12 April.
A. 234,
Bib. Nat.,
Lisbon. |
266. Document headed : "Relation sent by the Duke of Medina
Sidonia to the President of Finance. Given to me to
take to the Tower (fn. 1) by the Chamberlain of the President."
Statement made by Francisco de Valverde of St. Lucar, who
arrived in this city of Lisbon to-day, 12th April 1588, as to
what he saw in England and London, which place he left on the
12th March 1588.
Whilst he was on his way from the Indies, in the flotilla from New
Spain under Don Juan Guzman, in the year 1586, on board one of
his own ships of 150 tons, four English ships belonging to the
Queen, and commanded by John Hawkins, attacked him off Cape
St Vincent. He and 18 of his men were captured with his vessel
and cargo of hides and dyewood, and were kept captive for 15
months. First, they took him to Portsmouth, where he was
detained for three months ; then to Southampton, where he
remained a month, and thence to London, where he stayed until
the 12th March last, when he left for Spain with a passport from
the Queen. He embarked in the Thames and came by way of
Dieppe and Havre de Grace. He states that for the last four
months the English have been busy collecting ships from all parts
of the kingdom, and that Francis Drake was in London during that
time. He has been informed that 40 ships of the following strength
had been gathered in Plymouth ; namely, five belonging to the
Queen, of 400 to 500 tons each, armed with bronze pieces and well
fitted, the rest of the 40 ships being merchantmen of 150 to
200 tons, with some smaller ones, armed with cast-iron pieces, and
well fitted and found.
Valverde relates that from the information he obtained by one of
his own men, whom he sent for the purpose of inquiry, he learns
that the 40 ships carried 8,000 fighting men and sailors, most of
the former being harquebussiers. An epidemic was rife amongst
them, which, although it was hushed up, was by many considered
to be the plague ; and this caused the almost entire dispersal of the
fleet, but the latter had now again been re-formed, and was awaiting
orders.
In reply to the question as to whether the English were fitting
out another fleet, and who was the commander, Valverde replied,
that in the River Thames, at London, they had collected 20 ships,
12 of which belonged to the Queen, and were of 400 to 600 tons
burden, the rest being merchantmen of 200 to 250, with some
smaller. These ships had sailed from London a month ago under
the Lord Admiral, and were cruising the Channel off the Scotch
coast, as it was understood that the duke of Parma and the Spanish
fleet intended to sail thither. This second fleet carried 8,000 or
9,000 soldiers and sailors.
Being asked whether the Queen intended to raise another fleet
to reinforce the above, or go elsewhere, Valverde answered that she
did not. On the contrary, they had only been able to collect the
two fleets already mentioned with great difficulty, and the whole of
the Queen's strength is comprised in them. She has no means left
for fitting out another fleet of any importance, being extremely
short of money.
Valverde was asked whether the men joined the fleet willingly,
and replied that when Drake announced last summer that he was
going to attack the Indian flotillas men flocked to him eagerly,
and he could have armed 200 ships at that time ; but now they
came very reluctantly and almost by force. In answer to the
question whether they had much stores, he said yes. They had
killed a great number of cattle and pigs, and had prepared other
necessaries ; but, as the men had already been on board for three
months, they had consumed most of the victuals, and fresh supplies
were now being provided.
He was asked what were Drake's plans and destination, and
replied that, when the fleet was first commissioned, it was said that
the intention was to come and burn his Majesty's Armada, but that
now he (Drake) and the rest of them were in suspense, as they
feared on the one hand (the coming of the Spanish fleet), and were
in hopes, on the other, that peace might be made, with which object
three Commissioners left for Flanders two or three days before
Valverde started from London. Some people were in expectation
that peace might result, whilst others thought that the intention
was only to entertain them (the English) and catch them unawares.
In reply to the question whether they (the English) had news
of the Armada now being fitted out in Lisbon, and whether they
were alarmed at it, he said yes, but that other persons said that they
(the Spaniards) had neither soldiers nor sailors, the greater part of
the men on the Armada having died, so they (the English) were in
very good spirits.
He was asked whether they (the English) expected aid from
anywhere, and replied that the prince of Condé had offered the
Queen to bring over 12,000 Germans to her.
He was asked whether there were any Catholics (in England)
who expected the coming of the Armada to help them, and replied
that a large proportion of the country would join the Spaniards and
King Philip ; and it was a common saying amongst the people that in
this year '88, by God's grace, England would be brought to obedience
to the Roman Catholic Church, and they were anxious to see the
day.
He said that they (the English) had discovered the sea-route to
the Moluccas by the north, which would be a great disadvantage to
his Majesty's interests.
He was asked whether he had seen any of the English ports, and
if there were any fortifications in them, and replied that he only
saw that they were raising bulwarks at Portsmouth made of sundried
bricks and faggots, to serve for defence in case of need. He
said the fort there contained about 200 men. He said also that the
English had been informed from Portugal that, in addition to the
supplies there was 500,000 ducats in money in the Armada, and that
his Majesty had arranged for sight bills on Lisbon for 300,000
ducats to be sent, which money had already been sent thither. As,
however, three or four days would pass before it could be encashed,
the departure of the Armada would be delayed until the day of
St. Philip and Santiago, when, if the wind served, it would sail.
