|
| July 16/26. | Lazaro Grimaldi to Palavicino. |
|---|
| I wrote to you on the 19th, and have received none from
you since, therefore shall have little to say. Prince Doria
has had orders from the King not to sail with the galleys, which
are to set out in three or four days for Barcelona, under conduct
of Zanettino Spinola, the nephew of his Excellency. He himself
will remain here, and in or about September will go to Turin, to
hold the son of the Duke of Savoy at the font, in the name
of the Prince of Spain, as commanded by his Majesty. His not
going away cannot but serve for the prosecuting with greater
ease the design by us communicated to him, if from her Majesty
the Queen he sees occasion for doing so. The Prince of Parma
is making progress in the Low Countries, and if he continues,
as the ministers of the King hope, it may render our negotiation
more difficult. I hope however for a speedy and good resolution,
for the universal advantage of Christendom and the service of
the two crowns.—Genoa, 26 July, 1586. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. Italian. ¾ p. [Germany, States IV. 68.] |
|---|
| July 17. (fn. 1) | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Though there can be no certainty in the matter, as I have
but just now had the advertisement, I send this dispatch in
haste with what I have been told, that you may find means to
discover more. I will try to do so here, but believe it will be
very hard. |
|---|
| A man of good weight, and from whom I have had very
sound and true advertisements since I came hither, and very
few or none untrue, has sent one in post to me from Chantelou,
where the Queen Mother is, to tell me that yesterday Pinart
brought letters to Queen Mother, received out of Scotland, from
his son, whereof he read one very long one to her; and when
it was read once, he was made to read it again, after which they
had long speech and were very pleasant. Being retired from
Queen Mother, he came to the cupboard, where Villeroy came to
him, "this party approaching, to overhear what he could."
Pinart read part of the letter, and he heard Glaude Hamilton
named and much commended and here and there a word of some
stirring there; and [Pinart] "gave great commendation to his
son-in-law for his manner of negotiating in Scotland, which
the other applauded to, coldly enough . . . He heard them
further name the Queen of Scots often, and the Queen also,
and heard Pinart withal say these words, which he understood
very plainly:—We may perchance see this poor princess that
hath been so long in captivity and misery, ere long be in as
great greatness as ever she was. And heard Villeroy answer
again that the Queen [Elizabeth] was a very wise princess,
that followed counsel, and that had governed hitherto her affairs
very wisely, and that he had not seen yet her good fortune
fail her in any thing." |
|---|
| The Queen Mother going away and Pinard with her, I shall
scarcely be able to discover more of the matter, as I might if
they were here, but all that I can do, I will. What confirms my
opinion that there is some great matter is that the Bishop of
Glasgow a day or two ago had letters from Scotland, and I am
credibly informed he has it given out that there is a stir in
Scotland, and that Glaude Hamilton is a chief actor in it. |
|---|
| Pinard has desired me to write to her Majesty to be pleased
to give his son leave to come through England, as he is coming
hither for a month to despatch some business of great importance
to himself.—17 June [sic], 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1½ pp. [France XVI. 38 bis.]
The words in italics are in cipher, partly deciphered. |
|---|
| July 19. | News from France. |
|---|
| The general of this navy is M. de Chatre, governor of Dieppe;
his lieutenant, M. de Monntes [Monchy], M. Senarpont's son. |
|---|
| Captains:—Michael Russeau of Dieppe, in the Little Brissac;
Captain Chamberlain, in a barque of his own. It is thought
that Niepville and Cokeville [Coqueville] will go in the fleet,
and that one of them will be admiral, going in the Great
Brissac, of 360 tons. |
|---|
| The fleet is to be of ten ships, and the whole number of tons
is 2200 and of soldiers 2000, not yet levied. |
|---|
| As he passed by Motteville, Millerois, the lieutenant, and others
sent to give order to make provision for these soldiers till they
be embarked. The Dieppe ships go to Newhaven to take in
flesh and cider, but their biscuit is baked at Dieppe. They have
victuals only for three months. They have taken out of the
town and castle of Dieppe ten pieces of battery; of which four
are shipped in the Salamander, four in the Pelican and two in
the Perle. |
|---|
| The enterprise is very secret, some thinking it is for Scotland,
some to meet with Sir Fras. Drake, some for Rochelle. The
"most suspect" is that it is against Jersey and Guernsey. |
|---|
| The pay of this navy, for victuals and rigging of the ships,
is borne by Paris and Rouen; and by way of imprunt (anproint)
Paris has disbursed forty thousand and Rouen twenty thousand
crowns. The rest of the supply is taken out of the pensions
due to the gunners and other naval officers, remaining in the
Treasurer's hands. |
|---|
| It is said that it will be about the 20th of August before this
fleet is ready.
