|
| [March.] | 916. Challoner's Petition to Philip II. |
|---|
| Being informed that certain chests containing books, clothes,
and other necessaries belonging to himself and servants, which
had come from London to Bilboa by sea, had been broken
open by the ministers of the Inquisition, under the pretext
of searching for prohibited books; he sent thither one of his
people to enquire into the matter. The messenger not only
found that it was so, but was told by the said ministers that
they would do the same to any other chests coming from
abroad. Relying on his privileges as an Ambassador, he desires
that not merely may he and his household be in security from
violence, but also that the King will send his letters to the
ministers of the Inquisition and command them for the future
not to meddle with anything belonging to him, on oath being
made by his servants that it is his property. It is not proper
that under colour of searching for prohibited books, matters
of state should be revealed to persons whom they do not
concern. It is all the harder to bear, because the Ambassadors of all other Princes and States receive their chests
intact and unsearched. |
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| Corrected draft. Endd. by Challoner. Lat. Pp. 3. |
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| March 1. | 917. The Duke D'Aumale to the Queen. |
|---|
| About six or seven days ago he received a packet from
Throckmorton with letters addressed by her to his brothers,
which he has forwarded. Praises Throckmorton's zeal and
intelligence.—Paris, 1 March 1561. Signed: Claud De Lorraine, Duc D'Aumale. |
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| Orig., with armorial seal. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Fr. Pp. 2. |
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| March 1. | 918. Clough to Gresham. |
|---|
| 1. Sent his last by John Chapman. Has not taken up
anything by exchange since John Spritewell departed, for the
exchange passes here at 22s. 10d. usance, and 22s. 11d. double
usance, and at "Baroo" at 22s. 10d. usance, and 23s. and
23s. 1d. double usance. There is no great store of money,
because men doubt what is best to do. Now that he has
stayed taking up any of the exchange it begins to rise, which
he doubts will not continue, unless there is something in
men's heads. Has presented such money as he has taken
up by exchange to the Queen's creditors, and waits his
answer what order shall be taken for the rest. Has paid
the smallest bonds, namely, Conradt Sketts, and Gilly Hausseman. |
|---|
| 2. Understands from one of Sir Jasper Sketts's servants,
that came yesterday from Brussels, that the Conte of Egmont
and Lazarus Van Swende are gone to Maestricht, where the
Conte of Swartzenburg meets them, with others, which is
suspected to be for taking up men. "The suitte of the land"
has taken up much money this payment, which is received by
the Treasurer General, Sir Jasper Skeets; it always used to
be received by the rent masters of Brabant. |
|---|
| 3. That which he wrote last touching the taking of the
town of Coblentz by Rysembarthe is true, and also they
write now that the castle is taken which stands on the other
side of the Rhine, and is one of the strongest castles in Germany. People think there is some matter therein, because
the Landgrave and the Bishop of Treves have never been great
friends. Merchants are in doubt to send any goods upwards,
because those that go by water must pass the town, and
those that go by land must pass through it, unless they ride
out of their way. By the next post they expect to hear the
certainty thereof, and for what purpose it is done. 1 March
1561. Signed. |
|---|
| 4. P. S.—Has learnt that not only the Conte Egmont and
Lazarus Van Swende have gone to Maestricht, but that the
Prince of Orange, the Conte of Horne, and divers others are
appointed to meet there also. The cause thereof is not yet
known. Enclosed are three packets of letters which he
received from Spain, from Chamberlain and Chaloner. Chamberlain departed from the Court on the 7th February for
England, who received at the King's hands for a reward, a
chain of gold, of 100 pounds. This was showed the writer
by Gamboa the post, who received a letter from Spain. |
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| Orig. Hol., with seal. Add. Endd. Pp. 5. |
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March 2.
Labanoff, i. 161. | 919. Queen Mary to the Queen. |
|---|
| Requests a safe-conduct for James Wallace, Robert Abernethy, and John Clerk, with eight others, through England
to and from France.—Holyrood House, 2 March, 20 Mary.
