BHO

Edward VI: November 1552

Pages 226-231

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Edward VI 1547-1553. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1861.

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November 1552

Oct. 27.
Chioza.
575. Fabritio di Grotti to Francis Yaxley. Has this day received his letter, whereby understands his views. The mother of the swindlers has just been here, and it seems a desperate endeavour to touch their money; but by means of the gentleman who conveys this he has arranged the matter. One has paid five crowns, and the other seven, which this gentleman will deliver to him, and for which requests a receipt. Has drawn the cord as tight as he could, but could manage no more, as this gentleman and his companions can prove. [Italian. One page. Addressed, "Al mio Sigr Francisco Yaxleo in casa del Magco Ambassator d'Ingeltera. In Va a Riva di Biasis con scudi 12." Indorsed by Yaxley.]
Oct. 31.
Brussels.
576. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to Sir William Cecil. Has, not without great difficulty, procured the manner of the Order of the Toison d'Or, and has now three clerks copying it, because where as he had it, it may not be long missed. Will send the copy as soon as it is completed. If it be thought meet still to keep here so slender a minister as he is in so weighty a charge, beseeches that his servant, who has been waiting this month and more for his diets, may have Cecil's good furtherance. He was promised always to have three months' payment of his diets in advance; but he is now two months behind, and does run upon interest. Wishes to God he were as able as he is willing to serve the King's Majesty without his charge, and truly he would do it. [Two pages.]
October. 577. The Council to Sir William Pickering. The eldest son of Lord William Howard having accompanied the Vidame to France, has not been so well treated by him as was promised or expected. His father desires his return, but the Vidame nevertheless detains him. Instruct Pickering to speak to the Council or the Constable that the young gentleman may be sent home to his father. [One page. Draft letter, autograph of Petre.]
Nov. 9.
Spires.
578. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. Now thinks long to see his man Weston, and to hear from home. If there be no cause to send him, should receive singular pleasure by hearing somewhat from Cecil. Weston can send any letter safely by the Schorers. Learns nothing out of England, and therefore may be ashamed to learn of those who are wont to require ware for ware. For his own private matters would gladly hear somewhat; whether his letters come to the Council or not, and whether the news of Spires be stale ere they can come, or found not sterling when they do come. In this penury of news, any somewhat were a grateful Ilias of pleasure. Cannot send Cecil's letter to Mr. Hales, because he wots not where he is. Hales and Mr. Throgmorton went together from Spires, and since then he has heard neither of the one nor of the other. Begs that he may have some bit of comforts; a little serves where much cannot be hoped for. [One page.]
Nov. 11.
Rheims.
579. Sir William Pickering to Sir William Cecil. The French King is presently at Chalons, but will return in four or five days here, where he will only remain a short while before going to Picardy. The Constable, contrary to his intention, still remains here. Fears in consequence of his long absence that his man may have been drowned or fallen into the hands of the Burgundians. Urges his speedy dispatch with the letters of exchange, else some of them are like to make but simple mirth towards this Christmas. Desires to know whether one Arnold, a Dutchman, has been with him. [One page.]
Nov. 13.
Brussels.
580. Sir Thomas Chamberlain to same. Has now forwarded to Mr. Gresham at Antwerp the copy of the book of the ceremonies of the Order of the Toison d'Or, to be forwarded by a sure messenger. Again entreats Cecil to assist him in procuring his diets, for which his servant has been waiting these two months. He should have been paid at Michaelmas, and he has not a penny to this day. [One page and a half.]
Nov. 19.
Venice.
581. Girolamo Spagna to Francis Yaxley. Hopes soon to hear of his safe arrival, and takes advantage of the courier departing for England to offer his regards. Requests that he will salute Mr. Secretary [Cecil], his master, and say a few words in his favour; begs to be remembered to Messrs. Throgmorton, Arnold, Barnes, and other friends at the Court. [Italian. One page. Indorsed by Yaxley.]
Nov. 20.
Venice.
582. Peter Vannes to the Council. Has received their letters of the 23d ult. Is rejoiced to hear of his Majesty's prosperous estate, and of the special Commissioners being sent from France for the redressing and recompensing of depredations. On the 25th of September had written of the cutting in pieces of certain English cloths, and the hanging them upon a window openly in the Rialto with letters declaring them to be false and untrue, and so condemned. Acknowledges his error in not taking the step at that time, but immediately on receipt of their letter had repaired to the Seigniory complaining of the same, and of the writing declaring the cloths to be false, because that they were with certain marks called portata wrought in wool, like to the mark of Venice, and not in thread, as strange cloths be accustomed to have. Had told them that whatsoever law it were here, the cloths of England could not be compelled to be otherwise wrought than it should please the King or the ancient custom of his realm; as he did believe the said cloths were none other, having besides these