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| April 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
577. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Signory. |
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The Viscount of Turenne (Torrena) and Baron de Torcy (Torsi) have both returned from the coast of Normandy, and they bring word that Montgomery and Guitery have answered that they favour the agreement and know how to procure its accomplishment, but as they have neither the authority nor the consent of their other
confederates, the conclusion of the agreement by them alone would do little towards the tranquilisation of the kingdom; they demand a passport for their agent to negotiate with their own adherents, and this favour has been conceded to them. The Queen of England has sent Monsieur Guido Cavalcanti hither, it is said to assure the most Christian King that her armaments are not intended to act against him, but I am unable to affirm whether his mission is limited to this particular matter. I forward a printed declaration made by the Duke of Alençon and the King of Navarre, affirming their good will towards the most Christian King, and their resolution always to oppose his enemies. The publication of this declaration at first sight appeared to me somewhat strange, but a friend of mine who is in the secret, has told me that this was done to lessen the Duke's credit with the Huguenots, and to show them that he was not a free agent, but that the King had absolute power over him, and thus to disabuse the Huguenots of any hope of receiving assistance or succour from the Duke. |
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Paris, 2nd April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 3. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
578. The Venetian Ambassador in Spain to the Signory. |
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Six days ago the Duke of Alva arrived here, towards whom the King has shown no unusual sign whatever, neither of satisfaction nor the reverse. The Duke is in excellent health, and bears his years well. |
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Madrid, 3rd April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 5. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
579. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Signory. |
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The wife of the Marshal de Montmorency, who is the natural sister of the most Christian King, has contrived that her husband shall come to Court with the hope that his appearance will greatly tend towards peace, and hence the journey of his Majesty has become less probable. |
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Paris, 5th April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 9. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
580. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Marshal Montmorency has at last arrived, and has been extraordinarily well received by their Majesties, who have consulted with him intimately, and the speedy conclusion of peace is considered more probable than ever. |
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Paris, 9th April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
581. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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A friend of mine came to tell me yesterday that there is a rumour current in the Court that they have reinforced the guard, and that no one armed is allowed to enter or depart without the leave of their Majesties. The cause of these orders is not known, but I have heard to-day that it proceeds from a plot which has been discovered, and which was to be carried into effect on Easter Day, against the persons of the most Christian King, the Queen-Mother, and the Grand Chancellor, and that the Duke of Alençon was the head of this plot, being assisted by the King of Navarre and by Montmorency; and therefore all the guards in the castle have been removed save those of his Majesty's, and the Duke, the King of Navarre, and Montmorency are so far watched that they are not permitted to depart. During the whole of this day all the gates of this city have been closed, because it is expected to effect the arrest of some accomplices, and I believe that they have already laid hands on fifteen, but these are only captains and partisans of inferior rank, and not persons of any importance. A search is being made with great activity for the Count da Cocona, who was the captain of the guard of the King of Poland, and who lately left in small favour with his Majesty, but it appears that he has now taken to flight. Letters have been found upon one of the persons arrested stating that a number of cavalry were to meet at St. Maur (San Moro), a short league distant from the wood of Vincennes, with other particulars which throw light upon what was intended to be done. The Grand Chancellor, to whom the plot was revealed, and also other persons who really desire to preserve the lives of their Majesties, and the safety of the kingdom, are very urgent that a resolute policy should be followed, so that there may not be a recurrence of similar events, but it appears somewhat difficult to find any personages in authority who are sufficiently determined to take the measures which would be required for this purpose. |
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Paris, 10th April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 14. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
582. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The Count da Cocona, who has been sought for so energetically, has at last been arrested. He was concealed by a great lady, very little to her reputation, and on the morning when he was taken La Mole and another person, who are the most intimate favourites of the Duke of Alençon, were also arrested. These three persons were examined at great length in the presence of their Majesties, and a council was subsequently held concerning their revelations, at which no one was present except the most Christian King, the Queen-Mother, the Chancellor, Morvilliers, and Limoges. As far as I can learn, the Queen was the first person to speak, and she, turning to the King, said, with passionate grief, “that she perceived that the villainy and wickedness of her son and son-in-law against the person of his Majesty, and
against her own person, had not yet ceased; wherefore it seemed to her absolutely necessary, having regard to these matters, to take measures to obtain a sufficient and secure result.” |
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The most Christian King, after having heard his mother, asked the Chancellor for his opinion, and the latter said, “Sire, matters have proceeded to such an extent, and the facts are so well known, that if you do not make an example and take severe measures, the means which hitherto your Majesty has used of pity and clemency will no longer be considered to have proceeded from the singular humanity and Christian charity which you have exercised towards your brother, but rather from weakness and irresolution. You should take into account the continual fear for your own person, and the imminent ruin which threatens the whole kingdom, given to you by God to govern; and these considerations without doubt should move your Majesty to follow the example of King Louis XI., your ancestor, who was so renowned in history, and to cause the world to know that while your Majesty is full of clemency, so you can also punish when the occasion demands.” |
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When the Queen-Mother heard the opinion of the Chancellor so plainly given in favour of shedding blood, by citing the precedent of King Louis XI., she proceeded to say that she greatly approved the advice of the Chancellor, that his Majesty should take precautions for his safety, and she also adduced the example of King John of England, who, when a conspiracy was formed against him by his brother, cut off the heads of a number of persons, and kept his brother imprisoned in the Tower for eight or ten years (sic); and thus she endeavoured to divert the King's mind from the idea of a death punishment. |
