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| 1 Dec. |
453. The Same to the Same.
Five days since, by order of the Queen, all the houses in this city
were visited and a memorandum taken of the people living therein
with the parish churches where they attend divine service, and what
religion they profess, also in the case of foreigners, how long they
have been here. This has been done on previous occasions, but they
say never with so much care.
The Queen told me she was going to have this inquiry made in
order to learn who had come to this country since the beginning of
the disturbance in Flanders, the numbers, rank, and religion of such
people, and to make proper regulations with regard to them.
At the same time certain of the English people who came to hear
Mass at my house were summoned by the Queen's commissioners,
namely the so-called bishop of London, Ambrose Cave of the Council, a
master of requests named Haddon, and another official of the archbishop
of Canterbury. Although the number summoned was considerable
a still larger number accompanied them. The persons summoned
were asked to take oath that they would answer truly the question
put to them, and about twenty of them swore conditionally to answer
according to the law. Six refused to swear for various reasons,
whereat the commissioners were displeased and sent them to prison,
but up to the present nothing more has been done. On the same
day that this passed Cecil and I were together discussing some
matters concerning individuals and the conversation turned to this
subject. He told me it was asserted that I persuaded the Queen's
subjects to attend Mass at my house in violation of the law, to which
I replied that no one could truly say that I had spoken to him with
that end. It was true, I said, that many people of all nations attended
as the chapel door was open ; some no doubt from mere curiosity and
some from devotion. I would, however, close the doors against
Englishmen in their own country whilst admitting foreigners, but
was surprised at any such fresh steps being taken and out of esteem
and friendship for him I warned him that even though his advice in
the Council in these matters was prompted by his desire to serve the
interests of the country, it would not be to their advantage to persist
in the proceedings, the responsibility for which some people sought to
cast upon him for the purpose of making him odious to the public.
He thanked me greatly and asked whether I had said that I could
collect 2,000 men in my house, which he said had been asserted at
the Council or to the Queen, as also the statement about my
persuading people to come to Mass. I told him both statements
were false, at which he said he was glad that was so as he had himself
given the same reply. I have no doubt that when some of them
saw that the Queen was not prohibiting people from coming to Mass
although she knew of it, they invented such stories as these to alarm
her, and ever since the matter of the casting down of the cross in the
Queen's chapel they have been talking about the expulsion of
Catholics from the Queen's household, but nothing has been done yet.
The religious movements in France are keeping them in suspense
as they do not know how they will end. The Catholics are uneasy
at the proceedings. The day before yesterday was the last day of
the term, and the Chancellor made a long speech in the Star Chamber
as they call it, to the judges and other officials present directing
them to take especial care that in their respective districts they
should allow no one to possess books against their religion and other
things to the same effect. What most troubles the Catholics however
is to see the earl of Leicester has become much more confirmed in his
heresy and is followed by the earl of Pembroke who has been
considered a Catholic. There is nobody on their (the Catholics) side
in the Council, but notwithstanding all this the number of Catholics is
daily increasing, and if they had men and dared to trust one another
they would be formidable. The cross has not yet been set up again
in the Queen's chapel, but she has one in her oratory.
Cecil tells me that the Archduke requires that he should be
allowed to have Mass and exercise his religion in the same way as
the Ambassadors do, and if this be conceded to him the Emperor will
advise him to come. The earl of Sussex's envoy will shortly return
with the Queen's answer, but Cecil gave me no further particulars
and I do not believe they have yet entirely made up their minds. I
am just informed that the six persons they have imprisoned for
refusing to swear have been released.—London, 1st December 1567.
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| 6 Dec. |
454. The Same to the Same.
As I wrote to your Majesty on the 1st instant certain persons who
had refused to swear that they would answer truly the questions to
be asked them by the Commissioners have been released, but the
business is still being carried forward. Those who swore to answer
according to the law have now been examined and some of them
arrested, and the issue of the affair will soon be apparent. These
heretics are so blind as to marvel why your Majesty does not allow
full liberty to all in your dominions to enjoy their own opinions and
schisms against the Catholic religion, and yet they themselves refuse
to let people live freely in the ancient religion of the country which
they have professed for so many years without molestation.
The Queen will arrive here on the 9th. I understand that no
decision has been arrived at about the answer to be given respecting
the Archduke's suit. They are no doubt awaiting the issue of the
French business.
