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Oct. 27.
Chioza. |
575. Fabritio di Grotti to Francis Yaxley. Has this day received his letter, whereby understands his views. The mother of
the swindlers has just been here, and it seems a desperate endeavour to touch their money; but by means of the gentleman
who conveys this he has arranged the matter. One has paid five
crowns, and the other seven, which this gentleman will deliver to
him, and for which requests a receipt. Has drawn the cord as
tight as he could, but could manage no more, as this gentleman
and his companions can prove. [Italian. One page. Addressed,
"Al mio Sigr Francisco Yaxleo in casa del Magco Ambassator
d'Ingeltera. In Va a Riva di Biasis con scudi 12." Indorsed by
Yaxley.] |
Oct. 31.
Brussels. |
576. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to Sir William Cecil. Has, not
without great difficulty, procured the manner of the Order of the
Toison d'Or, and has now three clerks copying it, because where as
he had it, it may not be long missed. Will send the copy as soon as
it is completed. If it be thought meet still to keep here so slender a
minister as he is in so weighty a charge, beseeches that his servant,
who has been waiting this month and more for his diets, may have
Cecil's good furtherance. He was promised always to have three
months' payment of his diets in advance; but he is now two months
behind, and does run upon interest. Wishes to God he were as able
as he is willing to serve the King's Majesty without his charge,
and truly he would do it. [Two pages.] |
| October. |
577. The Council to Sir William Pickering. The eldest son of
Lord William Howard having accompanied the Vidame to France,
has not been so well treated by him as was promised or expected.
His father desires his return, but the Vidame nevertheless detains
him. Instruct Pickering to speak to the Council or the Constable
that the young gentleman may be sent home to his father. [One page.
Draft letter, autograph of Petre.] |
Nov. 9.
Spires. |
578. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. Now thinks
long to see his man Weston, and to hear from home. If there be no
cause to send him, should receive singular pleasure by hearing somewhat from Cecil. Weston can send any letter safely by the Schorers.
Learns nothing out of England, and therefore may be ashamed to
learn of those who are wont to require ware for ware. For his own
private matters would gladly hear somewhat; whether his letters
come to the Council or not, and whether the news of Spires be stale
ere they can come, or found not sterling when they do come. In
this penury of news, any somewhat were a grateful Ilias of pleasure.
Cannot send Cecil's letter to Mr. Hales, because he wots not where
he is. Hales and Mr. Throgmorton went together from Spires, and
since then he has heard neither of the one nor of the other. Begs
that he may have some bit of comforts; a little serves where much
cannot be hoped for. [One page.] |
Nov. 11.
Rheims. |
579. Sir William Pickering to Sir William Cecil. The French King
is presently at Chalons, but will return in four or five days here,
where he will only remain a short while before going to Picardy. The
Constable, contrary to his intention, still remains here. Fears in
consequence of his long absence that his man may have been drowned
or fallen into the hands of the Burgundians. Urges his speedy
dispatch with the letters of exchange, else some of them are like to
make but simple mirth towards this Christmas. Desires to know
whether one Arnold, a Dutchman, has been with him. [One page.] |
Nov. 13.
Brussels. |
580. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to same. Has now forwarded
to Mr. Gresham at Antwerp the copy of the book of the ceremonies of the Order of the Toison d'Or, to be forwarded by a
sure messenger. Again entreats Cecil to assist him in procuring his
diets, for which his servant has been waiting these two months. He
should have been paid at Michaelmas, and he has not a penny to this
day. [One page and a half.] |
Nov. 19.
Venice. |
581. Girolamo Spagna to Francis Yaxley. Hopes soon to hear of
his safe arrival, and takes advantage of the courier departing for
England to offer his regards. Requests that he will salute Mr.
Secretary [Cecil], his master, and say a few words in his favour;
begs to be remembered to Messrs. Throgmorton, Arnold, Barnes,
and other friends at the Court. [Italian. One page. Indorsed
by Yaxley.] |
Nov. 20.
Venice. |
582. Peter Vannes to the Council. Has received their letters of
the 23d ult. Is rejoiced to hear of his Majesty's prosperous estate,
and of the special Commissioners being sent from France for the
redressing and recompensing of depredations. On the 25th of September had written of the cutting in pieces of certain English cloths,
and the hanging them upon a window openly in the Rialto with
letters declaring them to be false and untrue, and so condemned.
