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| 7 April. |
415. The Same to the Same.
The heretics here do not at all like the surrender of Valenciennes,
as they begin to see that matters in the States are to be put right,
and that the fury and disorder of the sectaries and rebels will not
be allowed to proceed. The Catholics are as joyful as the others
are sad, and since the duchess of Parma resolved to take up arms,
everything has prospered well. This will help her through her
continuous troubles and cares, which she bears with great valour
and prudence, and is therefore hated by heretics there and here.
The earl of Leicester has returned to the Queen's favour.
Although she appeared to be very angry and annoyed with him, I
always thought his disgrace would not last long.
The Queen has conferred the office of Lord Steward on the earl
of Pembroke, and he commenced his functions at Easter. He
aspired to the post when the earl of Arundel left, and although the
Queen had promised it to him, she had put off actually giving it.
Some months ago, he was summoned for the purpose of receiving
the stick of office, as is customary in the Queen's chamber, and
returned without it to his great disgust, which has continued since.
When the Queen summoned him again on the present occasion, he
was still in doubt whether she would change her mind once more
but he was satisfied this time, and it is looked upon as a favour to
Lord Robert, who is a great friend of Pembroke's and has always
been on his side. From what I understand the friends of the earl
of Arundel are not pleased at the office being filled up, as the earl
will arrive here shortly, he being now in Antwerp.
The Queen has detained the earl of Sussex here although he has
three or four times asked leave to go home. She lately ordered
him not to leave before Easter, and then, when he was going to take
leave of the Queen, the earl of Pembroke took him to his room and
told him this was not a good time to ask permission to go, and he,
Pembroke, as a friend, both of Leicester and him, wished to bring
about a reconciliation between them, he, Sussex, having the governorship
of Wales, about which the dispute has arisen, on condition that
he gives his word not to complain further of the matter, nor of Lord
Robert ; and so it was agreed. I see no signs of the Earl's departure
to the Emperor, which may have been hindered by these private
affairs of his as the Queen told me. He distinctly told the Queen
that if the marriage is to be negotiated by him, he must have, in
writing, and signed, what he has to do, and if after his departure,
anything fresh should be ordered, he will only execute what he
bears written warrant for from here, as he will not deceive the
Emperor. He is quite right in this, as they are so fickle here, and I
think that it will all end in his being satisfied with the governorship
of Wales, and carrying the Garter to the Emperor, making an
excuse that in consequence of religion, the marriage cannot be
effected. The duke of Norfolk has not returned here, and he sent
an excuse to the Queen from attending the feast of St. George,
asking the Queen's license to remain at home on private affairs. It
will be a great gain for religion in this country if the Duke be
converted, as many others are being every day. His wife hears
Mass every day. Her goodness and that of her mother who is with
her, together with the enmity of Leicester, will I hope aid in bringing
the Duke round, since Lord Robert is returning to the Queen's
favour, to the great displeasure of many. Lord Robert is now a strong
heretic, and I am told is very sorry that affairs in Flanders are
prospering, speaking evil of the prince of Orange, and saying that
he has deceived the sectaries by promising them help and then
abandoning them.
News comes from Scotland that the earls of Bothwell and Huntly
and their faction are with the Queen, together with Argyll, and that
Bothwell has the Castle of Edinburgh, the port of Leith, Dunbar
and other places the strongest and most important in the kingdom
in his hands. There is scant satisfaction at this here as they
consider Bothwell and the rest very inclined to the French, and they
may be able to admit what troops they like without let or hindrance.
They assure me that that Queen shows great favour to Bothwell,
although suspicions against him are as strong as ever that he was
the author of the King's murder. It is true that all this news comes
through heretics. This Queen has no person representing her there,
but has constant information from Berwick. The earl of Murray is
at home, and after he had asked license from the Queen to leave,
which was granted, it has been revoked. Cecil sends to tell me that
Lennox, the father of the King, had understood that Edinburgh and
the other places had been surrendered to Bothwell by order of the
Queen. He, Lennox, had embarked on the west coast to come here
or go to Spain. Parliament is to commence on the 14th instant, and
it is believed that religious matters will be dealt with.
