|
Oct. 1.
Cracow. |
47. Sigismund Augustus, King of Poland, to Queen Mary. Congratulates her Majesty on succeeding to the crown, and recommends
very strongly to her Thomas Stafford, grandson of Edward Stafford,
Duke of Buckingham, who has by his conduct while at court not
only fully borne out the high character given of him by distinguished
individuals, but won for himself by his modesty and virtues the
esteem of his Majesty and his Council. Refers to the constant and
undaunted fidelity and regard of Stafford's father and grandfather
to her mother Queen Catharine and her uncle Cardinal Pole, and
the ruin of the family, and begs that he may be restored to the
dukedom. [Latin. Broadside.] |
Oct. 1.
Cracow. |
48. Catherine, Queen of Poland, to same. Congratulates her
Majesty on succeeding to the crown. As the King her husband sends
Thomas Stafford to offer his respects and felicitations, she testifies
to his excellent conduct and the general estimation in which he is
held, and requests that, from regard to the services of the Stafford
family and his own merits, her Majesty will be pleased to restore
him to his estates and dignities. [Latin. Broadside.] |
Oct. 2.
Calais. |
49. Lord Grey to Queen Mary. Since writing to the Council
concerning the movements of the French and Imperial armies, he
understands that three ensigns have been appointed to Ardres,
three to Boulogne, two to Estaple, four to Montreuil, one to Crotoy,
two to St. Valery, six to Abbeville, 17 to Magny, and 15,000
men towards Renti beyond St. Omer to build a fort thereabout.
As her Majesty desired to have some venison of the wild boar, he
has sent to her such as it was his fortune to take; not having so
good luck in his hunting as he wished, although he was most earnest
in the same and sought both on the Imperial and French grounds
where the game was thought to be most plenteous. Since then
another boar has come to his hand, which he sends also ready baked
after the manner here, because he doubts whether it would endure
the carriage unbaked. [One page. Indorsed by Petre.] |
| Oct. 6. |
50. Estimate of such sums as will be due at this date for the
garrisons and officers of Calais, amounting in all to 38,877l. 13s. 9d.
[Three pages.] |
Oct. 7.
Venice. |
51. Peter Vannes to Sir William Petre. From want of occurrents
forbears to trouble her Majesty or the Council with his letters at
present. In Piedmont the truce between Ferrante and Brissac is
prolonged, and the wars seem to grow to some rest towards winter,
which reason, with slack provision of money and victuals, may cause
the soldiers to mislike the plain field. After Bastia and Bonifacio
in Corsica had been taken by the French and Turks, it was written
thence that the greater number of the gallies had gone to Marseilles
to provide munitions and necessaries for fortifying San Fiorenza, a
strongly situated place in that island; as yet there is no news of the
return of these gallies, and intelligence is very seldom received of the
proceedings there, as the whole island, except the town of Calvi, is in
the hands of the French. This town, the Imperialists allege, has been
long besieged by the Turks without any fruit, and it is said their
army has returned to Constantinople, and that M. de Thermes and
the French soldiers, with eight or nine gallies, remain there. Should
this be correct, the Imperialists and Genoese may hope to regain the
island, as men think De Thermes with such a small number will be
unable to resist. Again shows the important position which Corsica
occupies. The Ambassadors of the King of the Romans were at
Constantinople labouring for peace or a longer truce with the Turk,
who had licensed those of the King of Persia without any agreement,
and had already gone to Aleppo to pass the winter there, and be
readier early next year to set forward a great army against the
Persians. Is loth to trouble Petre with his suits, but as he has
been nearly five months without knowledge or instruction in what
case he stands or what he may do, wherein he is only nourished
with hope, is desirous of Petre's influence with the Council, who
sleeping, know better what is most convenient for him than he
waking can in any part declare. The ordinary post from England
is looked for here to-morrow, and if it be his chance to receive any
letters from the Council, they shall be no less welcome to him than
drink to him that is most thirsty. [Four pages. Indorsed by
Petre.] |
Oct. 10.
Brussels. |
52. The Bishop of Norwich and Sir John Masone to Queen Mary.
On Sunday the 8th inst. Masone arrived here, his tarrying for
passage at Dover having been such, and the weather all the rest of
the way so stormy, as for his life he could make no greater speed.
