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| Dec. 1. |
478. News from Strasbourg. |
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On the 25th Nov. the Prince of Condé and M. de Meru
departed towards Heidelburg to take their leave of the
Count Palatine. They look for all the army to be assembled
at the rendezvous near Phalsbourg or Tryckestine castle by
the 17th inst. To comfort the Queen Mother and the King
that their motion for a truce might be like to take place,
the Duke Casimir has sent 7,000 reiters into the countries
adjoining Tryckestine castle, which are mostly the King's, to
remain till the rest be gathered together. The French forces
who begin to come to the rendezvous are many, from Sedan,
Lorraine, and other places where they have lain hidden.
There are 2,000 reiters sent to conduct hither the Princes'
Switzers, whom the Duke of Longueville will try to hinder
passing through his countries.—Strasbourg, 1 Dec. 1575. |
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Endd. P. 1. |
| [Dec. 3.] |
479. Henry III. of France to the Queen. |
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Does not think that she will take it amiss that a Prince
of a house that has been and is still friendly to her should
wish to show his devoted affection to her service. If it
please her he will come that she may have personal knowledge of him. For his own part he will be so obliged that
she can have no one more desirous to show good will to her
than himself—Paris. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Holograph. Fr. P. 1. |
| Dec. 3. |
480. Catherine de Medicis to the Queen. |
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Makes her excuses for not answering the letter sent her
through the Sieur de la Mothe Fenelon. Was glad to hear
the honourable language she used to him respecting her. Her
two sons are agreed in desiring a favourable answer to what
they so much desire, and she assures her that it is the
greatest wish of her heart to be called before she die the
mother of so wise a princess. She will understand further
by the Sieur de la Porte, a gentleman about the person of her
son. Is using her best endeavours to promote the peace of
the kingdom.—Poilly, 3 December 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd. Holograph. Fr. P. 1. |
| Dec. 3. |
481. Duke of Montmorency to Lord Burghley. |
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Beseeches him to use his good offices to further the negotiation of the Sieur de la Porte for the Duke of Alençon, it
being a matter which so nearly touches the well being and
union of the two kingdoms.—Poitiers, 3 December 1575.
Signed. |
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Add., with seal. Endd. Fr. P. 1. |
| Dec. 3. |
482. Duke of Montmorency to Walsingham. |
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Knowing his good will to the welfare of both kingdoms,
he requests him to aid to the utmost of his power the negotiations of M. de la Porte. — Poitiers, 3 December 1575.
Signed. |
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Add., with seal. Endd. Fr. P. 1. |
| Dec. 4. |
483. Catherine de Medicis to Walsingham. |
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Begs him continue his good offices to further the marriage of her son with the Queen. Has given charge to the
Sieur de la Porte to declare to him how much she will be
bounden to him in this matter.—Poitiers, 4 December 1575.
Signed. |
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Holograph postcript to the same effect. Add. Endd. Fr.
P. 1. |
| Dec. 4. |
484. Robert Corbet to Lord Burghley. |
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The Commendator seems to be somewhat more inclined
to the Queen's good motion than before. There is great fear
which way the reiters will march that come to the service
of the Prince of Condé, who are already at Mezieres. There
is a noise amongst the Spaniards in the Court that the Queen
levies certain thousands of men for Holland. There is also
news amongst them that certain ensigns of Scots be arrived
in Holland, and that the Hollanders stamp their money with
the arms of the King of Scots entitling him Count of Holland;
this news a holy Franciscan friar brought. The Spanish
ships be arrived in Dunkirk. Instead of 5,000 soldiers besides
mariners there are but 700 in all, and most of them sick and
out of heart. The number of vessels is 32, very evil appointed.
