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8 July.
Brussels
Archives,
B.M.
French MS.
Add. 28,173. |
113. The Same to the Same.
Since our last of 28th ultimo, we have received your Highness's
letter of 2nd instant with copies of others from your Highness to
MM. Chantonnay and Garcia Lasso with their replies.
With regard to the settlement between the French and English
we have no other news except that after the seven days' truce which
expired on the 22nd ultimo, hostilities were recommenced and
skirmishes took place as before. Notwithstanding this the deputies
met on the following Sunday, in Edinburgh, at the lodging of
Secretary Cecil, where they stayed five hours. We were told this
by the person we sent, as your Highness will see by the enclosed
extract of letters. Since then the gentleman who was sent to
France (M. de Bueil son of the Count de Sanserre) has arrived
here, and after communicating the decision of his King to the
Queen in the presence of Ambassador Seurre and the Count de
Roussy, he left for Scotland on Thursday afternoon, where by our
calculation he may have arrived on Saturday last, or at all events,
yesterday. The only thing that can be learnt of the coming of this
gentleman is that both sides declare that if peace be not made it
will not be their fault. Count de Roussy came to see us yesterday,
and amongst other things he told us that the people in Leith had
received a supply of provisions from two French ships that had run
the gauntlet of the English forces, and the place was now victualled
for six weeks, besides what they had before. We asked the Count
what he thought of the peace negotiations, and he said he had not
much hope, as the Queen was not so anxious for peace as she was
before. We asked him how that was, since they were willing to
withdraw their troops from Scotland, and give satisfaction as to
the arms and title. He said it was quite true they were willing to
withdraw their troops, except a small number to occupy certain
insignificant castles which could not offend the Queen, and they also
gave her satisfaction as to the arms and style, and promised to leave
the government in the hands of Scotsmen, but notwithstanding this
she must have some secret designs or claims for reparation of damage
such as are not usual amongst princes.
He also told us that the Queen had sent the Admiral to her forces
at Plymouth (Pleve), and sent 12 more companies to her camp, which
diminished his hope of peace. He said that there was a man in
Boulogne who staked his life that he would always run small craft
into Leith to revictual the place, and, speaking of the health of the
queen of France, he said it was true she was very ill and not out
of danger, and also that the queen regent of Scotland, her mother,
before she died, had asked pardon of the rebels who came to visit
her, and they did likewise of her. The earl of Arran was amongst
these rebels. In addition to this conversation we have other reasons
to believe that the peace is extremely doubtful, but we shall know
something certain one way or the other by the end of this week, and
will advise your Highness with all diligence by the courier you
have sent us whom we have detained here for the purpose ; but have
thought well to send the news contained herein by the ordinary
post who leaves here this midnight. We have read the accounts
given by MM. Chantonnay and Garcia Lasso to your Highness of
their conversations with the Ambassador Throgmorton, respecting
the marriage of the Queen with the eldest son of the Duke de Nevers,
and from many indications we think that Florent must have come
here about this business, and the Treasurer of the Household (fn. 1) must
have referred to this matter when he spoke to me (bishop of Quadra)
recently in the palace, about the friendship of our King, and asked
me if I had observed that Florent was deep in the confidence of the
Duke de Nevers. The Swedish Ambassador is spreading a report
that the prince of Sweden is making preparations to come hither
with a great train of nobles and a quantity of uncoined silver, and
that he will arrive within five or six weeks.
Signed : Philippe de Stavèles. El Obispo della Quadra. |
13 July.
Brussels
Archives,
B.M.
French M.S.
