|
|
Sept. 1.
K. d. L. x.
785.
|
211. DAVISON to BURGHLEY.
Yesterday the term prescribed to the States' deputies expired ; at
which time having concluded nothing, and having as it seems little
hope of doing good, our Lords were minded to come away as this
morning. But the States having consented to a prolongation of 7
or 8 days for the delivery of the towns if the peace go forward, it
may perhaps detain them longer. Here it is generally conceived
that the necessity to which the affairs of the enemy are reduced will
incline him to a peace, if there be no intelligence between him and
the French ; a matter not beyond suspicion.
Last Friday the Duke of Alençon was here proclaimed Défenseur
de la liberté belgique contre la tyrannic Espagnole, and his deputies
have since pressed for the States' resolution where to employ their
troops, who they say have passed muster and received their first
month's pay ; but the determination seems suspended till they see
the end of the treaty. Yet the Duke of Aerschot is dispatched to
the frontier with order to deliver up the towns agreed upon ;
though some think there will be a difficulty in the execution.
Late last night arrived a courier from the Emperor to his
Ambassador, with news of the authority which he has received from
the King of Spain to conclude this peace. They think the King is
the rather inclined to this because by letters of the 7th and 9th ult.
from Madrid the dispatch of the Duke of Terranova to the same end
toward his Imperial Majesty is confirmed.
The alteration of religion goes roundly forward in Flanders,
especially in the town and liberties of Ghent ; where they generally
suppress the religious houses, banish the clergy, confiscate their
lands and livings, break down the images, and commit other innovations
'hardly digested of many.' Here, proceeding with more
temperance the Protestants have this last week four places granted
to them by the Council for the public exercise of their religion
which began yesterday ; the 'Lutheriens' having obtained two
places for their assemblies.
The tumult at Valenciennes about the appointment of their
magistrates is so far rather mitigated than thoroughly appeased.
Last week the 'Gauntoys' cut in pieces two companies of foot of
Count Lalaing's regiment, who being permitted to live at discretion
upon the bonhomme for lack of their pay had committed divers outrages
iu the territory ; the like course being taken by the governor
of Alost with a cornet of horseman that had done like spoils within
their liberties.
Our camps have hitherto lain still since the arrival of Duke
Casimir, wasting and spoiling the country even to the gates of this
town, and as yet there is no certainty of their removing ; the matter
depending wholly upon the slack provision of money, which unless
it be otherwise supplied than there is yet appearance of will go near
to make their service unprofitable for this season, besides being no
little hindrance to the peace.
Duke Casinir has sent his plate and jewels hither to be engaged
for 10,000 or 12,000 florins towards the contentment of his men,
who are still behind for their 'naughgelt' ; but his ministers after a
great deal of travail are hopeless to supply their master's necessity
by that or any other means here.
The enemy, distressed with sickness, and want of money and
victuals, is encamped in certain villages between Louvain and
Namur in no disposition, as some think, to hazard a battle.—
Antwerp, 1 Sept. 1578.
Add. Endd. 1½ pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 1.]
|
|
Sept. 1.
|
212. Draft of the above in Davison's hand, with some additions :
'Duke Casimir (who has sent his plate, etc. as above), pretends to
desire nothing than to approach the enemy, who is now encamped'
as above. Of foreign matter we hear from Rochelle that the Prince of
Condé has narrowly escaped a surprise, notwithstanding all the fair
weather made to him. Out of Germany we hear that the Emperor
having suppressed the exercise of religion at Vienna has attempted
the like at Linz ; but the nobility and people opposing it as a thing
directly against their privileges, he has desisted. 'Upon some
advice out of Spain' there is a report of the defeat of the Portugal
by the Moors. The credit of it depends upon a second information.
Endd. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 1a.]
|
Sept. 2.
K. d. L. x.
790.
|
213. WALSINGHAM to WILSON.
By the general letter to my Lord you may see how we have
proceeded in the treaty of peace. We are very sorry it has taken a
contrary effect to that we looked for ; especially having, in the delay
in dispatching Mr Sommers, reason to fear that you are but coldly
affected to render reasonable assistance to those of this country
when it may stand them most in stead. The uncertainty of your
dealing has greatly alienated the people's hearts here, so that if you
do not return Mr Sommers with a good answer, make full account
that they will no longer depend on us.
