|
| May 21. | 115. Richard Payne to Gresham. |
|---|
| Since his last a great Biscayen of 300 tons laden with wool
(who had cast overboard "well nigh 3,000 dockets of goods")
has arrived. They look for nine more ships laden with wool.
All the "Yenges" [English] ships that departed are over, as
they have not come in again; also the nine sail of Bretons
who departed after them. This day the Portingale and three
other ships of these parts departed towards Spain. As yet
the eight hulks tarry here for an answer whether they shall
go. There are come three of the others home again. Mr.
Janson, their Admiral, tarries still at the Court, and will be
home in three days with answer. Has heard that there are
two Scotch ships come into Camfer; will be there betimes to
know the news. Lewis, the notary for the English house, has
arrested the young Black Peter that sank the hoy of Antwerp,
in which was all the salt that he has brought from Spain.
Lewis says he has full compensation for all the goods in the
ship that was sunk.—Middleburgh, 21 May 1560. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
|---|
May 22.
Forbes, 1. 473. (fn. 1) | 116. Throckmorton to Cecil. |
|---|
| 1. Has once again upon the Spanish Ambassador's motion
required the Queen to send here speedily the true transcript
of the treaty between France and Scotland, signed and sealed,
with good and sufficient testimony, and that the same may be
showed there also to M. de Glacion and the Bishop of Aquila.
As these men will fall to compound with the English, and
either Prince will depute commissioners for the accord, he
reminds Cecil to appoint such as do not prefer ease and peace
to war and surety; nor such as cannot willingly forbear their
pleasures for six weeks, or such as prefer the present of a
cupboard of plate or a fair chain to the honour of the realm.
Wishes that Cecil could be where the treaty should be
handled; for no charge nor expense is to be stuck at to bring
this matter to a good end. Reminds him of the treaty at
Cambresis and what it is to make a patched and unseasonable
peace; "therefore make no harvest in May." |
|---|
| 2. By the letters of Montague and Chamberlain, the copy
whereof he sent lately by the Spanish courier, the writer
perceives that the King of Spain and his Ministers proceed
more amiably than they did to the Queen and her Ministers.
Thinks the cause of this sudden kindness to be either the
doubt Philip has of England's good composition with France
without him, whereby his danger may ensue; or the suspicion
of a revolt in his Low Countries; or the doubt of some other
alliance Cecil has in hand with some Almaine Princes, which
may be prejudicial to him. Though the French go about to
give order for the Queen's satisfaction, yet Cecil should not
cass the forces nor desist from his preparation until they put
their promises in execution. The Cardinal of Lorraine told
Jones and Somers that M. de Randan was sent into England
with hands and seals enough to satisfy the Queen. This was
a strange speech; as only the King's and his wife's hands and
seals were needed to satisfy the Queen. Peradventure the
often sending with words only somewhat molests the Queen,
but he fears lest such means to get cupboards of plate and
chains of gold from her more troubles her. Yet there is no
remedy; it must of necessity be done. Why does he not
send one for another hither with words as they do? The
Spaniards have meetly well learnt that lesson. One of the
chief instructions that Comines gives to a Prince who would
manage well his estate is to send two Ambassadors for one,
or twice for once. |
|---|
| 3. Has presently sent to the Queen, the French Ambassador's protestation newly printed here at Tours. Advises
him to have the Queen's answer printed in Latin and French,
and to join the Ambassador's protestation and his in one
volume. He must sort the articles otherwise than they be;
viz., the infractions and doleances together as they chanced
first, and the rest as it is sorted, and must add some fit short
preface. If Cecil sends them in order to him he will try to
have them printed in Paris. Thinks Cecil's is very well
translated, both in French and Latin. He must frame that
material point of the late apprehension of the writer's servant
Davis, and the breaking up of the Queen's packets, into the
same phrase in French as in Latin. Davis this time used
great diligence, for the writer received Cecil's letters of the
13th on the 17th. Will do what he can to send the packets
for Spain with speed thither. Marvels why the Spanish
courier has not arrived there, for he was despatched hence
on the 11th of May. Sent Cecil another packet by another
express messenger named John Hyland, who dwells at
Dunkirk, on the 13th of May. |
|---|
| 4. As Cecil sends word that he did not understand by the
writer's memorial what is meant by Beaumont and his wife,
Cecil required the writer to send word how Cocborne's wife
did here, which was his meaning in the memorial. As
Cocborne is not here and he [Throckmorton] understands
his doings, wishes the matter to be so handled that he
[Cocborne] might return here again with credit and do Cecil
there some pleasure. Let him be secretly despatched from
thence, and let the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Grey have
instructions to wink at his passage, and let him carry this
letter of the Cardinal and the Duke of Guise into Leith,
which Throckmorton sends him herewith; it is the transcript
of the same which he [Cocborne] delivered to the writer.
