1560.
21 Jan.
Simancas,
B.M., M.S.,
Add. 26,056a. |
82. Bishop Quadra to the Duchess of Parma.
Ambassador Throgmorton leaves for France to-morrow, but his
going abates not a jot of the preparations for the war in Scotland or
the raising of troops to send to the duke of Norfolk who is awaiting
them at Newcastle. I think Throgmorton's journey is the outcome
of the visit of La Motte to France who, as I have already written,
was sent by the French Ambassador here. God grant that it may be
successful.
I hear the French are doing much damage to the rebel places in
Scotland, and it is said have broken Stirling bridge, which will be a
great hindrance to the communication of the rebel forces if the news
be true. It is reported that the loss of the Marquis d'Elbœuf's ships
has been very great, and enormous quantities of wreckage have been
cast upon the coast of Norfolk. It is said that some of their vessels
stationed in Scotland have been taken by the enemy. One of the
Queen's ships there was also lost at the same time and others much
injured. The French general of infantry sought safety in one of
the ports, and the French say that a number of cavalry will shortly
be sent, and the Marquis himself may come back if they will let
him pass, which might be of importance seeing the illness of the
Queen Regent who is very bad.
The duke of Norfolk has not so many troops as I wrote last week
to His Majesty, but they say that by the middle of February he will
have all his forces together, including 1,000 horse, which he already
has, most of which have been contributed by gentlemen who were
taxed for them according to their incomes and bear the cost of them
until they arrive at the place of muster.
There are great complaints about this.
The Duke (Norfolk) has written to me expressing great desire
that the Archduke's matter should be carried through, and I have
replied showing how small is the hope of success.
Duke Adolph of Holstein has accepted an income from this Queen
as he has from our King, and they say he will shortly be here, not
quite without hope that the Queen will marry him although he
comes ostensibly as her mercenary soldier. No doubt advantage
will be taken of this to stop the French from shipping troops in
Denmark for Scotland. The marriage of the Queen with the earl
of Arran is more talked about than ever, no doubt because the
Archduke's suit is looked upon as at an end. Your Highness knows
how much hope I have left on the subject, although in a discussion
I had with the Queen lately, speaking of the alliance between the
French and Scots, she said she thought it would not succeed for
two reasons : first, that no one would dare now to offend the earl of
Arran, who is so near the throne as the Queen is ill ; and secondly,
because every man in the country hoped to join the two crowns by
means of the earl's marriage, which would be impossible if the Scots
turned their backs on him. It is reported that your Highness is
fitting out some ships in Holland and that others are being armed
in Spain, which causes a good deal of anxiety here. The purpose of
Viscount Montague's embassy is, I understand, to propose a renewal
of the alliance between this Queen and our King, which Cecil tells
me will be much more advantageous to the King than formerly, as
the English have nothing to lose now on the continent, and his
Majesty would only be called upon to defend them against invasion
of the island which they consider an almost impossible contingency.
Although I know that Throgmorton's visit to France is more at
the request of the French than the wish of the Queen, it inspires me
with a good deal of alarm as I know how close is the understanding
between these people and the French heretics which Throgmorton has
brought about. He sent one of his servants on ahead six days ago,
pretending that he was one of Preyner's servants. The French are
fully aware of the bad turn he played them in getting the earl of
Arran away, and all through this Scotch business, and I consider
him a man ready to do any wickedness. The French no doubt
know this, but are willing to seize at any excuse for delay to give
them time to send their cavalry and the rest, and they also think the
Queen may thus be gradually weaned from the idea of turning them
out of Scotland. In this they are much mistaken, as preparations
were never so actively made here as they are now, and I am told
that money has been sent to the Scotch rebels, which is a great thing
for this Queen to do, as she is not inclined to waste her money. I
am told by a merchant who knows that 10,000 crowns have been
sent. Your Highness may be sure that if this wickedness here
is carried forward the new religion will be a means of destroying
all the neighbouring states, and no one will be safe.—London,
21st January 1560. |
| 27 Jan. |
83. Bishop Quadra to the King.
The ambassadors that the Queen is sending to your Majesty came
yesterday, and treasurer Parry with them, and asked me on their
mistress' behalf to write to your Majesty recommending them, as I
have done, and they will deliver my letters to your Majesty.
The Viscount (fn. 1) sent me a note to-day complaining that they have
never allowed him to come to my house except in company with
those who came, and he added that if he were not forced he would
never undertake so troublesome and unjust an embassy as that
which he bears, but that as he is accredited to your Majesty, on
whom the hope of the country rests, be endures it all with patience,
his only sorrow being that he is accompanied by a man whose sole
office is to spy upon him. I think he will take it well if your
Majesty will hear him sometimes privately, and I believe this can
only tend to your Majesty's advantage. All the favour your
Majesty can show him is well deserved by a man who has acted as
he has done, which is undoubtedly the most honourably of any man
of his quality in our time. I know your Majesty will for this
reason extend all consideration to him, and there is no need for me
to remind your Majesty of it ; but I have not liked to disappoint him
by failing to give him this letter, which will go safely as he bears
it himself. I also send letters from Paget who makes great professions
of service to your Majesty. I hope to receive your Majesty's
instructions as to what is to be done with him and others.
The Queen's army is to be in Scotland within a fortnight,
respecting which and other matters I write by way of Flanders.—
London, 27th January 1560. |
January.
Simancas,
B.M., M.S.,
Add. 26,056a. |
84. Bishop Quadra to the Count de Feria.
Everything here is in an incredible state. Every one sad and
discontented with what is going on.
The bishops of Winchester and Durham dead, and many others
also, but all were as steadfast as saints.
Many masses still said in London.
Cecil is the heart of the business and determined to carry it
through until they are ruined, as they will be. The Queen calls
Lady Catharine her daughter, although the feeling between them
can hardly be that of mother and child, but the Queen has thought
best to put her in her chamber and makes much of her in order to
keep her quiet. She even talks about formally adopting her. On
the other hand Cecil tells me that neither she nor any other woman
will succeed in order to exclude also the Countess of Lennox, whose
son if he were taken to France might disagree with their stomachs.
They signify that Hastings (fn. 2) would succeed. He loves Robert as he
loves the devil, although he is his brother-in-law and walks in his
shadow. The duke of Norfolk has arrived. In fact, things are in
such a muddle that they can only be written about confusedly.—
London, January 1560. |