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| Sept. 3. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1261. Michiel Surian, Venetian Ambassador with King Philip, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The army is still within one league from Doulens, but the trenches are not even commenced, and the greater part of the battering train is still at Arras, and as the summer is over, this undertaking seems more difficult than at first; besides, the French not being more than three or four leagues from King Philip's camp, they can cross the Somme whenever they please at any point. The French soldiers enter Doulens almost in sight of the King and of all these lords, so the place is sufficiently garrisoned. Forage becomes scarcer daily, as the foragers can no longer go into the French territory for supplies, it being unsafe; they therefore go within sight of Arras far in the interior of Artois, having already consumed whatever was nearer the army. It was consequently determined by the Council to move the army, and quarter it more conveniently elsewhere, nearer the French territory, to provide forage there rather than in King Philip's provinces. Accordingly it was ordered to reconnoitre the country, to which effect a number of the chief nobility, with Count d'Egmont, the Duke of Parma, and the Duke of Alva, and an escort of 600 cavalry set out, so that well nigh a
semi-engagement took place (di che ne seguì quasi un mezzo fatto d'arme), for when at a short distance from where the army is encamped they discovered a considerable force of French cavalry, which had crossed the Somme; the Spaniards thereupon sent some harquebusiers to reconnoitre, and the French despatched others to the camp for succour. Those who went to reconnoitre the French were slain, and the others on returning to the camp gave the alarm in such wise that the whole army was in battle array instantly, and the King in person showed himself armed and on horseback, although his attendants suggested (benchè fusse consigliato dalli sui) that it was not either the time nor the occasion for his Majesty to move; but he replied that he desired to go himself wheresoever his nobility were, either for good or evil; which demonstration, although it evinced great love for his attendants, showed that he had not becoming regard for the royal person. Whilst these preparations however were being made, the French retired to their own camp, and the Spaniards merely explored the territory and saved some waggons which had been foraging in that direction. It is generally reported that the camp will shift its quarters, as although they are strong and secure, yet the country is so exhausted by foraging that it is not a position from which any undertaking can be planned, so that unless peace or a truce be made, these two armies will remain for this year wasting their pay without any other effect than thwarting each other's designs. |
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Brussels, 3rd September 1558. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 3. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1262. Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The armies are between Doulens and Amiens only five leagues distant from each other, both being entrenched in their fortresses, nor is any important encounter heard of, both sides being cautious in undertaking the usual skirmishes, which M. de Guise has prohibited on this side, under very heavy penalties, either to avoid some disorder, as skirmishes often lead to a general engagement, or perhaps from not feeling very sure of the Pistolers or Blacksmiths (Ferraruoli), who made a foray lately in good company (in buona compagnia) with M. d'Aumale, but having met a squadron of the said Blacksmiths in the enemy's service, when M. de Aumale, somewhat to his disadvantage (for he was afraid of ambuscades) wished to charge them, his troops not only refused to do so, but said freely that they would not fight against their own countrymen, as they also would do the like by them; so M. d'Aumale had to retreat, and to be patient. The Duke de Guise nevertheless did not fail to go forth the other day with 2,000 horse, and 4,000 foot, to approach the enemy and show himself in sight of their camp, which never stirred; and after having tarried there a very long while, he returned without the enemy's having made any movement; and M. de Nevers is also said to have done the like lately. |
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In the camp there are many on the sick list, and part of them great personages, such as the Duke de Guise, the Prince of Ferrara,
the Duke de Bouillon, and others, but their malady is neither dangerous nor contagious; and the most Christian King has been and is troubled with toothache and catarrh. The other army is also heard to be suffering from the same maladies, for which reason King Philip has retired to Arras, where it has been heard from the lips of Queen Catherine and from a lord of quality just returned from the camp that they are strongly urging the agreement, King Philip having permitted the Constable and the Marshal de St. André to go thither to confer with Don Ruy Gomez, the Count de Feria, and the Bishop of Arras, and they are still negotiating; so that either from the very great wish for the settlement, or because matters are really in a fair way, there are high hopes of a good result. Much is said on the subject, though no particulars are known, and it seems that on this account the Cardinal of Lorraine has remained with the King in the camp, nor is he expected to return hither so immediately as it was said he would do, this evening. |
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A merchant who arrived here two days ago with a safeconduct from England reports, as an eye-witness, that on the 30th ultimo the English fleet was off St. Valery, a port in Normandy, it being divided into two or three squadrons (partita in due otre pezzi), without giving sign of undertaking any expedition, though it was suspected, and is still feared, that they may come and land at the port of Etaples, to join their troops with those of King Philip's army, nor would it be in their power here to prevent the descent there. |
