|
| March 16. | Duke Casimir to her Majesty. |
|---|
| In behalf of John Furleger and his partners, citizens and
merchants of Nürnberg, who have besought his sister the Princess
Dorothea Susanna to procure his intercession with her Majesty,
as she will more fully understand from the petition annexed to
this letter. And being certified by his sister's own letter that
she has often had prompt and useful aid from the abovenamed merchants, and deems them worthy of his intercession and
commiseration, he cannot deny her request and the prayers of the
suppliants, and prays of her Majesty that they may not have
just cause to complain that they have been cheated of their
hopes or that his recommendation has proved futile; but that
by her aid, they may be paid what is due to them by the two
English merchants mentioned in their petition as speedily as
possible.—Heidelberg, 16 March, 1587.
Signed. Add. Endd. Latin. 1½ pp. [Germany, States V.
33.]
Enclosing,
Petition of John Fürleger and partners to the Princess Dorothea Susanna, Countess Palatine of the Rhine, Duchess of
Saxony, widow. (fn. 1) |
|---|
| Stating that Robert Barnby and Thomas 'Neukum,' Englishmen of the City of London sojourning at Nürnberg, are indebted
to them in a very large sum on account of loans and goods.
And as it seems impossible for them to procure payment save
by legal process, they humbly beseech her Highness to aid them
by letters of commendation (fn. 2) to her brother, Prince John Casimir,
Count Palatine of the Rhine and Administrator of the Palatinate,
that he may commend their cause to the Lady Elizabeth, Queen
of England; praying her, in accordance with the equity of the
case and by her royal clemency, justice and beneficence to procure them the full and speedy discharge of the debt, on presentation by the bearer of these letters as their messenger.
[Undated.]
Add. Latin. 1¼ pp. [Germany, States V. 33a.] |
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| March 19. | Horatio Palavicino to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I have to-day received yours of the 11th of last month, by
which I see that the conclusion of the business which I made
on January 31, had been approved by her Majesty and will, I
hope, be both pleasing and useful to her in many ways; and
although the Sieur de Quitri has not yet returned, we hope for
all the good results which his own and other letters have largely
promised wherewith I learn that D. Casimir is much pleased.
The Sieur de Clervant has written me the letter annexed, (fn. 3) which
I send for your better information. I go to-morrow to see
that excellent gentleman, whom I have long desired to know,
and from whom I hope to learn many things concerning the
public service, whereof I will inform you at once. Of those fiftyfive companies of which he writes, we might easily have fifteen
for the Low Country, if her Majesty thought well to employ them
in order to spare so many of hers, especially in these times
when she may need them elsewhere or at home. Your honour will
write to me thereof as soon as possible, sending me instructions
as to the pay and charges which you think reasonable to grant
and the place to which they should be conducted, as I would
very willingly go into that country to enlist them and bring
them to the appointed place. Here I have nothing to do, having
finished the payment to D. Casimir, which has been made so
punctually that I hope he is very well satisfied. |
|---|
| From Italy I hear that the Spaniards are jealous of the King
of Fez, who is fortifying the port of L'Araccia [El Araish or
Larache], where, it is thought by many, he may hinder the
naval preparations in Spain. They also consider that matters
in Portugal are neither quiet nor assured. Either of these things
may give rise to great changes, though we must not build our
hopes thereupon, as being uncertain, and perhaps a cunning
device to hide their real designs. |
|---|
| The execution of the Queen of Scots is taken by all as a
sure indication of her Majesty's courage, and so necessary a
thing that it could neither be avoided nor deferred; and although
it entails many anxieties in place of those from which she is
freed, they are not esteemed to be so great, seeing that her
Majesty's life and repose have been thereby preserved.—Frankfort, 19 March, 1587.
Holograph. Add. Endd. Italian, 2 pp. [Germany, States
V. 34.] |
|---|
March 19.
[last date] | Notes of certain of Palavicino's letters to Walsingham, of date
April 2, 24; May 1, 16, 28, 31; Sept. 4, 28; Oct. 2, 6, 7, 16,
23; Nov. 6, 10, 18; and Dec. 22, 30, 1586. And Jan. 8, 15,
27; Feb. 11, and March 5, 12, 19, 1586–7.
[Most of these are calendered from the letters themselves,
but in the few cases where these are missing, the abstracts are
printed under their dates.] |
|---|
| 5¼ pp. [Germany, States V. 35.] |
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| March 21/31. | M. des Landes [Chamberlain to the King of Navarre] to
Walsingham. |
|---|
| Having experienced your kindness in the past, I am persuaded that although I do not merit it, you still hold me as one
of your friends and servitors, and will not take it ill that I
recall myself to your remembrance. The affairs of the King
of Navarre, our master, are so linked with those of the Queen
your mistress that you are not ignorant of either, therefore I
will only say that having devoted myself to this service, I shall
employ therein (being with this prince) the rest of my life and
of my means; and beg you to believe that wherever I may be,
I am your very affectionate servant.—La Rochelle, last day of
March, 1587.
Holograph. Add. Endd. Fr. 1 p. Seal of arms. [France
XVII. 35.] |
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| March 22. | Walsingham to Stafford. |
|---|
| The Queen finding by your late letters to her "that some
doubt and suspicion is conceived by the King of the alienation
of her wonted friendly disposition towards him, and that she
should easily incline to minister occasion of breach of the
professed good amity between them," would have you use all
good means to remove that ill-grounded conceit, letting him
understand that as he has ever been constant in his affection to
her, she might justly deserve the blame of ingratitude if she did
not hold with him a like constant goodwill and friendship, the
continuance and increase whereof she earnestly desires. But
as to the other point, wherein you speak of their jealousy lest
she "should hearken and yield secretly to a reconciliation with
Spain, her Majesty doth find it necessary that you should still
feed that jealousy in them for her better advantage, to the end
they may not think that she standeth in so hard and desperate
terms with Spain as that there is no hope left of reconciliation,
by means whereof she must of necessity rely now wholly upon
th' amity and friendship of France; giving them in some sort to
understand that the continuance of the ill-usage and late arrests
of her subjects' ships and goods in that realm, with such other
like occasions of unkindness, may justly provoke her to hearken
to th' offers of reconciliation with Spain that are made unto her
by the means of the Prince of Parma.
