|
| Feb. 1. |
21. Dr. Wilson to Lord Burghley. |
|
Has been very earnest with Mr. Copley to know the author
of that book which was written against the Queen's right and
title to the crown, but cannot learn of him anything. He
alleges his undoing here if it should be known that he was
the reporter, and then not be sure of his living in England he
would be undone altogether, and that he would first be sure
of his lands and person before uttering such a secret. Wilson
told him that he showed himself very mistrustful of the
Queen's goodness, and undutiful. Hears that one Aleyn, a
doctor of divinity, some time of Oxford, and now of Douay,
who is counted the best learned and wisest of any Catholic
this side the seas, has written a chronicle of England in Latin,
wherein he deals with the Queen's title and others. Touching
the book of treasons he has used a stratagem, setting a "pyke"
betwixt Sir Francis Englefield and the Earl of Westmoreland,
for whereas the Earl sent now secretly that Sir Francis was
privy to the setting forth of the book, and a deeper dealer
than he was in divers practices; Wilson thought good to let
Sir Francis know that he held him in suspicion for the book
and other matters, that either he might charge others or purge
himself. Hereupon there is a great division amongst them at
Brussels, and the Earl utterly out of credit. Englefield makes
means for his own purgation, which he will not admit except
he charges others. Englefield lately sent to him one Freeman,
a Catholic priest, who was heretofore committed to the
Marshalsea, who told him that Gifford, of the Temple, was the
deviser of the latter part of the book, and Sir Nicholas Throckmorton not unacquainted therewith. The conjectures that
move him to charge Gifford are that when he was in this
country he heard him often use these speeches, that "England
was governed by Machiavellians;" those unseemly words
touching the parentages of Lord Burghley and the Lord
Keeper, often using this speech, "Cecilian tricks, Sinons
sophistry, Sinon's creed, a creeper of the cross in Queen
Mary's days." When Freeman saw the book in print he at
once said that Gifford was a doer in it, though he never
showed him the book in writing, as he was a very close man,
and melancholy. Thinks that after the first platform was had
divers here were doers to finish the upright, as Darbyshire,
Stapelton, Dr. Knotte, Hyde of Louvain, and Heighynton, the
Countess's secretary. Has sent word to the Earl of Westmoreland that if he would disclose the uttermost of his knowledge in writing it should be shown to the Queen, who is a
prince of great mercy. Desires that if he should seek to speak
with him he may have warrant and instructions. Some say
that one Mownse, born in Calais, servant to the Duke of
Norfolk, put the English into French, and was in Paris at the
printing. Antonio Guarras lately sent a letter to Dr. Parker,
which he hears was of great moment. One Dodzer, a tall
black fellow with a black beard, comes often into England for
the Nortons, and lies often at Colchester with one Ramme,
his brother-in-law, the town clerk there. Encloses a letter
from one Smith, a captain here, who promises to get all the
English mariners from hence, who are within a little of 100
tall fellows, and good seamen. Touching the buying of one of
the Queen's ships, they imagine it should be the Bastard.
Southwell, who writes often to Mr. Copley, has spoken to
Fowler, the printer, who will not disclose anything touching
the printing of the abstract. Egremont Ratcliffe continues his
suit; he is marvellously repentant, and accuses the Earl of
Westmorland as the only cause of his wicked revolt. Forwards his letter. In accordance with his request he gives the
numbers and names of the different commanders of the
Spanish forces in the Low Countries. The whole number is
said to be 50,000 soldiers, besides 800 reiters, as many light
horsemen, and the bands of the country. The charges are
said to amount to 300,000 crowns monthly; and further, that
King Philip and the country have been at charges within
these eight years of 33,000,000 crowns, or florins of 2s. 8d.