This news was also brought by the courier who arrived from
Lisbon on the 27th April, bringing a letter dated 24th from the
Cardinal Archduke to Father Castro of this College, (fn. 2) which,
amongst other things, says that on that day, Sunday, day of
St. Mark, (fn. 3) the royal standard was carried to be consecrated. The
motto on it is "Exurge Domine et vindica causam tuum," and the
standard was given by the ladies of Portugal. The Cardinal
Archduke accompanied it from the cathedral to the church of
St. Domingo, and his Holiness has already sent his benediction. On
one side of the standard is the Virgin and the infant Jesus in her
arms, and the devotion of all is aroused at the sight of Christ and
the mother of God. On the ship's flags is painted a figure of Our
Lady, of immense size, so that it may be seen by the soldiers.
It was said that some women had gone on board the Armada in
the guise of men, whereupon the duke of Medina caused a search to
be made and found 30.
It is also said that, although the Pope and many Italian
potentates, including the duke of Savoy, have offered to assist the
King, he has declined their offers ; saying that this is to be the last
enterprise he will undertake in his life, and he has determined to
offer it to God, for His service, and the exaltation of the Catholic
faith. |
16 April
(N.S.)
Paris Archives,
K. 1568. |
270. Advices from London (Antonio De Vega?).
I reported at length on the 8th ultimo. They are certainly now
in great fear here that his Majesty's preparations are intended to be
used against this country, and they expect the arrival of his forces
in May. They are therefore making ready both by sea and land.
In addition to the measures I have already detailed, they (the
English) have ordered all persons of quality in the country to
provide arms to fit out a certain number of men each, according to
their capability, a list of the arms required of them being sent
to each person. The arms are then given to poor men who are
unable to purchase them. A large number of men will thus be
raised. It is said that here, in the neighbourhood of London, 20,000
will be obtained without taking the city guard. I doubt this,
however, as they (the city guard) are already formed into a corps.
In other parts of the country Colonel Norris has been ordered to
muster and drill the men, and a muster has been called for the 19th.
London and the other coast towns have been compelled to furnish
a certain number of ships of war, to the total number of 80 sail,
armed and victualled for four months. London promised 20, the
towns on the north coast 20, the south coast 20, and the west coast 20 ;
which were to be ready in 15 days, at the cost of the inhabitants,
each of whom was assessed at so many pounds sterling. For every
pound's worth of property they possessed they had to pay 2s (fn. 4)
These ships, with the others they have, will be formed into two
fleets, one of 88 sail under Drake, which will be near Plymouth in
the Channel. I do not think that this fleet will go, as they say, to
Spain or Portugal, or even to Cape Finisterre. The other fleet will
remain between Dover and Calais under the Lord Admiral, and will
consist of 80 sail, namely, 30 he now has, 20 from London, and 30 to
come from Holland. This will be 168 sail in all. Forty commissioners
have been appointed in London to expedite and inspect the
preparation of the ships. The Queen is much afraid of the League,
as she sees that their forces are being concentrated in Picardy, and
she fears they will seize Havre de Grace and Boulogne. She sent
for the French ambassador on Palm Sunday and begged him to
write to the King about it. She had a great many explanations to
give him, and caressed him greatly. In the course of her conversation
with him she said that she very well understood the intentions
of the League, both towards herself and towards the King (of
France) ; but that the world should see that she had omitted no
effort to make peace with the king of Spain. She had sent her
Commissioners, and was now allowing them to go whithersoever
the duke of Parma wished. She said she would for the sake of peace
make concessions greatly against her own dignity, and the ambassador
swears that she and Leicester and the Admiral (who comes
backwards and forwards every five or six days to see Walsingham)
were trembling with fear whilst she was talking with him.
I have considered it necessary to convey all this speedily, in order,
if his Majesty wishes for peace (which I do not believe) that he
should stand firm, as the Queen will now concede more than ever
before ; whilst if, on the contrary, the expedition is to be carried
out, it will be well that they (the Spaniards) should not be deceived
as to the armaments here. Tn the manner I have stated a great
fleet will be raised, although Drake, to whom full powers have been
granted at Plymouth, writes that there are not so many sailors and
soldiers to be obtained as are required, and he requests that 40,000
cruzados may be sent to him for the purpose. The truth is that
everywhere the men run away, because they know that this time
they are going to fight and not to plunder, as usual.
I cannot send particulars of tonnage, as the ships are being fitted
out in various ports, but the 20 in London are as follows: four of
300 to 400 tons and the rest from 100 to 250 tons. There will be
very few of over 200 tons from the other ports, as most of the best
have already been appropriated. An Englishman has come from
Viana in 12 days. He was in Lisbon and saw the Armada, and brings
with him a full list of everything. Care should be taken of
those who are in Lisbon, and no French ship should be allowed to
leave there or any other port. (fn. 5) No ship at all should be allowed to
sail before the Armada, so that the date of the departure of the
latter shall not be known.
(The writer gives particulars of some inquiries made with regard
to him by Walsingham. He is suspected, and in fear for his life.
He begs for leave to depart. He expresses his conviction that
Stafford and Escobar (fn. 6) are those who have informed the Queen about
him. He will not leave without orders, even though he loses his
life.) |