The next morning they sent to the Court for audience, but were
desired to have patience until the Emperor's return from hunting
of the boar, in which he had appointed to spend that day. This
pastime he liked so well that he did not return that night to the
palace, but to a little house which he has within a park joining
thereto. This morning they have sent to M. D'Arras, expressing
the desire of the Bishop of Norwich to take leave, and they trust to
have audience of the Emperor to-morrow, if not this afternoon. The
Bishop has all preparations for his departure so far advanced, that
in one day at most after his leave-taking he will enter upon his
journey homewards. Since the Bishop last wrote to the Council, the
Marquis Albert has had by the Duke of Brunswick, the Bishop of
Wurtzburg, and their allies, such a notable overthrow, as it is supposed will prevent him taking the field again for a long time.
Nevertheless news have reached the Court that having made his
peace with Duke Augustus, the brother of Duke Maurice, by means
of the Marquis of Brandenburg, he has received into wages 3,000
horses of the Duke's retainers, and ten ensigns of foot, so that unless
certain agreements, supposed to be in hand among some Princes of
Germany, take effect, the Marquis is likely soon to revenge himself
of the defeat. Several of the German princes have sent to the
Emperor to have the Marquis put in banno Imperiali: what he
will do is uncertain. [Two pages.] |
| Oct. [13.] |
53. The Council to Dr. Wotton. On the 8th inst. the French
Ambassador delivered to her Majesty a letter from the King of
France and another from the Scottish Queen, both making mention
of certain spoils and murders alleged to have been committed by
the English against the Scots, as stated in the inclosed schedule
(missing). Her Majesty, expressing her affection to be wholly
given to the preservation of amity with France and Scotland, referred the Ambassador to the Council, as she had not heard of these
matters before. Touching the fishing claimed by Lord Hume, which
had been discussed frequently during the last reign, they had thought
Lord Hume and the Scottish Council would have been satisfied
with the friendly answers given. But for more plain understanding of the matter they prayed the Ambassador "to consider that
this fishing is in the river of Tweed, which river divideth both the
realms, and the chief place of that fishing is even under the walls of
Norham Castle, which castle hath ever been kept and guarded by
soldiers. And to take away all occasions of strife which might grow
between the garrison there and the fishers, if they upon a pretence
of fishing should lie under the castle walls in the night (for in the
night is their most fishing); for this cause the Captains of Norham
have always had the fishing and paid the yearly rent to the Lord
Hume's ancestors for the same; which rent hath been continually
offered and is ready to be paid. And moreover, to declare the Lord
Hume's right in the propriety of that fishing, it hath been offered
that he may one or two times yearly, giving first warning thereof,
either come himself or send his servants to fish, for a declaration of
his right." They therefore see no ground of complaint, such having
always been the state of the matter before the wars, and which the
treaty only requires to be restored. With reference to the cattle
and sheep taken, they had given orders for their restoration twenty
days ago, according to the custom of the frontiers. These animals
had been taken on English ground, and it is the custom of the
Borders that in cases of trespass on either side, the cattle may be
impounded and restored to the owners on payment of damage, and
this for three times; but if they are found after three monitions,
then they are forfeited. They have not heard of the murder surmised
to be done upon a day of meeting, and think the account must
be exaggerated; but they did hear of a quarrel provoked by a lewd
Englishman at some such meeting, which, but for the interference
of wise gentlemen, might have led to bloodshed, and the offender
was directed to be committed to ward and punished according to
the Border laws, which, as they take it, was death. Were they to
complain of the robberies, murders and disorders of the Scots, they
should make a long discourse. Send a note of some recent injurious
attemptates (missing). Her Majesty is glad that the French King
is desirous to appoint Commissaries for the rectification of such
offences. Have complained to the Ambassador that some small
French ships of war lately entered the port of Camber and took
a small ship named the Flying Hart of Ostend. The parties are
thought to be of Dieppe, and certain subjects of the Emperor have
appealed to her Majesty for redress. Wherefore this injury being
done within her realm, it may not pass unsatisfied. [Minute.
Three pages. Incomplete.] |
|
Rough draft of the preceding, autograph of Secretary Petre.
[Eight pages.] |
Oct. 14.
La Ferté Milon. |
54. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. "A declaration of all that hath
been done by me hitherto in our merchants' matters, and what
answers I have received from time to time of the French King
and his Council therein." Besides the general complaints, he has
had special and lengthened correspondence in reference to those of
Winter and Thomas Strange of Waterford. [Fighteen pages. The
correspondence in French.] |
Oct. 15.
