Rome: 1563, April-June | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 1, 1558-1571. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.

Citation:

'Rome: 1563, April-June', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 1, 1558-1571, ed. J M Rigg( London, 1916), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol1/pp125-136 [accessed 28 November 2024].

1563, April–June



1563. Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, Carte Farnes. vol. v. p. 201.	225. [John Antony Facchinetti,] Bishop of Nicastro to [Ranuccio,] Cardinal Farnese. “We have still no information as to the return of the Cardinal of Lorraine, but it is thought that it cannot be before the 18th. “We have letters of the 28th of last month from the Cardinal of Granvelle to the Legates, in which he says that he considered the French treaty between the Catholics and the Huguenots to be as good as concluded, though it was not published, as they were waiting till the Admiral [Châtillon] should come to Court; that the Admiral, in addition to the terms agreed upon, demanded that the Bishops and other beneficed clergy should be required to surrender part of their church revenues to the Huguenot preachers; that the Queen of England, no matter what the terms of the treaty might be, was resolved not to surrender the captured places unless Calais was restored to her.” “We have letters here from Germany, but not so authentic that we can credit them without reserve, that one Olfang [Wolfgang], (fn. 1) of the Counts Palatine, supported by the Elector Palatine and the Angrave [Landgrave], was marching with a considerable force upon Mes [Metz] with intent to take the place. Some say that this Mes affair is but a pretext, and that the real design is to invade France in aid of the Huguenots. The truth is that for months past the Emperor has been insisting upon the restitution of Mes.” 8 April, 1563. Trent. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. xxxii. f. 166.	226. —to [John,] Cardinal Moroni, [Protector of England]. … “The letters of his [Imperial] Majesty to the Queen of England on behalf of the poor bishops and other Catholics that are there in jeopardy are now signed, and a commission in the amplest possible terms touching the same matter goes to the Bishop of Aquila, Ambassador of the Catholic King.” 14 April, 1563. Innsbruck. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. lxix. No. 31.	227. Muzio Calini, Archbishop of Zara to [Aloisius,] Cardinal Cornaro [,Commendator of Cyprus]. “Since the congregation which met, as I wrote you, some days since, to discuss the day of the session, nothing fresh has has happened, and so I must needs be very brief. We have tidings of the arrival of Cardinal Morone at the Imperial Court, and it would seem that he is to tarry there over Saturday. Cardinal Navagero is expected perchance to-day, and by what we hear of his journey, unless he tarry to give his people time to set his house in order, he may count on getting into it then. On the arrival of their lordships we shall learn the proper method of conducting our affairs, and at what point we ought to begin amid so great a variety of matters that are on the tapis; and indeed if God aid us not by His providence, there may well be discord enough; for the French insist that in the canon of Order, where the Pontifical authority is mentioned, nothing must be decided that may prejudice the definition of the Council of Basel; and if the question is to be entered upon, they would have a disputation, than which nothing could in my judgment be more perilous, for matters that are clear and deemed certain by all good Catholics ought not to be thus subjected to controversy. It may also be that there will be some discussion of the matter of the Reform at the instance of these Princes, and his Holiness being minded, as he has already evinced, and as you notified me by M. Rinolfo Rinalducci, to accomplish this most holy work, it ought not to be delayed, for it cannot be done too soon. “I suppose you will have heard in your parts also of the jeopardy in which the Duke of Savoy stands. His ambassador here has received a letter to the effect that two gentlemen of that Court came to blows in the Duchess's ante-chamber, and to such purpose that one of them was killed by the other, who, being sentenced to death, craved speech of his Highness on matters of great importance, and being granted an audience, discovered a conspiracy of certain of the Huguenot sect, of whom he was one, to murder both the Duke and the Duchess, for which they awaited but an opportunity. “From the Cardinal of Lorraine we have also an account of that hazard that befell the Queen of Scotland; to wit, that there was found under her bed by night a French Huguenot with intent to murder, or, as some say, to defame her, his design being to quit the apartments betimes in the morning so as to be but half recognizable, that it might seem as if he had been admitted with the consent of the Queen herself for no good purpose, so that, either by taking her life or bringing her into evil repute of her chastity, he might prevent the marriage that is talked of between her and the son of the Emperor. Whereby it appears that there is no sort of villainy to which the accursed heretics will not resort in order to gratify their hostility to Holy Church.” (fn. 2) 26 April, 1563. Trent. