|
| [1576.] |
1122. Affairs of the Low Countries. |
|
The government of the Spaniards being so odious to the
inhabitants of the Low Countries, they ought not to receive
Don John on any account, as he has been brought up in the
Spanish fashion. He is besides by blood illegitimate, young
and inexperienced, and not worthy of the obedience of the
nobility, nor of sufficient quality to negotiate with the neighbouring princes on affairs of state. He is besides arrogant
and choleric, and has more crafty speech than judgment. He
cannot withdraw the foreign soldiers without paying them,
which he is unable to do without the aid of the States, who
can with great difficulty pay their own people; besides which
they are not bound to pay their enemy's soldiers, who have
burnt and pillaged their towns and massacred and outraged
the inhabitants. By giving this money they would moreover
confess that they were in the wrong, and rebels, and encourage them to return. The only safe method of getting rid of
the foreign soldiers is to drive them out by force, for which
purpose the Prince of Orange should be instructed to form a
camp, and should be furnished with a sufficient supply of
money. As for Don John, he can return to Italy among his
Spaniards. An embassy should be sent to the Emperor
begging him to send one of his brothers to govern them,
which would bring the Princes of Germany over to their side. |
|
Fr. Pp. 3¾. |
| 1576. |
1123. Affairs of the Low Countries. |
|
Manner in which the States should act towards Don John
of Austria. They should plainly declare that the King has
treated them so tyrannically that he has forfeited his
sovereignty over them, which has reverted to the judgment of
the Chamber of the Empire. However, as all has happened
rather by bad counsel that through the proper inclination of
his Majesty, affairs may be set straight again by agreement.
First, that Don John shall immediately make the Spaniards
give up all they have stolen, release their prisoners, and quit
the country. That he shall punish capitally the chiefs and
authors of this tyrannical oppression, namely, Hieronimo
Rodas, Sancho Davila, Alonzo de Vargas, Julian Romero, and
others. That all castles which do not serve for fortresses
against the external enemy shall be demolished or placed in
the hands of the States. That all that has been done by the
said States shall be considered legitimate. That their privileges shall be confirmed and amplified so as for the future to
exclude any sort of tyranny. That the States General may
assemble when they consider it necessary. That no Spaniards
shall be employed in any office whatsoever in the Low
Countries. That the Council of State shall be abolished and
replaced by one which shall be nominated by the States of
the country. That the King, his successors, or Governors, contravening any of the said privileges their sovereignty shall be
forfeited, and the people of the country shall be at liberty to
govern themselves by the form of a republic with a head or
otherwise as they shall think best, or to choose another
sovereign. On these conditions they will receive Don John
as their Governor, and lay down their arms. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 1¼. |
|
1124. Another copy of the above. Incomplete. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 1½. |
|
1125. Remonstrance of the Town of Antwerp to the
States General. |
|
1. The outrages and violence of the Spaniards have reached
such a height that it would be preferable to suffer a thousand
deaths rather than to endure such barbarous tyranny any
longer, they therefore express their intention of hazarding
their lives and fortunes for its suppression, for which purpose
the concurrence and assistance of all will be necessary. The
first and principal matter for consideration is the collection of
money, and the prevention of its misapplication. It has been
the custom for the companies to be paid as of full, whereas the
numbers are much fewer than those in the roll, which has caused
great disorders and weakness, and consequent discouragement
to the people to contribute money. Therefore a common
fund should be established in the Chambre des Finances out of
which all payments connected with the war should be made.
A nobleman of the country should be appointed with the
title of Grand Master of the Chevaliers Belgiques, to whom
the supreme control of the management of the war should be
entrusted. The States should also choose with his advice a
nobleman in each province to command the soldiers therein,
with the title of Master of the Chevaliers in the province.
