Simancas: September 1559 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 1, 1558-1567. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

Citation:

'Simancas: September 1559', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 1, 1558-1567, ed. Martin A S Hume( London, 1892), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol1/pp95-97 [accessed 30 November 2024].

September 1559



7 Sept. Simancas, B. M. MS., Add. 26,056a.	60. The Bishop of Aquila to the Duchess of Parma. The Emperor's Ambassador and I having been advised by one of the ladies of the palace, a sister of Lord Robert, called Lady Sidney, that this was the best time to speak to the Queen about the Archduke, the Ambassador went to Hampton Court where the Queen is living to see her on the subject. The lady would not speak herself, but urged that I should go, and said if I broached the matter of the match to the Queen now she was sure it would be speedily settled. I tried to discover what this might mean, and find that the Queen is much alarmed at a plot which they have told her of against her and Robert, the object of which was to kill him at a banquet given recently to the Queen by the earl of Arundel, where also the Queen was to be poisoned. This plot together with the French war preparations lor Scotland, seems to have decided the Queen to marry, and Lady Sidney said that at all events I ought to be there and must not mind what the Queen said, as it is the custom of ladies here not to give their consent in such matters until they are teased into it. She said it would only take a few days, and the Council would press her to marry. Lady Sidney said that if this were not true, I might be sure she would not say such a thing as it might cost her her life and she was acting now with the Queen's consent, but she (the Queen) would not speak to the Emperor's Ambassador about it. We were rather undecided what course to take for the moment, but they are now making so much of us that all London looks upon the affair as settled. Lady Sidney said the Queen wished the Archduke to come at once, and I ought to write to the Emperor to send him, which he could do on her honour and word, and she (Lady Sidney) would never dare to say such a thing as she did in the presence of an Italian gentleman who was interpreting between us (although we can understand each other in Italian without him) unless it were true. I said I was not quite sure what I ought to do, but I had no doubt the Archduke would come if his father allowed him and I would write at once. I afterwards spoke to Lord Robert, who said in this as in all things he was at the disposal of my King to whom he owed his life. Treasurer Parry also spoke to me on the subject of his own accord, and from him I gathered that the Queen is driven to this by fear, and when I said what a pity it was that the Queen was so irresolute, he said when next I went to the palace he hoped to give me good news. I spoke to him about Lady Sidney, and he said the Queen had summoned both of them the night before, and at the end of our conversation he said that the marriage had now become necessary.— London, 7th September 1559.
7 Sept. Simancas, B. M. MS., Add. 26,056a.	61. Bishop Quadra to the Bishop of Arras (?) I fear the evil is worse than I thought, and this woman is in great trouble, although the revelations of this lady (Lady Sidney) about the plot amply account for it and drive her to a resolution, bearing in mind the French preparations in Scotland. I am told there are 3,000 French troops there, although the ambassador assures me there are not more than 1,200. This number, however, so to speak inside their own doors, is quite enough to spoil their sleep. Lord Robert and his sister arc certainly acting splendidly, and the King will have to reward them well, better than he does me, and your Lordship must remind him of it in due time. The question of religion is of the most vital importance, as is also the manner of the Archduke's marriage and its conditions and ceremonies. In view of these difficulties it would be better for the wedding to be a clandestine one. I do not know how he will get over the oath he will have to take to respect the laws of the land, which are some of them schismatic.—London, 7th September 1559.
9 Sept. Simancas. B. M. MS., Add. 26056a.	62. The Bishop of Aquila to the Duke of Alba. I have only been able to find out about this plot what I am told by a great friend of Robert's, who says that at a banquet given by the earl of Arundel to the Queen she was to be poisoned and he murdered, which is the same as Lady Sidney said. I also hear some talk about Lords Dacre and Montague and certain Bishops, and I am afraid the French have something to do with it, as the Queen is very much offended with them, although she tried to hide it. It seems that Pickering is sending a challenge to the earl of Bedford for having spoken ill of him at a banquet. Lord Robert, who is to be Pickering's second, has promised to deliver the challenge. I do not believe that Bedford will ever quarrel with anybody. Robert professes to be the most faithful servant our King has here, and Lady Sidney says she wishes to write a long letter to the countess (of Feria) with plenty of news from here. They cannot make too much of me here at Hampton Court now. It is curious how things change.—London, 9th September 1559.
12 Sept. Simancas, B. M. MS. Add. 26,056a.	63. The Bishop of Aquila to the Emperor. The earl of Arran (whom the Queen thinks of marrying) has been with her secretly here two or three times, and she is fomenting the tumults in Scotland in his interest through a heretic preacher called Knox. Some ten days ago this Earl left here for Scotland, and it is to be expected that he will do his best to perform the task the Queen has given him and uphold his party for which the Queen has found the money and promised to look favourably upon his suit. The Admiral and Cecil go with him although they try to make us think they have gone to their houses. They have had the management of Arran's affair all through. I feel certain their designs will fail as the French have sent 3,000 or 4,000 infantry and 500 cavalry, and they are receiving troops in the country itself daily. They are masters of the fortresses and the landing place a mile out of Edinburgh, and the greater part of the people are in their favour, so that it may be concluded that the rebel (or heretic) force, for they mean the same thing, will not hold out long. Even though the queen of England may find them money it will not be much ; they have nothing else, either leaders (as this youth is no soldier) or people, except some labourers and country fellows who will not be able to suffer the hardships of the campaign for twenty days.—London, 12th September 1559.