[The next paragraph is noted in the margin as having been
written in a private letter apart.] |
|---|
| "This course and manner of proceeding her Majesty's self
doth think most necessary and convenient to be held in this
matter, although divers others of best judgment about her are
of opinion that it will rather do hurt than good; foreseeing that
in the state that things do now stand, those of the League
may take the advantage thereof to persuade the King to prevent
her Majesty by combining first with Spain against her; which
happening so, she should then be wholly abandoned and left to
herself; these offices that the Prince of Parma doth offer to
perform being likely to prove but entertainments to nourish security in her and to divide her from th' amity of France. . . . I
could do no less than deliver the same unto you; and yet, for
that in these cases, being hard to prescribe unto you from hence
any certain order or course of proceeding, it seemeth fittest for
her Majesty's service to refer many things to your own discretion,
that are there an eye-witness of things and of the humours and
dispositions of such as you deal withal, you shall in my opinion
do best, if you see any likelihood that the same course may do
hurt, to forbear to enter therein; acquainting her Majesty with
such reasons as move you thereunto by your letters to herself,
for that she doth now like best that you should address your
negotiations and weightiest advertisements directly to herself." |
|---|
| Her Majesty—understanding that since the return of the Earl
of Leicester some alteration has happened in the Low Countries,
where the States, being discontented with his proceedings, had
attempted to place and displace garrisons, change the governors
of towns and provinces, and finally to advance Count Maurice
to the place of governor, with many other innovations bewraying some secret practice and purpose to work a divorce from
her—has dispatched Lord Buckhurst thither, (who embarked
at Margate the 15th of this present) as well to inform her
of the present state of things there and true cause of the said
alteration, as to take some course for redressing the disorders
that have happened; with commission also, if he find the States
willing to restore the government to its former condition, to
signify to them that Her Majesty is willing, for their better assistance, to increase her contribution towards the erecting of a
camp this summer; and that my Lord of Leicester should return
to his government there, according to the request made by their
deputies lately departed hence. |
|---|
| "There have been divers means used to draw the King of
Scots to take revenge of his mother's death, but he cannot be
won to hearken thereunto, finding in his own judgment that his
only way to maintain the title he may hereafter pretend to this
crown is to continue the good liking of her Majesty towards
him, and to purchase unto himself the goodwills of the subjects
here, who by such means are likely hereafter to consider of his
right, as well as of any other the competitors, whereas if the
two nations should once enter into blood, he should lose all hope
to attain to the crown otherwise than by way of conquest, the
unlikelihood whereof is easily known to him." |
|---|
| Four or five days since, the French ambassador sent his
secretary to my lord Treasurer and me to say that he heard
that the Archduke Mathias was at Hamburg, with intent to repair
hither, desiring to know what we understood to be the cause
thereof. We could not then satisfy him, the matter being new
and strange to us; but we have since learnt by Mr. Horatio
Pallavicini's letters of the 18th of last month "that the said
Archduke, stealing suddenly away from the Emperor's court,
had been in Saxony, where, as it is said he has received money
of the Duke, and from thence was gone either to Denmark or
to Hamborough, there to take shipping for this country, with
a purpose to declare himself openly for the party of those of
the religion. The ambassador, who is likely to have received
these advertisements by some French ships that came out of
those East parts, laden with corn, seemeth to be very jealous
of the Duke's repair hither, supposing there should be some
accord intended between Spain and us, and that he cometh to
lie as hostage here, or else that he shall be employed in the
Low Countries."
Draft or copy, with some insertions by Walsingham. Endd.
with date. 3¼ pp. [France XVII. 36.] |
|---|
| March 23./April 2. | King of Navarre to Walsingham. |
|---|
| Had bound the Spaniard Pedro de Sarmiento to M. de la Noue
for the discharge of his parole and deliverance of his son, M.
de Teligny, before he received her Majesty's and M. de Ralley's
letters. Begs Walsingham, who knows M. de la Noue's merits
and the harsh treatment he receives, to do his utmost in the
matter.—La Rochelle, 2 April.
Qy.: Holograph. (fn. 4) Add. Endd. "2 April, 1587." Fr. ¾ p.
[France XVII. 37.]
[Printed in Appendix to Lettres Missives, vol. viii, p. 316.] |
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| March 23. | Waad to Burghley. |
|---|
| I was deferred for my dispatch until the coming of Roger,
but the King not receiving the satisfaction he looked for has
referred it again until the coming of de Trappes, that I may
be present at the examination, and so receive his pleasure.
"Wherein what her Majesty hath already done, or what shall be
fit for her to resolve, I refer to your lordship's grave counsel.
. . . Though I cannot perceive but the King hath as great
cause as ever he had to retain her Majesty's friendship, nevertheless I could wish that no occasion be ministered by us to
give further argument and hold to those that seek all means
to withdraw the King from our amity. In which behalf it is
not for me to presume to write what might be considered. . . . |
|---|
| "The ambassador is supported by those buttresses whereon the
King himself doth chiefly lean, wherein in my former I have
been bold to signify my opinions and your lordship can easily
conceive what I would infer. . . . That action is so construed
still as the King is thought greatly to be interessed therein,
and so it will be conceived for the interest others have in his
case. And if her Majesty should yield to the King's request, the
venture is not great in delivering over de Trappes, and the
King the more bound in honour to examine the matter exactly,
and to give her Majesty satisfaction, both in that and other
matters of like quality . . ."—Paris, 23 March, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. by Burghley. 1 p. [France XVII.
