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| Feb. 1. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
747. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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Monsieur, being greatly dissatisfied with the States-General, has re-entered France near Peronne, and is now said to be about to proceed to England upon the invitation of the Queen. |
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Advices from London state that Casimir had arrived there from Ghent in the disguise of a merchant, and had been well received and extraordinarily honoured at the Court. It is further reported that, under pretext of obtaining payment for himself and his Roisters, he is also negotiating a league and providing means whereby Monsieur may, without causing suspicion, proceed to England. |
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Paris, 1st February 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 13. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
748. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Signory. |
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The reason why Monsieur left Flanders so suddenly was that while he was waiting at Condé, at the request of the States-General, and hoping to receive some compensation for the expenses he had incurred, the States, at the persuasion of the Prince of Orange, proposed to assign him the three cities of Ath, Enghien, and Mechlin, but upon condition that he was only to enter these places with his household and ten soldiers at a time, together with other restrictions, which were communicated to him. Perceiving that he had been manifestly deceived and without waiting for further affronts and indignities, he mounted his horse and entered France, accompanied by about two hundred gentlemen, and proceeded directly to his patrimony, the Duchy of Alençon, where he has arrived without either writing or sending to the King, with whom he is much dissatisfied, because his Majesty has not favoured his ideas, and has attributed evil intentions to him. |
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It is also heard that Monsieur gives ear to those who persuade him to become the head and protector of all who are oppressed by France and dissatisfied with the government, and especially the inhabitants of Britany, and that Monsieur is still continuing the negotiations of marriage and other understandings with England; so his Majesty, by the advice of the Council, has sent Mons. de La Chapelle to point out to Monsieur the trouble and dissatisfaction
which he has given to this Crown and to all the sovereigns of Christendom, and the many indignities which, as a son of France, he has personally suffered by his ill-advised expedition to Flanders, and on the other hand the advantage and grandeur which must result to France from peace and union between the brothers; and further to dissuade him from a voyage to England, whose Queen keeps this negotiation for marriage alive merely to sow discord in Christendom and to retain her subjects' allegiance, in the hope of having an heir, as she had done heretofore with several Kings and Princes to avoid the opportunity of any rising when she was requested to declare her successor to the Crown, a demand which was still being made. |
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In conclusion Mons. de La Chapelle was to remind the Duke that although it had been in his power to go to Flanders, and return thence, he must beware lest it might not perhaps be so easy for him to return from England when he desired to do so. Although Mauvissière, the Ambassador resident in England, has written very hopefully concerning the marriage, as appears by a letter which he has addressed to a principal person at this Court and of which I enclose a copy; nevertheless, for the reasons which I have given, and from the ambition which the Queen has by her nature to govern absolutely without any partner, it is believed that no decision will be come to, and particularly because the chief favourites of Monsieur himself are opposed to the marriage, for while they are now almost masters, and procure many things to be done by their advice, they are held in very little esteem and consideration in England, and may perhaps be even dismissed from the Court. |
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It is believed that Casimir was sent to England by the Prince of Orange to induce the Queen to render great assistance both in money and in men to the States of Flanders, and to arrange further new agreements between her, the States, the Kings of Denmark and Navarre, and other Princes of Germany, and also to make a new attempt to include Monsieur, brother of this King, and to intimate to the Queen that if she did not faithfully assist the Low Countries they would certainly again fall into the hands of the Spaniards. |
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When the Prince of Orange learned the proceedings of Monsieur he went to Antwerp, where he called the States together to provide for their interests, and the States have decided not to put a large army into the field at first, but rather to form what is called a flying camp, and to thoroughly provision all their fortresses, and thus remain on the defensive. |
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Paris, 13th February 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
749. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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Marchaumont, who resides at this Court as the agent to represent Monsieur, arrived here yesterday and went to join Monsieur the moment that he heard of his Highness' return from Flanders. Monsieur has through his means apprised the King that he arrived in his Majesty's dominions with the idea of proceeding to England as
soon as the Queen should decide to conclude the marriage treaty, which appears now to be her intention. |
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I understand that Monsieur, for his personal security on his voyage, has demanded four English gentlemen as hostages, in order that if he should desire to return to France the English might not interpose any impediment. He has sought an advance of 500,000 crowns from the King to put himself into an effective position, and has made a request for another half million of gold to be contributed by his own states for the like purpose. |
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Casimir had returned from England to the States in Flanders, having obtained from the Queen large promises for the preparations for their armies, but as to how and when these promises will be carried out into effect no certain opinion can be formed. |
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Paris, 18th February 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
750. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The nobility of Lower Normandy having fallen under the displeasure of the King for having denied his rights, and put to death certain treasurers and receivers, and for having burnt the public registers and alphabets, here called “tickets,” and being assured that the King, when he is able, will not leave such wickedness unpunished, they would appear to have had recourse to and have demanded Monsieur d'Anjou as the chief and conservator of their privileges. This is a kind of rebellion, although they colour it their own way, and hence his Highness, inspired by his thoughts about England which still continue, and by these new proposals which have been made to him, and being deprived of the advice of his mother, might yield to evil temptations which might become the cause of a serious insurrection in this kingdom; but if the arrival of her Majesty should be in time, and she anticipated his design, it is to be hoped that the determination of her son will be more prudent, and tend more to the preservation and union of this kingdom, and that the opposite counsels will not have pre-eminence. |
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The return of Mons. de La Chapelle, who has been sent by the King to his Highness, is awaited, when all the particulars of the intentions and dispositions of the latter will become known. |
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Under date of the 18th instant, the French Ambassador in England and Don Bernardin de Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador there, write that the arrangements for the arrival of Monsieur continue, and that every security has been given for his voyage; nevertheless, on this side no preparations have been made indicating his departure, and I understand upon good authority that the King has answered Marchaumont, the agent of his Highness, who had asked for the 500,000 crowns, that he has no means of advancing this money, and has apologised with fair words. |
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Letters dated the 18th February from the camp of the Prince of Parma, who is now before Maestricht, state that six troops of Roisters, escorting money for the relief of the place, have been routed and maltreated by the Spaniards. |
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Casimir was expected hourly in Antwerp on his return from England, from whence he departed loaded with presents and honours bestowed upon him by the city of London and other places in that kingdom, and especially by the Queen, who has given him the Order of the Garter, and three armed vessels in order that he may return with safety. |
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Paris, 27th February 1579. |
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[Italian.] |
