observation of the League which thing she acknowledged to be true and therefore as they had cause did think themselves beholding to her Maiestie This in sum was the effect which passed between her Majestie and me And so leaving c. At Mouel the first of April 1572. To the Lord Treasurer FOr satisfying of your Lordships request touching my private opinion of the marriage The great impediment that I find in the same is the contentment of the eye The Gentleman sure is void of any good favour besides the blemish of the small pocks Now when I weigh the same with the delicacie of her Majesties eye and considering also that there are some about her in credit who in respect of their particular interesses having neither regard unto her Majestie nor to the preservation of our Countrey from ruine will rather increase the misliking by defacing of him then by dutifully laying before her the necessity of her marriage and that in true choice the satisfaction of the ear importeth more then that of the eye specially that seeing to one of her quality there is not allotted that choice that is to other common personages I hardly think that there will ever grow any liking for the Gentleman himself his favour excepted he hath many of those good parts that I would desire to be in one whom I would wish to be her Majesties husband if the other impediments were removed And as for his Religion I do not doubt upon conference had with some but that he would be reduced to any conformity so that the sticking in that matter proceedeth rather from others then from himself and yet they not moved thereto of conscience But for other respects whether this marriage be sincerely meant or no is a hard point to judge where dissimulation taketh so deep root In my opinion I think rather no then yea not for that they desire it not onely as a thing both honourable and profitable but also necessary in respect to have a vent for the separation of the brethren But because they are altogether perswaded that her Majestie hath no intention to marry a thing partly proceeding from her own disposition and partly through the disswasion of others who are not unknown to them and therefore partly do use the same but for an entertainment in respect of their troubled state at home Such presumptions as I have to lead me so to think I hope shortly to impart unto your Lordship c. The first of April 1572. To Sir Thomas Smith SIr it may please you to advertise her Majestie how that the twentieth of this moneth there arrived one here sent to the King from the Marshal D'Anville who reporeth that the said Marshal hath lost at sundry assaults at Sancerre in Berie fifteen hundred footmen besides fifty Gentlemen of whom there is very good account made Amongst the rest there is very great moan made for the loss of Monsieur D'Candales a Gentleman of a very ancient house and one who married with Montmorencies sister He reporteth further that there is in D'Anville's camp great scarcity of victuals which proceedeth for lack of payment so that if in time the King take not some order for the redress thereof the said Marshal shall be constrained to break up his camp Upon this discouragement of D'Anvile the strength and number of the Protestants increaseth daily they having at this present as it is reported of Castles and Holds almost a hundred and of good fighting men eighteen thousand yet dispersed in the said Holds but like to assemble when the season of the year shall serve for the purpose The 21 of this moneth word was brought to the Court how those of the Kings Camp that lay before Sansarra as they gave assault to the Town the day before sustained a great repulse and lost six score of their best Soldiers whereupon they are driven to raise the siege By Letters sent from Rochel of the 21 of this present the King is advertised how the Count de Retz is hurt in the rains of the back with a harquebush shot out of Rochel and some say he can hardly escape itâ— others that he is not in any danger and yet the pellet cannot be gotten By Letters also of the 26 sent from Rochel to certain private friends they are advertised that there was no battery laid there before the 24 although it hath been bruted that it is long sithence that Monsieur had beaten down a certain Bastion called L'Evangile Though it is reported of La Noue that he should bring with him to Monsieurs Camp thirty Gentlemen yet the Queen Mother her self at my last access told me that there arrived with him but twelve amongst the which she named none of name unto me but onely Rochnart By others I learn that La Noue escaped very hardly out of the Town with the safety of his life It is said that the King shall have 6000 Switzers notwithstanding that it was otherwise concluded by the Cantons in the last Diet and therefore being contrary to their conclusion it is thought there will grow some trouble among themselves When they come the Kings determination is to make a Camp volant to go from place to place with intent to detain all such of the Religion as are thought to be men of Conduct Upon the news of Montgomeries preparations there is order taken along the Sea-coasts of Britain Normandy and Picardie to withstand his landing They make full account that it is not possible for him to enter the Haven of Rochel in respect of the passage that is quite stopped with stones and timber howbeit others of judgement say that if he bring forces enough with him to withstand the Kings Galleys the spring-tide will favour him all this moneth as that the stopping of the Haven cannot be any impeachment unto him and that if he once enter Monsieur shall be driven to leavie his siege for that I am credibly informed he hath not in his whole Camp above 7000 Souldiers By the letters of Italy as also out of Germany it is said that the Duke Elector of Saxonie is arrived secretly at the Emperors Court what should be the cause of his repair thither men do rather ghess at then know all men conclude that it is for matter of great weight and importance The Marshal Montmorency is departed lately from the Court some men say neither with his own satisfaction nor yet with the Kings others affirm the contrary By letters sent from Antwerp of the twentieth of March it is reported that there was a sore conflict at sea betwixt the Prince of Oranges men and the Duke of Alva's in the which those for the Duke of Alva had the worst and were constrained to retire themselves within the River to a certain place called Berge where they are besieged by the Prince of Orange's ships so as it is thought they can hardly escape In this conflict besides divers others a Spaniard being General was slain I am
that one Merchant in this Town hath 14000 Câ—owns to be employed in that behalf To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester MY very good Lord I leave to my Lord of Buckhurst to shew you how every way he hath bâ—n honourably entertained therefore in this behalf this onely will I say That such hath bin my Lords good demeanour as also of the Gentleman of his train as the King and his Court resteth very well satisfied and giveth both him and them great commendations protesting that sithence his coming to the Crown there was not an Ambassador of like Honosur here which I do not learn at those hands that will report otherwise then they hear to speak that which may best content us but from them at whose hands I do assure my self to have received the truth and for the increase of this good report he spareth to use no cost or liberality to such as by the King appointment have given attendance on him Touching other things the Duke of Longueville is lately departed from the Court with discontentment for that the Precedentship is adjudged to the Duke of Nemours protesting That so long as the Queen Mother liveth he will not come to the Court for he judgeth her to be the cause thereof I heare secretly that there is not the best liking between the two Queens whereof the young Q. is like to have the worst by common judgement for that here whatsoever our Mother commandeth taketh place and standeth for law And therefore if her Majestie desire to take any profit of France she must onely be the Messias and Mediatour I could therefore have wished that her Majestie had amongst other things bestowed some Present upon her The Kings Request unto the Pope for Count Galliâ—â—zos delivery is quite rejected who protesteth That if all the Hugonots in France were incamped about Rome he would not deliver him The King with this proud and disdainfull answer is very much offended I would he would give the Hugonots leave to make some proof what they could do for his delivery Touching a Bull set up against the Queen the Kings discontentment therewith and certain requests presented by the Spanish Ambassador here to the King I referre your Honour to Mr. Secretaries Letters And so leaving further to trouble your Honour I most humbly take my leave Paris the 5 of March 1570. To the Right Honourable Mr. Francis Walsingham the Q. Majesties Ambassador in France SIr I would not suffer this bearer passe without my salutations Master Bealâ— came this morning by whom and by your Letters I have understood from you such things as are of moment and so have I imparted them to her Majestie and mean as shortly as I can to procure answer for the return of the bearer her Majestie as there is good cause alloweth well of your service and so I bid you well to do and heartily thank you for your singular care and good will which you shew unto my Lord of Rutland who advertiseth me of very countifull From Westminster primo Martii 1570. By your assured as I was wont William Cecil And as I am now ordered to Write William Burleigh Sir Henry Norris maketh friendly report of you to her Majestie and to all others I write not to my Lord of Buckhurst because I think he is on the way To my very loving friend Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident for the Queens Majesty in France MY Lord Ambassador since my last Letter unto you I have little new matter worth the writing saving now we are much troubled with the Scotish causes the Commissioners of both parties are now here to write unto you what the end will be certainly as yet I cannot we find both sides very stiffe and hitherto those for the Kings partie very resolute for the maintenance of his Authoritie her Majesties scrupulosity touching his Title and Government we partly know The unworthiness of their Queen to rule she granteth but the instances of their cause to depose her from her dignity she can hardly yet be perswaded in so yet she remaineth much perplexed on the one side she is loth to set her up or to restore to her her estate again On the other side she is as loth to defend that which she is not well perswaded to have justice with it Between these her Counsell chiefly seek for these two things that her self may be preserved in suretie and the true Religion maintained assuredly For as the state of the world standeth and upon through examination of this cause it appeares that both the waies be dangerous touching the Q. of Scots for there is danger for delivering of her to her Government so is there danger in retaining her in prison her friends abroad begin to speak proudly for her we were wont also to have friends of our side if need were but as farre as I can see there is none of that side of the sea to be found that be Princes absolute well our case is the harder and we must say Si Deus nobiscum quis contra nos Touching this matter as soon as it shall grow to any likelihood either of the one side or of the other I will advertise you and withall send you the reasons of the advice In the mean time whatsoever you may hear believe me there is no man in England can tell you which way it will go yet in respect of the King there and his continuall dealing for the said Q. her Majestie rather giveth in words more favorable that way then the other Mr. Norris is arrived here yesterday being Shrove-sunday when Mr. Secretary was created Baron of Burleigh and I think ere it be long shall have the office of privie Seal but as yet remaineth Secretary still and within a day or two Sir Thomas Smith is like to be called to assist him The Parliament is to begin the 2 of Aprill next the Queen Majestie thanks be to God is in very good health so are all your friends as you left them save Sir Nicholas Throckmorton our good friend Your wife was here lately to take her leave of her Majestie who used her very well and graciously I pray you let us hear as often as you can conveniently I would gladly understand of some good for the poore Cardinall Chastillion I desire and also long to heare of the Q. Majesties present how it is liked Thus with my heaâ—tie commendations I bid you heartily farewell the 26 March 1570. Your assured Friend R. Leicester To the Right Honourable my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester BY your Lordships of the 26 of February I find that there is some entrie made in the Scotish matters and that you see them so full of difficulties as whether on retaining or releasing there should be more safety you can hardly diâ—cern things well weighed as well at home as abroad The common opinion of such as are of judgement here and wish well unto her Majestie
said oâ—trage committed he hath justly incurred the Lord Deputies displeasure I shewed him that his confession of his fault was an argument of penitence And therefore that I doubted not that if he would seek pardon at her Majesties hands he should find her Majestie graciously affected towards him who hath alwaies been more naturally inclined to remit then to revenge I asked him how long it was since he departed out of Ireland He shewed me that it vvas about two years past And after he embarqued for Spain where ever since his departure from Nantes he hath continued having received ever after his arrival very honourable entertainment at the Kings hands who yearly gave him 2000 Docats pension He shevved me nothing of his conâ—erence he had at Nantes vvith L. and the C. neither did I seem to understand any thing thereof but made alwayes shew unto him to believe whatsoever he said as though I had never heard of him before nor of his proceedings I proceeded further with him and asked when he departed out of Spain He shewed me about the latter end of Ianury I told him that there were brutes given out here that the King of Spain had some intention to invade Ireland I asked him whether before his departure he heard any such matter Then he brake and shewed me that about September last one Stewkley arrived in Spain who after his access to Madrill before he had conference with the King or any great Personage he sent unto the said Archbishop to desire to come and speak with him To whom he returned answer by his Messenger that if he would come unto him he should be very welcome Whereupon Stewkley repaired unto him and after protestations had how glad he was to see him there whom he knew to be Catholikely bent he shewed him that his intention of his repair into that Countrey was to deal with the King of Spain about the reducing of Ireland unto his Government whereby Heresie might be expelled and true Catholique Religion planted and therefore desired him for that he was well acquainted with the Cardinal Spinoso President of the Councel that he would deal with him to procure him access unto the King To whom he replyed that he thought that the King in respect of the good Amitie between him and the Queens Majestie would be loath to deal therein And further that he for his own part though he desired the Catholique Religion to be there planted yet did he mislike of the means for that he would be loath to see his Countrey under any other Government then that of the Queens Majestie and her Successors And therefore he desired him to hold him excused in that he could not for those respects abovenamed be a mean to bring him acquainted with the said Cardinal President of the Councel Whereupon Stewkley departed from him and went to the Duke Feria and him acquainted with the cause of his repair thither and desired him to procure him access unto the King So the said Duke brought him to the King whom the King after conference had with him used very honourably and appointed him a very fair house and gave him six thousand Docats And besides that he doth give him daily allowance for the maintenance of his table which he taketh to be great for he spendeth at the least Thirty Ducats a day Two dayes after the King had conference with the said Stewkley the King sent for the Archbishop and asked him whether he did know the said Stewkley To whom he answered that he never saw him but here in Spain but by report he had heard that he had been a Pyrate on the sea of life dissolute in expences prodigal of no substance neither a man of any great account in his Countrey notwithstanding he heard he was a Gentleman born and descended from a good House Then the King told him of the offer that he had made touching the request of Ireland assuring him that he had dealt so before his coming with the Irish Nobility as he should find them ready to receive such Forces as he should send He wished the King not to be so light of belief for that Stewkley was not a man of that credit with the Irish Nobility to be able to bring any such matter to pass whom they knew to be but a shifter and one who for the maintenance of his prodigality seeketh to abuse all men With that the King replyed that besides Stewkleys own report of his ability in that behalf he was besides recommended to him by his Ambassador who willed to credit whatsoever he reported Upon the mentioning of the Ambassador he made a digression and told me that the Ambassador did great hurt in England which he did not learn by hearâ— say but by sight of his Letters and therefore wished that her Majestie would not long harbour so ill a gest The grand Prior was at the same time with the King and present at the Communication and said that the Archbishop would be loath that his Countrey should come under the Kings Government which he marvelled at considering the Kings liberality bestowed on him To whom he answered that so far forth as he might with his duty towards God and his Countrey the King should find him serviceable at all times towards him for whose prosperous estate for that his calling so required he would pray And so after this Communication had with the King he departed Not long after D. Feria meeting the said Archbishop entred into talk with him and asked his opinion of Stewkley He answered that he had made the King acquainted with his opinion and that he feared that if the King do deal with him he would abuse him Then D. Feria said that the likelihoods that Stewkley shewed the King of the enterprize were such as there were great cause why the King should imbrace the same For saith he besides the Irish Nobility he hath won a great number of the Queens Garison to be at his devotion as well Souldiers as Captains If the King saith the Archbishop believe what he saith then will there be no great difficulty in the interprize but when it cometh to the tryal it will fall out otherwise Well said the Duke I perceive you are not willing it should go forward and therefore you seek to deface this Gentleman whom we honour here with the name of the Duke of Ireland To that the Archbishop replyed that that Title and Calling was more then ever Ireland was acquainted withal and the more strange it will seem unto them for that he hath there nothing to take unto No saith the Duke I am sure if he might enjoy his own there it would well maintain that Calling Surely saith the Archbishop if the rest of his talk prove no truer then this then shall you see the King much abused by him After this talk passed between the Archbishop and the Duke Stewkley came and challenged the said Archbishop as he saith and told him that if he
to offer the person of Monsieur they might be assured of our continuance in this resolution and whether we will accept this motion in good part and will be pleased to hear further of it To this you may answer That for continuance in our resolution generally to marry we trust there is no cause to doubt the things before affirmed being remembred and how we will accept this offer of Monsieur we cannot but plainly confess it an argument of great good will in the King and the Queen his Mother considering how that the King is married there can be no greater nor worthier offer made by the Crown of France then of Monsieur D. Anjou and therefore we do thankfully accept it But whether we shall be pleased to hear further of this motion is very doubtful for us to answer thereto not that we are ignorant what answer were meet but that the interpretation thereof may be conceived otherwise then we mean And if any impediment shall hereafter justly follow of the cause without our default the same might be imputed to us as others in like cases have been And surely knowing the wisdom of Queen Mother and her experience in such causes of matrimonie we would think that without demanding this point of us she herself can best tell what is meetest to be further done herein For now that she knoweth our resolute determination towards marriage and with what manner of person it is to be considered by her that if such things as are requisite for the contentation of both our persons and for the necessary conditions of the whole cause shall be found agreeable then this offer shall not onely be thankful but by all good probabilitie take the effect that is by the offer intended And if otherwise there should any just and necessary impediment happen either for lack of satisfaction of our own natural expectation concerning our person or of reasonable accord upon the conditions requisite specially for such as may conserve the state and policy of our Realm yet we see not but the good will of either party should be allowed as well in us for yielding to hear and consider of so honourable an offer as for them that made it And herein you shall say that we pray the Queen Mother not to be over curious in requiring so precise an answer until the matter may be further treated upon and explained and not to think it any touch to the honour of her Son to be named a Suitor to us as others of as great degree have been though the motions took no effect rather for other impediments then for any mislike of the persons And thus much we would have her perswaded that as we did at the first honourably forbear to hear of some offers because the impediments were at the first beginning manifest although the persons were worthy to be liked So in this cause if we did perceive any such impediment of weight and apparence or that we had conceived by any report any just cause of misliking of this offer we would surely deal plainly with the King and Queen Mother and would most heartily thank them for so honorable an offer and yet give them manifest occasion to forbear And truly we cannot give any ansvver hereto but leave this point to the vvisdom of Queen Mother vvho is not ignorant vvhat is belonging to such a matter as this is specially tovvards us being a Queen never married and having Kingdomes to be provided for with reasonable conditions for satisfactions of our loving Subjects whom though we know are so desirous to have us marry as they will not mislike of any marriage that may content us yet shall we not take such advantage of their free good will but that they shall plainly understand that we will joyn with our private satisfaction the regard of their quietness and surety The third is not by us dissallowed that this matter may be treated upon between you as our Ambassador and Monsieur de Foix untill the matter may be brought to more ripeness so as the King may without hazarding of his honour send a Noble Ambassador And yet you may add as of your self that you think that the matter would be more readily expedited for the mutuall understanding of our minds on both parties by sending of some such speciall person as Monsieur de Foix upon some other pretence And if you can so compasse it we think many scruples would be avoided better then can be by Letters sent unto you and if Foix may come then shall you do well to advise him to think of all circumstance aforehand And yet afterwards the King if cause shall so permit may send an honourable Ambassage for such a cause The fourth request is that we should send to you certain Articles for you to declare our intent toward Monsieur with authority for you to consent thereto so as the King should first deliver to you other Articles for Monsieur wherein we cannot but find many difficulties For how can we tell what were meet to propound untill we may understand what shall be first propounded by them that make the offer But if they seem not contented with this answer that then by your former motion they will not send any person hither you may say that if they will deliver to you their offers and demands you will promise that the same shall not be revealed to any person but to our self and one or two about us whose advice we will use And if you shall be demanded what you think would be looked for to be offered you may say that you think no lesse can be offered for conditions then was by the Emperour Charles with King Philip to Queen Mary And that further of necessity it must be specially prejudged that Monsieur shall not have Authority to exercise the form of Religion in England that is prohibited by the Laws of our Realm And though you be not instructed hereof yet would we that you should specially open this matter secretly to the Q. Mother and though we mean not to urge her Son to any change of conscience otherwise then we wish him to be directed to the best yet surely we cannot nor may not give him any authority to have any exercise in facts of such Rites as are prohibited by our Laws And as for his allowance of our Religion although we wish he might in conscience like it and if he did understand the form thereof truly we do not mistrust but he would not mislike it yet we shall onely require his presence in our Oratories and Churches And this you may say is one of the matters of greatest importance to be considered by the Queen Mother The fifth that this matter should not be opened to the French Ambassador here Resident which because it is required may be observed for surely we neither to him nor to any other use to deal in such matters but as we are provoked And yet why it should be kept secret we
he willed me to assure her that he would never forget and further to signifie unto her that he made choise of the Marshal Montmâ—rency and Monsieur de Foix to send over with his full mind touching the Articles that have been propounded of either side and that he therefore desired by the said Gentlemen to understand when it shall be her Majesties pleasure that they shall come over to treat in that behalf Having then done with the King the Queen Mother called me unto her and told me that of late certain had gone about to perswade the King her Son that her Majestie meant nothing less then to proceed in this marriage using sundry perswasions to induce her to believe the same Notwithstanding she assured me that such is the great good opinion that they all have of her Majesties sincerity upon good grounds in respect of her Majesties honourable dealing as no such brutes and sinister practises can prevail with them to make them think otherwise then honourable of her Majestie and yet she did assure me that the same did proceed from such persons as they might easily have been abused had not her Majesties own sincere dealing assured them of the contrary I shewed her that if she or the King should otherwise think of her Majestie they should do her great wrong and give her just cause to think her sincere dealing unsincerely requited This was the effect of my present negotiation And so c. At â— the twentieth of Iune 1571. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France I Have written by du Pine of late to you and before that as I think you have received her Majesties Answer and such Articles as she doth think meet to be demanded Her Majestie doth stand still very stiff touching the point of Religion required of that side and as far as I can perceive she will hardly relent to any other qualification then you know of and that being granted to her I suppose there will be no other difficultie And surely in this if Monsieur remit the whole to her Majestie there is no doubt but by that means he shall obtain more then we wish and more then is reasonable or at the least convenient to be openly contracted by them For as by the one that may be had which is to be born withal for a time in hope of better so by the other it will altogether encourage such as are already too high and most meetest to be kept under even for both their sureties For this cause it is onely to be wished for these respects the first to the universal good of the cause of Religion the other for the quietness of our present Estate And for these causes sake I pray God to prosper it accordingly and I see no cause grâ—atly to doubt if that point of Religion be yielded on that side unto The Ambassador here doth very honestly and well in the matter and surely doth good offices between their Majesties For my part I perceive by you that I have cause to thank him for his particular affection towards me I can but thank him here And I pray you as you may have occasion use this favour for me as it may appear to the Kings Majestie there how much his Ambassador hath made me know of his good acceptance of my good devotion towards the encrease of the good Amitie between our good Soveraign and him which doth give me great encouragement to go alway the more forward so far forth as with my duty to her Majestie I may Thus having no other matter presently to write to you I bid you farewel in haste the ninth of June 1571. Your assured Friend Ro. Leicester To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh THe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shewed me his Mistresses Letters dated the seventh of this moneth him to advertise A. that their of great moment in hand to impart he seeketh with England and therefore roundly forward with the matter furthe to advertise A. that there is a practise in the stealing away of the Scotish Q. whereunto him to have regard This as I can gather come from â—54 who discovereth it to his Master he hath not yet imparted the same unto A. by the reason of his absence about ten days past it was bruted here for most certain truth that the Scotish Queen was escaped into Flanders Of late days of these common brutes there have followed shrewd effects whereof your Lordship shall do well to advertise her Majestie to have an eye that way The King is not yet returned to Galleon but remaineth still at Paris which divers of my fellows find themselves agrieved withal especially Spain There rise daily new causes of unkindness between the two Princes Spain seemeth to set the King here very light which ingendreth in him a great desire of revenge and lacketh but treasure to make open demonstration thereof And so c. At Loveirs the five and twentieth of June 1571. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham By the QUEEN To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. RIght Trusty and Well-beloved we greet you well Forasmuch as the French Ambassador here joyntly with Monsieur de l' Archant Captain of the Guard of Monsier D. Anjoâ— treated with us to have our consent that the Marshal Montmorency and others nominated with him for the French King might come hither as they say to treat and conclude the matter moved betwixt us and the said Monsieur we think it necessary to impart unto you what hath passed therein at some length which we have ordered to be put in writing by the Lord of Burleigh to the intent that on the one part you should not be ignorant and on the other part you should be better instructed how to treat upon the matter both with the King or any other that shall in this matter have Commission to treat with you In all our dealings with them you shall find that we have in no wise yielded to grant to Monsieur a liberty for exercise of his Romish Religion neither have we any inclination to yield thereto and yet for the benefit of our Realm rather then for any particular inclination to marriage we have resolved this marriage to be meet for us so as the difficulty of Religion be well accorded And where in the last end upon conference had by the Ambassador and Lord of Archant with the Earl of Leicester and the Lord of Burleigh it may appear to you that they finding a resolute determination of their Ambassadors should demand of us a liberty for Monsieur in the cause of Religion it should be denied then did they thereupon seem to yield and by way of demand require to know how it might be liked if the demand of Religion were utterly forborn and put to silence Our meaning is not
forbeare in that behalf and that that matter might be referred over to treaty untill the coming of him whom her Majestie meaneth to send whereby all unkindness might be avoided he willed me to desire her Majestie to interprete this is message in good part and to assure her that he is void of all evill meaning whose Amity he most earnestly desireth notwithstanding he may not in honour forbeare if he be urged thereto to assist them in respect of the said League I shewed him that I understood nothing of any such meaning of her Majesties sending of any forces thither but if it were so it then proceeded upon the discovery of certain dangerous practises of the Queen of Scots whereupon her Majestie is inforced every way to seek to do that thing that might tend to her safety and therefore if any such sending grow upon such respect he could not but allow thereof protesting that good will that he doth to her Majestie He answered me that now his meaning was not to recommend the liberty of the Queen of Scots but onely to recommend the liberty of the Country I told him in that behalf I doubted not but he should find the Queen my Mistress inclined to do any thing to agree to reason and stand with her safety but if her Majestie should have any intention to seek the liberty of the Queen of Scots in my private opinion I thought by no meanes he should prevaile she now of late being discovered to be so dangerous an enemy who hath as it were dismembred her Majesties politique body by corruption of sundry of her best qualified Subjects which thing said I if your Majestie could consider in the Queen my Mistress person I am sure your Majestie would forbeare at any time hereafter to recommend her cause His answer to that was that he meant not now to recommend the same and so he willed me to present his affectionate commendations unto her Majestie adding further that he hoped shortly to see one from her here to treat of such things as my tend to increase of good and perfect Amity between them he desired me to dispatch one with some intelligence to the end he may know her Majesties answer I am given secretly to understand that there are certain of the Guisian faction that have made offer unto the King to go and serve in Scotland of their own charges and that the King if he received not a good answer from her Majestie is determined to imploy them there are some also of that faction that go about to perswade him that her Majestie meaneth nothing less then to send any hither to treat of Amity and that all is but intertainment untill she have made full conquest of Scotland the King notwithstanding these lewd perswasions as I learn conceiveth a good and honourable opinion of her Majestie As I was writing I was given to understand that the morning the King sent for me there was long debate had in Councell whether he should recommend the Q. of Scots cause or not In the end after long debating through the earnest perswasions of some it was thought expedient to forbeare in that behalf and so concluded that he should onely recommend the liberty of the Countrey I am put in great hope that the King will be content to joyn with her Majestie in the establishing of the young Kings Government Surely if her Majestie send hither in time whilest her friends enjoy the credit of the Court here some parsonage of good quality whereby the King may think she maketh some account of him I think her Majestie shall obtain any reasonable thing at his hands that she her self can desire for she is perswaded that no Amity is so fit for him as that with her Majestie in respect that all occasions of quarrels are now taken away If it might so like her I would wish that her Maiestie would in talk with the Ambassador use some words of excuse in that she hath so long deferred the sending of the Gentleman that is here looked for as also two words of assurance of the great desire she hath of the increase of Amity with the King This I know would content him as also stop the mouthes of those that perswade the contrary Thus leaving further to trouble your Lordship I most humbly take my leave At Blois the nineteenth of October 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident in France ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well we have presently sent the bearer hereof our trusty servant Henry Killegrew to supply the place that there you have to be our Ambassador Resident with the French King our good brother for the time that you shall be occasioned to be necessarily absent about the tendance to cure your self of such infirmities as to our grief we hear you are subject unto and glad therewith to hear that if you may have some respite and leisure from business to attend to your Cure you are in hope to be cured by certain Physicians that have taken upon them the charge thereof whereof we are both willing to further you and do earnestly charge you without either delay of time or care of our business to apply your self for that by your good service hitherto we do plainly perceive that our election of you hath been well answered and the continuance of you in that service is to be much desired by the recovery of your health And for that this bearer shall now supply your absence whom we know to be a faithful friend unto you we would you should instruct him in things meet to be known to him and to give him assistance of such of your servants as shall be to him needful for this purpose And for our further knowledge in things presently to be prosecuted and imparted to the King there we have also given to him knowledge thereof by special Instructions in writing signed with our hand have informed him and have willed him to make you partaker and to use your advise in what sort to communicate with our good brother the French King and assoons as you may recover your self to return to your former charge which we wish to be speedy both for your self and our service We require you so to do and to give us knowledge thereof for our meaning is assoon as you shall be able so to do this bearer Henry Killegrew shall return Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Richmond the twentieth of October 1571. in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honorable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr though your leisure were more then it is yet the coming of this bearer my brother Killigrew is able to discharge me of all my care to write but yet I cannot let him depart without my Letter how short soever it is you know my brother so well and love and trust him as I
you a Commission under our great Seal of England wherein we have joyned with you our Ambassador Francis Walsingham and our servant H. Killegrew who is there with you wherein our meaning is that assoon as Walsingham shall come thither he shall joyn with you and within some convenient time Killegrew may return according to our first order given to him at his departure thither And yet untill VValsingham shall come thither Killegrew may remain as joyned And considering the whole burden of the matter of learning in conceiving the Articles of this Treaty shall rest almost wholly in this Treaty we would that when you are proceeded as far as you can and as you think meet that before you shall subscribe the Treaty you shall send the same hither to us to be more circumspectly perused and thereupon we will with like speed return it as we shall think meet and so may you reasonably declare your intention to the French King pretending your instruction of your self and therewith to use the same as they may not suspect it to come of any intention of delay At Westminster the 13 of February 1571. Wil. Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Letters sent by the Scot dated the 6 of this month I have received he willed me to inform you that since his coming hither he hath learned that the King giveth but a deaf ear to their causes notwithstanding that they hope that upon Graunges brothers coming who is now at the Court there will be somewhat obtained for their relief which if it take not place then they mean to repair to Flanders where the Lord Seaton hath received from the Pope 20 thousand Crowns who is putting himself in readiness to repair into Scotland Further he willed me to shew your Lordship that the L. Fleming looketh for a Barque of his own to arrive at New-Haven about the end of this month in the which he meaneth to repair to Scotland with such forces as he can get either by consent from the King or by stealth otherwise This in effect is that which he willed me to impart unto your Lordship I find this he saith confirmed by other Intelligence I have Graunges brother as I learn meaneth to protest to the King that unless they may have Men Money and Munition out of hand for their relief that then they shall be driven to yield to such composition as will be made to the Queen of England which will not much tend to the benefit of France After Sir Tho. Smiths assurance of her Majesties intention I suppose the King will perswade them to fall to agreement among themselves without further intermedling in their causes From all the Ports both innormandy and Picardy Cane only excepted I learn there is no preparation of ships Shortly I hope to understand what is done in Cane And so leaving further to trouble your Lordship I most humbly take my leave at Paris the 29 of December 1571. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh TOuching your Lordships by Sir Tho. Smith according to her Majesties order I have caused the King to understand as well the trust she hath in him as also how much she desireth his presence at the Court whereby Sir Tho. Smith may be the better assisted by his advice some like office I have also used towords I. who hath alwaies been an especial furtherer of the cause From him who liveth not far from this Town I have received most earnest promise that he will do his uttermost and for that he is here imployed by the King in the punishment of those that committed the late disorder he hath written secretly to his friends to the Court to sound there in what state the matter standeth and as they find secretly to advertise Sir Thomas he protesteth that he would be loath to see her Majesty abused as any Subject she hath that loveth her most dearly He hath great hope that the matter will take good success for that he seeth the state of both Realms doth necessarily require so strait an amity as marriage bringeth He promiseth to use the more expedition in that which is committed to his charge to the end he may repair to the Court with the more speed Lineroles who by the House of Guise and the rest of the Spanish Faction was made an instrument to disswade his Master was slain the ninth of this Month his death yielded no small furtherâ—nce to the Cause I hope therefore Sir Thomas Smiths first dispatch will bring the Olive Branch And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave at Paris Decemb. 8. 1571. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham Your Lordships of the 8 by Sir Thomas Smith I have received and according to her Majesties order expressed in the same I have by means of a third person who heretofore hath been imployed betwixt us caused the person you know of to understand the great trust her Majestie reposeth in him as also her desire to have him at the Court during the time of Sir Tho. Smiths being there whereby he may the better have the assistance of his advice Touching the matter it self I know not how to judge of it for that I have been two Months absent from the Court as I have cause to doubt so have I cause more to hope to doubt for that her Majesties long deferring in sending may have bred some doubt here of her cold inclination that way and so cause them to give ear to some other offers having small hope of this To hope first for that there is no other match worthy the seeking elsewhere secondarily for that they begin to fear very much the greatness of Spain and therefore desire to be strengthned by the Arm of England and though that may be done by way of League yet they think the marriage the surest knot of amity After Sir Tho. Smith hath had audience it will then soon appear what is to be looked for in that behalf Lastly for that Lineroles the chief disswader of the Marriage is lately slain Marshal M. who is imploy'd here by the King in punishment of the authors of the late disorder meaneth to make the more haste to the Court to the end to further the matter whereof he hopeth there will grow success Thus leaving further to trouble your honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the last of December 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham A minute of my Lord of Burleighs Letter to Sir Thomas Smith of the 28 of December SInce your departure from hence there hath no new thing of vallue happened but the discharging of the late Spanish Ambassador who hath both in Office and out of Office used himself very crookedly perniciously and maliciously against the State and namely and openly against me not forbearing but in open Coâ—cel
can give good testimony and therefore I doubt not her Majestie wil have good consideration thereof accordingly Your Lordship at large by Sir Tho Smith is advertised how strangely the Article of Provision for the King of Spain was taken by his Deputies Surely if her Majestie persist in that point to have him specially provided for I perceive then that this Treaty is at the best for that they themselves confess that the end of this League is onely to bridle his greatness therefore to provide for his safety who seeketh both their destructions they cannot tell what to judge what it meaneth especially seeing that of late he hath no way deserved at her Majesties hands any such favour If therefore her Majestie do think that this Prince is of any value who is towards all men sincere towards her Majestie well affected towards Religion pius Inimicus she must not weigh him in one ballance with Spain who is of word unsincere in affection towards her Majestie maliciously bent and the common Enemy to our Religion If her Majestie mean to take profit of his friendship the next way shall be to strengthen her self with the Amity of others in such sort as she shall have no need of it for it is the nature of a proud man to make best account of them that least esteem him for whosoever yieldeth to him increaseth his pride which thing those that deal with the Spanish Nation find to be most true So long as the late Catholique League made remaineth in force her Majestie nor any other Princes of the Religion can promise unto themselves any thing at Spains hands but as much mischief as he can do them which thing her Majestie with the rest shall find to be true by too dear an experience if the same be not holpen by some counter league The consideration whereof maketh the German Princes now who otherwise are slow in their counsels determinations to think it necessary for them to joyn in this counter-league which thing your Lordship may perceive by this inclosed letter which lately I received from the Count Palatine touching that point whereas he referreth me to his servant Iuniuâ— with whom I have had conference I have committed the report thereof to this bearer M. Beal Touching the Marriage in Treaty here betwixt the Prince of Navarre and the Lady Margaret Sir Tho Smith Mr. Killegrew and I knowing how much the success of the same might further the cause of the Religion and finding the greatest difculty to be the manner of the solemnizing of the same we sent unto the Queen of Navarre a Copy of the Treaty of the marriage betwixt King Edward and the latâ— Q. of Spain the Kings sister here wherein it was agreed as your Lordship knoweth that she should be married according to the form of our Church This Coâ—y of the Treaty as the Queen of Navarre her self told Sir Thomas Smith and me standeth her in very good stead whom she sent for the 7 of this moneth to come and speak with her At our access she told us that she did not send for us before she did make Queen Mother acquainted therewith not saith she in respect of my self but in respect of her Majestie towards whom I would be loth to ingender any jealousie considering that she is growing to so good Amity with this Crown For as for my self I am not afraid to make known to all the world the great good will I bear towards her Majestie to whom I am as much bound as ever one Prince was to another And because saith she you are Ministers to her Majestie here I thought good to make you acquainted in what state and terms the Treaty of the marriage standeth betwixt their Majesties here and me saith she there is no difference but only the manner of solemnization I have alledged the Treaty which you sent me whereunto they take exceptions such as are of no great value and therefore said she I cannot tell what to judge of the matter because amongst the rest of the exceptions they say it was no true Copy of the Treaty I have sent for you Monsieur Smith saith she to know because you were a dealer in the same whether you will not justifie it to be a true Copy to whom Sir Tho Smith answered that knowing the great good will her Majestie did bear her and how much she desired the good success of that marriage as a thing that tended to the advancement of Religion and repose of this Realm he could not but in duty avow the same and be willing to do any good office that might advance the said marriage She made us acquainted with divers other particularities which I thought good rather to refer to the report of this bearer then to commit them to writing The Copy of the Letter which I send unto your Lordship here inclosed sent unto her from her Son which she delivered unto us secretly to read may shew you how full of jealousie the matter is and therefore until the same be concluded I hold it for doubtful She findeth here a great stay of Count Lodovicus's advice who surely is the rarest Gentleman which I have talked withal since I came to France c. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Queens most excellent Majestie PLeaseth it your Majestie the thirtieth of March at night we received your Majesties Letters of the twentieth of the same whereupon asking audience the next day because the King himself was yet in his Diet we did speak with the Queen Mother in her Chamber where I began to declare unto her Highness that by Letters from her Majestie we had understood two things whereof we were sorry the one that your Highness having received the dispatch from us of our negotiation here as touching the league and amity willing to dispatch our Currier again with your resolution which we doubt not should be to her and the K. contention their Ambassador Resident required that your Majestie would not write your answer or resolution unto us until he had his Currier come for whom he looked every day Saith the Q. that is because he would coucur with you I think so said I and it is well and I trust we shall so concur to a perpetual and strait Amity I hope saith she but yet he vvrote not so much to us that he spake to the Queen to forbear his resolution to you but onely that he looked for his Currier The other is more grievous to us because we take the time lost and some evil suspicion may be conceived but I trust the Amity is so begun between the two Realms that there shall no suspicion have place after that the one hath understood the other Monsieur de Crocque arrived into England as your Majesty knoweth with Commission from hence to help Scotland to a quietness in her self and to concur with him whom the Queen our Mistris should send for that purpose for aid and even at
heart that may be for her Majesties safety And so leaving to trouble your Honor any further at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the tenth of August 1572. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham Sir I beseech you to signifie unto her Majesty that the Count Montgomery doth shew himself by sundry demonstrations worthy of the favour and honor he hath received at her Majesties hands I beseech your Honor therefore to put her Majesty in mind to use some such speeches towards his daughter at the Court as he may perceive that I do not forget to advertise her Majesty of the good will he beareth towards her To the right honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principall Secretary SIR in this my private Letter I thought good to tell you that how coldly soever you are affected towards marriage we mean not here to give you over but do think that time may work somewhat to the satisfying of our desire They think in the end necessity must make you yield thereto in respect of your safety which is the best ground of the hope they have they know well enough the coldness of your affection and therefore they hope that force will bring that to pass which love cannot This Sir for marriage matter I have earnestly written both to the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Leicester to procure a stay of the revocation of those that are imployed in Flanders without the which the whole enterprise is in hazard in respect of the discouragement that will grow thereby And surely if the same take not good success it is evident what will be our danger to as many as will list to see I need not use towards you any perswasions to put to your helping hand which is forward enough in this case as one that foreseeth the mischief that otherwise will follow Whereas you write now that the Scots began somwhat to incline to an abstinence it seemeth very strange considering the issue of our Parliament and the late inlargement of the Queen of Scots liberty unless the Scots mean thereupon to establish the Government in their Queen if her Majesty had accepted the provision of her safety by her subjects in Parliament and not so soon have yielded to any enlargement those Scotch matters had been ere this accorded but we use to build with one hand and overthrow with another I can rather lament it then hope after any remedy And therefore to God I commit it And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the 10. of August 1572. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the right Honourable his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer I Refer your Honour to Sir Th. Smiths Letters touching that which hath past concerning the delivery of her Majesties resolution unto their Majesties thereof the offer propounded by the M. Montmorency and M. de Foix. They easily could be induced to hazard an enterview if they thought there were any earnest intention in her Majesty to marry but the doubt thereof maketh them stay to condiscend in that behalf notwithstanding they mean not to give over the matter utterly but do hope that necessity in time may induce her Majesty in respect of her safety and the gratifying of her subjects to yield her consent seeing that the difficulty consisteth in opinion chiefly I do what I can to nourish this opinion in them considering the broken state of Europe and how tickle her Majesty standeth if by an enterview there might grow any good I think I could easily bring it to pass but the experience I have had how this case of marriage is subject to many things maketh me to proceed warily according as I shall receive direction at your Lordships hands who shall guide my doings in this behalf Touching Flanders matters the King had proceeded to an open dealing had he not received advertisement out of England that her Majestie meant to revoke such of her subjects as are presently in Flanders whereupon such of his Councel here as incline to Spain have put the Queen Mother in such a fear that the enterprise cannot but miscarry without the assistance of England as she with tears had disswaded the King for the time who otherwise was very resolute Thus your Lordship seeth how the bruit of your fear there hath bred fear here whereof I fear there will follow fearfull effects unless God put to his helping hand The Admiral in this brunt whose mind is invincible and foreseeth what is like to insue doth not now give over but layeth before the King his peril if the Prince of Orange quail or at the least if the matter by composition may not be induced to that good pass as the Spaniards may be removed further off and the Country restored to its liberty and yet remain under the Government of Spain And though he cannot obtain what were requisite and necessary for the advancement of the Cause yet doth he obtain somewhat in conference with him He desired me to tell your Lordship that there is nothing in respect of himself that he desireth more after long troubles unless he saw the danger great and evident to as many as profess the Gospel as also particularly to the King his Master and to the Q. Majestie my Mistress whom he is bound to honour and serve during his life and if these Low-Country matters be not reduced to some good issue he would not now expose himself to new perils But the case now standing as it doth and foreseeing the mischief that will follow he saith he should be a Traitor to God and to his Country and unthankful to her Maj. if he should forbear to do what lieth in him to prevent the same and for that he knoweth your Lordship doth concur with him in the like desire he doth most earnestly desire you to be a mean to stay her Maj. revocation of those that be in Flanders which thing will breed no less incouragement to the enemies then discouragement to those that seek to further this cause the welldoing whereof saith he if I do not mistake doth as much import her Maj. as any one thing that hapned unto her since her coming to the Crown and therefore requireth rather assistance then hinderance Other particularities he willed me to impart unto your Lordship which for that I would be loath to trouble your Lordship with Cypher I have desired Mr. Killegrew to make you understand the same And so leaving to impart to your Honour any thing further at this time I most humbly take my leave At Paris August 10. 1572. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester IT may please your Lordship to understand that upon advertisement com from the parties that her Maj. meant to revoke such as are imployed in the Low-Countries of her subjects the King here through the perswasions of such as are inclined to Spain
unto her that way Her Majestie can of her self well enough judge of the peril besides I know she lacketh not good advice and if sparing be not the let I hope all will do well And so for other matters referring your Honour to the Lord Treasurers Letters and this bearer I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fifth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer YOur Honour by Master Secretaries Letters shall understand that the Isle of Rez is taken by them of Rochel that there is some hope conceived in Germany of the Elector Brandenburgh to the Kingdom of Polonia That the Ambassador of Spain here giveth out that the fifteenth of the last Moneth Zatphen in Gelderland was taken That certain of the Princes ships are lately distressed and that the two Dukes are at Boisleduc The Legats doings are kept very secret in so much that his Secretary is not made acquainted with them for the avoiding of suspicion The Ambassador of Spain hath no great conference with him but by a third person named L. Angrâ—lettâ— Auditâ—re della Rota who passeth daily to and fro between them he is one in whom the Pope layeth the chiefest weight of his legation in respect of his wisdom and experience The Duke of Savoys repair hither in person maketh men to think that the unity between this Crown and Spain is like to grow great for that he is termed here Lame du Rey du esquire and that therefore the matters of treaty between them are of great weight I know that sithence my coming to the Countrey the King hath openly used some speeches of misliking of the said Duke but this late change changeth all things upside down The doubt of the Turks great preparation for the next year is a great bridle of their intentions For the removing of this impediment the last of this moneth they dispatched hence their Ambassador to make great offers both in Spains and the Venetians behalf to draw him to an accord The Venetians as I am credibly informed have been these three years past at the charge of 800 000 the moneth and therefore would be glad to be rid of so weighty a burthen And so having nothing else to impart unto your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fifth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer BEcause this bearer promised to see my letters safely delivered unto your Lordship I thought I would not let him go without them The Legate stayeth here until there come resolution touching that they have lately treated here which they have dispatched both toward Rome and Spain by two sundry Curriors The King is of late advertised that the number of those of the Religion in Lanquedoc is encreased very much and that there are joyned with them 600 horsemen and 1500 footmen that are departed out of their Countrey of Bern who by the way have distressed the most part of Count Ioyeux Company They have taken also upon the edge of Languedoc a certain place called Sanins where their Gun-powder is made this encrease of their number maketh the King irresolute what to do Before these advertisements he was determined to have besieged Sancerre but now he is advised to march toward them in Languedoc The new accidents that happen make them to change their purposes Of late there is one arrived here from the Duke of Baviers whose coming is thought to proceed through the Cardinal of Lorrains perswasions with commission to make great offers to the King from the Duke to the end encourage him both to the imbracing of the league as also to proceed to the rooting out of those of the Religion here Monsieur de la Mot hath of late earnestly recommended to their Majesties here certain requests commended unto him by my Lords of her Majesties Counsel Whereupon Pynartâ—ent â—ent unto me to assure me that there shall be such justice done to her Subjects as her Majestie shall have just cause to rest contented therewith And so having nothing else to impart unto your Honor at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the tenth of September 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr It may please you to advertise her Majestie that by advertisement lately come to this Court from Rochel the King is given to undeâ—stand that Strozzâ— hath taken Marans not far from Rochel where he put to the sword two Companies of Souldiers placed there by the Rochellois Further he is given to understand that de la Noue is entred into Rochel being sent thither by the King having beforehand given oath that he would faithfully travel to reduce them to yield who by perswasion hath much wrought with them as they are content to grow to some capitulation which proceedeth chiefly through a disagreement that is between the Rochellois and such strangers as are repaired thither Also it is said that the Baron de le guard hath taken three ships laden with corn by them of Rochel These sundry newes hath put them of this Court in great jollity for that they hope shortly to reduce the Realm to inward quietness There are marched out of Burgundy a Captain footmen and certain horsemen levied by the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Aumale whether they shall be imployed at Sancerre or whether they shall march directly to Languedoc it is not as yet concluded The Duke of Guise arrived here the twelfth of this moneth who is marvellously well accompanided The Cardinal of Lorrain his Uncle is daily looked for here as also the Cardinal of Guise his Cousin By Letters of the fifth of this moneth out of Flanders they write that the D. of Alva doth distribute his Army into Garrisons and that the Roysters do remain at the Forrest of Arden and in the Land of Luxenburg where they commit great spoils and outrages being not yet payed for that the D. of Alva pretendeth not to have wherewithal to discharge them They write further that the Prince of Orange remaineth at Dortrecht where he maketh collection of money for the levying of forces for the next Spring From Cullen they write that there are certain Commissioners repaired thither sent by the Emperor as it is said to treat some accord between the Prince of Orange and the D. of Alva notwithstanding they do give out other causes of their coming By Letters from Vienna they advertise that the Emperor is repaired into Bohemia to procure the election of his Son which being done he meaneth to repair to Germany and there to keep a Diet for the election of the King of Romans Further they advertise that the great Turk of late hath sent unto him a present commending him very much for the keeping of his promise and the