38.] |
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| March 23. | Waad to Walsingham. |
|---|
| [Thanking him in enigmatical terms for kindness shown to
some person, probably himself.] |
|---|
| You will perceive by the ambassador's letters at what stay we
are, wherein no consideration of my own doth move me otherwise
than it may import her Majesty's honour; only I humbly crave
my delivery from hence might be hastened. |
|---|
| "They think here that they offer a way in equity not to be
refused, and for her Majesty's satisfaction; wherein she is to
consider whether the time be to stand upon terms that import
neither honour nor safety and may breed harm, or to yield
to the King in that which shall bind him in all honour to have
great consideration of the matter, and, provoked by her example, to render like satisfaction in other things." |
|---|
| If I be revoked before I have answer from the King "they
will make a comment upon it as though we fly the lists. Your
honour can consider what the detaining of the ambassador's
servant can advantage her Majesty . . . And when they have
him, I assure myself they shall find that indeed which now
they will not conceive; as questionless they interpret all these
actions to disgrace, and will do until the King may be able
to look himself into the matter." Her Majesty has laid before
him all the confessions and examinations. He wishes his ambassador may be admitted to purge himself; and de Trappes
sent hither to be examined. The cause is of that importance
as the continuance or breach of amity dependeth upon it, and
other great matters concur at this instant to be regarded, which
I leave to your honour's wisdom.—Paris, 23 March, 1586.
Holograph. Add. Endd. 1¼ pp. [France XVII. 39.] |
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| March 24. | Stafford to Burghley. |
|---|
| "I have sent your lordship the copy of two letters I sent
to Mr. Secretary, having writ to nobody else of it but to you
two. I was very sorry that the eagerness of things here which
I writ should either continue or increase her Majesty's offence
against her Council. It is not a thing I desire, to offend anybody, and less your lordship than any other. I writ unto her
according unto my duty things truly as they pass. I have now
sent to nobody but to Mr. Secretary and to you this, which is
the truth, how things pass rather worse than better. Your
lordship and he may use it as you see cause . . ."—Paris, 24
March, 1586. |
|---|
| Postscript. I received even now a letter from Pallavesino,
who writes that Hugerie is gone into England from Duke Casimir
to demand new money from the Queen, and that they persuade
themselves she is so afraid of war with France and Spain that
she will grant anything, having great need of them. "I pray
God she may have a surer pillar to trust upon than they; though
in this time they may serve her turn, and all means are to be
embraced. Methinks . . . he cannot tell what to think: whether
the hope to get more money will be a cause of deferring that
they have promised. It were a great infidelity if it should be
so. I hope not. La Hugerie, I think your lordship knoweth
him for as broiling a merchant as any is in France. . . . |
|---|
| Pallavesino would fain be at home, if the army go forward,
or have a companion joined with him; for he feareth the
evil will of Segur and Guitry for doing his duty; and so I know
by proof, that nobody shall have their goodwill that doth that
which he is commanded, and not all what they list without
reason."
Holograph. Add. Endd. by Burghley. 1 p. [France XVII. 40.] |
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| March 24. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| "I received upon Thursday last your letters by John de
Vignes, the time of the King's devotion, being such (as if there
were none of these cross matters) I was sure I should have
had no audience though I had asked it. I thought I could
no way better deliver that which I received from you than by
speaking with M. Belliever, which I did upon Easter Even. |
|---|
| "To the nomination of those commissioners that her Majesty
hath appointed to the expedition of justice upon sea matters,
he marvellously liked of that resolution, and of the persons that
were named for it, saying that he would declare it unto the
King, but that they had not received it from their ambassador
. . . to whom (as he said) it were well that such things as
were mutually to be done were communicated at the same time
that they were dispatched hither; for that the King would look
to hear from his ambassador of it first, afore he took knowledge
of it. |
|---|
| "To that I answered him that I knew not whether it was declared to their ambassador yet or no, though I thought it was,
because that manner of dealing by way of courtesy was ever
wont to be kept by us and observed, though the like were not
answered here; but I was sure that if they would maintain that
custom, we should ever be ready to keep it still; but that for
this (whether so much was signified to the ambassador or no)
I was sure it was done, for else her Majesty would not have
caused it to have been written to me, as also that it should
be put in execution whensoever the King, for his part, would
nominate the like here and come to execution of it, as we
would do in England; and that of both sides releases may be
made of all prizes and stays upon these latter occasions,
and all things past put to the judgment of the commissioners of
both sides. He answered that he would deliver unto the King as
much as he had received from me. |
|---|
| "That being done, he entered into speech with me of himself
of this matter of the ambassador and of de Trappes; how
the King took it marvellous evil that her Majesty would neither
receive letters from his ambassador nor hear him; that the King
thought himself to be injured in that his ambassador was accused
of so vile an act and cannot come to his justification; that all
the world might conceive him to be touched in it, and that his
ambassador would not have done it nor durst not have done it
without his privity, and that this manner of dealing may make
the world in suspense of their judgments of him in the matter;
that her Majesty dealt with the King as making no account
in the world of him, which the King took in very evil part. |
|---|
| "I answered him that the King was marvellously deceived in
taking opinion that the Queen made no account of him in this
matter, for surely she had showed a great respect unto him,
considering how near the matter touched her and yet that she
had not refused, upon the ambassador's last request by Mr. ViceChamberlain and Mr. Wolley . . . but that Mr. Vice-Chamberlain's remaining at London by reason of the Parliament, was