Pray further this bearer's dispatch with her Majesty's order for
our return as soon as you can. Our abode here is no less unprofitable
to ourselves than chargeable to her, and therefore the less we
stay, the more profit it will be both for her and us.
A servant of Lord Cobham's is dead of the plague since our
return from Louvain, and I greatly fear our train is tainted. The
French ambassador who stayed only two days there lost two of his
chief gentlemen of the plague ; and therefore we that stayed ten
days at least are greatly in doubt that we shall not escape so 'good
cheap,' beside the danger of our own persons, having no privilege
above the rest. I refer you for occurrents to Mr Davison's
letters.—Antwerp, 2 Sept. 1578.
Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. IX. 2.]
|
|
Various dates.
(June-
Sept. 2.)
|
214. Twenty-four pages, apparently from an entry book of Sir F.
Walsingham's, containing copies of reports, letters, &c., relating to the
embassy of Lord Cobham and himself. The contents have been
calendared under the dates to which they belong.
[Ibid. IX. 3.]
|
|
Sept. 2.
|
215. [WALSINGHAM] to [BURGHLEY.]
Your Lordship's letter sent by Mr Sommers I have received, and
find to my great grief the answer such as I looked for, having seen
by experience that your long consultations most commonly end
with the worst resolutions. By whose advice her Majesty is
directed to deal so hardly with those of this country, depending as
they do chiefly upon her favour in their necessity, when a little
treasure may do more good than millions at another time, I know
not ; but I am sure that the alienation of these people's hearts
from her, which I see already come to pass, will breed so
great peril to herself and so great mistrust to the whole realm,
that she will curse them that were authors of the advice when
she perceives that they had more regard to some private profit
(for it comes to pass either by corruption or that they are weary of
her government), than to her safety, as in duty they are bound.
For he that looks into her present state, weighing things as well at
home as abroad, shall see by this decision so dangerous a storm
drawing on as is likely to blemish the blessedness of her former
course of government.
First, to look into things abroad : it is over apparent how Spain
and France are affected towards her ; and if any think they may
work her safety by procuring a reconciliation between her and
them—' as I know some have been carried away with such conceits'
—they will be found to be authors of very dangerous and unsound
counsel, building safety upon a reconciled enemy, some of whom
are so carried away with the desire of revenge that they spared not
their own blood in the nearest degree. The Prince and States here,
who were altogether at her Majesty's devotion, seeing themselves
abandoned, cannot but withdraw their goodwill, and of assured
friends grow most dangerous enemies. I will therefore take upon
me hereafter to give no further assurance of the Prince's friendship.
As for the King of Navarre and Prince of Condé, they are to learn
by the usage of those of the Low Country what they have to look
for. How greatly Duke Casimir repents his repair into these
countries, I suppose will appear by his own letters to her Highness.
To conclude, Scotland, which is the postern gate, seeing the
mischief and malice which is borne and 'tended' against us, I see
disposed (though it may be patched up for a time) to take another
course for their safety, and not to depend upon those who they think
make little account of them ; having dismissed their ambassador
with so evil satisfaction, as I perceive by a letter from Alexander
H[ay] they were (sic). For the common cause he greatly laments it.
To heap up the mischief in full measure, I fear the Duke of
Alençon's ministers will be sent back ill-satisfied.
Now for the discontent at home. If her Majesty would look
truly into it, and the misliking that reigns generally in all 'States,'
though men make outwardly a fair show, she would see that the
approach of some dangerous alteration is at hand ; which I fear the
rather that you and the rest of her Council with whom she has conferred
touching 'these country causes' have most faithfully and
substantially delivered your minds, as Mr Sommers informs me,
who was present at the debating of the matter. Seeing therefore
that good counsel cannot take effect, it is an argument that the
mischief likely to light on the realm is 'fatal' and cannot be avoided.
The only remedy left to us is prayer.
As you advised, I have set down the reasons which moved us 'to
allow, or at least not to mislike of' the number of the French forces
as agreed between them and the States. If it would please her
Majesty to hear before condemning, her displeasure would be
avoided, and her ministers would serve with more courage and contentment.
But I fear these mislikes grow by practice of some not
the best affected towards me ; whereof I have received very hard
measure since my repair hither.
I am enjoined by my wife to yield you my humble thanks for
your comfortable letters to her, which, among other benefits I have
received at your hands, I do not esteem the least.