Signed. |
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| Orig. Add. Endd.: 2 March 1561. Broadside. |
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| March 4. | 920. Gresham to Cecil. |
|---|
| 1. On the 3rd inst. about five o'clock at night, they arrived
within a mile of Dunkirk haven, where he discharged his
four cases unto a passenger of Dover, called Stephen Andreasson, for the Queen's ships draw too great a depth to come
in. This being done, they thought it not convenient to ride
so near the shore, considering the banks and flats upon this
coast, whereupon he wrote a letter aboard to be conveyed to
Cecil by order of Mr. Hurlestock. At ten o'clock that night,
when the tide served, they sailed, and arrived safely with the
said cases into the haven by one o'clock after midnight, and
by five o'clock in the morning they were laden in two waggons with the conduct of twelve horsemen besides himself,
and he intends to be this day at Bruges, and on the fifth day
at Antwerp, whence he will write. |
|---|
| 2. Spritewell departed from hence two days ago for Calais,
to take passage, for here the [storms] were so great no man
durst go out; by whom Cecil is fully informed what money
Cloughe has taken up since the 15th ult. Asks Cecil to
cause Robert Fleming to pay him the 250l. he has owed him
for ten years past, who claims the protection of Shane
O'Neale; or at least to put him in good surety to see him
paid in England. Sends his commendations to the Lord
Keeper, and Lord Robert, and his poor wife, who was very
sorrowful to see him depart before his account was finished;
and asks Cecil, according to his promise, to comfort her.—
Dunkirk, 4 March, at 5 o'clock in the morning, 1561. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig., with seal. Hol. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary.
Pp. 3. |
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| March 4. | 921. Windebank to Cecil. |
|---|
| Has received by Sommers 100 crowns. The merchant from
whom they expected to have some money offered them only
forty crowns, which he refused. According to his commandment they have conferred with Throckmorton, whose advice
is that they should go to Orleans, and thence post to Lyons,
and from thence to Vienne, Avignon, and Marseilles, returning by Nismes, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and the towns on the
Loire, to Paris. The charges would be great, as for every
post it will amount to three francs twelve sous for four
persons; their journey to Lyons, there being thirty posts,
would cost forty-three crowns ten sous. Though going in
post is expensive, yet it is the cheapest in the end, being
more expeditious. They will require at least 300 crowns for
their journey, and ought not to set out later than the 8th or
10th of April, because of the heat.—Paris, 4 March 1561.
Signed. |
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| Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
|---|
| March 4. | 922. Draft of the above, with many corrections, and the additional information that Mr. Thomas did not so employ his
time in study as Cecil did perhaps look for, and Windebank
perceives that his allowance of 20l. is nothing sufficient for
him. "For besides that, I have discovered that he hath
borrowed of diverse Englishmen diverse sums of money, the
payment whereof I know not how he will perform, except
your honour will be content to allow it." |
|---|
| Orig. Hol. Endd. by Windebank: 4 Martii. M. from
myself to my master, by my Lord Ambassador's means, who
sent by Sir Thomas Cotton's son. Pp. 8. |
|---|
| March 5. | 923. Throckmorton to the Queen. |
|---|
| The French King has sent the bearer, M. De Paleseaux, to
the Queen to redeem M. Du Pont, one of his hostages.
Informs her of his sufficiency, both for house and behaviour.
He has led the greater part of his life at his house, eight miles
from Paris, esteeming hunting, hawking, good fellowship, and
housekeeping more preferable than the Court. All his predecessors are well satisfied with her favour, which they have
reported at their return.—Paris, 5 March 1561. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 2. |
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| March 6. | 924. Throckmorton to the Queen. |
|---|
| 1. Since his last despatch of the 16th ult. the Queen
Mother has been pressed by the Cardinal of Ferrara and
others, not only to send the King's Ambassadors and clergy
to the Council of Trent, but also to request the Queen by the
French Ambassador in England to send her Legates and
clergy thither; and at the Admiral's being here lately, he
was desired to communicate these solicitations to the writer,
and to inform the Queen Mother of her resolution therein.