The French are trying by various means to obtain the prince of
Scotland to bring up in France. He is now in the power of the
earl of Mar, at Stirling, he who formerly had the Castle of Edinburgh,
and he will not give him up. The letter enclosed was sent
to me by the Queen, by one of her courtiers named Bautista, with
word that it is respecting a business of Count Oliver de Arcos
and requested me to obtain a reply from your Majesty.—London,
7th April 1567. |
| 14 April. |
416. The Same to the Same.
I am carefully obeying your Majesty's commands to discover and
communicate all I can, but as this court is ruled only by a few
heretics, it is difficult to learn what is going on, at least until it is
discussed in the Council. I have been able to learn no more of the
negotiations of the secretary of Foix, the former French Ambassador
here, nor has he returned as I was informed he would. I thanked
the Queen as your Majesty ordered, for her expressions of pleasure
at your Majesty's coming to Flanders, assuring her at the same time
of your attachment to her and desire to reciprocate her offers of
service. She replied amongst other fair words, that not only did I
seem to have well recollected her words, but I must have been in
her heart itself to have entered into her feelings so thoroughly.
I quite expect, as I have said before, that the demands for the
restitution of Calais will not go beyond verbal protest, but I am
told they are ill satisfied with the action of the Calais people towards
Winter, the Vice-Admiral, who went to demand the restitution of
the place from the Governor. I am doing my best to assure the
Queen and the rest of them of your Majesty's friendship, and in my
conversations with the counsellors and others who might repeat my
words to the Queen, I cautiously express my sorrow that they have
lost the place (Calais), in accordance with the instructions your
Majesty gave when the peace was being arranged ; impressing upon
them the importance to this country and to international commerce
and friendship, that the place should be restored, and persuading
them that your Majesty looks upon the matter as your own, so that
they may not get faint-hearted about it. It will be well for the
settlement to hang fire a little, and that both sides be somewhat
pressed, as not much can be expected from their virtue. The Queen
has said nothing about the departure of the earl of Sussex. His
wife begged leave to retire to their home, but he remains here. The
hatred that this Queen has of marriage is most strange. They
represented a comedy before her last night until nearly one in the
morning, which ended in a marriage, and the Queen, as she told me
herself, expressed her dislike of the woman's part.
I wrote to your Majesty on the 7th instant, that Cecil had sent to
tell me that the earl of Lennox, father of the king of Scotland, had
embarked for England or Spain, but the news has since been
contradicted. The Queen tells me the earl of Bothwell has been
accused of the murder of the King by five gentlemen, who were to
prove their accusation within a given time which expired on the
12th instant, and that she (Elizabeth) at the request of the earl of
Lennox had written with her own hand to the queen of Scots
asking her to postpone the hearing as the time was too brief, and it
would not look well for her to appear to treat of so grave a question
closely touching her own honour without all due consideration.
Leicester afterwards told me that news had just arrived from
Scotland confirming the statement that a divorce was being effected
between the earl of Bothwell and his wife, who is a sister of the
earl of Huntly, and that he (Leicester) had received letters from
Berwick, saying that the earl of Murray, the Queen's brother, was
expected there the same night on his way to this country, his
intention being to go to Italy, although my own belief is that he
will not get beyond here. The Queen told me nothing of this, and
Leicester said he had not yet had an opportunity of telling her.
When they speak of the earl of Bothwell's divorce here, they hint
that it is with the object of his marrying the Queen, although I
have been able to learn nothing more definite about it, as no one
has arrived here from her, and I am dependent on gossip.