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1039. f. 397.	228. News Letter. “Since the Cardinal of Lorraine's return [from Venice] I have learned that the account which I gave you on hearsay of the two causes which kept him from coming hither before the departure of Cardinal Morone for the Imperial Court is most true, as also the report of a hazard that befell the Queen of Scotland, which will have been transmitted there, as here, as intelligence from Flanders received by way of Venice. “It is to the effect that a French gentleman, a Huguenot, having departed from Orléans as a refugee, pretending that he could no longer brook the abominable practices of the Huguenots, but was minded to live as a good Catholic, and therefore feared that they would take his life, as he was of their party, quitted France, and made his way to the court of the said Queen of Scotland, where he was discovered one evening under the Queen's bed armed with sword and dagger. He said that it was the love he bore the Queen that had prompted his action, but it was understood that he had meant to assassinate her at the instigation of the Huguenots, for fear that, if she should wed a son of the Emperor, the House of Guise would be greatly aggrandized. In regard to which matter the Cardinal of Lorraine has a letter from the Queen written with her own hand, which relates it all in detail. I will see if it be possible to procure a copy of the letter, and send it by the next post. It is understood that the gentleman acted by the instigation of Mme. de Crusciol [Crussol (fn. 3) ], who is now at Orléans with the Princess of Condé. The gentleman was arrested by the Queen's guard, and delivered over to the Council, who caused him to be tried and hanged. “The marriage of the Queen of Scotland with the Archduke of Austria will be arranged, and that soon, as I understand, in order to free her person from all peril, and she is well content that it should be so… “The Admiral [Châtillon] made a manifesto in which he denied that the death of M. de Guise was of his doing, as the assassin had alleged in his confession; he admitted, however, that he had given him money to purchase a horse, and to maintain himself in M. de Guise's camp, but this, he said, was only for the purpose of espial. He added that it was true that, when he learned of the said lord's death, he was greatly gratified, because he had been a most grievous tyrant, an enemy of God and His gospel and the public weal and peace, and an oppressor of the good people; by which declaration he gave as much offence to the kinsfolk and friends of that prince as by the conspiracy against his person. “The Cardinal of Lorraine seems to be of opinion that this peace now made by France, though in some respects bad, was nevertheless very necessary, and that it would have been far worse to have continued the war; and he hopes that in a little while things may take a better turn, the more so as the Queen, by her letters, shows herself well disposed towards his lordship, and as it were invites him upon the instant to share the government of the kingdom until the six months shall have elapsed, and the King shall have come of age. “The people of Paris did most signal honour to the corpse of M. de Guise. Having gone forth to meet and receive it in vast numbers, they brought it in the first instance to the Chartreuse outside the city, (fn. 4) whither they are wont to bring their kings, and having there celebrated the obsequies with all honour at the public expense, they would have brought it to St. Denis or the Cathedral for interment; but this not being sanctioned by the family, who were fully resolved to have it brought to Gianville (Joinville), they importuned that at any rate the heart should be granted them; and this was done. And so they brought it with all solemnity to the Cathedral, where they accorded it, at the public cost, most honourable sepulture, that nothing that they could do might be wanting to shew respect to the name of this most worthy prince.” [c. 26 April, 1563. Trent.] Italian. Copy. (fn. 5)
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. cxxxviii. f. 198d.	229. [Prospero Publicola] Santacroce, [Bishop of Chissamos,] Nuncio in France to — … “A French gentleman was discovered under the Queen of Scotland's bed; and though he said that it was love of her that brought him there, yet, being sentenced to death, he confessed that he so did by the express command of Mme. de Cursol [Crussol], who sent him to Scotland to damage the reputation of the Queen” 28 April, 1563. Tampes [Etampes]. Italian. Copy. (fn. 6)
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. lxi. f. 172.	230. Cardinals Ermland, Simoneta and Navagero, Legates to the Council to [Charles] Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan]. “The Cardinal of Lorraine was with us this evening, having craved an audience on the ground that he had matters of importance to discuss. He began by reading the copy herewith enclosed of a letter, written by the Queen of Scotland to the Holy Synod, and after making some comments thereon in his accustomed manner, he begged us to appoint a day for submitting the letter to the Synod with his observations thereon; and we appointed next Monday, i.e., the 10th instant.” 6 May, 1563. Trent. Italian.
