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April 8.
Greenwich. |
493. King Philip and Queen Mary to Dr. Wotton. Acknowledge his letter of the 16th ult., and commend his diligence. As
the French King has by his Ambassador Resident, Noailles, and a
Secretary lately passed towards Scotland, informed them of the
conclusion of the peace, they have sent the Lord Clinton to congratulate his Majesty on the event. Desire Wotton at a convenient
opportunity to request that Henry Dudley, Christopher Assheton,
and other rebels, who have most traitorously and unnaturally conspired against her Majesty, may be apprehended and delivered up;
and inform him that Simon Renard, lately Ambassador Resident
from the Emperor in England, is now appointed Resident in France
from the Emperor and King Philip, requiring him to communicate
on all points with Renard, who will in like manner confer with
him. [Minute, corrected by her Majesty. Seven pages.] |
|
Draft of the preceding. [Eight pages.] |
April 8.
Rome. |
494. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since his letter of the
12th inst., the Marquis of Sara, Ambassador from the Emperor, is
fallen in great displeasure with his Holiness, because having, on
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday last, determined to go a
hunting 10 miles out of the city, he took his journey at a very
early hour, and being refused egress by the soldiers who kept the
gate, in accordance with their strict commands to let no man
whomsoever go forth, he, with his company of 30 or 40 wellweaponed, compelled the keepers to avoid. For his thus forcing
the guard, the Pope is wonderfully moved, insomuch that he commanded him to leave the Court on Palm Sunday. Carne saw and
spoke with him at the Court then, but he came not in the Pope's
sight, and was not at the Court all this Easter, where all the Ambassadors were except himself. As far as he can learn, the Pope
cannot hear well speak of the Ambassador, and has never fancied
him since the business here last summer, when the Cardinal di
Santafiore [Guido Ascanio Sforza] was in trouble. Four or five
of the Marquis's servants are in prison, and he hears that process
is made against their master for forcing of the gate. A very
honourable and great wise Cardinal here, who bears good will and
service to the Emperor and his Majesty, required and advised him
to signify to her Majesty that if the King thought good and expedient to have friendship at the Pope's hand, it were well for him
to cause such an Ambassador to be sent as Resident as should be
more grateful to his Holiness, who cannot abide the sight of the
Marquis. Marvels at this, as the Marquis seems a good gentleman,
and appears to mean good service to the Emperor and his Majesty;
and yet, as credibly informed, the Pope can no more hear of him
than if he were his mortal enemy. As informed, his Holiness bears
very good will to both their Majesties, and would gladly there were
one here that were grateful to him. Where the fault is, God knows.
[One page and a half.] |
April 12.
Rome. |
495. Same to King Philip and Queen Mary. Since his
last to her Majesty the Pope has appointed two Legates, one
to the Emperor, the other to the French King. He who goes
to the former is Cardinal de Motula, a Neapolitan, recently promoted to the hat; the other is Cardinal Caraffa, who goes by water
to Marseilles. Their mission is reported to be for a perfect con
clusion of peace between the Sovereigns. All the servants of the
Marquis who were imprisoned for forcing the gate have been set at
liberty, except one. The Marquis has not as yet come to the Court.
[Half a page.] |
April 12.