If Labrosse question about its mangled state, he may say he
was so straitly searched that to hide the rest he cut away
all superfluous paper. Cecil must so instruct him that he
may be liked by them for his enterprise and trusted; he must
say that he promised to return with answer, which he trusts
to do as faithfully as he brought them their letter. Cecil must
also instruct him what news he shall tell them, and he must
speak what is true, or shall seem true, of the Bishop of
Valence and divers other things. Great cunning is requisite
to play Sinon's part well. By these means he shall return
to Cecil with true information of the state of Leith. Mr.
Killygrew must have the handling of him. The more instruments Cecil has to decipher the truth of that matter, the
better for him. (fn. 2) |
|---|
| 5. The Duke of Norfolk and Lord Grey should be warned
not to suffer any soldiers within Leith to depart out, for if
they have necessity of victual they will use that policy, and
if any be sent forth they should be used so as to restrain
them within, as the Marquis de Marignan used De Monluc,
who being in Sienna and finding himself pressed with many
unnecessary men, sent out all the unserviceable. The Marquis
constrained them to return, and as he drove them in M. de
Monluc drove them out. He thereupon mangled and disfigured divers of them, saying that he would use all that
came out of the town in like sort, whereby they were forced
to render up the town by famine. |
|---|
| 6. De Favori passes presently to try and get into Leith
and return with certain knowledge of the state of the town,
the writer desires that he may have leave to pass quietly by,
and that order be taken that neither he, or Beaumont, or any
other of Cecil's ministers know of one another, so that, conferring their advertisements and Lord Grey's and the Congregation's intelligence together, he may have good light for his
proceedings. By Beaumont he means Cockburn. |
|---|
| 7. Points out in the enemy's letters last sent, and by Mr.
Somers now returned, certain things worthy of consideration.
First, the state and condition of the enemy on the 27 March
as appeared by D'Oysel's letter; next the wonderful intelligence that the Queen Dowager has of the doings in England,
as appears by her letters of the 1st May, who has got knowledge that her letter and the French have been deciphered,
whereupon will follow an alteration of all their ciphers. She
has also knowledge of all that is done and determined both in
the councils of Lord Grey and the Scots, as appears by her
warning given of the manner, hour, and place of the assault.
As for the mine, which she says is to be enterprised by the
English, great heed is to be taken as to the water that runs
under the citadel; she speaks also of an attempt to be made
at St. Anthony's bulwark. Cecil may also perceive their
order given to be victualled by the west side, which he advertised him long ago, though he did not precisely name the
place besides the Earl of Casselis house. Notes also the
Queen Dowager having such intelligence, what a great impeachment it is to the English enterprises that she is suffered
to be in the castle of Edinburgh so near her friends. "These
manners of wars unseen, these toys and womanish tolerations, these impertinent and unwarlike proceedings, will hazard
all most dangerously, and to no purpose." These deciphered
letters are sent in English on account of speed. If this
matter be given over without profitable, honourable, and
apparent conditions, they are undone for ever. |
|---|
| 8. Notes in the letters of the Bishop of Amiens of the 27th
of March, the false and crafty practices of the French to put
the Duke of Châtellerault in suspicion with the Queen, and
their intent to have persecuted them all at length for their
religion and doings, and the intelligence that they have out
of England from time to time. Also notes in the Queen
Dowager's letter of the 27th March her queenly mind in that
she mislikes all such compositions but such as shall render
the realm of Scotland subject absolutely to the Queen, her
daughter, and also the subtle practices against the Duke of
Châtellerault. Thinks M. de Sevre is not in best grace with
her. |
|---|
| 9. Encloses a letter to the Duke of Norfolk for Cecil to
read, reseal, and forward. On the 20th received his of the
19th April by way of Flanders, with a letter of the Queen
Dowager, which is the same that Francis brought and Davies
took back in a minute of the Queen's cipher; both which he
returns to be used in the affairs of Beaumont. As far as he
can perceive tre arhee none of the three duplicates written of
the same matter as yet in their hands, having been all intercepted. Asks him to consider the treason against the Duke
of Châtellerault by the blank sealed, and to inform him
thereof, and if he be not informed in time she will use further
practices with another blank of his that she has got. On the
20th one, by whom he has had great and assured intelligence,
of his own knowledge and the report of a valet of the King's
garderobe, told him that there was a great man in England
about the age of 24 years, who was trained up in France, and
speaks good French, who discloses all the doings in England.