Conc di Trento, vol. lxix. No. 36	231. Muzio Calini, Archbishop of Zara to [Aloisius,] Cardinal Cornaro [,Commendator of Cyprus]. “To-day at 22 o'clock (fn. 7) there will be held a congregation at which the Cardinal of Lorraine will present to the Synod the Queen of Scotland's letters credential and will explain in her Majesty's name the circumstances that have prevented her from sending either an ambassador or prelates from her kingdom to the Council, signifying at the same time the Queen's resolve to accept with obedience and devotion all the definitions and decrees of the Holy Council. Should I learn anything more that is worthy of note in regard to this matter, I will give you a brief account of it at the foot of this letter.” … 10 May, 1563. Trent. Italian. Postscript.— … “The congregation was held for the purpose above mentioned, and there is nothing more to say about that matter.” (fn. 8)
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. lxi. f. 176.	232. The Legates to the Council to [Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan]. Summary of the Cardinal of Lorraine's speech at the congregation in exculpation of the Queen of Scots for the absence of her prelates and ambassadors from the Council. This the Cardinal imputes exclusively to the distracted condition into which the country has been brought by the heretics. He pledges the Queen to obey all the decrees of the Council, and adds that she has bidden a few of her bishops that are in exile in France to attend the Council, and is in hopes that they will obey. 10 May, 1563. Trent. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. c. f. 214. f.289d. Arm. lxii. vol. v. f. 269.	233. The Council of Trent in General Congregation to Mary, Queen of Scotland. In view of the Queen's letter (fn. 9) and the circumstances and unanimously, save for two dissentients, exonerating her from blame for the absence of her bishops and ambassador. 10 May, 1563. Trent. Latin. Copies.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. lxviii. No. 35.	234. [Charles] Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan] to The Legates to the Council. … “The Pope will gladly learn what the Cardinal of Lorraine has laid before the Synod on behalf of the Queen of Scotland.” 15 May, 1563. Rome. Italian.
Ibid. No. 36, bis. d.	235. The Same to The Same. … The Pope is satisfied with what the Cardinal of Lorraine has laid before the Council on behalf of the Queen of Scotland. 19 May, 1563. Rome. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Pio,vol. cxxxiii. f. 368	236. [Prospero Publicola] Santacroce, [Bishop of Chissamos,] Nuncio in France to the Legates at Trent. … “We await the reply of Havre de Grace until application has been made to England for some arrangement; and in case no agreement results, we are ready for war, and already some infantry regiments have been sent to Normandy.” 23 May, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Pio, vol. cxxxiii. f. 369.	237. [Prospero Publicola] Santacroce, [Bishop of Chissamos,] Nuncio in France to the Legates at Trent … “Secretary Alluye (fn. 10) has been sent to England to see if he can recover Havre de Grace by some composition more speedily than by war, of which we have now some hope, whence derived I know not.” 25 May, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Ibid. f. 371d.	238. The Same to The Same. … “There is no little dissension in regard to the affair of Havre de Grace, the Catholics refusing to march against the place on the ground that it is for those that lost it to recover it, and the Huguenots being desirous that the attack should be made by the Catholics, in the hope that in this second war those that survived the first may fall; in which dispute there is this also to be considered, that it may not be wise to put all the arms into the hands of the Huguenots. What resolution they may come to I know not. They still await the return of Secretary Alluye, whom they sent to England to see if they could recover the place by means of some composition, which is rather desired than expected here, especially as the last news to hand is that those of Havre de Grace have killed more than 400 of our men in a sally.” 27 May, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Trento, vol. lxix. No. 40.	239. Muzio Calini, Archbishop of Zara to [Aloisius] Cardinal Cornaro, [Commendator of Cyprus]. Announcing that M. Nicolò Ormanetto, of Verona, who accompanied Cardinal Pole to England, and is now with Cardinal Navagero, has this morning been despatched by the Legates on a mission to the Duke of Bavaria to dissuade him from taking it upon himself to grant the cup to the laity, as it is reported that he has promised to do at Midsummer if it be not then conceded by the Council. 31 May, 1563. Trent. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Conc di. Trento, vol. lxviii. No. 41.	240. Charles [Borromeo], Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan] to the Legates to the Council. “His Holiness says that as the Decrees of the Council involve the condemnation of the Queen of England, the Protestants and the Huguenots, you will do well to begin considering what will be the proper procedure on your own and his Holiness' part, and to send his Holiness your opinion in writing, especially in regard to the Queen of England, as soon as possible.” 2 June, 1563. Rome. Italian. (fn. 11)
