Elizabeth: August 1585, 11-20 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.

Citation:

'Elizabeth: August 1585, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 19, August 1584-August 1585, ed. Sophie Crawford Lomas( London, 1916), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol19/pp655-666 [accessed 25 November 2024].

This volume has gold page scans.
Access these scans with a gold subscription. Key icon

July 1585, 11–20



Aug. 12.	Letters Patents from the Queen. Commission to John Norreys to be Colonel General and Governor of all her forces, both horse and foot, now going into the Low Countries or already serving there.
	With power “for the more safeguard and better discipline” of the said troops, to decree, establish, publish and put in execution orders and statutes, and to punish and imprison those not obeying the same; and also to hear and determine all criminal causes, including those of life and death, and to punish, by death and loss of members” as often as needful. With writ of assistance.
	“Witness ourself at Weeldhall [Guildhall] 12 August, 27th year of our reign.”
	Draft, much corrected, but endorsed “Copy of the General's commission in English.” 3¼ pp. [Holland III. 9.]
Aug. 12.	Gilpin to Walsingham.
	Being yet unable to come to Court, I must trouble you with a rude letter, humbly to desire you to have me in remembrance.
	The greater part of the deputies are on their departure, with some part of their demands agreed unto and hope that in time more will follow.
	“If any honourable personage goes over from her Majesty, and that my service might stand in any stead, would be ready and glad to be employed, not doubting but by the experience I have of those countries and the people thereof, should be able to discharge the place I might be appointed to.” I purpose to prepare to go with the deputies, the time licenced by the merchants for my return being at hand. If therefore you would send me some order for the twenty-seven or eight pounds and odd money yet due to me I should be much bound to you.
	Our two weeks' posts are not yet come.—From my lodging in London, 12 August, 1585.
	Add. Endd. ¾ p. [Ibid. III. 10.]
Aug. 14.	le Brumen to Walsingham.
	I have received letters from a poor prisoner at the Rye whom M. de Civille and the church of that place have several times recommended to you, and the parties in which case you have commanded to come to you. He has not only no means of paying but none of obtaining food.
	M. de Ferguere has arrived here and others also. Some who left Havre a week ago last Friday tell me that they are there preparing four good vessels for the Peru, belonging to private merchants. The governor and the popish Leaguers in the town and thereabouts are not en bon mesnage, for the Leaguers have made an attempt upon the town, and were foiled (?) by those of the Religion.
	If I knew when you would be at Barnelms, we would come to see you, M. de Ferguere and I. He can tell you particularly of the affairs of Normandy. So far all goes well and they have the means of doing something. The report of the Duke de Mercœur's defeat continues, and those who came yesterday from Dieppe say he is captured and taken to La Rochelle; but we do not believe it. Whenever you like my man to start, he is quite ready.—Not dated.
	Add. Endd. with above date. Fr. 1 p. [France XIV. 70.]
Aug. 14/24.	News from Italy.
	Rome, Aug. 17.—In consequence of the rewards given heads of bandits are brought in daily. The legate of Perugia has sent up those of Ricciotto dal Bosco and another from Sassoferrato, besides two others from Pitigliano.
	The Abbot of La Genga has confessed on the rack further important matters. The old Treasurer continues to protest against the commissioners who are to draw up the indictment, declaring that they will be suborned by his enemies to do it unjustly.
	The Abbot Sermoneta has been consecrated Patriarch of Alessandria della Paglia by Cardinal Sta. Severina in S. Peter's assisted by the Archbishops of Naples and Benevento and other prelates, and was afterward splendidly banqueted by his Eminence.
	Monsignor Glorierio will be re-instated in his office of Clerk of the Camera, but it is expected that he will vacate another place in order to return to this.
	In the short consistory on Monday the Bishop of Acqui was declared governor of Rome, and Cardinal Cesi reported to his Holiness the scarcity of victuals in Rome, to whom answer was given that there would be good arrangements made.