By conference with the Admiral he perceives the Queen
Mother is well affected for a general reformation in the
Church, and for the Bishop of Rome and his clergy to be
arranged in some order, or that amongst the Protestant
Princes some order be taken that the Papists may not be able
to give laws to the Protestants. For the remedy hereof the
Queen Mother is inclined to give the French Legates commission, so that they may agree at their coming to Trent
with the Ambassadors of the Queen and Protestant Princes
in exposing to the Emperor's deputies and the Assembly
their griefs against the Pope and the abuses of the Church,
with request to have a free General Council, where all parties
may be impartially heard. That this may take effect, the
Queen Mother desires that the Queen will send her Legates
thither with commission accordingly, and employ her credit
with the Protestant Princes that they may do the same. The
Admiral said this matter must not be committed to all
ministers, for if the Papists have intelligence thereof they will
work against it by all the means they can. |
|---|
| 2. Throckmorton asked what proof the Queen could have
that the Queen Mother was speaking sincerely, seeing that
she and the King of Navarre were bent to advance Papistry
and overthrow the Protestant religion, not only in France,
but in other countries. For confirmation of which he perceived that the Queen of Navarre, the Prince of Condé, the
Admiral, and all his house are forced to retire from the
Court, where all preaching by the ministers shall be stopped,
and within two days past the Cardinal of Ferrara sent to him
that the French King intended to write to the Queen and
exhort her to conjoin with the Emperor, the King of Spain,
himself, and the other states in sending to the Council, where
the Bishop of Rome and his ministers will have their old
authority recognized. These proceedings in France greatly
discourage the Protestant states of Germany to hope for any
good in this common cause. |
|---|
| 3. The Admiral answered that he supposed the King of
Navarre hoped to compound with the King of Spain for his
kingdom of Navarre; but he assured him that the Queen
Mother was well inclined to advance the true religion,
although she is forced to show a good face to the adversary,
being so beset with councillors who are against the same, and
that she would rather employ Throckmorton in this matter
than some of her ministers. It is not meet that the King of
Navarre shall be privy to this determination until it be riper,
although M. De Foix, the French Ambassador in England, is
inclined to advance religion, so that when the Queen has
informed Throckmorton of her resolution in this matter, she
may then declare her opinion to M. De Foix. The Admiral
said, concerning his case and his brethren, it was true there
was some difference betwixt the King of Navarre and them,
which they took in good part, yet by the Queen's commandment his brother the Cardinal still remained at Court. |
|---|
| 4. The Admiral goes to his own house, because his wife is
expected to be confined, and D'Andelot, being colonel of
France, intends to make a general visitation of all the footmen under his charge, and the Queen Mother has requested
the Queen of Navarre and Prince of Condé not to remove
from the Court. He prayed Throckmorton not to let the King
of Navarre know of this matter at their meeting this evening. |
|---|
| 5. According to appointment, that evening he went to the
King of Navarre at his lodgings, unto whom he declared the
injuries which certain merchants of Toteness had received at
Bayonne by Viscount D'Oite, Governor there. The King
answered that he would give order in the same. He then
asked how the Queen had determined concerning the General
Council. The writer answered that she did not repute it to
be a General Council; whereupon the King made a long
discourse in approval of the Council, dwelling chiefly on the
point that it was summoned as the four most authentic
Councils were, and the same order observed in this as in
those, wherein was the authority of the Emperor and the
Bishop of Rome used with the consent of the Christian Kings
and Princes. He answered that the last time he spake with
him he [the King] was not of that mind, but thought this
assembly was to abuse the world with a show of Council, and
that the end thereof would confirm the Bishop of Rome's
tyranny, and serve the King of Spain's purpose for main
taining his greatness. The King answered, in consequence of
the troubles, it was necessary that some order should be
taken, lest religion might be utterly subverted, and he saw no
means so good to remedy the whole thereof in every country
as this Council at Trent, where the Pope would be content to
have some reformation. Then the King found fault with the
Protestants and their proceedings, and said that at this time
he was not best affected unto them, who spread calumnies
against him for seeking recompence for his kingdom of
Navarre from the King of Spain, for the obtaining of which
he was in great forwardness. |
|---|
| 6. The writer then desired to know when the King's
Ambassadors should go to the Council, and who they were.