Koningsberg. |
55. Albert, Marquis of Brandenburg, to same. Condoles with her
Majesty on the death of her brother, congratulates her on succeeding,
hopes she may take to herself a worthy husband, and, in token of
old friendship with her family and personal regard, sends her ten
falcons, which he hopes may recall him to her memory when she is
enjoying the sport. [Latin. Two pages. Indorsed by Petre.] |
Oct. 26.
Ferté Milon. |
56. Dr. Wotton to Sir William Petre. Sends him some books,
and had it not been that the prevalence of the plague in that city
prevented his going to Paris, would have sent some more. Trusts
to a future occasion. If he has not the Lord Winchester's book
called Marcus Anthonius Constantinus it shall be sent to him.
Longs, like the hart for waterbrooks, to hear of their proceedings at
home, which he prays God may prosper. On Sunday a Jew was
baptized at the Court in presence of the King; he was named
Catharinus, the Queen being his godmother. The Jew's father is a
learned physician, formerly baptized, and was, with his wife, present
at the son's christening; he is now called Ludovicus Carrettus, and
has written a small volume in Hebrew which has been translated
into Latin, of which a copy is sent herewith. Cardinal Lorraine
baptized him. Jokes apropos of the Jew. [One page. Printed
by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 247.] |
Oct. 27.
a Ferté Milon. |
57. Same to the Queen. The Pope has made Cardinal Pole Legate
a latere to the Emperor and French King, and thereafter he is to go
to her Majesty. His errand is to attempt a reconciliation between the
two former Sovereigns, and if any Cardinal is able to do good in the
matter Pole is that person, being esteemed of an honest mind and
virtuous life, and so much respected by the Emperor that at the last
vacation of the papacy the Imperial Cardinals laboured to have him
made Pope. The Italians at this Court are said to be preparing to
go to Italy, for what purpose at present unknown. The Grand
Master of Rhodes is dead, and in his place is chosen a Frenchman.
Hears from Lyons, that the French Ambassador at Venice has made
shift there for his master for 90,000 crowns, and that the French
King took up at Lyons, at the last fair, 400,000 francs at 14 per
cent., and did owe there before that a million and a half of gold. The
fort intended to be made beside Hesdin is not proceeded with,
the time of the year not serving. The Italian Ambassadors have
sure advertisement of the Turk's movements. [Three pages.
Printed by Tytler, Vol. ii., p. 249.] |
Oct. 28.
Vienna. |
58. Ferdinand, King of the Romans, to same. In behalf of
Lawrence Fentzel, a citizen of Dantzic, who seeks justice in England for injuries done him there. [Latin. Signed by his Majesty.
Broadside.] |
Oct. 28.
Koningsberg. |
59. Albert, Marquis of Brandenburg, to the same. Requesting
that Lawrence Ventzell may be permitted to export 4,000 white
English cloths, in virtue of a promise repeatedly made to him by
his late Majesty, for whom he had advanced money and to whom
shortly before his death he had given some fine ordnance; and
which cloths, by means of false charges against him, have been
detained. [Latin. Broadside.] |
Oct. 29.
Venice. |
60. Peter Vannes to the Council. Occurrents here are few.
After the Turk's army had left Corsica for Constantinople, or, as
some say, towards Previsa, the Genoese and French have made great
preparations the one to recover and the other to keep that island, as
it is written the French King is utterly resolved to leave nothing
undone for the holding of it. For that purpose he has sent from
Marseilles on the 13th inst. 32 gallies, four galeons, and two ships
laden with munitions, all sorts of stores, and a large sum of
money, and for his service there are in readiness 10,000 foot. De
Thermes is very diligent in fortifying some places and destroying
others, that the Genoese provisions may be the more easily resisted.
The Genoese have sent thither 20 gallies with 4,000 foot, and these
being landed at Calvi, still in possession of the Genoese, the gallies
have been appointed to another place for receiving 2,000 foot and
200 horse, sent by the duke of Florence to aid them; and Andrew
Doria was appointed to follow in a few days after with 12 gallies
and 14 ships laden with the rest of the infantry, which in all will
number 10,000. One from Genoa likewise reports that the French
gallies were discovered upon the seas, whereupon much diligence
was used to unite the Genoese army, and it is plainly thought
that some great exploit shall ensue between them either by sea or
land. The truce between the Imperialists and the French in
Piedmont having expired on the 16th, Ferrante greatly enforces
his army on the field, furnishing all his frontiers with men and
victuals, thinking either to withdraw thereby the French from
Corsica, or else to attempt something against them in Piedmont,
where their numbers are inferior. Thus, not withstanding the season
of the year, both sides prepare for a continuance of war.