the cause that report was not made to her Majesty of the earnestness of his request, and therefore he could not receive answer
from her of her mind. That I was sure the Queen did make
that account of the King and his friendship that the ambassador was for his sake to expect for any favour at her Majesty's
hands that she could reasonably grant him. I desired him to
consider that this matter touched her Majesty so near that (although there was no more than the ambassador confessed himself)
nobody could blame her if she were offended, and that in the
highest kind. |
|---|
| "He answered that the ambassador confessed that the motion
was made to him by persons that he saw were not men to
execute such a thing; that he reproved them for it, and being
out of doubt (for their unlikeliness to do any such thing) that
no harm should come of it, but rather thinking it a device
to pick money out of his purse, kept it without uttering it;
because he had no intent to undo anybody, nor to run into a
reputation, unfit for a man in his place, to be a discoverer of
those that came to treat of anything with him; and besides,
that whensoever he had discovered it, it had been but his yea
and their nay; and a lie in his throat were that he might have
for his labour. |
|---|
| "I told him that ambassadors (and especially the King's ambassador) had a greater credit than that in England that any
man durst give him the lie; and that in matter touching so
near the quick, a smaller man's credit than the King's ambassador
would carry weight; that nobody felt the sore but they that were
touched, and therefore her Majesty could not be blamed; that a
meaner person than her Majesty would scarce love anybody that
had known any enterprise upon his life, and not discover it;
that whereas he did desire there might respect be had to the
King, the better to increase and continue amity in this time,
I told him I was sure her Majesty would have great respect in
that and for my part, in that respect, I would further it all
I could. |
|---|
| "And truly Sir, though I may hardly write in this, because I
have a combat of nature and duty, yet (the last, for my place and
for my allegiance weighing full the balance down, the other being
of so little desert), if I may be bold to write my poor advice,
I could wish in this time (considering the weakness of this King
and the numbers of them that lie daily in wait to draw him
from us, and how unnecessary it were for us now to have him
by any means drawn away), that (for the respect of him) the
ambassador's case might not for him and his be overlooked
into; for in my opinion, that in these times there are things
visible that are not to be seen, and if the Queen did see and
hear the ambassador, and that de Trappes were sent hither to
the King with his depositions, and leave it to the King, it
would be a means to hinder and prevent practisers of division
between the two princes, and make the King beholding to the
Queen in that point; and if it be done so, I think (if I have
direction for it) to make the King sensibly to feel the Queen
desireth to do much for his sake. Though truly I cannot now
assure anything, seeing the eagerness of minds here, aggravated,
continued, maintained and increased as they be in this matter of
the Queen of Scots; which in truth I do not write them to you
by a great many parts so eager as I do find them, for I
cannot say that I have yet found anyone, nor spoken with any,
nor heard of any, what religion, state, passion, affection or age
soever they were of, but do utterly, in public or in private,
speak against it and in hard terms, especially against the manner
of it; and some, and that a good many, that afore it was done
have spoken in the allowing of it. In truth Sir, it is the strangest
thing that ever you saw, to see how it lasteth and continueth,
and none of these stirs nor taking of these towns (which all
men talk of) taketh away this matter, as well from the greater
sort as the smaller; but that everybody almost desireth to have
nothing spared to annoy her Majesty withal, insomuch as I
assure you that (though nobody in my place hath less cause to
fear than I, having, I thank God, both courtiers, citizens, and
leaguers my friends, that hardly anything will be attempted to
do me harm but I shall be advertised, and all done that can
be to hinder it) yet truly I begin more to fear than I did,
seeing things not diminish in eagerness but increase, and seeing
that our friends again upon the continuing of it do excuse
themselves to come to us; not so much as the Queen Mother
herself but sent unto my wife yesterday very privately to offer
her all friendship as her Mother with those terms, but to excuse
her though she sent not openly unto her, nor was desirous my
wife should come and do her duty unto her yet, in respect
of the mutinousness of this people upon these accidents in England, as she said. Besides, speaking with Belliever, and falling
into the matter of the Queen of Scots, in truth with great
grief (as I might see in his face) he bewailed the death, the
untimeliness of the doing of it, and most of all the manner,
because he did fear the inconveniences that the multitude of
assaults that the King had for it from Italy, Spain and all
places might breed to both these realms if the good intelligence
were by them broken, which he saw could not be but an
undoing to them both, and that from all places he was sent
unto to aggravate this matter, to lay afore him that she had
been his sister in law and his Queen of France; that if for
the shedding of her blood, and that by a bourreau as he termed
it, he were tant abandonné de Dieu (for those were his words)
that he would not revenge it, God would revenge it, and upon
him, and that they would all forsake him and take it in hand
themselves, though their interest were not like his, nor their
means so fit for it as his were. |
|---|
| "I answered him that the King was wise to look into the
humours of these that blowed this coal so fast, and what their
intents might be to set him forward in this action, and whether
they should not have cause to laugh in their sleeves or no if
he went forward with it. And (to leave the Pope aside and the
Princes of Italy, whom I would not deal withal) I desired him
to consider what pleasure it were for the King of Spain if he
believed him; whether he would make his profit of this breach or
no, and laugh to set the King awork to revenge the Queen of
Scots' death upon the Queen (who [Mary] was but his sister-inlaw, and twice married since, and therefore by all laws the
honour of her first marriage blotted, condemned for attempting
against the person of a sovereign prince in her own realm,
which she had been often pardoned for, and now anew reattempted) and forget the blood of his own sister, a virtuous