Copy. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 3x.]
|
Sept. 2[?]
K. d. L. x.
818.
|
216. [WALSINGHAM] to [HATTON.] (fn. 1)
Sir, if it be good to have these countries possessed by the French,
and alienated in good will from England, then you have returned
Mr Sommers with a good dispatch. But if nothing can be more
prejudicial than such a resolution as may minister just cause of
alienation, you have committed a most dangerous (I will not say
irreparable) error. For first these people mean to depend no more
upon your uncertainties, though they are the more grieved that they
will be forced to have recourse to a remedy such as may be termed
medecina morbo deterius. We do what we can to help the matter, and
stay them from taking a desperate resolution. We put them in some
hope that upon our return her Majesty will be well informed of the
state of their affairs and will take some resolution that will be to their
comfort ; which though it breed some content in them for a time yet
when they weigh the uncertainty of former resolutions, and how
dangerous it is for certain diseases to be relieved by uncertain
remedies, they despair of receiving any good. Her Majesty will
never have the like occasion to do them good as she might by
granting the relief they demanded ; 'the estate of their affairs
standing there upon making or marring.' But things past cannot
be called back again.
Your strange proceeding with them of Scotland makes us the less
wonder at your proceeding with them of this country ; and the consideration
of both gives me cause to think that there hangs over
that realm, which hitherto under her Majesty's government has
been blessed with a rare quietness, some most dangerous storm. I
am told so to fear the rather that I am informed by Mr Sommers
that no prince could be more faithfully dealt with by counsellors
than she has been of hers ; wherein he tells me that no man could
deal more faithfully than yourself. Where the advice of counsellors
cannot prevail with a prince of her judgement, it is a sign that God
has closed up her heart from seeing and executing what may be her
safety ; which we who love her and depend on her fortune cannot
think of but with grief. Lord Cobham and I particularly have cause
to think ourselves most unfortunate to be employed in a legation
that is like to have so hard an issue. But I hope the world can
witness that there lacked no good will in us to do what our calling
required.
Copy. 1¼ pp. [Ibid. IX. 3λ.]
|
|
Sept. 2.
|
217. [WALSINGHAM] to LEICESTER.
Don John's not yielding to a peace, standing as he does in very
hard terms, greatly amazes me. That he has intelligence with
Monsieur is not without some just ground of suspicion ; yet I
cannot yield to it when I consider that the possession of these
countries, which I see clearly are likely to come into his hands, will
be more profitable to him than any benefit he can receive from the
King of Spain by treasonable dealing. I rather approve the French
Ambassador's opinion that was here, who reporting to us what
passed between Don John and him, let us understand that he saw
no disposition in Don John to make peace. 'For,' said he, 'Don
John as long as the wars continue is a great prince, being followed
by 20,000 men ; and when the wars end, he has not a foot of ground
to repair to. Moreover, by the continuance of the wars he draws to
him the good will of martial men, which may serve his turn to
many purposes, either in seeking to possess himself of his brother's
dominions, or to dispossess some other where he may by practice
find some footing.' I am sorry that the peace cannot take place ;
doubting, by the delay in the dispatch of Mr Sommers, that her
Majesty has no disposition to embrace this cause as in reason and
policy she ought to do. Truly, we were greatly grieved with the
Marquis's speeches, contained in the letter directed to my Lords,
laying before us the harm growing to them by non-execution of her
Majesty's promise ; having nothing in substance to reply for the
defence. We see plainly that if Mr Sommers is not sent back with
good answer, they are resolved to have no further dealings with us,
so that we, leaving them unsatisfied, shall return home the most
discontented ministers that ever were employed on foreign service in
respect not of our own credits, which but for places we hold would
be of no great weight, but of the mischief likely to ensue both at
once to her Majesty, and to her successors by the alienation of these
people's hearts from her. But seeing it seems to be a thing decreed
by Him that governs all things, we must digest it with patience, and
pray to Him who is hope against hope to give another issue than in
reason or policy is to be looked for.
Copy. 1 p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 3μ.]
|
[Sept. 2,
but earlier in
the day than
No. 215.]
