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June 4.
K. d. L. x.
508.
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1. DAVISON to the ESTATES.
Mr. Davison cannot furnish the sum of 15,000 florins for which
the Estates ask, out of the 20,000 which the Queen has sent him,
for the reasons following :
First, because he has her Majesty's express orders not to let any
of it out of his hands until he has been advertised of the result of
the negotiation between the Estates and the Duke of Alenon ;
after which she will let him know her pleasure.
If she does command him to deliver the sum in question, he has
express orders to furnish the whole of it to Duke Casimir at the place
of muster, as agreed with him.
If he wished to be so liberal as to furnish some part of the said
sum he could only do it after receipt of such obligations and securities
as the Estates are bound to give.
Lastly he cannot take anything from the sum without first knowing
if Duke Casimir will be content to receive so much less ; which
he cannot learn from any of his agents who have gone from here,
and still less from the Viscount of Hargenlieu, who has no orders to
apply to him.Antwerp, 4 June 1578.
Copy. Endd. : Pour Monsieur l'ambassadeur. Fr. p. [Holl.
and Fl. VII. 1.]
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June 5.
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2. DUKE CASIMIR to the QUEEN.
Your Majesty's courteous letters, and the good news which I receive
from all who come from your country, that your affection increases
day by day, make me so burn with the wish to serve you that I
cannot refrain from going to the Low Countries. Yet on
looking closely into affairs there, infinite difficulties appear ; the
fickleness of the people whom I am to help, the diversity of
humours, the party-divisions of all kinds, increasing every day, and
the general want of order in their actions. Notwithstanding which,
and though most of my relations dissuade me, and I leave my State
as it were a prey, I have thought good to obey your wish.
But I am assured that as I show myself obedient to your
commands, knowing that there is little hope of getting anything out
of the Estates, and to please you am entering this labyrinth, you
will not abandon me ; as you have indeed promised by letters and
through your ambassador, and by word of mouth assured those who
have gone from me to you. I for my part promise on the faith of a
prince that I will not lay down my arms nor make any treaty without
your consent. And that you may know how roundly I walk,
I beg you to send an envoy with me to inspect my actions and
assist my deliberations. If your Majesty so pleases I wish it to be
Mr Sidney.
Touching the assembly at Smalcalden your Majesty's decision to
send thither is a further proof of your piety. But I have taken such
order, by the best means I could think of, that the assembly is
broken off. It will never meet, or not for a long time, and your
people need not be at the trouble of the journey. Yet I thank you
for the affection you bear to the repose of the Holy Empire.
Lautern, 6 June 1578.
Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [Germ. States I. 68.]
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June 5.
K. d. L. x.
510.
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3. THE QUEEN to DAVISON.
After perusing the dealings between M. d'Anjou and the Estates,
and also by your letter conveying your negotiation with the Prince
of Orange and the Estates, and other writings touching the province
of Hainault, it seems that great danger may follow if some order be
not taken. We would have you say from us, both to the Prince and
to the Estates that considering how far they have proceeded with
the Duke's ambassadors and how necessary they take it to accept
his offers, we should be glad that they would stay any resolution
until the coming of Lord Cobham and Sir Francis Walsingham, who
are making ready to come thither. If they cannot be induced to
this, you shall require them in our name to make no such resolution
with Monsieur as may be prejudicial to themselves or us by
suffering him to have any such interest in those countries, 'but
that they may' always divert him from usurping any further estate
than shall serve to their aid. Declaring to them further that we
have given order to Lord Cobham and Sir Francis Walsingham to
come to them with full and ample instructions to confer with them
not only upon this matter, but also upon the whole affairs of that
country ; who will fully give them to understand what way we think
meetest for them to take in defence of their common cause.
Endd. : A copy of her Majesty's letter to Mr. Davison, 5 June
1578. p. [Holl. and Fl. VII. 2.]
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June 5.
K. d. L. x.
311.
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4. WALSINGHAM to DAVISON.
You will see by her Majesty's letter what she thinks fit to be
done touching the States' proceedings with the French ; according
to the direction therein contained you are to frame the course of
your dealings, so I need not repeat the matter, being otherwise overladen
with business.
I am secretly advertised that there lies at Calais a Spanish commissary
for victuals in company with one Captain la Rivire ; for that
Don John means to erect a camp in those quarters under the conduct
of the Prince of Parma, being encouraged to do so by his
belief that Gravelines is at his devotion. I am further advertised
that Dunkirk and Borborch are in such fear that if la Motte
attempts the enterprise, even with a small number, they will incontinent
yield themselves. Which being a matter of dangerous consequence
for all those maritime parts if it take place, I thought
good to acquaint you, that you may impart the same to those there.