Add. 28,173. |
114. The Same to the Same.
By the regular courier leaving Tuesday last we replied to your
Highness' letters of 2nd instant, and gave our opinion respecting
the French and English agreement in accordance with the news
then current. Since that date Lord Cobham, Warden of the Cinque
Ports, has spread news among the merchants that the said agreement
is entirely settled and concluded, but without his being able to say
on what conditions. We went to see the Queen at Greenwich
yesterday to obtain trustworthy intelligence of it. She appeared
very glad of our visit, and after certain friendly chat said that even
if we had not come she would have sent us the news she had
received from Scotland two days before informing her that the
accord between her and the Most Christian King was now complete,
excepting some insignificant points, and she believed that proclamation
to that effect had already been made in Scotland. She then
descended to particulars, and said that the French would abandon
Leith, which would be demolished, and that only 60 (French)
soldiers would remain in Scotland, facilities being given to the rest
to return home by sea and safe conducts provided for those who
wished to go by land. She thought that the alliance between her
and the Scots would continue, and for this reason hostages would
be sent her and renewed every six months during the life of the
queen of France, and one year after her death. The style and arms
of king of England hitherto usurped by the king of France would
be entirely abandoned, and all documents, &c., bearing the arms
would be renewed with those of France alone. She will by this
treaty be recognised queen of England and the government of
Scotland is to remain in the hands of natives who will choose
24 Scots nobles from whom the Most Christian King will select
seven and the Scots five, who shall together administer the government
from which the French shall be excluded. She freely confessed
that she had not obtained all she demanded, but said that the treaty
would nevertheless be concluded. We think, however, that she is
not quite satisfied with it, and that things generally are not going
to her liking, nor are we sure that the agreement is certain to be
effected even now.
We briefly repeated what we heard to Ambassador Seurre to
learn whether he had received the same news. He told us that he
had learnt as much by common rumour, and had started to visit the
Queen for the purpose of speaking about it, when he met the Vice-Chamberlain, (fn. 2)
who, when he heard the object of Seurre's visit, said
if he had nothing else to go for but that he need not go any further
as he would tell him himself. He had then told him that George
Howard, (fn. 3) the Captain of the Queen's Guard, had told her that at the
time of his departure from Edinburgh everything had been settled
verbally, and there only remained to put the treaties in writing
which Seurre believed to be true, although he had no letters himself,
and he seemed to think that as the French had put some munitions
into Leith (which the Queen could not entirely deny yesterday).
and the Scotch Catholics declared against the rebels, the Queen was
moved to more haste in concluding the agreement for fear of its
falling through altogether.
During our conversation the Queen said she had heard that the
queen of France was very ill a fortnight ago, and if she died without
an heir the duke of Chatelherault would be glad for his son the
earl of Arran to succeed to the throne, and this gave us ground for
suspicion that her marriage with the said Earl might be arranged at
some future time.
She also said that the Swedish Ambassador had assured her of the
coming of the prince of Sweden who would be here next month.
We have thought well to inform your Highness of this by the
courier we had kept back from one day to another in hope of decided
news about the agreement.—London, 13th July 1560.
Signed : Alvaro della Quadra. Philippe de Stavèles. |
15 July
Brussels
Archives,
B.M.
French M.S.
Add. 28,173. |
115. The Same to the Same.
In our last of the 13th instant we conveyed to your Highness the
news of the agreement between the English and French as we had
received it from the Queen's own lips, and since then we have
received your Highness' letters of 11th and 12th with enclosures, &c.
As we expressed some little doubt about the agreement in our last we
think well to lose no time in advising your Highness that we have
since received further information. Ambassador Seurre sent his
secretary to us to-day to say that he had letters from the French
deputies in Scotland by a gentleman they had despatched to their
King with the object of obtaining his sanction to the agreement and
explaining its provisions. He had also brought the details to the
ambassador, and amongst other points the French had abandoned
Leith which was being dismantled. One hundred and twenty
French soldiers would remain to garrison the castles of Dunbar and
Inchkeith (Yuschif) sixty in each, and as to religion, everybody
would be free to enjoy whichever he liked best. The secretary told
us also that the deputies were already on their way back, so that
although we consider the matter now quite settled, I (de Glajon)
still propose to stop here for a few days longer to learn further
particulars of the treaty, when, in accordance with your Highness'
letters, I will at once return to give an account of all that has
passed.