Almains the King can besiege neither Rochel nor any other Town for the Frenchmen are not fir for the keeping of Artillery nor to make the body of the battel of footmen The King doth send into Germany to see if he can appease the Almains as also to procure succours if he shall need them He hath received at their hands many a churlish answer and notwithstanding without respect had of the difference of their degrees he for beareth not to woo them The nineteenth of this moneth there arrived here the Bishop of Valences Secretary out of Polonia who giveth them great hope of the Election of Monsieur and yet some part of his tale giveth men cause to judge that there is no great reason so to think for that he saith by the reason of the plague that there reigneth the Nobility to whom the election appertaineth have not yet assembled so that all this hope seemeth to be grounded upon some particular conference that the Bishop hath had with some of the said Electors who perhaps when the matter shall come to through debating will change their opinion Men of judgement here that know that Countrey do think that if the Bishop of Valence had had a million of gold accompanied with his eloquence to be stow amongst them he might then be able to do somewhat but otherwise they think that eloquence without treasure will gain no Kingdom The Venetians of late have taken four French ships and have put some of them to torture to make them confess the colouring of certain Turkish goods as which news the King was very much offended and therefore hath given them leave of Marseilles to use all means of revenge From Antwerp they write that the Duke of Alva by the benefit of the last frost hath taken certain Towns in Holland which thing is not altogether believed for that the Ambassador here hath received no letters for confirmation of the same The news of the Earl of Morton to be chosen Regent Boughan and the Lords of Lougâ—leuin to have the Government of the King doth very much mislike them and therefore her Majestie hath cause the more to like of it And so leaving to trouble your Honour any further at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the two and twentieth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester MY very good Lord I had very well hoped that the reasons for my return would have countervailed any that Mr. Carew could alledge for his stay I forbear to express my grief for that I am somewhat in hope some other shall be choâ—en that shall not slip his head out of the collar I beseech your Lordship therefore to continue your assistance in that behalf Touching the hope of having Rochel by composition the wind is come about they being now perswaded that there is no way to have it but by force whatsoever her Majestie saith to the contrary they cannot here but believe that they of Rochel receive encouragement from her Majestie to hold out The Switzers as I am given to understand have concluded at a late Diet held by them to give no succour this way which falleth out contrary to their way Those people are not so gross but that they foresee the end that the late accident here tendeth to I would others whom it toucheth as nearly would so think The late election of the Regent in Scotland doth altogether miscontent them here and some threatnings are given out that it shall not so long stand for good for that the same passed not with the content of both parties but onely by the choice of one faction So leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the two and twentieth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh STeward being made acquainted with the contents of your Lordships Letters telleth me that 9 meaneth to stand upon the denial and therefore requested me with all diligence to dispatch this messenger and in his name 3 to deny also if any question shall be moved in that behalf That Davison never propounded any such matter notwithstanding he desireth that the ship may stay at 2 â—â— 6 ry 9 or 10 days that if upon better consideration reason shall move him to alter his opinion he may take the benefit thereof if necessity shall force him thereto He willeth me further to advertise your Honour that 9 meaneth to send a Gentleman expresly with full mind unto Davison with order to communicate the same from him to 3 to whom he desireth that there may be credit given I perceive by them that they cannot tell well what to resolve until there be conference had with â— if they mean not to take profit of the ship I have taken order with them to send one to the Port to cause him to depart Because your Lordship is sometimes absent from the Court I thought good to send your Lordship the Copy of the Letter I write to Master Secretary besides the contents whereof I learn that Monsieur D'Aux is stoln away from Constantinople and is presently retired to Ragusa where he remaineth the cause of his departure from thence is unknown unto the King who is very much offended withal He hath expresly sent a messenger unto him to will him upon his allegiance to return unto Constantinople and to continue his charge there Some do gâ—ess that the cause of his departure from thence was for that he feared that the King would take some order for the murthering of him there as suspected of Religion The Cardinal of Lorrain hath took upon him before his departure from Rome to promise the Pope that the King here should enter into the League which thing is thought not fit at this time until the King hath appeased his troubles at home It is thought that one chief cause of the Duke of Savoys coming tendeth to make some complot against Geneva as also to conclude some straiter amity then heretofore hath been between this Crown and Spain the means whereof is thought to be the marriage of Monsieur and the King of Spains daughter They seem here to be no less sorry for the E. of Derby then for D. Chasteirault what moveth them so to be I know not Though there hath grown some alteration in her Majesties resolution touching my return by the choice of Mr. Carew yet I hear there lacketh no care in your Lordship to find out some other to supply the room for the which I have most just cause to render unto your Lordship most humble thanks And thus having nothing else to impart unto your Lordship I most humbly take my leave At Paris the two and twentieth of December 1572. Your Honours to command F. Walsingham SIr the day after Monsieur Mannesires arrival which was the 23 of this
entertainment as shall be ministred unto you But if it shall happen the King or Queen Mother or any such person to go further with you and to feel you with words in any of the points hereafter mentioned we think it honourable for you not to shew your self ignorant of our mind therein nor how things have proceeded heretofore in those matters and how they stand at this present And therefore we have thought good to inform you in those points whereupon it is most likely they will make some mentioning and questioning with you to know our further resolution and mind therein that as in all other matters likely to be moved unto you you shall do well first to confer with our Ambassador there by whom you shall understand how things have gone hitherto And for this time you may say besides all other things whereof they be already fully advertised of our mind we think it now reason that the matter of Religion be first esclared for because that there in his Realm there hath been made great alteration in that point since the late communication thereof and therefore it is now reason that we should the more carefully provide that the difference therein should breed no disturbance disquietness or doubt in ours And as the said King hath held a stiff hand to maintain onely one Religion in his Realm although he with open Edicts did profess the protection of two and the defence of them both indifferently so it behoveth us rather who did maintain but one onely in our Realm and never yielded to the other by any Edict or Protection or favour now at this time not to change our course but to profess all one thing which we have done sith we came to our Crown and to suffer no permission or winking at of any other Religion then that which we and our Realm hath always held and maintained and by Gods grace intend always to do and so much the rather we have cause to require it at this present time because that in the dealing with Mon. D'Anjoâ— in the treatie with Mon. De Foix matters were made more easie and temperate to the which we did the rather incline when it should come to the knitting up that Sir Tho Smith now our Secretary was sent then such things were required as never before were expected as open Mass a Church a Chappel proper and all such solemnity of other ceremonies and abuses which our Realm and policie cannot suffer whereupon necessitie was for us clearly and plainlie to break off and least the same inconvenience should follow or that protracting of time should be thought but a dissembled entertainment of other cause then we have in mine you may say that we pray the King and Queen Mother to cause first this point of Religion to be clearlie esclared and opened that upon that we may more clearly judge what is to be done of us to the proceeding any further of that matter of marriage And you may say more that it is that point that we have thus long attended that our Ambassador there Resident should have certified us from their Majesties so that before we have answer from them of these points by reason we cannot proceed to go any further in this matter in which heretofore we have not been answered and the answer thereof lieth in their hands As concerning the demands that such as of late were fled hither sithence these late troubles that we should rather admonish them or command them to avoid the Realm as Rebels to the French King our brother You may say that we do understand of no Rebellion that ever they were privy â—nto and can perceive nothing but that they are well affectionated to their Prince but when such common murthering and slaughter was made generally throughout France of those who professed the same Religion that it was natural for every man to fly for his own defence and for the safetie of his life and it is the priviledge of all Realms to receive such woful and miserable persons as do fly to it onely for defence of their lives And for their return the chiefest of them have been spoken unto and they make their answer that the same rage of their enemies which made them first to fly hither doth still continue the cause of their tarrying here for as they then did kill with fury and as it may appear the greatest number of those that were killed without the commandment or avow of the King so it is most like they would execute still their malice if the persons were there against whom it was then and is yet inflamed notwithstanding any letters declaratory or other prohibition by the King as it is manifest and notorious that very many have been publiquely and are almost daily slain and murthered in France that be of their Religion sith these contrary Edicts were published and cryed by sound of trumpet And therefore until they may see that the quiet of the Realm be better established the fury of the people and the bloody murtherers appeased they will live here and obey the Kings Edicts They think themselves unsure there and prayed us of our mercy to have compassion of their miserie And if so be the King you may say would suffer them to enjoy their revenues whether they remained here or went into any other Countrey you may say that we suppose they would be as faithful subjects to him as any other in his Realm for other we espie none in them And if we can perceive at any time that they were otherwise minded or should attempt any thing for the disquietness of his person or Realm you may say we will not suffer them to remain within our Realm And as for the Commerce and Traffique of our Merchants there was nor is in us any difficultie why not thereby as by all other waies the Amitie and League should not in all points be perfected But such things have sith that time happened in that Realm that even to this day our Merchants be in horrour and fear to meddle therein especially to go much within the Land sith such libertie is given or suffered into the hands of the popular to kill or murther whom they could without punition therefore or justice nevertheless we are in hope that in time the King will peovide that he shall be better obeyed and that his sword of justice shall rule and not the unbounded lust of the populer to the which no wise man or careful of his life will hazard himself we could not but as a good Princess and mother of the Commonwealth bear with our Subjects in this fear so probable Nevertheless we shall give order that our Secretarie and others who do favour the cause shall be joyned in Commission to treat with his Ambassador here and as shortlie as time will serve and as our Merchants do by little and little get more boldness to traffique there and no part of that which was begun for the more streighter
two days taken up the enchange of certain Treasures of the Town 300000 franks to what end I know not He is now retired from hence to Rome the cause of his departure as it is thought is to remove the suspicion from the Protestants that they suspect nothing of the great conferences had at sundry times between Queen Mother and him Here since the departure of the King upon the good assurance that hath been given me by divers of the good offices that the Lord Levingston will do in Scotland at his return I have taken upon me to give to him a passport with condition that if her Majestie shall not like thereof then he to return hither back again who promiseth to yield such satisfaction to her Majestie as she shall not repent her of any favour she shall shew him The Gentleman feareth that if he should not depart hence before Easter he should be constrained to yield to their superstition or to hazard his life in refusing the same which is the cause why I grant him the same pasport without hearing from her Majestie Schomberg is lately sent hence into Germany as it is thought to two purposes the one to observe their doings there the other to make some levy of both horsemen and footmen if he shall see any preparations of succours for them of the Religion here There arrived lately a noble Gentleman sent hither by the King of Portugal to congratulate the Queens delivery and as it is said to renew the offer of succour by sea It is said that the Baron de la Guard is dead and that Monsieur le Duc d' Alanson desired to have the charge by sea whereto Queen Mother would by no means consent as Mannesire shewed me It is also reported that Monsieur De la Noue hath discharged himself to Monsieur of his promise made to the King and professeth to live and dye with those of Rochel And so leaving c. hoping that her Majestie will take order by sending over Mr. Dale that I shall be the next Messenger my self I most humbly take my leave At Paris the 26 of February 1572. To Mr. Secretary SIr this Gentleman the bearer hereof whom I dispatch in all haste shall shew you the particularities of the late skirmish happened between the Camp and those of Rochel to the end you may impart the same unto her Majestie In the which skirmish D. d' Aumale and Schavigur were slain two of the chiefest executors of the late murthers here God of his good beginning doth give us some hope that the blood of the innocent shall not beunrevenged They of Sancerre the night after the breach was made which was about the latter end of the last moneth issued out of the Town and gave the Camp a Camisadâ— who kept very negligent watch so that they entred into their Trenches as it is said and slew 200 at the least and three or four Captains of good conduct Hereupon it is said that Shaâ—ers who is the General for the King is commanded to levy the siege and to repair to Rochel I am credibly informed that there should be certain Letters entercepted sent out of Germany from Count Lodowick amongst the which there was one directed to Count Montgomery wherein was mention made of assurance of succours to be given to them of the Religion here out of Germany I have divers causes to conjecture that the party which brought these Letters was directed unto me This interception maketh them here much doubt Germany Sir Mr. Dale had need to bring with him over a greater train then he shall be well able to maintain if her Majestie look to hear often from him and if his servants shall be stayed ordinarily as mine are And so c. At Paris the tenth of March. To my Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship to understand as I was upon my departure from this town towards the Court I received this inclosed from my Scretary Thevewes the things contained in the same are here very rife and confirmed with great earnestness and others notwithstanding some here of judgment considedering what good success they have lately had at Rochel how much their enemies are therewith appalled and how the giving out of these bruits may serve the Kings turn many ways do not credit them for my own opinion I assure your Lordship I know not what to judge I have seen within these few moneths so many strange and unlikely things come to pass as I do rather suspend my judgment then utterly not believe it If her Majesty do not hear from me with that speed that were requisite when there falleth out here matters worthy advertisement I am justly to be excused for that I have none to send my servants being all staid there and not one sent over which thing if it be not by some device remedied I know not to what use an Ambassador will serve And so having c. To the right honorable Francis Walsingham Esquire her Majesties Ambassador in France SIR you may think it strange that I have writ no oftner to you then I have done and that I have no sooner dispatched your successor unto you but I think you know well enough the stile and order of the Court. Yesterday was the first day that I could get your dispatch signed and the same night I sent word to your wife and sent word to Dr. Dale who hath been with me in the morning and prepareth to take his journey straight after the holidays towards you whereof I thought good to give you warning by your servant for before her Majesty had signed I durst never adventure to affirm any thing for fear of contrary winds the which is no news in this Court Well now I trust you be pleased if with nothing else yet at the least with your return Montgomery is gone from hence whether he hath taken shipping or no I know not but I suppose he hath With his tarrying so long here the Queens Majestie was fain to send to apprehend the Pirats of all nations thereabouts who under the colour of the Prince of Orange and the Count Montgomery robed all manner of Englishmen and strangers some of them are like to pay for it and the rest be gone or will be glad to go for it was time for justice to awake Of Casteauneufs coming hither on D' la Motts errand I think my Lord Treasurer hath written unto you who is privater of it then I am and the answer The pretence was to bring recommendations and excuse from the Duke of Alanson of his absence at my Lo. of Worcesters being there the cause not pretended what preparation was here to help Rochel And he might easily see there was none by common consent and the Princes avow What Montgomery for commiseration or love of private men especially strangers can get is hard and I fear by the event will not appear so much as is thought and spoken of and were expedient at this time
King his Brother a League offensive and defensive and for the matters of the Low-Countries we will therein do as before is expressed if the secret aiding may in no sort be accepted by the French King And thus leaving to your discretion how to perswade Monsieur that thâ—s not assenting to the marriage proceedeth not of lack of Love or Good-will towards him but of meer necessity to avoid the just offence of our people you shall use all good perswasions to temper his misliking thereof with the assurance of the continuance of our love towards him in all his fortunes hereafter to follow And now when you shall return from Monsieur to the French King you are for answering the first point to shew our minde thereto with the like Arguments and Reasons as before is contained in that you shall have said to Monsieur which need not here to be repeated in writing And if the French King shall not allow of our foremost offer for our secret aiding of Monsieur in his actions but will refuse the same peremptorily and so procure Monsieur to leave his enterprize for lack of our further yielding then you shall yield to the second afore remembred that we will rather then the enterprize should fail and thereby the King of Spains greatness encrease joyn with the King as is remembred But except Monsieur shall object against the manner of our ayd in secret sort as is before remembred you shall not need to yield ours to offer to Monsieur that second degree nor make any mention thereof for after that being opened and the French King being therewith acqnainted before your access unto him it shall be in vain to stand with the French King upon the offer of the first degree for a secret ayd so as if you shall be urged by Monsieurs answers to fall to the second to yield to an open ayd then you may onely repeat the first to the King and therewith to add that if that manner of ayd shall neither content the French King nor Monsieur then we will assent to joyn with the French King in such manner as shall be found reasonable for us both and for the cause And so our meaning is that you shall if you can possible in this sort put of the marriage with yielding to this latter open sort of aiding if the secret ayd shall not be allowed and therewith you shall declare by this our Answer the other two points for a League offensive and defensive and for a secret accord for the Low Countries to be in a sort answered But for more particular instructions of you how to proceed in these two latter matters you shall have for them both a Commission general for your self and our Ambassador and Sommers to treat therupon and with the said Commission you shall have some other particular instructions such as the short time may yield And whensoever you shall enter to treat thereon after knowledge had from you there shall be more particular matters called to remembrance and sent unto you But now if you shall after all good Reasons used to perswade the staying of the marriage with the offers to joyn with the French King and both with aiding of his Brother and if it be moved to you or otherwise thought reasonable to be by you mentioned to joyn also in the ayding of Dâ—n Anthonio pretending to be the King of Portugal that notwithstanding this your proceeding that the King will yield to none of these but with the marriage as hitherto by his former Answers have appeared he would not you should persist in setting forth the necessities of the Crown of France both presently and for time to come as also you shall confess the like for England to begin timely to abate the King of Sp. greatness and that though there had been never marriage spoken of yea that wheresoever Monsieur may marry in an other place yet it shall prove a great error both in the Frinch King and us to leave the King of Spain to encrease to such greatness as hereafter neither the force of France nor England no nor any that may be confederate with them shall be able to withstand any thing that the King of Spain shall attempt And if these Reasons cannot prevail you shall leave off declaring your great grief that the forbearing of the marriage grounded upon the evident misliking of our subjects should be the cause of the forbearing to do so great a good to Christendom as the conjunction of the King and us might bring though the matter took not place and so you shall end and speedily advertise us of your proceedings Instructions for the treaty of a League offensive and defensive betwixt us and the French King and for other things depending thereupon ELIZABETH R. WHen it shall appear upon your other treating with the K. according to such other instructions as you have that it shal be required and found convenient that there be a League made for a strict Amity between us and the French King and that the same shall be found good for us both in respect of the King of Spains growing overgreat to continue a peaceable neighbor you shal require first that the Treaty made for a mutual defence betwixt the French Kings brother Charles the ninth and us and which also hath been confirmed by a special clause in the Treaty that shall now be newly made and thereupon shall it be considered what other new Covenants that are not already contained in the former Treaty shall be made to make our Amity streighter against any that shall commit any hostile act by invasion of any of our Countries which we now possess or have possessed any time these 20 yeers and to that end you shall move an assent that from henceforth we and the King shall during our lives be united in heart and minde for confirmation of our honors persons states dignities kingdoms and dominions to either of us belonging so as from henceforth we and the King shall be against all persons friends to friends and enemies to enemies notwithstanding any former Leagues or Confederations with any other or notwithstanding any Councels Perswasions or Motions to be made to either of us by any Potentate or person spiritual or temporal to the contrary of the tenour of this League Item You shall Covenant that if any King Potentate or other person shall offend or procure offence to us in our person honor dignity or estate or shall take away or impeach and 〈◊〉 any of our Kingdoms or Countries the French King shall repute and accept the same offence as done to himself or his Countries and shall in like manner with all his power impugn the same as though the offence were made to himself and we also shall be bound in like sort to the French King mutatis mutandis Item It shall be mutually covenanted that all Traytors and manifest Rebels against either of us shall be declared and used as enemies or Rebels of the other
having from time to time made her privy to his proceedings therein whereof she never made shew to have any misliking especially as a matter tending to the hinderance of the marriage Thereupon I did at length let him understand the causes why the same marriage hath depended so long in Treaty the manner and course of proceeding with the Commissioners at the time of their being there and how her Majestie seeing her marriage subject to so great difficulties and thereby doubting greatly what issue the same would take could hardly have been induced to have assented to the coming of the Commissioners but upon hope that if such difficulties as were by her to be propounded accompanied with her Marriage could not be salved the said Commissioners might then have proceeded to the Treaty of a more streight League that thereby their travels might not be fruitless And in this behalf I did let them understand that her Majestie found her self grieved that the Commissioners had not authority to treat of the League without marriage especially that considering that not past four or five months before their coming over there was some overture made by certain Commissioners deputed by the King to treat with her Majesties Ambassador resident which she did look should have been prosecuted at the time of the repair of the said Commissioners and lest the same should have been forgotten or neglected she did send one especially to the Ambassador resident to require him in her Majesties name to advertise the King how that in respect of the doubt she had what issue the Treaty of marriage might take she found it necessary that they should have authority to treat of the said League which falling out contrary to her expectation made her proceed for the desire she had to send the said Commissioners away contented to the conclusion of the Treaty lest otherwise they might have seemed to come hither in vain And so much before the signing of the said Treaty she did declare unto the Commissioners so that thereby they might well perceive that this Treaty besides the reservation did not proceed in so clear a course as they perhaps had been informed And as for their objection that her Majestie was acquainted with the action of that War before that Monsieur did embrace that enterprise I shewed them that though she was acquainted with the enterprise yet did she not think that ever she should have been urged as lately she was to be a partaker of the charges of those Wars which could not but breed a discontentment in her Subjects who looked not into the pollitique cause that might move both Princes to concur in seeking to abate the King of Spains greatness but would ascribe the cause to the marriage which being accompanied with other discontentments was not to be made more grievous by the charges that the Warrs of the Low-Countries the marriage proceeding was like to throw upon her Majestie After this reply they proceeded further and did let me understand that whereas the hope of this marriage hath drawn the King to yield further in the allowing of this said enterprise then otherwise he would So the Duke feared that the said King upon knowledge of her Majesties resolution in the case of marriage would grow cold therein Besides divers others that were ready to assist him sundry waies especially with Treasure encouraged thereto by an assured hope of the marriage they feared that now they would upon doubt thereof draw backwards whereby they did see the said Dukes cause very greatly perplexed upon this her Majesties resolution and as for the offer of the League seeing the King as far as hitherto can be gathered resolute not to proceed therein without marriage they saw no great cause of hope to be relieved that way and so concluded that besides the hinderance that the said enterprise should receive by this her Majesties resolution they did not see how their Monsieurs honour and her Majesties could be salved without great touch to them both the cause being so far proceeded in as it was all men being in expectation that either the same should have taken place or else break off upon some substantial matter as might have yielded satisfaction to the world whereby both their honours might have been free from such slanders as are like to be thrown abroad throughout all Europe In answer of these points I let them understand for the first That touching the Kings growing cold in the cause I could not conceive how he being a Prince of judgement and assisted with wise Councel seeing how perillous the King of Spains greatness would be to the Crown of France could wax cold in a cause that so greatly touched him seeing the remedy offered might be performed as as well without marriage as by marriage And to inforce this matter I did lay before them divers reasons to shew the perils might ensue both to the Crown of France and England if the said League should not take place and also some other thing put privately in execution for the preventing thereof and therefore did let them understand that there was not so little an account to be made of her Majesties motion touching the League as by them it seemed there was for that heretofore upon like occasion the Crown of France hath desired the association of the Crown of England and therefore it would be thought strange the same being now offered it should be refused when never the like cause was offered to move them to embrace the same And as touching other mens withdrawing of their promised assistance especially of Treasure I did let them understand that as her Majestie by her Letters had offered to the said Duke to assist him as I supposed they were made acquainted withall with such means as were agreeable to her estate so should he find her ready to perform the same and as for the doubt conceived that after so far proceeding there could be no satisfaction yielded to the world I did let them understand that though they did not think the impediments alleadged by her Majestie to be of sufficient force to yield satisfaction yet I doubted not but that all wise men that do without passion consider how necessary it is for all Princes to tender the conservation of their Subjects good wils towards them seeing that by proceeding in this matter the same should be put in hazard for such causes as I had declared both to the Duke and them would upon understanding of the said causes rest satisfied and so in the end concluded with them after well near three hours conference that we were not now to look backward and to call in question such errors as perhaps had been committed in the prosecuting of the cause but to think of some such necessary way to be taken as may best serve to further the Dukes honourable enterprise and to knit the two Crowns in perfect amity The day following I had a second audience the substance whereof I have thought
she should repair hither during 〈…〉 my being here to the end he might be informed what hope there was 〈◊〉 be had of the marriage without the 〈◊〉 he saw that his brothers enterprise would throw him into a Warr whereof 〈◊〉 was to bear the only 〈◊〉 Whereupon I did let her understand that 〈◊〉 the marriage I could say no â—ore to her then that which I had 〈◊〉 both unto her and to the Duke her son And as touching the doubt 〈◊〉 â—he King and she conceived 〈◊〉 he should be 〈◊〉 to bear the 〈◊〉 of the Wars alone I shewed 〈◊〉 that if it pleased her to call to 〈◊〉 the offer that had been made by the Ambassador resident and Mr. 〈◊〉 as also renewed by me both unto her and to the Duke both the King and she 〈◊〉 have cause to rest satisfied for that the said League proceeded and the other secret League for the matter of the Low-Countries there was such remedy offered as 〈◊〉 the King 〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉 have no â—ause to 〈◊〉 I did 〈◊〉 let her understand that the question was Whether it were 〈◊〉 to take some course for the resisting of the King of Spains greatness 〈◊〉 being confessed I shewed her it was then fit to consider whether the same might not be done without marriage seeing the said marriage 〈◊〉 to be accompanied with so many difficulties as there could be no present resolution taken 〈◊〉 whereunto she answered that there could not be so great a◠〈◊〉 for the maintenance of the association they were now to enter in by League as there was by marriage For said she the same 〈◊〉 that moved the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to proceed to the conclusion of the 〈◊〉 which is the misliking of the people in respect of the 〈◊〉 that the 〈…〉 bring withall may also draw her to leave off the association and some 〈…〉 that the Crown hath always carâ—ied unto Spain Whereupon â— decâ—ared â—nto her 〈◊〉 it was hard to make sound friendship which I thought might be performed best two waies The one to shew how little cause she 〈◊〉 to affect 〈◊〉 the other to set down before her such reasons as might 〈◊〉 the King and her to believe that the 〈◊〉 proceeding the same should be sincerely observed on her 〈…〉 unless there should be given some great cause by 〈…〉 contrary For the first I shewed her that the King of Spain 〈◊〉 long after that her Majestie did enter into the possession of the 〈◊〉 being solicited in a kind of sort by her Majesties Ambassador sent 〈◊〉 him to renew such Treaties as had passed between the House of 〈◊〉 and the Crown of England he could not be drawn to assenâ— thereto since which time as he was unwilling to renew the said Treaties so hath he not slackened to yeeld such fruites of enmitie against her Majestie as were publiquely known to the world as might appear by his Ministers dealing in furthering of the marriage between the Duke of Norfolk and the Queen of Scots the practising of the Rebellion in the North his nourishing since that time and maintaining of those that were then the principal Rebels being retired out of England And lastly the attempt of Ireland coloured with the Visor of the Popes Authority These things being then considered I did leave it unto her Majestie to judge what cause the Queen my Mistriss had to seek to reconcile her self or to trust Spain Touching the reasons that might induce them to think her Majestie would inviolably observe the intended league First she was to understand that the Amitie that we made most account of was that which this Crown had with the house of Burgundy and not with Spain and therefore those Countries being alienated from Spain and now reduced by a composition between the Duke and the States of that Country under the Government of her son and traffique being there established whereby there remaineth there commonly Goods appertaining to her Majesties subjects to the value neer of half a Million I did leave that unto her Majestie to judge whether it were not a good caution for the performance of that which should be promised on her Majesties behalf Secondarily If that would not serve to remove the diffidence then might there be Hostages given interchangeably on both parties whose promises her Majestie would not violate for the greatest kingdom in Europe Lastly I shewed her that I doubted not but that the Duke her son would become cautionary for the due observation of the same I prayed her then as I had laid before her such reasons as might induce them to stand more assured of the Queen my Mistresses performance of the said League then it seemed they were so I might without offence put the Queen my Mistress to stand in doubt of them First It was known that divers great personages of this Realm were more affected to the Amity of Spain then England whom the world thought would omit no means that they might put in execution to dissolve or rather to hinder before the Conclusion of the said Association Secondly Spain challengeth as of right in respect of assistance given in the time of the Civil war when the Count of Aremberg was sent into this Realm to that purpose to have the Amitie of that Crown preferred before England Lastly The consent in Religion between Spain and France which shall not lack any perswations that the Pope and other Catholike Princes can use to dissolve or hinder the intended Amitie may give just cause to the Queen to be doubtful of the performance on their behalfs of the said Association then any reason that may be alleadged on the other side Concerning the Queen my Mistris I prayed her that if the King and she did finde it necessary to abridge the King of Spains greatness and could confidently enter into the intended Association to consider that there were two occasions privately offered that required speedy resolution The one the assisting of Don Anthonio the other the prosecuting of the enterprise in Flanders for the first I shewed her that the Queen my Mistriss had assented to the preparing of certain ships with condition that the King her son would concur in the action or that she might be assured by the intended League to be assisted in case Spain in respect of the said support should attempt any thing against her Now forasmuch as the King and she seem to be resolute not to enter into the League without marriage I saw apparently that the enterprise which was privately to be put in execution or else would privately serve to no purpose would be quite overthrown Touching the enterprise of Flanders so honorably attempted by the Duke her son tending so greatly to the benefit of this Crown when the States shall see the said League not to take place whereby it was not likely to be accompanied with success that otherwise it might be the League going forword it would be no less discontentment to them then encouragement to their
her understand that Monsieur should give over the enterprise of Flanders for that they saw it was an impediment to the marriage that she should be loth considering how much it would touch him in honour and how dangerous it would be for them of the Low-Countries in case he should give over the same that her marriage should be accompanied with so dolorous effects And as she did then protest upon the overture made to give over the enterprise so we her ministers seeing the danger that might gâ—ow many wayes by the intended Treaty with the Prince of Parma serving better for the suffering of the King of Spain to grow to his greatness then for the relief of the poor afflicted in that Country could not in reason and our particular opinions having no Commission to deale therein see any likelihood that the same might take any good effect And therefore prayed them that unless they saw some other cause that might move them to take that course they would forbeâ—â— so to do This matter did minister unto us argument for the space of two houres at the least which for avoiding tediousness we think meet to omit And iâ— the end grew to this conclusion with them that either it would please them that we might proceed in the said Treaty or else that they would procure us audience that we might understand from the Kings own mouth the revocation of that he had assented unto letting them also understand that we did mean presently to advertise her Majestie of this change to the end that thereupon she might give order for the stay of the Ships prepared for Don Anthonio being well assured that her Majestie upon this alteration would forbear any further proceeding therein which we did the rather to let them understand for that it might provoke them to perswade the King to maintain his former resolution Whereupon they withdrawing themselves apart did afterwards let us understand that they would make report unto the King of that which had passed between us and in the mean time did earnestly pray us that we would forbear to advertise her Majestie as also not to disswade the going forward of the support appointed for Don Anthonio whereunto after most earnest request made by them we did assent with condition That we might receive answer by ten of the clock the next day and therein we did the more willingly yield for that they did put us in hope that we should receive answer from the King to our contentment The next day Monsieur de la Mot Buâ—zar and Pinart came to us and told us that the rest of their Colleagues and they had communicated with the King the Negotiation passed the day before between them and us and that they had remembred to his Majestie his Speech delivered unto us which we conceived to be this That he was pleased to appoint some to Treat with us touching a 〈◊〉 Amity to be had with her Majestie seeing there were such difficulties that did accompany the marriage That his Majestie answered That the alteration grew upon two causes the one of a motion made to him by me the Secretary for a further prolongation of certain daies to conserve the validity of the reservation the last prolongation being to expire within a day or two which motion gave him hope that the marriage might take effect The other upon a request made by Du. Uray in the name of the Duke his brother that the League in no case might be proceeded in without the Marriage which the King seeing the matter touched so greatly his brother in affection and honour could not deny his request And to the end he might understand his further mind therein he thought good to send Pinart unto him out of hand to acquaint him what had passed hitherto in the matter since our last audience upon whose return we should then understand the Kings further pleasure praying us in the mean time to have patience and to interpret the Kings answer touching the alteration in good part assuring us that this delay would rather further then hinder the matter we sought To these two allegations I the Secretary did reply That as for the first concerning my motion for a further prolongation the same grew only upon this that understanding as well by Monsieur as by the King himself and Queen Mother that their meaning was that the pursuit of the Marriage should be pursued still in hope that her Majestie might in time remove by her wisdom those difficulties for the which she could not presently for divers important causes proceed in the same I thought good for the more validity of the reservation to propound a further prolongation thereof considering that the last was to expire within two or three daies and therefore the King could take no just cause upon any motion to revoke his former resolution And as for the second concerning a request of Du Urayes made in the Duke his Masters name for the stay of the said Treaty unless it might be accompanied with marriage I alleadged that it seemed very unlikely that at the Queen mothers being with the Duke which was two daies after Du Uray was sent from the said Duke unto the King he propounded no such request unto her for the stay of the Treaty for if he had it was likely she would have acquainted the King withall and thereupon his Majestie would have framed his answer accordingly Which we finding not to fall out so cannot but greatly marvel at this change whereunto they replyed that though the Queen mother had indeed charged Du. Uray therewith yet he insisted still upon the same as a matter he had received in commandment from the Duke his Master and could not dispence with it without order from him We then finding by them that we could not prevail to induce them to assent to proceed to the Treaty untill they heard from the Duke thought good to forbear any further pressing of the matter and to attend Mr. Pinarts return and to the end we might know Monsieurs intent in that behalf we thought good to send Mr. Sommers forthwith as well to perswade with him to remove his impediments as also to acquaint him with such speeches as are given out here 〈◊〉 an intended marriage with Spain whereby we might as well â—ound him in the one as in the other In this conference we did let them understand of some cause we had to mistrust especially upon this voyage of Bellieure that they were loath to separate themselves from the amity of Spain praying them therefore that if they were so disposed we might know the truth thereof letting them understand â—hat the cause of our coming was not to dissolve any amity they had with 〈◊〉 or any other Prince otherwise then should stand with the Kings honour and his surety Whereupon they made great protestations that the King had great cause for sundry respects to look into the King of Spains greatness and therefore prayed us
same being uncertain might perhaps receive later resolution then the disease required and that therefore in the mean time other remedies might be well enough proceeded in which could breed no hinderance in the Marriage and were most necessary whatsoever become of the same Then I proceeded to the second point shewing that the Queen my Mistriss did of late note a great coldness in the King touching the overture made for the impeaching of the King of Spains greatness and that the Reasons that moved her so to do were these First that the last yeer both her son and she upon the death of the late King of Portugal did declare unto her Majesties Ambassador Resident here how necessary it was both for themselves and her Majesty to have an eye to the King of Spains greatness and to that purpose did require that the said Ambassador might have Commission to treat with such as they should appoint in that behalf which being assented unto and thereupon a conference following and overtures made to that purpose the conclusion was referred to be treated of by such Commissioners as should be sent by the King from hence thither at the time of whose repair her Majesty did look that there would have been some proceeding therein which falling out otherwise was found very strange Secondly that daintiness that the King did make to concur with her Majesty in this matter of Portugal and the sundry impediments that the Duke hath received in this occasion of the Low Countries instead of furtherance being the principal means to abate the King of Spains greatness And lastly the permission made to the King of Spains Ministers for the passage of certain money to be conveighed through this Realm to the Prince of Parma These things I told her did give her Majesty just cause to think that the King had no disposition to break with Spain in seeking to impeach his greatness and therefore prayed her she would deal plainly with the Queen my Mistris letting her understand what her intention was in that behalf For said I the Queen my Soveraign is a Princess that desireth to live in repose and to maintain good Amity with the Princes her neighbours and had not waded so far in this behalf but only upon the Kings motion And therefore if the King doth now see no such danger to grow by the King of Spains greatness as before it seemed he did her Majesty I know would forbear any further dealing in that behalf who being furnished with ships for her defence by sea and her subjects being well armed by land and carrying the earnest love and affection towards her they do in respect of the happy government they have enjoyed under her Highness should I doubt not but be able to withstand the King of Spains malice in case he should attempt any thing against her Besides I did let her understand that whereas it was publikely given out here that her Majestie was greatly weakned by the alteration in Scotland and the taking away of the Earl Morton as also that there were of her own Realm persons of great quality alienated from her in respect of Religion For the first that divers of those in Scotland that for some particular quarrels that they had with Morton were glad to concur with those that sought to make him away yet are so affected to the Amity of England in respect of Religion as when any thing should be attempted against her Majestie Morton himself would not have been more ready to oppose himself against any such attempts then they will be And as for the great personages that though I did assure my self that none of them carried so evil meaning as to attempt any thing against her Majesty but rather would be content to hazard their lives as duty commanded them yet if they were so evil disposed the subjects of the Realm being generally so well affected to her Majesty as they are and grown to that judgement now as they affect not the persons of those great ones as in former times they have done but do rather look into the cause then behold the persons they should not be able to draw in great numbers after them to the execution of any undutiful action To this after she had heard me attentively she replyed that at the time of the conference between the Kings deputies and her Majesties Ambass Resident then they did as it were assure themselves that themarriage should take place no other impediments being then alleadged but the troubles of this Realm which by the mediation of the D. were in good way of speedy composition and in hope thereof they were willing to have taken any course that her Majesty should have thought good and do still continue in the same purpose and minde so as the same might take place without the which she said she did not see how the King her son should be throughly backed in case he should enter into any action against the King of Spain for that there might be many perswasions and devises used to dissolve such Treaties as should onely consist of Ink and Paper And as for the enterprise of Portugal she said that if the King of Spain might be kept from the possession of the Isle of Tercera which might keep him as well from enjoying such benefits as might grow out of the conquest depending upon the said Crown as also from the Indies in his own possession Portugal would rather be a burthen to him then otherwise And as for the Dukes enterprise she said that the King her son this Realm being greatly weakned by civil wars was loath to enter into a war with the King of Spain unless he might be assuredly well backed which no way they could make account of without the marriage whereupon she took occasion to shew that it would be a very honorable course for the King and the Queens Majesty to seek by way of mediation to compound the troubles between the king and his subjects and the Low-Countries whereto if the king should not assent then might the two Crowns with more honor concur in the action by seeking to restore them to their liberties whereunto I replyed that the Queen my Mistress had made it apparant to the world that she had sundry ways sought when the time served more aptly then now to bring it to pass But for the present whosoever doth consider to what extreme degrees of alienation from the King the said subjects of the Low Countries are grown unto having beaten down his Arms and renounced his Government how impossible it is to draw the Prince of Orange any ways to trust the King or the King to be reconciled unto him in respect of a book written by the said Prince wherein the Kings honor is greatly touched shall see no reason to hope for any reconciliation and that the Authors of that device do propound the same but for a delay to serve the King of Spains turn To this she replied nothing and did also
but both in this and all the rest of your Charge you will joyn your self with our Ambassador who for his Acquaintance and his Experience can very sufficiently inform you how to deal If any thing shall be moved to you for the Queen of Scots cause you may say that before your departure and within two or threes daies after that Monsieur de Poigney had been with us we had certain intelligence from Scotland that the Lord Levinston which was sent from the Queen of Scots to solicite the leavying of Arms and to bring some of the Nobilitie to confer both with us and her for ending of the troubles had been with the Duke of Chastelheranlte the Earl of Argile and others joyned with them before the 20 of the last moneth for so his own Letters do testifie to our Cousin the Earl of Sussex our Lieutenant upon our borders towards Scotland and that he found them well content with the Articles accorded by us with the French Ambassador and the Bishop of Ross and that he was well forward in his Commission so as we do look now daily both for a general ceasing of Arms there and for the access of the Noblemen on both parties of that Realm here to treat and conclude upon the Queen of Scots cause And if any further matter be moved unto you in this you shall say that you have no more to say therein When you have been with the King and entred so far into this Charge as our Ambassador and you may see likelihood of the end hereof we would be advertised with all speed possible And if our Ambassador and you think that the hastie yielding of the Deputies in their negociation may bring peril to the cause we think it good that they might be induced to stand somewhat hard therein as policie may serve them without making to them any further aids of money But as yet we do rather give them some countenance to use more earnestness for their own suretie Cecil To the Right Worshipful my very loving Friend Mr. Francis Walsingham Esquire SIr the French Ambassador hath sent hither a Servant of his to demand audience of the Queens Majestie who reporteth that he is to advertise her Majestie of the conclusion of the Peace which was published on Thursday last And for that I could not as yet this morning speak with her Majestie I thought good to give you signification thereof to the intent you might stay until I have herein spoken with her Majestie and by my next Letters advertise you whether her pleasure be that you should wholly stay or otherwise go on your journey with some other Instructions And so I wish you well to do from Chenys this Sundaie morning the 13 of August 1570. Your assured William Cecill To the Right Honorable Sir William Cecill Principal Secretary to her Majestie According to your Honours order I mean to stay till I hear further from you how her Majestie meaneth to dispose of my service and so in the mean time leaving to trouble you I most humblie take my leave From London the 13 of August 1570. Your Honors to Command Francis Walsingham To our trusty and well-beloved F. Walsingham Esq. presently sent unto the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we great you well having this daie received Letters from the French King by his Ambassador making mention of towardness of a Peace made with his Subjects so as the Ambassador affirmeth that he taketh it to be assuredly published at Paris the II of this moneth and yet because otherwise we do not make full account thereof but think it meet you shall keep on your journey with this order that if it be not accorded before your coming then you shall proceed as before you were appointed and if it be concluded then shall you deliver these our Letters which we now send directlie to the French King by which we do signifie unto him how we had dispatched you before to move him to make some good end with his subjects and now hearing by his Ambassador of the conclusion we cannot forbear but charge you to proceed specially to congratulate with him for so happy a benefit as by his reconciliation of his Subjects to him we certainly are perswaded that God could not give him a greater And so our pleasure is you shall use all good language to express the joy thereof and to offer all manner of endeavour that is in our power to further the good keeping and continuance thereof And in like manner we would have you by means of our Ambassador to cause the Admiral and his party to understand our intention in the sending of you this time making it appear to them how careful we are of their well-doings and shall be willing to do any thing in our power reasonable to continue to them the fruits of this Accord And to let them also understand that the special sending of you over at this time was chiefly for their cause Given under our Signet at Henly the 15 of August the 12 year of our Reign 1570. A Copy of the Letter sent to Master Secretary touching the negotiation had with the King the 28 of August 1570. SIr it may please your Honour to advertise her Majestie that the King accepted in very good part her Congratulation as from his good Sister and Neighbour who hath alwaies wished his well-doing and prosperity for these were his words after Congratulation done to the King The Queen Mother having inquired of me of the well-doing of her Majestie asked me how the Queen of Scots did I answered her that at my departure for any thing that I knew to the contrary she did very well then she proceeded to enquire of me touching her present estate I answered according to the tenor of my Instructions in what state she stood at my departure wherewith she seemed to rest very well satisfied And then she fell to protestation that for her own part she was so well perswaded of the Queens Majesties merciful disposition as she knew right well that if she did deal any thing hardly with the Queen of Scots it rather proceeded from some of her Ministers then from her Majesties self I replied that I was glad to understand that she conceived so well of the Queen my Mistress's good disposition so was I sorry that she should think that she would be by any of her Ministers or Councellours drawn to any thing eitheâ— towards her or any other that might not stand with her honour for that her skill and years was now to direct and not to be directed I desired her therefore in her Majesties name that she would evermore reserve an ear for her a thing that would not in equity be denied to the meanest person in France who in all her actions hitherto towards the Queen of Scots had dealt with that regard to her honour as she was right able to justifie herself both towards the King her good Brother as also toward all
