|
1573.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. cclxxxiii.
f. 211. |
231. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Aloysius] Cardinal d'Este.
“To what I write you by other two letters I will add this, that the Pope, observing that the affairs of Scotland go none too well, and being apprehensive that they may daily go worse, has bethought him that, by reason of the care that God has laid upon him of all Christians, it is his duty to do his best to ward off many perils that threaten that poor young king. And so, knowing how greatly interested herein is the Cardinal of Lorraine, and how greatly by his prudence and authority he may aid the business, his Holiness decided that the first thing to do was to write to him to learn his opinion and judgment; and so I did some days ago, and it cannot now be long before we have the answer.
“But in any event his Holiness desires that also in this business, not less grave and important than the other two, you take some part, together with the Cardinal of Lorraine, to whom accordingly I write the enclosed letter, that upon its presentation it may be for him to communicate to you the mind and desire of his Holiness, and then for you both to discuss and consider what it were well to do, and when and how to set about it. This your Lordships will be able to do far better there than we could here, not only by reason of the knowledge that you will be able to acquire of the prejudices and passions of the other princes in this regard, but also by reason of the recent intelligence that you will daily receive of the course of events in the said realm of Scotland, which, by what we gather here, is reduced to a very woeful plight by the arms and intrigues of that wicked neighbour. As to which matter his Holiness will await with especial interest some report from you.”
4 August, 1573. Rome. Italian. Draft.
|
Ibid.
f. 213. |
232. The Same to [Louis,] Cardinal of Lorraine.
“On the 18th of last month I wrote to you in the Pope's name as much as was then in his Holiness' mind in the interest of the King of Scotland, and what was expected of you in regard thereto, sending the letter by way of Mgr. Salviati, the nuncio. But as his Holiness knows that the business is of too grave a character to allow you to make up your mind so speedily, and that perchance you will also wish adroitly to discover the mind of the Most Christian King as to the action contemplated, his Holiness is of opinion that the advent of Mgr. d'Este at the Court of France may be to the purpose and helpful to the scheme, knowing as he does the confidence and close ties of blood by which you and he are united. And so he has bidden me instruct you to discuss the matter with his lordship, and avail yourself, as you shall see fit, of his offices either with their Majesties or with others, his Holiness being assured that perfect reliance can be placed alike in your fidelity and your sagacity.”
4 August, 1573. Rome. Italian. Draft.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna,
vol. vii.
pp. 366–7. |
233. [Nicholas Ormanetto,] Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
“I am informed that there is a likelihood of a courier departing to-night, and so, not to miss the opportunity, I have determined to write these few lines to tell you that the King continues to gain health and strength, and that after the feast of S. Lawrence, or at the latest after the Assumption of our Lady, he will return hither, and discuss all business by word of mouth. They say that this courier is despatched on account of the provision to be made for the Catholic fleet.
“The French ambassador here keeps on defending the peace made in France; and it seems that he deems it certain that the King of Poland will go to Poland by sea, embarking at Dieppe or Calais and landing at Danzig, a port 60 leagues from Cracow. It seems that they are already making preparations both at Dieppe and at Calais; and they say that the pretended Queen of England has offered all facilities alike in ships and all other things necessary and convenient for this journey; but this is interpreted as due rather to solicitude for the safety of the kingdom—in this voyage the King of Poland will take with him 4,000 Gascons and other troops—than to good feeling.
9 August, 1573. Madrid. Italian.
Postscript.—“They say that the pretended Queen of England has sent 2,000 infantry to Ireland under pretext of providing against some imminent revolution there; but it is rather apprehended that she purposes to send them by that way to Scotland, thereby to complete, with the aid of the heretics, her dominion of that realm, and have the young King in her power.” |
Vat. Lib.
Urb. Lat.