Vat Arch. Pio, vol. cxxxiii. f. 381.	241. Prospero Publicola Santacroce, [Bishop of Chissamos,] Nuncio in France to [Charles] Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan]. … “Her Majesty still shews so much delight to be quit of these troubles and of war that I cannot think but she will do her utmost to keep the peace, the more so as the business of England and Havre de Grace is in progress, and may not be concluded in a hurry. The return of Secretary Alluye, who went to England, as I wrote you, to negotiate some composition, is expected; but it is thought that no agreement can be reached without the restitution of Calais, and to that they are by no means inclined here, so that, finding themselves in these straits (to say nought of other matters) I think they will be careful how they write.” 2 June, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Arch. Vat. Pio, vol. cxxxiii. f. 386d.	242. Prospero Publicola Santacroce, [Bishop of Chissamos,] Nuncio in France to [Charles] Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan]. …“In the expedition against Havre de Grace Marshal Brisach [Brissac] will have the chief responsibility with M. de Martigues, nephew of M. de Tampes [d'Étampes], a Catholic, and a man of great valour, as second in command. Andalot, general of the French infantry, was to have joined the expedition, but either because many of the French captains that are Catholics would not serve under him, or perchance because he and the Admiral [Châtillon] are minded to retain the good will of the Queen of England, he stays at home. And in this regard it is understood that the Queen of England lauds in the last degree the Admiral's prudence, valour, constancy and fidelity, as on the other hand she cannot find terms strong enough with which to censure the Prince of Condé; and this the Prince knows very well, and turns it to account with his Majesty, imputing it to his refusal to consent to the English making themselves masters of Normandy. “The expedition against Havre de Grace must needs be attended with great difficulty by reason of the strength of the place, the ability of the English to succour it as often as they please, and the nature of the ground about it, which is sandy and ill-fitted for digging trenches, water being found at a depth of but two or three spans below the surface. However, our men hope to get possession of a spring of fresh water which is the town's chief source for drinking, and thereby to compel the English to bring their water from England, albeit it is said that there are cisterns enough within the walls to supply their wants for a while. Be the result what it may, the task will be tedious and difficult, and it is therefore much to be desired that Secretary Alluye should return from England with some composition.” (fn. 12) 6 June, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. xxx. f. 109.	243. [Zacharias] Delfino, Bishop [of Lesina, Nuncio at the Imperial Court] to the Legates at Trent. “His Imperial Majesty told me this morning, and not without evincing a change of mood, all that here follows: to wit, that your having sent to Rome in regard to the question of the residence of bishops has given and gives occasion for much comment, and that he cannot marvel enough thereat, seeing the amplitude of the promise that he had that the Pope would leave that difficulty above all others to the unfettered judgment of the majority of the Fathers: that as to the proposed deprivation of the Queen of England upon occasion of her styling herself head of the Anglican Church, his Majesty deems it a pernicious project, because, as all the Princes and States that have departed from the Catholic faith have in fact erred in the same way, though they have not openly assumed the title, it would seem to follow that all should be treated alike; otherwise the consequences would be in every way most embarrassing, for from this beginning all will apprehend for themselves the same end, so that they will unite indeed, and to the serious jeopardy of the remnants preserved with such difficulty in those provinces we shall see seditious movements of the most formidable kind. “He added: ‘For the love of God let attention be given to the matters in hand until they are finished, and let there be no rushing into discussion of matters that might easily cause the dissolution of the Council, and give the world occasion to say that all this was but an opportunity embraced of avoiding reform and definitively dissolving the Council.’ “As to the first point I answered that his Majesty will never find that there has been any wavering on his Holiness’ part in regard to any assurance given by him to his Majesty; and that for my part I was quite certain that you would render such an account of your conduct in this and all other matters as would afford his Majesty present and perpetual satisfaction. “As to the second point, I said, what is the truth, that this was the first I had ever heard of it, and promised faithfully to write you a full account of it, as I have now done. “His Majesty still purposes to depart hence for Vienna on the 25th inst., having summoned the Diet of Hungary for the 20th of August. “I am in hourly expectation of the arrival of Mgr. Ormanetto.” 17 June, 1563. Inspruch [Innsbruck]. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. xxxi. f. 13.	244. [Zacharias] Delfino, Bishop [of Lesina, Nuncio at the Imperial Court] to [John,] Cardinal Moroni. “I know not anytning that has ever moved the Emperor so much as the proposal now made to deprive the Queen of England, and for my part I consider that his Majesty will never consent to it, as it might disconcert many of his designs, besides which the advantage that the Catholic Church is to get thereby is not apparent. I thought it well to apprise you of his Imperial Majesty's dissatisfaction, as you will know that I have next to no apprehension that we shall ever again meet with any rebuff on his part in regard to the Council, though I think he should in no wise be provoked. For the love of God let there be two sessions to finish the question of the Holy Sacraments, and then sauve qui peut, for in my judgment priests and friars, princes and private persons, and in a word all the world are fain the business were ended.” 