Touching your private suit, I will use my best endeavour to bring
it to good terms, that I may bring you some comfortable news at
my coming ; which I look shall be about the latter end of next
week.Greenwich, 5 June 1578.
P.S.Pray thank M. de Villiers for his two letters, and excuse
my not writing to him.
Add. Written by L. Tomson. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. VII. 3.]
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June 5.
K. d. L. x.
510.
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5. DUKE CASIMIR to DAVISON.
As the time draws near when I shall have to take the field, and
all things not being yet settled, I have sent the present bearers, my
councillor M. Schregel and M. Kunigsloe, with orders to keep in
close correspondence with you. Kindly give them all confidence,
and do what you can for the public cause, as heretofore, and I
shall ever be grateful.Lautern, 5 June 1578.
Add. Fr. p. [Ibid. VII. 4.]
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June 5.
K. d. L. x.
512.
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6. WILSON to DAVISON.
The Queen liked well your letter of May 30, which I afterwards
communicated to the Council. Upon deliberation it was
thought that her Majesty should make her pleasure known to you ;
both to deal with the States for the expectation for aid upon necessity,
and for the receiving of the French offer. You may assure everyone
that she minds nothing more than the welfare of the Low
Countries, and will deal for their safety as much as any prince in
Christendom. Mr Secretary is very careful that all things
may be done with honour and safety ; by whom it is hoped
that either a good peace will be made, or a just war will follow.
The Queen is inwardly moved to do good, and being satisfied in
conscience how to deal, I daresay the Estates will be glad to see the
aid of such a prince sent to them, 'who will do nothing but moved
upon just grounds in the fear of God.' It will not be long 'but'
Lord Cobham and Mr Walsingham will follow this messenger and
therefore I need not write more at large to you.From the Court,
5 June 1578.
Add. Endd. p. [Ibid. VII. 5.]
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June 7.
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7. DENIS MOLAN to [WALSINGHAM].
Considerations on the state of Ireland.
Considering what is the vein and fountain whence comes all our
unquietness, especially in Ireland, I marked three things causing
our rude unquiet people there to rise against their godly quiet
prince. The first and 'principalest' the long suffering of monks
and friars, and especially of their fair mighty houses, whereby they
are not only maintained themselves, but also those who with their
counsel remain in perpetual rebellion. The remedy is no better
than to pluck down such houses. When the fox has no hole he
must run away, and the bird having no nest cannot breed. The
second is the 'large' imprisonment of Richard Craigh, called the
Primate of Ireland, now bearing the name of a prisoner in the
Tower of London ; whose letters came almost daily to France,
Italy, and Spain, alluring all evil-disposed persons against our good
and merciful prince. This fellow ought to be rewarded according
to his service.
The third and not the least is doubtless James Fitzmorris
having the name of the greatest rebel (Shan O'Neill only excepted)
in all Ireland, running from one Papist prince to another with the
Pope's commendations, and his proud letters to his foolish friends
in Ireland, 'comforting' them to resist their prince ; and this
Episcopus Maionen. preaching in Spain and 'craving in every
other where for him.' God will I doubt not plague these two fellows,
and if a man could reward them according to their deeds, he
should do right good service to God. It were better that two did
perish than all the people. I write what my conscience doth bid
me, in witness whereof I subscribe my name, the 7th of June 1578.
(Signed) Denis Molan.
Copy in hand of Poulet's secretary ; signature apparently original.
Later endorsement. 1 p. [France II. 48.]
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June [8].
Lettres de C.
de M. vi.
(where it is
under August
or
September).
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8. QUEEN MOTHER OF FRANCE to QUEEN OF ENGLAND.
I cannot express to you the pleasure with which I received the
message that you sent me by Mr. Stafford, the present bearer,
touching the thing in all the world which I most desire to see
accomplished ; and if any one has told you the contrary I pray you
not to believe them, but be assured they are persons who do not
wish me to have before I die such happiness, which will be the
greatest of my life, when I shall have the fortune to see it. This
makes me beg you, if hitherto there have been occasions which
have tended to delay matters, that for the future you will abridge and
hasten them ; for on the side of your servant I am assured that he
will hurry to do whatever depends on him and on the king his
brother, whose wishes correspond with his, in order to have the
honour of laying before you that which I for my part so much
desire that henceforth all days will be hateful to me until I see the
one which will make the Duke of Anjou happy ; nor him alone,
but the king his brother and yours, and me, who will be associated
in their happiness, and all the realm. Now, my good daughterI
pray you pardon me herein if in place of sister I say what I have
so desired ; affection has made me blundersince matters are so
advanced please make no more delays and let me have the pleasure
before I die of seeing a fair son from you, which I am sure God will
allow, and I cannot hope for it otherwise. With all His past
favours to me, He will grant this ; and I pray Him to have you
always in His grace.
