Cecil Papers: June 1588 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: June 1588', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589( London, 1889), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp327-332 [accessed 16 November 2024].

June 1588



	673. Sir Francis Walsingham to Archibald Douglas.
1588, June 3.	I showed her Majesty on Saturday last your Lordship's letter. She saith she can give no other answer than that she hath done. I see her not willing to enter into any further dealing for others concerning that realm, before she see what will be the success of Mr. Robert Carvell's negotiations.
	To-morrow I will send you such occurrence as I receive from foreign parts. And so in the meantime I commend your Lordship to the protection of the Almighty.—At the Court, this 3rd of June 1588.
	½ p.
	674. — to —.
1588, June 7.	Yours of the 19th of April, which according to this account is the 29th, came hither to Madrid the 29th of May, like account, which was with speed enough, whereupon this courteous Cavalier immediately took post and went to the Court, where he did negotiate the matter with Idiaques, whom I think you know to be as yourself there; who after much inquiry as well of the deliverer as also what acquaintance the Cavalier had with you, to the first was answered that the letter was brought to the house of Don Pietro de Medicis by a child, and delivered to a servant of his who knew not the boy; to the second, that he never had any acquaintance with you, but that he thought the relation of some English gentleman, to whom he had shewed courtesy as well n the Levant as in Italy, this courteous letter of yours might proceed, to which letter the Cavalier doth answer, as you may see without cipher, doubting, as the suspicion of the time carrieth, the same being intercepted might diminish his credit, with them presently very good, which he would be loth to hazard lightly, wherefore that which he would have to be kept secret he hath willed me to be put in this my alphabet as followeth :
	First, that if a month ago he had known your mind, he then had better occasion and commodity to have done some good, which, by the readiness of the Armada on Sunday the 29th of May, being all at sea and under sail, besides the new garboyle at Paris much favouring their designs, is now taken away; willing me to assure you, and that at no hand you doubt of this their forces being now in esser, both in the Low Countries and here, they will hardly be brought to any disadvantageous accord but rather attempt fortune, especially being earnestly solicited thereunto by the Duke of Parma, under whose valour, good luck and intelligences there, they presume to effect great matters against us, and in effect they think to swallow you up.
	As for those articles, and namely the two points, the one for religion, and the other for removing the strangers from t.hence, with razing of citadels, they seem to set at light, and say this to be an ordinary meal of Secretary Walsingham's corn, and that heretofore he hath been tampering here in the same manner with others, and that all is but alusions and craft, wherewith and with her Majesty's like proceedings heretofore they have so often been scalded, as they are sufficiently warmed in time to come, although to their detriment. They also do say the letter you wrote to the Cavalier to be no letter of substance to enter into any particular or essential manner of treaty, wherefore they would not hear or deal any further. And so for this time concluded, although Don Christoval de Moro, another Counsellor, assured the Cavalier that, if her Majesty had propounded any reasonable agreement, this King's nature, being most alienate from debate and war, would willingly have given care, as nevertheless he may yet well do, if any likely matter be propounded; wherefore herein you may do as time and occasions shall counsel, and this gentleman offereth all his furtherance herein, which he putteth me to write in his behalf, as also to present unto her Majesty his pains and travail to the uttermost for her service, and with all his Duke's furtherance, to whom he saith it were convenient the Queen should write in congratulation of his assumption to the Tuscan Crown, with whom the Cavalier hath singular favour and credit. Within seven days we are to depart hence for Florence with Don Pietro, hoping to be there the 9th of July, where the Cavalier will always expect to receive her Majesty's commands, who having any liking to deal aught about his return into Spain in matter of treaty, you may immediately upon the receipt hereof dispatch an express courier with ample instructions.
	As to that point of the King's sickness and distraction of wit, besides my certain knowledge herein, the Cavalier willeth me to assure you, as in part he hath in his letter mentioned, that this little old fellow was never in his life in more perfect health, both of body and rnind, and that nothing is done either in Spain or in his dominions abroad, but he hath the principal manège, and that immediately from him proceedeth knowledge, determination and resolution of all this whole machine, the same being only moved and governed by him, as you may see that matter of France from the beginning to this hour hath been all of his handling, to the foment and maintenance whereof he neither hath nor will spare any sums of money, lately being gone thither another million, whereof like enough a part may pass to Scotland, for five days ago was here and departed hence a man of the Earl of Morton's, having stayed here but one day, who came and returned post by way of France. These things by great and secret means hath the Cavalier gotten intelligence of, as he willeth me to signify, as also (which most importeth) that these folks joining with those of Parma, this King's resolution is that landing they march straight to London, and that the Armada enter the Thames, which heretofore was intended upon the Wight and Portsmouth, now changed by I wot not what advices from Parma, who continually soliciteth and adviseth.
	Endorsed :—“From Madrid, the 7th of June 1588.”
	Decipher. Cipher missing.
	1½ pp.
	675. Samuel Borthwick to Archibald Douglas.
1588, June 8.	Asking him to find him some occupation, whereby he may gain an honest living.—From Edinburgh, the 8th of June 1588.
