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8 May.
Brussels
Archives,
B. M.
French M.S.,
Add. 28,173. |
102. The Same to the Same.
Since ours of the 6th instant we received yesterday your
Highness's letter of the 1st, replying to our despatches of the
23rd and 24th ultimo, with duplicate of certain letters from the
King. Your Highness will have learnt by our said letters the steps
we had taken to carry out His Majesty's commands, and we will
only now add that we will not fail by communications and
interviews with the Queen and Council, and otherwise to forward
the wishes of your Highness and His Majesty, although the ambassador
Seurre is of opinion (as is also Count de Roussy, one of
the hostages,) that we should limit ourselves to the efforts we have
hitherto made and not importune the Queen any more for fear of
rendering her more obstinate than ever, but wait until perchance
she recognises her fault, and request our aid and support. We very
much doubt whether she will ever do this unless she is pressed to it
by urgent need because, as we have written several times to your
Highness, we do not think she desires our intervention, nor do the
French either, as we saw more clearly than ever yesterday in the
interview we had with Admiral Clinton, Dr. Wotton, and Secretary
Cecil, who, on the pretext of discussing with us the complaints
made by His Majesty's subjects came to see us. After a long
conversation on this question they wished to read to us the answer
the Queen had had drawn up in answer to Seurre's protest, which in
our opinion was the real object of their coming. As the answer was
very prolix, in order not to tire us, as Cecil said, by reading the
whole of it, he wanted to read only the conclusion. We asked him
thereupon why, and with what object, he wished to read it to us,
whether for the purpose of making us witnesses and giving us an
account of the Queen's action with de Seurre, or because she desired
our intervention to inform Señor Garcia Lasso of the answer, in
order that the Most Christian King might be by him made aware
of her excuses and complaints, and that the said Garcia Lasso might
endeavour to arrange the dispute between the King and her as we
had recently offered the Queen our good services with that end, and
she had told us that as she had news from Scotland that she wished
to communicate to us, she would send her decision on the point at
the same time. Cecil pretended to be surprised, and said he had
heard nothing of this from the Queen, and his only instructions
were to read the end of the answer to us, because in it the Queen
called upon our King as her judge, and he (Cecil) knew of no other
intention of the Queen, but would willingly speak to her about it.
He also gave us to understand that at the moment he left the
Queen de Seurre was with her, and had informed her that the
brother of M. de la Rochefoucauld was coming to her with full
power to settle matters, and that he had already arrived at
Boulogne. He asked for letters of safe conduct for him, which
the Queen had immediately and gladly given, and had even sent
some of her ships for his further security. We therefore think that
in view of the coming of this personage she will temporise with us
on the chance of their coming to terms without other aid, which God
grant. Cecil also told us that they would have already agreed if
the bishop of Valence had had full powers, and we think well to
inform your Highness of this, so that you may be in possession of
all that passes here.—London, 8th May 1560.
Signed : El Obispo Aivaro de la Quadra. Philippe de Stavèles. |
| May 11. |
103. Draft of letter from the King to Bishop Quadra.
Yours of 27th March to hand, and the duke of Alva has shown
me what you wrote to him on 6th April. Your and M. de Glajon's
joint letter is answered separately as regards Scotland, and instructions
as to what is to be done with the queen of England. I
approve of your conduct of affairs. Continue to act in harmony
with the Duchess, my sister, pending other orders from me, but
keep us fully informed of all that happens. For all else I refer you
to the letter sent jointly to you and M. de Glajon.
Endorsed : Toledo, 11th May 1560. |
May 13.
Brussels
Archives.
B.M.
French M.S.,
Add. 28,173. |
104. Bishop Quadra And De Glajon to the Duchess Of
Parma.