The night before last the Queen received a despatch from Ireland
saying 800 Scotsmen from the adjacent islands had landed on the
territory lately possessed by John O'Neil and where his kinsmen
still are. No further details are known. Things are still quiet
in Scotland. They say the Queen is free to walk about the castle
and even to hunt on the islet upon which it stands, with the same
guard as formerly.—London, 6th December 1567. |
| 13 Dec. |
455. The Same to the Same.
The Queen intended to arrive here on the 9th, but I am told she
will not come until the 18th and will then only pass through as she
wishes to spend Christmas at Greenwich. She is well and affairs
are tranquil here. They are awaiting from one hour to another
news from France which is the affair now uppermost in all their
thoughts, although each one looks at it according to their own views
and desires and speaks of it as if the whole business were to carry
out his particular wish. The Queen has been obliged to forbid the
discussion of the matter at table in the palace, and also the question
as to whether the prince of the Conde's party are rebels or not, and
indeed all religious subjects to avoid a scandal.
According to what the Queen told me four days since they have
by this time decided the answer to be given to the earl of Sussex
respecting the Archduke's match as the gentleman sent hither by the
Earl on the matter was to be despatched on that day. I do not
know what decision has been arrived at or even whether the man
has gone yet.
The robberies at sea still continue, as do also the efforts to find
a remedy for this ancient grievance ; but notwithstanding the
stringent edicts issued they are not carried out. I am pressing the
matter again on the pretext of some fresh piracies, but do not know
what will come of it.
The five ships which I wrote were being fitted out in Southhampton
for Guinea will, I am told, shortly sail and will be joined
by two other small vessels, so that there will be seven in all. The
two small ships are of about 20 tons burden and the others from 50
to 60. They have given security not to go to your Majesty's Indies,
but whether they will do so or not is another matter. I have
asked the Queen to punish those who went in Hawkins' three ships
who gave security also when they sailed last year, but broke their
promise. No report of the matter has been sent, however, so I do
not know what more can be done, although the steps I have taken
will be useful to deter the others.
There is nothing fresh to advise from Ireland. The 800 Scotsmen
who I wrote in my last had landed are not taken much account of
here as they say they have come as friends from the neighbouring
islands to people the land if allotments are given to them. The fact
is the folks here publish what they like, but it is stated on the other
hand that instead of 800 there are 1,500 of these Scotsmen, and that
they are committing great ravages in the country. The captain in
command there who had been summoned hither has now been
ordered not to come, but to go with his English and Irish forces to
resist the invaders.
Scotch affairs are quiet although it is said that dissensions have
arisen between two leading members of the Council there as to which
of them is to have charge of the castle of Dunbar.—London,
13th December 1567.
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| 18 Dec. |
456. The King to Guzman De Silva.
On the 14th October you were advised that all your letters to that
date had been received and answered as you will have seen by
duplicates sent to you by way of Italy in case of loss of originals sent
by the western sea. I am anxious to receive your acknowledgment
of the receipt as the despatches are important.
I have since received yours of 20th and 27th September and 10th,
13th, and 28th October, and am pleased at your diligence in informing
me of all that occurs.
Respecting what you say about the negotiations the French were
carrying on with people there and the inconvenience which would
arise from any friendship between them you will take care to find out
everthing that passes in this particular and let us know, as well as all
concerning Flemish affairs as you have already been ordered. You
will keep up correspondence with the duke of Alba so that he also
may know what is going on
With your letter of 13th (October) I received the despatch you
had written to the Queen about the molestation suffered by our
Flemish fleet in Plymouth and by the Spanish ship carrying the
galley slaves, and although M. de Wachen had written to us on both
subjects I was glad to have your information and of the steps you
had taken with the Queen and Council as well as the result of your
action. You acted very wisely in the matter, and I am obliged to
you for your great diligence and care.
As to addressing to the English Ambassador here the substance
of what you write to me, this shall be done, and in the meanwhile
you will give the Queen from me my thanks for the orders she has
given about the affair. Tell her I greatly desire an opportunity of
proving my fraternal friendship to her and that on occasions of this
sort particularly an example should be made by punishing those who
are guilty of such daring acts and so avoiding greater troubles.—
Madrid, 18th December 1567.