1588, June 8.	1 p.
	676. The Master of Gray to Edward Johnstone.
1588, June 10.	I received a letter of yours from Andrew my uncle, wherein you complained that you have written many times to me and never have received answer. Truly I never received any but I made answer for all I received, I cannot bid you come to me as yet, for I have no money to give you. Marry ere it be long, God willing, I shall send for you and shall content you. You shall be no loser if I live, and if I die I shall leave you as much as shall pay you.—From Paris, this 10th of June 1588.
1588, June 10.	½ p.
	677. Instructions for Mr. Daniel Rogers, sent into Denmark.
1588, June 10.	Whereas we have been advertised by letters from the four Governors of Denmark, sent by an express messenger, of the death of the late King their master, though we have returned letters by the said messenger, we have thought meet in some more effectual manner to testify our grief, and have made choice of you for messenger.
	You shall first address the young prince in such terms as are convenient for his young years. After the compliments used to the young King, you shall address yourself to the Queen his mother, but we have forbidden you to use any large speech in opening our said grief. You will then deliver to the four Governors of the realm the like testimony of our grief. Lastly, you shall let them understand that, whereas by the breach of amity that hath of late years been between the King of Spain and us, we have been driven for our own defence to suffer divers of our subjects to arm themselves to the seas, whereof some disordered persons, intending only their own private gain, have committed some outrages upon divers subjects of that Crown, whereof the late King had made often and earnest complaint to us, and we, as willing on our part to yield satisfaction to him and his subjects, grieved, though there had not followed that fruit of our good meaning thatwe could have wished. We have now, therefore, being desirous to avoid the like inconveniences in time to come, given you special charge to consider with them of some meet way to check such like disorders hereafter, and also for convenient redress of such as have been done.
	Endorsed :—10 June 1588.
	3½ pp. [Murdin, pp. 627–629. In extenso.]
	678. Robert Cary's Instructions.
1588, June 16.	Finding, as well by the report of our servant Robert Cary as by the King's own letters lately written unto us, that he sheweth himself well disposed to embrace our amity and friendship, we, knowing how greatly it importeth us both, Tin respect that for the profession of the true Christian religion there is a most dangerous combination made by the Pope, the King of Spain, and other Catholic Princes for the rooting out of the known professors of the said religion,) that we should take some speedy course for common defence of both our realms and kingdoms, whereby we may be the better able with the assistance of Almighty God to withstand such attempts as shall be made by our common enemy; and to the end you may be the better able to make it apparent to the said King, how, both for the time present and the time future, it may grow dangerous, as well unto himself as unto us, if both a resolute and speedy course be not taken for the withstanding of the effects of the said combination, we have given order unto our Secretary to give you a particular memorial for that purpose, to be communicate unto the said King upon some apt occasion that may be offered unto you for that purpose. And for that we perceive by some speech that hath passed between the said Cary and the Chancellor of that realm, that the King his master looketh to receive satisfaction in some points, before he can with his honor, (as the said Chancellor allegeth) make open demonstration of the love and goodwill he professeth to bear towards us, we think it meet that you should yield some such answer to the said points unto the Chancellor, for that he propounded the requests, or to the King himself, in case he shall deal with you therein, as may stand with our honour.
	And first, whereas it is desired that some public declaration touching our innocency of the death of the late Queen, his mother, should be made to notify unto the world how innocent we were in that behalf; you may tell the said Chancellor that we can yield no better satisfaction than is contained in the judgment given in the Star Chamber against Davison, our late Secretary, having besides, by our letters written with our own hands, testified our innocency, the same being expressed with so earnest and great protestations as we would not have done to satisfy him or any Prince or creature in the world, for all the kingdoms on the earth, unless we had found our conscience most clear and guiltless in point. And yet in case he shall not rest satisfied therewith (as in reason he ought) for that the said judgment is testified only by the subscription of the officer of the Court, you shall further offer unto him that he shall have the same testified under the hands and seals of such as were appointed especially in commission to charge the said Davison with his offence, and afterwards to extend such severe punishment as might be laid upon him agreeably with the laws of our Realm, And in case he shall not rest satisfied with this offer of subscription, you shall then put him in hope that you will procure that the said judgment shall be exemplified under the Great Seal.
	Secondly, touching the doubt conceived that the sentence given against the late Queen his mother should prejudice some kind of pretended title as he may make after our death as successor to this Crown, and for his satisfaction in that behalf, we can be content that, for the clearing of that point, he shall receive some public instrument signed by all the Judges of this our Realm, that such right as he may any way pretend can in no sort be weakened or prejudiced by the said sentence, which is as much as we can yield for his contentment touching that point.
	Thirdly, touching some ancient title of dukedom or earldom, which the said King seemeth greatly to affect within this our realm, you may shew him that our servant Cary had found, by conference with his father and others that do greatly desire good amity between us and the said King, that they did utterly dissuade him in any case from acquainting us with the same, as a thing that at this time might breed an unnecessary jealousy between us, especially seeing that there could rise no great benefit to him thereby.