each, and also that the King paid the third part whenever he
borrowed money, so that for 6s. he received but 4s. This is
more to be wondered at, seeing there has been such evil pay
to the soldiers, who mutiny daily in every place for want of
wages. Of late there came by way of Paris 50,000 crowns,
and 100,000 more shall be sent shortly, at which there is
great rejoicing; yet this is under the monthly expense before
declared, so that he knows not what to believe. It is now
granted that the English rebels shall depart presently. The
King minds to send an ambassador very shortly, but does not
think that he will be one who will be apt to maintain the
peace. Froward ministers may be the cause of untoward
answers, but he is certain that they dare not offend the Queen:
Found the Commendator cold enough when he would not yield
to his great anger and heat. The navy of England has given
great cause of misliking, seeing their open trading with the
enemy, but he has told the Commendator that this should be
remedied when the Merchant Adventurers had their free
passage granted.—Antwerp, 1 Feb. 1574. Signed. |
|
Endd. Marginal notes in Burghley's writing. Pp. 5. |
| Feb. 1. |
22. Advertisements from Antwerp. |
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1. The wardens of the watermen were lately committed to
the castle at Antwerp, being charged with being privy of the
Flushingers' enterprise. Some burgesses of the town were
lately taken upon suspicion of the late attempt by the only
authority of the Commendator, without the new Margrave's
knowledge. There came to Antwerp out of Spain from the
Catanes and D'Oren 50,000 crowns. Those of Arragon have
humbly requested the King Catholic to make his abode in
Arragon, offering him within five months 2,000,000 of gold,
but he is minded to lie at Barcelona, to make provision for
Italy. |
|
2. There is great means made in the courts of Spain and
the Emperor to grant the title of Grand Duke to the Duke of
Florence. The King Catholic makes great provision for
money, having stayed ships in all the ports from coming to
the Low Countries. |
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3. The Turk makes two armies for Italy, first to set upon
Sardinia, and then upon Malta, threatening all Christendom
with great insolence and pride. |
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4. The Duke of Ferrara makes all the means he can to be
King of Poland, and has offered 300,000 crowns to the French
King, and the Turk is well inclined to advance his desire. |
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5. There is a league for eight years between the Emperor
and the Turk. The Huguenots have got St. Gilles, in Languedcc, and are like to get Macon. There is small likelihood
of peace. |
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6. The Pope has written to the Princes Catholic to unite
their forces against the Turk. He has sent 4,000 footmen and
200 horsemen to the French King. Ambassadors are come out
of Poland to pray the King to leave his title to that realm, as
his subjects of Poland will not be governed by a lieutenant.—
1 Feb. 1574. |
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Enclosure. Pp. 12/3. |
| Feb. 12 & 13. |
23. State of Genoa. |
|
The old nobility remained well armed in their houses with
the foreign soldiers, and the new took arms with the people
openly in the streets. The former had determined to commence the attack in three days' time, which caused the others
to alter, so that there is a suspension of arms till Mid-Lent.
Up to this time the Seignory have had no power over either
party. Most of the galleys have been withdrawn. The
Seignory being divided is unable to punish anybody or take
any measures.—Genoa, 12 and 13 Feb. 1575. |
|
Fr. P. 2/3. |
| Feb. 13. |
24. Dr. Dale to Walsingham. |
|
Would God he had Cauriam with him for his disease! If it
be his pleasure will solicit him to come to him, for he doubts
he would not be so tenderly handled there as he was here.
Men would hardly believe this sudden marriage when it was
spoken of till the maiden was sent for herself. It is much
discoursed what the Queen Mother may think of it, for
although she may like the person well enough because she is
not like to take over much upon her, yet she may well doubt
what may become of the greatness of the Guises by this
affinity. She is the daughter of M. Vaudemont, uncle to the
Duke of Lorraine, and of the sister of the late Count of
Egmont. Has left the description of her person to Mr. Randolph, who did sit over against her when they were invited to
the Duke of Lorraine's; saw no singularity in her at that
time. Their matters of war are laid in water. Marshal
Bellegarde is withdrawn to Valence, M. Montpensier to his
own house. The King makes haste towards Paris to make
preparation for money. Cannot learn that the deputies are
come for any treaty of peace; they do not make any haste
unless they can make their bargain. The better men are
much encouraged with the departure of the King in this
manner from Dauphiny, being constrained to levy the siege
from such a petty tower as Livron. The jealousy of the Duke
and the King of Navarre is not yet quenched. The King
would not suffer them to lie in any house but where he lay,
were the lodging never so strait by the way. Prays to be
commended to Mrs. Walsingham, and commends Jacomo for
his diligence.—Rheims, — February. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. by Walsingham: "Dated the 13th of February."