advise given or no my Negociation being done in the end I concluded with my self that it was better to stay and to attend her Majesties order then to return home at all adventure This therefore shall be to desire your Honor that I may by your good means understand her Majesties pleasure in this behalf Touching the state of things here I forbear to write unto your honour for that I know my Lord Ambassador hath fully advertised you And so leaving further to trouble you at this present I most humbly take my leave To our trusty and well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq present in the Court of France about our affairs ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we great you well we perceive by your Letters written from Paris the 29 of the last moneth unto our Secretary how diligently and orderly you have performed the Message and Charge committed unto you which we take in very good and acceptable part being glad to understand your abilitie and fitness to do us further service hereafter And where among other things you desire to know our pleasure for your return unto us or further stay there Forasmuch as we have made choice of you to be our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King instead of Sir Henry Norris whom we are very shortly to revoke we would be very glad so it would stand with your commoditie and without returning back hither you did remain there still for that purpose which if you can do upon signification thereof unto us we shall give order for our Letters of Credence to be addressed unto the said King and to be sent forthwith unto you for your placing with him as our Ambassador Resident there Howbeit if the necessitie of your business be such as you must of force be driven to return over and to settle your things here before you can be able to do us service there then are we well contented if there be no other remedie that you repair over some short while to prepare your self to return back again for our service with as convenient speed as may be Given under our signet at Rycot the 7 of September the 12 year of our Reign 1570. To our Right trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Norris our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and right well-beloved we greet you well whereas Monsieur Moulenet being lately with us did not only bring several Letters from the French King our good Brother and the Queen Mother by which the said King and she expresly required us to use towards the Queen of Scots all honest and favourable treatment due to a Queen of her quality and to set her at libertie and aid her to be restored to her Realm with Authoritie due to her but also according to the credit given by the said Letters he the said Moulenet did at length with very earnest speech deal with us therein alledging that in this doing we should much satisfie the King his Master and procure to our self great honor adding many other Allegations to induce thereunto to the maintenance of the said Moulenets speeches and negotiations Thereunto we have made some brief Answers as the time then served and as we thought meet to satisfie them But yet finding them to continue in their earnest solicitations and in the end earnestly requesting our Answer to the French King we told them that the time did not then conveniently serve us to send such an answer to them as the case required to our good Brother but we would shortly impart our meaning herein more at large by you being our Ambassador there Resident in such sort as we trusted our said Brother and the Queen Mother should find the same reasonable And so will we that you shall with your best opportunitie resort to them both and declare unto them that because of the length and varietie of the matters which we have committed unto you to be declared yet per case it be hard for you to express the same so orderly and readily in speech as you gladly would do you may require of the King license to read unto them in such sort as you have turned it into French a thing usual to this their Ambassador and not to be misliked especially in you that most herein use their language and not your own natural as their Ambassador doth here to his great commoditie And this being granted when you read it our meaning is not you shall deliver the same out of your hands to be kept or copied unless it be very earnestly prest by them And thus it followeth that you shall declare We have considered of the Letters sent unto us by Moulenet from them both with also the further explanation of the Contents thereof by him according to the credit given unto him The sum whereof was to require our favour towards the Queen of Scots in using her with favourable treatment due to a Queen of her qualitie and aiding her with our power to be restored to her Realm and obedience of her Subjects And though we did suddenly say somewhat to Moulenet on our own part to have satisfied him as we have done the like at sundrie other times to their Ambassador here Resident yet not knowing how they have conceived or delivered our speeches to the King our good brother nor how therewith he is satisfied which we are desirous to do in all reasonable requests according to the good Amitie that is and ought to be between us we have thought good at some more length to impart to our good Brother and Queen Mother both our doing and meanings in all this case of the Queen of Scots nothing doubting but the same being by them considered with their indifferent judgements it shall appear that we have done nothing hitherto in this case contrary to honour and reason or otherwise then very necessary and urgent cause hath moved us or might have moved any other Prince having the like cause neither yet in deeming the request of our good Brother the King in such sort and condition as it it made have we given him any occasion of offence towards us And this to do we are moved in good will in respect of the mutual Amitie that is betwixt the King and us and not of any necessitie we have to be accountable to any person for our actions and so we trust the King will accept the same in friendly manner And before he shall know what is to be said on our part we do earnestly require them both as a good Brother and a good Sister according to the fervent offers of their good amitie and perfect love made to us not only by their Letters but by Messages that they both will give ear hereunto as Princes and Persons standing indifferent in this cause without declination of their affection or adverting their judgements to the instigations of any particular persons that are more affectionate of nature to the person of the said Queen
then to the truth of the matter and this being granted as in honour it cannot be denied specially betwixt friends as we make account of them both in all our honorable causes we doubt not but we shall well see that in stead of request or expostulation made to us we shall be found to have deserved praise and thanks for our doings past and shall not be disallowed in forbearing hereafter to grant simply to the requests as they are made And after the King and his Mother shall grant to us this reasonable request you shall proceed and say First we require our good Brother to consider what part of his request hath been alreadie accomplished of our natural disposition and next what part we have not as yet yielded unto and then also he shall see uponwhat just reasons we forbear to assent to the rest of their requests as it is made where we are required to use all honest and gracious treatment due to a Queen of her qualitie The truth is since her flying into our Realm where she escaped an evident danger of her life we caused her to be alwaies honorably attended by persons of Nobilitie and such as were of the ancient Families of our Realm we have entertained her at our charges with a company of her own of such Lords and Ladies as she her self made choice of to remain with her and appointed her houses of such Commoditie of pleasures and pastimes as the Countrey would afford And herein being constrained to say somewhat more for our self then otherwise we would but to answer calumniations we are assuredly informed that for her own Person her Diet and commoditie of Pastâ—me meet for the conservation of her health she for the most part when she lived at her own will in Scotland had no better Entertainment or Diet but rather many times worse and baser as it is well known to all persons that understand both So as for the state and honest and favourable treatment of her own Person we are sure no lack can be found suppressed or rather untrulie reported of us wherein we have been much wronged contrary to our deserts the King our good Brother aâ—d his Mother not a little abused with such untruths If fault have been found that she hath not been used according as a Q. of her quality if therein be meant that she hath not such honour done in the services of her as are due to a Queen she herself is to answer to the same for by her own servants she hath been and is continually served And we think not but that they have therein accomplished their duties according to her desire at the least to speak the truth we are crediblie informed that in Scotland she had commonly less reverence done to her in her services by the self same servants then hath been by them here And as to such of ours as have attended upon her we think they have not forborn to do their duties at all times agreeable to her estate except per case she her self have of her courtesie at sometimes remitted some part thereof to them But for our part truly notwithstanding such great offences as she hath diversly made unto us we have been alwaâ—es careful of her person to be honorably used and of her health to be by all possible good means preserved esteeming it our honor so to have her treated and used being brought into calamity and flying into our Realm as she did But now if the rest that be required be not granted that is to have her aided with our power to the restitution of her Realm we trust to make it manifestly appear that to consent thereunto as is required were not only a great follie in us and dangerous to our Estate but against all common reason and such an errour that neither Prince nor private person having any sense of understanding would commit the circumstances being well considered And though many things be well known commonly to the world for maintenance of this our judgment yet the beginning of these things could not be known to the King our good Brother in respect of his young years and to the Q. Mother though they have been well known yet either her time since occupied with her own dangerous causes or the continuance of perpetual informations for the Scotish Queen or else some part thereof touching the time of her worthie husband King Henry and her son also King Francis may per case have brought the most part of things to oblivion or at least have altered her judgement or else move her to give the less heed to them being now remembred nevertheless as briefly as we can with passing over of a great number of accidents and scruples of offences and especially such as concerned the time of King Henry or King Francis the â—econd which were of no less importance then the assailing of our Crown and Title as the world knoweth we will lay before their eyes these things following to shew how the acts and dealings of the Scotish Q. towards us have provoked us to deal in another manner with her then hitherto we have First she is the person by whom and for whom only it is manifestly known that our Kingdom and Crown was Challenged almost as soon as Almightie God called us by right thereunto And how many waies that Challenge was furthered and maintained prosecuted and published needeth not to be recited for all Nations of Christendom understand it And if we should enter to inform our good Brother the King of the particularities thereof howsoever the same should touch the time of his noble Father King Henry and his Brother King Francis it may be thought he being Son and Brother of such Kings yet he would in his judgement inwardly with himself think us not well used But for avoiding of things displeasant and considering since the same unkindness was shewed in his Fathers and Brothers times a reconciliation of Amitie hath followed which we observe firmlâ— we will omit all other parts and remember only the things done by the Scotish Queen after the death of her husband King Francis when she was at her own libertie We sent our Ambassador to her and being in France we required according to a certain Tâ—eatie of Peace concluded in Iuly 156C by sufficient Commission from King Francis the second her husband and the Q. her self under the several hands and seals aswel of Scotland as of France to confirm the said Treaty as was by their Commissioners having Authoritie covenanted and concluded In which Treatie was concluded Articles of good Amitie betwixt us and her in our Countreys and those as beneficial for her as for us And also a provision and especial Covenant that she should forbear from thenceforth to attempt or offer us any like wrong by challenging of our Crown as she had done before time To this our request delay was made not with alledging any thing to the contrary of our right or maintenance of her former
Challenges But yet she must now being a Widow and sole Governor of her Kingdom of Scotland in these causes have the presence of some of her Nobilitie or Counsellours of the Scotish Nation at whose coming she would confirm the said Treatie This was not much misliked of us Shortly some of her Nobilitie and Counsellours came to her from Scotland and then being eâ—tsoons required in most friendly manner to be remembred of her promise by the Ambassador having Commission so to do and offering to deliver unto her the reciprocal of our part under our Great-Seal it was again deferred until she should her self return into Scotland which she said should shortly be and then she would not fail to perform it well though these delays were not convenient to nourish friendship but rather to ingender suspicion with some other practises then discovered yet in respect of our natural desire to have her come into her own Kingdom and then to live neighbourly with us we forbore to shew any great offence for those great delays And when she returned into Scotland we eâ—tsoons sent to her and demanded the same again with offer of all manner of good friendship which being again deferred upon pretence she was not fully settled in her Realm we forbore also for that time though not without great cause of misliking and then in the mean season following notwithstanding many good offices used on our part by sending sundry times both Messages and Ambassadors to visit her to offer unto her all good offices It chanced that a young Nobleman our near Kinsman brought up in our Court named the Lord Darlie was secretly intised to pass into Scotland upon other pretences for private suits for Lands and such like And there without our knowledge according to the same former practises whereof we were not altogether ignorant though we would not seem so jealous of the same he was suddenly accepted by that Q. to be affied in contract of Marriage with her as one thought to be a meet person to work troubles in our Realm for her advantage yea contrary to the advice of the wiser sort of her Councel and consequently contrary to our will and liking was married to her in all haste And after that it was there devised to make him an instrument to work danger to us and our Estate by sundry practises not only with certain of our subjects but also with some forein persons as far forth as the power of the same Q. and her said husband being our borne Subject could extend In which their doings sundry their practises were discovered to us and made frustrate And yet after that nevertheless when the said Queen had a Son of that marriage we were of nature moved to set aside all unkindnesses and did send thither an Ambassador a person of honour the Earl of â—edford to assist the Christening of her Son to whom we also were Godmother At which time unkindness being known to be between her and her husband although he had grievously offended us we having compassion of the unnatural discord betwixt them and fearing some event thereof caused our said Ambassador at that time to use all the good means he could with her to repair the same which he was not able to do such was become her misliking of her husband although in him on the other side as we heard say was found all manner of lowliness meet for him to recover her favour And then also we required her to perform that which in Justice and Honor she was bound to do and had so often delayed which was to confirm the Treatie afore concluded sending unto her at the same time under our hand and seal the reciprocal for our part But then she began to alledge a matter not before heard of which was that from some words in a certain part of the Treaty it was doubted that she might be prejudiced in such right as she pretended to be due to her next after us and the children of our bodie whereof we being advertised caused it to be answered that if there were any such words we were content they should be rased out of the Treaty and she should not be moved to confirm any such Clause But that answer being not accepted which was very strange and unreasonable a new matter of delay was invented pretending that she would send some of hers shortly into England to treat with us thereupon and so finish that which we did demand vvhereof indeed nothing ever follovved vvell although vve had these great causes of miscontentation as indeed indifferent persons may well perceive and did novv clearly see vvhereunto these delays did tend very ungrateful and not vvithout danger if vve should not regard our self vvell yet vvhen a miserable calamitie ensued shortly after to her that the King her husband vvith vvhom of late she vvas grievously offended vvas cruelly strangled and horriblie murthered and the principal murtherer named the Earl Bothewell having a vertuous lavvful vvife of a great house living because suddenly her husband being first immediately upon the murther committed and directly and openly imputed to him advanced by her to high degrees of honor and estates of lands vvho nevertheless vildly misused her to the great grief of all her subjects and friends vve vvere stricken vvith invvard compassion of this her great extream miseries and infamie vvhich vvas spread upon her and sent to her special Messengers not then to request her as vve had done before to confirm the Treaty but to have regard unto her honour and to relinquish such an odible person being the known murtherer of her husband an unlawful person to be married to her and generally so evil a man in all vices as he had the common name to excel all others in iniquitie wherein no advice of ours could prevail But in the end he being hated of all her Estates and seeking by force to subdue them that intended to prosecute the Murtherers was forced to flie the Realm And leaving her lamentably in the field desolate she was conducted from thence to a place of restraint where she refused to renounce the said Murtherer whilest she was thereby in present danger to have her life taken away from her by furie of her Nation as she well knoweth We by speedy Messages and other kind of earnest means used towards them that were most irritated against her saved her life A benefit such as she never received the like of any worldly creature and full glad we were that God gave us such power and disposition of mind to bestow so great a benefit of her who nevertheless had offered us the greatest worldly injuries that could be devised It followed that when she had found means to escape to her libertie whereof we were very glad she sell again by Gods suffering into a second calamitie as dangerous as the former for having attempted by force to overcome the party that adhered to her son that was then crowned and accepted King by the States
was stirred and there forbad resort to be made unto her as before was common for all persons but of her own Countrey and ours we see not why this our dealing in so dangerous a time should be blamed being assured that no Christian Prince in like case would have done less And therein we durst appeal to the judgement of any Prince or Potentate in the world that will profess any indifferencie in judgement yea we dare think that even herself and her most affectionate friends cannot think us here to have dealt unreasonably The like might be thought also in that we have of late restrained one whom she used as her Ambassador being a Bishop whom we used almost as one of our own for her sake upon due information that he hath been a principal motioner and nourisher of this late Rebellion by divers means A matter to be as much allowed for us to do in the stay from subversion of our Realm as were to stay and restrain one that would bring more fire to a Citie which he hath already set on fire In this sort we have so nearly represented to the King our good Brother and the Queen his Mother some part of such circumstances of the Queen of Scots cause as we doubt not but reason honor and good will shall move them to conceive of us as we should be the like to conceive of them if they had the like cause with any other Prince as we have with the Queen of Scots having thought meet to omit a multitude of other circumstances tending also to this end because we would not extend this our letter to overmuch length for wearying the King with Declaration thereof But if the King could but imagine or the Queen Mother for him how some other Prince might have attempted the like dangers to his Estate and Crown and continued the like offences towards him where he had shewed kindness we are assured they might think it somewhat in us if we should after the truth declared move the King for any particular respect of a third person to consent to that which should plainly after hazard his Estate being our Friend and by some such imagination of a like cause we think their judgements shall be best directed thereof Sorry would we be that any like indeed should happen unto him to inform him how to judge in our case When you have thus done if the King or his Mother shall object any thing hereupon as it were in excuse of the Queen of Scots or intreating further for her you may say in answer That whatsover it shall please them to move unto you you will make report thereof and doubt not howsoever the Queen of Scots doings have deserved other dealing yet our natural inclination towards her is by our doings so manifest as in any reasonable request we doubt not but we should be found reasonable to have regard to the King our good Brothers motions and requests that may stand with our honor and safetie to accord unto and so we trust the K. meaneth not to propound any thing unto us otherwise then in good terms of friendship whereby alwaies they that are to make demands or requests to their friends do regard how they may stand to the safetie of their friends and so hath Moulenet and the French Ambassador certified unto us that the intention of our good Brother is to no other end You shall also inform the King that after we had given order to cause thus much to be written his Ambassador came to us and signified the good will of our good Brother in imparting to us the double of such answers as he had made to the Demand of the Queen of Navarre and the Prince of Navarre and Conde and others for the which his dealing with us in such friendly sort to make us participate of his doings we heartily thank him and as we answered his Ambassador so you may say also to the Queen That except we might understand what the said Queen and the rest with others have to say to this offer we cannot give any resolute judgement thereof But we think the King shall do a godly act and both honourable and profitable to himself and his Country if he shall give them assurance of their lives So as they may change that common opinion which is in the World that they have their lives more safe whilest they take up Armes then they were in time when the peace was granted to them such hath bin the insolency of evil ministers to break the Kings commandement and endanger the Credit of his word and promise And in our opinion nothing is so hard in all this matter as assurance to them to enjoy that which shall be granted and if our Credit or opinion with them may help them to accept the Kings favour so as we might see in what sort they might therefore be sure notwithstanding the interruptions of evill ministers we would be glad to be the furtherer of so good an act as thereby the King might have an universall quietness in his Countries The Ambassador also now moved us that we would take Care that no aid of Armor or Weapon should be by us or our license Conveyed to Rotchel to the maintenance of the Kings Subjects there whom he nâ—meth Rebells whereunto our answer was that we did direct no person thither or licensed any to carry any thing thither that might offend the King But generally we must permit our subjects as Merchants to resort for their trade to all places indifferent in France wishing that they might find like trade in others parts for their necessitie as they do by likelyhood in Rotchel and that we would not doubt but they would follow their Comodity in other places and not at Rotchel for generally Merchants follow where gain is most with surety and friendly usage and so you may make report to the King Lastly the Ambassador moved us in the Kings name to understand whether he might assure the King that we made no leavie of Souldiers in Almaigne as it was commonly reported whereunto we answered that presently we made none but yet we have such friendship with sundrie Princes of Almaigne as if we should have need to require any numbers for our service if any unkindness by force should be offered us by any our neighbours we can speedily thereof be furnished and for the state of our Realm we are determined indeed to prepare a force both by Sea and by land whereof if the King shall hear we require him to conceive no jealousie of our evill meaning towards him and his Countries trusting that from him no occasion shall grow to alter our Amitie Given under our signet at our Honour of Hampton Court the 23 of Febr. 1569 in the 12 yeare of our reigne A Note of such doubts as I desired to be resolved of by her Majestie before my entring into my charge WHether I should treat onely with the King and in Case the King either
with sickness or to follow his pleasures refer me over to his mother or to Monsieur his brother Whether it be her Majesties pleasure I shall treat with them For that the King giveth a deaf eare to a long negotiation whether having occasion to deal with him from her Majestie in some matter of weight and length I shall not exhibite the same to him in writing declaring first by mouth the effect thereof and if I shall exhibite it in writing whether her Majestie shall not think it most expedient to deliver the same either in Italian or Latin for avoiding of such Cavelling as may be made upon the translation to French whereof Sir Henry Norris hath had experience How far forth and in what sort from time to time I shall deal with the Rebells that presently are retired into France or hereafter shall retire How I shall behave my self in any publick Assembly towards the Ambassador aswell of Spain as of Portugall either in taking or giving place To my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq appointed for Ambassador to the French King SIr I send you herewith the Queen Majesties instructions as they are finished and her Majesties pleasure is that you should not forbear your journey but proceed and if on the way you come to certain knowledge of the Kings speedier entrie into Paris meet to accelerat my Lord of Buckhurstes comming thither her Majestie would have you send some in haste back And so not well able to write any further but to end with my heartie wishing you a prosperous journey to your hearts desire 23 December 1570. Yours assuredly William Cecil Instructions â—iven to our trusty and wel-beloved servant Fra. Walsingham Esq presently sent to be our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King the 19 of December 1570. ELIZABETH R. FOrasmuch as we are already determined to license our trustie and wel-beloved Sir Henry Norris Knight who hath of a long time served us faithfully as our Ambassador with the French King our good Brother to repaire over unto us and to leave that place and that we have made speciall choice of you upon a singular liking of your vertuousand good conditions to serve us in the same place wherein we trust our expectations shall be well satisfied of your fidelitie and diligence And for the rest also we doubt not but by the experience which you shall daiely have you shall be able to accomplish that which shall be requisite and for the better instruction of you we have thought meet to cause to be delivered unto you in writing these few things hereafter following by way of memoriall After you have delivered you letters and and bin presented to the King by our foresaid Ambassador whom you shall suceed for the doing whereof our said Ambassador can sufficiently direct you and will we doubt not but make good recommendations of you to the French King to the Queen Mother and others such as shall be thought meet we will that you shall use such speech unto them that it may appeare that your special Charge is to be a Minister for the conservation of the good Amitie that is betwixt us and the King and Consequently to preserve Concord and mutuall entercourse betwixt the Subjects of both our Countries according to the good Treaties that remaine betwixt us for that purpose and therefore considering you are so determined for your dutie sake to us and for the good that may ensue thereof you shall require them if at any time any thing to the contrarie shall be conceived of you as we trust shall not because you mean to give no occasion yet it may please them before any such judgement be conceived of you it may be in some wise declared as they may understand our answer wherewith you doubt not but to satisfie them Your office consisting of sundry parts the first and principall shall be to continue there aswell to execute our commandement and to deliver our letters and messages upon matters occurrent as to require and to receive answers and to the best that you can to procure thereupon reasonable and speedy resolutions as the nature of the matter shall import for the well doing whereof we must referre you hereafterwards to such particular directions as we shall send you by our speciall Letters whereby you shall be best directed in manner to proceed The second shall be to have continual regard to all manner of their doings there aswell private as publick that may be prejudiciall to us or our estate And therefore after good consideration and knowledge thereof had to advertise us diligently and secretly and to this end you shall do well to require of our said Ambassador your predecessor some good information by what means you may attaâ—n to the knowledge of things needfull and requisite and whom you may best trust and use to attaine to the more certenitie and if any thing be discovered unto you at any time that shall seem of importance that the information thereof may well abide the time of your advertisement to us and to answer again we leave it to your consideration and discretion to omit no time convenient but to resort to the King or some other as you shall think meet to declare what you understand and mislike and in what sort it is hurtfull to the Amitie betwixt us And therefore to require some information or some plain answer meet to be imparted to us for discharge of your duty And that in this behalf you shall not use by way of complaint upon any light intelligence but you do first by conference of things together find the matter to be true and worthy of complaint least hereafter lesse regard be had to you when you shall have just cause to complain The third is to have regard to such suites as our Subjects using the trade of Merchandise within those Realms shall have cause to make that they may have by your soliciting readie expedition with justice upon causes of depredations or arrests or any such injuries or molestations and therein to solicite such of the Kings Counsell as you shall find to have charge thereof letting them to understand that besides the bond of Justice whereunto they do direct the King such favourable expedition of our Subjects shall provoke us and our ministers to do the like and shall also breed mutuall love betwixt the Subjects on both parties and give cause to a more frequentation of intercourse of Merchants being a thing beneficiall to both the Realms And because you shall be the more able to understand and to treate in your conferences negotiation upon any thing generally touching the Amitie betwixt the King and us or more particularly for the deciding and determining of any causes that may come in controversie for the trade and intercourse of Merchandise betwixt the Subjects of both our Countries kingdoms you shall do well to have with you some Copies of the treaties now remaning in force betwixt us
and the King by the which you shall be very well informed directed as by certain rules how to treate and deal in all causes that may there come in controversie and thereby be bound to require due observation as cause and matter shall require We doubt not but you do consider how profitable a thing it is for quietness of us and our Realm to have that party in France which hath professed reformation of Religion to be maintained and contained in the favor which the King hath granted them by his Edict And therein vve vvould have you at all times when occasion shall be given you let it appear to the King that vve think nothing can procure more assurance of inward quietness in his Realm then the due observation of those things which he hath granted to his subjects in his Edict and you may say that he hath more cause by experience to believe us therein then any other Prince that is his Allie besides us that shall be of a contrary mind And so experience hath taught us already to think and may well ascertain him considering he hath seen and felt the continuance of the troubles of his Realm whilst he followed the advise of other Princes and Potentates and disswading him from granting such favour as he hath done to his subjects And in any other thing wherein you shall be able at any time to further and advance the observation of the matters of the Edict in favour of them of the Religion we would you should endeavour your self in such sort as may stand with our honour And of this our intention we will that you give understanding to such of the principals of that part as have interest therein which you shall best do by the advise of your predecessor who has best acquaintance with these persons Lastly for certain matters lately treated of here by the French Ambassador as touching the Queen of Scots cause and the preparations of ships and men of war made in Brittanie you shall at your coming to our Ambassador learn in what state he hath left those things and how he hath answered the King and so you may persist in the same course untill you shall be by us otherwise directed We have by our Letters to our foresaid Ambassador willed him to make deliverie unto you of all such our Plate as he had delivered unto him at his entrie into his charge which you shall receive of him by Indenture if you shall have need thereof Where we meant that you should have accompained the Lord of Buckhurst in his journey to the French King so have bin presented with him to the said King now that we cannot understand the certainty of the said Kings entrie into Paris at which time our meaning was and is that the said Lord of Buckhurst should be there we would not that you should abide any longer but proceed in your journey and if on your way you do perceive that the Kings entry will be now in the beginning of Januarie our will is that you shall without attending any longer for the coming of the said Lord of Buckhurst proceed by our Ambassadors means to be presented to the King and to take the place of our ordinarie Ambassador so as our former Ambassador Sir Henry Norris may return at his Commodity We would have you inform your self by the judge of the Admiraltie of all causes depending betwixt our subjects and those of France upon pretence of depredations that you may the better answer complaints which either ours or the others shall make And farther we would have you to acquaint your self by his means with a complaint lately exhibited by the French Ambassador in the name of the Merchants of Roan and what answers hath bin made to the same by such as we did ordain to devise the same whereof the said Judge was one You shall also receive a complaint which certain of our Merchants of London trading to Roan do presently make for the Innovation of certain taxations by the Magistrates of Roan upon the goods of our said subjects contrarie to the common use whereupon you shall being well informed of the inconveniencie thereof and the injustice sollicite the remedie thereof so as time shall conveniently require William Cecil Ended the 22 of December 1570. To the right Honourable and his very good Lord the Earle of Leicester MY very good Lord I write unto you at this present rather to use this as an earnest of my diligence hereafter to follow then for any good matter that I have to write Passing through Canterbury I visited the Cardinal and delivered unto him your Lordships Letters who gave me as much light as he could touching the present state of France concerning the matter whereof it pleased your Lordship to give me a watch-vvord there passed nothing betvvixt us The picture your Lordship desired I vvill take order shall be sent to you vvith vvhat convenient speed may be beseeching your Lordship vvherein my poore service may stand you in stead to use me with such boldness as I may thereby assure my self that your Lordship maketh accompt of me and so further leaving to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave at Bullen the second of Ianuary 1571. Your Lorships to command Fr. Walsingham To the right Honourable Sir William Cecill her Majesties principall Secretary SIr I arrived here at Bullen the first of this month where I could learn nothing worthy the advertisement for you know Sir that frontier news are never of any great value onely this I learned of the Governours Son in law here a Gentleman of good accompt and one of the Order who accompanied with divers other Gentlemen came to visit me from the said governour Monsiuer de Calliac who told me that the Kings entrie is deferred untill the middest of Febr. but hereof for the observing of the time here is no more assurance than there was before of the first of Ianuary Leaving Bullen I have not forgot to enform your honour of the great exactions used by the Inn-keepers at Gravesend Canterbury Dover in the prices of Victualls whereof besides mine own experience I learned by certain strangers that passed over with me they are so great as in no Countrie is used the like where all things bear so unreasonable prices in the market and the people so free from impositions of the Prince Surely Sir it were well done that there might by your good means and furtherance some order be taken for the Redress hereof aswell for her Majesties honour as for the ease of the poore travellers Thus Sir having no further matter worthy the advertisment I leave to trouble your honour most humbly taking my leave from Bullen the second of Ianuary 1571. Your Honours most bounden Fr. Walsingham To the right Honourable Sir Walter Mildmay one of her Majesties privie Counsell SIr you know that Frontiers are commonly better furnished with fables then of matters of truth and
towards your good Cousins and Parsonages of great account and value The Duke thanking me for this my good relation requested the Gentleman to come unto him Whereupon I Francis Walsingham approaching near unto him making reverence I shewed him that you willed me to do your commendations to him and furtsher to tell him that your were glad to understand that he did so honorably concur together with the King his Brother in sincere and due observation of the Edict whereby he did not only get generally with all men the honour to be reputed a Prince of courage in time of war but also of Councel in time of peace which courage you doubted not but he would continue in respect of the good will he bare to the King and his Countrey and the regard that he had of his own honour And further I shewed him that your Majestie gave me commandment during my charge here to behave my self towards him and the King his Brother with that good respect as was fit for me towards your Cousins and Princes of that qualitie that they were of Whereunto he answered with great courtesie that he thanked your Majestie for your commendations as from a Princess of that honour you are and whom he so much reverenced Secondarily for the good encouragement you gave him to be a good instrument for the observation of the Edict which thing he was bound to do in respect of his dutie towards the King and his Countrey so shall your advertisement be of no small force with him in that behalf For my self he told me that during the time of my service here I should receive for your Majesties sake any favour he could do for me And after we had taken our leave of the Duke anon we were brought to the Duke of Alansons Chamber to whom after we had used part of such speeches as we thought aptest for his capacity and he making such answer as may be expected of his young years we departed from him returning to the place of our retreat and so that night to Paris This being as near as our memories can serve us of all that in this Presenting and Negotiation hath been either delivered by us or received from them the which we humbly submittting to your Majesties wisdom and consideration beseech the Almighty long to preserve you in all prosperity From Paris the nine and twentieth of Ianuary 1571. Your Majesties most humble Subjects and Servants Henry Norris Francis Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principal Secretary SIr I have received at Sir Henry Norris hands aswel all such Copies as concern the Scotish affairs whereby I may be the better directed hereafter how to proceed therein as also all other instructions as may concern her Majesties affairs Touching common matters I refer your Honour to this inclosed of common Occurrents The matters of secrecie here at the least such and so many as I can learn are these The Pope the King of Spain and the rest of the Confederates upon the doubt of a match between the Queen my Mistress and Monsieur do seek by what means they can to disswade and draw him from the same They offer him to be the head and chief executionar of the League against the Turk a thing now newly renewed though long ago meant vvhich League is thought to stretch to as many as they repute to be Turks although better Christians then themselves The cause of the Cardinal of Lorraigns repair hither from Reyms as it is thought vvas to this purpose The King as lately he uttered to le Sieur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeming very much to mislike hereof utterred these vvords unto him If this matter go forvvard it behoâ—eth me to make some counter-league I find the Germans saith he vvell-affected tovvards me and as for the Queen of England I knovv she hath good cause to mislike of this League as I my self have and therefore I suppose vvould be glad to joyn vvith me To vvhom the other replied that he vvas glad that he savv his danger for that he hoped he vvould provide for the remedy and vvished his Majestie that he vvould not forstovv the matter And therefore advised him for that the Princes Ambassador of Germany vvere not departed that the matâ—er might be broken to them vvhich thing the King thought not convenient for that that he thought their Ansvver vvould be that they had no Commission to deal in any such matteer but rather thought it more meet to send one of his ovvn Then the other told him that if he did did send any body it behoved him to make choice of one that vvas no Catholique for othervvise he should not be to them either grateful or trustful Whereupon the King named Monsieur Biron though he be not thought to be a Hugonot yet is he not taken to be your enemie Whereupon the other answered that he had made choice of a very fit person After he had made me acquainted with this matter he asked me how I thought the King should find the Queen affected I asked him whether he had any Commission so far forth to deal with me He told me no but he desired me to say frankly my opinion how I judged the Queen my Mistress would be inclined To whom I answered that for my own private opinion I thought not but that her Majestie would very well like of it First in respect of the common cause of Religion Secondly in respect of the good will she beareth the King whose friendship above all other Princes she doth chiefly embrace And lastly in respect of her own safety And as for my self for these respects when the matter shall grow to some further moving it shall not lack any furtherance that I can give him The said party the day before this Message came unto me and told me that he was wished from I. to give me to understand that Malicorne who was sent into Spain to congratulate the Marriage and is lately returned reporteth that Iulian Remero at his being here was dispatched from the Court to Ireland where he was to do some great enterprise Further he reported unto me that the King here is angry for that his Congratulation was not accepted of the King of Spain in so good part as he looked for but seemed to take some exception of the Kings Letters for that certain words of controversie to be usually put in such Letters as passed between them were now omitted And further to the increase of this unkindness the King of Portugal to whom the Kings Sister was offered in Marriage sent an answer by Malicorne that they were both young and that therefore about eight years hence that matter might be better talked of which disdainful answer is accepted here in very ill part and is thought not to be done without the counsel of Spain And amongst all others none taketh the matter more grievously then Queen Mother who thinketh her self not a little injured for the late friendship she
accept this enterprise yet notwithstanding it was resolved it should go forward and that the bills of credit for the said some of 100000 are already here if this advertisement prove as true as others that heretofore have bin given by him to my Predecessor then are they not to be neglected By another means I was advertised that Stewkley in Spain presented an instrument unto the King there not onely subscribed with the names of the most part of the Irish Noblity but also the names of divers in England of good quality ready to be at his devotion I learned further that of late fithence the Lord Setons comming hither there hath bin some greater conference between the Spanish Ambassador and the Ambassador of Scotland Further I learned that the greater part of those that are landed in Ireland were Levied by the Earle of Argile in the King of Spains name within the said Earles Government being promised pay by the said King of Spains Ministers they were imbarked at the Mule or streight of Kenutire One Skeldon an ordinary servant of the Q. of Scots arrived lately here with Letters of some importance as it is thought for that oftentimes he hath had accesse to the Court. Thus having made your Honour privy of all such things as I could learne I most humbly take my leave At Paris the 8 of Febr. 1571. To the Right Honourable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principall Secretary SIr I thought good to make you privie to this private Letter directed privatly to your self of certain talke passed between the Queens Mother and me which I desired her by protestation that she should receive at my hands as from a private person not having commission as a publike person to say any more then that which concerned le Roches attempt I protested unto her that the onely mark that I would shoot at during my service here should be to continue so much as might lie in so mean a Minister good Amitie between the two Crowns as a thing profitable unto them both And therefore I desired her Majesty first to consider how necessary it was for the safety of both Realms to have a firm league concluded between the two Princes Then to weigh how fit this present was for the same Touching the first point I shewed her that though France enjoyed now through Gods great goodness a generall peace with all his neighbours yet that it should so continue it was not to be looked for And that therefore in time of peace politique Princes were not unmindfull that after peace wars commonly follow for that the earth is subject to alterations In which consideration they commonly weigh the neighbours who are by consequence of reason likest to attempt any thing against them vvhich they see evidently to be that Prince that is nearest by situation and in forces mightiest against vvhom besides ordinary forces vvhich they have alvvaies prepared they seek to strengthen themselves and the Princes confederats Novv if your Majesty by this measure of mightiness and nearness measure your neighbours you shall then find that it is England whose conderatie is chiefly to be desired he that thinketh himself mightiest will be well advised before he deal with each of you Touching the other point I told her that I thought this time most fit first for that there was in both Princes a like affection being both of their own proper inclinations peaceably inclined with conformity of disposition as one of the best knots of assured friendship Then because there reigneth some unkindness between other 〈◊〉 neighbours with whom her Predecessors heretofore had both long and good unity These circumstances well weighed I concluded with her that the time was now fit and the thing it self most fit to be prosecuted and that her Majesty was most fit to bring the same to good effect as she in whom the King as he had just cause so to do reposed the direction of his whole Government To this she replied That first at my hands both the King and she did look for nothing else but good offices tending to the maintenance of good Amity Secondarily that as at present they enjoyed peace so they had good hope of the maintenance of the same generally with all their neighbours Lastly that she hoped that the Amity between the Q. my Mistris was of all parties very sincerely meant Notwithstanding if she should desire to enter into some streighter league she was of opinion nothing would be more gratefull to the King To this I answered that I was glad to receive at her hands so good hope of the Kings inclination in that behalf This in effect was that that passed between her Majesty and me The reasons that moved me to use this speech were these first for that Spain seemeth not to be at this present very well inclined towards the Q. my Mistris Secondarily for that the King hath no great liking of Spain as before advertised Lastly for that I was advertised how that the Admirall had advised lately the King and Q. Mother by his Letters to seek to strengthen himself by confederacy with the Princes of Germany and the Q. Majesty my Mistris Sir having now made you acquainted with my speech as also with the reasons that moved me thereto I shall most humblie desire you according to your promise to advertise me of my errors either in this or otherwise in this my present service which you shall perceive that I will accept in so good part as you shall think your advise well bestowed and thereby to be better able to serve her Majestie with more skill In my other Letters as that vvhich vvas to be shevved to her Majestie I forbeare to set dovvn the Popes Nuntios persvvasions he used tovvards a disswading Monsieur from the Q. vvhich were First she was an Heretique Secondarily that she was old by whom he could scarse hope after issue And lastly that England which he said he was well assured vvas the mark he chiefly shot at might be atchieved and that right easily by svvord to his great Honour and lesse inconvenience then making so unfit a match Thus you see Sir hovv they make the accompt vvithout their host I hope they shall have more vvill then povver to hurt us and that God vvill still reserve our poore Country for a sanctuary for his poor persecuted flock To vvhose tuition I commit you most humbly taking my leave From Paris the 8 of Febr. 1571. To the Right Honourable my very good Lord the Earle of Leicester SIthence I last wrote unto your Lordship which was the third of this moneth I have learned nothing fit for your knowledge saving of some practise that concerneth Ireland wherein I referre your Lordship to Mr. Secretaries Letters Touching the other matter they think here you do but dally and though no overture hath bin made notwithstanding I find this already hath bin done underhand if the matter go not forward will breed some disdaine for that they take their
received a Letter from the Duke of Alva signifying thereby to us that the matter vvhich he had to impart to us from the King his Master vvas only an offer from the said King to do any good office that in him might lie to procure some good end of the cause betvvixt us and the Q. of Scots vvithout any particular respect to himself but only for the common quietness of us both and of our Countries And in this behalf the Duke requireth to understand in what sort we will have the King to deal assuring us of the said Kings earnest intention to pleasure us in any thing he may Of thus much you shall say vve thought good to advertise the Ambassador and to let him understand that vve do very thankfully accept the Kings offer and would be glad to take the good vvill and friendship if there vvere any cause thereof in this office as at this time there is not for he shall understand that we have already entred so far into a treatie with the Q. of Scots for all causes and differences betwixt us and her as there remaineth nothing of any great value or difference betwixt us so as the finall ending thereof resteth upon the execution of the matters accorded and some further treatie remaineth now to compound certain matters betwixt her and her Subjects for which purpose there be commissioners already come hither from her and a part of the Nobility of Scotland and such as are to come as Commissioners from the other part are as we think on their journey hitherward We have also by these last Letters of the Duke in expresse words that he himself is earnestly disposed to do any thing that may maintain the Amitie that is betwixt the King and us and particularly that he hath accorded to have restitution made as our Merchants on both sides have thought it meet and meaneth to send over some speciall person of credit to explain some small differences rising thereof and to put the whole in execution These kinds of dealings and offices you may say are very agreeable unto us who by many means made it appeare that the late differences have not grown of us nor as we think of the Kings own disposition but by untowardness of ministers and now whilest we are well content therevvith vve are sorry to think that certain reports vvhich vve heare of Spain should be true either in whole or in part and as vve vvould be gladest they vvere false so are vve desirous that vve might knovv them certainly from the King to be false And you shall say because vve have seen some proof of that Ambassadors good disposition to the Amitie betvvixt the Kings his Master and us vvherâ—in he is much to be commended and that he may vvith more expedition and readiness by the way of France certifie the King and procure some Answer we have heard and known it to be true that certain savage Rebels being men of no value had fled out of our Realm of Ireland into Spain and to cover their lewdness and to procure both relief for themselves and such like as they be in Ireland they do pretend their departure out of the Realm for matter of Religion when indeed they be neither of one nor other Religion but given to beastuallity and yet have they wit enough to shew hypocrisie for their purpose Sithence the first arrival of these we know also that an Englishman a Subject of ours namely Stewkley not unknown as we think for his former prodigal life both in Spain and other places and notwithstanding great favours shewed unto him divers times upon hope of amendment and some tokens of his repentance he did this last summer pretending to come out of Ireland hither suddenly turn his course into Spain and as we hear hath light into the company of the aforesaid Fugitives and Rebels pretending by his superfluous expences which is altogether of other mens goods to be a person of some quality and estimation and able to do some great thing in Ireland whereas indeed he hath not the value of a Marmaduc in land or livelihood he hath so solicited the King or some about him with vain motions as it is by him bruted and otherwise also with some credit reported unto us which yet we do not believe that the K. will send a Captain of his such a one as Iulian Romero or such like with a number of Souldiers into Ireland to follow some vain device of those Rebels whereof we cannot but marvel that the King or any of his Councel being of experience can so lightly give any credit to such a companion as Stewkley is which could never live long in any quiet condition at home of whom we are not disposed to say much because we cannot say any good of him But may say it shall be sufficient that his conditions may be only enquired of and then we doubt not whosoever shall know them will take heed how to adventure any thing with him And yet whatsoever it is we cannot but find it strange that he or any such Fugitives moving matters of attempt as Rebels either should be allowed or hearkned unto For whatsoever hath been conceived that any person of any degree being the King of Spains Subject coming into our Realm of late years as many have done for safety of their lives for matter of their consciences as we alwaies understood yet we do assure by our Honour that there was never person of any degree that did motion unto us any matter offensive to the King or his Low-Countreys when opportunity served for such purposes that was ever allowed by us or any such motion or that ever received reward or comfort therein but was rejected such hath been our sincerity in these times not to give any comfort to the hurt of the King or of his Countreys And now if these reports which we hear should be true we might think our selves evilly recompenced and should be provoked for our defence to use such means as otherwise of our selves we did never allow or like And so we trust in reason the Ambassador himself might think and the conservation of the Amity betwixt the King and us and the restitution of the former and Trade betwixt our Countreys and Subjects so we pray him to solicite some Answer in this case For whilest we should remain in doubt hereof we cannot but foresee and to procure how to impeach any such attempts wherein would appear that whereof we shall be sure that we have some cause to doubt of the Kings good will Thus you see how we mean to have by this occasion some knowledge if it may be of the Kings intention although we meant not to omit otherway to come to the truth hereof doubting not but you will also use such good means as you can to discover the truth and not forget the former matter concerning that which certain of the French Kings Captains have attempted in Ireland and the bringing from
