Rome: June 1577 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1926.

Citation:

'Rome: June 1577', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578, ed. J M Rigg( London, 1926), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/vatican/vol2/pp312-318 [accessed 28 November 2024].

June 1577



Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 344–5.	607. [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Flanders to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “I was awaiting his Highness' decision to send despatches to Italy: but as he has not yet decided to do so, I have resolved no longer to delay writing to you, to advise you that I am still without letters from you since those of the 2nd of April, already acknowledged by me, although I wrote to you on the 9th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th of March, on the 13th and 29th of April, and on the 2nd of May, of the receipt of which letters I have as yet no evidence whatever. And as the pest and the war hinder transit by the roads of France, I send this by way of Trent, because, as I am advised by the Postmaster of that route, letters from here go thereby very safely; and I bid him send the packet by special estaffette to Bologna, and thence by the ordinary post to you; and if you, in your turn, will arrange for the safe transmission of your letters by way of Trent, they will arrive safely at Brussels under cover to his Highness or Signor Ottavio Gonzaga; whereas, if they were to come addressed directly to me, I should be apprehensive of some theft, particularly as it is so long since I have seen any of yours make their appearance. “Since his Highness has been in office he has kept on urging the Estates to provide funds to pay off the soldiers, for there still remain the Germans and the Walloons, and the Estates make no great haste to be quit of the Germans, there being no great harmony in their counsels; and there is apprehension of some disturbance, because their claims are high, and the Estates play an underhand game, purposing to remove them from Antwerp, and wherever else they are, and quarter them in detachments in the outlying parts of these countries; whereas they are not minded to be further sundered from one another until they are paid. The people of Antwerp loudly protest against their presence in the city, dreading some mischief, as these very troops were with the Spaniards at the sack; and his Highness sees not how he can remove them till they be paid. Signor Escovedo has come to Antwerp to treat of accord with them in his Highness' name and the Estates', as there is no time to be lost, for on Whitsunday there was an affray between them and the people, and some were slain on either side; and there is danger lest worse befall, for the temper of that city is so much changed that they are instant and urgent that his Highness dismantle the castle that was built by the Duke of Alva; to which end there have been here for many days more than thirty ambassadors from the city, to whom his Highness has spoken so much to their satisfaction that the more part have returned, leaving a few to continue pressing their demand, which is said to have been instigated by the Prince of Orange, whose sole aim is the thorough weakening of the King's power in these parts. To which end not long since he himself, by means of certain canons of Utrecht raised the people of that place to expel thence armata manu, with no little loss of life, the garrison that was there, and partially dismantle the castle, while he was fortifying himself in the countries of Holland and Zealand, and gaining the good will of many by his cunning wiles, the more readily to make good his claim under the Capitulation of Peace to the government of Utrecht and Amsterdam, which is tantamount to the absolute dominion of all these countries, what with his connexion and the other matters which, at the suggestion of many, I have noted in the enclosure dealing with what is to be expected of him; seeing that on his will depends the peace or otherwise, of these countries in matters alike of religion as of temporal government. “His Highness has therefore sought by divers ambassages, discreetly ignoring many matters, to discover his mind; but the result hitherto is but good words in general and evil deeds in particular, for without the least sign of compliance on his part with the Capitulation he never pauses in his handiwork; and the Duke of Aerschot, who has just returned thence, whither he was sent by his Highness, reports in substance that he has no hope of good on this man's part. Nor have the Estates to this hour shown any sign of being minded to write to him in earnest. And it seems as if they take amiss some matters of importance, and in particular the disbandment of their soldiers “under pretext of the pecuniary difficulty, albeit they are extremely ruinous to these countries. But as many of the nobles, by reason of the offices which they hold, find a convenience in these prorogations, therefore it is that matters move so slowly, besides that quod commune est negligi solet; and