Pp. 3. |
| Feb. 14. |
25. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. The matter of the King's marriage was suddenly blown
abroad as the King was in his voyage, and all men sent about
for preparation thereof. Who now but the Guises; in such
matches envy of equals breeds more enemies than the good
will of such personages can procure friends. She is by her
father joined to the House of Guise. Found no singularity
in her either of stature, personage, or beauty. Mr. Randolph
peradventure can better judge, for she sat over against him at
supper at Nancy. She was not at the Court at this time, nor
seen by the King since his being at Nancy. As the Queen
Mother loves to have none that would take over much upon
her, so may she have good cause not to wish the Guises to be
over great. |
|
2. News from Dauphiny and Languedoc is kept very secret.
Hears privately that they of the religion are entered again
into L'Oriol upon the Rhone, and that there has been a rencontre between the Duke D'Uzes and Danville, nothing to the
advantage of the Duke. The reiters are almost all sent away;
it is thought the King will do what he may by treaty of pacification. Understands from M. Montigny that other men
are of better courage than they were, either to stand to their
defence or make the betterba rgain. Sends the names of those
remaining here of the House of Guise. The maps of France
are very imperfect, therefore will be careful to express the
situation of such towns as are named by any occurrent
that shall happen. The King makes haste to Paris of
necessity to make money; men are occupied about the solemnities of the sacre and the marriage, so that it is no time
to deal with any of the suits. Bellegarde is withdrawn to
Valence in Dauphiny; Montpensier to his own house in
Poitou, and is now come to the Court et omnes sunt in hibernis
weary of wars, saving the Duke D'Uzes. It cannot be expressed how much these slender doings in Dauphiny and
Languedoe have touched the credit of the King with all Princes
of Christendom, and namely, that he was constrained to raise
the seige of that little town of Livron. The King cannot
suffer Monsieur and the Duke of Navarre to be out of his
house.—Rheims, 14 February 1574. Signed. |
|
3. P.S.—Prays him thank the Queen for forgiving him the
first-fruits. Would that it might stand with his leisure to
cause him to have a copy of the treaty of the precedence of
England and Castile. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 2½. |
| Feb. 14. |
26. Edward Woodshawe to Lord Burghley. |
|
Offers his services to surprise Boulogne or Calais. Could
with 10,000 men so besiege Calais that the French should
neither raise the siege or succour it with 100,000 men. If
it might please the Queen to send him into Spain with letters
to the King that he might have the leading and levying of
certain English gentleman and soldiers to go into Italy to
serve the King in his wars against the Turk he would make
further suit to have the King's commission to levy 300
soldiers in his country of Artois that they might be divided
amongst the English to train and lead them. He doubts
not to be able to obtain therewith letters to the Governor
here to aid him therein, and give him order to lodge the
men upon the frontiers near St. Omer. Instead of 300 men
he would levy 500 or 1,000 and having a commission from
her Majesty, upon the sudden declaring to them that she
made war upon the French King, and that same night they
would set upon the town of Boulogne and have all the
prisoners and spoil to themselves, no doubt but the greedy
Walloons will have such hearts that instead of climbing over
the walls they would fly over them. The same night the
English ships and men might enter the haven of Boulogne.
If he had deserved a thousand deaths he will come over to
England at Burghley's commandment. Has sundry times
broken with the ambassador according to Burghley's commandment of these and many other matters, who has required
him to ride with him to Dunkirk and then go to Gravelines
to desire M. de la Motte to come and confer with him. Has
written to M. de la Motte about Calais, who said he would
render the ambassador contented thereof. Has refused to
serve with Mr. Copley against the Prince. Recommends the
bearer to him who has so good experience in such politic
cases that he would be a fit instrument in the matter.
