
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Prays him let no occasion slip for the advancement of a
good and firm peace, which would be to the honour of God
and the establishment of France in tranquillity.—Camp de
Chastelet, 8 January 1575. Signed. |
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Add., with seal. Endd. Fr. P. ½. |
| Jan. 10. |
9. Benedetto Spinola to Lord Burghley. |
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Is thankful that he is freed from his severe illness. Sends
him news from Italy. Begs that the rest of the money belonging to the Genoese may be sent to him, as he has to make
some pressing payments for cloths, and has made an agreement with the Genoese for all the money owing to them by
the Queen.—10 Jan. 1574. Signed. |
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Add. Endd., with seal. Ital. P. 1. |
| Jan. 10. |
10. Dr. Wilson to Lord Burghley. |
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1. On Saturday was with the Commendator to have answer
on particular matters; but especially for that he heard the
rebels were paid their pensions at Brussels due to them by
promise from the King. The Commendator said that it was
but an alms paid to them because they should not starve.
Wilson said that he dealt for their banishment on the 29th
November according to the conditions of the treaty of 1495;
whereby, upon intimation given, either Prince's rebels are to
be banished within one month. He answered that if the
Queen would banish the Flemings out of England then the
Englishmen should be sent away. Wilson told him that such
conditional answers were not agreeable to the treaties of intercourse, and that he [Wilson] should be first satisfied, and then
if the King wrote or sent into England no doubt he would
be satisfied. After many speeches had passed with some heat,
the Commendator asked what the Queen meant to deal thus
against these "wretches," who can do no harm, and are rather
to be pitied than punished, being all good simple Catholics?
Wilson said that traitors were not to be pitied, and that they
continued in their lewdness and practised daily what mischief
they could against their Sovereign and country. "Well, quoth
he, let that be proved and they shall all be presently sent
away." Wilson said that their first offence done in England
deserved present punishment. "Well," quoth he, "you speak
much against these people, and England still cherishes the
rebels of Holland, and you yourself have in your house at
this time some of the Prince's company." Wilson told him
that he should not give over easy credit to reports, and if
some Hollanders traded in England the Queen should not
bear the blame thereof, as he himself could not stay some of
Antwerp from dealing with the Hollanders. |
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2. Wishes that he had authority to deal more sharply, as
he is out of patience with this late pay to the rebels, which
not only the Commendator but also the Marquis Vitelli and
President Rodas term a kind of alms. |
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3. The Earl of Westmoreland is much grieved with him
because he gave out that by his report Sir Francis Englefield
was a deeper dealer than he was, and so they are now at
great variance. Lewd is the speech that the Earl and
Countess still use of the Queen. Trusts to understand shortly
the bottom of their devices. Has of late offered largely to
one that shall deal with a rebel to undermine their doings.
Richard Thompson of York is returned to Brussels again, and
will take shipping into Scotland. He is apparelled all new
in fair blue, and carries many letters with him. |
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4. Chamberlain's brother of Woodstock, who is married in
Ghent, and Lyggons are chief counsellors with the Earl of
Westmorland. They do what they can by all means possible
to discredit Wilson. |
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5. P.S.—Will be more earnest than ever he was to have a
resolute answer to his chief demands for the merchants and
for the rebels now that he has word out of England.—
Antwerp, 10 January 1574. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| Jan. 15. |
11. Walsingham to the Queen. |
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Sends her certain letters which he has received from the
Regent, and also a copy of instructions delivered by the
Bishop of Ross to his servant Lesley, sent into Scotland, by
the view of which she may see how the two great Princes
her neighbours are affected towards her, as also what unsound
she has at home. Though the Cardinal of Lorraine be dead,
he has left successors enough of his malice to execute such
plots as he has in his lifetime set down, the dangerous
effects whereof she will see whensoever the foreign troubles
of the Princes her neighbours are at an end, unless by prevention she puts in execution such remedies as good policy
and the necessity of her estate require. If she uses not
expedition, the malady in time will grow incurable, and the
hidden sparks of treason, which now lie covered, will break
out into an unquenchable fire. By the enclosed letter she
may see how much the Regent finds himself aggrieved, for
that there is so long delay used in sending to him, it were
therefore very convenient that one were sent to him out of
hand, with full satisfaction to his demands, which tend only
to her safety. There is no man of judgment who loves her
Majesty who can imagine any peril can befall her so great as
the loss of that gentleman, either by death or alienation.—
London, 15 Jan. 1574. Signed. |
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Endd. Pp. 1⅓. |
| Jan. 16. |
12. Edward Carey to Walsingham. |
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1. The Regent's letter specifies a cipher which the Queen
has not received in the packet which he sent. As for the
man dwelling in London, whom the letter mentions the
Queen's pleasure is, that forthwith he should be apprehended, for she says that it has always been her manner,
that when any councillor tells her of anything that merely
concerns herself, she is not used to impart it to any other
until the thing be executed. He is to devise instructions to
be sent to the Regent, together with a letter of thanks from
her Majesty for his advertisements, and to write that she
will ere long send Ralph or Killegrew to him.—Hampton
Court, 16 Jan. 1574. Signed. |
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2. P.S.—Complains of an extreme cold which he has taken.