portata, or marks wrought in cloth, the sign of the crown; and for their goodness, he was well assured that through the world were no truer or better cloths made than English cloths; and doubted not their Ambassador in England had advertised them of this matter. Their Providetors said that it had not been done in contumely of the King's Majesty, or derogation of the reputation of the English cloths, but because their statutes required so; and the merchants had counterfeited the portata, or marks, for their better commodities and utterance of their cloths. Had told them he had nothing to do with the conduct of their merchants, but was well assured that the marks of the English cloths could not be so easily falsified by any merchant here, and desired them to look into the matter so that no such inconvenience should again occur. They had promised him a reply, which he has not yet received, but under stands by a friend that they knew well their Providetors' faults and their own statutes to the contrary, for only cloths of Ponente, that is to say English, among other strange cloths, be privileged, and that they may freely come. So whatever their answer may be, he supposes hereafter they will well beware of such inconveniences, or any prohibitions, the which should be to their own hinderance many ways. [Four pages and a half.]
Nov. 23.
Spires.
583. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. Thinks the time now very long since Weston went from him, and though there be no cause for his being despatched in post, would be glad he returned in journey as he might. Has neither heard of him nor from him since he went, and is therefore driven to think him drowned, or some otherwise made away. Never was so long without hearing somewhat from England. Cecil would increase the rest of his benefits not meanly, by saying somewhat to him; good or bad he would fain hear somewhat. His head is full of bees: Cecil will do well to send him a hive to harbour some of them; for they be so many as shortly he must send them from Spires in coloniam aliquam. Cecil's Yaxley is come hither, and hardly will give his horse leave to rest him till he be come where Cecil is. By much entreaty has obtained at his hand to go with him to-morrow a hunting to the Palsgrave. The Palsgrave does not invite the Bishop's Nuncio, and yet to hide the matter has prayed Morysine, as of himself, to bring the Ambassadors of Venice and Ferrara with him. They both have promised to go, and Cecil's Yaxley on his coming home shall tell him what their cheer was. Calls him Cecil's because he perceives Yaxley is all so, and so intends to be as long as he has to be any's. Professes a skill to know who does but say, and who say and mean it. Sees that Yaxley reverences Cecil as though he were his son and Cecil his dearest father. More of him he needs not say. If Cecil will bestow his man Weston upon him shortly, or if he cannot have him, some half sheet of paper, Morysine shall settle many guts which seem to him now to lye awry. Namely desires nothing at the hands of Cecil, who must help him to what he knows is fittest to be said and sent. [Two pages.] Inclosed,
583. I. Intelligence "Di Spira alli 23 di Novembre, 1552." Matters are quiet in Italy. Since the Cardinal of Ferrara has entered upon the government of Sienna, M. de Thermes with Gian da Turino and the Duke of Soma have come to Parma, on their way to France by Switzerland. It is thought that the Viceroy of Naples prepares to attack Sienna, and letters state that Prince Doria is at Cos with his galleys towards the kingdom, waiting to convey troops for the enterprise. The Duke of Urbino has had leave from the Seigniory of Venice, with the intention perhaps of joining France, and certainly will have made a profitable exchange. Advices from Rome say that the Pope wishes to reform the Church, and the revenues and dress of the prelates, and to commence this reform in his own person. This remains to be seen. The Pope has also besought the Emperor to become mediator for peace between him and France, but His Majesty will not hear of it. They likewise write from Rome that the King of France has offered one of his daughters to the Duke of Florence, because he had not interfered in the affairs of Sienna. In Hungary Duke Maurice is said to have made a distinguished attack on the Moldavians, but the particulars are not known, and the Turk is said to have recalled the Bassa and his entire army from that country. John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, has held a diet in his States for ordinary supplies, and for no other purpose. Count Mansfeldt's former report against the Duke of Brunswick now appears to be set at rest. On the Emperor's arrival at Metz on the 18th three batteries were to be erected on three sides and three assaults made at one time. All the defences within Metz have been swept away by cannon shot from two bulwarks erected without. The Duke of Alva has promised to the soldiers that he will level the batteries so that they may be able to fight hand to hand. Marquis Albert came on the 11th to the camp, and after dining with the Duke of Alva, they went to see where the Marquis should take up his position before Metz, and it was agreed that he should cross the Moselle and encamp opposite their army on the other side of the city. On the 13th he came to the appointed place with 10,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and 30 pieces of artillery, having with him prisoner, M. D'Aumale, from whom he asks for his ransom 300,000 dollars and the liberation of Count Mansfeldt. He has offered 30,000 quarti and the Marquis laughs at it. The Duke of Alva has promised to the soldiers that whoever takes M. de Guise shall receive 6,000 quarti. All the trenches round Metz being now completed, the French no longer come forth to skirmish, and in the last skirmish Don Alonso Piemontello was wounded by an arquebuse in the neck, and is in danger of his life, and Don Diego Garcia di Parcedes was killed. There are now within Metz 5,000 infantry and 600 cavalry. Pietro Strozzi and Cornelio Bentivoglio have left: the cause is not known but various opinions are entertained about it. In the Imperial Court they talk of the safe return of Don Diego di Mendoza, Ambassador at Rome. For his part the writer cannot believe it. Brezello was restored to freedom without any difficulty. [Italian. Three pages.]