thence a young Boy the son of Iames Fitzmorice a Rebel Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Westminster the 11 of February 1571. in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable Sir William Cecill her Majesties principal Secretary SIr the 14 of this moneth I presented the Earl of Rutland to the King at Madrill taking opportunity thereto by preferring certain Merchants causes The King embraced him and told him that coming from her Majestie with her Letters of Commendations he could not but be very welcome and should receive at his hands from time to time during his abode here any honour or favour he could shew him and as I was departing he called me unto him and asked me what was done touching the Queen of Scots matter I told him That of late I heard nothing saving by certain Letters that there were Commissioners come out of Scotland from both parties so that as I thought the matter was fallen now to some Treaty He willed me to recommend the matter in his name to the Queens Majestie and to tell her that he doubted not but by her good means it should grow to some speedy end as should be to her honour and his contentment and so promising his Majestie not to fail in that behalf I departed for that present I shall therefore desire your Honour to inform her Majestie thereof as also to procure at her hands what answer I shall make in this behalf Touching the state of things here I learn secretly by the F. that the House of Guise seeketh to make a match between the Cardinal of Este and the Kings Sister for that the Duke of Ferrara hath no issue and by common opinion is like to have none which thing they seek the more earnestly to impeach the likelihood of marriage between the Prince of Navarre and the said Kings Sister The 22 of this moneth my Lord of Buckhurst is looked for here his lodging and all other things fit for his entertainment being provided at the Kings charges if promise be kept The new Queen is now well recovered and removeth from Madril to this Town the 20 of this moneth so that I purpose my Lord of Buckhurst shall have access unto her whereof she is over dangerous a thing not very well liked of this Nation Touching la Roches attempt I can learn nothing more then that I have advertised neither can I learn that in Britain there is any preparation of ships but of such as belong unto Merchants And thus leaving to trouble your Honour I most humbly take my leave From Paris the eighteenth of February 1571. To the Right Honorable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principal Secretary SIr I would be loath in any Letter that is to be shewed unto her Majestie to make mention of any thing that may any way concern Monsieur for that her Majestie doth suspect that I am inclined that way in respect of his Religion and therefore Sir I shall desire you to use this Letter as private to your self and as for my inclination to Monsieur for that I hear he may be drawn to be of any religion I see so great necessitie of her marriage as if it may be her Majesties contentment and the benefit of the Realm by judgement of those that are fit to deal and advise in a matter of so great weight I can be content as becometh me to subscribe the same The matters that I thought to make you privie of in this private Letter are these First I understand that Monsieur not long sithence hath given out certain speeches to those that are nearest about him that he maketh no great account to match with the Queens Majestie through the perswasions of the House of Guise and the Spanish Ambassador who do not stick to use many dishonorable arguments to disswade him from the same Besides they use some arguments of danger towards us making the conquest of England a matter of no great consequence in respect of the intelligence they have there no small number of evil affected Subjects and of those some of no mean quality The A. of late had talk with touching the opinion of the enterprise he shewed me that he whosoever he was that should attempt the matter should fail of his reckoning like him that made accompt without his host The A himself seemeth to to have no great liking thereof but seemeth to be very well inclined towards The Spanish A. to divert them from Flanders would be glad to set them in hand in England and yet would he be loath that France should have any further interest in England then it hath And as for the House of Guise unless they mean to make an unnatural match between Monsieur and their Neece they would be loath in respect of her possibilitie that he should have any further foot in England then he hath but they both think it easilier atchieved by Marriage then by Sword aud would be glad to divert him from the way of likelihood and to direct him to that way that carrieth least possibilitie These being the things I thought worthy of advertisement at this present I leave further to trouble your Honour most humbly take my leave From Paris the Eighteenth of Februarie 1571. To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester MY very good Lord as there is nothing more desired of one sort then two marriages the one between the Queen my Mistress and Monsieur the other between the Prince of Navarre and the Kings sister so is there nothing more impugned by the contrary part wherein the Popes Nuncio and the Spanish Ambassador do not fail to do what lieth in them for the impeachment thereof And in this behalf they want not what assistance the House of Guise and their adherents can yield For the let of the first they alledge Heresie For the let of the latter they secretly seek to match between the Cardinal of Este and the Kings said Sister for that the Duke of Ferara his Brother hath neither issue nor by common judgement is like to have any This is rather intended then any just cause of hope conceived that it will come so to pass for that as I hear Queen Mother seemeth not to like thereof Touching my Lord of Rutlands access to the King and his Brethren I leave you to the report of his own Letters My Lord of Buckhurst about the two and twentieth of this moneth is looked for here who as I suppose shall be honourably received and as honourably used during the time of his abode here Thus for the rest referring your Lordship to this inclosed of common Occurrents I most humbly take my leave At Paris the seventeenth of February 1571 Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham the Queens Majesties Ambassador with the French King SIr if my sickness alone were considered or my irksome business laid thereto perused I cannot think but you would excuse my not writing
with my own hand or any long Letter by my enditing of the hand of another and therefore now I am enforced for that â—ittle I have to say to use another hand You shall perceive by the Queens Majesties Letters what I have been inforced with some pain to indite by reason of my restless sickness and business and therefore I mean not to repeat any part thereof unto you wishing you to supplie any defects in the manner of writing with your own natural discretion This I will add that I do hear out of Flanders that one is coming hither named Monsieur Senigam to make an end of the long talk that hath been of the mutual restitution of the Ships and Wares arrested and thereupon it may be that some further Treatie of the opening of the entercouse may follow It is also written from thence that one is come to take the place of this wrangling Ambassador who I think shall be of the low Countries named Seignieur Front one of the long Robe that was here in Commission with the Marquess Vitells Here do daily come into our Ports by drifts of winds certain Hulks of Spain and Portugal with great riches which though they are to be stayed yet surelie I trust there shall lack no diligence to cause the riches of them to be duly preserved for the owners And if you shall hear any other report as it may be I assure you it shall be against the good meaning of her Majestie and her Councel For the matters of Spain besides that which is written in the Queens Letters I do hear that Stewkley hath caused one Mr. Huggins to be imprisoned charging him to the King that he hath advertised sundrie things of that Court to my Lord of Leicester and me wherein Stewkley sheweth his traiterous meaning to his Countrey We find it so hard here by reason of this restraint to send any meet person into Spain to discover things there and I cannot tell whether you might find some there that might be trusted in respect of the common accord of our Religion to be used under some other colour of Errand thither to discover this Kings practises and if you can so do with any reasonable charge I wish you so to to and the same shall be satisfied Since the writing of the Queens Letter I find that the E. Morton was come to Barwick the fifth of this moneth with the rest of the Commissioners of that part so as I look hourly for his arrival here and that may you affirm to the satisfaction of some there that be so greedie in the Queen of Scots cause It is here determined by the Queens Majestie that there shall be a plain somewhat before Easter which is desired not to continue long and so I wish it I doubt not but by this time the Lord of Buckhurst hath either visited the King or known when he shall and I trust my Lord of Rutland hath been a Courtier before this time for whom I dare be bold to thank you upon the presumption I have that you shew him friendship which I know he will of himself deserve yet I cannot but adde thanks to his deserts for the desire I have to see good proof of him to the honour of himself and of his Countrey I have no other thing but that this afternoon God hath called to his mercie Sir Nicholas Throckmorton having been sick not past six or seven daies of a Plurisie joyned with a disease called Periplen he doth but lead the way to us whereof I for my part have had sufficient schooling by my present sickness I pray you commend me to my Lord of Buckhurst and whilest he is there an Ambassador I think you may do well to make him partaker of your charge From Westminster the February 1571. Yours assuredlie William Cecill To the Right Honorable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principal Secretary SIr it may please you to advertise her Majestie that according to her Commandment I repaired to the Spanish Ambassador and declared to him from point to point so much as is prescribed by her Majesties Letters especially not forgetting to dilate that point that concerned her Majesties good opinion conceived of him in respect of the good offices that he had done from time to time to salve the differences and unkindness that depend between her Majestie and his Master His answer was in the Spanish tongue which I understood not and other tongue then Spanish he would not vouchsafe to speak and therefore Sir I may rather tell you by gess then otherwise First he seemed to be agreived that he never heard any thing of the message he sent about three moneths sithence by Sir Henry Norris which concerned that point that the Duke of Alva lately hath communicated to her Majestie touching the Kings offers to be a Mediator between the Queen of Scots and her Majestie he said that she did never use Don Francisco for so he named himself but by fits who from time to time towards her Ambassador had alwaies used himself so sincerely as they could not but report that Don Francisco was a Gentleman of great sinceritie And if it had pleased her Majestie to have used him throughlie he would have done offices worthie of Don Francisco When I came to that point that concerned the brutes touching the King his Masters intention in attempting somewhat that might not best agree to good Amitie whereof though her Majestie had cause somewhat to doubt in regard of his intertaining of her Irish Rebels and the Countenance given to Stewkley yet being of her own nature not easily drawn to condemn upon brutes without good ground especially being lately entertained by friendly offers arguments of good meaning therefore desired him onely to be a mean to procure at the Kings hand some good assurance that these be but vain brutes and that his meaning is to continue good Amitie and to avoid all such occasions as might breed any contrarie effect To this after some time spent in exclamations and admirations he answered That nothing could seem so strange unto him as her Majestie being a Prince of that wisdom and experience that she is of should once give ear to such vain bruits as thereby to doubt that his Master considering the long Amitie that hath been between the House of Burgundy and England would now attempt any thing that might breed any breach thereof And as for sending to his Master he said the way was long and that it would be two moneths at the least before he could have any Answer He said therefore he would write to the Duke of Alva in that behalf I shewed that my Commission was to request to procure satisfaction from the King and as for the Duke of Alva her Majestie lacked no means to send unto him no more she did not to send unto the King but would have been glad as one well perswaded of him to have used his help therein as a thing as beneficial for his Master
these things you may give him knowledge to make him have a better taste in his mouth he may perchance contrariwise complain of spoile of his Masters Subjects by Pirats hanting the narrow Seas and specially about the Isle of Weight and I cannot deny the spoiles but surely they are committed by one Lubresst and others belonging to the Prince of Orange which we cannot remedie and yet Mr. Horsey is presently dispatched with Authority to set forth certain ships either to take them or to drive them from our Coast. I confesse to you privately they are too much favoured lucri causa but you may avow truly that the Q. Majestie doth in no wise favour them thus much to your second Letter Now to some credit given by Mr. Beale concerning â— a few words shall suffice if I cannot judge any thing in a â—2 â—3 â—4 â—6 â—8 the matter is much liked and all furtherers thereof allowed and all disswaders not liked I am commanded thus to write that if any mention should be made to you thereof you should shew your self willing to advertise and so you shall doe well The retardation used herein by H. is not liked by A. and the good will of L. in the furtherance is allowed By this you may perceive how to order your self and surely this principle I hold that no on thing shall warrant more suretie and quietness to the Queen Majestie the 3 5 7 in but the manner and circumstance are of the substance of my principall and not accedents Herein I deal boldly with you I find nothing in your writing or doing but allowable if otherwise I did I would advertise you for friendship to your self and for good will to the office you bear Although I cannot advertise you certainly as I would of the grant of your leases yet I am in that forwardness as I trust by next writing to send you knowledge thereof You must hereby be acquainted with the delayes of the Court. From Greenwich the third of March 1570. Sir Thomas Smith I trust shall be admitted to the Councell to morrow and shortly after to be Secretary I pray you Sir commend me to Master Cavalcant Yours assuredly William Burghley Having in this sort ended my Letters her Majestie repeated again unto me what I should write unto you of the great matter which I desired might be in a Letter from her self to you but her Majestie thought it sufficient to be imparted unto you in this sort following If any person of value shall deal with you to understand your mind in the case of her Majesties mariage you may say That at your coming from hence upon some common brute of such a matter concerning her Majestie and Monsieur D. Anjow you sought what to think or report thereof and this you are assured that at your coming out of England her Majestie upon consideration of the benefit of her Realm and to content her subjects resolved to marry if she should find a person in estate and condition fit for her to match withall and that she meant not to marry but with a person of the family of a Prince and you may add that you cannot by any means perceive that her Majestie is altered from that disposition so as you may conclude that if any such matter should be moved to you by any meet person to deal therein you will advertise her Majestie thereof and so would her Majestie you should do If God shall order this mariage or any other to take place you may well judge no time would be wasted otherwise then honour may require I am not able to discern what is best but surely I see no continuance of her quietness without a Marriage And therefore I remit the successe to almighty God This that I write privately to your self â— trust shall remaine to your self for so do I with your private Letters that no person seeth them but my self I am wearied with writing And the rest of things especially our Scotish matters I referre to Master Beales declaration 3. March 1570. Yours assuredly William Burghleigh To 〈◊〉 Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burghleigh YOur Lordship knoweth Necessity hath no Law and therefore I hope that my present request grounded on necessity will be weighed accordingly and surely if necessity forced me not thereto I would forbear to do it for many respects I do not doubt after my Lord of Buckhurstâ—s return you shall understand as vvell by himself as by others of his train the extremity of death that presently raigneth here vvhich is such that her Majesties allovvance doth not by 10 l. in the vveek defray my ordinary charge of houshold And yet neither my diet is like to any of my Predecessors nor yet the number of my horses so many as they heretofore have kept I assure you Sir of 800 l. that I brought in my purse into this Country I have not left in money and provision much above 300 l. farre contrary to that accompt that I made who thought to have hade 500 l. alvvaies aforehand to have made my provisions thinking by good husbandry somevvhat to have relieved my disability othervvise but my accompt vvas vvrong made and therefore my reckoning falleth short and so short that unless there be by your good means some consideration had of me I cannot but sink under the burthen I have written to my Lord of Leicester and unto Sir Walter in this behalf vvho I do assure my â—elf vvill joyn vvith you in this behalf I most humble therefore beseech you so to take care of me as I in caring hovv to serve may no vvay be dravvn from the same by taking care hovv to live and casting my care on you I leave further to trouble your Honour at this present beseeching God to blesse you in all your doings At Paris the 14 of March 157. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham I am sorry to accompany the thanks that I am bound to give your Lordship for obtaining my suite at her Majestie hands with a new request and so hard is my case that even necessity forceth me thereto And therefore the same being grounded on necessity will be weighed by your Lordship I hope accordingly To the Right Honourable my very good Lord the Lord of Buâ—leigh I Thought to send this bearer to attend upon your Lordship for such dispatch as it shall please her Majestie to make hitherward I forgate in my last to advertise you how I had been to visit Olivares whom I found more solemn after the Spanish fashion then wise I dealt with him about Stenklies attempt he protested they were but bruites I shewed him that the Queens Majestie was advertised otherwise and upon such likelihood as she had good cause to believe it For first said I the King giveth him a daily allowance Secondarily he hath advanced him to the Honour of Knight-hood Thirdly that the said Stenklies should entertain about him certain Engineers To the first objection he answered
that the King his Master was glad to entertain any Gentleman of countenance that offered him service as also to honour them with the honour of Knighthood I then made him acquainted with the couse of Stenklies life as also how little he had to take to and therefore willed him to consider how unworthy he was of any honour or entertainment in respect of himself But said I being as he is a Rebell unto the Queens Majestie with whom the house of Burgundy hath had so long Amitie and to be used with that honour and entertainment at his Masters hand gave her occasion to think that kind of Amitie not to answer best to such good will as outwardly is professed and so c. At Paris the 19 of March 1571. Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham To our trusty and welbeloved Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident with the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and welbeloved we greet you well we have seen the severall Letters which you lastely wrote of the 5 of this moneth to the Lord of Burleigh our Secretary together with a Letter sent to you out of Spain of the 25 of Ianuary and do like well of your dilligence used herein and having well considered and looked further into â—he matter and comparing your advertisement with others of like sort and finding the same to be of great importance we have resolved to send out of hand a Gentleman to the King of Spain both to decipher by speech with him and by other means to understand the Kings intention herein and also to deal roundly and plainly vvith him in the matter and in the mean time vve do give order for all events for vvithstanding of any enterprize as vvell by sending of our ships to the sea-coast of Ireland as by other Forces to be sent into Ireland And for that much time may pass before vve can have ansvver from thence we pray you continue your travel and care to understand further as much as you may thereof and to advertise as matter may be further discovered worthy of knowledge Touching the matter of Credit sent to you from Rochel whereof you gave knowledge by Beal we pray you as of your self to learn further thereof and to discover their intentions and the likelihood of their intentions and what are the meanest sums of money to be demanded and what are best assurance and assoon as you can to advertise us without giving any token that you are thus directed to do For other matters we refer you to the advertisements of our pleasure signified lately by the Letters of the Lord of Burleigh And whereas an ancient and very good servant of ours Sir Thomas Cotton Knight hath occasion to complain as he informeth of the evil dealing of one Loen de la Hay a Subject of the French King who being once our Prisoner of War and licensed to depart upon his faith upon condition to redeem and send home freely a son of the said Sir Thomas Cotten then Prisoner or else within a time limitted to return again as his Prisoner hath performed neither of both besides a good sum of money which he lent to de la Hay at his departure yet unpaid We have thought good to recommend the same matter unto you and for the better instruction therein you shall receive herewith the request of the said Sir Thomas Cotten praying you to take some convenient time to open the matter to such of the Kings Councel or to himself if occasion may serve and to such other as you shall think able and well-affected to do any good therein and to seek by all good means that some reason may be had of the said de la Hay in this so plain and justificable a case so as our said Servant may have no further cause of Suit to the King for lack of justice the partie being well able to pay as is enformed If you shall have any occasion to deal with the Spanish Ambassador there you may be bold to shew him of these reports that we hear from Spain and if he shall hear of any our preparations by Sea and Land that the same is for our defence and if we shall be offended we will use them not onely for defence but to offend for our Revenge Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the tenth of March 1570. in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr by the Queens Majesties Letters you may understand how well she liketh your diligence and besides that which is therein contained I am commanded specially to write to you that it is to her related that certain reports are made there as she thinketh by practice from thence of such as do not in with that a meaneth and so much in any place affirme And if L. shall by any occasion deal vvith you A. vvill that you do so assure him for A. knovveth not of any 0234 colour that doth mislike hereof Herein I am commanded to to vvrite earnestly unto you and to vvill you by no means to hinder the proceeding for it is meant as to me it appeareth very earnest and some offence here taken vvith H. for an opinion of cold dealing After the signing of her Majesties Letters she commanded me as she reposed trust in me that I should not be remiss herâ—in And so I pray you consider thereof and advertise me vvhat you hear and find thereof I make haste to end because I have many things to do From Greenvvich the tenth of March 1570. Your assured loving Friend Will. Burleigh I have no more leisure but to pray you to commend me to my Lord of Rutland To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh HEr Majesties of the tenth of March I received the vvhich I perceive her Majestie hath sundrie vvaies advertisements of the Irish enterprize vvhereof as I had cause before to doubt so have I novv more cause then before and therefore am glad to understand that there is order taken for the vvithstanding of all events that may happen in that behalf It may therefore please your Lordship to signifie unto her Majestie that the 24 of this moneth the Archbishop of Cassels sent unto me two of his Servants to know whether he might come to speak with me or no. I answered them that whensoever he would come he should be verie welcome and for that he should not lose his labour in coming I shewed them that he should find me at home both that day and the day following So the next day being the 25. he repaired unto me his first speech tended to his justification for departing out of Ireland without her Majesties leave saying that being deprived from his living and another substitute in his place who he confessed to have outraged before his departure necessitie inforced him to depart to seek maintenance some other where and the rather for that in respect of the
to think onely of her Majestie and of her safety like that Roman that notwithstanding a Law was made that no man should hazard to come on the Wall without consent of the Magistrate yet he seeing the enemy preparing for the scale and that the delay of time in asking the Magistrates consent might have hazarded the losse of the City preferring a publick safety before his private perill repaired to the Walls and repulsed the enemy the matter afterward being called in question he was acquited of the penalty and adjudged a good member of the City like consideration made me to take this course following In my proceeding with Queen Mother somewhat swarving from the precise course of her Majesties instructions yet notwithstanding keeping my self within the compasse of the same with due regard had both to her Honour and the place her Majestie beareth Touching the first point I alleadged precisely and wholly what her Majestie appointed me to say unto her touching the justification of her proceeding in causes of marriage whose answer was that that she did object unto my Lord of Buckhurst she objected rather as a common opinion conceived then that her self believed it being not ignorant that the common sort that understand not the secresie of Princes proceeding are alwaies drawâ— to believe the worst But saith she I hope her sincere and direct proceeding in this now offered match will breed due justification of her former proceedings in those marriage causes Touching the second I shewed her that her Majestie had conceived by my Lord of Buckhurst that she desired to understand whether the King and she making an offer of Monsieur the same would be accepted in good part at her Majesties hand of this second point I left out these words Whether she would be pleased to hear further of it In answer of this second point I shewed her from her Majestie that she did impute it as an argument of great good will in both her and the King considering how that the King being married there could be no greater nor worthier offer made by the Crown of France then Monsieur and that therefore her Majestie doth most thankfully accept the same and further that she willed me to say unto her that if her Majestie did preceive any apparent cause to mislike of the matter she would then deal plainly with the King in thanking him for his good will and in desiring to proceed no further herewith she seemed to be satisfied Notwithstanding for that this match did stand upon two necessary points the satisfaction of both their persons and necessary accord upon certain conditions that therefore her Majestie desir'd her as a Prince indowed with kingdomes could not but with her own private satisfaction have a due regard of her subjects repose and safety by way of Capitulation that if thereupon there should grow any just cause of breach yet that friendship and good Amitie might still continue the good will of either party being to be allowed their 's in making so honourable an offer and her Majestie in yielding to give eare to the same To this she replied that she could have wished that the answer had been more direct not so much for her own satisfaction as for others in whom there rested as yet some scruple and the rather saith she for that if in the handling of this Matter there be used plainness Ceremonies being set apart whatsoever issue the matter taketh yet friendship could not in reason but continue Then I proceeded to the third shewing her that her Majestie was well content that I as her Ambassador should treat upon this matter with Monsieur de Foix which course I shewed her in my private opinion would draw the matter by often sending to and fro to a great length whereby that expedition would not follow thereof that were to be wished And that therefore if that they would not follow thereof that were to be wished And that therefore if that they would make choise of some speciall person to send over upon some other pretence with full commission to treat hereof many scruples thereby would be avoided which otherwise might breed delay of time And touching the person I told her none could be more faithfull unto her Majestie then Monsieur de Foix. In this behalf she told me she would first deal with the King as also touching the fourth point how her Majestie could not tell what to propound untill she saw what was by them first propounded who by order were first to propound and after she had dealt with the King touching these two points she promised I should the next day have answer by Master Cavalcant which she performed whose answer was that for the more expedition the King and she thought it good to send Master Cavalcant both speedily and secretly over who should come fully instructed with their resolute intention touching this match who thinketh that he shall bring with him the Articles they mean to propound unto her Majestie and further that if upon his return they find her by her answers fully resolute to proceed That then for the better ripening of the matter against the time that an Honourable Ambassadge should be sent Monsieur de Foix should come over upon some other pretence I forbeare at this present to deal touching Monsieurs having the exercise of his Religion first for that they finding her Majesties answers not wholly resolute would have suspected it for a quarrel of breach Secondarily for that without all suspition in due place it may be be propounded amongst her Majesties Articles Touching the first point I forbeare to say any thing for that they mean sometimes as I learn to use their Ambassador there Resident with her Majestie as one whom they esteem and trust I did not forget to tell her that her Majestie for the more secret handling of the matter had made choise of two onely Counsellors unto whom she had communicated the matter the one the Earle of Leicester whom she findeth well to allow of any marriage which her Majesty liketh though otherwise wrongfully doubted so specially of this that is now in Treaty The other the Lord of Burleigh of whose fidelity her Majestie hath had tryall ever since she came to her Crown â—o this she answered that these two Councellors being of her Majesties choise she would not but very well allow of and as for my Lord of Leicester she said she had many waies good cause to judge him a furtherer of the match and therefore was glad of her Majesties choise and hoped thereby of the better successe The last point concerning Master Cavalcant she said she thought him fit to deal in it as one that before time had done good offices between the two Crownes and therefore she rather wished him to be admitted a Dealer I may not omit here to say mine opinion of him which is that her Majestie could not have allowed a Gentleman more faithfully inclined to her Majestie nor more fit for his
SIr after I had written my other Letters yesterday there happened some alteration in this great matter of moment Where the Queens Majestie Majestie had determined besides her answer to the French Articles to have also sent you certain other Articles to be demanded of them there whereby the whole cause should be opened and nothing left behind in silence so that both parties might have understood their mutuall intentions Now suddainly her Majestie hath thought good at this time to send onely the French Articles and her answers and for the rest she meaneth to reserve untill she may understand how her answers are taken and specially how the knotty point of Religion will be smoothed And the cause of this change as I conjecture groweth of some late intelligence brought thence that if the Queens Majestie will stand earnestly upon that point for Religion it shall be assented unto which causeth her to proceed thus confidently And for my part I wish most heartily that it may so succeed but that onely I must fear except you shall moderate the matter better they there will imagine that this matter of Religion is but projected to colour the delay in breaking off for indeed in like cause so did the Emperor for his Brother the Arch-Duke Charles As I cannot instruct you how to dissolve this doubt there but as cause shall be given So I know your wisdome sufficient to invent sufficient answers to mollifie their hard conceits Thus you see how inwardly I deale with you and trust you will so use it I find Mr. Cavalcant very well disposed and sorry to see these occasions given though surely he seeth here the Queen Majesties disposition directly to his contentation From Westminster the 19 of Aprill 1571. Your assured friend Williamâ— Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that Mr. Cavalcant arrived here the 24 of this moneth by whom I received her Majesties Letters the contents whereof after I had perused and conferred with him touching his proceedings and for that the King and Queen Mother were departed out of this Town the one to St. Disier the other to Monceaux to bring the Duke and Dutchess of Lorrain onward on their way It was agreed between us that he should repaire the next morning to Monceaux to Queen Mother there to deliver her Majesties Letters as also her answers to the Articles propounded by the King Touching his proceeding with her I referre your Lordship to his own Letters By him I understood at his return that Queen Mother would speak with me at her repaire to the Town if I had any thing to say unto her So the 26 of this moneth she repaired hither and for that during the time of her abode here she could have no leasure she sent me word that the next day in the morning I should repaire unto her to come four English miles from Paris and that there I should have Audience So according to her appointment I repaired thither the next morning and at the time of my accesse unto her presence I shewed her that I was come thither to know how she rested satisfied with the answer she received from her Majestie by Master Cavalcant to those Articles which were propounded by the King and her to the end I might advertise her Majestie She shewed me that the Answers made unto their Articles seemed to her not to be direct saving thaâ— which was made unto the second Article concerning Religion which saith she is very hard and neerly toucheth the honour of my Son so far forth that if he should yield thereto the Queen your Mistress should also receive some part of the blemish by accepting for a husband such a one as by sudden change of Religion might be thought through worldly respects void of all Conscience and Religion I replyed that I was willed to say to her from her Majestie that she doubted not but that Monsieur her Son by her good perswasion would take in good part her said answers who meant not such sudden change of Religion as that he or his houshold should be compelled to use the Rites of the English Church contrary to his or their Consciences But forasmuch as the granting unto him the exercise of his Religion being contrary to her Laws might by an example breed such an offence as was like to kindle such trouble as lately reigned in France whereof both herself and her son had good experience She therefore hoped that he who if the match proceeded was to sail with her in in one ship and to run with her one fortune would not require a thing that she by no means could yield to who tendred nothing more then the quiet and repose of her Subjects and therefore in respect â—hereof could by no means consent to any such permission as might by any likelihood disturb the same To this she replyed that the not having the exercise was as much as to change his Religion which thing he could not do upon a sudden without the note to be of no Religion which dishonour I am sure no respect can draw him to endanger himself And as he in respect of the said ignominie is resolved fully not to yield so can I with no reason perswade him thereto and as for any peril that may happen by the same I think it shall be the best way of safety of your Mistress who alwayes by the way of his Brothers sword should be the better able to correct any such evil Subjects as should go about to disturb the repose and quiet of her Estate which she may assure herself he will do without having respect to any Religion whereof some tryal lately hath been made by his consenting with the King to have some good justice and example of punishment done at Roan In answer whereof I besought her to consider as well the Queens damage as her sons honour I shewed her that of this permission great mischiefs would ensue First the violating of her Laws Secondarily the offence of her good and faithful Subjects And lastly the encouragement of the evil affected Which three mischiefs if you will weigh said I together with your Sons honours you shall finde them of great moment and that the Queens Majestie my Mistress hath great cause to stand to the denial of any such permission whereof is likely to ensue such manifest peril And as for the ayd of the Kings sword I shewed her that the example by permission would do much more hurt then either his own or his Brothers sword could do good for that the issue of our mischief by civil dissention falls out commonly to be sudden and short but very sharp and were not drawn in length as those that happened in other Countreys we having neither walled Towns nor Fortresses to retire to thereby to protract our Wars To this she answered that her Son would soon be overcome by the Queens perswasions in
that behalf who was more zealous then able to defend his Religion whereby the same inconvenience of example will not long last For saith she it is generally feared by the Catholiques that this match will breed a change of Religion throughout all Europe In the end she concluded that neither Monsieur her Son nor the King nor herself could ever yield to any such sudden change for any respect whatsoever neither could her Majestie desire it considering how much it would touch his reputation whom she is to match withal if it proceed I asked then of her whether she would have me so to advertise her Majestie She desired me in any cause so to do and to know directly whether by yielding or not yielding to the said second Articles with all reasonable cautions she meant to proceed or forbear whereof she desired her Majestie at the farthest to give answer within ten days for that the King stayeth his progress onely upon that and if so be she mean to proceed then to send the Articles that are to be propounded by her Majestie Monsieur de la Mothe Fenelon as I learn by Monsieur de Foix hath given very honourable report of the Queens Majesties proceedings assuring them that there is nothing but sincerity meant If her Majestie resolve to proceed I learn then that Monsieur de Foix shall come over with the Kings Answer to such Articles as shall be propounded by the Queens Majestie and so to grow to some through conclusion And so having nothing else to advertise her Majestie at this present I most humbly take my leave of your Honour At Paris the eight and twentieth of April 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham The CONFERENCE between me and Monsieur de Foix. FOr my first entry in our Conference Iâ— shewed him that I was glad that it was my hap to be appointed to deal with him who did concur with me in like affection towards this cause being drawn by publique respects as wishing well unto our Countreys and Princes and therefore the rather hoped that the success would be thereafter I shewed him that great matters before they could be brought to an end could not but be full of great difficulties which if by the good discretion of those which are Dealers and Instruments in the same were not qualified a profitable matter might by evil handling quail and take no effect I shewed him therefore that this matter being in appearance so good and profitable to both our Countreys as I for my part would not fail to do therein what there might lie in me to remove such difficulties as might rise so far forth as might stand with the Queens Honour and Safety And if I did any way fail it should be for lack of judgement and experience and not lack of good will I shewed him that by perusing the answer to the Articles I found only the difficulty to be in Religion which by his good help might be reduced to accord there was no doubt but that the matter would take that effect we both desired To this Monsieur de Foix answered that he was the rather willing to deal in this matter for that he was well perswaded of my good inclination in that behalf protesting that he never more earnestly travelled in matter in his life which Monsieur could very well witness whose perswasions to him chiefly to enter into the matter through the honourable report he made of her Majesties rare vertues and gifts wherein through the Counter practises of divers other he found no small difficulty Monsieur being by them perswaded that it would be his hap to march in rank with the forsaken which scruple being by me saith he removed if the matter should not take that success I desire would be no less cause of displeasure then otherwise of comfort if the same take good effect Touching the present difficulty of Religion if her Majestie continue still resolute to maintain her answer I see the matter at an end For saith he Monsieur hath either Religion or no Religion If he have Religion then Religion being a constant perswasion confirmed by time cannot but in time be removed and not upon the sudden if he have no Religion then he is unworthy of your Mistress and the place and degree he beareth And surely saith he as Religion in all persons is to be desired so in none more then in Princes who have no other bridle to stay them from evil then Religion And as for Monsieur saith he I know him to be religious in his kind wherein I suppose he is not so assuredly grounded but that there may grow alteration and â—hange thereof in time through the Queens good perswasions whereof we have seen good experience of womens vertue in that place Constantine was converted by his Mother Helena the King of Navarre by the Queen his wife and therefore can I not doubt but this match proceeding Monsieur will be turned by his wife who is of that good disposition and nature as in all his proceedings he is not transported and carried away by passion but guided and conducted by reason To this I replyed That the Queens Majestie wished not such sudden change of Religion as might breed irreligion but onely the forbearing of the exercise whereof might breed by permission both offence and stirrs in her Estate and as for the Examples of Constantine and the rest they are common for both for as many wives have been turned by their husbands as husbands by their wives To this he answered that to live without exercise of Religion was as much as to be of no Religion and saith he the Queens Majestie I know is honourable and would not have him 〈◊〉 with so great a spot as to be thought an Atheist whom she mâ—ant so sâ—â—aitly to tye her self to as of two to become one who is to participate with him both in honour and dishonour To this I replyed that if it were true that I had heard Monsieuer was not so far from our Religion having had some introduction therein by Curuvalet his Governour lately deceased and therefore if it please him to water those seeds that he had already received by some conference â—he should be able easiely to discern that the change of his Religion should breed unto him no dishonour at all it being no less fault to continue in error then commendable to come from error to truth I desired him to consider with me both the inconvenience that would grow to Monsieur by persisting in his Religion and also what greater inconvenience would come unto the Queens Majestie my Mistress by permission of exercise of the same Touching the inconvenience that would happen to Monsieur I told him that it is held for a general Maxime that no Prince that is a stranger and cometh to rule in a Forraign Countrey can be welcome or well received by the Inhabitants Therefore Monsieur coming into England except it were by accident in respect of the partialities said
to the tenor of her Letters dated the fifth of May I have given the pretended Archbishop to understand by my Letters who is now at Nantes how her Majestie doth not allow the slender manner of his submission neither can think him worthy of favour or grace unless upon warrant given by me he maketh his repair into Enâ—land and there with all humilitie sue unto her Majestie for the same Of late he hath sent from Nantes certain of his servants as I am enformed to what end I cannot learn I have enformed Captain Thomas how her Majestie upon information given by me doth accept in very good part his late service in the discovery of the pretended Archbishops practises and that she meaneth to consider thereof Whereupon he hath desired me in his name most humbly to desire her Majestie to be so good and gracious a Lady unto him as he may have some charge under her Majestie either in Ireland his native Countrey or elsewhere as one that desireth nothing more then to imploy the experience he hath gathered in these Civil Wars in her Majesties service Here there is very good account made of him And notwithstanding that the most part of the ordinary bands are discharged as well Captains as Souldiers yet hath he allowed by the King sixteen Crowns a moneth pension His Father whose name was Bathe was one of the Justices in Ireland his Brother is Recorder of Drogheda This I write touching his Parentage to the end her Majestie may the better conceive of his loyaltie I am given secretly to understand that Rodolphi had Letters of Credit given him by the Spanish Ambassador unto the Duke de Alva whereupon he had long conference with the Duke and was dispatched in post to Rome with Letters of Credit to the Pope as also with Letters of Credit to the King of Spain promising to be at Madril the 20 of this present moneth Touching the matter of secresie committed unto him I can learn nothing as yet notwithstanding I thought it my part to advertise your Lordship of thus much who perhaps by other advertisements can give some ghess what the same importeth The Scots here have some enterprize in hand as I am informed by the party whom I appointed to observe the Lord Seatons doings The Ambassador of late hath been at Court and is returned from thence with answer not altogether to his liking and saith that so long as the Marriage is in Treaty there is no hope of good here to be done for the help of their cause Birack who lately returned out of Scotland is in hope to return with new Forces which secretly he saith to his Friends dependeth onely upon the resolution of the marriage now in hand The Lord Seaton departeth hence out of hand into Flanders being sent for by her Majesties Rebels there who have somewhat in hand presently to be executed They of late have very importunately been in hand with me for passports but understanding they have such enterprize in hand I thought good in that behalf to make some stay for a time alledging that I have some order from her Majestie to make some stay therein until I be further advertised of her pleasure I hope her Majestie will not dissallow of this my doings though I do it without warrant Out of Brittain I am advertised that la Roche had discovered unto a Kinsman of his that his enterprize in Ireland was to have executed a plot of Conquest devised by Peter Strozza in King Henries time which if the match go not forward he is promised that he shall go in hand withal hereby it doth well appear that the expectation of this match is the onely stay of divers pretended mischiefs Here they are in some perplexitie for that they hear nothing of her Majesties answer being given to understand by the Ambassador that her Majestie had signified her mind unto me in that behalf Queen Mother denieth now that she prefixed a day of answer and that I did mistake her I must needs confess that in requiring the same she used such words as her Majestie hath no cause to be justly offended which omitting to impart unto her Majestie I do most humbly crave pardon at her hands being most heartily sorry that through my default there should grow any unkindness between them Her words were as followeth First she asked me after she had willed me to signifie unto her Majestie the Kings and her resolution in what time I might have answer I shevved her that I hoped vvithin ten or tvvelve days the rather for that I knovv my Mistress to be resolved and therefore the matter required the less deliberation Then she desired me to vvill her Majestie that they might have ansvver within ten dayes if it might be These circumstances by me omitted I perceive her Majestie the rather to mislike the limitation of the time for the vvhich as before so again I most humbly require her Majesties pardon And so c. At Paris the fourteenth of May 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham the Queenâ— Majesties Ambassador with the French King THere is nothing yet readie to send you touching the matter of Monsieur The Ambassador resident hath received Letters of late since yours came from the Queen Mother and from Monsieur de Foix touching that cause He shewed his Letter to me and my Lord of Burleigh and it appeareth that de Foix Letter doth qualifie much the dealing which you and Cavalcant had I mean he writeth in sort to continue the matter and as it were that there would be offer made by them But her Majestie hath handled the matter exceeding well with the Ambassador and giveth him no hope without yielding of their part to that she hath reformed in their first demands And as 〈◊〉 as I can perceive they will rather yield then break off God send all to be for his glory and our good and so farewel my good Walsingham In haste this seventh of May 1571. Your assured Friend Ro. Leicester Commend me to my Cousin your wife by the next you shall hear more of this matter To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester MY very good Lord the Protestants here do so earnestlie desire this match and on the other side the Papists do so earnestlie seek to impeach the same as it maketh me the more earnest in furthering of the same Besides when I particularly consider her Majesties state both at home and abroad so far forth as my poor eye-sight can discern and how she is beset with Forraign peril the execution whereof stayeth onely upon the event of this match I do not see how she can stand if this matter break off No particular respect as God is my witness moveth me to write thus earnestly but only the regard I have to Gods glory and her Majesties safetie They rest here somewhat perplexed for that the answer is so long deferred being
Thus having some circumstances to give you some light but what you shall find by your light God knoweth I doubt the worst and so I have said but yet the opinion conceived by her Majestie maketh her to believe the contrary It were strange that any one man should give comfort to the Ambassador in the cause and yet the same man to perswade the Queens Majestie that she should persist both these things are done but I dare not affirm by any one and thus I end In Scotland the Q. partie have recovered Edenburgh Town by Granges favour And yet presently he tearmeth himself the Kings subject and so they are like to fray together or else to come to consultation amongst themselves to govern the Realm without deciding the Kings title or the Queens I cannot tell whether the greater part like better a or of none for so their writings and words purport making no mention of King or Queen but of Magistrates to conserve the peace and liberty of their Country And so I am forced to leave of and so I end from Westminster the 11 of May 1571. Your assured loving friend Wil. Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie That the 20 of this month I repaired to Galleon where I had Audience at the Queen Mothers hands to whom I declared at large such reasons as moved her Majestie to maintain her first answer touching the Article of Religion the repetition whereof I leave at this present to put down the same containing no other thing then that which was perscribed me by her Majesties last Letters dated the 11 of May. To this the Queen Mother answered That she saw very well that the reasons alleadged by her Majestie were not lightly to be weighed and that therefore she would consult with the King and Monsieur in that behalf and that the next day I should receive answer By certain that wish well to the cause I was advised to deal with Monsieur himself so repairing unto him I shewed him That I was appointed by her Majestie to make him understand the great inconvenience that would follow by such permission as he required touching the exercise of his Religion as also that her Majestie though otherwise she could wish him reduced from error to truth yet did not presse him to any such sodaine change of Religion as might cause him to be reputed for an Atheist onely this she desired that he would forbear the use of his private Masse in respect of the great inconvenience that would follow and that further he would examine whether he might not with good devotion serve God with such form of prayer as publiquely is used in our Realm being in effect nothing else c. To this he answered That he rather desired to be a meane to redresse inconveniencies then to breed any to be a comfort then a discomfort and that he thought it would otherwise fall out After he had thus ended he replyed That though he was of years young yet any time these five years there have been overtures of marriage made unto him and that he found in himself no inclination untill this present to yield to any But saith he I must needs confesse that through the great commendations that is made of the Q. your Mistress for her rare guifts aswell of mind as of body being as even her very enemies say the rarest creature that was in Europe these 500. years my affection grounded upon so good respects hath now made me yield to be wholly hers And that therefore saith he if I thought that there could ensue any inconvenience to her disquiet through me I would rather wish my self never to have been born Touching my request for the exercise of my Religion considering the same toucheth my soul conscience being but private for my self in some private place I suppose there will grow no such offence thereof as will breed any disquiet oâ— alteration of state and therefore I hope she will dispence with me in that behalf I replyed That I hoped that when he had well weighed the inconvenience that would follow that without scruple of conscience he might well with good devotion frequent the exercise of our Church service he would not insist upon any dispensation To that he answered that he knew not how God hereafter would dispose his heart and that therefore for the present he desired her to weigh in her own conscience what it were to do any thing with scruple and remorse of conscience and so desired me to present on his behalf his most affectionate and humble commendation and to assure her That she onely had Authority to command him The next day as I was appointed I repaired to the Court and there having accesse unto the King I shewed that I doubted not but that his Mother had made him acquainted with such reasons as lead the Q. Majesty my Mistris to maintain her former answer in respect of the great inconveniences that would ensue aswell perjudiciall to Monsieur his brother as to her Majestie I shewed him That I was now onely to request him from her Majestie that he would perswade his Brother that in respect of the said inconveniences not to be so resolute in requiring a tolleration that might prove so dangerous as also to advise him to examine whether he might not with good conscience serve God according to such form of prayers as is usually practised throughout her Dominious To this the King answered That the reasons alleadged by her Majestie were of great moment he willed me therefore to desire her Majestie in his name that the Articles by her to be propounded might be sent that the whole matter might be joyntly considered of And to assure her that he doubted not but that his Brother would be ruled by him so farre forth as might stand with honour reason and conscience After I had thus euded with the King I repaired to Q. Mother to whom I made report of such answer as I received from the Kings hands which she said I had well conceived for that it was the self same that they had resolved on between themselves she willed me to desire her Majestie that her demand might be at the first propounded reasonable and well qualified to the end this matter might come the sooner to conclusion and therefore she wished that if it might so lie in her that the Ambassador might be made acquainted with them before the sending of them over who can give before hand some light what the King in reason will consent unto whereby to breed the more expedition she concluded with me that I should assure her Majestie that aswell touching Religion as other points reason should decide on their parts all such difficulties as should rise It is thought that Monsieur de Foix shall be sent over with the Kings answers unto her Majesties demands he sheweth himself not unthankfull for such honour
as he hath received at her Majesties hands who earnestly travelleth to remove such difficulties as do rise in this matter and to stand in her Majesties defence against those that seek any way to touch her in honour your Lordship shall therefore do well to move her Majestie that you by your private Letters may signifie unto him that her Majestie doth accept those good offices done by him in very good part It is further thought that Monsieur Montmorency shall be the Nobleman that shall be sent to ratifie such Articles as shall be accorded unto by the King he hath since his repaire unto the Court marvelously furthered this matter and hath caused them to grow so reasonable Monsieur de la Mot doth continually by his Letters make very honourable report of her Majestie touching her proceedings in this cause Monsieur de Foix hath willed me to advertise your Lordship that her Majesties direction to me and her speech delivered to their Ambassador did not agree for he writeth That her Majestie promiseth some qualification of her answer unto the second Article and I deny the receipt of any such thing he writeth that I should deliver unto the King her Majesties demand and I deny to have received any he therefore wisheth for the advoiding of jealousie that the same were reformed that the Articles be sent before the return of this bearer I do not mean to be known of the receipt of them untill I hear further of her Majesties pleasure Your Lordship shall do well by the next to send a Book of Common praiers translated in the French that I may present it unto Monsieur I have seen of them printed at Garnesey C. Lodowick desired me most earnestly to move her Majestie that it would please her to licence Hawkins underhand to serve him with certain ships which favour if it please her Majestie to shew him he hopeth she shall not have cause to forethink the same which Letter shall well appeare whensoever occasion shall be offered wherein he may do her service Mr. Cavalcant is here a very good instrument in this cause in hand and doth deal therein both sinceerly and discreetly and worthy of the trust that her Majestie doth put in him whose assistance by no means I could have lacked Thus leaving further to trouble your honour c. At Vernon the 25 of May 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie That Q. Mother sent lately unto me this Memoriall which I send your Lordship here inclosed requesting me that some good justice might be done therein The Memoriall is unperfect making no mention at all either of personship or place but he saith that Monsieur de la Mot can declare unto you at large the whole circumstance of the matter of late I find here in like causes reasonable expedition of Justice and therefore it may please your Lordship to take order that they may receive like measure Further she willed me to signifie unto her Majestie that touching the information given unto her how that the Scotish Ambassador here had dealt with her and Monsieur about some attempt against Ireland that she and Monsieur for his justification do avow that he never moved any such thing unto them And for that she understood that this report should be some let why the Scotish Ambassador obtained not a Pasporâ— lately demanded at her Majesties hand she desireth her for that she avoweth the report to be untrue to grant him the said Pasport with free egresse and regresse for her sake she willed me further to advertise her Majestie that he assureth her that his repaire thither to the Q. his Mistress is for no evill intent but chiefly to deal with her in some particular causes touching himself wherein if he should falsify his faith his comodity would be but small in respect of the living he presently enjoyeth in France I have of late granted Pasport alleadging that I am now so warned from home to certain Scotish men for that I see there is no cause of feare France being so well enclined toward us as they are And as for Flanders they begin now to stand upon their guard c. At Nantes the 26 of May 1571. Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable Fr. Walsingham Esq the Queen Majesties Ambassador in France SIr you must beare with my slow dispatches in returning your servants for that I cannot obtain such resolutions as may give cause to write whereupon I am forced to beare here patiently the lack I find and you must do the like on your part hoping that Deus dabit meliora Now I send away this bearer meaning and hoping to send herewith the great answer and to give you some light hereof Thus it is the French Ambassador upon the receipt of his last answers agreeable with your Letters pressed the Queens Majestie to have the rest of the Articles on her part which in no wise she would agree unto pretending that without a resolute answer to the Article of Religion this could not be wherewith the Ambassador was so wounded as indeed in conference with him I found him desperate of the matter and entred into passions But after some speechs used with him I pacified him with hope that the Q. Majestie might be by further perswasions induced to shew the rest of the Articles and so with some long labourious perswasions her Majestie was induced to agree that the Articles should be made ready and shewed as things earnestly pressed by that King and his Ambassador here with which pretence her Majestie thought her honour saved well hereof I was appointed to inform the Ambassador and then was I also commanded to put the Articles in readiness which were not unready as I conceived but ere I could finish them I was commanded to conclude them with a request to have Calais restored a matter so inconvenient to bring forth a marriage as indeed I thought it meant to procure a breach and so the matter continued in my opinion desperate but with good help it was remedied I desired that the Queens Majestie would let my Lord Marques the Earles of suffex and Leicester to see the Articles and so they did and very honorably and wisely gave counsell to forbeare that Toy of Calais and generally did further the prosecution of the marriage as a matter of all other most necessary at this time And now we take it that her Majestie intendeth it earnestly whereupon yesterday in the afternoone my Lord of Leicester and I have delivered unto the Ambassador a Copy of the Articles which at the first hearing he did not mislike what he will do this day I know not but certainly they are very reasonable Thus farre are we passed so I trust on Wednesday to dispatch Harcourt Yesterday came de Pine with Letters to my Lord of Leicester from the King the Q.