Add. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| Jan. 16. |
13. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
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1. Lord North shows his good nature and virtue in all his
doings; he has good cause to be offended that the King
should write that he had not spoken in the merchant's causes,
in which he not only did most earnestly speak, but delivered
a remembrance of those that were most recommended. For
his own part, he delivered the whole catalogue of complaints
Lord North brought over with him, and special articles of
remembrance of all the complaints, he had commandment to
deal with the King that dead is, and also a particular discourse for the privilege of the English merchants, all which
contained little lack of two quires of paper. God help a
poor man that shall deal with them in matters alone! Will
try his best for satisfaction of the complaints. Sends a catalogue of such persons as are about the King in credit, and
what manner of persons they are. Will have no controversy
with the Chapter of Wells, but will end it friendly; hears the
Queen has forgiven him the first-fruits of the Deanery. |
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2. The King is in his way hitherward from Avignon, and
nothing done. They of Provence are more busy than they
were before. M. Danville has 5,000 or 6,000 footmen and
1,800 horsemen, besides the towns well furnished, and look
for more men by M. de Terrides, out of Gascony. They of
Livron have repulsed three assaults, and slain 300, and hurt
as many; now the siege begins to be famous, being but a
very little uplandish town. The Duke D'Uzes is left behind
with the charge of the wars, only for the enmity that is
between him and Danville, for D'Uzes has been always of
the religion; he has not past 3,000 footmen and two cornets
of reiters, with two bands of French horsemen, and yet has
he such force as M. de Retz brought out of Provence. Now
the King's back is turned, the men will take more courage
into them. Montbrun takes men going and coming daily
between Avignon and Lyons. Two cornets of reiters are
sent from here to Rheims, with the corps of the Cardinal of
Lorraine, not willing to serve against them of the religion,
and therefore not trusted. One of the reiters has been put
to execution before Livron for intelligence with Montbrun,
and likewise two French at Avignon as spies from Danville.
La Nocle and La Haye, lieutenants of Poitou, have been entertained with treaty of peace at the Court. Cannot hear
of the return of Du Challier from the Prince of Condé. The
ambassadors of Poland that are here have declared to the
King that the election will be proceeded with if he come
not thither at May next. The Duke of Ferrara has sent to
the King to be his suitor for that kingdom, it is said privily that the King will make money out of that realm, and
that the King of Sweden is entertained in that behalf as
one most likely to give. The ambassador at Venice desires
that if a ship laden with wine taken by them of Rochelle
be brought to England it shall be stayed; has written to
Dr. Lewis of the matter. The news of the death of the
Turk is confirmed by letters from Poland.—Lyons, 16 January
1574. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
| Jan. 17. |
14. Edward Carey to Walsingham. |
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Whereas he wished the Queen to make some two or three
of her Council privy to the matter, she will show the substance to them herself, so that he thinks her further pleasure
will be signified to him by some of those to whom she means
to impart the secrecy of the matter unto.—Hampton Court,
17 Jan. 1574. Signed. |
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Endd. P. 1. |
| Jan. 17. |
15. News from Lyons. |
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The King's camp before Livron is 4,000 Switzers. Count
Charles has 400 reiters; Marshal Bellegarde, two cornets of
men-at-arms, 2,000 footmen, and 16 pieces of ordnance. The
breach is above 60 paces, very reasonable to enter. Three
assaults have been given, the two first on the 27th December,
wherein were hurt 150 gentlemen of name there for their
pleasure, with stones in their faces, arms, and legs, and M. de
Valam's son slain. The second assault was given about
3 o'clock the same day, wherein was slain 36 soldiers and
four captains. On the 30th December there entered Livron,
sent by Montbrun for their succour, 55 soldiers with powder,
every man with 30 pounds weight, and their harquebusses.