Nov. 27.
Chelsea.
584. The Duke of Northumberland to Lord Darcy, Lord Chamberlain, Sir William Petre, and Sir William Cecil. This morning the French Ambassador's Secretary desired to have an interview with him, being commanded to declare the matter wherewith he was charged to the Duke only. Had availed himself of his sickness to direct the Secretary, who was very importunate, to communicate what he had to say to one of the Secretaries of State or of the Council. And thus he trusts within a while, although he may be thought affectionate to the French as some have reported him, yet he doubts not this way, which he intends to use with them, to continue but a little while in their grace, which he never desired in all his life but for the service of his master, as knoweth the Lord. [One page.]
Nov. 28.
Chelsea.
585. The Duke of Northumberland to Sir William Petre and Sir William Cecil. A servant of Thomas Gresham has brought him a letter from Guidotti, written in such language as for his part neither he nor the bearer hereof, Killigrew, who can reasonably well expound Italian, both written and printed, can understand one word in effect. Killigrew, however, supposes from the commencement of the letter that Guidotti has written at length to Gresham, to whom, for the contents, the Duke refers them. Killigrew had just had a conversation as to the defences of Metz with one De Forge, a banished man out of his own country for religion, who informed him that tidings from France last Saturday bore that the Duke de Nevers had been slain in a skirmish. Suspects from his antecedents, and an alleged errand to the late Duke's daughters, who were falsely stated by him to be at Syon, that this De Forge is a spy, "an alter Harpax," and advises caution. [Two pages.]
Nov. 28.
Spires.
586. Sir Richard Morysine to Sir William Cecil. Whether Cecil's letters be long or short, let him be assured that they are as welcome as any that can come. What if he cannot help whom necessity forces to cry ? The inclination is sufficient, and he is more glad of so earnest a good will on part of Cecil, than he can be sorry for any of his own lacks, though one of them should be these Christmas holidays to want meat. Will do as well as he can, and then he shall avoid blame or be blamed of such as know not where the fault is. When the bearer shall have told Cecil what a dinner the Palsgrave made Morysine, and as many of the Ambassadors as he would bring as his guests, saying indeed after dinner that he had to thank Morysine for that assembly; when Cecil shall understand how the Palsgrave used him, both at his table and in his waggon, omitting no kind of humanity wherein he might show his affection to his Majesty; and hear how willing he was to confess that his hemmet, his shirt, never lay so nigh his skin as the King's most noble father lay nigh his heart, and must lie till he had a day to live; perhaps Cecil will think that a letter had not been amiss bestowed, where it is so well and may be better deserved. He was both bold of Cecil and Mr. Yaxley that day, making the latter his cupbearer. Ascham seems a little troubled that this reversion stands upon no patent, but is only on a past warrant to him that gladly will leave no piece of that he hath, till he leave all at once. And yet he trusts, and so does Morysine, that Cecil will cast some good turn in his neck ere he be ware; which if he does, he shall at once bind a great many to him. If Ascham may be allowed to execute this translator's office in Mr. Vannes' absence, it shall be a mean that the King shall see a difference between the past and those to come; and so, perhaps, find means that Peter Vannes, some way recompensed, may be content to surrender this. But both Ascham and he, in this as in all things else affecting either, yield all to Cecil's discretion; craving but what he shall think well bestowed, and find also easy to be gotten. Perceives what men would have done, and how they are loth to give him full commission to attempt it. Wonders not, that where things are so changed men stand more now than they did upon their reputation. Will follow Cecil's advices in his private letters, hoping as soon as the weather waxes a little warm he and his carriage shall have leave to come home. His wife cannot give Cecil thanks enough, owing so many both for her own part, and content also, where her's was too much, to acknowledge a part of the debt for her husband's. Thinks she writes to his lady, Cecil's bedfellow, who must lay her knowledge aside, and with the eyes of love, which are wont to like faults in their loves, read her simple letters. Desires to be heartily commended to her Ladyship.
P.S. Has here with him one Mr. Darel, a man both very well learned and very honest; whose prest is troubled now and then by those that have learned his nature, which is rather to take wrongs than to follow trouble. If Cecil should see cause, beseeches him to help with his letter where it shall be needful. [Three pages.]