Queen, an honour to her house, shed by him, which is put up
and not spoken of; and in a time when the breach between
England and France was an undoing of both the realms, and
the greatening of Spain, at a time when the fire was by him
set already in this realm, and no way to help to quench it but
by the means of England, which, if he [the King of Spain]
could find the means to make the King himself put to the coal
to light the straw, to set it on fire, because it should not be
able to help France, I thought he should have cause not to
triumph a little; but I hoped the King would be better counselled than to help with his own undoing to set the King of
Spain up, and with setting England on fire, to quench the fire
that is in the King of Spain's countries. |
|---|
| "He answered me that he desired it nothing at all, but that
he was sorry to see that this accident, out of time and in this
sort gave matter to them that work upon nothing else to take
advantage upon the King's nature and upon the time; both those
that were abroad desired it and those at home sought nothing
else; that his going into England, if he might have been heard
and understood was to take the colour of that which no other
colour could give, to have sought to help all these things, and
if he might have had any kind of satisfaction to have carried
some colour in that point, he had charge to have dealt very
deeply in all points, for the good of both the realms. |
|---|
| "I replied to him that the thing that was done could not be
called back again; that for my part I [was] very sorry for
it, because I could not tell yet what would ensue of it, but
especially because I saw her Majesty most offended with it,
both outwardly and inwardly, as a thing she meant not to have
had put in execution without a new cause; but seeing it was
done, I marvelled with what reason they should persuade the
King so much to stir in it at this time, for if anybody had
good of it, it was the King and this realm; for one of the
chiefest heads that the League builded upon (which troubled
the King and the realm so much) was taken away, [in] which they
show the King an example how to govern himself in the matter,
for what eagerness soever they went about to put into him for
the revenge of this matter touching him in honour, being his
sister-in-law, they think upon their own matters and their own
ambition, and think upon nothing but taking the King's towns,
spoiling and destroying his realm, whilst they talk unto him of
this revenge, and going about to set him occupied with that, that
he may not look unto them: that if the King looked well into
it, the Queen of Scots being alive was ever a means of jealousy
between the King and her Majesty, which did impeach many good
actions and strict intelligence; that it being taken away, there
was no doubt but (the King consenting to it and willing to
hearken to it) there might be now good indeed done, in some
good mutual intelligence for the good of both the realms, which
I know the Queen would hearken- unto willingly, and never
desired more the King's amity than she doth, and never less the
King of Spain's, though perchance she hath means offered
enough, and the King of Spain not so foolish in seeking to
revenge the dead, to forget his own good in his life. |
|---|
| "He answered me that he knew well enough the King of Spain
ne aymoyt passer aucune oportunite de faire ses affaires; that if
this had not happened, that a hangman had not touched the
head of a Queen of France (so that the manner is it that doth
trouble them most) he had been in a good hope that things
would have gone otherwise than they do, and yet as the things
stood, that remedy that might be, he would put his helping hand
unto, for I should find him affected to the good, and nothing
at all Spanish. |
|---|
| "I answered him that he should find the like humour in me,
for I neither was affected to them nor never would be, and
that I desired the King might be persuaded to let the dead
care for the dead, and to take some good united course to
deceive them (that desire her Majesty and him both dead) of their
intents and desires; that I was sure if he would hearken unto
it in what sort soever the King would, either openly or privately
between themselves and such ministers as they may trust on both
sides, I was sure the King could not step one foot but her
Majesty would step two, that if I could have audience of the
King, I would tell him the same tale. |
|---|
| "He told me that he would find a time to tell the King
this to some purpose, but that, as my particular friend, he
counselled me not to ask it yet, for he would be 'lofte' I
should be refused; that her Majesty should do well to take all
occasions from them (that put into the King's head by examples
and proofs that she setteth not by him, nor maketh no account
of him) to work their intents; that she did evil to refuse
the sending of Trappes hither with his deposition to have
him here-examined, and worse to ask Morgan for Trappes; that
the King grew at that into a great choler and said that he perceived by that, that which was told him was true, that de
Trappes was stayed for some other purpose, though that were
the colour; and that Roger had brought but a trunked deposition
of Trappes, though they had the true deposition, but not by our
means, which the King was offended at. |
|---|
| "I answered that I would do what I could to procure her
Majesty in anything to satisfy the King to his contentment,
but I did leave to him to judge if she had [not] reason to
demand Morgan, and to be more offended for the not delivery
of him after so long demand and so nearly touching her so
greatly to her prejudice and danger; a thing expressly against
the words and intents of the treaties between the King and her,
wherein she hath continually run in danger of her life, by the
continual practices of him though he were a prisoner, and
Paget at liberty, and by whom in truth this accident of the
Queen of Scots is happened, they only having been the layers
of the 'platt,' senders over of the instruments, the givers of
means for the execution of that which might have proved so
dangerous to her Majesty, and is fallen out so deadly to the
Queen of Scots their mistress, which I did marvel that nobody
revenged upon them that were the direct causers of it by their
wickedness, and not upon her Majesty, who being aggressed,
defended her life with justice. |
|---|
| "He answered me that he would to God all such villains
were hanged, and as for Morgan, he had been imprisoned upon
my suit at the first, without any refusal; that if times had not
fallen out then as they did, her Majesty, he was sure,
had been better satisfied; that times are to be considered, and
things not to be so hardly pressed upon at some times as at