Sends herewith a like proclamation to that which he sent
lately against the house of Guise, printed in another letter,
which was sold at the great fair lately at [blank] as openly
as anything was, which shows on what good terms they
are here, so that they will have more cause to look to themselves at home than annoy the English abroad. |
|---|
| 10. As De Favori is not despatched from the Court he sends
this by his servant Davies, and begs that Mr. Mason should
be required to give him his ordinary allowance. Cecil will
perceive by the advertisement of the audience of the Spanish
Ambassador in England that the Guises will lie shamefully, if
it be allowed to say so of a Cardinal and a Bishop; he had
better therefore inform the Ambassadors of the truth, as they
have sent a courier into Spain. Not having been informed
of the proceedings of the Bishop of Valence he would not
gainsay what the Cardinal said, or bring any grounds of
authority to dissuade the said Ambassador. Prays Cecil to
register Johnes and Somers amongst those he means to benefit,
as their pains have been great and continual, especially in
those last letters written in divers ciphers, and most so in
that of the Queen Dowager's of the 4th May, written in
French and cipher, which to discover was the crabbedest
piece of work he ever saw. |
|---|
| 11. Is very glad to hear that the vain sumptuousness of
apparel is less in England, and especially amongst serving
men; for since he was born it is one of the greatest benefits
that has happened to the realm if the reformation continue.
If the subjects of the Low Countries could be brought to
mislike their government as the French do, it would greatly
serve the purpose of the English, as he mistrusts the Spaniards
as much as the French. Asks that his successor may be
resolved on.—Amboise, 22 May 1560. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Portions in cipher, deciphered, and others in Throckmorton's hand. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 7. |
|---|
| May 22. | 117. Cecil's Memoranda. |
|---|
| Memoranda by Cecil, about letters to be sent to various
persons, some of which relate to foreign affairs, as to Lord
Montague, Duke of Holst, Earl of Lennox, Duke of Norfolk, &c. |
|---|
| In Cecil's hol. P. 1. |
|---|
| May 22. | 118. Cecil's Memoranda. (fn. 3) |
|---|
| 1. Concerning the place of meeting. |
|---|
| 2. What shall be required of the French for using the arms
and style of England? Calais. Defacing. |
|---|
| 3. What shall be required for removing away the men of
war in Scotland, and demolishing the fortifications at Leith,
Dunbar, and Eyemouth, and for the conservation of the bond
between the Queen and the Scots? With the Scots' consent. |
|---|
| 4. In what sort shall the Scots be provided for their
surety? |
|---|
| 5. In what sort shall the realm of Scotland be governed,
so as it come not into a new peril of the French? |
|---|
| 6. Whether it be lawful for any Scot to come into England
being no traitor? |
|---|
| 7. What shall be required for the preservation of the advantage for the redemption of Calais? Touching manner of
departure. |
|---|
| 8. What manner of assurance shall be required for the
observation of pacts? |
|---|
| Objections on the French Part. |
|---|
| 1. It is not meet to permit any pact or league to remain
betwixt a foreign Prince and any other Prince's people. |
|---|
| 2. What surety may they have of Scotland if they return
home, their garrisons there? |
|---|
| 3. It is not meet to permit an alteration of religion without
the Prince's consent. |
|---|
| In Cecil's hol. Endd.: 22 May 1560. Pp. 2. |
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| May 23. | 119. Mundt to Cecil. |
|---|
| Has been divers times required to ask the Queen to join
and assist certain Princes in France who are grieved with the
present administration, "and if all things shall come to a
prosperous end they would aid her again to her desire," but
has never seen any express or certain commission. One,
however, lately came from the Prince of Condé, who desired
that this might be written to the Queen, and to the Queen
only. The Duke of Saxony, who served the French King two
years past, is now at Heidelberg, and will marry the Elector
Palatine's daughter, and so two brothers will have two sisters.
They hear of no gathering of men of war. Reifenburg is in
Hesse, but hears nothing assuredly of the doings of Gronbach,
or of any of the other colonels. The French King goes about
by his agents to persuade the Princes of Germany that this
insurrection in his country is not for religion, but only a
malicious sedition against himself and realm. They hear that
certain Italians that are gathered in Italy for the French
King will be used against England, but it is more likely
that the French King will use them against his own subjects.