Year date given in endorsement. 2¼ pp. [Newsletters IX. 30.] |
|---|
| July 23./Aug. 2. | De l'Aubespine Chateauneuf to Burghley. |
|---|
| I forgot yesterday to make a request to you on behalf of a
man of letters, a foreigner, in this country, called Dr. Nyfus,
who is worthy of your favour in respect of his learning. He
has had a suit at law here for four or five years, and having
at last obtained a judgment from the Chancellor, and sentence
against his adversaries, he begs for authority from her Majesty
and yourself, forasmuch as, the parties having been put in
prison, it seems that they would rather remain in this misery
than pay him, wherefore he prays for permission to seize their
goods (they being foreigners as well as himself). Moreover he
demands the property of his father and mother, which has been
taken from him by strangers. I assure myself that in so just
an affair, you will have pity on a man of letters such as he
is.—2 August, 1586.
Postscript in his own hand. I pray you take order with those
who have opened my chests, and give order for the future to
all the searchers not to open anything which I certify is mine.
Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [France XVI. 39.] |
|---|
| July 23./Aug. 2. | Lazaro Grimaldi to Horatio Palavicino. |
|---|
| I have received yours of the 2nd of last month, and am comforted to hear that you have returned in health from your
journey to Saxony, and have proved by your diligence your care for
her Majesty's service. The Prince Doria has had nothing further
from Spain; nor do I expect any other reply unless first some
satisfaction be offered on the part of her Majesty, which might
incline the King and his ministers to give ear to the projects
for an agreement. . . . |
|---|
| The said Prince will not set out for Turin before the end
of September, and I am inclined to accompany him in that
journey, and certainly shall do so if I think my presence may
be of service to the business we have in hand. The galleys
departed for Spain yesterday morning. I hear that a gentleman
has arrived at the Spanish King's court from the King of
Denmark, with letters urging that King to an accord with
her Majesty, and to receive into grace, with fair conditions,
the people of Holland and Zeeland. I do not know the result.—
Genoa, August 2, 1586.
Add. Endd. Italian. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 69.] |
|---|
| July 24./Aug. 3. | — to Mr. May. |
|---|
| "That of the 17th of July, containing the preface of a tragical
event, imminent towards this proud kingdom . . . I doubt not
but is come to your hands. And since then, having seen the
finishing of the first Act, am the rather persuaded in the certainty of the rest." The King cannot set forth any forces, as
he has not a rial left, or friendships to presume upon, and
"goeth about to kyntare [quintar] his subjects, the only way
in this general misery to raise a rebellion." The Seigneuries
in Italy used to be ever ready to obey with men and money but
now deny both. |
|---|
| The lanzknechts have always been his soldiers, ready prest, but
now refuse to serve without present payment. The rumour is
so spread of Sir Fr. Drake's valiancies and the King's wants
that "the princes everywhere this ways are persuaded that he
is utterly defeated of his Indies," and hold him in derision,
and it is doubted lest those of Naples will rise. "And to kyntare
his subjects, which is to 'cull' out the fifth man, and to have
the fifth part of every man's wealth," when the countries are so
poor and so meanly populated as not to be sufficient to defend
it against those inhabiting it amongst them [qy. the Moors],
how shall he keep his seat if his adversaries join with these
and invade his kingdom. |
|---|
| Oh misery of miseries to Spain, if this should be effected!