The King answered it was not resolved who would have
the principal charge, but that the Bishops were already
appointed to go thither, and as soon as they were resolved
they would inform him. The King desired him to advertise
the Queen that he is willing to do her all the service he can.
Whilst they were talking the Duke D'Aumale saluted the
King. |
|---|
| 7. The matter being ended betwixt them, the writer went to
the said Duke (who stood apart), and declared the charge the
Queen gave him to employ himself to stand the Duke and all
his house in stead, either here or elsewhere; such was the
affection betwixt the Queen and the Queen of Scots, his
niece. The Duke thanked her. |
|---|
| 8. The King of Navarre being against the Admiral and his
house is one of the causes why the Admiral and D'Andelot
retire from the Court. Another cause proceeds from the
King of Spain. Lately M. De Chantonet (the King of Spain's
Ambassador) used on his master's behalf such language to the
Queen Mother to cause them to abandon the Court, that,
contrary to her disposition, she was forced to request them to
retire themselves. The Ambassador said unless the house of
Châtillon left the Court he was ordered to depart from France.
This menace is thought very strange, the rather that another
Prince should appoint what Councillors shall remain at Court.
To such Princes as are afraid of shadows the King of Spain
will enterprise far enough. Such practices are used daily
here by the said Ambassador to cause the Queen of Navarre,
the Prince and Princess of Condé, Cardinal Châtillon, the
Bishops of Valence and Aix, Mme. De Roy, (mother to the
Princess of Condé and sister to the Admiral,) and Mme. De
Cursolles (who are reputed to be upholders of the Protestant
religion) to retire also. Notwithstanding, the Queen of
Navarre and the others are firmer in defence of this cause
than ever, and the Queen Mother now declares herself much
more favourable to the Protestants than the King of Navarre. |
|---|
| 9. M. De Lansac (who was despatched to Rome) shall be
appointed to go as the King's Ambassador from Rome to the
Council. His commission will be protracted until the Queen
Mother may be advertised how the Queen is resolved to
proceed in this matter of the Council. M. De Candalle, being
noted to be partial to the Papists, is discharged of this
legation, and Lansac appointed as the meeter man to negociate in this affair, although the matter is coloured by a
process of Candalle. |
|---|
| 10. The Duke of Guise will repair to the Court within five
or six days, whereupon the Queen Mother, fearing some
alliance betwixt the King of Navarre, the Duke of Guise, and
the Constable, (at whose devotion divers great personages
wholly depend,) reposes her trust in the favourers of the
Protestant religion. The Papists here being the stronger
party, and maintained by the King of Spain and other great
Princes, it is time for the Queen to countenance the Protestants, and to see that they be not weakened in France.
She should let M. De Foix know of her allowance of the
Queen Mother's zeal for the advancement of a reformation of
the abuses in the Church, and that she bemoans the King of
Navarre's coldness in that matter, the rather because the
King of Spain maintains the contrary so imperiously. Is
informed this day by a merchant stranger from Spain that
one of the Queen's subjects named Chapman (servant to Sir
Thomas Challoner), was apprehended on the 15th ult., by the
Inquisitors. If the King may so repress the Protestants in
France, and handle her subjects in his dominions, he will
within awhile pass from one degree of severity to another.
He did not understand by Challoner's last letters of the
7th ult. of the arrest of his servant. |
|---|
| 11. Is informed by the same letters that Chamberlain had
taken his leave to travel through France by easy journeys
because he is weak. He writes that he does not see any
appearance of war this year, the King being bent to provide
for the Turk's preparations, and to stand upon his guard.