Mother and Monsieur which will much further the matter and it is reason that my Lord of Leicester be assured of favours both there and at home for some that like not this match may otherwise engender doubts in his Lordship And yet surely at this present he dealeth earnestly with her Majestie in the furtherance of the match you shall do well to let his Lordship understand what good opinion is had of him for so doing The matters in Scotland go hardly for us the Queens party by Granges means occupieth Edenburgh and the King is constrained to keep in Sterling both parties are in arms which yet are used defensive The Queen party hath had Money and Ammunitions from France The Bishop of Ross is still restrained and so deserveth The Queen liketh not of the Bishop of Glascows coming into the Realm Dr Story suffered at Tyborn on Fryday and there refused to give alleagiance to the Queens Majestie and professed to dye as the King of Spains Subject and so being arraigned on the Tuesday before at the Kings Bench he would not answer to the Indictment alledging that he was not a Subject of the Realm whereupon without further Tryal he was condemned as guilty of the Treasons contained in the Indictments The practises of Stewkley are abated in Spain by discovery of his lewdness and insufficiency Huggins is here arrived and so fare you well From Westminster the fifth of Iune 1571. Yours assuredly William Burleigh I send you a Note of our late Acts in Parliament To my very Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queen Majestie in France I Have received your Letters by this Bearer who brought me also Letters from the King Queen Mother and Monsieur whom I perceived hath conceived good opinion of my devotion for the furtherance of the matter of marriage with the Queens Majestie I have thought good to return this Bearer again for that he desired speedy dispatch to whom I have imparted the state of that matter which onely doth stand upon the Article of Religion to which her Majestie will by no means relent All other Articles are reasonable and her Majestie hath shewed her Demands to this Ambassador and hath dispatched the same to you which I think will be with you before this For the other point touching Religion if I might advise them thereof they should not speak of it at all for sooner will her Majestie yield to reason himself that shall have that interest in her that shall be her husband then by any Contract or other Declaration And finding her Majestie disappointed upon the argument of that point to proceed as she hath seemed in the matter I cannot but hope of very good success to which for my part in respect of her Majesties surety and hope of universal good to the cause of Religion I must with well and further the best I can according to your advice whereof I thank you and am glad to see your consideration thereof This Bearer shall further declare some part of my minde unto you for that I know him to be honest and trusty and well devoted to her Majestie and the cause of Religion Thus with my most hearty commendations I bid you farewel In haste this seventh of Iune 1571. Your assured Friend Ro Leicester By the QUEEN To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. RIght Trusty and Well-beloved we greet you well although we did heretofore think it reasonable to forbear the sending of any Articles to contain the Demands on our part until we might have a resolute Answer from the King to our former Answers made to his Articles sent hither by Cavalcant and namely to the Article touching Religion Yet finding by your Letters and the continual solicitation of the French Ambassador here Resident how earnestly the King desireth to see our Demands which when he shall have he will make answer to the former we are contrary to our own disposition induced by these means to send the same at this time as you shall receive the same in Articles whereof you shall advertise the King and Queen Mother and let them understand that were it not for the earnest solicitation of the Ambassador we would have forborn so to have done for that we take it it may be interpreted in some manner to touch us in honour that not having knowledge how the King will satisfie us in the matter of Religion which is the principal we should pass further into the Treaty of all the rest altogether upon uncertainty what to hope in the principal But to their satisfaction herein you shall say that we not onely caused the Earl of Leicester and Lord Burleigh whom onely of our Councel we have used herein according to our former agreement to impart our Demands in certain Articles to the French Ambassador but have also sent them now in writing to be by you shewed unto them having therein followed for the most part the form of things granted to our late Sister of Noble Memory Queen Mary as by the Treaty of Marriage betwixt King Philip and her may appear And further you shall say that these Articles are but briefly and summarily conceived by our foresaid Counsellours who have not the knowledge of the forms of Law requisite in such case so as we reserve to our selves power if the substance of them shall be granted to cause the same to be in form of Law inlarged by such others of our Councel as by learning can better do the same Besides we do deliver these Demands to be joyntly considered with the Articles of our first Answer to the Demands on their part brought by Cavalcant We perceive by the French Ambassador that certain Clauses which we agreed should be added to some of the first Articles were not contained in the Writing by you there shewed And not knowing whether in the writing of them there the same Clauses were omitted for more surety we send you a new Copy hereof to be shewed as you shall have occasion And if indeed those Clauses shall appear to have been omitted in the former the same was omitted but by the Writer If the King or any other shall press you to understand of our proceedings with the Queen of Scots as in misliking the restraint of the Bishop of Ross or in not determining her cause you shall for the first say that the evil parts done by the Bishop of Ross are such and so dangerous to us and our State as no Prince could suffer as we think the like without some sharp revenge For where in the late Rebellion in the North we understood that he had given the Heads of that Rebellion comfort to enter into the same which he could not deny being charged therewith but that secretly they had sent to him for ayd and comfort afore their Rebellion although he yield the same unto them nor thought it meet to utter the same and so
we were content to pass over the same with hope that he would attend his causes only according to the place he held to be as an Agent or Minister for her and not to intermeddle as he had done with our Affairs and to trouble our State nevertheless within a few moneths after he did eftsoons secretly by night which was the last Summer enter into such intelligences and practises with some of our Nobility as we could not endure the same but for a time restrained him of his libertie until he promised never to be found in the like to offend us Contrary whereunto he hath now of new entred into practises by his Letters and Ministers to stir up secretly some new Rebellion in our Realm and hath for that purpose dealt by his Ministers with certain our Fugitives and Rebels in the the King of Spains Low-Countreys As also with the Duke of Alva and further prosecuted his intentions to that purpose by sending both to the Pope and to the King of Spain of all which his doing we have full proof and in certain part to prove the same his own Confessions and manifestly argue his guiltiness Now therefore you shall require the King or his Mother if they shall deal with you herein to interpret well of our doings for that we may not endure such kind of dealing as may so indanger or at the least trouble our Estate And for this purpose if you shall be required why we do refuse to grant to the Bishop of Glascow passport you shall say it is upon the self same ground for we do well know his conditions and specially how unmeet a man he is to come hither to do any good office betwixt the Queen his Mistress and us who we know hath rather been a maintainer then a pacifier of discord betwixt us in times past And for our intention towards the Queens of Scots although her Minister the Bishop of Ross hath otherwise deserved yet we do continue in minde to proceed to the hearing and ordering of her cause upon the coming of certain Noblemen out of Scotland both for her and the King her Son the delay whereof hath lately grown by the renewing of arms on both sides whereof being by an express Messenger of ours now very lately sent into Scotland to both parties earnestly charged by us either of the parties do charge the other and excuse themselves and yet at length they are now content to re-enter again into Treaty offering to send hither their Commissioners For which purpose we have even this day returned answer to them of our contentation to hear them and have required both parties to lay down their Arms which we doubt not but they will and so doing we trust shortly some good end will follow for so is our desire and full purpose and so shall it appear by our actions Of all this we thought good to inform you to the end you may the better answer thereto if speech be moved thereof or else not Given at Osterley the eighth of Iune 1571. and in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable and my very loving Friend Mr. Francis Walsingham Esquire Ambassador Resident in France SIr as I promised by my last Letters sent by your Italian so do I now dispatch Harcourt By her Majesties Letters you shall see your charge wherein God give you good success as I for my part sincerely mean even for his glory and for the surety of the Queen my Soveraign and weal of my Countrey wherein if I do dissemble I wish as I am writing the indignation of the Almighty Lord of Hosts The cause of the Queens Majesties persisting so hard in the cause of Religion wherein I rejoyce as the allowance of the matter is as I find and do disclose secretly an opinion that her Majestie conceiveth that if she will stand fast they will utterly yield Now how true that will fall out in the event or why she is so informed if it be not too certain you may ghess I hear by some other that du Pine saith so unto me he neither saith so nor doth answer to it though I do ask him thereof directly But this he saith that Monsieur will be content to have the point of Religion left free without any Capitulation This I pray you keep to your self for it may be mistaken of some I send you a a Book in French of the Common-prayer which is hardly gotten as this bearer can shew you I fear the first Articles were mistaken in that the Ambassador saith they lacked some clauses And I perusing my Copies find both sorts remaining with me that is one sort without these clauses added and another with them whereof I do now send you one I did name to the Ambassadour for the Queens Majesties Dowry Fourty thousand Crowns and since I find the Queens Majestie content with Thirty thousand for so was Queen Maries by the name of Three thousand pounds Flemish after fourty grooz to the pound which maketh but Thirty thousand Crowns French The Ambassador since he had his answer wrote to me to procure a more certain Answer what Monsieur should have and though it be not expressed in the first answers where properly it was to be answered yet I think it shall be no less then the Dowry of Kings Wives here hath been which is Ten thousand Marks or Twenty thousand Nobles Now I must wearily being assaulted with business of Scotland which is now in Arms and dangerously for our part and also fore Ireland which is onely in trouble for want of money give over c. From Osterly where the Queens Majestie is retired for this day and to morrow the seventh of Iune 1571. To the â—ight Hoâ—â—â—raâ—le and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Honour to advertise her Majestie that the 19 of this Moneth having access unto the King I shewed unto the King her Majesties Articles using such speech before the delivery of the same as by mine instructions from her Majestie I was directed The King shewed me that he could not but accept in the best part her Majesties frank and confident dealing and that therefore he found himself most bound unto her willing me to assure her Majestie from him that this sincere and direct dealing should receive the like aquital at his hands Touching his answer unto the said demands he told me he would confer with his Councel and would within a day or two send for me to the Court to understand what would be his resolution The eighteenth of this Moneth he sent for me and there shewed me that upon conference with his Councel he was resolved forthwith to dispatch a Gentleman of his Chamber named de l' Archant being Captain of his Brothers guard to give her Majestie thanks for that it pleased her to deal so frankly with him and so sincerely as she had done in the Treaty of this weighty cause in hand which honourable proceeding of hers
that you should make any mention hereof to the King or any other except it be first moved to you And then in that case you may well say that if it be not demanded by them in Treaty then shall there need no contradiction to be made in Treaty and if they think the honour of Monsieur preserved in that it is not denied him as likewise the honour of us should be preserved in that we have not assented thereto And that there shall not be no further meaning by Monsieur herein but that as it shall not be by way of Treaty demanded before Marriage so he will be also content after marriage to forbear the use of it then may you seem to agree thereto For otherwise you may plainly say either to Monsieur himself or to some other in credit about him whom you may trust that the forbearing of it by way of Treaty shall not content us only but also the forbearing of the use of it And so we require you to express the same plainly where you shall see cause for we cannot esteem it a plain dealing to pass it over with silence in the Treaty and yet to be in doubt whether the same shall be used indeed and thereby move a new controversie between him and us of more danger then is meet to be suffered to follow for lack of plain dealing with them herewith included shall you have in writing the sum of the Conference had at this time by which you may be fully informed And whereas prssport was required by de l' Archant for the Marshal Montmorency Monsieur de Foix and Monsieur de Chiverny we thought once to have sent it unto you to the end if the King would send them you might deliver the same but sithence we have thought better to stay it until we might know the Kings answer to you Given under our Signet at our Honor of Hampton Court the ninth of Iuly 1571. in the thirteenth year of our Reign A summary of the several answers made by the Queens Majestie to the French Ambassador and Mr. ◠' Archant to their Message and Request THey first said That the French King Queen Mother and Monsieur de Anjou thanked her Majestie for her sincere manner of dealing hitherto and that having considered such answers as her Majestie had made to the first demands and the last Articles delivered by her Ambassador containing things to be demanded on her part which her Majestie had done upon earnest solicitation of the King on his part The King their Master and the Queen his Mother thought fit to send this Gentleman to notifie their great liking to proceed and to finish the matter and therefore were determined to send hither an Ambassage of honourable and wise persons that is to say the Marshal of Montmorency Monsieur de Foix and Monsieur de Chiverny Chancellor to Monsieur to treat and conclude the same if so her Majestie would think meet and would grant them her license and conduct to come who also were in such readiness and immediately upon the return of Monsieur de l' Archant they would forthwith take their journey hither To this her Majestie answered That she also thanked the King and the Queen Mother for their manner of friendly dealing in prosecuting this matter so earnestly and for her sincere dealing with them she doubted not but her doings should always thereof make good proof But as to the matter of Monsieur and her she could not understand that it was in such forwardness as by their speeches she gathered that the Ambassadors might come in such sort as by their speeches it seemed to end and conclude it for that she as yet understood not the difficulties risen upon the first answer that were by the King conceived namely in the matter of Religion neither yet how her last Articles of her Demands were accepted by the King althogh she confess that she thought there could be no mislike in those last Articles considering there was nothing contained in them but that which already had been granted by King Philip to Q. Mary her sister so as then her Majestie concluded that except the King would declare his contentation and his Brothers agreeable to her Majasties minde already declared in the matter of Religion that is that she could not grant unto Monsieur liberty to exercise the Roman Religion in any 〈◊〉 contrary to her Laws she saw it but labor lost to send any Ambassadors To this the Ambassador l' Archant for answer used long speeches in declaring how the King Q. Mother and his brother desired nothing more then the honor of her Maj. and the weal of her Estate so likewise hoped that her Maj. would have due regard of the honour and estate of Monsieur that should not be judged by the world to be without a Religion which must needs be if he should live here without the exercise of his Religion and yet his meaning was not to use the same in any sort to be offensive to her Majestie or to breed offence to the quiet estate of the Realm And so further they used many arguments to move her Maj. to yield to their desire But her Maj. persisted in her former determination that she could neither with conscience nor yet in respect of policy grant to Mon. such liberty as was required and added that she was not of mind that Mon. should be constrained to live here without exercise of religion for if the form of the religion in England as it is established by the Laws of the Realm were considered by them as it might easily be considering that it was published and to be seen both in Latin French it should be found that there is nothing in the same contrary to the Roman religion differing only that the same is translated out of the Latin tongue into English and that some things for reasonable respects are omitted and not used in the Church of England so as whosoever shall use the same service cannot be accounted without Religion nor to do any thing repugnant to the Roman Religion In this sort with speeches at more length tending to these ends they departed from her Majestie upon their first access and afterwards they made means that her Maj. would be pleased to give them some better answer and in like manner her Majestie thought her determination so reasonable for her to hold as she rather thought that they had some further power to yield to her And because her Maj. understood that the French King had concluded this matter with the rest of his Councel and by nominating Ambassadors had made the cause patent her Maj. hitherto having not imparted it to any others but with two of her Councel as she was required so to keep it secretly on the French Kings behalf Now she commandeth that the whole proceedings from the beginning should be declared to her Councel and so being done the same were very well allowed by her Councellors and her
Maj. was earnestly moved by them all not to stay in this matter of her marriage with Mon. de Anjon so as he might be induced to consent with her in Religion or at the least not to have any exercise of Religion contrary to hers After this the Ambassador with l' Archant came again on Friday to her Maj. and renewing their former reasons requested of her Maj. to know her answer whether the Marshal Montmorency should not come in ambassage as before was signified to be the Kings desire Whereunto in brief the substance of her Majesties answer was that as she did greatly esteem the Kings amity and was desirous to conserve the same with mutual good will so was she very careful not to accord to any thing that in her opinion might in any wise impair the same by giving to him any cause or colour of unkindness and therefore she wished that the K. would well consider this matter difficulty of Religion before he should send his ambassage for considering with her self on the one part that she could not chang her mind herein nor as she thought could by any perswasion hereafter be moved to alter her determination although in most matters it is doubtful to determine de futurâ— but such was her mind resolute at this present and on the other part if the K. should hope that his Ambassador might by treaty alter her Majesties mind herein and that then indeed they should not be able so to do And thereupon the matter might break off she doubted how the French King might conceive some unkindness â—hereby although she her self were altogether free from giving cause thereof and for that purpose her Majestie required them in her name that the King would accept it for answer in as sincere part as she uttered it which was with aâ— eaâ—nest respect to keep the amity â— well begâ—n inviolated And so still being by the Ambassador instanted to give them a more comfortable answer for that thereby the King and his brother might doubt of her Majesties intention in the principal matter She answered them that truly this cause of Religion was directly for it self and that being assented unto by the K. and his brother she knew no cause in the rest of the things on her paâ—t to move any doubt but by reasonable treaty they might be accorded which said she did the rather declare to them because the K. might not think that if the point of Religion were by him and his brother assented unto that her Maj. had a meaning to make any difficulty in other points and that the rather because she had declar'd her mind plainly in two several writings the one being an answer to the K. demands the other containing demands agreeable to the like as were accorded betwixt K. Philip Q. Mary and so she concluded that she must remit the coming of the Ambassadors to the K. own judgment And thus they departed as it seemed by their speeches doubful of the substance of the matter and therefore they required to have the next day some conference with the E. of Leicester and the L. of Burleigh to declare their conceits upon the Q. Majesties answer and so they had on the next day following being Saturday where they stil pressed to have some reasonable answer that although the Q. would not presently assent to their request yet that if the Ambassador should come the cause might not be thus peremptory desperate but that in some sort it might be obtained that neither on the one part Monsieur should be condemned to the world and taken as a person excommunicated from the rest of Princes if he should not have the use of his Religion neither on the other part the Q. Majestie thereby should take any offence or that the least part of her Estate should be troubled for such was the resolute determination of Monsieur and his profession that from the first time he should enter into the Realm he would in no wise offend the meanest subject the had with many such speeches tending to perswade that Mon. would so use his religion or so forbear it in times and places as not to cause offence They were answered that the Q. Majestie could not give any other answer and that they might well perceive her sincerity in dealing to â—tter plainly her mind as she did and many reasons to maintain her resolution were to them remembred as principally her conscience next the desire she had to preserve the State in quietness which by granting him that should be her husband a power to break her laws in matter of such weight must needs induce an alienation from her of the minds and hearts of her good subjects being of her Râ—ligion â— and indurate the minds of others that though secretly yet truly are loath to obey the Laws if they might have any maintenance to the contrary which though Monsieur would not give them yet they would conceive a boldness to offend in the hope to be allowed by him In the end it was moved to know the opinions of the said E. L. Burleigh whether they thought it good that the Ambassadors should come Whereunto it was answered that the consideration thereof did more directly belong to the K. and that also they two could best give advice therein for they saw what was likely to be the issue of their coming If the stay were not in Religion there was no evident let seen in the matter and to speak truly she said two Lords said they could give them no hope that the â—â—bassage could 〈◊〉 her Majesties mind but that if they would demand of her Majestie a grant or toleration for Monsieur her Majestie would deny it And therefore if they could not like with the denying of it they must forbear to demand it Hereupon there followed some opinions on boâ—h parts that if Monâ—ieur should forbear to require it and thereby her Majesty should not grant it but that the matter should be 〈◊〉 and pass in silence it might be that Monsieurs friends might 〈◊〉 their good opinions of him as of one that hâ—d not changed his Religion and likewise the Q. Majesties good subjects should continue their opinions of her Maj. as of a Prince that would not assent to any thing against her Religion And with this kind of speech we ended To my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq the Queens Majesties Ambassador with the French King AFter our very hearty commendations considering the Queens Majestie hath used our service joyntly in treating of the matter betwixt her Majestie and Monsieur de Anjoâ— and that you are to be burthened in the prosecution thereof we have thought good to write also to you joyntly how her Majestie hath proceeded since the arrival of Monsieur l' Archant you may perceive by her own Letters wherein also somewhat is touched for our dealing with them what the said l' Archant shall of himself report or what he shall bring from the Ambassador we cannot
tell but percase you shall hear somewhat thereof Indeed we were informed that her Majesties answer did not content them whereupon we being desirous that they should not conceive thereof worse then was meant did confer with them on Saturday last as is mentioned in the Q. Majesties Letter and after long maintenance of her Majesties reasons and therewith giving them sufficient hope so as the matter of Religion might be concluded they descended to the devise of forbearing that article whereunto her Majestie hath directed you what to say if it be treated upon and thereto we refer you As for the inward intention of her Majestie in this case we cannot certainly give you to understand more then it pleaseth her to utter To the matter it self she yieldeth as to a matter necessary for her Estate and Realm otherwise we see no particular forwardness such as is commonly between persons that are to â—e married And now her Majestie sheweth no let but this matter of Religion as if either that may be well accorded or well buried we see no impediment of any moment we can but counsel you as we use do our selves that is to do and serve as she directeth us and for the rest to commit the success to Almighty God who direct you in this service to her Majesties contentation with regard of Gods honour and the weal of our Countrey From Hampton Court the eighth of July 1571. Your very loving Friends Ro Leicester Will Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Es abque her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr I am in doubt whether to write or no for to write nothing were to discomfort you and to write something with uncertainty cannot comfort and yet in extremities the lesser is to be admitted I assure you that I cannot assure you from hence what is to be looked for by the Q. Majesties manner of answers as this time she is not unwarned how dangerous it were if in her default the matter taketh not success and she seemeth to conceive thereof and pretendeth that she seemeth that if the matter of Religion may be granted there will be no other difficulty but whether she is perswaded that therein the breach will be on that side and so she to escape the reproof I cannot tell God direct the matter for I have done my uttermost and so hath other Councellours here My Lord Keeper hath earnestly dealt in it and so hath my Lord of Sussex my Lord of Leicester hath in my dealings also joyned earnestly with me and among the rest of the Councellours I know none directly against it From Spain we have no good answer and therefore this amity were needful to us but God hath determined to plague us the hour is at hand his will be done with mercy The Gentleman hath a Chain of one hundred and sixty pound which was not easily had The Queens Majestie hath sent her Letters to the King Queen Mother and Monsieur l' Archant From Hampton Court the ninth of Iuly 1571. Yours assuredly William Burlâ—igh Chesholâ— the Queen of Scots servant that passed lately from Diepe with money and munition is taken by the Regent at Lethe To my very Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France MR. Walsingham you shall at length understand her Majesties resolution touching her answer to the Gentleman Monsieur l' Archant for mine own part what opinion I have of this great matter I will deal plainly with you even as I find her Majesties disposition For her desire to marriage I perceive it continueth still as it was which is very cold nevertheless she seeth it is so necessary as I believe she yieldeth rather to think it fit to have a husband then willing to have any found indeed for her And I fear so it will appear in this matter with Monsieur For as you shall perceive by the Articles passed already there is among them all but one that maketh the difficulty which is his demand to have his private exercise of his Religion so it doth appear if he would omit that demand and put it in silence yet will her Majestie straitly capitulate with him that he shall in no way demand it hereafter at her hands Which scruple I believe will utterly break off the matter wherefore I am in small hope that any marriage will grow this way I pray God that some other amity may be accepted and yet I was at the first in full conceit that her Majesty meant earnestly to proceed therein and that she had so advisedly thought of the matter as any reason being offered it should not be refused whereupon as my part was I did deal to the furtherance thereof by all the good means I could which not taking effect accordingly I shall be most sorry albeit I do not mistrust the goodness of God but whatsoever shall fall out it is his providence for the best or at the least for our just scourge for our deserts towards him I can say no more but Almighty God strengthen her Majesties true zeal to Religion and failing of this match that she will allie her self with such other Princes abroad as will earnestly joyn with her therein And for this matter of her Majesties marriage you shall do well to observe all their doings upon this answer and gather the certainty as you may what they intend whether to yield to her Majestie absolutely or no if they will yield then it must needs proceed if not then must we provide in other sort and the sooner the better and if they do accord to her Majesties request touching the cause of Religion certainly she saith there shall be no other difficulty God direct us to his glory and so I make an end of it Mr. Cobham is returned out of Spain where we have no cause to look for any friendship The King used him gently but those of Authority and Credit about him most proudly and arrogantly What terms we stand in in other places is easily known Thus are we with our neighbor in all places without friendship God protect and defend us who is onely able and must do it for any policy is used Thus with my most hearty commendations I bid you heartily farewel In haste this seventh of Iuly 1571. Your assured Friend Râ— Leicester To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that within two or three days after l' Archantâ— departure from hence there came Letters hither out of England sent as I am informed from the Ambassador there by the which he did assure those that are enemies to the match that her Majestie had nothing less then intention to marry whereof he was well assured by those about her and therefore willed them to be of good comfort and never to doubt of the matter After l' Archants leave taking and departing out of England the said Ambassador dispatched a
Currier who overtook him at Bullen arived here a day or two before him After the arrival of the said Currier it was given out here that l' â—â—chant brought but a cold answer whereby it might appear to them that his first assurance was not without good ground With this those that favored the marriage were very much appaled L' â—rchant being come and making so honourable a report of her Majesties sincerity and honourable dealing the same also being confirmed by Monsieur de la Mâ—ts Letters as a matter though desperate begaâ— again to revive Hereupon they have with certain choise Counsellors conferred what resolution is to be taken they have continued in Councel chiefly about this matter about the space of five or six days and yet cannot resolve what to do I am put in hope that though the matter proceed not yet that the Kings intention is to send some person of good quality as well to thank her Majestie for her honourable proceeding in this cause as also to desire continuance of good amity Of thus much I thought good to advertise her Majestie before hand and when they have fully resolved what they will do I mean to dispatch another And thus leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take leave From Melun the seven and twentieth of Iuly 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester I Most humbly thank your Lordship for your frank and plain dealing towards me touching your opinion of their cause There is bred in them here now of late such a doubt before l' Archants arrival of her Majesties disposition to marry as they know not how to proceed This doubt is nourished by advertisements come from the Scotish Ambassador there with you who pretendeth to know all secrets of State If this distrust were not no doubt of it Religion would not be the let but to yield in Religion and afterwards to miss of their purpose they think would be a great touch in her This difference I fear me will quite overthrow the matter and therefore it behoveth her Majestie to look about her being invironed with many practises the executions whereof have staid upon the event of the match I do what I can to procure continuance or rather increase of amity The King himself as I learn is very well inclined thereto the rather through a mislike he hath of Spain I had well hoped there would have grown some broyâ— between them but that matter as far as I can learn will prove but a dream and now this match not proceeding as they seem much to doubt it the King as I suppose will be loath to attempt any thing against Spain though his will that way be good Her Majesties liberality bestowed on l' Archant was very well imployed for none can speak more honourably of her then he doth and as for your Lordship you have no cause to repent any courteâ—ie shewed unto him so good a report doth he make The like also doth one Cornet make that accompanied l' Archant The Ambassador there Monsieur de la Mot doth seek to salve all things that may breed an opinion in them here that her Majestie dealeth otherwise then sincerely his good offices that he hath done as well in this cause as otherwise deserve honourable considerations at her Majesties hands They have by the space of five or six days sate very hard in Councel about this matter no Councel dare devise as I can learn any thing in respect of the distrust they have I am put in good hope that if they mind not to proceed yet they purpose to make choice of some one of good calling to send over as well to thank her Majestie for her sincere dealing in this matter as also to desire continuance of amity This is as much as hitherto I can learn touching their intention concerning this matter wherewith I thought good to dispatch this bearer and after the through conclusion what they mind to do then â—orthwith I minde to dispatch another And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave From Melun the seven and twentieth of Iuly 1571. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that after I had closed up my first packet thinking to have sent this Bearer presently with the same Mr. Cavalcant came unto me sent by the Queen Mother to request me to forbear to sent to her Majestie for a day or two in which time they would grow to some through conclusion touching their answer and that then it was the Kings meaning to send for me and to impart the same unto me whereupon I thought good to stay for the satisfying of her request According to her promise I was sent for by the King at my access he told me that they had deliberated upon the answer received from her Majestie by l' Archant for that the same was of great weight and that his resolution after long deliberation was to send Monsieur de Foix forthwith unto her Majestie with his full intention touching the same who he hoped should find her not so resolute touching the point of Religion And further he willed me to tell her Majestie whatsoever should come of the cause that in respect of her honourable and sincere dealing in the same and the greaâ— confidence she shâ—â—â—d to repose in him she might assure herself as much of his friendship as of any other bodies in the earth and that she had full power to dispose of him and of his Realm to the benefit of her self and of her Subjects whose sword should be always ready to defend her against any that should attempt any thing against her He joyned his words and countenance so together as great demonstration outwardly of inward good will could not but be seen Having ended with the King I repaired to Queen Mother who used long speech in shewing the great affection she bare to the cause and that she was sorry that so hard a point as Religion should be the let to hinder a match whereof there would grow so great benefit to both the 〈◊〉 I told 〈◊〉 that if it pleased her she might remove that 〈◊〉 by the perâ—wading of 〈◊〉 Son to content himself with the exercise of our Religion She told me she could hardly do that for that it was a thing that touched his 〈◊〉 and reputation I willed her again on the other side to weigh what great reason the â—ueen my Mistress had not to yield to that point She shewed me that she could not deny but that her Majestie had some cause so to do notwithstanding she hoped there would be some â—elp found the party whom the King meant to send being so grateful unto her Majestie and having sundry reasons to alledge to shew
see the experience thereof to renew traffick with them before they do think themselves revenged or that their pride or greatness be some way abated were but to present them a fit opportunity of revenge Now if the dangerous greatness of the house of Austria be well considered the miscontentment they have in respect of the injuries received their natural inclination to revenge and the unseen traffick of our Merchants as yet These considerations well weighed the case may seem somewhat altered And though France cannot yield like profit that Flanders doth yet may it yield some profit with less hazard and more safety In this case two things I consider chiefly First That the house of Austria is become the Popes Champion and professed enemy unto the Gospel and daily practiseth the rooting out of the same And therefore we that are Professors of the Gospel ought to oppose ouâ— selves against it The other that the entrance into the league with France will not onely be an advancement of the Gospel there but also elsewhere and therefore though it yieldeth â—ot so much temporal profit yet in respect of the spiritual fruit that thereby may ensue I think it worthy the imbracing or rather to say better I think we have cause to thank God that offereth us so good occasion both to advance his glory and also for her Majesties safety I doubt not but your Lordship will do your uttermost that this occasion offered may not grow to be fruitless And so most humbly desiring your Lordship to pardon these my scribled lines I leave further to trouble your Honour At Melun the third of August 1571. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh THe Spanish Ambassador having audience the sixth of this moneth declared to the King that his Master could not endure the great spoils made by certain ships of the P. of Orange harboured in Rochel where they made open sale of the said spoils they take contrary to all good amity Besides he shewed the King that he heard that C. L. had secret conference with his Majestie who was a Rebel and sought to disquiet his Master by his indirect practises therefore he protested that unless there grew some speedie redress thereof there could not but grow was betwixt him and his Master To this the King answered that the Prince of Orange was a P. of the Empire with whom he had good amity and therefore could not deny him the use of his Ports no more then he doth to all other Princes his Confederates And as for conference had with the Count Lewiâ— of Nassaw he told him that he was misinformed But if it were so said he what just cause should your Master have to complain or to think himself injured he being also a Prince of Germany and neither Pensionary nor Subject of his Masters and therefore he may not look to give Laws to France And as for fearing us with wars you do mistake us let every one saith he do therein what best liketh him At Queen Mothers hands he found the like answer who is very much incensed against Spain being throughly perswaded that her daughter was poysoned They here of the Religion do most humbly desire her Majestie that in talk with Monsieur de Foix it would please her to use some speech of liking of the Kings calling of the Princes and the Admiral to the Court and that it would further like her Majestie to say that so rare a Subject as the Admiral is was not to be suffered to live in such a corner as Rochel and though the King be now very well affected towards him yet they do assure themselves that her Majesties commendations in respect of the great good will and reverence the King beareth her will very much advance his credit for as I am informed sundry waies the King is glad when he may take occasion to praise her Majestie and to express how much he is bound unto her The King requested me by Secretary Pynart to recommend unto her Majestie one Morris Chamails suit whereof I send your Lordship herein enclosed a copy of the Bill he exhibited unto the King I find them here reasonably inclined to do justice with such expedition as this Countrey yieldeth in such causes as I recommended We have received order from the King to repair to Blois where the Princes and the Admiral are to meet him about the first of this next moneth There are many practises to overthrow this journey but the King sheweth himself to be very resolute I am most constantly assured that the King conceiveth of no subject that he hath better then of the Admiral and great hope there is that the King will use him in matters of greatest trust for of himself he beginneth to see the insufficiency of others some for that they are more addicted to others then to himself others for that they are more Spanish then French or else given more to private pleasures then publike There is none of any account within this Realm whose aswel imperfections as vertues he knoweth not Those that do love him do lament that he is so much given to pleasure they hope the Admirals access unto the Court will yield some redress in that case Q. Mother seeing her son so well affected towards him laboureth by all means to cause him to think well of her she seemeth much to further the meeting The marriage between the P. of Navarre and the L. Margaret is not yet throughly concluded Religion being the onely let the Gentlewoman being most desirous thereof falleth to reading of the Bible and to the use of the Prayers used by them of the Religion The marriage between the P. of Conde and the Marquis of List is throughly concluded as I hear I refer your Lordship touching the privat state of my diseased body as also of my purs unto the bearers report whom I shall desire you to credit And so leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris this twelfth of August 1571. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to understand that after C. L. had had sundry secret Conferences with the King and Queen Mother as also with certain chosen Counsellours he sent unto me desiring me to devise some means how we might meet secretly whereupon we agreed upon the means and so came to conference First he protested unto me that upon the great good opinion he conceived of me by the report of those whom he did well credit he did frankly discover unto me both what passed between him and the King and also the present state of their cause First he shewed unto me that he declared unto him that he enterprize wherewith he had been made acquainted by others as also he was presently to recommend unto him might seem to be such
as he could neither in Honour nor Conscience imbrace nor attempt therefore he thought it fit for him to declare unto him all such necessary circumstances as were fit for him to know in that behalf as well for the satisfying of his Majestie as also for his own honour who would be loath to be so evill an instrument as to perswade a Prince to attempt that thing that might not stand as well with Honour as Conscience First he shewed unto me that the cause of taking up of Arms in the Low-Countreys proceeded onely upon that the King of Spain sought to plant there by Inquisition the foundation of a most horrible Tyranny the overthrow of all freedoms and liberties a thing which his father Charls the fifth went about to have established there but seeing the same so much impugned by the Inhabitants of the said Countrey and that without their consent it could not be received unless he should violently by tyranny seek the establishment of the same contrary both to his Oath and their Priviledges he forbore to proceed in that behalf After the resignation of his Government unto his Son the Cardinal of Lorrain practised secretly with the Cardinal of Arras wars being then between France and the Low Countreys wishing them to advise the King of Spain to grow to peace discovering to him that the King of France his Father was reduced to that extremity as he should be forced to yield to any thing that the said King would request Further he signified unto him that unless there might grow peace between the two Princes the Catholique Religion could not long continue neither in France nor Flanders so great increase was daily here of Protestants which could by no means be suppressed but by establishing of an Inquisition in both Countreys Hereupon by the practise of the said Cardinals there grew a peace how dishonourable for France he referred to the Kings own judgement After the conclusion of the said Peace then did the Cardinal of Arras labour what he might by sundry practises to plant the said Inquisition seeking first by perswasion to induce men to like therof but as well Papists as Protestants misliked it alledging that it was against the Kings oath to seek to establish a thing so prejudicial to their priviledges which they were bound to maintain whereof they could see nothing but mischief would ensue and general destruction of that Countrey forasmuch as it would overthrow all Forreign traffick by which the Countrey was chiefly maintainedâ— when he saw it would not be planted by way of perswasion then sought he to do it by violence which the Nobility foreseeing they joyntly presented unto the Regent a Bill containing a declaration of the great and sundry inconveniences that would ensue if they proceeded in the establishing of the same Further they made choice of two Noble men whom with one consent they sent into Spain to declare in all their names the great mischiefs that should follow if the King should proceed therein and that it lay not in their power to retain the people from taking arms so much were they incensed against the said Inquisition and therefore they desired that the allowing or disallowing of the same might be committed over to the Assembly of the three Estates Of these doubtful means no redress followed but still the said Cardinal and his fautors proceeded in seeking to establish it contrary to all order and equity How afterwards the people took arms how the Nobility that were joyntly united to oppose themselves against the said Inquisition were after by practise and corruption divided what Tyranny hath been used by the Duke of Alva since his coming hither and how insolently he hath behaved himself both towards his Majestie and the Queen of England although unhonourable for them both in respect of their greatness at such a petty companions hands how his brother the Prince of Orange sought their delivery from so miserable a servitude though it pleased God at that time to make him the instrument who onely knoweth a sit time of the deliverance of the oppressed by the said Tyrant seeking by all means to be rid of the same did of late exhibite unto the Emperour at his last Assembly at Spires a book containing their griefs requesting him with all humility to be a means for their delivery from this their oppression a thing appertaining to his calling and the place he beareth in Christendom To this the Emperour in respect of the hope he hath of Spain gave a cold ear They now seeing themselves void of all help their natural Prince being so carried away by corruption of Councel from the due consideration that belongeth to a good Prince to have of good Subjects as he neither regardeth his Oath nor maintenance of such Priviledges as were confirmed by his Predecessors nor the dutiful manner of the proceeding of the Nobility in seeking by way of humble petition redresses of their griefs thinking themselves in conscience discharged from all duty of obedience they now throw themselves down before his Majestie with all humility beseeching him to take them to his protection and to procure their deliverance from the present Tyranny Now your Majestie seeth the state of their cause saith he you shall do well to weigh with your self whether the goodness thereof may incourage you to become Protector of this people reduced by Tyranny to great extremity by seeking their deliverance If you think in Conscience and Honour you may not you shall do well to forbear for otherwise the success cannot be good If you think you may then weigh in policy how beneficial it will be for you and how much your Father would have given to have had the like opportunity offered unto him that is now presented unto you Gratis which if you refuse the like you must never look for With this he shewed me that both the King and Queen Mother seemed to be very well satisfied and that the King said that like Counsellours by violating of his Edict had well nigh brought him into like terms with his Subjects whereof ensued the late trouble and that therefore now he thanked God that he had opened his eyes to discern what their meaning was The King thus imformed by him touching such circumstances as might induce him to think the enterprize both honorable and just he then proceeded as he shewed me to declare the easiness and great liklihood of good success of the same First he shewed me that all the inhabitants of the Low-Countries generally aswel of the one religion as of the other do mislike the Spanish tyranny and do desire nothing more then to be rid of the same Secondarily that all the Towns M. A. are ready to receive such Garrisons as shall be sent thither by order from his Brother Thirdly that other Towns upon his Frontiers whensoever they shall see any forces approach will be ready to receive them Fourthly that the present forces that the King of Spain hath there whom