Where is Don Antonio? Let him look out. Of the present need
there is another testimony. "All Englishmen's goods were in
depository, and now and then, he that had the forecast got a
fleece thereof, so that by this means, since the embargo, some
good part hath been underhand shifted away. But now within
this three days Anthony de Guavara hath set all upon pregon
in the Grades [qy. had it publicly cried at the steps] . . . at
which time I feared that which now I feel; there wanted not
a malsyn [informer] who told Torteledo of my lodge of oils.
I offered him the one half to colour the other, but with outrageous
threats he said he would do his diligence to make us all sudar
[sweat]. Even the apparel from our barks have they taken
and sold by pregon . . . Villa Reale told Perse Harebrone he
was not beholding to any merchants or other whosoever in
England por vida de cavelero. Mark these unthankful beasts,
that were banqueted and made much of, how far they are from
requiting, as they will not acknowledge the good turn; but a
merchant of Canaries which came from Porto Rico laden with
sugar, taken by men of war and carried to London, confessed,
although their ship and goods were taken, yet he and thirty
two mariners were much made of, and had free liberty to depart
without molestation." But with a Spaniard, "the better he is
used, the less to esteem and worse to report; . . . In
mean time our poor mariners here must content themselves in
their most miserable state, eaten with vermin, languishing in
dungeon and dying of famine." |
|---|
| There are now thirteen dead, and all the rest sick. This has
been reported to the King, who seems to take compassion, but
his prelating Council hinders him from showing mercy. They
have ordered all the Emanuel's men to the Holy House. "I
doubt things be not dealt with in England as they ought. There
is some 'Achitofell.' It behoves her Majesty to have regard;
we are her true hearted subjects, who hear and see in this place
many bad matters intended by slights and cunnings." |
|---|
| Ships' companies come from Norway report that they met no
man of war all the way, so that I doubt there is some
drawing back in England. It is strange that none of her
Majesty's ships, nor those with letters of reprisal are abroad
in this troublesome time. |
|---|
| The fleet of merchants which in February I told you were
preparing are now twenty-two sail in Cadiz (Cals) Road, ready
for the next fair wind. With them are six gallies to stay at
Santo Domingo, while the ships proceed for Nova Spania. |
|---|
| Our reprisal men should be encouraged to haste forth, for they
have not one good piece of ordnance, "and for sailors, labradores
and vynatores, simple sots, without comparison." In times past
none went to their Indies that were not gentlemen, "but now
Alcalde after Alcalde is posted hither and thither, and even out
of their basest to compell their going." On news from the
Havana that Sir Fra. Drake has passed 'Nomera de Dios' to
Cape St. Antony homewards and that their fleet of New Spain
will presently come home, there is another fleet preparing in
haste at Seville for Terra Firma. |
|---|
| The court of Spain feels "how weighty it is to be cut off
from their ordinary trades of the Indies, making them . . .
volens nolens to set forward their trumpery fleets, as having
lost the hatchet, to cast the helm after." It were very expedient
for the lords of her Majesty's Council to give encouragement
to all to set forth shipping, and "he that wins gold, let him
wear it." |
|---|
| If I should set down all the plots and ridiculous motions in the
court of Spain for the annoyance of England, I should enter
into a labyrinth of discourses. "Sometimes they treat how to
work a feigned peace, until better opportunity; sometimes are
mad and will fetch away England in baskets. Sometimes enter
directly into the consideration they are unable to avenge their
quarrel, cursing the unfortunate revolting of the Low Countries
. . . so that what they would they cannot perform, and what
they should their proud natures will not humble them unto."
I praise God that by two such snaffles as the taking of Holland
and Zeeland and the other of the Indies her Majesty has present
power to restrain their devices and drive them into despair.