Beseeches them for the reverence of God they will do his
humble suit to her Majesty either for the continuance of his poor
service and the payment and provision appointed to him, or that
he may know her commands, which in all points he shall most
obediently follow; for he ensures them he is so needy and far
indebted, that without her help he can neither well tarry nor
depart. Begs that his boldness may be pardoned, for very sorrow
and necessity have compelled him to declare his case. [Three pages.
Indorsed by Petre.] |
Oct.
(Or beginning of Nov.) |
61. Instructions by Cardinal Pole to the Reverend Father Confessor of the Emperor. Mendoza has advised him on the part
of her Majesty not to continue his mission without further commission from his Holiness, alleging as his reason the Emperor's desire
for the quiet of England, which might be disturbed if Pole came as
the Pope's Legate before the minds of the people, long alienated from
obedience to the Holy See, were better disposed; this requires
time, and a more perfect establishment of the Queen in her kingdom.
Has received letters from her begging him to put off his journey,
and asking his advice in the matter. In reply to his Majesty's
allegation of his desire for the quiet of England, the Confessor is to
say that the duty which the Queen owes towards God is to be
inquired into, which is before all to restore the obedience of the
Church, having regard to salvation and peace with God before
worldly and external peace. The danger of delay. God's will with
regard to that obedience shown by the effusion of the blood not
only of religious but of secular persons. With regard to the expediency of the restitution of that obedience at the present time, or the
necessity of waiting for a more sure establishment of the power of
the Queen, it must be considered that she is not only called to it
by the rewards of a future life, but also by those of the present
world, inasmuch as, failing the support of the Holy See, she would
not be legitimate heir to the crown, for the marriage of her mother
was not valid but by a dispensation of his Holiness; so that obedience to the Holy See is necessary to secure her power, since upon it
depends her very claim to the crown. He is to add that both of
them being natives of England, know thoroughly the sentiments of
the people with regard to obedience to the Holy See. He may
further insist that the people have always been in times past more
disposed to that obedience than any other nation; that they have
experienced more advantage from it than any injury; that this island
having been restored to the faith by the Roman See, and having
become of its own free will tributary to it, has not only not suffered
oppression from the Pope, but has on more than one occasion, been
freed by them from the great tyranny of its own princes, the Roman
See never having had any other emolument beyond the ordinary
taxes of sees except a very small subsidy in recognition of the
obedience due. Now the kingdom having been always in this state
until, by the rebellious conduct of its King, its obedience was destroyed, it stands to reason that the people, who have not been
benefited but injured by the change, cannot hold that obedience in
abhorrence. That they do not, experience has shown by the fact
that the popular tumults since the change have all been in favour
of the preservation of the rites, customs, and religion which
the people enjoyed while they were in obedience to the Holy See.
In the last tumult, which was in Cornwall, and very serious, all
that was demanded, in spite of the law which made it crimen læsœ
majestatis even to speak of the authority of the Pope, was the
restoration of the state of things which had existed during that
obedience, and the recall and restoration to the Council, under the
name of Cardinal, of Pole, in full knowledge that the cause of his
banishment was his defence of the authority of the Pope. Those
who might possibly dislike this obedience to the Holy See are either
the Queen, on account of the profit which the Crown draws from
ecclesiastical possession alienated by the rebellion, or the few nobles
who have received profit from the same cause. With regard to the
Queen it is well known she does not object to, but desires a restoration of the obedience; with regard to the nobles it is credible that
none of them, if they understood how the restoration of that obedience would confirm the claims of the Queen, destroy all opposition,
and remove any commotions internal and external against themselves, would oppose it, and providentially those who from selfinterest might have greater cause to resist, have had to throw
themselves on the clemency of the Queen for their lives and goods.
But supposing some were to oppose it, the Confessor might say
that, Pole having had authority from the Pope to compose such
differences in such manner as might appear best to him, and thus
having to negotiate for the restitution of the ecclesiastical possessions, would wish that the Emperor should undertake the office of a
mediator between the Pope and the English people. Fears that
it will be said, as his confinement is attributed to his Majesty, and
the objects of his commission well known, that his Majesty is
ling to hear anything of them. Hopes that when he is per
to see his Majesty he may be able to serve both public and private
interests at once. [Italian. Seven pages and a half.] |