On Thursday evening last Cecil sent us word that the Queen
wished to see us on the following morning at nine, and at that hour
we were with her. She began by remarking how tardy she had
been in fulfilling her promise made to us on the 1st instant to let
us know when she had news from Scotland of the negotiations for
a settlement which were being carried on by the Queen Dowager
of Scotland and the bishop of Valence on the one hand, and her
(Elizabeth's) ministers and the Scots on the other, and that at the
same time she would communicate her decision with respect to the
offer we had made to use our efforts to effect an agreement between
her and the Most Christian King by means of Señor Garcia Lasso de
la Vega. Although she had received no news since then of the
negotiations, she wished in fulfilment of her promise to point out to
us the cunning and bad faith of the said Bishop towards her
ministers whilst he was in the Scotch camp. For the purpose of
leading them astray and gaining time he had pretended to desire a
settlement, and after some remonstrance had proposed terms. When
these were on the point of conclusion the Bishop had been asked to
show his authority, and had declared that it was in the possession
of the Queen Dowager, but when she was asked for it she had
replied that she had not it. This had immensely irritated the Scots,
who were now more bitter than ever, although their only desire was
to become obedient and faithful subjects of the Most Christian King
whilst safeguarding their own privileges, and she herself had been
greatly annoyed at this action of the Bishop and seeing herself thus
befooled by the King's ministers. Since she could see no hope or
probability of a settlement being arrived at by means of the French
representatives here, or even by the coming of M. de Randau, (fn. 1)
brother to M. de la Rochefoucauld, who de Seurre had told her had
already arrived at Boulogne on his way hither with full powers to
arrange their differences, but in whom she had no more confidence
than in the others, she would be glad to avail herself of our offer,
and declared to us that for the purpose of pacifying matters she was
willing to withdraw her troops from Scotland and render the
country loyal and obedient to the Most Christian King, on condition
that he would first withdraw all his French men-at-arms, leaving
the fortresses and the government of the country in the hands of the
natives to be dealt with as they liked according to their privileges
and the treaties ; and on his undertaking not to molest or trouble
them in any way for the past. In any other case she could never
feel secure against his sending as many troops as he thought fit
into Scotland (if the fortresses remained in his hands), and from
there invading her own country. The second condition was that
the King should at once cease all warlike preparations now being
made in France, and break up the forces that may have been got
together already there or elsewhere. Thirdly, that he should
abandon the arms and style of king of England now usurped by
him, revoking and annulling all letters patent or other acts bearing
such seal or style. Fourthly, that he should give redress for the
injury done to her by the usurpation of such arms and title, and
recompense her for the expenditure she had been obliged to incur
in consequence of his act. She requested us to convey these
conditions to Señor Garcia Lasso for the object mentioned, and that
we would use our best endeavours towards the end in view. She
promised to hand us a written copy of the conditions, and would be
very glad to do so immediately. We asked her what was the use
of this, as she was already in treaty with the French, and even was
expecting the arrival of Randau for that very purpose. After she
had consulted on this point she said she thought it would be better
to defer sending the conditions to Garcia Lasso until she had heard
the instructions of Randau, and saw whether it was possible to
come to terms with the king of France without other intervention.
In case this could not be done she would have the articles handed
to us in writing for us to take the steps agreed upon. As Randau
has not yet arrived she has not sent these articles up to the
present.
On this occasion, as usual, we continued to press her to withdraw
her troops from Scotland, and hold herself simply on the defensive.
She gave no answer whatever to this, but declared that she had a
great wish to communicate on this affair directly and personally
with His Majesty (the king of Spain), and said if the road were
safe and open for her she would like to make a journey in disguise
to meet him, and expressed great sorrow at the absence of the King
from the Netherlands. As we have already written to your
Highness, we are of opinion that neither the Queen nor the French
really desire our intervention, and all we have done therefore
hitherto has only been with the object of showing your goodwill
and the desire of His Majesty that the public peace should not be
disturbed.—London, 13th May 1560.
Signed : Obispo Alvaro de la Quadra. Philippe de Stavèles. |
23 May.
Brusseis
Archives
B.M.
French M.S.,
Add. 28,173. |
105. Bishop Quadra And De Glajon to the Duchess Of
Parma.
Certain couriers arrived from the camp in Scotland on Saturday
by whom we learn that on Monday last the English assaulted the
town of Leith and had been very bravely repulsed with the loss of
1,500 men, the French having pursued them and spiked some of
their guns, such was the disorder. The English have therefore
been obliged to withdraw their head-quarters and have informed the
Queen that they have no hope of being able to take the town by
force. This news is kept so secret here that no trustworthy details
are obtainable and they try their best to put a good face on it. The
Queen is making an extreme effort to reinforce her troops both by
land and sea. We suspect that on Friday last when she sent for us
she must already have received the news, although we found her in
better spirits than before. We are afraid the affairs of this country
are in a very bad way, and if anything evil happen or in case they
collect their forces as they are striving very hard to do, things may
get into such a condition as to be irreparable. Count Helfenstein
took leave of the Queen yesterday. She very willingly gave him
license to go, and made him understand, as she has done on other
occasions, that she had no intention of marrying. The Count is
making preparations for his speedy departure.
The duke of Holstein also leaves to-morrow on his journey home.
He tells us he is going by way of Antwerp.
The bishop of Valence arrived here on Saturday. He advised
us of his arrival, and we sent twice to him to-day to inform him of
our action with the Queen and offer him our help to arrange peace
if possible. He thanked us and informed us in return that the
reason the treaty arranged in Scotland had not been carried through
was not through the lack of the authority, as the Queen had told
us, and he had clearly signified this to the Queen this morning in
the presence of the English gentleman who was present on her behalf
at the negotiation of the said treaty. He had accorded the three points
demanded by the English, namely, that the French troops should be
withdrawn from Little Leith and the place demolished, but he would
not tell us the main point at issue. With regard to the five points
required by the king of France, that to the effect that they (the
Scots) should separate themselves from the alliance with the Queen,
they had after some consultation refused without first hearing the
other points. He therefore had to retire and has decided at the
request of the ambassador (Seurre) to await here the arrival of
M. de Randau, and in the meanwhile to send a courier to his King
giving an account of his proceedings in Scotland.