Also each province should appoint a commissary to see to the
payment of the soldiers of the appointed contingent; as for
example, Brabant should furnish 6,000 foot and 2,000 horse,
wherefore the States should appoint him pay for two regiments of foot and 10 cornets of cavalry. Those numbers
should be made up of those who are already in the service,
and of those with whom they may enter into agreement, who
are to engage to have their companies full, having 300 in the
infantry, and in the cornets 200, of whom 150 to have lances
and 50 carbines. They are to agree with the captains if
possible for about 10 per cent., and after they come under
military discipline they are to be paid every month so that
the villagers may not be molested. When lodging in the
villages the soldiers are to be content with bread and cheese
and butter, and not to forage. To Antwerp should be assigned
4,000 foot and 1,000 cavalry, whose entertainment would
amount to 50,000 florins a month, and the other 3,000 should
be distributed among the other towns of Brabant, and of the
whole 8,000, 2,000 foot and 1,000 horse should be placed in
garrison, which would leave 5,000 for the field. Each town
should contribute according to its means, so as not to trench
upon the regular revenues of the Chamber of Finances. By
doing the like in the other provinces an army of 25,000 or
30,000 men would be provided for service in the field, which,
with the garrisons, would make more than 80,000 men. Furthermore, the merchants could exercise their traffic, and the
country people cultivate their fields and so be able to pay
their contributions and rents; the occasions of revolts and
mutinies would be removed, and respect and friendship
established between the soldiery and the townspeople, and
other republics and princes seeing their good order and
power will be desirous of their amity. The only controversy
being that of religion will be easily settled, as they all agree
in not allowing the Inquisition, and the Swiss, though of
different religions, agree very well with one another. It is
more profitable to furnish 100 crowns for a brief and satisfactory end of the matter than a single one to maintain a long
and dangerous war, besides they do not seek to injure anyone,
but only to deliver themselves from tyrannical oppression.
Also it is merely avarice to spare their goods in such a holy
cause. |
|
2. If they yield to the enemy it will be to their certain
destruction, whilst the sake of their wives and families demands
resistance, and therefore they ought to take up arms trusting
in the justice of their cause. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 1¼. |
|
1126. Affairs of the Low Countries. |
|
Points to be considered concerning the sending of Don John
of Austria to the Low Countries for the purpose of bringing
about a pacification, especially in sending some one in advance
to test the temper of the Estates and to communicate with
Rodas and other Spanish governors and officers. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 2¼. |
|
1127. Affairs of the Low Countries. |
|
Commencement of a political discourse having for its object
the justification of the Queen of England's motives in taking
into her protection the united provinces of the Low Countries. |
|
Incomplete. Endd. P. 1. |
| [1576.] |
1128. Affairs of the Low Countries. |
|
List of the governors of the 17 provinces of the Netherlands, and of the different frontier towns. |
|
Endd. Fr. P. 1½. |
| [1576.] |
1129. Pacification of Guienne and Languedoc. |
|
1. Secret articles agreed on between the Queen Mother and
the King of Navarre, the Prince of Condé, and the gentlemen
of the pretended reformed religion. First, that the Edict of
pacification should be put in execution by the 1st of March
next at the latest in Guienne, and by the 1st of April in
Languedoc, and all acts of hostility to cease forthwith. For
assurance to the carrying out of the said Edict certain
places shall be delivered to the King of Navarre to be kept
by him till the last day of August next. That the inhabitants of the said places shall be protected in the enjoyment of
their religious and civil rights during the said occupation of
six months, and that persons favourable to peace shall be
appointed as governors, and to prevent any extortion or
oppression of the inhabitants during the said six months the
Queen promises to pay 36,000 livres Tournois to the King of
Navarre. The King of Navarre and his party solemnly swear
to deliver up the said places without delay or subterfuge and
the end of the said term. In like manner all places belonging
to the King of Navarre are to be restored to him. |
|
2. The difficulties in the way of pacification consist of four
articles:— |
|
1. The demand for the free exercise of religion throughout France. |
|
2. On the administration of justice. |
|
3. The demand to retain 59 strong places for six years. |
|
4. A general amnesty for all crimes and offences since the
publication of the Edict. |
|
3. The Queen Mother points out the great inconvenience