some others, upon divers occasions; that the strictness of treaties
are not always to be pressed; that if the King would, he
could press us for the money given to Duke Casimir when he
came last into France to bring him [in], sending Mr. Randall to
Monsieur (fn. 5) to offer money to impeach the peace; Palavisin now
being in Germany and delivering of money for the new bringing
of him in again. |
|---|
| "I answered him that of those things aforetimes I had no
knowledge of; they were afore I meddled with anything. What
Palavisin did now in Germany I was not knowing of it; it
was not of my charge. He told me that he did not also ask it
of me, for he was sure I would not tell it him, though he did
ask it of me. |
|---|
| "When I saw him upon that point, I asked him if he would
leave off his counsellorship, and I would leave off my ambassadorship, and then if he would give me leave I would ask him a
question, as a private friend, whether if her Majesty did that
which he said, and gave means to the King of Navarre to be
strong, considering how high in the instep the League was, and
how they brake the King's will, who altogether desireth a peace,
and how far out of hope they might be if the King of Navarre
were not some way made strong, to pull down their courage;
what harm her Majesty did to the King's service in doing it. |
|---|
| "He smiled and answered me with a French proverb: vous
voulez faire les valets du diable, nous faire du bien devant qu'on
le vous demande. Your honour may judge of the answer, but
one thing I assure you, that the best patriot in France he is
accounted and the honestest man of the Council, and that for
those respects he is deadly hated of the League, and for that
opinion of him proscript if these last enterprises of theirs might
have taken place. |
|---|
| "Thus have I faithfully represented unto your honour the
truth of things as they be here, and their dispositions, which
truly are rather worse a great deal than anything better than
I have set them down. My best hope is that the ambition of
the League will so much blind them as they will omit nothing
of their own particular to advance this great mind of a revenge
they publish, and that the King, if he be kept in strength,
must needs see it. And the way, in my opinion the best to
make him see it and not to let himself be weakened, is for
her Majesty, by her contenting of him and offering of him effects
of amity, to keep him in his strength. As I have written in
other dispatches, I do assure no good, but if her Majesty
give him contentment to make the way, and I have any direction
to do anything in it and how far that I may take opportunity,
I am sure I will use it to do no harm. |
|---|
| "In the mean time, provide for the worst, the best will provide for itself, and above all things that her Majesty look to
her own person, for she hath as much and more need of it
than ever; for they be extreme devilishly bent that way; whereof
truly, besides that M. Belliever of good will gave me warning
of it in generality, that the Queen had more need to look to
herself than ever, for that numbers were bent thereupon, and
protested any means to do it withal, and they were persuaded it
was a meritorious act, I know myself by other advertisements the
same intent, and particularly one that Mr. Fant I am sure hath
told you, which I made him acquainted withal, which since his
going is followed very much. Mr. Fant hath seen the man and
knoweth him very well, and when he is ready to go, I will
not fail to advertise you a point nommé. Mr. Fant knoweth
where he shall haunt in England, and where to find him out
in having an eye that way. God give her Majesty grace to
look to herself, and protect her and hers and send you his
grace in his keeping."—Paris, 24 March, 1586. Signed. |
|---|
| Postscript, in his own hand. "The King hath received a letter
from the King of Scots, which he keepeth very secret, I can
assure you of it; and will [be] neither aknown to them of the
League of it nor to anybody else. Madame Mompensier hath
done what she can to get it out of him, and besides made all
the means else that she can, and cannot; and yet assure yourself
upon my word he hath one, but he neither will answer it nor
take resolution in anything that way till Gisop [sic] be come
from the King of Scots, who is looked for every day."
Add. Endd. 7 closely written pp. [France XVII. 41.] |
|---|
| March 24. | Copy of the above, in Stafford's own hand, headed "Copy of
one of my letters to Mr. Secretary of the 24th March, by John
de Vignes." [No doubt sent to Burghley, as it is endorsed
by him.]
Endd: with date. 8 pp. [Ibid. XVII. 42.] |
|---|
| March 24. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| I have written in my other letters to you the true state of
things here, "and the eagerness that yet remains here in all
kind of people, and namely in the chiefest"; and I have writ
of it also to my Lord Treasurer but to none other. To you two
I thought it my duty to make known all things plainly, as
otherwise "both I and you might run in blame and her Majesty
be very evil served; and you not knowing the truth, the remedies
could not be applied." |
|---|
| I pray God Mr. Waade may come safe home, which I will
do all ways I can to procure. "He is greatly hated, spitted at
and watched for his departure, as he himself knoweth." |
|---|
| I beseech you let me have news as often as may be, but not
by way of 'Callis' for any Englishman coming that way comes
in hazard of his life, by M. d'Aumale's means. Let me know
all you think fit of the state of England, Scotland and the Low
Countries. Of all these sundry bruits will be given out, and
if I knew the certainty of them I could prevent the harm that
false bruits bring.—24 March, 1586. |
|---|
| Postscript. If John Tupper be not dispatched, I pray you
send him presently, as he may stand Mr. Waade in some stead.
Send none known to be your own till things be overblown, for
they will run in great hazard, yet sometimes, some of trust must
be sent to me, "that I may speak to, and not write."
Holograph. Add. Endd. "2 [sic] March 1586." 1 p. [France
XVII. 43.] |
|---|
| [March 24.] | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| "Because in these doubtful times, wherein so much malice
is borne against England, men are loth to have their names
or exposition known, I am constrained to trouble you with a long
cipher of the effect of a conference that I lately had with
Bellievre, whom I find the soundest patriot and honestest man
in the King's Council." |
|---|
| [The letter from this point is made up of portions of the
letter to Walsingham above [No. 41], but differently arranged.]
Probably a decipher. In the same hand as the letter from
Walsingham to Stafford of March 22. |
|---|
| Endd. by Phellipes "from Sir Edw. Stafford to Mr. Sec.