Acknowledges his error in not taking the step at that time, but
immediately on receipt of their letter had repaired to the Seigniory
complaining of the same, and of the writing declaring the cloths to
be false, because that they were with certain marks called portata
wrought in wool, like to the mark of Venice, and not in thread, as
strange cloths be accustomed to have. Had told them that whatsoever law it were here, the cloths of England could not be compelled
to be otherwise wrought than it should please the King or the ancient
custom of his realm; as he did believe the said cloths were none
other, having besides these portata, or marks wrought in cloth, the
sign of the crown; and for their goodness, he was well assured that
through the world were no truer or better cloths made than English
cloths; and doubted not their Ambassador in England had advertised
them of this matter. Their Providetors said that it had not been
done in contumely of the King's Majesty, or derogation of the reputation of the English cloths, but because their statutes required so;
and the merchants had counterfeited the portata, or marks, for their
better commodities and utterance of their cloths. Had told them he
had nothing to do with the conduct of their merchants, but was well
assured that the marks of the English cloths could not be so easily
falsified by any merchant here, and desired them to look into the
matter so that no such inconvenience should again occur. They had
promised him a reply, which he has not yet received, but under
stands by a friend that they knew well their Providetors' faults and
their own statutes to the contrary, for only cloths of Ponente, that
is to say English, among other strange cloths, be privileged, and that
they may freely come. So whatever their answer may be, he supposes hereafter they will well beware of such inconveniences, or any
prohibitions, the which should be to their own hinderance many
ways. [Four pages and a half.] |
Nov. 23.
Spires. |
583. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. Thinks the
time now very long since Weston went from him, and though there
be no cause for his being despatched in post, would be glad he
returned in journey as he might. Has neither heard of him nor from
him since he went, and is therefore driven to think him drowned, or
some otherwise made away. Never was so long without hearing
somewhat from England. Cecil would increase the rest of his benefits
not meanly, by saying somewhat to him; good or bad he would fain
hear somewhat. His head is full of bees: Cecil will do well to send
him a hive to harbour some of them; for they be so many as shortly
he must send them from Spires in coloniam aliquam. Cecil's Yaxley
is come hither, and hardly will give his horse leave to rest him till
he be come where Cecil is. By much entreaty has obtained at his
hand to go with him to-morrow a hunting to the Palsgrave. The
Palsgrave does not invite the Bishop's Nuncio, and yet to hide the
matter has prayed Morysine, as of himself, to bring the Ambassadors
of Venice and Ferrara with him. They both have promised to go, and
Cecil's Yaxley on his coming home shall tell him what their cheer
was. Calls him Cecil's because he perceives Yaxley is all so, and so
intends to be as long as he has to be any's. Professes a skill to know
who does but say, and who say and mean it. Sees that Yaxley
reverences Cecil as though he were his son and Cecil his dearest
father. More of him he needs not say. If Cecil will bestow his
man Weston upon him shortly, or if he cannot have him, some half
sheet of paper, Morysine shall settle many guts which seem to him
now to lye awry. Namely desires nothing at the hands of Cecil,
who must help him to what he knows is fittest to be said and sent.
[Two pages.] Inclosed, |
|
583. I. Intelligence "Di Spira alli 23 di Novembre, 1552."
Matters are quiet in Italy. Since the Cardinal of
Ferrara has entered upon the government of Sienna,
M. de Thermes with Gian da Turino and the Duke of
Soma have come to Parma, on their way to France by
Switzerland. It is thought that the Viceroy of Naples
prepares to attack Sienna, and letters state that Prince
Doria is at Cos with his galleys towards the kingdom,
waiting to convey troops for the enterprise. The Duke of
Urbino has had leave from the Seigniory of Venice, with
the intention perhaps of joining France, and certainly
will have made a profitable exchange. Advices from
Rome say that the Pope wishes to reform the Church, and
the revenues and dress of the prelates, and to commence
this reform in his own person. This remains to be seen.
The Pope has also besought the Emperor to become mediator
for peace between him and France, but His Majesty will
not hear of it. They likewise write from Rome that the
King of France has offered one of his daughters to the
Duke of Florence, because he had not interfered in the
affairs of Sienna. In Hungary Duke Maurice is said
to have made a distinguished attack on the Moldavians,
but the particulars are not known, and the Turk is said
to have recalled the Bassa and his entire army from that
country. John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, has held a
diet in his States for ordinary supplies, and for no other
purpose. Count Mansfeldt's former report against the
Duke of Brunswick now appears to be set at rest. On the
Emperor's arrival at Metz on the 18th three batteries were
to be erected on three sides and three assaults made at one
time. All the defences within Metz have been swept away
by cannon shot from two bulwarks erected without. The
Duke of Alva has promised to the soldiers that he will
level the batteries so that they may be able to fight hand to
hand. Marquis Albert came on the 11th to the camp, and
after dining with the Duke of Alva, they went to see where
the Marquis should take up his position before Metz, and
it was agreed that he should cross the Moselle and encamp
opposite their army on the other side of the city. On the
13th he came to the appointed place with 10,000 infantry,
2,000 cavalry, and 30 pieces of artillery, having with him
prisoner, M. D'Aumale, from whom he asks for his ransom 300,000 dollars and the liberation of Count Mansfeldt. He has offered 30,000 quarti and the Marquis
laughs at it. The Duke of Alva has promised to the
soldiers that whoever takes M. de Guise shall receive 6,000
quarti. All the trenches round Metz being now completed,
the French no longer come forth to skirmish, and in the
last skirmish Don Alonso Piemontello was wounded by
an arquebuse in the neck, and is in danger of his life,
and Don Diego Garcia di Parcedes was killed. There are
now within Metz 5,000 infantry and 600 cavalry. Pietro
Strozzi and Cornelio Bentivoglio have left: the cause is
not known but various opinions are entertained about it.