the marriage You shall assure the King that the rest of the things being by him assented unto and ordered to be performed we mean sincerely to proceed in further treaty of the marriage according to our former answer And if they shall so move it unto you we can be content that special Commissioners may be sent from thence hither to treat and conclude with us and our Councel as reason shall require And for that we have causes to think that sundry there and some being of Credit will seek to provoke the King to a misliking of our answer and to conceive that we have not had a sincere intention in this matter from the beginning you shall do your best and so we warrant you to assure the King of the contrary whatsoever malice shall devise against us And where we had occasion by some of your Letters to some here to think that now at Monsieur de Foix coming hither though the matter of the Marriage should not take effect yet that some motion of a further league of Amity might be made betwixt us and the King You shall understand that not only no motion hath been made thereof unto us but upon indirect speeches used by some of our trusty Ministers to de Foix in that purpose he hath earnestly declared that without prosecution of the marriage he had no Commission to deal in any other matter at all but said that he usted that the King his Master would continue Amity with us except contrary cause should be offered by us Now therefore considering you may see that we have not made any great difficulty in the matter of Religion which we cannot see how it may be yielded unto Monsieur and his Domestiques though the number shall be never so small without peril by discontentation of our best Subjects and comfort to the worse it shall be your part to insist earnestly to let it be well understood how sincerely we have dealt therein and how free we ought to be from the calumniation of certain persons that will never be content to say well of us how well soever we do The occasion of the long abode here of Monsieur de Foix shall appear to you we doubt not by the Letters of my Lord of Burleigh As for satisfaction of your desire to have some to assist you in service now this moneth whilest you shall attend the recovery of your health upon the next answer to be made us of these our Letters you shall also have order for some to be assistant to supply your place Given under our Signet the Second of September 1571. in the thirteenth year of our Reign 24 August postea ultima Augusti 1571. Summarium corum que serenissima Regina suasu consiliâ— suâ—rum Consiliariorum proposuit in Colloquiâ— de tribus Articulis cum illustriss Or atoribus Christianissimi Regis Ad primum de Coronat Ducis SErenissima Regina non potest sine assensu trium ordinum seu statuum regnisui concedere ut serenissimus Dux post nuptias celebratas coronetur ut Rex verem ut habiatur coronetur ut Rex respectu matrimonii cum Regina sine aliquo prejudicio juris tituli suae Majestatis aut hered aut success ejus si id fieri potest communi consilio consensu eorum statuum Majestas sua libenter assensura est dabit operam ut serenissimi ducis honor amplitudo eo modo augeatur eò libentiùs quia per accessionem aliquam ad ejus amplitudinem Majestatis suae splendor gloria etiam incrementum capiet Ad secundum de conjuâ—ctione in administratione regnorum Secundò existimat sua Majestas ut concedatur serenissâ—mo duci ut ipse sereniss Dux uná cum serenissima Regina consorte sua constante Matrimonio stilo honore nomine Regio censeatur gaudeat eandemque serenissimaâ— Reginam consortem suam in foelici regnorum dominiorum administratione gubernatione adjuvet tanquam maritus salvis tamen juribus legibus consuetudinibus regni ut in tertâ—o Articulo prioris scripti intitulati explanatio Articulorum c. continetur Ad tertium de toleranda religione Ducis Tertio ubi ab oratore postulatum est quemadmodum à Rege Christianissimo mandatis se habuisse asseruit ut scripto authentico valido facultas concederet dicto serenissimo Duci domesticis ejus excercendum suae religionis in Angliâ quod cum propter multas graves causas à Majestate Reginae fieri non posse responsum esset Agitatum postea inter dictos oratores consiliarios dicte Reginae ut saltem privato aliquo singrapho Reginae serenissimae serenissimus Dux certior redderetur futurum esse ut nullo modo impedritur in hoc regno religionem suam excercere Quod cum ad Maiestatem Reginae relatum esset ita consiliariis suis responsum dari vâ—sum est Imprimis quod existimatur Serenissimum ducem non futurum alienum à Religione ecclesiae Anglicanae si de ea benè candidè recâ—è informaretur maximè expedire etiam videbatur si de hac causa exercendae religionis nihil ageretur in aliquo tractatu aut Colloquio sed quae in eâ apparebant difficultates controversie mutuò utriusque Principìs colloquio componerentur Sed cum id Oratoribus nullo modo placere videatur non absurdum esse putabatur si hoc modo utriusque menti conscienti consulatur Si serenissimus dux temporibus usitatis divinorum officioruÌ„ uná cum serenissimâ—â— Reginâ in oratoriis suis adesse volet neque Religionis Anglicanae institutiones rationes audire ediscere temporibus congruis recusabit Eadem seremsâ—ima Regina assentietur ut neque ipsemet dux neque sui domestici contra conscientiam suam aut illorum cogantur ritibus aut ceremoniis Ecclesiae Anglicanae eo modo uti quo subditi regni ex legibus obligaâ—tur donec instituti alitâ—r persuasi fuerint Porró idem serenissimus Dux is numerus domesticorum suorum de quo postea convenietur non molestabuntur per leges hujus regni propter usurpationem aliorum divinorum rituum ceremoniarum Ecclesiarum Ecclesiae Dei non apertè repugnantium modo it fiat in loco certo eoque privato secreto ut conscientiis suis satisfaciant ut nulla ex ea varietate occasio manifesta detur subditis regni ad violendas leges Ecclesiasticas Et cum multa alia petenda sunt â— serenissimo Duce ut per Christianissimum Regem fratrem suum per seipsum pactis caveantur ut juramentis etiam confirmentur quemadmodum oratoribus non est negatum nec tamen clausula subsequens eodem modo ab ipso serenissimo Duce exigenda obtinenda est quo presens hoc responsum in superioribus tribus Clausulis contentum à sua Majestate Regia postulabitur Quae dicendaâ— sunt ex parte Ducis
of Marre is by Parliament chosen Regent The Earles of Argile Cassills Egliton and Crawford the Lord Bloy and Sr. Iames Finch are sworn to the Regent There are Letters on the way to the Queens Majestie from the now Regent by Cockburn who is also come into France A. seemeth very sorry that the matter of Deep in which D. at this time is so backward and still she hopeth that you will set Deep 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 again and so she bad me now write to you The Q. Majestie saith untill she heare from you she cannot tell whom to send thither The French Ambassador is earnest to have his money again and I answer his Secretary that it must be demanded of them to whom he delivered it wherewith he is much offended with me At Markhall the 14. and 17. of September 1571. Your assured friend Wil. Burleigh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq the Queens Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr after the writing of my other Letters we understand that the murther of the late Regent by Huntley and Hamilton hath irritated the Nation of Scotland that the party of the King is thereby greatly increased and the Nobility of that side have made solemne oath and band to be speedily avenged thereof The French Ambassador sent yesterday his Secretary to me to let the Queens Majestie understand that his Mr. had received Letters from the French King directed joyntly to him and to dé Foix as answering them two for their Letters which they sent immediately after their first Audience noting thereby that at the writing of those Letters de Foix was not at the Court noâ— looked for and therewith he motioned that he might speak with her Majestie for the relief of the Queen of Scots considering that she had her number lessened and that also he might have his Majesties money lately intercepted being sent towards Viracque herewith her Majestie was so offended that he should meddle with the Queen of Scots matters as she commanded me to say to his Secretary that she could not like his manner of entermedling at this time with the Queen of Scots causes considering her Majestie findeth her doings not only dangerous to her quietness but bent also to depend upon others then the Fr. King and therefore she required him to forbeare and give her leave to consider in her own Realm what is meet for her surety and when time shall seem meet it shall well appeare that she hath done nothing toward the Q. of Scots but in reason and honour she might have done much more and she hath deferred the Ambassadors comming to her Majestie untill she shall be at Pichmond which shall be about the 27 of this moneth you may boldly affirm that her Majestie is well able to prove that the Q. of Scots hath by the advice of the Duke of Alva fully resolved to depend upon the King of Spain and to match her self with Don Iohn of Austria and her Son with the King of Spains daughter All these things her Majestie willed me also to signifie unto you at this time and that as you had occasion you should generally signifie there that her Majestie hath just cause to proceed otherwise then hitherto she doth to restrain the practise intended to her estate by the Queen of Scots and so she trusteth that the Fr. King will Honourably think of her actions both with her own subjects and with the Queen of Scots as shall be necessary for her own surety and yet you may assure them there that there is nothing done toward the Queen but she is restrained to have such free conference and intelligence as of late time she hath had with her Majesties subjects for otherwise she is right honourably entetained and well used Now must I end for I am fully occupied in making my imperfect house ready for the Queens Majestie against Saturday At Theobalds my house in Chesthunt the 20 of September 1571. Your assured loving friend Will. Burleigh To my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq the Queens Majesties Ambassador with the French King IT is long now since you had any Letter of mine but so it happened indeed that the messengers were dispatched as I could not have time but because I know you were fully advertised of all things I made the lesse matter now have I thought meet to advertise you again though there is no new accident of the marriage matter to write of and I suppose my Lord of Burleigh hath written plainly to you his opinion how little hope there is that ever it will take place for surely I am now perswâ—ded that her Majesties heart is nothing inclined to marry at all for the 〈◊〉 â—as ever brought to as many points as we could devise and alwayes she was bent to hold with the difficultest For my part iâ— grieveth my heart to think of it seeing no way so farre as I can think serveth how she can remain long quiet and safe without such a strong alliance as marriage must bring for other Amities may serve for a time but there is no account to be made of them longer then to serve the turn of each party and her Majesties yeares running away so fast causeth me almost to dispaire of long quietness We long heâ—e to heare how matters stand upon de Foix return her Majestie is till perswaded that they will yield in the matter of Religion for Monsieur and so doing she seemeâ—â— that she will according to her word proceed but to say my conscience I think she had rather he stood fast to it and rather increased some hard point then yielded in it well I commit the to almighty God with my continuall prayer for her long preservation Of the committing of the Duke of Norfolk to the Tower I doubt not but you have heard ere now his cause goeth hard even to his own confession because such causes be doubtfull till they be brought to some certainty I will forbeare till my next but thus much appeareth vehement suspicion of more ill then I ever thought could fall out in him but his deserts crave as they deserve and I believe her Majestie will proceed according to equity and justice what cause soever she hath to use little mercy I have spoke very earnestly to her Majestie touching the relief of your estate she hath promised earnestly forthwith to help you Monsieur de Foix therein played the part of a right honest Gentlemen and a very friend he hath declared to my Lord of Burleigh and me and also to her Majestie her self so much of your extream chargeable living there as surely besides that it did much further the matter he deserved thanks for such an unlooked for office at his hands truely he did it wisely and honestly for you The Regent Lennox is slain of late Marre is chosen in his place God defend all my friends from that soile The money that you heard my Lord of Norfolk did send toward Scotland was the French Ambassadors indeed
had misinformed her She told me further that the money was none of the Kings but part of that which she hath yearly from hence by virtue of her dowry By this your Lordship may see that the Ambassador dealeth somewhat cunningly in this behalf to gratifie the Queen of Scots Touching the solliciting of her liberty she shewed me that the King and she aswell in respect of the ancient League with Scotland as the alliance by marriage could in honour do no lesse then recommend her cause which she protested they never did with intention any way to perjudice her Majestie I then desired her first to consider whether the Amity of England might not be as beneficiall to France as that of Scotland Secondarily Whether they had that need at this present of the Amity and League of Scotland as heretofore they have had For the first I shewed her that France in respect of the greatness of some of their neer neighbours had need of the Amity of both England and Scotland For the second I told her that England had no foot in France Scotland was rather chargeable then profitable to France She replied That the King notwithstanding in honour could not but continue Amity and League with Scotland though he had not that use as before time I answered her That the King might continue his League with Scotland by joyning with the Queen my Mistris in the maintenance of the young Kings government there To this she answered That the king could not in honour abandon his sister in Law I answered That the Kings band towards his sister in Law is not more then of a naturall father towards his naturall child yet if the child grow to be dissolute and lewd whereby he is shaken off by his father the fault is not to be imputed to the father but to the child even so if the King in respect of the indignities committed by his sisteâ— in Law shall give over the protection of her the cause thereof is onely to be imputed to her misdemeannor unworthy of her calling and not to him I desired her to consider further that whereas she saith the King in Honour is bound to seek her liberty that he is more bound in honour to have regard of the Queen my â—istris safety First for that she is a Princesse of life vertuous in Government guided by Law and Justice in affection toward him sincere Now if by the Queen of Scots liberty procured by him the State should be disquieted what thing could happen that might touch the King more in honour conscience and as for any assurance or protestation that she might make to the King touching her peaceable behaviour toward the Q. my Mistress First I desired her to weigh that she was ambitious and therefore no Capitulation could serve for a bridle Secondly That she is most guided by the advice of those of her kindred who have been the greatest cause of the disquiet of Europe whereof she could be a witness Thirdly how that now she meaneth chiefly to depend upon Spain who will be alwaies provoking her to the disquieting of England and France These considerations said I Madam if you will well weigh I hope they will give you cause not to be over earnest in procuring any enlargment of liberty especially upon this late discovery of her evill meaning towards her Majestie In my private opinion you shall do well therefore to remit the same untill the coming of the Gentleman whom the Queens Majestie my Mistress meaneth to send So in the end she concluded that she would confer with the King her Son whom she assured me would be loath to do any thing that might any way discontent her Majestie or tend to her prejudice J. K. being by me so requested dealt very earnestly with her in that behalf shewing the unseasonableness of the time to commend a matter so unacceptable especially having intention to treat of some straight Amity Douglas in his return hither passed by Flanders he was accompained from Antwerp to Bruxels by the Earle of Westmerland and a dozen other of the Rebells where he had conference with the Duke of Alva and was as he secretly reporteth to a friend of his very Honourably used and put in comfort that there should be somewhat done shortly for the assistance of the Queen of Scots faction in Scotland and further that he doubted not but that there would come a time that there should also be somewhat done for her delivery which had not now to have been executed had not the jealousie of some French enterprize stayed him Iunius the Co. Palatines servant who had his dispatch at the King hands the second of this moneth shewed me that the message he had in commission to deliver to his Mr. and the rest of the Princes was that the said King was glad the said Princes were both content and desirous to enter into some straight League with him a thing necessary for both their preservations and to the end that the same might proceed he desired them that they would consider of the points and Articles to be agreed on as also of some convenient place for the meeting of their Deputies Whereof when he shall be advertised upon his return again he would not faile to send some personage of good calling with Authority to coâ—clude such points as shall be agreed upon After he had received his message he shewed me that he told the King that it were very necessary that the Queen of England were named to joyn in this League whereof he signified unto me that both the King and Queens Mother were most desirous thereof and therefore wished that there might be some means found that her Majestie might be moved in that behalf whereupon he and I after some conference had what way were best to be taken agreed upon a Letter to be sent by me to his Mr. as the best means to bring the same to passe which Letters I caused Mr. Beale to draw and sent to Mr. Iunius according as we resolved whereof I send your Lordship a Copy to the end your Lordship may see the course I have taken which I hope for that it tendeth to her Majesties safety will not mislike her Thus leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave At Blois the 7 of October 1571. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that the 22 of this moneth the King sent for me and at the time of my accesse he shewed me that he was given to understand that her Majestie meant to send certain Souldiers into Scotland which thing he would be sorry it should so fall out for that then he should be forced in respect of the ancient League with Scotland to strengthen the Queens party there by sending of forces thither and that therefore he desired her Majestie to
sorts She pretendeth a great fear of her life and craveth a ghostly Father being Catholique He can tell you that the Queens Majestie hath plainly notified to the Estates of Scotland that she will never suffer the Scotish Queen to have her Government in Scotland and at this present we are in hand to make an accord betwixt Liddington and Graunge in the Castle and the Regent c. difficulties are rather particular then publike They in the Castle look to have their Offices and Lands restored and for surety that Graunge may remain Captain of the Castle The other party are greedy to keep that they have catched as of Bishopricks and Abbeys c. I think next avoidance might help but greediness and mistrust keeps them asunder and I fear more the wilfulness of the Kings party then the conformation of the adverse Now for the principal matter of Sir Tho Smith I have at such length explained that in his instructions whereof he will make you privy as I need not adde any more I. Dover A. was never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then now I am commanded to move you to advise some secret ways with St T Smith how if K. be not at Court he might secretly procure to be there at Sr. Tho. Smiths being there and also by secret means Sir Tho. Smith may understand his opinion in the greatest mater as one whom we think of such dexterity in his actions of such dutifull good will hitherward as no advice nor direction shall be given to our prejudice All this I write by commandment and that after Mr. S. departure from this place so as I have not specially informed him hereof and therefore I pray you impart this to him adding this caution that Mr. Smith do not appear to any others to deal with him for so may he best serve the purpose Now Sir you may think that I am not a little perplexed in this matter when I consider with my self the doubtfulness that you have signified unto me of Callais 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof I never made A. privy nor any other almost and now finding here on the other a contrary intention which surely is earnestly meant and not the less for the cause of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am doubly troubled and therefore the good order either to conclude or break off must lie in the wisdom of the Ministers there to whom I wish the assistance of Gods Spirit Sir my infirmity as Sir Tho. Smith can inform you hath been so lingring upon me as I have bin though not idle yet an unprofitable servant and thereby impedited to sollicite your suit unto her Majesty wherein I will assoon as I may imploy my whole power as if it were for my self And so now I end wishing to hear of your cure of your infirmity with speed and surety At Greenwich Decemb. 7. 1571. Yours assuredly Will. Burleigh To my loving Friend Mr. Francis Walsingham Ambassador for the Queens Majesty in France Mr. Walsingham It is now somewhat long since I wrote unto you of our news the cause hath been partly for lack of special matter and partly being at all times absent when your dispatches were made but having presently some matter of moment worthy the writing to you I will not fail to deal plainly with you even as I think and as the cause requireth Among other matters that Sir Tho. Smith hath in charge to deal with the King he hath also certain instructions from her Majesty which are also to understand how he shall answer if the matter of her marriage be any more propounded or talked of with him and because I have alwaies heretofore seen in you a good inclination to further the same as a matter for her self her estate and ours all through the hope of her issue to be preserved by which for mine own part I was and am of like opinion God is my judge only for the same respect being verily perswaded otherwise hardly shall she her self be in safety for her own time or her people and Realm left in surety after her except some such way be taken as marriage whereof finding now again an appearance of a full determination in her Majestie to like of marriage and to my judgement resolved not to refuse any reasonable conditions that to her honour shall be offered by that King for Monsieur I thought good to let you understand it that if the matter be renewed on their parts that you may deal accordingly therein who being in dispair of her good liking as good cause both you and we here have had so to doubt might perhaps make the less account of it and I supposing in dealing with Mr. Tho. Smith he will affirm thus much of her present disposition which I assure you she hath so earnestly and assuredly affirmed unto me as I verily think yet once again that with good handling good conclusion will follow And thus much her Majesty is pleased I should signifie unto you and Henry Killegrew that you should appoint some trusty and discreet Messenger fully instructed with all the proceedings hitherto past in this matter touching the Marriage to be sent to the Admiral and to impart the same wholly unto him with demonstration of her trust and affiance in him to give her the best and friendliest advice and let him know upon what points they stick at it and if he shall seem to be earnest and to allow of the matter and to have it go forward then would she have him at Court at this present of Mr. Smiths being there that he may the better from time to time be privy to their dealings and her determinations also for that she doth mean freely and frankly to impart all things to him from time to time that shall concern her therein not doubting he will have due regard every way of her Mejesties honour and specially to foresee that she be not abused or ill handled by sinister practises of some that be great enemies to this matter Her Majesty hath her self somewhat opened her mind to the Count Montgomery who this day hath taken his leave and is departed and the sooner to deal with the Admiral hereabout and as you shall find the Admirals devotion in this matter so shall it be well done to use as speedy advertisement as you can to her Majesty thereof You have often times Mr. Walsingham wisely warned us and put us in mind to seek some waies to stablish her Majesteries state and the lacks declared both want of friendship abroad and of our doubtfull state at home it falls out daily too manifest and without some remedy will prove a danger unrecoverable the means for help be easily seen and perceived and I suppose yet not without hope to be obtained God grant us that foresight and wisdom that we willingly refuse them not Well I can but pray for the best and discharge my duty according to the small understanding I have that some good may take place which I shall never cease to wish
to supply what else doth want in me and therefore besides that her Majesty hath here willed me to signifie unto you which is for the imparting of the proceedings in the case of her marriage heretofore how it hath from time to time past unto the Admiral there I have shewed you what I conceive of her Majesties inclination again towards the marriage of Monsieur which being a matter of greatest importance to her and us also I thought meet to let you know that the matter as it hath been a long while in a manner dead may be with more discretion revived and do not doubt but that it will be opened by the parties there again seeing her Majesty hath not yet clearly there denied it nor they fully answered her Majesties demands Other news we have none worth the writing but of her Majesties good estate which surely is such as I have not known been these many years Thus with my right hearty commendations I bid you farewell At Greenwich the 6 of Decemb. 1571. Your very Friend R. Leicester Instructions given to Sir Tho. Smith one of the Q. Majesties privy Councel and Ambassador in France and to Francis Walsingham Esq her Ambassador ordinary there and in his absence to her Majesties trusty servant H. Killegrew Esq. Given at Westminster Feb. 13. 1571. the 13. year of her Maj. reign YOu shal understand that after consideration had of all your Letters and memorials in writing of the Colloquie that had passed between you and our servant Hen. Killâ—grew with you on the one part and with the President Biraâ—e the Bishop of Limoyes and Mr. de Foix deputed from the French King to confer with you on their part from the 10 of the last month unto the 20 of the same we caus'd certain of our councel to confer with the French Amb. according to his request upon the same matters who did exhibit in writing the copies of the proceedings betwixt you and the said Deputies agreeable for the most part to those which were receiv'd from your self and he did propound four points comprehending the differences betwixt you and them the judgement whereof was referred as he said to the King his Master our good brother and us pretending with many good words that since the foundation of the Treaty was by your good means and the Kings Deputies with you there made manifest to be without any difference which was a declaration of a natural good will in both the P. to enter into some streight League of amity he doubted not but that these other particular differences which consisted but upon words should be easily and speedily compounded The first doubt as he said remaining undetermined was about the Article for mutual defence of either Prince against any other person that should invade either of them or their Countries In that you shall have these words inferted into the Article Etiam si causa religionis mutatio facta fuerit whereunto with these special words the Kings Deputies would not agree neither as he said might his Master without great inconvenience assent thereunto whereof he doubted not but he would have reasonable respect and not meaning thereby to forbear to be bound to do that which the special case of these words might import And so reporting many arguments to our Councel whereof he had made mention unto us two daies before at his last audience amongst the which one was of most weight as we took it That if such special mention should be made for the defence of Religion in a publike Treaty the King should thereby offend not only all other Princes Catholiques his Allies but also the greater part of his own States and Subjects which are of the Catholique Religion as the King himself also is And yet nevertheless the King was content as he said to have all other manner of good and effectual words and speeches inserted in the said Treaty to bind the King to a mutual defence against all manner of invasion for what cause pretext or colour soever it were yea and that without exception of any manner of cause Hereunto was answered on our part That considering there was no other likelihood of any pretence to invade us but upon the colour of Religion only and that on the Kings part there were many other causes and quarrels as Titles to Dominions and Territories and such like other might be devised for invasion and disturbance of his estate whereunto our aid or defence should be requisite It might be thought a very unequal Contract by general words certainly to conclude all his causes and by forbearing these special words of Religion to leave us utterly unprovided of aid and as to the remedy to have other manner of words inserted considering they should be but general it might be doubted that while the Invasion should be made or attempted against us for Religion or but for pretext of Religion and required for the same the King might then with colourable reasons being devised by such as were over-vehement and passionate in the Religion of Rome or in that which is called Catholike answer that he might not for his conscience satisfie or demand for aid in that behalf and that could not be intended to be lawfully that is by the Law of God included in the general words To this although the Ambassador replyed in his Masters name with the great assurance of his intention to give us aid against any Invasion though it were indeed for Religion which he said could not be but a pretence of the Invader for that the Invasion of the Realm was to be regarded and not any cause or pretext Yet the doubt herein remained betwixt them unresolved and so the Ambassador seemed not therein to be satisfied saving that in some secret speech afterward with one or two of our Councel apart although he would not have report thereof made he thought his Master might be induced by some secret means to make some particular promise betwixt his Master and us by writing separated from the publike Treaty for a special point of a mutual defence in case of Religion The second part of the doubt moved by the Ambassador was for the forme manner time and quality of the aid that should be mutually given wherein he pressed to have had the like manner as was contracted in Anno 1543. betwixt the Emperor Charls and the King our Father at which time either of the Confederates was bound to give such aid as might amount to the charges of 600 Crowns by the day for the space of 4 months in one year or else some other aid in certainty which he could not name but it may be the Kings Deputies there might mean such Treaties as had been before contracted between our Father and King Francis Grandfather to the King where there is one example of the Treaty of 1532. betwixt the said two Kings in both which Treaties the aids were born at the charges of the Confederate Prince that was required by the
Prince invaded To which motion of the said Ambassador our Councel made such Answers by imparting to him the forms of former Treaties made both with the house of Burgundy and with the French Kings as he in the end seemed satisfied with such form of aid to be mutually agreed upon as you your self have propounded to them in your Paper delivered the 18 of the last in an Article verbatim taken out of a Treaty betwixt the Emperor Charls and the King our Father in the year 1548. being before that first devised in a Treaty at Cambray in the year 1529 and one principal reason to appoint that manner of aid better then any other was this If the aid should be given in a certainty and at the cost of the Prince that was not invaded upon every request of a Confederate there might great inconvenience follow in that one Prince might oftner burthen his Confederate in demanding succours without great necessity and in greater numbers then needfull was if the charges of the said succours should be maintained by the Confederate that so sent them and not by himself Whereas on the other part if the Prince that should demand succours should bear the charges of them himself he would never demand the same oftner nor in greater numbers nor keep them longer in pay then should be needfull And accordingly to this reason it was declared to the Ambassador That in all Treaties betwixt this Realm and France and also Burgundy the like Covenants were made in all Leagues saving one time with the Emperor Charls 1543. at which time the Treaty was made both Offensive and Defensive against the French King and yet in the same year 1546. the same clause for aid was by Treaty betwixt the said Princes revoked having not been at any time put in execution and the ancient manner of aid to be at the charges of the Prince demandant and with these and such like reasons the Ambassador seemed to be fully satisfied The third matter of doubt moved by the Ambassador was for the cause of Scotland that is in what sort that State might be comprehended in this Treaty and thereupon it was said to the Ambassador That we had no other intention in the matter of Scotland but to have the hostility and civil wars to cease and the Government of the Realm to be established to the contentation of the Nation for which purpose we had sent to both parties at difference to accord upon an abstinence from war so as they might the better Treat and accord amongst themselves which if they would not we would be content that any such whom the French King our brother should send thither should joyntly with some of ours imploy themselves with the credit and amity amongst us two to direct them to accord amongst themselves and therein we had no meaning to withdraw them from the ancient Intelligence with the Crown of France but that they might have and keep the amity with us both With which answer and resolution the Ambassador seemed well content requiring as the King his Master had forborn at our request to send any force to either party whereby to hinder any accord so we would do the like which was agreed unto him Lastly He moved the matter concerning the Article for the resort of our Merchants to some Ports of France with such liberties and securities as they had in other Regions offering that the King his Master was content to yield therein to any reasonable demand to the benefit of our Subjects To which answer was made That the Case did belong to our Merchants to consider what was meet for them who should be spoken withall and thereupon answer should be given This was the sum of that which passed betwixt the Ambassador and such of our Councel as were appointed to deal with him who were the Lord Keeper of our great Seal the Earl of Leicester the Lord Admiral the Lord of Burghly and Sr. Walter Mildmay And now although you may perceive by this Conference had with the Ambassador what be the things that we have cause to like or mislike upon the questions moved yet upon some further instruction of you we will summarily inform you what we like of the substance of the Articles sent unto us from you being propounded as well by the Kings Deputies as by your self First to the Articles in Latine delivered by the French Ambassador dated the 17 of January we mislike not of the first Article for the continuance of former Treaties in their force which is necessary to be specially for the saving of our rights and pretences to Callais according to the Treaty therefore made and remaining yet in force so as it be added to the end of the Article with Condition that nothing in any former Treaty be by this clause continued that shall be repugnant or derogatory to the Articles of this present Treaty The second and third prohibiting any aid to be given to any persons that shall invade and to make a League for a mutual defence against all persons that shall invade upon any cause We mislike not the Tenor of the said Articles so as the words added in the second Article of your Writing dated the 18 of January which are these Etiamsi fuerit religionâ—â— causa praetextu aut colore which we would have you earnestly press upon such reasons to be inserted as your self hath already remembred and therein we would have you secretly to cause them of the Religion there to understand of your demand and to help to further it and yet if you cannot have the same words to be specially inserted then you may according to your own offers insert into the Article these words â—ub quocunque praetextu vel colore quavis de causa nulla omnino qualicunque excepta and besides these you shall in secret manner move and most earnestly press it that some special promise may be made in a secret writing betwixt the King and us signed and sealed mutually with both our hands for that purpose expresly if any Invasion should be made as though the same had been expressed in the Treaty without which secret provision to be made considering the matter hath been in question we would be very loath that you should accord We do not like that which is devised by them which beginneth Conventum est quod quotiescunque ullus princeps c. wherein they would have aid given if any person go about to change or alter any Laws or Edicts against the will of the Prince but we rather like to have the aid only given in case of invasion or purpose of invading For by the words of this Article we may percase hereafter be required to aid that King in the breaking of his own Edicts for Religion in case he himself shall be thereto willing and that either of this Subjects or any others shall attempt or alter the Edicts that may be made against the Religion reformed The Article beginning
directing his Speech to me saying that I had been and was the cause of all the unkindnesse that had chanced betwixt the King his Master and the Q. Maj. whereunto as it became me for truths sake I answer'd with more modest terms then he deserved and referred my self to all the Lords in Councel to report of me whether any thing had beene said or done by me from the beginning of these broils concerning him or his Master or the Arrest that had not been ordered and directed by her Majestie in Councel all which the whole Lords did affirm and my Lord of Sussex in the Italian tongue did very plainly and very earnestly confirm it but yet his cholor would not be so tempered and so he was dismissed and Mr. Knolls appointed to tend on him at his house This was done the thirteenth of this Month and untill the 24 he could not be gotten out of the Town and then he went to Greenwich and on Saint Stephens day to Gravesend where he yet remaineth but this day or to morrow he is to remove to Canterbury and Iohn Hawkins with whom he is well enough agreed notwithstanding the braw that had been for Hawkins spoyl in the Indies is now appointed to pass him over at Dover to Callais in a Ship of the Queens Majesties and to confirm the continuance of his mallice where there was a full determination made by Treaty by one Monsieur of the Low-Countrie and Thomas Fiascio a Genevoise for a mutual restitution on both parts and the same part in writing to have been sealed and subscribed he hath so handled the matter as by his addition of certain words the whole is become void For if our Merchants should admit his device they should be without all surety of their Goods in Spain and contrariwise the Spaniards should first have theirs arrested here whereby it is likely that the intent of this Treaty will break off and therewith our Merchants are best contented For now considering the breaking off proceedeth from the other party it is intended that there shall be a speedy sale of the strangers Commodities and therewith our own Merchants shall be duely recompenced At this present there is another come from the King of Portugal to move an end of all arrest and renew the Traffique between this Realm and his whereby it is manifestly seen that there shall follow a very good vent for all Commodities that Spain was wont to expend As yet there is no accord known to us betwixt the Kings party in Scotland and them of the Castle for that they of the Castle cannot have their reasonable demands for the restitution of their Lands and Goods well assured The French Ambassador lately by the Queens Majesties appointment dealt with my Lord of Leicester and me upon these Points following which he said he was willed to doe by his Masters Letters of the first of this Moneth For offer of Amity by Marriage or League To complain of the intention of her Majestie to send force into Scotland to aid the Kings party with a kind of threatning that the King might not endure but aid the other party with force and in speech hereof a request that some expedition might be made to procure the Queen of Scots restitution with the Queens Majesties assurance To demand restitution of money that was intercepted being sent towards Scotland for Viraque alleadging that the one half was the Kings money and that though the Queen Mother had otherwise at the first spoken to Mr Walsingham yet she now understandeth the contrary by the Kings Treasurers who sent it To these was answered To the first That you had Commission amply to satisfie the King To the second That nothing was intended to be done by force if they that were of the Castle would abide by their own offers which they had made to the Queens Majestie by Messages and Letters viz. That they would accord with the other party so as the Queens Majestie would provide for their honours lives and their Lands and Goods which her Majestie intended to doe and therein to doe nothing that should be prejudicial to the ancient League betwixt the French King and the Crowne of Scotland and so was told him that you had Commission to declare to the King wherewith the Ambassador seemed very well content As to devise any way expedient for the Scotch Queen absolutely was answered That the Queens Majestie would never assent thereto neither would any Counceller of this estate willingly permit any consultation to be made thereof such was her known malice to the Queens Majestie The third for the money we told him as plain a tale to the contrary and vouched the Bishop of Ross his Confession thereof but the Ambassador would still have us believe him which he could not obtain This Treaty was long on both sides and ended in good sort and friendly In the end he was earnest for his freedom of impost for 30 tonn we said that he should be free from as much as he should spend in his house but that contented him not finally considering the terms of towardness to friendship he shall have his own desire whereby spending seven or eight tonn the rest shall pay for his expences Of all these things I have thought good to scribble to you this Childermas day in my bed and am bold to send this Letter unsealed in a Letter of Mr. Walsinghams because he shall not be ignorant I think the Duke shall be arraigned on Monday the 14 of the next Month. At Westminster the 28 of December 1571. Your assured friend W. Burleigh To the right honorable and my very good friend Mr. Francis Walsingham her Majesties Ambassador in France SIr You shall understand that immediately after Sir Tho. Smith had taken his leave of the Court a servant of my brother Killigrews named Geofery came to the Court with Letters from you and from the Court and before this bearer can come to you I doubt not but you shall have understanding by Mr. Smith what charge he hath and therein here is now an earnest determination to spend time no longer then honour will spare and so I thinâ— this bearer will say of his knowledge who surely maketh good demonstration of his honest meaning to all Parties and therein he is to be comforted On Friday last the Spanish Ambassador was sent for to the Councell and in the Queens name commanded to depart the Realme the same hath beene oftentimes intended but never put in execution before this present and now provoked by intelligence of certain new practises within this Realm to perswade the Subjects that the King his Master would aid them with power this Spring c. he hath also lately searched for certain Barons Walls he shall depart by Dover into the Low-Country I can write no more for lack of leasure being occasioned to write at this time divers waies and not unoccupied with feasting my friends at the marriage of my daughter who is
Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Hononrable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester YOur Lordship at large by Sir Tho Smithes Letters unto her Majestie shall understand to what issue we are grown to touching this Treaty We can by no means nor perswasions we can use draw the King to any other interpretation of his meaning touching the point of Religion then by private Letters for that it should seem that their Ambassador from hence hath assured the King here that her Majestie will be content therewith For my private opinion seeing this League is to indure but during the lives of the two Princes and that the substance of all Leagues consisteth chiefly in the sincerity of the matters and that this Prince hath given great shew to the world of great â—incerity I think the private Letter bindeth as much in honour as any other Instrument or Contract that can pass between them can do in Law For if they should break the matter is not to be tryed in the Chamber imperial by way of pleading of what value the instruments are God and the Sword must be Judges so that then pleading must give place But this my good Lord is for my private opinion in matters of so great weight as leagues are I profess altogether ignorance If her Majestie can content her self with this private interpretation of the Kings meaning then if it would please her Majestie through your good motion to use some words of assurance towards the Ambassador there of the great good opinion she hath of the Kings sincerity and that she buildeth more upon his words then upon contract I know nothing can more content him for he desireth to be reputed a Prince that esteemeth his word and honour above his life Besides he wisheth himself to be in her Majesties good opinion before all other Princes and doth often take occasion to say that he hopeth there will be no less earnest good will and strait Amity between him and her Majestie then was between her Father and his Grandfather To nourish this opinion of Amity between them I take it to be the office of all those who truly love their Majesties as that League that tendeth greatly to both their sureties being knit together in perfect Amity which beside their particular safety will breed a great repose in all Europe especially for the cause of Religion And surely my Lord for the increase and nourishment of this friendship nothing can yield more furtherance then your access hither in ratification of the League a thing very much desired of their Majesties here as you perceive by Sir Tho Smithes Letter The motion at the first being made by the Queen Mother seemed strange unto us for her to name a particular person but when she shewed unto us that her Majestie the last Summer desired the Marshal Montmorency whereunto they did condescend and that they also mean to send him now for the confirmation of this League we had nothing to reply They say that the King in respect of the good offices that you had done between the two Crowns the great honour you had used towards his Ministers sent hither and certain prâ—sents that you had sent unto himself desireth very much both to see you and honour you Besides she said that your coming should be so grateful unto her and the King her Son as you might obtain any thing at his hands for the contentment of her Majestie so far forth as he might with his honour grant Surely my Lord though this voyage to your purse cannot but grow very chargable yet for the furtherance of the common cause of Religion for the increase of Amity between the two Princes and Crowns and for their own particular reputation never was there offered to your Lordship greater occasion both generally and particularly to do good then at this present Your Lordship can do more good in one hour here then twenty such petty companions as my self is can do in a whole year or possible in all our lives time I would I could so well hope of her Majesties leave as of your Lordships liking to take this journey upon you and then I would assure my self of your coming and by the same of as great good to ensue as ever followed of any others imployment in this voyage c. To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may pleas your Lordship to understand that Monsieur de la Mothe hath advertised their Majesties here that the Q. of Scots cause in England is not so desperate as we make it for that lately she hath received so much increase of liberty as that she went a Hawking with the Earl of Shrewsbury which advertisement here maketh them more earnest in her cause then they were wont for that they doubt one day she will come to the possession of the Crown of England either by succession or prevention and therefore the Councel here do advise the King so to deal for her as may continue in her an opinion that he is careful for her well own safety and cannot but do justice then call things proceed well and her Majestie may well perceive that any favour shewed unto her doth not onely breed disfavour but also danger and hindrance towards her self whereof Mr. Killegrew can inform her Majestie at large The opinion of the wisest sort of the Gentlemen of the Religion that are here is That the League it self shall not do more good then the imployment of two honourable Personages for the ratification of the same and therefore they desire me most earnestly to move her Majestie to concur with the King in this respect who hath to that end made choice of Montmorency hoping that her Majestie will choose one of quality somewhat answerable to his calling Besides the King and Queens desire as may appear by Sir Tho Smithes Letters the said Gentlemen do desire much the Earl of Leicesters coming as one very grateful unto their Majesties here and therefore shall be able to do very much good by the advancement of their causes whose increase of credit cannot but be beneficial unto her Majestie in considering the great good affection they bear towards her in regard of the great honour and benefits they have received at her Majesties hands and therefore their increase of credit shall breed increase of Amity a thing not unnecessary for her Majestie considering how she finds some of her neighbours affected abroad and her Subjects inclined at home Besides if her Majestie should not seem to be desirous of Montmorencies coming considering that he is no less willing to come then his Master is to send it might give him occasion to think that her Majestie maketh not that account of him that his great good will and devotion towards her deserveth whereof he letteth not to make demonstration outwardly as otherways of the which besides mine own experience during the time of my charge here Sir Tho Smith and Mr. Killegrew
that the same cometh about by the corruption of M. a Burgonian who altogether ruleth the K. He therefore adviseth the K here to enter into amity of Suevia who shall always be ablâ— to bridle Denmark and that he findeth by advice had from Suevia that the K. will most willingly enter into league with him Standen who lately came out of Spain and arrived here secretly the 23 of this month gave out some speech unto a Frenchman whom he trusted of some hope there would be in England of change or ever Summer ended He staid here only one night I have written to Paris to have his doings observed to which place he is repaired At our access unto the Q. mother I shewed her what I had heard out of Britain touching the L. Flemings doings I therefore desired her M. to move the K. to write to the Governor of Britain to have an eye unto him and not to permit him to do any thing more then his pasport beareth lest otherwise it might breed some jealousie which thing she promiseth to do I know the K. hath lately written to the Governor of Newhaven to suffer none to imbarque for Scot. nor to do any thing that may any way offend her M. I send your Lp. here inclosed that lately I received from Paris from a Spaniard of mine acquaintance who is both wise and religious honest and learned The only cause why I send it is for that it toucheth an imprisonment I refer it to your Lp. to judge thereof as you shall think good I used the less hast in advertising for that otherwise advice hath been given in that behalf The Navar marriage is not yet concluded notwithstanding there is great hope that the same wil take place I forbear to send with the Ks. pacquer for that I attended the dispatch of Count Lodowicks man thinking to have sent by him but after that he understood her M. had banished these leud sea-robers it caused him to stay and yet he meaneth to send a gentleman to thank her M. for that undeserved favor she had shewed to these lewd Ministers He hath great conference with Q. mother and Monsr daily which maketh men to discourse diversly As soon as he is grown to some through conclusion he telleth me that he will send a gentleman over to her M. The Admiral is shortly to be looked for here and great hopes conceived of the compounding of the discord between him and the house of Guise For the conclusion of the Navar marriage there is 8 chosen to whom the matter is committed 4 for the K. and 4 for the Q. of Navar. For the K is chosen Birage Count de Rets Biron Malalieur For the Q. Count Lodowick Francourt her Chancellor De La Nove and her Secretary They are all as it is thought so well affected to the marriage as there is no doubt made of some good conclusion and so having nothing else to impart to your honor at present I most humbly take my leave At Blois March 29. 1571. Yours to command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honorable and his very good Lord the Lord Burleigh YOur Lp. may perceive by Sir T. Smiths letter unto her M. what we have done touching the inlargement of La Crocques Commission if the doubt of the Q. of Scots possibility were taken away the K. here would be content to yield to any thing that may tend to her M. safety but the same still hanging in suspence her M. must neither look for sound subjects at home not sure friendship abroad By letters from Paris March 28 I learn that Higgins is returned thither who as I am informed hath been at Rome he resorteth to the Scotch Ambassador as he was accustomed to which place also Standen repaireth since his return out of Spain where they have their conferences Higgius at his departure from Paris protested secretly to a friend of his that he would not return thither in 1 or 2 yeers seeing he saw no way with his Mr but one his sudden return shews there is somwhat a brewing At present there is also there Egmont Râ—teliff and Genny they past lately out of Spain this way One Chamberlain who conferred here with the K. Secretary of Spain is now repaired to the D. Alva Stukely is returned into Spain in company of I Doria he received great honor from the K. is put in hope shortly to be employ'd I send you by W Williams advertisements out of Britain touching the L Flemings doings besides I have twice moved the Q Mother in that behalf I did also at our conference with Mr. Limoges and du Foix make them acquainted with the matter who did assure us there should be redress 〈◊〉 out of hand From Bloys April 4. 1571. Fr Walsingham By the Queen ELIZABETH R. TRusty and right well-beloved We greet you well Since the receit of your Letters to us from you both joyntly dated the first of March and other your later Letters of the 8 directed to the Lord Burleigh in which your later Letters you did at length expresse your Negotiation in this matter of Treaty with the points not resolved we have had some cause to prolong our answer otherwise then we thought at the first partly at the request of the French Ambassador here who motioned unto us not to proceed to a final resolution of the matters in doubt untill he might receive some direction from the King his Master which when he had then were we also impeached from consideration of the same by reason of sudden sharp accident of sickness which as it continued with us some time so nevertheless in 7 or 8 daies by Gods goodness we were eased and do now take our selves to be very well recovered both of the danger and trouble thereof â— lacking nothing but some small time to recover the strength which we lost with the sharpness of the sickness And so now we have after some conference had with the Kings Ambassador resolved upon the matters in doubt and all the rest of the Articles of the Treaty which you shall understand to be in this manner following Where you did move to have inserted into the said Article the Clause of the mutual defence to be by special name for Invasion upon colour of Religion considering upon debate thereof the King hath offered to expound the same Clause to be meant by a special Letter according to a Coppy sent to us by you dated the 8 of March and on the backside marked with us We do not mislike the Contents of the Letter saving we would wish the effect thereof to be written in Latine as the Treaty is with the Kings stile so as it may also have the great Seal annexed thereunto The like thereof we will for our part accomplish and deliver to this Ambassador And so have we caused our resolution to be declared to their Ambassador and in some part of the Letter we have added some words to make the same both plainer and
