3^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DO HOI^ffPlliTE 1 ^ — ■, 't. s ^ ^-^ \ ^ ' f— m PRINTED IN U.S.A. Cornell University Library DA 25.H72 Calendar of state papers foreign series 3 1924 028 043 622 ., Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028043622 CALENDAR OF STATE PAPERS, FOREIGN SERIES, OF THE REIGN OF MARY. 1553 — 1558. Printed by G. E. Eyre and W. Spotti«foode, Her Mi^esty'i Printew. CALENDAR OF STATE PAPERS, FOREIGN SERIES, OF THE REIGN OF MARY, 1553 — 1558, FBESEKTED IN THE STATE PAPER DEPARTMENT HER MAJESTY'S PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. EDITED BT WILLIAM B. TURNBULL, Esq., OP Lincoln's inn, eakeister-at-law, COKEESPOKDANT DU COMITE IMP^EIAL DES TKAVAUX HISTOBIQUES ET DBS SOOIETES SAVANTS DE PEANCE, ETC. ETC. UNDEE THE DIBECTION OP THE MASTER OP THE KOLLS, AND WITH THE SANCTION OF HBE majesty's SECRETARY OP STATE POK THE HOME DEPARTMENT. LONDON: LONGMAN, GEEEN, LONGMAN, & ROBERTS. ^. , 18GL 't"-^: ' ' 'c ^1 l[ (7.f\)' t^OIEM- r 0:ji^fJp_ CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME. • Page Preface .-.--.--vii Calendar, Foreign Papers, Mart, 1553 — 1558 - - I Index --_.-..- 409 PREFACE. The sixteenth century will ever be a marked era in the history of Europe, both in a military and diplomatic pomt of view ; and the few years to which this volume refers were not the least stirring in regard of those movements in field and cabinet, which called into action the genius of so many illustrious warriors and statesmen. Of those events which engaged their energy, such as the disturbed state of Italy, the quarrels of Pope Paul the Fourth and the Emperor Charles the Fifth, the embroilment of Henry the Second with the house of Austria, from which resulted the defeat of the French by the Spaniards at S. Quentin,* a blow in some measure compensated by the capture of Calais ; of all these the documents herein abstracted present a tolerably fair general outline. They contain the essence of the entire Foreign correspondence of England during the reign of Queen Mary, as preserved in the State Paper OfBce ; whereof the first bears date seven days after her Majesty's accession, prior to that circumstance being known by the correspon- dent of the individual who sought to bar her rightful claim to the throne. The plan adopted in the compilation is similar to that of the former calendar appertaining to the rule of King Edward the Sixth. * " The overthrow, I ensure you, was very great, and such another as the like hath not chanced to France of a good while." — Earl of Bedford to Cecil, Haynes' State Papers, p. 204. a 4 viii PREFACE. I should be exceeding my duty if, appointed to the specific charge of forming a calendar, I were to make any remarks beyond those which strictly relate to the papers themselves. It is therefore only necessary to point out a few of the more noticeable ones and the occurrents recorded in them ; premising, that as a considerable space is occupied by "intelligence" from Rome and elsewhere, by this word is to be understood the information conveyed by the spies, or " espials" as they were then termed, in the service of the respective envoys or agents abroad. The correspondence of Sir John Masone, while resident at the Court of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, continues to supply the same attractive gossip as his despatches did when he occupied the like position at that of Henry the Second of France. He is described by Camden as having been " a " man of learning and gravity, but a great devourer of " church-lands," which doubtless accounts for his forcible comments on a preacher who, he is informed, " beateth the " pulpit joUily in England for the restitution of Abbey- *' lands."* Among other such property, he possessed those of Abingdon, under the shadow of whose walls his infancy was spent. But whatever may be thought of his appetite for ecclesiastical domains, his aspirations, while communicating the extensive naval preparations of Denmark, will meet with a hearty response at the present time. " I would wish," says he, " that our navy were looked upon in such sort, " as the world might at the least see we mind not to " suffer it to decay ; for, if any mischief be intended, '• let us be sure our ports shall either first or last be therein."t Two letters from Sir John Chekc to Petre and Mnsone.J depict strongly his feelings during exile ; and the interest • No. 302. t No. 366. } Nos. 240, 247. PREFACE. ix taken by the latter in Cheke's family, surely tends to relieve him from the insinuation of Ponet and Strype that he had betrayed his friend, even although he had become " under " Queen Mary a strong Papist," like his equally pliant colleague, Wotton. Their family connection, besides, makes the charge less probable ; as Masone's appeal to her Majesty on their behalf shows, — what has neither been noticed in the life of Cheke by Strype, nor in the memoir of Masone in the Biographia Britannica, — that Lady Cheke's mother, the " good widow Hill," had taken our Ambassador for her second husband.* Cheke's description of Venetia in his time, if correct, is by no means flattering. " He is here in a country *' much esteemed in opinion, of which yet being somewhat " unskilled, he cannot judge certainly without rashness, else " at first sight he would say that neither for private order, " nor yet common behaviour, is it anything to be compared " to their own supposed barbarous country. Courtesans in " honour, haunting of evil houses noble; breaking of " marriage a sport ; murder, in a gentleman, magnanimity ; " robbery, finesse if it be clean conveyed, — ^for the spying is " judged the fault and not the stealing ; religion, to be best " that best agreeth with Aristotle de anima ; the common " tenant, though not in kind of tenancy, marvellously kept " bare, the gentleman, nevertheless, yet bare that keepeth " him so ; in speech cautious, in deed scarce ; more liking " in asking than in giving. The farther they go into Italy " it is said to be the worse. "f The like pecuniary incommodities appear to have been * No. 284. Eichard Hill = Elizabeth Ilsley = Sir John Masone, 2d husband. Mary = Sir John Cheke. I Four children in 1554. t No. 240. X PREFACE. experienced by the English Ambassadors in this as in the forrner reign, if we may judge by the letters of Masone, who now, as then, is grievously afflicted. Early his complaints commence : " If he hears not shortly of some aid of money " out of England, extremity will drive him to make his " refuge to her Majesty, who, he trusts will either call him *' home or else see him so furnished with her allowance, or " at least with his own, as he may be able to continue the " place in such a sort as to her honour is requisite."* Six weeks later, offering to Petre " his hearty thanks for the short receiving of his money," he declares that " whensoever " it shall come it is already spent, . . . so as he sees " the estate of an ambassador, that of himself is not able to " bear the brunt, is come to be most miserable."! Writhing in financial agony he at length appeals to head-quarters, and " humbly desires her Majesty to pardon him for writing " something of his own case. An unmeeter man in all " respects for her Majesty's affairs could not be ; this from " the outset he had declared, but since, notwithstanding, " she had commanded he should serve in this place, he " doubts not but her meaning was he should be fm-nished " from 'time to time of so much as it liked he to appoint " him as well as if he had been much fitter. How that " has been answered since his coming hither the Lords of " her Majesty's Council can tell. He has often written " for their aid, and knows by report their good mind to " help him, yet it has not liked the Lord Treasurer so to " understand the matter, as either their entreating or any " intolerable lack could move him to help Masone in " time cither with the diets appointed to him for this place " or with his fees in the Exchequer, wherein in effect " stands his whole living, till by borrowing a good piece * No. 314. t No. 333. PEET'ACE. xi " thereof was ran out in iiitefest. Seeing this ordering con- " tinues without hope of amendment, he is driven to make " his moan to her Majesty, and most humbly, prostrate on " the ground, desires aid and remedy at her hands, or else '* that she will revoke him and appoint one to the room " who may be' better able to bear the brunt, which good- " ness he shall esteem as a sufficient recompense for all " the service he may do to her life-during. For, rather " than to continue the life he has done, sithen his coming " hither, still in lack and misery, and alway constrained " to live by borrowing, selling, pledging, and credit, which " is so far spent as he is scant able to redeem it, he " assures her Majesty death were to him much lever."* A few months later he requests the Council " will consider '* his great and long lack and give order for the payment " of his diets, as such of their Lordships as have been lately " at Brussels are able very well to declaj'e what it is to " live there with a public countenance ;"f declares to Petre- that " as to bis own case, he has so often writtert that " he will now see what will drop out of heaven ;"t and at length, imable to brook further delay, tells the same corre- spondent that he "will write no more this day or that " day, nor this week nor that week; but when the King " shall have taken his leave of the Emperof, then he can " boldly advertise that they will have him shoftly.' No '^ private person has more cause to hasten his farewell than " he, for he is living at the rate of sometimes 35^., and " sometimes 36/. per week (if it be not so, God confound '' him !) without any help for the maintenance of that insup- " portable charge other than borrowing. When money is " asked for, answer is made that he shall shortly go homd^ " In the meantime, time runceth and charges withal ; and * No.. 344. t No. 422. | No. 428. xii PREFACE. '* he remains tied to the stake."* His penultimate letter thanks her Majesty "most humbly upon his knees" for receipt of his diets due a month back.f The singular delusion which led her Majesty to believe that she was destined to continue the succession of English Sovereigns is amusingly illustrated by the number of letters prepared for communicating the anticipated event to the various crowned heads, in which a blank was left for speci- fying the sex of the infant ;J and the rumours and specula- tions that went abroad in relation to what was so anxiously desired, considerably heighten this. Masone, — who saga- ciously suspected the reported birth of a prince to be erroneous, — expressed his doubts, when summoned to the Emperor's bedside at the early hour of five in the morning to state what he " had heard of this matter," and tells us of his Majesty, that " loath was he to bring the thing to " any doubt :" § while Gresham, " trusting in God that the " news is true, for no one of the English has any certain " writing of it," narrates the jubilant demonstrations made by his brother merchants at Antwerp, on news being brought " along the seas by men of that country " that the Queen was confined.|| Sir Philip Hoby, writing to Masone from Padua, in thanking him for those his letters which *' extinguish many false rumours spread there concerning " the Queen's health," reproaches the " fond and fantastical " inventions" of Boisdaulphin, the French Ambassador, from whom such reports emanated ; and who not only had " affirmed that on the 7th of May the Queen was delivered '• of a mole or lump of flesh, and was in great peril of •' death," but " shortly after, refreshing his former inven- " tions," had positively asserted the receipt of subsequent letters confirming her Majesty's decease.^ And his corre- • No. 462. t No. 488. J Nos. 367 to 380. § No. 853. II No. 354. 1 No. 888.. PREFACE. xiii spondent, communicating to Petre this epistle, " by which " he may see the honest nature of the Frenchman, who " makes as many bones to set out to the world a shameful " lie with a shameful tongue, as he does to sup up a cup of " good wine," solemnly animadverts on the "kind of " bruits many ill men have devised of the long keeping in " of the Queen, who for that her Grace hath somewhat " longer deferred the discharging of her burden than the " world looked she would have done, devise the occasion of *' the stay as pleaseth themselves."* Again, about a month later, he returns thanks to the Council for their letter, than which none were ever more welcome, " as they will enable " him to still a great many doubtful talks upon the longer " tarrying of her Majesty's delivery than was looked for ;** and devoutly prays " Almighty God assist her with His " holy hand, whensoever the time shall come, so as the " fruit may come to light so much prayed for by all good '* men, to the joy and gladness of the good sort of the " whole estate of Christendom ! "f Thereafter we have no more allusions to this very delicate and tender point. Connected with the Lady Anne of Cleves, a remarkable notice occurs, less than a year before her death. Two of her foreign domestics are represented as having obtained some influence over her, to an extent apparently affecting her mental health; and her brother the Duke specially sends to England a Licentiate of Laws to entreat that her Majesty may cause these otherwise irremovable servants to be expelled from the realm.J Petre, like Cecil, was not indifferent to literature, Wotton is in the habit of sending him books, and in forwarding some§ alludes to the pseudonymous rejoinder by Gardiner, under the title " Confutatio Cavillationum, &c." to Cran- * No. 390. t No. 399. X No. 524. § No. 56, XIV PREFACE. mer's answer to the " Explication and Assent of the true " Catholic Faith, &c." In another letter, he has purchased for Petre "the new old Pandects of Florence," which he will bring home when he returns.* The falcons of Prussia appear to have been held in esti- mation. Albert, Marquis of Brandenburg, is in the habit of annually sending several cia,8ts to her Majesty.f These birds, properly trained and exercised, were, as is well known, from a very early period considered worthy the acceptance of potentates, and bore a high price. Cramp-rings, blessed by Queen Mary, were in request at the Emperor's Court. Masone, in April 1556, requests that the Council "will be suitors to her Majesty to send him " a few for division " there, and makes a similar application to Petre.l A former Ambassa,dor to the same Court, Lord Berners, wrote to Wolsey from Saragossa in 1518 for some of these rings, which in ancient times the English Sovereigns were accustomed to hallow upon Good Friday, and which were supposed to possess a prophylactic virtue against epilepsy. While the question of precedency is warmly agitated abroad between Carne and thfe Portuguese Ambassador,! the former stoutly maintaining that his place at the Pontifical Court was next to the representative of France and before the others, " for it is the plade for Ambassadors " of England nigh 1,000 years before there was any King in " Portugal ;" the Council at home have to pass from more serious considerations to record a " heat " between the Lord High Chancellor and the French Ambassador,(| as well as the claim of the French Agent to free quarters;^ — grave topics that demand diplomatic coolness and vigilance. • No. 186. t Nob. 65 to 675. J No8. 347, 348. § Nob. 400, 508. || No. 211. f No. 555. PREFACE, XV Althou^ comparatively little as to the domestic trans- actions of England is met with, there is frequent mention of the movement of her discontented sons who sought a foreign domicile, — such as Carew, Killigrew, and others,— who in the next reign will doubtless be found playing their parts. The beneficial operations of Gresham— r." a jewel for '' trust, wit, and diligent endeavour " as Chaloner styles him — in matters of finance and commerce stand out prominently, and are valuable as denoting the rise and progress of our present system of exchanges ; of these, Mr. Burgon has made good use in his excellent biography of Sir Thomas. For minute facts in biography, and touches of individual character to be gathered from these papers, may be noticed those relating to Dr. Valentine Dale, of the Arches;* to Cardinal Pole, as sketched by Vannes and Masone, however these may be coloured from interested motives ; to the livings and places of emolument held by the former of these writers in England ; to Dr. Series, the prebendary sent by Dr. Harpsfeld to do duty at Calais, and who, according to Sir Thomas Comwallis, was " a man so rude and barbarous, " as the like was never heard in the place of a preacher;" while the pliant convictions of Masone and Wotton are exemplified, inter alias, in Nos. 246, 249, 251, 252, 275, and 316. The preceding will serve to show what may be expected from a perusal of the volume. As explained at the outset, I have studiously abstained from offering even a survey of the political relations between England and the Continent, or of the great questions then at issue. This, therefore, while it accounts for an introduction so disjointed and jejune, must be accepted for its apology. For the elaborate and accurate index I am indebted to the kindness of my friend Mr. William Hackett of Lincoln's Inn, * No. 176. XVI PREFACE. whosft love for historical research induced him to undertake that somewhat irksome task. Since the sheets were printed off, it has been discovered that the abstracts on pp. 95, 96, 105, and 278, have been accidentally misplaced; but the error is so obvious and amendable as to supersede the necessity of cancelling the pages. W. B. TUHNBULL. 3, Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, 3 June 1861. FOREIGN PAPERS. MARY. 1553—1558. 1553. July 13. 1. Bruno to the Duke of Northumberland. Had wi-itten to Argenton. his Grace on the 2oth ult. The King of France with all his might collects an army, composed of his own subjects and foreigners, Swiss, and landsknechts, to go to Picardy ; whither on the 1st of this month 10,000 Swiss marched direct through France. The 10 companies raised by the Queen in Prussia, near Spires, have left, and came in boats a long way by the Khine to Flanders with all speed ; they started about 1 5 days since under the command of Count Philip Deberstein. Duke Maurice is encamped at Hilde- sheim, having 22 squadrons of horse, among which are 1,500 light horse ; these have been increased by others sent from the King of the Romans and from his father-in-law, the Landgrave, and it is thought he has in all 7,000 or 8,000 horse, besides infantry. Duke Henry of Brunswick and his son Philip are with him. Marquis Albert, after ravaging and burning the country of Duke Henry, has retired with his army, which- is said to consist of 5,000 horse and 60 ensigns of foot, and is now a full league from Duke Maurice, to whom he intends to give battle. On the 4th of this month, Duke Maurice sent a letter of defiance to the Marquis by a trumpeter : the Marquis caused him to be shown over all his camp, treated him kindly, and sent liim back to his master. On the following day the Marquis challenged his adversary to come forth from his encamp- ment and meet him in open field ; and on the same day Duke Philip of Pomerania and Duke John Albert of Mecklenburg arrived, endea- vouring to arrange a truce of two days between the combatants. While the Marquis is in Saxony, the Bishops of Bamberg, Wurtzburg, and Nuremberg devastate his country. This intelligence he has from one who came in post from the camp of Duke Maurice. Has received melancholy accounts of his Majesty's health, but trusts that God will spare him. [French. Two pages. Indorsed by Cecil] July 29. 2. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Credentials of Compiegne. le Sieur de Noaillea, Master of the Household, sent as Ambassador to the Queen of England. [French. Signed by his Majesty, and countersigned by Bochetel. Broadside.] FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553 July 31. Benulk'ii. Aug. 5. Venice. 3. Queen Mary to Dr. Nicholas Wotton, Sir William Pickering, .; and Sir Thomas Ohaloner. Directing them to continue to act as hor Ambassadors at tlio French Court, and intimating her Majesty's intention very shortly to send over a special personage. [Signed by her Majesty. Broadside.] 4. Cornelio Delia Croce to Francis Yaxley. Had written already to him ; nevertheless, will not suffer present opportunity to_ pass without contributing his share of grief for the death of his Majesty, which is in truth a matter of sorrow to the whole of Italy, by reason of the good expectations that were entertained of so worthy a Prince. Makes some reflections upon misfortune. Desires to know if Yaxley is to remain where he is, because he will write to him regularly according to promise, and requests of him reciprocal com- munication of matters relating to France. Bequests that his letters may be sent by medium of the Venetian Ambassador, because they will reach him safely, and he will employ the same mode of convey- ance. Nothing here worthy of advertisement, except the accession of Queen Mary to the throne of England, which Yaxley knows better than he. The Emperor, by letters of the 23d, was well, and ordered his army to Durlach. Maurice died three days after the battle with Albert, as mentioned in letters from Vienna of the 21st and 26th, and from Augsburg of the 28th, of the wound which he received in that battle, after exhorting the Princes of Germany, showing them that to preserve the liberty of that nation he had received his death, and, to free it from tyranny, encouraged them to foUow the road which he till then had done, and recommended that they should persuade his brother to do no less than die for liberty ; he believed the League would create him head of the army, and if not him, then the Duke of Brunswick. They write from Vienna that it was generally re- ported that the Emperor had engaged Albert to go against France, but they did not say where it had arisen, so that nothing is certain ; and they also write that, besides the multitude of dead that lay where the battle had taken place, up to the 21st there had been interred 7,200, and in the battle had fallen 11 German princes. King Maximilian on the 21st departed, accompanied by his sister, the wife of the King of Poland. Don Fen-ante, since the remittance to him from Spain of 160,000 crowns, had begun to batter Tamburro with 6,000 Italians, intending to take the field with from 10,000 to 12,000 infantry, 6,000 Italians, 4,000 Germans, and about 3,000 Spaniards, with the design of interrupting the plan of the French, which is to besiege Vulpiano and Chierasco, and of bringing them aid, as they have not more than a month's provi- Kions. Letters of the 28th from Alexandria state that when the 10 ensigns of French were about to scalo the walls of Asti, it was discovered that the defenders, having knowledge of theii* intention, had retired. The Duke vt Florence is arming, because the French arc increa8in£,r at iSieiinji, and at present there ai'e 7,000 infantry to go out and embark, no one knows whoi'e. [lUdian. Three pages."] hiclosing, 4. I. Intelligence froin Rome, Jidy 29. The navy, by letters (if the IQth from Messina, took Alicata in Sicily, sacldng MAEY. 1553. Aug. 8. Ofipemont. Aug. 11. Calais. the 'place, with the capture of 600 so%ds, and found in a tower 42 Spaniards, sent from Africa; and having attempted Sacca, a neighbouring territory, was beaten off with the loss of one galley, cmd, it was be- lieved, with the death of Gapo Bey, sent by the Grand Seignor to advise Dragut ; and having gone to Fan- talarea, tvas by the weather forced to keep at sea, cmd it is not known whither it is gone. Lusignano was de- livered to the Siennese, cmd Mons. de Thermes has summoned Signor Giordano and all the captains with their companies, intending to embark with 4,000 in- fantry, wliither not known. This morning there has been a congregation of Cardinals, in which the recall of the Legates has been talked of, because they produce no residts. The affairs of England were also discussed, arid the send- ing of a Legate and Nuncio thither, in order to see if on this occasion it would be possible to gain over the island, and cause it to return to obedience of the Holy See cmd the ancient religion, but the arrival of Cardinal Pole was waited for before any resolutions should be passed. [Italian. Seventeen pages.'] 5. Privilege granted by Henry II,, King of France, to Richard Godart, Magdalene Robin, and the other English merchants, to export goods from aU parts of his dominions, on payment of the same dues as have been exacted during the last 40 years, notwith- standing the order of Council of 18th July last. [Notarial copy. French. Broadside.'] 6. Richard Blount, Master of the Ordnance at Calais, to the CounciL Sends statement of the ordnance and munition delivered to Lord Grey, the King's lieutenant at Guisnes, by Sir Andrew- Dudley, on 8th November 1552, and of the additional supplies ordered to be sent from the Tower of London in June last, which have not yet been received. If they should grant Lord Grey's recent demand, it will amount to a larger charge, and there will be scant housing for it, through which lack will grow great waste. Recent orders having been given either that all soldiers receiving weapons from the Queen's store shall answer to the Treasurer for them, or deliver them again in a serviceable state, as heretofore in Calais, requests that he may be allowed one man in extraordinary wages at Guisnes, and another in Calais, to attend to such, else he will be unable to serve her Majesty so well ; having only one clerk allowed him, who cannot discharge the half of his other business and duties, and frequently being obliged to employ one or two more. P.S. — Since writing has received their letter of the 5th inst., and has already furnished the 400 men in crew with weapons, and re- ceived bills from their captains for payment of the same to the Treasurer on their wages. Will attend to the rest of the letter with Avhat expedition he may. [One page. Indorsed by Petre. In- closed statement, eight pages.] A 2 4 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553. ^ , August 13. 7. Peter Viinnes to Queen Mary. It is impossible for language Venice. to express the joy with which her Majesty's accession ftUa his heart He who from infancy to age hod served, been honoured and rewarded by her illustrious father, and suffered so acutely the deatli of her brother, is now, as it appears to him a new man. If it be lawful so to use a siM^red comparison, the stone which tlie builders rejected is now become the chief stone of the comer. Expresses at considerable length his thanks to God for this event, his wishes for her prosperity and his certainty of the benefits that will accrue to the nation under her reign. If such a base fellow aa he can be taken into her service, will devote himself entirely thereto. l^Lafiii. Two pages ^ Augvist 1 5. 8. Christopher Mount to the Council. Since the battle between Strasburg. Duke Maurice and the Maiquis [Albert] the uncertain rumours prevent him writing anything assuredly. Sends translation of letter from Duke Maurice to the Bishop of Wurtzburg. The Duke, who has been interred at Dresden, has left only one child, a daughter, ten years of age. His brother Augustus as yet has only a daughter, the son which he had being dead. All hope there .shall be better love and unity between John Frederic [old Elector of Saxony] than before. The former is presently at Gotha. The Marquis again gathers troops about Bremen, and is said to have given notice of early battle to the Duke of Brunswick. The Emperor has commanded both to keep peace and send all their soldiers to him. He has also exhorted the city of Nuremberg and the Bishop to peace. The King of the Romans has sent aid to the city of Nuremberg. His son, Maximilian, is in continual sickness and grief \Tivo pages. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 220.] Incloses, 8. I. Copy letter from Duke Maurice to the Bishop of Wurt:!^rg. [Latin. Three pages. No draft.] August 1 6. 9. Sir Anthony Sentleger, E.G., to Queen Mary. In his journey Compiegne. to the French Court, has been in all places very honoui-ably intreated. Although it Avas very late when he arrived at Boulogne, yet the Captain Cenerepon [Senarpont] visited him and offered him lodging in the town, which he declined, intending as he did to leave early in the morning. That day, passing by Muttrell [Montreuil], M. D'Enghien, brother to M. de Venddme, feasted him very highly, and sent meat to his lodging, with service in silver and all sort of ))late. At Abbeville that evening, the Captain Villebon, being not well at ease, sent 20 or 30 gentleman to receive him ere he came to the town, and M. de villandry, one of the Principal Secretaries of the Chamber, brought him an invitation from the Con- Htable to dine m^xt day at the camp, which was directly in his way towards Anii(!ns. Thither next morning the Seci'etary accompanied him. The Constable received her Majesty'.s letter very joyously, iitiil much rcjoicetl when informed that she took his former lettei-s to the Lord Deputy of CJalais in good part. TJie Constable retained iiim that day, and not only greatly feasted him but showed him over all th(^ camp, wl)ere are about 20,000 infantry, well in order MARY. 1;)53. and well iinned. The cavalry were not then there. In the evening he proceeded to Amiens, still accompanied by the Secretary till his arrival here, where the Court is. Last Sunday forenoon met the other Ambassadors. Next day the King sent to welcome him, and desired that he should repose himself, as his Majesty was to spend that day in hunting, but would receive him on the one following. Accordingly this day, he and his fellows were escorted to the Court by M. de Bonrj', one of the Order, with seven or eight others. Was conducted by M. de Guise to the King's presence, delivered her Majesty's letter, communicated her towardness in observing the league and peace between the two countries, and declared the whole circumstance of the traitorous demeanour of the Duke of Northumberland and his accomplices. Expects to return to-day or to-morrow. Mentions the details of his progress, as he doubts not her Majesty will cause like honour to be shown to the Ambassadors from France, who are either now in England or on their way, and whom he left at Muttrell [Montreuil]. These are M. de Gye, of the Order, and the Bishop of Orleans, but the former was then very sick of the colic and the stone. His Majesty informed him that yesterday he had received intelligence of an encounter between the Imperialists and part of his army, in which the Duke of Arschot and other men of name had been taken prisoners and several slain, admitting similar casualties on his side. Her Majesty knows that they will not declare the truth of their loss, but he has heard that it was as gi-eat on the part of the French as on the other side. The engagement had not been a regular battle, but only the one foraying for the other with certain troops, wherein neither the Prince of Piedmont nor the Constable were present. Thinks, from his communication with the King and the Constable, that it would have been very well taken had a further commission been given by her Majesty for an entreaty of peace between the Emperor and the King, who said, appealing to the other three Ambassadors for confirmation, that he had ever been and would be ready to stand to any reasonable order in that behalf. Pickering, who has long served both honourably, painfully, and chargeably, is unable to depart and satisfy the claims against him, yet being anxious to return he wiU make shift for his speedy despatch, and take by exchange for his supply here. Certain sums for his diets and disbursements being still due, as shown by a schedule sent to Sir John Masone, he begs, as does Sentleger in his behalf, that at his return he may have the same to satisfy his creditors here, or otherwise he thinketh himself much dishonested. [Four pages.'] August. 10. "Sir William Pickeiing's demands." Schedule referred to by Sir Anthony Sentleger in the preceding letter, checked by Cecil, who, calculating the relative value of French and English money, reports "the total demand of Sir William Pickering is l,988i. 17s. M." [Three pages.] August 16. 11. Dr. Wotton, Sir William Pickering, and Sir Thomas Chaloner Compiegne. to Queen Mary. On Sunday last Sir Anthony Sentleger, K.G., arrived, bearing letters from her Majesty and the Council, recalling FOKEIGN PAPERS. 1553, Aug. 17. Compiegne. Aug. 17. Compiegne. Aug. 17. Brussels. i'iclv-ering and Chaloner, and appointing Wotton Ambassador^ Re- siiloufc at the Fronoh Court. They had waited upon his Majesty and notified these changes, receiving from him a very gentle answer, expressive of his satisfaction in the appointment of Wotton aTid his approval of the manner in which the others had discharged their duties. [Three pages.} 12. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Expressing his satisfixction at the appointment of Dr. "Wotton as Ambassador Resident, and his approval of the efficient discharge of their duties by Pickering and Chaloner. [French. One page. Signed by his Majesty, and countersigned by Bochetel. Broadside.] 13. Same to same. Acknowledges receipt of her Majesty's letter Ijy Sentleger, congratulates lier on her accession, and accepts her professions of friendship. His sentiments of reciprocity will be conveyed to her Majesty by M. de NoaiUes, his Ambassador Resident, and by M. de Gye and the Bishop of Orleans, whom he lias specially sent for that purpose. [French. Signed by his Majesty, arid countersigned by Bochetel. Broadside^ 1 i. Mary, Queen Regent of Flanders, to same. A few days before his death the late King of England had signified his intention to re- call Sii" Thomas Chamberlain his Ambassador Resident here, and to substitute Sir Philip Hoby in that capacity. Chamberlain's return having been retarded by some private affairs, and the settlement of some proceedings before the Privy Council of the Emperor, he has requested her to explain the cause of delay to her Majesty. [French. Broadside. Indorsed by Petre.} Aug. 18. 15. The Constable Montmorency to same. Complimentary Camp at Hen. acknowledgment of her Majesty's letter of the 8th curt, conveyed to him by Sir Anthony Sentleger. [French. One jpogfe.] 16. Peter Vannes to same. Reiterates the adulatory congratula- tions in his letter of the 1 3th. Although since his Majesty's death he has received no communication of events in England from the Council, they being better occupied with her service ; yet such as he has had knowledge of by means of private friends he has not letted, openly and privately, to set forth to her honour, whose reputation here is so great that few men could believe unless they that do presently see, feel, and hear it. Will continue his habit of sending information of the occurrents hero. Within the Itxst few days the Turk's army, after long wandering here .and there with some poor souls hurt, has set upon the island Elba, situate in the Tyrrhene sea between Tuscany, Genoa, and Corsica, a place of great importance and wc^alth bolonging to the Duke of Florence, ten miles from Piombiuf), and lately well strengthened and fortified by the Duke, whilo the French gallics have gone to certain havens of Sienna, not far (li.stant, to roooivc^ 1,500 foot under the guiding of M. de Thermes. Meantime, iks th(y w rito from Ronno on the IGth, the Turk's army Hct upon the principal havtni, called Porto Ferraro, broke the chains, fit tlio same and therewith two gallies and a galeon of the Duke of loronce. Wlien the French gallies and soldiers join them it is thought they will assault and take all the fortresses there, because Aug. 20. Venice. MARY. 7 1563. they may not be easily rescued and helped. The importance of Elba consists in its situation, by which the navigation between Genoa and Sicily may be greatly impeached ; and if it is then gotten the Prenoh and Turks will set upon Corsica. To withdraw the French from Elba the Duke of Florence has set forth an army against the state of Sienna The Cardinal of Ferrara, being at Sienna, is urged to be a mean with his best endeavour that the Turk's army may depart from Elba, or some agreement be taken betwixt the French King and the Siennese with the Duke of Florence. Beseeches most humbly and on his knees, to be received into her Majesty's precious favour and service. [Four pages. The lust leaf mutilated.'] Aug. 22. 17. Mary, Queen Regent of Flanders, to Queen Mary. Commen- Brusseis. datory of Sir Philip Hoby on his revocation. [French, Broadside. Indorsed by Petre.] Eod. die. J 8. Same to same. Had received by Sh" Thomas Cheyne, her Brussels. Treasurer, her Majesty's letter of the 6th inst,, and heard from him the desire for mutual amity and good feeling expressed by her Majesty. Fully reciprocates these sentiments, and will do all in her power to maintain them ; such also being the desire of the Emperor. [French. Broadside. Indorsed by Petre.] August 24. 19. Lord Grey to the Council. Having this day heard that a Guisnes. number of French were abroad in the Boulognois, sent half a score horse to reconnoitre, who on the way to Ardres, met 900 or 1,000 foot repairing to occupy that garrison in room of those who had left. His men spoke with the captain, who gave them very gentle words. He is an ancient gentleman and seems to be an old soldier, and but a stranger in these parts. The men have forgot his name, but hopes to be able to mention it in his next with further knowledge of the occasion of his coming thither. To-day there has arrived here from France, an Englishman named Collinson, lately serjeant to Windebank's band here, who having in a fray wounded a man, as it was supposed mortally, had fled to France, where he has served, but the man having recovered he is come home to make his peace. He reports that the French King is at an abbey two leagues from Amyns [Amiens] and that to Corbie have come 12,000 Swiss. Besides Amiens are encamped 16,000 French, and of the Rhinegrave's band, with 8,000 horse. These all intend without fail to enter the Emperor's country between Peronne and St. Quentin, and will march in two or three days. Also that the Emperor's army has retired from besides Orleans two leagues towards Arras, to refresh the men and horses, taking all the corn that they find on the ground and sending it threshed into Arras. Further that there is a secret talk in the French camp that peace will shortly be had between the Emperor and them, and that then the French will have a saying at England. [One page and a half.] August 25. 20. Count Ludovico Rangone to Queen Mary. Offers his condol- Udine in Friuli. ence on the death of King Edward, her brother, and his congratula- tions on her Majesty's accession to the throne. Requests her to remember the long devotion of himself and his son Pallavicino to the crown of England. [Italian., One page.] 8 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553. August 25. Brussels. August 25. Brussels. August 25. Brussels. 21. The Bisliop of Norwich [Thirlby], Sir Philip Hoby, Sir R. Morysine, and Sir Thomas Cheyne to Queen Mary. Their delay has been occasioned by the Regent feasting of them, to show how dearly her Majesty is loved by the Emperor and her Grace. Yesterday, the Feast of St. Bartholomew, they dined with her, and had such a dinner as they have seen few the like in all their lives. Greater carving and entertainment by her Grace to Sir Thomas Cheyne could not be devised. Narrates their ceremonial positions at table. Sends notice of this for fear the Emperor's Ambassador should have departed before her Majesty might have knowledge hereof. [One page and a half. Printed by Tytler, except last sentence, Vol. ii., p. 235.] 22. The Emperor Charles V. to same. Congratulates her Majesty on her succession; all circumstances attending which he has learned by the Sieur de Cheyney, K.G., and Treasurer of her household ; and expresses his satisfaction at the appointment of the Bishop of Norwich as B«sident Ambassador. [French. Sighted by the Emperor, and counter sUjned by Bave. Broadside.^ 23. Same to same. Re-credentials of Sir Richard Morysine, revoked. [French. Signed by the Emperor, and countersigned by Bav£ Broadside.'\ August 25. Brussels. Re-credentials of Sir Philip Hoby, revoked. the Emperor, and countersigned by Bave. August 26. Brussels. 24. Same to same. [French. Signed by Broadside.] 25. The Queen Regent of Flanders to same. Commendatory of Sir Richard Morysine, on being recalled from his embassy to the Emperor Charles V. [French. Broadside. Indorsed by Petre.] Sept. 25. 26. Same to same. In favour of the bearer, Robert Waldegrave, Mariemont. who has conducted himself well in her service, and has requested permission to be present at her Majesty's coronation. [Freiich. Broadside. Indm'sed by Petre.] August 31. 27. Christopher Mount to the Council. Duke Augustus, the brother Strasburg. „f Maurice, has returned from Denmark to Saxonj', and, it is sain()ese, well furnislied with men of war; and they no sooner arrived than all the soldier.i in arms turned to the service of the Freiicli King, whereupon the French obtained Bastia and other places on the coast, taking prisoner the two Governors of the Genoese and divers other merchants. M. de Thermes landing, appointed his MAEY. 1 1 1553. ~~~ General San Pietro Corso, Captain of the island. Bonifacio and Calvi, two strong places, are not yet taken, but it is thought in some process of time the French will have the whole island. By reason of the commodious and extensive harbourage the island may very much impeach Genoa and other places, their supply of provi- sions requiring to be brought by sea ; wherefore the Genoese make great preparations for their own defence, mistrusting the Turks and French army, against the spi-ing of next year. Letters from Eomo mention that Transylvania in Hungary has revolted, and called in again their late King's son, a child thirteen years of age and nephew to the King of Poland : also that labour was made for him to the Turk to have his friendship and assistance, and that the Turk had made a truce with the Persians for three years. If this be true it cannot be without some danger to Christendom. Begs they will be suitors on his behalf for her Majesty's favour and good will. [Two pages and three quarters. Indorsed by Petre.'] Sept. 10. 33. The Bishop of Norwich to the Council. Information has been Brussels, received from Italy that the French and Turkish fleets having un- successfully attempted to take Elba, a fort kept by the Duke of Florence, had sailed for Corsica, the people of which having on tlieir landing declared for the French, that island is now in the hands of the French and Turks, with the exception of two strong towns which yet hold out. But it is feared, unless aid come to their rescue, that they shall follow the rest. In Piedmont the Imperialists and the French have taken a truce for 30 days. The French army in these parts have come towards Cambray, into which part of the Imperial troops have been placed for defence of the town and castle, and the Emperor's army is quartered for protection of the frontiers. It is thought that there will be no set battle, and nothing of conse- quence has been done, except that in a skirmish at the approach of Cambray and the burning of its suburbs, two or three gentlemen of the Emperor's camp were taken prisoners. In his letter of the 2d inst. had mentioned that the Legate Dandino should return home, but his absence had been only temporary to see the adjacent country, and he will return here to-morrow. The Emperor is in good health, and leaves Mons in Hainault for the camp, accompanied by the Regent, who, as she has been a good and necessary minister for the government of these countries, so is she the best nurse that ever he had. [One page.] Sept. 34. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Having heard, by her Ambas- After the 12th. gadors recently returned from the French Court, that the King wished her Majesty to mediate a peace between him and the Emperor, desires Wotton to ascertain whether the King remains in the same mind, and to express her readiness to do so, and wish to be informed upon what foundations and conditions she might begin to com- mune of the matter. [Draft, hologra/ph of Secretary Petre. Two pages.] The same abridged, [Holograph of her Majesty. One page.] 12 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553. Sept. 13. 35. Conrad Penny [Pfening] to Queen Mary. Offers to her Majesty Hamburg, a continuance of the same services wliich he rendered to her late father and brother, requests his pension may be still allowed, and that such arrears as are owing, and will be specified by his friend Peter Schinckel, may be paid to him. [Latin. Three pages.] Sept. 1 4. 36. The Emperor Charles V. to same. Revoking his Ambas- MonginHainauit.gadors the Sieurs de Coroceres and de Tholouse, Chevalierg, and Mossire Jehan Scheyffue, Master of Requests of his household ; and nominating as Ambassador Resident the Lieutenant Dumont, pre- sently at her Majesty's Court. [French. Signed by tJie Emperor, and countersigned by Bav4. Broadside.] Sept. 18. 37. Maximilian, King of Bohemia, to same. Is delighted to Vienna. hear of the good success of her affairs, confirmed by the bearer, Mr. John Sheres, gentleman of the household of the late King, her brother, and expresses his reciprocal desire of amity. [French. Signed by his Majesty. Broadside.] Sept. [18.] 38. Ferdinand, King of the Romans, to same. Congratulates Vienna. her Majesty on her accession, recommends the bearer, Mr. John Sheres, gentleman of the household of the late King, her brother, who will inform her of his sentiments of amity, as she has probably already heard from his Great Chamberlain the Baron Martin de Guzman. [French. Signed by his Majesty. Broadside.] Sept. 19. 39. Maiy, Duchess of Cleves and JuHers, to same. Congratulates Citadel of Cloves, her upon her accession, and recommends to her Majesty's notice Dr. Herman Cruser, whom her husband had sent to his sister the Lady Anne. [Latin. Signed by her Grace, and countersigned by Linxleman. Broadside.] Sept. 20. 40. John III., King of Portugal, to same. Credentials of Lisbon. Lorenzo Piz de Tavora, sent as Ambassador to congratulate her Majesty on succeeding to the throne. [Portuguese. Broadside. Indoi'sed by Petre.] Sept. 20. 41. Dr. Wotton to the Council. As yet has received no answer Poissy. concerning the merchants' complaints. Acknowledges their letter in reference to the matter of William Winter, which he has declared to Cardinal Tournon and the rest of the Council at St. Germain, who desire Bochetel to forward all the letters and documents connected therewith to the King at the camp, whence he waits for a reply. By reason of his Majesty's absence, and beside himself there being only the Ambassadors of Portugal, Venice, and Sienna at Poissy, they hear very few news, and these by the tijiic they reach them have lost their name. Fearing that the Turks and French should combine against him, the Duke of Florence has garrisoned Piombino and Orbitello strongly, and levied other 1 2,000 soldiers either to resist them or enter upon the Sieuneso as may be required ; but by inter- ference of the Pope it seems thoy have forborne to attack the Duke. TIk! Italians liere say that Cardinal Pacheco has been reconfirmed by the Emperor Oovrrnor of Naples for three years longer, with an annual salary ol" 10,000 ducats. The suspension of arms between Ferranto Gonzaga and Brissac for the present month, to enable MARY. 13 1553. the people to gather their vines peaceably, is likely to be more bene- ficial to Gonizaga than to Brissac, it being expressed in the suspen- sion that Chierasco shall be victualled and succoured in the interval, which otherwise could not have been done, except by adventure oi battle, Brissac having besieged it and being in possession of the passes in the vicinity. The Portuguese Ambassador has received intelligence that the Turk had sent a navy from Suez by the Red Sea to take a fort belonging to the King of Portugal on the island of Ormus, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, which prevents navi- gation to India that way, except by licence and payment of tribute to the King of Portugal. But' the Turks have been defeated by his Majesty's Viceroy of the Indies, who has taken and drowned 28 of their gallies, and taken prisoner their chief captain, called Pirrh Rey. Had this fort been lost, the King's other possessions in the Indies would have been in great danger. Details his conversa- tion with Cardinal Tournon in reference to her Majesty's mediation between the Emperor and King of France. The Legate has been to the camp, but failed in his efforts to arrange a peace, as the Emperor's conditions are deemed most unreasonable by the French King. For the Emperor requires, 1. The restitution of all places in Luxembourg taken since the war commenced ; 2. The same in Piedmont ; 3. The restitution of all the Imperial towns ; 4. That the King give over the protection of Parma and Sienna ; 5. That he swear never to practise more with Germany, secretly or overtly. " These requests seem so strange to the French King, that he hath sent the Legate back again to the Monastery of Orcan, which is by Noyon, a good way from the camp ; and the Nuncio hath written hither to a friend of his, that these two princes are like to agree together, as two men are like to come together ; the one going east and the other west." The Turk's navy has returned without performing any notable act ; but where- ever they landed, they have carried off a number of souls. The Prince of Salerno, the Baron de la Garde, and other French captains are much discontented with the Turks for not landing in Naples where they were required to do, and where they might greatly have assisted the French King. These officers have returned with the French gallies from Corsica to Marseilles, M. de Thermes remaining in Corsica, for whose troops the vessels are supposed to have come to fetch provisions. Were the Genoese to lose Corsica, it would be very serious not only for them but for the Emperor. It had been rumoured, but erroneously, that the Turks were with the French in that island. Incloses the intended movements of the French army, sent to him by the French Queen for good news. The King of Portugal has appointed to send an Ambassador to her Majesty of England ; he is expected to come this way in seven or eight days. Cardinal Tournon informed the Portuguese Ambassador to-day, that, after leaving the French, the Turk's navy returned to Corsica and have besieged a fort there, whereof they say they will make a pre- sent to the French King ere they depart. [Five pages.] Incloses, 41. I. The intended movements of the French army. [French. Two pages-l Sept. 22. Duplicate of the preceding letter. [Six pages.] 14 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553 Sept 21 Guisnes. Sept. 23. Venice. 42. Lord Grey to the Council. On the 18th, the French King having departed from before Cambray came in person with his army of 30,000 foot and 10,000 horse within half a mile of the Emperor's camp and offered battle. This the Imperialists refused, and kept within their entrenchuionts : nevertheless they sent forth their cavalry, which skirmished all day with the French, but on both sides not moro than 30 were slain or taken. Among the rest it is said that Mons. le Prince, brother to M. de Vendome, had his head struck off with a piece of ordnance from the camp of the Imperialists, whose fire of any other thing did most aimoy the French. He who reports this of the Prince says that he saw him. After this entire day's skirmish the French King retired at night to the place whence he came, where he had left a portion of his forces ; and he is now there ' witliin five English miles from the Emperor's army, wliich is said ■to be at Valencia [Valenciennes], where he and the Regent are in person. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 43. Peter Vannes to Queen Mary. Both parties, Imperialists and French, hearken to some rest toward winter by the means of some truce or suspension of arms. The Turks and French attempt the entire conquest of Corsica, minding if they succeed to sojourn there all winter ; but as yet they are rather in hope, than in any assurance thereof Has been informed by recent letters from Rome, as is doubtless better known to her Majesty, that Commendone, one of the Bishop of Rome's Chamberlains, who had been sent by Cardinal Dandino to endeavour if any way could be had for re- ducing England to the obedience of Rome, has lately and with great dihgence arrived in Rome, despatched by the said Cardinal. On his arrival a consistory was held on the 15th, whereat the Cardinal's letter and Commendone's relation were read, and agreeable to the said letter it was not thought meet at present that Cardinal Pole, or any other Legate, should be sent into England. Many causes wherefore he should not be received there were alleged, the schismatics there, according to Commendone, being greater in number than the heretics, and all they enemies to the Church of Rome. Tliese matters had been much debated between tlie Bishop and his Cardi- nals, the opinion of some allowing of Cardinal Pole's going, seeing that he being an Englishman, noble, learned, well expert and well friended, might find some good mean for that good purpose especially as the Parliament was nigh at hand, when some order in the religion might be taken there, and this once concluded, might not hereafter be altered or revolted without great difficulty and hai-d- ness. But the Bishop was so persuaded by the lettei-s of Dandino and Commendone's relation that he did in no wise think it good to send any Legate, for having no liopo of sueeeediiig according to tlieir expectation, it was to be feai-ed that the going of any Cardinal should lie in vain. Therefore witliout any resolution the matter was referred to tlie next consistory. Has by divers worshipful )iieu boon in(|niicd what he thought her Majesty would do herein, and had ri]ilied that ho had no commission to speak, and of liimself could say nothing, but of one thing he was well assured, that her Majesty was wholly inclined, by Cod's grace, to set forth all MA-BY. 15 1553. Oct. 1. Cracow. Oct. 1. Cracow. tilings that might stand to God's true service, the augmentation of His honour and glory, and the establishment, wealth, quiet, and tranquillity of her realm. [Three pages.] 44. Peter Vannes to Sir "William Petre. Is unable to congratulate England sufficiently on the late provision of God's manifold goodness. Is as glad of Petre 's good health and estate as any friend or servant which he has ; moved thereto not only by his virtues and worthy qualities, but by the great gentleness and assured friendship at all times declared. Becomes him rather to wish than to crave any let- ters from England, for he has received none since long before the King's death, and does not know what service and wherein he shall be commanded to do, but comforts himself with a prompt and faith- ful heart to serve and obey her Majesty and her councillors ; reputing in the stead of a great gift to be so esteemed in their good will and favour. Has commanded his servant, the bearer, to do in his name reverence and most hearty commendation to Petre. [One page and a qvMrter.] 45. Same to Francis Yaxley. Occurrences in Venice being few or none, will be the cause of wearying him less, but will not suffer the opportunity of testifying his affection to him to pass. Has written him partly by way of Lyons, and partly under cover of the Ambassador ; these, or Yaxley's replies, as sometimes happens, may have strayed on the way. They contained nothing but general occurrences and official gossip. At present not knowing where Yaxley is, sends this by his servant Lilgrave who,, to his great delight, is returning to England, whence Vannes has received no letters for five months. [Italian. One page.] 46. Lord Grey to the Council. Has received letters mentioning that the French King has retired to St. Quentin, intending there to bide the recovery of the Constable, who is very sick ; and thence to repair to France, there to appoint all his army into garrisons, re- inforcing strongly the frontiers of Picardy near this. He is said to have received a great sum of money from the Towns of Cambray and Chateau-Cambresis to stand void of any his attempts. The Emperor is reported likewise to have dispersed his camp, proposing to go to Brussels. [Half a page. Indorsed by Petre.] 47. Sigismund Augustus, King of Poland, to Queen Maiy. Con- gratulates her Majesty on succeeding to the crown, and recommends very strongly to her Thomas Stafford, grandson of Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, who has by his conduct while at court not only fully borne out the high character given of him by distinguished individuals, but won for himself by his modesty and virtues the esteem of his Majesty and his Council. Kefers to the constant and imdaunted fidelity and regard of Stafford's father and grandfather to her mother Queen Catharine and her uncle Cardinal Pole, and the ruin of the family, and begs that he may be restored to the dukedom. [Latin. Broadside.] 48. Catherine, Queen of Poland, to same. Congratulates her Majesty on succeeding to the crown. As the King her husband sends Thomas Stafford to offer his respects and felicitations, she testifies 16 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553. Oct. 2. Calais. Oct. 6. Oct. 7. Venice. to his excellent conduct and the general estimation in which he is held, and requests that, from regard to the services of the Stafford family and his own merits, hur Majesty will be pleased to restore him to his estates and dignities. [Latin. Broadside.^ 49. Lord Grey to Queen Maiy. Since writing to the Council concerning the movements of the French and Imperial armies, he understands that three ensigns Imve been appointed to Ardres, three to Boulogne, two to Estaple, four to Montreuil, one to Crotoy, two to St. Valery, six to Abbeville, 17 to Magny, and 15,000 men towards Renti beyond St. Omer to build a fort thereabout. As her Majesty desired to have some venison of the wild boar, he has sent to her such as it was his fortune to take ; not having so good luck in his hunting as he wished, although he was most earnest in the same and sought both on the Imperial and French grounds where the game was thought to be most plenteous. Since then another boar has come to his hand, which he sends also ready baked after the manner here, because he doubts whether it would endure the carriage unbaked. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 50. Estimate of such sums as will be due at this date fur the garrisons and officers of Calais, amounting in all to 38,877^. 13«. 9d. [Three pages.] 51. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. From want of occurrents forbears to trouble her Majesty or the Council with his letters at present. In Piedmont the truce between Ferrante and Bri&sac is prolonged, and the wars seem to grow to some rest towards winter, which reason, with slack provision of money and victuals, may cause the soldiers to mislike the plain field. After Bastia and Bonifado in Corsica had been taken by the French and Turks, it was written thence that the greater number of the gallies had gone to Marseilles to provide munitions and necessaries for fortifying San Fiorenza, a strongly situated place in that island ; as yet there is no news of the return of these gallies, and intelligence is very seldom i-eceived of the proceedings there, as the whole island, except the town of Calvi, is in the hands of the French. This town, the Imperialists allege, has been long besieged by the Turks without any fruit, and it is said their army has returned to Constantinople, and that M. de Thermes and the French soldiers, with eight or nine gallies, remain thej-e. Should this be correct, tlie Imperialists and Genoese may hope to i-egain the island, as men think De Thermes with such a small number will be unable to resist. Again shows the important position which Corsica occupies. Tlie Ambassadors of the King of the Romans were at Constantinople labouring for peace or a longer tiuce with tlie Tm-k, who had licensed those of the King of Persia without any agreement, and had already gone to Aleppo to pass the winter there, and be readier early next year to set forwai'd a great army against the Persians. Is loth to trouble Petre with his suits, but as he has been nearly five months without knowledge or instruction in what* case he stands or what he may do, wherein he is only nourished with luii)e, is desirous of Petre's influence with the Council, who sleeping, know better what is most convenient for him than he MARY. 17 1553. waking can in any part declare. The ordinary post from England is looked for here to-morrow, and if it be his chance to receive any letters from the Council, they shall be no less •welcome to him than drink to him that is most thirsty. [Four pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Oct. 10. 52. The Bishop of Norwich and Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Brussels. On Sunday the 8th inst. Masone arrived here, his tarrying for passage at Dover having been such, and the "weather all the rest of the way so stormy, as for his life he could make no greater speed. The nest morning they sent to the Court for audience, but were desired to have patience until the Emperor's return from hunting of the boar, in which he had appointed to spend that day. This pastime he liked so well that he did not return that night to the palace, but to a little house which he has witliin a park joining thereto. This morning they have sent to M. D'Arras, expressing the desire of the Bishop of Norwich to take leave, and they trust to have audience of the Emperor to-morrow, if not this afternoon. The Bishop has all preparations for his departure so far advanced, that in one day at most after his leave-taking he will enter upon his journey homewards. Since the Bishop last wrote to the Council, the JMarquis Albert has had by the Duke of Brunswick, the Bishop of Wurtzburg, and their allies, such a notable overthrow, as it is sup- posed will prevent him taking the field again for a long time. Nevertheless news have reached the Court that having made his peace with Duke Augustus, the brother of Duke Maurice, by means of the Marquis of Brandenburg, he has received into wages 3,000 horses of the Duke's retainers, and ten ensigns of foot, so that unless certain agreements, supposed to be in hand among some Princes of Germany, take effect, the Marquis is likely soon to revenge himself of the defeat. Several of the German princes have sent to the Emperor to have the Marquis put in banno Imperiali : what he will do is uncertain. [Two pages.] Oct. [13.] 53- The Council to Dr. Wotton. On the 8th inst. the French Ambassador delivered to her Majesty a letter from the King of France and another from the Scottish Queen, both making mention of certain spoils and murders alleged to have been committed by the English against the Scots, as stated in the inclosed schedule (missing). Her Majesty, expressing her affection to be wholly given to the preservation of amity with France and Scotland, re- ferred the Ambassador to the Council, as she had not heard of these matters before. Touching the fishing claimed by Lord Hume, which had been discussed frequently during the last reign, they had thought Lord Hume and the Scottish Council would have been satisfied with the friendly answers given. But for more plain understand- ing of the matter they prayed the Ambassador " to consider that this fishing is in the river of Tweed, which river divideth both the realms, and the chief place of that fishing is even under the walls of Norham Castle, which castle hath ever been kept and guarded by soldiers. And to take away all occasions of strife which might grow between the garrison there and the fishers, if they upon a pretence 2. R 18 FOREIGN PAPERS. of fishing should lie under the castle walls in the night (for in the night is their most fishing) ; for this cause the Captains of Norham have always had the fishing and paid the yearly rent to the Lord Hume's ancestors for the same ; which rent hath been continually offered and is ready to be paid. And moreover, to declare the Loid Hume's right in the propriety of that fishing, it hath been ofiered that he may one or two times yearly, giving first warning thereof, either come himself or send his servants to fish, for a declaration of his right." They therefore see no ground of complaint, such having always been the state of the matter before the wars, and which the treatj' only requires to be restored. With reference to the cattle and sheep taken, they had given orders for their restoration twenty days ago, according to the custom of the frontiers. These animalB had been taken on English gi'ound, and it is the custom of the Borders that in cases of trespass on either side, the cattle may be impounded and restored to the owners on payment of damage, and this for three times ; but if they are found after three moniiioiis, then they are forfeited. They have not heard of the murder surmised to be done upon a day of meeting, and think the account must be exaggerated ; but they did hear of a quarrel provoked by a lewd Englishman at some such meeting, which, but for the interference of wise gentlemen, might have led to bloodshed, and the offender was directed to be committed to ward and punished according to the Border laws, which, as they take it, was death. Were they to complain of the robberies, murders and disorders of the Scots, they shoiild make a long discourse. Send a note of some recent injurious attemptates (missing). Her Majesty is glad that the French King is desirous to appoint Commissaries for the rectification of such offences. Have complained to the Ambassador that some small French ships of war lately entered the port of Camber and took a small ship named the Flying Hart^ of Ostend. The parties are thought to be of Dieppe, and certain subjects of the Emperor have appealed to her Majesty for redress. Wherefore this injury being done within her realm, it may not pass unsatisfied. [Jf mute. Three pages. Incomplete.] Rough draft of the preceding, autograph of Secretary Petre. [Eight pages.] Oct. 14. 54. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. "A dechu-ation of all that hath La Fen& Milon. been done by me hitherto in our merchants' matters, and what answers I have received from time to time of the French King and his Council therein." Besides the general complaints, he has had special and lengthened correspondence in reference to those of Winter and Thomas Strange of Waterford. iFiglUeen pages. The correspondence in French,] Oct. 15. 65. Albert, Marquis of Brandenburg, to same. Condoles with her Koningsberg. Majesty on the deatli of her brother, congi-atulates her on succeeding, hopes she may take to herself a worthy husband, and, in token of old friendship with her family and personal regard, sends her ten fidcons, wliicii he hopes may recall him to her memory when she is enjoying the Mi)ort. [Latin. Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] MARY. 19 1553. Oct. 26. 66. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Sends him some books, La Ferte Milon. and had it not been that the prevalence of the plague in that city prevented his going to Paris, would have sent some more. Trusts to a future occasion. If he has not the Lord Winchester's book called Marcus Anthonius Constantinus it shall be sent to him. Longs, like the hart for waterbrooks, to hear of their proceedings at home, which he prays God may prosper. On Sunday a Jew was baptized at the Court in presence of the King; he was named Catharinus, the Queen being his godmother. The Jew's father is a learned physician, formerly baptized, and was, with his wife, present at the son's christening ; he is now called Ludovicus Carrettus, and has written a small volume in Hebrew which has been translated into Latin, of which a copy is sent herewith. Cardinal Lorraine baptized him. Jokes apropos of the Jew. [One page. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 247.] Oct. 27. 57. Same to the Queen. The Pope has made Cardinal Pole Legate La Jferti' Milon. a latere to the Emperor and French King, and thereafter he is to go to her Majesty. His errand is to attempt a reconciliation between the two former Sovereigns, and if any Cardinal is able to do good in the matter Pole is that person, being esteemed of an honest mind and virtuous life, and so much respected by the Emperor that at the last vacation of the papacy the Imperial Cardinals laboured to have him made Pope. The Italians at this Court are said to be preparing to go to Italy, for what purpose at present unknown. The Grand Master of Rhodes is dead, and in his place is chosen a Frenchman. Hears from Lyons, that the French Ambassador at Venice has made shift there for his master for 90,000 crowns, and that the French King took up at Lyons, at the last fair, 400,000 francs at 14 per cent, and did owe there before that a million and a half of gold. The fort intended to be made beside Hesdin is not proceeded with, the time of the year not serving. The Italian Ambassadors have sure advertisement of the Turk's movements. [Three pages. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 249.] Oct. 28. 58. Ferdinand, King of the Romans, to same. In behalf of Vienna. Lawrence Fentzel, a citizen of Dantzic, who seeks justice in Eng- land for injuries done him there. [Latin. Signed by his Majesty. Broadside.] Oct. 28. 59. Albert, Marquis of Brandenburg, to the same. Requesting Koningsberg. that Lawrence Ventzell may be permitted to export 4,000 white English cloths, in virtue of a promise repeatedly made to him by his late Majesty, for whom he had advanced money and to whom shortly before his death he had given some fine ordnance ; and which cloths, by means of false charges against him, have been detained. [Latin. Broadside.] Oct. 29. 60. Peter Vannes to the Council. Occurrents here are few. Venice. After the Turk's army had left Corsica for Constantinople, or, as some say, towards Previsa, the Genoese and French have made great preparations the one to recover and the other to keep that island, as it is written the French King is utterly resolved to leave nothing B 2 20 FOREIGN PAPERS 1553. undone for the liolding of it. For that purpose he has sent from Miirsoilles on tl).' 13th iiist. 32 gallies, four galeons, and two ships huloii with munitions, all Horts of store.s, and a large sum of monty, iiud for his service there are in readiness 10,000 foot. De Thermes is vory diligent in fortifying some places and destroying others, that the Genoese provisions may be the more easily resisted 1'he Ciiiiouse have sent thither 20 gallies with 4,000 foot, and these being landed at Calvi, still in posseasion of the Genoese, the gallies lia\e been appointed to another place for receiving 2,000 foot and 200 horse, sent by the duke of Florence to aid them ; and Andrew Doria was appointed to follow in a few days after with 12 gallies and 1 4 ships laden with the rest of the infantry, which in all will number 10,000. One from Genoa likewise reports that the French gallies were discovered upon the seas, whereupon much diligence was used to unite the Genoese army, and it is plainly thought that some great exploit shall ensue between them either by sea or land. The truce between the Imperialists and the French in Piedmont having expired on the 16th, Ferrante greatly enforces his army on the field, furnishing all his frontiers with men and victuals, thinking either to withdraw thereby the French from Corsica, or else to attempt something against them in Piedmont, where their numbers are inferior. Thus, notwithstanding the season of the year, both sides prepare for a continuance of war. Beseeches them for the reverence of God they will do his humble suit to her Majesty either for the continuance of his poor service and the payment and provision appointed to him, or that he may know her commands, which in all points he shall most obediently follow ; for he ensures them he is so needy and fer indebted, that without her help he can neither well tarry nor depart. Begs that his boldness may be pardoned, for very sorrow and necessity have compelled him to declare his case. [Three pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Oct. Gl. Instructions by Cardinal Pole to the Reverend Father Con- (Or beginning fes.sor of the Emperor. Mendoza has advised him on the part ° ^^'^ of her Majesty not to continue his mission without further commis- .sion from his Holiness, alleging as his reason the Emperor's desire for the quiet of England, which might be disturbed if Pole came as the Pope's Legate before the minds of the people, long alienated from obedience to the Holy See, were better disposed; this requires time, and a more perfect establishment of the Queen in her kingdom. Has received letters from her begging him to put off his journey, and asking his advice in the matter. In reply to his Majesty's allegation of his desire for the quiet of England, the Confessor is to Hay that tho duty which the Queen owes towai'ds God is to be inquir(Ml into, which is before all to restore the obedience of the Church, having lei^aid to salvation and peace witli God before worldly and external peace. The danger of delay. God's will with regard to that obedience shown by the effusion of the blood not only of leligious but of secular persons. With regard to the expedi- ency of the restitution of that obedience at the present time, or the neceHHity of waiting for a more sure establishment of the power of 1553. MARY. 21 the Queen, it must be considered that she is not only called to it by the rewards of a future life, but also by those of the present ■world, inasmuch as, failing the support of the Holy See, she would not be legitimate heir to the crown, for the marriage of her mother was not valid but by a dispensation of his Holiness ; so that obedi- ence to the Holy See is necessary to secure her power, since upon it depends her very claim to the crown. He is to add that both of them being natives of England, know thoroughly the sentiments of the people with regard to obedience to the Holy See. He may further insist that the people have always been in times past more disposed to that obedience than any other nation ; that they have experienced more advantage from it than any injury ; that this island having been restored to the faith by the Roman See, and having become of its own free will tributary to it, has not only not suffered oppression from the Pope, but has on more than one occasion, been freed by them from the great tyranny of its own princes, the Roman See never having had any other emolument beyond the ordinary taxes of sees except a very small subsidy in recognition of the obedience due. Now the kingdom having been always in this state until, by the rebellious conduct of its King, its obedience was des- troyed, it stands to reason that the people, who have not been benefited but injured by the change, cannot hold that obedience in abhorrence. Tliat they do not, experience has shown by the fact that the popular tumults since the change have all been in favour of the preservation of the rites, customs, and religion which the people enjoyed while they were in obedience to the Holy See. In the last tumult, which was in Cornwall, and very serious, all that was demanded, in spite of the law which made it crimen Icesce majestatis even to speak of the authority of the Pope, was the restoration of the state of things which had existed during that obedience, and the recall and restoration to the Council, under the name of Cardinal, of Pole, in full knowledge that the cause of his banishment was his defence of the authority of the Pope. Those who might possibly dislike this obedience to the Holy See are either the Queen, on account of the profit which the Crown draws from ecclesiastical possession alienated by the rebellion, or the few nobles who have received profit from the same cause. With regard to the Queen it is well known she does not object to, but desires a restora- tion of the obedience ; with regard to the nobles it is credible that none of them, if they understood how the restoration of that obedi- ence would confirm the claims of the Queen, destroy all opposition, and remove any commotions internal and external against them- selves, would oppose it, and providentially those who from self- interest might have greater cause to resist, have had to throw themselves on the clemency of the Queen for their lives and goods. But supposing some were to oppose it, the Confessor might say that, Pole having had authority from the Pope to compose such difierences in such manner as might appear best to him, and thus having to negotiate for the restitution of the ecclesiastical posses- sions, would wish that the Emperor should undertake the office of a mediator between the Pope and the English people. Fears that it will be said, as his confinement is attributed to his Majesty, and 22 FOREIGN PAPERS 1653 the objects of his commission well known, that his Majesty is unwil- ling to hear anything of them. Hopes that when he is permitted to see his Majesty he may be able to serve both pubhc and pnvate interests at once. {Italian. Seven pages a/nd a half.] Nov. 3. 62. Peter Vannes to the Council. It is needless by any kind of Venioo. writin" to rehearse the joy, gladness, and comfort, which it has been to him to receive her Majesty's and their Lordships' letter dated at Westminster, the 7th ult. Renders his due and humble thanks, and will endeavour during his life, with faith and diligence, somewhat to answer to the good opinion had of him. On the receipt of her Majesty's letter repaired to the Seigniory and declared his continu- ance as Ambassador. His re-appointment and her Majesty's assur- ance of friendship as in time of her predecessors, were thankfully and suitably received ; they inquired of the qualities, degree, and estate, of each member of the Council who had subscribed the letter, whereunto he made answer accordingly. They also inquired as to the beginning of some accustomed rebellion stirred by the savage people of Ireland, which had been bruited here by some diligent writers to be of greater moment than it really was ; and when he mentioned the good provision taken by her Majesty for quenching it, and that these tumults were founded upon no likelihood, strength, or power, they all said that it was hntfuoco di pallia. All the Am- bassadors with whom he had conversed of her Majesty's prosperous successes, and the great tranquillity of the kingdom, which was like to proceed from good to better, have showed to him that their Princes had been very glad to be advertised thereof. Occurrents by sea and land seem rather inclined toward mischief and war than to peace and agreement. Repeats his former information as to Corsica and the assistance lent by the Duke of Florence to the (Jenoesa It is said that the Emperor will assist the Genoese in this matter as much as he may, for it is very necessary to all his affairs that Genoa, being the key of Italy, should continue in his friendship and devotion, for if Corsica should remain in tlie hands of the French, Genoa will be in a manner as a thing besieged, in which case by internal factions and banished men of great authority, some rebellion might easily come to the Emperor's hindrance. He has sent to valiant Captain Signor Ludovico Vistarino, to be master of the Genoese camp, and has commanded all his ministera and agents in Italy to aid them to the best of their power. The Vicejx)ys of Naples and Sicily also are to send to Corsica ten gaJlies and as many of those of Spain with a great band of Spaniards, which united force will amount to 50 gallies, three galeons, and 14 ships, under the command of Pi-ince Doria and his lieutenant Augustine Spinola. Mentions, in addition to the French preparations in Corsica noticed in his previous letter, tlmt they have sent a person to Algiers to hasten the coming of the army of Sala Reis. The Duke of Florence and the Siennese are very vigilant to take some advantage one against the other; and some small vessels of the Ini|)nrialists britifrinp; succours to Orbitello, a fortress on the coast belonging to Sii'imn, have latfly been taken and spoiled by the French. Begs to receive correct information from some one appointed by the MARY. 23 1553. Council for that purpose, of all that occurs in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and that the letters may be delivered at the dispatch- ing of the ordinaries either to his assured friend Mr. Bartholomew Compagni, or be directed to her Majesty's Ambassador at the Emperor's Court, to be forwarded by one of the ordinary couriers who daily come hither from it. This he requests, the better to serve her Majesty by tempering such news, whether good, bad, or of the middle sort, as he may think to stand best with her honour in his communication with Ambassadors and others. [Seven pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Nov. 4. 63. Sigismund Augustus, King of Poland, to Queen Mary. Con- Neiss. gratulatory on her Majesty's coronation, and credentials of Jerome Makowieczki, his Majesty's Chamberlain, [Latin. Broadside.'] Nov. 4. 64. Catherine, Queen of Polapd, to same. Had previously Neiss. written to congratulate her Majesty upon her succession, and now does so upon her coronation. Expresses her warm sentiments of friendship and regard, arising both from consanguinity and simila- rity of disposition and pursuits. [Latin. Bi'oadside.} Nov. 4. 65. Same to same. Recommends to her Majesty Lawrence Neiss. Fentzel, merchant of Datnzic, who goes to England with Jerome Makowieczki, of the chamber of the King her husband, to obtain justice in regard of some merchandise recklessly impledged there. [Latin. Broadside.] Nov. 4. 66. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 28th October had received La Ferte Milon. their letter of the 28th, but in consequence of the King's absence at Chantilly on a visit to the Constable, could not have audience of him till the 31st. Had then declared all the points of their letter, to aU which things the King made a very short answer; expressed his pleasure that her Majesty desired a continuance of amity, and as the Queen of Scots was of the same mind, he trusted that much good would ensue from the meeting of the Commissioners. His Majesty did not speak of the Scottish complaints, or the Lord Hume's matter, but remarked of the Border custom as to the tres- pass of cattle, that he thought it was very good, and none could be more reasonable. As to the taking of the Flying Hart of Ostend, said, if any of his men had done so, they had not done well, and desired him to deliver a remembrance of it to Cardinal Lorraine. Did not make a direct reply to the question whether, when the oflEenders were discovered, he would cause restitution to be made of the ship as it was when taken ; but said, when he knew who had done it, he woiild inquire into the truth of the matter, and do as reason should require in it. With reference to the impeaching of passengers between Dover and Calais, his Majesty said that, if his men had taken any Portuguese, they had done wrong, and ought not to have done it ; and that he thought it very good and reasonable that the passage should be free for all nations, and if the Emperor would consent that it should be free, he was well content to agree to the same. As for the incursions of the Scots into Ire- 24 FOREIGN PAPERS. 15o3 laud, iiud tlie report .spread that lie incited them thereto, he took (!(i(l to witness that he never thought of such a thing. For knowing her Majusty'e desire of peace with her neighbours, he should do all ho could to assist lur- against such as might go about to molest her. The Queoii Dowager of Scotland W as glad of her Majesty's accession as any may be, and equally desirous of peace. Had informed the King that her Majesty did not believe that these disturbances were dono by the privy maintenance of the Scottish rulers, but reckoned such a report to be untruly spread by those light savage people. His Majesty will earnestly write to the Queen of Scots to see re- dress made. Hears that Messire Luigi Alemanni, an Italian, one of the French Queen's maitres d'hotel, is going to England with a present to her Majesty ; and now remembers that when the Queen was at St. Germain, Cardinal Tournon told him that she and her gentlewomen were occupied in working certain fair works and gay gear, which she was to send to her Majesty. Pietro Strozzi left on the 1st inst., riding in post to Marseilles, to embark there for Corsica : the Duke of Soma and most of the other Italians left on the following day. It is reported that M. de Thermes is revoked, and to be succeeded by Strozzi ; also that the Genoese have sent 14). 000 men into Corsica, which island if the French lose again, their own proverb wUl be verified : qui trop embrace, mal estreint. The Constable is well amended, and the King intends to visit him soon again, when, if he is strong enough, his Majesty will take him with him to Fontainebleau, where it seems he will lie the rest of this Aviuter. Sends his further proceedings in the affairs of the English merchants, and begs their Lordships will cause the Council's answers to be cDiisidered, because in some points they appear to him to vary both from the law and previous agreement ; but for laek of books of law, and that he has so long discontinued that study, he is the less able to stand with them in these matters. Hopes the affair of Winter will be ended very shortlj-. Has received their letters concerning the causes of Mr. Maynard, Mr. Calthorpe, and other merchants ; will do the best he can, but questions whether these can be brought to a conclusion so speedily as the parties look for, seeing they expect them to be dispatched in post-haste. Hints as to the law's delays. [Six pages.] Inclosing, 66. I. " What hath been done in our mfrchanh^' maifers here at the Court sith the I ith of October 1553." [Correspon- dence, claims, and replies, principally in Frsnch. Twelve pages.] Nov. 5. 67. Regulations for the conduct of vessels and the pay of VaUadolid. mariners. [Spanish. Four 2^a.gcii.] Nov, 5. 68. Thomas Pettyt, Surveyor of Calais, to the Council. As the Calaii. setison will enforce them to desist proceeding with the works this year, and the new work adjoining to Purton's bulwai-k at Guisn^ is iiO feet aliiive tlie water, it is jimposod to dischajge all the la- bourers employed thereon, and tiiereforo requests that paj'mentmay bo made to the men. It is also intended to discharge all at Calais, MARY. 25 1553. Nov. 10. Antwerp. Eod. die. Antwerp. Nov. 11. Venice. Nov. 11. Venice. except forty whom they shall require to keep all winter for filling the jetties and repairing the sea-banks and sea-heads. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 69. Christopher Dawntesey to the Council. The Fuggers, in consequence of having lately furnished the Emperor with 100,000 ducats, are unprovided with funds for the Queen's purpose until their letters, with bills of exchange from Spain, daily expected, arrive. Meanwhile he has taken up, for the Queen's use, of Lazarus Tucker 50,000 ducats, that is, 100,000 guilders, to be repaid 1st Nov. next, at the rate of 13 per cent. Tucker has promised, con- ditionally on his having no other commission out of Dutchland, to furnish him with 100,000 guilders more within eight days. If he fails, doubts not to have it. Desires to know how the money is to be applied. Has sent the usual copy for the bonds for the sum afore- said to Sir Wm. Petre, her Majesty's Secretary. [One page and a half. Indorsed by Petre.} 70. Same to Sir William Petre. Repeats the information given in his previous letter to the Council. There are large quantities of Spanish rials here, and all payments are made in them : if they were current in England for sevenjjence, and French and Emperor's crowns at a noble of 6s. 8c?., he could advantage her Majesty a good piece of money. Could supply her Majesty with good portions of bullion or silver in reasonable time. [Three pages. These two letters abstracted by Mr. Burgon, " Life of Gresham," Vol. i., p. 128.] 71. Peter Vannes to Francis Yaxley. Thanks him for his letter of the 11th ult. Expresses the great affection and regard which he has for him, and his delight at the prosperity of the Queen and her realm. Occurrents here are few and of little importance, except that warlike preparations go on. Sienna stands well on its defence, and the Cardinal of Ferrara and other French agents daily fortify it and its vicinity. All friends at Padua are well. [Italian. Two pages. Indorsed by Yaxley.'] 72. Same to the Council. Few occurrents since his last letter of the 3d, and these not greatly worthy of advertisement. The last letters from Constantinople signify that the Turk followed his journey to Aleppo, in the confines of Persia, with a great army ; and the Persians having foreseen his coming against them, had already wasted and burned the greater part of the country through which he had to pass, so that the lack of victuals was very serious to him and his army. They had also taken a large number of the Turk's ships laden with spices and rich wares, to the great loss of divers merchants. The "Turk had distributed among his troops, according to their degrees, 600,000 crowns, to the intent that they might the better endure the hardness and scarcity of their voyage ; and many suppose that this enterprise against the Persians shall somewhat profit King Ferdinand in the matters of Hungary. Corsican affairs remain in the same state. It is strongly reported that Pietro Strozzi is appointed General at Sienna, in room of De Thermes : 26 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553. ~ being a valiant captain and in high favour with all soldiers, his coming with a sufficient furniture of money so nigh a neighbour to the Duke of Florence, will cause the latter to look well about him, and make him less able to iissist the Genoese with men and moDey as he has begun. The Cardinal of Ferrara and other French agents in Sienna daily fortify that town and the adjacent places, and have in daily wages 4,000 labourers and nine ensigns of soldiers. It is also reported that the French King has dispatched the Prince of Salerno and the Duke of Sulmo upon some other enterprise in Italy ; likewise that the Prior of Capua, a very witty and valiant man both by sea and land, is reconciled to the French King, and, if so, men think him a very meet man for that King's service. The Imperialists in Piedmont are so strong in the field that the French shall be fain to keep good garrisons there, and rather to augment than to diminish the number of their troops. Deems it his duty to mention that he understands, partly by his own knowledge and partly by hearsay, that several people here in variouB ways promise themselves of her Majesty's liberality to attain many things to their own use and benefit, and some have even inquired of him what they should ask ? Has replied to such that he knows nothing except that her Majesty's discretion is equal to her liberality, and that she knows how to consider any man's deserts. Further, that suitors ought to be circumspect and temperate, especially at the commencement of her reign, the country having been by evil mini- sters very much indebted, and her treasures greatly wasted and spoiled, besides her great liberality towards her subjects, in pardon- ing of the large subsidy lately granted to her brother, the which of duty was her own ; all which requires her ministers to look well to her rights and revenues. Perceives that many mind to ask licences, some that they may be free of London, and may custom both English and strange ware as freemen there, and others that they may have long days of payment for their gabelles and customs. Had shown those persons that nothing is so untouched and entirely kept as the safety of customs. Repeats his request to be supplied regularly with information of what passes in England. [Six pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Nov. 13. 73. Instructions to Thomas Qresham to proceed to Flanders to negotiate for the loan to her Majesty of 50,000i., or as much of it as he can obtain for one year, at 11, or at the most 12, per cent; also to take up money by exchange to his own credit in Flanders for the Queen's use. [Draft, revised by Petre. Four pages. Printed by Burgon, "Life of Ch'esham," Vol. i., p. 471.] Nov. 13. 74. " A momoriall gyven by Thomas Gresham unto the Queue's Mat«" 1 . The Queen to give her bonds, and those of the city of London (w usual, for all such Hums as he shall take upon interest. 