Postscript : After writing the foregoing we learnt that in the
above-mentioned assault the English were entirely defeated and lost
all their artillery. For this reason the Queen has ordered 6,000
footmen to march towards Scotland, most of those who were already
there having fled or been wounded or died, although we are not able
absolutely to assert the truth of this. If it be true the loss must
necessarily be very great, and this gives rise to some mistrust on
our part, as the French dissemble about it.
The reason of the sudden departure of the duke of Holstein is, we
understand, to bring for the Queen's service three regiments of
infantry and some black arnauts. (fn. 2)
We are also informed that an English gentleman named Brigantyne (fn. 3)
who was sent to Germany by the Queen has gone to beg help for
her.
The preparations of which we have spoken are very extensive and
even several ships belonging to the Flemish subjects have been
seized for service in this war.—London, 23rd May 1560.
Signed : Obispo Alvaro de la Quadra. Philippe de Stavèles. |
23 May.
Simancas
B.M. M.S.
Add. 26,056a. |
106. Bishop Quadra to Count De Feria.
The Queen has expected for some days that her forces would take
take Leith as Lord Grey said they would. They assaulted the place
on the 7th without having silenced the lower defences or battered
the forts much. They attacked with 22 scaling ladders, and those
who got into the fortress were killed by the French artillery,
whilst those outside suffered greatly from the volley firing of
2,000 harquebussiers. In the meanwhile 200 curassiers and 500
harquebussiers with 60 horse sallied from the place and completely
cleared the trenches. The Scots who were stationed on the
other side of the place did not move a hand—not without malice
as is thought—and people believe that the alliance will not last long.
To this end the French are directing all their efforts, making use of
our supposed assistance. In short things are going badly, and we
shall one of these days find ourselves at war without knowing why
or wherefore. Since His Majesty warned the Queen not to help the
rebels the Catholics have been persecuted worse than ever, and all
those that are known have been cast into prison. Oxford students and
the law students in London have been taken in great numbers. They
have also arrested those who came to my house on Easter day to
hear mass and have declared my house suspect. I do not wonder
at this, for the Queen told Glajon and me that she did not like
hidden enemies, by which she meant his Majesty the King, to which
I fittingly replied.
They are only hoping that we and the French may fall out, and
they evidently think that it will not be long first, or they would not
be so bold as they are.
I am suffering the trouble you know of and am so slighted that it
it is shameful. Pray help me if you can.—London, 23rd May 1560. |
27 May.
Brussels
Archives.
B. M.
French M.S.,
Add. 28,173. |
107. Bishop Quadra And De Glajon to the Duchess Of
Parma.
On the day following the date of our last of 22nd instant,
M. de Randau, the bishop of Valence and the ambassador (de Seurre)
came to tell us that they had been on the previous day with the
Queen at Greenwich, to learn from her whether she had decided
upon the place of meeting and who should represent her for the
discussion with them on the differences between their King and her.
She told them that the matter was so important that she had not
resolved, but that in a day or two she would do so and let them
know. They told us that the Queen would not discuss the differences
in this city, and they thought she was not very desirous of a
settlement. They also complained that, contrary to her promise to
cease hostilities when she received the King's deputies, she now
refused to do so.
Very late on Friday the Queen sent to tell us that she had seen
the authority of M. de Randau, and was much pleased thereat, and
if what Randau and the bishop of Valence told her was true, she
had great hope of the success of the negotiation. In order that
nothing should be wanting on her part, she had appointed Dr. Wotton
and Secretary Cecil to conduct the affair, and would appoint three
more when these had arrived in Scotland. Wotton and Cecil start
to-morrow, so as to be on the 5th of June at Newcastle, where they
will decide with the others where the conference is to take place.
She assures us that it will not be her fault if a settlement be not
effected. We still think, nevertheless, that neither she nor the
French have any intention of making friends together, as the only
object of the French is to separate the Queen from her alliance with
the Scots, as we have said before, and it would appear by her delays
that the Queen hopes to take Leith by famine, as the rumour runs
that there is a very small store of provisions there, and it must fall
in a few days.
The French at the last meeting very clearly gave us to understand
that they did not intend by any means to discuss with the Queen the
disputes in Scotland, and she shows no desire for our intervention
or presence at the discussion of their differences. We should have
been able to give your Highness an account of the conference if it
had taken place in this city, but as it will be held a hundred and
sixty miles off it will be difficult to obtain news. We will, however,
strive by all possible means to obtain information for your Highness.
By what we have said, your Highness may see how little use I
(de Glajon) can be in future here.—London, 27th May 1560.
Signed : Obispo Alvaro della Quadra. Philippe de Stavèles. |