The marriage between the Elector's eldest son and the Landgrave's daughter shall be about Trinity Sunday at Cassel.—
Strasburg, 23 May 1560. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. hol., with seal. Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
|---|
| May 23. | 120. Intelligence from France. |
|---|
| 1. Leaving Jersey the writer reached Brest on the 6th May,
where the next morning he found M. de Sana who was
busy equipping a vessel of the King's, called the Great Harry,
of which Stephen and John le Turk were masters, and on
which 400 or 500 men were working, expecting to complete it
in a fortnight. She was laying alongside the quay of the haven
of Brest, towards La Fontaine, where was another King's
ship called La Maitresse. On the other side of the haven
were two more King's ships, the Lion and the Leopard, which
would also be ready in a fortnight. There were also forty
more ships of war, all well equipped, lying before the town,
waiting for these four. He also saw that there were some
sixty vessels at Bain de Cradon, on the other side of Brest,
which were being made ready for war. The Prince of
Mantua was coming with a large body of Italians, and
M. de Estampes, the Sieur de Penthievre, and M. de Brisac were
also coming with a large force. It was also reported that the
King of Spain was coming, and that the French King would
give him three of his great ships, and also that he would make
a descent into England or Scotland, and that he had sent
forty or fifty galleys to the French King, which were reported
to be at La Rochelle. |
|---|
| 2. After staying there a day and a half he went to Conquet,
where he found twenty ships, most of them ready, but their
destination was not known. In passing through Morlaix he
heard that four or five ships of Rochecocq, which is four
leagues from Morlaix, had been stayed to carry victuals to
Brest. He also found in the haven of St. Brieuc two great
ships laden with provisions for Brest. |
|---|
| 3. Coming to St. Malo on the 15th he found there 800
soldiers, and twenty-five ships waiting for a fair wind for
Newfoundland. Six great ships were also stayed there to
carry provisions to Brest. At Cancalle he found five ships
ready to start for Newfoundland with those of St. Malo. On
the 19th he came to Coutances, where M. de Bouillon, Governor of Normandy, was expected in four days time, to inspect
the town and neighbourhood. Thence he returned to Jersey
the 23rd May 1560. |
|---|
| Endd. Fr. Pp. 4. |
|---|
| May 23. | 121. John Weddington to Gresham. |
|---|
| 1. Wrote on the 16th inst. from Amsterdam. Has journeyed
towards Friesland and found no preparation of war there
or in Guelderland, or like to be, except that the town of
Groningen and the common people round about are at variance on the question of privileges claimed by the town over
villages. The Lord of Arensburgh, the Lieutenant of Friesland,
has been here about eight days to hear their variance, and has
now gone to the Court at Brussels and within fourteen days
will be back again. Certain men of war are looked for to
come down from Munster to a country called Byderland, and
will be taken up by one George van Holl. The Duke of
Cleves is Captain of Friesland, to take up men for the house
of Burgundy, and is also Bishop of Munster. There is no saltpetre or gunpowder to be had but in small quantities. King
Philip and the Council of Burgundy will not charge themselves with war, unless they be assured to do profit. They
say that he has one fourth of the French King's revenues to
be his protector against England and Scotland, and that their
mind is to consume the men and stores in England and Scotland by making strong forts. |
|---|
| 2. Those ships from Holland and Zealand are supposed to
carry furniture and victuals to the French. No man may go
out of the Lady of Emden's country to serve any strange
Prince under pain of losing his freedom. The Lord of Arensburgh made proclamation in Friesland last Easter, that all
men of religion should return to their cloisters by a certain
day on pain of death. Friesland is kept subject to the house
of Burgundy by castles and blockhouses. The disciples of
Luther and the Zuinglians have great disputations at Emden
for the right understanding of the Scriptures. The house of
Burgundy strongly fortifies the town of Utrecht. The old
Bishop, uncle to the Lord of Egmont, is dead; they say the
next Bishop will not have any such domination. With the
next easterly winds at Amsterdam they look for 300 or 400
sail of great ships out of Estland appertaining to Holland,
laden with corn and other merchandise. Hartock Yerrick of
Brunswick is Lord of Word [Woerden] near Schoonhove, in
Holland. The Duke of Holstein is of no great power, nor is