Is sending to Mr. Hastings. Encloses news.—Antwerp,
4 Dec. 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1⅓. |
| Dec. 4. |
485. Advices. |
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The nobles and governors were here at the day appointed
and were daily in Council, and are to depart every one to his
quarter and abiding. The Estates of Artois and Flanders upon
the demand of money have deferred their resolution until such
time as they of Brabant have granted whereof Louvain,
Brussels, and Bois-le-Duc have refused to provide any. They
of Antwerp have made grant of their part upon condition to
be deducted from it certain monies and charges disbursed by
them during these troubles. It is reported that all Almains
having charge here shall be discharged with their men. News
came this morning from Zerickzee that all the piles and posts
driven in to stop the entrance have been by the violence of
weather borne away. Certain countrymen being let out of
the town were examined by Mondragon, and declared those
within to have plenty of all things. On Thursday there came
40 sail of Gueux to a place called Viane. All soldiers are
commanded to go to their ancients. It is reported that the
league between the Emperor and the Turk is continued for
five years. The reiters march forward still, and the Count
Palatine levies certain number of footmen to send after them. |
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Enclosure. Pp. 12/3. |
| Dec. 4. |
486. Philip II. to the Corregidor of Biscay. |
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Passport for Sir Henry Cobham, ambassador from the Queen
of England.—Pardo, 4 Dec. 1575. Signed and countersigned
by Juan Delgado. |
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Endd. Span. P. ½. |
| Dec. 7. |
487. Henry Mason to Lord Burghley. |
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Being sent for by the Grand Commendator for the passing of certain accounts touching his office of commissioner for
the victuals for the King's camp and army, by sea and land
in Holland, he chanced to find this bringer, William Winter,
an ancient acquaintance. After dinner, and sundry conferences had between them, they by solemn oath promised one
another to be secret and true. Has long desired to employ
his service in all secret means according to Burghley's pleasure, which, if he accepts, he desires he will send back the
messenger with all speed with such advice and instructions
as he shall find good, when he will be ready to "frequent"
his Lordship with all such occurrences as shall be most convenient to be discovered for the benefit of her Majesty and
her country. Whereas he employs Edward Woodshawe and
others they are by their own folly and negligence known,
wherefore he desires that no man may perceive that they
have any intelligence together, which to avoid he begs he
will confer with this bringer, for the ill behaviour and
prattling of the English merchants here mars all, as also
Burghley's sending letters to their Governor to be conveyed to Woodshawe is blown abroad, and openly manifested
to the ears of the Court. Humbly requests him to keep
his letters secret, as there be some lurking about him who
advertise the "Louvainists" of almost all such matters.
Woodshawe is nothing secret in such affairs. Has been
told by John Fowler, and other "Louvainists," that certain
of Woodshawe's letters have been intercepted and sent to
the Court, where he has been called to expound them.
Doubts not but that he is enough advertised of the
occurrents daily passing in these parts between the King and
the Prince of Orange. The Spaniards have suffered great
losses, and the Commendator has been obliged to send reinforcements, nevertheless by these last exploits the Prince has
lost above 300,000 florins a month, which he was wont to
levy of those villages and lands which now are under
the King's subjection. The Prince has too many traitors
about him, who are corrupted with money, for the King
having sold the princedom of Salerno in Italy to Nicholo
Grimaldi, for 9,000,000 ducats, the money being sent here
is most part employed in these enterprises. Also there
was taken last January between Arnheim and Nimeguen,
a gentleman with a packet of letters, amongst which was
a letter of credence from the Prince of Orange to his brother
the Earl John of Nassau, which letter being written at
large, and referring to the said messenger, declared particularly all the force, estate, means, and hope of the Prince
of Orange and his adherents. The letter being about four
sheets of paper contained all his secrets, "imploring" the
death of his brother Ludovic, uttering the estate of himself
and the country, their force by sea and land, how many
ships, how and in what manner he levied money, what were
his charges, and also the extraordinary costs of keeping men
in his behalf in the Courts of England, France, and other
Princes; also how long he was able to hold out, but much
complaining of the inconstancy of the people of the Low
Countries, their dogged nature, and unruly manner, which is
most true, for there is not a viler or wickeder nation in the
world, full of all murmuration, rebellion, and disobedience,
without God's fear and of mischievous tongues, "and certainly
take their tongues from them we take their chiefest weapons,
and are men so long as the drink is in their heads, otherwise
not." Moreover, the Prince incited his brother to use all
endeavours for his aid amongst the Princes of Germany and
the Prince of Condé, with levy of certain reiters to come into
Friesland to draw the King's forces into those parts, so that
he might the quieter succeed in Holland and Zealand.
The said prisoner being committed to Mason's charge for
48 hours he got privily a copy of the said letter. Judges
that the prisoner after being examined and tortured was
privily put to death. This was the chief occasion why the
treaty of peace took no place, for by the advertisements in
the Prince's letter were practised these last enterprises.
Since these last victories the Spaniards vaunt sore upon
England, and the English "Louvainists" are not behind in
such matters. Minds in him to advertise him of their
practices. Advises him to take regard of the Isle of
Sheppey and Gillingham, as he has heard divers discourses about them. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Copley have
sent one Lewis to view the havens from Dover to Lynn.
Hopes to send a copy of the propositions and answers
made at the conference of the Estates and nobles. On the
fourth they all returned to their places and governments.
The Court here is advertised of a secret levy of 4,000
Englishmen, which come over to aid the Prince under Mr.