17 June, 1563. Inspruch [Innsbruck]. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. xxvi. f. 118. vol. lxi. f. 274. Borgh. I. vol. 184. f. 328	245. Cardinals Moroni, Ermland, Simoneta and Navagero, Legates at the Council to [Charles] Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan]. …“You will receive herewith a recent despatch from Flanders relating to English affairs, which occasioned us to assemble together with the Cardinal of Lorraine and the Ambassadors Ecclesiastical of the Emperor, Poland and Savoy. The discussion that followed left us all of one mind that it was a matter of great importance and deserving grave consideration; and we concluded that it behoved us to take the opinion not only of the Pope but also of the Emperor thereon. Accordingly his Majesty's ambassadors having undertaken to apprise him, we likewise through you apprise his Holiness, thereof, praying you to let us know his Holiness’ mind in the matter.” 21 June, 1563. Trent. Italian (fn. 13)
Vat. Arch. Pio, vol. cxxxiii. ff. 397d–399.	246. Prospero Publicola Santacroce, [Bishop of Chissamos,] Nuncio in France to the Same. …“The offer of the clergy is to grant her Majesty a subvention by means of a subsidy, which notwithstanding the need is great and urgent, particularly by reason of English affairs, which render war inevitable, Secretary Alluye having returned with the announcement that the English will not treat of peace without the restitution of Calais she has declined, saying that when she believed that the clergy really meant what they said in offering the King the aid of 3,000,000 francs, she would accept it.… “There is come from England a secretary, upon a mission corresponding to that which was Secretary Alluye's in that country; but there is no reason to suppose that he brings more than words.” 26 June, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. Divers. vol. cxi. f. 377.	247. [The Same] to the Same. “It must be assumed as absolutely certain that the Queen detests [the Cardinal of] Lorraine as much as any man that lives, and they say that she has abundant reason, this among others, that in the time of King Francis II the Queen of Scotland told her one day, that she would never be more than a merchant's daughter. And this it is supposed was said at Lorraine's suggestion; and her Majesty cannot forget it, but lacks courage to exhibit her resentment without reserve. It is certain that her reason for sending him to the Council was that she might be rid of him, and it is rather for this same reason that she now keeps him there than for any service that she expects of him, and so I think it will be difficult for her to recall him. “The Constable likewise hates him, and has more spirit, so that he would be of opinion that he should be recalled, wherein Roccasurion [Roche-sur-Yon] would concur, as he hates him yet more than do the others. The Chancellor, though he is his friend, would rather not have him here. And so I believe that the Queen will prevail, whose policy in short is to keep her own counsel and the peace until her son be of age, for well she knows the French, and that, much as they may hate one another, they will unite in defence of their particular interests.” 27 June, 1563. Paris. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. xxx. f. 115d.	248. Antony [Perrenot], Cardinal of Granvelle to the Legates to the Council. “The Queen of England persists in her perfidious refusal to restore Havre de Grace unless Calais be restored, and by way of ultimatum has informed Secretary Alluye that she is an Englishwoman and the Queen of France a Florentine, and it remains to be seen which of the twain will give the better account of her affairs. The said Secretary Alluye and the Master of Requests, La Haye, have gone back to France, the Queen is raising a large army, and the King of France has quitted Paris for Normandy to be near the camp; but nevertheless the Queen of England has sent some one with the aforesaid [Secretary and Master of Requests], who, it is thought, is to essay afresh some treaty of accommodation, which, it is believed, will in the end come to pass, if neither side make war. The reason why they have resolved that the King should go to the camp is that the Constable by virtue of his office will command the army. As to affairs of state, it is understood that the Queen has declared that it is her will that henceforth the King her son have charge of them, he being so near his majority, and that it is with her approval that he assumes the control of financial and other affairs of state, and declares that he will brook neither superior nor equal, whereat the Prince of Condé is understood to be somewhat offended, as also because the Queen has refused to create four or five knights of the Order whom he proposed; but, as those people change moment by moment, it is difficult to form either judgment or conjecture as to what they will do. The Prince still attends the King, though it is given out that he does so solely as his companion and is not to meddle with any business whatsoever. But nevertheless, so far as one can gather, the German horse under the command of the Marshal of Hesse (fn. 14) are going home, though as to this last point I would fain be somewhat