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Jan. 11.
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505. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
I beseech you to hold me excused that Don Antonio's letter was
not enclosed in the packet which I sent you 'this other day' by
Diego Botelho. I have now packed it herewith ; beseeching you
I may receive it again as a memorial of Don Antonio.—Paris, 11
Jan. 1581.
Add. Endd. ½ p. [Ibid. VII. 9.]
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Jan. 11.
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506. The DUKE OF POMERANIA to the QUEEN.
Almost all countries trade mutually with each other, none being
self-supporting. Kindly allow the bearer, my agent Michael Pritz,
to buy and export for my use 500 pieces of cloth free of duty.—
Rugenwald, III. Id. Jan. 1582. (Signed) Barnimus.
Add. Endd. Latin. 2 pp. [Germany II. 28.]
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Jan. 13.
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507. GILPIN to WALSINGHAM.
I have not failed since your last to solicit those of this town for
her Majesty's contentment. What their answer is will appear 'per'
the enclosed.
This morning I received a letter from Mr 'Stoake,' and because
those of the Francq and 'Bridges' had not satisfied in answer, I
mean to press their resolution more.
The half year's interest of Brabant, Flanders, and Zealand is
ready ; and 'hoped' that for the residue of other provinces will in
like sort be in readiness. But as yet notwithstanding my continual
suit no redress could be found, though the present questions may
be brought it is hoped, 'per' their next meeting, to final
determination.
The Prince and other chief men are still in Zealand, staying the
meeting of the General States, who were appointed here on the first
inst. 'and now doubtful till certainty here of Monsieur's coming.'
I mean to write to the Four Members of Flanders for the whole
year's interest ; to whom the Lords of this town will also write.
And understanding that the commissioners of Holland have
arrived in Zealand, someone shall be sent hence to deal there, so
that no means, time, place, opportunity or occasion shall be omitt
to effect what is required in her Majesty's name.—Antwerp, 13 Jan.
1581.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 8.]
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Jan. 14.
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508. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
On the 12th inst. I received yours of the 3rd, brought by John
de Vicques. I perceive that Monsieur was then still in England,
well 'cheered' by her Majesty ; which likewise is 'certified hither'
by M. Pinart, with ample declaration of the special particular kindness
which daily passes between her Majesty and his Highness, so
far that thereon he makes a sure ground that the marriage must
proceed.
It is understood here that the affairs of the Low Countries do not
pass to Monsieur's satisfaction.
Their Majesties have deferred their departure from this town, of
which intended journey I certified you in my late letter. The king
has been moved to stay upon occasion of his affairs, as likewise
because he is desirous to have the marriage accomplished between
Lavalette, governor of Saluces, and the Countess of Bouchage, aunt
to M. de Joyeuse, which is to be consummated presently. Lavalette
has now been made one of the king's Conseil d'Affaires, and was in
election to be Marshal of France ; but Marshal Cosse's place is
supplied by M. Joyeuse, father to the Duke, whom the king has
assigned to be Marshal. The other offices of the abovesaid deceased
Marshal are meant to be distributed in this sort, as I am informed :
The office of Grand Panetier of France is assigned to Count Brissac,
the Capitainerie of the 'Toyles' (?) to the Duke Montmorency, the
government of Fangville to old M. Lansac, the Abbey of Blois to
M. Serillac.
Where there has been some unkindness between the Dukes of
Joyeuse and Epernon, the king has reconciled them, so that there
passes now good friendship, through a renewed love. M. d'Epernon
having ended his diet returned three or four days ago to the Court.
I sent you a small book of the death of Campion. They have
been crying these books in the streets with outcries, naming them
to be cruelties used by the Queen in England. Whereon I used
M. Brulart's means to move his Majesty to give order that such
untruths might be stayed and forbidden, which seemed to prejudice
her Majesty's good fame. The king has now given order to his
Procurer-fiscal that there shall be a prohibition of the further sale
of such books, and those punished who have used such unworthy
outcries ; which I cause to be followed to the execution, it seeming
to me that I am thereto bound in duty. I wait to do as I am
further commanded therein.
