Simancas: February 1562 | 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: February 1562', 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/pp228-229 [accessed 27 November 2024].

February 1562



9 Feb.	151. The King to Bishop Quadra. All yours up to the 10th January received, and by them and by copies of those you sent to the Duchess my sister, and Cardinal de Granvelle, I am informed of all that has passed in that country. I thank you for your care and diligence, which I trust you will continue. If your letters have not been answered and the present does not deal with them as you desire it is from no want of will on our part but because we have not yet been able to come to a resolution as to the steps to be taken to remedy the evils, which must be attacked at their roots, and as the matter is so grave and weighty and full of difficulties it must be deeply considered jointly with the state of our own affairs. As soon as I arrive at a decision I will send full particulars, and this is only to tell you thus much, and to urge you continue your diligence and good offices, and keep in close communication with the Duchess my sister, and with my ambassador in France.—Madrid, 9th February 1562.
9 Feb.	152. Bishop Quadra to the King. I wrote last week the enclosed letter which did not go as the post was stopped at Dover. The ports were closed as it was suspected Lady Margaret's son wished to escape, and the Queen herself gave me to understand that it was for reasons of great importance. Many believe, however, that it was only an artifice to give them time to raise a sum of money in Antwerp on exchange here, the exchanges having risen greatly as they believed there that the value of money had fallen. The reason why the projected reforms in the coinage have not been effected is that Paget assured the Queen that it would cause disturbances in the country and in fact meetings had been held in various places about it. The statement that Lady Margaret's son has fled to Scotland is thought to be false. If it were true the Queen would not be so calm as she is, and the young man may be expected here with his mother any day. I hear they have sent to arrest two or three of the principal gentlemen in the country on suspicion of their favouring the cause of this youngster. They have thought well also to inquire whether I have any understanding with Lady Margaret, and have asked all those who have been arrested on this account if I know anything of the matters they confess. The truth is they can hear nothing of me but what the Queen should be pleased at, but these heretics so dislike my stay here that they cease not to plot how they can place me in her bad graces. What they are doing with me now in Lady Margaret's affair they did last year when the Abbé Martinengo's coming was under discussion, but they have never dared to go so far as this before, not even the Queen herself, who sent yesterday to invite me to an entertainment they are giving to-day with the intention as I suspect of bringing me to words with the French ambassador on the question of precedence, but I excused myself from going. I went to speak to the Queen three days since about the safe conduct for the Hospitaller of St. John, as your Majesty ordered, and I thought well not to miss the opportunity of saying that I was very tired of these inquiries and investigations every year about me and their taking note of those who went in and out of my house, which was so notorious that I could not avoid advising your Majesty about it. She answered me with all the amiability in the world, but what I tell your Majesty is the simple truth, and I believe they would be very glad if there were no one here to look after any other interests than their own.— London, 9th February 1562.