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| May 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
586. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France; to the Signory. |
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The most Christian King has, since the 28th ultimo, suffered two very troublesome attacks. A large quantity of blood, instead of issuing by his nose, has flowed down his throat. The physicians, after this attack, notwithstanding it was near sunset, blooded him immediately, and so they diverted the attack to another part. Two days subsequently a severe catarrh ensued, which oppressed his Majesty's chest during sleep, so as to impede respiration, and when he awakened he was compelled to leave his bed, because while in a recumbent posture he was almost suffocated. However, with efficient remedies and the good constitution (buona natura) which he possesses, he has got over the attack. |
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The Count da Cocona has been beheaded and quartered, and M. de La Mole, a great favourite of the Duke of Alençon, has suffered the same fate. The Duke made every possible effort to save the latter's life, but he could only obtain, as a concession, that instead of being executed in public, he should be put to death in prison. This news came late, and when the Duke heard of the death of La Mole, he was seized with such grief that he immediately went to bed, and remained there during the whole of the following day. Other persons will also be put to death, and the King will be satisfied with their execution. Cosmo, the Florentine, charged with having bewitched the King, has been arrested, and the populace of Paris believe that after his death the King will recover, so that, even if acquitted, he will always be in great peril of his life. Three or four other persons of honourable position and name, practising astrology, have also been arrested. Montgomery's partisans have again disembarked in Normandy, and it is certain that he has fled from St. Lo to Carentan; it is even said that he has embarked to return to England. |
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Paris, 2nd May 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| May 6. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
587. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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All the guards about the Court are strengthened more than ever, and everyone entering or departing from the castle is searched, and the ladies who go at night to sleep out are all compelled to take off their masks, there being some impression that the Duke and the King of Navarre will escape at night unawares disguised in this fashion; and the Queen Mother has redistributed the halberts to her Swiss guards, who always attend her. The most Christian King has not yet left his bedroom, nevertheless he is better, and one of his doctors told me that the night preceding the arrest (qu. that of
Cosmo Ruggieri) his Majesty was not able to sleep, and that he is much vexed at certain events which happened, such, for instance, as the want of vigour shown by his people who had allowed Montgomery when shut up and besieged in St. Lo to escape thence, even through the midst of them. His Majesty has also suffered great displeasure upon hearing that the quarters of La Mole, which were placed near the gates of this city, had been stolen by night. |
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Paris, 6th May 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| May 20. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
588. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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News has arrived that Montgomery had suddenly left Carentan with about six hundred and fifty horse to attack Alençon, and that the movement had succeeded; that he had also turned in another direction in order to make the army of the King raise the siege of St. Lo; also that Matignon had driven Montgomery into Domfront (Danfron), and that the King had sent reinforcements under M. de Lansac. It is plain enough that his Majesty has a keen desire to get Montgomery into his hands, and the intelligence from Normandy interests him more than ever. The Queen of England, under the pretence of sending to visit the most Christian King, and to congratulate him on the recovery of his health, has written strongly by an English gentleman [Thomas Leighton] in favour of Montmorency, stating that he is her friend, and that any favour granted to him will be considered as a favour to herself, and especially because she knows for certain that Montmorency has always been a faithful servant to his Majesty. The King has answered that for the security of his life and kingdom he must not fail to make full investigation, but that he will derive great pleasure if Montmorency be found innocent, and when this is proved he will bestow upon him greater functions and honours than those he has hitherto exercised. |
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The English gentleman then made similar representations to the Queen-Mother, and in addressing her expressed the great displeasure of the Queen, his mistress, that the Duke of Alençon and the King of Navarre should be still detained prisoners. Her Majesty expressed great surprise at this communication, and answered in a loud voice, “Prisoners, indeed! Call them here, and ask them whether they do not enjoy all the liberty they wish, and whether they are not here of their own free will to bear the King my son company, who finds that this air agrees with him.” |
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On the following day his Majesty in company with these Princes went to a place of his called St. Maur, two leagues distant, and another day he went to another place in order to show to these English that the Princes were not under restraint, and the English have reported to England what was said to them, and the particulars of the situation; but the English gentleman will not depart until he receives further instruction from his Queen. The astrologers who were arrested have been tried. The Florentine has been condemned to the galleys for life, and the others punished with a lighter
sentence, and prohibited from exercising judicial functions, because two or three of them are said to have prophesied that the life of the Duke of Alençon would be more illustrious and happier than those of his other brothers. |
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Paris, 20th May 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| May 24. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
589. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The King is still ill with fever, and as he receives contradictory advice he knows not what course to take. Hitherto he has not cared to undertake negotiations personally, but now he has become completely irresolute, and, fearing all parties, is in great perplexity. The Marshal Damville has not yet been arrested, and I have reason to believe that the Queen-Mother said yesterday to the English representative that the King had no complaint to make against Damville, and considered him a good and loyal servant. Montgomery is besieged in Domfront. |
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Paris, 24th May 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| May 29. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
590. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory |
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The King is much worse. The Queen-Mother has sent privily two couriers to King Henry in Poland to warn him to be ready for any emergency- Montgomery is still besieged in Domfront. |
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Paris, 29th May 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| May 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
591. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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Last night the King's fever gradually increased, accompanied by symptoms of a most dangerous character, with a violent flow of blood and catarrh, similar to a previous attack, and as the unfortunate King was very weak, he had not strength to assist himself, and thus two hours after noon to-day he died. Immediately after his Majesty had expired, the Due of Alençon, shedding genuine tears, threw himself at the feet of the Queen-Mother, entreating her most earnestly to banish from her mind any suspicion concerning his acts, because, as he protested, there was no person in the whole kingdom more obedient to her than himself, or more ready to sacrifice his blood and his life to maintain and defend this crown for his brother the King of Poland. The Duke's words and actions gave extreme satisfaction to her Majesty, and up to the second hour of the night (10.30 p.m.) all was quiet. News arrived this morning that Domfront had been captured, and Montgomery taken prisoner by the troops of the most Christian King. The Count Martinengo has returned from Languedoc, and says that he has
been unable to seize the Marshal Damville, on account of the mismanagement which has taken place there, and that the Marshal has entered into Montpelier, |
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Paris, 30th May 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