The quarrel between Laverdin and Randan is accommodated by
the means of Marshal Biron and M. Malicorne.
The Queen Mother waits to go to Chenonceaux till she hears some
certainty of the Queen of Navarre's setting forwards towards these
parts, which it is thought will be about now, as signified in the last
letters from Gascony.
Monsignor Malespina, who was lately sent from the Pope, has
'persuaded with' their Majesties that they will not consent to the
marriage between her Majesty and Monsieur, propounding to them
many inconveniences which would prejudice the Roman religion ;
'as otherwise' it would be 'improper' for this state. He has likewise
delivered sundry exhortations to the king and Queen Mother,
'tending to that' they would not enterprise anything towards
Portugal or any country belonging to that Crown. The Queen
Mother, as I hear, answered that she favoured Don Antonio as her
kinsman and subject, wishing the Pope had counselled the Spanish
king 'he had attended' the judgement before entering Portugal with
forces. Malespina has, as I am informed, a brief from the Pope to
deliver to Monsieur, if he had been in these parts ; with instructions
and offers of accord to be had between his Highness and the
Catholic king, whereby he might be drawn from his further enterprise
in Flanders.
The nuncio legier has dealt with the king that he would be
pleased that the ordinance agreed on in the last Council of
Trent might be published and authorised in this realm. And the
king demands at the Pope's hands that he [? will con] firm the
alienation of 300,000 francs a year, which the king would employ
on the Order of Saint-Esprit.
His Majesty, as they say, purposes to show himself so far forth
devout and conformable to the Bishop of Rome, that he will erect a
company of Battuti or Flagellanti ; hoping the rather through this
meritorious fast to obtain grace at God's hands to get issue. He
keeps his custom every Friday to go in procession for that purpose.
The king seems to like this ordinary nuncio well, because he
'pretends' only devotion, and 'shows' not to meddle in matters of
state, nor to seek advertisements ; but it is known that he is a
cunning prelate, entirely trusted by the Pope.
The Florentine secretary 'haunts' very much 'to' the agent of
Spain. The Queen Mother 'pretends' to be jealous of his staying
here.
The commissioners from the Swiss Cantons to the king are
looked for today.
The return of M. de Paulmy is looked for daily, with answer
from the Duke of Savoy, touching his marriage with the Princess
of Lorraine.—Paris, 14 Jan. 1581.
P.S.—The Bishop of Ross has informed the king that the
Scottish king has sent to him, willing him to assure this king that
he likes the Roman religion. I am informed that three Servites
have left Rheims to go to England. One of them, named Pryce, is
still in this town. One who came out of Portugal is imprisoned in
England. He is a Jesuit priest.
Add. Endd. 3 pp. [France VII. 10.]
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Jan. 17.
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509. ROGER WILLIAMS to WALSINGHAM.
Here is old stir about Monsieur. If he comes not, all the
mainland is like to turn Spanish, within few days. If he comes,
if all the troops that will come with him behave themselves as
these ones which are here already, many say they had rather have
the Spaniards.
Yesterday I had speech 'after great kyndes' with the Prince.
In came M. de Plessis and Villiers. I think I was indifferent well
'boytit' (?). I thought wise men would never 'a spoke' so largely.
I shall see what will come of it ; then I will show it you at large.
The Prince is so melancholy that there is no pleasure to follow him.
The Marquis of Bergues and Hautepenne are gone to Liége. They
say the bishop 'does furnish them with a number of munition.'
It is thought they will besiege no place till the spring. They lie
still within 3 leagues of Bruges. Oudenarde and Ypres will take
no more garrison.
'M. de Anvers' are departed half discontented. Yesterday they
wrote to the Prince to desire his return. Although Monsieur comes,
yet if the Prince come, they will furnish him with money and will
deliver all the charge of the wars into his hands, with a number of
good 'caryges.'
I could write you numbers of these petty matters. In the most
part of them there is neither truth nor honesty. One of these days
I mean to trouble you with a number of them.—Flushing, 17 Jan.