of granting the said demands, which would merely encourage
evil men and assassins to persist in their iniquities, and
further contrasts all the evils which would be brought on the
country by a continuance of the war with the advantages
that a pacification would secure. |
|
Endd. Ital. Pp. 8¼. |
| [1576 ?] |
1130. Certain Doubts resolved by La Personne. |
|
1. What means have the Prince of Condé and the King of
Navarre to sustain the cost of the war? |
|
They have three general receipts, Montpellier, Nismes, and
Agen; several particular receipts, the ecclesiastical goods they
have seized, the salt pans of Aiguesmortes and Rochelle, rights
of Admiralty, &c. Languedoc offers 100,000 livres by the
month, which could be increased, and similar contributions
could be had from Dauphiny, Gascony, Perigord, and Poitou,
now that the war is diverted from these countries. |
|
4. What contribution can they give to Duke Casimir for
levy of forces? |
|
There are 80,000 crowns derived from Languedoc, and procuration for the sale of salt to the value of 100,000 crowns. |
|
3. How many men can Duke Casimir promise, and when
will he enter France? |
|
10,000 horse, two regiments of Swiss, one regiment of
lansquenets, and as many harquebussiers of Lorraine, Walloons,
and Liege as he can get. |
|
4. How much will Duke Casimir require for the levy of his
army, and for the beginning and continuation of the peace? |
|
For the Enrichgelt and the first month's pay he would need
200,000 crowns. If the Queen would lend 100,000 crowns,
Duke Casimir promises his army will wait till they obtain
their further payment from the King. |
|
5. What assurance is there that Duke Casimir will remain
till the conclusion of a satisfactory peace, and that he will
repay the money advanced by the Queen? |
|
He is determined not to leave the country till all his claims
be satisfied, and he will make no peace that be not approved
by the Queen. |
|
6. On what grounds is it promised that he shall be met in
France by 500 horsemen and 4,000 footmen under the command of a general of distinction? |
|
He knows well the number of men that would come, for in
Orleans, Brittany, Normandy, Picardy, Champagne, and Burgundy there are several nobles animated to their cause, and
concerning the general he already has news of him. |
|
7. How, after he has made his entry, will the Prince of
Condé and the King of Navarre be able to victual towns and
strongholds and journey after him with 10,000 footmen and
2,000 horse? |
|
The forces of the King being diverted by Duke Casimir, the
towns will need not such strong garrisons, and the 20,000
men they and their allies have will be enough to make
garrisons, obtain victual from the fertile places, and provide
10,000 men to join him. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 2. |
| [1576?] |
1131. Exactions levied on English Merchants at Rochelle and Bordeaux. |
|
1. They pay at Bordeaux 8s. sterling upon every tun of
wine, and 12 on every tun of prunes and honey for convoy,
whereas they never have or had any convoy over or above
the ancient customs. |
|
2. Over and above the ancient customs there has been
exacted at Bordeaux these two years past three sous upon
every tun for anchorage, being a thing they never formerly
paid. |
|
3. Whereas by the ancient privileges of Rochelle all goods
which have once paid the duty of druggery at their first
landing might be transported afterward to any other place
free of charge, now the farmers of the customs at Rochelle
exact a sou upon every crown of the value of the goods. |
|
4. There is exacted at this present in the river of Charente 20s. upon every tun of wine. |
|
5. Time out of mind they have been free to sell to any
person coming to their warehouses, but now the townsmen
of Rochelle have made an act that they shall sell no goods
but to themselves, wherein they combine to the beating done
of their price at their own pleasure. |
|
6. Of late the merchants' servants of London and other
places have been compelled to contributed towards the
King's charges as if they were burgesses, some 10l., some
7l. 10s., some 5l. |
|
7. The goods of merchants dying are seized by droit
d'Aubaine, contrary to the treaty of 1572. |
|
8. The French King having ordered a chamber for hearing
suits betwixt Protestants and Papists, they pray to be admitted to the benefit thereof, which hitherto has been denied
them. |
|
9. From all these grievances they desire to be freed. |
|
Endd. Pp. 1½. |
| [1576.] |
1132. Petition of English Merchants trafficking with Spain. |
|
That they may be allowed the same liberties for traffic in
Spain as the King's subjects have in England, and that they
may not be obliged to go only to the ports of Corunna and
Baiona in Galicia, but may be suffered to go to such others
as may be convenient. They also desire that certain other
restrictions about sending in inventories of their goods and
oppressive charges may be relaxed. Also that they may not
be interfered with in the exercise of religion on board their
vessels, nor forced to attend the Roman Catholic churches.
