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Feb. 6.
Rome. |
573. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since his last of the 30th
ult., the Spaniards have evacuated Tivoli; the Pope's troops had
privily cut off their way of escape, hoping to have inclosed them
therein, but they contrived to get off in time. On the morrow after
Candlemas-day, the Pope's army, esteemed to amount to 6,000 or
7,000 men, were mustered here, and yesterday they marched to
Vicovaro to endeavour to recover it. The recently made Duke of
Paliano has gone in person with the army, which he did not all
the while the Duke of Alva was there. Yesterday he lay at
Tivoli. They have recovered all that the Duke of Alva won nigh
this city, and did most annoy it. Last night intelligence was
received that the Duke of Guise's army was within 10 miles of
Piacenza, and he is thought to be by this time at Reggio, where
Cardinal Caraffa and the Duke of Ferrara are to meet him. It is
also reported that the French have taken Barlanicia, and that
Brissac has taken Ponte Astura in Lombardy, a stronghold made
by the Duke of Alva on the Po when last in that country. Some
say the Duke of Guise will go against Florence, and that the Turk's
gallies will come. Sees no hope of peace, but of war on every
side. The Duke of Alva is said to be in Pruscia [Brescia] to provide as surely as he can for that part, being next in the realm to
Marchio, which it is thought the French will first invade. There
has yet been no consistory wherein the bishoprics [in England]
might be provided for; but it is daily called upon as diligently as
may be. [Two pages.] |
Feb. 13.
Rome. |
574. Same to same. As he mentioned in his letter of the
6th, the Pope's troops are at Vicovaro, in which are 500 Germans
and Spaniards, who are said daily to skirmish with them. On
the 9th five great cannons, a large culverin, and many muskets
and falconets were sent thither. The Duke of Paliano is at Tivoli,
a good way out of the gunshot. Hears that the Neapolitan
troops come with the Count de Populo to the rescue of Vicovaro;
and that the Duke of Alva fortifies Naples, having with him 6,000
Neapolitan infantry and 2,000 horse, and that there are coming to
him from Sicily 3,000 foot and 1,000 horse, besides the Germans
and Spaniards that are expected. It is asserted here that the
Cardinal of Trent and the Marquis of Pescara have in Lombardy
14,000 Germans already, are preparing an army of 24,000, and that
they might have stopped the French on their passage, but that
they lacked horsemen. Many here think that they will come on
the back of the French, who on the 6th were at Florentiola,
betwixt Piacenza and Parma, and could make no great journey for
snow and waters that letted them; but forwards they come, estimated in numbers to be of Tramontanes 14,000 foot, 1,500 light
horse, and 600 men-of-arms. The Duke of Guise is said to be
coming with 300 horse and 50 men-of-arms. The Duke of Ferrara
is said to have of Italians 5,000 foot and 600 horse, and will join
the French army. Also that the Duke of Guise will meet the
Cardinals of Caraffa and Ferrara at Reggio, and there deliver to
the Duke of Ferrara the staff of generality for the French King in
Italy. Moreover, it is said that the Duke of Guise sent to the
Cardinal of Trent that the French King minds not to break the
truce with his Majesty, and that the taking of Valentia was by
the disorder of the soldiers, who took it for the Pope, and put up
his army there, and that this army is the Pope's and not the
French King's. Great provision of victuals and artillery was found
there. The report of the capture of Ponte Astura has not been
authenticated. Two gentlemen of France are said to be sent to
the Turk to move his army to these parts. Andrew Doria is reported to have departed to God. A rumour that the French
besiege Parma is not credited, because Duke Octavio suffers them
to have victuals through his country. At the next Consistory it is
supposed that the Pope will do what he can against his Majesty,
and only awaits the return of Cardinal Caraffa from Bologna. His
Holiness is very extremely set, and unless God puts to His hand,
all here is likely to proceed to the utmost. As yet no Consistory
to have her Majesty's Bishops there purposed; is put in hope to
have it done in the next, and calls upon it as diligently as he can.
[Three pages.] |
Feb. 20.