K. d. L. x.
788.
|
218. WALSINGHAM to BURGHLEY.
We had hoped that our travail for peace would have taken better
effect, seeing so many reasons to move us to think that Don John
has no reason to continue the wars as he does ; having, beside the
infection of his camp, no money to content his soldiers nor means
for conveying it, being afraid to pass it by way of France. Besides,
we do not see how his camp can be victualled, Monsieur having
given order, as I understand, to prevent any coming out of France.
If the States' camp, which cannot 'dislodge' for lack of money, had
followed him, they had ere this either forced him to yield to a
peace or caused him to retire into a town. Great pity it is that her
Majesty 'sticking to give credit' for 200,000 guilders should be an
impediment and let to what might have benefited these countries so
much and put her in security. If Mr Sommers does not now
return with a good answer, her Majesty is to make full account that
these people are no longer to depend on her assistance. They do
not stick openly to give out that it had been better for them to have
given her £100,000 than to have had any dealings with her ; considering
the great prejudice they have received by the uncertainty of
the assistance.
Though I have had many causes of grief since my employment
here, nothing perplexes me so much as to leave this
people so ill satisfied as I perceive we shall ; of which the
French are to make their profit, whatever they protest to the
contrary. He is worthy to be deceived who will trust to French
promises. I beseech you, as we see no further cause for our stay
here, where we shall grow daily more hateful, that if Mr Sommers
bring no order for our return, this bearer may be dispatched with
all expedition.—Antwerp, 2 Sep. 1578.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 4.]
|
|
219. Copy of above letter. 1 p. [Ibid. IX. 3ν.]
|
|
Sept. 2,
[but earlier in
the day than
No. 216.]
|
220. [WALSINGHAM] to 'MR. VICE-CHAMBERLAIN' (HATTON).
By the negligence of him that made up the packet at our last
dispatch the letter that I had written to you was not sent. The
contents of it were to put you in the hope of a peace, which now has
fallen out quite contrary to our expectation. We are amazed to see
Don John continue the war, finding nothing to induce him to do so,
save some particular respects which are more force with him than
that which in duty he owes to the King his brother. If the mischief
likely to ensue by his not yielding to a peace lighted only upon himself,
the harm would be less ; but it seems most clearly that her
Majesty and the Crown of England will be partakers of it, through the
strange course she takes in these causes. I can but most heartily
lament it. If Mr Sommers does not return with some good answer
I see a plain disposition in those here to depend no more on her
assistance. You and the rest of my Lords know how plainly we have
discharged our duty since our repair hither. We can only lament
that more credit is not given to it, importing her Majesty as much
as it does in honour and safety.
Copy. 2/3 [Ibid. IX. 3ν.]
|
|
[Sept. 2?]
|
221. [WALSINGHAM] to SIR THOMAS HENEAGE.
I hear by my friend from Court of your most friendly dealing
towards us, and how careful you are to defend the doings of your
absent friends, which is no common virtue where men live by the
present and not by the absent. But since rare things are best
esteemed, you will do well to continue it ; and so, besides that you
will make us greatly beholden to you, and ready to requite you with
the like friendship, you will draw others to esteem you who can
best judge what is the office of a true friend.
How hardly we have been dealt with, especially myself, since my
departure from Court, I am sure you are not ignorant, the matter
having been made so public. Where men are disposed to find fault,
it is very hard to please. Sometimes we are misliked of for overlong
writing, sometimes for overshort writing ; so that to keep
mediocrity to the content of those that are guided in their likings
by others' passions is a thing almost impossible. We both have
cause to acknowledge ourselves beholden to your best friend ; whose
honourable friendship has stood us in best stead. God send me
well to return, and I will hereafter take my leave of foreign service,
or as this bearer, Captain Colborne, terms it, ambassador's craft ;
seeing men are so ready to pick quarrels and 'to deprave careful,
painful, and good meaning.
Touching the state of things here, if Don John does not retire, it
is thought they will come to a fight within a few days ; but men of
best judgement think he will withdraw to Namur, his forces being
much inferior to the States', and weakened by infection, which as
we learn increases much. What result the peace will have now
that it is committed to the Emperor's hands, time only can teach
us ; for my own part, I am not altogether out of hope but that it
may take good effect, the Emperor being afraid that the French
may become possessors of these countries. The king himself also
is altogether weary of the wars, 'not being in that state for treasure
to maintain the same as by some is conceived that take pleasure to
set out his greatness,' as appears from the most part of Don John's
forces being unpaid for eight months.