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The other members of the Council spoke in general terms, and finally it was decided to take steps for a trial. In the meanwhile the Duke, the King of Navarre, and Montmorency are not allowed to depart, and the Queen herself has told her son he was not to attempt to leave the castle because he would not be allowed to pass; and matters remain in this position. The gates of the city are closed, and no person is permitted to leave without a passport. M. de Grandchamps, who for some years represented these Majesties at Constantinople, has also been taken, and it is believed that about fifty persons are now under arrest. Viscount Turenne, who was authorised by the King to negotiate the agreement with Guitery and Montgomery, being connected with the conspiracy, fled to the rebels on the first rumour of discovery. |
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Those who most favour the Duke say that he did not intend violence against the King or the Queen-Mother, but only to take flight with some appearance of reason and repair to Sedan to join the Count Louis, and then either to go to Flanders or to re-enter France with an army, and compel the King, with the assistance of the Huguenots, to come to terms acceptable to him (the Duke). I understand that one of the prisoners examined has said that after the affair of St. Germain some persons thought to persuade the Duke that the most Christian King had determined either to cut off his head or to keep him prisoner until peace was concluded
with the Huguenots, and that great promises had been made to the Duke from England to induce him to avoid this danger by coming thither in pursuance of an arrangement to that effect; and I know for certain that the English Ambassador [Dr. Dale] more than six days ago endeavoured to procure a passport to send him to England, but it was refused. It is believed that the King will hasten the proceedings for the trial. |
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Paris, 14th April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 19. Consiglio X. Comune, No. 31. |
583. Sir Philip Sydney. |
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Motion made in the Council of Ten, that licence be given to Sir Philip Sydney, an Englishman, son of the most illustrious Sir Henry Sydney, Governor of the province of Calais, who is staying here on his way to Padua, where he designs to take up his abode for the purpose of studying, to carry arms in this city of Venice and all other cities, towns, and places of our dominion, with a gentleman attending him (appresso di lui) named Lodovico Bruschetto, and with three servants, whose names are to be noted in the office of the Chiefs of this Council, and in the Chanceries of the places where he shall sojourn; he taking oath that they remain in his house and at his charges. |
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Ayes, 13. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 19. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
584. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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I have heard that the King, full of just indignation, had intended to adopt the severer course, but subsequently changed his mind, having been advised by the Council that it was a better and safer policy to permit the Duke and the King of Navarre to live, and keep them in security, so as not by their death to irritate the Queen of England and the Princes of Germany, and so also as not to increase the suspicion of the Huguenots, his Majesty's vassals, that his Majesty was of a cruel and sanguinary disposition, and thus augment the dissatisfaction of the above, instead of carrying the agreement into effect; and that his Majesty should bear in mind that while the Duke and the King were alive he could do what he pleased, but if they were dead there would be no remedy. His Majesty yielded to this opinion, and would now seem inclined to set the Duke and the King free, provided peace were to ensue. |
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Nevertheless, strict watch is kept over the persons of the Duke and the King, so that they are not allowed to leave the castle, but otherwise they are at liberty, and are upon the same terms as formerly with his Majesty and the Queen-Mother. The Marshal Montmorency is allowed to go out hunting, and if any facts have been proved against him, these are concealed, and his opinions are listened to because the Queen-Mother still inclines to a conciliatory course, so as to avoid difficulties, and establish the agreement. It is true that as an example and terror to
others, some prisoners might be executed, and this proceeding would be so far justifiable as it would not interfere with the conclusion of the agreement, which I understand is being negotiated through the Princes of Germany, and which relates to the two points of general security and the free exercise of religion. The latter has always been the greater difficulty, but an expedient seems to have been found by the King promising to the German Princes and to the Queen of England to maintain all the concessions which may be made to the Huguenots. |
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His Majesty summoned the English Ambassador, and gave him assurances that he bore no ill will to his brother, and would not subject him to any bad treatment, and that he desired above everything to ensure peace, so that all persons might live in tranquillity within his kingdom, and he desired the Ambassador to report to the Queen of England to that effect The Ambassador, therefore, will return to England with these promises, and he was also permitted by the King to speak a few words of ceremony to the Duke in his Majesty's private apartment. While the Court is acting thus, the Huguenots are always on the offensive, and the Governor of Normandy has notified the appearance of two bodies of infantry belonging to Montgomery, who is now under Cherbourg, which is the principal place on that coast and of great importance, if taken, from its proximity to England; but the King does not appear to take much notice of public affairs, possibly on account of the gravity of the disease which afflicts him, and not being able wholly to recover from his indisposition, he passes the greater part of his time in bed; and it is positive that his Majesty is in bad health. |
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Paris 19th April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 27. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. |
585. Sigismondo di Cavalli, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory. |
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The most Christian King, on account of his illness, has not been able to give audience to the Ambassadors, but I visited the Queen-Mother in order to congratulate her upon the accession of the King of Poland. While I was speaking her Majesty's eyes filled with tears, and she answered me that she and her son, the King, accepted my congratulations, but that she was under such affliction, that she could not sufficiently reciprocate them. The officers of justice have entered the house of the Ambassador from Florence, to arrest Cosmo Ruggieri, a Florentine, who practises astrology, and who was in the employ of the Duke of Alençon, but although he was in the house at the time, he escaped. The charge brought against him is, of having bewitched the most Christian King by means of a figure of wax; for it is said that, owing to this enchantment, the King cannot recover, but will waste away by degrees. I know nothing about the enchantment, but as a matter of fact the King is a long while recovering. Montgomery has retreated from the position where he had taken the offensive. Peace is being negotiated, and the English Ambassador [Dr. Dale] comes to speak with
the Queen almost every third day, but the German Ambassador has not yet answered the summons. |
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Paris, 27th April 1574. |
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[Italian.] |