	Lastly, touching the ratification of the league, as we do acknowledge it to be a thing most necessary for us both, having regard to the present time, so shall he find us ready to send some noblemen into that realm for that purpose, when we shall understand his dispositions to send some hither unto us for the accomplishment thereof.
	Endorsed :—“A drawght of instructions for Mr. Robert Carye.”
	Draft. 6 pp.
	679. Richard Fenys to Lord Burghley.
1588, June 17.	Mr. Otley (?) desiring me yesterday to let him know the name of the place where my wife did lie, and, entering the same into his note-book, told me he would this next week send a coach for his ward, saying, he would not now leave her, so good cheap as he had offered her. My lord, I protest and take Almighty God to witness, that I neither now am, or at any time have been, heretofore contracted to buy her in any sort, neither is it the thing I intend or desire. My suit now only is, that, until the mother be delivered, no process may be granted, and afterwards I wish no further her contentment than her daughter's best advancement. I crave but the stay of your judgment until you see the proof, for all the world shall never move me to do anything unhonest.
	Endorsed by Burghley :—17 June 1588.
	1 p.
	680. Advertisements out of France.
1588, June 18.	Here is presently a fear of some new broil about the displacing of some old captains by those of the League, insomuch a some of the gates have been kept shut against some new captains. The people in the town grow daily more and more insolent, as this other day appeared, when 500 armed men demanding of the Presidents of the Court of Parliament to do justice upon one Du Bellay, supposed author of a book called “The Catholic Apology” being before prisoned, would admit no reasonable excuse at their hands, though on the King's behalf, but threatened the said Presidents that, if the next day that justice they required were not done, themselves should bear the price of the other's fault. Howbeit they have not yet executed their friend.
	Mons. de Villeroy is daily looked for here, who should bring the final accord to the articles of peace before propounded : as that the Duke of Guise should have Orleans and Bourges for their surety, and to place new governors in the said towns upon the decease of the others; that they shall raise the siege from Boulogne and pretend nothing to it; that Orleans and Montreuil shall remain in their present state; that the articles demanded for the breach of the league with foreign Princes of the Religion, the Cardinal of Bourbon's being declared first Prince of the blood, that of the Council of Trent, and that of Mons. d'Espernon, remain all undecided till the assembly of the States. That the King shall be most honourably received into Paris, with the offer of 200,000 crowns to the King, so as those of the League may have at the Duke of Guise's disposition 800,000 crowns to pay their debts. That for the union of the towns, they shall all be united to the King, and that the Duke of Guise resort to the King.
	The King, being repossessed of Harfleur and Honfleur, threatens to see the Governor of Newhaven punished for the revolt. It is advertised from Rouen that the Spanish fleet was returned, and greatly tormented with the plague. It is also said that the King of Navarre hath recovered again Marans, that Pont St. Esprit cannot hold out long, and that Messieurs de la Valette, Ediguieres and Montmorency have lately united themselves together.
	1 p.
	681. Sir Francis Walsingham to Archibald Douglas.
1588, June 22.	The enclosed I opened by chance. I protest before God I never read it. The King your sovereign dealeth hardly with you, which I attribute to those that are about him. God maketh Princes good, for that they are his lieutenants here on earth, but by a common mishap Princes are made naught by ill instruments about them, which turneth most to the prejudice of honest men. I would to God Dr. Michaely would speed well in the matter you wot of, [search for the philosopher's stone] and that we were all three a Basil to pray for Princes.—In Court, 22 June 1588.
1588, June 22.	1 p.
	682. Ordnance for Middleburgh.
1588, June 27.	Warrant under the Sign Manual authorizing the transportation of 12 pieces of ordnance (here purposely made and set forth with the arms of the town of Middleburgh) to Middleburgh in Zealand, without any manner of duty to be taken for the same.—Greenwich, 27 June 1588, 30 Elizabeth.
1588, June 27.	Signet. 1 p.
	683. Robert Beale to Archibald Douglas.
1588, June 28.	Sends his servant for the book which Douglas promised to lend him. It shall be safely kept and returned as soon as read.—From my poor house in London, 28 June 1588.
1588, June 28.	Seal. ½ p.
	684. Ireland.
1588, June 29.	Warrant under the Sign Manual for the payment of the moiety of 401l. 10s. to Manus McShchy for his entertainment in Ireland for one whole year, at 2s. the day for himself, and 20s. by day for 40 kerne and their boys.—Greenwich, 29 June 1588, 30 Elizabeth.
1588, June 29.	Signet. 1 p.
	685. Jame Colville to the Lord Treasurer.
[1588], June.	After my humble commendations of service, I remember I spake to your L. for one Cockbourne, who at his return in this country has made some sinister report. I am sorry that ever my mouth should have been opened for such one, so that I am constrained to crave pardon, and assure your L. that I shall beware ere I speak for any man in times to come, not doubtiug but your L. will consider it come of no ill mind, for I am, and shall continue, as faithful to the union of the realms as any one alive. Praying your L. to excuse my hardiness in writing, since you have power to command me.—From Edinburgh, this 20th of June.
	Endorsed :—“To my Lord Gret Threasaurer of Ingland.”
	¼ p.