2. II (5 shall not give more than 12i. or ISl. per cent for the sums HO taken. :i. The Hums shall be sent home very secretly, in such coins as he rIirU think best, to be laden jri Antwerp to London or Ipswich, at the Queen's risk. MARY. 27 1553. Nov. 14. Calais. Nov. 14. Calais. 4. He may take up money by exchange on his own credit in Flanders, to be sent to London at the Queen's risk. 5. He shall be allowed the usual charges for diet as in the time of Edw. VI., and also expenses of posting, &c. 6. He begs the appointment of persons to take account of the sums which he has received in the time of King Edw. VI. and her Majesty, for which he has not yet made account, [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 75. Lord William Howard, Lord Deputy of Calais, to Queen Mary. Had lately received a letter from the Council informing him that her Majesty has appointed him her Admiral, and requiring him to return to England immediately upon the arrival in Calais of Lord Wentworth, whom her Majesty has appointed to be her Deputy there. Whereupon he has not only sent away the most part of his staff, but has caused to be laid out a great part of his present half-year's rents for his provision in England. But he has this day received a letter from Lord Clinton, specifying that he thinks not to depart from the office ; this letter he has sent to the Council, and begs her Majesty wiU caU for it, as it is very strange to him that he should have been appointed to the office by her Majesty before Clinton had been discharged from it. Begs that the one office may not be taken from him without he shall enjoy the other. Lord Wentworth has already sent his steward hither to make his provision. Her Majesty may remember that upon his humble suit she gave him one of the chains that Henry Dudley had at his apprehension, which chain had belonged to the late King, her brother, so that neither the Lady Jane, taking upon her most wrongfully the name of Queen, nor yet her husband, could give that which was of right the property of her Majesty. Nevertheless, receiving a letter from the Council in her Majesty's name, desiring him to deliver it to Mr. Dudley, he has obeyed, and would have done so had it been worth 1,000?. ; but he thinks surely their Lordships did not know that the chain was her Majesty's. Desires to know her Majesty's pleasure. [Holograph. Two pages.] 76. Lord William Howard to the Council. Incloses letter received from Lord Clinton, referred to in the preceding ; mentions the pre- parations which he made and the arrival of Lord Wentworth's steward. Trusts that his long services may be recognized by the holding of one or other of the appointments, and that they will take order for the payment of the wages due to him here for a year and a fortnight, and have his poor retinue in remembrance. [Holograph. One page.] Incloses, 76. I. Letter from Edward, Lord Clinton, London, 11th November. Had received on the 10th his letter of the 3d i/nst. If he shall depa/rt from his office, there is no man in Englcmd that he would so gladly should have it as Hoivard ; but he has not yet been desired by her Majesty or the Council to forego his office. However, he must say, that when the Queen and Cou/ncil know that he has a sure and lawful patent of the office for the term of his 28 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1.553. Nov. 18, Antwerp. Nov. 21, Quisnes. life, he trusts he may be allowed to enjoy it ; for he is very sure that since the granting to him of her Majesty's most gracious 'pardon, he has done no fault whereby he ought to forfeit or lose either that oi' any other thing thai he has. Heavn that the Qu,een and Council think the office is merely held during pleasure, hut this shall otherwise ap- pear by his humble suit addressed to her Majesty. [Tvm pagesi] 77. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Arrived in Antwerp on the 17th inst. at 8 p.m. Next day saw Lazarus Tucker with reference to his offer of 200,000 Carolines for a year at 13 per cent. In consequence of Gresham's delay in answering him he said he had concluded with Christopher Dawntesey at the same rate and must pay the money by 30th November. The Queen will thus have by his reckoning 1 1 months instead of 1 2 ; and the money will stand her in more than 1 4 per cent. The matter has been so much talked about that he dare not ask any man to take up money at interest until their pleasure be further known. If the bargain be struck the Queen will get no money under 13 or 14 per cent., whereas by politic handling it might have been had for 11 or 12. Advises them to wait a month and not proceed at present. It will be best that he should have a commission for borrowing money at a rate not exceeding 12 per cent. Then if Dawntesey 's bargain be not con- cluded, they wUl want to see this commission and the Queen will save l.OOOi. in 50,000Z. Before Dawntesey came money was to be had for \Ql. per cent., which is no small grief to him. Saw the Fuggers' agent, who showed him a letter from the Council, by which it appears that Dawntesey offered 100,030 crowns from him to the Queen, an offer he utterly denies having ever made. Delivered at 11 o'clock to-day the Queen's letter to Dawntesey, who departed suddenly upon the sight thereof Thinks he has done his best and therefore requests they will bear with him, not being used to the handling of such weighty affairs. The Emperor takes up all the money he can get. The French King is very strong upon the borders. The Emperor expects 40 ships out of Spain with treasure, which Schetz, the Emperor's factor, tells him amounts to 300,000i., besides the treasure which the merchants will convey, and which will be as much. Money scarce, because the Germans I take up all the gold for Germany, while the great towns pay 12 per cent, for it upon their bonds for repayment ; so that it is thought there will be much ado next summer. [Thrte pages. In- j dorsed by Petre.^ • 78. Lord Grey to Quoen Mary. Presumes to trouble her Majesty, as his case touches his poor credit and honesty. Of late a little discord has arisen between him and the Bailiff of Quisnes, who has not only written against him to her Majesty and the Council, but has without Itiavo gone to England to prefer his complaint in person to heap and aggravate the matter more than either is true or can be proved. Ilcquests to be heard in self defence, and if ought can be sliown against him will willingly submit to correction. Beseeches that the Bailiff for his contumacy and disobedience may be rewarded MARY. 29 1553. accordingly, and refers it to her Majesty whether, being so necessary an officer here, he has done his duty in thus secretly departing with- out licence. As it would be too tedious to discourse the occasions of this variance, has sent his servant and attorney to open the truth in every point to the Council. [One page and a qvMrter. Indorsed by Petre.] Eod. die. 79. Lord Grey to the Coijincil. Whereas the Bailiff of Guisnes, and by his only procurement the freemen of the law there, have not only of late complained against him by their letters to her Majesty and their Lordships, but since then the Bailiff, in way of further vehemence and for his better prevaluation, has repaired to England meaning most sinisterly to allege to his discredit, although in the matter shall appear no cause of truth ; requests they will examine the bearer his servant, together with his attorney, a man seen in the laws here and who can enlarge the certainty in this behalf, and that his answer may be heard to the Bailiff's objection and indifferent justice administered to both. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] Nov. 24. 80. Peter Vannes to same. The fleet conveying the Genoese Venice. troops and supplies for the recovery of Corsica had been detained for some days by tempest and contrary winds, but sailed with favourable weather on the 10th inst. in good hope, the rather that Calvi still holds out, notwithstanding its being hardly besieged by the French. On the other side, M. de Thermes writes that he has well fortified all the places he intends to keep, and has 10,000 men ready to encounter the Genoese in plain field, seeming to have a certain hope to conquer Calvi, if it be not shortly succoured, and that the inhabitants there are most assured on the French King's side. Also that much diligence is used at Marseilles, in increasing the number of gallies by ten ; but it is supposed they will scantly be ready to assist this enterprise of Corsica unless they are already prepared. These continuous preparations of gallies will at length make the French independent of the Turks, from whom they have for many years received small furtherance, notwithstanding the very great charge for entertaining them. Besides, the Turks are of a proud and suspicious nature, and not easy to be commanded or employed as the French would and the occasion of wars so require. The French also are said to have got much evil will of the inhabitants of all the sea-coasts for bringing into Christendom the Turk's army, which is very cruel and fearful wheresoever they come. It is said that the French King is greatly offended with the Duke of Florence for assisting the Genoese, and therefore to have .sent Pietro Strozzi, his great enemy, to Sienna so near his nose to do him what- soever displeasure he can from time to time. Of Strozzi's arrival there is yet no certainty. On the 17th M. Brissac, having an intel- ligence with the inhabitants of Vercelli, on pretence of going against Ferrante, 40 miles from thence, took out of his company 500 horse and foot and sent them with diligence to Vercelli, which, with the aid of the townsmen, he took, and slew a number of the Imperialists. But Ferrante and his lieutenant at Milan, called Capitano di Gius- tizia, being advertised thereof, went suddenly in haste with 1 00 horse and entered the fortress, of which the French had not yet got 30 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1653. ~" possession. Meanwhile 1,000 horse sent by Ferrante made their appearance, whereupon the French, being fewer in number, aban- doned the enterprise and the Imperialists easily recovered the town. A^ercelli belonged to the Duke of Savoy, and is a noble, strong, and plentiful city, of a good largeness, situate in the confines of Lombardy, 30 miles from Milan, on the very high way thither from Piedmont, and not far from the French frontiers ; wherein if they had been able to establish themselves they should have been most hurtful to the state of Milan and the Emperor's affairs. The French deny the recovery, and the Imperialists affirm it ; but the truth will be known shortly. [Three pages."] Nov. 25. 81. Names of persons, chiefly merchants, who have agreed, out of good will to her Majesty, though to their own great detriment and damage, to receive the sums lent by them to the Queen in Antwerp, provided payment be made at sight of their bills by her agent there, at the rate of 22 shillings Flemish for every pound sterling. The amount so consented to be received by these loyal subjects (108 in number) is 15,426J. 19s. Id. sterling, equal in Flemish money at the rate aforesaid to 16,9691. 12s, lid. Among these names occurs that of the father of Thomas Lodge the dramatist. [Three pages and a Jialf.] Nov. 25. 82. Lord Grey to the CounciU Has received their letter of the Guisnes. 20th mentioning that the French Ambassador had, on the informa- tion of M. de Senarpont, complained that some of the English soldiers here had lately fought with some Frenchmen in a wood near Guisnes or Sandingfeld, and seemed to lay the blame on the English. Has not heard of such fight or anything tending to the matter. But he remembers that when commanded by her Majesty to send over some wild' boars, knowing that he could neither take them on English ground, nor make so great a hunting there but that the hounds should fly upon the French pale and they be forced to follow, and considering the relative position of the French and the Imperialists, he thought some disquiet might ensue to either unless they had fore- knowledge that he would hunt. He therefore, by writing, commu- nicated his intention to Senarpont, the Captain of Ardres, and the Captain of Gravelines, also requesting permission to hunt on their pale if necessary. This they all willingly granted, praying him not to spare, as the letter from Senarpont 's lieutenant, which he has, can testify. In this case he hunting several times without prevailing, the captains and gentlemen here eftsoons following tlie game were fired upon sundry times by some French peasants lying in the woods, who chased his hunts and killed certain of his hounds. This con- tinuing, it fortuned the said captains, as they wore one day hunting in the same place and in like doings, to take half a dozen of these peasants, dealing more like thieves and murderei-s than honest men, and cut off a piece of the oar of one who was the ringleader, on con- sideration that they having licence so to hunt were thus vilely used anil put in danger by the peasants. Of this Senarpont's lieutenant writing to him a month ago, had replied so reasonably as he reckoniil to have satisfied him: nevertheless, on Senarpont's coming home, he had written on the same matter and received an equally MARY. 31 J 663. reasonable reply as might has satisfied him also. Incloses copies of Senarpont's letter and his reply. This is all that has happened on the English part since he came here, and yet this of which they complain is not to be compared to the least of a number of the acts done by the French and by no means redressed by Senarpont or others. Since his coming he has frequently complained to him of most notable murders, probable thefts and intolerable injuries done by the French most audaciously to the subjects here, even at home at their own doors. Among others, of a murder committed by 20 or 25 of them upon a substantial farmer dwelling at Caussey, whom they murdered within a flight shot of his house, and would have slain some of his neighbours if they had not fled. After that they killed three Englishmen in the woods. Then they came in plain day to a subject at Scales [Calais], and beating him took away a number of his sheep. Also they beat another at Sandingfeld, threatening on him that he had cut the woods there, with which they had nothing to do. Recently they passed over her Majesty's ground here, and most cruelly beat another whom they found and would have had him prisoner. Another time a band of them on the same ground took from two of her Majesty's subjects a horse and a mare, the former of which by earnest pursuit of its owner they were forced to leave, but the latter was carried to Boulogne and it cannot be recovered. Finally, finding a partridge-taker of his to whom at his. Lord Grey's, request the Captain of Ardres had given passport to take partridges on the ground of his government, exercising this occupation on Madame de Riesque's ground, they took from him (notwithstanding his passport, which they rent) his nets, worth a dozen crowns, his purse and his coat, at the same time cruelly beating him, and had undoubtedly cut his throat if the people of the village had not seen them. These, and many more cases which it were tedious to relate, are continually used by the French of their own naughtiness and without occasion ; yet although such and the perpetrators have been denounced, no justice has ever yet been done by Senarpont, with whom some of the ofiFenders are even in good credit with him, and are daily in his presence bearing themselves as though they had done no such things, or else were supported in their doings, as it reaUy would seem they are. Is glad to have this opportunity of mentioning these proceedings, wherewith had been unwilling to trouble their Lordships, having already notified these outrages when they occurred. That of which they now complain appears, upon strict inquiry, to be the only matter of ofi'ence on part of the English since his coming hither, [Three pages and a half. Indorsed by Fetre.] Incloses, 82. I. Copy letter from Senarpont to Lord Grey, Boulogne, 16th November. [French. One page.] 82. II. Sam^ from Lord Grey to Senarpont, Calais, 20th No- vember. [French. One page cmd a half] Nov. 26. 83. Gresham to the Council. Refers to his letter of the 18th inst. Assures the Council that the Queen had better have given Dawntesey 10,000Z. than have proceeded in this matter. Dawntesey has been trying to buy up aU the crowns he can get, and has oflTered 32 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553. ono upon the hundred. Thia has raised a suspicion among the foreign and English merchants that the money was to be sent to Enghiud, of which Gresliam has disabused them. Lazarus Tucker niut liini this day on the Bourse, when Gresliam expressed his astonishment at Dawntesey's offer of interest at so high a rate, as the Queen's commission did not extend so far, and plerty of money could bo had at 10 and II pur cent. Tucker replied that he had made a bargain and wished to keep it, for he knew the Council hiid written to Fugger for money, that he had advanced only 100,000 florins at first to Dawntesey, and tliat Dawnteaey prayed him to make a further advance of the same amount, which he was forced to boiTOw. If the bargain be concluded, no money will be got under 13 i^er cent. Some merchants are willing to lend for six months at six per cent. Desires to know what he shall do,* As the payments will be made to the Queen in Spanish rials, whidi are very massive, it will be necessary to provide for their secure conveyance. Wishes he had a commission to buy pepper, as it would be a good mode of conveying some of the money in the bags. It would be well to send some luoney over by Sir John Masone, who is going home, the Bishop of Norwich coming over.f The Queen should get a passport of the Emperor for conveying 10,000 marks weight of fine silver. \^Four pages. Indorsed by Petre. Partly printed by Burgon, "Life of Gresham," Vol. i., p. 136.] Nov. 28. S-i. Sir John Masone to the Council. It is now settled that the Brussels. Count of Egmont, M. Lalaing (elder brother to M. de Hochstraet), M. de Courrieres and Nigri, Chancellor of the Order, are to go as Ambassadors to England. The Prince of Orange, M. de Bures and M. de Hochstraot had been in the election, but the preceding were nominated, yet both those that tarry and the Duke of Savoy merely say that those shall be the avani couriers, and they will follow in the batuille. The wife of the Prince of Orange is brought abed, and Hochstraet has ch.arge of the finances of these Low Countries, which are the causes of their stay. The Ambassadors will leave seven or eight days hence, very honourably accompanied by many gentlemen, and, as he is informed, by not much under 200 horses. M. de Bossut, Master of the Horse, and M. de Bures, are likelj- soon to go to England, not to join the others, but to pass the seas into Spain, and to conduct the Prince hither. Hears in different ways that the young English at Antwerp use their talk very wildly, both in showing their dislike of the proceedings in matters of religion at home, and of the other great matter which at this Court is tiUcen as a thing utterly concluded. They have lately had a bickering with the Spaniards, which has so tickled them that they hesitata 4 not everywhere to express their discontentatiou with the whole nation. Thinks the Council should speedily send some at whose hands they mi^lit receive some such threatening lesson as should tench thi-m hereafter how to temper their tongues. There are news here of five millions of gold having arrived at Seville ; prays God it be half so much, but whatever it be it makes them all merry in • f Tn margin, autogrujih of Potro, " to tiike of this 1,000 crowns, if he cannot i\iruish otherwise."] ■f I In margin, " Agreed."] MARY 33 1563. the mean seaeon while the certainty is a learning. The Duke of Florence having sent a force for the recovery of Corsica induces the French King to make account as if he had declared himself against him, and therefore he has sent the Duke's mortal enemy, Pietro Strozzi, into Italy, while M. de Thermes shall remain in Corsica, and has sent to Algiers to hire 20 gallies. Knows that if the Devil were to be treated with he would entertain him. Prays that the Lord may put into him a better and more Christian mind. It is reported that the Sophi has met with afiote of £he Turk laden with spice. From Hungary are uncertain reports of a great overthrow of the Turks by the Christians. God send the said Turk ill luck against the Persians, else the matters of Hungary will soon be revenged ! Count Egmont wishing to have some English gentle- men in his company for divers services, has desired Mr. Drury to take that place. Drury is loth to refuse this request, but being so behindhand with his creditors is afraid of their rigorous dealing with him when in England, and has requested Masone to solicit their Lordships' protection for him, as going in the capacity of the Queen's servant he may be saved from being impeached of them, minding before it be very long to satisfy them all accordingly. [Two joages.] Nov. 28. 85. Bond by the City of London to Lazarus Tucker for repay- GuUdhail. ment of o 6,000 florins, altered fiom 113,000. [Copy. Three pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Nov. 29. 86. Lord William Howard, Deputy of Calais, to the Council. Calais. To-day there has pj-rived here an Ambassador from the King of Portugal to her Majesty, who brings a letter from Masone specifj'ing that he is in great estimation both with his master and the Emperor, with whom he had formerly been Ambassador, and desiring he should be used accordingly. This trusts to have fully accomplished. In the evening has received another letter from Masone declaring what other Ambassadors were coming and their trains, and who would leave for England in six or seven days. As they will be here shortly, requests with all speed to know after what sort he shall entertain them, for it is possible that the wind and weather may be such as they shall be forced to remain here a good space. Is sorry that he shall not be able to entertain them as he would, because his plate and the most part of his best stuff is already sent into England. However he will show them as much courtesy and attention as lies in his power. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.'] [Nov. 30.] 87. Queen Mary to Thomas Gresham. He is appointed to receive [Westminster.] the money from Lazarus Tucker, which the said Lazarus has agreed with Christopher Dawntesey to advance to her Majesty's use, and out of this he is to make payment to the merchants adventurers who are named in the bill herewith sent [No. 83, antea"], as being willing to receive the amount of her debts to them at Antwerp. The residue of the debt to the remaining merchants, who desire to be paid iu London, is to stand over and to be received from Tucker. [Minute, autograph of Petre. One page and a qua7'ter.] •2. C 34 FOREIGN PAPERS. Nov [30 1 88 The D-.uncil to Thomas Gresham. Have received his letter o WestJniuster. tlie r26th inst.) with regard to the bargain between i^icker an( Dawntesey. Though the interest ia higher than was expected o will 1)0 allowed in future, it is to proceed, both for saving of hi credit aiul other t;onsiderations. Send her Majesty's assurano and tho bond of London to be delivered to Tucker, from whon Uresham will receive the money. [Minute, autograph of Petn One pagfe.] Nov. 30. 89. Bond by Queen Mary to Lazarus Tucker for repayment o Westminster. 113,000 florins. [Draft Indorsed by Petre. Three pages.] Nov. 30. 90. The Council to satne. Her Majesty accepts the loan o Westminster. 1 1 3,000 florins negotiated by Christopher Dawntesey, altboogh th sum might have been obtained elsewhere at a lower rate of inteial [French. Copy. Half a page.] Nov. 30. 91. John Scheyfue to the Lord Great Master of the Household iJrussels. Kequests a passport for his friend the bearer, [Latin. Half i jyage. Indorsed by Petre.] Dea 1. 92. Lord AAUliam Howard to the Council Yesterday tw Calais. Englishmen, Thomas GoldweU and Seth Holland, arrived here fron Rome. The former, having been a servant to Cardinal Pole, he ha detained, until lie shall have their Lordships' pleasure. Holland both by his own confession and the sajdng of GoldweU, havinj never been in the Cardinal's service, he has allowed to pass t England with this his letter. Meanwhile requests their speed; answer whether he shall permit Goldwell to cross or not. [On page. Indorsed by Petre.] 93. Lord Grey to same. Has received information that th French are in camp on the frontiers of Hainault, minding t invade that way ; and that to resist them all the Imperial troop both foot and horse, on the frontiers have in speed repaired towaitj them, so that in the town of St. Omer, it is said, there is not single man of war left beyond the very ordinary retinue. They sa if the French do tarry their coming, they will give them the batUi [Hcdf a page. Indorsed by Petre] Dec. 2. 94. Peter Vannes to same. Confirms the account of the recover] Venice. of Vercelli by the Imperialists. News from Rome and elsewhen mention the arrival of Strozzi at Sienna^ and that certain pieces o ordnance, great and small, sxvc coming after him from Marseilles His coming, it is sujiposed, will be a gi-eat furtherance to the enter prises of the French Kinp:, and a great annoyance to the Duke ol Floioncc, for he is of high reputation among soldiers and is acconi' ])anied with many banished luon of some importance. The Duke ]i()W6Vt'r, is viTy vijrilant in all his states, and loses no time in forti- fying and suppl^'iny all ]Ai\w» meet and necessary. He has about him in loadincsH (livers l.iuids of chosen soldiers, as well subjects as Htraii^airs, and (Mitertains several \aliant and expert captains. He is roeio(\ 11. 101. Otho, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, to Queen Mary. Ilarburg. Con"ratuliitus lier Majesty on her accession, and sends as lus Envoy L'lorence k Diaceto. [Latin. Holograph. Two pagea.] Dec. 14. 102. Lord William Howard to the Council. Sends letter received Calais. to-day from one Blonkett [nniea. No. 100] who served the Emperor during all the last wars as Captain of 1 00 light horse, and from time to time transmits accounts of their proceedings. Requests they will communicate its contents to her Majesty, if she is not already apprised of the news. Hears nothing further of the Ambassadcis, and so has written to the Lord Warden. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] Dec. 103. Queen Mary to Thomas Gresham. Thanks him for his fore- rw**""^^- ^°'^ sight and diligence used in the charge committed to him, as shown " es minster.] ^^ j^j^ letter to the Council of 26th ult. Bequires him to proceed with as much speed as he can for taking up the money. Wishes he may shortly so take up 100,000?. sterling at 12 per cent, at the utmost, notwithstanding some ill-husbandry heretofore used in these matters. If he cannot have the whole 100,000?. for a whole year, he may take a portion not exceeding 100,000 crowns for six months, and would have as much thereof as conveniently may be sent by Sir John Masone at his return. Has given commission to the Bishop of Noi-wich to move the Emperor for licence to transport 10,000 marks weight of fine silver ; the answer to which will be communicated to him by the Bishop. Sir Philip Hoby, Master of the Ordnance, having sent Peter Van Collen to the parts beyond seas to bargain for Collen cleves, he has bought 1 0,000, which are to be delivered at Dort between this and Christmas at Is. 6d a piece, the same having heretofore cost eight groats. Her Majesty desires Gresham will go or send to Dort to receive them, and if they be good ware to pay for them. [Minute, autograph of Petre. Two pages.] Memorandum as to these Collen cleves to same effect as above. [Half a page.] Dec. 20. 104. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Has not written since the Antwerp. (Jth, as, waiting the Queen's further pleasure, he could do nothing in liin commission. Has received from Tucker a thousand guilders, all in silver Spanish rials, and has paid the merchants in fuD. Has also paid to Dawntesey 111/. 12,'*. 9d., and to Harry Creed 10?. 188., wliir.li wero not ontorcd in the remembrance sent to him or in that of the payments to be made at London. As for the 100,000?. which h(M- Miijesty would have him to take up, he finds that several men Imve hiniiM of 40,000 or 50,000 guildera to lend for a twelvemonth; liut when they como to the price, they are not ashamed to ask I.' i>r.r mif. and when he offers 10 or 11 per cent, then they burst out and say " Tliink you that we do not know that the Queen's Majesty gave Lazarus Tucker 13 per cent, for an 11 months, which MAEY. 39 1553. is now above 15 "pBr cent, and is not our money as good as his?" Some, too, said that they had commission from their masters to let out their money at the same rate as Tucker, or else keep it in their chests. Knows that the rich merchants have consulted and agreed that if they keep up the price now with her Majesty the price will not fall again. Had gone no further, which astonished the rich merchants, as he doubted not but in time things would have framed according to the Council's expectations. Now that he knows the Queen's pleasure will proceed to the best of his ability ; he has diflBcult persons to deal with, but keeps watch and ward, so that no time is lost. Arte Van Dalle and Christopher Chrewen offered him 16,000J. for six months at six^er cent., but having no commission to borrow for that term had declined it; now, however, having authority, he finds that the Emperor has taken it up. This Bourse of Antwerp is strange, — one day there is plenty of money, and the next none, — because there are so many good takers and deliverers, that if one wiU not, another will. Fugger and Jasper Schetz are bare of money, and no good can be done with them at present, as the Emperor owes above 300,000^ Received the Queen's bonds for the other thousand florins last night at six o'clock, his man having had to tarry a day and a night at Dover for passage, and was on the seas the same space of time. Shall deliver them to Tucker to-day. Cannot send the money in crowns of the sun, as they caimot be had here at any price. Already they are worth 20s. the 100, and Dawntesey's open seeking for them did mar all here, as people suppose they wish to rob them of all their gold and silver, which indeed has been asked by some of the best merchants on the Bourse. If he can accomplish Tucker's matter in crowns as nigh as Christmas, he shall send or else come himself with it. Will do liis best to serve her Majesty, and has already written to them, that it is a small matter to bring the Queen in debt, but the greatest matter wiU be to bring her out again. Requests that ere he proceeds further he may have his quietus est for the sum of 260,000Z. in which he found the late King indebted, and for which he is still countable ; this being his chief object in coming home during the holidays, when and for ten days after, there will be nothing done here. Went to-day to Brussels to confer with her Majesty's Ambassador as to the demi-lances and other parts of his charge. Desires to know their further determination as to packing the harness. There is no kind of gold stirring, which is the strangest matter ever seen on the Bom:se of Antwerp ; the whole payments are in silver Spanish rials, no angels and sovereigns to be got, the exchange being so high. At present it is 22s. and 9d., and likely to rise, which he prays God may continue. Gives a practical illus- tration of the effect of operations in the money market. Will see the matter of the OoUen cleves speedily dispatched. [Five pages.^ Dec. 20. 105. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Had written to them at 8 o'clock p.m. 10 o'clock this morning. On arriving at the Bourse he found divers Antwerp. ^£ ^j^^ merchants had advice that the crown was to be proclaimed at 6s. 3d. or Gs. ^d., whereby such a demand for crowns will be 40 FOREIGN PAPERS 1563. created tliat he fears in a short time they will not be attainable at any price. Points out the effect of this. If the Council proclaim the crown abovt; (Js. it will cause the exchange suddenly to fall He was the founder of the raising of the exchange, the effect of which has been to arrest the export and create an import of gold and silver into the realm. Advises that the crown be proclaimed at Gs., and not to be current from merchant to merchant, but to be brought into the Queen's mints, sure payment being promised within six days ; and that the French crowns be melted down and turned into English crowns valued at 68. 8d., by which means the exchange would be brought down, and the demand for crowns stayed. Gives lengthened details as to his experience in financial matters, and the benefits that will follow from his advices being followed. ^Three pages.] Dec. 21. 106. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Acknowledges Fontaincbleau. ber Majesty's letter of the 8th inst., and reciprocates her amicable sentiments and desire for peace. [French. One page. Signed by his Mojvdy and countersigned by Bourdin.] Dec. 22. 107. " The effect of the letters sent to Mr. Gresham 22d Decem- lior l.')53." Knowledge given to him of the Emperor's consenting to the Queen's request for 1 0,000 marks' weight of bullion before the coming of the Bishop of Norwich, who was charged to open the same and to request Gresham to prepare liis things accordingly, and to call upon tlie Ambassador there for the Emperor's passport for the same, and to send money with all diligence. Letters to the Bishop of Norwich or, in his absence, to Mr. Masone at the same time to thank the Emperor most heartily for the granting of the licence, to procure the passport speedily, and deliver it to Gresham. [Quarter of a page. Autograph of Petre.] Doc. 23. ] 08. Commission by the Emperor Charles V. to Count Egmont, Brnsscls. Lalaing, M. de Courrieres, Philip Nigri, and Simon Renard, to treat of the marriage between Queen Mary and his son the Prince of Spain. [Latin. Copy. Two pages.] Dec. 23. 109. The Council to Dr. Wotton. Yesterday the French Ambas- sador being witli tiie Queen, had referred to the prevalent report of lier J\l;»jesty's intended marriage with tlie Prince of Spain, with whose fatli(;r his master being in open hostility, did occasion his said master to remember her Highness of his former good words and afhrmiitions in beh.alf of peace. To Avhich her Majesty replied, that he might as.sure his ma.ster that she .still remaineil of the self same mind as heictornic, from whieli neither liusbjuid, father, kinsman, nor any other ])erson alive should, lreparations in BritUiny and Noiiiiaudy, and de.'-iro him to ascertain the truth of the report, MARY. 41 1553. ' and -what enterprise is intended. The Ambassadors from the Em- peror, of whom they formerly wrote, are this day at Calais and will be here shortly ; if he can procure any intelligence touching the peace will be glad to hear from him before their departure. [Draft, partly autograph of Petre. Seven pages.] Dec. 23. 110. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 13th inst. had received Melun. their letter of the 7th. Audience of the King, appointed for the 17th, was deferred till the following day by reason of his Majesty's severe cold. Long details of his conversation with the King and the Con- stable on the subject-of her Majesty's intended marriage. The Pope has been dangerouslj'' ill. The son of ,the Grand Turk has been murdered in his father's presence and by his command. The Scots say that the Governor of Scotland is at last content to meddle no further in the management of that country than shall be appointed to him by the young Queen Avhen she has attained the age of 12. The French fleet on its way to Corsica has been overtaken by a great storm, and several of the gallies driven back. The French King seeks money by all means, and is said to borrow every man's plate to coin money therefrom. His Majesty declares that he will not be taken tard, as he Wiis last year, and therefore makes great preparation to be stirring with the beginning of the fair month of March. He says he shall lack no money to distribute his troops where he likes for six whole months. It is thought he will divert the war into Italy as much as he can, to relieve his people at home from the great dangers of it. It was for some time said that Maj-quis Albert was reconciled to the King and should serve him again ; but that talk begins to wax cold. The Protestant Count of Mansfeld stiU remains here ; does not know wherefore. Captain Poulin is said to have come to the Court, and to report the safe arrival of Pietro Strozzi and the gallies at Corsica ; but some doubt this, for the Genoese have 36 gallies lying before a haven town in Corsica, and if they had knowledge of their coming, the French if they have escaped, must have done so with great danger. It is now said that the Prince is going as commander of the army in Italy, which before had been reported was to be generalled by Strozzi ; also that Marshal Brissac had taken the town of Vercelli, but by reason of the diligence of Gonzaga had been unable to retain it. On the 7th inst. had received their letter of the 20th ult. concerning the robbery by Francis Kelwaye and Kobert Druiy, and immediately dispatched one of his servants to Paris and Rouen to make diligent inquisition for them and the plate among the goldsmiths and in all places Avhere Englishmen commonly resort, but without success. On his way to Rouen, on this side of Pontoise, the messenger met some Englishmen, one of whom bore so strong a resemblance to the description of Kelwaye, that lie returned and followed them to Paris, where he learned that the individual was not Kelwaye, but a brother of Sir John Thynne, of that stature, making, and face, which their Lordships write Kelwaye to be of. lie then proceeded to Rouen with equal want of success ; but the English merchants there are to be on the outlook for the delinquents and plate. Has just heard that Poulin has gone back, and that the King has heard of Strozzi's 42 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1653. Doa 24.. Antwerp. Dec. 28. Kichmond. arrival at Sienna, and the return to Marseilles of all the missing gallies. [Thirteen pages. The greater portion prirUed by Tytler, Vol ii., p. 261.] 111. Thomas Grcuham to the Council Repeats the recommenda- tions of his letter of the 20th. Has sent them 9,000 crowns by his servant Francis de Toraazo, whom he requests they will move the Queen to take into her service as post. He is a very fit man for the purpose, having all languages, trusty and secret, and has been four years and a half in his service. Will not be in quiet imtil he has brought things round to the state in which he left them when commanded home. At that time the proudest mer- chants on the Bourse prayed him both by mouth and letters to England to take their money ; now it is no small grief to him to find all things out of order and to the contrary ; for it is a great difference for a man to seek money, and may have it offered him. Trusts ere three month are over to bridle the merchants well enough, who now are not ashamed to ask 15 per cent. On the 23d concluded a bargain with Jasper Schetz and bis brothers for 60,000 florins at 13 per cent, amounting with the interest to 67,800 florins, at 20 stivers the florin, to be paid on the 1st of January next and re-paid on the same day, 1554-5. The bonds for this are to be drawn in the same manner as those to Tucker were; the broker to the bargain is Thomas Down. Has also taken up the same sum and on similar terms, from Andrew Lixsalls and Thomas Flechamer and Co., for the like period. Has desired his servant to make all the haste he can with the letter, that he may have the bonds by the aforesaid day. Wishes to know how much they will have sent by the Ambassador, and how to load the harness. Sir John Masone has got him licence for 200 demi-lances. Has also purchased 500 more to be delivered at Whitsuntide at the furthest. Van CoUen can give no answer as to the Collen cleves until he hears from his merchants, because the bargain has been so long in hand ; if it is to go forward licence must be procured for them passing through this country. Hopes to be at Brussels on Christmas-day to confer with the Ambassador on this and other matters. Desires to know if the 33,000i. now to be sent home will suffice, and requests licence to come home to settle his account Requires warrants for the payment of such money as from time to time he shall send home, and for such bonds as lie has delivered at home in the time of the late and present Sovei-eigns, [Threo pages.] 112. The Council to Thomas Gresham. Acknowledges his letters of tho 20th and 24th. 1 Eer Majesty thanks him for his diligence and tlio payment of the money by Francis Tomazo. Sir Edmund rceklmin in ordered to receive all other money sent by Greshain to the Queen's use, and to indent with liim therefor, which inden- ture sliiiU bo his discharge. The rumour of the valuation of the Freni^li crown is imfoundcd ; neither that nor anything else contrary to his advices is intended. If upon talk with Tomazo they find him meet to occupy the place of a post they will be suitors to the Queen for Gresham s request in his favour. He is to send as much MARY. 43 1653. Dec. 28. Antwerp. Dec. 28. Canterbury. Dec. 28. Melon. money'as he can by Masone and follow hia former instructions for the rest. Not to forget to call upon the man for the CoUen cleves, for the conveyance of which the Bishop of Norwich has commission to find a passport. He will receive herewith the bond of her Majesty and the City of London for the 120,000 florins last received. He is to take up 60,000 more, and as soon as this is done and their conveyance arranged for, the Queen will permit him to come home for a time. [Minute. Two pages-l 113. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Repeats the bargains made with Schetz and others. They will receive by the bearer 9,000 crowns French and Imperial, Trusts they approve of his scheme for valuing the French crown. Advises them not to meddle with the Imperial crown, because, as it is the cheapest gold to be had here, it will be said that they seek to rob them of their gold. The alteration of the French crown is of less consequence, as most of them are spent here and carried into England. On the 27th inst. received their's of the 22d, whereby he perceived that the Emperor had granted her Majesty passport for the 10,000 marks' weight of bullion. Has sent their letter to the Bishop of Norwich and written to him to send the passport with- all speed. The ex- change has fallen to 22s. by reason of the news of the intended proclamation of the crowns and the silver Spanish rials. There is also a rumour that the base money is to be called down in England ; this wiU injure his devices. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre^ 114. Lord William Howard to same. On arriving at Canter- bury on Thursday, the Emperor's Ambassador was informed by Count Egmont and the other Ambassadors that there was only one lodging at London prepared for the whole four; and at supper the Count having mentioned this to Lord William, stating that one house would not be sufficient, as his own train was large, com- prising many servants of the Emperor of great estimation, and that M. Lalaing had more gentlemen than he, thinks it right to suggest to their Lordships the appointment of two other houses, one for M. Lalaing and the other for M. de Courrieres and the Chancellor. [Two pages.] 115. Dr. Wotton to same. Although the King has already dispatched M. D'Oysel to Scotland with renewed commission, he is sending thither the Vidame of Chartres with a number of soldiers. This and the talk of the intended marriage of her Majesty with the Prince of Spain, makes the people here believe that France is going to war with England. If the King had at first only intended D'Oysel to go, and now on the news of the marriage sends the Vidame, it would seem either that the French stand in fear of war, or make use of this occasion to occupy the forts in Scotland, and so to keep them ; which troops peradventure the Scots would else be loth to receive into their country, and less into their forts. What- ever is their meaning, if words could satisfy him, he never had fairer nor gentler ones, neither spoken nor written to him, than he has now.of the chief of this Court. [One page.] 44 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1563. Dec. 31. Antwerp. 116. Thomas Gresham to the Council. On the 28th, sent them a letter and 9,000 French and Imperial crowns by one of his servants, .John Sprytewell. Trusts in God they be safely arrived. By this bringer, liis servant William Bendlowes, sends 8,21 1 Philippines, which he received from Lazarus Tucker in the payment of his money, and which are as good to be melted as the French or Imperial crowns, whereby they may see that no gold shall come into his hands worthy and meet to be sent, but it shall be dispatched with all possible expedition. Awaits the arrival of the bonds. The whole 20,000?. will be witli them shortly. Requests licence to return home. P.S. — Moreover send by Bendlowes 2,819 French and Imperial crowns, which amounts to D:]9l. 138. id., and with tlie Philippines makes in all 2,787i. 2s. lOcZ. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 117. Memorandum in modern writing tJiat Gresham was em- ployed by the Queen of England to take up large sums of money from the merchants in Flanders upon interest and good security, for her Majesty's use. [Half a page.] 118. Heads of Agreement between Henry II., King of France, and the Marquis of Brandenburg, for services to be performed by the Marquis against the Emperor. [Laiin. Copy. Two pagesi\ 119. " Summa privilegiorum Hanzse Societatis de Concessionibns Recum Anglise ab anno 44 Hen. III. Regis usque ad annum 1553, tempore Marise Regime." [Latin. Twenty-seven 'pages.'] December. 120. Articles proposed by the Emperor Charles V. with reference to the marriage between the Prince of Spain and Queen Mary. [Latin. Copy. Thirteen pages.] [December.] 121. Articles for the treaty of marriage between Queen Mary and King Phillip. [Latin. Twenty-two pages. Draft. The treaty itself is printed by Rymer, Vol. xv., p. 393, 2d Edition, 1728.] [End of year.] 122. Notes as to the succession of the issue of the marriage between Queen Mary and King Philip. Autograph of Petre.] [Latiiu One page. ]. '553-4. Jan. 1. Antwerp. 123. Thoma.s Gresham to the Council. Recapitulates the amounts sent home on the 24th December by his servant Francis de Tomazo, on the 28th December by his servant John Sprytewell, and on the SIst December by his servant Willinin Bendlowes, in all amounting to 8,787t. 28. Gd. Trusts to send the rest shortly, when his servants return; waits the bonds of her Majesty and the City for the rest of tlie 20,000i. which ho has bon-owed and intends to send by Sir John Masone. The exchange has fallen to 21 s. 8d. in con- Honncnce of the reports ho has already mentioned, and doubtless if Ihcy proceed therein it will fall to 208., in 'whicli case it Avere better for the Queen and realm to have given 1 00,000i. besides the great loss she shall thereby receive, for thereby all his devices will be clean frus- trated. There will bo little more money to be had before the pay- MARY. 45 1553 4. inenta of the " Colde market " on the 20th or last day of Fehruaiy. If any offer of money be made him to be received, then ho intends to arrange to make repayment one year from the day of receipt. To save trouble and expense, desires that a number of bonds be sent out for not more than lO.OOOZ. each, with blanks for the mer- chants' name, the day of payment, and date, which he shall let in well enough ; and he will engage to get money for them or get them retui-ned. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Jan. 1. 124. Philip Francis, Count Palatine, to Queen Mary. Congratu- lates her Majesty on her succession, requests to be retained in her service as he had been in that of her father and brother, and transmits by his secretary John Nauclerus his letters patent for renewal. [Latin. One page.] Jan. 1. 125. Commission by Queen Mary to the Bishop of Winchester, Westminster, the Earl of Arundel, Lord Paget, Sir Robert Rochester, and Sir William Petre, to treat of her Majesty's marriage. [Latin. Two pages. Copy. Indorsed by Cecil, " A Commission from Queen Mary to treat upon her Tnarriage."] Jan. 1. 126. Articles of the Treaty of Marriage between Philip, Prince [Westminster.] of Spain, and Queen Mary, providing that the Prince shall be served by Englishmen exclusively. l_Latin. Two pages. Copy.] Jan. 1. 127. Abstract of the Treaty of Marriage between Queen Mary [Westminster.] and the Priuce of Spain. [Latin. Four pages and a half. Rymer, Vol. XV., 394.] 1554. [Jan. 1.] 128. Abstract of the Treaty of Marriage between Queen Mary and King Philip. [One page. Modern writing.] 1553-4. Jan. 5. 129. Commission from Philip, Prince of Spain, to Count Egmont, Valladolii Lalaing, M. de Courrieres, Philip Nigri, and Simon Renard, to treat of the intended marriage between him and Queen Mary. [Latin. Three pages. Copy. Rymer, Vol. xv , p. 400. Jan. 8. 130. Gresham to the Council. In his letter of the 1st inst. [By mistake certified to them that he had sent the Queen at three voyages Amwel 8,787i. 10s. 6d. Flemish. On the 7th received their letter of the 28th ult. with the bonds of her Majesty and the City of London for 20,000i. with the letters to the Ambassadors, which he forwarded same day in post. His servant had to wait for passage at Dover six days. On the 4th inst. concluded a bargain with the factors of Michael Deodati, merchant of Lucca, for 50,000 florins at 12 per cent, to be paid, half on the 25th inst. and half on the payments of the " Colde market," beginning 25th February, unless the Emperor prolong his payments, in which case on the 25th or the last of February. The bonds to be made in the same form as Tucker's in the name of Michael Deodati, to be paid 25th January 15 >5, accord- ing to the style here, for they change t'ae date of the year upon New Year's day. The sum with interest will be 56,000 florins. Has sent by the bearer 18,000 French and Imperial crowns ; not 46 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1563-4,. ~ to break his commission in the passing through the search at Gravelines, sends with him his factor resident here, Richard Clough, who will pass an hour after him at Gravelines, and the hearer Francis, waiting for liim at the Queen's turnpikes outside, will be token by him to Calais. Trusts shortly to send the rest by Sir John Mosone or otherwise. The rumour of the valuing the French crown and silver Spanish rial, and the calling down of the EngUsh base coin, being the solo cause of the sudden fall of the exchange, the news that the Council never intended such has sent it suddenly up again from 21s. 8d. to 228. 4tZ. If the English ships laden with cloth arrive it will rise to 23s. These ships are richly worth 300,000i. Will ride or send to-morrow about the 10,000 Collen cleve staves to Peter Yan Collen, who is at Mechlin very sore hurt in his hand with the shooting of a gun, and has lost two of his fingers. On hearing from him will advertise their Lordships whether they sh^ trust to them or not ; because Collen is not the man himself, but has bought them of others, and because the bargain has been so long at winning fears now they will be hard to come by, by reason all the ditches and rivers are frozen, and he knows that as yet there are none at Dort, the place where they were appointed to be received. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Jan. 9. 131. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 29th ult. had received Melun. their letter of the 23d, and on the following day had sent to know when he might speak with the Constable, who appointed him to dine with him on the morrow, being Sunday the last of the month. Details at much length their conversation, wherein the Constable protested with great animation his desire, as well as that of the King, for peace, and imputed both the cause of the war and the obstacles to peace to the Emperor, whose fashion of late is much to be wondered at, he having so disdainfully rejected all overtures made for that purpose by England and the Holy See. Aware from long experience of the blessings of peace, and allying as personal reasons why he might well seek such, having a son, two nephew^ I and many friends prisoners in the enemy's hands, he nevertheless, | rather than the King his master should offer anything that were not for his honour, would rather lose them all, and his own life also, than consent or counsel him thereto. Had promised to consider the matter with his Majesty and inform Wotton. Some days having elapsed, Wotton sent to the Constable next Saturday to know when he should receive his Majesty's reply, and was invited by him to dine next day. " But when I came thither, he sent to me, and prayed me to have him excused, and that he might not dine with me, for that the Bishop of Albi, brother to the Cardinal of Lorraine and to the Duke of Guise, having two or three days before received the red hat from Ilome, made that day a dinnei' to the chief of the Court, where he had promised boforo to be at, and had forgotten it when he sent mo word I shotild dine with him. Howbeit he cauHed my dinner to be prejmred for me in the chamber where I llKhtiid, and after dinner 1 was with him." Before declaring his Majesty's resolution, the Constable greatly lauded her Majesty, whom he said he had seen and known when in England, and upon MARY. 47 1553-4. his return to France had made such report of her virtues every- where, that the Dauphin, this King's elder brother, hearing it, conceived such a favour and love towards her Highness, that he had earnestly determined never to liave married other. The King takes her Majesty's offer to travail in this matter of peace in very good part, and if she pleases to act as mediator she may, but his Majesty is uneasy under the impression that either the Emperor will go about to persuade those at Rome, Venice, Sienna, and elsewhere that the motion of peace proceeds from his Majesty for fear of the Emperor, or that others abroad will believe so. His Majesty also considered a truce necessary before any terms of peace could be come to between them : that the Emperor being at war with his father had agreed upon a truce of ten years, which had been well kept, but now the Emperor had certain toys in his head. The King prepares fast for the wars, and specially for tnoney. Men's plate he must have, whether all or a portion cannot well say, but it is taken that he only borrows it, assigning places for the repayment. The Pope has recently made four Cardinals, two being of his own young kinsmen, one for the Emperor, and the fourth is the Cardinal of Guise aforesaid. The Count of Mirandola has been at the Court these eight or ten days, and yesterday Duke Octavio Famese was expected ; their coming is supposed to be that they may know the King's mind what they shall do in summer. The Vidame has gone to his own home in Guienne, there, as he says, to tarry. The French have thought that one of the promises made by the Emperor in connexion with the Queen's marriage is, that the Prince of Spain shall take with him to England some Spanish troops, who with the English forces, shall attack Scotland, and shall be maintained by the Emperor until that kingdom is conquered. This probably may explain why they purpose to send the Vidame and soldiers to Scotland. The Queen of Scots now keeps a separate establishment to show that she is of age to govern. The Court leaves Fontainebleau for Paris, its return thither is uncertain. Some say the King wiU remain at Paris tiU Shrovetide, and then go to Compiegne to be nearer to the frontier ; others say that he will then come to Fontainebleau. Sends one to the sea coast as desired. On Sunday received letters from her Majesty and their Lordships ; cannot have audience till the King goes to Paris. The Constable talks as if he thought the Emperor is again sore sick, and " like to do shortly that thing which these men have so long looked for." [Ten pages.] Jan. 10. 132. The Queen Regent of Flanders to Queen Maiy. Recom- Bnissels. mending to her favour Pierre Copper, sent into Flanders last year by some members of the Council of King Edward VI., to provide arms and ammunition and transport them into England, and requesting permission for him to remove his family, now in England, into Flanders, where he has been retained by the Regent by consent of the Ambassadors of the late King resident at the Court of the Emperor, on her hearing of some engine of war which he possessed. [French. Broadside. Indorsed by Fetre.] 48 FOREIGN PAPERS. Jan. 13. 1.13. Tlioinas Giosliam to the Council. Had informed them in Antwerp. ],ia letter of the sth inst., sent by Francis _de Tomazo, of the details of a bargain made with Michael Deodati, and had also sent 18,000 French and Inipeiial crowns amounting to 6,000i. Flemish by the said Francis to tlie Queen. .Since that, has got into big hands in lieu of silver Spanish rials 15,000 French and Imperial crowns, and 7,000 Italian crowns Sends inclosed three pieces. Intended to have made a great mass of gold against the coming of Sir John Masone. On the 12th inst. received letters from his factor John Elliot, informing him that the Council desired he would send home no more gold, but, according to his first devices, Spanish rials and bullion, and that he would write them his opinion as to the injury to the exchange consequent on their intended new valuing of tiie French crown. He can say no more than he has already said, a proof of which has been afforded by the efiect of the mere surmise and rumour of their intention in causing a Ml of the exchange; and now that it is known no such valuation was intended, it has suddenly risen again, and will rise still more when the ships laden with cloth arrive, which are Vorth 300,000t or 409,000i. Gives reasons why the valuing of the crown will injure the exchange, and ultimately raise the price of commodities in England by causing an efflux of gold. Will keep the gold he has in hand by him until he hears further. It would be a good plan if all the gold he has sent and will send were brought into some stamp and coin of her Majesty and valued at 6s. 8d., and all gold excluded from the mint but that sent by the Queen ; this would rob them here of their gold and secure her Majesty a present large profit in returning it by exchange, which he thinks will not fall by the alteration, provided silver be kept to its present standard. Doubts not then to convey home most of the gold here before a year be out, for 10,000i. in gold is better and speedier conveyed than 1,000/. in silver. Thinks they have as much need of gold at home as of silver, which is moreover easier to come at than gold. What he has to receive from the Lixshalls and Schetz he will bring in silver Spanish rials and send it by Sir John Masone, and bring the rest with him when he comes home in gold or silver. Has made a furnace and prepared to melt down all the Spanish rials he receives into bullion, which will be easier to pack. Tlie passport, which is for bullion and not coin, he has heai-d from the Ambassador is drawn but not seaknl. Has written to Peter Collen to come or write about the staves, but a.s yet has no answer. Intends to ride to him to-morrow, and then to Brussels to confer with the Ainbassndor.s, &e. Andrew Lixshalls finds fault with his obligation by reason it is sealed with the late King Edward's svnl, and ho is not able to persuade him, as he has done Lazarus Tucker and Schetz, to be contented with it as it is, but has had (o sign his bill hero inclosed for a bond sealed with her Mnjesty's seal within ^0 days, or else their Lord- Hhips and the Queon must certif^y that this is the seal with which she usually seals. [Four iMgea and a half. Inclosure, Fnnch. One 2>'i{J^'-] MARY. 49 1553-4. Jan. 11. 134. Sir Conrad Penny [Pfening] to the Council. Eequests that Hamburg, the promise made to his agent Suederus de Meltzede may be per- formed. ILatin. Two pages.] Jan. 18. 135. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Recapitulates the points Antwei-p. of his letter of 13th inst. As to Peter Van Collen, he went to England on the 16th inst. to make answer himself; thinks the bargain will not take place, nevertheless the merchants with whom he bargained are gone to Cologne to see what they can get for 18d. If the Queen's necessity presses, there is a man here with 2,000 or 3,000 at 20d., and not less. On the 16th inst. had a very profitable bargain proposed to him by three or four merchants of Geyne [Genoa] of 300,000 ducats, at 11 Spanish rials the ducat, to be received in Spain at the fair of Villalon, and paid at twelve months date in Antwerp at 6s. 5d. Flemish the ducat, which will make 96,250?. Flemish, to be transported from Spain to England at the Queen's risk, with licence from the Emperor. The melting and coining of these rials would be done at a profit, as they are of fiuer silver than the coin of her Majesty's mint. If within the year she makes over the money in exchange for commodities of her realm, which shall be transported by the merchants, she will make a profit at the rate of 2s. 6d. or 3s. in the pound, and gain thereby great honour and credit. This will be most gratifying to the Emperor, whose son she has accepted in marriage. Advises that the Queen should obtain passport for 400,000 or 500,000 ducats, which sum he doubts not to obtain upon the Bourse. Will ride post to receive and send away the money. At the fair of Villalon the payments always begin on the last of March, if the Emperor and the Prince there do not prolong the payments. If they do, the Queen must stand to the loss of the time, for no payment is made but in the fairs. Trusts to accomplish the business in his hands by the last of February, and to bring home the rest in gold or silver, completing his account, and trusting to receive his quietus est. so that his poor wife and children may know their own substance from the Queen's. The merchants are pressing for a speedy reply, therefore sends this letter in post by his servant Sprytewell. P.S. — Has been to Brussels and conferred with their Lordships ; finds that Sir John Masone only waits for an audience of the Emperor to take his leave. Intends to send 10,000?. or 12,000?. in Spanish rials by him. [Three pages. Indorsed by Petre] Jan. 21. 136. The Council to Thomas Gresham. Have received his letters of the 13th inst. As to the bargain with Deodati's agents, he shall receive herewith the bonds of the Queen, sealed with her own seal, and the bonds of the City for the same. If the persons who find fault with the bonds that they have received because they are sealed with the seal of the late King, (although that seal was the one usually employed in England, the new seal not being then made), will return their old bonds, they shall have new ones made under that of her Majesty. With regard to his doubt as to the coin to be sent home, a note of an assay taken both of gold and 2. D 50 FOREIGN PArERS. loo3— -i. silver will be received lierewith ; after due consideration of which he is to send home whichever will be most profitable to the Queen. A scliedulo of coiiiw of different countries is also sent herewith, and he is to Kot upon every coin how it is current in the country to which it belongs, and the price at which he thinks it will be most advantageous that the coin should be current at home. In writing to him to take up the whole of the 100,000^., her Majesty's meaning is to have that sum provided, over and above the money bargained for by Dawntesey ; even if lie shall have to pay 13 per cent, for it. 6,000L, the money brought over by Masone, is to be left at Calais for Sir Richard Cotton, towards the discharge of the Queen's debt there. If it be not contrary to the laws he may do as he pleases in regard to melting the Spanish rials, otherwise he is not to meddle with it, for her Majesty would be loth, having entered into so strait an amity with the Emperor, to be seen to break any law of his in so weighty a case, or to do therein otherwise than she would be done unto. He is not to send home past 200 or 300 of the demi-lances harness, as the Queen has been lately promised a good number of demi-lances otherwise. [Two pages and a half.'] Inclose, 136. I. Notes of Assay, " A trial made for rials of plait " of Spain," and list of coins of various eountriei. [Three pages. Partly printed by Burgon, Vol. L, p. 161.] Jan. 25. 137. Richard Shelley to the Council As soon as he had obtained Vienna. his passport he left Brussels on the afternoon of the 10th inst, and arrived on the 21st at the Postmaster's house in Viennsu Next morning Signer Menessa, a Spanish gentleman of the Red Cross, came to welcome him on behalf of his Majesty [the King of the Romans], and on the same day the Lord Marshal (who is the second man of the Privy Council) made the harbingers bring him to a fair lodging well hanged, where Signer Giovan Battista Gastaldo, when he was his Majesty's lieutenant in Hungary, was wont to be lodged ; and orders were given that tjiey should not let him lack anything, or yet take any money of him in no wise. Heard that one Zerislao Pernistan, one of the King's Privy Chamber, had replied, to one of his friends who inquired of him whether the gentleman that was arrived out of England came to bid any of this Court to the marriage, or to intreat a marriage between the Archduke of Austria and the Lady Elizabeth, " I cannot tell, but I heard the King himself say that there should come shortly another greater here out of England." Before noon of the 24th, was informed by the Secretary Van Dei" Aa, who dined with him, ns do daily some gentlemen of the Court, that about 4 o'clock the Ijord Marshal would send a lunso and men to wait upon him to tli(! Court, iiH ho should then have audience of his Majesty. At that liour tlio Commeudator Menessa accompanied him thither, which lie Coiind full furnished, and he was met at the Privy Chamber door by (juztnaii, ilie Chief Qentleiiian of the chamber, who was m Kiigliiiid, luul by him shown the King, who stood not under, but by his t:loth of estate. Offering to kiss his hand, which his MARY. 51 1553-4-. ~ Majesty would in no wise accept, he delivered his credentials and instructions, and observed that while he was speaking, the King used three times notable countenances, — 1. When he touched the Queen's yielding to hear the Emperor's advice and overture. 2, When he touched his Majesty's advice for her accepting of the Prince of Spain ; and, 3. When he touched his Majesty's offering the Archduke, in case the former talk of the said Prince took not effect ; " and in this mean time, his Majesty both signed and spake three or four times to have me put on my cap, which I presumed not to do." In reply his Majesty said that the offer of his son the Archduke had been only conditional, in event of the talk of the most excellent Prince his nephew, whom he thought the meetest, not taking place ; that as for his good remembrance to her Majesty he only did his duty, taking her adversity or prosperity always to be his own ; and that the alliance between her and his nephew should be the great surety of the houses of England and Austria, and consequently a benefit to all Christendom, and to him as joyful as if it had been with his own son. His Majesty expressed great reverence and regard for the Emperor, fratres sibi omni honore colendissimi; also that the Queen had yielded her unwilling- ness to marry, in respect of her calling to so honest and earnest a suit of her loving subjects, whom she had in so short a time brought to a marvellous conformity ; and said that well she may be thought a great Princess that is so well assured of her subjects' affection, as by these things appeared, and by the experience she had of one sort of them in her adversity, and for the great mercy she has used to the other. On taking his leave, there were at the door of the presence chamber, two of the King's own pages with torches, who brought him even to the Court gate, and there, delivering their torches to his men, went back again. Signor Menessa escorted him back to his lodging. He will now, in terms of his instructions, visit the King of Bohemia and the Archduke, who are both here, preparing in joy of the new alliance a great triumph of jousts, tourneys, and barriers, which he perceives the King is willing to have him see ere he departs. These triumphs are to end on the 2d of February, when he wiU return with all diligence. [Two pages and a half.] Jan. 26. 138. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. On the 7th had received her Paris. Majesty's letter of the 30th December, together with that from the Council, but the Court being then removing, he could not have audience tiU the King came to Paris, where the Ambassadors Eesident are not used to be lodged by the King's furriers or har- bingers, but every man seeks out such a lodging as he can get meet for him. Could not procure a lodging sooner than the 15th, on which day he came to Paris, but fell sick of an ague, a pain in his head, and a catarrh, which he thought by diet and abstinence to overcome in a few days. As it chanced not so, he called in a physician, whose advice he followed, but finding no immediate relief or any prospect of being able to go to Cotirt for eight or ten days, he considered it advisable to write his mind to the Constable on the 24th, with her Majesty's letter, requesting him to deliver D 2 52 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553-4. it to tlie King and apologize for his non-appearance. In the after- noon Secretary Boclietel waited upon liim. Details their conference on the subject of a treaty and the marriage. The King offers him the attendance of the Court physician. During his illness a report has been spread that tlie passages were stopjjed in England because her Majesty was either dead or dying ; cannot imagine how such fable has risen, unless it bo according to the old saying, — FacUe credimus, quod cui>'tde credimua. All tlie naval officers have been summoned, and the majority liave already arrived. The common saying here is, that the Prince shall be met withal, whatsoever come of it. Proclamation on the coasts of Brittany, Normandy, and Picardy, that no ships of 60 tons or upwards shall put to sea until they know further of tlie King's pleasure. It is thought the King will remain here till Shrovetide, his chief errand being to raise money ; this he does by the creation of new offices, and in Paris alone has created in the Parliament 30 new Councillors, each of whom pay^ for his office 4,000 crowns of the sun ; all offices, even judicial, laeing bought in France. Understands that they have heard of the renewal of the old league with the Emperor, and aie much offended by it ; this alone likely to occasion a breach with France. Has not heard of any new succour sent by them arriving in Corsica ; so that the Genoese are likely to take St Fiorenzo, if the French do not aid it. The intelligence regarding Cardinal Pole he learned from the Venetian Ambassador, who has veiy good intelligence in this Court ; will endeavour to learn more oertainfy of it. Sentence at last is given in the merchants' causes for five ships : the Margaret Bonaventure, the Hart of Bristol, the Mary Fortune, the Barbara, and the Greyhound, in the case of the first adverse, against reason as he thinks, in that of the remaining four favourable. But they only allow the cost price of the goods, and though they pretend to give interest, they join that and the freight together, so that what they allow for both, is scant as much as the freight comes to. In other points, likewise, the merchants think themselves aggrieved by the sentences. [Five pages.] Jan. 2G. 139. Dr. Wotton to Secretaiy Sir William Petre. Sends a decla- Paris. ration whereby may appear the degrees of consanguinity and affinity between her Majesty and the Prince of Spain ; but remem- bering the saying of his friend WiU. Somers, refers it to those who understand pedigrees better. Wherefore suggests that the heralds at home shall exuniine it ; and that it be considered further whether the Queen or Prince liaa ever been ensured to any within tiie fourth degree of the other j for any of these cases make pvMica lionrtit(i,tia juatiliam. Such, tliough not esteemed or matei'ial in I'lngland, yet by the mairingr- taking jdaoe they will have to do witli other nations who legnnl tlie.so things, and thei"efore should consider the danger likely to ensue from it, if any of other nation wero subHcquently to allege the miu-ringe was invtdid for want of a Kuflicient disimnsation. Trusts that the gift of the preacher's roonis at t'lmterbury, now void, will not bo taken from him, to whom it belongs, and entitle the Queen to it "by a thing called the Kind's prerogative, who is cousin-genuou to the preemunire." It is saicl MARY. 53 Jan. 27. Venice. 1553-4. that the Emperor requires hostages of the Queen for the safeguard of the Prince while in England ; which, whether true or not, sounds not most to the honesty of that poor country. Thinks it will be hard to avoid war with France because of this marriage, and there- fore wishes to be recalled. [Two pages and a half. Printed, vartially, by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 283.] 1 40. Peter Vnnnes to Sir William Petre and Sir John Bourne. They daily look at Venice for confirmation of the marriage con- cluded by the Ambassadors at Brussels, in the declaration of which or anything else will order himself according to the commandment of the Council. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] Inclosing, 140. I. Advertisertients from divers places : — It is written from Milan and Genoa that, notwithstanding the Genoese camp about San Fiorenzo, the French had found means to send some small refreshing into the town. All their trust was in the aiTival of reinforcements that were looked for out of France, to stop which Andrea Doria was making great preparations by sea and land. It is written from Rome that great diligence was used in the preparation of the French army at Marseilles to the number of 38 gallies, one galeon, and three ships, and 18 ensigns of foot vjere appointed to be ready to be sent to Corsica, and money and men had arrived in Pied- mont to pay and replace them. The marriage between the nepheio of the Bishop of Rome and the daughter of the Dwke of Florence was reckoned as concluded ; with a league, it is said, between the Bishop, the Fmperor, and the Duke for an enterprise against Sienna. It is written from the Court of the King of the Romans of an agree- ment between the Turk and the King of Persia, on acccount of vjhich the King of the Romnns intended to hold a diet to consult ivhat preparations should be made in case of any future attack by the Turk upon Hungary, in consequence of this agreement, [One page and a quarter. ~\ Jan. 30. 141. M. de Noailles to M. de Senarpont, captain of 50 men-at- London. arms and Governor of Boulogne. His messenger Nicolas, whom he had sent to his Majesty, has been arrested at Rochester and his letters taken from him. Requests to be informed if he has heard of La Marque whom he sent to his Majesty on the loth of this month, and of Louis, another of his people, whom he sent since that date. [French, chiefly in cipher. One page.] Jan. 31. 142. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Since writing his letter Antwerp, of the 18th inst. has received their's of the 13th and 21st inst. Has since received, by order of Sir Wm. Dansell, five pieces of silver, ■weighing above 329 marks. Has been at Brussels to confer with the Queen's Ambassador for the receipt of the gunpowder, which is granted, but the .Ambassador thinks there is not so much ready ; licence for the 3,000 CoUen cleves is also granted, but not yet got 54 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1563-4^ ^~~ out. Received there her Majesty's bonds of 50,000 florins, under her own rcuI, on the 30th inst., and has delivered her message to the mcrc'hants who find fault with their bonds ; these say they have nothinir to do in England, and having paid the money, fear the loss of the bonds if they send them over; prays consideration therein, for now they know there is a new seal, they wiU never leave molesting him till they have the like. Will make sure of the old bonds before he gives up the new. Sends note of the assays, with his reply to the questions proposed to him upon it, and the list of prices of coins. The loss in sending home the money in gold and silver will be less than in transmitting it by exchange. Intends converting all his silver rials into French and Imperial crowns and Philippines, for gold is easier to convey than silver. Begs them to send him the assay of the Emperor's rial, worth 11«. here, and costing 1 per cent. Will try to take up at interest lOO.OOOZ., in pursuance of the Queen's command. WUl send by Masone 1 0,000t,^ 7,000i. in gold and 3,000i. in silver, — Spanish rials. 6,000i. shall be left at Calais with Sir John [Richard] Cotton. Touching the melting down of the silver Spanish rials, as long as he can send home gold as profitably as now, he will not attempt it. If the Emperor has made any law against it, will follow her Majesty's order therein. Detection would be his ruin, such being the ex- tremity of their laws here. Has bought the 1,000 demi-lances at .'jOs. a piece, and fears he cannot sell them again, for it is a mer- chandise which pertains to princes and magistrates, never sold but to order, and seen about once in three or four years. It is better in England than any treasure, and will pay for them lying there. Will send the blocks of silver by Masone. There is news come that the commons are up in Kent under Sir Thos. Wyat. His servant, Spry te well, the bearer, was stayed by the way with threatening worda Will forbear sending home more money tUl further orders. Desires to know if the bargain of the 100,000 ducats shall take place. Subjoins a list of prices current of coins ; at which, if they be valued by the Council, the exchange would fall to 20s. ; if valued at all, the Emperor and his subjects would think they desired to rob them of their treasure, and so strict wait be laid ai the search and tolls that no man could pass, the law being such that for every pound taken lOl. is forfeited, iind the culprit's body is at the Emperor's pleasure, if the offence be detected within seven years. Advises therefore that all be brought in to the Queen's own stamp. Has received the 12,000 ducats that Mr. Parker de- livered. The man that brought the Collen staves at 20d is not in town ; as soon as he comes, will be in hand with him. [Six pages. Indorsed by Petre. The portion relating to the coins, their valua- tion, and risk attendant on their tran.vnifKion, printed by Burgon, Vol. 1., p. 476.] Jan. 1 '1-3. Points submitted to the Council by the Emperor's Ambas- sador, for IiIh information touching the landing of the Prince of Spain, such >w tlio ])1iux'n (if dobarkation and marriage, where his retinue shall bo quartered, fro. [French. One page and a quarter. With notes, autograph of Petre.^ MARY. 55 1553-4. Feb. 3. 1 44. Thomas Sfcukeley fco Queen Mary. In his former letter had St Omer. mentioned in -what state of favour and service he stood with the Emperor by means of the Duke of Savoy. Incloses copy of a letter from the French King to his Ambassador Eesident in England ; another copy of which he has sent to the Duke of Savoy, who will assuredly communicate it to the Emperor and Queen of Hungary. Offers the services of himself and his whole band to her Majesty, and recommends to her the bearer, a gentleman of his troop, of much honesty, wit, and experience. [One page.] Incloses, 144. I. Gopy letter from the French King to Ms Ambassador, Fontainebleau, 26th January 1553-4. Fears that the marriage of the Queen of England with the King of Spain will cause the English to make war with them this spring. Shall he glad (f it is true that the Governor of Cornwall designs an enterprise against the said King, as he is desirous of making another. Requests him to watch and ascertain the number of vessels intended for the escort of the King, and at what time Count Egmont is to go to him,. [French. One page.] Feb. 5. 145. The Bishop of Norwich to Secretary Sir William Petre. Brnssels. Had Written to him on the 2d inst. Sends letters out of Italy. Good news come slowly from thence : hears daily of that he would not hear. When counsel fails, he shall fall to prayer. Those here are very careful for Petre, and if they knew that he would use their aid, they have within four days ordered to set at the seaside, at Gravelines or at Calais, where he shall think the transportation best, 4,000 Germans, and three ensigns of horse, and have also 14 great ships that will shortly be on the sea. Of this he had written to the Council on the 2d, and now repeats it. God send him such letters as Petre would -write with a good will, and God send the Queen the upper hand of all her enemies and rebels. [One page.] Feb. 6. 146. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Received their letters Antwerp, of the 28th Jan., on the 2d inst. giving an account of the satis- factory state of the realm with the exception of Kent, which he has not letted to publish, for there were reports here that the commons of Cornwall, Cheshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent were up. They desire him to send home money by long seas and Harwich, but there are no ships lading for Harwich at present here, and none leaving for London for six days, except he hires a ship purposely, which will cost him 201. or 301. at least ; and as his commission does not extend to send more than 1,OOOZ. in every ship, the charges will not be quitted. If expedition be needed, begs them to enlarge his commission. Sir John Masone came here on the 2d, and advised him not to send any money along seas on account of tlie reports about Suffolk and the pre- sence of some French ships of war off the Land's end. Masone wiU carry 10,0002. ; he hopes all in gold. Has given him the five pieces of buUion from Sir WiUiam Dansell, and received from him the passport for 10,000 marks' weight of bullion, and the 56 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553-4. 1,000 demi-lances ; the passport of the gunpowder and Collen cleves staves are not yet come to hand. Has received 36 barrels of powder this day, i)art of the complement lent to the Eegent, and shipped them in an Enfrlish orayce [craier], master Thos. Spache of Bye, under this mark /jN, the rest shall be delivered as it is made. Has seen the party who has the 2,000 or 3,000 collen staves, and who Hsks a month's respite of delivery; intends to go through with him, for no one here has any but he. Has made the mer- chants, parties to tlie loan of the 100,000 ducats to be received in Spain, answer according to the Queen's commission, so that there is nothing to be done except the Council will receive it there. As to the 100,000i. to be taken up at interest, over and above the money taken up by Mr. Dawntesey, he can find no sucli store as yet ; for since his last bargain he has had no offers, the rumours having made the merchants averse to dealing and lowered the exchange. The net weight of the 36 barrels of powder is 5,281 lbs. Gives a schedule of the coin delivered this day to Sir John Mixsone ; also the weights of the six blocks of silver given to him. P.S.— Payment of the 50,000 florins taken up of Michael Deodati lias been stayed by reason of the news brought by Count Egmont to the effect that Sir Thomas Wyat is on Blackheath with t20,000 footmen intending to attack London. Masone has con- sented to stay five or six days until better news arriva Thns the Queon und the City, and all the nation, are clean out of credit here, and no money is to be had as long as the State remains so. [Indorticd by Petre. Four ^xigcs.] Feb. 9. 147. Cosmo Duke of Florence to Queen Mary. Congratulates Florence, her Majesty on her intended marriage with the Prince of Spain, mentions his attachment to the Emperor, and his own conduct in reference to the affairs of Sienna and the French. [LcUiTi. Three pages.] Feb. 12. 148. " Extrait des Registres de la Court des Aydes en Normandie." Specifying the duties exigible from various articles of commerce^ and declaring the estabhshed rights of the English merchants. [French. On vellum. Eleven pages.] Feb. 12. 149. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Knowing that Sir Peter Carew Paris. was here, and a report current alleged that a great milord was come to require aid against her Majesty, he had audience of the King and of the Constable on the 10th regarding it. His Majesty declared that he had never heard of him, and would espouse the cause of no one against the Queen, with whom he desired to main- tain stnct amity. Tbc^ bearer is one of his servants named William Ward, wliom ho sent to searcli at Paris and Rouen for the plate and those who committed the robbery at Lady Knyvett's. Not- witlistandinp the fair wonls given him by the French, yet that whi(Oi he wrote of them in liis letter of (be Sth inst is true, where- forn lie iniBtrn.st.s tliem more. Carew left on the 9th inst. in post for Rouen, there to taiTy (o see how things shall pass in England. llaa just heard that tho King received news from Boulogne yester- MARY. 57 1553-4. Feb. 15. Antwerp. Feb. 1(5. La Costa. Feb. 16. La Costa. day, that Lord Cobliam had lost about 500 of his men in a skirmish with the Kentish insurgents ; and that the Duke of Norfolk there- after went against them with a great company, who forsook him, and slew 500 Spaniards who were come in their company. These news the King has sent in haste to the Bishop of Rome, the Seigniory of Venice and others in Italy, as making much for their purpose. Hears the Duke of Florence has determined to make war against the Siennese and has an army ready, which men think he would not do, but that the Bishop of Rome did consent to it, and were a counsel with him in it. The King of Portugal's sou is dead ; but the Princess his wife, the Emperor's daughter, was within 20 daj's thereof delivered of a son, which much re- comforted all that country. Duke Octavio Farnese and the Count di Pitigliano return home, and the Count di Mirandola follows shortly thereafter. [Five pages. Partly in cipher, deciphered. Printed by Tytler, except the parts in cipher. Vol. ii., p. 286.] 150. Thomas Gresham to the Council. In his letter of tlie 12th inst. sent them a letter from the Emperor for his Ambassador. On the 14-th inst. his servant Sprytewell brought news of tJie victory over the rebels, which was no small comfort to the Queen's subjects here and to this country ; and immediately upon the news the English merchants with great joy caused wine and fire to be drunk and made in the streets, with a great peal of guns to be shot, and also gave to the poor , of this town a hundred crowns. Beseeches the Lord there may be no more rebellions, for, as he has written, there has been such an alteration of the Queen's credit that glad was that man who might be quit of them. Deodati this day begins to pay the 50,000 florins ; will wait to take up more until it be offered him. Intends to return home, with permission, on receipt of the 50,000 florins, and to bring the re- mainder. Sends money by the bearer, Sprytewell, and begs them to dispatch his servants as they come. Is desirous of coming home to declare his account, and to confer about the 300,000 ducats to be received in Spain, which, in his opinion, is not to be refused. Certified them in his last of the receipt of 60 barrels of gunpowder ; it was but 50, now laden, but the ships are stayed by the great ice that is here. On the arrival of the good news, the exchange rose from 20s. Qd. to 22s.; trusts it may rise to 23s. [One page and a quarter. 1 151. Angelo Mariano to Queen Mary. Expresses his delight at her succession and oflFers in writing those congratulations which he is prevented from making in person. Prays that the pension granted to him by her father, and confirmed by her late brother and the Council, may be paid to him. [Italian. One page. Indorsed (by Petre) erroneously, " 14 February."] 152. Same to Lord Courtenay [Earl of Devonshire]. Has long wished to congratulate him upon his honours : does so by writing as he is unable to wait upon him. Requests he will recommend him for some employment, and that the provision allowed him by the liberality of the Crown may be paid to his agent. [Italian. One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 58 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553-4. Feb, 16. Gulsnes. Feb. 17. Venice. Feb Vonico. 18. 163. Lord Grey to Queen Mary. In this late troublesome seasou the doubt of the French Iwa been such that he has made preparar tions to defend this piece by all possible means. Yet their want of men, provisions, money, and munitions is such that if any attempt liad been imule tlie laclc would have brought much inconvenience. Has intelligence by his espials that the French do not surcease of their warlike preparations ; and although there is report that abstinence of war between the Princes is likely to be concluded, he hears that Marslial St. Andrd arrays himself hither with a great power towards these frontiers, wherefore it may be conjectured that the French have some meaning against these marches. The Duke of Vendome is appointed into Navarre, and it is thought that the arrival of the Vidame with power in Scotland is with the inten- tion of invading the Northern borders. It is also said that the French prepare to arrive in the West country. Beseeches that order may be given for the better furniture of their wants above expressed, otherwise great danger may arise. Has appointed a meet person to wait upon the Council to declare the proportions of of such wants. [One page.] ISi. The Marquis PaJlavicino Rangone to same. Communi- cates the death of his father Count Ludovico ; the announcement of which had been delayed in consequence of his own absence at Rome at the time of the event. The bearer will explain certain private matters with which he will not weary her. [Italian. One page. Indorsed by Peire.] 1 .55. Peter Vannes to same. Has advertised the Council from time to time of the notable occurrences. His last letters were of the 1 0th inst. Since then letters have arrived from the French Court, it is said, to their Ambassador at Venice, dated on the 1st inst., mentioning letters from England of the 24th and 26th January to the French King. The contents, which her Majesty wiU perceive by the inclosed copy, are not only declared openly in Venice but spread abroad over all Italy, and are such that the hearing and rehearsal of them will abhor any honest man's heart. Has answered that he thinks them all or most part unti-ue, and rather an invention of those who wish them to be true. Has for a long time been so acquainted with the gentlemen of Kent, great and small, and seen their proceedings so honourable, just, faithful, witty, and discreet, that he cannot think they would in any way be un- faithful to her Majesty. Trusts that what is amiss will be appeased. These stirrings proceed from a few wicked peraons, enemies to quiet- ness and peace. If any evil information have moved the gentlemen of Kent it is to be trusted that the knowledge of the truth will Viiing thom to obedience. If any of them were in these parts and heard what is written out of France and reported by others who intend by furthering s(>dition in the realm to advance their own purposes, think verily tlmt all the gentlemen great and small, men, woniiii, and cliildn-n, would be most aggrieved with such slanderous and uncomely reports. Trusts that this little commotion (if any Hucli be, as (Jod I'drbid 1) will bo the occasion of greater love to her Majesty and a more steadfast union for the conservation of the MARY. 59 1553-4. whole State and their own wealth. Hopes soon to receive news of the quietness of the realm. Beckons it very vanity to suppose that the French or any other strangers should, as appears by these letters, have any special knowledge of the town and castle of Rye, and of the sea-coast thereabouts, of Dover, Rochester, Rochester Bridge, "the place where the King's ships do lie," or any other castles or bulwarks upon the river side, or any other place of that country. [Two pages and a half. Indorsed by Petre.] Inclosing, 155. I. Copy of the French King's letter referred to. His Ma- jesty has been advised by letters of 24repared that it will be difficult for the Queen to remedy it or to prevent their aiiccess. [Italian. Tvjo pages.] Feb. 21. 156. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Sends a schedule of the Antwerp, sums transmitted by his servant Wm. Bendlowes on the 18th inst. Has since received their letters of the 17th. Has had from Deodati in part payment 25,000 florins, the rest he will receive this week. The CoUen cleve staves they wished to buy have not yet arrived by reason of the great frost ; they shall not escape l)is hand if they be clean and without pins. Sends an account of the treasure transmitted with this by his servant De Tomazo. Hopes to send the rest when his men return. Intends when he has dispatched it to repair home in order to declare his account for his discharge, having to account for 300,000/., as he shall not be in quiet till it be done ; whereby he will be able to do better service here or wherever the Queen shall appoint him. [One page and a qiuirter.] Feb. 22. 157. The Council to Dr. Wotton. In their former letter had WestminBter. communicated the proceedings of Wyat and the other traitors till the time of their apprehension. Since then, the Duke of Suffolk, Lord John liis brother, two of the Knyvetts, two Mantells, Cuthbert Vaughan, Rudstone, Isley, and others have been tried and condemned to death. Lord Thomas Grey, Croft, and others are in the Tower, and Gawen Carew, Gibbs, and Sir Edward Rogers are coming from i,the West country, to abide the order of the law. The Earl of Devon, being vehemently suspected of being privy to the conspiracy, is also committed to the Tower. The Queen intends to keep Easter at Windsor, and immediately thereafter to repair to Oxford, where she means to hold a parliament and keep term. Five or six days since the French Ambassador was with her Majesty, and returned his master's thanks for such regard being had to the amity between them in the late treaty of the marriage. He also complained of the stay of certain letters of his that of late were taken by the rebels and came afterwards into the hands of the Council, which he desired might be restored to him ; on which point the Queen referred him to them. The Chancellor informed him that these letters had been taken while the rebels were at Rochester, and on their subsequently coming into the hands of the Council, had been delivered to liim for custody ; but on Wyat and the others sudden coming into Southwark, he had been fain to leave his house and repair to the C'ourt, and in the haste of removal, these letters, together with otlicr writings of his own, were left behind, and during their occupation of Southwark had been so spoiled and disordered by the rebels that tlie most part of them were lacking ; nevertheless diligent search should be mndo f(ir them. Although at tlie time the Ambassador seemed satisfied, yet two days ago he sent his secretary to thorn to say that lie had received Icttera from the King his master, desiring him to require the delivery of those letters, which MARY. 61 1553-4. his Majesty had been informed they had not only intercepted, but given to the Emperor's Ambassador to be deciphered. This they had denied, for that they took tlie King to be her Majesty's friend, and besides, if they would, they could not decipher his letters. Restitution of a vessel alleged to have been taken and spoiled at Margate was also required; and the Lord Admiral assured him that the matter should be examined. Although her Majesty neither has given nor intends to give occasion of breath to tlie French King or others, yet as these quarrels and other arguments give occasion to suspicion, she has given orders throughout the realm for a sufficient number of foot and horse to be ready at an hour's warning, and her navy to be ready to sail for defence of the narrow seas whenever required* This information he shall use as he sees occasion, and if any talk is made of these preparations he may state that they are chiefly made for the stay of the kingdom against internal enemies. Since writing the above, have been informed that the French have spoiled near Brest certain English merchant vessels, and one of these, the Julian of London, coming from Spain laden with Cordovan skins, silks, and other rich merchandise, was so sifted that nothing was left in her but a few articles of no value. The other ships are one from Boston and another from Waterford. Desire him to speak to the Constable concerning this. {Draft. Corrected by Petre. Nine parfes.l Feb. 22. 158. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Desires him to watch the [Westminster.] proceedings of Peter Carew and the other rebels in France, and what aid they may receive there, as her Majesty has been lately informed that Carew had come to Rouen and hired sundry English mariners with their vessels and boats, as was thought with the connivance of the French King, whose denial of his knowledge of Carew being in France induces a suspicion that there is some secret practice between them. [Draft. Three pages.] Feb, 23. 159. Dr. Wotton to Secretary Sir William Petre. Although the Melon. Council make mention of a letter fi'om her Majesty to the French King, he has not received such in his packet ; but he has declared the instructions to his Majesty by virtue of his general commission. Finds no clause in the treaty relating to the delivery of such offenders as these : has only a copy made by himself from one belonging to Pickering or Chaloner, and therefore requests that a true and whole copy of it may be sent to him. Understanding how valiantly he has fought in the last battle, thinks that her Majesty should deprive Mr. Dymoke of his office and appoint Petre to be her champion. Implores him, for God's sake, now at this great need, to help to do some good, if it be possible, for those of his near kinsmen who have so heinously offended that he is ashamed to labour for them. Yet trusts, though their faults be so great, they are not all alike ; and that of some may be better hope of amend- ment than of others, if it might please her Majesty to show any mercy to them at present. Wonders much however Lord John * This, on margin, noted to be Trritten in cipher. 62 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1553-4. could be brought to consent to such an abominable act. William Cromer is but young, and probably induced thereto either by his father-in-law Rudst^ne, whom he credits too much in all things, or by Wyat, whose daughter he supposes it was his intention to marry. Trusts in God hia nephew Thomas shall not be found feiulty of this conspiracy : if he be, is as far deceived in him as ever he was in man ; and what a grief his loss should be to him, Petre may con- sider. Again, his poor sister Guildford, who was a good marriage to Sir Gawen Carew, in what a miserable case she is like to be in ! The like, his niece Rudstone and all her children. This commodity, lo ! and pleasure brings age and long life'to him ! For God's sake, let Petre prove whether he can do some good therein, in part, if not in all. What shall he say more ? Tcedet cmvma'm, auam, vitm silcb ! Sends on this matter a letter to the Lord Chancellor, desiring his help. Requests Petre to read it, and if he approves, to seal and let it be delivered : if not, let it be withheld. [Two pages.] Feb. 21'. 160. Peter Vannes to the Bishop of Norwich, Ambassador at the Venice. Court of the Emperor. Two days before the receipt of his letter of the 3d inst. arrived letters of the 1 st from the French Court touching the commotions in Cornwall and Kent, so couched, places appointed, castles, havens, the Queen's navy, towns taken, ordnance set on land, intelligence with London, preparations and propositions so made, and all things by the rebels so reviewed, that in a few days ull England should be revolted against her Majesty. Was not a little aggrieved that the French and other strangers should have, as it seemed by their letters and reports, as much knowledge of the havens, castles, situation, and importance of the sea-coast of Kent, — " being so nigh strange neighbours qui aliquando fieri posauiit inlmici," — as the inhabitants of those parts. Trusts that good heed will be taken thereunto, " for the world is such now-a-days that men labour to be more skilful and have more knowledge in othersv men's matters than in their own." His Lordship's letter was as welcome as meat and drink to him, and necessary for the confusion of these untrue tales, so falsely and asseverantly published here. Perceived by it and that of his friend Mr. Bartholomew Compagni from London on the 30th ult., how the authors of that commotion were few in ntimber and without the followers they had expected, the Queen's port and castles in safety, the East and Weald of Kent wholly for her, London well provided and in good order, all the rest of England quiet, and preparations made sufficient to put down more than a few rebels the most of whom knew not for what they assembled. By this declaration of the truth honest and wise men were satisfied, though divers still preferred their own fantasies, liis Lordship's letters of the 13th inst. were immeasurably glad and joyful to him, as declaring the final success of the Queen and her victory over the rebels. The wisdom and fivithful diUgence of licr Councillors are lioro {^oiicniUy praised. Repaired with the advertisements to the Seignory and dcclnred the pai-ticulars of the Haid Ic^ttcv. Uno omni'a ore, congratulated with the Queen so goodly a fortune. Incloses Jidvertisements of the proceedings of Corsica and Sionna, which he haa not translated, being let by a MARY. 63 1553-4. great cough and murre, and also that he reckons his Lordship must be skilful in their vulgar tongue if he have so hotly continued as he began the understanding of the same.' Prays him to send it at his first opportunity to the Queen and Council, and the other inclosure to Compagni. [Three pages. Indorsed by Petre.] Intelligence inclosed, 1 GO. I. The affairs of Sienna are in the same state : that is, the French and Florentines wait for reinforcements and provisions, and pi^epare for offence and defence. The Duke of Florence writes that the inhabitants are badly supplied with provisions for the support of the siege a long time, and that the bad feeling between the citizens and the French soldiers increased daily, so that there is good hope of the success of the enterprise. Those within, on the contrary, write that they have provisions for a year, that they are united, and do not fear whatever may happen. A Spanish ship ordered from Naples to his assist- ance had arrived at Leghorn, a port of the Duke, and the others were near. From, Lombardy the Austrian and Italian infantry were shortly expected. Ascanio della Cornia had reached the camp with his troops. The boTnbardment of a keep of the Porta Gamolia had com- menced, and the Marquis di Marignano, the General, was using all diligence in the enterprise, and Pietro Strozzi within vigorously preparing for the defence. Depredations daily take place. Letters of the \^th inst. from Corsica Tuention that Giordano Orsino, the chief of the garrison of St. Fiorenzo had come to a parley with the Genoese ca/mp with a view to surrending, not being able to hold out for want of provisions ; but had asked larger conditions than they intended to grant. The French say that their fleet, after having suffered a storm had reached St. Bonifazio, from which, though far distant from St. Fiorenzo, they hoped to succour it ; but the Genoese say they have surrounded it so by land and sea', that they have no fear they can. The result will soon be known. [Italian. One page.] Feb. 24. 161. Peter Vannes to the Council. His last letters to the Queen Venice. were of the 18th inst., touching the commotion of Kent, which had been so sharply declared by letters from France that it was thought to be true, rather than merely probable, notwithstanding tliat by letters of the 29th ult. from Compagni at London and others of the 3d inst. from the Bishop of Norwich at Brussels, he was at length advertised of the small forces of the rebels, of the untruth of the assertions in other letters, of the great provision made by the Queen, which was sufiicient to defeat a far greater number than they were, and of the quiet of London and the rest of England. Yet in spite of all this, the first falsehoods were so rooted in many hearts that truth could have no place ; but the lettei's of the Bishop of Norwich of the 13th inst., touching the discomfiture of 64 FOREIGN PAPERS. 15.53-4.. March 1. Antwerp. March G. QiiisncB. the rehols, have instilled the truth. The wisdom and courage of the Queon are highly cominendcd, as well as the faithfulness of her sulijects, atul the valour of her captains. If Lords Pembroke, Clinton, and the other captains could hear how loudly they are com- mended here they would think their loyalty sufficiently rewarded. Went this morning to the Seignory to communicate and ampliate the news. On his entry the Duke and the Seignory embraced and lovingly congratulated him, declaring to him, in conformity with his news, letters of their Ambassador from England. To counteract the effect of the first naughty and false news, has sent the particulars of the victory to Rome, to Milan, to the Duke of Ferrara, the Duke of Florence, the Duke of Mantua, and the Duke of Urbino. As yet the matters of Sienna proceed after one sort. Recapitulates the details in the inclosure in his letter to the Bishop of Norwich of the 24'th inst. [Four puges.'] 162. Thomas Gresham to the CouneiL Sends schedules of the amount transmitted by his servant Sprytewell by his letter of the 21th inst., and of the amount forwarded by his servant De Tomazo, the bearer of this. The harness and all other charges deducted, lias in hand 700L which will remain with hia factor Richard Clough, according to commission, for the purchase of 10,000 Collen cleve staves. Intends to leave Antwerp on the 3d March. Sends the treasure before coming only in order to get clear through the search of Gravelines without any charge, for he cannot escape but tiiat the captain and searchers will banquet him, and all their clieor is in drink, which he can very ill away withal, but which must needs be done for the better compassing of his business hereafter. Sent the captain 1 2 ells of tine black velvet, and every customer and searcher 8 ells of black cloth for their new year's gift, making Sir John Masone privy to the fact that the gates of the town are open at all times of the night to his servants as they come with treasure. Incloses a copy by a notary of the bond of Andrew Lixshall, which he has collated according to their request. As for the others that have the like they say nothing, and he will wait until they speak themselves. [One page and a luilf.] 1G3. Lord Grey to Queen Mary. Has received intelligence by a good and credible espial lately at the French Court, that 30 ships of war have been prepared under the command of De Cleres, and are ro.ady to depart with a great number of men of war for Scotland us it is ruinoured, but in reality to descei\d in England, in some ])art unknown to his informant ; as also to lie for the I'liiuu! of Spain if he shall come to England, and for the Count of EgiiHitit when he shall dopart thence. The espial also says that he thinks thi! Count will not so oiu^ily escape now as he did last tin It!, as the French King was much oifended with his Ambassador liccaiisc, h(! iliil not give him due notice of the time when the Count wiMild leuvn, all being tluni ready to lie for him. Further, that ( 'a|)kiln Forsoto is c(inimaiuk'(l to look to the gallies, which are all bluing liggod and prc'))arod for sailing by the 20th of April, and art) very numerous. [One paye. Indorsed by Petre.] MARY. 65 164. Lord Grey to the Council. Is credibly informed that Marshal St. Andr6 two or three days -walking at Fiennes, went with two or three gentlemen into a house in the village of Caphiers, and in conversation with the inhabitants inquired whether they were the French King's natural subjects. Being answered in the affirmative, he said he understood from Roctim, the Captain of Fiennes, that the French King's subjects there were very loyal, and then proceeded to inquire how far it was to Guisnes, and if it was very strong and well furnished. They told him it was, for all the corn and bacon in the country was lately carried thither. Thereafter he asked how many men were in it, if they were sufficient to keep it, if the country round it was rich in victual and cattle, and whether if it were besieged it were possible to prevent it from receiving assistance from Calais by water ? Being told that 2,000 men were few enough for its defence, that the country was well supplied, and aid could be easily cut off by force of men, he whispered to one of his companions and departed. All this is suspicious and merits to be weighed strictly, considering the coming of the Marshal to Ardres, tlie superabundance of provisions continually brought to that town, which cannot be only for its furniture, and that they are said to bring also a great number of little boats, daily expected by ships to Newhaven. Entreats that more men and supplies may be immediately sent. In corroboration of the menaced danger, yesterday a man in this neighbourhood received secret warning from a friend of his, a man of arms in the band of M. de Mont- morency, son of the Constable, to stand well upon his guard and put his goods and cattle in surety as soon as he could, to avoid the danger that otherwise might follow sooner than he should be ware of. Moreover, such Frenchmen as since the late breaking of the safe guards had brought their goods and cattle for safety to their friends to keep in this country, have within these two or three days covertly removed them on the pretext that the Burgundians, knowing these goods to be French, will not let to take them though they be in the Englishman's hands. [2\wo fages and a quarter. Indorsed by Petre.] 165. Thomas Lord Wentworth to same. This night about 1 o'clock the Marquis Bargues, Chamberlain to the Prince of Spain, arrived here, to pass through England with diligence into Spain, and will embark hence this morning. Marshal St. Andrd hovers about Guisnes, and has caused many boats to be brought to JS'ewhaven by sea, and thence to Ardres. On the Marshal's first arriving, he sent one of his chief gentlemen to Wentworth declaring that the French King understood that the Emperor's Ambassador in England openly stated that the object of the Marshal's coming to these frontiers was to steal some of her Majesty's forts ; with which report the King was very angry, as he meant in all points to maintain the peace and amity between her Majesty and him. Had replied to the Marshal that he heard of no such report, but that all the world knew how well the King in- tended to maiutian amity, he not only maintaining the Queen's rebels within his realm, but furnishing them with money and 66 FORElGt^ PAPERS. Mnroli 14. CiUoia. March 14. Cleves. 1553-4. munition a^'ainst lier. The gentleman said he had no commission to answer this, and was informed " nor I to tell it him, hut in the way of park." [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] IGG. Richard Blount to Sir William Petre. Sends a statement of moiiuy owing to her Majesty by various captains and others for armour and weapons, amounting to 132^. Os. Qd. Trusta that he may have dischai'ge for the same. Mentions his losses while serving the public tliese five and twenty years, and hopes her Majesty may find some relief for his poor wife and ten children, so tliat after his decease they be not forced to beg in consequence. Trusts to render as good service to her Majesty as he did to her father, so his purse may be holpen to encourage his heart. [One page. Indorsed hu Petre:] 167. William Duke of Olevas to Queen Mary. Thanks her Majesty for the great kindness shown to his sister the Lady Anne, and to his Councillor Dr. Herman Cruser on his recent visit to England. Cruser now returns to convey to Lady Anne the melancholy intelligence of the death of their sister Sybil Duchess of Saxony, and will wait upon her Majesty to offer his Grace's con- gratulations on her comparatively bloodless victory over some of her traitorous subjects. [Latin. Broadside^] March 18. 168. Claud de la Sengle, Grand Master of Malta, to same. Malta. Credentials of Alonso de Solis, Knight of the Order of St. John of Jei-usalem, Envoy to her Majesty. [Spanish. 0)u page. Indorsed by Petre.'] March 21. 169. Henry II., King of France, to same. Having heard that Fontainebleau. some of his messengers dispatched to Scotland have been arrested and detained on the English frontiers, that a fi-igate belonging to the Sieur de Villegaignon, one of his captains, has been spoiled at Margate, and that several of his subjects complain of delay in the administration of justice in England, he has instructed his Ambassador M. de Noailles to apply for redress. [Signed by his Ma- jesty, and countersigned by D'L'Aubespine. French. Oiiepage.] March 24. 1 70. Captain Thomas Crayer to Lord Grey. Sir Peter Carew, Guise. Sir William Pickering, Sir Edward Courtenay, John Courtenay, Bryan Fitzwilliam, and other English gentlemen have lately arrived at Caen. Sir William Pickering is going to the Frendi Court, where he is sure to be well entertained by the King, who is jiroviding a navy to the number of 200 sail of ships and faliies to meet the King of Spain. Thinks that Carew and 'ickciiug shall have charge of them all. Three ships of English- men Imvo alicady gone to the sea with Killegrew, who reports that they server the French King, nud are officered by Frenchmen, Ts cortiiin this is not true, but only to intercept tlie King of Spain, for liaving sent with thcni to the soa side a good wise fellow on purpoHi' to know their pretence, he on coming there made his excuse that ho could not bronk the sens, but caused them to write the iieconipniiyiii},' letter in lii.s favour. Moreover, the French King has jirovided 80 ancients of footmen to send to the seas, and the MARY. g7 1553-4. ~ Council stick not to say openly that if the King of Spain comes into England the French King will set in his foot to the aid of the commons. The whole navy will sail on the 20th of April. Has been at Court with the King, who very gently entertained him and gave him 500 crowns ; howbeit, the Constable so used the matter that he had but 300. The King also promised him a house and land, but he does not greatly regard the promise. The Vidame goes incontinently into Scotland to raise the country there to come in on that side. Apologizes for not having sent the money for the old groats transmitted, but as soon as he makes his muster, which wiU be very shortly, he will come and bring it with him. Requests to be informed what money is due to his T o- dship in his band, and he will stay it at the muster ; also thao he will be pleased to motion her Majesty and the Council for his return to England, of which he will be right glad. P.S. — March 20. One Drury is at Rouen tarrying the coming of the Vidame to go with him to Scotland ; the Vidame goes with all the haste and power he may. [Two pages.] Sending, 170. I. Letter, Sir P. Carew and Sir W. Pickering to Captain Grayer, recommending the hearer, John Adams, to he placed in his company. Caen, March 20. llaxch 27.* 171. A folio volume in the autograph of Dr. Wotton and his Secretary, entitled "Extracts out of the Antiquities of France," relating to the genealogies of many of the principal families of that kingdom, commencing with that of Dreux. For the loan of several of the books cited and documents copied, Wotton seems to have been indebted to Jean Feron. 172. Edgar Homyold to Secretary Sir John Bourne. No intelligence has passed from hence to her Majesty hitherto but what has been ordered by his pen. Has been in the habit of communicating with one of the Privy Council, and has been no less desirous to have gratified Bourne by this travail than his goodness has deserved. But whether matters at home have grown so great, as that these outward parts are become of less respect, or whether his experience is condemned, or his judgment is sup- posed to be of no more moment than at the time Bourne took him from the schools at Oxford, or whatsoever matter, he notes in him such small comfort to this thing, as he stays to acquaint him with that which is otherwise passed to the Queen. Nevertheless is induced to do so by the increase of Sir Peter Carew's retinue in France, where they are so treated, that it cannot be otherwise conjectured but that they practise with France. Carew is reported to' have used this persuasion to his companions, — " Are not we allianced with Normandy ? In what ancient house is either there or in France, but we claim by them, and they by us ? Why then should we not rather embrace their love, than submit our- selves to the servitude of Spain?" Is in doubt whether the * [A.D. 1554, 27 Martii, " Vespere circiter horam 7."]— iVo^c on fly leaf. K 2 68 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1654. March 29. Calais. March 31, Guisncs. March 31. Guisnes. March 31, Taris. residence of these men in France is to subvert the realm or only to avoid the punishment wliicU tliey have deserved in it. Thinks that if the fugitives were assured of their lives they would gladly return to England; enters at considerable length into the alternate consequence of their remaining in France, and offers to enter into a communication with the principals of tlie suspicion, either to discover their pretences or obtain their submissions, as thereby the realm would be quieted, and utterly discourage thievish people of their vain hopes and inventions. [T^vo pages and a half.] 173. The Mayor and Aldermen of Calais to the Council Requesting that the cordwainers of Calais may be restored to the privilege of repairing to England, for the purpose of purchasing and importing tanned leather, of which they were deprived by the Act of 6 Edward VI. [5 & 6 Edw. VI. c. 14.] directed against regrators. The effect of this Act has been, that the cordwainers have been constrained to break their liouseiiolds and dischai^ their servants and apprentices, -& step which the few remaining here are like to follow. This not only depopulates the town, but the ready made wares brought hither by the cordwainers of London are sold to the inhabitants at such unreasonable and excessive prices as has not been seen. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] I7i- Lord Grey to same. Sends two letters from Captam Grayer [No. 170, antea], touching the doings of Garew, Pickering, and their confederates, &c. Requests to know what answer shall be given to Crayer's motion of his return to England. [One page. Indoi'sed by Petre.] 175. Same to Queen Mary. Has here with him his son, whose time loses, and might elsewhere be better spent. And as he would gladly that this time might be so bestowed as better to enable him hereafter to serve her Majesty and his country, intends to send him for a season to Louvain, if it shall meet with her Majesty's approval. [Half a page. Indorsed by Pefjie.] 176. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. The merchants' pro- cesses being terminated, Dr. Dale returns home, and having been the chief doer in them, can better explain all things thereto pertaining than Wotton can write. He has taken great pains, and Wotton believes that, all things considered, they could not have picked out of the Arches a meeter man for that purpose thiui Dale. For although there are among them. Mho for learning in law and practice would have been as suilicient as he ; yet for divera other qualities, on the whole ho was as moot as othera. " The man is honest, and hath both the Greek and the Latin tongue well ; his l(!arning in law is competent ; sober and discreet in his doings ; he Bpeaketii tlio French tongue well. Finally, he hatli used himself so well in this Court, that not only men of learning as the Garde des Sceaiu; and otliur learned men, as well of the Privy Council as other have him in honest estimation, and are glad to talk with MARY. 69 1554. March 31. Paris. [March.] [March.] March. Westminster. March. Westminster. April 1. Paris. him ; but even the Constable himself (who is not omnium horarv/m homo) hath ever been content to hear him, and clivers times to talk familiarly of other matters besides with him. And I believe he will prove one of the meetest men you have at home to do the Queen's highness service abroad ; whereunto he should yet be the apter, if he had been a year or two in Italy." Requests Petre to introduce Dale to the Council. [One page.} 177. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. On the 20th received her Ma- jesty's letter of the 16th, and had an interview with the Constable on the 22d. Details at much length the particulars of their con- ference on the mutual complaints. The Constable's character of Noailles. The apprehension of Peter Carew, Sir William Pickering, and othere promised : in the meantime they have escaped. Cai- dinal Pole honourably received at the Court. Sir Robert Stafford and many others have arrived from England. Has received a letter from Cardinal Pole, who is much offended by his nephew's unkind part towards her Majesty. [Ten pages. Printed, with the exception of a few lines, hy Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 352.] 178. '•■ Articuli matrimoniales conclusi in Parliamento secundo anno 1° Marise." "Articuli in alio tractatu positi et in eodem Parliamenti decreto inserti." " Decretum Parliamenti in anno 10 et 2° Philippi et Marise." [Copies. Latin. Three pages.] ] 79. Extracts from the Treaty of Marriage between Queen Mary and the Prince of Spain. [Latiii. Three pages and a half."] Abstract of the said Treaty in modern writing. [English. Half a page.] Extract from the aforesaid Treaty. [Latin. One page and a half. Headed by Cecil.'] 180. Tractatus matrimonii inter Mariam Reginam Anglise et Philippum per Carolum Quintum Imperatorem et dictam Mariam Anglise Reginam initus et conclusus. [Latin. Copy. Seven pages and a half] Copy of the preceding, and of several of the articles sepa- rately, with notes autograph of Cecil. [Twelve pages and a Juilf] Extract from the preceding in English. [One page.] 181. Ratification of peace between Queen Mary and the Emperor Charles V., and articles of marriage between her Majesty and Philip, Prince of Spain. [Latin. Ten pages. Copy.] 182. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Last evening had dispatched one of his sei-vants with the accompanying packet to her Majesty, instructing him to ride in post with it to Calais. But the posts refused to give him horses, in consequence of their being com- manded to horse neither Burgundians, Flemings, Spaniards, nor Englishmen, unless they brought a licence from the Court to take horses. Wherefore he has been forced to send his man to Calais in journies ; because the Court being still at Fontainebleau, it would 70 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1564. " ^ be long ere he could get any such letter. This is probably done to recompense the staying of their packets, as it seems to him that this restraint is matlo only for tlie English, seeing that Flemings nor Spaniards ride not post this way. [One J^o^e.] Aprils. 183. Lord Wentworth to Queen Mary. Inconsequence of her Ciiliiis. Majesty's letter of tlm 1 st inst., has sent over Sir Thomas Cotton, the Knight Porter here, and to save charges has appointed the Gentleman Porter to his place But should she be otherwise pleased to bestow the same, recommends for it Sir Richard Winde- bank, an old servant of her father, who has very honestly and painfully served in the wars, and is both sage and discreet in peace. As there is presently great lack of officers here, as the Treasurer, Comptroller, and Knight Porter, beseeches that they may be com- manded to be resident upon their charges, since, if need should require, their absence would be somewhat dangerous. [One page.] April 7. 184. The Bishop of Norwich to Sir William Petre. Has learned Brussels, both by M. D'Arras and by letter from Masone, that Petre's last advertisements were true. Has nothing further to say than what he wrote by Francisco on Saturday last, that all the bands on this side draw towards the frontiers. Sends letters received from Peter Vannes, which he begs Petre will cause to be delivered by one of his men. If he were to send Petre the perfumed gloves which Vannes has sent to him, he doubts not but upon that price Petre would deliver the letters. Howbeit minds to prove him first without corruption, and when he shall know what Petre has done, shall tell him further of his mind at his return. The Duchess of Lorraine sends presently M. Gilliers, a gentleman of her house- hold, to the Queen, and has requested him to write for his better passage to the Court, as he has done ; but what place they will bear with the officers by the way, when he knows he shall tell. P.S. — May 4. Had sent this letter according to the date first written, and full gently it was delivered to him again on the 27th of the same month. " Think you that I was not angry ? And yet did I not chide." On the 1 st of this month he took his leave of the Kmperor, and on the 2d of the Queen, when the Regent said she would talk with him before his departure, or else he had set forward this day. But now he tarries a good hour ; yet trusts to be at Calais on Whitsunday, and after, as wind and weather shall serve, to come home with diligence. Writes this that Petre may not be over soon in his reckoning, which thinks he goes about to do very straightly, if his eye be so set upon it as he says it is upon the Lord Privy Seal's journey into Spain. Would be loth to be so narrowly watched. Requests the packet indosed may be with diligence delivered to his old friend Signor Bamardino F'oriarion. for it contains other lettei-s which he shall deliver. [Two pages.] April 10. Lsr). The. Council to Dr. Wotton. Yeatei-day the French Ambas- [WeitminstiT.] sador had audience of her Majesty, and .stated that of late, a French ship paHHing by Alderney and saluted by a piece of ordnance from the castle, did not only slack lu-r sails, as the manner is, but cast anchor before the haven there ; whence straightway came out some 1551 MARY. 71 Flemisli ships and captured the Frenchman. This the French King considered a plain practice between the Flemish and the English, and contrai-y to the .imity ; and further desired to know wliat was meant by the Queen's navy being in company with the Emperor's ships upon the narrow seas, and whether it was intended that they should assist the Imperi.il fleet, in case it and the French should meet togetlier. The Ambassador was informed that in regard to the first complaint neither lier Majesty nor the Council had heard of the matter, but it should be inquired into, and if found to be as alleged, justice should be done, as she trusted the like would be used by the French in the speedy redressing of her subjects who are daily spoiled by them. As for the English ships in company with those of the Emperor, they had been sent to sea only to attend the Prince of Spain's coming and see to his safe conduction ; special charge having been given to both fleets in nowise to attempt any- thing against the French King's subjects or countries. If, however, they shall be assailed by the French, the English shall do their best to defend themselves and their companions; but her Majesty having from the first desired amity, so is she determined to maintain it, unless provoked to the contrary by the French King. Her Majesty then told the Ambassador how strange it seemed to her that divers of her unnatural subjects, being most heinous traitors and such as have some of them been of late in the field against her and come even to the very Court gates, and others that conspired against her own person and crown, being moved thereto by their wicked heresies and the hate they bear to God and His true and Catholic religion, should in a Christian realm and by a Christian Prince who pretended to bear great friendship to her, be received, borne with, and much made of. The Ambassador, after sundry attempts at excuse, plainly said that his master did not consider himself bound by the treaties, either to deliver the rebels or observe anything in the treaties, as these had not been ratified since her Majesty's accession. Her Majesty required the Ambassador to ascertain from his master whether he meant to stand to the treaties or not. There had some warm talk passed on both sides, yet the Ambassador departed, as it should seem, well satisfied. As this matter of the treaties is of great consequence, Wotton is desired to procure audience of the French King and thoroughly learn his intentions. The Ambassador in course of conversation mentioned that the French King in token of amity had on St. George's day last kept a solemn feast of the Order of the Garter, for which her Majesty expressed her thanks, and desires Wotton to do the same at his next access. Inform him that on the discovery of a practice minded to be attempted at Calais, Sir John Cornwallis had been sent to inquire into the matter and to search the ships of all nations in that port ; and certain Burgundians, French, and English have been stayed for their examination. "The Lord Admiral, with the navies of the Queen and the Emperor, is now at Portsmouth attending only a good wind. Send him a supplication exhibited for another spoil made by the French. The Parhament ended on Saturday last. [Twelve pages. Draft, corrected hy Secretary Petre.] 72 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. April 17. 186. Dr. Wotfcon to Sir William Petre. Because Pickering Paris. has long been ia ])ossession of the cipher used by Wotton, and is now here, 1)l'j,'.s him ti) consider whether there be any danger therein, and if so, to provide for it as he shall think good. Seeing that the rebels here will not be delivered, but are employed in service, which probably ^vill increase their number, suggests that in order to get them home again, it were not amiss that the Queen put them in hope of jjardon if they return and require it ; in whicL event he thinks many would return home with their hearts. Understands that one Edward Randall, of Kent, here, has refused to serve, and says that he only fled to save his life, and shall labour by his friends for his pafdon, and so long as he is not put in despair of it or be driven thereto by extreme necessity, shsJl never serve other than her Majesty. Suggests that he should be pardoned. Perceiving himself to be suspected here, would be very loth to continue longer if he might well choose, and so much the more loth if Noailles come away, who has been as long in England as Wotton has been in France. Prays him to consider this, and reminds him of the old proverb " Burnt child fire dreadeth." Sir Robert Southwell's son is at Orleans. Trusts to find the means to send to him shortly. Has purchased for Petre the new Old Pandects of Florence, shall bring them home with him ; should he wish for any other book, let him mention it in his next, and he will do the best he can to procure it. Sir William Pickering had told one of Wotton 's servants that a copy of a letter which he had written to her Majesty was sent shortly after to the French King ; and a scholar told Wotton that he had heard the like happened to one of his letters to her Majesty. Tliis, though he cannot well believe it, he thinks it right to mention. Hears that others of the recent fugitives are of the same mind as Randall, and namely one Staunton, who was required to be delivered. Requests him to inform her Majesty that the King has granted him a general licence for horses, exempting those whom he may send to the Queen from the restraint of late made in that behalf. [Two pages. The greater part in cipher, deciphered.] April 17. 187. Same to Queen Mary. The Legate Pole has Lis answer Paris. from the French King, and having taken his leave is returning to the Emperor. On Sunday the 8th inst. he was solemnly received here, and on the following morning Wotton saw him. The Carding declared that notwithstanding he and his friends had been in times past strangely used in England without any his desert, yet all that could never make him change the good will and love that every honest man ought to have and bear to his native country. Besides that general affection luid duty which as her born subject he ow(Hi to her Majesty, the constant mind which she has ever had and still continuc^.s to iiave to the true religion and Catholic faith has much more bound him to her. llml, in speaking to the King and Council here, nunitioned her great desire to reduce the realm of Knglnnd in matters of religion to the former state, which godly jnir|)(>He and travail all other Christian princes should assist and help in all that they might, and so much the more, that considering 1554 MARY. 73 the present state of England, unless this were done by her Majesty and in her time, he said he had little hope that ever the realm should be recovered to the unity of the Catholic church again. He had therefore urged the King to encourage and aid her therein, and requii-ed him not to go about to let or hinder her, saying that he spoke on this point, in consequence of heaving that the rebels fled hither were succoured and maintained by him. The King professed his amity, and the Cardinal of Lorraine said that his Majesty did not maintain the rebels, but being presently at war, and in need of men, accepted the service of such as offered them- selves, and whereas her Majesty required that such as come hither should be taken and sent to her, the King of the French intends not to be her boia, "which word spoken in Italian signifieth a hang- man." In further conversation with Wotton, the Legate seemed much offended with the madness of the rebels and the fugitives that came hither under pretence that they may not abide the realm to be ruled by Spaniards ; and he considered the marriage to be very convenient and expedient for the benefit of England. Besides, considering the present state of the realm, he thought peace were most necessary for it ; and that therefore, though perhaps her Majesty might chance to be ungently dealt withal by some of her neighbours, in his opinion she might well suffer and dissemble it for the time, rather than to enter in war with any of them, till the people's minds be somewhat better agreed in England. In reference to peace between the Emperor and French King the Cardinal said little, but his words appeared to imply that he is rather in some hope to obtain truces or suspension of arms for a season, than to pacify them. The French King has received tidings from Pietro Strozzi of his defeating the Florentines and the Pope's nephew, Signor Ascanio della Cornea, at Chiusi, which place belonging to the Siennese, Ascanio had hoped to have secretly delivered to him, but had been betrayed to Strozzi by the lieutenant, with whom he was in communication, and brought into an ambush. Many hundreds have been slain, among whom Signor Ridolfo Baglione, the captain of the Florentine horsemen, a man of great estimation for the wars ; and Ascanio with many more has been taken prisoner, very few escaping. But the Duke of Florence is still encamped at Sienna. The King also hears that De Thermes has overthrown three ensigns of Spaniards in Corsica. On the 11th had received the Council's letter of the 6 th inst. The King had then left Fon- tainebleau for Paris, hunting by the way, and occupying four or five days in his journey. On the 12th was at Meudon, at the baptism of the son of the Duchess of Guise, who lies in there ; arrived here on the following day, and on Saturday the 14th had audience of his Majesty and the Constable. Details his conferences with them at great length. They alleged many grievances on part of the English, insisting much on the watching of their Ambassador and putting him out of his house, interception of letters and delivery of them to the Emperor's Ambassador to be deciphered, the staying of the passages to Scotland, abetting of the seizure of the ship at Margate, denial of redress to French subjects in England, and charged Wotton with overstepping his duties as 74 FOREIGN PAPERS. loo-l.. ~~~ Ambassador. Had been shown a letter to the Constable from Sir Pot(ir Carew, who therein stated that he fled to France for personal safety, nnd not for connph-acy against her Majesty, but because he i-ould not suffVi- the country to be oppressed by strangers, and therefore wondorud why Wotton so pursued him, sending men everywhere to seek liiin out, expressing his willingness to come before hira, and in case of conspiracy being in anything proved against him. required he might be straight sent over to her Majesty to be punished. Because iier Majesty has refused to enter into any new leagu(\ it appears they have conceived a great mistrust of the continuance of her amity. Fears that their refusal to deliver the rebels and their employment of them may encourage others to come here unless her Majesty provides some good means of staying of them. Men of war go down fast to the borders. Trusts her Majesty has well provided her pieces on this side of the sea for fear of all danger in this suspicious time. From the personal charges made against him by the Constable, supposes they have conceived such opinion of him as to render him unable to do her Majesty any service here longer. Sir William Pickering had met one of Wotton 's servants and expressed a wish to speak to his master, not on personal matters but on subjects relating to his Majesty which could not be written ; will not see him unless command^ thereto by her Majesty. Yesterday received an anonymous letter from an Italian, signed " Un vera Servidor de la Regina et di Vostra Sifpiorl((," to the effect that the fugitives say to their friends that they are in active communication with some of the chiefest in England, which shall appear at the arrival of the Prince of Spain, and that they embark in a few days from Normandy in such strength that if they cannot hinder the Prince from landing in England, they will not fail by help of their friends there to let him to come to London. The letter also says that many Italians are daily taken up to go to sea with them. Pickering again meeting his servants, bears him in hand that he goes about to do her Majesty service here, and therefore delivered him a letter directed to Mr. Leigh, which he says is such that if it were known here it should coat him his neck. Wherefore thinks it not amiss to send it. The Killigrews with the Sacre have returned to Brest Haven again, and prepare to return to the sea. The rebels whom he required of the King last day, already know that he did so, and the answer that was made to him. [Fifteen poge'^. A considerable portion in cipher, deciphered.] April 18. 188. John, Earl of Bedford, Lord Privy Seal, and Thomas Vis- The Groyne, count Fitzwalter to the Council. Left Plymouth for Spain on the [Coruiia.J ^gth inst., intending, if wind and weather would have served, to have anived at Allaredo [Laredo], ^\ hich they thought most con- venient, as nearest tiie Court by upwards of 100 miles, and to have sent the sliips thenco to the Groyne [Coruiia], where the Prince means to embark. But by force of contrary winds, were constrained tiiy of the preceding. [Sjjanish. Half a page.] 191. III. Translation of the preceding. [Haifa page.] 192. The Council to Dr. Wotton. Two daj's ago the French Ambassador had presented letters to her Majesty from liis master complaining of denial of justice in general, and of the breaking of the shallop at Margate and impeachment of passages to Scotland in particular. Her Majesty said these trifles, as compared with her grievances in France, should be looked into, and referred him to the Council for further reply. Their conference with him, wherein they let him be aware their certain knowledge of facts was not to be stifled with fair words. His strong professions. Perceive by his talk that he trusts to be shortly licensed to return, and that his brother, who is now here with him, shall supplj- his place. The Lord Admiral is ordered to go with about 40 of her Majesty's ships to escort the Pn'nce of Spain, and is to be joined by others of the Emperor, who are strictly commanded to attempt nothing preju- dicial to French vessels, unless they are attacked by them. This he shall declare to the King. Marvel that they have heard nothing from him touching the despatch sent to him by his servant, before Easter. The Emperor's Ambassador has promised that so long as his master's ships are with the Queen's, they shall show no hostility to the French. If he sees any likelihood of peace to arise from Cardinal Pole's visit, he is to apprize the King and Constable that her Majesty will spare no pains that may help thereto. [Braft, autograph of Petre. Five pages.] 193. Ratification of the Treaty of Marriage between Queen Mary and the Prince of Spain. [Latin. Eleven pages.] 19i. Lord Grey to the Council. Marshal St. Andrt^ and M. Ville- bon are addressed towards these frontiers in all speed with a very gi'eat number of horse, and as their exploit, whatever it may be, requires expedition, it is ordered that their foot come with moi-e leisure and also in great power. Although the French report that they re-victual Ardres, j'et perceiving no cause of such access thither, suspects they assemble to attempt hitherwards or against the Em- peror's dominions. Stands circumspectly on his guard, and last night gave warning to the Captain of Gravelines, wherein he has proceeded upon special letters from her Majesty, signifying the terms of amity which exist between her and the Emperor. For this refers himself to their honourable corrections. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 78 FOREIGN PAPERS. 15')4. April 28. 195. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Is credibly informed that the Paris. Emperor's Ambassador has a secretary or servant who communicates to the A-mbassador of France all that passes between her Majesty niid his master. Will write of this more fully, which he trusts her Majesty shall receive shortly, if he iimy have post horses, and his letters be suffered to pass, as he somewliat doubts whether they shall. Theixfoic at all adventures thinks it good to send these few lines by way of Dieppe. [One page. In cipfter, deciphered.] April 28. 196. Same to same. An Italian named Portinaris, who long IVis. served in England both her Majesty's father and brother, dined with him, and at his departure gave him the inclosed writing and requested him to peruse it. Perceiving its contents can do no better than send the identical paper. Some of the Council know the man far better than he does, and therefore can better inform her Majesty of him. If she shall think it meet that any answer shall be made upon bis request, when her pleasure is known it shall be done. [One page.] Incloses, 196. I. A memorial from PortinariK, stating that he had been 28 years in the service of King Henry VIII. and King Edward VI., and in reward of his services was Tuade keeper of Sandon Castle in the Isle of Wight, with a salary of lOOl. sterling per annum, also had the superin- tendence of the tomb of King Henry, with 2M. per annuTn, and was one of the 50 gentlemen pensioners, with pay of 46i 13s. 4rf. yearly. That the Duke of Somerset, on the pretext tliat he could not be at all these places at once, and that it was necessary for the dignity of King Edward that a distribution of offices should be made, had deprived him of all except the gentleman pen^ioner- ship, promising to remember him wlien times «we better. Had in vain remonstrated with the DvJce. His testi- monials from the Council certifying his successful repulse of the French when they attacked the Ish of Wight, and his engineering abilities in mining Boulogna, Is married to an English woman, and for tlieir support had been obliged to go to Fra nee and accept employment on the fortifications in Piedmont, for which he had been handsomely paid. Now, seeing their military and naval preparations, fearing to he ordered to Scotlaiul, and unwilling to serve ag((inst the English, lie is resolved to leave France, and therefore beseeches Wotton to intercede for a restitution of his appointments, and for his being employed by her Majesty. [Italian. Five }Kigea.] April 28. 1!»7. Dr. Wotton to Sir Willium Potre. Supposes he now Parli. looks daily for the Priuoo, and wiioii he is come, then, as they say, Now a re.r, nova lev,. Begs to be informed how he shall use himself in hi.s writiiig, an he does not know what order is taken therefor at home. Supposes that lio knows Portinaris, who is fain to return to England, as appeal's by his request sent herewith. MAEY. 79 1554. Will be glad to know wliat answer her Majesty desires shall Le made to him. Portinaris would wish the matter kept secret and known to few, for fear of danger. [One page.] April 29. 198. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Sir William Pickering, in whose Paris. company the rebels here at first much rejoiced, but whom they now greatly mistrust, departed hence secretly on tlie 25th inst. in the company of Thomas Danet, who likewise would not do any- thing which might turn to her Majesty's prejudice, nor follow the rebels' minds. They intend to go to Lyons, and thence to Italy and Germany, thinking they might depart the more secretly, because Peter Carew and others of the rebels had gone on the preceding day to the Court, which is now at Anet. But on the morrow after Pickering's departui'e their absence was perceived by two English merchants inquiring for him at the inn which he fre- quented; and the Staffords lying there, and hearing of it, made such search that they found he was gone, but whither no one could tell. Supposing, however, that Wotton had sent him in post to her Majesty to declare what he knew of their proceedings, they at first were minded to have sent in post a person after him, who overtaking him should have slain him with a dag, but the man chancing to be then out of the way, they finally determined that Thomas Stafi'ord, and, as he takes it, Sir Robert Stafford, should take post and ride to the Court to advertise the French King. Wherefore he thinks that Pickering and Danet will be in great danger of their lives ere they get out of France, especially because the former having promised to go to Court with Peter Carew, the King will make a great matter of his breach of promise. The day before he left, Pickering told a servant of Wotton that towards the end of summer the French King, by Carew's provocation, intends to land the rebels and others at Lee in Essex and the Isle of Wight, where they reckon to land easily and either to march on, if met, as they say they will be, by any number of other Englishmen, or else to fortify themselves there. Also that aU her Majesty's communications with the Emperor's Ambassador were betrayed by a corrupt secretary to the French Ambassador, which Wotton believes is true. Moreover, that Carew has an Englishman, name unknown, who frequently goes as a spy to Eng- land. If Pickering and Danet escape, (but God knows how they shall!) recommends her. Majesty to show them mercy, as both are willing and able to do her service. Also, recommends Edward Randall of Kent, and Staunton, who are equally resolved on fidelity to her Majesty, but who cannot as yet escape from the rebels, whose movements they will communicate ; they are the principal men of knowledge and experience of war among them. Randall says that the French King knows so much of her Majesty's afiairs at home, that he fears what Wotton writes of him may come to the King's knowledge ; and that the King will on their landing in England join a number of Scots to the rebels, who urge him to make war against England in name of the right and title of the young Scottish Queen to the crown thereof. Further, that the King has sent for De Thermes, and though it is commonly thought 80 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. that he -will return to Corsica, yet Pickering says he is recalled for the purpose of goinj? to Scotland again. The Italians here say that although it wuh thou^'ht that the Turk and the Sophi would have .sat .still this summui-, it now appears otherwise ; and it is reported that tlie King of Algiers' navy comes here very shortly to join with the French ; but Wotton thinks that King is not very well able to spare any great navy of his own at this time. [In cipliei; deciphered. Four pagea.^ April 29. 199. Queen Maiy to Dr. Wotton. His letter of the 17th has been received. Although such answer has been previously given to the doleances set forth by the French King and Constable, as ought to have well satisfied them, desires him at his opportunity to state that no new impositions or restraints have been placed on articles of commerce, that the letters of the Ambassador, which during the rebellion had been taken out of the Chancellor's house, could not be found, and therefore neither these, nor any others, had ever been given to the Emperor's Ambas.sador to be deciphered ; that the box and money had been restored to the courier, wliose suspicious manner of going at such a time and by such his unaccustomed way, with his inquiring for tlie rebels and such like circumstances, was the sole occasion of his stay ; that the statement as to the Ambas- sador's house being watched, or access thereto forbidden, is utterly false ; that touching the Ambassador being turned out of his house, the fact is, he had for more than half a year been lodged in that of Lord North, who, to his own inconvenience, had for the time vacated from courtesy to the Ambassador, and now requiring it, the Ambas- sador has with his own fiee will and consent been placed in Bride- well, one of her Majesty's own residences, a place, as she thinks, meet enough for any Ambassador, and such as he pays no rent for, which is seldom used in France with her Ambassadors. As for denial of passage through the realm to Scotland, none but suspected parties have ever been interrupted ; nevertheless there is now good cause to be well ware unto whom liberty of sucli passage shall be granted, not only for tlie practice attempted by D'Oysel (which however much denied is clearly manifest), but because of late at the passing of the Bishop of Ross there has been discovered a very foul and unfriendly part attempted by one Pringle, one of the Bishop's train, and devised, as he says, by the Queen Dowager of Scotland, the Earl Bothwell, and the said Bishop, as may be seen by Pringle's own deposition pent herewith ; wherein also it may be seen that this Bishop has been not only a deviser, but ixlso a chief stirrer, jiractiser, and procurer from time to time. And although such dis- honourable dealing mi^ht by law have justified the detention of the Bishop, jet he has been suffered to jimss with warning only. As to the frigate, if thoy will not lielio\e what has already been told them no more can be said. Is .surprised iit the favour shown to such a tniitf'i- a.s Carew, and his iminidenee in seeking to excuse himself; fur idthounli he pretends Ids entovjirise to have been only against the I'lince of Spain and strnnifers, the same was to the manifest duiii,'ei' of her Maje-sty's person and the whole realm, grounded upon liis luislilcing of religion. Wotton may confer with Pickering and MARY. 81 1554. """ the other fugitives as he thinks convenient. Six or seven days ago the French Ambassador had audience of her Majesty to complain that some English vessels had spoiled certain French ships and carried them to Spain, and that some other French ships had been stayed in Ireland. He had been told that such matter had not been heard of, and that no English ships of war had gone to Spain but those con- veying the Lord Privy Seal and Lord Fitzwalter, who would not attack any of the French King's subjects unless first provoked thereto, and if he would declare who had committed the spoil, order for justice would be taken. As to those said to be detained in Ireland, had ascertained from Sir Edmund Roos, late Vice-Admiral there, that he had on his own responsibility ordered some French vessels, accused of piracy, to be stayed until inquiry could be made. Orders have been issued, that they shall be released on finding surety to abide such action of law as maj'^ be raised, and indeed Roos should have been punished for acting without authority, had not the Ambassador himself interceded for him. Sends a note of spoils lately committed by the French on some of her Majesty's subjects in the West country, and a suppHcation from the merchants of Southampton, for which desires him to seek redress. [Draft, cm-reded by Petre. Fourteen pages.] May 3. 200. The Bishop of Norwich and Sir John Masone to Queen Brussels. Mary. On the 1st inst. th^ Bishop of Norwich, after presenting Masone to the Emperor, took his leave ; and on the following day did the like to the two Queens, the Duchess of Lorraine and the Duke of Savoy, to whom Masone delivered her Majesty's letters and commendations. They found the Emperor in very good state of body, and he was very glad to hear that her Majesty was well. The earnest declaration of his good afi"ection towards England, and other matters, the Bishop will report to her Majesty as speedily as he can. It was his intention to have left to-day, but the Queen of Hungary having signified her desire to talk with him before his departure, thinks he will be sent for either to-day or to- morrow ; so that on Saturday, or Sunday at the farthest, he trusts to becdn his journey. M. de Courieres and the Alcalde left this for England on Wednesday. The Duke of Savoy designs to proceed thither in 15 or 16 days, and begs that her Majesty may be pleased to take order with the Lord Deputy of Calais for his sure passage. He is, as her Majesty knows, a nobleman, and after the Emperor and the Queen, the first personage of the Court, who assuredly bears a ricrht good heart towards her. He is a bait so desired of the French, as he would gladly be out of doubt of tliem. Have recom- mended to the Emperor the cause of the Count Thadre, and have received a gentle answer. Marquis Albert has after much dissimula- tion so much opened himself that the Emperor utterly takes him for French. The number of ensigns which he had levied in the East countries are so scattered by the Duke of Brunswick, as he shall hardly for this summer make the like assembly. He now rests in a castle of the Rhinegrave between Triers and Mentz, so beaten out of his own as he is driven to seek lodging among his friends. [One page and a half.] 2. F 82 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. May 6. Brussels. May 9. Paris. May 12. Brussels. 201. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. The Bishop of Norwich has departed, having, left behind him gi-eat contentation of his dealing at this Court. His wisdom and soberness during the time of his embasHy have impressed the highest estate and the Queen with such good opinion of him as his discreet and lionest demeanour haa deserved. He will inform her Majesty of all occurrents, and of their conversations with Cardinal Pole. There is not a better English heart within the realm than the Cardinal's, and if things were as he wishes, her Majesty would govern in a blessed estate. He always praises ripe, temperate, and modest proceedings. Wishes to God the whole realm knew him as the Bishop of Norwich and Masone do, and had that opinion of him as in effect all states of Christendom have. [One page and a quarter. Printed by Tytler, Vol. n., p. 387.] 202. Dr. Wotton to Sir WUliam Petre. In ca.se his lettere should be intercepted, as is very probable, sends a new cipher for approval ; if it is not liked, he will continue to use the pre- sent one. Fears he shall be detained here till there be war. As long as Noailles and his wife remain in England, he will be no worse off than he was when in France formerly ; but if they come away or escape, he fears it will be a great deal worse with him. As for NoaUles' brother, he is here of no estimation, but even as Wotton's self is at home. [Partly in cipher, deciphered. One page.] 203. Sii' John Masone to Queen Mary. For ought he can see or learn there is no likelihood of peace to be had this year between the two Princes ; and Cardinal Pole, who on the Pope's behalf has long travailed therein, concurs in this desparation. Such, too, is the general opinion, which is confirmed by the preparations on both sides. The Emperor raises in Germany 60 ensigns of foot and 4,000 horse ; of these 40 ensigns are to be employed in his defence against attempts made by the French this way, 20 ensigns go to Italy, and 6,000 Spaniards come hither in the Prince's army. The French King, in addition to his present force, which is not small, assembles 9,000 Swiss ; of these 6,000 to be employed on this side, and 3,000 to be sent to Piedmont. What enterprise he intends on these quarters is unknown, but it is conjectured some attempts will he made on Liege and Luxemburg, which the Emperar presently fortifies. Others suppose he will attack some of hex Majesty's pieces on this side of the sea, for the furniture whereof doubts not she will have such foresight as appertains. Experience teaches what trust is to be had to that nation whom neither respect of worldly honour nor the t'vav of God can hold fi*om the trapping of any piece that may serve to theii- pui-jtose, belong the same to friend or foe. It is not more that -0 days since they made a narrow miss of surprising ('ivita Vecehia, a fortress belonging to the Pope at the mouth of Uie Tiber. So are all men indifferent unto them from whom tlioy 7iiiiy eatc.li anything that may serve their turns. It is thou^Mit tijat tiu're are not two jiieoes in Christendom so much desired by tlio Frencli Kini;' as (.Calais and Quisnes. Urges the necessity of iniiuediatel}' i>roviding for their defence, the more MARY. 83 1554 because of the absence of her Majesty's navy. The French King has lately compelled the citizens of Metz to swear allegiance to him and his successors ; such as refuse to do so are ordered by a day to avoid, and he burdens those who remain with the continual enter- tainment of 2,000 foot, besides immediate provision of victual for one whole year, and order is taken for the bringing in of all their harness and weapons. Moreover, a citadel is in hand to be made in aU haste at their charges. The Turk's army comes forward to the number of 70 sail. God send them ill luck, and him worse, that boasting himself upon the name of Most Christian is the stin-er and caller of them to the evident danger of Christendom ! The Prior of Capua, being reconciled, has returned to the French King with three gallies. There was for some time a report that Dole, a town of great strength in Burgundy belonging to the Emperor, had been surprised by the French, but in the end it appears that fetch took no place. Marquis Albert is stiU at the Rhinegrave's, destitute both of men and money ; the Bishops with the help of the league continue to persecute him, besieging at the same time the only two towns which he has left. Both the King of Poland and the Duke of Pomerania, being offended with his inconstancy and xmquiet nature, have shrunk from him ; so it is to be trusted that the French King will have but a poor servant of him. Sends a letter from the Duke of Savoy in reply to the one from her Majesty conveyed by Masone ; the sudden departure of the Bishop of Norwich was the occasion that he sent it not sooner. [Two pages.li May 12. 204. George Everett to the Council. Sends two packets from the Laredo. Earl of Bedford by the bearer, servant to Lord Dudley. Although the chance of the Ambassador had been to land at the Groyne [Coruna] in Gallicia, the rudest country of all Spain, yet his enter- tainment and reception was as much as if the Emperor had been there, and the people had pained themselves to do all the pleasure and service they could devise. There is no want of victuals or any thing that can be procured for money ; and the Queen's ships are weekly refreshed with fresh meat, bread, and wine abundantly. After his Lordship had kept the feast of St. George very solemnly, which was of the country much esteemed, he and all his retinue left for the Court, but when at Betanzos received a letter from the Prince desiring him to remain there tiU he should join him. The Prince departed on Friday last to his grandmother, and thence will he meet with his sister who is admitted for Governor, and shortly after will be at Coruna, where both ht& fleets of Andalusia and Biscay have already arrived, to the number of 100 sail, which are very well furnished and appointed with mariners and soldiers for the safe-conduct of the Prince to England. Within eight days after his arrival there, the Lord Admiral with all his navy will return home, as he is informed by the Marquis de las Navas, at present here, who is to pass to England with four good ships to carry to her Majesty certain jewels sent to her by the Prince. The Marquis also showed him that most part of the nobility of this realm would have come into England ; but the Prince would not suffer them, saying that he goc£i not into Germany but amongst his friends : whereby it may F 2 84 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1654. May 13. Antwerp. May 14. Calais. May 17. Laredo. be iaferred that he will be attended by few others save his ordinary household and guard. Has travelled from Logrono liither above 100 leagues, the worst ways in all Spain, yet has he found the high- ways as much nu-nded as is possible, new crosses and pillars set up at the ways leading' to every town, and in all way post-horses ready, and taxed what they should have from post to post. In all the way haa been very well intreated, and has found much gentle- ness, especially of the bishops and prelates. Great preparations had been made in all the principal towns for the reception of the Ambassadors, especially at Burgos and Bilbao, where much cost had been expended, and by the English merchants residing at the latter town, and such merchants of these places as do occupy with England. All Spain rejoices at the marriage ; hopes the people of England may bear the same good will to the Prince, as they of Spain do to her Majesty. [Two pages.] 205. Thomas Gresham to Sir William Petre. Came to Antwerp on the 12th inst. On his arrival Mr. Bartholomew Compagni came and asked him if he had commission to receive the money of the bargain made with Petre and the other Lords. Replied he had not, either for the receipt of money or for communication with him in the matter. Bartholomew declared he would in a manner throw for the payment of the ]0,000Z. on 31st May, allowing himself the 2,500i. due to him. The Whitsuntide holidays next will be a stay to him tliat he cannot return so soon, and her Majesty may be informed of this. [One page.] 206. Lord Wentworth to Queen Mary. Has received her Ma- jesty's letter of the 10th touching the repair of the Duke of Savoy to England, and will do his best for the Duke's entertainment ; but, as some French vessels well manned are watching the passage between this and Dover, cannot ensure his safe passage, there not beinf ships here worth setting forth to rencounter them if need should require. Suggests that some ships should be sent aci"oss to waft him over in more surety. [One page.] 207. Edward Lord Dudley to the Council. The Marquis of Navas being appointed to go to England, Dudley had, by advice of Count Egmont, offered to conduct him to her Majesty. This offer had been taken in very good part, and thej' are now here waiting for the wind. The Marquis is the bearer of jewels to her Majesty from the Prince, whose Majordomo he is ; he is an ancient gentle- man, about the year of fifty or better, bearing himself very honourably. Has been as well used of him as with any nobleman in all his life, even as he has been with nil tiie rest since the date ol" his first letter here inclosi-d of the 24th ult. {missing). On Sunday the 29th ult. the Miuuiuis t)f Villaine made a great dinner, and at Dudley's departing gave iiini a fair genet, well trimmed and ajipointed. On the following Tuesday the Duke of Alberquerque made a dinner, and as heartily entertained the Earl of Worcester and the rest of the English gentlemen in as much as he could devise. This evening, after supper, took his leave of the Prince, who did inoHt nobly use him, giving him more thanks than he is worthy of, saying that, although he had not spoken much with him MARY. 85 1554. since his coming because of much occupation and his knowledge that Dudley could not speak Spanish, yet on his arriving in England he should speak witli him and do him all the good. This was spoken in Latin, and though Dudley speaks that tongue but rudely, he returned suitably his thanks. The Prince willed him to make his commendations to her Majesty, and said that at the end of May he would be at Logrono, where he would embark. After his departure the King sent to him by Count Home a chain, weighing, as he thinks, 160 pounds (sic.) Requests to be informed whether he shall bring the Marquis to the residence of the Emperor's Ambassador, or some other house appointed for him. [One page and a half.] Incloses, 207. I. A remembrance given to him by the Count or Earl of Home, captain of all the Prince's guard, who is ap- pointed to attend upon his Highness and remain with him, in England. The remembrance was autograph of the Count and written in Latin, because the names are hard to be written in English. It declares the coming of diverse great men, who at this time bring their wives with them,, and desire to have houses appointed for them accordingly. These are, The Duke of Alva, Majordomo to the Emperor. (The Duke of Alva with his wife requireth a house alone.) Don Gautier Lopes (Economus pro principe), and his wife. Don Diego Azevedo (etiam economus), a/nd wife. Don John d, Benavedes {of the bed chamber), and wife. Don John DAcuna (of the bed chamber), and wife. Count Home. Don Sunbernon. Beseeches their Lordships to have these m remembrance, lest they who have treated him so courteously should think he has ungratefully forgot their wishes. As it will be hard to find several houses to place them all accordingly, believes that Bridewell were a good place to join all together (the Duke of Alva excepted) and that they rvould be contented so to be. [One page.'] May 1.9. 208. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Here it is thought Paris. that the Prince cannot be in England till the 8th or 10th of next month, because his sister, the Princess Dowager of Portugal, returns to Spain as Regent during his absence. The Prince, it is supposed, will go to meet her before he leaves for England ; so, by the conjecture of her journey, the time of his embark- ation at La Croigne [Logrono] is presumed. Begs to know her Majesty's pleasure as to the men concerning whom he has written. [One page.] May 25. 209. Sir John Masone to the Council. Sends letters from her [Brussels.' Majesty's Ambassador at Venice. The Duke of Florence pro- gresses very well in his enterprise against Sienna, and unless the French King veiy shortly sends an army on the field, the town 86 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1564. _ shall be driveu to gioat extremity, having already lost the cora- moility of thieo of their gates, and the fourth standing them in no great stead. The Pope has commanded through all his dominions that no victual may there be provided or suffered to pass that way for the suL'cour of Sienna. Heard to-day that this order is given indifferently for the Imperialists and the French. The Marquis has lately taken a small fort within a quarter of a mile from Vignano [Vignone] of which great account is made here. The Emperor hastens the assembling of his Germtuis, and the opinion of this Court is that the French enterprise shall be towards Liege; yet the great victualling of Ardres so much beyond its necessity, makes many think that some attempt is meant that way, and either upon some of the English pieces or upon Gravelines, which equally affects England. The occasion of Gresham's stay here longer than he looked for, will be explained by his own letter, [One page and a half.] May 26. 210. Thomas Gresham to the Council. Left Antwerp on Antwerp, the 22d inst. on his way homewards, and came by Brossels to know if the Emperor and the Regent had any service for him in Spain. By advice of her Majesty's Amba-ssador, repaired for answer to the Bishop of Arras, who used him very gently, inquiring if he had sufficient passport for the sack of his treasure out of Spain; on replying that he did not know to the con- trary, for the Queen and the Council had taken order with the Emperor's Ambassador for it, the Bishop answered that the Ambassador had written to the Emperor, but that his Majesty was not yet resolved, adding that if he went into Spain without the Emperor's passport he would not be suifered to transport any money out of that country. The Bishop also advised him to go to the Regent and inquire if she had any service for him to the Queen, and to move her to ask the Emperor for his passport, as it might be concluded that by the time he arrived in Spain the Prince would be gone. The matter being moved to the Regent, she consented to do so, and inquired for what sum the passport should be made out. On being informed she commanded him to put his request in writing and then asked hira to stay until the Emperor's secretary in the Spanish tongue, Mons. de Erasse, arrived at Antwerp. Returned hither, and attends upon him, and will follow him to Brussels until he has obtained the passport. Sends back all the Queen's bonds, thej- being dated 4 th May, and those of the city 3d May, which they say here are of small effect. The merchants will have the Queen's bonds dated the 2d. Is bound before a notary to re-deliver the bonds within lo days, as will appear by a copy of the bond inclosed. By his bond got all the first bills of exchange into his hands, and sent them in post through France with the Queen's letters to the Lord Privy Seal, by his servant Thomas Downe to his factor Edmund Hoggan. Had not ^^ritten concerning this to tlie Council, expecting to make declaration of it himself, which he cannot f shifting by letters from the (youncil. The impropriety of such. Has written a babbling letter to her Majesty touching his wishes of a peace, induced by D'Ari-as having informed him that the French King had said to Wotton that he would sooner hearken to a mediation at her hands, than at tiiose of any other prince this day living. [Tliree pages,] June 1 2. 220. Memorial by Queen Mary to Thomas Qresham, Esquire, lier Majesty's agent in Flandei.s, for the purposes ensuing. After narniting the respective sums to be borrowed and the lenders thereof, lie is desired, — 1. To embark from nnitmouth or Plymouth for Spain, taking witii him this memorial and the Emperors licence. MARY. 95 J 554. June 14. ISoissons. July 14. Bbeims. 2. Before departing to commune with such merchants in London, English or foreign, as traffic with Spain, with a view to getting them to deliver here to the Queen's use the sums they shall have occasion to employ in Spain, which he shall there repay them out of the money to be received to her Majesty's use ; provided always no loss of exchange or interest ensue. 3. If the Prince of Spain be not departed thence before the first payment, he is to confer with the Earl of Bedford, Keeper of the Privy Seal, and according to his advice distribute amongst the best and safest ships of the fleet that are to accompany the Prince the treasure which he has received, so as not to adventure more than 5,000?. in one bottom. 4. In case the Prince be come from thence before the receipt of the money, he is to send over by way of exchange, to be repaid at sight to the Queen here, or at Antwerp, as much of the money as he can. 5. He is to have the rest of the money sent over in ships, so that no more than 8,000J. be adventured on one bottom. 6. He is to farnish 10,000?. and send it to Ireland. 7. His diets, hitherto 20s. a day, are to be increased by 10s. a day until his return out of Spain. [Seven pages.] 221. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Although Petre takes- it that great suit was made for audience to open veiy little matter ; yet, as it was handled, matter enough might come of it. Nevertheless believes the person came for another purpose, and rather to see than to speak, for it was commonly noised here that her Majesty was departed. As the Prince will shortly be in England, desires to be informed how he shall use himself in his writings after the Prince's arrival. [One page.] 222. Same to Queen Mary. The French Queen and divers of the Council are here, as also the different Ambassadors : being far from the King's camp it is late before they hear any news, and then only such as the Council pleases to publish. Since the King went to the camp, on its march towards the Meuse they sacked and burned Chimay, Beaumont, and Gienez, places without defence ; but they were subsequently obliged to make a small fortification round the latter place for the surer conducting of their provisions down the Meuse. For some time they lacked bread and wine ; especially bread, which was exceeding dear : wherefore all the bakers in this town and those of the borders have been ordered to the camp, except such as are absolutely necessary for the towns ; also all the masons that can be found, as well as all the cart-horses, for conveying proAdsions and ammunition ; which is a great dis- pleasure to the husbandmen, who at this time have most need of them at home. On the suiTcnder of Marienburg the Captain was not permitted to depart with the soldiers, but was brought prisoner to Paris, which is thought to imply his complicity with the French. The camp have since taken Bouvines in Namur : the defenders of this small and unimportant town resisted two assaults with great loss to the enemy, but on its being taken they were all either slain 96 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554f. or hanged. The town and castle of Dinant, belonging to the Bishop of Luyke [Liege] have been taken : the former surrendered by- composition, without loss of goods ; the latter, wherein were some Spaniards, of whom Captain Julian who formerly served in England was one, made a gallant loslstance, but by weight of superior artil- lery at last held parliament and yielded, the soldiers departing with their swords by their sidew. The French were more glad to accept tliese compositions, as 12 ensigns have entered Namur, the next town on the Meuse, and about 10,000 or 12,000 men are encamped in the neighbourhood, whom the King intends to visit, to offer them fair play if they intend to make any sport. The Queen received these news on Friday morning about 2 o'clock, and attended by all the Court, went on foot from the Abbey of St. Remy, where she lodges, to Notre Dame, the chief church here, to hear mass, and return thanks to God for the good tidings. Thence also went some of the greatest ladies, as the Duchesses of Guise and Valentinois, on foot to divers other churches, for prayer and thanksgiving. It is reported that part of the army has returned to besiege Avesnes ; but, if well manned and provisioned, it will likely stay them awhile. The King has with him in camp on,e of the house of De la Marck, to whom he has given the Abbey of Beaulieu and other promotions. It is said he was once chosen to be Bishop of Luyke, but the Emperor would not suffer him to enjoy it ; but it is said the King will now put him in possession of the see, driving out George of Austria, the Emperor's uncle, who now is Bishop. It is said that the Prince de la Roche sur Yonne and M. de Villebon command 10,000 men, wherewith they intend to besiege Renti. Is credibly informed that Peter Carcw is determined to leave France and go to Italy, relying upon her Majesty's mercy ; but expects to be more certainly informed of this by Edward Randal, who will be here in a day or two. [Two pages. The portion relating to Carew in cipher, deciphered.] July 14. 223. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Has not yet received Bheiras. her Majesty's pleasure concerning Throckmorton, who, he is in- formed, continues his suit still to be received to mercy, and is now driven to such extremity that he must needs serve in these wars, having no other means whereby to live. But he will not, he understands, serve witli the rebels, and laboui-s to be employed with the Gascons. Would be glad to learn what answer to make con- cerniug him. Yesterday Cardinal Touruon told one of the Ambas- sadors that it is understood the Prince of Spain has returned from tlio st'fx-coast, because of the mortality among the soldiera that should come with him : wherefore it is thought he will not be in England KO soon as expected. The siege of Sienna is said to be raised ; save that the Florentinp.s have left 5,000 men in tho forts near the town, and tliat Pietro Strozzi is joined %\ith the Fi-ench aid of ItaUans iind others who were at Miiandola, so tliut he now seems to bo strong enJJuj^di to re.si.st the Duke of Florence. The latter is Huid, liowcivor, to ox))uct j^reat succour shortly from Milan and Naples. The French have, emlmrked in their own navy a number of troops for Sienna ; and they say that the navy of Algiers joins MARY. 97 that of France to conduct it safely, but it is thought Prince Doria is ready to meet them by the way, as strong, or stronger than they are. [One page. The first portion, relating to Throckmorton, in cipher, deciphered. '\ 224. Peter Vannes to Queen Mary. Prays for her success. Since she has overcome her enemies she will be the more likely to bear more equably, even to hold in contempt the few words which he shall write. About a month ago a servant of his, one William Page, native of London, whom he employed at the recommendation of others, and of whose assistance he has availed himself both as a domestic and in writing English letters for the last two years and a half, but who is also a headstrong and obstinate youth, most atrociously beat, in Vannes' absence, a boy whom he had left at home. Upon his return had inquired both of the English and Italians the cause of this. These all agreed in saying that nothing had been either said or done by the boy which could by rights offend, and that a gentle admonition would have sufficed. Next day wlien his anger had somewhat subsided, Vannes privately inquired of his godson Peter Oviat [Wyat ?], an English- man, (a youth of rather a simple character, servant of Wm. Patten, well-known in the Eoyal Household,) whether he had perceived any previous disagi-eement between Page and the boy. Oviat replied that he had frequently heard Page admonishing the other English servants to beware of what they said before the boy, as he was a spy of Vannes ; and then tremblingly advised him to be careful of Page because he saw from his frequent disrespectful speeches that he was very ill-disposed towards his master. Had treated these remarks with contempt, having already discovered Page's evil mind from certain letters of his which had been inter- cepted by an enemy, but had pardoned him at his own petition, because he was English and in hopes of his reformation. Incloses a schedule (lost), containing in Oviat's own hand the atrocious remarks of Page, which he has kept a secret. Meanwhile, after observing as far as he could with whom Page was chiefly intimate, he applied to the chief magistrates, explaining the matter in general terms, and asking for the apprehension of the offender, with a view to his public examination. They postponed their reply for a more careful investigation, and at length answered that the matter was one of great moment, quietly refusing to grant the request. Cannot divine the cause of this, Page being unknown, and of no influence ; but thinks the Seigniory chiefly desire that good and bad shall have equal liberty of living and impunity of wickedness in matters that do not touch the Republic itself. Will do all to compass his object, even if he have to proceed to Mantua, Ferrara, or the dominions of the Emperor for a time. If her Majesty desires to write to the Venetians let her send secret letters to him, so that he may execute her commands privily with the many English who daily flock hither. Meanwhile he intends to try if the Duke of Ferrara or of Mantua will grant what the Venetians have refused ; but reminds her that those robbers who rage with hunger and madness should be rather rejected and despised. Advises her to 2. G 9S FOREIGN PAPERS. 1561 June 16. Venice. June 20. Brussels. command one of her councillors to summon Francis Donate, a Venetian merchant wlio, he thinks, has lately arrived in England, and ask him a friendly iiuumur what he heard from any Englishman of words similar to those in the schedule, with whom of those in Vannes' suite he h;id words before he left Venice, his informant, and what were the words of the conversation. Of the author's name Vannes could elicit from his informant no more, as he feared perhaps to injure one who had spoken to him in confidence. [Latin. Three pages.] 225. Peter Vannes to Queen Mary. As he was at the point of packing liis letters, being somewhat sick in bed, the Secretary of the new Duke of Venice, Signor Francisco Venerio, came to him. The Duke is a man of great virtue and estimation in the state, losty, and of no decrepit age, knows well England, where he has resided as a merchant, and has always, as occasion served, exalted that country highly, praising especially Kings Henry the Seventh and Eighth, and her Majesty's self He has sent to Vannes his letter to her Majesty declaring his election, with loving offers of service, which she will receive herewith. Prays her to com- mand answer to be made to it with a loving letter much praising his virtuous qualities, for such kind of proceeding is here well and iionourably taken ; it is to be sent to Vannes to be delivered, and besides being read openly with much honour will serve sometime some good purpose. The letter to the Duke to be in Latin. His other letters give advertisement of the great prepaiar tions for the war in Tuscany. Will not fail to give attention to the business of Sir John Leigh which her Majesty recommends to him. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] 226. Sir John Masone to same. Had received the Counol's letter of 8th ult., with that of her Majesty to the Emperor, touch- ing a licence for bringing 3,000,000 crowns out of Spain. Although he perceives that her Grace at that time was not aware that a great piece of the matter was before dispatched by a safe conduct delivered to Mr. Gresham, wherewith he was departed into Eiigland, yet he repaired to the Emperor and delivered her letter. After some talk as to the discontent which might be bred in Spain by the bringing out of such great sums, and the difficulty be had found in the drawing of money thence for his own service, the Emperor said he would talk thereon with such as had to do with the finances of Spain, and should give him his answer in a day or two. Has not yet received such reply, but supposes, as immediately after leaving the Emjieror a post had been dispatched into England, that her Majesty has been answered by the Ambassador there. Mean- time he has received a passport for 600 barrels of powder, which he has Hont to Gresham 's factor at Antwei-p. The Emperor's army will be ill tho field on tho itth, about Namur. If the French advance to Bapaumo or (.'ainbray, as the bruit is they will, then thi! army will move in that diioftion : if they do not, then it is said they shall Ik! souiflit near homo, and that Ardres shall be assailed. The army is in number about 3-i,000 or 35,000 foot, and 6,000 horse ; in addition to which 10,000 foot and 4,000 or 6,000 horse are MARY. 99 1554. June 20. Brussels. June 22. Naples. June 26. Brussels. being prepared. The Captain-General is the Duke of Savoy ; his assistants and councillors, John Baptista Castaldo and Signer Anthony Doria, two such personages as the like were hard to be found eitlier in this Court or elsewhere. The Master of the Camp is M. de Benincourt, and when the whole army is assembled it will be one of the fairest these many years levied by the Emperor. God send money enough ! Last Monday, the 9th, there was a great fire in Luxemburg, taking in four quarters of the town at one time, whereby the substance thereof is quite brent, with great part of the munition for defence. A large portion of the artiUery is so parched that it is past service. The origin of the fire is unknov/n, but it is tliought to have been by treason of the enemy, and Marquis Albert is not out of suspect of the compassing thereof, who having no safe dwelling in his own country, has lately retired to Metz. Regente Figueroa, who departed yesterday, is the bearer to her Majesty from hence of the story of the taking of Tunis, made in tapestry, which, as she will see, is one of the fairest pieces of work that has been made in these times. If the subjects of the Duke of Florence are true to their allegiance, though the contrary is to be feared, his success is likely to be good, as the Pope inclines indirectly to his favour. [Two pages."] 227. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Acknowledges his letter of the 7th, received on the 11th. Sir Philip Hoby arrived here on the 14th, and still remains with him, waiting the Emperor's pleasure for the delivery of her Majesty's letter ; in the mean season he passes his time amongst physicians and chirurgeons, communing with them touching the recovery of his health. Their advice is, that he shall first essay what success he shall find with the drinking of the water at Liege, and in case he find not there such help as he desires, then to repair to the bains of Pau, and to use the commodity of them in the month of September, as he mindeth to do, unless her Majesty commands him to make a shorter return, which he is most ready to do on her pleasure being known, health and aJl other respects set aside. Has written to Lord Paget to help him to one that has the French language, whom he may use as his secretary in his business with this Court. Hears one Peyto much commended ; if he is disposed to go abroad, and not otherwise employed, would be glad of him. [One page.] 228. The Cardinal of Burgos [Pacheco de Ceralbo] to Queen Mary. Being unable to pay his respects in person to her Majesty, sends his nephew, Pedro Pacheco, to do so. [Spanish. One page.] 229. Sir John Masone to same. On Tuesday the 19th, the Duke of Savoy, Castaldo, and Doria entered into Cambray by post, because the French were said to be not far off" from that town, and because a practice had been discovered for delivery of it and its castle to the French King. The chief deviser of this practice was the engineer who had constructed that and other fortresses in those parts ; he has been sent yjrisoner to Valenciennes. The hope of so obtaining these was probably the cause of the French King G 2 100 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1564. setting himself to the field at tliat time ; but seeing the plot has come to light, he has rcitired with no great company, minding, nevertlieless, to seek advuntago at Avesnes, or some other piece ■where train or suddi'ii foice may take place. After the Duke and the others have seen to the safety of Cambray, and made full t'xivininatiou into the details of the treason, they will return to the army, which is not yet in the field, but so posted that they can be assembled in a few hours. Such is the poverty of the frontiers, especially for horse-meat, that it is impossible to keep the field but with such provision as must for the time be brought out of the under parts of the country. Wherefore the Emperor intends, after he has mustered the troops which are in readiness, to distribute them in different quarters, whence they may be easily called at short warning, until he perceives the full meaning of the enemy. The French King is not in such force that he can attempt any great enterprise ; his Swiss, who are the great strength of his in- fantry, being not yet come to liim, for lack of money, as is supposed. His horsemen have run up and down the country between St. Quentin and Cambray, as far as Cambresis ; which quarter is so spoiled, as their overcoming it now neither has made nor could have made it much worse. Marquis Albert having provided himself with 200 horses out of Metz, and made shift for 300 more among his friends, entered lately with them into Sueinfort, an imperial town usurped by him three years past, and which for the last three or four months has been besieged by the Bishops and confederates. But finding all things desperate there, after setting the munition and such things as pleased him on fire, he left during night, with the 500 horse and 1,500 foot who liave so long endured the siege, so secretly that it was not known till next morning that the town was abandoned On his way towards Thuringia he was encoun- tered by the Duke of Brunswick, who defeated and slew the substance of his band ; and he himself escaped by flight, with only seven pr eight horses in his company. So often down and so oftrai up again, thinks there was never none ; but now there is nothing to fear at his hand, since the onl}' poor castle belonging to him, Plassenberg, cannot longer hold out. Had his plans not been detected in the beginning of the year, the Emperor had at one time between him and the French King been a.ssailed in Friesland, Utrecht, Guelderland, Luxemburg, and Thionville. Another treason has very lately been brought to light : there had been a plan to set the munition in the Castle of Naples on fire, when, the soldiers being engaged in its .'is stay at Southampton he received daily visits of congratulation. On Monday the 23d he came to this ason of the maa-riage. As upon the appioacli of the Emporor's ainiy at Binche, the French retired in such sort as he had in formi-r letters (^now missing) signified to licr Majesty, so their retreat was so fast, that although the Emperor used a diligence beyond the reason of the war, and marched in ono day 21 miles, he could not overtake them. At length npjiroaching to their frontiers lack of victuals caused him to stay, sending only after them some bands of horsemen MARY. 1 1 1 1554. who distressed a great part of their carriage, and had done them much more harm if, as it is said, some of the captains had done their part. Had the French been as desirous of battle as they bragged, they might easily have had commodity to give it, since the same place where, in their retreat, they lay the one night, was occupied by the Emperor's troops on the one following. The Emperor having rested his army at Quesney, and laid in pro- visions, hearing that the enemy had stayed not far from Cambray marched forward in that direction, and is now encamped one league and a half on this side of the town, and the enemy at about the same distance on the other. There are daily skirmishes, without any notable hurt on either part. The town is weak, albeit there is a strong castle in it, and if the Imperial army were not so near, r-mne sudden violence might be attempted there. Although the Emperor's army is very strong, in a few days it will amount to between 40,000 and 50,000, horse and foot. The Turk's army is arrived on the coast of Italy. Andrea Doria has gone to Messina with 48 gallies, to which he joins six gallies of Sicily, and five of Spain, so as in all they will be upon the point of 60, either to meet the Turk's army if they shall find them strong enough, or at least to stay them from coming farther to the aid of the French faction. Doria's gallies are well manned with old Spanish soldiers from Naples, and the Emperor has commanded them to try fortune with the enemy, in case they see any advantage. Were it not that of late years Princes have not much sought foughten fields, this month shows great appearance of the like- lihood of four notable battles : — 1. Between the French and the Emperor, if the former keep the field ; 2. Between the Marquis of Marignano and Strozzi ; 3. Between the Turk and Andrea Doria ; 4. between the Sophy and the Turk, whose armies, by last accounts, were not far asunder. The states of Brabant are summoned to meet here on the 6th for consultation as to defences and aids. Nothing of late done in Italy ; Strozzi being in des- peration for lack of victual seems to desire the fight ; the Marquis perceiving his lack will do what he can to weary him by the belly. The German Princes have met at Worms, for the staying of Marquis Albert, who again begins to stir, and also for the repressing of the Bishop's soldiers, who since the Marquis' over- throw have committed sundry insolencies. Antwerp, where was the beginning of a small tumult, is pacified and quiet, and so is all the rest of the country. The Emperor is, for a Prince in his case, in right good plight, and condescended in the camp to commune for a quarter of an hour with Francisco, the bearer hereof [Three pages. Aug. 4. 247. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends packet from Brussels. Mr. Vannes. The Emperor is close by Cambray and nearer the French than before. By a book of the last pay found in a cofier, taken among other things in the late distress of the French carriages by some Spaniards, who found with it 5,000 crowns, it appears there are in the French camp 35,000 foot and 10,000 horse. The Em- peror's camp increases daily, but Georych Van Holt with his band 112 FOREIGN PAPERS. ] 534. Aug. 8. Lucca. Aug. 10. Compicgne, is not so nigh as was said, and some doubt whether he will come at all. The Emperor neither will, nor conveniently may, move from his present position, so long as the French remain where they are ; and they are so nigh that cither some exploit must follow or one of the parties must dislodge, which undoubtedly the Emperor will not. Thinks them too wise to try battle, although there is much likeli- hood thereof on the Emperor's side ; for which reason the French have drawn to them the Duke of Vendome with the power which he had on the coast of Artois. Beseeches Petre as he may to help the poor miserable woman. Sir John Cheke's wife. Her husband is in Italy, which that Petre may the more boldly affirm, sends copy of his last letter written from Padua. Is in good hope that Chris- topher Millanest shall have a convenient good end in his matter. [One page.] Incloses, 247. I. Sir John Gheke to Sir John Masone. Padua, July \2th 1554. Mr. Wrothe aoid he came to Padua on the lOth, and there in a fair and quiet city entered to rest. Trusts he shall not mislike this part. Beseeches him to help his poor wife's travail to Masone's friend to come to some end of the travail and misery wherewith he thinks she is now burdened, as easily by letter he may do, and to let him have by some of his servants sometime such necessary understanding as is fit for him to know. If lie may tan^y here, he intends to learn not only the Italian tongue, which he despairs not of, but also philosophically to course over the civil law ; not seeking perfection, which requires a man's life, but avoiding the extremity of ignorance, and learning to give aim like a slander by, where he is not in game like a shooter. This he trusts to do by the time his licence is expired, and tliough he come not home rather yet shall he be more able to serve if Ood do hereafter, as he trusts He will not, call Mm to such misery as he has before been overthrown with. If by Masone^s means he can hear sooner of his own matters ayid of his wife than he can from herself, pi-ays thai he may receive the benefit of it, as Masone knotvs how ignorance of all things i^ troublesome, and specially of those things that be nighe-st a man. Desires Masone to make his commendations to hi^ (^Chvke's) mother. [One page. Copy.] 248. The Magistrates [" Oil Antiani c Oonfaloniere di Oiu- stizia "] of Lucca to Queen Mary. OreJontials of Bartholomeo Micheli and Scipione Sardini, Ambassadors to her Majesty. [Italian. One page] 249. Dr. Wottou to King Philip and Queen Mary. On the 29th ult. had received the Council's letter, informing him of the safe arrival of his new Soveioign Lord, and of the marriage of their Majesties, wluiroof lie received as much gladness and contentation of mind as he might icccive of any worldly thing, considering the great benefit likely to ensue therefrom, not only to England but to MARY. 113 1354. all Christendom, Wherefore he thinks, that God at last beholding with pity the lamentable state of the rented and divided Christen- dom, running headlong into manifest and apparent perdition, has for its conservation and reformation ordained this marriage ; for such is the fervent zeal which both their Majesties bear to the main- taining of the Catholic faith and true Christian religion, such their wisdoms, virtues, knowledge, and power, that it is well to be hoped and looked for that God will assist, prosper, and bring to good effect whatsoever they shall undertake for His glory and the profit of His people. Recalls to their remembrance the great commodity and benefit to all Christendom from the marriage of their progenitors Fei'dinand and Isabella : no less, he trusts, will come of this marriage, which he heartily prays God may prosper. Will defer to his next letter the various news, which will be fully explained, however, by the bearer Edward Randall, who has been at the French camp and learned all that could be known there. He can also declare the dissolution of the band of rebels, effected by means of Staunton, their complete discredit here, and the departure of Pickering and Carew, which last was also wrought chiefly by Randall. As the Duchess of Valentinois goes to Anet, there to remain for some time, it is supposed that the King will not return here soon. The information that Strozzi had taken the fort next Sienna, proves to have been incorrect. [Two pages. The latter half in cipher, deciphered.^ Aug. 10. 250. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Strongly recommending the Compiegne. bearer, Edward Randall, to her JVl ajesty's clemency and employment. No man is better skilled in military matters. [One page."] Aug. 10. 251. Same to Sir William Petre. They have to give thanks Compiegne. to God for this marriage, whereon most men consider the welfare of England and the great commodity of Christendom to depend ; since thereby, God willing, the tyrannical ambition of some lawless Princes, putting all Christendom in trouble, may the more easily be resisted and repressed. Is right glad to hear that the King uses himself so gently and lovingly to all men, because it had been reported, that when in Italy it had been wished that he had shown somewhat more benign countenance to the people than he did. Whether such report was malicious, or increase of years has increased knowledge in him, it is great cause of rejoicing that his present use is otherwise ; so that henceforth the rebels shall be fain to seek some other colour whereon to ground their rebellion, than the terrible and fearful oppression of the Spaniard. Does not clearlj' understand the terms used in the cesbion by the Emperor to the King of the Realms of Naples and Sicily ; since in one letter Petre terms it " Naples and J erusalem," and in another of same date "Naples and Sicily." Explains the diplomatic difference between the "Realm of Naples" and "Kingdom of the Two Sicilies." As these realms are feuda Ecclesice, going ever together and not well to be separated, it were better that the Emperor made the cession by known and accustomed, than in doubtful words, whereof may arise contention. As the Queen, by Act of Parliament, 2. H 114 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. Aug. 10. Compiegne. Aug. 13. Brussels. is to make statutes for the newly-erected cathedral churches, fears lest his fellows of Christchurch will, in his absence, seek to have certain statutes devised and confirmed, which shall take from the Dean certain rights and privileges secured to him by the foundation deed under the Great Seal, as in his former absence they have gone about to do. Therefore requests Petre, in such event, to find the means that he may be apprized of it, and see the book, and be heard for his interest in it, as is but reasonable. Thanks him for the efforts made by him and the Council to have the lives of his own nephews, Rudstone and Cromer, spared ; and is desirous, if it be possible, that her Majesty should restore them to their former livings. Requests to Icnow whether he should make direct or indirect application to her Majesty for this purpose. [2W pages. Two or three lines in cipher, deciphered.] 252. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Acknowledges their letter of the 20th ult. informing him of the Prince's safe arrival and of the marriage; for which marriage he heartily thanks God, believing it to be appointed by his Providence, for the working some notable effect to the great good and benefit not only of England, but of all Christendom. Had communicated to Cardinal Toumon in French, such portions of the letter as he considered expedient. Their Ambassador had written to the King of the marriage ; " to say the truth, they rejoice hereof, never a whit more than they have cause to do." Had not made any mention of their Ambas- sador, thinking it time enough when they shall speak of that matter to him. Has also received the copy of Sir Hugh Poulett's letter concerning the handling of Le Bretoniere, which shall serve him well if they should again refer to it. Edward Randall will largely satisfy them of the news here. [One page, partly in cipher, deciphered.] 253. Sir John Masone to same. Had expected daily to have sent them intelligence of a battle between the French and the Imperialists, but they have passed without any notable exploit all this tima The Emperor's army is now about Bethune, and that of the French King a good day and a half's journey from him. Some say the Emperor stayed to continue the following of him so near, being informed that he intended to send back a good part of his army to have taken hold again of the river of Meuse. So much is he with child with that country. Instead of that, it is rather thought that he intends for the saving of money to di.^iniss his Swiss, having bargained with them that if they should be continued in service after payment of the first three months, they must be entertained three whole months more. If this be ti-ue he will not long keep the field. Renti was threatened, and to aid it iOO Spaniards are sent into the town under the conduct of one Navaretto. In these nine or ten days following of his enemy the Emperor has shown great courage and warlike skill ; but much more notably by entering with so small an aviny na he then had into Namur, a town of no strength but commodious for llie letting of his enemy's purpose, against the advice and persuasion of all his captains. Had he not MARY. 115 1554. done sOj Liege and all those countries ■would have had such a foil as would long after have been remembered. Had Marienburg not have been betrayed, the French would have nothing to boast of in this expedition beyond the burning and spoiling of all sorts of poor people, a matter easily to be done and scanty to be avenged ; yet in their letters to Italy they have represented Dinant and Bouvis [Bouvines] as impregnable as if they had been two castles of Milan, and God wot they were two very weak pieces builded altogether d I'antiqua, without any kind of such defences as are requisite for the wars now-a-days." Hears that Marquis Albert came to the French Court on the last day of July very simply accompanied : if so he has well bestirred himself, that having lost an estate of 20,000?. per ann. in his own country is now driven to seek his living in the Court of him whom once he so notably deceived ! The Turk's army, making a face towards the strait of Sicily, have turned their sail suddenly toward the Gulf of Venice, to the great marvel at the first of that state ; but finally have come to the coast of La Puglia, and are battering Beaustesin, where they would gladly land. " The piece is not strong ; marry it may with small travail be satisfied. It is trusted they shall be kept off well enough." On the 26th of July the army of the Duke of Florence and the enemy had two notable skirmishes in which above 2,000 were slain on both sides, and another on the 31st, when were slain and hurt above 800 ; but the greatest stroke fell upon Strozzi's side. These two armies are so close, that tidings of a pitched battle are daily expected. P.S. — Autograph of Masone. Before making up his letter re- ceived the inclosed schedule, whereby they may perceive that Pietro Strozzi with his whole army is overthrown. \Two pages. Inclosure. Italian. Four lines.'] Aug. 15. 254. The Council to Thomas Gresham. Perceive by his letter Richmond, of the 10th ult. the small readiaess in which the treasure to be received there is. At this they much marvel, the rather as since receipt of his letter they have heard nothing of his proceedings in the charge committed to him. As he alleges that the lack of a passport for its transportation was the cause why the money was not received before his Majesty left, they cannot tell what let such lack should be to the receiving of the money. As he says he has by his instructions only one way left for sending over the treasure, they think that, seeing he says money is now so scant to come by there, he may find honest and sure merchants, who occupying the traffic of oils, wines, fruits, and other wares commonly laden from them, wiU be content to take a good portion of the money from him to be repaid in England to her Majesty's use. Kequire him to see what may be done therein, foreseeing that he deals not but with such men as be honest and substantial. As regards his instructions to send the said treasure by his servant to Calais for shipment there, and himself thereafter to return home by land, they cannot but much marvel that he would commit the doings and order of a matter of such importance to any other but himself, the thing being of such great weight and consequence as they think H 2 116 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. Aug. 23. Vienna. Aug. 26. Brussels. there canaofc be too much diligence, policy, and circumspection used therein. Wherefore they pray him to consider the matter in such substantial sort, and to take such order therein, as may be answer- able to the trust reposed in him. As for the 120,000 ducats that remain above the 200,000 for which he has already passport, he shall do well to sue for them at the hands of the Princass of Portugal, to whom as Governess and to the Council, both the Emperor and her Majesty had addressed letters for that purpose. Beg that they may hear from him more frequently. P.S. — If the money were not ready at the days agreed upon, presumes he will consider it unreasonable that her M.ajesty should pay at the days covenanted, promises on the other side not having been kept, and that he will protest and use the matter accordingly ; apprizing them whether money has been paid at all hands to him accoi'ding to agreement or not. [Tiuo pages.} 255. Maximilian, King of Bohemia, to Queen Mary. Credentials of Don Perolasso de Ca.stilla, Master of the Household of the Queen of Bohemia, by whom he has written relative to the elevation to the Cardinalate of the Nuncio resident at his Court, and requesting her Majesty's mediation with the Cardinals of Naples, Carpi and Santiago, that they will support the claims of the Nuncio at the first creation of Cardinals. [iS^JamsA. One page.] 256. Sir John Masone to the Council. Yesterday received their letter of the 14th inst., and having talked with Petro Usore Mare, broker of Antwerp (called here il Solicito), perceives that the bargain opened by him to the Council will not altogether take place, although he says he is at a point another way not much different from the other, except that the spice must be turned to fustian. He incontinently thereafter departed for Antwerp, and to-day or to-morrow will be back with his full resolution in the matter, which shall be instantly forwarded by an express messenger. Is unable to inform them of the proceedings between the Emperor and tlie French King with such speed as were worth the reading, because the Ambassador-s are commanded to reside here, which is almost a hundred miles from the place where they think they ought rather to be. All news from the place where the Emperor is may be heard at London as soon, if not sooner than here. Presumes by other means, they have heai-d of tlie skirmish on the 1 3th, with some loss on both sides, about the getting of a hill ; of the French standing in arms the most pai't of the 14th, as if they would have prevented battle, and of their retreat on the 1 5tl], unespieJ till out of all danger, fiivoured by a dark night and thick mist on the morning of the ICth. Does not know whether they mind to dismiss the Swiss or to dissolve their whole army. The news of Strozzi's overthrow ai-e confirmed. In his carriages which weio taken weio found not only his writings, plate, and collar of the C)rder of France, but 20,000 crowns, and about the same time were taken in another place coming to him 24,000 more. Among his writings were found many practices worth dittcovery, especially one which was a treason concluded for MARY. 117 1554. Aug. 31. Borne, Sept. 5. Citadel of Dunslacken. Sept. 5. Compiegne. Sept. 8. Brussels. the setting on fire of tlie powder and munition in the castle of Naples and Gaeta at the same time on the 20tli inst., when the Prince of Salerno should have landed with 3,000 soldiers. The draft of this now disappointed enterprise was in the French King's hand. Among the conspirators, all of whom are in hold, the chief is called Spinosa. Strozzi has returned to Montalcino, gathering reliquias fusi exercitus, but being without money and credit, he is likely to do but little more hurt this year. The Marquis has returned to Sienna, where he fortifies before Porta Romana, which gate until now he could never shut up. The city is said to be victualled for two or three months yet, and to contain 3,000 soldiers. Thinks they have been informed by the Ambassador there that Peter Carew is in Venice. Forty-four great pieces of artillery, of which ten are mortars, have left Mechlin for St. Omer, to be employed, it is said, upon Ardres. An Ambassador from the Duke of Savoy to the King and Queen has this day departed in post. He is a gentleman of a right good house in Piedmont, and was long time Ambassador in this Court for the late Duke of Savoy. He has always borne good afiection to the English Crown, and is very courteous to its Ambassadors. Begs their Lordships will let him understand that somewhat has been written to them of him. Has this evening received a letter from il Solicito, the broker above mentioned, mentioning that one of the merchants with whom he must have to do is presently at the camp, and therefore till Monday he can do nothing. The merchants' names wUl not be learned till it be assured whether the bargain shall be accepted. [Ttvo pages and a half.^ 257. Cardinal Sarasino [John Michael Sarracena] to Queen Mary. Congratulates her Majesty upon her marriage with his master the King of Naples. [Italian. Half a page.'] 258. William, Duke of Cleves, to same. Congratulates her Majesty on her marriage by his Councillor, Dr. Herman Cruser, of whom this letter is accreditory, and who with his wife is for some time to remain with the Duke's sister. [Latin. Broadside.'] 259. Dr. Wotton to same. Returns thanks to her Majesty for sparing the lives of his nephews, Robert Rudstone and William Cromer, and soliciting that she may cause them to be restored to those self small livings which they before enjoyed. [One page.] 260. Sir John Masone to the Council. This morning the broker of Antwerp has been with him for answer to the bargain offered to her Majesty, which he seems to be very earnest to understand. Had informed him that in three or four days he expected to hear out of England. The Emperor is in person at Bethune ; part of his army has entered France to retaliate for the ravages committed on the frontiers in the beginning of summer, and part remains to fortify Renti and to assist in constructing a new fort in a strong site between two rivers within a mile of Hesdin. If this is brought to pass, then may the French King say " Early in the morning and 118 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1664.. ~~ never the near," for anything that he does this year with great vaunting, ior Marienburg being far from relief shall never have half that commodity to serve his turn, as this other if achieved will serve that of the Emperor. The Swiss have left the French right ill satisfied, having up to the very time of their dismissal been led to believe that they were to be entertained all this winter ; and large offers having been made to them to return, upon knowledge of the Emperor's intention to build this fort, they have utterly refused to do so with high and brave words. The soldiers of Benti are bounti- fully rewarded, from the highest to the meanest, and in this war the Emperor has generally used more liberal payment than at any time he has heretofore used. These countries have granted him an aid of 1,450,000 crowns, each crown taken at 48., viz. : Brabant, 400,000 ; Flanders, 600,000 ; Holland, 200,000 ; Zealand, 100,000 ; Artois and Hainault, 150,000 ; and the Pope has granted him the tenth part of the spiritual promotions in Spain, which will amount to no small sum. The Siennese are closed in round about. Dragat Key has returned towards Constantinople laden with a poor sort of Christian souls, who have good cause to pray for the success of the French King by whose means they have come into the infidel's hands ! Marvels at the conduct of the French King's dealings with the Turk, winning in eflfect thereby nothing but dishonour and the wrath of God. Sends copy of a letter found among P. Strozzi's writings. The deputies of the German States at Worms have agreed to enforce the ban against Albert, and to contribute thereto not only for the future but for the past, being the rather moved thereto by the Marquis returning to Germany and beginning to assemble a power. It is said that the King of the Romans will be at Augsburg on the 20th inst. to begin the Diet so long talked of [Ttoo py wtnc not nfniid to be taken by the way. An envoy, scut by them to declare their state to the French King, narrowly escaped the hands of the Marquis of Marignano ; but bis servants and baggage were taken. Pietro Strozzi, who has been MARY. 121 1554. made one of the four Marshals of France, labours by all means to amass provisions in Montalcino, with the view of conveying them afterwards to Sienna by sleight or force. The Duke of Florence's army has taken Monte Eegione, a place of importance, and said to be impregnable but by famine. It was surrendered for want of water. The French King has sent to Strozzi nine ensigns of Gascons. M. de Thermes has laid siege to Calvi, in Corsica : to impeach this, the Genoese have ordered Prince Doria, who was at Messina, to sail thither. Marc Antonio Colonna, who was at this Court all last winter suing for some living for his mother and him- self at his father's hands by mean of the Emperor, has in his way from Sienna, with the Neapolitan horse, taken forcible possession of his father's house, called Marino, 12 miles from Rome, where his father lies sick, intending to do the like with the whole estate. The qualities of the father are sucli, and the ill-bandling of his wife, who was sister to the late Marquis of Pescara, is so misliked, that very few lament his case. His misery and niggardness is so great, that having two daughters of 24 and 22 years of age, he keeps them both unmarried for lack of dowry, he being a man of notable riches. Many think that of late he has had secret prac- tices with the French, because the Emperor bad taken from him a charge of horsemen, with the entertainment of 2,000 crowns per annum, and given it to the son, for pity to see the young man so destitute of living. Since the dissolution of the Diet of Worms, wherein was concluded a contribution for the late wars sustained by the Duke of Brunswick and the Bishops, there has been another at TJlm. At this is concluded the setting of 8,000 horse into the country, under the conduct of the Palsgrave and Bishop of Stras- burg, for defence against Marquis Albert, who hovers about Metz, sometimes with a small and sometimes with a larger company. On the 14th of next month there is to be a meeting of the two Circles of Germany at Frankfort, to treat of measures tending to bridle the insolent meanings of the Marquis, and for the general peace of Germany, [Two pages and a quarter^ Sept. 26. 264. Sir John Masone to the Council. For general intelligence Brussels, refers them to his letter to her Majesty of same date. Has narrowly examined as to the authorship of the lewd bruits in Antwerp, and finds no fault attaches to any of their countrymen, the same having been first uttered by certain Flemings, who arrived at Antwerp in hoys on Saturday week, and since then confirmed by two or three merchant-strangers' couriers, who affirmed to his face that at their departing from London the whole city was full thereof. Requests they will order one of their clerks to signify to him weekly that all is quiet, as on the moving of every air people resort to him for the truth, and so he may be able to make answer. The labour of the clerk will not be much, nor the con- veying of the letter be costly, if the same be sent to Titchett. [One page.] Oct. 2. 265. Dr. Wotton to same. On the 24th ult. received their La Ferte Milon. letters of the l7th, the bearer having been delayed two days in Montreuil, while the Burgundians were burning all the neigh- 122 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554!. bouring country, especially between Montreuil and Abbeville, and the sea-coast, so that he could not proceed till they were gone back. Wlien he received thu letter, he was at Paris on private busines.s, and the King at Villers-Cote-Rez. On the 27th joined the other A-mbassadors at La Fertd, and had scant lighted, when M. du Pot, Ambassador in England before Boisdaulphin, came by command of the King to require his attendance at Court on the following Saturday, being Michaelmas-day, at mass and even-song, as the Feast of the Order was then to be kept as usual. At this, besides the King, there were only seven Knights : the Constable, Due de Mont- pensier, Due de Guise, the Prince de la Roche sur Yonne, M. D'Urfd, Governor to the Dauphin, M. D'Estrees, and the Prince de Cond^ youngest brother to the Due de Vend6me. These he names according to the seniority and order as they sat and walked. After mass, the Ambassadors went to dine in the hall allotted to the Constable, where were two tables, one for them and the other for the officers of the Order ; the Knights and Cardinal Lorraine, Chancellor thereof, dining with the King. Before dinner one of the officers asked him if he knew the name of the late Duke of Norfolk, because the King had heard of his death, and it was this officer's duty to write his iiame in the book, and cause him to be namely prayed at dirige that day. When dinner was nigh over, a gentleman from the Constable came to see if they were meiTy or lacked anything ; and after dinner, they were all had up together to the King and the Knights. While the King was conversing with the Nuncio, Wotton spoke to the Constable, who favours much their Ambassador in England, and who informed him that his Majesty had received no letters for some time, and knew nothing of this matter of the Ambassador. Thereafter, speaking with the King, his Majesty confirmed what the Con- stable said as to non-communication from the Ambassador, to whom the conduct of King Philip and her Majesty showed they never meant to do any thing seeming to his dishonour : that he took his Ambassador to be a wise and discreet man ; but if it appeared indeed that he did misuse himself in his words, " Foi de gentilhomme, quoth he, I wiU make him perceive he doth me no pleasure ! " In further conversation, the Constable inquired how her Majesty did, and if all was well and quiet at home? because there was a tale spread abroad of a certain commotion, and as no letters had been received from their Ambassador since 4th of September, he fancied something must be wrong, and that the passages were stopped. Wotton replied that if there was any such, it must be since Monday week, on which day his servant left the Court, and took his passage from Dover next day, having heard nothing of it. The truth is, there has been a report here, at Rouen, Paris, and elsewhere of a great stir in England, pro- moted by some of the chief Lords there and some of the Council, of whftm sundry had been openly proclaimed traitors in London, with other like ill-favouri'd tides, the authors of which, as far as he can perceive, are some lewd English niurchixnts, passing from Rouen to Paris. The Constable was also in hand with him to know when the King should be crowned, saying, that it was reported difficulties 1554. MARY. 123 ■were made to so doing for divers great causes. Was informed that Wotton knew nothing thereof. As the Ambassadors were lodged far off, the King went sooner to even-song ; after which they departed. On the 18th ult, had received their letter of the 28th July, concerning the matter of the merchants of Southampton who lost theii- goods in the Angel of Wismar : has obtained a favourable decree, the effect of which he states. Has also obtained judgment for some Irishmen of Limerick, for whom one Clement Fanning is solicitor here ; by which sentence the King himself and the Duchess of Valentinois are condemned for some part of the goods spoiled which came to their use. On the 27th had their letter of 14th July, with the supplication of James Vander Hove, the Flemish postmaster at London. Vander Hove had already entered his process at Havre de Grace, where the judge had decreed Thomas KiUegrew to be arrested for not putting in sufficient caution according to order. Killigrew has appealed to the marble table at Rouen ; there the process hangeth yet. Their letter of the 29th, relative to the affair of Richard Butler and others of Southampton, reached him on 28th ult. He will do his utmost to assist therein their solicitor Richard Eston, who also acts for those that lost their property in the Angel above mentioned ; but as Eston has recovered no writings or proofs as to this suit, he will not proceed until that of the Angel has been decided. Lansac, the French King's Ambassador by the Pope, thinking to enter Sienna in disguise, has been taken prisoner. The Prince of Ferrara left the Court about three weeks ago for home : while here he has been much made of, and on his departure the King gaVe him word to the value of 30,000 crowns, wherewith to pay his debts. This will doubtless confirm his friendship for France. Signer Ascanio della Comia has also been highly entertained : it is thought that his ransom has been forgiven him, and that he is secretly retained to the French King. Some think also that the Pope bears a better affection this way than hitherto ; for he is not taken to be the most constant man of the world. Sienna is very straitly besieged, and is in danger of famine. Strozzi is supposed to be there by this time, and Cardinal Farnese, whose country is about Viterbo, labours hard there with victuals and men. Questions if they shall be able to do it, the Duke's army round the place being so strong. Hears that Monte Regione, a town of the Siennese, has surrendered to the Duke of Florence, who has taken and holds in garrison many castles and piles near Sienna. It is said that -by reason of the interception of a messenger from Cardinal Farnese, the Turk's navy, which was sought by the French King to winter on this side, has returned ; and that his army, having been worsted by the Sophy, has come back to winter at Aleppo. The King 10 or 12 days ago, hunted so long and took such pains, that he was fain to keep his chamber three or four days. He is now quite well, and left Villers-Cote-Rez on the 1st for Chantilly, thence to Escouen another house of the Constable, and so to Paris, there to make money for next year's wars, it is supposed ; " having," as he says, " had honour enough for the year." [Seven pages.] 124 FOREIGN PAPERS. 155 k Oct. 6. Mantaa. Oct. 5. I'aris. Oct. 5. Brussels. 2G6, Isabella, Marchioness of Pescara, to Queen Mary. Pays her respects to her Majesty by medium of the bearer. [Italian. One 2M(ije.] 267. Henry II., King of Fiance, to same. Has with much pleasure learned from the bearer, the Prothonotary De Noailles, her Majesty's desire for peace and friendship, which he assures her is thoroughly reciprocated on his part. [^Signed by his Majesty, and cottnter.dfjned by Bourdcyn. French. One pa.ge.] 268. Sir John Masone to same. The Diet of Germany, so often appointed and adjourned, is finally settled to begin at the feast of St. Martin, next ensuing, in Augsburg ; for which purpose the King of the Romans has already sent thither his harbingers. The Emperor has a very good will to be present at it, and gives the Prince assured hope that he shall be ; but the ill disposition of his body commonly in the winter and other things make the Court believe that he wiU not move much farther than this town till the days begin to wax longer. The assembly of the Circles is to be held as determined at Frankfort on the 14th : for these countries are sent thither Pyramus, one of the Emperor's secretaries, and one Dr. Meppa. News from Italy state that the Siennese suflFer much for want of provisions, and the Marquis has taken sundry castles about the city wherein were considerable stores for supply as occasion should serve. Meanwhile Strozzi had not been asleep, but while lying in Montalcino for the curing of his hurts, had pro- vided a considerable quantity of victuals in Petigliano and else- where, with which on the 17th of September he marched towards Sienna. Having notice of this the Marquis laid three different ambushes for him, into one of which Strozzi fell, and esteeming the numbers less than they were, fell to buckling with them. His troops acquitted themselves very valiantl}', but at length, finding themselves overmatched, retreated and took to flighL In this flight 400 were slain and many taken prisoner, the rest by benefit of night escaping. Strozzi 's horae was killed under hira, and he with much danger got into the town. Every soldier slain was found to have a bag of biscuit trussed upon his body. Advices from the town express great lack of bread, wine, and wood, the former being less deficient, yet not such a quantity as likely to last beyond tlie end of this month. Since this overthrow of Strozzi are ren- dered to the Marquis for the Duke La Capraia, Castello di Murlo, Monte Pertuso and Capriano, all lying between Montalcino and Sienna. On the 19th, 23d, and 2.")th ult, three sundry bands of the Froncli attempting a like enterprise, were broken, with the loss of a considerable number killed and taken. Andrea Doria has returned to Naples to {^()n\ey for the service of the Duke of Florence 1,500 Spaniards whom he lately dismissed. Dragut Rey is still witlj the Turk's army at Prevo.sa, in .iVlbania, where it is thought he will winter. Hearing ol' tho coming forward of Doria's gallies, thiwo of tlio Frencii and Sala Roy nre retired from Port Ercole to MarseilloH. Asoanio Colonna beginning to levy troops in Rome for tho recovery of his estate, seeing that Juliano Cesarini and others MARY. 125 1554. were making men for the defence of his son, desisted and departed to one of his places in the realm of Naples ; where upon suspicion of practising for the French he is by the Viceroy stayed and com- mitted to prison. Her Majesty has perhaps ere this heard of the execution of the Count of Waldeck in the camp by the Duke of Savoy's own hand, for which the Duke is highly commended of all as maintaining the discipline necessary in war. '■ This Count war; captain of 400 swertritters, so called because they are armed all in black. One of that baud, having had warning once or twice of his disorder, had robbed a victualler, and thereupon was taken and commanded to be executed. The said Count hearing thereof came to the Duke, and first in gentle sort making intercession for his man, fell from gentleness to bravery and to high words, and finally he began to draw his dag from under his girdle. The Duke espying the dangex", and knowing the desperation of that nation, which in these wars hath appeared by many examples, thought the surest way to prevent him ; and being somewhat quicker than the other, he discharged his dag upon him and shot him through the body. Tills deatli being by and by known, his band began to mutiny, but in a small time, partly by the wisdom of such as travailed for the quieting of the matter, and partly for that they saw themselves overmatched, they were pacified." The Emperor had allowed greatly this stoat demeaning of the Duke, and wished the 400 ritters incontinently to be dismissed ; but they acknowledging their fault, were, by the intercession of Count Swartzenburg and others, restored to service. The Emperor ha« caused the whole matter to be officially examined and put in authentic writing, for the satis- faction of the Count's family, who miglit, from ignorance of the real circumstances, take some displeasure thereat ; among whom are the Bishops of Cologne and Munster. Cardinal Pole having been disappointed in his efforts to eflect a civil peace between the Em- peror and the French King, as well as a spiritual one in England, seems to be out of comfort, and despairing of the one if he sees shortly no likelihood of the other, begins to talk of returning to Italy. " If he shall return without saving his country, like as he shall return a sorrowful man, so shall the realm have lost the fruition of such a one as for his wisdom, joined with learning, virtue, and godliness, all the world seeketh and adoreth. In whom it is to be thought that God hath chosen a special place of habitation, such is his conversation, adorned with infinite godly qualities above the ordinary sort of men ; and whosoever within the realm liketh him worse, i would he might have with him the talk of one half hour; it were a right stony heart that in a small time he could not soften. If it be his fortune to depart without showing the expe- rience hereof in the realm, his going away shall be, in mine opinion, j'ike the story of the Gospel of such as dwelt in regione Geresenorum, who upon a fond fear desired Christ, offering himself unto them, ut discederet afinibus illorum." [Two pages and a quarter.] Oct. 6. 269. Don Perolasso, Ambassador from the King of the Romans, ' Dover. to Queen Mary. After taking his leave, had come to Dover with the intention of crossing the sea as speedily as possible, but finds 126 FOREIGN PAPEES, 1554 the passage blockaded by the French vessels that daily show them- selves before the harbour. As he only came to be present at her Majesty's nuptials in obedience to the will of his master, the King of the Romans, requests that she will give orders to insure his safe departure from England; and in order that she may be the better informed of all, sends back the King of Arms of Ireland, who will declare matters more fully. [French. One page. Addressed, "A Madame la Reyne de France, Dangleterre, de Naples, de Jerusalem, Dyrlande, et Princesse Dhespaigne, ne place of Lorraine and sometimes to anollier. Another cause of his coming he makes to be a marriage offered to liim in France with the sister of the Duke of Nemours, into which talk he thought not his part to enter without making the Emperor Jirst privy thereto ; and a third pity for the many nobles and gentlemen prisoners on both sides, for whose deliverance he wishes some good way were taken. He has made many overtures of peace, as he says of his own accord ; and shortly after departing hence he will go to France. Wishes earnestly for peace, the state of Chris- tendom having so long been such as to prepare more and more a highway for the entry of the Turk The Duke of Florence's army is increased with 3,000 Germans, 1,500 Spaniards, and 1,000 Italians. On the 20th ult., 16,000 crowns, meant to have been con- veyed into Sienna, were intercepted. Dragut Key's movements are uncertain, but there is great likelihood of his returning to Con- stantinople, first, because of the late overthrow of the Turk, and secondly, because the French having promised to give him within a specified time certain money for the victualling of his gallies, have not therein kept touch, wherewith he is very much disap- pointed and thereby greatly offended ; and so much the more, because a cousin-german of M. de Thermes, remaining with him as a hostage for the payment, is secretly stolen away from him. The fort of Fillek in Transylvania, belonging to the King of the Romans, is lately rendered to the Turk by the treason of its Governor; its loss being the greater from its proximity to certain mines whereof riseth a great profit to the King. The new fort near Hesdin is now made guardable ; and after one course meant to be made into France is achieved, the camp will probably be broken up and the troops dismissed, except such as the Emperor shall like to retun, and which during the winter will be distribut€d in the towns of these frontiers. Mons. de Trelon is to be Captain of the fort Don Ramon de Cardona, who came here three or four da3's ago for the affairs of Piedmont, is remitted, it is said, to King Philip, and will in a day or two proceed to England. At the same time also intends to go thither Pompeio Tuttavilla, who was lately sent to this Court for justification of the doings of Marc Antonio Colonna. At bis coming out had sued her Majesty for such charity as she might think convenient to be showed to Cheke's wife and her foui" children ; and as he is advertised and partly feels that they remain hitherto in miserable case, most humbly beseeches leave to renew his suit. Her husband by his folly is fallen from 6001. per annum to less than nothing ; her children be all of that age ns never a one of them is able to make himself ready ; she is his -wife's daughter, whereby the burden of keeping them from starving lies on his back that is not able well to maintain himself. On his knees beseeches her to bo good to the poor innocents ; and if he might be so bold would also crave licence to renew his suit for the children of i\w offender Lsley. They are his wife's nephews, and have at tliiw present no man to hang upon but him. Trusts that their ili'inuanouf MJiall be such that no part of their father's lewdness shall at any time appear in them ; and had the ftither followed the advice of some of them, he had not fallen into the folly which for lack of grace he fell into. [Three pages.] MARY. 135 1554. Nov. 5. 285. Minute of instructions given to the Lord Paget and the Master of the Horse [Sir Edward Hastings]. Cardinal Pole being sent from the Pope to congratulate her Majesty on her marriage, they are desired to go to escort liiin to England. In the first instance they are to open the matter to the Emperor, and then to apprize the Cardinal that the Council only agree to his interference on condition of the Pope's dispensing that the holders and possessors of the lands and goods of the late religious houses shall quietly enjoy the same without trouble and scruple. And that he shall use all diligence to receive authority from the Apostolic See to grant such dispensation, if he has it not already. Further, that although she and a great many others accept him as Legate de latere, yet at present, till he himself witnesses the state of the country, she thinks it best that he only enter as a Cai-dinal and Ambassador. [Draft. Autograph of Petre. Four pages. Printed partly by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 445.] Nov. 5. 286. Queen Mary to Sir John Masone. Informs him that Lord Paget and Sir Edward Hastings are to leave to-morrow in speedy journey to conduct Cardinal Pole to England, and desires him to wait upon him and the Emperor in reference thereto. [Draft. Autograph of Petre. Two pages and a half] Nov. [5.] 287. Memorandum in modern handwriting of the mission of Lord Paget and Sir Edward Hastings to wait upon the Emperor Charles V. at Brussels, and escort Cardinal Pole to England. [Half a page.] Nov. 8. 288. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. As Sienna now begins Brussels, to draw to some extremity, many of the Italian states begin to lay their heads together to devise some remedy thereof, seeing that if some peace be not this winter accorded there must next summer be kindled a great fire in Italy. But the substance of them are loth to see the Duke of Florence any greater than he is, and as there is some likelihood of his achieving his enterprise, they think it high time to look upon the matter. They have accordingly met at sundry places and have concluded to recommend the peace of Italy both to the Emperor and the French King ; and the Nuncio has again commission to follow the matter, his late reasonable answer notwithstanding. The Venetian Ambassador is commis- sioned by the Seigniory to do the like, and to move the Emperor to an universal peace, and if that may not be had, then to do his utmost for some composition of the wars of Sienna. M. de Vaudemont has taken leave and departed : the particulars of his doings here are kept so secret that they are only known to the Emperor and those with whom he was in communication. The Cardinal of Augsburg, the Duke of Wittenberg, the Bishop of Passau, the Duke of Bavaria and his uncle, who was lately Arch- bishop of Saltzburg, have had a diet at Tonnevert on the Danube the object of which was to compound a contention between the Duke of Bavaria and his said uncle, which was like to have bred some stir in Germany. The Archbishop having for many years held' the see of Saltzburg, yet never minding to be priest, had 136 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. Nov. 8. Bethune. Nov. 9. BruascU. about two months ago resigned that promotion, and being returned to the lay kind of life, and married, he demanded his partage of the estate of Bavaria, being brother to the old Duke. This being refused, he began to raise troops to win it by force, but in the end by means of the fore-named, the matter is settled that he shall have 150,000 Ehenish guilders in hand, and the life-rent of a city in Bavaria, to be used with all commodity as it is presently by the Duke. Marquis Albert has left Lorraine, and is said to have gone to Alsatia on promise of some friendship there. The Pope has lately caused to be arrested tliree Roman gentlemen, Giovanni Colonna, Jacomo Savelli, and Jeronimo Fregapani [Frangipani], who went about to make a stir on behalf of Ascanio Colonna ; by this some think Ascanio is not so clear as some would make him to be. Prince Doria, having conducted 11 ships laden with wheat to Genoa, is thought by this time to have returned to the enterprise of Porto Ercole ; which, if he achieves, must needs put the Siennese to desperation, their only hope of succour being now by way of the sea. Dragut Rey has returned as far as the coast of Corfu, which makes some in doubt of his coming near. The fort being now guardable and garrisoned, the camp is broken up. Yesterday arrived Don Hernando de Gonzaga, who, with all his train, make very honest report of his honourable entertainment in England. [Two pages.] 289. Lord Clinton to Sir William Petre. On Sunday arrrived at Hedingfert [Hesdin fort], where he found the Duke of Savoy, who, because he thoiight there was no meet place there for receiving the Order [of the Garter], deferred his investiture till his going to Osyshatewe [Auxy-le-Chateau], whither the camp marched on Monday, and on the next day with great honour the ceremony was performed. The great entertainment and courtesy shown to Clinton and his suite. On the day of the investiture was a great skirmish between the French and the Duke's troops, in which the Duke was engaged, and which lasted three hours There were taken 30 or 40 French, Scots, and English, and on his return, the Duke said, "This good luck is happened the day that I have received this noble Order." On AVednesday he re- moved with the whole camp four leagues into France, designing some enterprise. On Clinton's departure, the Duke sent to each of the gentlemen in his company, which, with Mr. Garter [Sir Gilbert Dethick], were eight in number, a chain worth 40i. or 501. apiece ; and to Clinton, a jennet, very fair, which he esteemed much, and was the horse for his own saddle well appointed; also armour and weapon for a man of war of divers kinds, very fair, with message that it was the present of one soldier to another. He further sent with him two bands of horsemen, of 200, to escort him to Bethune. [Two pages and a quarter. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 448.] 290. Sir John Masone to King Philip and Queen Mary. On Thursday the 8th, before day arrived Francisco with their letter of the 6 th, on receipt of which ho resorted to the Cardinal, and thereafter had audience of the Emperor, declaring their Majesties' pleasure to MARY. 137 1554. " each. Details at length their conversation. The Cardinal will be ready to leave on Tuesday or Wednesday, at farthest. " Between this and Calais he must make at the least six days, and peradven- ture seven ; the constitution of his body being so easy to be over- thrown as a little travel taken more than it be able to bear were enough to lay him up, and therefore he useth most to be caiTied in his journeys in a litter." He will probably arrive about the 2'lth or 26th of this month. [Three pages. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 451.] Nov. 10. 291. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Has received their letter Paris. of the 21st ult., and in consequence thereof had audience of his Majesty and the Constable in reference to complaints of the merchants and the matter of the Hay, and Madame de Lisques ; receiving from both very gentle answers and good words. Dining with the Constable, where also were Cardinal Chastillon, the Dukes de Guise and Montpensier, and other nobles, the Constable, who sat next to him, said to him secretly, " The Queen, your mistress, is with chUd." He replied that he had no certain news of it, but understood it was generally supposed there was some likelihood of the fact. The Constable rejoined, "It is true without doubt." Yet for all that, Wotton is credibly informed, that when he talks with others thereof, he says he does not believe it. The French send horse and foot to Piedmont ; their proper destination not yet well known. De Damville, the Constable's second son, has within the last three or four days ridden in post to Piedmont, to be general captain of the light cavalry there. He is accompanied by a young gentleman, son to M. D'Urf^, the Dauphin's governor, recently married to a daughter of the Comte de Tende, brother-in-law to the Constable. The Ambassador from Sienna says that P. Strozzi has thrust out of that city a great multitude of the common people, and that victuals there are as cheap as at Florence, which is hard to be believed. The Pope and Duke of Ferrara travail with the Duke of Florence for raising the siege of Sienna, and the withdrawal of foreign troops ; but the Duke, though supposed to be weary of the charges, will do nothing but with the Emperor's advice and consent. It is said he has dismissed his Italians, and retains only the Spaniards and lands- knechts, amounting in all to above 9,000. It is reported that the French King had sent Signor Orsino to be his lieutenant in Corsica, but the people there say they are content to have French- men in that room, but no Italians. Hears that the Baron De la Garde was not well received at Court, and was only heard by the King on the intercession of the Duchess of Valentinois. The non-advance of the Turk's navy last summer is imputed to him and to his negligence the ill success of matters at Sienna ; and some think, that had the Prior of Capua been alive he would have superseded the Baron, whom now, for lack of another, it seems they will still employ. In consequence of the courses which the Burgundians, encamped near the fort of Hesdin, make daily about Montreuil and Abbeville, the King sends reinforcements of horse and foot to M. de Vendome, who will soon be veiy strong 138 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. and able to cope with the Burgundians. They say that the horses of the Burgundians and Dutch die so fast for lack of food, that the whole camp cannot longer remain there ; also that the fort is begun upoa such a ground, that it falls down almost as soon as it is built, and that it cannot continue, for any cost that shall be done upon it. [Three pages.] Nov. 10. 292. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Was for a while Paris. much offended by the false nimours here, imputing them to the fugitives and merchantmen ; but finding they have far more plenty of these ill-favoured tales at home, will henceforth trouble himself the less with them. Yet such are neither new, nor to be marvelled at. Si patretn familias Beelzebub vooaveri/nt, quanio magia domestieos ejus ? For all their prating of the word, their dissim- ulation now so plainly bursts out as to make it evident that to them it was said, "Vos ex patre diabolo estis, et desideria patris vestri vultis facere. Ille homidda erat ab initio, &c." As it is impossible, considering the present state of the realm, but the like must chance often enough thereafter, great diligence must be used, that such things may come to light in time, for they have even from the beginning founded their new gospel upon the saying of Christ, " Putatis quia pacem veni mittere in terram. Non dico vobis, sed separatioTiem." On this foundation it may be seen, they build still. Ludovic Greville is welcome to him ; he has appointed him to the company of John Somer, who will take pains to help him to the French tongue, wherein he were else like to profit but little amongst Wotton's men, who speak but English. Hopes there will be no change in their office of auditor, as a better than Wylde cannot be hoped for, but if God takes him, they must look for a successor. Is not sure whether a grant of the office was not made out previous to the erection of their chapter, but whether or not it be so there is much earnest suit made for it. Five of the oldest prebendaries have written to him that they have granted their good wills for it to one dwelling in Canterbury, so that if they persist, he does not see how it can be obtained against them. It is certainly very necessary that the auditor should reside in Canterbury, aa they have, in a manner, daily need of his advice ; and although Mr. Baker has earnestly written to him for one whose father was servant to Wotton's father, who he would be content had it, he will see what he can do with the chapter for the person in whose behalf Petre so earnestly writes, aa also do other of his fi'iends. Sends a prognos- tication for next year, containing more strange things than former ones; although he doubts not their Majesties credit such gear as the matter deserves, they may perhaps be content to read it. [One page.] Nov. 13. 293. Lord Paget and Sir Edwai-d Hastings to Queen Mary. Brussels. Arriving here last Sunday forenoon, they had audience of the Emperor in the afternoon, notwithstanding that he had that day rcceivisd the blessed Sacrament, whereby they noted a fresh care in him for the expedition of them hence again. Details what passed at the interview. After taking leave, repaired forthwith to the MARY. 139 1564 Cardinal. Believe that whensoever he shall be in England, that country shall fare the better for hira ; " for he is the man of God, full of all godliness and virtue, ready to humble himself to all fashions that may do good." Yesterday the Cardinal, as they also did, took leave of the Emperor. To-day he begins his journey, the stages of which they specify ; " for his weak body can make no great journeys, and his estate also is to be con- sidered." [Two pages and a half. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 457.] Nov. 19. 294. Gregory Raylton [Clerk of the Signet] to Sir William Basle. Petre. By his letter to hira at the end of last September, and the one to Mr. Clyff in August, doubts not that Petre understands the cause of his long absence, which is sickness, wherewith he has been extremely handled a long space, and in the beginning of August was in such danger that both he and his physicians despaired of his life. He is now somewhat recovered, but is unable to travel, especially at this season, being so weak. Understands that Petre is sore oflFended with him, because he has not come home according to his promise, judging that he absents himself for other respects. Is most sorry he should so think, and much laments he is unable out of hand to take his journey homewards for the purging of himself that way. Beseeches Petre, for God's sake, to judge otherwise of him, since he knows him never to have been a meddler in any way, but applying himself always to do his duty, and nsing himself according to his vocation. When he was suitor to him for the Queen's licence, he did it by counsel of three or foiu- notable physicians, who declared that nothing should be better for his health than to travel, and persuaded him to take this journey, which has evil succeeded with him. Intreats Petre to bear with his calamitj--, and, God willing, at the next spring he shall either see him alive in England, or hear tell that God haa otherwise disposed of him. [One page."] Nov. 23. 295. Sir John Masone to the Council. The Emperor's camp, Brussels, having .spoiled and wasted all along the river Seine, and taken on their way the town of Ancre, is arrived in Cambresis, where yester- day all the soldiers of the Low Countries, and most part of the swert- ritters [schwart ritters], were dismissed, but with orders to be ready again at all times after the 1st of April niext. The Germans are all retained, so that all the winter shall be entertained 10,000 foot and 4,000 horse, besides the furniture of the fort, amounting to 4,000. Besides the victual and provision found in Ancre were 2,000 pieces of wine, which are distributed among the fort and the other strengths of the frontiers. The Venetian Ambassador has been earnestly in hand with the Emperor to hearken to a peace. The Emperor expressed his great desire of the unity of Christendom, for compassing of which, as the same might be sure and stable, and not made one day and broken another, as the French used always to do, he could be content to lose the best blood of his body. The Pope's Nuncio had even been more particular, stating that the Pope willed him to assure the Emperor that the French King was content to come to communication, and is in hope that 140 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. he may bring both sides to appoint Commissioners. The Lord put thereunto his helping hand ! Tlic affairs of tiie Siennese proceed from worse to worse : they have lately lost Crevola, Monte Rotondo, and Massa, towns of much importance, j'et the French faction say that they can hold out till March, when they shall have help enough. On the other hand, the Duke's party say they cannot hold beyond a month. The Diet in Germany, which was appointed to begin on St. Martin's day, is now adjourned to that of St. Cathe- rine, by reason of certain lets chanced to the King of the Romans. Presumes his Majesty is aware of the triumphs made in Milan on its being taken possession of on his behalf, and of the like to be in Naples nexb Sundaj'. Dragut Rey has returned to Previsa to victual his gallies ; his future movements are not known. [Oiie page and a half.] Nov. 25. 296. Peter Vannes to [Sir William Petre]. The courier soon Venice. departing has no time to reply to his letter of the 4th inst., delivered this morning ; but shall reserve himself until Saturday next. Thanks God her Majesty is with child. Incloses advices of new preparations of the French in Piedmont. Reckons them as a brag to other purposes, considering the season, the lack of victuals, the hard and narrow jaassage, the fortifications of every small town between, the readiness and puissance of the Imperial- ists, being like that the French will Avander in the field wliile the Imperialists are masters of the towns, and well furnished with necessaries ; and as to aid or victuals from Marseilles, the .seas and winds are doubtful and dangerous. The Emperor's, the Genoese, and Neapolitan gallies are abroad. The Emperor is much beholden to the French, for, with their sudden entei-prises, they always advance, by their failure, his lionour and glory. His reputation is, as ever, everywhere very great. The French cannot trust in any help from the Turkish gallies, for each mistrusts the other, and after great expense and no result, they have returned to Constan- tinople. Sienna is wasted like a ctindle. Of late, they have cost the castle of Massa and the town of Crevola. Great parties of Imperialists are in Sienna, but iur fear of the French Governor cannot show their liearts. It is said in Venice that the Duke of Florence has commanded all his men to return to Sienna. Perhaps he is minded to give some assault. The Swiss in Sienna are reported to die lialfa score a day ; and many of the Itjilians to be discharged, and greatly mistrusted. If tlie matter come to ex- tremity, unless tliey see the game half won. they will be the fii-st to help themselves to some booty. Giul inspiro "them to put them- selves in the Emperor's mciny, ajid him to accept them, and make him autlidi- of tiio quiet of Christendom! Intends shortly to write to the Council for tluir favour to him with the King and Queen. Sees good hojio of the restoration of the Catholic religion. It is known to [PetreJ and all the Council, and especially to the ]3ishop of Winchester, who next to King Henry the Eiglith was his chief liclper in tiie matter, that Pope Clement "VIL, at the King's eaiiiost request anil at the suit of the Council, granted him the collectoishii) of England, with a several bull containing divers MARY. 141 1554. " faculties of dispensation dwring his life. The office shortly after was put down by Pai-liament, and yet he was put to great expense and trouble on account of a pension which he was bound to pay to Cardinal Ridolphi. The office was not taken from him by the Pope, but only by Parliament and the King's command, as Lord Cromwell said, wlio in the King's name commanded him to bring to him all his documents in the matter. Knows not what became of them. Supposes tlie grant to exist in the registers in Rome. His great prebend of Bedwyn was taken from him, the compensa- tion not being equivalent, part being given in a prebend in S. Frideswide, part upon the Duke of Somerset's land, and part lost in hope of a better turn. His prebend of Beverley was suppressed, and a small pension appointed, in which, by the gentleness of the receivers, he is behind-hand many a day. Prays the Council to be suitor to the King and Queen in the matter, for he knows the Pope has remitted all the circumstances of that religion to the will and disposition of their Majesties. The King's letter plainly declares his good mind to him ; of the Queen's favour he has had good experience, as well as of tliat of the Council. Begs [Petre] also to be a suitor to the Bishop of Winchester and the Council for him. [Six pages.] , Nov. 30. 297. Thomas Gresham to the Council. According to his inten- SeTille. tion, expressed in his letter of the 16tli forwarded by the Portuguese Amlsassador, he left Medina de Campo on the 23d in post and arrived at Seville on the 26th, where lie found his factor Edmund Hogan with the 100,000 ducats. These had been twice told over by the tenant and other officers, were all packed, sealed, matted and corded, and the mules hired for their conveyance, when a difficulty was started as to whether, notwithstanding his passport and letters, he was the Queen's factor and possessed the especial power. At last on his finding two natives born and two Englishmen to testify to her Majesty's hand and seal, the officials came on the 28th and 29th, and after opening one case, counting over its contents again, and seeing it repacked, gave him his despatch at 5 o'clock of the latter day. The cases have been sent off to-day, he with two of his servants besides the scryvano [escrlbdnd] and his servant seeing them shipped. There are 50 of them, each marked with the broad arrow and numbered from 1 to 50, and each contains 22,000 silver Spanish rials, amounting to 2,000 ducats at 11 rials the ducat. These shall be shipped at Puerto Real in such good merchants' vessels as shall be present with the advice of Mr. Wood. The rest, which he will have in readiness, and which will not exceed 110,000 ducats, he intends to put on board two of her Majesty's ships, which will be a venture in each of 16,OO0L, and therewithal to come himself There is no small exclamation among the commons of this town that so much money should go out of the realm, the scarcity thereof being so great ; and for his own part he cannot with his pen set forth the great scarcity now throughout all Spain. By order of the Emperor all bill transactions must be settled in the banks. Whilst he was at Valladolid one of the ancient banks here, that of John Innynges and Octavian Negrone, on the 17th inst. played bankrupt with the 142 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1534. sum of 150,000 ducats. In this bank her Majesty has 2,000 ducats, but it is judged that there will be but small loss sustained, as John Nenynges [sic] is a man of 60, and esteemed to be worth 80,000 ducats, besides having put in sureties for 100,000 ducats. Ten days before he broke he owed the Queen 10,000 ducats. Gresham is blamed as being the cause of this bankruptcy, for his instructions are to receive all in ready money only, which so vexes the tanks and the town that he fears he may be the occasion of the whole sus- pending payments, which would the rending of the town and to the great loss and damage of her Majesty. Wherefore having yet to receive 1 00,000 ducats here and at Medina de Campo out of the banks, he will leave such order with his factor to receive it with as fair means as he can, for now there is no other way to help this matter, considering the ships, which are looked for daily, have not arrived from the Indies. Trusts they may come soon. Will bring with him all the relative documents and vouchers necessary for his discharge. Hopes he and their treasure may reach Laredo overland in safety, seeing the great bruit of the commons at its leaving the country. Recurring to the bankruptcy of Nenynges [sic] and Negrone, as it is the custom in Spain that the Prince of all men is first paid, if her Majesty shall obtain from the King a letter claiming it as bis debt, the 2,000 ducats will be paid out of hand, otherwise it wiU take some time before payment is made. Has been invited to join the other creditors, but has refused on the ground that the debt belongs to the Prince and not to him. Beseeches they will accept all his doings in good part, as in truth he can do no more than he had done. [Three pages.] Dec. 7. 298. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends letters ftt)m Brussels. Mr. Vannes. The Duke's army has taken from the Siennese Crevola and Massa. The Pope's Nuncio and the Venetian Ambassador earnestly follow a peace, of which they say they are in a right good hope. There is a talk of jieace between the Turk and the Sophy ; if that takes place Christian Princes must be driven to the peace, or else God has determined to bring his religion into a nairower room. They say here that it is possible that Cecil may succeed Petre, whose good meaning must needs be commended of all good men ; and surely if in case he well needs be disburdened, he can devise to place so sufficient a successor, the world must needs think, that in leaving the office he minded not to leave his commonwealth unfurnished of a convenient minister, whose match of those pieces Masone knows not within the realm of England. [One page.] Dec. 8. 299. Peter Vannes to the Council. The Tuscan affairs about Venice. Sienna remain in the same state. On the one side, those in Sienna suffer all kinds of hardness, feeding themselves on bread, water, and hope as lonrj as they can, rather than yield ; on the other side, the Duke of Florence's men, masters of the open country with plenty of lefreshmont here and there, continue their siege, preventing any succour from entering the town. They have called together the whole of their army and artillery about Sienna, which has given rise to many opinions. Some think they mean to make batteries 1554. MARY. 143 and then give an assault, trusting to take the town ; some that the people will hold out to the last, so that the charges of the war will be very great. Pietro Strozzi attends to the fortifications of Porto Ercole, Montalcino, Chiusa, and Grosseto, looking for provisions from Marseilles, as the French in Venice say. Cannot see any great assurance that the French have of the winds and weather to make them blow how, when, and where the}' like. The descent of a great number of foot and horse out of France into Piedmont is spoken of. Reckons them at not more than 6,000 foot, which is a very small number to pass into Tuscany or to venture any exploit in the state of Milan. Thinks either by their brags upon the confines to the state of Milan they might induce the Governors there to revoke their horsemen from Sienna for their own defence, or that they trust intelligence of treason in some place, and rnay be utterly deceived in that also, as has lately happened at Genoa, where by a certain treaty they had thought to get one of the gates of the town, but the conspiracy is discovered, and many of the authors taken. The state of Milan has not been for many years so faithfully assured to any prince as they are now to their Duke. Thinks the arrival of these few French will do no good beyond consuming the store which their countrymen have in those quarters, and reinforcing their old bands, partly employed and wasted upon the enterprises of Sienna and Corsica. The other occurrents they will learn from the inclosure. [Three pages. Indorsed by Petre.} Inclomre, 299. I. The capture of Crevola has not been followed by anything of importance in Tusca/ny. The Marquis Marignano has brought together all the army and artillery with the Guastatori under Sie\nnM\, from which it appea/rs he desires to make a battery on one side or other, and give the assault at once. It seems strange so large a city should hold so long, and it is likely that the inhabitants support themselves more on obstinacy and hope than on bread or victuals. They un'ite from Florence that it is reduced to extremity, and that except bread it suffered great want of all necessaries ; that they relied more on the hope of peace than on the aid of the French, who make large promises. Shows at some length the various diffi- culties with which the French have to contend. There are considerable hopes of peace, to which the Emperor is said to be inclined for the general good. The Turk is sending an Ambassador to Venice; it is reported that he has made agreement with the Sophy, whose Envoy with the terms is collected. The Venetians have recalled their Ambassador from France, and have for two years suspended his privilege of sitting in the Council, for contravention of their laws in chartering one of his vessels with corn from the Levant for other states. They have appointed in his place the Cavaliere Soranzo, who was formerly Ambassador. [Italian. Two pages. Injured by damp.} 144 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. Dec. 12. 300. Dr. Wolton to the Council. Has been cited by William Le Poissy. Gras, a merchant of Paris, to appear before a judge there in reference to the spoiling of a vesael belonging to him in time of peace, and for wliicli lie alleges he cannot obtain redress in England. Details at considerable length his interview and conversation with Le Gras upon the merits of the case, and the competency of his instituting a suit against an Ambassador. One Roger Edwards, by some called Roger Arnold, his father's name having been Arnold Edwards, bom near Monmouth, has been with him and disclosed his instructions as a spy employed by the Constable to visit England and report upon aflFairs there and the state of Calais. This Arnold says he intends not to do, but will before leaving endeavour to learn more of the Constable's mind and inform their Lordships thereof. He was in the service of the late Duke of Northumberland, and thinks Lord Pembroke knows him. Cannot well tell what to make of him, and therefore certifies their Lordships that they may decipher the man. There is a common rumour of intelligence between the French King and some of the principal inhabitants of Calais ; but so numerous are the false reports, as to their Majesties and the state of England, that he gives like credit to all rumours. [Five pages. Half in cipher, deciphered.] Dec. 12. 301. Sir John Masone to same. Sends copy of such writing Brussels, as the Emperor's Commissaries have made and exhibited to the Assembly at Frankfort for answer to a letter lately written by the French King to the same, of which he had not long since sent their Lordships a copy (missing). The Assembly is dissolved, without anything being concluded ; but all is reserved to the Diet at Augsburg, which is not likely to meet before Christmas. The French increase in strength both of foot and horse in Piedmont : some think they will pass by the Po or any other way they can to the relief of Sienna ; others that they will attempt to set foot in Asti, Vercelli, Vulpiano, or some other unconquered fort, which they will find difficult to do in this weather, so as to withdraw some of the forces before Sienna. They have made an ineffectual attempt on Vulpiano, and are now moving towards Savona. Monluc with two of the chief officers of Sienna have had a parley with the Marquis of Marignano. Has been told for certain that by means of the Pope, the Venetians, and the Duke of Ferrara, both Princes have agreed to a commission in Italy as to a composition for Sienna and Corsica, with powers to conclude if they agree. It is confirmed that the Turk is to winter at Constantinople, and that a treaty of peace between him and the Sophy is on hand. The Duke of Savoy leaves for England in two or three days, taking in his suite the substance of the nobility and gentlemen of this Court to the number of 100 at least ; among thcin is Don Louis D Avila. A number of Ambas- sadors, rdojinits, and iigcnts from sundry states of Italy also prepare to go thither, who, with their trains, will not be fewer than 200. " God send them liorso-moat 1 which they shall the better find if you niiike an cud shortly of your Parliament." [One page and a quarter.] AIARY. 145 1554. Dec. 12. 302. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Refers to his letter Brussels, to the Council of same date witli its inclosure. Since closing it has seen ijnother answer to the French King- made by some one bearing good will to the Emiieroi's affairs. Sends copy of it, albeit by the perusal it may seem to have been written by one rather to essay his wit, and declare his affection, than of intent to answer particularly the matter. Was this morning told by one of the Emperor's Council, who misliked much the matter, that a preacher of theirs whose name he rehearsed beateth the pulpit jollily in England for the restitution of Abbey lands. " If it be so meant by the Princes, and be thought convenient so to be, then doth he his duty. But if contrarily it be neither meant nor thought convenient, it is a strange thing in a well ordered commonwealth that a subject shall be so hardy to cry unto the people openly such learning as whereby poor winter works may in the summer be attempted with some storm. And were the thing Ht to be talked of, yet were the Princes and the Council, who might remedy it, meeter to be spoken with thereon than the multitude, who thereby may receive an ill impres- sion and an occasion of lewd thinking and lewd talking, and lewd doing also, if it may lie in their powers (and that is all that of sowing these matters amongst them can ensue). These unbridled preachings were so much to be misliked in the ill governed time, as good men trusted in this good governance it should have been amended. And so may it be when it shall please my Lords of the Council as diligently to consider it, as it is more than necessary to be looked unto. The party, methinketh, might well be put to silence, if he were asked how, being a monlc and having professed and vowed solemnly wilful poverty, he can with con- science keep a deanery and three or four benefices." Hears by report of other Ambassadors here of the return of the realm to the unity of ChriEt's Church, whereof all good men have cause to rejoice. Would have wished this confirmed to him by certain knowledge, but as it is the ordinary of English Ambassadors io know least of all others of the matters of the realm, he must be content ; trusting that as he is informed it is thought unnecessary for the lather to have an Ambassador to the son there, so shall with time the office on this side, being no more needful, be dis- charged also. If his abode is to be longer, then would be a suitor to Petre to be a mean for licence to him to come over for three weeks or a month to see the King's Highness. [One page and a half-l Inclosure, 302. I. "Copy of an answer to the French King's letter written lately to the Assembly at Frankfort, incerto authore." [Latin. Six pages.] Dec. 16. 303. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends a little Brussels, packet from Mr. Vannes. News from Italy state that a conspiracy to deliver Sienna into the hands of the French had been detected by interception of a letter, and the authors had partly fled and partly been CKecuted. This appears to have been the occasion of the large power lately sent into Piedmont by the French King, which now he must either employ about some other enterprise or 2. K 146 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554. scatter them again. The Commissioners for the talk of Sienna are sent into Italy ; those named for the Emperor are his Ambassador and a Cardinal ; " I trow it be Carpi." The French King has chosen such as pleased him. The result will probably depend upon the power of Sienna to hold out. Here to-morrow they shall have a general procession, as well for the certainty of the Queen's being with child, as for the good success of the matters of religion iu England. The haste of the messenger haa made him send a scribbled letter. p.S. — On Monday the Duke of Savoy dispatches hence. [One 2Jage.] Dec. 18. 304. The Cardinal of Augsburg [Otho Truchses] to Queen Mary. Diiingen. Congratulating and commending her Majesty on having reduced England to the obedience of the Church. If there is joy in heaven for one sinner that repeats, how much greater joy must there be for the repentance of a whole nation ! [Latin. Two pages.] Dec. 20. 305. Thomas Stukeley to Sir Thomas Cheney, K.G., Lord Warden Friday at Night, of the Five Ports. The Duke of Savoy arrived at tliree o'clock p.m. Calais. ^^^^ intends to go to England as soon as the wind serves. He has at least 50 gentlemen of reputation with him, so that his whole train will at least be 200 horses. The Duke has commanded him to attend upon him. OfiFers his services to Cheney. [One page. Indorsed by Fetre.] Dec. 21. 306. Bona, Queen Dowager of Poland, to Queen Mary. Has Warsaw, learned with much pleasure, by her Envoy John Laiu^nce Pappa- coda, both of the welfare of her Majesty and her royal consort, and the Emperor's resignation to the latter of the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Milan ; on which event she begs to offer her congratulations. Sends herewith, as Ambassador to King Philip, CamUlo Brancati a Neapolitan nobleman, to request that her rights and privileges in these states may be maintained, towards the support of which petition she solicits the favour of her Majest3''s influence as a wife. [Latin. Two pages.] Dec. 24. 507. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Since he wrote to tliem of Poissy. Roger Edwards, has received from him the bill inclosed. Does not know what to think of Edwards and his information, because he supposes that Calais and Guisnes are so officered and furnished that there can be no mistrust nf these places, and the French speak so fair as if they had no haste to intentions. Nevertheless considers it a duty to certify them of those advertisements that their Lord- ships may duly weigh them. Before this letter reaches, hopes (Japtain Drury may bo with them; he will mention what commu- iiieiition was hud with him at the Court after his delivery, which may seem to mako Edwards' tale the likelier to be true. It is riiinourcd tliiit the King sends baek to their own country the Scots will) have been serving here, ami witli them about 3,000 French under i\w. command of the Due D'Aumale, brother to the Queen l)owag(T of Scotland, who shall be his lieutenant there. They say tlie Emperor liihours V(>ry earnestly to have aid from England next 1554. MARY. 147 summer, and makes large oilers for it ; this alarms them lest it be granted, and is probably the cause why they now send to Scotland. Yesterday M. de Lansac, the French King's Ambassador, who had been taken by the Duke of Florence's men near Sienna, came to visit him and the other Ambassadors here, sent by the King to inform them of the news which he had received from Marshal Brissac, his lieutenant in Piedmont, which were that on the second day of battery, the town and citadel of Ivrea, containing 800 Spaniards and some landsknecbts, surrendered. This place is con- sidered of importance, being within 28 Italian miles of Milan, and lying between the Val d'Aost and Vercelli, so that neither that city nor the adjoining country can henceforth be provisioned from Val d'Aost ; but Ivrea shall be victualled thence, D'Aost having been declared neuter about two months since. Lansac is not freely discharged, but permitted to return on similar conditions as those prescribed to Ascanio della Comia, the Pope's nephew. Besides their Ambassador Resident here, the Siennese daily send Envoys Extraordinary to hasten the aid intended for them by the King. The city is victualled for all February, but they are very urgent either to have succour, or permission to come to some composition while favourable terms may be had. The troops sent to Piedmont are probably intended to divert those of the Duke of Florence from Sienna. The Count of Vaudemont, who is to be married to the sister of the Duke of Nemours, very near a kin to the Duke of Savoy, is looked for shortly here. It is said he shall have with her 100,000 crowns. Marquis Albert is reported to be at Chateau Thierry or its vicinity, and that he will marry the Duchess of Castro, the King's bastard daughter. This he thinks not very likely. [Two pages and a quarter.] Inclosed, letter from Edwards, 307. I. The King is speedily to send 3,000 men into Scotland ; ships for their transport are in preparation. Suspects some other practice is intended, and suggests that the Council of Calais should he warned. Taytue went four day ago to Dieppe, and has not returned yet. Had Tnentioned this to Mr. Somers. As far as he can perceive they doubt him partly. The Constable has made a war- rant for 30 crowns to his use, yet he cannot be dis- patched ; if need be, must commit himself to Wotton's tuition. Crayer has come to the Court, and the King said he was glad of his coming. Since he saw Wotton, the Cowndl have commanded him to wait until the arrival of a post from England, writing home in the m,eantime to endeavour to ascertain whether any gar- rison is shortly to come into Ouisnes and- Calais, and whether the magistrates of those places are to be changed. Also whether the Queen and King of England are to aid the Emperor, and whether it ^vas concluded for the coronation of the Prince of Spain as King of England. Some captains of Picardy are here, the King being m,inded to place a great number of men towards Boulogne and Montr euil. [Unsigned and undated. Two 'pages.] ic 2 148 FOREICN rAPEllS. J 55-1.. Circa. 308. Momoranduin )jy tlie Council concerning tlie Legate's Doc. 21.. [Cardinal Polo] i-oply i!o tin; i)otltioiiH by tlie Parliament and Clergy, in rolbroiicc to tlio ercitbioii of citliedral ciiurclics, matri- monial dis[icnsal,ionH, iVc. \l)nij'l. AnlojjrdjJi of Pdrc. Two 'jiiK/cs. Sff. fiti-jJii.'A Mriuorials, Vol. iii., Pail I., j). 2.')i. Stu I'Jilllloii, 18:22. 1 Dec. 2.J. 309. Sir John M.i.sunc; to the Council. Received their letter Brussels. of the 10th instant on the li)tli. Had openly given thanks to Almighty Goil for the joyful and comfortable nuws therein con- tained [of Pole's absolving England and restoring it to unity with Rome]. Had audience of the Emperor on Sunday the 2-lth, to communicate the same. Describes the interview minutely. The French being baffled both at Sienna and Asti, are besieging Ivrea in Piedmont, but by reason of its strength and the season of the year, they are not likely to continue before it long. The Duke of Brunswick and the Landgrave, who have been always mortal enemies, have lately had sundry meetings and comniunications, and it is said that the Landgrave's daughter shall be married to the Duke's son and heir. Letters from Constantinople of the 3d ult., mention that there have been great triumphs made for the Turk's victory ; his escape being so considered, although the truth is he had a dishonourable overthrow ; and to congratulate the same, an Ambassador named Ibrahim has been sent from him to the Signiory of Venice. The Janizaries and a good piece of his army are sent to Constantinople, and he remains at Araasia awaiting the return of the Sophy's Ambassador, his wintering there or his return to Constantinople depending upon the issue of their communications. [Four payes. Partly printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., 23- 624.] Dec. 25. 