P.S.—Among the rest of other good talks, Villiers told [?] the
Prince ask him if he heard nothing of the Pope's ambassador who
was named in France as 'nuch' [? nuncio] to 'Frise'? There is
news for him to write to England, thought I is all the hasards [?]
that I did in your service come to that opinion.
I humbly desire you to write to Mr Norris to give me my 'count'
and reckoning [?], that I may have something to show if I
miscarry, I mean in coming away. I pray tell Sainte-Aldegonde
that I served the Prince in England as well as here, to my power.
Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 9.]
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Jan. 19.
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510. ROSSEL to WALSINGHAM.
When I was at Antwerp lately, I wrote shortly to you on the
condition of the Low Countries and specially of the United Provinces ;
which I perceive to be more disunited than ever, Flanders
especially. This his Excellency and the Council of State will not
recognise, in the handling of the money and the military affairs.
It is all through seeing his Highness's arrival postponed, which
had given them hope of succour. It seems too by the leagues
between the cities that some are tending towards a reconciliation
with the Malcontents, others want to manage the war themselves,
others to limit the disposal of their resources to those who are
fighting, so that the state of things is a chaos to behold, nor can
one find any expedient to remedy it, except the very speedy arrival
of his Highness. The enemy profits by it all, though he is anxious
to see the preparations of the Italian forces to come hither for this
matter.
There is to be a meeting of all the Malcontent lords at Douay
to consider whether they should receive the forces in question and
permit them to enter the country. On this subject some letters
have been intercepted from M. de Rassinghien, who writing to a
friend of his, finds the matter doubtful ; and it seems from the
contents of those letters that if our affairs were straight they
themselves would seek us with a view to reconciliation. They find
it strange that the Prince of Parma commands absolutely, and that
he has garrisoned Tournay with his own people at his own
disposition. There I recognise that Tournay will be a common
misfortune to one and the other ; it has disgusted (altéré) our side
and is angering the others who see themselves dispossessed of it.
I received your letters of Dec. 31 on the 17th inst. It
seems to me that they had been opened, as I have noticed with
several others. I know not whom to blame for it. It makes me
somewhat apprehensive, not for your letters, but lest the same
happens to mine, wherefore please take care, as I will do. From
the camp at Eccloo, 19 Jan. 1582.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. XV. 10.]
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Jan. 20.
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511. COBHAM to WALSINGHAM.
The thirteen Commissioners for the Swiss arrived on the 17th.
They were met and conducted into this town by M. Lansac and la
Mothe-Fènelon, and were admitted to their first audience with the
king on the 18th, accompanied into their Majesties' presence by
Lansac and President Haultfort brother to Bellièvre, who was sent
for a-purpose from Grenoble, being one who has credit with the
Swiss, having heretofore 'passed some affairs' among them. Two
of them spoke with the king on behalf of the rest, remaining
uncovered all the time of their conference and being with their
Majesties. [This piece of information is marked in the margin.]
After leaving the king, they went to the Queen Mother, making her
a brief oration. She had by her the President Haultfort. This
being finished, they after their manner did reverence to the Queen
regnant, the Princess of Lorraine, and Mme de Guise, and to no
other lady there. Among the rest of the Swiss, Colonel Pfyffer had
long conference with the Queen Mother, she hearing him willingly,
with good countenance.
It is said in Court that the king is giving order to pay 500,000
crowns to the 'Canton Swisses.' The most part of this will be paid
out of the king's customs and profits in Lyons and Lyonnois. For
the overplus that remains due to them the king promises to take
order that they be paid this next year, so that their ancient amity
will be preserved. I enclose the Commissioners' names.
The same day King Philip's agent, together with Maldonado the
Spanish secretary, lately come from Spain, had audience of the
Queen Mother, who appeared not to take their message, giving them
but a short answer. At that time, as I hear, the agent and secretary
'lamented' to her how the Catholic king understood that
Monsieur had given new commissions for 140 captains to levy companies
for his enterprise in Flanders ; and that moreover the king
their master knew that she 'set forth' Strozzi and Brissac for the
aiding of Don Antonio, which he believed she would not do unless
the king her son participated with her. Which two allegations, as
it has 'been informed' me, she 'excused' and rather denied, with
earnest protestations.