he well beloved in his country. The house of Burgundy
has great regard to the common people of England.—Groningen in Friesland, 23 May 1560. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
|---|
| May 23. | 122. Henry Garbrand to Gresham. |
|---|
| Has received his letter this evening with the passport for
the four horses, and has hired a hoy to carry them to Dover
for nine crowns; has also lent the men money for their
charges to London. The French continue rigging their ships
with no great diligence. There are commissioners at Calais,
who let out the lands about the town to any for a small
price.—Dunkirk, 23 May 1560. Signed. |
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| Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 2. |
|---|
| May 23. | 123. Richard Payne to Gresham. |
|---|
| 1. There are two ships at Camffeer from Aberdeen laden
with salt salmon, skins, hides, and cloths, kerseys. Touching the winning of Leith they could not tell, though they
were but seven days from Aberdeen; they doubted not if
it were not won it would be so full soon. They were
coming to buy "pettawes" commodities and Anjou wines,
and to lade them thitherward with this fair wind. The
Spaniard who came last in has but two half slings of iron,
four quarter slings and twenty basses of iron, with thirty
mariners; and the other two Spaniards have but two half
slings apiece and other small ordnance apiece, and twentysix men and boys, yet the one is the galliase that served
King Philip in this last war. The other hulks have no
more ordnance than at first. Some suppose they shall be
discharged. Can hear of no more ships in readiness of
war. |
|---|
| 2. Has heard at Armue [Armuyden?] that the Queen had
caused Esterlings and hulks to be stayed to serve her, which
has caused salt to rise to 11l. 10s. per cent. All ships laden
for England, Scotland, France, Spain, and Portingale are
gone. There are four hoys and a ship lading with salt and
wine for London and Berwick.—Middleburgh, 23 May 1560.
Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Hol., with fragment of seal. Add. Endd.: Pay
the post one stiver. Pp. 2. |
|---|
May 24.
Forbes, 1. 488. | 124. The Offers of the Bishop of Valence to the Scotch. (fn. 4) |
|---|
| 1. M. de Valence on his arrival in Scotland, offered the
Scotch three things from the French King. First, pardon
for all offences against their Sovereigns, if they would return
to their obedience. Second, that the King will preserve
the statutes and privileges of the kingdom, provided they
on their side, render their duty to the Crown. And, third,
that the King will withdraw his forces from Scotland, except
those which are necessary to guard the country, as they were
before the last break. |
|---|
| 2. Upon which, for the most part being content with this
pardon, they further required that Leith should be demolished,
without which they could come to no agreement, they
having granted them the other places which they held before,
as Dunbar and the "Isle aux Chevaulx." Whereupon the
Queen Regent has agreed to the demolition of Leith and
the return of the French soldiers, save those necessary to
guard the fortresses; provided they agree to these five articles.
First, that the Lords of the Congregation render obedience
to their Sovereigns as true subjects; and that the league with
the Queen of England be broken, and their hostages restored.
Second, that they shall give the King as many hostages for as
long a time as he may wish. Third, that within forty days
the States shall meet and declare rebels all who shall assemble in arms without the Princes' consent, and shall pursue
them as common enemies. Fourth, that they shall recognize
as Regent the Queen Regent. Fifth, that the Duke of
Châtellerault, as principal cause of this broil, shall deliver
the castle of Dumbarton to a Scot, whom the Queen Regent
shall name, until he has given proofs of his obedience. And
the King adds a sixth about religion, that after pardoning
them what is passed they shall live in the old religion,
neither having churches according to their fashion, nor the
Interim as they demand, in order to live according to their
opinion. |
|---|
| Copy. Endd. by Throckmorton: For the Queen. Delivered
by the Cardinal of Lorraine to the Spanish Ambassador, M. de
Chantonnet, 24 May 1560, for the Bishop of Valence's journey
and proceedings in Scotland. (fn. 5) Pp. 2. |
|---|
| May 25. | 125. The Queen's Commission to treat with the King and
Queen of France. (fn. 6) |
|---|
| Commission authorizing Cecil, Dr. Wotton, Sadler, Sir
Henry Percy, and Sir Peter Carew, to treat upon all disputes which have arisen between them and herself.—26 May
1560. |
|---|
| Draft. Lat. Pp. 2. |
|---|
| May 25. | 126. Another copy of the above.
