Spain: January 1551, 1-15 | British History Online

Page 197

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 10, 1550-1552. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1914.

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Citation:

January 1551, 1–15



Jan. 5. Vienna, Imp. Arch. F. 30.	Simon Renard to the Emperor.
	(Extract.)
	(This and a preceding letter of January 1st deal extensively with disquiet at the French Court, and the preparations for war carried on everywhere on the “pretext” that the Emperor is collecting men, that the Marquis of Marignano has sounded the roll-call in the Milanese, and that Don Fernando Gonzaga is collecting troops. The Constable declares himself to be perplexed by the difficulties he encounters in crossing the Emperor's designs. The Pope has issued a Bull for the continuation of the Council, which the French hope will not be accepted by Germany. The King of France asserts that he has had no difficulty in enforcing due observance of the rites of the Holy Catholic Church within his kingdom, but that nevertheless he will order some of his prelates to attend the Council in due course.)
	Three Irishmen here at the Court are soliciting the King to accept (the sovereignty of) Ireland and join it to his Scottish kingdom; but from what I hear it appears that the King will put them off and meanwhile temporise with the English until he can feel more sure of your Majesty. He is nursing his designs against them for the recovery of their possessions this side of the Channel; and the commissioners have gone for the second time to discuss the delimitation of boundaries near Calais and Ardres, keeping opportunities alive for breaking off the negotiations whenever they please. They will take advantage of the discord, confusion and strife which is generally known to exist in England over questions of religion.
	Blois, 5 January, 1551.
	French. Cipher. Signed.