Blessed be God and the men whom he hath raised to be his
instruments, and cursed those who would hinder the proceedings
of the same, for the neglect of either of these is the betraving
of her sovereignty and of Englishmens' lives. For King Philip
lacks shipping and mariners, which Holland and Zeeland might
furnish him with. But he has not Holland and Zeeland, and
so must still lack the shipping and mariners for defence of his
Indies, while he wants money, wherewith his Indies should
furnish him, for the getting of Holland and Zeeland. |
|---|
| Touching treaties of dissembling peace, I bethink me that
there is an ambassador here from Denmark, who is said to
have dealt for a reconciliation between the King and her Majesty,
"but now that speech is qualified upon news out of France of
some imagined mishaps in England. There is a pad in the
straw (fn. 2) , and now, no doubt, some notable villainy intended. Would
to God her Majesty would single out some of her careless
courtiers, for there are vile men about her . . . . When the
Spaniards have been resisted valiantly in their forcible dealings,
then their golden God, M. de Santa Cruce (as they term it) shall
do the feat, setting lewd persons awork to destroy and kill
princes and to subvert the loyalty of subjects. Such likewise
is their speeches of Sir Fras. Drake; that after the taking of
Cartagene† and ransom of the town, he used much banqueting
with his own and their country people, therefore make it a
wonder that he was not by Spanish practices entrapped or
killed . . . |
|---|
| "And as her Majesty is to take heed of these treacheries, so
is she to beware of a dissembled peace, as an only couler for a
better opportunity. First let the Spaniards have a good scouring
by war to cool their pride . . . and then a good peace of itself
will ensue, and an honourable estimation for ever of her
Majesty and realm . . . And now that the gates of the Indies
are broken open, which is the taking away of their ordnance,
let there be no neglect to issue in." |
|---|
| The [loss of] their ordnance is their greatest grief; which
they give out to be 52 at Santi Ago, brass 77 besides iron at
Santo Domingo, and 70 at Cartagene. |
|---|
| All Spain cannot supply the want again. Our English ordnance begins to bear sway here, and they will give much for
such a commodity. The Easterlings bring some store; I marvel
a matter of that importance is not better looked to. It is a
very bad and unconscionable trade to sell ordnance to strangers.
I wish any who carries it out of the realm might be hanged
as a traitor. "We were better send our enemies shot and powder,
for they have their end, but ordnance are of perpetuity."
There should be some sworn officer to oversee this abuse, or
it will not be remedied. We have therein a wonderful blessing
of God, not proper to any other nation. Let us give him
thanks and use it accordingly. |
|---|
| A very bad old fellow, R.B. (fn. 3) (fn. 4) that went from hence not long
since for England, should be looked to. For his pretence, I
refer you to the report of Sr. James and William Stalleng,
who can also tell you the names of the mariners deceased and
other matters which I omit to write.—St. Lucar, 3 August,
1586, stilo novo.
Endd. "A copy of a letter out of Spain." 2¾ pp., very closely
written. [Spain II. 68.] |
|---|
| [The signature has been very carefully cancelled. William
appears to be the Christian name, and the surname might well
be Stalleng, but the allusion above seems to exclude this.] |
|---|
| July 25./Aug. 4. | De L'Aubespine-Chateauneuf to Burghley. |
|---|
| Now makes request on behalf of those whom he formerly asked
might be punished, i.e. the searchers who opened his chests
and whom he hears are in prison. Thanks her Majesty heartily,
but not desiring their further punishment, prays that they may
be set at liberty, especially a young man named Smith (of whom
he never complained) on condition that they shall not in future
touch anything which belongs to him. Asks for an order which
he may send to those of Dover, Rye etc.—4 August, 1586.