The 2nd January the King's side went to discover the breach,
and lost of their men 24; the Governor of Livron, for whom
much moan is made, was slain with a cannon shot. The 6th
of January entered into Livron a new Governor, with 250
shot, at 10 o'clock at night. The 9th of January the King's
side gave a general assault with two "moynes" they had
made, but were repulsed, and lost 200 men, besides 300 hurt.
Marshal Bellegarde hurt in the thigh, 20 captains and 15
reiters slain, 50 that went with Count Charles to the assault
slain, and Count Charles himself slain or hurt. Two cornets
of reiters are sent home, for they told the King they would
not fight against them of the religion; the rest of the reiters
are sent to Languedoc to Duke . . ., the force of whose
camp is 3,000 French soldiers, 2,000 Switzers, two cornets of
reiters, four companies of men-at-arms, eight pieces of
ordnance. The Duke is sent to besiege Bocas, a town four
leagues of Avignon, in which are 600 good soldiers; and
Danville is but four leagues off at Nismes, with 1,200 horse
and 1,000 shot. The Count de Retz's camp is broken up,
and he has given up his charge; Strozzi, they say too, will
meddle no more, neither a great many captains, whose
governor he was. The towns Retz won are at the present
as he found them, and more strong with them of the religion
in Provence. Count de Retz is sent into Dauphiny and
Provence to see it, that they of the country will do as they
of Languedoc do. The King has had of the States of Languedoc [190,000 livres], with which he has paid his soldiers,
and maintains war in that country, he is like to receive no
more. There was lately at the Court one that came from the
Prince of Condé, brought to the King and twice racked to make
him confess somewhat; it cannot be learned what he has confessed, save only that Danville should be in readiness, taking
heed whom he trusted. There was hanged at the Court gates
a captain of Danville's; they laid it to his charge that he was
sent by Danville to kill . . . ., but he denied it to the
end. The Pope's Nuncio going to Avignon by water was
like to be taken; his boat was shot through in 20 places, and
certain of his mariners slain. Montbrun lately took going to
the Court 28 prisoners, merchants, and of the King's officers
going to serve their quarters, whereof were five of Paris, which
were slain, for they will not save one of Paris. Montbrun
has taken 200 horse that came from Lyons to the Court to
fetch their masters. Montbrun's force is 700 horsemen and
3,000 footmen; he has in readiness 300 or 400 mules laden
with victual for Livron, notwithstanding they have already
in the town three months' victual and 600 men. Montbrun
holds in Dauphiny these towns, "Bordeaux, Die, Laval,
Sobriers, Soreze, Nevenena, La Risa, Livron, Orange, and
La Garde." . . . . . . . . . The King has hanged the
man that came from the Prince of Condé, because he would
confess nothing of the Prince's coming. He also hanged a
gentleman of the reiters before Livron that would have conveyed into the town 30 harquebusses of crock, and for sending
a pistol with letters to Montbrun; he confessed nothing at
his death. The reiters were in arms to have saved him, but
came too late; they slew five or six of the King's men. |
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Mutilated. Pp. 2½. |
| Jan. 23. |
16. Sir Francis Englefield to Dr. Wilson. |
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Desires that he will vouchsafe to give him some written
testimony of the effect of the message sent to him by the Earl
of Westmoreland as far forth as it touched him. Regarding
how much the accusation imports him, trusts he will excuse
him for not leaving anything undone tending to his defence.