Copy. 1¼ pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 3ο.]
|
|
[Sept. 2?]
or later?
|
222. [WALSINGHAM] to —
Sir, Pray excuse my late answer to your letter ; for since my
coming hither I have had my hands full, having to deal with divers
persons, and charge of matter full of cumber. Yet my greatest
trouble has not grown here, but through the hard measure I have
received from your quarters, 'particularly' for my own self, but
chiefly for the causes I deal in. If other men employed in like
service receive no more comfort, they will rather desire imprisonment
than employment. But hereof we will talk more at large at
our next meeting ; which I hope will be soon, awaiting hourly order
for our return.
Copy. 14ll. [Ibid. IX. 3π.]
|
|
[Sept. 2?]
or later?
|
223. [WALSINGHAM] to —
Sir, I excuse you for not writing that you may not blame me for
not answering ; having enough to do to withstand home malice
which has wrought me no small grief of mind to be so unkindly
dealt with as I have been. But this private grief has not so much
troubled me as the untoward dealing for the public, in which regard
has been had neither to honour nor policy ; which cannot but bring
forth dolorous effects. It is hard to stop the decrees of the Highest.
No country can be sure of always enjoying peaceable government.
The soundest and best constituted bodies are sometimes subject to
maladies. I pray God the disease that is like to light on our State
prove not mortal. It is most commonly seen that the bodies which
have long been free from sickness are most dangerously touched
when they once fall sick. Our remedy must be prayer, for other
help I see none. Standing now upon my return, I shall shortly
have the 'commode' to deliver that by speech which I would be
loth to commit to letter.
Copy. ½ p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 3ρ.]
|
|
[Sept. 2?]
|
224. [WALSINGHAM] to —
Sir, Our expectation of peace has not 'taken that good success'
we looked for ; which I heartily lament, considering how coldly
her Majesty is affected to assist them. They are I see disposed no
longer to depend upon your uncertainties. How prejudicial this
may be to the Crown of England in her own time and in time to
come, I leave to your judgement, being sorry to have had any
dealing in the cause. I hope the world will witness it was not by
our fault.
Copy. 14ll. [Ib. IX. 3σ.]
|
|
Sept. 3.
|
225. A note of the bonds to PALLAVICINO and SPINOLA.
'The Queen's Majesty stands bound in six several bonds, bearing
date at Kirtling, the third Sept. A.D. 1578 to satisfy unto Sor Horatio
Paulovicino (sic), merchant of Genoa, the sum of £16,636 7s. 3d.,'
half to be paid on Feb. 28, 1579, and half on Oct. 31, 1579.
Also to Baptista Spinola of Genoa, for £12,121 4s. to be paid in
equal instalments of £5,860 1s. on June 30 and Dec. 31, leaving
£401 2s. over.
Endd. ¾ p. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 5.]
|
|
Sept. 3 & 5.
|
226. Rough memorandum of six obligations (two for £2,100,
two for £2,000, two for £1,760) by the Queen (Sep. 3) and the city
of London (Sep. 5) in favour of Baptista Spinola or bearer.
Signed by W. Davison. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. IX. 6.]
|
Sept. 4.
K. d. L. x.
794.
|
227. JOHN DIGGES to BURGHLEY.
Having since my arrival in Flanders perused all the fortifications
of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Mechlin and Brussels, I find Ghent the
most strongly situate, upon the confluence of many swift and great
rivers, 'which by engine at one place in the heart of the city, where
those rivers as in a centre concur, may be so elevate that they will
drown the country a great distance round about,' save where it is so
supplied with 'spurres and foreign bulwarks' made with such
forcible rampires, well-flanked curtains, large and deep ditches,
environed with counterscarfs, that if the 'hudge' works they have
begun were finished, considering also the forts and passages of importance
that they have subject to their state, I judge the 'Gauntoys'
well able to canton and defend themselves against any prince.
And as they are more forward in religion than all the the rest of the
states so are they more friendly to England, and most dislike the
entry of the French. Against the Spaniards all the states are so
resolutely bent, that they have beaten to the ground all their
'suburges,' refusing no charges to perform their 'hudge' fortifications ;
and seem bent to the death never again to admit the yoke of
Spanish garrison.