Unsigned. |
|---|
| Holograph. Add. Endd. Fr. ¾ p. [France XVI. 40.] |
|---|
| July 28./Aug. 7. | Stephen, King of Poland, to the Queen. |
|---|
| On behalf of the men of Danzig, his subjects, who have
always had (as he thinks her Majesty must have seen) a
common interest with the other Hanseatic cities in questions
of commerce and other matters; so that, there having been
some slight controversy between these other cities and her
subjects, it is not perhaps to be wondered at that they of
Danzig have followed the judgment of the rest. But he having
desired that this, like his other ports, should be open to all
her subjects, and that they should trade there as heretofore,
the Danzigers, yielding to his order, have not only showed all
good will in the matter, but maintain that it is not their fault
that her Majesty's said subjects do not come there freely,
and are not trading under the laws which were in force before
any controversy arose. |
|---|
| But they think that, in return, they should have something
done for them in England; saying that they were once endowed
with exceptional liberties there, which have lately been taken
from them and which they pray may be restored; and secondly
complaining that without any thought of their consent, or the
custom of other realms, an edict (of which they cannot even
get a copy) is designed against them, fixing the amount of
yew to be imported by them into her Majesty's kingdom, and
also that a fine is being exacted from them. |
|---|
| As they have brought this to his notice, and as he considers
it his duty as a King not to fail his subjects in what seems
to him so equitable a demand, he affectionately entreats her
Highness that, as the result of this his intercession, she will
the more readily grant what justice itself demands, and make
sure that his subjects, who have willingly restored to hers
their ancient custom of trade, shall not only be once more
admitted to the rights which they formerly had in her realm,
but shall also be freed from the oppression of new and unaccustomed charges at the hands of her officers. . . . Grodno,
7 August, (fn. 5) 1586. Signed Stephanus Rex.
Add. Endd. Latin. 2¼ pp. [Poland I. 41.] |
|---|
| July 29. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| This last week, Count Montbeliard (Montbelliar) and the other
ambassadors from Germany arrived, "of whose coming the King
being informed, he went away from hence under colour to go
to the bains for his health," but left word that they should be
received and entreated honourably, "as they be indeed." |
|---|
| Finding the King absent, and no great likelihood of his
speedy return, they sent a courier to him, to desire leave to
repair to him, as Count Montbeliard and the other Count with
him "must necessarily be at home in the end of this month,"
which courier not being looked for again for six or seven days,
I thought good (having little to do) to go take the air abroad,
meaning to be back in Paris on Thursday. |
|---|
| They sent another courier into Germany to make relation to
their Princes of how they had been treated and what course
they had taken. |
|---|
| "The Abbot of Guadaigny is returned from the King of Navarre
to the Queen Mother, who sent him presently to the King.
Passing by Orleans [he] gave out to some that the King of
Navarre desired nothing more than a peace. |
|---|
| "M. de Nevers is gone to the Queen Mother, and his wife
follows after with her daughter, to see if they can conclude a
marriage between M. de Montpensier and her. |
|---|
| "The King met with the Bishop of Nazareth (who is to succeed
in this Nuncio's place) at La Charité, to whom he declared plainly
the whole estate of his realm, and told him that he desired
nothing more than peace and quietness, which he would never
agree unto with alteration of religion, but if it might be done
with liberty of conscience, he hoped that the Pope his Master
would not mislike of it. The Bishop answered him that for that
he could say nothing, because he knew not his Master's will
therein, but he was sure his Master would be very glad to see
him peaceably obeyed and honoured of his subjects as a King
ought to be. |
|---|
| "The news of the taking of 'Nuz' [Neuz] is given out here, very
hard and cruel. |
|---|
| "The Duke de Maine is still before Castillion, (fn. 6) where they
within the town have behaved themselves like men, and have
given him more pain than any place he hath [been] before yet;
they kept him long out of the fauxbourgs, and gave him many
skirmishes. He hath with great difficulty entered them now,
with the loss of many of his men and few of theirs. It is
thought he will not enter the town, or if he do, the gain will
be small in respect of the loss he is like to make before he win
it, which shall make him unable to assail any other place.