fuller whereof we send you a Coppy in English And yet if you cannot obtain it to be put in Latine and under the great Seal we find no cause to stay the Treaty for that but to accept it as a Letter missive under the Kings hand and signet as it hath been already offered The second matter concerning the aid which now is by the Kings Deputies reduced to a specialty although we could have been content to have had it remain in generality yet the same being no greater then it is and the charge to be borne by the requirant we are contented therewith and think it nevertheless meet that the causes appointing the wages and stipends by either of us might be more particularly and certainly expressed for avoiding of ambiguity that is that the Prince requiring the aid and to pay the wages shall pay to every person both Captains Soldiers and Officers according to their several qualities both by Land and Sea wages certainly expressed how the numbers shall be accounted whether fully or with allowance of dead paies or lacks wherein because there may be diversities betwixt the usage of the two Countreys the certainty would be set down according to our manner As for example in the computation of the Band of 100. the manner here is to allow 8 dead paies to the hundred and no more which if they like they shall be so accorded or otherwise as they shal think it meetest so as the Article may be reciproque for us both as well in charge as in number The third matter in question is for Scotland wherein we have found great difficulty finding the Ambassador here more precise then we looked for or was reasonable considering the foundation and scope of this Treaty is to make a streight friendship betwixt the King and us and directly now to the contrary we see the pressing of the matter for the Queen of Scots as it is urged by the Article offered unto you which may seem to be of a strong Condition to be inserted into a Treaty containing a Form Historical or Narrative as they call it and not conventional The like also we find by the manner of du Crocques proceeding here for the said Queen of Scots neither of both being agreeable with the scope of the amity pretended And therefore we have caused the Ambassador to understand how much we mislike this manner of proceeding shewing him reasons for the same which we need not report unto you for that the argument therefore is at hand to every indifferent person And we have moved him that either the matter of Scotland might pass now in silence or rather the King would be contented that it may be Covenanted that we both shall defend the Kingdom of Scotland as it is possessed by the King as in all like cases in favour of the King and Prince being in possession that hath been used by other Princes neighbours and â—onfederates But hereunto the Ambassador would in no wise agree using no other reasons of value but that his Master shall thereby be taken as one that hath deprived the Queen of Scots his good Sister of her estate which indeed cannot justly be gathered for that our meaning is not to have it otherwise ordered but to have the state of the Realm to be preserved as we both find it which we take to be in the possession of the King being already Crowned and acknowledged by the 3 Estates of the Realm in full Parlament and acceptance of the Realm shall alter we must and ought to accept it as we should find it But this not satisfying the Ambassador we caused the writing which he required to be further considered and hereupon have caused another form to be drawn agreeable to such part of theirs as we may like and leaving the other part not by us allowable which hath been shewed unto him and after much argument not utterly misliked so as he might have some words of his own inserted into the same altogether prejudicial to our meaning which was declared unto him to be and so we would have you to do the like that conâ—idering the King is possessed of the Crown for the present and come to the same by order of the Laws of the Crown with the consent of the 3 estates and in Parlament our meaning is that he should be also defended by the form of the Article by us devised And so we send you the same Article in Latine although it was to him shewed in French which we would have to be inserted except otherwise they will be contented that the whole matter of Scotland be put in â—ilence and yet if they shall content themselves with the Article in form by us conceived then you shall move them to assent that in some one Article there may be a reservation made for the King of Spain and his Countries by name or if that cannot be contained then we would have you to procure that in a general Article being the 23 in number which Monsieur de Foix hath noted Delendum may be restored into the Treaty Of which Article mention being made to this Ambassador he seemeth to allow thereof The Article deviâ—ed for the suspencion of the Law of Aubani for Goods of strangers dying in France we like very well according to the Coppy brought to you the ninth of March by Florence which we return to you by these our Leâ—ters so that you make the word Francia Gallica or else add to the words in Francia sive alibi in dominiis regis Francâ—rum Lastly We think it good that some special Article be conceived to bind the King that all these things concerning the matter of Merchants within the Treaty should be inrolled and emologed in their Parlaments within some convenient time and the like to be done as the case shall require within our ordinary Court of Records at Westminster As for Commission to be sent to you Francis Walsingham our Ambassador Resident concerning some Treaty with the Merchants of that Country as is required We will understand the manner of the Commission sent to this Ambassador and so give order for the like This Ambassador hath been very earnest with us that Du Croque might repair into Scotland and until we may hear what the French King answereth to you in that matter upon the reasons as we did lately impart unto you whereupon we did stay him we have no meaning to let him depart For certainly we perceive that if the L. Seton had not come out of Flanders nor his coming expected from hence the matters of Scotland had been at an end before this time and now we go forwards Since we had determined upon the Articles of the Treaty the Ambassador hath dealt with him very earnestly to have some change of words which we newly sent to you to be placed instead of the Article that du Foix would needs have had for the matter of Scotland first in the second Article and fifth he would have
and looking for more Buls from Rome and partly fearing that some change may come and then it may be laid to their charge would needs shift it from them and let the King do it alone And when once they had hope given them by their Ambassador in England that the Queens Majestie would so be content to have it in general words you might be sure we should never get them further but to be delivered as slightly as they could of that matter ye shall receive that fashion that we required in the figure O. delivered to Monsieur de Foix Feb. 28. ye shall receive also that which Monsieur de Foix delivered to us as a copie of a Letter whereby the King doth think wâ— should be satisfied noted and delivered to us the 29 of February and to it we have put what fault we do find with that Letter although the Queens Majestie should be content with that form This is the issue whereupon we do now stand The other great debatement was for the Queen of Scots which held us almost at every meeting to have her mentioned in the Treatie and that earnestly handled of them the 23 and 26 of February that I was fain once again to declare the evil deserts of the late Queen of Scots towards the Queens Majestie with her other behaviour at the whole length because Marshal Montmorency was not at the first Declaration and there Mr. Walsingham and Mr. Killigrew helped me with supply so far that at that present they seemed to give over and we in no wise would have her mentioned in this Treaty yet the 28 of February Mr. de Foix brought to us a writing for her which we send you noted M. to which you sent him the next day a Coppie of the same noted with our answer N. The same day at the afternoon we had audience of the King where he was also earnest with us as you may perceive by our Letters to the Queens Majestie B. the Queen Mother that day as good chance was had forgotten her self but the next day the first of March Mr. de Foix came to us and brought us a draught of the whole League in French because he said he was commanded to translate it into French that the King might understand it and so he gathered it as he thought of that which we were accorded we perused it with our Pamphils as Mr. Hall termeth them schediae or adversaria I mean those which one way or other by yea and nay had gone betwixt us some other tho will have them called pieces as some Frenchmen do name them and we did not much disagree and although he had made a new Preface in such matters we do not stick I am old I love not much talk and I would fain be dispatched honestly homewards so the effect be there indeed and our Queen not deceived I care for no more that done and referred again for again seeing they were offered unto us in Latine he came to us with a new Charge of the late Queen of Scots in the Queen Mothers name saying that by our other talk she had clean forgotten her but to do that thing which should do our friend he meant the King his Master good and us no hurt vve could not say nay he for affinity and consanguinity and that she vvas once his Soveraigne vvas bound in conscience and respect of the vvorld to require so much and to have it testified to the vvorld that he had done those good offices vve may ansvver as vve vvould it should not touch us they vvould take our ansvver vvhatsoever it vvas I told him vve had ansvvered first to the Deputies in vvords and had good causes vvhy vve could not do it of which she was one after that we had given our answer to him in writing Thirdly we had also spoken with the King and made him a direct answer that we could not meddle in any wise with that matter in the League we had no Commission we were precisely forbidden to meddle in that matter And therefore I never spake more of that matter to have that put in the Treaty for that will not be Upon that he began to amplifie in another long Oration for all his Reasons I was fain to say he must pardon me I know he is a good Rhetorician and he had Rhetorical ornaments at will to make and so had I on the contrary side if I would bestow my time on that sort We were the Queens Maâ—esties Servants we have shewed our Reasons so good that no man could deny that we should not agree upto it We have written the sum of our answer also wherewith they ought to be content Oh saith he she hath great kindred and alliance here in the Court and they will say that the King nor we have done our duties Will ye see the ansvver quoth I I thought once to send mary I vvould not have it sent This I send your Lordship to see it N. noted not to be declared quoth I because we would be dispatched of such matters yet as gently as we could and with as little evil speeches especially of such persons This I like well saith he let me have it I pray you belike quoth I you vvould please Mr. d' Aumale and the Cardinal of Lorrain vvith it It is even for that saith he they shall see that the King hath done so much as he can No quoth I it shall not need you have our ansvver already and if you doubt of it you It is no marvel though other would Inire gratiam cum anula hoste ejus quam aliquando regnaturam putant culpa sua and we thought not good to leave in their hands in writing tam acerbum de illa testimonium But surely if her Majestie go no better about to establish her Crown and surety she doth not then follow Solomon in making away Adonias and Ioab for the same purpose And I am afraid quod erit novissimus error pejor priori I thank your Lordship for your Letters of the 16 of February by Edwards and also of the 22 of the same by the Post. Although you write not so many Letters as I yet if you write so much stuff and answer all it is all one to me but in two things I yet find fault the one that in the Letter of the 22. you wrote nothing of the Office and that you make no mention at all of the Duke of Alanson They here look very undoubtedly for some hope The other grieveth me most of all that now the League is full done as I take it and almost as well as we can with yet I must not come home but tarry here still in this Countrie where I have felt since Candlemas the greatest cold that ever I felt and most continual except it were at Tholous where it did almost cost me my life and there had made an end of it if it had not been for the strong matters which I do use
for my stomack morning and evening and yet it is scarce able to resist the extream cold of the weather and now about 30 daies continual frost and snow and here is neither wood plenty nor good chimneys for fire and in my bed-chamber I can make no fire Good my Lord dispatch this Bearer with as much speed again as may be as it is promised in the Instructions This day the Queen of Navarr is looked for in the Court and hoped that the marriage shall go forward The foolish Cardinal went away as wise as he came he neither brake the marriage with Navarr nor got no Dismes of the Church of France nor perswaded the King to enter into the League with the Turk nor to accept the Tridentine or to break off Treaty with us and the foolishest part of all at his going away he refused a Diamond which the King offered him of 600 Crowns yet he was here highly feasted he and his Train cost the King above 300 Crowns a day as they said Thus I bid your Lordship heartily farewell From Blois March 3. by English account Th. Smith To my Lord Burleigh MY very good Lord I received your Letters by Monsieur de Crocques Kinsman after Mid-Lent-Sunday which was dated the sixth of March the King had then entred into a Diet which he keepeth still in his Câ—amber Some said it is because he had some hurt in one of his leggs which I could never perceive but he was one of the activest in all his actions as the Barriers Justs and other such Martial feats which were simulachra belli of all the rest in the Company Other of whose opinion I am think it is the Mothers drift to make him take under pretence of Phisick some rest from his inordinate hunting so early in the morning and so late at night without sparing frost snow or rain and in so desperate doings as makes her and them that love him to be often in great fear And the Queen possibly being now undoubtedly with child to cause her also to rest from that travel that both he may get somewhat more flesh and the Queen to retain more surety of that which is conceived Because of that Mr. Walsingham and I wiâ—t not what to do but Monsieur de Malvosire coming to us as he is appointed to see that we lack nothing and suppeth and dineth commonly with us we told him merrily that his Mistress for so we call the Scotch Queen had played now a wise part for she hath opened her self again and the good favour she beareth to Spain to make a perpetâ—al broil if she could betwixt England Scotland and France for she hath practised by Letters of late and sith the Dukes trouble which Letters are now come to light and known to have practised with the Duke of Alva to convey the young King out of Scotland into Spain the which thing I am sure you would like as ill as wee Yea saith he they may be counterfeit and made to hurt the poor Queen No quoth I the original Letters were shewed to Monsieur de Crocque and de la Mott and yet by the same de Crocque the King wrote to the Queens Majestie for her deliverance and sending of her into France What would she do here at liberty if being streightly kept and the matter so plainly known for the Bishop of Ross wrote sith he was in the Tower to her that all was discovered which he could not denie Well saith he indeed I have heard of such a thing but will you tell the King quoth I that so much I have told you and that the Queens Majestie is not very well pleased that she â—hould write so earnestly for her who will never cease to seek mischief and trouble to her Majestie and her Realm yea and set all the Princes together by the ears if she could he said he would and when we would come home to walk in the Garden at such time as the Queen Mother doth customarily walk there he would find the means we should speak with her when he came again he brought us word that it was true that he said for de la Mott had written the same to the King and the King so told him that it was true and said Ah! the poor fool will never cease while she lose her head In faith they will put her to death I see it is her own fault and follie I see no remedie for it I meant to help but if she will not be helped Ie ne puis mais that is I cannot do withall The 17 of this Month at afternoon Mr. Walsingham and I went with Mr. Malvosire into the Kings Garden at Blois and after a while walking the Queen Mother came to us to whom we declared That of late there was Letters intercepted of the Queen of Scots to the Duke of Alva the effect whereof we were willing to declare to the Kings Majestie or to her which was indeed to make a perpetual pique betwixt England Scotland France and Spain for that it was that he should take and convey away by his practise the young King and convey him into Spain And so quoth I where now by Gods grace we go about to make a perpetual amity betwixt England and France and by that joyntly to make a good union and peace in Scotland that the civil Wars might be compounded and cease and so these 3 Realms to be as it were all one for mutual defence this is a devise to make a perpetual pique broil and jealousie amongst us all and Spain Saitâ— Mr. Walsingham betwixt England and France thanks be to God no quarrels be pretended We demand nothing of you at this time nor you of us The occasion vvhy your League vvas so sure vvith Scotland to annoy us novv there is no such cause standing so sure on amity and therefore belike Spain vvould make that a pique to trouble us vvithall both and make us Warr and trouble that vvaies Saith the Queen There is no doubt but they vvill do vvhat they can for the King my Son is advertised that there is nothing that grieveth him more then to understand of this good League and perfect Amity vvhich is begun and I trust novv at an end betvvixt us they vvote not vvhich vvaies to turn them to break it But Madam quoth I these tvvo things coming together she to go about that disturbing of Scotland and England and that thing which should be as much displeasant to you as to us if your Majestie do well mark it and at the same time the King here to write for her delivery and to come into France and that when the chief treating of amity is in hand you shall not marvel though her Majestie do take it ill and I assure you that it is written to us that but that her Majestie hath known of long time the good affection that you Madam and the King your Son did bear to her and that we that are
perswasions they were induced to accord with her Majestie that a Parliament should be holden with such speed as it might be and there these her Majesties motions were propounded and certain persons should have authority to treat hereof with her Majesties Councellours Whereupon her Majestie did look for some good success and before it could be granted thereunto to proceed her Majestie discovered daily most dangerous attempts of Treason both against her Person and Realm wholly and onely set forth by the said Queen of Scots And her Majestie found these new Treasons intended and almost brought to their mischievous perfection by not onely renewing of the former marriage with the Duke of Norfolk and by giving order for a Rebellion and Invasion of this Realm All which was by her devised set forth and delivered to be executed even in the very same time that her Majestie did deal so earnestly for her with her Subjects and was in hope to have obtained some reasonable end for her So also did she now discover the truth of her former practises in stirring of the first Rebellion onely to have by force obtained the marriage and with the same force sought the Crown All the which attempts the said Lord Admiral and Sir Tho Smith can orderly declare and so they shall do And they may well say That her Majestie cannot think any person to mean well towards her safetie that would after these things thus notified move her Majestie to hold her former course in favour of the said Scotish Queen And this hath been the cause why her Majestie hath not since this last discovery of these dangers in such sort answered both to the King and his Ministers upon their motions made in her favour And the Lord Admiral shall conclude that seeing the case is thus that to shew such favour to the Scotish Queen as is desired is most dangerous to her Majesties Crown and her Majestie cannot like of any motion to hazard her own Estate And besides the things intended by the Scotish Queen against her Majestie it is apparent she doth wholly give her self to the Duke of Alva and to the King of Spain which as it is many waies fully to be proved so may the Lord Admiral say That he can make it manifest by her own hand writing for which end he shall shew to the King a Letter of hers in Cypher to the Duke of Alva All which the Lord Admiral shall shew to the King to this end that both he may see the just causes her Majestie hath to hold the course she doth and that he also wil not molest her Maj. with any motions tending for favour of the Scotish Q. so greatly to her Maj. danger And to the matter of le Crocques stay here for a time before his departure into Scotland if any mention be thereof made by the King the said L. Admiral can tel the occasion thereof to have grown of the letters which le Crocque brought from the King to her Majestie in favour of the Scotish Queen for her liberty and return into France notwithstanding the king had been duly informed by her Majesties Ambassador that her Majestie could not with her surety suffer the same And threfore at that time she could not think that le Crocques negotiation coming with such letters could tend to pacifie the Realm of Scotland for her Majesties surety when before his â—nlay he was found to have charge from the Q. of Scots If any motion be made to the L. Admiral of a matter lately devised to offer to her Maj. Marriage with the Duke of Alanson the L. Admiral may well say that he hath no charge to speak thereof at this time but he may say that he is willed if occasion be so given to him to report what he heard her Majestie say that he was not so well used in the Treaty for the other brother the Duke of Anjou as was meet in the time of motion made for Amity both by that marriage and otherwise for that Monsieur de Foix being in England and dealing therein her Majestie did proceed honourably and plainly with him and with the French Ambassador that she would not assent to marry with him or with any other that would not consent with her in Religion contrary to the order of the Realm or at the least that would use any other Religion in any sort then might stand with the Church of God whereupon her Majestie was by them pressed but to consent to a sufferance of some secret usage of his Religion without offence of the Realm until he might be otherwise induced and perswaded in conscience It may be remembred that when her Majesties Ambassador made a report at de Foix return of her Majesties answer the King seemed not willing to receive that answer but that he desired that some might be sent to commune thereof with him who should find that the matter should be made clearer of these difficulties whereunto when her Majestie did not fully consent it was afterward by the Ambassador Resident oftentimes pressed that her Majestie would send some special person of trust for her self to the French King promising her Majestie that this matter should be facillitated and made easie to her contentation According whereunto her Majestie upon many solicitations specially by the said Ambassador in the King his Masters name did send Sir Tho Smith to understand the Kings meaning herein who can best tell how at the first entry he was answered with a direct contrary course to her Majesties expectation and otherwise then was mentioned by any Ambassador that ever treated therein with her Majestie or that ever Monsieur de Foix did ever speak or require which was that Monsieur de Anjou would in any wise have the exercise of his Religion here in England in like sort as he had in France A matter strange to be heard at that time when her Majestie was provoked to send one with hope that in the case of Religion she should receive such an answer as should content her Majestie Of this matter the L. Admiral shall inform himself more largely of Sir Tho Smith to the end that if the same be communed of he may both with the King and the Queen Mother so deal as it may be seen to them that her Majestie had cause to think very strangely thereof And were it not that she is entred into a streight Amity with the King she might justly challenge lack of friendship herein but so as the King be not ignorant but that her Majestie hath cause to think her self not well dealt withal she is content to pass it over without keeping the same in memory to nourish any unkindness And so the L. Admiral shall use his speech that the King may not think his speech to move any new offence Furthermore the said L. Admiral shall in all his speech with the King and also with the Queen Mother let it appear how much her Majestie esteemeth sundry offers
made to her by the Kings Letters to his Ambassador here of daily increase of this Amity now newly established between them And though her Majestie doth not percase so often answer these his kindnesses in words or writing yet he shall be assured that whensoever occasion shall be given to shew the like affection in deeds she will not be behind him Besides the letters to the King and Q. Mother he shall have also her Majesties letters to the Q. of Navarre whom he shall visit and most heartily salute in her Majesties name and let her understand how glad heâ— Majestie is and doth thank God for the benefit of the Peace which he hath given to her and to all others that now of a long time have for defence of their consciences suffered great calamities with her wherein surely her sincerity and constancy hath won to her no small honour in the world but most of all the blessing of God to indure with her and her posterity And next to this her Majestie doth rejoyce that she hath so wisely and honourably considered of the marriage of the Prince her Son with the daughter of Fâ—ance whereby both the good love of the French King to her Estate shall probably have continuance and her self shall live by Gods grace to see the good success of her son in her own time to her comfort The said Lord Admiral shall also give the Admiral of France and others of the Nobility joyned with him to understand how glad her Majestie is of the continuance of the Pacification of their troubles and doth hope that they will let their sincerity and their good meaning appear so to the King as he may comfortably continue his favours towards them and that their adversaries who have heretofore slandered their actions as though they had not been founded upon conscience may be ashamed to have abused themselves and so shall the honour of God indeed by their manifest and good conversations increase to the confusion of them that by untruths have maliciously sought to keep the same under and to oppress it And for the House of Guise the L. Admiral shall not forbear to salute them of his own part according to their degrees if he shall see that they give countenance to him as to accept it And if any of them shall motion matters to him as of the Q. of Scots he may say if she had been counselled by her friends to have been grateful to her Majestie or to have forborn the seeking to offend her Majestie she might thereby have done her self good and been the cause of quietness to the Countrey but she hath so manifestly taken other courses as surely either her friends that evil counselled her or her self must be accounted the principal cause of her trouble And so he shall use his speech of her These instructions the L. Admiral shall communicate with Sir Tho Smith and the Resident Ambassador and upon the sight of them Sir Tho Smith shall understand it to be her Majesties pleasure that he shall accompany and be assistant to the L. Admiral in the time of the Kings giving of his Oath And when the L. Admiral shall have done his Commission and delivered the rest of his charge contained in these Instructions the said Sir Tho Smith shall no longer abide in France but shall return at his most commodity W. Burleigh Postscript In the matter concerning the offer of the marriage of Monsieur Alanson if thereof any speech be used by the K. notwithstanding the former Instruction in the articles above expressed how to answer to the K. upon some consideration thereof The L. Admiral shal at the first say that although he hath no chargeto treat thereof yet he is willed by her Majestie to give them thanks for the desire it seemeth he hath to have alliance with her Majestie by marriage as not onely shewing her own disposition towards her Majestie at which time his youth seemed to be impediment and now secondly for his brother Monsieur d' Anjou wherein also the inequality of years did at the first stay her Majestie wherein also she did overcome her judgement by perswasion and rested in the end upon the matter of Religion which of all other things is the greatest stay that can be and now the motion of the yongest brother cannot in her opinion by reason of the inequality of years but make a full stay in her Majestie as she thinketh the same ought also to work the like in the judgement of the King and of the Queen his Mother And having said this then may the said L. Admiral proceed to say somewhat as is above prescribed of her Majesties misliking for the dealing in the cause of Monsieur de Anjou using the same nevertheless as it breed no offence in the King To my very Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr I heartily thank you for your Letters of the nine and twentieth of the last and specially for that which you write to her Majestie As to the matters of the King of Spains Low-Countreys we have great cause to bear a jealous countenance thereto for as being in the Spaniards hands we lacked Traffique with surety so if the Maritine part come to those where you are not onely the Traffique into those parts for our Merchants will be regulated by them but our soveraignty upon the narrow Seas will be abridged with danger and dishonour And notwithstanding this I see lack of disposition to provide the remedy where it should chiefly be and I trust with importunity we that see into the perils shall obtain somewhat if not our consciences shall be quiet though our minds shall not As to your Letters to her Majestie forasmuch as the Duke of Norfolk had suffered upon Munday and your Letters came on Tuesday I thought it not amiss to tell the Queens Majestie that I had Letters from you to her which I thought were onely to shew her the opinion of wisemen and her Majesties well-wishers in France both for the Queen of Scots and the Duke of Norfolk whereupon she bad me open the letters and so I did in her presence and she being somewhat sad for the Duke of Norfolks death I took occasion to cut off the reading thereof and so entred into speech of the Queen of Scots which she did not mislike and commended your care and diligence As for the party your dear friend I did not speak with him nor he never accompanied me nor once ever spake one word to me of the matter as he was wont to do in other matters I disallow not his private affection to the party but his judgement I do dissallow in preferring private to publike I do return to you the Commission amended in your name which was the errour of the writer you may proceed thereto as you see time The French Ambassador hath no Commission to require the like looking for it as he saith when Montmorency shall come whose delay
the fifth of Iuly 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Lordships of the second and fifth of Iuly sent by the Ambassadors servant I received the tenth of this moneth by the which I was glad to hear the particularities of the royal entertainment of the Marshal Montmorency who arrived the self same day I received your Lordships Letters He omitted no occasion to set out the great honor he received at her Maj. hands and withal so good as never able to yield the like The like speech passes from the rest of his train who all returned very well satisfied and cannot speak too much good of her Majeste The day following after his arrival Queen Mother sent for me and shewed me how the King her son who was gone to S. Germains desired her to send for me and to request me on his behalf to render unto her Maj. most hearty thanks for the great honor and good entertainment given unto the Marshal which he could not but interpret as a manifest argument of her Majesties unfained affection and good will she beareth him the which he desireth to will me to assure her Majestie that she should find him ready to serve and honour her during his life Furthermore she willed me to shew her Majestie both on his behalf and hers also that they pray God to direct her heart to yield to that resolution in the marriage lately propounded as might be to the increase and establishment of perfect Amity between the Crowns which thing they saw so necessary for both as they could not but wish and desire most earnestly And yet notwithstanding they protested that if they did not think the issue thereof would fall out to her good satisfaction and contentment they would in no case wish nor desire the same Touching the particularities that her Majestie desired to understand of the age stature conditions religion affection towards her Majestie and devotion of his followers and servants your Lordship shall understand that first touching his age as I was informed he was born the five and twentieth of April 1555. his stature and proportion of body the Lord Admiral Sir Tho Smith Mr. Killegrew and other of the Gentlemen that are here can better express by word of mouth then I can set down by paper Touching his conditions since the matter hath been in motion I have used what care and curiosity I might to be informed of them I find generally this opinion conceived of him that he is of as good and tractable a disposition as any other either Prince or Gentleman in France and withal is both wise and stout and subject to the French lightness insomuch as they do apply to him the French Proverb Qu'il a de plume en son cervean besides the general opinion I find the same confirmed by the Admiral Count Rochfoucouls Tilligny Bacquenaunt and divers others of the best judgement of the Religion with such earnest protestations as for mine own part I cannot but credit the same knowing what testimonies they have given to the world of ther zeal and Religion And as for the Admiral debating with him in this matter he hath protested sundry times to me calling God to witness that if he did not think the match proceeding would prove both honourable profitable and comfortable and for her safety in respect of the doubtful terms he standeth in he would not advise her unto it for any worldly respect And as for his Religion they have great hope grounded upon good conjectures that he is easie to be reduced to the knowledge of the truth and for mine own part I have many great reasons to induce me to think that if there be no other impediment then the use of his mass that he will be easily induced to the same Touching the affection towards her Majestie I am credibly informed that where it hath been objected unto him that he would be glad to have the title of a King he protested that if he were not moved with the great and honourable report of her Maj. rare vertues more then at any desire he had to a Kingdom he would never have desired the King nor the Queen his Mother to have made any motion thereof Many ways am I given credibly to understand that his affection is unfained and great Touching the devotion of his followers and servants to the propunded match I am also credibly informed that they do also earnestly desire the same especially those whose advice he chiefly useth who though they be not of the Religion yet are they not enemies to the same and rather incline that way then otherwise of the which a dozen of them were discharged of his brothers service in respect thereof This is that in sum which truly and sincerely I can learn in that behalf Touching Callis the Admiral made some overture at my request as a motion that proceeded from my self He findeth in their Majesties no disposition to yield thereunto I used some speech thereof also with de Foix and shewed him how that nothing would yield so much furtherance as the same We did at large debate that matter Pro contra in the end he protested most earnestly that he thought he knew it impossible to be brought to pass notwithstanding he could be content to devise any other thing that might breed satisfaction to her Majesties opinion conceived of some misliking that would grow by her choice of so young a Prince In this behalf saith he I have said lately so much to her Majestie grounded upon good reason that I see no cause but she should rest therewith satisfied In debate of this matter he asked me whether her Majestie would not be content as I thought having already foot in Flushing and the match proceeding to have the King pass in the Contract and Article to bind him and his Successors to assist her aswel for the conquering of the rest of the Island which would be more profitable to your Countrey then ten Calis's Of this thing saith he I have no Commission to make any overture as that thing that hath not yet fallen into consideration but onely I propounded it by way of communication in respect of desire I have to devise some remedy for the recompence of her Majesties opinion Notwithstanding saith he I have some reasons to lead me to think her Majesties yielding content to her match that the King will be easily induced thereto I shewed him that as I had no Commission to make any overture so had I no Commission to answer the same as a thing propounded unlooked for notwithstanding I agreed with him in opinion that Flushing would be more beneficial to us then Calis To come to your Letter of the fifth of this moneth I find the conjectures touching the â—3 reneweth the in o A D F â—4 altogether false and vain whereof I am assured of the contrary many ways and do much marvel what reason should
Alva It is thought for the help of this matter that his Majestie can be content to lend asmuch to the contrary party And so for forreign news referring your Honour to the Italian Occurrents I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eighteenth of Iuly 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to understand that the King dispatched one Monsieur de la Mole servant to Monsieur le Duc d' Alanson with Letters from their Majesties here unto the Q. Majestie to render unto her thanks for the rare entertainment and great honour done unto the Marshal as also to give her notice of the marriage to be solemnized between the King of Navarre and the Lady Margaret I think also he hath Letters from his Master to her Majestie as also some charge to say somewhat to her on his behalf He gave me but Scarborough warning and therefore your Lordship must bear with these scribled lines The Gentleman is a Provintial and so of a very good House and a very well qualified Courtier as I hear Yesterday I wrote at large unto your Lordship by Hollingshead who is returned by way of Diepe And therefore I defer to trouble you with many lines at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the one and twentieth of Iuly Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leceister BY a Gentleman called Monsieur de la Mole servant unto Monsieur le Duc D' Alanson sent by the King to her Majestie with Letters I had very short warning given me and therefore am driven to afford your Lordship the fewer lines The pretence of his coming is with letters of thanks for the honour done unto the Marshal as also to make her Majestie acquainted with the appointed time for the solemnization of the King of Navarres marriage But I take it the chief end of his coming is to present his Masters letters unto her Majestie as also to say somewhat unto her on his behalf The Gentleman is a Provintial and of a good house and one as I learn very well qualified Touching Flanders matters I wrote unto your Lordship at large by Holling-shead who departed yesterday homewards by way of Diepe And so leaving to impart unto your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the one and twentieth of Iuly Yours Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to understand that a certain Scottishman called George Torris who appertaineth as he saith to the Q. of Scots hath of late robbed here in Paris one Emanuel d' Ambugo a Portugal who heretofore about ten years past hath been imployed in message between the King of Portugal and her Majestie as by his passport may appear Now for that he is given to understand that he is retired into England he hath desired divers Gentlemen of this Court to request me to write unto your Lordship that by your good means such as he shall appoint to pursue the party may have authority so far forth as may stand with the Laws of the Realm to arrest him and such goods and Jewels as shall be found to appertain to the said Portugal To this effect and purpose he hath likewise procured the Kings Letters here And so leaving further to trouble your Honour in this behalf I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 22 of Iuly 1572. Yours Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer TOuching the particulars of Ianlys overthrow I refer your Lordship to such incertainties as I have set down in the inclosed occurents Such of the Religion as before slept in security begin now to awake and to see their danger and do therefore conclude that unless this enterprise in the Low Countries have good success their cause groweth desperate They have therefore of late sent to the King who is absent from home to shew him than if the Prince of Orange quail it shal not lie in him to maintain him in his protection by vertue of his Edict they desire him therefore out of hand to resolve upon something that may be of his assistance offering themselves to imploy therein their lives lands and goods They see by the assistance given on the other side as by the Pope Florence Triers Baviers and Câ—lleyn who are not otherwise interessed in the Low Countrey or in this Cause but in respect of Religion who proceed roundly and resolutely in the matter that unlesse her Majesty and the Princes of Germany in like sort joyn with this Crown there is great doubt what shall be the even of this enterprise They have therefore requested me to desire your Lordship as you tender Gods glory and her Majesties safety to see if you can induce her upon overture first to be made by the King in this behalf to joyn with him in yeilding assistance They think to make the so that they might be in some assurance that her Majesty would give ear thereto They have also dispatched one of late to such Princes of Germany as favour the Cause to provoke them to proceed more resolutely and roundly in this matter laying before them the evident dangers that otherwise will ensue By one lately come from thence they understand that the said Princes begin to see the danger and are well bent to do any thing that may tend to remedy The parties above written desire to know with some speed how her Majesty will incline to the said overture for that thereafter they are to direct their affairs As I was writing I received the copie of a letter sent from Mounts which I send to your Lordship here inclosed by the which you may both perceive the state of the Countrey as also how many are retired thither of Ianlys company And so leaving further to trouble your Honor at this present beseeching God to bless you in your late honorable Calling with as good success as ever any that occupied that place I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 26 of July 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester YOur Lordship by these inclosed occurrents may perceive that Ianlys is overthrown whose it never could but breed danger to the cause so could it never breed more danger then presently upon the presently upon the Prince of Orangâ—s first entry into the Country a mean to discourage him and to encourage the enemy How much his well doing or evill doing importeth us I need not say any thing to your Lordship the thing being so apparant how dangerous it were to suffer him to quail it is no less evident how little hope there is he shall receive relief from us especially from the news of
this overthrow it grieves me not a little to think of it considering what dependeth thereon and I hope God will make my fear vain To suffer him to miscarry knowing our own danger were to lack both policy and magnanimity We cannot deny but upon that that lately hath been discovered that if God had not raised up the Prince of Orange to have entertain'd Spain a dangerous fire ere this time had bin kindled in our own home To assist him therefore is to assist our selves for that we are to run one fortune with him the difference is that by miscarrying the mischief shal first touch him and then consequently as many of us as profess one Religion with him for the supply that is given by the Pope Florence and divers Catholique Princes in Germany sheweth that the quarrel is mixt and consisteth as well of Religion as oâ— state They fail not to make demonstration thereof and therin they shew their courage and â—eal contraiwise we do things underhand and thereby do discover both lack of zeal and courage No Councellors enterprise accompanied with fear had ever good success for there can be no greater enemy to sound councel then fear The Gentlemen of the Religion here since the late overthrow of Ianlis weighing what dependeth upon the Pr of Orange overthrow have made demonstration to the King that his enterprise lacking good success it shal not then he in his power to maintain his Edict They therefore desire him to weigh whether it were better to have forein war with advantage or inward war to the ruine of himself and his Estate The King being not here his answer is not yet received They hope to receive some such resolution as the danger of the cause requireth in the mean time the M. desired me to move your Lordship to deal with her Majesty to know whether she upon overture to be made to the King cannot be content to joyn with him in assistance of this poor Prince seeing that as well in Estate as Religion it doth so neerly touch her Surely though it import the King very much to look to it yet it importeth more her Majestie who is to look for nothing else Spain overcoming this brunt then the extremity of such mischiefs as he can work her My good Lord therefore as you never lack'd to further such causes as concern Gods glory and her Majesties safety so I do not doubt but that you will with that care and courage which this weighty cause requireth yield what aid and assistance you possibly may And so leaving further to trouble your Honor at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 26 of July 1572. Your Honours to command F. Walsingham By the QUEEN To our right trusty and well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident with our good brother the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well Where at the being here with us of the D. of Montmorency he du Foix after their other ordinary matter of ratification of the Treaty passed over did many times very earnestly deal with us and in like manner with sundry of our Councel to move us to incline to an offer of marriage which the French K. and Q. â—other willed them to make to us for the D. of Alanzon and that we found the matter somewhat strange considering some things past not in good order as you know in the matter of like offer for Mr. de Anjon wherein the said Mont. and his Colleague laboured much to satisfie us but especially considering the youngness of the years of the Duke of Alanson being compared to ours so for those respects although we could give them no answer of comfort to content them yet such was their importunacy in reciting of many reasons and arguments to move us not to mislike thereof in respect as well of the strength of the friendship which this amity should give to the continuance of this last League and Confederation as also of the worthiness of the said D. of Alanzon for his excellent vertues and good conditions which they alleadge to be in him with sundry other arguments tending to remove the difficulties and to gain our contentation and liking of the said Duke And in them after their many conferences had both with us and with our Councel when we perceived them very much perplexed to see our strangeness from assenting to their desires and how loath they were to have any flat denial we were advised to forbear from making of a plain refusal and to expect the return of the Lord Admiral by whom and by others of his company we might understand what might be further conceived of the personage and conditions of the said Duke And so our answer to them at their departure was this That we found such difficulties in this matter specially for the difference of his age as presently we could not digest the same but such was the importunacy of our own subjects of all estates to have us to marry as we would forbear to give any such resolute answer as might miscontent the said Ambassador and as we knew would much grieve our people at this time and so we would take some further time to be advertised of the matter And after one months space we would make a direct answer to the French King which also we would first communicate to the said D. of Montmorency to be by him if he so would delivered over to the said King And so with this answer they departed whereupon after the return of our Admiral we have considered with him and with some others that were there by whom we find that indeed the conditions and the qualities of the said D. as farr forth as they could by their observation gather or by report of others understand were nothing inferior to M. de Anjou but rather better to be liked but as to his visage and favour every body doth declare the same to be far inferior and that specially for the blemishes that the small pox hath wrought therein so as his young years considered the doubtfulness of the liking of his favour joyned therewith wherin no body that hath seen him can otherwise report although otherwise to all purposes he is commended before his brother we cannot indeed bring our mind to like of this offer specially finding no other great commodity offered to us with him whereby the absurdity that in the general opinion of the world might grow to commend this our choice after so many refusal of others of great worthiness might be counterprised or in some manner recompenced Wherefore according to our answer made to the said Ambassador we have determined that you shall in our answer made to the said Ambassador we have determined that you shall in our name say as followeth to Montmorency Or if he shall desire that you your self considering the answer is not plausible shall make it to the King then you shal so do requiring him to be present