As for his further commandment, to use his endeavour to
bring to light the author of that book; will within three or
four days send one to him that by personal conference with
him he may more largely understand all the circumstances.—
Brussels, 23 Jan. 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| Jan. 25. |
17. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
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The King has said to him that there had been deputies to
him to treat for peace, who had appointed to be with him
again at Rheims with some resolution, and that they of
Lusignan had rendered themselves. Touching Montmorency,
the King said he must abide his trial by justice, wherein he
desired no rigour. When he moved the King touching the
Queen's subjects, he willed him to give him a remembrance of
them, as though he had never heard of the matter; when he
put him in remembrance of those books he had delivered at
Lord North's last audience, he called the matter to mind, and
willed him bid Chiverny call upon him the next day with
the books for the despatch of the matters. Wrote to Chiverny,
whose answer is that since the King departs so soon there
can be nothing effectually done till he be in a place of stay.
The Queen Mother used much the same speeches, saving that
she added that the King should be able to compass his subjects
otherwise if they would not willingly incline to pacification.
The King departed this town on the 24th, and appoints to be
at Rheims the 10th February to be sacred the 15th. The
Poles have had a short despatch; the King will send one to
Poland with his answer. Since the departure of the King
from Avignon, Danville has taken Aiguesmortes, a strong port,
well furnished with munition, the staple of salt for Languedoc,
Dauphiny, Lionnois, and Burgundy, a matter of great consequence. They of Provence have taken Digne, a strong place
in that country. The King came under the walls of Livron
in his way, yet the very same day Montbrun put 100 men
into the town, and the King was fain to withdraw his camp.
Count Ghiazzo passing between this town and Avignon was
slain with divers of his company. M. de Gourdes is not sorry
for the evil success of Bellegarde before Livron, because the
charge was taken from him, being lieutenant of the country.
La Nocle was much made of at Court; he returns to the
King at Rheims from the Prince of Condé. The Venetians
have news that the Turk is alive again.—Lyons, 25 Jan. 1574.
Signed. |
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Add., with seal. Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| Jan. 26. |
18. The Prince of Orange to Lord Burghley. |
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Letter of credence for M. Calvart sent to the Queen of
England.—Dortrecht, 26 Jan. 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Fr. P. ⅓. |
| Jan. 28. |
19. "The Attempt against the Duke of Alençon's
Person." |
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Upon the news of the attempt upon Monsieur's person, the
Queen Mother, being at Chatelherault, coming towards Paris,
was taken with a great "fevre," whereof she had nine fits,
and withal a catarh, which fell down into her arm, so that
she was constrained to stay her voyage. In the mean time
she endeavoured to pacify the minds of Monsieur and others;
and because she was so much offended with the Chancellor,
the Dukes of Guise, Nemours, and Nevers, and with
M. Chivernay and others of the King's Council, the King sent
Chiverny to her to purge himself, but she was so much displeased that she would scant speak with him, and used very
sharp words against him and the rest; in the end he is returned with much ado upon promise to amend all faults and
to do nothing hereafter contrary to her determinations. The
Duke of Guise and the rest stand so in doubt of the Queen's
displeasure that they are ready to give over and deal no more
against her. There have been great practices to stay the
reiters, who have promised to stay about Chaumont so as the
agreement made with Monsieur be performed, and so that the
King stays his reiters, and the army of the Duke of Maine,
which lies at Vittry, be withdrawn, and so that they be
quietly served with victuals. Schomberg has come out of
Germany and puts the King in comfort that there are 8,000
reiters ready for him. The King requires the Swiss to send
him 6,000 men, but they refuse to come under 10,000, to be
of force to defend themselves. Monsieur has sent divers to
the King of late, and shows himself willing to procure the
quietness of the realm, but stands still to have Bourges and
La Charite, and the King has sent M. Villeroy in outward
countenance to cause these towns to be delivered. On the
16th Monsieur sent to the Court of Parliament offering to
justify his doings. The fortifications of St. Denis go forward
busily. The King has been at two nunneries lately to accomplish his devotions. The King is in such need of money
that he has taxed the noblemen and gentlemen of the Court
to lend him 50,000 francs towards the payment of the wages
of his guards, which brings a new miscontentment among
them. |
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Endd.: 28 Jan. 1573. Pp. 2. |
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20. Copy of the above.
Endd. Pp. 2. |