Rome. |
575. Sir Edward Carne to Queen Mary. Since he wrote on the
13th, he hears that the realm of Naples has granted to his Majesty
during these wars 100,000 ducats per mensem to maintain the wars
out of the realm; and that some merchants of Genoa disburse
300,000 ducats out of hand, and they to take it up as it is gathered
upon the subjects. Also that the Duke of Alva comes with the
Neapolitan power to Anagni, and thence to Neptuno. The Pope's
army has taken Vicovaro; on the 13th and 14th it was strongly
battered, and some great breaches were made in the walls. During
the battering, a person attempting to enter the town was seized
and brought to the Duke of Paliano and Strozzi, and on his person
was found a letter to the Captain of the town desiring him to
endeavour to keep it for five days, when it should be rescued. On
the 14th the town was taken, after a desperate resistance, at the
second assault, 400 of the assailants being killed and wounded.
Mostly all in the town were put to the sword. 300 Spaniards
there were all slain, with the exception of about 40, who, vainly
attempting to escape, surrendered and were spared. The two
captains of the town were brought here prisoners; four of the Pope's
captains were killed in the assault, so the victory was dearly
bought. There was no ordnance in the town, but six or seven
small muskets; if they had had great pieces to shoot hail, they
would have destroyed the most of the Pope's army, which consisted of not above 5,000 men. They have left four bands of
soldiers to keep the town, and the rest have returned here, where
they shall rest without attempting any other enterprise till more
provision be made for shot, for they had not in all with them at
Vicovaro but 700 shot, of which they spent there 500. Hears that
they prepare more daily. The army of the Duke of Guise is said
to be still beside Parma, the one part of it called the battle in
St. Donino, between Piacenza and Parma, and the foreward on
this side of Parma. They say that the French and the Duke of
Ferrara would have that army to remain there for two months, for
lack of forage and necessaries here, and in the meanwhile would
gladly be in hand with Parma, to which the Duke of Ferrara has
great devotion; but the Pope will not have them meddle there, but
to march hither. On the 12th Cardinals Caraffa and Ferrara are
reported to have met the Dukes of Ferrara and Guise at Reggio.
The former Cardinal is expected here in two or three days, and till
his arrival there can be no Consistory where her Majesty's Bishops
can be purposed. Great preparations are said to be made at Marseilles to set forth 30 gallies, to come with the late Prince of
Salerno; and 2,000 soldiers of the sea-side, and the Turk's army by
sea is looked for also. Equal preparation made on the other side.
[Three pages.] |
Feb. 22.
Ratisbon. |
576. The Cardinal of Augsburg to Queen Mary. The bearer,
Raymond Bishop of "Elorch" in Ireland ["Raimundo Vescovo
Elorchen' in Hibernia"], who returns, having succeeded in his
business of deposing and denouncing as a heretic and schismatic
his intrusive adversary Otho; as her Majesty will see by the bulls
of Pope Julius III., to which he testifies, having been at Rome
when the matter was discussed and decided. The bearer also
carries with him the gift of the priory of St. Mary in Louth ["Lut"],
belonging to the Order of Canons-regular of St. Augustine, in the
diocese of Armagh. Requests her Majesty will give orders that the
good and poor old man may be put in possession of his see and
priory.[Italian. One page.] |
Feb. 22.
Ratisbon. |
577. Same to same. The priest who accompanies Bishop
Raymond has requested a provostry in Ireland, and he recommends him to the patronage of her Majesty. [Italian. Half a
page.] |
Feb. 23.
Palermo. |
578. Peter [de Tagliavia], Cardinal of Palermo to Queen Mary.
Had formerly besought her intercession with his Majesty on behalf of
his nephew the Marquis of Terra Nuova, as had also the King of
the Romans and all his sons; and although not doubting that such
potent mediation will suffice, he cannot refrain from again writing to
testify the long services of his family, his late brother and present
nephew in the Imperial cause. Apart from the services of his
ancestors, and his own for 25 years, his brother had sold the town
of the marquisate of Giuliana that he might devote himself to the
Emperor and aid him in many battles. No reward or compensation
has ever been received for these or the sale of the marquisate,
wherefore intreats her influence that his family and the Marquis
his nephew may be honoured with a higher title. [Latin. One
page and a half.] |