The Conte De Horne is to keep a diet in Almain amongst
the King of Spain's pensioners who are inclined to revolt from
the Spanish devotion; the rather because one of the Dukes
of Brunswick, returning lately from Spain, surrendered his
patent of the Spanish pension to the Cardinal Granvelle, and
thereupon Count Horne has charge to leave no means unassayed to redeem the said Duke to the Spanish devotion.
Understands that the Prince of Spain is fallen again into his
quartan, and it is doubted whether he will live long. Thereupon it is said in the Court here, that the King of Spain
intends to have two of the King of Bohemia's sons transported
into Spain to bring them up in the Spanish religion, mistrusting their education in Germany with their father. Others
say the King of Spain is content for this bruit to go abroad,
that the King of Bohemia shall not attempt other devices
which might be prejudicial to the said King, and to extinguish
the King of Bohemia's suspicion that he intends to transpose
Spain, failing his issue, unto Don John De Austria, his
bastard brother, which matter causes jealousy to the whole
house of Austria. |
|---|
| 12. A gentleman of the Elector Palatine (sent in post to
this Court) declared to the writer that his master was inclined
to send his Ambassadors to the Council of Trent with such
commission as the Admiral of France wishes the Queen's
Ambassadors should have in charge, in case the other Protestant Princes will do the like. The Cardinal of Lorraine
has returned to Rheims. The King of Portugal having intelligence, as well of the equipage of some of the Queen's
ships to the coast of Guinea, as also that certain English
merchants ships are there, has armed two great gallions and
four great carvels to defeat not only the merchant ships, but
the Queen's also. The Protestants in France are fortified by
the death of the Duke of Nevers, who was affected to the
Papist religion; and his son, the present Duke, is to the
Protestant, whereof he has made a proof since coming to the
state. |
|---|
| 13. Lately the Cardinal of Ferrara sent M. De Morette
to the writer, who desired that Throckmorton should inform
the Queen that if she resolved to send her Ambassadors to
the Council of Trent, they should be honourably entertained
there, and that the Cardinal would accommodate them not
only at Trent with courtesy, (where the Cardinal of Mantua,
his kinsman, has the superintendence of things,) but also in
their journey through France, if they would travel this way,
and so through part of Italy. In the end Morette assured
him, on the Cardinal's behalf, that not only her Ambassadors
should be received with gladness at Trent, but also in passing
through Savoy; and if they would take Ferrara in their way,
they should have more favour showed to them than any other
Princes' Ministers.—Paris, 6 March 1561. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 11. |
|---|
| March 6. | 925. Throckmorton to Cecil. |
|---|
| 1. Cecil may perceive by his letters that it is time for the
Queen to advow the maintenance of the Protestant religion.
It would be well for the Queen secretly to animate the
Queen Mother, who being well inclined to set the same
forward, finds great peril in the matter. If it is true that
Challoner's servant is apprehended in Spain by the Inquisitors,
it will be something for the Queen and Council to consider.
The like was lately done to the French Ambassador in
Portugal, and the Ambassador was revoked forthwith, whereupon the King of Portugal, to repair the matter, sends hither
one of the greatest personages of his realm, named the Grand
Comandador De Christo, who is expected here daily. He
desires to be informed by Cecil's next (with speed) of the
Queen's answer to the Queen Mother, concerning the sending
to the General Council. |
|---|
| 2. He has advised Cecil's son to travel in such sort that he
may sees the most notable parts of France before he returns.
Cecil will be informed by Windebank's letters of the particulars of their journey. There is good intelligence betwixt
the Kings of Spain and Navarre, as the French King, the
King of Navarre, and Madame Margaret christened the
Spanish Ambassador's child on the 5th inst. at Poissy. On
the 25th April all, or chief part, of the ministers of the
reformed Church in France will assemble at Orleans, where
they will consult about sending to the General Council. He
thinks with M. De Beza, that it is necessary that all who
desire a reformation should either go or send thither upon
reasonable conditions, and there expose their griefs. Cecil
may now perceive how others are of opinion to have the
Queen send to the Council. The questions betwixt the French
King and the Duke of Savoy will be amicably compounded.