310. Same to Sir William Petre. Htis received his letter of Brussels. the 12th, and with it one from the Council of the 10th inst. which, if it had come with a fresher date, and been dispatched before its matter was known everywhere, would have served to better purpose. In the packet was a letter to the Emperor not mentioned by the Council, but by the seal and superscription perceived it was from the Queen. Not knowing what was to be said at the delivery of it, and the Council's letter coming in name both of the King and Queen, there was no remedy but to open it, and by reading learned the errand was to be done on her behalf, which otherwise he could not hiive conjectured. So by doing an act more than was convenient had not necessity constrained him, he both found the argument of his commission, and had time to frame some excuse for the oldness of the date, whicli was of the nth inst. Requests thnt in the like case another time he may receive eitlier a copy of the letter or a memorandum of instructions, and that letters for him may be sent either to Titchet or to Mr, Spilniau, as they will reach him sooner and without any extra cost to his Majesty. Sends iierewith a jirognostication just received, wherein may bo soon tho lewd author's blind j)rophecies both of MAEY. 149 Dec. 29. St. Germain en-Layc. Dec. 30. Brussels. 1554. these countries and of England. There is a rumour, which he hopes is incorrect, that the town of Ivrea has surrendered to the French, but that the castle still holds out. [One page.'] 311. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Hearing that it has pleased God to reduce her subjects to the union of His Holy Church and obedience of the Holy See, sends the Pro- thonotary De Noailles, his Almoner in ordinary, bearer hereof, to congratulate her Majesty on these most agreeable news. [French, Copy. One j^arjfe.] 312. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends to Mm two letters received this morning from Mr. Vannes. The news of the taking of Ivrea were too true. The devil is in the Frenchmen, whom neither time of the j'ear nor any other thing can stay from the attempting daily of some mischief. The poor Duke of Savoy is like to feel these ill-favoured news, which will probably shorten his residence in England. Here it is said he will go to Italy. The French make a power about Mezieres, whether for the revictualling of Marienburg or other mischief is not yet known. The King of Velez, having been three or four years ago driven out of his kingdom by the Xarif, and since having got thither again, is finally taken by his said enemy and beheaded. [One page.] [Endofyear.] 313. "A note of examples wherein Ambassadors of England with other foreign Princes have in their Avritings delivered, preferred their names before the Ambassadors of strangers." [Two pages. Modern tvriting.'] 1 55-1-5. Jan. 10. Brussels. 314. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. The gentleman sent hither from the Cardinal has not as yet had audience, albeit Masone has not let to travail for him in that behalf as earnestly as conveniently he might. Since his coming several others have been lieard and dispatclied. Fears he must still tairy longer, the Queen, M. D'Arras, and tlie rest of the Council having gone to Antwerp, and the Emperor remaining as it were alone, somewhat troubled still with his gout. Cannot tell the meaning of this long deferring. Thinks it could not hurt to give the world to understand that this side could be content to talk of peace and upon reasonable condi- tions to come also to some conclusion therein. The French have had such experience that tliey are able to do, as better it had been they had not learned so much. Some here let not to say that this staying hangs upon hope of the aid of England. As God will ordain the matter, so must it be ; but a great adventure will it be, being not yet recovered of their late sickness acquired by the like accident, to put themselves in danger of falling down again. If he hears not shortly of some aid of money out of England, extremity will diive him to make his refuge to her Majesty, who he trusts will either call him home or else see him so furnished with her allowance, or at least with his OAvn, as he may be able to continue the place in Buch a sort as to her honour is requisite. [Two pages.] 150 FOREIGN PAPERS. i55-i.-r,. Jan. 19. 81. '5. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Having received ber Brussels. Miijesty's letter of the 30th December, first communicating with tlio Count of Egmont, he repaired to the Duchess of Arschot and delivered the Queen's letter. The Duchess greatly rejoiced in the honour done to her by this appointment. The day of the christening was the 19th, at which time he resorted to her house a little before the hour and delivered to her her Majesty's cup and 40 angels. She was accompanied to the Count of Egmont's house by the Duchess of Lorraine and all the nobility of the Court, male and female. The baptismal ceremony was very solemn, a bishop execu- ting it, and other things requisite so rich and well in order, as it was right worthy the sight and as appertained to the estate of such a nobleman. The other godmother was the Duchess of Lorraine, and the godfather Frederick the Count Palatine, whose deputy was the Count of Edstein sent hither on purpose. His present was two crosses of jewels, the one of diamond for the child, the other set with four fair rubies, one fair diamond and one emerald, for the mother. The christening was in the evening, so as by the end thereof it was supper time. The supper and banquet was right stately, in which her Majesty's cup so walked up and down from man to woman and woman to man as he dares answer few were there that carried not both their bellies and heads full freighted to bed. Had declared to the Countess in what good part the request of her and her husband to make their daughter a Christian woman had been taken by her Majesty, who would willingly have done the same in person had the distance not been so great. She desires her most grateful thanks may be given to the Queen. There had been some doubt as to the naming of the child, the Countess having already a daughter of the name of Mary ; but at last it was resolved she should be called Mary Christiana, after her Majesty and the Duchess of Lorraine, whose name is Christiana. Letters of the 5th from Casale in Piedmont mention that the French have razed Mazin [Massa] and having attempted some other places had been well driven from them. No further fear need be had of them. Had the captain of Ivrea been a man, as he has declai-ed himself a beast, that town had been saved, and then this had been as ill a journey as ever the French made in their lives. The town had been cowardly rendered to them by its captain, whose name is Moral, and who therefor is imprisoned, Mazin was valiantly defended, and its captain has won much honour ; had it been guard- able he would have made good account of it. As it is, it was dearly gotten ; the captain and soldiers in the end departing by composition with their bodies and baggage. The Emperor has sent thither 4,000 foot and 1,000 horse, which with the former garrison and some others from .Sicily and Naples, it is trusted shall be able shortly to make the enemy weary. There have come from Germany to the Court four Ambassadors, viz., from Duke Augustus, Duke of Bruns- wick, Hans Frederick 'h son and heir, and the Landgrave of Hesse. It is thought they come on their own jjrivate matters. The Duke of Brunswick and the Landgrave are i-econciled and a marriage between their eliildren is settled. No news from Sienna for some time. [Two pages and a quarter.] MARY. 151 155i-5. Jan. 27. 316. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Shortly before Christmas Poissy. the Venetian Ambassador, Barbadico or Barbarico, after a very- brief residence, was suddenly recalled without taking leave, on account of his selling a ship laden with corn to the Genoese ; either because he ought to have sold it at Venice, where there is no great plenty, or because the French King had remonstrated to the Seigniory that he should sell his corn to the King's enemy. He is likely to be mulcted in great sums of money, and held in- capable to occupy any such preferments as are usually the reward of Envoys who have served their time. The Scottish infantry are going back, and it is said that some French are to accompany them. The Earl of Huntly is said to be very straitly imprisoned. The King probably intends to be so strong, that though the Scots would make any business, yet the French shall be able to keep the fortresses in Scotland. There has been with the King an Italian, from the Duke of Urbino, who has made a piece of ordnance, divided into six or seven score pieces, so that so many men may with ease each carry a piece. This was tried at Paris in his Majesty's presence, with another piece of brass of the like size, viz., that of a sacre, and with like powder ; and the Italian's shot farther and pierced deeper than the French piece. The Italian has offered to make his Majesty such a one as shall shoot a stone of 500 weight. The King has cassed 30 out of every 100 horse and foot in his service ; and these 30 are to have no wages for the last five months and a half, for which, as they aUege, they have served. Much talk here of a communication of peace by her Majesty and the Legate. The Marquis of Marignano has been repulsed in an assault on Sienna : Strozzi supposed to be stiU in Grosseto. A Lord of Germany, supposed to be one of the Duke of Brunswick's, has recently arrived at the Court, but he cannot ascertain who he is. He is believed to have come from Italy. Received on the 20th, by Francisco the courier, their letters of 5th December and 16th inst. On Wednesday the 23d had audience of the King, when Francisco received his passport and proceeded on his journey. Presented her Majesty's letter. Discoursed to the King of the evils which had arisen in England during the past 500 years, when the Sovereign was a minor, which had brought the realm into great danger, but never more so than in the late reign, when the governors had not only sought much more their own advantage than the King's benefit, but had travailed all that they could to fill the kingdom with the most abominable heresies that ever were in the Church of Christ. To remedy which the Parliament had passed an Act wherebj', in case of her Majesty's demise, leaving issue, the King should have the government of the child and the realm. His Majesty received the communication very gently, and expressed himself highly gratified by these wise proceedings, the reduction of England to the Church, &c. The Constable had even exceeded the King's commendations of her Majesty, and has been more than usually courteous to Wotton, to whom next day he sent half a wild boar, killed by the King on the preceding day. Is frequently used to send him venison : begs they wiU cause the like to be done to the French Ambassador in 152 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1551-5. Tlio Constable bad asked Francisco where Ruy Gomez I'Anz iiiforTiicil tliat he was in England, said, "That ' Enghvnd. M'lis ; and hi'ing nilorTiicn tnai ne was m jingiana, saia, • mat is M'rll," as thougli lie Imd meant somewhat else thereby. Francisco nut at Calais one of the PJnipei'or'H Secretaries going into England, and rcM[iie.stcd Jiim to in((iiiro of Wotton wlietlicr a Spanish gentle- man scut from the Emperor passed this way towai'ds Spain. Learns from the postmasters that a few days since one Francisco de Mcndoza did so pass. Beseeches them to intercede with their Majesties for the liberation from the Tower (>{ Sir Gawen Carew, who is married to his sister. [Seven pages and a half. The first portion in cipher, undeciphered.'] Jan. 28. 317. Nicholas Radzivil, Duke of Olika, to Queen Marj'. In Breste. favour of [Laurence Fentzel], a citizen of Dantzic, whose business will be explained by Jerome Makowieczki, of the Chamber of the King of Poland. {Latin. One page and a half.'\ January. Feb. 2. Venice. 318. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Desires him to inform the French King of the proceedings of Parliament, toucliing the restitu- tion of the Pope's authority, and the establishment of matters of religion in the realm. [One page.] [January.] 319. "Thomas Gresham, remembrance for the monies of Spain." [Three pages, with notes by Petre.] [January.] 320. " A note of all the Queen's Highness' debts in Flanders," by Thomas Gresham. [One page, with notes on reverse by Fetre.] 321. Peter Vannes to the Council. Sienna, waiting long for French aid, has suffered great extremity. The Frencli say they have provision for a long time, but in reality they are driven to eat bread of bran, and divers daily die of hunger. When any fall sick and are unable to serve, their food is taken from them ; and, being in this miserable case, the Imperialists think it more advantageous to subdue them by continuing the siege than by assault, which could not be without great danger and loss of men. The Siennese have of late sent Ambassadors to the Pope beseeching him for the reverence of God and for pity to tsike some agreement to prevent their utter destruction. The Pope took the matter in hand with the Imperial and French Cardinals, and it was thought that both parts would consent that Sienna should come into the Pope's hands for a time to save it from sack, until other conditions were agreed upon. Such difficulties were found, however, on both sides that the Pope discharged hiniself from further meddling. The French Cardinals were much discontented that the Siennese should have made the request without their advice. The Ambassadors excused themselves by saying that a,s they could get no aid within or without, and no promise kept for their release they were obliged to do as well as tliey could. It is supposed they ai-e now devising upon theii- surrender. Notwithstanding this, the French still make a great bruit about their army coming from Marseilles with 26 gallies and 17 ships charged with 12 ensigns of foot, part MARY. 153 1554-5. Feb. 4. Augsburg. Feb. 8. Brussels. Gascons, part Germans with plenty of provisions for Sienna; too late, he supposes. They add that if Sienna wore lost they have Montalcino, Grosseto, Chiusi, and Porto Ercole so strong and so well provisioned that they could keep the Imperialists at an expensive war for a long time. Besides they expect aid from the Turks this summer. Meantime the Duke of Florence collects money in any way. The French in Piedmont since the taking of Ivrea and Mazin proceed no further, but endeavour to fortify some places thereabout. The Imperialists diligently provide for the safety of all other places of any importance, and will shortly be so strong in the field as to be able to outstand the furious enterprises of the French. Thinlcs the abstinence of the French from any exploit in Piedmont arises from the fact that the wet weather does not serve them, and that their practice is already partly discovered and partly unsuccessful. By letters of the 19 th December from Constantinople it appears that their Ambassador there, called the Beylo, would have given a great present to Captain Dragut on his return, as in customary there. This was stoutly refused by Dragut, alleging that his army when in these seas was not honoured nor kindly entertained by the Venetians as it was their duty to have done, and of that he would have complained to the Turk. Many think this to be a device of the French to bring the Venetians sooner at war with the Emperor. By what he can gather they shall little avail. [Three pac/es.} 322. "Summa Capitum prsecipuorum de quibus Erasmus a Rouretz in Lobschitz, et Laurentius Lindeman Doctor, Electoris Saxonise legati, ex mandate Celsitudinis suse, ad Serenissimum Eomanorum Hungariae, BohemiEeque, &c., Regem Dominum nostrum Clementissimum retulerunt." [Latin. Four pages.^ 323. Sir John Masone to the Coiincil. According to the terms of their letter of January (blank in orig.) has obtained from the Emperor licence for Passay and Raynolds to remove from these countries certain lasts of rye provided by them in the east parts, and has delivered the same to Rajmolds. The Emperor having been ill-used last summer by some of the base sort in Antwerp, and reminded of this by late misorders, has thought fit to show himself their Sovereign by no longer overslipping in silence their lewd demeanour. Wherefore by sending thither the Prince of Orange, Count de Meghen, Count D'Aremberg, and other nobles, one after the other as if on their own private affairs, yet well accompanied, and sending to them at various times ten or twelve or more or less of horse and foot, until a sufficient force was gathered, he has finally sent in one body seven ensigns of Germans, who seizing upon two gates at once have without resistance, although some little had been threatened, made the Emperor full master of the city. It was his intention to have gone tliither, but he has been retarded by an assault lately given to him by his old familiar enemy the gout, and in his place the Queen will go thither either on Saturday or Monday next, and it is thought steps will be taken effectually to punish the offenders. The 154 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554.-:>. Fel). 13. Brussels. gentleman sent by the Cardinal has not yet had audience. It i.s said that the French King begins to levy troops in Germany, and that there is a practice for the Landgi'ave to help him therein. [One page.] 321". Sir John Masons to Sir WiHiam Petre. The Cardinal's gentleman has not yet had audience. Dining with Morysine to-day they devised, notwithstanding the absence of D'Arras, that he should apply to M. de la Chaulx, Chief Gentleman of the Emperor's chamber, as a mean to be kept in remembrance, but there is small hope of his being heard till D'Arras returns, which will be in five or six days. Sig. Ruy Gomez arrived here on Monday night, and yesterday had audience of the Emperor. To-morrow, if he be not stayed, he goes to Breda, to the christening of the Prince of Orange's child, in which journey, going, coming, and tarrying, he will bestow about fi^ve days, and after his return, expects to be dispatched in three or four days. Since the Queen's arrival in Antwerp all things are quiet. It is said as soon as the gout gives him leave the Emperor will go thither, " wherein he shall do well, for this Court is now altogether dead ; the life thereof is at Antwerp." No news from Italy of late. P.S. — Chapuis sends to him now and then to put the Queen in remembrance for the assurance of his pension, granted, as he says, to his colleague. A\'ishes her Majesty would stay her hand both abroad or at home, but if she will needs use such liberality, it were well were some place ordered for an Englishman that was disposed to study at Louvain. [One page.] Feb. IS. Brussels. 325. Same to same. With this he will receive two packets, one for himself, the other for Bartholomew Corapeigne ; both brought this day, though with a difference of seven or eight days' date, as shown by the letter from Mr. Vannes which accompanied them. Thereby he shall know the affairs of Italy. Sienna still reported to be in very ill terms ; but this has been so often said, that when he hears it is surrendered he will believe it to be in exti-emity. The Abbate de St. Salut has not yet spoken with the Emperor; the occasion of the delay has doubtlessly been signified by the Emperor to her Majesty, in whose name he has so often sent for the Abbate's audience. Would to God they were in as good oi-der for war, as they seem not much desirous to hearken to the peace ! The Queen and Council are still at Antwerp ; ten or twelve of the base sort there are committed to ward. The Emperor still troubled somewhat with gout. Ruy Gomez only staid two days here, departing for Antwerp and thenee to the christening of the Prince of Orange's child, to which also, as he is informed, comes the Duke of Cleves, accompanied witli 300 hoi-sea. Tiie French ai-e assembling near to the English frontiers. [One page.] Feb. 18. .12(1. Otho Henry, Diiko of Bavaria, to King Philip. Credentials ^'' DflnuhT ** °'' ^''"lpl'"« llenuan Kic-deHel ub Gissenbach, and Vitus Poland, Doctor of Law.s Latin. I Envoys from tho Duke to his Majesty. [Broadside. MARY. 155 l55t-o. Feb. 20. Brussels. Feb. 21. Falenno. Feb. 22. Brussels. 327. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Yesterday, sent to him a packet by way of Antwerp inclosing one from Mr. Vannes ; as the date may be stale ere it reaches him, takes advantage of a courier coming from Naples to his Majesty, to write a few words. The affairs of Italy still hang much in one sort. Since taking Ivrea and Massa the French have done no great exploit in Piedmont. Marquis Albert has made a bargain with the French King to supply him with 40 ensigns of foot and 3,000 horse for three months, and to be allowed therefor 40,000 crowns a month, and at the end of the wars to have an estate in France of 5,000 crowns per anmom. What the French, who are so thick on the English frontier, will do, is matter rather of conjecture than of certainty. Ruy Gomez is expected here to-morrow. The Abbate has not yet had audience, to the great marvel of all men. The Emperor is mucli amended. The Queen and Court are still at Antwerp. P.S. — Requests the inclosed may be forwarded to the Venetian Ambassador. [One page and a quarter.] 328. The Marquis of Terra Nova to Queen Mary, Being a most devoted servant and vassal of the Prince of Spain, he sends the gentleman who bears this letter to congratulate her Majesty on her marriage and do homage to her. [Italian. Two pages.] 329. Sir John Masone to the Council. The Queen and Council are still at Antwerp engaged in the examination and trial of the mutineers of last summer, and of some receivers and treas- urers who are suspected by the people of having received more than they have accounted for to the Emperor. The Marquis of Mazarano, hitherto considered a good Imperialist, is revolted to the French ; because, as is alleged, his estate lying adjacent to Ivrea is no longer able to defend itself, and further, his son, being Bishop of the City, has done the same to save the profits thereof. The father has received the charge of 2,000 men during the wars. The usual report of the extremity of Sienna. The Marquis of Marignano lately defeated 400 Germans sent by Strozzi out of the town for some purpose ; of these 200 were slain, and the rest, with very few exceptions, taken. The Turk's Ambassador has in vain endeavoured to induce the states of Venice to join the French. The Turk has sent to Bogdavia, Moldavia, and Wallachia desiring them to be prepared witli horse and foot for the field early in spring ; and it is understood that he takes speedy orders for the rigging of his gaUies that they may make towards the seas of Italy as soon as they are ready to sail. Incloses the articles of bargain between Marquis Albert and the French King. The Diet goes slowly forward, the only Prince come thither being the Duke of Wirtemberg ; and it is said that before going there they intend to have a meeting between themselves. Cardinal Morone, who had been appointed to go there, to see if they were disposed to take example of the godly doings in England, is stayed at Rome and goes not in that Ambassade. The Duke of Savoy has made great suit to be Sent into Italy, but it is thought his request will not be granted. The matters of Milan seem now to require the sending of some one there, and Don Ferrante Gonzaga is mentioned. It is said the French 156 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554-5. Feb. 25. Brussels. Feb. 27. Brussels. Feb. WestminBter. March 'I. lit usaels. bof^in to fortify Galeate, 28 miles from Milan. Is informed this morning that tlioro are arrived in Spain, five millions out of the TndioN. Just now, M. D'Arra.s, who retiimed yesterday from Antwerp with Rny CJomez, sent for the Lord Cardinal's Gentleman, and after making a long excuse for his liaving been at this Com-t HO lonjj; unheard, promised him tliat lie should shortly be dispatched with a good resolution of the Emperor's mind touching the matter that he came hither fur. [Two pa/fes.] Incloses, 329. I. "Articles avd Cnjntulations passed late in Baden between the French Klv(j mid Marquis Albert." The same information as already given in Masane's letter to Pctre cf 20th iiist., with this addition, that "if it shall he tlie Marquis' fortune to conquer tlie Duchy of Gueldres, it shall remain to him : all otlier states tliat he may vin to remain tv the said. French Kiny." [One page.] 330. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends packet from Vannes received yesterday. Sienna, they say, fainteth. They have hanged a great time in expectation of an end in that matter, whereof tliey trust shortly to hear sure certainty. The Abbate has not had audience, but on Friday was promised soon to be dispatched with a good resolution. M. D 'Arras has to-day returned to Antwerp, returning hither Avith the Queen on Thursday or Friday next. Ruy Gomez remains here in the meanwhile. The bruit of Don Ferrante di Gonzaga being to be sent to Italy is now as cold as it was before hot. [One page.] 331. Same to same. Fresh news from Constantinople mention that the Turk is still at Amasia, and has sent to have all his Janizaries in order to return that way against the spring, and it is thought he minds to make war upon the Georgians. If so, these news must be good to all Christendom, which, if God were to permit him to bend his whole force this way, were in no little danger by reason of tlic commodity he should find by the dissen- sion of the two Princes. The Queen will return on Fi-iday, and on Sunday meet the Estates of this country' to consnlt upon a new aid, albeit this .year they pay throughoutt he tentli or twentieth of the value of their goods and laml.s. Although promised he shall have audience, the Caidinal's man remains still unheard. R'^quests the inclosed packet may be sent to the Vouotian Ambiissador. [One 2"'0c.] Hp-I. Queen Mary to John Gn-siiam and Nieholas Ilolbourne. Is desiroii.s to have the jiayments, shortly duo at Antwerp to Anthony FuLfo-er, Jasper iSuhc(z,-and othor.s for the causes of Spain, prolonged for (inc year. Aii|)i)inks Cresliani ami Ilolbourne to treat with the merchants on the, subjcet. [Minute. Autograph of Petre. Two 2><'i/en.] 333. Sir John Masono to Sir William Petre. Has received his letter of the 2'2(1 February by Antonio Florebello, and ofiera his hearty thinks for tlie short receiving of his money and Petre's travail in bringing the same. Whensoever it shall come it is MAIiY. 157 1551-5. already spent, and therefore more cure does ho take for the receipt "of that that shall be due ajjjain this inonUi of March, as well diets as fees, than ho takes plcaMiro fur tlio it'uoiviii!;' of the i)ast, which as soon as it comes; must be paid ng'aiii ; so as iio si'os the estate of an Ambassador, tliat of himself is not able to bc^ar the brunt, is come to be most miserabk'. Tiicrcfdio if I'rfcrc can with good mean help hiui from it, like as ho has always founddiim his esjiecial friend, so shall he reckon that agroemcut of frieiidship to pass all the rest. In the meantime, he would to God Tliomas Gresham, who he hears is returned to Antwerp, might be his paymaster ! The Lord put some good man in mind, whom the Queen can be content to believe, to advise her to take the measure of her realm and to proportionate her receipts and expenses together, and to bring her charges to the rate as they weie at in her grandfather's time and in the beginning of her father's. Good Lord ! how often has he heard this matter spoken of and wished for ! and that he sees it not executed, he must needs think they are not thoroughly reconciled to God's favour. So long he sees shall they run to risk ere their case shall be out of remedy ; and then woe be to those that might have holpen it in time ! They have peace, they have such ways to bring in money as they never had, and yet remain they needy and most miserable. What is this but an evident sign of God's displeasure? They see the sore and seek not to amend it ; unless it may be thought an amendment to hold away poor men's duties, the satisfaction of which sort, notwithstanding wars and all other extremities, other Courts have a special regai-d unto, who see that of the contrary must needs ensue dishonour, shame, and displeasure of Almighty God. Well ! his writing will not help, and therefore he says no more. The French still assemble on the English frontier, for resisting of them sees no such preparation as were to be wished. The States were appointed to meet here to-morrow for a new aid, but the Queen not having returned from Antwerp it is doubtful if the day will hold. During this extreme weather the Emperor has been ill-troubled with his gout ; but as the time amends so does the disposition of his body. The Abbate has not had audience yet. The Dowager of the Vaivode has by express Ambassador threatened afresh the King of the Romans to seek aid at the Emperor's hands, if she does not obtain her demands, which it is thought she has already done by the French King's means. Italy is con- veniently provided for. Don Bernardino de Mendo9a, who before had charge of the gallies of Naples, has arrived in Piedmont. Shortly such news are expected from Sienna as shall be much con- trary to the French reports. This day they look for the ordinaiy of Milan. Pickering has been here some days, and will leave for England on Thursday or Friday next. [Two 23cicfes.] March 6. 334. Sir Thomas Cornwallis to Sir William Petre. Last Tuesday Calais. at seven o'clock p m. took shipping at Dover, and arrived here at one o'clock a.m. After opening of the gates participated to the Lord Deputy and Council their Majesties' letter.?, and in consultation agreed to apprehend all suspected persons within and without the town. Although in the few whom they have this day examined 158 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1554-5. March 9. Guisnes. March 9. ISruHiiC'ls. they have found nothing worth advertisement, and in the many still to be subjected to inquiry they are likely to gather no knowledge of any lewd practices attempted or devised, yet in their proceedings they will do much pleasure to the commonwealth of the town and the marches, in abandoning a great number of idle vagabonds and masterless servants, whom, but upon this experience, he would have not believed to be so numerous. For want of time has been unable yet to learn anything of Anthony Coverer and Peter Hilliard. In his haste had forgot to move her Majesty for a preacher. On his arrival found one called Doctor Series, a prebendary, sent hither by Doctor Harpsfeld, Archdeacon of Canterbury, a man so rude, unlearned, and barbarous, as the like was never heard in the place of a preacher. In his opinion, for the advancement of God's glory, the Queen's proceedings, the estimation of learning, and the people's conversion, it had been better that her Majesty had spent SOOl. than such an unlearned man should have come among this people. Is the better able to judge and report of him, having chanced this day to hear him preach, and Petre's self shall judge, since at his nezt coming he intends to bring the sermon penned. Wishes that Harps- feld himself, or some other grave learned man, might with speed be sent hither to repair this man's hurt. The French King has sent to Ardres three ensigns of foot, and to Boulogne four ensigns, to victual the pieces, it is understood. [Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.} 3i35. Lord Grey to the Council. Although after the French troops had victualled Ardres, this country should have been clear of them, yet now M. St. Andr^, the Count lihinegrave, and the Captain of Boulogne have arrived at Ardres with a great number of horse- men, and a greater power of French will this night encamp at Fiennes, near this. This he cannot but further mislike, and be jealous of their often recourse upon these marches in this sort As their refortifying Ardres is but a mean argument of a good errand hitherwards, so he the rather mistrusts their quietness, for he has apprehended four Frenchmen who came from Ardres yesterday and were very curious in reviewing the ditches of the town. Although these men excuse their fact by ignorance, yet because one of them has served here in the wars and knows the English constitutions, therefore conjectures some further matter will be bulted out P.S. — Has just been informed that at Boulogne are 18 cannons ready mounted to carriage, which arc intended to be brought to Ardres ; and that Senarpont, the Captain of Boulogne, has said that he expects the French King there in person veiy shortly. [One 'page and a quarter. Indorsed hy J't/rc] .336. Sir John Masone to Sir A\'illiam Petre. This morning _M. D'Arras informed the Cartlinal's gentleman tliat the Emperor intended to see him, and thori-foro required him to stay his depart- ing. Such may be assignod to D'Arras's inlluence. In the after- noon the Alibatf. had ai'c^ess to the Emperor, from whom albeit he had none other resolution but that previously declared to him by D'Arras, yet it was a great comfort to see his person and have the matter confirmed by his own mouth. He found the Emperor in MARY. 159 1654-5. right good estate, although lately ill-handled by his familiar disease. The Queen and D'Arras left this afternoon for Antwerp, where they will probably remain till Easter, D'Arras in the meantime occa- sionally coming hithei-. Sig. Antonio Augustino, one of the Rota at Rome, appointed the Pope's Nuncio to England, arrived here yester- day, and will proceed thither as soon as he has spoken with tlie Emperor. The Emperor busily amasses his army, and by next month he shall have a' large force from Germany, among which will be 1,500 horse out of Hungary. Lately several merchants have resorted hither, dribling one after another for licence for grain, some for one quantity some for another, and all bringing letters of recommendation from the Council, written so as if one minute served for all. The effect of this is that he has to repair to tlie Queen, sue out the licence and deliver it to the merchant, which kind of office h'as not heretofore, he thinks, been appointed to any Ambassador. He has so often troubled her with these suits, that he is thought to be a party with the merchant ; wherefore he suggests that if the realm stand in such necessity it were more lionourable that her Majesty should write to the Emperor for such aid as may conveniently be spared ; because if the present system continues it is impossible to persuade them here that the meaning is for the par- ticular profit of the merchants, whereby, besides a slender answer, the Ambassador cometh in a slander. Therefore requests, that if they wiU continue this mode of application, they will either write to the Queen herself or frame the letters so that she may see the requests emanate from their Lordships : " otherwise I may weU obey commandment, but I assure you it shall be with an ill will." [One page and a half-l March 15. 337. Sir John Masone to the Council. Yesterday received their Brussels, letter of the 9th, touching the Frenchmen haunting between Dover and Calais ; of this, although it appears that the men here were before advertised, they take the warning in most thankful part. Presumes they have heard of the surprise of Casale, the chief *town of Montferrat, belonging to the Duke of Mantua, by the French. This is of much importance, as between that and Milan there is no place of any strength, but as the castle still holds out, there is good hope it may be recovered. For this purpose a large force is already in order, the Spaniards of Naples having arrived and the Germans levied by the Cardinal of Trent being not far off. Nevertheless Brissac (for it was Birago who did the feat) has arrived there with the body of the French army, and has brought with him 1 5 great battering pieces in hope to win the castle before the joining of the Imperial aid. The Castellan is accounted valiant and a very good man of war, and has with him 200 Germans, which for the size of the piece are considered sufficient. In the surprise there were not past three of any name hurt or taken, whereof one was Count Lodrogno and the other one Farnari. Letters from Florence of the 4th mention that the Genoese have come to parley. The Duke requires that the talk shall not be confined to Sienna, but extend to all other forts in their territory occupied by the French, and that Pietro Strozzi be none of the Commissioners. [One, page.] 160 KOREIGN TAPERS. 1554-5. March 16. 338. " A uoto of .'ill .siidi bonds as the King's and Queen's Majostii'.s must inaKci for the jirolorigation of the Spanisli money, a die xvj. of March a" l.'.')-!.." [I'otir 'j„i>jr.s. With notes by Pelre.] March 17. SSi). Pcler Van ncs i,-) iho. Coiniril. On Llio '.tli inst. received tlieir W'licc. letter of the 1 2Ui ult., dated at WestniiiiHttT, whicli gave liiin and all iiio C^ueen's friends raoiv joy tiiaii lie ean expres-s. For though liy tlio letters of the lUsliop of Norwiili and others, they had general ndvcrtiseiiieiits of her Majesty's successes against the rebels, yet the letter of the Council containing ;dl the particulars of so goodly a victory, and the names of tlio consjiiraturs did justify the truth, wiiieh had been contradicted otherwise. Kepaiied, with his house- hold and some friends, to the Duke and Seigniory, and declared to tliem that he bad come by the Queen's express command to com- municate to them the occurrences whicli had lately taken place iu England, which declaration he extended to her honour and the praise of her Council and subjects. They took it in very good part that she should vouchsafe to signify her proceeding in so great affairs to them, and highly commended her great wisdom in repressing so gi-eat a mischief before it had taken greater power, alleging that in such cases nothing was so necessary as to withstand the first brunt. After he had told tliem how secretly, advisedly, and on what pretended ground the authors of the rebellion had wrought this wickedness, what untrue persuasions they had used to rouse the Queen's subjects, and in how many counties the con- spiracy was ripe to break out at the same moment, describing the counties and inclinations of the people, tlie qualities of the per- sonages, and for ^\■hat purpose each was meet, how the eonspii-acy was at one point discovered, overthrown, and its chief authors apprehended, the Duke and the Senate confessed with him that this was only the hand and work of God, and that no man's providence, no worldly counsel or strength, could have bi-ought so gi-eat and wickedly prepensed matters in so short a moment to so good an end. The whole Seigniory received this communication with as gi-eat pleasure as they could their own affairs, and took also great pleasure to view the names of such noblemen, great lords, and most faithful Councillors that had put their hands to his letter to the number of 1 C, with great attention hearkening unto him when he declared particularly their -virtues, qualities, strongtii, courage, reputation, integrity, stedfast concord, and assvu-ed faithfulness towards the Queen's Majesty. 'J'hey were rejoiced also to lieiu- of the great preparations of war made by her in all parts of the realm, as she thought convenient to be ready to repress any rebellion that by tlie tlevil'.H instigation might arise, and to resist any great hostility that, by land or sea, should apj>ear against her. Assures them tliat the crushing of the rebellion has not only pui'ged the i-ealra of an inwai<] sore, but lias greatly inerensed the estimation of i'lngland in ilwm: parts. Has thought good to send copies of their advertisement into diveis parts oi' Italy to quench untrue reports I'roni eisi'whore. Tlie sii'ge of San Fiorenzo in Corsica, so long in hand, lias at length eome to an end from laek of provisions and aid, which was to iia\e come by the Freneii gallies, but which from MARY. 161 1554.-5. bad weather were too late, seven or eight gallies having been lost. The garrison and inhabitants are to be allowed to depart in safety with bag and baggage, leaving the ordnance and munitions behind ; the Italians to be landed at Leghorn, taking an oath not to serve the French King for eight months ; the Corsicans and Genoese to be turned to the gallies, the Frenchmen into Provence. The Genoese army has set forth to other places yet held by the French. The Duke of Florence daily increases his camp against Sienna with great bands from Naples and Lombardy. Tiiose within Sienna with all diligence furnish the town with provisions and fortify it where needful, with mutual salutations of shot of ai-tillery between them and the fort, with divers skirmishing and robbery about the countries on both sides. It is said that the Turk's army will be sent in three score gallies to the service of the French King. [Four pages and a quarter.'] March 20. 340. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. The inclosed Brussels, letters arrived this afternoon. By others of more recent date it is understood that the castle of Casale is very weU defended, and has beat down in the adjacent town sundry houses and turrets, the standing of which, hy commodiously covering the enemy, might have annoyed it. It has received, besides 400 Germans, 100 Spaniards ; so that if the succour arrives in time, as there seems no doubt it will, the French will not likely have to boast much of this enterprise. The Marquis of Pescara, who is General of the light horse, was at Mantua when Casale was surprised, and having re- ceived there 30,000 crowns for his wife's dowry, sent straight by the ports 20,000 of these to Milan, to be employed for the Emperor's service as need should require. The soldiers that remained in Antwerp are discharged, and appointed to resort to Namur, because the enemy begins to assemble at Marienburg and has already done some hurt. P.S. — The Siennese continue to parley ; trusts the next letters will bring good tidings of them. [One page.] March 21. 341. Same to same. Letters received at the Court to-day Brussels, mention that the French having made a breach in the castle of Casale, gave it a great and fierce assault on tiie 12th inst., but were repulsed with the loss of at least 1,000 of not the worst of their soldiers ; so it is hoped until succour arrives it will hold them in play. As yet the French have made no spoil in the town beyond sacking the Jews and taking from the townsmen all kind of weapons ; if they fail in their attempts and are driven to avoid again, it is to be feared these poor townsmen are like to feel to their pains what they will do. Has spoken witii Secretary Grasso touching the safe conduct of the 150,000 crowns, and has delivered him a memory thereof ; he has promised to dispatch the matter. [Half a page.] March 22. 342. Henry IL, King of France, to Queen Mary. In favour of Fontainebleau. William Le Gras, merchant of Paris, whose vessel had been captured in 1542. [French. Broadside. Signed by his Majesty and countersigned by De I'Aubespine.] FOKEIGN PAPERS. 162 \ — — . 155.'), March 28. 3-t3. Queen Mary to Sir JoLn Masone. Understanding on the Westminster, late being here of Protlionotary Noailles, brother to the French Ambassador Resident, that tlie French King was well willing to give ear to some communication of peace, overtures had been made to liim by means of the English Ambassador. Sends copy of the King's reply, and of a letter to the Emperor from her Majesty on the same subject of peace, transmitted herewith. Desires him to deliver it to his Majesty as soon as he conveniently may, procure his resolution and answer, and ascertain what persons he shall be pleased to appoint to communicate with the French Commissioners. [Minute. Four pages and a half.] April 11. 344. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. On the 31st ult. had Brussels, received her Majesty's letter of 28th, with relative documentn; and on 1st inst. had audience of the Emperor lying in bed very ill troubled. After the Emperor had caused her Majesty's letter to be opened and read to him by Secretary Bav^ Masone delivered his instructions. His Majesty, highly commending the Queen's godly desire of peace, expressed himself to the effect that never bad he had so good success in any wars but he could have been contented to have exchanged the same for a mean peace, which he had always preferred before the war, whereinto he had never entered for smy desire to enlarge his limits, which God had given him large enough, but for the defence of what was naturally his, and that he was ever provoked and in effect forced thereunto. Complained of the dif- ferent outrageous injuries he had received from the French King, whose breaking with him against his assured promise caused the present war. For aU that, his desire to ensure the peace of Christendom inclined him to follow her Majesty's overture ; but as the matter touching the persons and the time required to be debated among his council, he should that evening dispatch to the Queen at Antwerp, and within a day a resolute answer should be returned. Touching the place of meeting, the Emperor advised a good eye be kept to Calais, the nature of the French being such that they cannot abstain from practices. Since this audience, he has not £uled to solicit the matter from time to time, hut by reason of the Queen's absence and other causes has only this afternoon received answer from the Council. The Emperor has appointed to send to Gravelines, when the truce shall be fixed, M. de Lalaing, M. de Bignicourt, M. D'Arras, M. Viglius, President of the Council, and M. de Brayarde, President of the High Council of Malines. To tbese he intended to add a sixth, but it was not thought good be should be named yet, as the resolution touching him depended upon King Philip, whom, if his Highness shall think to be added, then the number will be complete. Having discharguil his commission, now humbly desires her Majesty to pardon him for writing something of his own case. An unmeotor man in all respects for hur Majesty's affairs could not bo ; this from the outset he had declared, but since, notwithstanding, sjie had eonmianded he should serve in this place, he doubts not but her meaning was he should be furnished from time to time of so much as it liked her to appoint him as well as if he had been much fitter. How that has been answered since his MARY. 163 1555. AprU 19. Warsaw. April 21. Brussels. coming hither the Lords of her Majesty's Council can tell. He has often written for their aid, and knows by report their good mind to help him, yet it has not liked the Lord Treasurer so to understand the matter, as either their entreating or any intolerable lack could move him to help Masone in time either with tlie diets appointed to him for this place or with his fees in the Exchequer, wherein in eflFect stands his whole living, till by borrowing a good piece thereof was run out in interest. Seeing this ordering continues without hope of amendment, he is driven to make his moan to her Majesty, and most humbly, prostrate on the ground, desires aid and remedy at her hands, or else that she will revoke him and appoint one to the room who may be better able to bear the brunt, which goodness he shall esteem as a sufficient recompence for all the service he may do to her life-during. " For rather than to continue the life I have done sithen my coming hither, still in lack and misery, and alway constrained to live by borrowing, selling, pledging, and credit, wliich is so far spent as I am scant able to redeem it, I assure your Majesty death were to me much lever." [Five pages.] 345. Sigismund Augustus, King of Poland, to Queen Mary. Credentials of Albert Criski, Governor of Dobrzin, sent as Am- bassador to her Majesty. [Latin. Broadside.] 346. Sir John Masone to the Council. Yesterday the Duke de Vaudemont an-ived here in post from France, and has had audience of the Emperor. What passed is not yet known, but his coming forwards the hope of peace, both on account of the greatness of the personage and of his having been here last winter for like matters. Letters from Italy mention that notwithstanding the broil likely to have grown between certain of the Barons of Eome and the Cardinals for the governing of the city, all things go forward there peaceably. There is still, however, some contention between the Imperial Cardinals and those of the French faction for the hasting or tracting of tlie election. The Imperials, who are as yet stronger than the others, woiild according to a bull of the last Pope have the matter to be begun out of hand ; the others protest that this bull was never published to the Cardinals in France, who rightly should have such time allowed them, as, the distance of the places considered, might enable them to reach Rome before any con- clusion. Of those most like to have the place, according to the common voice at Rome, Santa Croce is most spoken of : after him Cheatino [Chieti], Pole, Fano, Puteo, &c. The Cardinal of Ferrara is also talked of: " Marry, we hear of no quality to set him forward but that he is rich." Intelligence has been received from Florence that the Emperor's army has recovered Scar lino, an important fortress on the coast not far from Piorabino, which had been taken by the French in the beginning of the war. At this enter- prise the Prior of Capua, brother of Pietro Strozzi, was slain ; Strozzi himself is at Chiusi, using effort to rescue Sienna, but all too late as it is trusted. The Ambassador of Sienna was still at Florence treating a composition, likely to take effect, as the part oflfered to the Siennese was very reasonable, and if refused after a L 2 164 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555. April 25. Brussels. April 26. Brussels. day assigned they are put out of liope ever to come to tlie like. To keep promise with tliem the Duke leaves -l.OOO fresh soldiers to reinforce his army. Their Lordships have probably heard of the attempt of tlie French to succour Sienna by sea, their retreat to (.Corsica, and loss of some of their vessels in the cbace. The Im- perialists in Piedmont are now so strong in the field, that the French are likely to retire to their forts. News from Constanti- nople state that the French Ambass^ador there is very much made of, and that 60 gallies shall be afloat by the 25th inst. ITie King of Denmark is preparing a great navy ; the enterprise rather conjectured than known. The Emperor is very well recovered of his late access, and if the warm weather continues he will doubtless daily acquire more strength. A courier just come from Italy mentions that the French army makes towards Vulpiano, rather it is supposed with a view to divert that of the Emperor than for any good they are like to do. P.S. — As he is making up this letter a gentleman has arrived from Italy in great diligence and brings tidings that on the 9th about 7 p.m. Cardinal de Santa Croce was chosen Pope by the name of MarceUus II. Although this gentleman is not an authorized messenger, the news is reckoned most certain, and the coufirmation thereof looked for to-day. [Two pages.} 347. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends inclosed a packet from the Bishop of Ely and his colleagues, which doubtless will apprize him of the making of the Pope and belike of the conclusion of the matters of Sienna. Being much prayed to get some cramp-rings from England, requests he will move the Queen for a small number. Requests that when Petre sends any letters to London he will let Mr. ClifFe or some other forward the inclosed packet for Mr. Spilman. Trusts when it shall please God to send to light the fruit that all good men long to hear of, he shall be advertised thereof with the first. Touching his money suit hopes to hear some good tidings from Petre shortly. They look to hear from him when the day shall be appointed for the meeting. Their Commissioners assigned on this side make their liveries and all other preparations with diligence. [Ojie page.] BiS. Same to the Council. The report of the Pope's election has been confirmed to-day by lettera from himself to the Emperor, Cardinal Pole, and others. The man is much commended for his wisdom and all other good parts fit for the place. Void of corruption, and not wont to bo led by any jmrtial affection. He was brought up under Paul III., whose secretary he was. The Emperor kept the feast of St. George very solemnly in his chamber of presence, whereat, however, there was no great state more than himself and the Duke of Savoy. Masone was the only Ambassador invited, and the Emperor talked much to him touching the ancients of the Order, saying he was the oldest, having been a Knight for at least 43 years. He is in very good plight. Various noble inen and women of this Court are much desirous to have some ••ramp-rings of this year's blessing : requests they will be suitors MARY. 165 1555. to her Majesty to send him a few for division among them. The Duke of Alva arrived last night. [Tiuo pages. Printed by Tyiler, Vol. ii., i>. 466.] April 28. Sid. William, Duke of Cleves, to Queen Mary. Credentials of Cieves. Dr. Cruser. [Latin. Broadside. Countersigned by Lindeman.] April 30. 350. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. This morning a Brussels, courier from the Duke of Florence brings intelligence that on the 21st Sienna surrendered to the Emperor, receiving his Majesty's garrison and dismissing all those appointed by the French. The particulars he has not yet learned. Thanks him for his most gentle letter of the 25th, and namely for the comfort in which he is put that he shall shortly have some relief Eequests Mr. Clifle will send the inclosure to Mr. Spilman -When any messenger shall go to London. [One page.] [BeforeMay.] 351. Christiana, Duchess of Lorraine, to Queen Mary. Kecom- mends to her Majesty the captain of the vessel in which she had been conveyed and wishes her a fine boy. [French. Holograph. Two pages.] May 1. 352. The Citizens of Reggie to same. Their unfortunate Beggio. city has been of late years so destroyed by the Turks, who have burnt their houses, churches, and monasteries, and have reduced to misery its inhabitants, that they send Camillo Dediano, Doctor of Laws, and Bernardo Mosolino, Ambassadors to his Catholic Majesty, for assistance, and beseech her Majesty favourably to intercede for them. [Italian. One page.] May 3. 353. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends the articles Brussels, of accord between the Emperor and the Siennese. The Duke of Savoy has departed in post towards Italy, with one attendant and his guide. The rest of his train, 12 in number, follow to-day, expecting to overtake him at Augsburg. He has promised to be here again on the 20th. Yesterday arrived the news of her Majesty being delivered of a Prince. Doubts as to the certainty of this. [One page and a half. Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 469, where he misreads Genoeses and Genes instead of Seneses and Senes.] Incloses, 353. I. "Articles of accord between the Emperor and the Seneses." [One page omd a half] May 4. 354. Thomas Gresham to the Council. On the 2d inst. news Antwerp, came along the seas by men of this country that the Queen was brought to bed of a young Prince on SOth April ; on the 3d, the Regent, being at Antwerp, about seven o'clock p.m. caused the great bell to ring to give all men to understand that the news was true. On the first arrival of the news the English merchants caused all the English ships to make themselves in a readiness to show some worthy triumph upon the water. And when the great bell had been rung, they caused them to shoot ofi" with such joy and triumph as by man's heart and policy could be devised, in the presence of the 166 FOREIGN PAPERS, 15.')-,. May 6. Guisnes. May 7. Guisnes. May 8. Brussels. May 11. Brussels. Re'jrnt and all her iioLles and gentlewomen. The Regent presently sent the English mariners 100 crowns to drink. Trusts in God the news is true, for no one of the Enf,dish has any certain writing of it. The Governor has called a general assembly of the merchants, where it has been concluded that they will allow the Queen 21 s. for every \l. of the 18,000J. which was to be paid on the 15th May, and to pay it on the 1 5th June next, for the receipt of which he must give his acquittance and will send home those bonds and all others together. [One page. Indorsed by Petre. Mostly printed by Burgon, Vol. i., p. 168.] 355. Lord Grey to the Council. Has this day been credibly informed that the Constable of France, with 400 rnen of arms and eight or ten thousand foot, will be at Ardres within six or seven days, and that he left Fontainebleau on the 30th ult The rumour of peace is .so certain among the French that they hold it to be already concluded. [One page and a half. Indoi'sed by Petre.] 356. Lord Grey to same. Hears from some persons out of France that if peace is concluded the Cardinal of Lorraine is appointed to go through England into Scotland, to conclude with the nobles there upon the marriage of the young Queen of Scots with the Dauphin, and to establi,sh all French officers there, of whom part have already gone there. Also that the town of Berwick is like to be attempted upon the discharge of the soldiers there. His informant there says that too many Scots are suffered to pass through England. The bearer, Mr. Clybberie, who has been a long time in France and has frequently furnished information, has now brought him some intelligence, of which, considering Clybberie can make more ample relation, he has sent him to their Lordships. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.} Incloses, 356. 1. Note of the information above nnentioned, with tJie addition thai on the 3d of April six ensigns of Germans amd three ensigns of French were going to Scotland, and that all the ports and havens in that north part are known to the French. [One fage.\ 357. Mary, Duchess of Alva, to Queen Mary. Recommending the bearer Thomas Denis. [Spanish. One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 358. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. On receipt of her Majesty's letter of the 6th had audience of the Emperor ; what then occurred will be seen in his letter to her Majesty. The Emperor had been apprized of the matter previously, but took the communication in very good part. The disposition of both Princes is good towards a peace, but the points between them shall with difficulty be handled. On this .side of the mountains things might be easily compounded, but the French King has such a footing in Italy that he sees not how they can be brought to frame without the immediate help of God. Tho death of the Pope will not further the matter, since if Ferrora can leap into his place, as he is like to make a great shift for it, they shall see much business will follow. The giving up of Milan would help all, though the Emperor did bestow it on some one of whom he might make as assured account MARY, 167 1553. AlaylO. rrussels. May 21. Brussels. as of himself; but that will not be beavd of. TImnks him for his gentle procuring of a letter to the Lord Treasurer ; prays God some fruit may come thereof; the like thanks for the cramp- rings. The mediators appointed on the Queen's behalf are very- well liked. \One page.] 359. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. The Emperor's mother being departed, it were well to consider whether (as such is used in like cases between Princes in amity), a message of condolence on part of the Queen should be conveyed by special messenger or by letters of credit. Trusts some occasion will shortly come for sending some man to signify more pleasant matter, who may do both errands at once if it so be thought requisite. Duke Augustus has required investiture of his estate at the Emperor's hands. The King of the Romans has prayed the Emperor to refer the executing of the ceremony to him as Vicar of the Empire, whereby the Duke may be driven to resort to Augsburg, where the King has so long remained without any fruit of his travail by reason of the absence of the Princes of Germany. He has also besought the Emperor, in event of either peace or a truce, (which he wishes most heartily), that they may have an interview ; for which purpose he will come here, unless the Emperor in going to Spain should travel by Germany and Italy, in which case he will attend him by the way. It is the general opinion that if any agreement of peace ensues, the Emperor and both Queens will go to Spain and the Duke of Savoy remain here as Governor. Much marvel that there are no news from Rome ; fear that Ferrara, qui demonium habet, will carry the matter away, in which case the wars are not yet ended. The Earl of Bedford has departed for Italy, having been very well entertained by the Emperor, from whom he has received both gentle words and right good advice ; besides his other great bonds to her Majesty, he counts this occasion to the Emperor not to be the least. The Earl of Devon arrived on Thursday, and will be sent for to the Emperor either to-day or to-morrow; he seems to have a great desire to demean himself in all things to the Queen's contentation. Shall not fail to give him advice occasionally, in terms of the letter from the Council which his Lordship brought with him. [One page and a half.] 360. Same to same. Last Sunday the Earl of Devon was conducted to the Emperor by the Duke of Alva. Masone was not present, but by report of the Duke and Chamberlain, whom tlie Earl has requested to be his interpreter if necessary, he demeaned himself very well; declaring among other things how much he was indebted to King Philip for helping him through the Queen's favour out of custody, and also for procuring him leave to see the world, whereby he might attain to such knowledge as displeasant fortune had caused him hitherto to lack : for which reason he had come to offer his services to the Emperor, the renown of whose Court was so great. His Majesty embraced his offer most willingly, minding from time to time to show him such signs of his favour as the Earl should have no cause to forthink his journey hither. To this he said he was moved not merely by the King's and Queen's recom- 168 FOREIGN PAPERS. 15:) 5. mendation, but for the sake of the Earl's father, whose noble virtues were not unknown to him, and of whose ill fortune a great piece he tlioiif,'ht was for the good will he bare to his well- doings. Tiio Karl should be informed of the service devised for him, and in the mean time liis Majesty desired that he should take all pleasure whicli the Court could show him. His Lord- ship lins now gone to Antwerp to deliver his letters to the Queen of Hungary; he has 15 or 16 mun very well in order. Yesterday the Duke of Alva departed in post for Italy. The Queen has removed some Governors in Antwerp, of whom the people com- plained for their corrupt administration of justice, and has in effect changed the whole Scabina [Echevins] " which be in the like state of our Aldermen of London " to the great content of the city. In their places she has chosen both learned, upright, and substantial men, of whom one is Melchior Schetz. The Emperor Las ready about Namur, 12,000 foot and 3,000 horse ; he ha-s also ordered to repair thither 5,000 pioneers, " not tag and rag, but of the stoutest and likeliest men," to labour there and in the countries of Luxemburg and Namur. He has also caused a number of boats to be conveyed thither, both for bridges and other service. The meaning of this preparation is a secret, but it is thought for an attempt on Marienburg, Mezieres, or some other French fort; wherein if they fail, then to encamp in the vicinity of the former city and there construct a fort like that at Hesdin, whereby Bi'abant and this town, which lie open to the French, may sleep afterward with better quiet. The widow of the late Yaivode begins to stir on the confines of Hungary on behalf of her son, being spurred on by the Turkish, French, and Moldavian Ambassadors there. Many soldiers are levied about Bremen, bruited to hang upon Marquis Albert ; and it is suspected that the Elector Joachim will make some stir for restoring him to his estates. No news of late from Italy, but rumours continue of the likelihood of Ferrara's attaining to the governing of the Church by professed bribery. Peter Conner having in his hands 8,000 Collen cleves, which he says he provided by order from England at very reasonable prices, laments much that for lack of money they have lain so long on his hands, much, as he alleges, to his hindrance. [Three }Ktge$.] May 23. 361. Christian III., King of Denmark, to King Philip. Acknow- Copenhagen. ledges his letter of the 18th of April in refennioe to the restitution of some cloths belonging to Thomas Bannister, which were seized two years ago for evasion of the custom duties. However agreeable it would be to him to gratify his Maicst)r, it is impossible, for the various reasons sot forth, to do so in the present instsmce. The matter has been judicially spfctlcd by the proper officiiU, and although there might bo no intention on the part of his Majesty's subject to (IciVaud the revenue, it is iibsolutely ueeossary to act rigorously in consiMiiioiK^e of tht^ numerous IVauds whieli are constantly being p(M'petrated. | Lallii. Broads'hie.] May 23. ■'!(;2. Sir Jolin Masone to Sir William Pctreand Sir John Bourne. BriisBcU. Last night the Earl of Devon sent him the inclosed letters to be MARY. 169 1555. May 24. Bome. May 25. Brussels. forwarded, in which he thinks his Lordship gives the King and Queen an account of the gentle entertainment which he has received from the Emperor. The Marquis of Marignano has gone with his army to the enterprise of Porto Ercole, and Andrea Doria has gone by sea to the same exploit with 48 gallies ; to these will he joined the gallies of Naples and Sicily now on their way, which will make the number of the fleet at least 60 ; with these the French will be unable to match. The Cardinals entered into conclave on the 15th inst. ; the names mentioned as having a chance of being elected Pope ai-e the Cardinal of England, Cardinal di Fano, Cardinal Morone, and the Cardinal of Naples, named Chietino [Chieti]. The talk of Ferrara is not so hot as it is of the others. [One page.] 363. The Count of Montorio to Queen Mary. Takes advantage of the opportunity afforded to him by the elevation to the pontifi- cate of his uncle the Cardinal of Naples, now Pope Paul IV., to offer his sei-vices to her Majesty. [Italian. One page.] 364. Sir John Masone to the Council. In consequence of the reports of the great naval preparations of the King of Denmark, the Emperor sent recently to Antwerp for some of the Easterlings, who liave their house there resembling the Steelyard at London. After communication had it was concluded that their Secretary, whom they call here their Consul, should with all speed resort to the East cities to ascertain the facts and to know whether, in case of any ill-meaning, they had any intelligence with the King. He has accordingly gone ; in the meanwhile it causes many divers talks, some tending to these countries others to England. The Emperor for all events has stayed here the Spanish fleet, and minds to take steps for the staying of all ships that may arrive in any of these ports to be employed as need shall require. " I would wish that our navy were looked upon in such sort, as the world might at the least see we mind not to suffer it to decay ; for, if any mischief be intended, let us be sure our ports shall either first or last be therein." The King of Denmark has so divided his realm as that every tenth man fit for the wars is appointed to serve, at the cost of the remaining nine. The French soldiers in Corsica have mutinied for lack of payment, whereby Calvi, before which they lay, stands on better terms ; if that place were obtained, as now it is trusted they shall not, the whole island were gone. The Duke of Alva has left for Italy, having commission to spend on the way a couple of days with the King of Romans to confer with him, among other matters of importance, about his wife's dowry and his partage, which hangs in some question. He is also instructed to end the matters between the Colonnas, father and son. Notwithstanding the quiet demeanour of the Emperor's soldiers in occupying Sienna, above four or five hundred of the inhabitants have availed themselves of the liberty granted by the capitulations, and have removed with their houses to Montalcino, in spite of the persuasion of Count de Santa Fiore to the contrary. " Such matter breedeth a sect and a faction when it once resteth in a man." During the week before the town surrendered above 170 FOEEIGN PAPERS. 1556. ~ 1,000 of all classes died from hunger. Strozzi brags that he will ordain a form of new Sienna at Montalcino, with magistrates and all as before when Sienna was at liberty ; but if the Marquis of Marignano succeeds at Porto Ercole, that device will quickly quail. The Emperor's army is encamped seven leagues beyond Namur ; the spot where he is building the new fort had been viewed and measured by the French for the same purpose, three days before the arrival of the army. The Cardinals entered into conclave on the 15th. Ferrara makes shift by all means, lawful and unlawful, to carry the bell away ; but others, doubting the inconvenience of such election, and detesting the open bribery of his agents, do their best to let him ; and, what is best, Famese, who was thought on his side, makes a party against him. It is thought when he sees no cliance of success he will give his in- fluence to Fano. " The wagers in the banks run upon England, Morone, Fano, and Naples, otherwise called Chietino [Chieti], and least is laid on Ferrara his side though he thrust never so fest at it." The Duke of Urbino has the charge of the city, and Ascanio della Cornia of Bologna, during this interregnum. If advices from Constantinople are correct, the Turk's navy comes towards those seas in greater force, though not so soon as was feared ; besides the Captain-General there come with it four Sangiacchi, of Santa Maura (Dragut Rey), Metelin, Negropont, and Isnich. The Turk himself is still in Amasia, waiting for the Sophy's Ambassador, who was appointed to be with him in MarcL [Three pages.] May 29. 365. Sir John Masone to the Council. The Queen ba\ing settled Brussels, all matters at Antwerp, has returned here, and the soldiers have been sent to the camp. On the 25th inst. Martin Van Ross [en] set the first shovel into the ground for the beginni g of the new fort which is devised between Givet and Verey on the Meuse, It is promised to be tenable iu three weeks, there being employed upon it 6,000 pioneers, be.sides such as for two patarts extra pay choose to put their hands to it. In the banks at Rome ai-e laid on the head of the Cardinal of Naples twenty for the hundred, upon Ferrara sixteen, on Pole, Fano, and Morone twelve. ' If our Cardinal were present at Rome lie were by the common opinion like to be made Pope." The Algerine gallies, in number 20, have arrived in the Tuscan sea to aid the French, aud it is repoi-ted, though not thoroughly believed, that the Turk's fleet to the amount of 80 are afloat to make thitherward. Strozzi, leaving Comeho Bentivoglio in Montalcino, has gone to Porto Ercole, in hope of the arriving of the Turk's fleet. Matters in Piedmont stand at a stay. The French still lie at the sieoe of Vulpiano. The Diike of Savoy arrived in Milan on the 13tli, contrary to a rumour that he had been taken in Gennnny by tlie way. Tlie Bishop of Ely and the other Conimi.ssionera are still in Bologna, their expenses being defrayed by tlu> Consistory of Rome, like as when in Milan they were by ordei- of the Senati^ Sir John Cutts died suddenly at Veuiee about tlie 8th or 9th inst. " One Woodman is at this present in this town, with three or four servants iu blue coats at MARY. 171 1555. his tail, whom (for that being an Englishman he strangeth himself from my house) I had for a time in suspect, but upon inquiry made of him, I have learned that he is received to serve the ■ Emperor upon the sea, which I knew not before. How he useth himself in that charge, well or ill, your Lordships cannot be but well advertised." P.S. — A post just come from Italy mentions the arrival of the Duke of Alva at Augsburg on the 25th, and that of the Duke of Savoy at Vercelli on the 15th. \Three pages.'] May 30. 366. " Instructions gi-s-^en by the King and Queen's Majesties to Sir Edward Carne, their Ambassador to the Pope's Holiness." On receipt of her Majesty's letters he is to notify the same to Cardinals Morone s&id Sequenza, and follow their advice in delivering them to his Holiness. Should his Holiness seem to mislike that the letter is written in the King and Queen's name jointly, he is to be informed, that by a common order taken in England, whatever passes under the Queen's name, during the King's absence from the realm, his stiU goes jointly therein ; and if he be within the realm his hand and subscription is also to every such writing. He is to inform Cardinal Caraffa of the receipt of the letters, of their Majesties' desire for the maintenance of the true religion, and of their trust that he will be a furtherer and helper therein. He is to thank in their names Cardinals Morone and Sequenza, for their good will and communications by the Ambassador Eesident. To enable him to converse on the subject of their contents, copies of these letters and of another writing by the Bishops are sent to him, and which he shall use, according as to the Cardinal Morone and his own wisdom shall seem convenient. Should his Holiness or Cardinal Caraifa mislike that no special messenger was sent with these letters, they are to be informed that their Majesties, think- ing the matter to be of weight and importance, considered all diligent speed should be used therein, which in these great heats could not have been done by any man of reputation meet for such message without danger and peril of his Ufe. In conference with his Holiness he is to use their Majesties' names either jointly or separately as he shall deem most expedient for promoting the matter ; and should the Pope seem inclined to condescend to the contents of the letters, he is to be suitor for a reply ; otherwise not to ask or appear to desire such. The letters from his Majesty to Cardinals Morone, Sequenza, Carpi, and Compostellano, he is to deliver personally, and inform them that they may make such use of these letters in discoursing with his Holiness as they shall see fit. As Cardinal Pole has apprized Cardinal Caraifa of the full commission given to the English Ambassador to treat with the Pope for peace and quiet, the Ambassador is to be guided by the Cardinals before named as to his answers to Cardinal Caraffa. To declare the cause why he opens no such matter to his Holiness, if it shall be agreed that the same may be bettei- done by the Cardinals aforesaid. {Draft. Autograph of Petre. Five pages.] Copy of the preceding. [Four pages.] 172 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1 555. [End of 367. Queen Mary to Pope Paul IV. Informing his Holiness Mfiy.] of her safe confinement of a Prince and requesting his prayers and Hampton Court, thanksgivings. [Latiti. Broadside. Signed by her Majesty; autograph of, and countersvjned by, Roger Ascham,.] Copy, in modern hand, of the form of style of the preceding. [(Quarter of a 'jMge.'] [Eo. temp.] 368. Same to Henry II., King of France. Informing him of the Hampton Court, birth of a child. (One of the forms prepared in anticipation of her Majesty'.s being confined.) Blanks left for the name of the bearer [intended to be tlie Viscount Fitzwalter as appears by the subse- quent form] and the sex of the infant. [French. Broadside. Signed by her Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 369. Same to same. Having dispatched the bearer Richard Shelley, Hampton Court, one of the gentlemen of her household and esquire carvers to notify her accouchement to the King and Queen of Portugal, and the Princess of Portugal, Regent of Spain, she has commanded him to pay his respects to his Majesty by the way, and requests a safe conduct for him. [French. Broadside. Form, as praxding!\ [Eo. temp.] 370. Same to the Emperor Charles V. Announcing her safe Hampton Court, confinement. The sex of the child and date left blank. [Fnnch. Broadside. Signed by her Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 371. Same to the King of Hungary and the Romans. Similar Hampton Court, announcement, with the like blanks. [French. Broadside. Signed by her Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 372. Same to the King of Bohemia, Similar announcement, Hampton Court, with the like blanks. [French. Broadside. Signed by lur Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 373. Same to the Queen of Bohemia. Similar announcement, Hampton Court, with the like blanks. [Spanish. One page. Signed by her Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 374. Same to the Queen Regent of Flandere. Announcing her Hampton Court. Majesty's safe confinement. [French. Broadside. Signed by her Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 375. Same to Catharine, Queen of Portugal. Announcing her Hampton Court, confinement. [Spanish. Half a page. Signed by her Majesty.] [Eo. temp.] 376. Same to the Queen Dowager of France. Informing her of Hampton Court, the birth of a child. [French. Broadside. Fonn as preceding.} [Eo. temp.] 377. Snme to Francisco Yonieri, Dorro of Venice. Announcing Hampton Court, the birth of aPriiico. [Latin. Broadside. Signed by her Majesty, and countersigned by Roger AKcham.] [Eo. temp.] 378. Piif^.sj.ort for Richard Shelley, Esquire, sent Ly King Philip H»mpt,„ Court, and Quccn MMry_ to tlic King cf Portuj:al and the Princess of Portugal, Regent in Sjiain, to announce to them her Majesty's con- jincmcnt. [Broadside on vellum. Signed by their Majesties.] MARY. 173 June 1. Brussels. 1555. [End of 379. The Council to Dr. Wotton. Desire him to procure from the May.] Fi-ench King a safe conduct for Ricliard Shelley, Esquire, sent to Hampton Court, carry the news of her Majesty's liappy delivery to the Princess of Portugal, Regent of Spain, and to the King and Queen of Portugal. [Signed h\j Stephen [Oardiner'\ Blshoj} of Winchester and Chan- cellor, the Marquis of Winchester, the Earl of Arundel, Lord Hoivard of Effingham, Sir John Gage, Sir Robert Rochester, Sir William Petre, and Sir Edv;ard Waldegrave. One fage.'] [End of 380. Passport for Lord Howard of Effingham, High Admiral of May.] England, sent as Ambassador to the Emperor Cliarles V. to Hampton Court, announce Queen Mary's safe delivery. Sex of the infant and date left blank. [Broadside on vellum. Signed by King Philip and Queen Mai-y.] May? 381. " Responsum Commissariorum Cesariorum ad literas Regis [Frankfort.] Gallife." [Latin. Six pages.} 382. Sir John Masone to the Council. The news of the election of the Cardinal of Naples to the Pontificate, of which he apprized their Lordships at Calais last night, has this day been confirmed by a second courier, by whom he has received a packet of letters from Lord Montague, and perceives by the letter to himself which accompanied them, that their date is very stale, yet nevertheless he sends them to the said Lords at Calais to be forwarded. This Pope, whose assumed name is not mentioned, is at least 84 years old, and therefore the Ambassadors had need make some haste lest he serve them as the two others have done. One of the Dukes of Brunswick who was lately in France, levies troops on the edge of Friesland, abusing therein King Philip's name ; this slight being made known to the Emperor,, he has by letter done all such as it appertains to understand the falsehood meant therein. A daughter of the Kins; of Denmark has been married to the Duke of Mecklenburg. The Duke of Holstein, brother to the King of Denmark, between whom is no great agreement, is expected here in a few days. By two ships lately arrived at Genoa with wheat from Constantinople it is reported that at their departure the Turk's navy was almost ready to set afloat, for which extreme diligence was used both by day and by night. The army of the Duke of Florence is before Port Ercole, in good hope to make a short enterprise thereof The Portuguese fleet of 20 sail arrived at Antwerp four days ago, laden with spices and other merchandise, besides it is said a good quan- tity of money. The 6,000,000 agreed to be paid by the Low Countries in six years, are now at a full point to take effect ; there has been some delay, because the Emperor and the Queen were bent to have a good part levied upon merchandise, which for sundry reasons is in the end not found convenient. [Tiuo pages.] 388. Sir Philip Hoby to Sir John Masone. Although he has not heard from him since the 5th ult., enters into no jealousy of his lack of goodwill, but imputes his silence to occupation with matters of greater weight. His letters, besides giving life to them that lie slumbering from the dispatch of one post till the coming of another, extinguish many false rumours spread here concerning June 6. Fadua. 174 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555. June 8. Brussels. June 9. Brussels. June 9. Brussels. June 9. Brussels. the Queen's health. .Sucli reports emanated from the French Ambassador, wlio is here for the recovery of his health, and who affirmed that on the 7th of May the Queen was delivered of a mole or lump of flesh, and was in great peril of death ; and shortly after, refreshing these his former inventions, asserted that sub- sequent letters confirmed the death of her Majesty, and that all the havens, ports, and passages about England were stopped. These his fond and fantastical inventions, much unmeet for such an Ambassador, yea and worse than Boisdaulphin, had occasioned general sorrow. The English Ambassador had done his utmost to cease such news, although he had no letters until the one from Masono, which enabled him authoritatively to contradict these rumours. As his letter has done so much good, requests that he or his Secretary will frequently write to him. Cheke daily amends, and after this summer they trust to come together to Brussels to visit Masone. About the end of the month, Hoby intends to depart towards the bains. [Two pages. The sigTiature and nearhj the entire letter half scored over in ink by Masone.^ 384. The Emperor Charles V. to Queen Mary. Returns thanks for her letter of condolence on the death of his mother, the Queen of Spain, conveyed by Sir George Howard. How much this weighs upon him maybe imagined; but as he has a firm ho{>e that she has left this world for the kingdom of Leaven, and as all must go the same way when it pleases God, he submits to His divine providence. [French. One page.] 385. The Queen Regent of Flanders to sama Thanks her for the letter of condolence on the death of the Queen, her mother, brought by Sir George Howard, bearer hereof. Regrets as much as it is possible the loss of one so near to her. While acknowledging that it is a law common to all beings, and that God commands they should accept in patience all that He sends, she will follow her Majesty's advice to leave all in His hands and at His disposal. [French. One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 386. Eleanor of Austria, widow of Francis I., King of France, to same. Returns thanks for letter of condolence on the death of lier mother [Joanna], and hopes for l;er consolation that she may soon receive intelligence of her Majesty's accouchement, [Fivnch. One page. Signed by the Queen, and countei-sigiud by De la Monthe.] 887. Sir John Masone to the Council. The bearer. Sir George Howard, has done his commission here Nory well, and is much liked by the Emperor, the Quoon, and all witli whom ho has had to do. Despairing of peace, ns the French will conio to no leason, they provide with all possibility for the wai-s. The consti-uction of the Empt^ror's fort near Oivot goes forward apace, albeit the French by frequent skirmishes do alftliey can to let the work. In very few days it will be tenable, whereby they shall not need to fear the French meanings towards those quarters, where last yeai- for a time they took their ])leasure. Martin Van Rossen is fallen very sick; li'm loss at tlii.s time were crreat Count Egmcnt has gone as the lis loss at tlii.s time were great. MARY. 175 io65. June 11. Brussels. June 13. Brussels. Emperor's proxy to christen the Duke of Cleves' son. By this time it is thought that the Duke of Alva is arrived in Milan ; the Duke of Savoy is gone to Nice, and is expected here again soon. The armies of the Emperor and Duke of Florence lie at tlie siege of Port Ercole, in which is Pietro Strozzi, with nearly 1,000 soldiers, composed of French, Italians, and Germans. The whole hope of the French in its defence hangs upon the coming of the Turk's navy, of which they ought rather to be ashamed, as this, consisting of 70 gallies, was appointed to be afloat on the 20th or 29th ult. The French increase their strength in Piedmont, and so does the Emperor ; he has recently ordered thither from Hungary 1,600 horse. The Princess of Salerno is coming here to see what she can do to make her husband's peace. The Duke of Brunswick, of whom he wrote formerly, has, abusing the name of the Emperor and the King of the Romans, raised in Westphalia and Friesland ],600 horse and 5,000 or 6,000 foot, it is thought for the French King's service. For breaking of him before he grows too far, the Emperor devises the best ways he can, using therein the Duke of Schwartzburg and the Duke of Holstein. [Two pages.] 388. Sir John Masone to Sir "William Petre. Letters from Italy of the 2d, received- this morning, mention that one of the bastions made by the French for the defence of Port Ercole has been taken by assault, and its captain, with 60 others, slain, and the rest yielded to mercy. This is a good beginning, not merely as encouraging the soldiers, but because the place serves well for beating the rest with artillery ; so if the Turk's navy does not make haste, the wars of Tuscany are like to stand in right good case. There are also news, not yet certain, that Aiace [Ajaccio] has rebelled, and the inhabitants have made a great murder of the French garrison there ; if so, Calvi is lUce to have the better speed. Martin Yan Rossen is departed out of this world ; in him the Emperor has lost a good servant, not only for the leading of his army in the Duke of Savoy's absence, but for the stay of Guelderland, of which he was Marshal, with very great credit there. The French, towards impeaching the progress of the fort at Givet, have assembled about Avesnes ; but being merely of their own nation, without any Swiss or Germans, no great account is made of them. There is a muttering that the Turk's navy has been discovered, but finding no certain author, trusts it is merely a vain talk. P.S. — For all Petre 's travail in behalf of his diets due three months since, he lacks yet 100?. thereof; and yet lacks not passing six days of the time that the same are due to him afresh. But he has written so pitiful a letter to the Lord Treasurer, as he trusts he shall shortly be insured both of them and the others. [One page and a half.] 389. Same to the Council. The Prince of Orange is ap- pointed both to the charge of the late Martin Van Rossen, and the temporary command of the army in absence of the Duke of Savoy. Van Rossen is much lamented, especially for the stay of the Guelders, among which nation, being one of them himself, he 176 FOEEIGN PAPERS. 1 f r r* had notable good credit. The Turkish army, in numbers 60 gallies and 20 small veasi'ls of corsairs, has been discovered about Prevesa in way to the Italian hinih. The Admiral is Peluga Bassa, and the Vice-Admiral IJraj,'iit Rey : in tlie cajjtain galley are some French- men, hoatagus that no conclusion eliould be made of peace with the Empenir, notwitlistaiuling tlie meeting of tho Coniinissioners. The KiniT of Poland has sent an Ambassador with an honourable train, to condole with tlie Emperor on his mother's death. He leaves hence for England to do the like office to King Philip. The Em- peror has sent 1.50,000 crowii.s to Augsburg to levy there 10,000 foot and some horse. The old Duke of Brunswick haa offered to furnish the Emperor out of hand with 2,000 horse, so he may have commission to do so and money to pay them : this has been accepted. The French are still strong in Piedmont and keep the field. They endeavour to win the town of La Langa, which lying on their confines makes the Genoese afraid lest, if it falls into the hands of the French, the Turks shall winter thereabouts. Vnlpiano is very straitly besieged. The arrival of the Duke of Alva is trusted to put things in better order and abate the courage of those who by too many good successes already have promised themselves to have fortune at their command. The Duke of Savoy is expected to return about the 25th inst. [One page and a quarter.] June 24. 390. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Such small occar- Brus3el8. rents at this Court as are worthy of advertisement, he ha.s commu- nicated to the Council. Sends him a letter lately received from Italy [see Hoby's of the 6tli inst. su2)ra'], by which he may see the honest nature of the Frenchman, who makes as many bones to set out to the world a shameful lie with a shameful tongue, as he does to sup up a cup of good wine. Such kind of bruits many ill men have devised, as well elsewhere as in Italy, of the long keeping in of the Queen, wlio for that her Grace hath somewhat longer deferred the discharging of her burden than the world looked .she would have done, devise the occasion of the stay as pleaseth themselves. Surely if there were no wiser than lie, her Highness should come abroad and go to niiiss after her accustomed sort, until such time she might be certain it were time to retire her- self. Wherein, having all things ready as slie has, could be none inconvenience though she should travail witliin one day after her being abroad. This long keeping in with such a multitude of women, the time of the year being so hot, may breed by sickness many dangers which by taking air might be avoided," besides a great many bruits which thori'by may be stMyed. Had formerly written how honourably tlm Emiieror had dismiksod Don Fen-ante Gonzaga, after he had lain a whole year at the Court to answer accusations brought against him. Since his doiiarturo the Emperor has further caused a declaration to bi; made to the world that he was not culpable in any point of the sanu'. Sends a copy of this which, when Petre has read, ho may .show it to Lord Paget. Requests that the inclosed jinoket from tho Pope's Nuncio liere may be sent to the Lord Cardinal's luiuae. [Tivo jw^es.] MARY. 177 1555. June 27. July 1. Cremona. Julys. Brussels. 391. The Marquis of Winchester and the Lord Chancellor [Gar- diner] to Thomas Gresham. As the money of Spain is not like to come to answer the Queen's pay to the English merchants on 15th July next, which amounts to 18,000^, request he will provide 10,000i. to satisfy the bills that his agent John Elliot will take up in London by exchange for that purpose, to be repaid about 15th Sept. following, before which they trust the money will be received from Spain. In this he must earnestly travail that there be no lack, otherwise they know not how the Queen's credit shall be kept. Beg him to write an account of his mind and proceedings to Elliot and to themselves. Will provide the 8,000i. as they best can. [One page.] 392. The Magistrates of Cremona to her Majesty. Anselmo Tinto [Tinctus], lawyer, their fellow-citizen, whom they had sent to congratulate her Majesty upon her marriage, having on his return with some Ambassadors from other cities been captured in the English Channel by the French, they have by the exertions of her Majesty's representatives been restored to liberty, for which the thanks of the city are gratefully ofiFered to her. ILatin. One page.] 393. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Was visited last night by the recently arrived Ambassador of Ferrara, who brought with him two letters to be forwarded to King Philip. Supposes one or both are from the Duke of Ferrara ; requests they may be delivered to Signor Gonzalo Perez to be handed to his Ma- jesty, and the replies sent either to the Ambassador here or to himself. Pickering has required him to express the gratitude which he owes to Petre, the rather that a former letter which he had written in his behalf had miscarried by the loss of a capcase by the way. Believes Petre has done for an honest man, who both in studying to make amends to her Majesty for his fault, and to acknowledge his bond to Petre for his goodness, will not, he thinks, fail to employ himself during life to the uttermost of his power. Is forced by the lamentable letters of Peter Carew, with the declaration of, as it should seem, his unfeigned repentance, to commend Petre's past goodness to him, and to request a continuance of it until some beneficial results are obtained. " He is not a man to be lost if he may be won unfeignedly,' as by my troth I think he means none otherwise. This fall may be to him felix culpa, and the Queen hath thereby occasion to win such a servant as for sundry qualities there be not many in the realm of England. I will adventure, at the first occasion that I shall have to write unto her grace, to make of hiin some mention ; whicii, in good faith, I am moved the rather to do, for the gentle service I think he is able to do to his native country, than for any other private respect other than very pity." Prays that what this navy of Deiamark may breed be not too shortly felt ! It is strange, that although it has been three months in preparation, the Court here is so Ignorant of their meaning, as on Saturday last M. D' Arras said he^thoucfht surely the matter was at an end. [Two pages.] 2. ° M 178 FOREIGN TAPERS. 1355. July 12. 394. Dr. Wotton to the Council. The French King is now at Poissy. St. Germain-en-laye, where the Court will remain six weeks^ or more. On this side they make no great army ; although all soldiers and the Arriere Ban are ordend to be at Laon before the end of the month. But they will probably wait to see what the Emperor will do. Marsha] St. Andr^ is expected at the Court. On the King of Navarre's death, the Duke of Vendome went to Guisnes, where he will likely remain for some time. They send to Piedmont a strong force of horse and foot, besides 4,000 or 5,000 Swiss ; for it is said that besides the Bohemian cavalry lately come to the Duke of Alva, he expects 5,000 or 6,000 landsknechts more. The Imperialists that were encamped without the walls of Valence [Valenza], in Piedmont, have been compelled by the French to take refiige in the town. The loss of Port Ercole is ascribed to the treachery of the landsknechts, who betrayed one of the gates to the Imperialists ; the Italian and French soldiers, being ignorant thereof, were cut to pieces. Pietro Strozzi, who thought to have conveyed to the town by sea 300 men, with great difficulty escaped, and has returned to Toulon. The Italians here say that the Pope raises troops, as well as the French and Imperialists in Tuscany. The Prince of Salerno, whom it is thought the Pope favoureth well, will shortly return to Italy. The King has stayed all his ships of war that were about to sail, as well as his coasters ; wherefore unknown, but supposed to be because the English fleet is prepared to go forth shortly. No Ambassador come hither from the Pope yet Is frequently asked, what news out of England? The French have a number of horse and foot, said by them to amoimt to 10,000, at Moncornet, for defence rather than for attack. The Ad- miral governs in Picardy during the absence of M. de Vendome, now called King of Navarre, who sends 5,000 or 6,000 Gascons to Piedmont, because Brissac has required 12,000 more men, ex- pecting shortly to have need of them. Marquis Albert has sent for troops to serve here. With the Prince of Salerno is his nephew Fregoso, to whom the French King has given a bishopric although he was formerly a captain, and who, being related to the Pope, it is thought will be one of the first Cardinals that shall be made. There is a report that De Thermes goes to meet the Turk's navy, and so return to France. / cipher, deciplisred. Three pages.] July 12. 395. Bryan Fitzwilliams to Dr. Wotton. Expresses his sorrow for the heinous offences which he has committed, whereby he has become a banished man, and implores Wotton to intercede with her Majesty for forgiveness, and that he may be placed in some service where he may spend his body to regain some part of the good opinion which her Majesty had once of him by the service he did her at Fremmyngan [Framlingham]. For the last eight months has declined to serve the French King, and done all in his power to testify his allejjfiiinco to her Majesty. His delay in suing for mercy has be(^Ti occaaionod by the neglect of friends to adver- ti.so him when the time for snoh suit was favourable. [One MARY, 179 1555. July 16. Borne. July 16. Borne. July 21. July 21. Brussels. 396. Sir Edward Carne to Sir William Petre. There is wondrous slow expedition in this Court, and harder to obtain than ever he saw here before. As far as he can hear Petre's dispensation in special will save a great tax ; it shall not be slight as time and place shall serve. Requests Petre will be good master to him for his diets ; his servitor has no place to go to but to him for help. [Half a page.] 397. Same to King Philip and Queen Mary. Since the Bishop of Ely's departure hence, on the 2d inst., nothing has been done but the expedition of two brieves ; one for the union of the legation of Ireland with that of England, and another for the erection of the bishoprics of Chester and Gloucester, now sent to the Legate with other brieves responsive to their Majesties from his Holiness. The expedition of the Bishops' bulls are also dispatched, and he has sent them by the common post of this date to Masone their Am- bassador with the Emperor, to await the arrival of the Bishop of Ely at that Court. The Turk's navy is seen daily in these seas hovering xip and down; ships of war are gathered to keep the coast. On the 6th inst. the Marquis of Saria, the Emperor's Am- bassador, made his entry here, and was honourably received after the sort of this Court. On the 9 th Don John Manrique, the Ambassador here, left for the Emperor and their Majesties ; he shawed their Ambassadors as much honour, entertainment, and service, with aU gentleness as might be shown. Beseeches their Majesties will give him thanks therefor. [One page.} 398. " Toucliing Mr. Carne's Diets." Extract from the books of Sir Edmund Peckham, Knight, High Treasurer of the Mint, by T. Westwick, his clerk, showing that there is paid to Sir Edward Came in prest his diets for 160 days, from 12th February to 21st July 1555, amounting, at the rate of fifty-three shillings and four pence per diem, to the sum of 426i. 13s. 4d. [Half a page.] 399. Sir John Masone to the Council. Yesterday received their letters of the 12th, than which never were letters more welcome, as they will enable him to still a great many doubtful talks upon the longer tarrying of her Majesty's delivery than was looked for. "Almighty God assist her with His holy hand, whensoever the time shall come, so as the fruit may come to light so much prayed for by all good men to the joy and gladness of the good sort of the whole estate of Christendom ! " The Turk's navy, having passed the Pharos of Sicily, have at last been discovered at the isle of Capri, within the sight, in a manner, of the town of Naples. On their way they have burned in Calabria two villages upon the coasts, Paula, belonging to the Duke of Castrovillare, and Santo Lucito, belonging to Signor Federico CaraflFa. Some think they will go next to Corsica; but Port Ercole being razed it is probable a great piece of their malice is met withal. The Turk himself is expected at Constantinople in August ; he has dismissed the Sophy's Ambassador from Amasia very honourably, but what passed between them is unknown. It is said he has advised the Kins of the Romans to give up Transylvania to the Vaivode's son M 2 180 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555. within a short time, menacing him otherwise with war. Sends a letter from the Englisli Aml)assarlor at Venice, which will probably declare at good length tlie great honour and com-tesy shown by that state to Lord Montacute. [Two ■piKj'''^^ July 28. 400. Sir Edward Carne to Sir William Petre. Petre's matter is Rome. in the hands of the Datary, who has promised favour in all Game's suits. Had delivered the book to one of experience here to draw a minute thereof Stands in doubt where he had all again or no ; for if the beginning of the book be " Manerium de (}lng ad Petram, alias Ging Ahhatisse, alias dictum Ingatatone in comi- tatu predicto" with the word " Essex" in the margin, thinks he has all ; if that be not the beginning of Petre's book he does lack. Has in all 12 manors, one farm called Salmons and Barowse, and there parsonages, so that he has but 16 pieces in all if that be the whole. If that be the whole, he has enough ; if it be not, requests Petre will send it him in a little bill. This day the Pope kept a solemn feast for a jubilee which his Holiness has granted, whereto, as well in the church as to dinner, all the Ambassadors with the Cardinals were invited. In the procession the Portuguese Am- bassador and he had a dispute as to precedency, the former demand- ing the pas : this went so far that the whole procession was stayed, whereupon the Pope ordered both of them to avoid the place, which they did. The Portuguese Ambassador is the Grand Commander : he had a sword and a dagger, Carne no weapon, but the next time Avill have a dagger as well as the Ambassador if he come thereto. Has written to their Majesties of this Ambassador's doings ; he is brother to the Emperor's Ambassador here, who came afterwards to Carne declaring that the Pope was in hand with him thinking that he favoured his brother in this matter, and showing that he was his Majesty's vassal and would serve him before father or mother, with many fair words. The Bishop of Trani, in Puglia [Apulia], a bene- fice in the gift of his Majesty, died here j-esterday. [One page and a half.'] Aug. 3. 401. Peter Vannes to the Council. The Duke of Alva is very Venice. strong in the field. It is written from Frassineto, a little town and a pretty castle, that he arrived there on the 21st ult The French garrison refused to surrender, but were straight assaulted by certain pieces of ordnance and constrained to yield themselves to his dis- cretion. He hanged some of the principal men and sent the i-est to the gallies. Next day he crossed the Po M'ith his army, by certain bridges made for the purpose, lea\ing Frassineto on fire ; going softly forward by reason that some troops which he expected had not arrived. On the 24th ult. he sent a great part of the provisions to Crescentino, staying himself for the arrival of Mons. della Trinity with troops from Chornsco and Fossano. Ho will be obliged to (:haiig() hi.s route or to wait on account of the dangerous state of the Doin, which i.s swollen by the heavy rains. Mons. de Brissac having well foitified all places of passage on the farther side, it is to be thought the 1 )uke will march to Ivrea and divert Brissac from the place ho now occupies, instead of crossing the Dora ; while della Trinitt\ will go to relieve Ulpiano. There is news that the Turk's MARY. 181 1555. Aug. 10. Brussels. Aug. 19. Antwerp. Aug. 24. Venice. army continues about Elba, doing all the mischief they can. It is said, but it is not certain, that they are joined by the French gallies which lately brought Baron de la Garde, Mons. de Thermes, and Pietro Strozzi to Toulon ; after consultation they separated, Strozzi going to the Frencli Court. They make much bravery to get up a -war in Tuscanj'-, but there is no likelihood where and how they should begin. Yet the French keep a hold in Sienna. They boast that the Turk's army will sojourn all this winter in the Tuscan seas and thus trouble Sardinia and Sienna. It is written for certain that the Turk is determined to restore King Stephen, nephew and heir apparent to the King of Poland, and son to the Vaivode in Transylvania, and divers other places that the King of the Romans holds, for the delivery of them. The Turk has sent an Ambassador of the King of the Romans back to him for that purpose ; else he will proclaim a cruel war against him. [Three pages.] 402. Edward, Earl of Devonshire, to Lord Wentworth. Expect- ing shortly some horses from England by way of Calais, requests that they may be permitted to pass safely without interruption, for the convenience whereof sends his servant the bearer. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 403. Thomas Gresham to Queen Mary. In his letter of 4th August he mentioned that he had taken up by exchange in part payment of 14,280i. the sum of 7,263Z. 6s. 8d. Since that has also taken up by exchange the sum of 3,726Z. Intends to take up the rest by the end of this month. Will return home to confer with iier Majesty and the Council concerning the payment of her debts due in October and January next, and April following. Incloses a perfect note of the days of payment, and names of her creditors for his discharge, because the time of the first payment draws near, and this is one of the chiefest things she has to look to for the maintenance of her credit, which if she keep now he is assured she does and wiU excel all Princes in credit. No Prince living can go out of his own dominions and obtain such credit as she has, and may have always if the thing be looked to, and this has stood her Majesty in her necessity in no small stead. Reminds her to call most earnestly upon the Lords of the Council to take means that her first payment, due in October next, may be met. [One page.] Inclosing, 403. I. Abstract of her Majesty's debts in Flanders, with the date when they become due. [Broadside.] 404. Peter Vannes to the Council. Although he does not suppose that the knowledge of the advertisements sent from him often stays their greater affairs, still thinks it his duty continually to write to them the occurrences here. By letters from divers i;>laces and from Corsica of the 19th inst., it appears that the French at Calvi, having beaten down a great part of the ramparts and the walls of the castle, gave the assault with 16 ensigns of Gascons and 200 Turks, with such a fierceness that in a moment a great many of them were upon the walls. Those withio, however, 182 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. nothing abashed or feared, having prepared mines and engines with fire, defended the place for three hours and finally repulsed the assailants with a loss of 200 killed and as many hurt ; the master of tlie Gascon camp was sore wounded, and two alfieri [standard- bojirura] and their ensigns taken prisoner. Next day the Turks prepared to give another assault, but wanting to make a new breach and night coming on, they had to cease from the batterj'. The day following the French gallies which were gone to Marseilles for munitions and victuals returned without any, whereupon the Turks entered into a great fume and choler and collected their baggage with the intention of going towards the Levant by Sardinia ; the Gascons, thinking it unsafe to be left there alone, did the same, leaving two pieces of ordnance and some troops behind in a veiy strong little hold. In one part of the country (of the French faction) the people were determined to rise against the French if they ever returned. Sends the advices received from Piedmont (missing), not having leisure to translate them. [Two pages.] Aug. 27. 405. The Council to Dr. Wotton. On the 25th the French Greenwich. Ambassador had an interview with the Lord Chancellor and some of the Council, to complain that the French troops, pursuing the Burgundians, had been fired upon from the castle of Guisnes. Tlie Council vindicated the act, and commended Lord Grey the Governor, on the ground that the French had no right to follow their enemy into her Majesty's neutral territory, and that no favour was intended thereby to be shown to the Imperialists in preference to their opponents. In reference to his Majesty's approaching voyage to Flanders, they informed the Ambassador that they were aware orders had been given to the French ships of war to stop the passage and search passengers, as they had done to the Lord Montague and the Bishop of Ely, and that they considered this usage unfriendly and contrary to promisa That the English ships were now going only to clear the passage, with no hostile intention, but if the French attempted to impeach it they were commanded to use violence. Yesterday they received a letter from Dover mentioning the stay there of a French vessel which had been sent to search all the coast and spy the pre- parations for his Majesty's voyage, the captain of which had letters from the Ambassador to his master. The Ambassador sent to complain of this, and wfia told that no orders were given for the general detention of French ships, but if he thought that vessels might come to spy and depai-t with impunity he was mucli mistaken. This morning have received ^^■ otton's letter of the 23d, and have declared its effect to tliolr Majesties, who take the same in good part. The Scottish wardens defer the doing of justice. HiH Majesty leaves for Flanders in a day or two, escorted by the Lord Admiral witli >\. good number of the Queen's ships and those of the (linque Ports. [Brajl Fire p,njes.] [Aug. ?] 4iOli. Note for the Council, of the prolongation of the time of payment of lier Majesty's debts in Flanders for six months. [Two pages.] MARY. 183 1555. ~ Sept. 2. 407. Sir Edward Carne to King Philip and Queou Mary. On Rome. the 31st ult. Cardinal de Santafiore and Signer Camillo di Colonna were imprisoned in the castle of St. Angelo. Prior to their apprehension the Pope had caused about 3,000 soldiers to be within the city, and of these the greater part is sent to invade the state of Colonna, belonging to Marc Antonio di Colonna, who has avoided nearer to the realm of Naples. What is laid to the Cardinal's charge is unknown, but the city here is in great doubt lest further inconvenience should ensue. [One page.] Sept. 3. 408. Dr. Wotton to the Council. Had received their letter of Poissy. 27th August on the Slst, and had audience of the King yesterday. His Majesty said that however amicably Princes might be disposed to each other, matters of complaint or suspicion would sometimes rise between tliem. He would do all in his power to preserve peace and redress grievances, and trusted her Majesty would do so likewise. The Constable entered somewhat further into the matter; he thought Lord Grey had acted somewhat strangely, having not only shot out of the castle, but had sent men with good hand- guns to repulse the French and favour the Burgundians. As for the misordering of Lord Montague and the Bishop of Ely, tlie Constable wondered much if it were so, and said, they had done more than became them that so had done ; for the King and Council did not so use their Lordships when they passed through France. For the staying of the posts, he could tell whether they had been or not ; but indeed the King's last letters from England were somewhat stale, being of the 22d ult. He spoke very gently, with much commendation of her Majesty, and reiterated the King's sentiments as to amity. " The King had been that morning a little acrased, and looked not very cheerfully when I spoke with him." The same day dined with the Constable, as he does ever when he finds the Constable at the Court, and had good cheer and gentle words of him ; he commanded his steward to send venison to Wotton, After his return to Poissy, in the evening one of the Constable's gentlemen named St. Sulpice, came from his master to inform him of the goOd news received from Piedmont since he left the Court, which were that the Duke of Alva, on hearing that Brissac with his united force was marching towards Sainttyan [Tiano ?] has raised tlie siege and dispersed his army in garrisons for the defence of the towns ; so that now the French are encamped and may go to besiege what place they list. These news, he dares say, have made the King look with a better countenance at supper than he did at dinner, being of right great importance, as diminish- ing the great opinion held of the Duke of Alva. Although it is said at Court that the Turk's navy shall winter on this side, the Ambassadors here cannot believe it till they have more certain news thereof. The defeat of the French at P^ronne by the Im- perialists is probably known to their Lordships ; the former admit that M. de Humiferes, the Governor of the town, was both wounded and taken prisoner, and common report states the number killed and captured at about 400 of the bravest ; others say more. The fault is imputed to the cowardice of some of the Arriire Ban, 184 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555. Sept. 5. Greenwich. Sept. 9. Borne. whose Lieutenant, M. De la Jaille is taken, with other good gentle- men. Among the slain are a son-in-law of the Garde dee Sceaux, named Sentenelle, and a son-in-law of M. D'Estr^. The Admiral of France is encamped four or five leagues from Abbeville, for what purpose is uncertain. In Picardy tlicy say he has 10,000 men in his camp ; others rel)ate thereof almost the one half Senarpont and Villebon are both with him, and almost all the garrisons of Boulogne, Montreuil, and other places of those frontiers. [Three pages.] 409. Queen Mary to Pope Paul IV. Recommending Hugh Lacy to the vacant episcopate of Limerick. [Latin. Broadside. Copy.] 410. Sir Edward Carne to King Philip and Queen Mary. The reason assigned for the imprisonment of Cardinal Santofiore is his disobedience, but it is rumoured that other matters, affecting the Pope's person, are laid to his charge. Camillo di Colonna is accused of being implicated in the murder of a lady called Signora Livia, slain in her bed last Shrovetide by the son of Colonna, who had married her daughter and heir. Count Michael Angelo, and he who was Treasurer to Pope Julius III. are still in prison. Great pieces of artillery have been sent out of the castle of St. Angelo to the state of the Colonnas. His Holiness looks stoutly and better than he did on Game's arrival ; he has banished the Cardinal of Ferrara, who is suspected of the death of Pope Marcellus. All armour, except sword and dagger, is called in to the Capitol by proclamation. This is thought very strange. [One page. Pri/nted by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 480.] Sept. 10. 411. Letter from the Councillors and Deputies of the Empire Augsburg, assembled at Augsburg to the King of France ; with the Articles concluded at the last Diet held at Augsburg in 1555. [FreiuJi. Eight pages. Copies.] On the cover of the preceding copies are eight verses, com- mencing thus : — "A pynching payne is depai'ture ; Parting beraft me your presence ; Presence ys past, I must endure ; Endure I must perforce absence." and concluded by " Finis qd. Gylpin." Sept. 10. 412 . Extracts from the Charter of the Emperor Charles IV. to John III., Duke of Brabant, for the exemption of his countries from the Empire, 1 March 1349 :— The contract between the Emperor Charlts V. and the Princes of the Empire at Augsbui-g, 26 June 1548:— The departure of the Imperial Majesty of Rome and the States at Augsburg, 1555:— And the ordinance and proclamation of the Emperor Charles V. nt Augsburg, 10 September 1555. [Transhitions. Tilled by Cecil. Twenty ■paiiex.] Sept. ] 3 & 14. raris. 413. Dr. Wottou to Sir William Potre and Sir John Bourne, Knights, Principal Secretaries to the Queen's Majesty. No answer liaving been received from the Grand Seignior as to the wintering of the Turkish navy on this side, supposes they are on their voyage MARY. 185 1556. homeward. Hoars Brissac, who is battering Vulpiano, is in bad health, and will be revoked, and much honoured and made of on his return, as he deserves. De Tiiermes will succeed him. Some think that Pietro Strozzi, who is now entered into the Diet, shall be shortly sent to his charge again. The Court is now going to Villers-Cote-Retz. Although he had been told by a person from Calais that the camp in Picardy is broken up, yet it is said here that the Constable will go thither shortly, and soon thereafter be followed by the King. Also that King Philip has promised the Cardinal to do what he can to induce the Emperor to a peace, whereof they seem to have conceived some hope. As far as he can perceive the French intend to besiege the new fort named Maygny, whither it is said the King will go himself; this is the more likely as he has sent for the hundred gentlemen of his house, and carts and munition go to Picardy. Some report part of that fortification to have fallen down ; but it would not be well to lose it, since the place lies commodiously for the Imperialists to annoy the French. It is said that the Dukes of Savoy and Alva are at great strife, which was the cause of their breaking up their camp, and which was done in very great disorder. [In cipher, deciphered. Two pages.] Sept. 14. 414. Peter Vannes to the Council. Having nothing else wherein Venice. by commandment he can serve the Queen, will give them knowledge of the daily occurrences in these parts. The Duke of Alva, since Jiis withdrawal from Santhia, upon good respects well-considered, and specially because he found the town stronger than he was informed and not to be won without great loss and waste of time, and that Brissac was preparing very strongly towards other places and enterprises, thought it expedient to turn his army elsewhere and crossed the river by Ponte Stura where, considering the im- portance of the place, he has built a fort to facilitate his movements to and fro. Meanwhile Brissac prepared anew to go against Ulpiano, as a great mote in his eyes, for the town since it was last succoured, has grown very weak of soldiers from sickness. But his preparations having been perceived, the Duke sent thither in time Sig. Cesare de Napoli, Camillo Gonzaga, and others with a sufficient force, who after wading the Po met a party of French who did them no great hurt, and relieved the town with 300 Spaniards, 100 Italians, and 80 light horsemen. There is no news of any other exploit. The Turk's army after being long about Calvi and Bastia in Corsica, departed without doing anything, and it is doubted if they are gone towards the Levant, or else- where to wait the Turk's orders. The sudden successes of Rome are here in most consideration. Men discuss what the veiy occasion should be and to what end this matter should come, for besides the Cardinal of Santafiore and his brother, other great men, and all the lords and gentlemen of the Colonnas and Barons of Rome, with many other captains and gentlemen of other countries of any name or activity and friends or servants of the Emperor, have been suddenly imprisoned, nothing being certainly known except that the Pope said they had highly offended against his 186 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555. person and the Church of Rome. He has taken and in great part destroyed all their castles and palaces, and " daily doth happen some novelties in this kind of proceedings." He has on a sudden taken from every man, Anibiissadors and all, all manner of weapons, but swords and daggers, especially from strangers, the Emperor's friends and subjects in Rome and about the countries. The Cardinal of Ferrara has sojourned this summer at Tivoli, belonging to Cardinal Farnese, 25 miles from Rome. The Pope has com- manded him within three days to avoid the state of the Church and to repair to Ferrara, to await his further pleasure. He has caused to be taken openly at Bologna a certain Abbate Brisengo, the Emperor's and King's servant, who had lately brought from Rome to the Duke of Alva 80,000 crowns, and was returning from the Duke to Rome upon business. He has had all his letters taken from him. The Emperor's Ambassadors there complain much of his unkind usage. 'The French offered the Pope if need were to assist him with 6,000 foot, ready paid, and 300,000 crowns. Will not write divers details currently spoken of in Venice, fearing he may as well err as say the truth. Supposes there is some gi-eat cause for the Pope's vigorous proceedings. [Four pages.'] Sept. 22. 415. Sir John Masone to the Council. The Lords who came Brussels, hither waiting upon his Majesty intended to have taken leave to-day, and to depart to-morrow ; but this afternoon his Highness has required them, on the Emperor's behalf, to tarry one day longer. On Tuesday next they mind to return to England, when doubtless they will make such report of their royal entertainment here as they have right good reason to do. There are news from Constan- tinople that Mustapha, of whom he has once or twice written, is broken, and himself taken in the field. This is ill news in the present state of Christendom, as by his stir there was some hope that the Turk's preparations against Hungary might have been hindered. The Duke of Alva has lately taken Qabiano, a strong fort in Piedmont, and has put into Vulpiano 400 good soldiers of a new crew, notwithstanding the siege of the French round about it The Pope's army has marched into the estate of Marc Antonio Colonna, intending to attempt the taking of Magliano, which his Holiness was informed Colonna was about to fortify and furnish with provision. Juliano Cesarino and Ascanio della Cornia are stayed in Rome, but by last letters it was not known whether they were committed to ward. Cardinal Caroffa is appointed to be Legate of Bologna. There is no confirmation of the Turk's qallies departing towards Constantinople, wherefore some think they are still in the Italian seas. [One page and a quarter.] Sept. 30. H6. " Advertisements out of Constantinopla" On the arrival Constantinople, of Sultan Bajazct, youn^or son of tiio Turk, invited to Aasit him and kiss his lianda, bringing witii iiim ei^^ht children, four boys and fonr ^rirls, tiio Turk met iiim at a day's journey from Constantinople, and Hhowed many niiruH of ailection, one being that he exchanged horses with hi.s son, both being mounted, which is thought a great favour. The said Sultan shortly after left his father for Adriaaople, MART 187 1555. and, it is said, said he would go to his Sangiacco. The Turk returned to Constantinople on the 19th, A son of Sala Bey, Sangiacco of Algiers, had proceeded to Constantinople with three gallies, and been to the Turk with great presents, asking aid of him in ships and men to recover the kingdom of Fez. On 30th Sept. all tlie four Bassas, having proceeded into the presence of the Turk according to custom, the Turk, in their presence, caused Achmet, Chief Bassa, to be bowstrung ; the cause is not yet well known. The same day the Turk gave the seal to Rusten Bassa, who re- turned to his place of Chief Bassa, from which he was deposed at the death of Sultan Mustapha. [Italian. Half a page. Indorsed by Petre.} Sept. ? 41 7. Memorandum, autograph of the Marquis of Winchester, as to the dating of a letter on the 6 th of September, that it may be their warrant for what they have done with Tucker, the Lixshalls, and others in relation to the loan. [Six lines.] Oct. 1. 418. Dr. Wotton to the Council. The King kept the feast of his La FerteMilon. Order at Villers-Cote-Retz, the Ambassadors being required to it. They were there both at the first even-song, and on Michaelmas day at mass, dinner, and vigils. Believes that feast was not kept so merrily many years before. A few days previous the Italian Ambassadors had letters that the siege of Vulpiano was raised ; but on Michaelmas-eve the King received news of its capture. The great bastion having been carried by assault, the rest surrendered. It would seem they have used their victory somewhat cruelly, as the Constable, on talking to him thereof, went about to excuse it. The only prisoner of consequence named is Sigismund de Gonzaga, captain of 500 soldiers ; but is informed this Sigismund is not of the house of Gonzaga, but by favour permitted to bear the name. Another, nephew to the Duchess of Alva, is by some reported to be taken, by others to be slain. The capture of this place enables Turin and other towns thereabout to be kept in a manner without garrisons. While the French were before it, Alva encamped again and went about to fortify Pont d'Asture, towards which, after taking Vulpiano, the French marched. It is said they intend to raze the latter place, and have good hopes of taking Pont d'j^sture, which is not considered to be defensible, lying low, and subject to the shot of artillery. Brissac is recovering well, and is in the camp, whereat they much rejoice. Is informed by the Constable that the King has 40,000 soldiers in Piedmont. At the feast the King chose Signer Ludovico Birago to be of the Order, for the good service he has often done, especially of late at Sianttyan. About 1,000 nobles and gentlemen have gone to Piedmont for the battle ; among them the Vidame of Chartres. To-day the King leaves for the frontiers, accompanied by the Dauphin, who shall this journey begin to wear harness, at least mail, and some other light gear meet for him to wear ; he shall have his own band waiting for him, whereof he rejoices not a little. The pretence for his Majesty going is that he may inspect the late fortifications on the frontierSj at 188 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1 555. Guise, Maubertfontaine, La Capelle, St. Quentin, &c. He will return in 15 or IG days, and the An)ba.ssadors are required to remain here, although the Queen goes to St. Germain to see her daughter, Madame Marguerite, whom she left there sick. [Two pages.] [October, 419. Dr. Wotton to M. de Lansac has returned in post I La I'ertu Milon ?] about the from Rome, and brings news that their Holy Father the Pope has beginning.] imprisoned Cardinal Santafiore, Signor Camillo Colonna, Ascanio della Cornia, Don Bernardino de Mendoza, and others, and has invaded and taken certain places of Signor Marc Antonio Colonna, son to Vespasiano, whom he will deprive of all the rest of his estate near Rome as fast as he can. It is thought here that all these prisoners shall die. The pretence for this is a conspiracy against tiie Pope's life ; but other things are laid- to their charge, such as the conveying away of two gallies. The Cardinal is allied to the Colonnas and the Vesinos, and is cousin-german to the Fameses. Among the other prisoners is one of the Cardinal's Secretaries, who, whether by torture, subornation, or of freewill, has confessed many things of importance. It is also said, that under pretence of his bull revoking alienation of Church lands, he demands already certain places of the Duke of Florence. All this adds to the joy of the French, who judge that these doings of the Pope will set all Italy by the ears. On Michaelmas-day one Annibale Russillaro [RucillaiJ came to the Court from the Pope, and had immediately secret audience, the Nuncio not being called to it. HLs errand is not known, but next day the Cardinal of Lorraine was dispatched to Rome in post ; he will stay a day or two at Paris to prepare himself, and with him, it is said, ride the Bishops of Orleans sind Bayonne. [One page. Becipher : the original lost] Oct. 5. 420. Thomas Gresham to the Council. An-ived here on the Antwerp. 4th. Has prolonged payment with Tybolde Prewen to the 25th inst., and with Andreas Lixshalls to the 1st of April next, accordineliued to have such a meaning as they never thought of. Archduke Ferdinand arrived the other day with MARY. 193 1565. Oct. 27. Antwerp. Oct. 27. Antwerp. 60 horses in post. The King met him at the town's end, brouglit him to the Emperor and afterwards took him to his lodging in the Court. To-day he fetched him to church, and after mass they went together to dine with the Queen [Regent] ; the French Queen, her Majesty, the King, the Archdulce, and the Duchess of Lorraine sitting at one table. Petre will receive hereby advices from Rome, which Masone had no cipher to translate, by which he will see that things there do not mend. As to his own case, he has so often written that he will now see what will drop out of heaven. If he have no relief shortly he trusts the King will give him leave to go home. [Two pages.] Incloses, 428. I. " r/te order of the cession of the Low Countries." [Six pages. Printed nearly verbatim by Robertson.] Copy of preceding in modern handwriting. [Five pages and a half] 429. Thomas Gresham to Queen Mary. Has received, towards payment of her debts, from the merchant adventurers ] 2,000Z. ; trusts to receive the rest very shortly for the accomplishment of her payment of 38,085?., which roj^al and great payment he assures her is not a little spoken of here and through all Christendom to her and the Council's great honour and credit for ever. Sends by John Sprytewell her Majesty's and the City's bonds due to Tybold Prewen on the 1st inst., with those due to Andreas Lixshall and Thomas Flechemore on the 20th, trusting on receipt of the rest of the money of her merchants to send home the rest of her bonds shortly. Reminds her of the 131Z. land that it has pleased her to give him towards the augmenting of his living. [One page and a quaHer. Indorsed by Petrel] 430. Same to the Council. Between the 20th and 25th insts., has received of the merchants adventurers about 12,000Z. In this they have done the Queen a great service, money being so scarce, and the payments of the mart not commencing before the 20th November. Hopes they will keep promise for the rest of the sum. The Mayor and Company of the Merchants Staplers have given order for payment of 12,000Z. instead of 13,000?., as taken by the Queen and Council. Begs them forthwith to take order with them for the former sum, for he has promised to her Majesty's creditors, according to his instructions, the payment of 38,085?. and he will not be able to accomplish it without further orders from the Council. This is a matter must needs be done, and by the staplers, for they are best able to do it, considering the charge of 25,000?. on the adventurers, which is a great burden for them, all their substance being laid out upon English commodities. Sends by Sprytewell the Queen's and the City's bonds due 1st October, to Tybold Prewen, which he prolonged to the 20th inst., and an obligation of Andreas Lixshails and Thomas Flechemore, trusting to send her other obligations on receipt of the rest of her money. Begs them to recommend the Queen to give Sprytewell the reversion of the postage at Calais, as he hath done her Highness good service under him. He is a very fit man for the place, for he can speak all kind of languages and is a Calaisian born, very painful and trustworthy. 2. N 194 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555. Oct. 28. Calais. Oct. 28. Brussels. Has had trial of him for five years. Has got for him the good will of Sir John Masone, who is master of all the Queen's posts in England. [One page and a quarter. Indorsed by Petre.] 431. Lord Wentworth and the Council at Calais to Queen Mary. On the 24'th received her Majesty's letter of the 14th touching the victualling of this town and marches for next year, but are unable to give a resolute answer thereto until they have further conference with the Mayor and the Fellowship of the Staple, as the matter affects the whole estate of the town and country generally. Meanwhile, beseech that the ports may be kept open for their better relief, as they foresee a greater scarcity than any heretofore noted ; for they have seen of the grain this year inned, so much impaired through the unseasonableness of weather and abundance of water, that there is small hope to save the one half of it. Wherefore they must sue her Majesty for liberty of free access to all victuallers coming hither. Finding on further debate, great difficulty to accomplish the device in her Majesty's letter, request that one of them may be permitted to wait upon her or the Council thereon. Entreat that payment may be made to the poor garrison and labourers, who undoubtedly were never in more misery. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] 432. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. By his letters of the 27th inst. signified to him the order of the renunciation made on Friday last. On sending this morning to the post found his packet still there ; thought good, having occasion by reason of sending the King's letters inclosed, to write three or four lines more. Yester- night in the evening the Duke of Savoy was declared to the nobility assembled for that purpose Lieutenant of the Low Countries in the absence of the King. He has 2.5,000 crowns a year for the maintenance of his dignity. The name of Governor is not given to him on account of a scruple arising upon the allegation of certain privileges. The one name imports as much as the other, saving that in the time of the King being on this side he shall not meddle. The Archduke's going into Spain is stayed, and it is thought he will shortly return again to his father for affairs of the Empire. The letter inclosed to the Lord Chancellor from the King is written on behalf of two monks of the Charterhouse, who have been in this Court and petitioned the King for a place of resort, liberty to b^n again that religion in the kingdom, and payment of their pensions, for which they say the Queen signed a bill two years since. The King's answer touching the plate, has been that during the Par- liament it is no time to speak of it, but that eiulod, he would write about it to her Majesty, and on his return shortly would help them as best he could. He would write touching the pensions out of hand and send his letter to Masone to be sent to England. He thus sent them back to Bruges, where their resting place is for the time. This morning he sent Masone the letter for Petre, to be sent by him to the Lord Chancellor. Begs that the other inclosure may be given by one of Putro's men to John Bernardine ; it was recomjuoiided to liim by a gentleman of the King of Poland in this [One iKKje and a qaartcr. Indorsed by Pefre.] Court. MARY. 195 1355. ~ [Oct.] 433. Note of the prolongation of the sum of 25,3901. 18s. 4d., for six months, with the names of those to whom her Majesty's bonds must be made. [Two pagea.\ Nov. 2. 434. Peter Vannes to the Council. Can never express the Venice. gratitude he feels to the Queen and their Lordships. Will not trouble her with a letter of thanks for their letter of 29 th Sept., written by her command, but begs them to give his lowliest thanks to her Majesty at a convenient opportunity. Will not now trouble them with his own private matters as he doubts not but that their promises and appointment have been long before tliis fulfilled. [One page and a quarter. Indorsed by Petre.] Nov. 2. 435. Same to Sir William Petre. If ever before, now of necessity Venice. must hold him excused that he is not able sufficiently to thank him. His most gentle letter of the 28th September, has relieved him from great misery to great joy, from gi-eat fear to an assured hope. What more comfort could he have than to see thereby thalt the Queen remains a gracious lady towards him, and that Petre has carefully taken pain in the advancement of his doings and the procuring of the sublevation of his necessity. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.'] Nov. 2. 436. Same to the Council. The sudden stir at Rome between Venice. the Pope and the Imperialists, arising rather out of vain suspicion wrought by the French than any certain grounds, is at length quenched. The Pope, upon receiving the Kings letter, was much satisfied, and boasted himself that his Majesty so -lovingly had written unto him. In addition, the broil was so wisely handled by the King's Ambassadors and agents at Rome, that Don Bernar- dino, seeing the French brags were not at all to be feared for the realm of Naples, did, according to the Pope's expectation, first disarm a band of 12,000 men he had ready on the confines of Naples and the Church's estate. This earnest demonstration has '. stopped divers purposes devised by the French to be brought to pass by the Pope's means under the pretence of all serving for the safety of his person and conservation of the dignity of his Church. The Pope seeing that Bernardino had disarmed, dismissed his own - troops, and discharged his general the Duke of Urbino and all his other captains. Duke Octavio's preparations and expenses ■ are almost all melted away like fleeces of snow with the ^. shining of the sun. The Pope has openly said that he will have no war with the Emperor nor with the King, and deter- mines to keep himself neutral with all Christian Princes, hoping ' to eflTect an universal peace on the arrival of the Fi'ench Cardinals. ' He has ordered all the people of Rome fit for its defence, to be < made ready by the chief of the wards and mustered ; he will be i' present on the day of muster. Men say this makes him the lustier, i' and keeps people in reverence and obedience. It is reported that ii* many, for one cause and another, gape for the Cardinal's dignity )| - these Christmas holidays. Thinks " multi erunt vocati et pauci electi," and prays God that of His infinite mercy He will grant them His grace. In Piedmont the French, since his last, have done N 2 h- 196 FOREIGN PAPERS. 15,55. nothing -worth writing about but planted their men in divers fortresses ; all their Italian bands were near a mutiny on account of non-payment of wages, but their Colonel, Capt. Birago, enter- tained them with policy and promises. The cause of their retirement from the field may well have been their inability to resist the Duke of Alva's camp. He supposes them by this to be in the field, or else waiting until the first payment of the Imperialists is wasted. But in tliis tliey will be deceived, for the Duke, it is to be considered, comes out with some intelligences to recover some of the lost pieces, and at least to fortify and victual divers places of importance between Asti and Alexandria, as Felisiano, Crescentino, Trino, and others ; which will advance and assure greatly the King's estates in those parts. Notwith- standing the French King has made Duke Octavio his General in Tuscany, and spread abroad a great bruit for the taking of Sienna with no effect, grounding his devices only upon the great dearth in Tuscany and especially Sienna, the Imperialists and the Duke of Alva have looked to it, and such provision has been already made that these French devices will come to no good end. For the more assurance the Duke has sent Capt. Vitello with a great band of his camp to give aid in provisions this winter in Sienna in a convenient place by the river Albia. By the last letters from Constantinople of 1st Oct., it is written that the Turk was making great preparations against Hungary to put the Vaivode's son in Transylvania. [Four pages and a half. Inn dorsed by Petre.] Nov. 11. 437. Memorandum of arrears due to Sir Edward Came for 113 days to the present inclusive, at fifty-three shillings and four-pence per diem (30U. 6s. 8d.), and for three months, advanced by former warrant {224Z.), in all 525?. 6s. 8d. [Half a parjc] Nov. 11. 438. Thomas Greshamto the Council. On tlie 8th inst. received Antwerp, their letter of the 4th inst., informing him that they had received her Majesty's bonds, and that her pleasure is, that the 1,000?.. which the staplers should have furnished, is to be taken up by exchange. Sends a list of the persons from whom he has borrowed it, and the amounts boiTowed from each. Has received of the staplers 12,000/., and of the adventurers 25,085/. Sends a list of pei-sons to whom he has paid it, and of sums paid to them. Incloses a perfect note how the bonds are to be made with the interest The service the merchants have done does not a little i-edound to the Queen's honour and credit. Some of the rtdventurera cannot, and othere will not pay, so there lacks about 3,000?. which the Deputy and the generally decided should be tal^on up by them for three months at their own risk. Feai-ing a fall of the exchange they have taken it up at interest. Tliought it good to advertise the Council of their forwardness, that tliey may see these persons paid their bills of debt on the proper dnys. Insists upon the necessity of taking up money by interest and not by exchange, so as to prevent a fall of the exchange and the consequent withdrawal of the fine gold and silver out of England. Begs them to reniem- MARY. 197 1555. Nov. 30. Venice. Nov. 30. Home. ber the sum due to Anthony Bonvisi on the 25th January. Looks daily for a passport from the King for the saltpetre and harness which has lain here for a year and a half. Sends the bonds due to Anthony Spinola. [Three pages and a half.} 439. Peter Vannes to the Council. News is very scant. Touching the affairs of Piedmont and Lombardy neither the French nor the Imperialists have any power in the field, for the season and the situation will not permit men to be abroad or any exploit to be done. Both sides keep their men in garrison. The Duke of Alva still furnishes and fortifies all necessary places, and so do the French. Letters from Rome of the 23d inst. mention that the two French Cardinals are arrived there and lodge in Cardinal Carafia's house. The Pope on the same night at supper, before many persons, said he knew their arrival would be supposed to be for the sake of inducing him to some war or league, or some like purpose, but that this was untrue, for they had been sent by the French King to treat of a general peace and to ofier to his Holiness money, men, and his own person, with authority to accommodate all things according to his own pleasure, and that the French King would abide by his decisions. If the Emperor would do the like he had good hope to bring all things to a good end ; the rather that he trusted to find the King of England better inclined to peace than the Emperor has shown himself in time past. Many persons think the Pope will be attempted to be di'awn into war ; but the opinion of wise men is that he will hold himself upright and enter now into no war, as he wants money and expert captains, and that he wiU be careiful how he damages his estate without any appearance of gain for other men's pleasure. The Marquis of Sana and Don Garcilasso had not yet had answer of such things as they had propounded to the Pope in the Emperor's and his Majestj^'s name, touching the restitution of their estates to Marc Antonio and Camillo Colonna, and the discharging of the sureties brought in for divers great personages, friends and servants of the Emperor. This matter the Pope seems to put ofij as the persons are such as he cannot place his whole confidence in them ; also, notwithstanding the Viceroy of Naples has discharged his troops from the confines, the Pope in spite of agreement has not done the same, but still keeps in readiness his whole number of horse and foot. If it might consist with God's pleasure and the Emperor's satisfaction would wish the King in his troublesome beginning of great affairs as long as might be the fatherly assistance of the Emperor, whose great wisdom and long experience would stand in great reputation in this business to his Majesty. The Duke of Urbino has desired the Pope to discharge him from the General Captainship of the Church, and to this his Holiness has agreed. It is thought the Count Montorio will enjoy the place. [Four pages and a half.] 440. Sir Edward Carne to same. Yesterday process was made in the consistory against Cranmer, late unworthy Archbishop of Canterbury, and sentence will be pronounced at the next sitting. In the consistory held on Wednesday, the Pope made a long oration on the overture of the French King, with commendations of the 198 15 FOREIGN PAPERS. Emperor and the King, but especially of her Majesty. The effect was the overture of all variance to be put in the hands of his Holiness, whereupon the Cardinal of Lorraine made a long speech, declaring the readiness of the French King to abide his Holiness' order in all points whereof her Majesty had been apprized by Game's letter of the 25th. The Marquis of Marignano is departed to God. Is informed by his factor that his diets cannot be paid according to the warrant granted by their Majesties; begs their Lordships will consider that he is far from home and where he can have nothing but for money out of hand, and can procure none except from home. He has had from his own people aa much as they could make to him, which is no hold here. His living is too small, if he had here only a boy with him. Never yet could have anything given him, whereby he shall have anything towards the maintenance of his service, for all the service be did. [One page and a quarter. Printed, except the latter pwiion, by Tyller, Vol. ii., p. 486.] Dec. 17. 441. Sir John Masone to the Council Lately communicated what Brussels, had passed between the King and himself touching the navigation to the Guineas. This day the King informed him that by reason of his having written not so resolutely as his Majesty had done, some doubt had arisen in the Council. He therefore signifies to them that the King thinks, and then thought, that the navigation in question ought not to be permitted, as it is the region plainly known to be in the occupation of the King of Portugal This being so, and yet the King being desirous to help the English merchants as much as possible in reason, he would travail that the King of Portugal should take the merchandise by them provided at reasonable prices. Did not at the time understand this to be settled ; has since perceived it to be otherwise. The King's gentle and courteous talk, and his declaration of his displeasure that the merchants should be hindered, caused Masone to mistake his meaning somewhat, and made him write less peremptorily than he now perceives the King wished him to have written then, and wishes him to write now ; and that is that the said navigation cannot be continued without injury ; wherefore the King takes the condition offered to the merchants to be the best way to save them from harm, which he thought the Council and the mei-chants would like accordingly, and touching which he wislies to hear. Excuses his misinterpretation of the King's meaning. The Car- dinals of Lorraine and Tournon are iit Rome, and lodged in the palace. The Pope has declared plainly since their arrival that their coming is not for continuance of the Avar ; the truth being that they have offered him in their master's name all the assistance he slmll require, even to the employing of his own person. He has said the chief cause of their coming is to pray him to put his helping hand to a peace ; and if he had a third part of the power f^iven him by llie Iniporialists for the maintaining of it that he has of the French, he does not doubt he would bring the matter to a good end shortly. When they see cause to believe his good meaning in this, they will be glad in the Court here. Yet whUe he does not reduce the forces which he assembled on the pretext of MAEY. 199 1555. his fear of Don Bernardino di Mendofa, who has retired, but daily increases them, they cannot but think he means unhappily. The Cardinal of Lorraine has brought with him 15,000 crowns by the year of spiritual promotions, to be employed by the consent of the Cardinal of Ferrara among deserving persons. Cardinal Caraflfa has accepted 5,000 crowns for his share. The Pope has given a resolute answer to Marc Antonio Colonna that others exist who have a better right to the estate he late enjoyed than he, and has declared that he shall enjoy it no longer. The Duke of Urbino has given up his place of Captain- General of the Church, and wiU retire, it is thought, to serve Venice, which he has served before. It is thought the Count of Montorio will have his place ; and there is a voice, without a.nj great ground, that the Count will be sent to the Emperor and the King to treat for peace, and that Cardinal Caraffa will go to France for the same purpose. The Cardinal of Burgos entered Sienna on the 30th Nov. with 60,000 crowns, taken in exchange in florins upon his own credit. The news of the loss of four gallies of Malta are confirmed ; the bodies have been recovered, but the ordnance and the rest are lost. The Turks continue their burning and spoiling in Hungary, and have made roads within 16 miles of Vienna. The King hangs still for the return of Francisco, whose delay has made him break his appointment to Antwerp three or four days. [Four pages.'] Dec. 23. 44'2. Thomas Gresham to Queen Mary. At his last interview Layton. with her Majesty she commanded him to confer with the Bishop of Ely, Lord Paget, and Sir Wm. Petre touching her debts beyond seas. As it was dark night when he left her, did not like to trouble them then, thinking he should be able to do her commission next day. Being visited with a hot burning ague, however, he was unable to fulfil his intention. Sent, nevertheless, his factor John Elliot to them to signify her pleasure ; they were most ready to accomplish it so far as they had her commission for it. The Bishop of Ely said he should be absent four or five days and Lord Paget also ; so that by reason of his continual sickness he waited until their arrival, or until he could come himself to have conferred with them. Has not done so as yet. Has given them to under- stand what money of the 10,000L he had received of her Majesty's merchants. Has just received 3,000Z., and has delivered by exchange at 21s. 6d. the sum of 2,000L On the 21st inst. the Lord Treasurer sent to him to say that he had taken upon him to confer with Gresham to pay all her Majesty's debts, and that he had come to London to give order for the payment of 5,0001. ■ towards the 10,453?. 6s. 8d. due to Alex, [sic] Bonvisi the 25th Jan. next. As her Majesty had commanded him to confer with other of the Council, thinks it his duty to inform her of the premises. Begs to know her further pleasure in the matter. [Two pages. Printed by Burgon, Vol. i., p- ^82. J Dec. 28. 443. Pope Paul IV. to Francisco Bolognetto. Appointing him Borne. one of the Forty Reformators of Bologna in room of Louis Lambertini, deceased, at the request of Queen Mary. [Latin. Broadside on vellum.] 200 FOREIGN PAPERS. Dec. 29. 44'4. Edward, Eaii of Devonshire, to Mr. Harman Eyngk. Augsburg. Having now arrived in Augsburg, has followed his advice iu clioosing a new guide, and. sends back the bearer, whom he has found very lionest, ])ainful, and diligent. Had received his stuff at Mentz, and found Smonde iKcnhcubt who did him much pleasure there by occasion of Ryngk's letter, for which, and for the gentleness and friendship found at his hands when at Cologne he most heartily thanks him. The plague is raging at Venice. [Half a page-l Dec. 31. 445. Christiana, Duchess of Lon-aine, to Queen Mary. Re- Brussels, commends for employment the bearer, William Liche, who was born a subject of her father the King [of Denmark], and had for many years been in the service of Henry VIII. and Edward VI, [French. Two pages.] 1555. 446. Dr. Wotton to Petre. Understands that Florence de Diaceto (nephew to the Chancellor of Cleves), bom in Antwerp of Florentine parentage, who had a pension in England, but since her Majesty's accession having been in trouble and dismissed, has left England, and been seen in Paris by John Somer within these two days. As contrary to his former habit he would keep no company with Somer, Wotton has caused an eye to be had upon him, and been informed that he has been divers times with the Constable and with the whole Council, whereby it should seem he is here for no good intent. The person who had offered to supply her Majesty with secret information of the Court here, asks 60 crowns per meixsem, which is more than Wotton dare give without knowing her Majesty's pleasure therein. [Copy. Unsigned and undated. One page and a half.] 1555] 447. "Tlie negotiations of Sir John Masone at Bruxelles, in y8 years 1554-55." 1 . He was employed about taking up of money in Flanders for the use of the Queen. 2. He examined, as narrowly as he could, the authors of tiiose numerous lewd bruits that were spread in Antwerp touching the affairs of England. He assured the Council his countrjinen were not in fault, but that the news originated with Flemings who had come from London. 3. He declared to the Emperor and to Cardinal Pole the pro- ceedings of the King and Queen with reference to the Cardinal's coming into England, and that their Majesties desired the Emperor to give the Cardinal licence to depni-t as 'soon ns possible. 4. He informed the Enijjeror, in their Majesties' names, of: (a.) The order of Pole's coming into England. (6.) The honour shown the Cardinal by the way, and by the King and Queen at his arrival at the Court. (,:) His oration made at the Parliament, wherein he declared the hcnetit meant to the realm by the con- junction of the Queen with the Prince of Spain, and how much the Enfrlish were bound to him for leaving his sword and kingly authority and undertaking a dangerous journey solely to serve the realm, (c/.) The assured hope that God, for a further declaration MARY. 201 1555. of His mercy, had given the Queen of the fruit of marriage, whereof order was taken through tlie realm for thanks to be given. 5. He moved in favour of English merchants for the conveyance of certain quantities of corn from Flanders to England. 6. He moved for a safe-conduct of saltpetre and harness into England. 7. He solicited the Emperor for a licence to bring 5,000,000 crowns out of the Spanish dominions. 8. He obtained for the English merchants from the Emperor liberty to keep their fairs at Berghen, according to previous custom. 9. He made overtures in the Queen's name for peace between the Emperor and the French King, she having already been encouraged thereto by the King of France. [Three pages. In modern handwriting.] [1555.] 448. "A copie of the Ambassador of Portingale's allegacion," in reference to alleged unlawful traffic of English merchants in Guinea. [Latin. Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] [1555.] 449. " A short declaration of the merchants' answer to the allegation of the Ambassador of the King of Portingale." [Four pages and a half. Corrected by Petre.] [1555.] 450. Queen Mary to the King of Portugal. Concerning the preceding. [Minute. Two pages.] [1555.] 451. "A brief note of all the Queen's Majesty's debts that be owing in Flanders." Amounting in all to 98,563?. 2s. 4«!., and payable at 1st and 20th April 1556. [1555.] 452. "Forme de Police et de Regime pour les Pays-Bas." [French. Sixty-four pages.] 1555-6. Jan. 4. 453. Dr. "Wotton to Queen Mary. On the 22d ulto., had Blms. received her Majesty's letter of the 16th, and has acted upon her instructions therein. Expects this day to have the three safe conducts sealed. They were once written, sealed, and delivered, and then written again but not sealed, and thirdly written again. [A few lines m cipher, undeciphered. One page.] Jan. 4. 454. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. Has nothing wherewith Vi-nice. to trouble the Council, Italian affairs remaining in the same state. The Duke of Alva has left the affairs of Piedmont and Lombardy in good order and appointed worthy persons for the government of the wars and other great affairs and states, as the Cardinal of Trent, Sicmor John Baptista Castaldo, the Marquese di Pescara, Sig. Cesare di^Napoli, &c., so that the French will be less bold to go robbing, having such overseers. The Duke has gone to Genoa and thence will be conveyed to Naples. It is to be thought some good order will be taken between him and the Pope touching the affairs of Naples, Rome, and the confines, and of other matters of Tuscany. Though the Pope is reputed somewhat hasty and vehement, and rather at the requests of the French, regarding more the advance- 202 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555-6. ment of their devices tlian the conservation of the States of the Church of Rome, by whtit he can learn in varioiis ways he thinks his Holiness will be advised to break with the King, though he has no just cause for doing so. The Duke of Florence and the Im- perialists daily provide all necessary things for the assurance of the state of Tuscany, and lately the Count of Santafiore liaa taken certain important holds from the French. By what he can gather by a man of knowledge and a right Frenchman, thinks they would be glad to be discharged, with their honour, from the enterprises and charges of Tuscany, seeing they are in doubt and in a manner out of hope to bring the matter easily to their purpose. Thinks their intention is to convert their money and men towards Piedmont. Pietro Strozzi had arrived at Civita Vecchia on his way to Rome ; the cause of his coming is still unknown, as is also what the Cardinals of Tournon and Lorraine have concluded since their arrival. The Cardinal of Lorraine is expected at Venice in a few days on his return to France ; it is expected he will have commission to treat with the Seigniory on some matter of importance. But supposes he shall report very loving answers and no conclusion of any great matters. Andrea Doria with 13 gallies was coming from Gaeta to Leghorn with 700 Spaniards ; 1 ,000 more will be sent from Genoa to serve the Duke of Florence. The Pope is much aggrieved and proceeds against many men of his estate who serve the Duke of Florence, deprives and rebukes those who have ambitiously laboured to obtain the Cardinal's hat, and calls those to account who have handled any jewels or money of his late predecessor. It is talked of in Venice and written out of France, but upon no certainty, that the Emperor intends this spring to go to the Diet of Batisbon, thence into Italy, and so to Genoa and Barcelona. If it were consistent with his health and satisfaction to God's pleasure could wish no less, for already men begin to talk about his coming and say that if he come he will prove a schoolmaster to all the Captains of the country. [Five pages and a half.] Jan. 4. 455. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since the departure of Borne. Mr. Somerset [Atkinson] on 27th ult. with the expeditions for Canterbury and the executorials against Thomas Cranmer, his Holiness has dispatched Sig. Antonio de CaraflFa to Bologna for soldiers, and Ascanio della Cornia to Perugia, and Sig. Giulio Cesarini elsewhere for the same purpose. The cause assigned is, that Count John Francisco de Bavio, of the province of Romandiola, having been cited to appear before the Pope at the suit of the French, for a spoil of 23,000 crowns made in that country during the time of Pope Julius, and of which he had been dischaiged by the said Pope, has refused to do so and has fortified two of his castles, ii-ninst which, being within the lands of the Church, his Holiness prepares men of war. On the Ist inst. the Count of Montorio, nephew to the Pope, was invostod with the generalship of the Church. Ailw niiiHs in the rhapel he roceived the Pope's benediction, and then went to St. Peter's, where having prayed he rode in arms to the Capitol with a number of men of war and all the noblemen of the city attending upon him. The Archbishop of Pisa MARY. 203 1555-G. being dead, the Duke of Florence, to whose sou, with reversion to his father, the see had been granted by Pope Julius, has entered into it, wherefor the Pope is sore aggrieved against him ; and it is rumoured that the Cardinal of Lorraine, who had resolved to repair homeward, will now remain for the purpose of stirring his Holiness specially against the Duke. Since Christmas the mother and wife of Marc Antonio di Colonna have fled ; both having had orders to keep their houses and been refused licence to depart. In obedience to her Majesty's instructions had commended Victor Aragozoni to his Holiness, when he mentioned his having received her letter in Victor's favour by Cardinal Morono, and said that for her Majesty's sake Jacobe Aragozoni being here should before it were long understand the favour that should be shown to his brother ; of this Victor has requested him to advertise her Majesty. [One page and a quarter.] Jan. 6. 456. Intelligence from Italy. From Milan on 10th December Milan. accounts are sent to the effect that the French hearing of the Marquis' [of Pescara] intention to remove his wife from that city, and escort her with 150 men on horseback, had laid an ambush for him. Chancing, however, to reach the spot sooner than the French expected, he passed quietly ; but his tail was set upon, and several of them killed and many taken prisoners. The French begin to re-assemble and prepare for the field, and the Imperialists, fearing some attempt may be made on Fossano, have sent to M. della Trinity, Captain of that place, 1,500 foot and 100 light horse. The Captain of Vilferrara had sent to the Duke of Alva that unless he was supplied with aid and provisions he should be compelled to surrender the place. At Genoa 1 3 Spanish ships and five gallies had arrived, bringing thither 4,000 Spaniards and 500,000 crowns. The French had brought to Moncalvi 400 carts of all kinds of munition and four pieces of artillery ; and it seemed they intended to march to Felisiano, a town of much safeguard for Asti, in which the Germans had mutined and threatened to deliver the place unless their wages were paid by a certain day. Count Pandriano had arrived at Milan, being called by the Duke of Alva to take the charge of Novaria. From the same city, 14th December. The Baron de la Garde had taken about Corsica two of the Spanish ships bound for Genoa, and in them 700 or 800 soldiers. The French had dismissed 6,000 Swiss, to whom the Imperialists had given liberty to pass to their own country through the state of Milan. Of the light horse that set upon the tail of the Marquis of Pescara, 18 were taken prisoner, and of that number five being found to be Milanese and two Spaniards, they were straightway hanged ; the others, not being subject to the Emperor, were sufiered to depart without ransom. From Eome, 16th December. The Pope has made seven Car- dinals, viz., Cappissucchi, Pietro Contarini, Barnardino Theatino, [J. Barnardo Scoti, of the order of Theatins], Gropen [Gropper] a Canon of Cologne, the Archbishop of Toledo, Romano, an Auditor of Rome who is a Frenchman [John Suavius, Prefect of Justice], and a Neapolitan [Diomede Carafia], nephew to his Holiness. The 204 FOREIGN PAPERS. 15.55-6. Jan. 8. Kome. Jiin. IH. Venice. Count of Santafiore was in the field with a good number of foot, for the recovering of two of hi.s towns lately taken by the French, and the Pope being therewith displeased assembled men of war. The Duke of Urbino has given up the office of General of the Cluireh, and retired to his own state, misliking that all things in Rome pass by the advice of Cardinal Caraffa, whose stirring head entirely leads the Pope, and doubting of them the more that Pietro Strozzi has been sent for. From Milan, 6th January. The Cardinal of Trent, having been appointed Governor of Milan, had arrived there ; being received three miles from the town by the Duke of Alva, the Senators, a great number of the officers of the city, and nobility of that state. The Duke of Alva is expected to go towards Naples about the end of the month. [Tiuo pages and a half.] 457. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since his letter of the 4tli the Pope has made an order for reformation of grants that were wont to pass here as matters of course by the Datary. All compositions are put down, and all bishoprics, unless filled up within four months after the see is vacant, shall be disposed of by his Holiness as he shall think good. The intent of this order is said to be, that the sees may not be too long without bishops. Is informed of this by Cardinal di Puteo, and apprizes her Majesty that she may provide as seems good to her in England. Signer Giuliano di Cesarini was brought prisoner to the castle of St Angelo on the 5tli, and a monitory for the appearance of Marc Antonio di Colonna, who lately departed hence without licence, has been set up on the gates of his palace here. Yesterday the Ambassadors of the Duke of Florence, sent to make his obedience, arrived. They were four of them, all in purple velvet, who were received and con- veyed to their lodgings by all the officers of the Pope's household, as the manner is, very honourably. [One page.'] Annexed, 457. I. " A. note of the kinsmen of the Bishop of Rome now out of favour vjith him." These are, — Charles Caraffa, Cardinal, John Caraffa, Count Montorioand Dukeof Paliano, Antony Caraffa, Marquis of MontebeUo. These three brothers, nephew to his Holi nc.?.-<, are now exiled from the city. Diomede Caraffa, Ferdinand da Sanguine, and John Baptist Carbo, rebdions of hia Holiness, reside in tlic city, but have no weight or influence with him. Al/ihousus Canifii, Canliniii of Xaplcs, tlie son of Antony Caraffa, rmutins in tin- city, and is in high favour and ronstunlly with the Pope, who has made him Chiif Judge of Causes iu the Apostolic Chamber, and w the only one of his rdatires in whom his Holiness has roiijideiicr and u'hom he remtrds. [Latin. One page.] 4.".H. Peter Vaniu-M to the Council. The Duke of Alva, after arranging the military affiiii-s of Milan and Piedmont as mentioned in his letter to Petrc of the 4th instant, went to Genoa, where he took MARY. 205 J 555-6. his gallies towards Naples, and after 1 2 days arrived at Legliom, ■where the Duke of Florence welcomed him, and they had a long conference. The Duke then determined to proceed without delay to Naples, where as yet no innovation has taken place. Men think that on his coming order will be taken and provision made for such expeditions as shall be thought necessary for the realm of Naples and the affairs of Tuscany, and to outstand French devices as much as can be done by men's wit. After the secret departure from Rome of Marc Antonio Colonna's mother, wife, and children con- trary to the Pope's will, a Baron of Rome of much estimation called Sig. Guiliano Cesarini was suddenly and secretly put in prison by the Pope's command, and caxised to write a letter to his wife that, upon the token left with her to the keeper and castellan of certain of his fortresses on the confines of Naples called Sinibalde he should deliver them to the Pope's appointment. Whether he has done so or not is unknown. The Pope has also prohibited his Tresisurer from delivering to Signora Felice, niece of the said Giuliano, the dowry of 20,000 crowns which he had in his keeping. He has caused the keeper and captain of the gate by which the said ladies left to be hanged ; and the soldiers to be sent to the gallies for opening the gates to them, not knowing who they were. On the 8th inst. he published a citation requiring Marc Antonio Colonna to appear before him at Rome within three days upon pain of rebellion ; this he has not done and men think he will not, if he love himself. The Pope dady dispatches captains and levies men and distributes them by 200, 300, and 400 in divers towns and places of his states. Cannot tell what he intends, as no preparations against him are heard of. The Pope seems somewhat appeased with the suit of Pietro Strozzi, upon whose arrival he appeared outwardly aggrieved. The Ambassador of the Duke of Florence had come to Rome to do his obedience according to old custom. It is said, but with no certainty, that defensive league on both sides is concluded between the Pope and the French King, and that the Cardinal of Lorraine is come to Venice to try to get the Seigniory and the Duke of Ferrara to enter it. He has been most honourably received, but it is probable that the Venetians will excuse them- selves on the ground that being in friendship with all the world they do not mistrust any party, and therefore need not intricate themselves in any new leagues at this unseasonable time. Thinks they would wish the French King to be no stronger towards these parts than he is. Letters state that Camillo Colonna and the Archbishop Colonna are committed to prison in Rome, whereby men judge the Pope to be much offended with the whole family. [Three pages.] Jan. 23. 459". Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. The King arrived at Antwerp. Antwerp on the l7th inst., where he was received with all such demonstrations of joy, as well by pageants, gunshot, lights, fires, and sundry other means, as might well appear the love and good hearts borne of the subjects towards him. The English, though, now as well as then, the whole company was absent occupied about their mart at Berghes, showed their good minds to his honour 206 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555-G. ~ -; rather moro than less than the others. They constructed a goodly castle of the antique sort, fair painted and trimmed with banners, arms, and writings agreeing to the purpose of it, and with fires, lights, liberal bestowing of wine and other victuals amongst the poor, they contended with any other nation in the advancing of tlie King's honour, much to his contentation. Their good luck, too, brought all well off, whereas another pageant, which was next before theirs, had such ill fortune, that by " the indiscreet looking to the fire matters, 11 or 12 perislied in an instant, and a piece of iron breaking, slew a horse and hurt a gentleman dangerously, within the sight of the King's Majesty." Next Tuesday, the 20th inst., the King began the Feast of the Toison in the cathedral church, which for that eSect was so richly apparelled with hangings and sundry other kinds of furniture, that the sight thereof was very notable. This feast lasts four days. On Sunday jousts and tourneys are appointed. After these are over, and some days having been spent in ordering necessary matters, the King will go to Louvain to receive the oaths and fidelity of that town, and of sundry other estates of Brabant. He will spend as little time as he can in this, and make all convenient haste towards the Queen. The more thoroughly he settles all things before his departure, with the more quietness and less care will he enjoy her company. Sends inclosed a copy of the letters sent by the Emperor to Spain upon the renunciation, containing the efi'ect of the speech made to the nobility and others when he put it in execution. [I'too pages.] Inclosing, 459. I. The Emperor's letter to the Estates of Spain, upon the resigning of his authority to his son, the King of England. Brussels, January 17, 1555-6. [Three pages. Translation.'] Jan. [24..J 460. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Yesterday the 23d arrived letters from Rome, and among others a brief from the Pope's Holiness Jto Cardinal Pole, to exhort her Majesty to mediate a peace ; the which being desirous to do, she sends credentials to Dr. Wotton, desiring him at his next audience of the Frendi ^^''ng to open the subject to him. [Draft, autograph of Secretary Petre. Two pages.] [.Tan. 25.] 461. "A brief abstract as touching the state of the Queen's Majesty's debts due in Flandei's, with the days of payment when the said debts shall grow due, as hereaftei- more plainly appeai-eth." Amounting to 109,013i. 8s. lOd. [Brooihidc] Feb. 3. 462. Sir John Masone to Sir AViUiom Petre. Will receive Antwerp, herewith the account of the renunciation made lately by the Emperor of the kingdoms of Spain and Sicily to his son. Their stay here is prolonged till Saturday. When that day comes, peradventure they may have a longer day to depart. The nobiUty and tlie rest of tlie estates are appointed "to assemble at Brussels on the 1 2tli inst. Believes they are like to pass all this month on tliis side, whatsoever they do the next. Is told they will away " muy MARY. 207 1555-6. Feb. 4. Borne. Feb. 5. Abbaye de Yaucelles. Feb. 5. Antwerp. presto," as is no doubt intended, if things of great moment stay them not. Will write no more this day or that day, nor this week or that week ; but when the King shall have taken his leave of the Emperor, then he can boldly advertise that they will have him shortly. No private person has more cause to hasten his farewell than he, for he is living at the rate of sometimes 35J. and sometimes 36i. per week (if it be not so, God confound him I), without any help for the maintenance of that insupportable charge other than borrowing. When money is asked for, answer is made that he shall shortly go home. In the meantime, time runneth and charges withal ; and he remains tied still to the stake. The communication of the truce has been twice or thrice on the point of breaking, but it still continues without any great hope of a good conclusion. If it break without conclusion, the Pope is the only cause of it, for he has much chargjj the French King with entering into the talk without his advice. God amend him, or else send him short life ! [One page and a half.] 463. Sir Edward Came to Queen Mary. His Holiness is very earnest in the reformation of such points as were mentioned in his former letter. A great number of soldiers are prepared, and strait watch kept at all the gates of the city and the Pope's palace ; the reason for this he does not know, but as far as he can learn it is only for defence. Pietro Strozzi is here, and lies with Cardinal Caraffa in his palace. It is reported that the Cardinal of Lorraine being at Venice would have had the Venetians enter into a new league with the French King, but this they would not do. It is also reported for certain that Duke Octavio of Parma meets the said Cardinal at Ferrara. [Half a page.] 464. Copy of truce for five years between the Emperor Charles V. and Henry II. King of France. [French. Five pages and a half.] 465. Sir John Masone to the Council. Has of late received two letters from them, both to the same effect, in favour of two merchants, an Englishman and a foreigner, for the conveyance of grain out of Flanders into England. Has, according to their pleasure, sued the King therein, who answered that he would commit the matter to his Council of the Low Countries, desiring the requests to be put in writing. The President of the Council, to whom they had been delivered, returned them after four or five days with " Nihil" written in the margin, which is their manner of answer in cases of denial. This is all he can get, which, he supposes, is not because there is any lack of that kind in the country, but because they always suspect the merchants, in these cases, of seeking their private gain without the knowledge of the Queen or the Council, as previously upon like occasion he has more than once signified to them. If they think good that the suits be followed up or the like hereafter, the surest way to remove suspicion will be for her Majesty to write herein to the King or to send a letter of credit to him, or at least to move the matter to Regente Figueroa with a request that he will signify the necessity 208 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1656-6. Feb. 5. Abbey of Vauoelles. Feb. 6. Vienna. Feb. 7. Vienna. Feb. 7. Antwerp. the realm is in of tliese provisions, and in her Majesty's behalf to pray the King's favour for the quantity required. Has been so often refused that he thinks they suspect the merchant and he connive in using the Council's naine without any authority. Sundry merchants of these countries have made complaint that, though not living in the realm, and only occupying there by means of their factors, they are cessed for payment of the subsidy just as if they kept their household there ; they have had remedy at other times of tliis, and the King has commanded him to pray their Lord,ships to consider the matter and to show the merchants all convenient favour in the present instance. The King of the Romans has assembled the States of Hungary, Bohemia, Austria, Silesia, and Moravia to consult with them what answer was to be made to the Turk's request for the cession of Transylvania to Stephen the son of the Vaivode, whom they call King John. The Estates have unanimously declared that the request shall be refused, at peril of their bodies and goods. They have, however, sent an Ambassador to the Turk to practise by all possible means a peace by offering a tribute or a pension or in any other way. The Ambassador has depai-ted. Duke Octavio makes great preparation for the furniture of Parma, whereby it is certainly conjectured that, on the expiry of the truce, about the "1 1th or 12 th of May next, he will give occasion of war in those parts, wliereunto he lacks no setters on. Can write no certainty of the King's coming. It has hitherto depended, ■with many other things, upon the communication of the truce, of the conclusion of which for five years news are just arrived to the great gladness of all good men. If the news be true, hopes the King will attend to the dispatch of his captains and soldiers, and that done, it cannot be long before he will with his presence satisfy the great desire tiiat so many good men have to see him within the realm. [_Two pages and a half.] 466. Articles of the ti-uce concluded at the Abbey of Vaucelles, 5th February 1555, by MM. de Lalaing, Simon Renard, Charles Sytenach, Philibert de Bruxelles and Don Baptista Schizo, Regent of Milan, deputies for the Emperor and King Philip, on the one part, and MM. de Chastillon, Admiral of France, and Sebastien de I'Aubespine, deputies for the French King, on the other part. [Four pages. Transla t ion. ] 467. The Queen of Bohemia to Queoii Umy. Recommending Ippolite Pallavicino, who is sent to Kinij Philip on the affairs of the Marquis Sforza [Pallavicino]. [Spanish. One jxige.] 468. Maximilian, King of Bohemia, to same. Recommending Ippohto Pallavicino, who is sent to King Philip on the affaurs of the Marquis Sforza [Pallavicino]. iSjwnlsh. One ^wf/e.] 469. Sir John Masono to the Couiunl. This morning the King inquired of him what answer lie had touching his letter written lu behalf of the jowellui-s. Told him such answer as their Lord- ships had written ; talcing which in good part, the King required lum to cause it to be put into French or Spanish and to be MARY. 209 1555-6. delivered to the parties, which sliall be done this afternoon. The truce so commonly talked of yesterday, is not, it seems to him, so hot to-day. The matter is come to this point, that it is thought the Commissioners have concluded. If it like the Princes to ratify the truce (and it is to them tliat the admitting or refusing of the agreement is referred), as it is believed they will, then the matter is done. To-day or to-morrow thinks the King means to advertise her Majesty how the thing stands. The common opinion is it will very shortly take effect ; whether men are led to think so by the likelihood of the matter or because they would have it so, the Council will see within a very few days. 1*.S. — There is no great talk now of the King's departing from Brussels, and it is thought that the assembly of the Estates wiU be removed here. If that come to pass, they are like to see Shrovetide and perhaps somewhat more, before removing from Antwerp. [One page.l Feb. 10. 470. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Narrates certain con- Blois. versations and opinions of individuals during the arrangement of the truce. La Marck, a servant of the Ambassador Noailles, after commending very highly the virtues, wisdom, and learning of the Legate [Pole], said to Wotton that be yet wished him of a better stomach and boldness ; adding that if he had been earnest at the great meeting at Marke, doubtless either a peace or a truce would have been made. It seems the French have his Grace somewhat suspected, and it was thought awhile here, that he would have accepted the office of Chancellor of England, which, if he had done, then had he lost all his credit here. The French still make great preparations for war, and some think the Duke of Guise will go into Piedmont with a strong force. The Duke of Florence has a good army. Baptista Castaldo is said to be dead. The Turk is reported to send a far greater navy to succour the French this summer than hitherto, and it is thought they will require it, because the Emperor has augmented his fleet by a good number of gallies. Is told that at Dieppe there are nine ships ready to sail to Peru, for the last year there was one thitherward which returned laden with great riches. From Corsica there are news that the French garri- sons die for hunger, and that the Genoese have so fortified Calvi and La Bastia that they are now impregnable. Marquis Albert has gone to Germany to raise soldiers, and therefore it is supposed will go through Burgundy to Piedmont. Portinari visits him occasionally, and lately told him he had been for some time in Paris studying to find out what he has at length discovered, how to make a fortification such as no battery shall be able to prevail against it, thougli there were 150 cannons continually beating upon it. This device he has presented to the French King. Thinks that for all their brags the French would be very glad of a peace. They had heard from England that the Emperor would go to Germany to the Diet, which made them muse and troubled them very much, for before that they accounted him but a dead man. Some even suspected he would go to Italy himself; but now they fear that he ■2. O 210 FOEEIGN PAPERS. 1555-6. ■will depart for Spain a8 soon as the time of the year suits, so that they reckon themselves well delivered of that fear. The Duke of Florence is reported to have taken the town either of Sartino or Rodicofano ; but not the rock, which is said to be strong and holds out still. The Italian Ambassadors say that there is a new league made between the Pope, the French King, and the Duke of FeiTara ; to this many thought the Duke would not have been induced, as in such matters he does nothing but by counsel of the Venetians. Since writing thus far the Legate's gentleman has arrived, bringing news that the truce has been concluded. On the 7tb Don Guner Lopez de Pad ilia arrived and awaits the return of the King, who is removed six or seven leagues hence. Though the Constable has written to the Nuncio and to the Venetian Ambassador of the con- clusion of the truce, he has sent no notice of it to Wotton. It is thought the King will return here, near unto Paris, to receive the King's Ambassadors there ; and because the Queen is great with child, that the Court will not remove far from Paris for this summer. Desires to know her Majesty's pleasure how he shall use himself for the proceeding with the King's Ambassadors, who will be here very soon. Until he hears he shall be in great perplexity, and pei-adventure commit such errors as shall be misliked. [^Partly in cipher, deciphered. Four j^ages.'] Feb. 13. 471. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Mr. Kempe, the bearer, Antwerp, can Certify her Majesty of the good estate of the King , and on what terms the estate of this Court stands at present. Will not need to trouble her with a long letter. The Commissioners, who have been together a good time to treat about some good end, or at least about surceasing of the wars, have gone as far as they can, and as far as their commissions allow, and have separated amicably for a while by mutual consent to see how the points oflPered and stayed upon on each side will be liked, and an abstinence of arms is mean- while concluded for 40 days. God set His helping hand to some good conclusion ! The French show themselves willing for a time to live in rest and to consent to a truce, so as the appointment may be much according as likes themselves to devise. The Lord send them better minds, that gave them courage in so miserable a time to continue the world in travail ; whose parts were rather to be ministers of peace, and to labour to set unity between the Piiuces, by whose dissension the estate of Christendom is brought almost to be a prey of the common enemy ! The common opinion is that in the end a truce will take effect; perceives no other certainty in this but as men list in discoui-sing of tiie matter to persuade themselves upon probable conjectures. The diflBculties therein are rather conjectured than known. Will communicate them when they come to light. Greiit part of them eoneorns certain estates of Italy, whose consent is requisite in case of any good conclusion. Despatches will he sent out of hand to get answei- from them either of Hking or misliking such things as in the treaty may have touched thoiii. Mr. Kenipo w ill tell how great desire the King has to be with hor Mivjusty. Thi.s night they expect the return of the Count de Lalaing and the other Commissioners. [Two pages.] MARY. 211 1655-6. Feb. 14. Antwerp. Feb. 15. Venice. Feb. 24 Antwerp. 