Walsingham. Touching Bellievre's speech about the matter of
de Trappes." 3 pp. [France XVII. 44.] |
|---|
| March 24. | Stafford to Walsingham. |
|---|
| The Queen Mother returned on Maundy Thursday to the Hermitage by the Bonshommes. She would not lie in the town,
being afraid of "these bruits that were here," and the advertisements given the King. But on Monday he persuaded her to
come, and she lies at her house at the Filles repantyes, so full
of the gout that she cannot stir; yet the speech is that the
King means to send her to the Duke of Guise and them of the
League, "who stir like princes and kings, especially M. d'Aumale
in Picardy, who, besides 'Dorlans' [Dourlens], that was taken
afore, and Boulogne, failed by the wisdom of M. de Gourdan,
have since taken Crotoy and [are] assured of St. Vallery,
and news came yesterday of St. Quentin's and Chatelet, but
that not assured. |
|---|
| "The Duke of Guise seemeth greatly offended at this Duke
d'Aumale's doings, and M. de Meine hath promised the King
that those places shall be rendered, but I will believe it when
I see it. |
|---|
| "The Duke d'Aumale hath made one Captain La Pierre be
killed, which the King is greatly offended at, and of whom the
King maketh great account. He pretendeth the cause of it was
that he was sent by d'Espernon to kill him. Since the Queen
Mother's coming there is counsel given the King to declare himself the chief of the League. Some think it is to cut the
League's throat, he being the chief himself, to take all arms
and commandment away from them; and in truth, a great many
of the League are in great murmuring at it; but the Queen
Mother's return without doing anything with the King of Navarre, and greatly piqued against him, as she maketh show,
doth make me conceive no good of it, though most of the
League will not be persuaded yet but that there is somewhat
agreed upon between the King of Navarre and her which they
keep secret. For my part, I have heard nothing from the King
of Navarre a great while, and this counsel to the King is
not yet come to resolution, . . . but it is thought he will do it ere
long. But resolutions do change here often, and a great many
that are very deep Catholics in deed are offended at these
taking of the King's towns that be Catholic, and see, and so
doth the King plainly publish, that they show it is not religion
but his towns and the state they shoot at. The Cardinal of
Bourbon himself doth somewhat stagger at it and grow jealous
of it. |
|---|
| "I still fear some attempt against the King's own person,
which they make a full account of to execute, and to make it
the full conclusion of all their greatness. The King doth provide
for it as well as he can." |
|---|
| D'Espernon is looked for within two or three days with five
hundred good horse and twelve hundred well chosen foot. There
is great hate of him imprinted in those of the town, and he
carries himself so high that I see no hope of his getting their
goodwills. I pray God it do not breed a great broil here. Duke
Joyeuse is in Normandy, and would fain make preparation of
twelve ships to go to sea (as they say) to assure the traffic, but
the soonest they can be ready is two months, and I think it will
be longer, for they want money to hasten it. The Duke of
Guise will not retire from Sedan, though he does nothing there.
They hear "none" of the Reiters' resolution to come, and begin
now to speak of sending Shomberg into Germany to levy Reiters
for the King, but yesterday it was said that news was come
that there was some breach of their resolution since 'Beutrick's'
death; and that the Duke Casimir will not march himself
but send the Prince of La Petite Pierre. I had letters from
'Pallevisin' last week, who wrote of Beutrick's death, but nothing
of any change of mind. |
|---|
| There is news out of Scotland (which took only seven days to
come) "that the King is shut up at Dalkeith (Dankeeth) and
not to be seen, perplexed extremely with sorrow, protesting
revenge and to employ himself and all his. That all the whole
country from the highest to the lowest, do offer all they
have to the King in the matter: That the King hath sent down
to the borders to keep all things in terms of no hostility till
such time as he be prepared himself, which he hasteneth by
all means: That one Gisop shall come presently hither . . . who
indeed is daily expected: That he is resolved to send Sir John
Seton into Spain and the young Prior Seton to the Pope: That
he hath already sent one to the King of Denmark: That the
King protesteth no harm or revenge upon her Majesty, who,
he saith, was forced to it and stolen upon, nor upon the realm,
in the which he hath an interest, but upon her councillors that
have signed her death, and made it be done unawares to her
Majesty: That Mr. Robert Cary had command to come no further, (fn. 6)
and Carvil, that was sent into Scotland for his safe-conduct was
fain to be conveyed away home in the night and presently
published that any Scottish man that came into England, or any
English man that came into Scotland should presently be hanged:
That Archibald Douglas had his commission of ambassador in
England revoked, what show soever he made to the contrary. |
|---|
| "These come from Courselles. How true they be, your honour
hath best means to know. They be here taken for true, as also
that the King of Scots will have the Bishop of Glasgow here
have all his livings in Scotland restored unto him, and make him
his ambassador lieger here. That his living shall be restored
unto him I know. A kinsman of his hath written that to him,
with assurance from the King's own mouth, and opinion that the
King meaneth the other too. |
|---|
| "Pinard is come home with the Queen Mother, with whom now
I shall have to do, which I am glad of, for he will speak.
Brulard never speaketh. I have had commodity to see him but
once since he came. They have instructed him at their pleasures,
both of this matter of the ambassadors and the arrests, for I
found him very hot, and if it continue, that Mr. Waade is not
like to be dispatched till de Trappes come, that he may hear
his examination, as he brought the complaint, afore he go,
and that these arrests are made upon our giving cause and upon
our denial of justice; but afore we parted . . . I instructed
him better, and he grew calmer and said he did not tell me
that from the King, for he had not spoken with him, but if I
would give him a short note of all things, he would move the
King, which I have done, but yet have not answer . . . I have
sent you the copy of the brief note I sent him for his better
memory of our long speech. |
|---|
| "The King of Spain is about a great practice with the Catholic
cantons of the Swissers, to have an alliance with them, and
now they be in a diet for the resolution of it, which is very
certainly thought will go favourable for the King of Spain."