The Queen Mother at this present does not trust any of the
Papists. |
|---|
| 3. His wife will be in England before the end of March,
and he hopes to be there before the end of April or shortly
after. Mr. Somer returns with his wife, who will bring a
report of the strange state of Paris, which more resembles a
frontier town, or a place besieged, than a Court, a merchant city
or university. The scholars in great numbers daily march
armed to the sermons; the rector and ancients cannot contain
them. Ramus and other principals of colleges discover themselves to be flat Protestants, as Cecil may partly perceive by
Ramus's reformation of this University, which he sends
herewith. Desires Cecil to request one of his servants to
deliver Throckmorton's letter according to the address.—
Paris, 6 March 1561. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3. |
|---|
| [March.] | 926. The Queen to Throckmorton. |
|---|
| 1. Perceives by his letters of the 6th inst., what motion
has been made to him from the Queen Mother by the
Admiral concerning a legation to be made by her and the
Protestant Princes of Almain to the Council at Trent. He is
to inform the Queen Mother that the Queen allows of her
motion for the common quiet of Christendom, but laments
that the ambition of the Bishop of Rome, his Cardinals and
adherents, is such great impediment that it can bring forth
no good end; and that as this Council was by the Pope's
Bull begun, and by his authority only to be ended, she cannot
send any ambassade thither, the same being prejudicial to
her Crown and prohibited by the laws of England. Although
the Queen might without prejudice send thither, yet at such a
Council, where the Pope is head, his Legate President, his
Cardinals assistants, and all having a voice therein take an
oath to maintain his authority, no decree can be hoped for
other than that which the Pope shall like. |
|---|
| 2. The Queen will not only allow of any good device for a
general reformation, but will also prove by means of the
Protestant Princes of Germany what other ways may be
devised for a concord in religion, and to procure a reformation
of the abuses in the Church. She will spare no expense for
the same, and will presently send to the Almain Princes in
that behalf. As soon as she sees how it may be taken, she
will signify the same to the Queen Mother, and in the meantime she would be glad that some stay or no haste be made in
sending the ambassade from thence to Trent, but that some
time might be forborne. |
|---|
| Draft, corrected by Cecil. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 4. |
|---|
| March 7. | 927. N. Stopio to Mason. (fn. 1) |
|---|
| Wrote a week ago, and now sends the accompanying news. (fn. 2)
A frigate has arrived from Corfu with tidings of the death of
the Turk. Sends copy of a Decree made in the second session
at Trent. (fn. 3) . Has been informed by a letter of the 3rd inst.
that a safe-conduct is drawn up to invite the Protestants to
the Council. Maximilian, King of Bohemia, will be crowned
King of Hungary this month, and will go to Worms to a Diet
of the Princes to be made King of the Romans. The writer's
salary for six months may be sent by Rizzo.— Venice,
7 March 1562. Signed: N. St. |
|---|
| Orig. Hol., with seal. Add. Endd.: 7 March 1561.
Advices. Ital. Pp. 2. |
|---|
| March 8. | 928. Windebank to Cecil. |
|---|
| 1. They send the account of their expenses from Oct. 14.
At their departure he received 300 crowns, and after by bill of
exchange 300 more. Of the sale of the horses, accounting
Mr. Thomas' hobby sixty-five crowns, and for the sale of
his nag which he brought here twelve crowns; total 677
crowns. Total expenses, 632 crowns 4 sous. |
|---|
| 2. Begs pardon if he has used presumption in allowing
himself 10l. as part of his allowance. Thinks that Mr. Thomas
has already spent all his allowance, and that he will seek to
borrow. According to his commandment he has bought the
two courses of civil and canon law, which Mr. Somers has
packed in his carriage. Mr. Thomas needs some apparel
for the summer. If they take this journey it were not amiss
that they should have a bill of exchange for 100 crowns at
Lyons.— Paris, 8 March 1561. Signed. |
|---|
| Orig. Hol., with seal. Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
|---|
| March 8. | 929. Draft of the above. |
|---|
| Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3. |
|---|
| March 9. | 930. Throckmorton to the Queen. |
|---|
| 1. Since his last "to the same" of the 4th inst. the French
King departed from St. Germains on the 7th inst. for
Monceaux, a house of the Queen Mother, ten leagues from
Paris, and intends to be at Fontainebleau before Easter. The
same day the Prince of Condé came to Paris from the Court,
well accompanied, with the King's authority to cause the
late edict to be published (which was dismissed by the Councillors of all the Parliaments of France assembled at St.