at this beginning of a new government all are concerned in some manner to found their fortunes; and these delays retard the gathering of the General Congregation, which is detested by the Prince, and will, therefore, on divers subterfuges and novel pretexts be to the best of his power postponed and obviated. Meanwhile, the Capitulation authorizes the return of many, even heretical, exiles, who in divers parts of these countries are addicted to the most pernicious practices, raising many vain expectations in the minds of these people, and this especially in Antwerp, Ghent, and Valenciennes, where religious affairs are at their worst. I say nothing of the provinces of Friesland and Gelderland, because I think I have written about them before. In short, in all these places, in which there were troubles in the time of Madam of Parma, little good is to be prognosticated, because the Duke of Alva's harsh measures, having failed to destroy the germs, instead of affording relief, have but served to kindle a greater conflagration. The rigour is now past, the malcontents have more liberty, all the malignants that were banished have returned, and more malignant than ever. There is also a great concourse of foreigners, and the germ of the evil is more corrupt and more energetic than before. Whence it may be inferred that this peace has not restored that satisfactory state of tranquillity which it was the good purpose of his Majesty and his Highness to re-establish. “Three writings have come to my hands, which I deem it necessary to send you, because in the first the sources and the courses of the abomination are manifest during all the time of Madam of Parma's government; in which writing it is to be observed that no mention is made of the disgust occasioned by the establishment of the new bishoprics, and ever fomented by the Prince, though this is accounted by the well-informed one of the most potent causes. And from this writing one may see the doubt that there is about supremacy, so long as these countries retain their freedom, as they purpose to do with the support of the Prince, already expressly declared a heretic, and invested with supreme power, whence it may rather be inferred that the malignants have at this juncture abandoned this abomination formidine pœnœ than that they have verily abandoned it and returned to goodness virtutis amore. I have been in hope also of knowing the truth about the procedures of the Duke of Alva, from which combined with this writing one might have learned, as to the second and third writings which I send, the one compiled in the name of the Estates, the other in that of the bishops at the request of the Estates, both meant to be despatched with the ambassador to the Pope designated before the sack of Antwerp, precisely how partisan and insincere these writings are, exaggerating or extenuating just where and as it served their turn by making their cause seem more deserving of kindly consideration. “No member of the Estates knows that these writings have come into my hands, and therefore it would be well that they should not be published, and also that none there [at Rome] should know that I have sent them to you, to prevent possible mistrust on the part alike of the Estates and of the bishops, if they should come to know that I had sent them to you; besides that, as the first pretty plainly animadverts on Cardinal Granvelle, it could not but be prejudicial to me, who mean but to honour and serve his Lordship, and have decided to send them, in order that, as an ambassador is to go to Rome in the name of the Estates as soon as affairs here take some bent, if that shall be, there may be there [at Rome] the truest information that is to be had of matters here. “I send in addition a list of all the archbishoprics and bishoprics that are under this jurisdiction of the King, in order that his Holiness may see that the churches are in need of provision and aid, and most of all those that are in most suspicion. I have besought his Highness to solicit the nominations, and I have persuaded him that they are in the last degree necessary, and I hope for prompt action; but it will be, in my judgment, well that something be said, as it shall seem meet, in his Holiness' name also, in order that the result may he more speedily attained. I send besides a copy of a petition laid in the name of the State of Brabant before his Highness, with a rescript made ad interim; and I send the reasons that are alleged by them, being as yet without those which are alleged on the part of the bishops, with which I shall be furnished as soon as possible; and I shall wait to learn his Holiness' commands, for his Highness will come to no decision without the due concert; it being suspected that this petition is an attempt to initiate fresh disturbance, the good folk holding it to have been set on foot by the said Prince [of Orange], in order to induce the rest of the Provinces (always intent on new garboils) to obviate this General Congregation of the Estates, which, please God, will, I hope, be of some use. “Meanwhile, with the bishops and other prelates and good Catholics, I omit and shall omit none of those offices that I shall see to be opportune for a good settlement, that thereafter we may be able to treat of such measures as shall seem to me to be necessary to reduce to some form the exercise of religion and the ecclesiastical jurisdiction; as to which matter I reserve more definite information for another occasion, because I see that this time I have perhaps been too prolix. Should no one else write of the condition of affairs here, I should think it would be very proper to keep it as secret as possible, until we see more clearly what bent things take; and rather to give out that they are going on well than that there is reason to apprehend fresh garboils.” 