	Letters are expected from the Catholic King to the viceroy of Naples ordering him to do rigorous justice in the matters already written of; and this by reason of the relation made by the ambassador to his Majesty, and also to please his Holiness, It is said that a company of light horse and half the Swiss guard are to be disbanded (which amounts to 12,000 crowns a year) with other reforms in the palace.
	Last night Roscino da Gambarelli was taken and will be sent to the Grand Duke as his vassal, according to the agreement; six other bandits are come from Florence, amongst whom is Captain Secco da Fabriano, and two others who were at the death of Vincenzo Vitelli, and the same day there came two others, condemned to the galleys by the vice-legate of Viterbo.
	There has been an assembly at Cardinal Medici's house concerning Duke Altemps, with the assistance of many famous advocates and it was determined that he ought in justice to be set free, and the same morning the Pope ordered the Senator to despatch the said cause.
	On Tuesday the Pope went on foot to his Vigna, accompanied by Cardinals Allessandrino, Rusticucci and Mont' Alto, and on the way, gave audience to many people. That morning, Franceso Merliani of Allessandria della Paglia was hanged on the bridge, being condemned by the Sacred Office.
	The Duke of Sora having made proclamation that every one should discover prohibited arms, and all of them not revealing them, has sent them prisoners to Naples.
	Cardinal Colonna, legate in the Roman Campagna has planted twelve gallows between Anagni and Frosinone (Frozzelloni) all full of bandits quartered, so that he is beginning to clear the country.
	Don Lelio Orsino has obtained permission for Marcello Acorambono to stay with Pauolo Giordano, to whose wife the Grand Duchess has written letters under the title of Duchess, constantly giving her that of Eccelenza. The Cardinal d'Este has despatched the Abbot Acorambono to the Duke of Savoy to congratulate him on this new marriage.
	On Thursday there was chapel at Sta. Maria Maggiore in presence of all the cardinals. Cardinal San Sisto sang the mass, after which his Holiness went to the Vigna and in the evening returned to Monte Cavallo.
	Amongst the divers kinds of moneys newly stamped, the testone bears on one side the portrait of the Pontiff, with the motto round it, Me langere noli.
	This morning Captain Secco has been quartered for the killing of Vincenzo Vitelli, in the place where the crime was committed.
	Four more heads of bandits are to-day put upon the bridge. [The Bishop of Acqui] wishes to resign the government of Rome which was only given to him four days ago. It is said that his successor will be Monsignor Nazaretti, who has arrived at Capraruola.
	The French ambassador is stayed at Lucca, seriously ill. The Japanese princes have reached Genoa and embarked on their voyage.
	Venice, Aug. 24.—They write from Turin that his Highness was to make his entry on St. Laurence's day. [Account of the preparations made, and the ceremonial to be followed.]
	On Sunday morning, the forty-one elected Pasqual Cicogna as Duke, to whom the news was brought while he was hearing mass at the Crociccieri, (fn. 1) whence he was conducted by the Grand chancellor in a gondola to the palace and received with much honour by the electors. Next morning he went down into St. Mark's, where he made the usual oath, and then was carried round the piazza, scattering gold and silver coins to the people; the ducal cap (il corno) was then placed on his head by one of the Council, and his Eminence, in very elegant words, made the usual promises to the people of justice, plenty and peace. On Tuesday morning, attended by the ambassadors he went to solemn mass at St. Mark's, and after dinner, his Eminence Antonio Bragadino was created procurator in his place, to the satisfaction of all.
	Many places in Germany, including Bolzano [Bozen] and divers in Poland, have been proclaimed by the Office of Health, on suspicion of the plague, and this morning proclamation has been made, on pain of the gallows, that no one shall dare to enter here without a certificate (fede).
	Two accomplices in the death of Count Pauolo Emilio Scoto have been taken. It is said that the Grand Duke having heard of the restitution of the Castle of Piacenza, is still working to have given back to him Port Ercole and Orbetello, promising the King of Spain large sums of money in return. Monsignor Quirini, lately made Bishop of Concordia by the Pope, is dead.