Your Highness will clearly see by the aforegoing that the
endeavours of the French to obtain the aid promised them were
entirely unnecessary.
We take note carefully of the instructions given to Don Juan
Pacheco, of whose coming we have not up to the present received any
news. Since, thank God, affairs here are in a very different condition
from what they were when he left Spain, we will instruct him what
he is to say in accordance with your Highness' letters in case he
arrives before I (de Glajon) leave, and if not I (Bishop Quadra) will
do what is necessary, since it will be superfluous to use the same
mode of proceeding now, and particularly if the Queen has been
informed of the object of his journey by her ambassadors at His
Majesty's court. As your Highness is pleased to order it, the
congratulations on the conclusion of terms of peace may be taken in
good part and give us more advantage than we think. Respecting
the complaints of certain fishing towns in Holland against some
English ships of war, we will go to the Queen to-morrow to make
the fitting protest, and demand punishment and restitution if possible,
or at least provision against such pillage for the future, and I,
de Glajon will make due report to your Highness on my return.—
London, 15th July 1560. |
22 July
Brussels
Archives,
B.M.
French M.S.,
Add. 28,173. |
116. The Same to the Same.
By our letters of 13th and 15th instant, your Highness will be
fully informed of our certainty about the agreement, and that
I (de Glajon) would leave here on my return shortly. I should
have done so at the end of last week but for the coming of Don
Juan Pacheco, who arrived here on Thursday last, not having been
able to come sooner, owing to adverse winds that detained him at
Boulogne. On Saturday we went with him to the Queen to present
his credentials and instructions, in which he proceeded in accord
with your Highness' orders, sent to us in your letter of 11th instant,
in case the agreement should be effected as it was. After the
customary salutations and congratulations to the Queen, on the
conclusion of the peace, he remarked to the Queen that he had
been instructed (in case the treaty had fallen through) to urge the
restoration of all things to the state they were placed in by the
treaty of Chateau Cambresis, for which, and for the great interest
the King had shown in her affairs, the Queen thanked him with
exceeding cordiality, saying that she was more and more obliged to
His Majesty, whom she not only looked upon now as a brother but
as a father also. After several things of this sort, she said that with
regard to the last point, the same was settled quite in conformity
with His Majesty's opinion, and she also gave us to understand with
regard to her claim for 500,000 crowns indemnity, and the restitution
of Calais, that within two months commissioners would be
appointed to decide the question, and if they failed to agree it would
be submitted to His Majesty's arbitration.
She also told us that the deputies were now occupied in deciding
with the Scotch parliament certain questions submitted to the latter,
and Admiral Clinton told me (de Glajon) that the French infantry
in Little Leith had already embarked on their return to France,
and the said parliament had to decide if the 120 soldiers who
were to garrison Dunbar and Inchkeith were to be French or
Scotch.
With regard to the pillage of certain Dutch ships, we remonstrated
with the Queen very emphatically, and left her a memorandum of
the affair, whereupon she appeared much surprised, and promised
that strict inquiry should be made in order to punish the authors
and obtain due restitution. I (Bishop Quadra) will advise your
Highness of what is done. On Saturday last I (de Glajon) took
leave of the Queen, and shall start after dinner to-day, embarking
at Gravesend, in the hope, if it shall please God, of being with your
Highness next week. Don Juan follows me in two or three days.—
London, 22nd July 1560. |
| July 25. |
117. Bishop Quadra to the King.
The duchess of Parma will have informed your Majesty of the
conclusion of peace between the king of France and the queen of
England and the Scots. The settlement and terms have only been
told me by the Queen tardily and piecemeal, and I have not yet been
able to get a copy of the treaty, which I will send as soon as I
obtain it.
