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| Sept. 4. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
960. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Queen of England, who is well aware of the difficulty which the King must have to maintain his army in face of the powers of Spain, whose object is to make his profit by prolonging the war, has sent two hundred thousand ducats and three hundred gentlemen, in order that he may continue the seige of Paris, which the Duke of Parma intends to compel him to raise, by encamping near him and hindering all his operations. |
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Tours, 4th September 1590. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Sept. 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
961. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The King, having shown his readiness to give battle, is determined not to force one on; but to maintain himself in strong positions whence he can watch the Luke of Parma. He is determined to this policy by the resolve not to run any risks, and also by the promises of England to send troops into France to divert the Duke of Parma. The Queen of England is very suspicious lest the King should come to terms with Spain, which would greatly disturb her. His Majesty will not, however, remain inactive; that would be contrary to his disposition; he will seize an occasion, favourable to himself, to give battle, but will not be drawn into one. |
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Tours, 9th September 1590. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Sept. 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
962. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Here they are using all diligence to amass money, and no means are overlooked. They propose to sell exemptions from the San Benitos, the infamous ensigns of those who have been condemned by the Holy Office; this is expected to bring in a large sum of money; for the descendants of those condemned would be willing to pay any price to be freed from the infamy. |
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There is no doubt but that all this money will be applied chiefly to French matters. |
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Madrid, 9th September 1590. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Sept. 11. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
963. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Mons. de Stofargh (Stafford), Ambassador of the Queen of England, has newly arrived. He confirms the passage of the English into Flanders, and promises to his Majesty all those ready favours and large supports which the Queen can afford him. The King, on his side, has requested that a sufficient body of cavalry should be sent into the Low Countries, so that the English may hold the open country, and divert the Duke of Parma, at least until the German horse (raitri) arrive. |
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Tours, 11th September 1590. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Sept. 15. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
964. Tomaso Contaeini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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Thirteen of the vessels lying in Ferrol put out to sea and made for Cape Finisterre, to drive the English out of those waters. Having fallen in with some of the English they engaged, and then returned to Ferrol very severely handled by the enemy; many of
the Spanish being wounded or killed, and their ships damaged in various places. |
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At the beginning of last month the flag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Catholic Armada was broke at the mast; and orders given to sail at once; but the fleet has not sailed yet. They say that the smaller vessels and the galleasses, which are expected from Lisbon, are to take the route of France, to render support in Brittany; while the great ships are to sail to the Azores to sweep out the buccaneers, and to ensure the safety of the fleet. |
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The Duke of Mercure promised to give to the King of Spain a port called Brest; a position admirably suited to command the whole province. His Majesty was to hold the city in the name of the Infanta; while the Duke and his heirs were to be named hereditary perpetual governors. |
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Ferrari, just returned from Constantinople, has come to Court. He declares that neither peace nor truce with Persia has been concluded. The nephew of the King of Persia has rebelled against his uncle, has gone to Constantinople, and is supported by the Turk. |
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Madrid, 15th September 1590. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Sept. 15. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
965. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The King has ordered prayers to be offered up to God for the success of his designs in France, and for the safety of the fleet, which, owing to the English corsairs, is in some danger. |
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Madrid, 15th September 1590. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
| Sept. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
966. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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There is a rumour from England that in Falmouth (flemua) forty ships took fire by accident and were burned; but as it has happened before that rumours to the detriment of England and the Queen have been spread about the Court, and subsequently proved false, I shall not give full credence to this report until I receive some confirmation. |
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The galleots from El'Arisch have been scouring the coasts of Algarve, where they landed troops and did much damage. On the other hand two English galleons and some other English ships are preying upon all the shipping in those waters; so that the ship “Segura” and the ship “Salvagna,” both of which were ready to sail, have not dared to leave port for dread of the pirates. |
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Madrid, 19th September 1590. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Sept. 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
967. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The taxes are now so heavy that many think they are insupportable. The whole burden falls on the two Castilles and Andalusia, which are quite exhausted and oppressed on account of the eight millions lately voted. |
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News that the East India fleet has reached Lisbon. But the flagship was caught in a storm off the Cape of Good Hope and driven to the West Indies. |
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Madrid, 19th September 1590. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Sept. 22. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
968. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Catholic Armada left Ferrol on the 8th of this month; part of it for Brittany, part for the Azores. The sailing of the fleet at this season is held by all seamen to be very dangerous, for the ocean is most stormy during this very month of September. |
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The more the Pope's death is considered here, the higher is the satisfaction which it gives. It is said that it will be impossible for anyone to succeed to the Pontifical throne who will prove more hostile to Spain. |
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The flagship of the East Indian fleet, which was driven to the West Indies, has now reached Lisbon; she brings great riches, and fought bravely with five English whom she encountered on the voyage. |
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Madrid, 22nd September 1590. |
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[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.] |
| Sept. 30. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
969. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The Duke of Parma is attending to the revictualling of Paris. The King is waiting the arrival of the English, the German horse and foot. He thought at first that he would not require them, as he had so many French nobles with him, as Paris was so hard pressed, and as he never believed that Parma would enter France. Now he is hurrying up the levies. |
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Tours, 30th September 1590. |
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[Italian; deciphered.] |