Threescore thousand crowns are gone from Milan, to help to
get their goodwills.
Copy, in Stafford's own hand, sent to Burghley and endorsed
by him with date. 3¼ pp. [France XVII. 45.] |
|---|
| March 29./April 8. | Don Gonzales de Cordua to the Cantons of Uri, Schweiz
and Unterwalden. |
|---|
| Col. Berlinger has spoken to him on their behalf about the
payment of what is still owing to them for the passage of the
Germans. They know how anxious he is to give them satisfaction, but he again assures them thereof, and hopes that very
shortly his Majesty will order provision of money to this end.
The Colonel has also spoken with him touching their anxiety on
seeing the Imperial troops so near to their State; and so far as
he can understand the Emperor's resolution, he believes they may
rest satisfied that in no case will anything be done that may
cause them annoyance; and that—knowing well the close relations
between his Imperial Majesty and the King his master—they may
hold it for certain that while they continue in the good graces
of his said Master, they will always have fair consideration from
the Emperor.—Camp above Casale, 8 April.
Copy. Endd. as [received] "from Oliver Fleming." Italian,
1 p. [Switzerland I. 18.] |
|---|
| March 30./April 9. | M. du Pin to Walsingham. |
|---|
| You will learn from M. du Bartas, (fn. 7) the bearer, the state of
our affairs. His name and fame are known to all. You will
know him by sight, and will find in his actions piety, uprightness
and fidelity. The King has given him congé only that he may
kiss the hands of the Queen your sovereign and dedicate himself
to her service, not wishing him to go further unless it should
be to fulfil what may be commanded him by her Majesty, counting all service done for her as greater than if done to himself.
He is trusty and faithful; you may use him confidently in anything you judge fitting. |
|---|
| As to the Spanish prisoner, the King is sending a reply to
her Majesty. He would have given him up at once, from his
respect for her wishes and to gratify M. de 'Raullé' but he was
already bound by his word and promise. They demand nothing
but the liberty of M. de Teligny, a very small thing, which might
be bought with a thousand crowns if the Spaniards would take a
reasonable ransom. One cannot believe that the King of Spain
is afraid of M. de Teligny. He may help Dom Pedro de Sarmiento in this by four or five lines if he will. I send you
the copy of a letter from the French ambassador in Spain, M.
de Longlée, which has been deciphered and which I think you
should see, and make what use of it you can. It may please you
to care for the affairs of M. de la Noue and his son, for you
know his merit, and of what service he may be to us and
to the Queen your mistress at this time. All the churches have
appealed to the King my master, and drawn from him the promise
to hold Sarmiento until the son of M. de la Noue is set
at liberty. I pray you to continue to honour me with your
favour and to believe that you have no more faithful servant in
the world.—La Rochelle, 9 April, 1587. |
|---|
| Postscript. I leave it to M. du Bartas to tell you many particulars, that I may not weary you by a long letter.
Signed. Add. Endd. Fr. 2 pp. [France XVII. 46.] |
|---|
| March 31./April 10. | King of Navarre to Walsingham. |
|---|
| J'ay reseu les lettres par lesquelles la reyne vostre souveraigne
m'escrye pour la delyvranse de Pedro dy Sarmyento, ausquelles
je porte tant de respect quencores que lors quyl a este
pryns sur mes terres et par les myens, il ayt este trouvé charge
de plusyeurs memoyres, ynstructyons et lettres de l'ambassadeur
despagne et autres partyculyers contre lestat de ladyte dame
et contre moy et ma personne, je le delyvreray volontyers pourveu
quyl fase aussy delyvres le Sieur de Telygny et discharger la
parolle de Mr. Delanoue. Vous saves de quel meryte yl est et
combyen yl a soufert pour ce party, et avec quelle cruauté et
barbarye yl est treté. Je luy ay dautre part oblyge ma parolle
premyer qu' avoyr reseu les letres de sa Mayeste. Je vous prye
Monsieur d' Vualsynghan tenyr la meyn a ce que nous puyssions
parvenyr a cela par quelque fason que ce soyt, luy donnant moyan
de fere servyse a sa Mayesté et a moy comme yl en a de volonté.
A dyeu, Monsieur d' Vualsynghan, cest vostre afectyonne et
assure amy Henry.—De la rochelle, ce x davryl.
From the peculiarities in the spelling, this letter would
appear to be holograph, not written by du Pin. Add. Endd.
1 p. [France XVII. 47.]
[Not printed in the Appendix to the Lettres Missives.] |
|---|
| March 31./April 10. | M. de Segur Pardeilhan to Walsingham. |
|---|
| You will learn from M. de Palavicini the state of our affairs,
the great difficulties of our negotiation and the hindrances which
he and we have had, most part of which God has enabled us
to surmount. The differing humours of the princes of these
countries, their delays and the traverses they have given me have
brought on a quartern ague which has kept me only too good
company this winter. But I have learnt in this school to put
my whole trust in God and not trouble too much about either
the performances of our enemies or the stupidity and indifference
of those who call themselves our friends. |
|---|
| M. Palavicini, besides negotiating very wisely and skilfully,
has shown great affection for our affairs, and by his good offices
has greatly obliged the King of Navarre, all our churches and
myself. His virtue, kindness and the great toils which he has
undergone deserve a greater acknowledgment than this testimony. God will some day enable us to show our gratitude, for
I hope we shall not be always miserable; and while awaiting
the time when I may have the means to do you service, I shall
honour and love you as much as any gentleman in the world.—
Frankfort, 10 April, 1587.
Signed. Add. Endd. "By Signor Palavicino" (fn. 8) Fr. ¾ p.
[Germany, States V. 36.] |
|---|