	Italian. 4 pp. [Newsletters LXXII. 25. For 24, see p. 662.]
Aug. 14.	Elector Truchsess to Paul Buys.
	I am writing to the Earl of Leicester and other lords to excuse myself for not accompanying M. de Segur into Germany as he desired when he was here. I am earnestly expecting to hear from you, and promise myself that with the results of your negotiation I shall also receive a favourable reply as regards my own affairs; praying you to solicit for me that her Majesty's letters to the Princes of Germany may be sent as soon as possible.
	I have heard from a good hand that a certain syndic named Suetermann is agent of the Hanse Stedes in their dispute with the Queen of England and King of Denmark touching the Sound; and as this Sueterman is very much espagnolizé and a Jesuit, and as moreover the Emperor has appointed Count d'Arenberg, admiral here for the King of Spain, as commissioner in this matter, it cannot be doubted that the said towns have intelligence with the enemy, to the prejudice of the King of Denmark, who will be forced (as I know from the inhabitants of the said towns) to agree with them, as also will her Majesty. You may make a precedent of this, and inform whom you like of it.—Leyden, 14 August, 1585, stilo veteri.
	Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holland III. 11.]
Aug. 15.	Walsingham to Stafford .
	We understand that one Hay, a Jesuit, and Robert Bruce and Durens are come from thence into Scotland, and although the King makes great show and protestation “of his constant disposition in religion and friendly meaning towards this crown yet have we some cause to doubt that all is not so sound as is pretended; and indeed it is not likely that Hay, a wise man would hazard himself to come into Scotland unless he were well assured to be overlooked by the King, with whom it is credibly advertised that he shall have conference, as they have already had with the Duke of Guise, who is the principal cause of their repair thither, and that Charles Paget had also sundry times conference with them.” I give you knowledge thereof to the end that you may use such as bring you intelligence to discover the truth of it, “wherein Mr. [Edw.] Wotton hath also received like direction.”
	We hear also that certain Irish fugitives are going from Scotland into France about some practice; you may by some Irishman be able to sift out the cause of their coming.
	“We do learn now that the speech of the yielding of Antwerp grew upon this occasion: that while the commissioners of the town were in parley with the Prince, her Majesty's letters of promise to assist them were at the same instant delivered; whereupon they of the town made signs of joy, which were interpreted to be for the conclusion of the capitulation, but the said commissioners, being returned again into the town, came out no more since to the Prince, meaning to abide the coming of her Majesty's forces, which between voluntaries and others, I think will rise to the number of seven thousand men, who are already shipped. And we hear credibly that the bridge is so weak as it may easily be broken, which being brought to pass, and the town consequently relieved, the Prince of Parma's credit will so decay as that it is likely he shall not be able to do any great matter all this next year.”
	Draft, corrected by Walsingham. Endd. 1 ½ pp. [France XIV. 71.]
Aug. 15.	Commissioners of the Hanse Towns to the Privy Council.
	Complaining that Beale's letters to them differ from those of the Council; giving reasons why a residency at Hamburg for the Merchants Adventurers may perhaps not be given on the old conditions; praying for an immediate abrogation of the decrees against the Hanse towns and explaining that any proposals as to the residency submitted by the Council must be sent for ratification by the said towns.—London, 15 August, 1585.
	With marginal notes by Burghley to the effect that the advantages they demand are to be certain, while those they offer are uncertain and in the future.
	Add. Endd. Latin. 5 pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns, II. 5.]
Aug. 16/26.	Commissioners of the States to Walsingham.
	The affection and favour he has shown for the common cause demand that they should not depart without testifying their gratitude and offering him their thanks; but as, at their last departure from the court they could not do so, he being with the Queen, and that since then they have been continually prevented by taking order for their departure, they pray him to pardon them for not having fulfilled this duty as they desired; begging him to believe that they will not fail to make faithful report to the States General of the favour and aid he has been pleased to give them in their legation.—London, 26 August, 1585, stylo novo. Signed. Rotgherr van Haersolte, Noel de Caron, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Francoys Maelson, Laes van Jonghema, J. van Feytzma.
	Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holland III. 12.]
Aug. 16/26.	Jaques Rossel to Walsingham.
	Before going to the fleet, I wrote of the state of affairs here, of the hope and the despair of Antwerp, of the letters written [and sent] by a swimmer to exhort them to hold out until Aug. 25, style papiste, with promise that if the Council were assured of their good-will, they would attempt the breaking of the bridge, with the aid of five or six hundred mariners then come to the fleet. But impatience has put them under the yoke of tyranny, seconded by the Sieur de St. Aldegonde, who has written to the States of Zeeland that he will render account to them of his actions. But I know not whether he will dare to appear before the people. For my part I hold that all that has passed as to this succour and the fleet and all our enterprises have been stratagems. I have never been able to understand, therefore, how such practices should be carried on with the knowledge of her Majesty or of yourself, for I know the town could have been succoured.
	If it has been abandoned in hope of a favourable agreement with the King of Spain; if it proceeds from an intelligence and correspondence with his Majesty, I remain firmly of an opinion that they could more easily have reached the desired aim for religion by aiding the said town, than by letting it be lost.
	By the beginning, I doubt of the end. Already they demand assurance that the boats which go out will return. They have seized the ships of war of Antwerp, and joined with them those they have assembled, to the number of twenty in hope of attacking your fleet. The garrison of Bergen has been in mutiny, the commissaries and captains taken prisoners. Since settled for two months' wages payable by the head.
	They almost caused those of the fleet to do the same, but by taking good order, I have set this right, and things are now in a tolerable state, by the hope of her Majesty's favour and assistance, upon which depends all the grandeur of the glory of God.— Middelburg, 26 August, 1585.
	Postscript.—Fifteen Spanish ensigns, who had escorted the Duchess of Savoy to 'Pymont' and the Cardinal of Granvelle (fn. 2) and also the Count of Buren, have arrived in the land of Brabant. A captain of the said ensigns was taken by soldiers from Bergen in the forest of Brussels. — Middelburg, 26 August, 1585.
	Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Holland III. 13.]
Aug. 17/27.	St. Aldegonde to Walsingham.
	“Le Sieur Steven le Sieur s'en allant vers Angleterre, j'ay bien voulu vous escrire ce mot pour vous supplier que si para venture mon honneur estoit en aucune chose blasmé pardela, ainsy que je voy que mes ennemis et envieux ont procuré de faire pardeça, qu'il vous plaise estre mon protecteur ainsy que avez esté parcy-devant; et vous asseurer que je n'ay riens fait autre que ce qu'un gentilhomme de vertu et d'honneur, et un zelateur de la gloire de Dieu et du bien du peuple, eslongué d'ambition et d'avarice, estoit tenu et obligé de faire.
	“Tant que la ville se pou voit tenir, je l'ay tenue avecq mille difficultez, travaulx et dangers de ma vie. Sans autre chef, sans authorité, sans moyens ni d'argent ni de vivres, sans secours; et ne me suis espargné ni jour ni nuict en tout ce qu'un fidelle ou gouverneur ou bourguemaistre et un vigilant capitaine de guerre (dont toutesfois auparavant oncques je n'avoy voulu faire profession) doit ou peut faire.
	“Quant nous avons esté reduits a telle extremité qu'il estoit humainement impossible de la maintenir davantage sans exposer les bourgeois et habitans a la boucherie et entre eux mesmes et contre l'enemy, j'ay avecq tous les legitimes moyens, cedant au temps et a la necessité et volonté de Dieu (et mesmes à la volonté de tout le magistrat et de la plus saine partie de la ville) conduit les affaires par la grace de Dieu en telle sorte que ceste ville se peut vanter avoir esté reduite a la plus grande et extreme necessité de toutes choses qu'autre ville qui ait esté rendue auparavant, et toutesfois avoir obtenu meilleures conditions et plus favorable traicté que nulle autre.
