|
1574.
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol vii. p. 34d.
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267. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop [of S. Papoul], Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
… “There was much stir made last night in Paris to find Masino del Bene; and being found he was sent forthwith to England, solely, so far as I can learn, about this treaty just discovered at La Rochelle, as to which I wrote the other day. Methinks they are apprehensive that the French Huguenots in England, the Vidame and the rest, may grow more suspicious, and begin to be quite uncertain whether they can ever again rely upon the King's promises, and so give themselves over to despair and to doing their worst. It will be for Masino to give them fair words, and endeavour to persuade them that the King was not cognisant of the Treaty. Masino will also be instructed to speak in the like sense in all public places in the kingdom, and above all in London, with the view of removing any impression that may have arisen. Masino has been many times in England and long resident there, and has much business in the country.”
4 Jan., 1574. [Poissy.] Italian.
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Ibid.
vol. cclxxxiii.
f. 281d.
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268. [Ptolemy Galli, Cardinal of Como] to [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop [of S. Papoul], Nuncio in France.
… “You must be vigilant and on the alert in regard to the negotiations pending between their Majesties and the pretended [Queen] of England, and let me know what from time to time you learn.”
11 Jan., 1574. [Rome.] Italian. Draft.
|
Vat. Arch.
Arm. lxii.
vol. xxxiii.
f. 198. |
269. Thomas Copley to [John,] Cardinal Moroni, Protector of England.
Craving his interest to procure for his son a prebend promised him by the Pope.
12 Jan., 1574. Antwerp. Latin.
|
Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. vii. p. 69. |
270. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop [of S. Papoul], Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
… “To-day the English ambassador has been introduced to the Privy Council, his business being to discuss certain payments which he demands of the King for grain taken aboard English ships during the war of La Rochelle, and by the King's Commissaries assigned to the army. Of this business he has several times spoken to the King and Queen, and now they have referred him to the Privy Council, to show in this matter also that for the future it is not at the behest of one alone, but with the vote of all that take part in Council that affairs are to be transacted. For all this the Englishman has not yet been paid; rather they raise counter-claims against him, saying that payment is due by the English to the French, as the English corsairs make daily spoil of all the French merchandise that falls into their hands. This is the way in which they deal with the English ambassador, notwithstanding that on all other accounts they desire that Queen's friendship.”
13 Jan., 1574. Poissy. Italian.
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Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Spagna, vol.
viii. pp. 24–6 |
271. [Nicholas Ormanetto,] Bishop of Padua, Nuncio in Spain to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como.
“I know too well that his Majesty speaks the truth when he says that there is need of money here, so much having been spent in the war in Flanders; and I believe this expenditure comes near, if it does not exceed, 23 millions of gold. Much has also been spent on the war against the Turk, especially in the preparations of last year; and the Bishop of Cuenca, with whom some days since I saw occasion to speak of English affairs, told me frankly that he knew how necessary is the English business, apart from the reduction of that realm to the unity of the Church, but that the difficulty, the sole difficulty, was the lack of money; and I know that for many days a negotiation has been afoot here for a million and 100,000 crowns, 800,000 to send to Flanders, and 300,000 to send to Don John; nor is the negotiation yet concluded; for which reason, as I am told, the departure of the courier for Naples has been put off. And as I had learned through a good channel that there was little hope of his Majesty's going to Flanders, and that for many reasons, but chiefly to avoid exposing his Majesty's person to peril, for perilous in the extreme is the condition of affairs there; and, his Majesty being unable to go, there was thought of Don John, who might be of great service in those parts, and useful also in regard of English affairs, the English Catholics having given out here that they would gladly accept him as their king, if he married the Queen of Scotland; I therefore at last took occasion to lay before the King this proposal, to wit, that Don John should be sent to Flanders for the reasons aforesaid, and that his Majesty should go to Italy, where he might busy himself to good purpose in many ways, and, first and foremost, might put life into the business of the armada against the Turk, foment the affairs of Flanders, and very conveniently negotiate a, universal league, and many other matters which I forbear to enumerate here.”
15 Jan., 1574. Madrid. Decipher. Italian.
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Vat. Arch.
Nunt. di
Francia,
vol. vii. p. 170. |
272. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop [of S. Papoul], Nuncio in France to the Same.
… “A day or two ago the King two hours before dawn summoned the Chancellor and a few of the Council to consider a very important matter that had transpired. His Majesty was informed that at Court and in Paris there were some that, to incite the people to sedition, were circulating writings that were nothing but defamatory libels. Nor was this all: they were also reporting to Montgomery in England all that was done at Court. And as to Montgomery, his Majesty was also apprised that he had a treaty on hand in Lower Britanny, by which he thought to get possession of some towns there.
“The Council deemed the matter very grave, and such as to brook no delay in imprisoning those that might be suspected of being implicated in it; and it was so done with much promptitude. I now understand that they have taken three or four who were certainly implicated in all these affairs; but it will not be expedient to proceed with their case until their accomplices are discovered, and perchance much more will be brought to light than at first was suspected.
“There is an agent here of the Prince of Orange, who lodges at Court with Giovanni Galeazzo Fregoso; it is understood that he is endeavouring to raise money to serve their turn in Flanders,”
31 Jan., 1574. Paris. Italian.
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