472. Sir John Masone to Qyieen Mary. Part of the Commis- sioners arrived to-day at the Court. After their access to the King, being desirous to understand some perfect knowledge of their proceedings and wliat was like to ensue thereof, resorted where he thought he might best learn it. Finds, after diligent search, that they have so declared their doings to the King that he seemed to take it in good part, although it was before bruited they had passed the limit of their commission. It is assuredly thought the King will accept the conclusion of the truce and that it will be pubUshed within four or five days. This he had out of a very good place, but does not write it as a thing certainly known, but as his author, who of reason ought to know much, has given him to understand. As the sequel comes to pass or not, will not fail to advertise her Majesty accordingly. Many things may chance which bang in suspense whereby Princes' minds may be altered ; thinks therefore the more haste will be made in the knitting up and perfecting of the matter. [One page.] 473. Peter Vannes to the Council. Since his last letters of the 8th inst., hears nothing new in these parts. The French begin to make much assembly, and of late; showing themselves willing to fortify a town which they have taken, and unable to resist the Marquis of Pescara, retired, with M. de Brissac, to another place of more importance called Vignola between Alessandria and Casale, well garrisoned. The Marquis came a day too short to its aid. The particulars, the cruelty of the French, and divers other occur- rences of Italy, they will see in the bills of advices inclosed {missing). For his own part, whatever provisions were to be made in the field, wishes that the King's states and chief towns in Pied- mont and Milan were well furnished with victuals, for the French undoubtedly put their trust in the want of them and direct all their strength that way, notwithstanding any demonstration otherwise. There is great talk in Venice of a truce between the King and the French King at the instance of her Majesty; many men hardly believe it, unless that God doth assist her charitable pain and travail therein. Is fain to send the advices in Italian untranslated, for want of time. [ One page and a half.] 474. Thomas Gresham to Queen Mary. By his letter of the 12th inst, signified the health and prosperity of the King, who is still here, and well and prosperous. Touching his coming home, as yet there is no communication of it, for all the states and nobles of this country are commanded to appear before him the 1st of March next for the establishing of all things in the realm ; trusts that after this assembly the King, with all the expedition that lies in him, will make repair to England, for the comfort of her Majesty and of all her subjects. Had also certified that he had prolonged 40,000i. for six months and that the Council had written to him for the prolonga- tion of 30,0()0Z. more ; wherein he has so travailed with his friends that he has taken up of Arte Van Dalle 15,000?. a.i 7 per cent, for six months for which he is fain to enter into bonds apart for her o 2 212 FOREIGN PAPERS. Majesty. This comes to good purpose to give contentment to all her other creditors here. Has written most plainly to the Council that he shall not be able to prolong any more money here. It will he most convenient therefore to disburse presently the other 15,000Z. for the full con'oiitation of all her Majes:.y's cieditor.=', which will highly advance her honour and credit throughout all the world. Has written to the Council his advice at large on this and on all other affairs. Beseeches her Majesty to be good to her mere mer- chants in their suits and specially in the matter of the steel-yard, which is one of the chiefest matters she has to look to for the wealth of her realm. For the merchants are those that have done her good service, and daily must do, as she has had sufficient proof of their obedience and duty therein. [One page.] Feb. 24. 475. Thomas Greshamto the Council. By his letter of the 12th Antwerp, inst., signified to them that he had prolonged the sum of 40,000i. Has borrowed of Van Dalle, as mentioned in his letter to the Queen of the 24th inst. John Qwyckelborowe was broker in this trans- action. Has promised Van Dalle to get from the King such another thing for the Queen and her Court as the Regent and Court have granted here ; a copy of which he incloses. Yenrs past the Emperor made an Act that no man should exceed 12 per cejii., and for that the King should take no advantage of his laws the said Van Dalle will nowise proceed and bargain except Gresham have the like power. Begs they will be pleased to give order for it. Touching the other 15,000i. begs it may be disbursed to his servant to be taken up by exchange in time, so that the exchange may be pre- served, for he doubts if he shall be able to prolong any more. If he had the 1 5,000?. at hand it is never the farther from the Queen's Majesty, if he had the means to prolong it, for he might send it home in gold and silver to profit. Sends by the bearer, Sprytewell, the King's and Queen's bonds to Michael Deodati and Alexander Bonvisi the 2oth January last ; and has avoided the loss of iuter^t of 5,858Z. for a month, having taken it up by exchange at usance, as will appear by the general account inclosed. The money which his factor John Elliot made over since his coming out of England does not serve for payment of the Bourse debt, which will come well to pass otherwise, as he has advertised them in his formal letters. Begs them to advance enough to pay his bill of exchange. By reason of the great scarcity of money here there is a great difference between " permission money" and " current money," which passes here at 1 per cent, loss ; there must therefore be no more money made out of England except it can be delivered to be paid here in permission money, for the Queen is bound by her bonds to pay permission money. Begs them, in consideration of this, to give him commission to take up the 1 i^OOOi., which must be disbursed in England by exchange here. Can borrow about 300/, or 400Z. a-day to preserve the exchange and come by permission money, which, if he were to run suddenly upon the Bourse for it, would fall perhaps below 20s. ad., and the permission money to 3 per cent, difference, as he has experienced in the King's time. Again begs their influ- MARY. . 213 1555-6. ence with her Majesty in behalf of his servant Spryfcewell for the reversion of the postage of Calais. [Tivo pages.] 475. I. Copy of licence from the Regent of Flanders to the merchants treating for the Emperor's service in those states, to receive as a free gift the excess of the interest of certain sums lent to him above the legal rate of 6 per cent, after a certain specified period. Sept. 28, 1555. [French. One page."] •175. II. Kote of the money taken up in Antwerp by Oresham for the full payment o/10,453i. 6s. M., due by her Ma- jesty's bonds to Michael Deodati and Alexander Bonvisi, on 2oth January 1 555-6. [Two pages.] Feb. 26. 476. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. His letter of the 10th has been received. Four or five days ago the French Ambassador communicated to her Majesty the news of the truce agreed upon between the Emperor, King Philip, and the King of France. De- sires him to request an audience of the King, and convey to him her Majesty's thanks, and hopes that this good beginning will tend to the general weal of Christendom. The Scots have spoiled, taken, and burnt a small castle or tower in Ireland, committed divers slaughters, and captured some prisoners. Sir Thomas Chaloner has been sent to Scotland to declare the same, which has likewise been mentioned to the French Ambassador to the Scottish Queen, and Wotton is desired to inform the King thereof to the intent that he may see the matter quietly reformed for things past and for things to come. [Five pages. Draft, corrected by Petre.] Feb. 28. 477. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Francisco the courier Antwerp, arrived here on the 25th inst. Repaired immediately to the Court with her Majesty's letters, which the King received most cheer- fully, much commending the diligence of the messenger, whom the next day in his way to the church he welcomed with remembrance of his thankful taking of his travail used in his late voyage into Spain. The King intends to dispatch him back again in two or three days. Upon the return of Mons. de Bougny out of France, M. de Lalaing is sent to the frontiers to proclaim the truce in the same form as it is proclaimed by the Admiral on the frontiers of France, the day of general proclamation not having been yet de- cided upon. To ascertain and settle it, M. de Bougny has been sent into France. If the Admiral be appointed to come into Flanders for the ratification of the truce, as it is reported he will be, then Lalaing has commission to go into France for a similar purpose. In case he should be let by sickness, (and he went out of Antwerp very ill at ease,) then Count Egmont is appointed to go. The King without doubt departs from here on Monday or Tuesday towards Brussels, where the Estates assemble, according to appointment, on the 3d proximo. Duke Eric of Brunswick, having been right honourably entertained during his stay here, is dismissed with a pension of 3,000 crowns, a chain of 1,500 crowns, 214 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1655-6. Feb. 29. Antwerp. March 1. Florence. March 7. Venice. and a present of three fair jennets. Marquis Albert is gone -with safe-conduct to the Diet of Ratisbon, to jdstify his ill-doings, and to see how an agreement can be made between him and the Bishop of Wirtemberg, Bamberg, and the town of Nuremburg, wherein will be no small difficulty. The Landgrave has lately levied great numbers of horse and foot, upon a fear lest the Prince of Orange, on the dissolution of the King's army, might employ the same to enter his father's estate of Catzeneloi)ogen, which belongs of right to the Count of Nassau, and which the Landgrave has long violently usurped. For the pacifying of this matter, sundry Princes of Germany, meeting twice by consent of both parties at Pacqueraugh [Bacharach], have adjudged the estate to the Landgrave and his heirs for ever, he paying 60,000 crowns for it to the Count of Nassau at very short terms. At first he seemed to like this bargain, but has since gone from it, to the great discontent of the Princes who took such pains in the matter, of whom the Duke of Cleves and the Palsgrave were two. The King is advertised out of Spain of the preparation of a goodly army, to the number of 30,000 footmen and a good number of horsemen, to be transported into Africa for the recovery of Bugia, which the realm has concluded to set forth without any charge to the Prince. The great encourager of the enterprise is reported to be the Archbishop of Toledo. Has reminded the King of the request of the Marquis of Terra-Nova, touching his advancement to the name and title of a Prince, in which matter her Majesty has twice written to him. The King has promised so to consider the matter as to content the Marquis. [Three pages.'] 478. Sir John Masone to the Council. Has obtained a safe-conduct for the transport of 60 fardels of plate iron for harness, provided by the Schorers from Augsburg, about which they wrote. As soon as it shall have passed the seal, wiU have it delivered to the parties. Has written an account of the occurrents to the Queen, whereunto he doubts not but their Lordships shall be privy. Lives in the hope of having some good tidings from them touching the payment of his diets. [One page.] 479. Cosmo de Medicis, Duke, and the Councillors of Florence to Queen Mary. Credentials of Alphonsus, Bishop of Burgos, Envoy to her Majesty and King Philip. [Latin. Broadside on velluTn. Signed by the Duke, and countersigned by Laiiii^.] 480. Peter Vannes to the Council. As occurrences of any im- portance depend on proceedings between those two mighty Princes, he must be brief in this letter. Will, however, tell what he hears and perceives by the communication and discourses had with some wise men. First, in these matters of truce the Queen is highly praised as principal author, mediator, and doer between the said Princes ; and lior praise is the greater on aecoimt of the difficulty and impossibility whicli every man thought there would have been in bringing it to an [end], being bo good and so great a matter. The French openly confess that her Majesty's travail taken therein i^iss-e. MARY. 215 has been a principal [cause of so good] a deed, trusting by her means that this beginning of friendship will prosper, and increase every day better and better. Whatever the conditions of the truce ai-e, the present state of these counbries well considered, the truce ought to be commended and nourished, for it will serve many good purposes, and save a great shedding of Christian blood, and keep Christian Princes from ruin, who, for their high degrees appointed by God, ought not to be poor. It is easily conjectured that many kinds of men had put great trust in the strife of those Princes, and the intolerable charges they would have been at, for the advance- ment of their private devices, and for that end to abuse the mischievousness of war. Thanks be to God, who has illuminated and mollified Princes' hearts with His grace ! Here in Piedmont, Sienna, and elsewhere, at this termination of war, there is like to be some mischief and spoliation committed by the dismissal of soldiers, but it is to be hoped, by the authority of Princes and good ministers, with the helping hand of God, Qui non in ceternwm irascitur populo suo, all things will be settled. The Duke of Ferrara, having great commodity in all his estates, is making up his 100 men-at-arms, to be distributed all about his dominions, and kept continually in the way he has wittily devised most to his own commodity ; this is for his own safety, and not for any inno- vation of war, though he sees his neighbour armed. He has also discontinued levying the 2,000 footmen before appointed. There is news fi'om Rome that the Pope has caused a muster of 3,500 foot and 100 light horse to be made, and, what with them and the others in his estate, has ready 10,000 foot and 1,000 horse. Whether they are for his safety, or any mistrust, or any other intent, cannot tell. Thinks the truce will accommodate all this matter, to the pleasure of God and the quiet of Christendom, as the Pope shows to be desirous of it. Hear from Constantinople that there is no preparation of any armament by sea, though tlie report is that the Turk will have much ado this year against Transylvania and Hungary. It is to be trusted in God that, hear- ing of the truce, his preparation will be slacker. The Queen of Poland, called regina Bona, is looked for within a fortnight at Ti'eviso, a town within seven miles of Venice, and the King of Poland, her son, and others of her children, with all the state of Poland, are miscontented with her, because it is said she has conveyed out of the country, by divers .secret ways, an infinite quantity of treasure and [jewels]. The Cavalier Bamardo, who was appointed [secret amba]ssador to the Turk, is dead, and tha[t] he in judgment (by the reason of a g had here) favouring a cause of a banished man ned counsel on the other side, laid to his charg[e], was a reproach that he secretly enjoyed pensions out of E . . . . upon which words, not remembering that in Venice omnibus est licitwm impune maledicere, he took such a thought and such a choler inwardly that he went home and cast himself in his bed, daily increasing his sorrow till he died within 10 days. He had become in such favour that no man's death has been so generally lamented here. Understands that the Seigniory, besides 216 FOREIGN TAPERS. 1555-6. the Ambassador that is there ahxady about her Majesty, has chosen another to wnit constantly on the King. He is a gentleman of the family of Soriiuio, well esteemed in Venice. Sends herewith advices from Rome and other places {missing). [Three pages and a quarter.'] March 10. 481. The Ambassadors of the I-Ian.se Towns to Sir William Petre. Concerning tlie restraints placed upon their exporting and importing of cloths, and other commodities, and inclosing memorial to the Council on same subject. {Latin. Two pages and a quarter. Inclosure, two pages and a half.] March 14. Brussels. March 15. Antwerp. March 1 6. Amboise. 482. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Yesterday advertised her of ifhe conclusion of the truce. As Lucas the messenger is dispatched with a letter from the King to her Majesty, has thought good to send three or four words to her, having no manner of occurrents worth writing about other than that his Majesty is in good health. Lucas has been very diligent during hi3 stay here, which the King takes in very good and thankful pai-fc. [One page.] 483. Thomas Gresham to same. Has received her Majesty's letter of the 3d March, by Mr. William Watson. According to her command, paid him on the 11th inst. 1,000^. for the provision of Dantzic, and 5001. for her Majesty's provision in Holland. Mr. Watson has departed towards those parts as expeditiously as he could. He is very careful and mindful of the chai'ge that her Majesty has committed to him, as Gresham ha.s written to the Council of his proceedings. The other 5001. shall be paid at sight of his letter, as her Majesty commands. On the 14th inst. was at Brussels to confer with the Ambassador touching her Majesty's affairs, and saw there the King, who tarries the coming of the French King's Admiral and all his noblemen. Great triumph will be shown upon the conclusion of the truce, which is here much rejoiced at. Very shortly upon the departure of the Admiral the King will make his repair home to her Alajesty. As he has adver- tised the Council, has prolonged the whole sum of 70,000i for six months, to the full contentation of all her creditors, so that now her Majesty has no more to sorrow for any payment here till October next coming. She will do very well to put the Council in remembrance some time for the better payment of her debts, for which they have provision, though they are not unmindful of the charge. It will redound to her credit, and be no less profitable, for she would avoid the great loss of interest. Has sent the Council a perfect note of all such bonds as must be new made, with advice of all other matters pertaining to her Majesty's afl'aii-s in these parts. Prays her to be good to her o\\n urero merchivnts for their suit of the steel-yard ; it is one of the chiefest points she has to look to for the wealth of the renhn, wherein ho lias often before molested her and the Couneil. [Tivo inige.i.] 484. Dr. Wotton to same. Received her Majesty's letter of the 27th ult. on tlie 5th, while the King was on his journey to AmbuiKc, whither he followed, and had audience of his Majesty on MARY. 217 1555-6. tlie 12th. The King stated that the tru03 was chiefly made to the intent that in the mean season communication might be had of a final peace, which ho trusted by her Majesty's means might be brought to pass. Was sorry to hear of the Scots' doings in Ireland, and should write to the Queen Dowager, who he was sure would see such order taken in the matter as reason required. The day before the Constable sent word to Wotton that the Emperor and his Majesty had scaled and confirmed the truce as concluded by the Commissioners, and that all things taken since the date of the truce should be restored ; whereupon when at Court he congratu- lated both the King and the Constable, whose inward joy was manifested by their outward countenances, as was perceived by the rest of the Ambassadors. The Constable informed him that it is agreed that the prisoners on both sides shall be straight delivered for the value of one year's income, except the Duke of Arschot, the Duke of Bouillon (so the Marshal de la Marche is now called), and the Constable's soil. The King told him that he was content to have let the Duke of Arschot go for M. de Montmorency, but that it was refused, and yet the Duke may spend 100,000 francs jper ann. "Wotton said to this, that the Duke of Arschot was a great Lord indeed, but that he had a mother-in-law and sister-in-law alive. " Marry," quoth the King, " and Montmorency has a father and a mother yet alive, and four or five brethren, and six or seA'en sisters ; and what can he have then of his own ?" Was informed that although these three are not released, yet it is agreed they shall within three months be ransomed and delivered. The Constable mentioned that the delay in sealing and confirming the truce pro- ceeded from the King's refusal to seal till the Commissioners should be agreed also for the delivery of the prisoners, which the other made no haste to go through withal. The Constable further said, that to see the treaty ratified and sworn again by the Princes, there should be notable Ambassadors sent on both sides ; and for that purpose the Counts of Lalaing and Megue. Upon Wotton inquiring whether it was the fashion to ratify truces in that manner, the Constable replied that it was not usual, but the Princes thought it good to have this one so ratified. Doubts whether, as under the colour of a communication for the delivery of prisoners, they have concluded a truce, so these Ambassadors may, under colour of a ratification, have commission to treat of a peace. Is informed that the King has annexed Savoy and Piedmont to France, and made a special Government of it, as Picardy, Burgundy, and other provinces ; appointing thereto Marshal Brissac, who is expected here shortly. On his arrival it is said he shall be of the Council of Afiairs ; that is to say, of them who, at the King's rising, enter into his chamber, where all the chief matters of great importance are debated. Of this number are the Cardinals of Lorraine and Chastillon, the Constable, the Duke of Guise, Marshal St. Andre, the Admiral, and a few more. [Two pages and a half.] March 16. 48.5. Dr. Wotton to the Councih Acknowledges receipt of their Amboise. letter of 26th ult. As it is probable the Ambassadors for ratifica- tion of the truce will come both in the Emperor's and the King's 218 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1555-6. March 18. Brussels. March 23. Brussels. name, supposes it were no great hurt to give them the pre- eniinence. Such he tliinks the French Ambassadors will do like- wise, whenever they meet with Ambassadors having commission from the Em])ei-or and his Majesty together. But if the French Ambassadors meet with any having commission from the King only (as at Venice he hears his Majesty's Envoy names himself the King of Spain's Ambassador), thinks and believes that the French Ambassador will look to have the upper hand of him. The English merchants of Rouen have obtained letters under the Great Seal for the maintenance of their privileges, and restitution of money gar- nished by them, if they may be put in execution as they are granted. But strict reciprocity is required on part of England for the French merchants there, and any restrictions on the French will be met with similar restraints upon the EngliBfa. This was distinctly notified to the merchants on the delivery of their letters to them. [One page.] 486. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Thinks that by the bearer Francisco, whom the King has caused stay his return into England till this day, his Majesty has made answer to the things which were the cause of the said Francisco's coming hither and signified to him the conclusion of the truce. Much of the long delay arose because the Commissioners, having full authority to bind both Princes, nevertheless left the conclusion of the treaty to be of effect or not as it should please the Princes to accept or refuse it ; as, by the latter end of the capitulations, which he sent latel}', her Majesty may perceive. The King doubting how the French would use this liberty, thought it not good to publish the truce until by the subscription and seal of the French King it appeared he was content to accept it. Upon the delivery of the writing to the English Commissioners, and the sending of it hither, it was proclaimed in all places of these dominions, in the form given in his last letters. It will be Saturday before the French Commissioners can be here and their taiTying will not be over five days. The Constable's son, the Duke of Bouillon, and Mons. de Villars are sent for to be here against their coming. The Estates having had proponed upon them the King's demands for a subsidy, are returned to declare the same in both places as appertains, and are appointed to be here again on a certain day to make an answer. Has received by her Majesty's kindness 3731. 6s. 8d. for diets due last February. Thanks her most humbly upon his knees. Prays God he may so demean himself in service as the same may be acceptable to her, wherein no good will shall lack. [One page and a half.] 487. Same to Sir William Potio. rwcoivod yesterday a packet of letters from Mr. Vannes. Scuds them with a few words. Nothing worth W)i(,ing about has happem-d at this Court since hiH iMHt hotter 1,0 tlie Queen. On Thursday they look for the Admiral oi France, Renard, tiie Lieutenant d'Aumont, who goes as Ambassador into France, and Basse Fontaine, who comes with the Admiral, and remains here for the French King: such a MARY. 219 1555-6. ] ~ couple for likeness in conditions, as a better match would hardly have been found. The King of Bohemia and the Queen also appoint to be here about the 20th prox. Francisco Bemardi who had a good pension of her Majesty, is departed to God ; a great cause of his death is thought to have been, " for thought for that he was charged to have received a pension without the knowledge of the Seigniory." Trusts as such pieces fall back into the Queen's hands, she will let them die and not bestow them again, considering the estate she stands in, until she be at least out of debt and able to satisfy her poor servants and answer her ordinary and necessary charges. The Marquis of Villena, a Spanish nobleman rented to the value of 80,000 crowns a year, is dead, as is also the Count of Niebla, son and heir to the Duke of Medina-Sidonia. Requests he will tell the Lords Treasurer and Privy Seal and the Bishop of Ely that the King's letter of indemnity of Art Van Dalle is dispatched, not without some difficulty made by the officers of Finance. The King's safe-conduct for Mr. Watson stays for word from him what proportion he provides of the things which are to be bought at Amsterdam, the number of pieces of each kind whereof these men will have in any case to be specified. Has written to Watson and looks daily for a bill from him containing the said pieces. Forgot to signify in his last letter that Francisco, on leaving Brussels, had 100 crowns given him for his journey into Spain. Sir Thomas Newenham is here now, about he knows not what suit. It should seem, however, it is touching the stalling of some debt. P.S. — Requests orders may be given to Mr. Cliff or some other for conveying the inclosed letters to London. [Two pages.] March 24 488. Francis, Earl of Bedford, to Sir William Cecil. Is glad Ferrara. to find by Cecil's letter of 12th ult. that the Council take his doings in good part. Has written to Mr. Isham, in reference to his suit for a lease in Ibearye [Highbury], that being left with bare houses void of land or ground in all places, he has thought it meet to keep the same in his own hands; otherwise, he assures him, Isham should have it before any other ; and though in this, by reason of his great lack, he may not without his extreme discom- modity let Isham have it, yet shall he not fail hereafter to do him as good a turn, if ever it lies in his power. Has returned here from Rome and Naples. The latter, to his mind, is one of the fairest cities in Italy, having great commodities by the sea; the buildings are very fair, and the country so fruitful as he has not seen the like. Rome is beautified through the Pope's and Cardinals' palaces, whereof there is a number passing fair ; the antiquities are so many and so worthy to be seen, that no small time will suffice to note them all, nor his capacity reach to bear them all away, but such as his wits will serve unto he shall make Cecil partaker of them at his coming home. Sends his hearty commendations to Lady Cecil, and thanks him for his great good will. [One page and a half. Indorsed by Cecil.] 220 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. March 29. I.S9. Sir John Masone to Queen Mary. Lord Fitzwalter, return- niussic'ls. iii(r piosi'iitly to lier Wajcsty, can declare the occurrents of this (iourt, and the state of tlie Emperor and the King. Will therefore not trouble her with a long lettei-, leaving to him the fuller report tif tho.so matters. The Admiral of France visited the Emperor yesterday ; to-day it is docided lie shall take his leave. The King ti'avails to employ tho time of the truce in such a manner as that, if the peace he most desires succeed not, he may be ready when the truce expires to meet the enemy. He therefore daily studies to cut ofi" all superfluous expenses, and to set the affairs of the states right ; and because in his father's time, by reason of the wars, his debts have grown very great, he has demanded a great subsidy, of the particulars whereof when it is granted her Majesty shall be advertised. The Turk makes very great preparation for the annoyance of Christendom this year by sea and land ; if God do not set to His heljnng hand, the scourge is likely to be great in Hungary and elsewhere. [Tiuo pa(jes.'\ [A.fter 490. Sermon by an Archbishop and Legate Apostolic in London. March 22.] [Italian. Forty pages and a half. This discourse is evidently by London. CavJinal Pole, as the author distinctly says he is Archbishop and Legate, and Pole was the only j^erson who held those tiro offices at the time ; and the words "ultimo arcivescovo che voi avete" as clearly denote Cranincr. Its date, too, may be very nearly fixed. Pole's first sermon, " quando prima come arcivescovo io entrai," rf'c, was preached in Boiv Church (a peculiar in the diocese of Canterbury) on the day of his consrcndion, March 22, 1556. After thai, as we know from Beccatelli, he continued a series of similar dis- courses, "nella lingua patria," in various churches of his diocese; and this, from the manner in luhich he refers to the first, was evi- dently the second. It must have been delivered therefore early in the summer, if not in the spring, of 1556. This discourse, which never appears to have been printed, has manifestly been translated from the English; the subject is mission, apostolic succession, and unity.] [March.] 491. Eeply of the Council, by order of their Majesties, to the memorial submitted to them by the Ambassadors of the Hanse Towns. [Latin. Copy. Three pages.] Another copy. [2'tuo 2^<^ig''>^-] Draft of the preceding. [Three pages.] Translation of the preceding. [Three jMigcs and a half] 49 2. Eeport to King Philip by Lord Paget, the r>ishop of Ely, and iSecM-etary Petre, of their eiinference "with and reply to the AinbasH.idorH of the (ViiiledenUe Cities of the Hanse. [Draft, Aulognijihof I'elrc. ^crcn puges and a half] Jottings in refeniieo to the preeeding, autograph of Petre. [One P" !/'•■] April 8. 4!):!. King Philip and Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Acknow- Greenwieh. ledgo bin letter (if UieKith ulL., and commend his diligence. As the French King has by his Ambassador Resident, Noailles, and a MARY. 221 1556. Secretary lately passed towards Scotland, informed them of tlie conclusion of the peace, they have sent the Lord Clinton to congra- tulate his Majesty on the event. Desire Wotton at a convenient opportunity to request that Henry Dudley, Christopher Asshetou, and other rebels, who have most traitorously and unnaturally con- spired against her iJajesty, may be apprehended and delivered up ; and inform him that Simon Renard, lately Ambassador Resident from the Emperor in England, is now appointed Resident in France from the Emperor and King Philip, requiring him to communicate on all points with Renard, who will in like manner confer with him. [Minute, cori'eded by her Majesty. Seven pages.] Draft of the preceding. [Eight pages.] April 8. 494. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since his letter of the Rome. 12th inst., the Marquis of Sara, Ambassador from the Emperor, is fallen in great displeasure with his Holiness, because having, on the Wednesday before Palm Sunday last, determined to go a hunting 10 miles out of the city, betook his journey at a very early hour, and being refused egress by the soldiers who kept the gate, in accordance with their .strict commands to let no man whomsoever go forth, he, with his company of 30 or 40 well- weaponed, compelled the keepers to avoid. For his thus forcing the guard, the Pope is wonderfully moved, insomuch that he com- manded him to leave the Court on Palm Sunday. Carne saw and spoke with him at the Court then, but he came not in the Pope's sight, and was not at the Court all this Easter, where all the Am- bassadors were except himself. As far as he can learn, the Pope cannot hear well speak of the Ambassador, and has never fancied him since the business here last summer, when the Cardinal di Santafiore [Guido Ascanio Sforza] was in trouble. Four or five of the Marquis's servants are in prison, and he hears that process is made against their master for forcing of the gate. A very honourable and great wise Cardinal here, who bears good will and service to the Emperor and his Majesty, required and advised him to signify to her Majesty that if the King thought good and expe- dient to have friendship at the Pope's hand, it were well for him to cause such an Ambassador to be sent as Resident as should be more grateful to his Holiness, who cannot abide the sight of the Marquis. Marvels at this, as the Marquis seems a good gentleman, and appears to mean good service to the Emperor and his Majesty ; and yet, as credibly informed, the Pope can no more hear of him than if he were his mortal enemy. As informed, his Holiness bears very good will to both their Majesties, and would gladly there were one here that were grateful to him. Where the fault is, God knows. [One page and a half.] April 12. 495. Same to King Philip and Queen Mary. Since his Rome. last to her Majesty the Pope has appointed two Legates, one to the Emperor, the other to the French King. He who goes to the former is Cardinal de Motula, a Neapolitan, recently pro- moted to the hat ; the other is Cardinal Caraffa, who goes by water to Marseilles. Their mission is reported to be for a perfect con- 222 FOREIGN PAPERS. elusion of peace between the Sovereigns. All the servants of the Marquis who were imprisoned for forcing the gate have been set at liberty, except one. The Marquis has not as yet come to the Court. [Half a page.] April ] 2. 496. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Of late have been here Sir Amboise. Henry Dudley, Christopher Assheton, two of the Horseys, one Cornewall, of Essex, and two or three more meaner men than any of these. Knows little of their proceedings yet, except that one who has been in their company told him that they had a secret interview with the King at night, and that they pretend that they with a number of other gentlemen intend to maJce a great rebellion in England very shortly. Also that they had been sent by the others hither to seek aid from the French King, which he has refused at present to give, on the ground that the King of England is sending a number of men of war to Hungary against the Turk, and if he were to perceive any movement on his part against England, the same would be recalled and set upon France, wluch is unable to resist by reason of the disarming consequent upon the truce. But the King willed them to go on with their enterprise, making themselves as strong as they can, and when the troops are in Hungary, he will supply them with men, money, and other necessaries. In the meanwhile he has given to Dudley 1,500 crowns, and to the others some 600, some 300, and .some less, and willed them to retire to the seaside, that they may have better intelligence from their fellows in England. These men say that some about her Majesty, and even of her Council, are privy and favourable to these proceedings. The names of such his informant does not know, but says that Assheton told him that Sir Anthony Kingston, when going homewards after his liberation from the Tower, had long private conversation with Assheton in his house, and in the course of it said, " They have put me in the Tower for their pleasure, but so shall they never do more," The men exhibit a copy of King Henry VIII.'s will, and pretend that her Majesty having done contrary thereto, has forfeited the crown and right to it, and therefore they may rebel against her. Does not know how far to place reliance on this man, but thinks that if he might be assured of a good living in England, he might understand their secrets and open them to her Majesty or the CouuciL The man further said that some of them will shortly go to England to their companions, and that Berteville is a great doer with these peraons, going to and fro between them and tlie Constable, so it is likely he knew this ere he came out of En_!<;laud. Though this was no laughing matter, he could not refrain when he was told that Dudley bears men in liand that her Majesty has done him divers great wrongs, and that he will bo en lied here Mons. de Lisle. On Easter Tuesday the Count of Lalaiiii,' arri\-ed, being met a league hcnee by M. D'Eiifj^luen, the young Duko of Longueville, the Duke of Mantua's brother, the Prince of Salerno, and two or three Kiiii^dits of the Order. The same day he had audience; and on Wednesday after mass he received the King's oath and dined with him, On Thursday lie dined ^vith the Constable, and thereafter MAEY 223 1556. was much in council with him ; supped with the Cardinal Ohas- tiUon _; after supper took leave of the King, and left between five and six o'clock on Friday morning. Wotton thought to have seen him on Wednesday morning, not knowing that the oath should be given that day ; but because of his going to the Court, was not with him till the afternoon. Had very gentle words from him. He has been very honourably entertained, and so takes it. The King had shown himself very willing to the peace, saying that he takes the Emperor as his father, and the King of England even as his own brother. Tliere came with Lalaing, the Earls of Ligne and Hoogstraet ; the one his cousin, the other his nephew ; and his train was esteemed to be about 300 horses. For joy conceived of this truce the Pope has granted a jubilee, which shall be published here shortly. Hears that the King has sent four gallies to bring to Marseilles the Pope's kinsman, the Cardinal Caraffa, whom his Holiness sends hither, but not for the jubilee, it is thought. The Prince of Ferrara, son of the Duke, has returned hither in post, and with him a bastard brother of his father, named Alphonso. It is said another daughter of the said Duke will come here soon, to be married to the Duke of Nemours ; and Cardinal Farnese and the Count of Mirandola are also expected. There is some talk that the Emperor desires to pass through France on his way to Spain, but Lalaing said nothing of it to Wotton. After writing thus far, has been informed that news have arrived from Kome of a quarrel between his Holiness and the Emperor's Ambassador, whom the Pope on Palm Sunday commanded to depart from the place where the mass-Papal was said. The Ambassador at first refused, but the Pope threatened him to be thrust out ; whereupon, by advice of some Cardinals and Ambassadors, he went away. The cause of difference is said to be this : the Ambassador had obtained per- mission from Cardinal Caraffa for himself and his train to go out of Rome, where the gates are kept so strait that no one can go out or enter without licence ; but when he came to the gate, the keeper would not suffer him to pass, whereupon his company forced the gate, breaking the chains. This the Pope took in very ill part, whereby it appears that for all this truce the Pope has not yet cassed his men of war. [^Partly in cipher, deciphered. Two pages and a half.'] April 15. 497. Rental and survey of the possessioDiS of the Duchy of Lancaster, renewed at Calais the 15th of April 1556, upon view and measurement of the grounds by the sworn land-escheators of the said town, thereunto charged and appointed by John Chaloner, the King and Queen's Majesties' Auditor of the said town of Calais, with the particular rents of every of the same, charged according to the precedent rentals, showed by John Knight, Re- ceiver or Collector of the said possessions, without expressment as yet of the estates and tenures of the tenants, which is referred to sight of their evidences upon a further time given. Names of the tenants : — John Knight, Thomas Aprice, Robert Lake, WilUam Stephens, heirs of William Johnson, Thomas Massingberd, John Aster, Richard Brooke, John Kele, John Holland, and the heirs of . John Perche. [Sitx> pages.] 224 FOREIGN PAPERS. April 25. 498. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Has received Blois. by the bearer, the Sieur do Clinton, K.G., the expression of her Majesty's satisfaction at tlie truce between the Emperor, the King her husband, and his Majesty, which he trusts will augment their mutual friundship. [Sujucj. hy the Klwj, and countersigned by De I'Aubcsphie. Broadntde.] April 25. 499. Peter Vannes to same. On the arrival of the Queen Venice. of Poland at Padua, she was vLsited by a number of the Princes and honourable persons of Italy, and by all the Ambassadors here resident. Though he had no commission to do so, went to Padua as honestly accompanied as he thought meet for the purpose. After resting a day at his lodgings, sent to know her Majesty's pleasure as to when he might resort to her. At the time appointed he was honourably received by her gentlemen and taken to her chamber, where she sat in her chair with her noble women at her left hand, and a good number of gentlemen about her. Approached her with such reverences as he thought meet for that place. Her Majesty rose from her chair and met him, and upon his offering to kiss her hand, would in nowise suffer him, but kissed her own, and brought him to a cliair, willing him in anywise to sit by her. On his refusal, her Itlajesty said she knew well enough how it became her to handle the Ambassador of her dear cousin and niece the Queen of England. Had then desired her pardon for so long deferring his visit ; because he had daily looked for a letter from his mistress of friendship and thanks, which would have come if she had had timely knowledge of her arrival. Upon that, " with a very hearty affection she asked me how doth mine own good and godly Queen of England ? " and enlarged upon her Majesty's virtues, wortliines.s, acts, and " how God hath chosen you and conserved you in health for his own worthy minister;" to which he replied as well as he could, agreeable to the truth and her Majesty's honour. After this the Queen inquired of the late Bishop of Canterbury's false .and erroneous opinions. " In that point I did ripely answer, that liis iniquity and obstinacy was so gi-eat against God and j'our Grace that your clemency and mercy could have no place with him, but you were constrained to minister justice." Further acked what had become of the conspirators again.st her Majesty. Eephed that he could not well inform her, but that he was well assured the matter was easy to be i-epressed and punished as it was in- tended should be done. After long discourse.s, nhe desired him to offer to her Majesty any pleasure that lies in lur to do. Within a week she intends to t;<> to Naples, and on her arrival she will salute her with her own hand. To-morrow she will enter Venice, with groat honour aud pomp. She is a very honourable and godly lady ; and if her Majesty be ]ileased to write her a letter of friend- ship and thanks, it can ho. ^\ ell convoyed fi-om Venice to Naples. [Threi' yiujcs. Iiuloi'.ird hy Pdre,] April 26. 500. Dr. Wotton to same. On the 20th received her Majesty's Bloia. letter by Loid (ninton, and after conforonoo with his Lordship, they had audioiioo of the King on the following day. Remits to Lord Clinton tho declaration of nil that passed, the keeping of MARY. 225 J 556. [April ?] May 5. Kome. May 10. Brussels. the Feast of St. George, and the friendly entertainment shown. Very few could have been better welcome to the Court than his Lordship ; they having conceived an honourable opinion of him, for the good service which they know him to have done in the offices and rooms committed to liis charge. As concerning the Lieutenant d'Aumont, Simon Renard, now appointed to be Ambassador Resident here, will be glad to use himself to him according to her Majesty's commands. They had acquaintance and friendship heretofore, being Ambassadors together at this Court for a time, and his appointment settles the question of precedency, which Wotton considers Renard should have over him, unless commanded by her Majesty to the contrary. It is still reported that Cardinal Caraffa comes here as Legate, and that the Cardinal de Monte is to be sent likewise as Legate to the Emperor and King Philip. [Oneyage.] 501. Note of prolongations of days of payment to various of the Queen's creditors. [Ttvo pages.] 502. Sir Edward Came to Queen Mary. According to the ancient custom of his predecessors, his Holiness last Easter-week made and blessed certain Agnus Deis, which is not usually done except in the first year of a pontificate and after every seventh year. Of these, having received some, sends herewith a box of them to her Majesty, with a little book in Italian, declaring the ceremonies used in making them, and at the end of it their virtue, which is great. Has put some cere-cloth about the box, both for its safe carriage and lest it should be opened by the way. Beseeches she will take it in good part. The Legates have not yet left. Recently an Ambassador from the King of Poland arrived here ; he was honourably received, and this day had a public consistory to give obedience to the Pope for the said King and Kingdom. The Cardinal of Augsburg, who is most humbly commended to her Majesty, has left for Germany in post. It is commonly rumoured that the Turk intends to invade Hungary this summer, and that the Pope intends to send in aid of the King thereof, some say 4,000, others 8,000 men, under the command of Ascanio della Cornia, nephew to Pope Julius the last. The infidels have lately captured many Christians on the sea-coast here. [One page.] 50.3. The Emperor Charles V. to same. Acknowledges her letter by Lord Paget expressive of her satisfaction at the con- cluding of a truce. Is not less desirous than her Majesty for the settlement of his aff'airs here, which is the cause of the King's long absence (to their mutual regret) ; but were he to leave before all was arranged, he would be obliged to return soon again. But matters proceed with such diligence, that he hopes he shall be able to go to England by the end of next month at latest, unless prevented by the coming of the King and Queen of Bohemia. At the same time the Emperor sets out for Spain. Refers to Lord Paget for other communications. [French. One page.] 2.1 p 226 FOREIGN PAPERS. 155G. May 12. 604. Emanuel Tliilibert, Duke of Savoy, to Queen Mary Takes Brussels, tlie opportunity of Lord Pa get's return to express his thanks for the honour conferred upon him. [French. One page. Indorsed by Petre.'] May 21, 505. Dr. Wotton to same, [Cipher. Four pages and a half.] Paris. May 30. 506. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. His only reason Venice. for not writing has been the respect he feels for Petre's con- tinual business. It is a piteous case that the Queen, having employed all the days of her life and all her estates for the conservation of her realm and religion from the thraldom of gaping wolves and devilish inventions against God and the world, should now, in lieu of thanks deserved by her, be by traitorous and wicked persons so unnaturally and wretchedly used. Doubts not that by her wisdom and the good advice of her councillors she well perceives and foresees the proceedings of her neighbours and what practices are secretly in hand in Syers places of the world. Has lately chanced (but begs he may not be the author of this), to have had purposely familiar communi- cation with one who, he is well assured, is privy of these great matters, and gathers that their chief scope is towards England, or some part of it, pretending perhaps, " id quod tacita hominum corda loquantur," some vain title by reason of the young Scottish Queen ; pretending also that for the assurance of France it is not expedient that England shall be brought to a conformity, union, and wealth, nor have so puissant a friend, protector, and Governor as the King is. By what means they will advance their ambition, Petre is more competent, by his great experience, to discuss than he is. The self man told him that Lord Clinton had arrived in France in great haste to congratulate the truce, but that it was thought there was some pad in the straw and that the French King would send a gentleman to the King of England to know his mind in certain points. It is written from those parts, upon what likelihood is not aware, that the truce is not likely to last long. The same is asserted here, and that after the harvest and the forage is in, occasion of breach will not be wanting. Meanwhile soldiers are not dismissed but kept in giixrison, and money collected from all quarters for their maintenance. The Pope, the French King, and the Duke of Ferrara are counted all one, and each pursues his own advancement and iissurance. It is openly said here that one of the cjuises of the Cardinal of Carafla going to France so honourably accompanied with wise and valiant men is to induce the French King, upon considerations, to take the protection of that noble family and the Duke of Paliano, late called Conte di Moutorio, to wliom is applied the whole estate of the Colonnas, amounting to 24 towns and castles. Daily process is made at Rome against divers Barons and great men, and the Castle of I'aliano, not very fur from Naples, Avliich is very strong both froiTi situation aiul fortification, is fortified daily stronger and stronger. Has perhaps in the prenuses exceeded his limits, which are only to servo and obey and not to counsel or presume any- MAEY. 227 1556. June 8. Borne. June 9. Kome. thing. Has not troubled the Queen with a special letter otherwise than it shall seem expedient to Petre to give her knowledge. As all this travail is only for God's glory there is no doubt He will assist and strengthen her with His Divine Providence and vanquish her enemies, so that for many years she shall prosper in justice, victory, and peace. As he has written freely, prays that the particulars may be kept secret from any Ambassadors or strangers, to avoid the displeasure he might incur by evil inter- preters. [Three pages.] 507. Cardinal Morone to Queen Mary. Expressive of his sense of her Majesty's thanks for the little service rendered to her and her realm, at the request of Cardinal Pole. Her Majesty's Envoy will testify to his desire to fulfil her wishes in all things. [Latin. One page.] 508. Sir Edward Came to same. On Corpus Christi, Francisco arrived in post, bringing her Majesty's letters for the expedition of the bishoprics of Winchester and Chester, those for his Holiness, and that of the 30th March for himself On Saturday the 6th had audience, and delivered them to his Holiness in presence of Car- dinal Morone ; at the same time declaring his instructions. His Holiness could not express how much he was beholden to that blessed Queen, making a cross upon her Majesty's name contained in the letter, and said he would cause her letter to be read, in the consistory. Touching the peace, he was wondrous glad to hear that it should not want her Majesty's furtherance ; and said that he had sent two Legates for that purpose, in discharge of his duty towards God, for if he did not declare unto the Sovereigns the great neces- sity of the common weal of all Christendom to have a perfect peace, God would impute his silence thereon to him, appointed as he is over His flock here. It was more than time to be doing therein, considering the realm of Poland does so waver, that the King there, being compassed with naughty sects round about him, neither can nor dare do anything against them. The King of the Romans is similarly situated, and both daily caU upon his Holiness for help, and some provision for amendment, which he cannot do without a General Council. This, he said, cannot be well done unless peace is made ; for although there might be abstinence from war, the uncertainty of peace would be occasion to keep men in arms, and mistrust of each other would render the passages unsafe for such as should come to the Council. Such Council he designs to hold here in St. John Lateran, being in every respect the fitter spot, as the head Church in Christendom, where many wholesome and holy Councils have in times past been held, and Rome being the com'munis patria, free of resort to all the world. Moreover, it had often been thought that more good might have been done in councils where the Pope was present ; and therefore he should preside over this, which, being in a manner decrepit for age, he could not do were it held elsewhere, by reason of his inability to travel. In regard to the provisions of Winchester and Chester, it shall be done as speedily as possible, but will require a somewhat longer time, as the process made by the Lord Legate to try the r 2 228 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1656. yearly value of Winchester must be committed to certain Car- dinals -whereon to report to the Consistory before tlie new tax can be made ; but no time shall be lost, as it shall be diligently solicited. So also the pension of ],000i. sterling yearly to the Lord Car- dinal shall be assigned according to her Majesty's pleasm-e, which in all things shall bo followed with good speed. In such Cardinal Morone, who rejoices much in her Majesty's letters, does travail, as he is most ready always in whatever relates to her Majesty or her realms. Since his letter of 1 .5th ulfc., occurrents have been few. On the 19th Cardinal Caraffa left for France with divers antiquities, to be presented to the French King ; and some say that part of his charge is to have the said King to take under his protection the Dukedom of Paliano, as he has Parma and Mii-andola. A number of workmen have gone to fortify Paliano, Neptuno, and Rocca del Papa, and several captains have also been sent there. The Legate to the Emperor left on the 30th ult. The Ambassador from Poland has returned. Understands that his petition to his Holiness was for licence to priests to many, the laity to communi- cate under both species in that country, and for certain dimes upon the clergy, to be spent against the Turk. The answer which he received was general, with a reference of all such matters to the General Council. Four Ambassadors from Genoa have also been here very honourably, with the obedience of that state to his Holiness ; they visited Came, declaring the goodwill, amity, and service that the state has to their Majesties, desiring him to inform her Majesty thereof. On the 26th ult. his Holiness kept the anni- versary of his coronation, when he was warned to be at the chapel by the officers appointed for that purpose, and was invited to dine with the Pope that day. Being at the Court, on his HoUness coming forth, the Portuguese Ambasiador would have kept him from his accustomed place next the French Ambassador, and next to Carne would be the Ambassador of Poland. " I came to the Ambassador of Portugal as gently as I could, and for that he would not give me my place, I took him by the shoulder and removed him out of that place, saying that it was j-our Majesty's Ambas- sador's place always. Beneath me he would not stand, neither next me he should not, for the Ambassador of Polonia who claimed next to me. Whereupon tho Portugal wont and complained to the Duke of Paliano, who went straight to the Pope, and after him went the said Ambassador of Portugal to him himself His Holiness willed him to depart there hence ; ho desired that I should depart likewise. And thereupon tho Duko came to me saying that the Pope his pleasure was I sliould depart also. I asked him, why? He said that his Holiiies.s, to avdid dissension, would have me to ilepart. I told hiin I niiido no dissension, for if the other would k(;(^p his own ]ii:ieo, and not to usurp upon tho place that always tlio AmhaHsadoni of England in times past wore wont to be in, he might bo in (juiet, and snller nic to be in quiet likewise, and not to seek that seemed him not. All this year he never sought it till now : why now 1 eannot tell. But he may be sure he shall not have it of me, unless your Majesty command it. Also the Master MARY. 229 1556. of the Household, with his Holiness, said that I was invited, and that Portugal was not, but came upon his own head. I am much bound to the Marquis of Saria ; he was very angry with the Por- tugal, being his brother, to attempt any such thing against your Majesty's Ambassador, ere he left, tliat seeing they suspected him, he would trouble them no longer. Tremainobade him not think so, for the Earl of Devon.shire esteemed him as much as any man hero, and prcmii.sed that on his return I'roiu Rouen he would tell him all he knew. Gowor is deatitiite, and unless helped by the (,>»u(M'u knows not what to do. Advises that he should be con- sidered, if they wish to make uso of him. No appearance of the MARY. 239 1556. Prothqpotaiy Noailles going to England ; if the person at present there is able to execute the office, they will probably appoint him, and by a letter from the Constable, of which he sends a copy (nissing), he seems to call him Ambassador already. Bourdillon had been named to go to Scotland, when it was thought King Philip should go with an army into England ; he has now gone to Champagne, where the Imperialists and French dispute the posses- sion of a town. The soldiers from Scotland, in number about 500, are sent to Piedmont. The Duke of Guise is reported to be going as General in Italy, which seems to indicate a design upon Naples, to which the Anjouins have long pretended right, as one of the house of Anjou has always been sent when they have such intention. EeifFenberg is sent to Germany to raise troops. War evidently in view. The French are ever beforehand ; fears they will be so now if King Philip suffers them. Sends a letter from Gower under a fictitious name (missing), whereby they may per- ceive his estate. [Eight pages. The greater part in cipher, deciphered.} July 13. 520. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 30th ult. had received Paris. their letter of the 24th, and on the 3d inst. had audience of the King. His Majesty allowed well his Admiral's behaviour and answer made to their Majjesties' Council of Calais when he was on those frontiers, and misliked that of Senarpont, to whom he should write, his mind being none other than to preserve peace and amity. As to St. Engelvert, he maintained that it had ever belonged to his ancestors, and marvelled that his right thereto should be questioned ; nevertheless, required him to deliver a remembrance of those matters to the Constable. As the latter part of the answer seemed to Wotton to sound to a delay and protracting of time, he reminded his Majesty that the harvest was nigh, and that at least so far as reaping was concerned, he desired to know his pleasure. The King promised he should shortly hear of it. The Constable likewise seemed not much to like Senarpont's words ; but as for St. Engelvert, he makes it very clear on their side " by all the old stories, and, namely, by our Froissart (for so he named him)." He is, nevertheless, to have the subject considered upon the remembrance. Touching the receiving of Killigrew and his fellows at La Rochelle, he wondered it should be so, as his Majesty had given orders for their apprehension if they landed, and the Admiral had sent out ships for that purpose, as they had robbed French as well as other vessels ; and since her Majesty had in like manner sent forth vessels against Cole and these pirates, he trusted she would do justice upon them. Had complained to the Constable, that a servant of his bringing now the Council's packet to him, was constrained all the way from Boulogne to Morette to pay a crown of the sun for every post, whereas previously they paid but 30 sols, which is an excess of 17 or 18 sols for every post on their former payments, or on what the French pay now. The Constable replied that in this they followed the practices of other nations, and their men had to pay 240 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. at the same rate in England and Flanders. Informed by Wotfcon that he was mistaken as to Enj,']an(l, the Constable promised an answer on this point also. On the following day sent his remem- brance, specially urging reply as to tiie corn, but received no answer. Next day being Sunday, the King's daughter was christened, the Pope's Legate being godfatlier, and Madame de St. Pol and the Duchess of Montpensier godmothers. The child was luxmed Victoria, after the Pope's mother. The Ambassadors were required to be present, and thereafter to sup. The King, the Legate, the Cardinal of Lorraine, the Queen of Scots, tiie Dauphin, the King's two eldest daughters, and the godmothers supped at the King's board. At another long table were the Ambassadors at the upper end, all on one side ; and over against tiiem were the Duke of Lorraine, the Prince of Ferrara, the Prince of Mantiia, the Duchesses of Valentinois, D'Aumale, and Castres, the Duke of Ferrara's brother. On the side beneath them, the two Duchesses of Guise, and so downwards a great number, specially of ladies. While at supper, the Ambassadors received a message from the Legate, requesting them to meet him in the chapel after supper. His Eminence stated tliat the cause of his coming hither was in regard to a peace and a General Council Touching the former, the French King and Council were all reason- able and content, should any questions of difierence arise in the settlement of peace, to take the Pope as indifferent judge between them, and to stand to his determination, specially seeing that the Pope is, and ought to be, judge over all Christian Princea He then mentioned that he could not await the return of the other Legate to the Emperor and King Philip, because the Pope had revoked him in consequence of Marc Antonio Colonna having threatened to sack Rome ; in which matter he " beg.an to wax somewhat warm, and not only spoke very evil by the said Marc Antonio, but also by all the Colonneses generally ; and not only of them that now are, but generally of them that have been in times past, saying they were naughty men, and ever rebels to God's Vicars, the Popes for the time being." The Spanish Am- bassador, having suggested that a private matter of Colonna against the Pope should not cause the Legate to depai-t until the return of the other Cardinal, wIku their coming hither was for the common wealth of all Christendom, provoked a very vehement reply from the Legate, who charged some Spanish captains with aiding Colonna. " The talk betwixt tlunu continued a good while, the Cardinal's high words increasing more and more, and spoken HO loud that all they who wore in tiie chapel C where I suppose were 50 persons or thoreabout) might well perceive his talk. I cannot learn that any of the Ambassadors liked the Cardinal's communication ; and for my part, to sny plainly as I think, I must needs say that ho lacked a great deal of that soberness and modesty which a man of his degree and vocation, and come for such a gcxlly intent, as he gave the world to understand that he camo for, ought to have showed." On Monday and Tuesday had Heiit to the Constable for a reply, but received none ; on the latter 1556. MARY. 241 day his servant urging such, especially as to the corn, for fear of inconvenience that may ensue, " tlie Constahle, as it seemed, scant being contented to be importuned, bad him go his way ; and made him no other answer." On Tuesday, a young man named Middle- more brought him from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton a packet, which on opening he found contained a letter to her Majesty, and others to the Cardinal, Lord Chancellor, M. Englefield, and himself These he forwards. Middlemore informs him that Throckmorton arrived at St. Malo about 16 days before; and on his way to Paris his horse fell upon him, so that he is sore sick, and so was fain in small journeys to ride to Paris, where he trusted to have found Wotton ; but being unable to ride farther, liad written to him by Middlemore in post. Middlemore afSrms that hitherto he has spoken with no Englishman in France, nor intends to do so except with Wotton. But Wotton said it were very hard for him so to do, and therefore would have wished (if he means as he writes) that he had not tarried here, but had gone to Cologne or Cleveland, and had abode the end of the matter there, since he pretends so much to fear Flanders. Middlemore replied, that if he knew so much of Wotton's mind, he thought he would not fail so to do, if his inability to travel, and want of sufficient money for so long a journey, did not let him. Had dismissed him with an assurance that the letters should be for- warded, and any replies thereto transmitted to Throckmorton, if he knew his address ; exhorting that he should take good heed by no means to have any communication with the rebels, for that would so damage his business, that Wotton would never thereafter have anything to do with it. On Wednesday the 8th, again sent to Court for his answer. The Constable promised he should receive it next day. It did not arrive, and that day both King and Constable left for Fontainebleau ; whither he was obliged to send again on the 10th, and at length received the reply, of which he sends a copy (missing). By this, — so dark and general that he is never the nearer for it, — they will perceive how they that shall run post here in France for her Majesty's affairs shall be ordered, and that he shall be able to send none but by a special letter at every time ; which besides being a great let if haste be required, their Ambassador shall never send letters without its being known. They will also perceive the Constable's request concerning a mer- chant vessel of Dieppe, which he alleges conveyed Killigrew to England. Had on the 11th written to the Constable for more explicit answer, on pretext of imperfect knowledge of the French tongue, and the precise meaning of the words, "make no inno- vation ;" also requiring a billet or letter for post-horses._ His reply of yesterday they will see by the copy sent {also missing), which sfcill leaves the point dark enough. Having received no letter for po.st-hor3es, doubts much that the posts will deliver none to his men ; but yet he will prove what they will do. The Legate has sent his train away, anrl will follow in post as soon as he receives answer from Rome, for which he looks daily. [Six pages and a half.] ■2. Q 242 FOREIGN PAPERS. 155G. July 31. Brussels. Aug. 3. Borne. 521. The Emperor Charles V. to Queen Mary. Had designed that the Sieur de Maltravers * who br6ught her letter, should have been the bearer of the reply ; but God had otherwise disposed it, having been pleased to take him to Himself, after a few days attack of violent fever. He deeply regrets the deceaaed, on account of his virtues and ability. [French. One page.'} 522. Sir Edward Came to same. As yet has been unable to procure the bulls of Winchester and Chester, the Pope having been so busied with the matters of Paliano, but trusts it will not be long now ere he does. Since his last of the 14th ult. the warlike preparations increase daily. On the 15th Cardinal Toumon was dispatched by the Pope to Venice in all diligence to make sure of the Venetians for his Holiness, who fortifies all his frontiers towards Naples, also Veletri, Castle Angelo, and the Burgo here. He has levied large diynes on the clergy in his dominions and places subject to him, as well mediate as immediate, such as Ferrara, Urbino, and Parma. All the officers of his court contribute their fees for one month, and a tallage to the amount of three per cent, is kid on every house in Rome. Proclamation is also made that no man shall cany any kind of money, gold, silver, jewels, or plate out of the city, except expense money only. Sign. Camillo di Orsini is General of his army. Marc Antonio di Colonna is excommimicated, and all who take his part against the Pope, who it is said will do what he can utroque gladio therein. Sign. John Garcilasso, mentioned in his last as being prisoner in Castle St. Angelo, and who was named for Ambassador to his Majesty, is still in confinement, and there had been a rumour in the city that Came was prisoner, the people thinking prima facie that it was he. After Garcilasso's letters had been deciphered in Venice (for none by lack of the original cipher could do it here), it appeared there was some privy treason against the Pope, but the names of persons and places could not be made out. Wherefore Garcilasso being fed wiUi salt meat, was kept without drink for three days to make him confess the names. On this compulsion he named Ascanio della Comia, one of the Pope's chief captains, who lay at Veletri with 600 foot and 200 horse, and was General of all the cavalry. On this the Pope sent Papirio de Capismia, a Roman gentleman, on the 25th ult, with 500 men to Veletri to take Delia Comia. On his arrival an alarm was made, and the person who had charge under Ascanio withstood Papirio till he showed his commission, and in the meanwhile Ascanio fled with eight or nine in his company. When this was known pursuit was made, but what with the hot weather and haste the horses failed, so that none but the standard bearer of Veletri and other four overtook Ascanio, Mho hurted the .standard bearer. In this gai-baly [garboil], one of Ascanio's servants brought him a very swift jennet, which was always kept ready for similar emergencies, which he mounted, and calling on his followers to come after him hasted to Neptuno, where the Pope had 400 men Henry, Lord Multravors, only sou of Ikury Filzalan, 21st Earl of Arundel. MARY. 243 1556. ~ of war. These on his arrival he made to believe that those at Veletri had revolted with the Coloiuia8 against his Holiness, that he had much ado to escape, and that they were coming after to take Neptuno. Whereupon, believing what he said to be true, they prepared to resist those that prosecuted after Ascanio, and he appointed such as he selected to keep the castle there. Meanwhile, under pretence of going in haste to apprize the Pope, he went by a back way aboard a frigate, and, sailing straight to Gaeta, so escaped. His image is hanged up here as a proditore. On the 27th ult. Ascanio's brother, the Cardinal of Pusa [Perugia], was imprisoned in the castle of St. Angelo, some think on suspicion of being privy to the conspiracy, but others sfiy he is charged by the Pope also with a murder committed by him in Eome in the time of Pope Paul HI., before he was made Cardinal. On the 29th" Sign. Camillo di Colonna and the Archbishop of that house were also apprehended and lodged in St. Angelo, it is supposed lest they should do any hurt in the event of a force coming against his Holiness; and on the 31st arrived six ensigns of Frenchmen to the Pope. It is blown abroad that Cardinal Caraffa is coming with 30 more ensigns of Frenchmen and 6,000 men of arms, and that 6,000 Frisons are shortly expected. The Neapolitan army of the other side is estimated at 28,000. According to a resolution taken in the Congregation on the 1 4th ult.. Sign. Ferrante della Sanguine was sent from the College to the Duke of Alva at Naples to treat of some appointmeut, but received for answer that the Duke would accede to none unless the Pope would guarantee that the French should not come to Paliano. This, he hears, the Pope will in nowise do. Since then messengers have come from the Duke to his Holiness, cannot learn wherefore, but preparations still go forward. The Pope is said to be one who fears no man in his doings. Yesterday there was a congregation of Cardinals with the Pope when the Emperor's Ambassador requested leave to depart. He was very gently used by his Holiness, and much urged to remain both by him and the Cardinals, but he did not absolutely say whether he would go or stay. Afterwards, however, he told Cardinal Morone that he would leave his secretary and half his household here and would return again, but the Cardinal informed him, that once gone he must have a new commission before he could come back, and therefore recommended him not to be hasty in departing. Cardinal CarafFa remains in France until he hears from the messenger from the Pope to the Emperor ; if there is peace he will remain, if not he will return as speedily as he can. Cardinal Morone has been very earnest with him to solicit her Majesty to help to have some good way in this matter, without which great inconveniences are likely to arise to Christendom. " If God help not it is like to be a dangerous work, and if it go forward, here is very evil tarrying." [Six pages and a half.] Aug. 4. 523. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. On 25th July received Paris. iier Majesty's letter of the 9th regarding Lord Lennox's matter, and that of the 10th concerning the counterfeit coin. Had infoimed Nisbet, the agent for Lord Lennox, of her Majesty's pleasure, and Q 2 244 FOEEIGN PAPERS. his intention to seek audience of the French King thereon ; but, as Nisbet had letters for tlie young Scottish Queen which required early delivery, he retjuested Wotton to defer speaking of the matter until liis return from Fontaiaebleau, whither he went on the following day, and did not come back until Saturday the 1st inst., having been delayed for the young Queen's answer. Wherefore, the King having left next morning, he cannot have audience until he be again "at Fontainebleau, which is not likely to be for a fortnight. As to the counterfeit coin, on the Friday evening had conference with the Constable, who considered the case alike prejudicial to France and England, and thereupon reasoned with Secretary Bourdin for the sending direct to Dieppe to take steps for the arrest of the offender and his accomplices. Delivered to them a remembrance in writing and the eight pieces of base coin. Complained to the Constable of the assembling together of the rebels at Rouen, and that the common voice both there and at Dieppe was of their arming and preparing themselves for sea; that they wei-e suffered to sell their prizes in the French ports, as at Conquest, La Rochelle, and La Hogue, where they might easily have been taken if the King and his officers would have gone about it, as he alleged the King's pleasure was they should. The Constable denied all aid or connivance on part of his Majesty, but Wotton said these men brought nothing with them out of England, and were on such good credit with the people here that nobody would lend them one sous, and yet had they here foimd ships, which they had well manned and provisioned, and thus sailed from the French ports. Tlie Constable still persisted in his denial. It is reported at the Court that the Imperialists would have taken the Pope and saccaged Rome, but the plot being dis- covered his Holiness has imprisoned divers Cardinals, Ambassadors, and others, and it seems will not stick to do execution on many of them. Hears he has already deprived of his hat the Cardinal of Burgos, whom, had he been in Rome, the matter might have touched nearer than his hat. It is also said that Cardinal Motula, who was going to Brussels, has fled into France, being afraid lest the Emperor and King Philip might have put him in prison too. The Legate Caraffa would fain be gone, but awaits the final resolution, which cannot be determined till the Duke of Ferrara's answer has been received ; this makes people think the truce is at a point, and already the King sends a number of troops to Sienna and Corsica. The Constable has complained that a packet of tlieirs coming from Scotland has been detained four days in England by the officers of her Majesty's Court, and that another sent to Scotland has not been heard of In spite of all the Constable says, the constant voice is that the rebels prepare for sea with more ships than previously, and amongst others one which they have taken of upwards of 400 tons. They take up as many English, Scots, Frencli, and otliers as they can get, paying them in hand money which they have made by the sale of their prizes. The French King also is arming some vessels, as admitted to the Emperor's Ambassador by the Constable, who pretends it is for the purpose of pursuing the pirates, which is as true as are the MARY. 245 155G. Aug. 5. Cleves. Aug. 5. Brussels. AlJg. 23. Vienna. answers which the}'' have continually made concerning the rebels and these pirates. It is also reported that the Earl of Devonshire will join them very shortly, and that they have already taken some port in one of her Majesty's islands. Trusts this is not true, but fears by such report that something of the kind is to be attempted. Has not the slightest reliance on the fair words of the King and Constable, who would further any rebellion in England or aid the external enemy, and wishes her Majesty thought so too, as she would .be less deceived by them. The King has sent for a number of landsknechts and has his horse in readiness, 7)h and. persuaded him not to lose the opportunity : now matters being as they are, and it being clear that nothing canbe looked for hut the loss of the character, stales, and kingdoms of the Emperor, and the Fope having reduced him to such extremity, that if the most obedient son were so oppressed by hia father he could not MARY. 251 1556. Sept. 8. Sienna. Sept. 12. Fadoa. but defend himself, the Buke being unable to fail in the obligation laid upon him as ininister of his Tnaster of states in Italy will be forced to provide for their defence, depriving the Pope of the power of annoying them in the best inanner he can ; and being desirous of the quiet of Christendom and the peace of Italy, and by reason of the reverence which he knows their Majesties have towards the Holy See, he for the last time supplicates the Pope to consider the infinite troubles and scourges with which it has pleased God to afflict Christianity, the innumerable miseries arising out of war, and like a good pastor to lay aside his hatred, and the thought of annoying their Ma- jesties and their possessions, and: receive with affection the King, his master, who, following in the steps of his father, has always offered, and now again offers, his person and his entire force to the service of the Holy See; and, God having granted the remedy of the truce, not to dis- turb the benefit vouchsafed to Christendom, but give security to the Emperor neither to offend nor cause him to he offended in his possessions, his Majesty not pre- tending to any interest from the Pope nor demanding an atom of the Holy See, both their Majesties solely desiring to be in safety. Declares that if the Pope will not without delay agree to do all that is here asked, the Duke will undertake the defence of the Emperor, and all the conse- quent misery will be upon the soul and conscience of his Holiness. Shall take it as a great favour if the Pope will coTnmunicate the whole contents of this letter to the Sacred College. Hopes for a favourable result, in which case all will obey his Holiness. [Italian. Six pages.] 531. The Abbess and Nuns of the Benedictine Order of A.11 Saints of Sienna to Queen Mary. Declare the bad condition of the city by reason of the wars. For a whole year their community, consisting of 100 persons, have subsisted on the charity of the Cardinal of Burgos. Their convent, which was situated without tlie walls of the city, had, for fear of its being occupied by the enemy, been levelled to the ground, entailing a loss of more than 15,000 crowns, and all their substance. A small and unhealthy temporary abode in the city had been provided for them by Cardinal Mignanelli ; but they have no means of their own, and the public necessities will not admit of their receiving any compensation, for building another convent. They therefore implore her Majesty's assistance. [Italian. Two pages and a quarter.] 532. Peter Vannes to Sir "William Petre. Commences his letter with a copy of that from the Duke of Alva to the Pope, inclosed in the previous one to Petre of 7th September, and adds as a postscript : — By a courier dispatched from Rome to the Seigniory here under- stands that the war is broken or at the point of breaking, and that Signer Ascanio Delia Cornia and other captains have already entered 252 FOEEIGN PAPERS. 155G. the States of the Church and disparcled certain of the Pope's men and taken the captain prisoner, as well as divers of the men. Tliinks that within two dnyw he shall have too many things to ^\■ril(' of in this matter. The Pope, as occasion serves, openly and .socrotly speaks of the Emperor and the King " cum tania indigni- t(tte that ego horrenco referena" and remits the rehearsal to the t^uuen's and King's ministers and agents, to whom all these things and many more are not unknown. Certain other captains of the Imperialists have watched for the most part of the cattle of Rome, to the number of G,000, on their way home, which were wont to be fed in the mountains of Abrucho [Abruzzi] all the summer, and in the winter to be turned into the country of Rome, and taken them to their use. The beginning of this war is ea.sy to be con- jectured ; prays God to send a short and good end. The Duke of Alva has sent a letter of justification like to the above to the College of Cardinals and all the world. [Six pages.] Sept. ] 2. 533. Intelligence from Rome. The Imperial forces have entered Rome. the States of the Church and penetrated as far as Anagni, defeating some of the Papal troops, and have taken Trentacoste near Camerino. To-day they are said to be battering Auagni ; its capture is doubtful. Those within the town have sent for Signer Torquato Conte witli 800 men, as the place is no better provided than the others were. The enemy are said to number 12,000 to 15,000 ini'antry, some say 10,000 ; but there ai-e about 6,000 Spaniards and Uitramontanes, 1,000 horse, 500 men-at-arms, 20 pieces of heavy artillery, pontoons, ladders, kc. With all these, they continually assert their willingness to desist, provided that the Pope will assure them that he will not injure tlie Emperor's possessions. Pompeo Colonna, the son of Camillo, has taken the abbacy of Subiaco, which belonged to his uncle, with about 600 men, and the Count of Sarno, with about 100 horse, has come to Monte Fortino and sent to the Pope to say that he has come to let his Holiness be aware that the Duke of Alva desired to desist from the enterprise, provided his Holiness would assure his King that he would not annoy him. Thus matters stand. Of the 2-i,000 soldiers had iii pay by the Pope scarcely 10,000 remain, and everything is unprovided. Monluc and Sig. Aurelio Fregoso went last night to Yeletri, wherefore does not know, unless it be to see how the troops there are disposed, and if it be possible from that coast to push on towards Fondi to make a diversion. The Count of Popoli is in the Abruzzi with horse and foot. In Tuscany the 7,000 or 15,000 troops raised at the instnnce of tlie Duke of Aha are at Piombino, awaiting the army. Those come fron\ Lombaixly are said to be at Spezzia for embarkation, and tlie tleet to bo gone thither to take them up. For all thi.s peace i.s sought to be made, and to day there was a report it had licen coucIikIihI, bocnu.so yesterday San Jacomo with his Holiiu'SH uml I'nclKico with Caraffa were nearly at the ]iii'mt, and l)cc'iuisi' of tlie Duke of Alva's offer. Nothing by the letuni orCanid'a is seen to imlueo a belief that the Frencli are in earnest, but in the oiiinion of all, rather to the contrary. Matters do not proceed very favourably with Signor Camillo, who is nearly MARY. 253 1556. deserted. If Anagni be taken, it may be said that the enemy are at the gates of Rome. The Pope, desiring to secure Parma, has sent thither Monsignor di Pola, and letters to the Duchess his mother and the Keeper there to .have it consigned. It is understood that the Imperialists appoint governors to the places which they take, with Avitnesses and notaries in name of the College. [Italian. One page and a half.] Sept. 16. 534. The Duke of Alva to Pope Paul IV. Takes the opportunity Camp at Anagni-of Fra Tomaso Manrique being here to beseech his Holiness will be pleased to adopt some good measure for extinguishing the present heats. Remains here for his reply to the proposition-^ to be made. Any error in his communication must be attributed to zeal in the service of his master, and to no want of respect towards his Holiness. [Italian. Copy. Half a page.] Sept. 16. 535. Same to Cardinal Bellai. Plas received with much pleasure Camp at Aaagni-the Cardinal's letter of the 13th inst,, which informs him that that which he is doing might be a great displeasure to the Sacred College, because it is his intention to serve it and do that which is agreeable to it with all respect, as the King his master, whose wish it is, has commanded him. Will inform them of the intention with which he administers the oath, which the College has lamented over with the Cardinal, to the end that if he does not know how to regulate his actions in conformity with his intention, the College may prescribe him the castigation which it shall appear to them he merits, which he is most certain will be administered with greater clemency than the punishment that would be inflicted on him by his Majesty, when he learned that the Duke had oifended in any matter those whom his Majesty holds in such respect. By what he has written to the Sacred College and previously to the Pope, the Cardinal and the College will have understood the causes of their arriving at the position in which they now stand and the end for which he proceeded to take the existing measures, which are to secure to his Majesty's states exemption from attack and injury as long the Pope lives ; wherefore it is necessary to keep the lands that may be occupied under the protection of his Majesty, with a firm determination that all shall be restored to the Holy See as soon as these inconveniencies shall cease ; and knowing that if his Holiness should fail [or die] no consul- tation would be necessary with the King to make the restitution, and in such case to the Sacred College or that which governs the Church and to which obedience is due until the new creation of a Pope, he has desired that from the present until that time this fealty may be made, in order that without further directions the lands so occupied may know what in such case they have to do, and this distinctly, if they wish to secure it on the part of the King. Is certain that the Cardinal and the College will see that the servant of the King cannot err intentionally in the smallest matter against the College, and although the matter may appear to them otherwise, shall in all things so conduct himself, because he will never fail in obedience and service to them, being certain that they will never command him to do anything whereby the security 254 FOEEIGN PAPERS 1556 intended could be impeded, and he will not hesitate to beseech them to sue the Pope to acknowledge the King for the good son he has always been, and ever will be while his Holiness will consider him such, whence will follow service to God, and quiet and increase to the Apostolic See. [Gopy. Italian. Two pages.] Sept. 17. 536. Sir Edward Came to King Philip and Queen Mary. On Rome. the 7th, Cardinal Caraffa arrived here from Fi-ance, and brought with him seven ensigns of Gascons, with whom also came Pietro Strozzi, Mons. Monluc, Mons. Lansac, and the captain of the French gallies. He is said to have brought a large sum of money from the French King, and harness for 300 horsemen gravis armaturce, with saddles and all their furniture, except horses, which are to be provided here. Thinks they will not be foiin 1 here yet, since as many of the Cardinal's horses as would serve have been taken for that purpose. The Pope has very few horsemen. On the Cardinals arrival he described all the Pope's men of war, and found nothing to the purpose. Where lie was thought to have 22,000 he had not 9,000, besides being so deficient in all necessaries for war that all think he is unable to defend himself On the 6ih news arrived that the Duke of Alva had invaded the lands of the Church, and taken Ponte di Corvo and Fi-osilone. On this the Pope summoned a congregation of the Cardinals, declaring to them this invasion, and that matters had gone too far to admit of further speaking of peace. The same evening he caused to hi', appreliended Signer Pyrrho (sic) I'Offredo, who brought the letters from the Duke of Alva to his Holiness and the College, of which copies were sent with Game's letter to her Majesty of the 5 th. L'Offredo is still a prisoner in Castle St. Angelo. On the Stli the Marquis de Saria's secretary was arrested and brought to Torre de Nova, and, he heai-s, was compelled by force of torture to deliver to the Pope the cipher wliicii he used in writing to his Majesty : but he is now at liberty. The Duke has taken Veroli, Separano, Banco, Frascati, Palestrina, Zagamolo, Alatri, and Anagni. The latter stood out for some time ; its captain, Signer Quadrate was sore wounded, and the soldiers fled. The Duke's army is said to be not 20 miles hence ; and if it comes here, as surely expected, will have but smaU resistance, as the citizens mind not to defend the city. The Pope draws his force to the Burgo, which is weJl fortified and whither the people remove all their goods. To-day was a congregation of all the Romans in the Caiiitol befoi-e Cardinal Caraffa, who was there to know the citizens' mind. Heare that they demanded of the Pope 8,000 men with pi-ovisions for them, ;ind they w ould undertake to deleiid the city. This the Cardinal granted, but thereof, a.s lio can learn, no man liere has any hope. With consent of tlie I'opc the Cardinal ile Sancto Jacobo sent the Procter-GeiKual ef the Blnek Fri,ir.-i to tiic Duke of Alva to have Honio fj;oo(l ap|>ointnieiil. He returned last midnight, and this morning the Cardinal informed Carne that he has good hope of such a,|>i)ointment. Little resistance to speak of is made to the Duke's army anywhere. For defence of the Burgo the Pope places MARY. 255 1556. more reliance upon, the Gascons than he does upon the Italians ; so there is like to be much misery unless God put it in the Pope's head to come to some reasonable appointment, for he is said to be marvellous stiff" in his proceedings. As many of both sexes who could, have fled from the town. Is desired by Cardinal Pacheco to commend him most humbly to her Majesty. [Three pages.] Sept. 18. 