1 June, 1577. Brussels. Italian. Enclosures missing.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. x. f. 577.	608. Antonio Clementino to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. … “One of the King's Ministers has bidden me, as I set store by my life and my honour and his Holiness' service, to take care that all the writings and ciphers of the legation are kept very safe, and has laid especial emphasis on those relating to the English business. In reply, I have assured him that his Majesty and every one else may be confident that I shall never fail of due fidelity, whatever may befall the nuncio. I beg you to direct me how to comport myself so as not to err in any particular.” 8 June, 1577. [Madrid.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. x. p. 388.	609. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop of S. Papoul, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. …“I have seen advices to the effect that there had arrived in England M. de la Personne, (fn. 1) sent by the Huguenots of France and Casimir to crave of that Queen a loan of moneys, and at the least two pays, as otherwise they cannot levy reiters, Casimir to bind himself in his own name to refund the amount.” 10 June, 1577. Torsi [Tours]. Italian.
Vat. Lib. Urb. Lat. 1045. f. 344d.	610. News Letter. …“There circulate at Court many letters from people at Avignon reporting the return, thank God, of M. Danville [de Damville] to the obedience of the Most Christian King, as he has taken some towns in Languedoc, which had been occupied by the Huguenots, whom he had invested with his forces in Nîmes, where they have made their nest; and that there were good hopes of reducing the King of Navarre to submission, but not the Prince of Condé, with whom as their commander the Huguenots were pressing the Queen of England to lend them aid, promising her their forces for the recovery of Calais, a fortress on the frontier held by the French in contravention of the terms of the last peace.” 15 June, 1577. Rome. Italian. Copy.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. x. f. 586.	611. Antonio Clementino to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “As to the peace between the King and the Turk, Secretary Perez has just told me that I may assure you that it is a great falsehood; and that it has never been thought of; and that facts incompatible therewith will speedily and more surely attest the truth. “As to the English business he needs no incitement, for he is so afire for it that there is no one that manifests more ardour for the successful conclusion of this negotiation.” 18 June, 1577. [Madrid.] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. d'Inghilt. vol. i. ff. 352, 358.	612. [Philip Sega,] Bishop of Ripa, Nuncio in Flanders to the Same. Dilating at great length and in minute detail on the financial perplexities in which he finds himself involved owing to the differences in the rates of exchange, the scudo d'oro in oro being reckoned in his letters of credit at 90 kreutzers, whereas it is worth from 94 to 98 kreutzers in the Empire; notwithstanding which Don John, being “in the breakers,” is pressing him for an immediate disbursement of 50,000 crowns. 24 June, and 1 July, 1577. Malines. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Spagna, vol. x. f. 610.	613. Antonio Clementino to The Same. …“I also spoke to the Inquisitor about the English business, and was answered that he is daily pressing his Majesty for his decision, and hopes soon to get it; and that on his part there will be no relaxation of pressure until the end is in sight. He has of late laid especial stress on the secret character of this business, and I have replied as it behoves me. “James Geraldine (fn. 2) is at Villaverde, three miles from here, and to avoid arousing suspicion his Majesty has decided that he come not to Court, where, however, are the Bishop of Mayo and [Nicholas] Sander, who do their utmost to accelerate the decision, and to that end depict the enterprise as extremely feasible. I know that Don John is for it, and endeavours to promote it here by good means, wherefore I am the more hopeful of success therein. “The pretended Queen's ambassador is to depart hence to-day or to-morrow on his return journey to England. He has a present from the King of a collar worth 1,000 crowns, and good words for answer.” 