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Paris, 3rd September 1558. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 4. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
1263. Michiel Surian, Venetian Ambassador with King Philip, to the Doge and Senate. |
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The advices received from the camp purport that the Bishop of Arras went thither last Sunday on a message from the King, as the terms of peace had been proposed to his Majesty through two channels, the one, that of the Marshal de St. André and of the Constable, the other, that of M. de Vaudemont and of the Cardinal of Lorraine. It is therefore expected that in one way or the other some agreement will take place, as the French evince a wish for it, but I hear a leading personage (un signor principale) said that the King of France has no wish for peace, but thinks to cajole this King with words until the arrival of the troops expected by him from Piedmont; hence arose the report that the French demand a suspension of hostilities for some days that this affair may be negotiated and concluded. Today I have heard that Secretary Vargas writes from the camp that hostilities will be suspended for eight days. |
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Brussels, 4th September 1558. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 6. MS. Sr. Mark's Library, Cod. XXIV., cl. X., p. 197. |
1264. Cardinal Pole to King Philip. |
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Has received the letter which the King was pleased to write to him, from Don Juan de Acunha, and with great pleasure heard from him of his Majesty's good state. Acunha will report the
particulars of the Queen's indisposition, and how our Lord God granted us the grace four days ago to free her from all feverish symptoms, and as her Majesty is not liable to them they could not but cause us much anxiety, but the physicians were and are of opinion that through this malady she will obtain relief from her habitual indisposition; and may it thus please the goodness of God, and may He preserve her Majesty for the welfare of this realm. |
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During her malady the Queen did not fail to take the greatest care of herself, following the advice of the physicians; and by continuing to do so it is hoped she will recover, and daily more and more establish her health; a result to which nothing can contribute more than to receive frequent good news of his Majesty. |
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For some days Pole has been ill of a double quartan ague, but without any other ailment, though at his age, and with his constitution, he cannot but consider this indisposition very serious. By the grace of God, he is resigned to what Divine Providence shall be pleased to ordain for him; and is the more ardent and ready in praying the goodness of God for his Majesty, as the present state of affairs has need of it, for the benefit and quiet of Christendom, and for the comfort of his realms; and he humbly kisses King Philip's hands. |
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Lambeth, 6th September 1558. |
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[Italian.] |
| Sept. 25. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. XXIV., cl. X., pp. 197, recto & verso. |
1265. Cardinal Pole to King Philip. |
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Too great is the benignity which your Majesty has deigned to use towards me, showing by the letter of the 15th instant which you were pleased to write to me, that in the midst of so many and such serious occupations, you take into such affectionate account my indisposition and my health, which, God is my witness, for no other cause do I value more than that it may enable me to serve His Divine Majesty by serving your Majesties. |
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I, for myself, remain with my double quartan ague, which more or less molests me, and by the grace of God with my mind disposed towards whatever it shall please His Divine Providence to ordain for me; and should He now be pleased now to call me to Him, what occurs to me in that case—availing myself of the very gracious offer which your Majesty has deigned to make me—is, to beseech you with all affection, as I now do, to have as recommended those few individuals of my household whom I brought with me from Italy, for whom I have not had the means to provide out of my own substance as I willingly would have done, having always been served by them with much love and fidelity, and my nature being at all times very averse to seek this object by molesting your Majesty, or any other prince, in like manner as even for myself I never have done so; but in the present instance the very kind offer which your Majesty has vouchsafed to make me renders me thus bold, and again I beseech it of you with the utmost earnestness. |
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It is unnecessary for me to say anything more to your Majesty about the state of the most serene Queen, as I know that you are fully advised of it, both through her own letters and by those of
others. Her hope of the good result of your Majesty's affairs, and of being soon consoled by your presence, is in fact the best and most efficacious remedy for all her ailments, and to receive frequent and good advices from your Majesty, kissing whose hand humbly, I pray our Lord God that by removing the obstacles caused by these wars and discords He may grant you means and faculty whereby fully to comfort your own realms and all Christendom. |
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London, 25th September 1558. |
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[Italian.] |
