Simancas: August 1575 | British History Online

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

Citation:

'Simancas: August 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/pp500-502 [accessed 27 November 2024].

August 1575



27 Aug.	418. The King to Antonio De Guaras. Our servant, Antonio de Guaras ; it being needful for me to send a number of small vessels to my Netherlands States, I write to the Queen of England informing her thereof, and to beg that, if driven by weather or accident, they should enter her ports, she will order them to be received in a way suitable to the friendship between us and allow them to purchase what they need. I order you in conformity therewith, and in compliance with the instructions you will have received from the Grand Commander of Castile, to take what steps may be necessary with the same end. The ships will be commanded by Don Pedro de Valdés, but they will be subsequently taken charge of by Juan Martinez de Recalde, and whichever commander may arrive with them in England will receive from you the assistance necessary for the good of my service. —Madrid, 27th August 1575.
27 Aug.	419. Antonio de Guaras to Zayas. My last report was dated the 20th, and there is little else to say. When M. de Buiscot received his despatch from his Excellency he left for the Court which is fifty miles off, and it is to be expected that he will not be long detained. Shortly afterwards the new French ambassador, who is to reside here, went also to Court accompanied by M. de la Mothe who goes to take his leave. The new ambassador's name is M. de la Mauvissière,. (fn. 1) and they say that the king of France was coming to terms with his rebels. He had 800 soldiers ready to send to Genoa if the disturbances there continue, and this, new ambassador said, in the course of conversation, that the king of France would not cease to try his fortune, but would continue to do so until he got possession of Milan and the kingdom of Naples. All this and other things of the same sort are simply the vapourings of a soldier. I hear from a man who mixes with the French that he (Mauvissière) is instructed to inform the Queen that the King will soon come to terms with his rebels and is ready to help the Genoa people if they appeal to him on behalf of their liberty ; the intention being afterwards to meddle in Italy for the purpose of sullying his Majesty's grandeur, trusting greatly to the preparations being made by the Turk for next year. The object also is that, France being tranquillised, the prince of Orange may be supported. All this will no doubt be set before the English Government to ascertain the state of feeling here, and in order to make a great show of friendship. Anything may be believed of the envy and ambition of Frenchmen. On the other hand I have heard, from a sure source, that Colonel Chester and Rogers, who came afterwards, brought despatches from Orange to the Queen and Council offering to hand over to her peacefully all Zealand, on condition that she promises to hold it and support him, as he and his people are so driven for money and men that, if the Queen do not accept the offer, they will be obliged to surrender Zealand to her semi-enemy, the French King. He asks that Chester may be allowed to raise in England two thousand more soldiers for Holland, and I am informed that neither of the two petitions has been listened to here. I am told especially that the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Chancellor said in the Council, that if the Queen allowed this the king of Spain would have good cause for introducing schism and fire in her country through Ireland. They therefore thought that the offers should be refused, and if Orange delivered the country to the French they would oppose it in the interests of England. Some members of the Council replied, with respect to the two thousand soldiers, that they might be taken from Scotland, and that many Englishmen might pass over amongst them. A good friend of mine from Court told me yesterday that many persons of importance thought that Orange was being overcome and was in Dortrecht for his own safety, and to be the better able to escape if need arose. He said that news had come that the Schoonoven people could not hold out, and that our ships had taken the vessels that were going to their support. They have also heard that his Majesty had ordered one million eight hundred thousand crowns to be provided for Flemish needs, and that three thousand foot and two thousand sailors were coming from Biscay, which they thought would in a short time end the Holland and Zealand affair. Everybody here now is convinced that his Excellency will put an end to the business, to the great service of God. Cobham embarked a week ago and will already have arrived in Paris on his voyage. Two ships belonging to the Queen have brought in six or seven prizes which have been captured by French, Flemish, and English pirates. Yesterday the Queen's ship "Falcon" sailed and another called "The Primrose" is being equipped in great haste. She is a very powerful ship, and is no doubt destined to help in their enterprise. Condé is also, with the same end, going with his army towards Lorraine, although it is here said that if the king of France comes to terms with his rebels, Condé with his forces will attack the Netherlands.—London, 27th August 1575.