1043. f. 370. |
234. News Letter.
“The rebels have taken Ramequin [Rammekens], which, they say, will cause some trouble to our fleet,which has put out and lies off there. However, other means will be found to obstruct the designs of the enemy, who with this place in their possession, think to make themselves masters of Middelburg, for the defence of which I doubt not the Duke of Alva will provide in time. Besides which it seems that the Spanish veterans have mutinied in Harlem, and it is said that to pacify them there goes Marquis Chiappin Vitello, who is much beloved by them, and will doubtless quiet them. As to the fleet, it is now understood that it had drawn near the enemy with intent to give them battle. God grant them good luck and victory. The Duke of Alva is in Utrecht and the Duke of Medina Celi is in Maastricht, ready to take the field as soon as the Duke of Alva does so. Our hope is in the Comendador Mayor [Requesens], who peradventure will bring that relief which is so much desired.”
10 August, 1573. Brussels. Spanish. Copy.
|
Vat. Lib.
Urb. Lat.
1043. f. 371. |
235. News Letter.
“Since the mutiny of the 3,000 Spanish troops in Harlem, who demand 29 months' arrears of pay, it is understood that the Castle of Remechin [Rammekens] in Zealand has surrendered to the enemy, which is a serious matter, because, while they hold the said castle, there is little hope of succouring Middelburg. The fleet, which mustered in such strength and force as to number 80 vessels with about 2,500 soldiers aboard, sailed on Tuesday last for Zealand to succour Middelburg; and the Admiral, M. de Beauvoir, purposes with a favouring breeze to make the passage, though it will be difficult and hazardous, as the wind requires it to be made within arquebus' range of the castle.
“They say that a descent has been made upon that island by foreign troops, to wit, English, French and Scottish in great numbers, probably under the command of M. de Montgomery. And it is understood that the Prince of Orange has placed garrisons in all parts in such wise that the war must be prolonged unless some accord be arranged.”
10 August, 1573. Brussels. Italian. Copy.
|
Vat. Arch.
Arm. xliv.
vol. 22.
f. 53d. No. 102. |
236. Pope Gregory XIII to the Duke of Alva.
Expressing his gratification at the exploits of the Duke and his son in coercing the heretics, and assuring them both that he assiduously prays for them both and all their army and the Catholic King.
14 August, 1573. St. Mark's, Rome. Latin. Copy.
|
Ibid.
f. 54d. No. 104. |
237. The Same to the Same.
Commending to him the cause of the oppressed Catholics in Ireland, which, he understands, has already been laid before the Duke by the Bishop of Casale [sic Archbishop of Cashel].
16 August, 1573. St. Mark's, Rome. Latin. Copy.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna,
vol. xv. f. 307. |
238. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Nicholas Ormanetto,] Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain.
… “As to the new league it will suffice that you mention it from time to time to his Majesty rather to summarize the arguments than in the hope that a conclusion will be reached, as it is manifest that they are amusing us with words and sending us from Herod to Pilate. Ipsi viderint that they have the greatest states and realms to lose.
“If by means of the King's confessor some good hope may be had, you can go on to cause the General of the Franciscan Order to do with him the offices you speak of touching the affairs of England, and you may yourself also on a proper occasion mention them to his Majesty.”
16 August, 1573. Rome. Italian. Draft.
|
Vat. Arch.
Arm. xliv.
vol. 22. f. 55.
No. 105. Epp.
Greg. XIII.
Lib. iii. f. 198. |
239. Pope Gregory XIII to [Gerard a Groesbeck,] Bishop of Liège.
Asking him to confer one of the benefices vacant in his diocese upon Maurice Clenoch, an English priest and bishop elect of Bangor, who is said to have been for many years an exile for the sake of the Catholic religion, which he has ever professed, and to to be now without means of subsistence.
20 August, 1573. St. Mark's, Rome. Latin. Copies.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. cclxxxiii.
f. 218. |
240. [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como to [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop [of S. Papoul], Nuncio in France.
Enclosing a memorial to the Pope by the Irish Bishop of Meath (“Mendense”), to which the nuncio is directed to give effect in one or other of the ways therein suggested, so as to relieve the bishop's poverty and deliver him from the woeful plight in which he is.
24 August, 1573. Rome. Italian. Draft.
Enclosure missing.
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