29 June, 1577. [Medina del Campo ?] Decipher. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, pp. 402–3.	614. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop of S. Papoul, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “I wrote you on the 17th that I must needs quit Torsi [Tours] to follow the Court. But before I had started there arrived on his return from Rome the King's courier, who brought me your letter of the 7th with those of Olgiati to the Buonvisi of Lyon for 50,000 crowns which his Holiness gives the King. Wherefore I got straightway to horse and arrived here at Châtellerault, which the King had but just entered. I went to the audience; and though his Majesty already knew that I had received the 50,000 crowns, nevertheless he was infinitely gratified by what I told him. and spoke in terms full of most loving regard for the Pope, who thus succoured him in this crisis of his affairs, and with a good sum of money, which is what he has more need of than aught else. The Queen also spoke to much the same effect, albeit she craved yet more. Whereat in reply I made even such a protest as you bade me, and rather more to boot; as one might well do, 50,000 crowns in ready money being no such trifling a sum, as likewise have said some of the Council, extolling the Pope to the skies. “To get payment of the money from the Buonvisi I have given a power of attorney to M. de Langes and Andrew Mornieu in person, such being the King's pleasure, as you will see by the enclosed copy of his Majesty's order. “Their purpose is to employ the money in raising reiters for defence against their enemies, if they should raise such troops; of which there is much talk, and that they will have 12,000 horse and 20,000 German foot; it is rumoured that they are to be aided with money by the Queen of England, and that the troops themselves will be ready enough to come because of the arrears of pay that are owing to them. Nevertheless it is plain that there is no such certitude that they will so resolve but that the contrary is arguable, as the experience of the past has ever been that, though they were creditors, they have never come without pay, which is forthcoming rather from the realm itself than from the Queen of England, who in this matter is none too prompt; and that the realm, i.e. the Huguenots and their associates, cannot do the thing is manifest. Nor yet is it clear how they are to effect a junction with them, or where it is possible for them to find a safe refuge, so long as the affairs of the realm continue as they are to-day.” 30 June, 1577. Châtellerault. Italian.
Vat. Arch. Nunt. di Francia, vol. x. pp. 407–9.	615. [Antonio Maria] Salviati, [late] Bishop of S. Papoul, Nuncio in France to [Ptolemy Galli,] Cardinal of Como. “I spoke to the Cardinal of Guise touching the Prince of Scotland, endeavouring to elicit from him the means that may be at our disposal of getting him out of the hands of those heretical governors, so that I might learn exactly what his Holiness had been able to do therein. He told me that his first endeavour had been to ascertain the mind of the mother, who had replied that, if it could be managed suitably, she was content; only he must not come to the Court of France, where she thinks he could in no wise stay. So he concluded that recourse should be had to the Duke of Lorraine, who, he well knew, would be ready to receive the said Prince and aid the enterprise to the best of his power. He therefore thought that all that remained was to corrupt those grandees that are about the Prince, wherein there would be no difficulty, that nation being even as the German in that respect; and it would therefore be for his Holiness to furnish him with money, but not now with 20,000 crowns, the terms on which he treated before with Mgr. of Nazareth, for doubtless the affair might be more cheaply managed. I replied, offering every other accommodation, except the pecuniary one, pursuant to what you write, and with very good reason, as the negotiation takes place at a time when 50,000 crowns are being paid to the King. His Illustrious Lordship did not seem to be much impressed by that, but in the end offered to impart to me all the treaty, in which, he says, there are many matters which his Holiness will readily approve; and I, in accepting the offer, said that I would have it all put into cipher to make the affair safer, and so I will do as often as he imparts it to me. “The King and Queen are more at variance in opinion than ever, and some who profess themselves heart and soul for the Queen practise certain stratagems, whereby it would be no wonder if some scandal were to arise. Others, of excellent understanding, reflect that it was a bad business to surround Monsieur again with the greater part of those who in the past supported him in his revolt; and that as they have negotiated with Danville [de Damville], promising him the marquisate of Saluzzo, there is no hope of any speedy result of the negotiations unless the marquisate be conferred upon him, as, it seems, is the intention.” 30 June, 1577. Châtellerault. Italian.