When I asked this Queen why she had not some person to
represent her in Scotland as she said she would have, especially now
that the king of France has an Ambassador there, and it is so
important that she should know what the French were doing and
counteract any evil designs, she replied that she had appointed a
person satisfactory to the queen of Scotland, but he had been unable
to go, and she did not like to send anyone else, so as not to cause
suspicion to the queen of Scotland at this juncture. I might rest
assured, however, that she was kept very well informed as to events
there.
I would have sent Luis de Paz to that country on some pretext of
his own affairs to obtain information, but amidst so many changes
I have thought better to keep quiet for the present until we see
more clearly how things are going and what is best to be done.
They say Irish affairs are going on well, and that the Viceroy is
pressing John O'Neil. I hear they sent 100,000 crowns there a few
days ago for provisions and pay for the soldiers, and although
70,000 at least were owing already, it is a great deal of money
considering the small sum the Queen is inclined to spend, except
when the fancy seizes her.—London, 14th April 1567. |
| 21 April. |
417. The Same to the Same.
The Queen was to have left for Windsor, where she intends to
stay a part of this summer, but she has postponed her departure for
14 or 15 days, it is said for the purpose of awaiting the reply to be
given in France about the restitution of Calais, or else to settle
something with the representatives who have come hither from the
States of Flanders, as the city authorities are pressing her on the
matter
News has arrived that certain English ships have been arrested in
Havre de Grace, and a French vessel has been detained here in
consequence. The Ambassador spoke to this Queen about it, and
requested that the embargo might be raised, telling her not to
believe that any such arrest had been made in France. Cecil replied
that the French ship should be disembargoed at once, if the Ambassador
would promise that if any English vessel had been arrested in
France it should be released, to which the Ambassador answered
that he could not promise this without disrespect to his King. The
Ambassador himself told me that it was possible that the Governor
of Havre de Grace might have made some such demonstration, as he
was young and arrogant and no friend to the English. He would
not be sorry thus to provoke war. Cecil sent to tell me that this
was what actually happened, but he (the Governor) had shortly
afterwards released the vessels, and the same course was pursued
here.
The Queen tells the Ambassador that she hopes his master will
answer favourably about the restitution of Calais, as the place is
hers, and he will surely not wish to retain it, especially as the
question concerns other sovereigns besides herself. In the event,
however, of his retaining it, although she wishes to keep the peace,
she will be forced to take the first opportunity of regaining it. She
says also that the French themselves offered her two fortresses in
France in exchange for the place, but she refused. The Ambassador
does not believe this. It looks as if they were getting warm about
it, but it will all end in words, unless better arguments or more
help are forthcoming. They have begun to fit out ships, but I think
the only object is to show the French that they are getting ready.
There is nothing thought about the earl of Sussex's departure.
The earl of Murray arrived here on the 16th instant, and was
with the Queen for a long time the next day, but I have not been
able to learn what passed. It is announced that he will go by
Germany to Genoa, or else by way of France, where some people
think he will remain, either openly or hidden, in which case there
will be no lack of places where he can stay as he is a heretic. He
came to my house the day before yesterday, and said that the
alliance between his Queen and your Majesty and her obligation to
you had caused him to visit me. He has license from his Queen to
travel in Italy and see Milan and Venice. He thought of going by
way of France, and would have gone through Flanders if it had
been in a more quiet condition. The ostensible reason of his journey
was his desire to see the countries mentioned, but he said it was
really because, as the earl of Bothwell, who had always been his
enemy, was in so powerful a position he feared something unpleasant
might befall him (Murray), particularly as Bothwell had over 4,000
men at his disposal, besides the force in Edinburgh and Dunbar,
where he says the whole of the artillery and ammunitions are. He
said he did not intend to return until the Queen had punished the
persons concerned in her husband's death, as he thought it was
unworthy of his position to remain in a country where so strange
and extraordinary a crime went unpunished. He believes that the
truth might certainly be ascertained if due diligence were shown, as
it is undoubted that over 30 or 40 persons were concerned, and the
house where the King was killed was entirely undermined, which
could not be done by one man. Although he did not name any
particular person, it was easy to understand by his discourse that he
considers Bothwell to be guilty. I asked him if the statement about
the divorce between Bothwell and his wife was true, and he said it
was. As he tells the story it appears to be a somewhat novel sort
of divorce, as it is on the petition of the wife. They had been
married hardly a year and a half, and she alleges in her petition
that her husband has committed adultery. I asked him whether
there had been any ill-treatment or quarrels to account for the
divorce, to which he replied that there had been none, but that the
wife had taken proceedings at the instance of her brother, the earl
of Huntly, who, to curry favour with Bothwell, had persuaded her to
do so, and at Bothwell's request the Earl was to be restored to his
position in the Parliament which is to be held on the 14th instant,
although this Queen had assured me that it would not be assembled.