In the Imperial Court they talk of the safe return of Don
Diego di Mendoza, Ambassador at Rome. For his part
the writer cannot believe it. Brezello was restored to freedom without any difficulty. [Italian. Three pages.] |
Nov. 27.
Chelsea. |
584. The Duke of Northumberland to Lord Darcy, Lord Chamberlain, Sir William Petre, and Sir William Cecil. This morning
the French Ambassador's Secretary desired to have an interview
with him, being commanded to declare the matter wherewith he was
charged to the Duke only. Had availed himself of his sickness to
direct the Secretary, who was very importunate, to communicate
what he had to say to one of the Secretaries of State or of the Council. And thus he trusts within a while, although he may be thought
affectionate to the French as some have reported him, yet he doubts
not this way, which he intends to use with them, to continue but a
little while in their grace, which he never desired in all his life but
for the service of his master, as knoweth the Lord. [One page.] |
Nov. 28.
Chelsea. |
585. The Duke of Northumberland to Sir William Petre and Sir
William Cecil. A servant of Thomas Gresham has brought him a
letter from Guidotti, written in such language as for his part neither
he nor the bearer hereof, Killigrew, who can reasonably well expound
Italian, both written and printed, can understand one word in effect.
Killigrew, however, supposes from the commencement of the letter
that Guidotti has written at length to Gresham, to whom, for the
contents, the Duke refers them. Killigrew had just had a conversation as to the defences of Metz with one De Forge, a banished man
out of his own country for religion, who informed him that tidings
from France last Saturday bore that the Duke de Nevers had been
slain in a skirmish. Suspects from his antecedents, and an alleged
errand to the late Duke's daughters, who were falsely stated by him
to be at Syon, that this De Forge is a spy, "an alter Harpax," and
advises caution. [Two pages.] |
Nov. 28.
Spires. |
586. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. Whether Cecil's
letters be long or short, let him be assured that they are as welcome
as any that can come. What if he cannot help whom necessity
forces to cry ? The inclination is sufficient, and he is more glad of
so earnest a good will on part of Cecil, than he can be sorry for any
of his own lacks, though one of them should be these Christmas
holidays to want meat. Will do as well as he can, and then he shall
avoid blame or be blamed of such as know not where the fault is.
When the bearer shall have told Cecil what a dinner the Palsgrave
made Morysine, and as many of the Ambassadors as he would bring
as his guests, saying indeed after dinner that he had to thank Morysine for that assembly; when Cecil shall understand how the Palsgrave used him, both at his table and in his waggon, omitting no
kind of humanity wherein he might show his affection to his
Majesty; and hear how willing he was to confess that his hemmet,
his shirt, never lay so nigh his skin as the King's most noble father
lay nigh his heart, and must lie till he had a day to live; perhaps
Cecil will think that a letter had not been amiss bestowed, where it
is so well and may be better deserved. He was both bold of Cecil
and Mr. Yaxley that day, making the latter his cupbearer. Ascham
seems a little troubled that this reversion stands upon no patent,
but is only on a past warrant to him that gladly will leave no piece
of that he hath, till he leave all at once. And yet he trusts, and so
does Morysine, that Cecil will cast some good turn in his neck ere
he be ware; which if he does, he shall at once bind a great many to
him. If Ascham may be allowed to execute this translator's office
in Mr. Vannes' absence, it shall be a mean that the King shall see a
difference between the past and those to come; and so, perhaps, find
means that Peter Vannes, some way recompensed, may be content
to surrender this. But both Ascham and he, in this as in all things
else affecting either, yield all to Cecil's discretion; craving but what
he shall think well bestowed, and find also easy to be gotten. Perceives what men would have done, and how they are loth to give
him full commission to attempt it. Wonders not, that where things
are so changed men stand more now than they did upon their reputation. Will follow Cecil's advices in his private letters, hoping as
soon as the weather waxes a little warm he and his carriage shall
have leave to come home. His wife cannot give Cecil thanks enough,
owing so many both for her own part, and content also, where her's
was too much, to acknowledge a part of the debt for her husband's.
Thinks she writes to his lady, Cecil's bedfellow, who must lay her
knowledge aside, and with the eyes of love, which are wont to like
faults in their loves, read her simple letters. Desires to be heartily
commended to her Ladyship. |
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P.S. Has here with him one Mr. Darel, a man both very well
learned and very honest; whose prest is troubled now and then
by those that have learned his nature, which is rather to take wrongs
than to follow trouble. If Cecil should see cause, beseeches him to
help with his letter where it shall be needful. [Three pages.] |
