|
| May 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1053. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The English fleet set sail to meet the flotilla from the Indies, but not in such numerical strength as was reported. It numbered twenty-eight ships, all very well armed, of which eight belonged to the Queen. The fleet had orders to undertake no other operatives than those indicated. The rest of the ships which have been collected are placed at the disposition of Colonel Norris, who is to land in Brittany with four thousand men. Their arrival has been delayed a little as the Queen desired to secure the port of Brest. The Duke of Mercure had, given the port of Plonay (Blanet), near Hennebont, to the Spanish; and it is so well fortified that it will be difficult to expel them. |
|
In addition to the Spanish who have already landed in that province, another two hundred have arrived. The two galleasses and other vessels are also there still; and this is causing his Majesty such uneasiness that he intends to abandon the idea of securing Brest, and will disembark his troops at Hennebont, a very good port. The English will join him as best they can. |
|
The Duke of Mercure has seized Vannes (Ven), which was held by the Marquis of Belle-Isle. The enemy then left to besiege Machecoul (Macicù), which will not be able to offer much resistance unless it is succoured by the English, for the Duke has ten pieces of cannon supplied by Spain. |
|
The declaration of the Pope will cause even greater confusion, and will revive the idea of breaking the kingdom up into a number of corrupt and unworthy tyrants, which is the real object of those who are showing themselves such strong and religious partisans in Rome. |
|
The Queen of England alone shows any activity in withstanding these misfortunes; and her subjects willingly submit to taxation
for the payment of the troops which are being raised in Germany, and are to come here under the Viscount of Turenne. |
|
Tours, 2nd May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 4. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1054. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The disputes and disagreements between the Ambassadors of France and England are carried to such a pitch they pass all bounds. The chief cause is that a copying clerk in the French Embassy, upon the pretext of being badly treated by his master, has gone over to the residence of the English Ambassador, and has taken with him a large number of papers of the highest importance, and many registers of letters. He is sure to come to a bad end. |
|
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 4th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1055. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Duke of Savoy was well received on his arrival, and is honoured now during his stay; but, in spite of all this, it is unlikely that he will obtain what he desires in the way of assistance, for Don Juan d'Idiaquez assured a great personage that his Majesty knew nothing of the Duke's coming until he had started on his journey; and the King is little pleased to hear that some suppose him to have counselled this step. Indeed, as soon as he knew what the Duke had done he sent out messengers in the hope of finding the Duke still on the other side of the sea. |
|
Madrid, 5th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 6. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1056. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Agent for the Duke of Mercure, who has been now many days in the house of Don Juan d'Idiaquez, makes urgent appeals for the despatch of the fleet which is to convey supports to the Duke in Brittany. |
|
Madrid, 6th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 7. Copy of Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1057. Giovanni Dolfin, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The second day after the flight of the English alchemist he was arrested twelve leagues from here. His Majesty would not allow him to be brought here, but has caused him to be confined in the Castle of Pirgheriz, five leagues distant, in the middle of a wood. Here all his household is being diligently examined. Among the inmates is a secretary of the Queen of England, who arrived here a month ago. He, too, has been examined three times as yet, and is
under the strictest guard. It is rumoured here that there are crimes of greater moment than the manufacture of gold to be laid to his charge. |
|
Prague, 7th May 1591. |
|
[Italian.] |
| May 14. Copy of Origirnal Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1058. Giovanni Dolfin, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The English alchemist is still at Pirgheriz under strict guard; his brother and the others here are also prisoners; and the depositions of all who have had dealings with them have been taken down. Yesterday Crechovitz, of the Aulic Council, was sent to Pirgheriz to examine the prisoner once more, the executioner to put him to the torture, the doctor to cure him, the Dean to see that he eats under the dread of religious condemnation, for when he was examined it was found that he was wanting in an ear, and had a mark upon one hand; this he said he had suffered in England because he was a Catholic; they are as anxious to keep him alive as he is to die. They are in hopes of making some discoveries about some suspicion of poison which his Majesty entertains, and his Majesty has sent to Bavaria for a copy of the trial of Bragadin. |
|
Sig. Rosimberg, Viceroy of this kingdom, is creditor of this Englishman for one hundred and seventy thousand thalers. For this reason he has fallen into his Majesty's disfavour. He sent his brother and his brother-in-law, Don John of Bernstein, to excuse him with his Majesty, and to say that he had always held the Englishman for a gentleman of honour. |
|
Prague, 14th May 1591. |
|
[Italian.] |
| May 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1059. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Grand Vizir is moved to making even greater provisions for various reasons, among them the desire to help Don Antonio who promises to become a tributary of the Porte if he is restored to his throne, and the arrival of a Chamberlain of the Queen of England, who made the journey from London to Zante in thirty days. He saw the Grand Vizir immediately on his arrival, and set out again at once. |
|
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 18th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 18. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1060. Hieronimo Lippomano, Venetian Ambassador in Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
David Passi, the Jew, to the great surprise of everyone, has obtained an order in the Sultan's handwriting for his immediate release. He left the house of the Mufti and went home to cure himself of an illness. The Grand Vizir sent to bring Passi to his presence, and as he entered the room the Vizvr cried out that he
would have him drowned. On seeing the. Sultan's writing, however, the Vizir was pacified in appearance. |
|
Dalle Vigne di Pera, 18th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1061. Tomaso Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
M. de Lansac has just arrived; he is a person highly esteemed in naval and military matters. Re strongly urges the despatch of support for the Duke of Mercure in Brittany. |
|
Madrid, 26th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 26. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1062. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Queen of England always shows herself more and more willing to assist the King. And in addition to the three thousand men disembarked in Brittany she has sent other two thousand into Normandy. |
|
Tours, 26th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
| May 28. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1063. Giovanni Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
|
The Queen of England, who is quite aware that the Princes of the League are inclined to favour Spanish interests, is very anxious that the King of France should become master of all the shores of Normandy and Brittany, so that those ports may not serve as a shelter for the Spanish Armada. For this purpose she urges the King to attack Rouen, and promises him every assistance in the undertaking. |
|
Tours, 28th May 1591. |
|
[Italian; deciphered.] |