What has been learnt hitherto is that the French (so far as regards
their differences with the Scots) have agreed to leave the country
with the exception of 120 men, who will remain to guard Dunbar
and the island of Inchkeith. It is also agreed that the Parliament,
which will assemble on the 11th August, shall appoint 24 persons
of the country, from whom 12 shall be chosen, five by the States
and seven by the Queen, to assist the Governor whom the Queen
may appoint, the Governor being unable to do anything without
the 12. It is settled that every person in future shall follow the
religion which he prefers, and that no one shall be punished for
what has passed in this respect. The castle of Dumbarton is to
remain in possession of the duke of Chatelherault so long as the
queen of France may remain without children, and one year after a
child is born. This is for his own security, as he is to succeed to the
throne if the Queen die without heirs. All other differences and
claims on both sides are to be examined in this first Parliament.
News has arrived that the French soldiers have already embarked
in English ships, and hostages have been given for the return of
these ships and the dismantling of Leith. As regards the
differences with this country it is agreed that the queen of Scots
will discontinue the style and arms of Queen of England at once,
and proclamation is to be made both in Scotland and France that
any person possessing documents of any sort bearing this style or
seal must renew them within two months, failing which all such
grants and documents shall be held invalid. Besides this the Queen
says there is another clause in which the French declare her to be
the legitimate sovereign of the realm, and that all other matters are
restored to the condition in which they were at the time of the
peace of Chateau Cambresi. As the Queen also alleges that the
French have damaged her and been the cause of the war, and therefore
should make some amend towards the costs she has incurred,
on which account she claims 500,000 crowns and the restitution of
Calais at once, it is agreed that Commissioners shall meet here
with regard to this. If these Commissioners do not agree within three
months the case is to be referred to your Majesty for decision within
one year, with power to defer the question for another year by
consent of the parties. A French gentleman named Lignerolles who
took the treaties over some days since is shortly expected back with
the ratifications. The Queen was dissatisfied with this peace,
believing that the Scots will join the French as before, and with
this fear Cecil concluded the arrangement in great haste, seeing
some signs of it. Since then, however, I think they have again
renewed the league, and ambassadors are expected here from Scotland
to put it on a new and better footing. The French are I think
displeased at this, and even at all that has been done. The
Ambassador Seurre told me that the Scots wanted to break up the
league, but the Queen would not allow it, and, as she has hostages,
they have been obliged to do as she wished. The Queen says just
the contrary, and I believe her, although I do not think the league
will last long, and that the French will undo it by negotiation.
The French have agreed to the conditions, because their object was
not to offend the Scots and carry on a war which might spoil their
chance of occupying this country, as this war would have done if
they had had your Majesty's troops in Scotland, and therefore this
settlement seems to them the best way out of it. It has enabled
them to save the people in Leith and leave Scotland in peace,
although on terms both onerous and dishonourable, and has also
allowed them to avoid the heavy cost of war and saved them from
incurring the indignation of the Scots without being able to work
their will in English affairs. To aid their cause they have made
use of your Majesty's name, and spread reports that you would
assist them. On the other hand the Queen, finding herself without
money or men and the winter coming on, with no hope of taking
Leith, and in fear that the Scots might fail her, has thought well
to do as she has done before the weather and necessity compelled
her to withdraw her troops and lose all.
In my opinion the French are dissatisfied and the Queen displeased,
and, it may be feared that on the two points of the renovation of
the league with the Scots and the indemnity she claims of the
French, affairs may again become embroiled, unless indeed the
displeasure and grievance they both feel against your Majesty
may lead them to think of something worse. I say nothing of
French affairs, as your Majesty understands them better than I,
although I do not like what I see of these ministers here ; but, as
regards this Queen, I can assure your Majesty she is so angry and
offended at the thought that not only would you not help her, but had
offered to aid her enemies that it is to be feared that she will do all
the harm she has strength to do. M. de Glajon is aware how
inconsiderately she one day showed her ill-feeling to him and me,
saying that your Majesty was her secret enemy, and Glajon also
knows how these people regard us, although the Queen uses extreme
artfulness in trying to make me believe she is devoted to your
Majesty. God knows I should like to say this was true, but as I
do not think it is I am forced to make known to your Majesty the
real position, so that any steps your Majesty may take should be
founded on true information. The Queen told me the other day
that we should see in two or three months how affairs would look
here. I do not know what she expects to happen of so much
importance in that time.
