Pages 217-220
Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Edward VI 1547-1553. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1861.
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August 1552
| Aug. 1. Lausaune. |
554. [Agnace] D'Albiac [Parisien] to King Edward VI. Presents to his Majesty the Book of Job, (fn. 1) recently translated by him into French verse, and expresses his opinion, that in restoring religion in England, his Majesty has gained the like reputation as Salomon in restoring the Temple of Jerusalem. [French. One page. Indorsed by Cecil.] |
|---|---|
| Aug. 3. Folambray. |
555. Henry II., King of France, to King Edward VI. Recommending to his favour Thomas Stukeley, an Englishman, who had served the French King gallantly in his wars, and now returns to England, which he had left without having obtained previous permission to do so [Countersigned by Bochetel. One page. French.] |
| Aug. 8. Couci le Chatean. |
556. Sir William Pickering to Sir William Cecil. Not long since were left at his lodgings in Rheims a packet of letters; one, with a book, addressed to his Majesty; another to Mr. Wotton, and a third to himself. The letter is signed Carolus Molinæus. Further of him he knows not. Molinæus says that he had sent another book to Mr. Wotton, but such never came to Pickering's hands. |
| P.S. "Optarem quamprimum me liberari hac dura provincia ne oneri fortassis succumbam." [One page. Indorsed by Cecil.] | |
| Aug. 16. Antwerp. |
557. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to Sir William Petre and Sir William Cecil. By the express messenger who carries this, sends answer to the Council's letter of the 26th ult. concerning a matter that their Lordships weighed to be of moment; and as he would not be considered negligent therein, requests that the messenger may be helped back, since not having much money at hand, he had not given him much. Trusts that at Michaelmas the King's money may come in, and that then their Lordships will have some consideration of him, for he was never afraid in all his life of want of money but now; so that he almost hopes he may have no need to send an express messenger, as well for putting his Majesty to expense as for wasting the money that should furnish himself otherways in this charge. Desires to know who shall receive the passport, and send the part of the powder hence and deliver the rest, if the King be so pleased, unto the Queen, to restore as much at three or four months, as he had previously written. [Two pages.] |
| Aug. 22. Augsburg. |
558. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. If he could amend the Emperor's state, he would do so with all his heart, being no jot more affectionated to France than he is to the Great Turk. But he sees his duty binds him to write as things go, and not as they desire to have them go. Their things here amend, as the fletchers' bolts do: the more men come to them the less they like their side. Their horsemen have such windmill jades as one would think they are not to carry their masters three days together, though they should ride without harness. His servant will tell the rest. Is informed by him that Cecil will take a time to move his matter of Horton prebend: would be loth to lose his little interest while away, and glad if Cecil could by suit make term of life last to his for ever. Leaves that, however, to his discretion. For the lady Elizabeth would be as glad to work, where he is willed to know how far things are gone, as any that is in England. Does not hear that the thing is so far gone, but if offers were made such as might breed desire, there might good success be hoped for. But as yet the matter is, in his fancy, not to be moved till the Duke be somewhere else. He would some other were in his place, and thought he might have the doing of this in his return. Believes he should be able to do as much in it as any other, not for his ability, but for the good will borne to him by the Duke, to whom he had sent word of his man's going to England, and from whom he had received great thanks by his preacher, and notice that he will also write a letter to his Majesty. The Duke is like hereafter to have somewhat to do with Duke Maurice, and perhaps hopes that his Majesty will, among his other friends, help to entreat; for it is said he will rather seek his own by fair means than by violence, and not use the sword if words will serve The Emperor has a cruel sort of soldiers; they kill by handfuls at once, and yet they have such plenty of enemies that neither drowning them, nor knocking them, can so rid them, but they give them camisados all night long. Leaves the rest to his man, who at his last coming thither told more than was true, and more than is yet true, yet says the letter reports his sayings amiss. Prays Cecil to hear his excuse, and then trusts that himself shall not need to make any. Does not serve with so corrupt a mind that he would send him home in such haste with false news, if truer had come at the closing up of his letters. Either his man made a fault in telling his tale amiss, or Mr. Hampton in writing it amiss to Morysine in the Council's letters. Can neither tell why his man should tell what was untrue, nor why Mr. Hampton should report it, rehear it he means, otherwise than Weston says he told it. For to him he says he had his 52 ensigns by the way at Bassau [Passaw], or elsewhere, meeting with Duke Eric, who may tell his tale twice where he is known, and win no more credit than such his lightness does deserve. Thought it much that the Council would weigh a light tale so much as they should; therefore imagine greater advantages where there were none at all, and think them none where they were never greater. There can be no more policy used [than] there is of the one side, nor less wished for than is on the other. They are the greater in number, which needeth not, being as they are so much the stouter in courage. And if counsels are to be weighed by success, "they have all, and we no whit at all. If we go on, the Marquis will swear meet with us; and as sure it is we shall have the worse, if God work not some miracle for the worser side." Prays Cecil to make his excuse to their living Mr. Cheke, which is that he is weary of writing, and glad to send his man away. If this will not serve, he acknowledges a fault, and will make the amends at his next writing. He can say truly he is buying cart and cart-horses, tents and hales, loth to buy he wots not how, and loth to lay out so much money where so little may be spared. The rest has not been very sweet, but this will be the sourest part of all his journey; and yet as long as he may feel the sour he is content to bear it. Would be loth to have his senses taken from him, which wait no longer than they see life in presence. His perils be greatest where of reason he should look to be defended. Writes at four o'clock after dinner. [Three pages.] |
| Aug. 22. Augsburg. |
559. John Frederick Duke of Saxony to King Edward VI. Returns thanks for his Majesty's letter from Petworth of 26th July, delivered to him by Sir Richard Morysine, and for his ready good will towards him. Commends his Majesty's efforts on behalf of Gospel religion, and urges him to continue these. And whereas his Majesty had exhorted him to exert himself towards procuring a suspension of controversies among the professors of Protestantism, declares that of all things the most difficult is to settle religious differences, especially at this advanced age of the world, when every one thinks he has found the truth, lest the old serpent should bite the heel of him who tramples on him! These dissensions arise in consequence of many being misled by philosophical speculations and civil wisdom, withdrawing from the Confession of Augsburg, which had been approved by the consent of the most eminent theologians. To which if they had firmly adhered, as they ought, neither that most mischievous Zuinglian sect, nor the Anabaptists, nor the Antinomians, nor the Adiaphorists, and authors of change in religion, would have disturbed, as they have done, the best constituted Churches, and inflicted a wound that seems almost incurable. [Latin. Three pages.] |