Simancas: May 1575

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

Citation:

'Simancas: May 1575', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579, ed. Martin A S Hume( London, 1894), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp492-493 [accessed 27 November 2024].

'Simancas: May 1575', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Edited by Martin A S Hume( London, 1894), British History Online, accessed November 27, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp492-493.

"Simancas: May 1575". Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 2, 1568-1579. Ed. Martin A S Hume(London, 1894), , British History Online. Web. 27 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol2/pp492-493.

May 1575

29 May. 410. Antonio de Guaras to — (Zayas?).
On the 21st I sent my last report and have little additional to say in this. As I wrote, a ship of 200 tons was being fitted out in the river and, after it had been well armed, has now sailed in company with two other vessels to join three more in Plymouth with the intention, as I am informed, of going to the Indies for plunder, although they were secretly aided by Captain Hawkins and are partly owned by Hatton, captain of the guard. He is such a good gentleman that they will certainly do no harm with his consent. They take great quantities of shirts, doublets, canvas, and other things suitable for the Indies. It is still asserted at Court that Harry Cobham will leave here shortly for Spain by land with a message from the Queen.
The alliance between this Queen and the king of France having been agreed upon, and news having arrived of its due ratification, she is going to send him the Order of the Garter by Lord Howard, who was created a knight of the Order on St. George's day and is now ready to leave.
The Queen has departed on her progress and it is believed that she will go towards the north and will meet the queen of Scotland. They are proceeding with the examination of those who are imprisoned in connection with the latter Queen, in order to find some excuse for taking her out of the hands of the earl of Shrewsbury and placing her in the power of some great enemy. There is so much confusion here about their sects, that all last week they were arresting people by the order of the Queen and examining them before the Courts of Justice. They have found them obstinate, some of them in the diabolical opinions of the Puritans, others Anabaptists, and many other sects. It may be hoped that all this disorder will some day result in good.
You will know that the Channel is now full of armed ships from Flushing. They have taken a valuable ship which was loaded in Calais for Barbary, and two English ships on their voyage from Spain. Lord Kildare, whom they had captured in Ireland, has now been brought here, and is being kept under a strong guard in the house of the Lord Chancellor. People here are so malicious that it is generally announced that he is arrested because he was going to Spain with his companions, (fn. 1) who are left prisoners in the castle of Dublin. I spoke to Lord Burleigh respecting the examination of the English ships which come from, and go to, Flanders, and I afterwards approached those who have charge of them. They turn a deaf ear to my request that the four which are ready to leave should be inspected, and they will not order the inspection of those which are expected to arrive from Flanders, unless some measures are taken about it on the other side ; although really there is no great need for it, as I am assured that they do not load anything else than the ordinary goods they take to Flanders, in which they are very careful. If they want to send merchandise to Flushing or bring goods from there, they know how to manage it in ships that come and go daily, and if they pay duty, and the rebels have cargo on such ships, it is all done in the name of Englishmen and is kept secret. It will therefore be seen that it will be waste of time for me to proceed in the matter as instructed, (fn. 2)
As I have written, the two friends are awaiting an answer to decide whether they shall go to communicate their pretensions to his Excellency but if no decided reply is sent them they are determined not to wait any longer. I have told them that I expect that they will have it in a fortnight at latest.—London, 29th May 1575.
411. Antonio De Guaras to Zayas.
I enclose report of what has happened since my last. I am informed that the Grand Commander of Castile is sending his secretary to the King ; I hope his Excellency will write to his Majesty by him about my business, and that it will be done, as I have begged in an official letter, in conformity with your kindness to me.
I received yesterday a letter from the duchess of Feria by way of Paris, to which I reply at once. She will be greatly grieved to hear of the death of her father, Sir William Dormer. He left great estates and over a hundred thousand ducats in money, and ended his days as a good Catholic.—London, 29th May 1575.

Footnotes

  • 1. The King has put the following marginal note against this : "He will not have understood it."
  • 2. The person who deciphered the letter for the King's perusal has interpolated a remark at the end of this paragraph to the effect that he does not understand what it is about, but that no doubt it is some understanding with the Grand Commander (Requesens). The King has written beneath this that he also is ignorant of the meaning. The paragraph evidently refers to the request made by the Spanish authorities in Flanders that ships leaving or arriving in England to and from Flanders should be liable to inspection to prevent the conveyance of munitions of war or other prohibited goods.
PreviousTable of contentsNext