Count Saint-Aignau has had audience of their Majesties, and has
made very favourable report of her Majesty and of the Court. He
is now in some grief, being 'given to understand of' his wife's
death.
The father of Duke Joyeuse is sent for to Court to take the oath
of a Marshal.
The Count de Bryanne [qy. Brienne] is looked for to repair to the
Court, to marry the Duke of Épernon's youngest sister.
There has been some discontent at Court because the king has
pressed the Marshal de Retz to be content that Villequier may have
the entire and whole office of Premier Gentilhomme de Chambre ;
whereon the Queen Mother has been very earnest that the Marshal
might have some recompense. Yet because the king did not think
that office worthy of any recompense, and was resolved Villequier
should only enjoy the 'room' of chief gentleman, the Marshal has
'accorded' to his will.
I suppose you may remember M. de Roussy, who sometime, by
the name of M. de Malassise, dealt in many causes to the disadvantage
of them of the Religion, through the ill desert of which it seems
he was advanced, and has now lastly obtained the honour to become
the Queen Regnant's Chancellor ; having such credit with the
young queen that she committed to him the contract of her sister's
dowry and the handling of those causes. In the managing and
'penning' of these it seems he has not done it to the king's
satisfaction, his Majesty understanding he has deceived both him
and M. Joyeuse. Whereupon he is deposed from his Chancellor's
'room,' and 'become' out of the king's favour. The office is now
given to the king's Procurer-general.
The king, with his mother, sundry of his councillors, and certain
chief personages of the clergy, were yesterday in the Cabinet a long
time in council to devise how the king might obtain of the Pope,
partly in rents of the church, and partly from the tenths, so much
as might satisfy the Swiss and other debts of the king's which are
necessary to be paid. In this matter there grow sundry opinions
and rise divers debates ; but the king resolves to have the matter
pass so far forth as he means to get out of the Church 40 millions
of francs. The king finds none of the prelates so conformable to
his mind in this action as the Cardinal of Guise ; but it is upon
hope he shall pay but little, and have some recompense of the king
for his forward service. Upon the entering into consultation on
this matter, there have been delivered to the king sundry memorials
whereby it appears that the rents of the clergy are so great as it is
almost incredible. So the king is persuaded that the great charges
of his realm hereafter must be somewhat eased by them. But here-withal
the Pope's nuncio seeks to mitigate the king's desire, and to
press cunningly by little and little to bring the Inquisition into
France.
The Jesuits very much enlarge their practices to advance the
Pope's credit and theirs by teaching, with their ceremonious
sacrifices, through their 'spyalls' and intelligences, as also seeking
slily to win opinion by distributing their sacred trifles. Their
practices will grow most dangerous to all princes' states if it be not
well considered, and they abolished.
Together with my late letters I sent you a book published here
touching the execution of those factious English Jesuits, the king
has given order ; so that it is no longer sold with those outcries.
But instead of it they sell with their public cries a book against the
cruelties of the Spaniards, which I pack herewith.—Paris, 20 Jan.
1581.
Enclosure. "The lords undernamed are received by the king
very friendly, and by him defrayed in their inns :"
Herr Lodewyck 'Pheiffer' of Lucerne, principal, with five
more of the same canton.
Bannerherr Koen of Bri [qy. Uri].
Landammer [sic] Wasser of Unterwalden.
Landammer Abiberch of Schwyz.
Jonker Balthazar of Griesbach upon Zolthorn.
Hamptman [sic] Vrun [or Vrini] of Basel.
Schultheis of Fribourg.
Hamptman Irlach of Bern.
The Lords of Zurich and Schafthausen are not here, but will
stand to what is concluded.
Add. Endd. 3 pp. and ½ p. [France VII. 11.]
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