Holograph. Add. Fr. 1 pp. [France II. 49.]
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June 8.
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9. POULET to the QUEEN.
Enclosed is the abstract of a letter sent lately from this Court to
Monsieur, by de Rosne, lieutenant of his company of men at arms,
containing some details in my opinion not unworthy of consideration.
In some things it betrays the humours of such as belong to Monsieur.
It may seem by this letter that the brothers are not yet
reconciled, and as I conjecture from what I see and hear in these
parts there is no likelihood of better agreement between them.
It is given out, both in the Court and in the city, that Monsieur
meets the king at 'Gallion' or in those parts, and the reporters of
this pretend to speak of it as a matter of secrecy ; but nothing less
is intended, if I am not deceived. The author of this abstract has
always dealt honestly with me, and may be of service hereafter, and
therefore it may please you to commend such as shall be acquainted
with this to keep it secret.
I think you have heard that Montmorency has been lately called
to Court, where he has been entertained with all the favour that can
be devised, the king seeming to depend on his counsel in all weighty
matters. It is received for matter of truth that the young men in
credit about the king are the authors of this and that they desire
nothing more than his daily presence about the king. They are
said to consider that he has no stuff in him to impair their credit,
while his countenance may serve to defend them against the malice
of the house of Guise ; and that now the French liberty of speech
will cry out no longer upon every occasion against the king's
minions (for so they call them) when they see nothing done without
Montmorency, whose gray hairs shall bear the slander of their
young devices. Some well acquainted with the French proceedings
in these later days remembering the manner of the late departure
of the house of Guise from the Court, conclude that Queen Mother
is blowing at this coal, and that this sudden blast of flattery
is the beginning of some mighty tempest, and that Montmorency
may chance to be one of the first that shall make shipwreck ; all
affirming with one voice that nothing is less intended by these
flatteries than to increase the greatness of the house of Montmorency,
which has long been hated by the greatest of the realm, and
now some think he will incur the displeasure of Monsieur.
I am not ignorant how ill it becomes me to trouble your Majesty
with these French imaginations, and I know that I hazard my own
credit, nothing being more certain than that the French doings are
utterly uncertain and commonly fall out directly contrary to reason
and good judgement. But pardon my boldness, and where I cannot
be so happy as to assure the event of things to come, commonly
unknown even to their principal authors, give me leave to inform
you of such opinions as I can gather by conference with such as
seem to be 'indewed' with some judgement.
James Fitzmorris arrived in this town on the 4th, and being
informed by a friar of the shape and fashion of one of his servants
and of his apparel I caused him to be followed so long that I have
now found his master's lodging, and hope to be able to render you
some account of his behaviour here.
This bearer, Mr Edward Stafford, will not fail to advertise your
Highness of all that he or I have learnt of the state of things
here.Paris, 8 June 1578.
Add. Endd. by L. Tomson. 2 pp. [Ibid. II. 50.]
Enclosure in the Above.
Extract made June 2, from two letters written five or six
days ago to Monsieur, by M. de Rosne his deputy at
Court.
It appears from the letters in question that Monsieur wishes the
king to avow and favour his journey to Flanders, seeing that his
intention is only by a war abroad to keep this state from war.
To this his Majesty replies that he cannot favour this journey in
any way. The Queen has said that she will hinder it with all her
power, since her affairs are in such a state that she can in no wise
advise or allow her son to embark on it. And the minions say that
it were better for his Majesty to make war on Monsieur, all the
more that the Huguenots would be joined with him, than on the
king of Spain. Rosne writes that they would have done it already
but for lack of means ; and intended both by threats and by other
methods to prevent Monsieur from levying forces.
Upon this Monsieur asked that the king would allow him to
pledge part of his domain, to obtain means to meet the expenses
of the war. The king said he could not grant it ; the queen has
guaranteed to prevent it altogether.
To Monsieur's request that his company with 12 others might
muster in arms the king and queen said they saw plainly it was
intended to mount the said companies ; and they would not allow
Monsieur to muster any companies but his own, meanwhile to prevent
this company from doing anything, nine companies have been
mustered in Champagne for the king besides twelve which he has
placed about his person.
On Wednesday evening, May 28, M. de Saint Luc assured their
Majesties that Monsieur's people had been dismissed by the Estates
with thanks. The Queen of Navarre also has had a letter from the
Countess of Lalaing, informing her that Monsieur's troops are
marching toward Luxembourg, and making no mention of any
disagreement between her husband and the Estates or Prince of
Orange.