In the camp the disorder is such that though their numbers are
great, and horsemen well appointed, there is small hope of good
success. The Scots are all shot, without pikes, and so of themselves
not able to make head against the enemy. The English that were
reputed above 3,400 are now in truth not 1,500. The 'lanceknights'
with Casimir that are reported 3,000 pikes are but 10
ensigns, and in truth not 2,000, but they encamp more strongly
and orderly, having entrenched themselves in a piece of ground 60
paces broad and 1,000 long, near the castle where Duke Casimir
lodges. This much I can report certainly ; but touching the number
of horse in the 'legar' and foot in the French camp, I can yet
say nothing, not having seen them since my coming 'reduced into
troops' or any forms of 'embattaling' and their lodgings so
scattered that no certain conjecture can be got that way. The
whole camp lies between the branches of the Dyle, a Dutch mile
from Mechlin, the whole country there being so settled upon
'straights' and enclosed grounds that their horsemen (at least
14,000), are utterly unprofitable. The reiters waste and spoil their
'friend' country, so that the villages are abandoned to within a
mile of Antwerp. The English and Scots having no pay to live
upon are likewise forced to get themselves food by spoil, and have
lately fired Aerschot and rifled all the country thereabouts, bringing
into camp the pillage of the villages near Louvain ; whereby our
camp is also infected with the pestilence, and partly thereby, partly
by slaughter in their disordered spoils, half our people are consumed.
The coming of Monsieur to the camp with 10,000 foot under
Colonel 'Bussee' and 3,000 horse is shortly expected ; but how
much the people generally repine at it, what treason they suspect,
what 'jealousy' even of the Prince they have conceived on that
ground, I know you have more sufficient intelligence than my new
arrival enables me to give. But if I perceive the advertisement
here of any matters that I know will be acceptable, I will direct
myself in that way, or in any other that you may command, to
deserve the great favours you have in many ways shown me.
The honourable entertainment it has pleased the Prince of
Orange to give me, and the acquaintance I have with M. Famars
and Villiers, on whom his Excellency not a little relies, will give
me opportunity to see somewhat further into the present proceedings
than a mere 'stranger person.'—Antwerp, 4 Sep., 1578.
Add. Endd. 2½ pp. [Holl. and Fl. IX. 7.]
|
|
Sept. 5.
|
228. The LORDS of the COUNCIL to POULET.
The Queen having received your letter of Aug. 25 has commanded
us to signify her 'good allowance' of the occasion taken, and her
good liking of the advices that you sent. At the same time her
pleasure is that we should make you acquainted with the points of
M. 'Rambolleit's' negotiation and of the answer that her Highness
appointed to be given him.
First he declared to her Majesty how and on what occasion the
Duke of Anjou had expressed to his mother his intention to renew
his suit to the Queen ; and that the King being advertised by her
and reminded by M. Mauvissière, allowed so well of his brother's
disposition that he could not but impart to her his satisfaction, and
send Rambouillet to promote and further the same.
Secondly, we should understand that the King was neither
'willing' to his brother's journey to the Low Countries, nor yet
privy when he departed ; but had used all persuasion, by himself, the
ambassador, the Pope, the minister of the King of Spain and others,
to divest him ; but his sudden going showed how little those
persuasions had prevailed.
Thirdly, whereas it may be thought that the King would further
his going with a view to acquiring the Low Countries to increase
the dominions of France, the King assures her Majesty that he is
determined in no wise to seek an alienation of those countries from
the King of Spain, but has sought to reconcile them to the King,
and has laboured with the King that he would agree to their
demands in all reasonable things, and if they demand things
unreasonable, he would rather aid the King than suffer him to be
deprived of his rights.
Fourthly, he said that his master having heard of certain
ambassadors sent from Scotland to her Majesty and not knowing
their intention, thought it convenient to send him thither to require
that no treaty should be made to the prejudice of the ancient confederation
between the crowns of France and Scotland.
Lastly he moved in the King's behalf some small matters touching
the Queen of Scots, as that she might have some money sent her,
that she might for her health's sake have more liberty and another
physician, the one that she now has being very old, that she might
change some old servants that are unable to serve her, and that an
auditor might be allowed access to her to take her treasurer's
account, it being long since this was done.
