Simancas: January 1576 | 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: January 1576', 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/pp516-519 [accessed 27 November 2024].

January 1576



1576. 1 Jan.	435. The above is a copy of what I sent by the last ordinary courier. Although it was said, with very little appearance of truth, that some personages were coming hither from the Court of France, it has turned out true, and news now comes that some of them have already landed in this country. The principal of them is a French gentleman, who comes on his King's behalf, called M. de la Porte, and he is accompanied as guide by M. de la Mothe, who was recently ambassador here, by another envoy who comes from the duke of Alencon, and by a representative of the prince of Condé. If they are not all disembarked they are on their way, and the object of their coming is presumably to negotiate some important agreement with this Queen, and at the same time to deal with those who are expected here from the prince of Orange. It is generally believed that the object is to forward their attempts against the States of Flanders. (fn. 1) News comes from France that they were again treating for a suspension of hostilities there, and that the reiters would halt in Lorraine, in order either to enter France, if no agreement were come to, or to turn against the States, according to the resolution which may be adopted between these Frenchmen, Orange and this Queen. It is just asserted that the people from the prince of Orange have also landed, and the general opinion of well-informed persons is that the object of this assembly is to perturb the States with all their forces, in union with the reiters. Rumours are current here that a partition is to be effected between this Queen and them, and much is to be feared from such a sudden meeting. I shall learn what their intentions are and will report all I hear. I send this letter after the courier who left yesterday, in order that the sinister plots of these people may be known ; although, no doubt, our ambassador in France will also send information upon the subject.
2 Jan.	436. The above is a copy of my two former letters, and I now have to report that those who come from Orange arrived at Gravesend last night. Colonel Chester and Hastings remained behind at Gravesend, the former going straight to Court, and the latter coming here and lodging in the house of Dr. Wilson ; Captain Hutt (?) and others who came with them coming to their own houses in London. As they come on an evil errand, they are allowed to remain there until orders come from the Court, and the people are closely watching the effect of their coming. I expect to have full information of their movements and negotiations, of which I will send advice by ordinary or special post. Some of the French have also arrived, but the ambassadors have not crossed yet, although they are expected every week, and I believe they will be here shortly. They are bringing a letter of credit on an Italian here. In order to lead public opinion astray, they give out that they are coming in order to settle, with the Queen's intercession, an agreement between the king of France and his rebels, (fn. 2) but no dependence can be placed safely upon the assertions of evil-minded and passionate people, and fears may be entertained of some great plot against the States. I am told that some Scotch soldiers have landed at Brille, no doubt a portion of the two thousand men which Colonel Balfour went to raise in Scotland. News has arrived that more than thirty sail of armed ships ha left Flushing with the intention of sparing no ship, French or English, which might be bound for Spain.—London, 2nd January 1576.
9 Jan.	437. Antonio De Guaras to (Zayas?). On the 25th, 31st ultimo, and 1st instant, I sent my last reports, giving advice that the envoys from Orange had arrived here on the 2nd instant. Their names are M. de Aldegonde, Paul Buiz, M. de la Garde, and Dr. Maldesen, with about ten people of less importance sent with them by the States, and some servants. They came in two war ships, accompanied by the English Colonel Chester, Hastings, Captain Hutt (?), and Rogers, all of them equally good, or rather bad. The English left the others quietly at Gravesend, Chester going post to Court, Hastings unostentatiously coming here to Dr. Wilson's house, and the other two coming to their homes in London. I give these details in order that their objects may be divined. The envoys from Orange remained until orders were sent from Court as to their lodging. They were instructed to go alone and unaccompanied by any of the English who had brought them over, to stay in the house of the Flemish postmaster, in order that the people might think that they had come hither without being summoned. They applied for audience and left yesterday for the Court, accompanied by two courtiers sent for the purpose. On the 6th instant the ambassadors from France arrived, M. de la Porte and M. de la Mothe, and they also were informed yesterday that audience would be granted to them. On the same day Harry Cobham arrived in Court from Spain, and the only person now wanting is Corbet, in order that they may all put their heads together to disturb the States. No doubt in two or three days we shall hear something of the intentions of all parties. It