Desires that he will send him answer of his pleasure, for he
will be forced to travel into Spain to get order from the
King for the payment of 2,400 guilders that are owing to
him, for that he cannot long continue here. Hopes also to
obtain a pension to maintain him in his old age, as he has
better deserved it than any of all his countrymen in these
parts.—Antwerp, 14 Feb. 1574. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 4. |
| Feb. 16. |
27. Instructions for Thomas Wilkes sent to the Count
Palatine. |
|
1. Of late there has been earnest request made to the
Queen on behalf of the Prince of Condé, as well by his own
letters as by M. de Meru, that she would either lend a sum of
money or be respondent therefore to the Count Palatine with
condition to repay the same to her. Forasmuch as it has been
declared by the said M. de Meru, that by the imprest of this
money the Prince of Condé will be able to levy a force and
enter France and set at liberty the Marshal Montmorency,
the Duke of Alencon, and the King of Navarre, who are
reported to be restrained from their due liberty, and procure
freedom to the multitude of the professors of the religion in
France now persecuted to death, her Majesty has been moved
to have some regard as of a matter of great importance and
pertinent to her estate. The Queen being informed out of
France that the Prince has sent certain persons to the French
King to treat of peace is moved to be doubtful what were
expedient to be resolved therein, and has answered M. de Meru
that it behoves her to be more certainly informed what is
meant to be done by the Prince of Condé and his party. |
|
2. For this special purpose Wilkes is to repair in as secret
sort as he may to the Count Palatine, and after presenting
his letters of credit, declare that he is sent to him for
the causes above specified, and if it shall appear that the
Prince of Condé continues in his firm purpose to levy force,
then he shall require the Count Palatine to well consider of
this great matter not only in respect of the Prince of Condé,
but also of her Majesty and himself if they shall assent to
aid the Prince and the French with money and men. Herein
is to be considered whether the Prince and his party will be
able to withstand the French King's forces in continuance
of time, considering that it is very probable that they will
daily increase, whereas there is no cause to hope that the
party of religion will have means to increase their strength,
but rather by casualties and chances of war to diminish their
numbers. |
|
3. Secondly, whether after a long time spent in war the
Prince and his people may not be constrained to accept offers
of peace of less advantage than those they may now have
without war. Thirdly, whereas the Queen is now in peace
with the French King, by this aiding the Prince and his
party she may be justly challenged to have broken the peace.
He shall require the Palsgrave, as a prince of wisdom, to
consider of these three objections, and whether the Prince
and his party might not by treaty without outward force
obtain a reasonable peace at the French King's hands; and
hereunto the Queen is more earnestly disposed, because she is
informed that the French King is advised by his wisest
counsellors to yield to his subjects their reasonable demands,
both for exercise of religion and the restitution of the Princes
to liberty, moreover the death of the Cardinal of Lorraine,
who was the original counsellor of the troubles in France,
seems in the judgment of the wise much to further the
counsels for peace. If he shall perceive by conference with
the Count Palatine that there is no such assurance of an
accord to be had, he shall then require of him what he thinks
of the success that may follow the sending of a force with
the Prince, and what further help he has or hopes to have.
He shall further say to the Count Palatine that he is authorised, if other means cannot be found, to procure their safety
by accord; that if he shall find means to procure for the
Prince the sum of thousand crowns from the bankers,
that her Majesty will cause the same to be repaid at Frankford or Hamburg as soon as by means of her merchants it
can be done, by the end of September or October next. Her
Majesty thinks it expedient that the contract should be made
between the Count Palatine and the Prince of Condé and
his party for the repayment of the said sum, and that she
should have a bond from the Count Palatine that he will
pay over to her whatsoever he may receive. The French
may also be bound to him not to conclude peace or return
their forces out of France without the repayment of the
money lent, and also that the Count will be pleased to be
bound not to consent to any of these points without the
Queen being first made privy thereto. |
|
4. And for the execution hereof, upon the matters for this
loan being agreed upon he shall deliver to the Palatine a
second special letter by which the Queen signifies that she
will be respondent to him for a certain sum of money at
times and places to be accorded. Gives him instructions
as to the form in which he is to agree with the Count Palatine
for the repayment of the money. He is to make M. de Meru
acquainted with this negotiation. As the Queen would have
this matter as secretly used as may be, she would have the
occasion of his journey known to be as for the meeting with
Philip Sidney; yet when he shall come to the Count Palatine
he shall require him to let it be understood that his coming
is about a certain horrid damnable book lately made in
Germany, entitled against Moses, Christ, and Mahomet, and
to require him that the same may be condemned and punished
as so unspeakable and devilish attempt may be vanquished
and surpressed. |
|
Rough draft with erasures and corrections by Burghley.
Endd.: 16 Feb. 1574. Pp. 11. |
|
28. Another copy in Burghley's writing.
Endd. Pp. 13. |
|
29. Another copy corrected by Burghley.
Endd. Incomplete. Pp. 2. |
| Feb. 18. |
30. The Earl of Morton to the Privy Council of
England. |
|
Whereas the eldest son of the Lord Carlile died last year
leaving an only daughter, six years old as his heretrix, in
the custody of her grandsire; the same daughter was soon
after stolen away from her grandsires dwelling-place by her
father's brother and one Adam Carlile of Bredekirk, a notorious thief, and carried into England and secretly kept there.