That no accused person shall be sent to prison on providing
good security for his appearance. That persons charged
before the Inquisition shall be confronted with their accusers,
who in event of not substantiating their charge shall be
fined 200 ducats, part of which to go towards the releasing
Christian slaves from captivity, and the rest to person who
has been falsely accused. That they shall be allowed to store
their merchandise in houses hired by themselves. |
|
Endd. Ital. Pp. 4⅓. |
| 1576. |
1133. The Queen to the Elector Palatine. |
|
Letter of credence for Christopher Hoddesdon and Edward
Castelyn to receive the sum of 50,000 crowns at the approaching mart at Frankfort. |
|
Copy. Endd. Lat. P. 1. |
|
1134. Loan in Germany. |
|
Form of bond on the part of the city of London to secure
the repayment of the sum of 100,000 dollars to be advanced
by the city of Cologne. |
|
Rough draft. Endd. Lat. Pp. 3. |
| [1576.] |
1135. Loan in Germany. |
|
Authority for Mr. Hoddesdon and Edward Castelyn to
receive from the Count Palatine 50,000 crowns due by
virtue of an obligation bearing date at Heidelberg 23 July
1575. |
|
Draft. Endd. P. 2/3. |
| 1576. |
1136. English Ships taken by the Flushingers. |
|
Note of English ships taken and brought into Flushing
during 1575 and 1576. |
|
Endd. Much injured by damp. Pp. 1¼. |
| 1576. |
1137. The Holy League. |
|
Copy of verses in commendation of the League. |
|
Endd. Ital. Pp. 4. |
| 1576. |
1138. The King of Morocco to the Queen. |
|
Letter in Arabic. |
|
Endd.: Received 16 Oct. 1576. P. 1. |
| [1576.] |
1139. The King of Morocco to the Queen. |
|
Letter in Portuguese. |
|
Endd.: "Translation of the King of Morocco, his letter
to her Majesty delivered by his ambassador, 20 August at
Nonsuch 1576." P. 1. |
| 1576. |
1140. Affairs on the Borders. |
|
Copy of a letter from her Majesty to the Regent. |
|
1. The Laird of Ferniehurst having been stayed on the
Borders by order of her Privy Council has delivered to Sir
John Forster certain writings tending to the acknowledging
of his obedience to the King of Scots and the Regent, whereof
she sends a copy herewith. Her meaning is not to make
any further intercession for him, only she desires the Regent
to consider what prejudice might grow to the present state
of quiet by his repair into France. |
|
2. Has been informed that "Surleboy, one of the Owtyles,"
is making a gathering of men to aid her rebels in Ireland,
she requires the Regent to take order that he be not suffered
in this his enterprise. [25 June 1574.] |
|
— to Edmund Grindall, Bishop of London. |
|
On Christmas eve her Majesty signed the Conge d'Elire
to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury for choosing him
Archbishop, and it is greatly hoped that he will be a profitable
instrument in that calling, especially in removing the corruptions in the Court of Faculties, which is one of the greatest
abuses which remains in the Church of England. Wishes
him to repair hither to consult with some of his brethren
how some part of the Romish dregs remaining—offensive
to the godly may be removed. [Dec. 1575.] |
|
— to — |
|
Will solicit the Queen for his Lordship's allowances. The
truce in France is now quite broken off. Thinks ere the end
of January he will hear of the town of Paris being besieged.