537. Peter Vannes to Queen Mary. Being at Padua, for avoiding Padua. the plague at present reigning in Venice, received letters from the Council written by her command containing an account of thu prosperous successes vouchsafed to her over her enemies. When they were received was at dinner with the Emperor's Ambassador and divers other noblemen, and declared them with all the particularities at length as they were written, and as he thought would stand with her Majesty's honour. Sees by conferences with divers noble- men the gladness conceived by reason of her prosperous affairs. The advertisements translated into Italian he will to-morrow send to the Seigniory. The King's affairs at Naples begin to prosper ; all that is conquered by them is put in safety to the use of the Church and government of the whole College of Cardinals. The Pope's soldiers in the confines flee from their holds before they see their enemies in the face ; yet the Duke of Alva offers to withdraw his army whenever the Pope will put him in assurance for the King's realms, as by a bill inclosed, which he has no leisure to translate into English, her Majesty will be more amply advertised. The Earl of Devonshire died little more than an hour ago. He has, for avoiding all kind of suspicion from himself, been leading a more solitary life than needed, saving the company of certain Venetian gentlemen, among whom he was made much of About three weeks ago, for his recreation, he happened to go to Lio, a piece of an island six miles from Venice, to see his hawk fly upon a waste ; there he was suddenly overtaken by a great tempest of wind and rain, so that he could not return to Venice by his gondola, but was forced to take a searcher's boat, which had arrived there by chance, and so got to Venice, " being body and legs very thinly clothed, refusing to change them with any warmer garment." About five days after, as he told Vannes, he had a fall on the stairs of his house, but feeling well and suffering no pain, came hither. To avoid the tediousness of the water and save horses he took the worst way and came by " a certain waggons called coolies, very shaking and uneasy to my judgment," arriving on a Saturday night. Hearing of his coming went to visit him next day and found him very weak. After that he grew daily worse and worse, avoiding friends' visitations as a speech molest to him, and drew himself to the counsel of two of the best physicians here, and entered into a continual great hot ague, some time more vehement than at another. He was always diligently attended. Has charged his servants in her Majesty's name to take a true inventory of the small moveables he had, and especially that all writings or letters that he had here or at Venice shall be put in assurance to await the royal commands. Is about to see the order of his burial with as much sparing and as ■ much honour as can be done, for the merchants in whom, by her 256 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. Majesty's command, lie had a credit of 3,000 or 4,000 crowns, ai'e not yet willing to disburse without a sufficient discharge of Lord Devonshire's hand, the doing whereof is past. Will see him buried as well as he can, though (beseeches her Majesty not to be mis- content with him) he is next door to go a begging. Blames for it only his own evil chance and the oceujjation of the Council, which is such that they have no leisure to put her in remembrance of him. The Earl died, he thinks, a very good Christian man, for after Vannes had exhorted him to take his communion and the rite of the Church as a thing most necessaiy, by means of which God gives His people bodily and ghostly comfort, he answered by broken words that he was well content so to do, and in token thereof, "and in repentance of his sin, he lift up his eyes and knocked himself upon the breast, and after I had suffered him to pause a good while, I caused the sacraments to be brought, and aft«r the priest's godly exhortation he forced himself to receive the blessed communion; but his tongue had so stopt his mouth, and his teeth so cloven together, that in nowise he could receive that same. And after this sort this gentleman is gone, as I do not doubt, to God His mercy." Since the Earl's coming hither he communicated to Vannes that it had been reported to him that some had said that he was " better French than English," and if he recovered he would try the quarrel with his sword, if he found the " misreporter." Advised him to regard no such light words. Beseeches her Majesty to command the payment of the Earl's funeral expenses, and to extend her charity to his servants, about 10 in number, masterless, moneyless, not able to live here nor come home without her help. [Four 2Jages.] Sept. 19. 538. Intelligence from Eome. On Monday the heads of districts Kome. -w^ere assembled to make some preparations for guarding the walls, but hearing that Anagni still held out, they retired to the Capitol vdthout doing anything. Next morning news came that the Im- perialists had taken Anagni. The tidings spread, but were not believed, until corroborated by the intelligence tliat the city after standing three assaults, and repelling the enemy, had at length agreed to surrender for want of munition and artilloiy, their defence having been made with harquebuses. Signor Torquato resolved to burn what provision of grain and wine they had, and also set fire to some houses near the gate, it \\as said, to put those of Paliano on their guard. The soldiers were disarmed ; the Imperial- ists entered at night and began the sack, but the Duke of Alva made them stop, and restore all they had taken to the owners. These news have removed all intention on part of the Komans to take to the field, for they had hoped that the enemy would have occupied themselves until the Pope had made forts and provision ; every oiio is so aliuined that nothing is attended to, except the i(Miioving of property ; safety is sought in the residences of the Iiiipurial and Portugucso Anibassadoi's and 8ignor Camillo Colonna; the Minerva has been appointed for the'ladies, and the ma- jority have lift Rome. Cardinal Sau J acomo does his utmost for peace, and prevailed with the Popo to send to the Duke one of 1556. MARY. 257 his friars, who returned with answer that he was willing to send to his Holiness a person authorized to treat for peace. The Pope made him wait without longer than usual, and after the Cardinals had retired c.iUed hltn in, but what passed is not known. How- ever, in Rome they say the war will go on, and the Pope ceases not his maledictions of the Duke, still keeps up his courage, and says he will rather be cut in 1,000 pieces than do anything unworthy of his dignity. It does not appear that the capture of Anagni was notified to him ; but Cardinal Carpi informed him, and when he heard it it seemed che si remettesse un poco, and in consequence of the excitement in the city, the same friar was again sent to the Duke at eight o'clock, with letters of safe-conduct for whomsoever his Excellence might choose to send. The friar has now returned, and brings for reply that the Duke will send two persons. This day, Thursdiiy, at 20 o'clock, a rumour arose that the enemy had taken the Latin Gate and entered ; whereupon men ran to arms, and there was consequently much confusion ; but little realiness was seen in the people, and the chiefs of the dis- tricts (Capi Rioni) ran to the walLs, but with few followers. Among the rest, the poor women and all other ranks, such a terrible panic spread that people gave themselves up for lost. This lasted for some time, until it was discovered that it was a device of the Duke, who had dined at San Paolo, (" mangiato a S. Paolo,") and rode rapidly in at that gate with a few light horse, as if in flight, and all in order that he might see if the people were on their guard. This panic has caused many more to resolve to leave the city, and nothing is to be seen but people hurrying to and fro with boxes and goods. The same day Cardinal Caraffa went to the Capitol, and showed to the Romans that they might ask what they wished, and moreover offered to act, speak, and remain with them in Rome. They demanded 8,000 infantry, paid in Rome, artillery, and such munitions as Alexander Colonna, their General, should require, with provision for the children and heirs of such as should expose themselves for defence of the city. The Cardinal replied that he would not fail, and tiiat the Marquis of Montebello would appear with a larger force than they sought. They added their desire to speak to the Pope, and that his Holiness should be made to comprehend point by point the consequences of the war, and the Cardinal was requested to take up his residence at St. Mark's. This evening Santo Jacomo being detained by the Pope, his Holiness appointed Cardinals Santo Jacomo, Caraffa, Trani, and Pisa to negotiate for him on this peace ; but it is not likely to follow, because being not only necessary but enforced, the Imperialists may perceive their own advantages so clearly, that they will probably make such extravagant demands that it is not likely the Pope will accede, but would call such a martyrdom, since he has frequently said, that to be martyred in the service of God remains as his last consola- tion. Notes the probable effects of an occupation of the city by the Imperialists. Yesterday the Duke of Paliano, Caraffa, and Camillo Monlun were with his Holiness, and remained very late ; and it is understood it was resolved to give the Romans what they 258 FOREIGN PAPERS. demanded, as to-day some artillery has been ordered to the walls. A company of horse, too, is ordered out, it being known by means of a spy that a number of horse had approached Marino, Grotta Ferrata, and like places. Lest it seem strange (as he has already written that the Pope was paying 24,000 infantry) that they find themselves so alarmed, informs his correspondent that pay has indeed been distributed among that number, but it is reported that the Duke has taken over to himself 12,000 ; thus they are left with the half; 5,000 are out of Rome divided amongst Veletri, Paliano, Sermoneta, and Vicovaro ; the rest, including the Gaacons, they have in Rome, his Excellency perhaps judging that peace would not follow, and that therefore it would be advantageous to have these men to spare, or from some other design. This, however, has not been sufficient for the Cardinal, who has grieved much, and has told him with high words that it has been a mistake ; that he has expended too much on so large a number of men. Two days since Signer Hieronimo della Rovere, a gentleman of the King's sent by him, arrived. King Philip had sent him to the King of France to beseech him to be mediator with the Pope in the matter of peace, showing that he desired it much. It is said that offers have been made to the Pope of Swiss and of 200 men-at-arms when- ever these desire to molest him. It is believed that King Philip has given the Duke of Alva to understand the same thing, who, being come to this necessity, might perhaps be agreeable to some good resolution. The Pope sent for Cardinal Montepulciano, who came speedily, and has been twice with his Holiness. He further summoned Crispo, but he has sent to excuse himself The Bishop of Pola has been in Parma, and returned in the name of his Holiness ; and the Oommendone is coming to Venice : be- lieves that neither will produce much fruit. The Romans, prrased to give some money, have imposed a toll of two crowns on each robbia of com for 25 days, a hardship which everybody bears, and it is feared it may last during the war ; it is money which can be raised easily. The Father returned late ; with him came, in the name of the Duke, Francesco Pacecho, a Spaniard, a man of credit, and the Secretary of his Excellency ; they have not yet gone to the Pope, and are staying with Cardinal Santo Jacorao. It cannot be discovered what they bring ; perhaps in the writer's next letter it will be communicated. Since he has understood that the Im- perialists and the Papal troops are alarmed, he has written the occurrences in the city. Has been to-day with a great Cardinal, who is not, however, a supporter of the side of the Pope and his actions, and desires peace with all his heai-t. He told the writer that the affairs of Rome arc not in so gi-eat straits as is commonly said; and he speaks from communication with Mons. di Motula and like persons. Ho says, first, that the Imperial army is not now more in number than J 2,000 infantry, 200 men-at-arms, and 1,000 light horse; that the infantry, except the Spaniards, are all rabble, and the liglit cavalry all sorry jades, and this from the testimony of Signor Torquato, who says that if an expedition had been made in time to provide Anagni with certain things, he could have held out a long while. He says that the enemy are going to MARY. 259 1556. Sept. 22. Borne. Sept. 26. Bome. reconnoitre Veletri, Paliano, Vicovaro, and Sermoneta. Veletri was seen just now by Mens, de Monluc ; the site pleased him, and the preparations which had been made with the presence of 2,500 infantry within, which woidd animate them to hold it so long as they had means of living. In Paliano there are 1,500 infantry, in Sermoneta 700, in Vicovaro 300. Peace is not despaired of, and it is believed that all the difficulty will lie in accom- modating the affairs of Paliano; the Imperialists will Qot have it belong to the Duke, the Pope will not have it belong to Marco Colonna. There has been no creation of Cardinals and none is talked of; it would be if peace were to be made; if not no Im- perial perhaps would be created. The Pope will wait to see how the war goes, and, waiting as long as he can get aid, it is thought he will make a number at once. It is said they have no need of money, because there are 300,000 crowns in Venice, and 100,000 in the castle. The Duke of Alva, hearing of the destruction of the Chiesa del Popolo, has, like a devout man, Avritten with his own hand a note to the Pope, promising him, on the faith of a peer, that he will come to Rome in such a manner that it shall not be molested by even the shot of an arquebuse. [Italian. Nine pages.] 539. Sir Edward Carne to Sir "William Petre. Of the occurrents here had written to her Majesty on the 5th, and to both their Majesties on the l7th, trusting that the King is in England. The Duke of Alva is at Anagni, but the greater part of his army is so near Rome that it is expected in little more than a day. There is great fear that the city will be sacked. Cannot tell how he shall escape, but trusts that they will not meddle with him, and is comforted by bearing that the Duke has shown great clemency to all men in such places as he has invaded. There will be small resistance, but the Pope will do what he may. Begs Petre will help that he may have his diets paid, that he may be able to have necessaries, which he fears will be very scant here. [One page.] 540. Same to King Philip and Queen Mary. His letters of the 22d should have been well on in their way, had the post been licensed to depart sooner. Cardinals de Sancto Jacobo and CarafTa, who had been appointed to meet the Duke of Alva at an abbey 12 miles hence for the purpose of treating of peace, were hovering and going Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, but at last the Pope willed that Caraffa should not go, fearing, as it is said, lest he should be stayed by the Duke. Some say that mean- while news were received from the French King, which was the cause of the Cardinal being stayed, so that at this time the peace is failed. On the 23d the Count de Petigliano arrived with 100 horse, which he thinks were not past three score, and the Count was made Chief Captain of all the Pope's artillery and ordnance. Yesterday arrived 700 Grisons from Montalcino. The city is made very strong and hard to be taken : thinks there are in it 6,000 or 7,000 men of war, of which 5,000 or 6,000 are thought to be French. The Duke of Alva's army is said to be reinforced by E 2 260 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. Sept. 26. Ghent. Oct. 3. Padua. 5,000 or 6,000 soldiers from Lombardy : he lias taken Neptune and the whole country between Rome and Naples, except Veletri, Paliano, and Torracina. Some Englishmen here received letters from Venice on tlie 23d, mentioning that the Earl of Devon had departed to God on the 18th ; his sickness was a hot ague that held him 11^ days before he died. On the 23d a proclamation was issued here commanding all Romans who had fled for fear of the war to return within five days on pain of death and confiscation of their goods. There is much business here. This morning the horsemen who went on the scout last night brought in some Spaniards who had been taken by the horse of Veletri. The Pope has sent Sig. Adriano de Balionibus to be joined with the Duke of Soma, Captain in Veletri, lest the latter durst not abide the adventure of the siege there, being a banished man from Naples ; but it is thought that he will abide the adventure. Has much difficulty in sending his letters, the posts being stayed here. There are three Englishmen here at present, one Lambert, a London merchant, and two young gentlemen of the names of Windham and Rugge, who say they came to see Rome. [Two pages and a quaHer.] Sil. Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, to Queen Mary. Ac- knowledges her Majesty's letter relative to the return of the bearer, Mr. Anthony Hussey [Governor of the English merchants at Antwerp aud agent in Flanders], to whom he gives these credentials. [French. One page.] 542. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. Is constrained to be briefer than he ought by the shortness of time and the weariness he is in from travelling to post and pillar only for any open trial and assured declaration of the tnith in forma autentica, to which he was moved for the Queen's honour, that by silent murmurs was by wicked persons and ignorant people unworthy and much blotted, — ignorant people who do not consider that of a godly woman can nothing proceed but godly acts. Has obtained, by the Podesta's command and all his magistrates' doing here, that the late Earl of Devonshire's servants, four physicians, two surgeons, that have had him in cure and have been privy to his opening and searching, have been sworn and examined before witnesses as to the disease of which he died. Their depositions and testimonies i-emain with him till he has the Queen's commandment. Has obtained from the chief magistrate of this city the consignment of the writings that wore found in the Earl's chamber after his death to the assured keeping of the Podosta or his successor until the Queen's pleasure be known by her letters to them. Has causinl an inventory to be made of the moveables biou^^ht forth upon oath by the Earl's servants to remain in tlieir custody. Prays the Queen's pardon for liaviiif,' (loiid thiH without commission. The matters between the Pope and tiw. Duke of Alva tend to the continuance of war ; all practices of ])oaco aro utterly e.Kcluded. The Pope, it is written, liad thoiif^ditto take tlie Duke prisoner under colour of a meeting; juiil ibr this purpose liad eommauded that a very good number of .siildiera from various garrisons should suddenly intercept him MARY. 261 1556. between the place of meeting and the camp. It chanced, however, that the Duke came accompanied by 1,000 horsemen and 500 arquebusiers, and so the Pope was disappointed. Cannot tell what will be the end. The Pope greatly prepares with the French King's help, and the Duke lacks no furniture. [Two pages.} Oct. 8. 54-3. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 20th ult. received theirs Paris. of the 16th, his Majesty being then on his way from Val Luisant [Vauluisant] to Paris, where he arrived on the 25th. On the 28th had audience, and declared his instructions concerning the Sacrette. His Majesty said the vessel was well known to be his own and built at his own expense ; that his word ought to be taken therein, that the thing was of very small importance and in a manner unworthy to be committed to Commissioners ; and therefore trusted her Majesty would have the same regard to his word as she would expect him to have of hers in a like case. To Wotton's arguments his Majesty at length said he would talk about it to the Constable, with whom "Wotton had already conferred and found him even more earnest in the matter than the King ; but after the feast of the Order is over, he will again be in hand with the Con- stable. On the 1st inst. Senarpont, who is now Knight of the Order, came to him from the Constable to mention that it was con' sidered by the Master of Requests, who was appointed one of the Commissioners for the matter of Sandingfeld, that upon this change of weather, after the long fair and dry season, it will be very uneasy to travel, -spBcially in low countries as the Boulognois. Wherefore the Constable thought that, if it so contented her Majesty, it were better to defer till the spring ; but if it did not, the original appointment should hold good. Desires to know her Majesty's pleasure. By Senarpont's conversation it seems they reckon at this meeting to settle not only the question of Sandingfeld but of the limits, and that bounds and marks shall be set up so as to prevent any disputes in future. At the request of Sir Nicholas Throck- morton sends some letters to them and others unsealed. Of late he has been several times with Wotton ; and by his words seems to have a good affection to her Majesty and not to meddle with the doings of the rebels. Colby has also been with him ; desires much to return home, says he never meant but well to the Queen and only came here to watch the rebels and apprize her Majesty of their designs, as set forth in his letter inclosed {missing). Knows nothing of the man otherwise, and wi.shes to know how he shall comport himself to him. Has perused Killigrew's examina- tion, in which it seems to him the chief thing of all is lacking, viz., the gift of the Sacrette made directly by the King to the Killi- grews ; which alone would suffice if such had been made and could be shown. But none such being made, it will be hard to prove the donation. It is true that by the examination it seems the Admiral had an order from the King to deliver the Sacrette and her fittings to the Killigrews, which the Admiral said he kept for his warrant and discharge: also that the Admiral wrote two letters to the Vice- Admiral La Meilleraye, that the King had given the vessel to the Kil- ligrews, and therefore commanded him to deliver her to them ; and 262 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1656 also that he gave a written order to Jour de Mare for her delivery to them, as of the King's gift. All Avhich writings, or any of them, would make some kind of proof; but how it is possible to come by any of them, he cannot devise. Killigrew says _ that 30 or 40 persons were present when De Mare delivered to him the furniture of the ship : yet that does not seem to prove the gift of the vessel, for the like might have been done had the King only lent her. The common voice and fame must be proved by witnesses before a judge, and how that could be done here, he is equally unable to see. Besides the people of Newhaven are so unruly, and bear so little good-will to the English, that any one going thither to take inform- ation would be in much danger of his life. On hearing that M. A. Colonna has taken several places of the Pope, though of minor importance, such as Pontecorvo, Frosilone, Anagni, &&, the French King has resolved immediately to send troops to aid his Holiness ; yet many think these troops are not going to Bome but to Piedmont for the invasion of Milan, thereby to draw off the Imperial troops from the Papal States. The French are to send Swiss, French, men-at-arms, and light horse, and with them the Duke D'Aumale and Damville the Constable's son. The Pope is said to have solicited aid from the Seigniory of Venice and the Duke of Mantua : what the former will do is doubtfid, the Pope seeming to have been first invaded. Should Milan be invaded the King [Philip] must make vigorous resistance at the beginning as any marked loss on that side might peril all his interests in Italy, considering the wavering minds of that nation and the present state of affairs there. Brissac is so afflicted with the gout that it must be some time before he can return to Piedmont. They say that whenever Colonna takes any place of the Pope, he removes his family arms and substitutes those of the Holy See, pretending that the place shall be kept for the See and the Pope's successors. The Abbot of St. Saluce has lately gone to Flanders of his own accord, as he says, to mention to King Philip certain communications between him and Caraffa, which implies that the Pope would be well content to listen to some good agreement. But men think it nothing likely that the Cardinal should use any kind of talk with him, seeing that all the while he was here he seemed to do nothing but to ring alarms to set Princes by the eai-s, at the very time when he pretended to have come for a peace and a general Council. The Abbot therefore is more probably sent by the Constable under the aforesaid pretence, and at his return he has given some hope that his Majesty will be well content to treat of a peace on very reasonable terms. Indeed it is reported that the Emperor's Ambas- sador has made such declarations to the French King of his Majesty's mind, that the former takivs it in very good part. Does not hear anything of this from the Ambassador : will rather wish and pray for some good end, than trust much upon it. Colonna now besieges Veletri, 20 miles from Rome, in which are said to be 2,000 foot and 400 horse, under command of the Duke di Soma, a fugitivi! of Naplis. The Duke of Alva makes as if this matter touched him never a whit, although he has a good force in readiness, on the 1556. MAEY. 263 ground that the Pope is in arms and has so many troops about him. After the feast of the Order had written to the Constable about the Sacrette, but received no reply until to day, a thing in the mean- time having chanced to the Constable which has troubled him niore perhaps than anything ever hivs. The Constable still insisted that the Sacrette belonged to his Majesty, but referred him to De I'Aube- spine, who followed tlie same line, whereby it seems they intend not that Commissioners shall meddle with the matter ; and it is to be noticed in the handling hereof, that the King would not him- self give the answer, but shifted it to the Constable, who in turn transfen'ed it to De I'Aubespine. Enters very fully into the ques- tion of the property of the Sacrette, sifting the examination of Peter Killigrew, repelling by positive facts the pretences of the French King, and showing his bad faith ; concluding that even if the Sacrette does belong to the King, his lending her to the Killigrews, and allowing her to be armed and provisioned in his ports without the usual caution required by the treaty, renders him liable for all injuries and damages done by the Killigrews, and therefore the vessel may be detained by those who have suffered the injuries until compensation has been received. What troubled the Con- stable was this: in the desire for the greatness of the house of Montmorency, after having procured his son to be made a Knight of the Order, and obtained for him the governorship of Paris and the Isle of France, he had arranged a marriage between him and the Duchess of Castres, the King's [base] daughter, on which occasion he intended further to have resigned in his favour the office of Grand Master. But after providing the feast for this marriage, which should have been solemnized within the last eight or ten days, and in honour of which great jousts and tournays had been prepared, the young man declared to the Admiral and his father that he could not find it in his conscience to go through with the marriage, having been for a long time ensured to another gentlewoman, named Piennes, whose sister was married to Sipierre, of the Privy Chamber, at the time when Lord Clinton was here. This so upset the Con- stable that he left the Court for his own house, where he lay certain days to digest his choler, seeing all his hopes frustrated, and those who have seen him report him to be greatly changed in his appear- ance. The young man is put under guard, and the lady sent to a convent ; whereby it seems they seek yet some remedy for this matter, for if Piennes could be content to be a nun, then might the other marriage take effect ; at least if the first be not consummated, as Wotton doubts whether it be. Mendoza, the Maitre d'Hotel, who was to take money for payment of the Swiss, has not yet left : and the Duke of Ferrara's Ambassador seems prepared to return in post to his master. The Prince of Ferrara has had a relapse, but is likely to recover. News have arrived that Colonna's troops have made courses almost to the very gates of Kome, and the Pope has sent Cardinals St. Jacomo and Tiani to commune with Alva to fall to some agreement ; but those who know the Pope's obstinacy think he will not agree, as long as he may be in hope of succour from the French. [Ten pages aTid a, half. Partly i/n cipher, deciphered.] 264 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1550. Oct. 8. 544. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Whether it be Dr. Martin, Paris. or whoever else, he shall bu welcome when he comes. As for Petro's office, knowing the weakness of his body, and the pains and travail he has sustained therein already, cannot but think he does well to leave it. And because the office is so easy and jtleasant, and Wotton so meet a man for it, Petre may be assured that he must needs thank him as much as the thing deserves, that would wish him to it. " I am now so broken through age since ray coming hither, that you shall not know me when you see me. And therefore it is time for me to get me into a comer, and take me to my beads, and to remember that we have not here permanen- tem civitatem, and therefore to begin to put on my boots, and prepare myself to go to the other place where we look to rest." The King kept the feast of the Order here in Notre Dame, more solemnly than wont. Besides his Majesty the following 24 Knights were present ; the Constable ; the Due D'Aumale ; Boissy, le Grand Ecuyer ; Marshal BrLssac ; M. D'Enghien ; Count della Mirandola; M. D'Estrees ; Prince de Cond^; Baron de Courton; Ludovico di Birago ; M. de Montmorency, the Constable's eldest son ; and M. D'Andelot, the Admii-al's brother. These sat on his Majesty's right. On his left were, the Duke of Guise ; Duke of Nemours; the Admiral; the Marshal St. Andre ; M. deLorges; the Vidame of Chartres ; Prince of Ferrara ; M. de Bonnivet ; M de Bellay; Alphonso D'Este, base brother to the Duke of Ferrara; M. de Senarpont, Captain of Boulogne ; and the Marquis d'Elboeuf, youngest brother of the house of Guise. Tlie three last were recently created. Hears that the Vicomte de Turenne and two Italians are named to it. It would have been a goodly sight, could they have appointed a place for every living Knight of the Order ; for then the choir of N6tre Dame would not have served, and scantly the body of the church, for the purpose, so numerous are they, ex ovmi natione qucB sub ccelo est. Noticed that there were present two brothers of the name of Bourbon ; three brothers of the house of Lorraine or Guise ; two of the names of Montmorency, father and son ; two of the name of Coligny or ChastiUon, brothers ; two of the name of Este, uncle and nephew ; and two of the name of Gonffier, viz., the Orand Ecuyer and Bonnivet, kinsmen. Thomixs Stafford and Sir Robert have quarrelled again, in such sort that Sir Robert has contrived to have the other cast into the vilest prison of Rouen among thieves and such honest companions, on the ground that Thomas and his men went armed in Rouen seeking Sir Robert's life. And as it is contrary to law to go armed in Rouen, Sir Robert managed to have the other caught, armed with shirt and hosen of mail. Thomas threatening to be even with him for this year. Sir Robert has come to the Ci)iut, suing earnestly to have the extremity of the law to pass agniiist Tlionias. Thinks he cannot prevail. " If ever there were a inii/im-comedla played, surely these men played it." Montmrnency i.s to bo married to the Duchess de Oiistres. Solve, who was Amlmssador in England, is sent to Rome, and Dabanson is rovokeil. The latter is likely to be made Oarde dea Secittix, if the present one, who is very ill, dies, or is made Cardinal. Ashoton and certain of that company are abroad on the MARY. 265 1556. sen, which is thought to be the greatest succour that these honest men trust to live by here. It were well if they could be met with, liaving already done hurt to the King and Queen's subjects, and perhaps may get such prizes as may encourage them and their fellows to attempt greater tilings. Since writing, has heard of the chance happened to the Constable and his son, tlie particulars whereof he has written to the Council. P.S. — Since closing his letter to the Council, has heard that Mendoza left this morning ; the money had preceded him. Also that the Eomans grudge sore against the Pope for past losses and fear of another sack, and do what they can to move him to some agreement. Six hundred men-at-arms and .500 light horse are ordered to be in readiness by the 20th inst. to go to Piedmont ; and Brissac, weak as he is, is pressed to return to his charge there. [Three pages.] Oct. 10. 545. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since his letter of the Komc. 3d inst. it is reported that the Duke of Alva lies at Tivoli, and has taken the town of Vicovaro without resistance of the townsmen ; so that the Pope's soldiers there Avere compelled to leave, except those that were in the rock there in the name of Signer John Paulo di Vicinis, Lord of the town. It is said that the Duke will now attack Keati, 40 miles from this, in the confines of Naples, for the sake of having provision for his armj'' brought nearer and surer. On the 4th all the Pope's soldiers were mustered out of the city ; they were in number above 7,000 foot and 520 horse well appointed, but he has no army in camp, nor is likely to have, for lack of money. Since then about 100 more horse and a small number of foot have come. The Pope has taken all the corn in the city at a fixed price, which shall be paid by certain officers when they fall in. The bakers can bake no bread but of this corn, and the loaf is reduced from eight to fom- ounces, but the price is the same as when it consisted of the eight. It is moreover to be made of a certain whiteness, " and no man shall bake within himself but must buy of the bakers, whereby it is waxen very dear." Yesterday a messenger went from the Senate of Venice to the Duke of Alva to protest that they will defend the lands of the Church. Hears that the Pope sent a messenger to the Duke to know why he made war against him, and whether he did so of himself or by commission from his Majesty. About seven days ago he also sent Fabricio de Sanguine, a kinsman of his own,_to his Majesty, to offer to treat of a peace with him, which he will not with the Duke ; and it is said to signify his contentment to put the variance between him and his Majesty in the French King's hand. It is also said that the English Ambassador with the French King has moved him in his Majesty's behalf already. The city is so strait kept that no man can forth of the gates without a special licence from Cardinal Caraffa. [Two pages.] Oct. 10. 546. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. The proceedings of the Venice. Duke of Alva daily prosper, and being master of the field he has already reduced several towns, rather with yielding than with much 266 FOREIGN PAPERS 1556. fighting, furnishing his camp with sufficient victuals, whereof they had much need. He has of late taken a strong castle and a town called Vicovaro, and tliose placus which he brings to the King's will he orders viry gently, paying for all his army takes and ministering justice in all things ; whereas at Rome much rigorosity is used, and the Po}iq's soldiers handle the people there with much extremity, hurt, and damage. Thinks by what he hears say tliat the Pope micht have had reasonable agreements at the Duke of Alva's hands if he had been disposed to condescend to the reaBonable assurance of the realm of Naples and to some other capitulations, which seems to be impossible unless Signer Marc Antonio Colonna were restored to his estates, which are as a strong bulwark to the realm of Naples, and competent hostages given by the Pope during his life. To any of these things it will be hard to bring the Pope, for he is of a stout nature, and greatly encouraged by the French and by the hope tliat he has conceived that all Princes and nations of Christendom should take his part and reckon his quarrel lawful and just. Upon this he has made in the Consistory a great lamentation against Princes and Potentates that are so slack in helping him and the Church. In case neces.sity should compel him he had rather abandon Rome and retire from the manifest danger to some place where he should not be compelled to do anything contrary to his mind and dignity. The Frenchmen's help is very far off', though they haA'e made provision in banks here to the amount of 300,000 crowns. As he cannot tell for what purpose, he is slow to believe they will s]}end it in vain or in doubtful enterprises. And because it miglit well be that the French, to divert the Duke of Alva, should break war in Lombardy, thinks the Germans who have arrived at Trent will be bestowed in divers garrisons for the better assurance of the King's estates and affairs in Lombardy. Sends herewith a discourse of these wars and the state of occurrents at Rome up to the present date, written from Rome by a wise man. Perceives by it that those successes are not in such towardness as the Pope and the inhabitants would have it. For his part, as a poor man that hath nought ado withal, wo\dd wish a good agree- ment and peace, and that the King should be well assured of his estates, and some way were taken for the restoring and recompence of Marc Antonio, and the matter s(i an-anged that other Piinces should not suspect the Duke of Alva after one kind of victory of ensearching furtlicr, in wliich case " wo might bring all in our neck." Has no more to say of tho Earl of Devonshire's matters than he has already written, cxoo]it that his servants look to him for their expenses in Italy and their conduct money homewards, the which ho cannot do, having none himself, but as he can borrow and be trusted from timo (o timo upon interest of exchanges. The plaffiio continues hew, but not so oniolly as before. The eschewing of it, by ronioviiin; iVom jilaoo to ])lace, has cost him two pennies and inoro. Is sorry to hoar that Potre is at times somewhat troubled witli a Hpi(H' of (lie stranj;olione [quinsey]. Does not know the p(Hniliaiitios of it, b\it intciiding to j;o to Padua within three • lays will consult witli his friends as to the kind of remedy most propice for him. [Three pages. Indorsed by Fetre.] MARY. 267 1556. Oct. 14. 547. Albert, Marquis of Brandenburg, to Queen Mary. Begs to Konigsberg. continue his annual habit of sending falcons ; requests her Majesty's acceptance of those now transmitted herewith, and trusts that she enjoys the sport. [Latiii. Broadside.] Oct. 18. 548. Dr. Wotton to the Council. The Prothonotary de Noailles, Paris. now Bishop D'Acqs, has been with him, and stated that, although on account of his own private affairs he could have desired to remain here awhile, yet being urged by the King and the Con- stable to depart, he intends in three or four days to take his journey to England in post, for so he is commanded to do, there to con- tinue as Ambassador, and his brother, the agent, is to return home. [Three pages. The greater portion in cipher, unde- ciphered.1 Oct. 19. 549. Same to Secretaries Sir William Petre and Sir John Paris. Bourne, and either of them. Is informed that a Frenchman named Nicolas Devisat, formerly teacher to the Duke of Somerset's children, and who fled from England, for falsifying letters as he believes, has gone, or will go shortly, to Calais to teach the children of the Comptroller there. He has recently been with the French King, and has received good reward ; indeed, strange as it appears, is said to have been appointed of the Privy Chamber; so that, being a crafty child, it is thought he goes not thither but to prac- tise some matter of importance. Wherefore suggests that if he goes to Calais, it were well done to hearken diligently to his doings ; and in case he has committed the offence in England above referred to, that may be a good occasion to talk with him a little whensoever any cause of suspicion shall appear against him. PS. — The Admiral is still at the Court, and a number of captains waiting orders. [One page. In cipher, deciphered.] Oct. 20. 550. Same to Queen Mary. Has just been informed that the Paris. French King has a design upon Calais and the neighbouring places, for which purpose Senarpont has gone down, and is concentrating aU the troops in these quarters at Boulogne, to be in readiness when occasion shall serve. His informant had this from one of the rebels, some of whom, believed to be Bryan Fitzwilliams and the Horseys, have been lately on her Majesty's frontiers, practising to further the matter. The person would not have told him if he had not believed it to be true ; and it seems the French King has to do this in consequence of some faction or dissension in Calais for religion's sake, to which some commission vigorously used may have given occasion. Her Majesty may think this inconsistent with the King's fair words, yet he cannot but certify her of this, considering its importance. Reports as to Nicolas Devisat, concerning whom he has written in another letter [supra]. [Two pages. Cipher, deciphered.] Oct. 24. 551. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. Has not omitted at Padua. any occasion offered him to give the Council knowledge of such occurrences as he has thought worthy advertisement. The matters 268 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. between the Pope and the King remain in the same state as when he previously wrote, and the Duke of Alva offers and is ready to accept any honest conditions of agreement, not refusing to com- promiso theso quarrels in this Seigniory's hands, so that a way may bo found for the assurance of the realm of Naples, which it will be hard to do, considering the Pope's constancy and disinclination to change his determined enterprises, lawful and just, as he says, and that it is not according to his dignity and estate that he should put in a compromise that thing that is assuredly his own ; con- sidering also tlie great preparations the Pope is making still in every place, and the French [King] also for his Holiness' behoof, with many brave letters and messages " that he will come in his own person to defend him in his own quarrel," the hope and trust in which, some men think, make tlie Pope somewhat stiffer in con- descending to any agreement. All this notwithstanding, the Seigniory makes earnest and secret labour in proposing divera conditions to both sides to bring the war to peace, as a thing most necessary in Christendom. Meanwhile preparations on both sides and increasing of soldiers do not cease, as appears by advices from Rome inclosed. Having nothing of greater moment, forbears to trouble the Council with his vain letters. Hourly looks for the Queen's expedition for his revocation, and hopes by her benevolence, if his age serve him, once ere he dies to kiss lier feet, and presently to do reverence to the Council. [One page and a quarter. Indorsed by Petre.] Inclosing, 551. I. Intelligence from Rome, October 17, 1556. Monday evening the Venetian Secretary returned from the Duke of Alva, having been well entertained by him, and per- formed the office committed to him by the chief persons here, to the end that war may terminate, the affairs of Italy be accommodated with the Pope, and the peace of Italy be not placed in new eonbarmss^nents ; and that the Duke might confoi-m to what King Phiiip has always said by his Ambassadm\ that lie did not wish for war with his Holiness nor to have any pi'etext for entering the States of the Church, but that he only wished to secim the affairs of the Empire from molc.^iatioiu The Duke sought to justify himself by showing intetvepted letters, the processes of many j^lots against the Empii-e, declaring that what he had done he was forced to dofw the security of the Empire, and had done it lik:e a son who takes the sword out of his ftf hers hand to the end that he may not mptre him, and. that his Kiuq has not the slightest wish to occupy the States of the Church; and that his good intentions may he l^-nown he is content to remit aU th$ controversies which he has with his Holiness into the hands of this most illustrious Seigniory, and to abide by its decision. With this good ne^rs he has allowed him to come, hither hainng further treated with him on the mcl hud of securing matters. The Secrctai-y having been with tho Ambassador of his Holiness to give him a par- 1556. MARY. 269 ticular account of all that he has oiegotiated with the Duke, and having also exhorted his Holiness hy the public benefit and the safety of the Holy See, to content himself that matters might be accommodated so that there might be peace in Italy and the truce be maintained, the Pope thanked him for the offices which the Republic had done, and for their friendly remembrances, but, matters being so advanced, he would have desired rather aid than counsel from the Seigniory, especially as from the injustice of the cause of his adversaries his honour and dignity would be done away with, and he could not, preserving his authority and jurisdiction, compromise that which was clear and render it obscure, hoping that Ood would aid his cause and that succour would not be wanting to him. Having heard that he causes [mass] to be celebrated daily though he is excommunicated, he spoke of it with 'inuch heat. And it is thought that there ivill be a Consistory to deprive the King of his kingdom, and to excom- municate the Duke, anathematizing him and all who support him, his Holiness with an unconquered Tnind resolving to do nothing unworthy of the place nor the charge which he holds. He has dispatched a courier to France to give a particular account to the King of all that has followed, and to solicit aid and succour from Kim. Mons. de Selve is hourly expected; he comes as Ambassador in room of the one who was gone to set right the state of Milan. In four days the Secretary Buccioro is expected, he comes by the long route ; with his arrival vnll be cleared up what he has done with them, and whether it is to continue the war or to make peace. Since the taking of Vicovaro the Duke has made no more pro- gress, but has stationed the troops in many places, and moved the artillery from Tivoli to Veletri to besiege it. Some of his men are at Tivoli, sotne at Frascati, at Grotta Ferrata, Marino, Eocca del Papa, Albano, and Biccia. He has issued orders that solving may be done with security, and that cattle shall not be seized under the heaviest penalties. The Pope at the prayer of the Romans is content that sowing may be done to prevent a dearth next year. On Fnday night 15 French gallies sailed from Civita Vecchia and took up at Ostia six companies of soldiers, who were ordered thence to take Neptuno and burn a portable bridge, many barques, ladders, biscuits, ropes, and other munitions, which 10 gallies of Sicily had unladen there that they might be conveyed thence to the camp. Having reached the place two hours before daylight and disembarked 500 men, they began to_ batter it from the sea with great fury, and alarmed the inhabi- tants to such an extent that they talked of surrendering, which caused the assailants to cease for a short while. A frigate having come out a galley was at once ordered to take her, which she could not do, and this agai/n caused an 270 FOREIGN PAPERS. 165G. , . ,. , . , ioiterruption of the battering ; day breaking and it hevtig seen that the enemy were very few and that the bombard- inent h(ul done ilUle harm, they foHhwiih constructed fvrls and at mid-day the infantry embarked with the loss of seven or eight killed and ] 1 wounded, vAen a storm having arisen which caused them, to ship water, being unable to complete the enterprise they returned to Civitd, Vecchia. A Ithough great thvnga are written from France touching the aid which the King vnll order, yet seeing it is far off and slow, everybody desires peace and prays God not to ruin entirely the Roman Court and the States of the Church. Nineteen gallies have gone from, Genoa to Spain to raise money and men, and 18 more are going to embark Spaniards at Spezzia and ItaliariS at Leghorn to take them into the Empire, and by another way to convey the Germans. It is said that the Nuncio wrote from the Court of France that he hopes 40 days will not pass without the two Kings coming to an agreemeni. Yesterday friar Thomas Manrique was summoned to the palace to be sent back to the Duke of Alva in reference to an accommodation, and to-day there has been a con- gregation of Cardinals in the house of San Jacmno to that end, and it will send back the friar to the said Duke. Archbishop Sauli has been put in (lie castle, whence perhaps he will not come out without scalding himself with hot water. Sig. Camillo Golonna could give him his life ; by what they say, he has confessed since his wife was taken to have sought to give a gate to the enemy. [Italian. Five pages.'] 551. II. Intelligence from Rome, of sanu date. This evening all the Romans who were put off to this time on tlie question of the negotiations for peace by Caraffa, {who, fw change of air and a little retirement and repose since the mis- fortune, is for three days at Montecavallo,) assenibled in the house of San Jacomo, and have resolved to send back the same friar Thomas to the Dulce of Alva to rc-open the negotiations for pieace ; believes he will go to-morrow. Yesterday the courier came from France with letters from the King, which the ivriter hears speak boldly of the wish and resolve of the King to help the Pope even with his person in necessily ; and the;/ e.rpcct in two or three days the Secretary Buccres, who waited to be sent offvM. the resolution of many particularly when Vie courier left. In a day or two M. de Set re. the neiv French Amhaasador, is crpected here. There is no fresh netcs touching the army outside the city. Describes the expedition to Neptmno and its faihi re as in the preced ing intelligence. Ma.rshal Strozzi tuent this morning to inspect Civith Vecchia (ind will return hither. Monluc has gone to Moutalcino. To-day Archbishop Sauli was impri- soned ill the castle ; does not yet know the cause. Ee MARY, 271 1556. was here under a bond of 20,000 crowns not to leave Rome without licence. It was said this evening that one Emilio Rouiano had been arrested in virtue of a treaty. [Italiaii. 0)ie2Mge.] 551. III. Intelligence from Milan, October 14, 1556. The Car- dinal of Trod, who is at present Governor of Milan, had commanded the Spaniards and German veterans in that state at Spezzia, to go to the DuJce of Alva; has since recalled the Germans because it was not right that the state should siiddeidy be deprived of all its veterans, especially as he understood that at the end of the present month Mons. de Brissac, Birago, and other captains with 6,000 Swiss, 6,000 French, and 400 lances, were coming into Pied- mont, and already some movement is perceived at the frontiers. Next Monday will be imade the consignment of Piacenza to Duke Octavio, whose wife and son have already arrived here ; the former is about to set out for the Court of King Philip, her brother, and desiring to take her son with her, asked licence of the Cardinal, who replied that he had no such order but to send him into Spain. She then prayed his reverence to write to the King that as he intended to order her son into Spain he would be content to keep him in Flanders near his Majesty. [Italian. Half a page.} 551. IV. [Oct. sine loco.] Had no time yesterday evening, the despatch having been received at night, to make a copy of the other letters except that of Simonetta, and order one of another which contains m,atters of importance; besides this has to mention an accident which befel the Pope since the penultimate despatch, in consequence of ivhich it was thought that he would have departed this life ; also that Mons. Monluc in returning from a certain service fell into an ambuscade and was taken prisoner, but in exchange for him they gave six of their men. Yesterday the Imperialists received letters of the 9th, announcing that the Emperor on the 28th ult. arrived in Spain in a po^i; called Laredo safely, and that King Philip remitted to the Seigniory all the differences ivith the Pope. Advices have been received from France that nuptials being about to be solemnized between the son of the Constable and the natural daughter of the King, late wife of the Duke Horatio, the son of the Constable seeing that he could not escape, threw hvmself on his knees before the King and said that he could not take his daughter to wife, because when in prison he had engaged himself to a muid of honour of Queen Mary, and that the King took it very cheerfully, commending the young man for his well doing in discovering the matter. [Italian. Half a page.} Oct. 28. 552. John Peter to Lord Paget, Lord Privy Seal. Requests that Paris. he will intercede with her Majesty to allow him the pension of 272 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. 25Z. for life given to him by King Henry VIII. and King Edward VI., or olso a benelice wljereby ho may be able to serve in England, and in tlie meantime to send liiin a piece of money by the bearer to support iiim till he be provided for. If not, intreats him to write to the Ambassador that he may provide for himself, and no lon;,'or rest in hope of a life in England. On the 14th a servant of James McConnell, who lately had the overthrow in Ireland, came here with letters from him to the Vidame : the same servant had previously been last Shrovetide with letters and credit to the Vidame, and left at Easter. Of whatever from time to time shall be practised between them, a jot shall not be unknown to her Majesty. [Three pagea.l Oct. 29. .553. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. On the 23d received her Paris. Majesty's letter of the 19th, and on the 25th had audience of the King, when he declared his instructions concerning the Commis- sioners, and entered upon the subject of the Sacrette, maintaining, as before, the same line of argument on the King's liability. His Majesty said he thought the business of the Commissioners might better have been done in the spring for divers considerations ; but seeing the Queen wished it done now, it should be, althongh the Co)umissioners could not be at the place appointed for five or six days, partly for that the ways and weather are now very foul, and because their commission and instructions required to be re- newed and augmented. Maintained his opinion as to the Sacrette, yet said that also should be disposed of by the Commissioners. Thereafter, went over the same ground with the Constable, with similar objections and the like result. Noted that the King was somewhat shorter with him this time than he used to be, appear- ing to have consented reluctantly ; and, referring to the Sacrette, "the Constable in his talk used this, or a like kind of saying : — ' Well, seeing the Queen will not take the King's word for suffi- cient in this so small a matter, a God's name, let the Commis- sioners have the hearing of it too ! ' as though he did agree to it, but with some discontentation." Had endeavoured without success to induce them to speak on the point of their sending of troops to the borders. Next morning wrote to the Constable to ascertain when the Commissioners should be upon the borders. Finding that he had gone from the Court to his i-esidence here, the messenger followed him and delivered the letter. At this the Con- stable seemed nothing pleased, and asked wherefore he was come to seek him there ? " Marry, Sir," quoth my mixn, "for because I have a letter to deliver unto you from my master, the Ambassador of England." " Retin-z vous," quoth the Constable, 'Ve Zui /emi rffponse." The following day received the inclosed letter from De rAubesi)ine, whereby her Majosty will see that they intend not the iiinotim^ should bo so sonn, lus "he thought they had meant it to bo, ; and he cannot but loiiunk the somewhat rude answer and fashion used to his .servant by the Constable : as also that whereas foi'iiii^rly wluiii the Constable would send him an answer, it was iisiially broujfht by Homo gontleniau or secretary in name of the Constabki, and if in writing, the same was in the Constable's own MARY. 273 1556. hand ; on tlie last occasion lie caused De I'Aubespine to make the answer, " and now he lias not written himself, but De I'Aubespine writes it." Farther, the latter makes no mention at all of the Sacrette, so that it does not appear whether the Commissioners will hear that matter or not, although the King himself said he was contented they should. On the 21st went to see the Emperor's Ambassador, who next day sent him word that after he had left, a person came to inform the Ambassador that Chesnes was gone down to Boulogne, where he would disguise himself, and by help of some French and Flemish merchants would as one of their company go to Calais, there to practise secretly with some in that town with whom he has intelligence. This Chesnes is a meet man for such an enterprise, being the same who by subtlety took the town of Marano from the King of Bohemia about 14 years ago. Dudley and others of the band are now in Paris, and he hears that the King has been very good to him, and given him a licence for corn, whicii will produce him a good deal of money ; whereof, although men have said he has lack, yet hears that he keeps a very good table. Hears that another of the same name, some cousin, has lately joined him. Others of the band seem to be in good hope to have charge of troops in case of war, and reckon to have soldiers enough out of England to fill up their companies, and some say Dudley shall be Colonel of all English that serve. Sir N. Throck- morton occasionally visits him, telling him all that he hears, and seems to have a faithful mind to lier Majesty and his country. Cannot perceive that the Dauphin is yet full recovered of his quartan. During the time he remains here neither will nor dili- gence shall be wanting to her Majesty's service, but his skill and knowledge being so simple as they are, and having to do with so crafty and deceitful wits as these are, he doubts much how he shall be able to do any good service, especially having so little means to get any good intelligence of their secret and crafty purposes and intents. For a good while they have either looked or wished for the coming hither of Ruy Gomez, upon the report of the Emperor's Ambassador, but he says not so ; and now the Count of Chalon, who was prisoner here, liaving paid his ransom, and gone to take leave of Marshal de Brissac, they talked so much about seeking' some means to stay these businesses about Rome, that the Count, after speaking with the King and Constable thereon, has written in post to King Philip, so that men are in some hope good may come of it. [Five pages. Partly in cipher, deciphered.] In- closes, 553. I. Letter from De I'Aubespine. The Commissioners for settling the boundaries will be on the frontiers on the 1 8th of next month. {French. Half a page.] Nov. 8. 554. Dr. Wotton to Secretaries Sir William Petre and Sir John Paris. Bourne. The Couit has left Fontainebleau, and the King goes abroad to hunt and pastime, and will keep his feast of the Order at Bois de Vinoennes by Paris. As the King of Navarre, who has been lono- looked for and has never been at the Court since he took that s 274 FOREIGN TAPERS. 1556. title, is to be here shortly, it is thought the French King will return to Paris before Michaelmas to meet him, because he comes with a great train. It is reported here by the bankers, that Duke Octavio Farnese has submitted to King Philip, and for better assurance of the conditions between them, sends his son to continue with the King his uncle ; which news cannot be very pleasant to this Court. Also it is said that one of the sons of the King of the Romans is to be married to the elder of the two unmarried daughters of the Duke of Ferrara : this seems rather strange considering the terms on which the Duke stands with the French King, and it had been much spoken of here that she should be married to the Duke of Nemours. Hears that a servant of Dudley, and another Englishman of that company, two tall men both, having robbed and shamefiilly murdered a French merchant by Rouen, were lately set upon wheels for it ; " which is a most painful kind of death, as though they might not have died as easily at Tyburn." This act shows what great plenty of money is stirring among them and their companions. [One page.} Nov. 9. 555. The Council to Dr. Wotton. His letter of the 29th ult. has been received, and his proceedings are approved by her Majesty, whose pleasure is that her Commissioners shall remain and meet those of the French King on the 18th, provided they keep the engage- ment, and trusts that the question of the Sacrette may be then debated and ended. Since receipt of his letter, the French Agert having had audience, stated that he was instructed to require the said Sacrette fi'om her Majesty, and to request the meeting of the Border Commission should be deferred till spring, without alluding to what had already been said to Wotton on these points. With reference to the former her Majesty had maintained her ground and her knowledge of the support and countenance given to the Killi- grews by the French King, who would find that they who could be traitors to their own Sovereign, in the end would show them- selves the same to others that trusted them ; and as to the latter, that having been advised by Wotton of the appointment for the 18th, it could not but seem strange he should now move this to her. The owner of the house wherein the French Agent was lodged, hear- ing that the Bishop of Acqs had arrived and the Agent was on the point of departure, had demanded his rent ; but the Agent answered him in round terms that it was the custom of England that Ambas- sadors should be lodged free, and therefore willed him to require the rent from her Majesty, who he thought would see the same dis- charged, for he would pay him none. The owner accordingly applied to the Council, requesting that as he could not have the rent by fair means, ho might be at liberty to arrest the Agent for it. Had sent to the Agent to explain that while the Queen had houses of her own she was content to Iodn;e the Ambassadors free; but now, thoHo being otherwise bestowed lor public uses, and her Majesty having scarce houses to serve her own and the King's turn, they thouglit it no reason that either she should forbear her own neces- sary liouses to lotlyje him, or pay for his lodging in any other place. If she had had the commodity to show him the like graciosity as to MARY. 275 1556. others of his soi-t heretofore, she would willingly have done so ; but having no means thereto, he must be content to be used as Ambas- Badors both are in all other realms and have been also in this, till now of late years. What the Agent will do they know not yet ; but if he still refuses to pay the man his rent, they cannot in a place of justice let the party to do what he may by order of law for the recovery of his money. Inform him of these particulars, as in case any of the Agent's staff should be arrested, and he, according as he has done in other things, should make the worst thereof Wotton may be able to declare the very truth of the circumstances. [Draft. Ten j)ages!\ Nov 12. 556. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Having this day received a Paris. letter from one of her Majesty's subjects at Rouen, to the effect that if he would send a servant thither he should be informed of matters of great importance, had immediately dispatched his Secretary with orders, that if he found the matter weighty, he should ride straight thence in post to her Majesty with it. And in the evening a letter from a gentleman, named Christopher Chudleigh, mentions that certain conspiracies are being wrought against Calais, Guisnes, and Hampnes, which the King and Constable are made to believe are only victualled for 20 days, and that Dudley and the rebels have promised to deliver Calais to the King : that men of war are mustered at Rouen to take Calais, and that Testu, the Constable's Secretary, had arrived at Rouen, which was thought very strange, as it was also thought of the gifts which Dudley and his fellows have had from the French King. Has dispatched another in diligence with this letter to Calais, partly to warn them again to take good heed, and also that her Majesty may be advertised of it, as it seems of importance and should with all speed be looked to. [Cipher deciphered. Two pages.] Nov. 15. 557. Same to same. The bearer his servant has matter of im- portance to declare. Trusts her Majesty will provide for the danger likely to ensue from it as its weight requires, and hereafter have such trust of the French King's fair words as experience shows they deserve to have. James Chillester and Richard Vincent, who had fled the realm, have been with him confessing their offence and humbly suing for pardon, which he trusts may be granted. Incloses a letter to the Council and one to himself from them (missing). On the 14th received the Council's letter of the 9th, which for lack of passage was somewhat longer a coming, and imme- diately certified the Constable that the English Commissioners would remain at Calais tUl the arrival of those on the French part at the day appointed. Sends the letter mentioned in his despatch of the 12th {missing), and the Constable's reply now delivered. [Partly in cipher, deciphered. Two pages.} Inclosing, 557. I. The Constable Montmorency to Br. Wotton. St. Germuin-en-Laye, 15th November 1556. The Commis- sioners have set out four or five days ago. [French. Half a page.] s 2 276 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. Nov. 17. 5.58. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Trusts that his packet of the Poissy. 12th has been received. On the 15th dispatched his Secretary merely with credentials, but lest he should have been stayed now, writes what the said Secretary was instructed to report touching Dudley's desigii.s on Guisnes and other places. Dudley has told the French King that there are only 300 men in Guisnes, which would require 2,000 for its defence, and that it has only provisions for six weeks. The drum has gone at Eouen to gather men of war who are sent to Abbeville. Tlie King, besides rewards to the rest, has given Dudley 2,000 crowns and a letter to a rich gentlewoman in Dudley's favour to marry with her. The King and the Con- stable are to be in Normandy very shortly, and all this is with a view to surprise or besiege her Majesty's towns there. All is con- firmatory of the former reports. Various ships laden with armour and ordnance have gone to Rouen, and 18 ensigns of foot and 1,000 horse will be speedily at Abbeville. One of her Majesty's subjects has recently been asked by a gentleman of the King's chamber whether Dudley's brother was not Captain of Hampnes ? and being answered in the affirmative, " Why then," quoth the Frenclmian, " he may do the French King's pleasure," which words the said subject suspects very much. Hears that 8,000 or 10,000 men of war are being gathered in the Boulognois. Has much fear, unless her Majesty has provided or shall provide suddenly for this danger. Yesterday the Duke of Guise took leave for Piedmont, accompanied by his two brothers, the Duke of Aumale, the Marquis d'Elboeuf, the Duke of Nemours, and others : they shall find there all ready 9,000 Swiss, 500 men-at-arms, a good number of light horse, and 20 ensigns of French infantry, besides those previoiisly there. The Duke of FeiTara's Ambas.sador is expected in a day or two, and it is thought will bring an answer from his master for the French King's purpose. Is much afraid that henceforth his letters will not be sufi'ered to pass. [Cipher, deciphered Four 2i(iges.] Nov. 30. 559. Same to same. Trusts that his Secretary and letters Poissy. iiave aiTived. Had hoped to have received further information from one William Lant, who had been in communication with his Secretary, but not having heard from or seen him, incloses a letter {missing) from Hugh Offley, a merchant who had introduced Lant and the Secretary to each other, in reply to one from Wotton making inquiries regarding him. On the 27th had brought to him the inclosed letter {missing), written by Thomas Stafford to the Constable, whereby her Majesty may perceive the man's godly mind and purpose. The person from whom he had the letter says that Stafibrd names himself to be a lovil, and beturs strangers in hand that if liev Majesty were dead ho were next heir to the crown of England. Also that Dudley still continues his practices upon Ciilais, and has secret inli'llijronee with some of the merchants there who like notliing the fusliiou of religion now used in England. Dudley and his people pn luuo to go to sea, and had asked Wotton's infoiniant to (U'company tiuiii, but as he refused he was not made privy to their intent, which, however, he supposes is to keep the 1556. MARY. 277 narrow seas whilst tlie French shall execute their enterprise on Calais and Guisnes by land, in order io stop the passage and prevent the transmission of provisions and aid. Whether this be true or not, her Majesty by sending some merchants to Normandy and Brittany may soon ascertain. In addition to other commissions, hears that the King has sent for captains of the marine to set them a work, and amongst other captains retained, Tutty, who served before witii 50 light English horse, has now his commission renewed for the 100. Grayer, too, is sent for, and three Scottish captains have commission each for 1 00 Scottish horse, and is said other foiir Scottish captains have a like commission. The Marquis De las Naves and Don Luis Davila were here and went to the Gourt ; but prior to seeing the King and Queen spent an hour and a half in the Constable's cliamber. Thinks from this long interview that they had commission to talk of some greater matter than they seemed to come for, but whereof knows not. Kirkandry [Kirkaldy] offers to serve her Majesty for the like pension he had formerly in England, wherever she pleases ; and v/hether in England, the Low Countries, or liere, says he shall have good intelligence of the affairs of Scotland and of France by his intimacy with those of both nations. He affirms that what is above written as to the sending of horse- men from Scotland is true ; and although Cockburn, one of the said captains, who goes now in diligence by England into Scotland to make his band, says he is appointed to have it here by the end of January, Kirkandry thinks they cannot be so soon made, not by a month or more, and that their number is rather greater than what has been stated ; also he says that the King trusts to find means that the Bishops and clergy of Scotland shall pray for them, under the colour that this war is the Pope's and not the French King's. Tutty reckons to have his band out of England, for of those who are here few are able to arm and horse themselves, and those who call themselves gentlemen will not serve under him. Further, in case Grayer has his band again, as it is thought he shall, then wiU he to fetch his men from England unless her Majesty secretly takes some order for the let of it. Claver, another English captain, lies in prison at Amiens for a spy ; a worthy reward for his long service. Grayer, who has married a rich widow, has come to the Gourt and his commission is being written out ; he goes to Picardy, whither the Admiral is said to have gone, and the Council have done nothing this last fortnight but dispatched captains both of the marine and army. Duke D'Aumale did not go with his brother, but followed him a day or two after in post. The Prince of Ferrara has not yet gone. Some say the Duke of Guise goes to Marseilles, and thence by sea to Rome ; others say to Naples. The fever has left the Dauphin, but he comes not yet abroad. The Queen of Scots seems to be meetly well amended, and is expected soon at Gourt. M. de Bonnivet, a worthy gentleman and well-esteemed, colonel of the infantry in Piedmont, died yesterday ; it is said he will be succeeded by the Vidame of Chartres. Oliver "Wrotlie, brother to Sir Thomas Wrothe, desires to obtain their Majesties' favour to return home, although he says he might have a good marriage here and also be retained in service at a far better living than he looks 278 FOREIGN PAPERS. for at home. Sends herewith a letter from Wrothe to him. It wa of him that the gentleman of the King's chamber inquired whethe Lord Dudley was brother to Dudley. Wrothe would fain he out o tliis country, having her Majesty's favour ; aa would many more including Henry Killigrew, who still continues his suit. Hean that Marshal St. Andrd goes to Picardy, and that the report of tht Duke of Guise taking ship at Marseilles for Rome is incorrect ; but he will go fair and softly to Lyons, where the Prince of Ferrara and the Duke D'Aumale will join him, in order to go to Piedmont It is said they will set upon Parma, and that their numbers are 26,000 foot and 4,000 horse. [Cipher, deciphered. Seven pages.] Incloses, 559. I. Wrothe to Wottan. Pari8,22dNovemier 1556. Having by ignorance frequented the company of eoTne in England who afterwards were committed to prison, and being a poor young man and fearful of getting into trojible, had fled hither, where he has lived quietly, saving some- times he has been in company wUh such here as be offenders. Begs their Majesties' pardon and permissum to retu vn to his native country. [One page^ Nov. 30. 560. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. The French King Poissy. has caused to be sent to Picardy divers files called limes sourdes, which will very easily and noiselessly cut through any great diains, also instruments to sap and break walls, and a bridge to cast over a ditch although it be very large. An Italian miner, who promises to do great things, has likewise been sent thither. Thus, late and cold as it is, they evidently intend to do somewhat^ and if these things be able to do such feats as it is pretended tliej- oan do, sees not what defence will serve against them, but only gieat strength of men. The person who brought Thomas StafFord's letter to Wotton is the same of whom Petre inquired in his last whether he kept company with the rebels ; had not named him in his letter to the Queen, as every one in like case fears to be named among the whole Council lest by some of them it mi^t be spoken abroad, whereby their lives would be in peril here. The Secretary of the French Ambassador desires to be recommended to Petre, excusing himself for not taking leave of him for fear of suspicion, but says he is quite at his command. [Cipher, deciphered. Two pages.] Dec. 1. 661. Kinfr Philip to William Earl of Pembroke, E.G. Is glad BruMcls. to hear of his airival [at Calais]. Hopes that with the aid expected from England he will bo able to resist the attacks of the enemy. [Jlalf a jwgc. Copy.\ Doc. 1. fid'i. Laurence I'riuli, Doge of Venice, to Queen Mary. Recre- Veni.-.'. (l(!iiUala of Mr. Pctor Vannos. [Latin. Broadside on vellum] Doc. 6. 5(i3. Sir Edward Cmiw. to King Philip and Queen Mary. Since iiomo. iiis last of the ;28tli \ilt. the Pojio has set forth a bull of jubilee to all who would pray for peace, of which a printed copy is sent MARY. 279 1556. herewith. On St. Andrew's da}' his Holiness sang mass in his chapel, and thereafter went in procession to St. Peter's attended by all the Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, solemnly to pray for peace. After his second meeting with the Duke of Alva, Cardinal Caraffa sent a trumpeter to his Grace with a present of pheasants, venison, and divers other good meats, to the bearer of which the Duke gave 40 crowns, and on the following morning frankly made the Cardinal a present of all the captains and soldiers who had surrendered the castle of Ostia and had previously been commanded to be kept prisoners. In return the Cardinal sends the Duke great presents; and the Pope also has sent him thirty fat bullocks, eight great Parmesan cheeses, two mule loads of capons and hens, and other fryandious victuals, 30 butts of wine, and two hundred robbias of barley for horses. These all men consider sure tokens of peace. The most of the Duke's cavalry have returned towards Naples, whither he goes himself either to-day or to-morrow. But he still causes the island of Ostia to be fortified ; already one fort is made there on the biggest arm of the Tiber entering to the sea, and another is begun on the end of the island where the other arm of the river flows into the sea ; thus commanding aJl approaches to Eome from the ocean. The Pope's camp is broken up, and his ordnance brought back. People from the Duke's camp say that peace is in every man's head, although the proclamation made here on the 2d inst. is only for a truce of 40 days. At the settling of this treaty none were present but the Cardinal and the Duke, alone in a tent very long in communication every time they met, and unattended by any secretary, so no certainty of what their agreements are is known, though all hope for peace, the capitulation being so privily kept that none of the other Cardinals appear to be acquainted '_ therewith. Sends copy of the proclamation of truce. \Twq pages.] ' Inclosing, 563. I. "Bulla Jubilei pro Pace." Rome, November 27, 1666. [Latin. Printed broadside.] 563. u. " Bando della Triegua." Rome, December 2, 1566, : [Italian. Printed broadside.] Dec. 1. 564. Dr. Wotton to Sir WiUiam Petre. The bearer, brother -^ Poissy. to Sir Thomas Wrothe, ventures to return home, wholly sub- '' mitting himself to her Majesty's mercy. If he means to be as true as he says, mercy will be well bestowed upon him. He ; says that Dudley and the rebels, hearing that he has been with ' Wotton and sued for help towards his pardon, have sworn his death, and have sent men to Paris to watch him and kill him. [Cipher, deciphered. One page.] Dec. 12. 565. Same to same. On the 10th the French King's Secretary if Poissy. informed him that the French Commissioners have returned from V' the borders and have done nothing ; wherefore matters remaining as before will serve to minister occasion of contentioi^ whenever i^, they have leisure and opportunity. Also that their Ambassador ii- Resident had written hither that Lord Pembroke was raising troops 280 FOREIGN PAPERS. 1556. 1 T^- 1 ill to send over, wliicli somewhat alanned the King, who sent back to his Ambassador to desire lie would make diligent inquiry whether her Majesty intended to make war ngainst him. The Ambassador dispatched his brother in post to declare that no war was intended, and only three ensigns were raised to reinforce her Majesty's garrisons on this side, and that he had told the King her Majesty durst not, if she would, declare herself in this war, for if she were to send them whom she trusted out of the realm, they whom she trusts not would not fail to be busy within it. The Secretary affirmed with oaths that the King has no intention to go to war against her Majesty, but to keep peace with her. [Cipher, deciphered. One page and a half.] Dec. 12. 566. Dr. Wotton to the Council. On the 1 0th of June had received Poissy. their letter of 17th May, with a supplication of certain merchants of Plymouth, requiring restitution of a vessel named the Peter of that port, which had been arrested at Brest in Brittany on the pretext that she had been captured by Englishmen from them of Brest before the last wars were proclaimed, and therefore could not be good prize, and desiring him to see the Constable thereon. When their letter arrived the King was in no certain place, but hunting abroad, so that no good could be done until his return. Whereupon the bearer hereof, John Hawkins, one of the ship's owners, having a letter from Noailles, then Ambassador in England, to the Justices of Brest, proceeded thither to see how he might succeed. Having tarried there a great wliile suing for his matter, he returned to Wotton, requiring his aid to have the process revoked to the Privy Council here. Sets forth the corre- spondence between him and the Constable and MariUac, Archbishop of Vienna, one of the Maitres des Requestes, to whom, as is usual, the rapport was committed, and sends the last letter fi-om the former (missing). Requests they will send him a notarially authenticated copy of the agreement between the Commissioners for settling diflferences at the conclusion of the last peace. The news here are that of the taking of Ostia and slaughter of its garrison, the Duke of Alva granted the Pope a truce for ten days, during which articles have been agreed upon, but not sealed by his Holiness, because he intends to certify the French King of them first. It is said his Holiness legates to King Philip and the former Sovereign, to travail for some agreement, for which purpose the truce is prolonged to the 10th pro.v. For this different grounds are assigned, necessity on part of the Pope making tlie ti'uce that he may gain time and fortify himself in the intervul, or such reason being offered to him that it wcmc unwise to refuse it. In con- sequence of Brissac roinaining sick at Lyons, and De Thermes being ill in Piedmont, the Duke of Quiso lias ridden in post from the former to the latter placo, " whithor, if his men follow him now in this time, which is as sharp a winter as men remember to have seen any here, it cannot well be but tliat a number of them and their horses nuist bo lost by the way." [Five pages.] Copy, in modern Jiand, of the first three sentences of the preceding, dated erroneously "Paris, 22 November." [One page.] MARY. 281 1556. ~~~~ Dec. 567. Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Desires Wotton formally to St. James', complain to the French King and Constable, who, in spite of their fair words to the contrary, entertain and reward Dudley and the other unnatural conspirators, who cease not to continue their devilish practices and devices against her Majesty and her dominions, and to declare to them how dishonourable this violation of their ^ word is, and the bad example it may be to other Princes. [Broadside, superscribed by her Majesty.] 1556. Volume of judicial proceedings connected with the trade of the Hanse towns from 1551 to 1556. [Ninety-three pages.] 1556-7. Jan. 13. 568. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. The person [Lant] who had "" ' engaged to inform him of the proceedings of Dudley and the rebels, having not kept his promise, he had made inquiries of the mer- chant, and was told that he had been again at Guisnes, had crossed from thence to England, and was again returned to Kouen. Sent a servant thither, but the man had left ere he arrived, being, as he told the merchant, so pressed by Dudley to go a jom-ney, that he could not well avoid it. As soon as he returns, the merchant will certify Wotton, who thinks it strange that the man should have been to England and neither espied nor met with. Although the Council of Calais think that Devisat went about no secret practice against them, yet Wotton is advertised from Paris that the common report there is it lacked but little that Calais was not delivered to the French King; and he knows that one of his servants who was there during the alarm was, on his return near Montreuil, examined there by the Captain of the death of Tuck- field, calling him ToutevUle, which was his real name, and also whether Devisat had assuredly escaped or not. This seems sus- picious, and various conjectures makes him think that Devisat left not such a mignoniie dame as his wife is at Paris to teach children at Calais, when he could do so at the former place with more ease and pleasure, and probably with less profit than he did in Calais, for he is well learned and writes a verse very well. Considering his previous offences, had thought the occasion was good to have had him into England and examined there, whereby probably more might have been brought to light than is now likely ever to be. The Duke of Alva, after leaving Ostia well garrisoned, is said to have withdrawn his camp, being in great necessity, especially for horse-meat. The Duke of Guise having arrived at Turin, hasted the rest of his army to foUow thither as fast as the season of the year will permit. It is thought he will march on Milan, and having joined the forces of the Duke of Ferrara, who has 5,000 or 6,000 foot, he may do great things, unless King Philip be able to resist him. The Duke's aim being to exalt his house, he will not fail to attempt much. Brissac, being somewhat better, has returned to Piedmont. The Pope has sent hither Giulio Orsino, who had audience of the King upon the 5th, his object, it is said, being to certify the King of the Pope's assured mind to him, and that he will have no peace with King Philip, so that nothing is looked for but sharp war ; and considering the state of matters in Italy, his Majesty's interest there stands in very great 2, s 5 •*- 282 FOREIGN PAPERS 1656-7. danger. Hia Majesty therefore should use all diligence to resist and annoy his enemies, -whose forces it were happy if they^ might be somewhat weakened, or at least diverted, before the Turk's navy come, which they say will be in greater number this summer than ever they were wont to be. About three weeks past Dudley arrived here in post to the Court, where he still remains, lodging at Poissy and Paris alternately three or four days at a time, and on the last occasion was lodged at St. Germain by the King's /owners. So does Thomas Stafford, but he only lodged here one night. Both have suits at the Court, for what he cannot certainly learn ; although some say Dudley sues for his companions to be set awork, and have the leading of some bands of meiL It is probable, however, that Stafford is here for some greater matter, as he is told that he is appointed to follow the King, who has left for Anet, and vrill not return before the end of the month. The Dauphin, the young Queen of Scots, and a great portion of the Court remain here. Stafford seems now to be more made of, and rides in greater company than he was wont to do. Sends here- with inclosed certain words which, as he is credibly informed, are truly excerpted out of the process between Thomaa and Sir Robert Stafford (misdng). For aU their former friendship. Sir Robert Stafford and Dudley recently fell out, but now meeting at the Court, they either are or shall be reconciled a^Sain. Captains are daily dispatched from the Court to make up their bands; among others Claver, who, being at length released from prison, is like to have his commission renewed. The Baron De la Garde lately came to the Court in post, and is now dispatched again. It is said the French will set up a new fort at Dampierre, very near to New Hesdin, and another at St. Pol. Since writing the preceding, understands that Thomas Stafford and Dudley have returned to Paris, with less success than they expected ; but the latter has received 500 crowns. The French have failed upon an attempt at Cambray. Count Mansfeldt having paid his ransom, and having a passport, was stayed at Peray on his way home three days. Hears that Asheton has armed a bark and sent her to the seas, and that there are being fitted out six or seven ships of war at Havre de Grace, and much haste made on one of 600 tons. Does not hear of any being in preparation at Dieppe. [Seven pages. Cipher, deciphered.'] Jan. 13. 569. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Here is no talk but of Poissy. -vp-ar, which is likely to commence shortly; for the more loth his Majesty shows himself to come to it, the bolder the French are to enterprise against him, probably thinking that his Majesty does from fear what he does for conscience saka Pl-ays God this good mind of his may not have made him somewhat too slow in prepstr- ing for the war, for the French ai-e over fiercest at the beginning, which being past, they are easy enough to be dealt with. As Christmas is past, hopes soon to hear of his revocation, as her Majesty has Hignified ho shall not long remain here. Has heard Petre complain of lack of men to be sent Ambassadors, which, using the matter as he docs, is no gi-eat marvel, since he will send forth none, but keep them still in store at home. Hears that Thomas 1556-7. MARY. 283 Stafford has made process at Rouen against Sir Robert Stafford for injurious imprisonment, and that Sir Robert has been cast in heavy- damages ; but the suit is now brought to Paris, where both parties are, and where they go not abroad but with good bands of men in their company. And that Sir Robert one day meeting with Bryan Fitzwilliams, one of T. Stafford's great companions, called him traitor, to which the other retorted that he lied. On this defiance they happened on the afternoon of new year's day to meet on the bridge of Notre Dame well accompanied ; when Sir Robert, being unarmed, gave straight the onset and fought with Bryan, who was armed, no man else meddling in their quarrel. The result was that Sir Robert was slightly wounded in the left arm ; and his friends say, that had he been armed, or Bryan unarmed, the latter had not escaped as he did. Hears also that Sir Robert says Thomas Stafford is a traitor to the French King, calling himself next to the crown of England, because thereby he does wrong to the Queen of Scots, who, he says, is next heir thereto. Further that T. Stafford has obtained letters at the Court for the sale of Sir Robert's goods at Rouen, to satisfy the sentence in the suit. Formerly wrote of Chillester, of counsel with them who coined money at Oxford, but who, as he says, coined none for himself; this man sues to him importunely for payment, and receives for reply " that he can do no more than he has done, that is to say nothing at all?" Chillester states that prior to his flight, on learning that their doings were discovered, and Mr. Bedingfield and others were coming to Oxford to prosecute in- quiries, he buried certain coining wedges or stamps in the ground in a spot known only to himself, and if these should chance to be found by any person they may be applied to the same felonious use. WTierefore duty and conscience make him desirous that they should be reconveyed to the Tower, whence they were taken, and he can by no means direct any man' to find them. Thinks it no hurt to advertise Petre hereof. Much suspects this being at the Court of Thomas Stafford and Dudley, especially as both were lodged by the King's /owrier within the town of St. Germain, and Stafford kept house and a good table. They probably both received money, for he knows both of them were with the Tresorier de I'es- pargne, whereas in time past either of them would have been content to lodge or dine in a tent or cabaret. And when he considers a letter of this Stafford lately received by her Majesty, the words of his process, his being called by his men " my lord," and his late usage at the Court, these things make him to muse at them. Since writing thus far has heard that T. Stafford uses the full arms of England on his seal, without any difference ; and that in his suit against Sir Robert he demands but 17,000 crowns I Also that Sir Robert has been condemned to him at Rouen in 120 francs only, making about 52 crowns and a little odd money, not by sentence definitive, but by an interlocutory upon a contumacy by negligence of Sir Roberts' procureur, who did not put in such caution at a day appointed as was decreed. But the principal Sir Robert is in good hope to obtain, unless the other can prove himself to be as he names himself in his process. Hears that.Asheton and the Horseys have quarrelled with Dudley, because the latter has received their 284 FOREIGN PAPERS 1556-7, pensions and paid tluiu n^no of it. The elder Horsey, lie weens, is nmnied in Normandy, and Dudley goeth about the like. [Cipher, decipher (id. Fovr jxtye.'i.] Jan. 21. r)70. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. lias at length bad an inter- Poissy. view with Lant, wlio informed him that the French might very easily have taken Guisnes by some intelligence therein, and certainly would have done so, but now that there are men of war in the town it cannot be taken but by siege, which now that the place is better victualled were like to continue longer than they would. That were the town once taken they put no doubt but to have the castle without delay, but the former being well kept, the latter is impreg- nable ; and if order had not speedily been given it had plainly been lost. Firmly denies that he knows the names of those of Guisnes who were of this practice, but the person with whom he had spoken, and did know them, was one Langford, who lately used much to be at Calais and Guisnes, and now seeing he cannot bring his matters to pass ha.s come hitiier into France. Lant, who had formerly asserted to the merchant, Wotton's correspondent, and also to Wotton's servant, that he possessed certain lettei-s of the Earl of Devonshire, now denied not only that he had any but also that he had said so to the servant, with whom he was confronted and alleged that he had only spoken of such letters to the merchant to induce him to bring Lant in communication with Wotton more speedily, wherefore concludes "' that he must be a very false liar, or else it repenteth him to have declared so much of these matters as he hiis done." Lant further mentioned that the French soldiers now gatliered upon the frontiers, who lately attempted to take Megny and other places of King Philip, were not sent thither for that purpose but for the matter of Guisnes, and if Dudley had gone there at a time when he was sent for, such matters would have taken effect which by his negligence did not. Dudley has advised the . King to make a fort upon a little hill by Newnam-bridge, and if this were done, that place cannot resist two hours unless two more bastions are built, in which event it might very well be defended Lant had heard that Senarpont much laments the death of Tuckfield, because he and Devisat intended to have set on fire the powder and munition in Calais, which they might easily have done, for there is a place where appeara out a piece of timber as thick as a man's arm, which the^"^ would have cut out and with no difficulty have effected their design. This had better be looked to, as the French knowing thereof may yet seek to have it done by some other. Also mentioned that he heard J)evif