Chester, Morgan, and others. There is great provision made
for the wars at Antwerp, and a number of ships and galleys
building in different places. Sends an "estate" of all officers
in these Low Countries. Has just been sent for to the
Court, and understands for certain that all the nobles and
Estates are appointed to meet at Mons on the 10th inst.,
where shall be treated absolutely upon the answer to the
Grand Commendator. |
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2. Encloses a list of all the councillors and civil and military officers of the King of Spain in the Low Countries.—
Antwerp, 7 Dec. 1575. Signed. |
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Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 9½. |
| Dec. 8. |
488. Dr. Dale to Lord Burghley. |
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1. Each man is in expectation of others' doings here. The
King hearkens what the Queen Mother will do with Monsieur,
and what they of Bourges and Angouleme will do. The
Queen Mother is always in doubt of the persuasion of those
that are about the King. They send daily to hear what is
done by the reiters and them of the religion, and the contrary
side are all in care of the practices that may be wrought
with Monsieur and the reiters. The King has made no preparation, but trusted only to practices, by reason whereof he
is more like to be taken unprovided. It is thought things
are bent to little quietness. The reiters are about Verdun to
see if they can get that town. — Paris, 8 December 1575.
Signed. |
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2. P.S. (Partly in cipher.) Has taken order to hear from
the Duke of Alençon, who has sent his token to him. |
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Add. Endd. P. ¾. |
| Dec. 8. |
489. Dr. Dale to [Sir Thomas Smith and Walsingham]. |
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Since his last despatch the King has ratified the truce, and
proclaimed it openly in this town, in such a slender manner
as appears by the Edict. The King sent la Chastre to Bourges
to persuade them to receive Monsieur, giving very large commission to the Queen Mother and Montpensier to constrain
them, and them of Angouleme by force if they would not
receive him willingly. These things despatched, the King
went a hunting, though he is wont very seldom so to do, as
one assuring himself of quietness for this winter, and as he
was coming home he received letters from Germany that the
reiters approached near France, and would not be stayed by
the truce. Whereupon the Council was assembled, and
couriers despatched to stay the delivery of the towns to Monsieur till further order. Biron was sent back to the Queen
Mother, and the truce concluded to be broken off. The next
day it was resolved to try whether Monsieur might be severed
from the Prince of Condé, and therefore the King sent to
ask if he would be content to stand to the truce for his part;
if he would, the King would perform his agreement although
he remained in war with the Prince of Condé. The King
was put in hope by Schomberg that the Germans would be
won with money, so there were 7,000 francs appointed for them,
the one half to be paid out of hand. The Queen Mother
put the King in hope that both Monsieur and the malcontents
would be satisfied if her agreement were put in execution.
Forasmuch as Bourges would not be induced thereunto she was
of opinion that Monsieur should have Poictiers. So it was
thought she would have delivered it to him, for since she has
travailed so far to make an agreement between her sons she
cannot satisfy herself without bringing it to pass. While
these things were in doing, news came to the King again
that the reiters approached and would not be stayed, and
that the forces of Danville and the Viscount of Turenne
marched towards Monsieur saying they would come near the
King, and not treat of any peace till they came to Bourg-laReine, within two leagues of Paris. Upon this it was concluded that the money appointed for the reiters should be
made ready to save the King, if the reiters would not be
stayed, and garrisons to be put in Montereau-faut-Yonne,
Corbeil, Pont Charenton, and St. Cloud to stop the passages,
and the Duke of Burgundy to depart with speed to his
government in Burgundy. There is continual practice to
corrupt the reiters, and the King is put in good hope that in time
they will be won with money. The King has sent Monsieur
such money as is grown due to him since his departure, with
commission to take order for the payment both of his revenue hereafter, and also for such other money as shall be
due to him by this latter agreement. The Queen Blanche has
departed homewards, her father was fain to send her money.
The Marshal de Retz waits upon her, and it is said he must
lend her 10,000 crowns at the King's request. The Queen
Mother remains still at Poitiers; she has sent La Chastre, La
Mothe, and one of the captains of the guard to treat with
Monsieur anew for a general pacification. Hears of John
Furrier's arrival in Spain. This day is a proclamation made
to command men to bring their victuals out of the country to
Paris, and that all men in Paris should have victuals in store
for three months. Has had advertisement from the camp of
the Duke of Alençon that it is taken there that the truce is
clean broken off, and Monsieur is departed from the Queen
Mother, she knows not whither nor to what end. Therefore
she has sent La Mothe and La Chastre after him. Bussy and
D'Amboise is in Saumur for Monsieur. |
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Pp. 2½. Enclosure. |
| Dec. 10. |
490. M. de Boissot to the Queen. |
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The necessity of this present way, has compelled them to
follow the ordinary method of stopping the commerce and
traffic with the enemy, of imposing some subsidy in order to
support their excessive charges. Considering the great complaints made to them by Mr. Rogers they think that her
subjects must have aggravated their accusations to her, and
made out the worst in order to throw blame upon them. Do
not doubt but that she will support and aid them in maintaining themselves against those who seek to engulf all
professors of that religion of which she is the protectrix.—
Middleburg, 10 Dec. 1575. Copy. |
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Endd. Fr. Pp. 22/3. |