D'Allein, that is in it hath done so well as he hath
won himself a great deal of honour and reputation. |
|---|
| "M. Joyeuse's army is not yet all together, nor I think will
not be a good while. M. d'Espernon's goes but slackly forward."
—Paris, 29 July, 1586. |
|---|
| Signed. Add. Endd. 1½ pp. [France XVI. 41.] |
|---|
| July 30. | Horatio Palavicino to Burghley. |
|---|
| I wrote last by William Shute, who will have informed your
lordship fully of what has passed and of the state of these
affairs. Wherefore it only remains to add that Casimir has
kept to the times appointed, and I hope will be in Luneburg
today or tomorrow with all those princes, who had arrived there
on the 20th with very fine companies. If he should not obtain
his desires there, it will sufficiently appear how little our solicitations avail, but I hope that he will not come away with empty
hands, especially as he is very ardent to embrace the enterprise,
and will probably do his utmost to persuade them. |
|---|
| This greater warmth proceeds from his promising himself
more facility in its execution, and from a message lately received
from the Prince of Condé, who has given him to understand
that they confidently expect his coming, and that he will go to
meet him [Casimir] as soon as he knows that he is ready to
march; an offer which has been very grateful to him, and which
will certainly move him greatly, if he is not entirely debarred
by those princes from all he asks for; but otherwise it must be
confessed that we shall be able to do nothing; there being no
news of Saracino or of the money he was to bring. I have
nothing more to say, save that it being understood that the ambassadors of these princes had started for Paris, and that the King
was waiting for them before going to the waters; and that the
Queen Mother was gone to have an interview with the King of
Navarre, many declare that a peace may very probably be
concluded, considering the great confusion in the affairs of
the whole Kingdom.—Frankfort, 30 July, 1586. |
|---|
| Add. Endd. by Burghley. Italian, 1 p. [Germany, States
IV. 70.] |
|---|
| July 30. | "Contribution of the Electors and other Princes with some
Imperial cities to the use of the King of Navarre and others of
the Religion, if the Ambassadors sent unto the King of France
should return without good resolution." |
|---|
| "Whole Saxony," 40000. |
|---|
| "All the Counts Palatine," 30000. The Duke of Prussia, 30000. |
|---|
| Elector of Brandenburg; Duke Julius of Brunswick; Duke of
Wurttemberg; Landgrave of Hesse, each 25000. |
|---|
| Marquis George Frederick [of Brandenburg] ; Administrators of
Magdeburg; Duke of Bommeren [Pommern] and one unnamed, (fn. 7)
each 20000. |
|---|
| Duke of Mechlenburg, 15000. |
|---|
| Marquis of Baden; "Anholt" [Duke of Anhalt]; Duke of
Holstein, each 10000. |
|---|
| The cities of Norenberg and Ulm, each 10000; Bremen,
Halberstadt, Strasburg, each 8000; Francfort, 5000; Luweck
[Lubeck] and Veerden, — 4000. |
|---|
| The cities about the seas; Oldenburg, Friesland, "Lyffe" [i.e.
Lippe] Schomburg, the Earls of Wettrow and other Imperial
cities not comprehended in the aforesaid, 313,000. Total, 691,000. |
|---|
| Endd. by Walsingham's clerk. 1 p. [Germany, States IV. 71.]
[The contributions are grouped according to their amounts.