If the Prince of Condé shall quail, which is greatly feared,
the religion in France shall be quite overthrown, and then
might England say, farewell quietness! [Jan. 1576.] |
|
[Walsingham] to [Sir Robert Constable]. |
|
1. Has received the packet he last sent him directed from
the Regent. |
|
2. Has dealt with the Lord Treasurer for the payment of
the soldiers. |
|
3. Her Majesty has yielded to sign the warrant for his
imprest of 200li, which he will cause to be performed with
as much speed as may be, but supposes he is not ignorant
how slow they are here in those cases. The Lord Governor
has allowed him 40s. a week towards the maintenance of
his table, but the Queen means to deal with him for a greater
portion, considering it but a poor help in respect of the burden
he bears through his absence. [1576.] |
|
[Walsingham to the Regent of Scotland.] |
|
Has received his letter of 14 Dec. Will not fail to advertise
him when the time shall be apt for Nicholas Elphinstone's
coming. Lord Scrope has made very honourable report of
his Grace's proceedings on the Borders. Is sorry that Sir
John Forster has yielded no redress to the Scottish complaints. A couple of ministers of the Prince of Orange are
daily looked for with very large offers to her Majesty. [Feb.
1576.] |
|
[Walsingham] to — |
|
His letters to Killegrew will be safely conveyed to him
who a few days before Christmas departed towards Cornwall.
Forwards a packet from Lady Lennox. [1576.] |
|
Pp. 4. |
| [1576.] |
1141. Remembrances. |
|
Rough disconnected notes relating to the Border matters. |
|
Endd.: "At Newark upon Trent at the sign of the Eagle,
the Earl of Rutland. Remembrances." P. 2/3. |
|
1142. Petition of Sir Valentine Browne. |
|
1. Endorsed, "To be discharged of 2,000li charged upon him
in anno quinto reginœ which he never had or received. |
|
2. "Likewise of 733li 6s then abridged from him for losses
and wages, notwithstanding that by his service that year he
gained 5,968li, which he answered to her Majesty his declaration that he ought to be allowed the premises by her Majesty's
warrants, and that upon his former petitions and information
thereof by the Lords her Highness did grant the allowance of
the same. |
|
3. "To have allowance for certain carriages and ministers,
attending by the appointment of the Earl of Sussex with the
army into Scotland anno 12mo after the late rebellion upon the
great ordnance, victuals, and treasure. The like for his expenses and charges supplying the room of the Governor of
Berwick by the space of 77 weeks. |
|
4. "For losses sustained by the said rebels taking away
of certain provisions of her Majesty's store and otherwise. |
|
5. "For a storehouse bought for her Majesty's service in
Norfolk upon the sea coast. |
|
6. "For her Majesty's acceptation of certain good debts
grown for provisions bought for her Majesty's service. |
|
7. "To be discharged of an amerciament estreated out of the
Exchequer for not accounting there, being commanded by her
Majesty to the contrary. |
|
8. "To have allowance for his charges attending upon her
Council by her Majesty's appointment for making of his
account continuing three years. And to be had in her Highness' good remembrance for his long service these 30 years,
and in the late rebellion." |
|
Pp. 42/3. |
| 1576. |
1143. Treasurership of Berwick. |
|
As Sir Valentine Browne at his entrance into the office of
Treasurer of Berwick, accepted all the remains of old provision
and debts there, so he begs that Mr. Vernon may in like sort
accept the same. He also prays that Captain Reed may have
present order to deliver over the remains of such provisions as
are in his hands at Holy Island. |
|
Endd. P. 1. |
| 1576. |
1144. Provision at Berwick. |
|
The quantity and prices of provisions for the victualling of
Berwick remaining in Sir Valentine Browne's charge upon
his own account. Likewise provisions delivered to Robert