	“Or, de toutes ces choses est bien conneu ledict Sieur Esteven, et vous en pourra discourrir particulierement comme tesmoing oculaire de la plus part. Et comme sa vertu, fidelité et dexterité m'a grandement obligé envers luy, j'ay bien voulu le vous recommander, Monsieur, le plus affectueusement qu'il m'est possible. Car il merite d'estre employé en choses grandes, mais comme vostre jugement est singulier et que desja vous luy aves porté affection, je croy que ma recommandation est superflue. Toute fois, s'il s'en resent en quelque chose, j'estimeray que l'affection qu'ilvous a pieu me porter du passé n'est en riens diminuée.”—From the Sas, 27 August, 1586.
	Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. III. 14.]
	[Given verbatim, as it appears to be the earliest of St. Aldegonde's letters to England in his defence, and is not mentioned by Motley in his “Note on St. Aldegonde.”]
Aug. 7/17.	News from Italy. (fn. 3)
	Rome, Aug. 10.—On Saturday in the Signatura the claim of Cardinal Altemps to the Castle of Bassono, taken from him by Pope Gregory, was brought forward. The legate of Bologna is making great progress against the bandits, and has taken one of the chiefs of the house of Pepoli. Ninety are expected here, taken in divers places, amongst whom seven are sent by the Grand Duke, and five were taken near Fuligni, one of whom, while the bargello was conducting him, seized the dagger of a sbirro and struck it into his own breast, but was hanged dead, with his company. Near Perugia they had killed two brothers, and the same night set fire to a house where they burnt three persons.
	Monsignor Ungarese will be prefect of the mountains of Norcia, in place of M. Carlo Vettucci, who is returning to Rome.
	It is said that the Pope demands 10,000 salme of corn from the King of Spain, in accordance with the covenants for the kingdom of Naples.
	On Sunday, the Prince of Parma's ambassador was summoned to Capravuoli by Cardinal Farnese, but came back the following day, and is returning to Flanders.
	On Tuesday evening an extraordinary arrived from France, and not finding the ambassador went to Tivoli to Cardinal d'Este to carry him the news of the vacanza of Cardinal Armagnac. Tita Mottini has married the niece of Monsignor Rusticucci and her brother has married the daughter of Ascanio Cafarelli.
	Luca di Sora and his companions sent to get some wine at Sora, and by order of the governor the wine had opium put into it in the flasks. The bearer not being willing to taste it was burnt alive. We hear from Naples that the Viceroy of Sicily has departed accompanied by the galleys of Malta and many Neapolitan gentlemen.
	On Wednesday morning a father and son were hanged on the bridge for having killed the brother of the castelan of S. Angelo So far there have been sent into the castle 700,000 crowns. The French have almost all left Rome.
	The Marquis of Baden's brother, appointed privy chamberlain to his Holiness, is expected, and his household and lodgings are being made ready. It is said that Monsignor Bianchetti, Master of the Chamber to Pope Gregory, has got a pension of 2,000 crowns from the Catholic King. Others say that he is become a Capuchin.
	Cardinal de Medici has begged for the confirmation of the resignation to Cardinal Altemps of the abbey of Chiaravalle, but the Pope will not agree to it.
	The Abbot of La Ghengha has been sent back to close prison, having confessed to having received a silver cup and basin as a gift, for the licence (tratta) which he got from the old Treasurer in the name of Filippo Ravenna.
	Thirty-five monti are vacant by the death of Fabricio Lazari, 25 of which are given to Signor Michele, nephew of his Holiness; two to the butler and two to the barber. On Thursday there came a load (soma) and a half of money from La Marca and was put in the castle.
	Count Gio. Pepoli has been taken in Bologna, for not obeying the legate's order to send away the bandits sheltered in a castle, claiming that it was in the jurisdiction of the Emperor, not of the Pope; and perhaps he may be beheaded.