The Duke of Uzes, through his agent la Rue, has offered Monsieur
8,000 harquebusiers and 400 horse.
M. Theval, lately governor of Metz, asks Monsieur to commission
his son to levy 5 companies of foot, being assured that from the
garrisons in Picardy and Champagne, and especially from Metz, all
the best soldiers may be drawn.
M. de Berrieu assures Monsieur of passage by a strong town in
Picardy, on the Somme.
Every day many captains apply to Monsieur's agent asking commission
for their men at arms ; and to this end he asks to have
blanks sent him to distribute to the most suitable.
Marshal de Coss though offended that the door of the Cabinet
was closed to him one day lately, has nevertheless been dispatched
to Monsieur to divert him from his journey.
Monsieur has many enemies at Court ; especially those of the
Cabinet, who govern more than ever.
MM. de Guise left the Court much discontented with his Majesty ;
and many other lords are so who are still at Court. The king
has accordingly sent for Marshal de Montmorency, who now governs
all, and it is averred that he wishes to make him Constable of France.
Still however little the king may make of MM. de Guise and the
other malcontents, he is sure to be reconciled with them.
It is held here that the Duke of Guise has been poisoned and that
he took antidotes in such quantity that his face had swelled and his
wound opened ; and he had sent for Ambrose, the king's surgeon, who
had gone to him ; and if he had been poisoned it was certain enough
whence the coup had come.
Bouchemont is expecting a commission to levy men in Brie,
whom he says he is taking to the Low Countries under favour of
Monsieur's company.
The Queen of England does not approve of Monsieur's journey,
and has sent a special ambassador to the Court and to him, to protest.
Monsieur is advised to send to the said queen, to excuse
himself and to pacify her.
Having asked audience of the king, Rosne was told that he had
had a tooth out ; and he writes that if he did that every day, he
would be forced to take nothing but broth.
Gravelines is at the King of Spain's devotion, for the sum of
30,000 crowns given by his Catholic Majesty, half to La Mothe,
the governor, and half to Gourdon, governor of Calais.
The Marquis of La Roche, lately governor of Artois, is at Compigne
brewing some enterprise upon the towns of that country,
and advises him by all means to pursue his enterprise, saying that
when the Estates see him in arms they will not refuse him. He
will do well to send to Count Lalaing to know if he will place
Hainault in his hands.
Monsieur has again asked the King to let him send 6,000 harquebusiers
and 12 companies of men at arms into the Low Countries
unavowed ; which the King refused.
Monsieur's agent only communicates with their Majesties at the
Council, and never but when the King and Queen are together,
consequently under great difficulty.
Endd. : The copy of a French letter. Fr. 3 pp. [Ibid. II. 51.]
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[June 8.]
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10. Another copy or draft of Poulet's letter to the Queen (No. 9).
Endd. 2 pp. [Ibid. II. 52.]
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June 8.
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11. STURMIUS to DAVISON.
I did what I could for George Gilpin ; not what I would.
The excuse of our Senate is true, though I am sorry that opinions
were counted and not weighed. But that is the old and everlasting
inconvenience of free states. If the war is not going to last long,
that will be a slight hindrance ; if it is carried into another year we
must try another course with our Estates. A stout tree is not felled
with one blow. Winter is the time for counsels ; we must now
take thought for the present. I shall not cease to wish and to
pray, to help and to work out so far as I can what I think will best
serve you and ourselves.
I pray God that what you have prudently set on foot and stoutly
undertaken may turn out fortunately for the Queen our mistress
and her realms, and prosper to the increase of God's glory the
preservation of the public safety and the common tranquillity of all
men.Strasburg, 8 June 1578. (Signed) Joannes Sturmius,
Rector.
Add. Holograph. Lat. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. VII. 6.]
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June 8.
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12. W. LEWIN to DAVISON.
The bearer having been born in those parts and having occasion
to resort thither from 'My Lord of Oxenford,' whom he serves in
very good place and credit, being 'well furnished with the languages
and other good qualities,' has requested my letters of commendation
to you. Please yield him, as occasion shall serve,
such favour and countenance as the goodness of your nature easily
yields to gentlemen so qualified, and your office makes available to
such as receive the same. He has the rather required this of me because
he understands your special friendship towards me, and I do
so the rather because he has special good 'guyftes' and wishes.
Thus much of him.
Of yourself, I am very glad to learn, as I do 'to weete,' summam
laudem gest legationis tu ; wherein the greater commendation
you purchase, the more favours I doubt you shall purchase of
her Majesty, and consequently the better reward.London, June 8
1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. VII. 7.]
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