Germain) as well for ordering the Protestants' doings and
preachings, as also for quieting the people. The edict was
published long since by most of the Courts of Parliament of
France, yet this Court would not consent to it here because
it contained the King's permission that the Protestants might
preach in the suburbs, wherein this Court would limit the
King's will. After many disputes, by the earnest following
of the Prince of Condé, the edict was published here on the
8th inst. It is altered in some points from that which he
sent previously to the Queen. He sends this edict herewith
as now published. |
|---|
| 2. The Constable has been sent for to come to the Court,
and will be there shortly, and so will the Duke of Guise
and some of his brothers; of the cause of their coming
thither he has instructed the bearer, Mr. Somer, to inform
the Queen. |
|---|
| 3. The letter enclosed is from the Duke D'Aumale. The
packet of the Queen of Scots which the Queen lately sent to
him to be conveyed to the Duke of Guise, he has delivered to
the Duke D'Aumale for that purpose. He sends herewith a
copy of the letter of the Queen of Scots lately sent to him
with her packet. |
|---|
| 4. The French "deleague" such mean hostages to the Queen
that he knows not whom to accept, as lately one M. D'Erbaulte,
younger brother of the "contrey" besides Blois, whose possession does not exceed 1,500 francs (which is under 200l.
sterling) yearly, and who is indebted to the sum of 9,000
francs. He desires to know whether the Queen will accept
him. It is difficult for him to have an assured and true rate
of men's livings in France. To avoid hard terms, it would be
best for the French King to "deleague" the hostages, and take
upon his honour their sufficiency. |
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| 5. The Queen having sent him word by Mr. Somer of his
revocation, he desires that it may not be altered, and in the
meantime asks her favour towards his wife whom he has sent
home.—Paris, 9 March 1561. Signed. |
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| Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 4. |
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| March 9. | 931. Throckmorton to Cecil. |
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| 1. Refers Cecil to the bearer, Mr. Somer, for information of
occurrences here since his last of the 4th inst. The Papists
here look higher every day. The King of Navarre was
never so earnest on the Protestant side as he is now furious
on the Papists' part, insomuch as men suspect he will become
a persecutor. He has constrained the whole of the house of
Châtillon to leave the Court, and only shows favour to the
Papists. The Queen Mother assists the Protestants. There
are divers discourses what will become of the matter when the
house of Guise come to Court. The King of Navarre is all
Spanish now, and the Prince of Condé is of another affection
and very firm. It behoves the Queen to augment the
favourers of Protestantism. Here is talk of voyages, meetings
of great Princes, alliances and leagues, but as yet the particulars are not known. |
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| 2. It is requisite for the minister here, considering the
French dealings in "deleaguing" their hostages, to know of
what rate of possessions and value in goods he should accept
them. He sends herewith Cecil's own apology, newly printed
here, and therein some oversights corrected, together with an
advice concerning the images after this last conference betwixt
the ministers of the reformed Churches and the Sorbonists.
Reminds Cecil of his revocation.— Paris, 9 March 1561.
Signed. |
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| Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. by Cecil's secretary. Pp. 3. |
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| March 9. | 932. Passport for Capt. Wallace. |
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| Captain Wallace and seven others about to repair towards
the Court have licence to pass with eight horses, which they
brought from Scotland to Berwick.— Berwick, 9 March.
Signed by Lord Grey. |
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| Orig. Pp. 2. |
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