Williamson's transcript. |
|---|
| May 25. | 127. Maitland to Cecil. |
|---|
| The Queen's most comfortable message sent by Sir Peter
Carew was of sufficient weight to recommend him to all
the nobility here. He will be able to give ample information of the state of things. The Lords have taken such
order for those who have not yet joined themselves, as he
doubts not will serve for the union of the whole in one
body. The matter is not so difficult as it is made to appear
by the craft of some who cast in difficulties. Hopes that
the Parliament will be assembled by the 10th of July,
wherein an uniform order shall be taken, in which they
will seek Cecil's advice. The Earl of Morton presently
writes to Cecil that by his means the Queen may understand his affection to her service. The writer assures Cecil
that there is none amongst them all more earnestly bent
to endeavour himself to the uttermost than this Earl is. It
would be some comfort for him if by some letter from
Cecil he [the Earl] may understand that the Queen accepts
his service in good part. The writer would be glad if Cecil
would write somewhat to the Master of Maxwell whereby
he might understand his good opinion of him, as his faithful
dealing in the cause has deserved no less. The Lords will
direct in post the Lord of St. John within these six or
eight days to thank the Queen. Thanks him for his gentle
letters, and desires to be commended to his wife, to whom
and to Cecil he is more bound than he shall ever be able
to discharge.—Camp before Leith, 25 May 1560. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3. |
|---|
| May 25. | 128. John Sheres to Cecil. |
|---|
| 1. The revoking of the despatch of the Abbot of St. Salute
is now again by the Pope's order consulted upon by the
Cardinals of Trent, Carpi, and St. Clement, the Pope being
persuaded by certain English at Rome that he is the most
meet for the purpose, as one well known and favoured by
divers in England for the sake of his late master, Cardinal
Pole. Once again he prepares for that journey and supposes
now to find no let. He will come accompanied as Sheres
wrote before, if the King of Spain draw not back, as some
think he will, but keep touch for the protest with wars and
the temporal sword. |
|---|
| 2. The Pope has determined war against Geneva and requires the Duke of Savoy to be General; many think that
he will not be over hasty in the matter, but rather consider more deeply what a raw estate he has of his own,
and how nigh neighbours the Switzers and other Protestants
are to him. Others think that he is greedy to be Lord of
Geneva. Some imagine another fetch, because the Pope
requires the Duke of Florence to put men in readiness for
that purpose. On the 10th the Count of Tentaglia from
King Philip entered Rome with much pomp, to congratulate
and confer with the Pope on sundry matters. The French
Ambassador brings in a new proclamation made in France,
together with the French King's answer to Queen Elizabeth,
which will this week be set forth in print. There are more than
three sheets of paper of handwriting. There also come news
out of France of the English proceedings in Scotland, and
the damage they received on St. George's night. There is a
talk of the General Council, but not yet when or where it
shall be. |
|---|
| 3. The Turk's army that departed on the 4th inst. from
Modona and Carona towards Africa with a prosperous wind,
arrived at Malta on the 7th and at Gerbes on the 11th,
where they found King Philip's army much unprovided to
resist, saving only seventeen galleys that were somewhat
in order and had their men upon them, who fled, eleven to
Sicily and six to Naples. All the residue remained a goodly
prey to the Turks; it is said they took at the first brunt thirtyfive ships without the loss of one man: for as soon as the
Turks began to set upon them, they (perceiving themselves
unable to match them) fled ashore and abandoned the ships,
and so the Turks took also twenty-eight galleys. The
Viceroy of Sicily, Medina Cœli, and a number of noblemen
with almost 5,000 men, are besieged in the new fort at
Gerbes, and like to fall into the Turk's hand, for men see not
how Spain can succour them; and with them goes all the
artillery and ammunition provided for Gerbes and Tripoli.
Some mistrust if the galleys of Malta be there with the most
part of the Knights of the Order of Rhodes, and then is Malta
like to go. If the Turk was not so old and had not this contention between his sons, Italy might stand at ill terms at
this time.—Venice, 25 May 1560. Signed. |
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| Orig. Hol., with seal. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary.
Pp. 4. |
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| May 25. | 129. Cecil's Memoranda. |
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| Notes of letters to be sent to different people, many of
which relate to foreign affairs, as:—Commissions and instructions to Cecil, Sadler, Percy, and Carew; letters of credit for
the same to the Duke of Norfolk, the Queen Regent, Lord
Grey, and the Lords of Scotland; answer for the French Ambassador's demands for passports; the entertainment of the
horsemen of the Duke of Holst; to send to my Lord of
Norfolk to procure knowledge whether any accord did ever
pass between King Henry of France and the nobility of
Scotland for transferring of the crown of Scotland to the
dauphinate of France; the Chancellor of Holst; Mr. Throckmorton's letter for Portinary, etc. |
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| In Cecil's hol. Endd.: 25 May 1560. Pp. 2. |
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