	The reformation of the court of the Pope goes on, and the ciambella has been taken away from the private chamberlains, which is worth 2,000 crowns a year, and besides those participating, they have appointed four others of repute as assistants to the guard every day. Duke Altemps is applying himself to his defence; the accomplices have been condemned to death for contumacy, and Giulio Rangona, a gentleman of the Duke has been taken in Bologna.
	The Duke of Urbino and the viceroy of Naples have obtained letters allowing them, in pursuing bandits, to break down the doors of monasteries without incurring excommunication.
	Pauolo Giordano is going to leave Padua and go to live at Arco (Arca), a place belonging to Archduke Ferdinand, to quiet his mind.
	There is seen about Rome the following epitaph upon Pope Gregory, which means that if he had not had il buon figlio et il mal figlio, viz. the Duke of Sora, he would have been a good
	Pope Gregorio XIII.
	Cui inter pontifices felicissimus fuisset Si bono maloque filio caruisset.
	Venice, Aug. 17.—The forty-one Signors who were shut up in conclave for the election of the new doge have not yet agreed, so they cannot come out. On Wednesday it was given out that after dinner “il Veniero” would be proclaimed Doge, but it was a jest of those within. Meanwhile, in the more devout monasteries solemn prayers are being offered and amongst others by the Capuchin Fathers, who are using the forty hours' devotion that God may illumine them to make a resolution for the public good and to liberate the city, where almost all business is suspended. [Movements of ships.]
	By the last letters from Constantinople we learn that the Grand Signor has invested David Passo, a rich Hebrew and nephew of his physician into the duchy of Nixia in the Archipelago, in the jurisdiction of the Duke who is here, which Jew has been in this city a long time.
	Yesterday evening the Bailo Moresini arrived here, having first been with the providitor of the fleet at Ancona to pay his vows to Our Lady of Loretto. This morning he has been to the Signoria, accompanied by the procurators and many nobles.
	They write from Milan that a Spaniard having been accidentally wounded by a Milanese, shortly after died, whereupon the first corps of the guards issued forth from the castle, wounding all they could find, showing mercy neither to women or children, and firing into the houses and the shops. Six Milanese have been killed, one being the cook of the ambassador of Savoy. Also that upon the prayers of the Bishop of Vigevano, the Duke of Terranuova has at last been to visit the new Archbishop and stayed to dine with him. [Capture of ships. Great storm at Ferrara.] That Duke, returning from Comacchio fell in with some bandits who fired at him with many arquebusses, but his coach with six horses going at full speed, he escaped from their hands.
	Italian. 4 pp. [Newsletters LXXII. 24.]
Aug. 20.	Stafford to Burghley.
	I was appointed to have audience on Thursday about what Mr. Pallavicini brought, but the Abbot of “Albenes” coming the night before I think stayed it, for the King deferred it till Sunday.
	The Abbot reports that the King of Navarre and Montmorency have met and linked themselves in straight amity together, “seeing the naughty intentions and meanings of them that have taken arms against the King and the State. The King of Navarre hath taken upon him the title of protector of the Estate and defender of the King's person against the naughty practices of them that have sought to trouble his estate and to endanger his person; that in that quarrel they mean to live and die, and to that intent mean to summon all princes of the blood, all officers of the crown; all the nobility and the towns and corporations of both religions without exception, desiring them in this to have no pique for matter of religion,” whatever fair show has been made by the other side that religion was the cause, to colour their ambitious and treacherous enterprises. They mean also to summon all courts of Parliament, to show what justice they ought and are bound to do, viz. to favour them that by blood and birth have interest in the welfare of this realm and on the other side to make the process of these perturbers of the commonwealth without any regard of the duty they owe to it, for the honours and benefits they have received in it. They also mean to call to their succour, for conservation of the realm and the King, all strange princes allied to the King against them who mean to destroy both him and his realm. Montmorency added further “that as long as there was either his Majesty or any of the race of Valois left or any prince of the blood, he would follow him, stick to him and hazard his life and all he had with him; and when there should be none of them left, which God forbid, he was the first baron of France and the 'none' the first officer of the crown, being first Marshal; that he did not doubt but to make these strangers to know that France would never degenerate from his old love to the perfect blood of the realm, and never to stick, nor follow strange bloods.