is openly asserted that the object of Orange's envoys is to offer the Queen possession of a large part of Holland and Zealand, and it is believed that the French are in league with them to this end. Five or six envoys have also been sent from Orange to the king of France, they having already landed at Calais. It is believed that the matter will be more maturely dealt with later by the dispatch hither from France of the Count de Nesle and another personage from Holland. I also hear that the Flemings are bringing a very beautiful watch sent from Orange to the Queen, as a sort of emblem to remind her of the opportunity presented at this time. They are instructed to inform the Queen of the object of their embassy in a speech, but they have been given to understand that they must put it in writing, and in the form of a petition, as it is a business which touches so closely the interests of this State. Nothing else is spoken of all over the country, and I am assured that, even though these people might so far forget themselves as to send overt help to the States, which can hardly be believed, Parliament will not confirm such action. The Parliament is summoned for the 8th February. When the object of the embassy is explained, we shall know something about it, as I have people closely attached to the envoys in my interest, from whom I shall hear what can be learned. I have already received from one. of them the Latin document which I send to his Excellency for his perusal, and to be afterwards forwarded with this letter. It is publicly asserted that his Excellency is pressing the rebels so closely that Orange and his people have given themselves up for lost during the coming summer, unless France and England will help them with national forces, as little assistance can be expected either from Scotland or Denmark. They are in great fear for Dortrecht, as they say that, although it is not besieged, our people who are lodged in the neighbourhood are troubling them sorely, and great complaints are made of the Germans near who are stopping communication by way of the Rhine. The suffering of all the people in the rebel districts, in consequence of the heavy impositions upon them, is terrible, and yet Orange and his friends are extremely pressed for money, so that all these bad people are murmuring greatly. All those who come from there agree that, if they lose Ziericsee all will be lost, although a good friend of mine tells me that by means of very light boats, which can be carried on a man's back, they enter and leave the place easily by the dykes and canals, carrying the boats when necessary. It is said that they are arranging to enter the place in these boats in great numbers at the full moon, and the boats are now being prepared in Flushing. From the said place (Flushing) five-and-twenty sail, well equipped, have recently left, and are now in the Channel awaiting the ships which are expected from Andalucia and Bordeaux. All the Councillors of the Queen have been summoned to Court, where they now are, and a committee of them has been appointed to debate and reply to the pretensions of the envoys ; the committee consisting of Lord Chancellor Bacon, Lord Treasurer Burleigh, the earl of Leicester, and Secretary Walsingham. Since closing this letter we learn that the two French ambassadors were with the Queen yesterday for more than two hours, but the envoys of Orange only had an interview with the committee. It is now publicly affirmed that the French ambassadors do not come with any evil designs against the States, but only with the regard to the suspension of hostilities in France, and to again raise the question of a marriage with the duke of Alençon. But it is all dissimulation, and although it is said that they will return in a week, I have information, which leads me to believe otherwise. The offer of the envoys from Holland has made so much noise at Court that some people believe that the Queen will accept it, or much evil will arise therefrom, whilst others think that the acceptance would be dangerous to them, which is quite true. Those who know, affirm that the business is still in suspense, and no decision has been arrived at. Every day more will be known and I will duly report.—London, 9th January 1576.
28 Jan.	438. Antonio De Guaras to Zayas. Some days ago Mr. Cobham informed me in the name of the Queen and Council that they would be very pleased to hear that Hawkins (?) and Tayler, and three of their company, shipmasters, had been set at liberty. They have been imprisoned in Seville for some time by the Holy Office. The Queen has since learnt that the ship and merchandize referred to in the enclosed English petition (a Latin translation of which, sent to me by one of the Queen's secretaries, is also enclosed) have been detained in Cadiz, and Cobham has again addressed me upon the subject. He assures me that any favour shown in this matter will be fully taken into account in the discussion of State affairs, and has begged me most urgently to write to this effect. I replied that, in matters of justice, and especially those under the jurisdiction of the Holy Tribunal, I could not do anything more than send a message through your worship, stating the case, in the hope that you might address the proper quarters with the view to favour being shown.— London, 28th January 1576.