She is presently in the custody of Lord Scrope, whom he
desires may be commanded to restore her to whomsoever may
be appointed to receive her.—Holyrood House, 17 Feb. 1574. |
|
Endd. P. 1. |
| Feb. 20. |
31. Dr. Wilson to Lord Burghley. |
|
1. Trusts that he understands his disliking of the late
answer given by the Commendator touching the merchants,
which opinion he delivered to him in writing. Thinks that
they must yield of necessity. |
|
2. Ernestly called on the Commendator for the banishment
of the rebels, who, notwithstanding his promise, still remain.
He answered that when the accord was made for the merchants passage the rebels should be banished. On his saying
that he could not trust the English because they were of the
same religion as his master's rebels, Wilson asked him if he
could not trust the Queen, to which he answered that though
he could not trust the Council yet he could the Queen, because he hoped to see her one day Catholic against whose
knowledge and will many things were done in England.
Wilson told him that no law can stay all lewdness as might
appear by the Low Countries. "Nay (quoth he) where
heretics govern nothing can be well done, neither is there
any trusting of them; and here began a hot dispute betwixt
us which religion was better, he condemning mine and I
condemning his; and I told him that this advantage I had of
him, that I had read the writers of his religion and he had
read none of mine, and here I offered to send unto him our
service and order of prayer and administration of the Sacraments set forth in Latin, with the apology of the same
religion also in Latin, but he utterly refused to read any
such books. I told him it was strange for him to condemn
the religion of England before he did know it. Nay (quoth
he) it is enough that the Church doth condemn England, et
extra ecclesiam non est salus. That's well said (quoth I) if it
be well understood, and so I told him that the Church was
everywhere not only in Rome; and where two or three were
gathered together in the name of Christ, there was the
Church, be it in France, Flanders, Spain, England, or elsewhere in the whole wide world. Well (quoth he) I have
sent to Rome for absolution from his Holiness for talking
with such as you are. It needed not (quoth I) for you
will not learn, and therefore you have received no harm by
me." |
|
3. The Commendator told him that M. Boischot should be
sent into England only to deliver letters, but that if the
Queen would send an ambassador resident that he was well
assured that the King would send the like, and wished that
he whom the Queen should send might be a Catholic. Wilson
told him what answer he had received from the Procurator
Fiscal in the behalf of the English merchants, and how he
had refused to put his hand to the bill. Forwards letters
from Lille from one Thomas Crewes. Richard Thomson of
York, who minded to come into England, went no further than
Dunkirk and then returned to Brussels. On the 17th instant
eight were hanged here and five beheaded, being charged with
consenting to the conspiracy against this town and some of them
only for concealing words spoken, and all were condemned and
judged in the Castle and not in the ordinary place of justice,
nor by the common course of law, but by certain deputies
from the Commendator. The Commendator has sent word
to the Countess of Egmont that his master granted to her
the Count of Egmont's lands. This is thought to be done
because the Lady Vaudemont, now the French King's wife,
was daughter to Count Egmont's sister. It is hard to say
what will follow touching the peace here, some reporting that
the Prince will have the exercise of religion, others saying
that he refers this matter to the Estates of Holland and
Zealand, and that he desires only a recompense for the faithful service he has done to the King, and the great loss which
he has suffered by the Spanish government. Told the Commendator that he greatly marvelled that the Queen's offer
was not accepted; who answered that he desired rather the
Queen's power against the Prince than any intercession for
agreement, and hereupon he took occasion to speak of the
Queen's letter in Mr. Lane's behalf, of which offer he made
very little account. It is said that King Philip has caused
Oran to be utterly defaced. Is greatly beholden to the
Marquis Vitelli, who as he is very wise so he mislikes the
Spanish government. If a man may be trusted upon his
word, he is very well affected to do the Queen any service
he can.—Antwerp, 20 Feb. 1574. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 3⅓. |
| Feb. 26. |
32. Dr. Dale to the Duke of Alençon and the Council. |
|
Demands a further discussion upon and examination of the
causes of the English merchants, for that nothing that was in
the demands has been touched upon in the answers returned
to him. Urges the claims on the ground of the special and
particular privileges granted by King Henry [the Second],
and also that thereby the Queen's subjects may be encouraged
to traffic in France. |
|
Copy. Endd. Lat. P. 1. |