To these matters her Majesty's pleasure was that Rambouillet
should receive answer by us ; and so answer was given to him and
Mauvissière, being both present, as follows—
First, she thanked the King for imparting to her the circumstances
how he came to the knowledge of his brother's intention
and his desire to further it. She finds it true that his brother 'did
deliver of his intention' to his mother ; for so he has renewed the
same, having been as it were buried for the space of two years, but
upon what occasion her Majesty knows not. To that end she has
of late received sundry letters and sundry messengers and some
lately by Bacqueville with the King's permission ; in all which
are declared manifest arguments of love and goodwill which
Monsieur bears to her Majesty in the cause of marriage. Wherein
considering the long silence there has been in this matter, her
Majesty thinks it good to use some deliberation to take advice in a
matter of this moment, and means, as she shall find the continuance
of the Duke of Anjou's goodwill, so to satisfy it as reason and
honour shall require. [Last six words in L. Tomson's hand.]
To the second and third articles, containing the King's unwillingness
to his brother's enterprise into the Low Countries, and his purpose
now that he is there, her Majesty answers that albeit she has been
diversly advised that other meanings are hidden under that enterprise,
she is right glad to hear that the King expresses himself as
determined to proceed with such integrity, which is agreeable to
her own intention for the reconciling of those controversies. To
show the integrity of her part from the beginning, she has so much
regarded the interest of the King of Spain in his Low Countries,
that she has forborne for a long time to accept many offers from
the Estates of those countries to submit themselves to her protection
to be delivered from the tyranny of the Spaniards. On the contrary
by her ambassador to the King and messenger to Don John, she
has solicited their reconciliation to the King as Duke of Burgundy,
and to preserve them in their liberties from the said tyranny she
has not spared to relieve them whilst by treaty and other feasible
(sic, but peasible in draft) means she might obtain for them in doing
their duties as good subjects, peace and favour of the King.
To the fourth, concerning the ambassador of Scotland, it was
answered that the young King having lately been persuaded, by
advice of sundry of his nobility, now at his age of 12 years to take
upon him the government in his own person and to resume the
authority which the Earl of Morton had as Regent, he knowing how
much he is bound to her Majesty for his conservation in kis kingdom,
and considering that she is his nearest cousin and such a
neighbour to him that no prince christened can do him more good
or harm, sent to her to impart his estate, and required continuance
of her favours and advice. Which message she accepted kindly and
has promised him assistance, and aid at all times to reform and
suppress his adversaries ; which she thinks are nothing prejudicial
to the amity between the French King and him, for in all those
things the French King will rather join her than sever from her.
Lastly, in answer to the requests made for the Queen of Scots,
she has already allowed money to be sent her, and more shall be
when there is reasonable occasion. So in all matters pertaining to
her health, her service and her accounts, her Majesty will not be
found 'strange' to grant what is sought, so long as she shall find
that under the pretence of these requests there is no other meaning
than is plainly expressed. To this end she has given the Earl of
Shrewsbury ample authority to permit her all liberty meet for her
health, and to change such servants as he shall think meet, or release
such as are unable to continue with her.
Thus much her Majesty wishes us to tell you, that at
M. Rambouillet's return you may not be unacquainted how he has
been dealt with, and may be able to 'discern of' the reports which
he shall make, or to use yourself the same speeches in her Majesty's
name.
And whereas her Majesty is given to understand that various
rebels, fugitives, and bad disposed persons gone out of this realm,
some of them such as have upon her Majesty's motion been banished
out of the King of Spain's dominions, are received and do haunt in
that realm, and divers of them are at present at 'Rohane' [Rouen],
her pleasure is that you shall deal earnestly with the King that no
such may be received nor suffered to remain within his dominions ;
and declare to him that seeing the like request has been granted
and put into execution by the King of Spain, her Majesty will have
cause to think that it can hardly concur with his offers of unity
otherwise, that such persons should find relief or comfort in his
countries. If you can, deliver to him in writing the names of such
persons, adding from time to time others that shall come to your
knowledge.
Copy. Endd. by L. Tomson : The 5th of September, 1578. Copy
of my LL's letter to Sir Amyas Poulett. 4½ pp. [France II. 66.]
|
|
Sept. 5.
|
229. Draft of the above, with many additions and corrections in
Lord Burghley's hand. 4 pp. Endd : A m. of a lre. to Sir A.
Poulet by Osburn his servant, from the II. [Ibid. II. 67.]
|
|
230. Later copy of certain passages from the above apparently
made for Sir J. Williamson. [Ibid. II. 67 a.]
|