Denomination not given. Qy. the thaler.] |
|---|
| July. | Depredations upon English ships by French pirates from the
year 1585, for which justice is demanded in France. |
|---|
| April 30, 1585. The William of Yarmouth, Robert Wit master,
laden in Spain with coined money, casks of oranges, lemons etc.,
belonging to Richard Stapers, John Fisher and George Hanger,
merchants of London and others, attacked and pillaged by a
great French ship of Dieppe, to the value of 426l. sterling. |
|---|
| July 14, 1585. The Nightingale of Ipswich, Bartholomew
Wigmore master, laden in Portugal with money, oils, salt etc.,
belonging to John Barker of Ipswich and others;—attacked and
pillaged by a great French ship and a pinnace of Havre de
Grace to the value of 1000l. sterling. |
|---|
| Aug. 24, 1585. The Jesus of Dartmouth, belonging to Robert
Smith, returning from La Rochelle, laden with salt etc.;—attacked and sacked by French pirates and goods carried away
to the value of 150l. sterling. |
|---|
| Oct. 17, 1585. The Elizabeth of Bristol, belonging to Michael
Pepoll, laden with lead and cloth, going to St. John de Luz:—
attacked and taken and all the English (save one) drowned
by French pirates. Value 2000l. sterling. |
|---|
| Jan. 14, 1585 [-6]. The Jonas of London; owners, Titus
Johnson, Richard Arnold and others, merchants of London,
attacked and carried off by four French ships of Conchet,
Nantes and Brest to the coast of Brittany, and all the English
(two excepted) massacred. Value 400l. sterling. |
|---|
| March 24, 1586. The artillery of the Elizabeth Bonadventure
of London, belonging to Thos. Androes and others, English
merchants, pillaged and carried off by ships of war belonging
to the King himself in the river of Bordeaux, for which the said
merchants have vainly sought restitution or justice, obtaining
only evil words and threats, and being sent from one judge to
another Value of the artillery, 200l. sterling. |
|---|
| For which ships if restitution and justice could be had,
another list should be shown. |
|---|
| June 16. The John Kennaway and the Christopher, both of
Dartmouth, stayed by the Duc de Mercœur in the river of Dinant
(Dinham) near St. Malo, with wines etc. Value 950l. sterling. |
|---|
| And the Grace of God stayed by the same Duke at St. Brien
(Briaux), with its freight and furniture. Value 360l. sterling. |
|---|
| Same date. The Anne Rose of Dartmouth, the Trinity of
Apsum [Topsham] and the Pleasure of Lyme, laden with
doulas and locoran (fn. 8) stayed at Morlaix by the said Duke. Value
3500l. sterling. |
|---|
| For restitution of which ships and their contents, the French
ambassador is prayed to write to the King and the Duc de
Mercœur; to be made to George Weekes, merchant of Dartmouth
solicitor for the owners of the said ships. |
|---|
| With note by Burghley that Richard Bedford was master
and owner of the Pleasure, and Thomas Goss, owner of the
Trinity. |
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| Endd. with date "July 1586." French, 3 pp. [France XVI.
42.] |
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| July? | Notes concerning a book entitled "A discourse of the fight
between two English ships, Luterians, and four gallies, Christians,
who got the victory of the English ships; the master of the
greater casting himself upon a barrel of gunpowder and blew
up ship and men; the smaller ship was taken to Juberralter,
the 24th of March, 1586." |
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| "The first part, a prayer to God and Our Lady . . . . to
give the liar grace to speak the truth, with . . . reviling
speeches against our ships of war etc." |
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| Reports the English ships to be very huge and mighty, the
greater having 96 pieces of brass ordnance; says they had
taken a satia with Christians and put them to a most cruel
death. They would also have taken two Florentines, but these
were defended by the castle at Juberalter, and escaped. A
post being sent to St. Mary Port to advise what had happened,
ten gallies came forth, six to scour the coast of Barbary and
four to pass into the Levant. These four met the two ships,
the smaller was taken and after a long fight, the great one
being becalmed was boarded, "with the death and loss of a
hundred of the galleys' men, and in the end . . . set fire of
a barrel of gunpowder and blew up the ship in infinite pieces,
that the smother appeared like hell mouth. . . . This most
wonderful victory it pleased the Virgin to give against the
Lutherans. |
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| "Concluding with a song . . . in most villainous terms
against her Majesty." |
|---|
| Endd. "Copy of the extract of a slanderous book touching
the fight with [sic] the English ships and the galleys. July,
1586. ¾ p. [Spain II. 68 bis.] |
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