Vernon, Esq., General Surveyor of her Majesty's victual for
the north. |
|
Endd. Pp. 12/3. |
| [1576.] |
1145. Fortifications of Berwick. |
|
"Note of the charges of the workmen, labourers, and
carriages at Berwick from the beginning of October next
until the last of March following, being to the number of
195." Hardhewers, limeburners, and clerks for overseers
are paid 12d. and labourers 8d. per diem. Total monthly
charge 317li 16s. Sum total for the whole six months
1,906li 16s. |
|
Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| 1576. |
1146. Grand Duchy of Tuscany. |
|
A description of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, entitled
"Relatione del Gran Ducato di Fiorenze." 1576. |
|
Ital. Pp. 19. |
| 1576. |
1147. Relation of Antonio Niepolo. |
|
An account of the Empire of Turkey by Antonio Niepolo
Bailly at Constantinople. |
|
Ital. Pp. 53½. |
| 1576? |
1148. Rowland Johnson to the Privy Council. |
|
Petitions them for payment of his riding charges in coming
to the Court at their commandment, which were for himself
and man and two geldings, at 6s. 8d. per diem for 9 months
and 14 days, 95l.; also for his riding charges in surveying
Naworth at the overthrow of Leonard Dacres and Edinburgh
Castle, besides riding to Carlisle and other places along the
frontiers these 16 years, which has cost him more than 100l. at
one time with another, and yet he has had no penny allowance.
He owes a gentleman 60l. of the money, and his charges are
more than his wages this year by 68l. Prays also for their
determination what he shall have allowed for riding charges
from time to time when he shall be appointed to ride about
the Queen's business. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| [1576.] |
1149. The Queen to Rudolph II. |
|
Announcing his election to the order of the Garter, the
insignia of which she sends over by the Earl of Sussex. |
|
Rough draft in Elizabeth's handwriting. Endd. Ital.
Pp. 2½. |
| 1576? |
1150. Edict of Pacification in France. |
|
The Edict has never been published in Picardy, nor in
Rouen, Lyons, or Toulouse the magistrates have not been
sworn to observe it, nor have the inhabitants of either
religion. The exercise of the religion has not been allowed
in Picardy, or in the greater part of the most principal towns
of the kingdom, as Toulouse, Lyons, Orleans, and in some
towns where once permitted it has been afterwards interdicted, as Havre de Grace and Blois, and in other places put
an end to by the governors or the populace, as at Rouen and
Poitiers. The preachers excite the people in their sermons,
as in Paris, forbidding them under pain of excommunication
to sell or let house, or aid with fire or water them of the
religion. Every impediment is placed in the way of the
establishment of Chambers of Justice, and those of the religion
are hardly used by the Courts of Parliament. The Edict has
not been published in any Parliament but that of Paris.
Contrary to the Edict, the greater part of the towns are still
garrisoned, and with Catholics, as Rouen, Toulouse, Lyons,
and all the towns of Picardy. Where the exercise of religion
is allowed, garrisons are placed and the soldiers lodged on
them of the Huguenots, as at Havre, Caen, Dieppe, PontAudemer, Quillebœuf, Falaise, and Bayeux. The greater
part of the towns will not suffer them of the religion to reenter into the houses and enjoyment of their property, as at
Lyons, Orleans, Havre, and all the towns of Picardy, whence
they are forced to go to England, Germany, and Switzerland.
The strangers still remain in the kingdom, and though
certain French companies have been dismissed, they have
been ordered to report themselves in Provence and Languedoc.
The King has often been advised of leagues in the kingdom
to light the flames of civil war, but has done nothing therein.
In a word it is as if the Edict had never been made. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 2¼. |