Amboise. |
496. Dr. Wotton to Queen Mary. Of late have been here Sir
Henry Dudley, Christopher Assheton, two of the Horseys, one
Cornewall, of Essex, and two or three more meaner men than any
of these. Knows little of their proceedings yet, except that one
who has been in their company told him that they had a secret
interview with the King at night, and that they pretend that they
with a number of other gentlemen intend to make a great rebellion
in England very shortly. Also that they had been sent by the
others hither to seek aid from the French King, which he has
refused at present to give, on the ground that the King of England
is sending a number of men of war to Hungary against the Turk,
and if he were to perceive any movement on his part against
England, the same would be recalled and set upon France, which is
unable to resist by reason of the disarming consequent upon the
truce. But the King willed them to go on with their enterprise,
making themselves as strong as they can, and when the troops
are in Hungary, he will supply them with men, money, and other
necessaries. In the meanwhile he has given to Dudley 1,500
crowns, and to the others some 500, some 300, and some less, and
willed them to retire to the seaside, that they may have better
intelligence from their fellows in England. These men say that
some about her Majesty, and even of her Council, are privy and
favourable to these proceedings. The names of such his informant
does not know, but says that Assheton told him that Sir Anthony
Kingston, when going homewards after his liberation from the
Tower, had long private conversation with Assheton in his house,
and in the course of it said, "They have put me in the Tower for
their pleasure, but so shall they never do more." The men exhibit
a copy of King Henry VIII.'s will, and pretend that her Majesty
having done contrary thereto, has forfeited the crown and right
to it, and therefore they may rebel against her. Does not know
how far to place reliance on this man, but thinks that if he might
be assured of a good living in England, he might understand their
secrets and open them to her Majesty or the Council. The man
further said that some of them will shortly go to England to their
companions, and that Berteville is a great doer with these persons,
going to and fro between them and the Constable, so it is likely
he knew this ere he came out of England. Though this was no
laughing matter, he could not refrain when he was told that
Dudley bears men in hand that her Majesty has done him divers
great wrongs, and that he will be called here Mons. de Lisle. On
Easter Tuesday the Count of Lalaing arrived, being met a league
hence by M. D'Enghien, the young Duke of Longueville, the Duke
of Mantua's brother, the Prince of Salerno, and two or three
Knights of the Order. The same day he had audience; and on
Wednesday after mass he received the King's oath and dined with
him. On Thursday he dined with the Constable, and thereafter
was much in council with him; supped with the Cardinal Chastillon; after supper took leave of the King, and left between five
and six o'clock on Friday morning. Wotton thought to have seen
him on Wednesday morning, not knowing that the oath should be
given that day; but because of his going to the Court, was not
with him till the afternoon. Had very gentle words from him.
He has been very honourably entertained, and so takes it. The
King had shown himself very willing to the peace, saying that he
takes the Emperor as his father, and the King of England even as
his own brother. There came with Lalaing, the Earls of Ligne and
Hoogstraet; the one his cousin, the other his nephew; and his
train was esteemed to be about 300 horses. For joy conceived of
this truce the Pope has granted a jubilee, which shall be published
here shortly. Hears that the King has sent four gallies to bring
to Marseilles the Pope's kinsman, the Cardinal Caraffa, whom his
Holiness sends hither, but not for the jubilee, it is thought. The
Prince of Ferrara, son of the Duke, has returned hither in post, and
with him a bastard brother of his father, named Alphonso. It is
said another daughter of the said Duke will come here soon, to
be married to the Duke of Nemours; and Cardinal Farnese and
the Count of Mirandola are also expected. There is some talk that
the Emperor desires to pass through France on his way to Spain,
but Lalaing said nothing of it to Wotton. After writing thus far,
has been informed that news have arrived from Rome of a quarrel
between his Holiness and the Emperor's Ambassador, whom the
Pope on Palm Sunday commanded to depart from the place where
the mass-Papal was said. The Ambassador at first refused, but
the Pope threatened him to be thrust out; whereupon, by advice of
some Cardinals and Ambassadors, he went away. The cause of
difference is said to be this: the Ambassador had obtained permission from Cardinal Caraffa for himself and his train to go out
of Rome, where the gates are kept so strait that no one can go out
or enter without licence; but when he came to the gate, the keeper
would not suffer him to pass, whereupon his company forced the
gate, breaking the chains. This the Pope took in very ill part,
whereby it appears that for all this truce the Pope has not yet cassed
his men of war. [Partly in cipher, deciphered. Two pages and
a half.] |
| April 15. |
497. Rental and survey of the possessions of the Duchy of
Lancaster, renewed at Calais the 15th of April 1556, upon view
and measurement of the grounds by the sworn land-escheators of
the said town, thereunto charged and appointed by John Chaloner,
the King and Queen's Majesties' Auditor of the said town of
Calais, with the particular rents of every of the same, charged
according to the precedent rentals, showed by John Knight, Receiver or Collector of the said possessions, without expressment as
yet of the estates and tenures of the tenants, which is referred to
sight of their evidences upon a further time given. Names of the
tenants:—John Knight, Thomas Aprice, Robert Lake, William
Stephens, heirs of William Johnson, Thomas Massingberd, John
Aster, Richard Brooke, John Kele, John Holland, and the heirs of
John Perche. [Six pages.] |
April 25.