more certain, and I hope in the course of two days to know the truth. “The war between Denmark and Sweden goes on at its wonted pace; both sides are daily reinforced,and reports come by two different ways of some great sea-fight in which the Swedes sunk the Admiral and three other of the King of Denmark's ships. I had gladly see the season more advanced, for I misdoubt me that if the two Kings should make peace while the season is still suitable for fighting, the soldiers being there together, they would be minded to do some mischief to some other states, so that it will behove all their neighbours to be on the alert. “As mention has been made of England, I will not fail to observe that, having understood by letters from sundry people that in the Congregation of the Eleven there was talk of some letters sent to Trent by some English by way of Louvain, suggesting that the Council should pronounce against the Queen of England and excommunicate her, in the idea that, this done, the good people would bestir themselves against her, and the execution of the decree could follow in God's own time, I should fail of my duty did I not warn you that his Catholic Majesty has more than once given the Pope to understand that neither at the instigation of the French nor of any others should he suffer himself to be induced to make any pronouncement against the said Queen without first communicating and consulting with him; and as he is ever anxiously pondering some method of bringing that kingdom back into a better way, it may be that such a decision on the part of his Holiness, unknown to the King, would frustrate some design of the King, though what it is, remote as I am from him, I cannot say. But I would recommend that before taking such a decision his Holiness should communicate with his Majesty, building nothing upon advices sent in this way, seeing that zealous persons sometimes cheat themselves with false hopes, and that it might well happen, that, instead of the good folk declaring themselves, as they expect, the only result would be that the Queen would become yet more obstinate, and resolve to embrue her hands in the blood of the good prelates that are in prison, and of others besides whom she might commit to the Tower. I will not deny that, now that she finds herself with an empty treasury, in ill odour with her people, as well heretics as Catholics, by reason of her government and Milord Robert, and embroiled with France, her realm sorely distracted and the pretensions of the Scots such as we know them to be, it would be an easy matter, if the Catholic Princes were at leisure, to deal her a nasty blow in a brief while; but in my feeble judgment these matters would need to be arranged before we drive her utterly to frenzy by such a pronouncement, or, at any rate, this should not be done without the cognizance and consent of our lord the King.” 27 June, 1563. Brussels. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. lxi. f. 285. f. 285. Borgh. I. vol. 184. ff. 334–5.	249. Cardinals Moroni, Ermland, Simoneta, and Navagero, Legates to the Council to [Charles] Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan]. “This letter will furnish the answer to both the matters contained in your letter which we omitted to answer in our other letter, which accompanies this. The first concerns the matter of order, as to which you say that, if it be not possible to agree as to the fifth head of the doctrine and canon of the institution of bishops, his Holiness would have both questions laid aside and the rest concluded and determined. Having already written enough to you on this matter and being in hourly expectation of the arrival of the courier with the answer, we can only reply that the Emperor signifies that he is of the same opinion, for yesterday his Ambassadors Ecclesiastical exhorted us to shun as far as possible all occasion of treating of the Pope's authority, and to let nothing be said as to whether his Holiness be above the Council, or the Council above his Holiness, adding that, if perchance this question could not be avoided, they had his Majesty's express instructions to take no part on either side without first writing to him and learning his mind and pleasure. “The same ambassadors also expressed themselves as touching the Queen of England in the same sense in which the Nuncio Delfino had written to you and to us, intimating that if aught of the kind were here attempted, it would mean the total ruin not only of what little religion yet remains in that kingdom, and the certain death of those poor bishops, but also the ruin of all the Catholics in Germany, because their antagonists, apprehending for themselves the same fate which had befallen the Queen of England, would take counsel together to banish all the Catholics, a design which their power would render easy of accomplishment. “Our answer to the ambassadors, as also to the said Nuncio, was that we could but notify this intelligence to the Pope and the Emperor, who, considering their sagacity and supreme authority in Christendom, we trusted would weigh it and give us their opinion upon it.” 28 June, 1563. Trent. Italian. (fn. 15)
Vat. Arch. Conc. di Trento, vol. lxviii. No. 61.	250. Charles Borromeo, Cardinal [Archbishop of Milan] to The Legates at Trent. …“As to the writing touching the Queen of England, it No. 61. seems good to his Holiness that this consolation be administered to the Catholics of that kingdom according to the form of memorial sent by you; and perhaps it would be proper to insert it in or in connection with the canon of the institution of bishops.” 30 June, 1563. Rome. Italian.