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| 21 Dec. |
457. Guzman de Silva to the King.
On the 17th, I received your Majesty's letter of the 12th ultimo,
and communicated to the French Ambassador what your Majesty
ordered me to say to the Queen urging her not to allow her subjects
to go and help the French rebels. The Ambassador thought that,
seeing the representations I made to the Queen at the commencement
of the movement and several times since, and her assurance to
me that none of her subjects should help them, it will be better to
say no more about it to her until advice is received from France of
the success of the business, and then to approach her in accordance
with circumstances, particularly as there are no signs of any movement
here in that direction. I have said I will act as he wishes, as
your Majesty's only desire was that I should act in the interest of
his King, and knowing this I had taken the steps I had before
receiving the duke of Alba's orders or any fresh commands from
your Majesty.
Rumours are rife here that an agreement is being arranged
between the King and his rebellious subjects. These heretics found
great hopes upon it, as they know that otherwise events might turn
out so as to deprive them of any support from that quarter to the
great injury of their plans. The Ambassador greatly fears an
arrangement, and says that it would be a great loss to the country,
and damage the prestige of his master, which is obvious, as is also
the harm it would do to affairs here and in Flanders.
Cobham has already left for Vienna with the Queen's reply to the
earl of Sussex about the Archduke's suit. I have not heard what is
the substance of it, nor does Cobham himself know, although I am
told that when the Secretary gave him the despatch he bade him go
with a good heart. I am assured even that Lord Robert does not
know the contents of the reply. It is a difficult business, but the
Queen knows what her wishes are and is clever enough to have her
way.
Although the commissioners appointed to act in the case of the
people who heard Mass in my house seem to have cooled somewhat
in the prosecution, they have sufficiently frightened the accused.
There are however only four or five in prison, and I think they will
be released. Those who have been imprisoned for some time are
kept more closely than formerly. When the Queen arrives we will
see what can be done for them—London, 21st December 1567.
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| 29 Dec. |
458. The Same to the Same.
The Queen entered London on the 23rd instant in good health,
although she had not been well some days before and had suffered
from toothache and a fever which lasted forty hours and greatly
weakened her. She came well attended, as in addition to the
ladies of the court many other ladies of high position and several
gentlemen came with her. She has stayed over the holidays here, but
when they are over she will go to Greenwich if no change is made.
The cross has not again been erected in the chapel, but a piece of
tapestry with a crucifix, some candlesticks and salvers were placed
on the altar on the eve of the feast. The man who threw down the
cross and who had been acquitted cast down one of the candlesticks
which would not have happened if he had been properly punished
and guarded. He was at once arrested and taken to a private prison
whence he was transferred to the Tower. There has been a dispute
lately amongst the members of the Flemish Church here as to
whether children should have godfathers and godmothers at
baptism. The matter went so far that it became necessary for the
so-called bishop of London to arrest them, but they were released on
Christmas eve, which however has not been done to those who are
imprisoned for hearing Mass. There are only five of them. Affairs
in Ireland are tranquil although some trouble has been caused by
the Scotsmen from the islands of whom I wrote. Efforts are being
made to remedy matters and to arrange so that the whole island
should be quiet and obedient to this country, which will be of the
greatest importance if it can be managed. Some of the principal
people in the country have been brought hither, amongst whom are
the earl of Desmond and a brother of his called John Desmond, who
were taken to the Tower four days ago prisoners, the Earl being
most strictly confined.
The only thing I have been able to learn of the reply sent to the
earl of Sussex is that Lord Robert said to the Earl (Viscount?)
Montague, with whom he has always been friendly, that the Earl had
been told that the Archduke could come if he liked, but without any
assurance of the affair being carried through and at his own risk. I
believe this to be the case, although, as I wrote in my last of the
22nd, I am assured that Lord Robert himself was ignorant of the
decision contained in the reply.
I am informed that they have again increased the strictness with
which they have imprisoned the earl of Hertford, Catharine's
husband. They are possibly afraid of some movement in his interest,
as I am assured that certain negotiations are afoot respecting the
succession to the crown very different from the marriage business.
The herald sent by the Regent and Government (of Scotland) to
the king of Denmark, demanding the surrender of the earl of
Bothwell, has not yet returned.—London, 29th December 1567.
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