Pages lviii-lix
Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Vatican Archives, Volume 2, 1572-1578. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1926.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying and sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. All rights reserved.
Citation:
Supplement
| State Papers, Foreign, Elizabeth, vol. cxliv. f. 130. |
Don John to the Estates General. I. Protesting that he is in no way responsible for delay in accomplishing the departure of the Spanish troops; but that, as the Estates had not provided what they had promised, he was very much afraid that it would be difficult to effect it precisely on the day appointed. 5 April, 1577. Louvain. French. Copy. |
|---|---|
|
Ut supra, f. 137, sub fin. |
II. Escovedo to the King. … “ As for Don John he is thirty years of age. I say nought about him to your Majesty, save that I make no doubt that if he sees that your Majesty does not act in accordance with his admonitions, he will be off when your Majesty least expects it. And as I say so, your Majesty should make no doubt of it, and prevent him in time; for I assure your Majesty that these matters admit of no remedy by sound reasoning, but only by fire and blood, to which end means and might are indispensable.” 6 April, 1577. Antwerp. Decipher. French. |
|
Ut supra, f. 140, dorse. |
III. Don John to the King. … “I entreat your Majesty, as your own proper service demands, that this provision be made speedily; for this body admits of no other cure than amputation of what is infected therein. And this should be done at once by making the provision, which I again entreat your Majesty to be pleased to order, because in default thereof, nothing will remain intact; and besides even with all that, there is need enough that God forthwith set hand thereto.” Signed. Your Majesty's creature and most humble servant, kissing your royal hands, Don John of Austria. 7 April, 1577. Louvain. Decipher. French. |
|
Ut supra, f. 149. |
IV. Escovedo to the King. “I observe much evil in the course which this nation is taking. The Duke of Aerschot went yesterday towards the coast of Flanders to visit one of his manors three leagues from here; and going, and apparently returning, was aboard ships of the Prince of Orange accompanied by all the army which the said Prince has in this canal; and the Viscount of Ghent and Bercell [Beersel] were with him. A great salvo was made in his honour alike going and returning; whereat the merchants and good burgesses were so scandalized that they are minded to depart hence; and this place will surrender to the enemy because it abandons God. If these things are done while the Spaniards have not yet been withdrawn, your Majesty may ponder what the sequel will be. If a miracle is needed to remedy these affairs, it is already time that it be wrought; but if might and forces are required, your Majesty should make timely provision of what is necessary; and for my part, so far as I am able to see, I should hardly be in favour of amusing oneself in taking the places on the mainland. It is the Isles that should be taken (fn. 1); which I deem more difficult than the business of England. And indeed if the one conquest can be made, the other will certainly be made also. Now to effect the conquest moderate forces suffice; but your Majesty should think not that I say this to promote Don John's affair, for that I leave alone, but merely because, as I said long ago, other remedy for your Majesty's affairs there is none, as time makes, and will continue to make, hour by hour, more and more manifest.” 9 April, 1577. Antwerp. Decipher. French. |