	“The King of Navarre further sent word that if there were anything that was demanded at his hands, that both he was an honester man and of no less good a house than they whom the Queen Mother had taken the pains to go to, after they had like rebels taken arms against their prince, who had so well deserved of them. That for his part, he had always loved and honoured the Queen Mother, and had persuaded himself ever that she loved him; that in all these respects if it pleased her to take the pains to come thither, she should find him reasonable in any thing that with reason she could require for the quietness of this realm . . . but he would not do himself that wrong to deal with any but herself.
	“And to conclude, that he would never be brought to do any thing à coup de bâton; that if there came an army to make him afraid, they should find he had wherewithal presently to defend himself and to offend others, and that ere long he should have more means to do it thoroughly.
	“This hath the Abbot delivered both to the King and Queen Mother, whereat the King hath showed no mislike and the generality of the court seem greatly to rejoice at it. Besides, he hath delivered unto them how they have stored and fortified their towns, of the which they have great store, as also of daily forces that come to them of both religions; how both religions live there quietly one with another, without any word saying of harm one to another.”
	The talk here is of a general peace and nothing else, but the help that her Majesty and the strange princes will give them must not linger for that, for their persuasion of the assuredness of this makes the King and others to lean more of the King of Navarre's side; whereas if he found they were abandoned, it would be very doubtful what part he would take. But I do not doubt if this goes forward, but that the King will stand for a general peace, with great advantage to those we ought to favour, and in the end, no small assurance to ourselves.
	Upon this it is resolved that the Queen Mother shall go, and very shortly. I am assured (but cannot assure you certainly), “that the Duke of Guise and the League remain greatly amazed and begin to speak gently and to offer the King all service . . . as also that the King sent yesterday to the Duke of Guise, to command him to licentiate his reiters; for seeing they would not part themselves and serve in what sort he would have them, he would none of their service at all . . .
	“There is news come, but not of certainty, that the Princes of Italy begin to think upon the greatness of Spain and that the Duke of Ferrara hath himself been at Venice to confer about it, and that the Duke of Florence hath also sent thither; but this your honour must take it as I hear it. . . .
	“The Pope still playeth Rex; he hath put in prison the Treasurer and they look every day when he shall be executed, and the Cardinal of Como and the Cardinal of St. Etienne who favoured him he hath commanded to keep their houses out of Rome, and if they were not cardinals, it is thought their lives would pay for it.
	“The Abbot hath brought word from the King of Navarre to Queen Mother that knowing his wife as she and he doth, if the Duc de Maine come into Guienne as long as his wife is there, he will presently repudiate her, which hath more made Queen Mother stagger than any one thing.” They that this cometh from desire it to be kept very secret.—Paris, 20 August, 1585.
	Stated to be a copy of that sent to Walsingham.
	Holograph. Add. Endd. by Burghley. 3¾ pp. [France XIV. 72.]
Aug. 20.	Commissioners of the Hanse Towns to the Privy Council.
	Stating that they abstained in their last interview, at the Council's request, from any long recital of the complaints of the Hanse Towns, but find that they have not gained much by their submissiveness, as they learn that the Council does not incline to a renewal of their old privileges, but proposes some new form. If this is so, they fear their embassy will be useless, as the Hanse Towns have decided that nothing new shall be granted to the Adventurers at Hamburg unless a definite confirmation of the treaties of peace and of the London agreements can be obtained. They therefore pray the Council to abrogate the decrees and allow the Hanse Towns to enjoy their accustomed exercise of trade in the same way as English merchants are free to trade in the Empire and all the Hanse towns.—London, 20 August, 1585.
	Add. Endd. Latin. 1¼ pp. [Hamburg and Hanse Towns II. 6.]