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Feb. 2.
Venice. |
321. Peter Vannes to the Council. Sienna, waiting long for
French aid, has suffered great extremity. The French say they have
provision for a long time, but in reality they are driven to eat bread
of bran, and divers daily die of hunger. When any fall sick and
are unable to serve, their food is taken from them; and, being in
this miserable case, the Imperialists think it more advantageous
to subdue them by continuing the siege than by assault, which
could not be without great danger and loss of men. The Siennese
have of late sent Ambassadors to the Pope beseeching him for the
reverence of God and for pity to take some agreement to prevent
their utter destruction. The Pope took the matter in hand with
the Imperial and French Cardinals, and it was thought that both
parts would consent that Sienna should come into the Pope's hands
for a time to save it from sack, until other conditions were agreed
upon. Such difficulties were found, however, on both sides that the
Pope discharged himself from further meddling. The French
Cardinals were much discontented that the Siennese should have
made the request without their advice. The Ambassadors excused
themselves by saying that as they could get no aid within or
without, and no promise kept for their release they were obliged
to do as well as they could. It is supposed they are now devising
upon their surrender. Notwithstanding this, the French still
make a great bruit about their army coming from Marseilles with
26 gallies and 17 ships charged with 12 ensigns of foot, part
Gascons, part Germans with plenty of provisions for Sienna; too
late, he supposes. They add that if Sienna were lost they have
Montalcino, Grosseto, Chiusi, and Porto Ercole so strong and so
well provisioned that they could keep the Imperialists at an
expensive war for a long time. Besides they expect aid from the
Turks this summer. Meantime the Duke of Florence collects money
in any way. The French in Piedmont since the taking of Ivrea
and Mazin proceed no further, but endeavour to fortify some
places thereabout. The Imperialists diligently provide for the
safety of all other places of any importance, and will shortly be so
strong in the field as to be able to outstand the furious enterprises
of the French. Thinks the abstinence of the French from any
exploit in Piedmont arises from the fact that the wet weather
does not serve them, and that their practice is already partly
discovered and partly unsuccessful. By letters of the 19th December
from Constantinople it appears that their Ambassador there, called
the Beylo, would have given a great present to Captain Dragut
on his return, as in customary there. This was stoutly refused by
Dragut, alleging that his army when in these seas was not honoured
nor kindly entertained by the Venetians as it was their duty to
have done, and of that he would have complained to the Turk.
Many think this to be a device of the French to bring the Venetians
sooner at war with the Emperor. By what he can gather they
shall little avail. [Three pages] |
Feb. 4.
Augsburg. |
322. "Summa Capitum præcipuorum de quibus Erasmus a
Rouretz in Lobschitz, et Laurentius Lindeman Doctor, Electoris
Saxoniæ legati, ex mandate Celsitudinis suæ, ad Serenissimum
Romanorum Hungariæ, Bohemiæque, &c., Regem Dominum nostrum
Clementissimum retulerunt." [Latin. Four pages.] |
Feb. 8.
Brussels. |
323. Sir John Masone to the Council. According to the terms
of their letter of January (blank in orig.) has obtained from
the Emperor licence for Passay and Raynolds to remove from these
countries certain lasts of rye provided by them in the east parts,
and has delivered the same to Raynolds. The Emperor having
been ill-used last summer by some of the base sort in Antwerp,
and reminded of this by late misorders, has thought fit to show
himself their Sovereign by no longer overslipping in silence their
lewd demeanour. Wherefore by sending thither the Prince of
Orange, Count de Meghen, Count D'Aremberg, and other nobles,
one after the other as if on their own private affairs, yet well
accompanied, and sending to them at various times ten or twelve
or more or less of horse and foot, until a sufficient force was
gathered, he has finally sent in one body seven ensigns of Germans,
who seizing upon two gates at once have without resistance,
although some little had been threatened, made the Emperor
full master of the city. It was his intention to have gone thither,
but he has been retarded by an assault lately given to him by his
old familiar enemy the gout, and in his place the Queen will go
thither either on Saturday or Monday next, and it is thought
steps will be taken effectually to punish the offenders. The
gentleman sent by the Cardinal has not yet had audience. It is
said that the French King begins to levy troops in Germany, and
that there is a practice for the Landgrave to help him therein.