Murray told me he had heard here that the divorce would be effected
in order that the Queen might marry Bothwell, but he did not
believe it considering the Queen's position and her great virtue, as
well as the events which have taken place. It really seems improbable,
she being a Catholic as she is, and the divorce for such a
reason as that alleged, being only as regards co-habitation, which
lawyers call a divorce "de thoro," and neither party being free to
marry again during the life of the other. I asked him if it was the
same in his religion, and he said it was, but the French Ambassador
is certain that if the divorce is effected, the Queen will marry him
(Bothwell), and the French Ambassador in Scotland has written
that the Parliament will be held.
I wrote to your Majesty on the 14th instant that this Queen had
told me that she had written at the request of the earl of Lennox
to the queen of Scotland, asking her to extend the time fixed for the
trial of the allegations against the earl of Bothwell in the murder of
the King, as it was too short to prove so important a business.
Her request, however, was not granted, and this Queen has received
news that the trial took place on the day appointed, namely the
12th, and no accuser or witness appeared against the Earl, who was
acquitted by the majority of the judges, who were ordered by the
Queen to declare their judgment, but the rest of them would not
vote as they considered the trial was not free, the earl of Bothwell
having large forces with him, and Lennox being ordered not to
bring more than six horsemen. For this reason there was no one to
bring or support the charge. Lady Margaret knows nothing of this
yet. The earl of Arundel entered here on the 17th, and all the
people in the Court went out to receive him. He alighted at the
palace on his way. He greatly praises the reception he met with at
Milan from the duke of Alburquerque, with whom he stayed some
days, and speaks very highly of the Duke's good government, and
the purity and rectitude with which justice is administered—quite a
new thing for these people.
Since writing the above, a courier has arrived from Scotland for
Murray, who tells me it is true that the earl of Bothwell has been
acquitted of the charge brought against him, and although the earl
of Lennox did not come to make the accusation the Queen's fiscal
did so. When Bothwell had been acquitted he had placards posted
saying, that now that he had been absolved by the law, any person
who said he had been concerned in the King's death would have to
meet him in combat and should be taught the truth.
As I have already written, efforts are being made to alarm this
Queen about your Majesty's coming to Flanders, in order to soften
her about Calais, but I hardly think it was necessary for that
purpose, seeing how things are here, although Scotch affairs may
furnish a reason why these people should distrust the French.—
London, 21st April 1567. |
| 26 April. |
418. The Same to the Same.
Some four or five days ago the Queen summoned the earl of Sussex
and told him to prepare for his journey as he had to leave to visit
the Emperor at once. The earl replied that his departure had been
under discussion for a long time and he believed the principal object
of his journey was connected with the marriage with the Archduke.