Blois. |
498. Henry II., King of France, to Queen Mary. Has received
by the bearer, the Sieur de Clinton, K.G., the expression of her
Majesty's satisfaction at the truce between the Emperor, the King
her husband, and his Majesty, which he trusts will augment their
mutual friendship. [Signed by the King, and countersigned by
De l'Aubespine. Broadside.] |
April 25.
Venice. |
499. Peter Vannes to same. On the arrival of the Queen
of Poland at Padua, she was visited by a number of the Princes
and honourable persons of Italy, and by all the Ambassadors here
resident. Though he had no commission to do so, went to Padua
as honestly accompanied as he thought meet for the purpose. After
resting a day at his lodgings, sent to know her Majesty's pleasure
as to when he might resort to her. At the time appointed he
was honourably received by her gentlemen and taken to her
chamber, where she sat in her chair with her noble women at her
left hand, and a good number of gentlemen about her. Approached
her with such reverences as he thought meet for that place. Her
Majesty rose from her chair and met him, and upon his offering to
kiss her hand, would in nowise suffer him, but kissed her own, and
brought him to a chair, willing him in anywise to sit by her.
On his refusal, her Majesty said she knew well enough how it
became her to handle the Ambassador of her dear cousin and niece
the Queen of England. Had then desired her pardon for so long
deferring his visit; because he had daily looked for a letter from
his mistress of friendship and thanks, which would have come if
she had had timely knowledge of her arrival. Upon that, "with a
very hearty affection she asked me how doth mine own good and
godly Queen of England ?" and enlarged upon her Majesty's virtues,
worthiness, acts, and "how God hath chosen you and conserved you
in health for his own worthy minister;" to which he replied as well
as he could, agreeable to the truth and her Majesty's honour. After
this the Queen inquired of the late Bishop of Canterbury's false
and erroneous opinions. "In that point I did ripely answer, that
his iniquity and obstinacy was so great against God and your
Grace that your clemency and mercy could have no place with
him, but you were constrained to minister justice." Further asked
what had become of the conspirators against her Majesty. Replied
that he could not well inform her, but that he was well assured
the matter was easy to be repressed and punished as it was intended should be done. After long discourses, she desired him to
offer to her Majesty any pleasure that lies in her to do. Within a
week she intends to go to Naples, and on her arrival she will
salute her with her own hand. To-morrow she will enter Venice,
with great honour and pomp. She is a very honourable and godly
lady; and if her Majesty be pleased to write her a letter of friendship and thanks, it can be well conveyed from Venice to Naples.
[Three pages. Indorsed by Petre.] |
April 26.
Blois. |
500. Dr. Wotton to same. On the 20th received her Majesty's
letter by Lord Clinton, and after conference with his Lordship,
they had audience of the King on the following day. Remits
to Lord Clinton the declaration of all that passed, the keeping of
the Feast of St. George, and the friendly entertainment shown.
Very few could have been better welcome to the Court than his
Lordship; they having conceived an honourable opinion of him, for
the good service which they know him to have done in the offices
and rooms committed to his charge. As concerning the Lieutenant
d'Aumont, Simon Renard, now appointed to be Ambassador
Resident here, will be glad to use himself to him according to her
Majesty's commands. They had acquaintance and friendship
heretofore, being Ambassadors together at this Court for a time,
and his appointment settles the question of precedency, which
Wotton considers Renard should have over him, unless commanded
by her Majesty to the contrary. It is still reported that Cardinal
Caraffa comes here as Legate, and that the Cardinal de Monte
is to be sent likewise as Legate to the Emperor and King Philip.
[One page.] |
| [April ?] |
501. Note of prolongations of days of payment to various of the
Queen's creditors. [Two pages.] |