With regard to the marriage they think here that if the Queen of
France were to die this Queen would marry the earl of Arran.
Others say she will marry the prince of Sweden who is shortly
expected here, and they say brings large sums of money. She
laughs at both of them, but I do not know whether she is
dissembling or not. I, for my part, do not think she will marry, at
all events for the present.
Don Juan Pacheco arrived here on the 18th instant and saw the
Queen two days afterwards. He told her that your Majesty, having
heard that a treaty of peace was proposed between her and the
king of France, you had thought well to send and beseech both of
them to be pleased to come to just and honourable terms, for which
object he (Don Juan) was here ; and that your Majesty's ministers
in France were urging the same very earnestly on his Most Christian
Majesty. He said also he had orders to congratulate her heartily in
case peace should already be concluded, and also to say from your
Majesty that although you had no doubt the Queen would perceive
how important it was, both for the restitution of Calais and for
other reasons, that in the new treaty the convention of Chateau
Cambresi should be declared perfectly firm and valid, your Majesty
thought well to point out to her that the preservation of peace
largely depended upon it. She thanked him very much and said
peace was concluded, which is true, as the French ambassador tells
me.
Your Majesty will have learnt from Madame's letters about the
Nuncio who was coming here. By Madame's orders I write to the
Nuncio dissuading him from coming. In accordance therewith I
also write to Her Highness and to the ambassador Vargas, so that
the letters may be read in the congregation in Rome, as Vargas
advised that his Holiness had announced was to be done. I send
your Majesty copies of all these letters, and also of a separate letter
I write to Her Highness informing her of certain things that had
passed with the Queen about the Nuncio's coming, and on religious
affairs, the substance of which is that she is very dissatisfied with
the person of the Nuncio, and knows that he is coming at the
instance of the French and in league with some of the Catholics here,
all of whom have consequently been arrested. As regards religion
she is so determined that in my opinion nothing is to be hoped for.
She wasted much time in trying to persuade me that the difference
between Catholics and Lutherans was not of much importance in
substance, and she thought that when I had heard her opinion fully I
should be satisfied. I answered that none of the things she had
told me caused me any surprise, as I knew the masters who had
taught her, but one thing alone shocked me greatly, which was to
see that she would not acknowledge the power of the general Councils
by means of which our Lord had preserved His church for 1,500
years, and had cleansed it of many greater errors than those which
now exist in it. I enlarged on this somewhat, and when the conversation
ended she said we would return to the subject. I will not
fail to tell her what is right, although so many preach to the
contrary that I know it is waste of time, particularly as she is so
badly inclined.
I am compelled by my conscience, (fn. 4) and in order not to fail in my
duty to your Majesty to say that the Catholics here complain that
your Majesty should sustain this Queen in her dominions, and so
cause heresy to strike its roots in the realm. They are very downcast
about this and will be more so when they hear that the Nuncio
is going back on my advice, which he will be very glad to publish.
I well know how much your Majesty has done to redress matters
here, but seeing that it is of no avail, it is to be considered whether
more can be done than hitherto, especially as the evil is reaching
your Majesty's own States, and that beyond any doubt, for I can
certify that there are in this country over 10,000 of your Majesty's
subjects, with such a store of preachers and ministers, that in a very
short time they may consume what remains of goodness in the
States. I have always refused to discuss these matters with the
Queen, thinking that the less I said about them the more alarmed
she would be, but she is so determined, and I perceive so clearly the
danger to your Majesty's interests done by the alienation of these
Catholics from their devotion to you that I cannot refrain from
bogging your Majesty to consider the question and order how I
should proceed with regard to it.—London, 25th July 1560. |