[One page.] |
Feb. 13.
Brussels. |
324. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. The Cardinal's
gentleman has not yet had audience. Dining with Morysine to-day
they devised, notwithstanding the absence of D'Arras, that he should
apply to M. de la Chaulx, Chief Gentleman of the Emperor's
chamber, as a mean to be kept in remembrance, but there is small
hope of his being heard till D'Arras returns, which will be in five or
six days. Sig. Ruy Gomez arrived here on Monday night, and
yesterday had audience of the Emperor. To-morrow, if he be not
stayed, he goes to Breda, to the christening of the Prince of
Orange's child, in which journey, going, coming, and tarrying, he
will bestow about five days, and after his return, expects to be
dispatched in three or four days. Since the Queen's arrival in
Antwerp all things are quiet. It is said as soon as the gout gives
him leave the Emperor will go thither, " wherein he shall do well,
for this Court is now altogether dead; the life thereof is at
Antwerp." No news from Italy of late. |
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P.S.—Chapuis sends to him now and then to put the Queen in
remembrance for the assurance of his pension, granted, as he says, to
his colleague. Wishes her Majesty would stay her hand both
abroad or at home, but if she will needs use such liberality, it were
well were some place ordered for an Englishman that was disposed
to study at Louvain. [One page.] |
Feb. 18.
Brussels. |
325. Same to same. With this he will receive two packets, one
for himself, the other for Bartholomew Compeigne; both brought
this day, though with a difference of seven or eight days' date, as
shown by the letter from Mr. Vannes which accompanied them.
Thereby he shall know the affairs of Italy. Sienna still reported to
be in very ill terms; but this has been so often said, that when he
hears it is surrendered he will believe it to be in extremity. The
Abbate de St. Salut has not yet spoken with the Emperor; the
occasion of the delay has doubtlessly been signified by the Emperor
to her Majesty, in whose name he has so often sent for the
Abbate's audience. Would to God they were in as good order for
war, as they seem not much desirous to hearken to the peace! The
Queen and Council are still at Antwerp; ten or twelve of the base
sort there are committed to ward. The Emperor still troubled
somewhat with gout. Ruy Gomez only staid two days here,
departing for Antwerp and thence to the christening of the Prince
of Orange's child, to which also, as he is informed, comes the Duke
of Cleves, accompanied with 300 horses. The French are assembling
near to the English frontiers. [One page.] |
Feb. 18.
Neuberg on the Danube. |
326. Otho Henry, Duke of Bavaria, to King Philip. Credentials
of Adolphus Herman Riedesel ab Gissenbach, and Vitus Poland,
Doctor of Laws, Envoys from the Duke to his Majesty. [Broadside.
Latin.] |
Feb. 20.
Brussels. |
327. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Yesterday, sent
to him a packet by way of Antwerp inclosing one from Mr. Vannes;
as the date may be stale ere it reaches him, takes advantage of a
courier coming from Naples to his Majesty, to write a few words.
The affairs of Italy still hang much in one sort. Since taking
Ivrea and Massa the French have done no great exploit in Piedmont.
Marquis Albert has made a bargain with the French King to
supply him with 40 ensigns of foot and 3,000 horse for three
months, and to be allowed therefor 40,000 crowns a month, and
at the end of the wars to have an estate in France of 5,000 crowns
per annum. What the French, who are so thick on the English
frontier, will do, is matter rather of conjecture than of certainty. Ruy
Gomez is expected here to-morrow. The Abbate has not yet had
audience, to the great marvel of all men. The Emperor is much
amended. The Queen and Court are still at Antwerp. |
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P.S.—Requests the inclosed may be forwarded to the Venetian
Ambassador. [One page and a quarter.] |
Feb. 21.
Palermo. |
328. The Marquis of Terra Nova to Queen Mary. Being a most
devoted servant and vassal of the Prince of Spain, he sends the
gentleman who bears this letter to congratulate her Majesty on
her marriage and do homage to her. [Italian. Two pages.] |
Feb. 22.