Seeing, however, that no favourable decision had been arrived at in this
matter he begged the Queen as he had done three times before not to
send him. The Queen answered him very firmly that he was to talk
no more about excuses as it was not conducive to her dignity or the
public interest that he should avoid going and as for the marriage it
should be dealt with so as not to present so much difficulty as he
said. The earl replied that such being the case he would willingly
go, but he wished to bear with him the decision on the two points
contended for by the Queen, namely that she should see the Archduke
before marrying him and question of religion. He said as
regarded the first point no middle course could be found ; but as to
the question of religion he wished to be quite clear about it before he
left, because although he was a native born Englishmen, and knew
as well as others what was passing in the country, he was at a loss
to state what was the religion that really was observed here. He
believed that her Majesty and the rest of them held by the Augsburg
confession, but he saw nevertheless that Calvinism was being
preached and being taught nearly everywhere, and he therefore
wished the Council to decide about this as it was a point of the
highest importance, those who adopted the Augsburg confession
being further removed from Calvinists than from those who professed
the ancient religion. In fact this was clearly proved at the rising
in Antwerp when those who held by the Augsburg confession
made common cause with the Catholics, and it was still further shown
in the last Parliament here where one of the Bishops showed himself
in favour of the Augsburg creed, and was so much reprehended
by the rest of them that the bishop of London had gone so far as to
say that no one ought to speak to him, and quoted St. Paul publicly
to this end. Things being in this condition he (Sussex) did not
know how he was to treat with the Archduke, without some
resolution of the Council with respect to a matter upon which they
themselves were not decided, and he therefore begged the Queen to
consider the question and grant him leave of absence that he might
also reflect upon what was best for her interests, and so the matter
was left.
I was told yesterday by a connection of the Lord Chamberlain
that the latter had told him that the earl of Sussex was entrusted
with no other mission than that of taking the order of the Garter
to the Emperor. This man was advised of this as he was to have
accompanied the Earl if the marriage had been discussed. I sent to
tell Cecil what I had heard and to ask him if it were true. He
answered that it was not, but that the Earl would be entrusted with
both missions, and he (Cecil) was then preparing the despatches he
was to take with him. I believe it will all end in the taking of the
Garter, and they will get out of the marriage business in some way
that they will consider decent.
Cecil has sent to tell me that he has news from Scotland that
Parliament has also absolved the earl of Bothwell from the King's
murder as the judges had done and the Queen had thereupon granted
him the castle of Dunbar with all its lands which had always
belonged to the crown. In answer to the placards the earl had had
posted, as I told your Majesty, against those who might say he was
concerned in the murder a document had been circulated, copy of
which I enclose as sent to me by Cecil, who also tells me that the queen
of Scots had given license to the earl of Lennox to leave the country,
and the earl of Mar had also asked for similar license, whereat they
are much surprised as he has the custody of the Prince. This,
however, says Cecil, is what they write to him although he does know
how true it may be.
Certain Catholics say they are sure Bothwell cannot be culpable, and
that the Queen was in no way cognizant of the murder, but that these
heretics wish to cast blame upon her in order to benefit Catharine's
affair, as that Queen is a Catholic and they wish to defame her and
separate her from her many friends here. They greatly fear she will
marry Bothwell and are trying to prevent it, being anxious that she
should accept Lord Robert, for which purpose some of his friends wish
a person to be sent to her from here. Things here are as usual. The
Catholics constantly increasing in numbers ; quite contrary to what
happens elsewhere, and I know for certain that many of those who
were furious heretics when your Majesty was here are now the best
christians. When the troubles in Flanders began and the sectaries
multiplied, people here were in such high glee that they could not
contain themselves, notwithstanding that the Queen publicly showed
her sympathy on the the other side and spoke strongly on the
matter (although it is difficult to judge what her private opinions
were), but now that things are going the other way those who
rejoiced before are dejected now and downcast, whilst the godly ones
who were so grieved are now glad, especially in the belief that your
Majesty is coming to the States, which they think will not only be
certain to remedy the trouble and pacify the country ; but your
Majesty's presence will so animate this country that it will return
to the state to which your Majesty reduced it, and even much better,
and that henceforward nothing will ever cause it to backslide again.
So far as my own observations serves I believe these good people
do not err in this nor in their belief, which is as great as the fear of
the heretics that God will send them their deliverance by your
Majesty's royal hand.—London, 26th April 1567. |