Brussels. |
329. Sir John Masone to the Council. The Queen and Council
are still at Antwerp engaged in the examination and trial of
the mutineers of last summer, and of some receivers and treasurers who are suspected by the people of having received more
than they have accounted for to the Emperor. The Marquis of
Mazarano, hitherto considered a good Imperialist, is revolted to
the French; because, as is alleged, his estate lying adjacent to
Ivrea is no longer able to defend itself, and further, his son, being
Bishop of the City, has done the same to save the profits thereof.
The father has received the charge of 2,000 men during the wars.
The usual report of the extremity of Sienna. The Marquis of
Marignano lately defeated 400 Germans sent by Strozzi out of
the town for some purpose; of these 200 were slain, and the rest,
with very few exceptions, taken. The Turk's Ambassador has in
vain endeavoured to induce the states of Venice to join the French.
The Turk has sent to Bogdavia, Moldavia, and Wallachia desiring
them to be prepared with horse and foot for the field early in
spring; and it is understood that he takes speedy orders for the
rigging of his gallies that they may make towards the seas of Italy
as soon as they are ready to sail. Incloses the articles of bargain
between Marquis Albert and the French King. The Diet goes
slowly forward, the only Prince come thither being the Duke of
Wirtemberg; and it is said that before going there they intend to
have a meeting between themselves. Cardinal Morone, who had been
appointed to go there, to see if they were disposed to take example
of the godly doings in England, is stayed at Rome and goes not in
that Ambassade. The Duke of Savoy has made great suit to be sent
into Italy, but it is thought his request will not be granted. The
matters of Milan seem now to require the sending of some one there,
and Don Ferrante Gonzaga is mentioned. It is said the French
begin to fortify Galeate, 28 miles from Milan. Is informed this
morning that there are arrived in Spain, five millions out of the
Indies. Just now, M. D'Arras, who returned yesterday from
Antwerp with Ruy Gomez, sent for the Lord Cardinal's Gentleman,
and after making a long excuse for his having been at this Court
so long unheard, promised him that he should shortly be dispatched
with a good resolution of the Emperor's mind touching the matter
that he came hither for. [Two pages.] Incloses, |
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329. I. "Articles and Capitulations passed late in Baden
between the French King and Marquis Albert." The
same information as already given in Masone's letter
to Petre of 20th inst., with this addition, that "if it
shall be the Marquis' fortune to conquer the Duchy of
Gueldres, it shall remain to him: all other states that
he may win to remain to the said. French King." [One
page.] |
Feb. 25.
Brussels. |
330. Sir John Masone to Sir William Petre. Sends packet
from Vannes received yesterday. Sienna, they say, fainteth. They
have hanged a great time in expectation of an end in that matter,
whereof they trust shortly to hear sure certainty. The Abbate has
not had audience, but on Friday was promised soon to be dispatched
with a good resolution. M. D'Arras has to-day returned to
Antwerp, returning hither with the Queen on Thursday or Friday
next. Ruy Gomez remains here in the meanwhile. The bruit of
Don Ferrante di Gonzaga being to be sent to Italy is now as cold
as it was before hot. [One page.] |
Feb. 27.
Brussels. |
331. Same to same. Fresh news from Constantinople mention
that the Turk is still at Amasia, and has sent to have all his
Janizaries in order to return that way against the spring, and it is
thought he minds to make war upon the Georgians. If so, these
news must be good to all Christendom, which, if God were to
permit him to bend his whole force this way, were in no little
danger by reason of the commodity he should find by the dissension of the two Princes. The Queen will return on Friday, and on
Sunday meet the Estates of this country to consult upon a new
aid, albeit this year they pay throughoutt he tenth or twentieth
of the value of their goods and lands. Although promised he shall
have audience, the Cardinal's man remains still unheard. Requests
the inclosed packet may be sent to the Venetian Ambassador.
[One page.] |
Feb.
Westminster. |
332. Queen Mary to John Gresham and Nicholas Holbourne. Is
desirous to have the payments, shortly due at Antwerp to Anthony
Fugger, Jasper Schetz, and others for the causes of Spain, prolonged
for one year. Appoints Gresham and Holbourne to treat with the
merchants on the subject. [Minute. Autograph of Petre. Two
pages.] |