and to move the King and his mother to interpret the same to the best as indeed we mean it plainly and friendly and then you shal say that we have considered of the matter of the Kings offer unto us of M. de Alanzon in marriage And for the same we do most earnestly thank the King and the Q. Mother knowing manifestly that the same proceedeth of very manifest good will knowing perfect continuance of the amity lately contracted between us by this last Treaty And considering we have great desire to have the same amity continued and strengthned we are very sorry to find so great difficulties in this matter that should be a principal band thereof as we cannot digest the inconveniences of the same by reason of the difference of our ages to assent thereunto praying the K. and his Mother to assure themselves that there is no lack of desire in us to continue yea if it might be to increase this amity that maketh us think of the difficulties of this offer otherwise then we think all others do consider thereof and most conceive which proceedeth almost onely of the difference of the age of Monsieur de Alanzon and ours a matter that cannot be remedied either by the King his brother that desireth the match or by us so as the lack of not perfecting this band of amity after this manner cannot be imputed to either of us nor to the party himself of whose conditions and vertues truely you may say we hear so well as we cannot but esteem him very much and think him very well worthy to have as good fortune by marriage as he or any other might have by us And you may say if you so see cause that although we might have known thus much as concerning his age when the Ambassadors were here and therefore might at that time have given them that answer and not thus to have deferred it untill this time yet to satisfie the King therein you shall say True it is that although we our selves were of this mind from the beginning to think the match inconvenient for his age yet at the being here of the Ambassador we were continually laboured by our Councel and also by our Estates then assembled in Parlament in laying open before us the necessity of our marriage both for our own comfort and also for the weal of the Realm and some of them alleadging unto us that there would be no such difficulty in this matter of his years but the evil opinion that might be conceived thereof in the world to our lack might percase be recompenced with some other matter of advantage to us in our Realm in the sight also of the world as being overcome with the importunacy of their reasons we did yield to take some further consideration of the matter and to prove whether in som time we could work our mind to som other purpose or whether any such further matter might be offered with this match as might counterpoise in the judgement of the world the inconvenience of the difference of the age But so it is that in all this time we neither can find our mind altered nor yet hear of any other thing that might countervail the inconvenience but so for observing of our promise and especially because we mean to deal plainly with our good Brother and the Queen his Mother we do make them this Answer That surely we cannot find our self void of doubt and misliking to accept this offer which is principally for the difference of his years allowing nevertheless of his worthiness for his vertuous and honourable conditions as much as we can require in any Prince to be our husband And so we pray the King and his Mother that the Duke himself may understand our judgement to be of his worthiness And for the great good will we understand that he hath born to us we do assure him that we shall for the same esteem him at all times hereafter as well as any other Prince of his Estate reserving only the band of love that ought to accompany marriage Given under our signet at Theobalds the 23 of July 1572. the 14 year of our Reigne By the QUEEN To our trusty and well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident with our good brother the French King ELIZABETH R. RIght trusty and well-beloved We greet you well After we finished our other Letters and determined to have sent them away in such sort as you might have had them in convenient time to have delivered our answer according to our promise made to the Duke of Montmorency The French Ambassador here gave knowledge that he had received Letters from thence whereupon he required to have audience before we should send to you which we did accord and thereby our former Letters were staid contrary to our determinations and so we would it should be known when you shall find it requisite for answering to their expectation for the time limited for our Answer and therefore at the delivery of our former Letters of credit both to the King and to Montmorâ—â—â—y You 〈◊〉 say that you are to shew them our Answer as we did conceive it to be given when those Letters were written And upon the Ambassadors access after that time and delivery of Letters from the King Queen Mother and from Mr. De 〈◊〉 all full of purposes to further the matter of marriage besides the private earnest 〈◊〉 with us also of the French Ambassador to the same end we were occasioned thereby to do some further matter to our former Answer not being any waies so different as it doth alter our said Answer but in respect of our 〈◊〉 of the desire we see to be in the King and the Queen Mother and specially in the Duke of Alanson himself not only by their Letters to our selves but by the Dukes Letters to the French Ambassador we have thought convenient to inlarge our answer in some part to lay open before the King our conceit in the matter which you shall say we do of very sincerity of good will to be answerable with their earnest dealing with us to be nevertheless considered and ordered by them as they shall think best After you have used this kind of speech to them you shall say That when we think of this matter we find no other principal impediment but in the difference of the ages and the case of Religion And as to this which is the difficulty about Religion we do not think that such but the form and substance of our Religion being well made known to the Duke there is no such cause to doubt but by Gods goodness the same may be removed to the satisfaction of us both But as to the other which concerneth the person of the Duke of his age and otherwise for as much as the difficulties thereof may seem to consist rather in opinion then in matter indeed we do thereto thus yield to think that in marriage when the persons are to
think one of the other nothing doth so much rule both parties as to have their own opinions satisfied and seeing that in respect thereof nothing can make so full a satisfaction to us for our opinion nor percase in him of us in respect of the opinion he may conceive of the excess of our years above his as that either of us might by some convenient means with our own eyes satisfie our own conceits A matter we know somewhat difficult but yet such as in like cases hath been yielded to us though by other impediments not perfected And nevertheless how this may be granted or allowed by the King and the Queen Mother to be done without offence we do leave it to them in whom we perceive by our Ambassadors speech their stay consisted when the Duke himself both by his Letters to the Ambassador as otherwise hath shewed himself thereto disposed that is to come hither in person for the which we cannot but greatly esteem his love and affection that he beareth to us This you may say is as much as we can conceive of the matter and if it were not for the desire we have to deal plainly in this matter being so much provoked by the great good will we find in them there we would not in that sort propound such a matter neither do we otherwise propound it but that it may be friendly interpreted and not to conceive that thereby we mean any abuse to the disgrace of the Duke whom we have great cause to love and esteem but that surely in this sort our opinion by sight may be satisfied which otherwise we perceive cannot be by report of any others for that none of our own dare adventure to deliver their advice for our own liking of him as the case is we plainly affirm that so as the difficulty of the matter of Religion be provided for and that all other points concerning the marriage may be performed as was communed upon in the person of Monsieur de Anjou we find â—o cause of doubt but that the King and Queen Mother shall obtain their desire And after you have declared thus much and because it is likely that they will object that either this purpose of his coming over to us cannot be granted in respect of the honour of the King for that heretofore no like usage hath been in the Marriages of the children of France with any strange Prince or that they shall doubt that this is by us in such sort propounded as thereby to increase our own reputation without any intent to marry him though his person might not mislike us To such objections you may answer thus To the first you may say as of your self that you are not so acquainted with their own stories and with the marriage of the children of France yet you dare affirm that you know there can be no example shewed of the like of this that is that either elder Son of France or any younger was at any time to be matched in Marriage with such a Prince having such Kingdoms as we have by whom such an advancement might have grown as may by Marriage with us both to the Duke himself and to the King and Crown of France and therefore this special cause can have no former example answerable to rule this but this ought to be followed with all manner of means and all respects set aside And as to the second part that may be objected you shall affirm certainly in our name that we have no meaning hereby to gain any particular estimation to our self but do plainly and simply seek hereby to procure the satisfaction of our own mind in this difficulty as touching his person wherein no other of our own dare deal with us nor we can otherwise be satisfied And for the preservation of the Dukes estimation and honour we shall be as carefull as his own brother the King shall be And therefore you shall conclude that howsoever we have thus propounded our own conception in the matter we desire not that the King or the Queen Mother should do or consent to any thing that might any wise seem for them dishonourable to the Duke Finally if you shall perceive that they shall stick only upon the reputation of his honour that is to come and not be allowed for his person you may as of your self propound it as you see cause that the matter of Religion may be outwardly so left in dispence as the breaking off if any so should follow either on his part or on ours may to the world be thereto imputed And besides that his coming may be secretly and privatly without any outward pomp or shew whereof we leave the consideration to themselves Given under our Signet at Gorambury the 25 of July 1572. in the fourteenth year of our Reigne To the right honorable and my very good friend Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador in France SIr I am privately so occupied as I cannot write much and if I had I could not write much more then the Queens Majestie hath done in her Letters by the first you may perceive what was intended and by the second what she would to be amended Surely she findeth the Marriage to be necessary for her and yet the opinion of others misliking of the party for his person doth more hinder her purpose then her own conceit I see such extremities on both sides as I can make no choice for no Marriage all evils must be looked for and by Marriage without liking no good can be hoped therefore to God I leave it I see your Negotiation shall be full of 〈◊〉 God direct you The Queen is very irresolute to these As to country matters I can write no more and now I am out of the Office of the Secretary and yet I cannot be discharged of my ordinary cares From 〈◊〉 the 27 of July 1572. Your assured Friend W. Burleigh To the â—ight Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIth my last writing to you there hath been no news worth the writing all mens eyes and ears are now occupied in expectation of the events of Flanders and the Low-Countrie We say here that they of 〈◊〉 be very strong and have sent over Sir Humsrey Gilbert with his Band of Englishmen and some Frenchmen who hath taken certain Towns of Sluse and assieged the Castle That Bruges did consult whether they should receive the Protestants and Sir Humsrey or no and doth incline rather to receive them then the Garrison of the Duke of Alva The Queens Majesty hath begun her Progress and from Havering instead of Enfield lay at Theobakls my Lord Treasurers House three daies now is merry at my Lord Keepers House called Gorambury beside St. Albans and to morrow goeth to Dunstable and the next day to Woborn and endeth her Progress at Windsor the 24 of September What Count Lodovâ—ck doth about â—onsieur in Henuaulâ— we have not so often news as in the
is grown cold who before was very forward in so much as Commissions were granted ready to have been sealed for the leavying of men in sundry Provinces but herein nothing prevailed so much as the tears of his mother who without the Army of England cannot consent to grow to any open dealing And because they are as I suppose assured by their Ambassadors that her Majesty will not intermeddle they cannot be induced to make any overture Thus your L. sees that fear mistrust unles God sets to his helping hand is like to overthrow all To think that Spain will suffer us to overcome this brunt to live long in peace hath no reason for ground To seek now reconcilement with him in this his necessiâ—y there is likelihood he will yield thereto for no man can speak fairer then a Spaniard when he is underfoot but to think when the necessity is gone that he will forget what is past surely he knows not the Spanish nature that is of that opinion For the greatness of France I see no such ambition here why we should have cause much to fear it Pleasure and youth will not suffer us to take profit of advantages and those who rule under us are fearfull and irresolute How perplexed the Admiral is who foreseeth the mischief that is like to follow if assistance come not from above your Lordship may easily guess And surely to say truth he never shewed greater magnanimity nor never was better followed nor more honoured of those of the Religion then now he is which doth not a little appale the enemies In this storm he doth not give over the helm he layeth before the King and his Councel the peril and danger of his estate and though he cannot obtain what he would yet doth he obtain somewhat from him I am requested to desire your Lordship to hold him excused in that he writeth not for that at this time he is overwhelmed with affairs Furthermore he desired me from him that if her Majesty proceeded in revocation of those her subjects in Flanders it will breed such discouragement in those of the Country that are well affected to the cause as it will to all likelihood hazard the whole enterprise He therefore desireth your Lordship as you wish well to the cause and to the safety of her Majesty whose repose whatsoever is said to the contrary dependeth upon the good success of this enterprise to procure a stay to be made of the said revocation Touching Flushing he tels me that the matter shall be ended as there shall grow no just cause of jealousie which shall shortly appear by some offer that shall be made unto her Majesty of the same by those that are now possessors of it Other particularities he willed me to impart unto your Lordship which I requested Mr. Killigrew to make your Lordship acquainted withall for the avoiding of the tediousness of Cypher Touching the acceptation here of the answer unto the offer propounded by M. Montmo I refer your Lordship to Sir Smith's letters As far as I 〈◊〉 perceive they mean not to be discouraged with one Nay And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the 10. of August 1572. Your Honours to command Francis Walsinghâ—â— I have cause to render unto your Lordship my most hearty thanks for your late earnest dealing with her Majesty for my revocation I am also presently to request your Lordship to renew the same for that my charges here do grow daily more intolerable so that I am no more able to endure the weight of this burden To our trusty and welbeloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador resident with our good Brother the French King TRusty and welbeloved we greet you well Here hath been with us Monrieur de la Mâ—â— with special letters from the King Q. mother and the D. of Alanson who with the Ambassador resident hath here most earnestly 〈◊〉 to us touching the marrying with the D. of Alanson and upon the report of your speech to the King upon the two Letters we lately sent unto you there appeareth some mistaking either by you or by the King For in the Kings letter to the French Ambassador it is conceived that you should say that we did will you by our first letter to declare that the difference of the age of the Duke from ours was such as it was not possible for us to accord thereto and yet you should upon our second letter propound a motion of an enterview Which two declarations cannot but contain some absurdity as we think yourself can conceive And therefore we have answered that either you mistook our mind or our first letters and so misreported them as we cannot think you did or else the King mistook your words and that where you were by us commanded to say that the cause was very difficile which we think you did for so do our letters plainly direct you it is likely that the King understood it as was thought you had said impossible And so the Ambassador resident will not have us in any wise think but that the King or Q. mother mistook it Upon their further dealing in these matters at sundry times who never omitted any opportunity to advance the same it was at length by them propounded to us that we should be content to accord that the Duke might come hither and that all other Articles which were treated upon of the Duke d'Anjou might remain good for the Duke d'Alanson saving that the difficulty in Religion might rest in suspence and be determined upon his coming hither as we two should agree whereby they seemed to provide that the inconvenience which might ensue of the enterview if the principal matter took no place might be rejected to the article of Religion and so the honour of the Duke c. Hereunto we were loth to make any direct answer but remember it unto them what words both the D. of Montmorencie and the Q. mother used to you concerning the great misliking of an enterview as it seemed by their discourse of the inconvenience what hath followed of those enterviews but what those be and whether they know of any like our persons and other circumstances considered we cannot tell and therefore we seem very loth that there should any motion come from us of any enterview leâ—t the principal matter should not take place and therefore we can make no certainty There might indeed such inconvenience follow as hath been by them remembred and yet being still pressed by the Ambassador and 〈…〉 that if indeed we 〈◊〉 a disposition to marry as we had been content to affirm for necessity of our Realm though not for any particular motion for our own person then we would be content with this by them propounded for an enterview and therefore we did at good length make the answer in the 〈◊〉 of our Councel so well to shew them truly that we did continue
in the same mind to marry for the benefit of our realm with any meet person of Princely estate that should be offered unto us with 〈◊〉 conditions as we might like also To 〈◊〉 this matter of enterview to the consideration and wisdom of the King and Q. mother to be so ordered as whatsoever might hereof succeed no inconvenience should ensue and so with some large speech to that end we did conclude that we durst not desire the enterview for the same reason After which answer made and as it seemed by them very well allowed they required some brief note of the points of the matters might be given them in writing which we did cause to be conceived and delivered agreeable to the Copy that herewith we send you And howsoever they shall make report of our answer we would that you should not omit to persist directly in this but loth we would be that the Duke her son should come hither if the matter should not take place lest more offence might thereof follow then we thought meet concerning the perfection of the amity that is between us And yet our meaning is not hereby that they should think that we are not so disposed to marry or that we are determined to mislike of the matter aforehand or not disposed at all to allow of him but that only we are fearful that if there should happen at his coming some cause of misliking or forbearing to accept him which surely to us is uncertain and without sight cannot be made certain then some great unkindness should follow by their misconceiving of our dealing where now there is no cause of kindness and friendship whereof we do not earnestly desire to have continuance without interruption in that behalf As you shall find this matter likely to proceed so we would have you not only to advertise us but to have good regard that if you find any scruple thereof that great unkindness shall arise of his coming if the matter shall not take place that before any preparation be there made of his coming you do advertise us with speed for otherwise the unkindness may happen to be greater in respect of the charges Given at Killingworth the 22 of August 1572. T. Smith To the right worshipful Mr. Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident in France SIr I am sorry that so good a matter should upon so nice a point be deferred We may say that the Lover will do little if he will not take the pains once to see his Love but she must first say yea before he see her or she him Twenty ways might be devised why he might come over and be welcome and possibly do more in an hour then he may in two years Cupido ille qui vincit omnia in oculos insidet ex oculis ejaculatur in oculos utriusque videndâ— nonsolum ut ait poeta foemina virum sed vir foeminam What force I pray you can hear-say and I think and I trust do in comparison of that Cum prasens praesentem tuetur alloquitur furore forsitan amoris ductus amplectitur and saith to himself and openly that she may hear Teneo ne te mea an etiamnum somno volunt famina videri cogi ad id quod maximum cupiunt If we be cold it is our part besides the person the sex requireth it Why are you cold Is it not a young mans part to be bold couragious and to adventure If he should have he should have but honorificam repulsam The worst that can be said of him is but a Phaeton quam si non tenuit magnis tamen excidit ansis So far as I can conceive Hac est sola nostra anchora hac jacenda est in nobis alea. In our instability unum momentum est uno momento perfectum factum as dictum stabilitatem facere posest or else nothing is to be looked for but still and continual dalliance and doubtfulness so far as I can see Indeed as yet there is no revocation neither done nor meant of our men at Flujhing or in Flanders howsoever the brute is made there with you Truth it is that certain more that would have gone over from hence were stayed for fear of too much disorder for lack of some good head and wise and expert Captain but they that be there be neither yet revoked nor discouraged although the Duke of Alva by letters this last week required that they should be revoked but he is gently answered with a dilatory and doubtful answer If you there do tergiversari and work tam timide and underhand with open and outward Edicts besides excuses at Rome and at Venice by your Ambassadors you I say which have Regem expertem otii laboris amantem cujus gens bellicosa jampridem assueta est cadibus tam exterioris quam vestri sanguinis quid faciemâ—s gens otiosa paci assueta quibus imperat Regina ipsa pacis atque quietis amantissima And I pray you who hath removed from thence with any authority a society or preparation in such a matter either to her Highness or to her Councel And this for that matter How far the Scots have gone you may perceive by this inclosed both the parties have subscribed and sealed to it and both the parties have written letters of thanks to her Majesty for the pains taken by the Marshal of Barwick and have promised to stand to that order which is very honorable both to the King there and to our Queen here and not dishonorable to the Scotish King that in his infancie such a noble personage should accord to make quietness in his Realm Thus I bid you most heartily farewell From Killingworth Aug. 22. 1572. Your assured friend Tho. Smith To the right worshipful Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador resident in France SIr I know how faithfully you shall be both by her Majesties letters and Mr. Secretaries certified of her Majesties pleasure This Gent. la Mot hath well behaved himself here to the great contentation of her Majesty and her Court and I think also he well deserved Surely the choice of him was good and as it seemeth the Queens Majesty is come neerer to the matter then I hoped If there may now any amendment grow to this usage and that he would come I assure you I see no cause to doubt for in that matter consisteth the only apparent stay â—ur men in Zealand are evil used by the French there and howsoever the Admiral hath lately born you in hand I doubt our intention shall be disappointed or at worst as it is justly doubted that the Princes Captain at Flushing is corrupted and become Spanish in secret sort whereof I pray you advertise the Admiral In Scotland the abstinence is not well kept by the Kings party as reason would The Town of Edenburgh is wholly at the direction of the Regent and contrary to the covenant he keeps his men of war there whereof they of the Castle
them put to the ransom for that justice taketh not place here they forbear to require redress but depart hence with great desire of revenge They prepare Bastile for some persons of quality It is thought that is for the Prince of Conde and his brethren The Marshal Montmorency is commanded as it is said to keep his house and to forbear to make any Assembly He is now at Chantilly The King is advertised that the Prince of Orange hath taken Mechelin and that he now marcheth towards Montz and that the Duke d' Alva shall be constrained to hazard the battel or to lose his Ordnance It is said that the King here meaneth to send to his support under the conduct of the Duke of Guise 4000 shot and 2000 horse And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the thirteenth of September Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr it may please you to advertise her Majestie that after I had closed up my present dispatch Monsieur Mansiere was sent to me from Q. Mother to request me to continue my good devotion towards this Crown to do such good offices as might breed continuance and especially to further the marriage To this I answered that I saw things fall out here in such sort as I had small cause to incourage me thereunto And as for the marriage I had some cause to doubt whether the matter was truly meant or no for divers reasons To that he answered that it were good the same scruples were taken away and therefore asked me if I would be content to let the Queen Mother understand the reasons that made me so to think To the which I answered I could be very well content if it shall please her Majestie to send for me that I might communicate them unto her Thereupon she sent for me and at my access she told me that she understood by Mannesiere that there rested in me some scruple touching the Kings and her sincere meaning concerning the late marriage propounded for the which she was sorry for that in respect of the place I held I might yield no small hinderance to the same She therefore desired me to know the reasons that moved me thereto to which she doubted not but to yield such answer as should breed satisfaction in me Thereupon I shewed her that true it was that as it becometh a good servant the jealousie of my Mistris's honour and surety made me to use some such speech towards her whereof when she should understand the reasons I hoped she would interpret the same in good part Then I shewed her that this late strange accident had bred in men dangerous discourses opinions and mistrusts amongst the which I was not free from my doubts and suspicions And as touching this scruple of the Kings and her sincere meaning touching this marriage I had three reasons that moved me thereto The first the violating of the late Edict and present severity used against those of the Religion The second the strange dealing in the first match propounded The third certain Discourses given out of the Conquest of England and Ireland Touching the first I shewed her that the chiefest causes that moved the Queen my Mistris to make account of the Amity of this Crown was that the King suffered certain of his Subjects to enjoy by the vertue of this Edict exercise of the same Religion her Majestie professed which was the chiefest ground of the League which being taken away the Amity could not but grow doubtful And this matter of an enterview suspected to be but to serve for an entertainment Touching the second I shewed her that this late accident giveth vehement suspicion that the first match propounded was also but a kind of entertainment to abuse those of the Religion Touching the Discourses though they did proceed from mean personages and that I hoped their Maj. were free from any such intentions yet the strangeness of the late accident could not altogether rest free from suspicion To this she generally replyed That she hoped that the late League was made not with the Admiral and those of the Religion but with the King and therefore she trusted that though her son for his surety sake had justly executed the heads of the Religion yet the said league should continue in his perfect strength for performation whereof there should never be found lack in the King You know saith she that there was good amity between King Francis and King Henry the eighth and yet they favoured not the Pope alike You know also saith she that notwithstanding the difference of Religion between my late husband and King Edward yet the same did not impeach the conclusion of a marriage between the same King and my daughter And as for the Edict saith she the King my sons meaning is not otherwise but that the same shall stand in force To this I replyed that true it was that the League was made with the King and not with the Admiral Notwithstanding that the liberty of conscience was not particularly granted unto him but generally to those of the Religion as to the Amity between the said Princes notwithstanding they were of contrary Religion I told her that the time was now altered for that then there was no general league made at Trent or at Bayonne generally against those of the Religion and surely Madam said I I fear that this late severity executed here will make all Princes of the Religion to repute the same a general denunciation of War against them which I fear will prove as bloody as ever war that hapned whereof the benefit would chiefly grow to the Turk Thereupon she took occasion to inveigh vehemently against the Admiral saying that the matter of Bayonne was a device of his to provoke such Princes as were allies and friends to this Crown to become enemies to the same For saith she the Assembly of Bayonne tended to other end but to make good chear and to the end you may see how little your Mistris was beholding to him you may see saith she a discourse found with his testament made at such time as he was sick at Rochel wherein amongst other advices that he gave to the King my son this is one that he willed him in any case to keep the Queen your Mistris and the King of Spain as low as he could as a thing that tended much to the safety and maintenance of this Crown To that I answered that in this point howsoever he was affected towards the Queen my Mistris he shewed himself a most true and faithful Subject to the Crown of France and the Queens Majestie my Mistris made the more account of him for that she knew him faithfully affected to the same The said discourse was all written with his own hand To the other two reasons she answered nothing but desired me that I
would not be carried away with reports of some seditious instruments that desired nothing else but to set Princes at discord In the end after long debating to and fro of the matter she desired me to protest unto the Queen my Mistris that she and her son desired nothing more then good amity and because the same might grow to more perfection they desired the finishing of this marriage propounded whereof she hoped there would grow safety and quiet to both Realms I then desired her to satisfie me in two points The one of the difficulty of Religion considering their late severity may be compounded if the enterview should go forward The other in what sort they mean to continue in observation of the said Edict To the first she told me that for the difficulty in Religion if there be no other let saith she I doubt not but it shall be so compounded as that it shall be to the contentment of your Mistris As for the second the Kings meaning is that they shall enjoy the liberty of their conscience What Madam said I and the exercise of their Religion to No said she my son will have exercise but of one Religion in his Realm Then said I how can it agree that the observation of the Edict whereof you willed me to advertise the Queen my Mistris that the same should continue in his former strength To that she said that they had discovered certain matters of late that they saw it necessary to abolish all exercise of the same Why Madam said I will you have them live without exercise of Religion Even saith she as your Mistris suffereth the Catholiques of England My Mistris did never promise them any thing by Edict if she had she would not fail to have performed it To that she said that the Queen my Mistris was to direct the Government of her own Countrey and the King his To that I answered that I did not move those questions of any curiosity but to render account to the Queen my Mistris of the proceedings who I knew desired that all things might pass in such sort as might be to their honour A third doubt I propounded how considering their late severity they could perform their promise with the Queen my Mistris if she should be assailed for the cause of Religion in yielding assistance To this she answered that if any yea saith she if the King of Spain I will not stick to move him shall enterprize any thing against her for the cause of Religion she shall not lack for any assistance that this Crown can give her Our desire is onely to reduce this Crown to a quiet state This speech I thought good to impart unto her Majestie referring unto her the consideration of the same Of late though I received ill usage of the people yet at their Majesties hands I find more favour then accustomed whereof I promised to advertise her Majestie La Roche who two years past was imployed in the enterprize at Ireland was lately here at the Court and from hence dispatched to Rochel which maketh men to suspect some enterprize that way And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fourteenth of September 1672. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the right Honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr it may please you to advertise her Majestie that the tenth of this moneth the King and Queen Mother sent for me to the Louvre where first I spake to Queen Mother who shewed me that la Mot hath received such honour and good entertainment at her Majesties hands as that she and her Son the King could do no less then send for me and desire me to render unto her Majestie most hearty thanks for the same and further to shew unto her Majestie that forasmuch as they desire nothing more then some straiter amity with her which they think can by no means come to pass so well as by marriage and therefore the Kings meaning was that she and her son Duke d' Alanson should repair to Bulloin or Callis so that her Majestie will be content to repair to Dover to the end the enterview that hath been propounded might take some effect by some good advice that may be found out for the surety of both their Majesties which thing shall be best considered of how the same may come to pass Further she willed me to tell her Majestie that besides the great hope she had that the same enterview will breed a hope of straiter amity between the two Crowns she desired the same no less for the great good particular affection she had to see her Majestie whereof she would receive as great content as of any one thing that hath hapned unto her in her days To this I answered that I would not fail to advertise her Majestie thereof And thereupon according to the contents of her Majesties Letters of the two and twentieth of August I took occasion to protest unto her in her Majesties behalf that forasmuch as I had before advertised of her and the Kings misliking of an enterview in respect of the inconveniences that hath followed thereof her Majestie could not desire the same but rather refer it to the Kings and her consideration lest if the principal should not take place there might follow that inconvenience that by them was feared To this she answered that she would take the burthen and blame upon her and that whether the matter took effect or not the Kings meaning was to continue good amity with her Majestie I replyed that to see one in marriage is a thing in it self considered honest and allowable and that if the parties desire who sought the same took no place there could grow to him no reproach thereof but in opinion which had no reason of ground for that marriages have their beginning from above Upon that I concluded that for the Duke d' Alanson to see a Princess of her Majesties quality and calling was a thing honourable and that therefore whatsoever success the matter took seeing that marriages came from heaven there could in truth and reason grow to him no dishonour and that therefore unless he could put on that opinion considering the issue to be doubtful it were better not to proceed any further lest it might be an occasion of unkindness which might be unprofitable to both the Crowns To this she answered that she knew it to be ttue and that therefore they would refer the issue to God with intention to continue good friendship whatsoever grew of the matter So having ended with her I repaired to the King who onely willed me to give her Majestie thanks for the good entertainment given to la Motte as also to assure her that his intention and desire was no other but to continue or rather to increase amity with her And further to shew her that he would shortly send the Admirals process unto his Ambassador
doth much desire the consideration of the Kings honour the continuance of the Amity with him she most heartily wisheth that he might so use the matter in time as the world might find him excusable in one of these two sorts that is that either it might be made manifest to indifferent persons that is to such as are not known to have born deadly malice to the Admiral and his party now murthered That if the confirmations that were given to the King of the Admirals evil intention and conspiracy against him were grounded upon truth and not upon malice or pretext and if 〈◊〉 informations might bee verified then might the King be excused in some part both towards God and the world in permitting the Admirals enemies by force to prevent his enterprizes although indeed the same informations had been true yet the manner of the cruelty used cannot be allowed in any Kingdom or Government and least in that place where the King might by order of justice have done due execution both to the Admiral and all others that should have proved offenders for it cannot be denyed that the same forces that murthered so many might have more easily attached them all or the principals and brought them to answer to justice when the King would and of all others the Admiral being on his bed lamed both on the right hand and left arm lying in danger under the cure of Chyrurgions being also guarded about his private house with a number of the Kings guard might have been by a word of the Kings mouth brought to any place to have answered when and how the King should have thought meet But the fault thereof as to the disorder in proceeding howsoever the information had been true her Majestie forbeareth to impute to the King and leaveth the same to the burthen of others about him whose age and knowledge ought in such a case to have foreseen how offenders ought to be justified with the sword of the Prince and not with the bloody swords of murtherers being also the mortal enemies of the party murthered The information whereof for the recovery of the Kings honour which is by the facts of others herein greatly touched her Majestie leaveth to the King to be considered and wisheth him commodity to do what shall be to Gods honour and to his praise But on the other side if such informations were so suddenly given to the King against the Admiral shall not be duly and manifestly without subornation proved true as therein surely the manner of the circumstances do lead all indifrent persons to think the same not onely falsly forged of the private deadly malice to the Admiral and his parties but also perillously devised to weaken the K. Estate and to deprive him of the great honor and surety that daily was growing unto him by counsels or services of the Admiral and his friends now murthered that her Majestie findeth the case of so great importance to be pitied wishing him grace to have power by faithful Counsellours and Servants to make an example to the world of the same manner of punishment of such detestaand trayterous attempts whereby not onely his honour which is now much blemished may be saved but principally himself and his person and surety being in good time provided for and if it shall please him herein to require the use of her Majesties advice and of her assistance she shall not fail but to shew her self in this time a perfect friend to him by all goods means that is in her power And after many good speeches used to the Ambassador she concluded That as the Ambassador required of her she could rather condole with the King this miserable accident then to condemn him until she should see more caus by the manner of his proceeding which he should use hereafter for the recovery of his honour And as to the Admiral she confesseth That she was very sorry for his death as for one whom she thought a good Minister to continue amity betwixt their two Majesties and she had cause to bewail the rest of the Noblemen for the like cause but otherwise the Ambassador could well tell that in former times she did never allow the taking of arms contrary to the Kings Commandment but now perceiving upon the Kings receiving them to grace and taking them to his protection and that it was by consequence of things maâ—ifest that the taking of arms was not against the Kings Estate or Person but to defend themselves in the profession of their Religion according to the Kings own Edicts and Grants her Majestie did greatly lament their death and doth surely perswade her self that if the King shall not use his power to make some amends for so much blood so horribly shed God who seeth the hearts of all as well Princes as others will shew his justice in time and place when his honour shall therein be glorified as the Author of all Juâ—â—ice and the Revenger of all blood sheding of the innocâ—â—ts In this manâ—er at the least to this purpose with some largeâ— discourse to the Ambassadors contentation hath her Majestie uttered her meaning and according thereunto willâ—th â—hat you her Ambassador shall take convenient time to declare what she hath thought meet and yet you shall well consider aforehand how and in what sort you may communicate all this So as both he may well uâ—derstand iâ— and reserve so much thereof to himself as shall seem meet to be kept from others that have been Procureâ—s or Consenters to this murther For such how near soever they be to the King in place of service or in degree of blood may not be privy thereto And therefore you must also first consider and seek to understand whether indeed the King was no otherwise induced to this then as the Ambassador here reporteth oâ— whether the report be not devised to cover the Kings honour to us-ward For if he were privy to the intention of the murther indeed as God forbid that ever he was then this manner of dealing with him in many parts is to be forborn as your self can well judge which is to be left to your discretion using then but such part thereof as may declare her Majesties grief for the accident and so to use good words toward him of her Majesties disposition to continue the amity But if ye shall truly perceive that the King is grieved with the accident and that he hath a disposition to revenge it upon the Authors and Executors and that you find a good will to receive her Majesties opinion and to use such advice as you shall give him â—ecretly thâ—â— shall you deal inwardly with him with assurance of her Majesties friendship to the utmost of her power and require him that he will utter his mind plainly unto you or otherwise by some such of his own as he may well trust to impart it to us and it is to be left to your own consideration how you shall deal with the
inconvenience hapned as also to assure him of her Majesties disposition to continue the amity upon such certain informations as I could gather here of the manner of the Kings proceedings in this late accident and finding him to avow aswel by speech as by the continuance of most extreme severity towards those of the Religion that the said accident proceeded of himself though her Majestie is otherwise informed by the Ambassador I thought therefore good both towards him and his mother according to the direction of your Honours letters to use such speeches as the time of my repair to the Court which was the one and twentieth of this moneth would permit I was first brought unto Q. Mother to whom I shewed that her Maj. willed me to say That she was not a little stonished and perplexed upon the hearing of the late miserable and most lamentable accident in such sort as she knew neither what to say or judge of the matter seeing those murthered without pity and compassion without regard had either of age or sex without ordinary form of justice who upon the assurance of the Kings word laying all suspicion aside did misdoubt nothing less then that which hapned unto them who thought their lives then in most safety when by proof it appeared they were in most danger How these things may pass and the King receive no touch and blemish in honour is a thing which the Queen my Mistris saith she chiefly feareth besides she hath willed me to say unto you That she doth not a little marvel that you being a Prince of that judgement you are and so well experimented in matters of Government knowing the passions and factions that reign in your State could be induced so easily to yield to an execution not to be allowed in all mens judgement in any sort or Commonwealth as the parties to be executed before due examination had of such informations as in reason it appeareth were given against them for as easily might the said persons havâ— been arrested as slain And so being arrested afterwards have been produced before the ordinâ—ry justice to have received being found guilty punishment according to their demerits otherwise being found innocent to have been restored both to honour and liberty which kind of proceeding might have saved the blood of many an innocent which now through the fury and rage of the people was shed and the King had remained justified in honour She desireth your Majestie to interpret this her plain speech in good part as proceeding from one that wisheth well both to the King and you and cannot therefore but condole and bewail this accideâ—t whereon dependeth both your honour and the repose of your Estate notwithstanding she hopeth that the King will yield justification of this fact as he shall remain justified of God and the world To this she answered That she nothing marvelled that the Queen my Mistris was astonished with the accident for that the execution was performed with a great deal more cruelty then was intended by the King who saith she is no Tyrant nor was easie to be induced to do that which he did had he not been provoked thereto by the apparent danger which he saw growing both to himself and to me his Mother and his Brethren if present execution had not been done which shall well appear by the process which my son meaneth to send unto the Queen your Mistris And whereas the Queen your Mistris doth seem to marvel that I should be easily induced to yield to any execution a kind of speech that somewhat toucheth me to be done before due examination had of the informations I being as she saith so well acquainted with factions reigning in this State You may tell her that present mischief cannot abide delayed remedies for saith she we were informed by persons not to be suspected as drawn by passion or faction being rather tied to the Admiral both by Religion and Amity yet moved in conscience to prefer their Prince before any private person for that those of the Religion had they not been prevented at the time that they were had seized within two hours after one of the gates of our Pallace of the Louvre and so consequently our persons which enterprize to have been executed was agreed the same afternoon that the Admiral was hurt And that they had some such meaning it may be gathered for that the Count of Montgomery the same morning that this enterprize should have been executed with a Troop of Horse stayed a good while at Pre de Clerces to attend what the other should do within Hereupon I took occasion to say unto her That although I had no Commission to reply yet I hoped her Majestie would give me leave to say somewhat in the justifying of the said Count of Mongomery for that heretofore it pleased her to bear with the liberty of my speech And so I shewed her that Friday at night after the Admiral was hurt between nine and ten of the clock the said Count came unto my lodging and amongst other communication he said That as he and those of the Religion had just occasion to be right sorry for the Admirals hurt so had they no less cause to rejoyce to see the King so careful as well for the curing of the Admiral as also for the searching out of the party that hurt him No small argument saith he of the Kings sincerity which kind of speech seemed to be void of all conspiracy and miscontentment And touching his being au Pre de Clerces I told her that an English Gentleman who was lodged not far from the said Count went unto him that morning that the execution was done in my name desiring him to send me word what stirr there was in the Town His answer was That true it was some stirr was in the Town and the King had taken so good order therein as all was appeased and that he had placed such guards about the Admirals house as he was in safety This answer Madam said I shewed that his intention in staying Aâ— pre de Clerces was void of any evil meaning And as for his Troop as I learn it was under forty horse of the which all was unarmed and of them four only had Pistols which sheweth plainly that he was very slenderly appointed for the execution of any Enterprise To this her only answer was That she thought not the Count so guilty as the rest And further she shewed me that sithence his departure he had written to the King her son as well Letters for his justification as also of submission In the end she willed me to desire her Majestie to content her self with such relation as should be made with their Ambassador there touching their proceedings here as the King her son and she did rest satisfied with such relations as were made of her proceedings in like cases there by her Ministers here And so making great protestation of the Kings and her earnest desire for
strange being we had heard before of the daily murdering of those of the Religion there in France not only at Paris and Orleans but also at Lyons and Roan and divers other places and Cities of that Realm all the which was done by the Kings appointment and commandment whereupon when we had heard what he could say unto us he heard us so reply at that time as we do think he found himself unable to satisfie us And nevertheless we told him that we would be further advised for our answer which he should have within three or four daies whereupon communicating his Negotiation with our Councel upon their French tongue An answer was made as appeareth by this here inclosed which is the copy of that we delivered to Nicasius to interpret in French to the said de la Mott as our ful answer resolution at that time with the which as Nicasius reporteth de la Mott seemed very well content and satisfied In the which yet you may perceive that divers things are left to be ascertained to us by you wherefore you shall do well with convenient speed to demand audience of the King and there to declare both to him and to the Queen mother what hath passed betwixt his Ambassador and us and upon the points we did at that time stand and you may say as touching any worthy punishment executed upon his own Subjects we have not to deal therein but if they have worthily suffered we are sorry for their evil doings But yet the King to destroy and utterly root out of his Realm all those of that Religion that we profess and to desire us in marriage for his brother must needs seem unto us at the first a thing very repugnant in it self especially having before confirmed that liberty to them of the Religion by an Edict of his perpetual and irrevocable Of the which to whom that liberty was granted if any were partakers of any evil conspiracies against him specially women and children who we do understand are not yet spared And therefore if that Religion of it self be so odious unto him that he thinks he must root out all the professers of it how should we think his brother a fit husband for us or how should we think that the love may grow continue and increase betwixt his brother and us which ought to be betwixt the husband and the wife You had in our former Letters unto you things that we required you to decypher by all means that you could especially whether the King himself be inclined and bent to all these cruelties and the rooting out of true Religion or whether he be but overruled to the which Article hitherto you have not answered and yet these things might give great light unto us how to direct our actions in the conferences and talks with his Ambassador and we would have you to be earnest with him in that matter of Strozzi praying him frankly and roundly what he meaneth with that great Army of Ships and men of War which hath been kept a long time close and undiscovered to what intent or to what place it should be bent You may say we have the more desire to know his meaning and dealing herein because that of latâ— they of Strozzies Company there have spoiled divers of our Merchants some of their Artillery and Victuals other of their goods and Merchandizes as was accustomed betwixt the two Realms in times past the which kind of dealing is very much contrary to the amity and to such things as by his Ambassador is propounded unto us wherefore as we do go roundly and plainly to work with him to shew flatly that which we do think or doubt hereupon so we pray him with the same flatness and roundness to deal with us for that is the way to make continuance of amity and also increase and may induce us the sooner to come to a further resolution of such things as be required of us The Vidam of Chartres of whom we have great compassion is come into this Realm at whose humble and lamentable suit we have been content to write this Letter to my brother the French King in his favour which you shall deliver with as good words as you may to the French King and require his answer If this our Letter do chance to come to you in Paris or in the way coming from Paris towards England after you have obtained licence of the King to come away by favour of our Letters which we wrote unto him yet if you be not too far on the way or very near the sea-coast we would you should return in Poste or otherwise to the Court to have a direct answer of these Letters except that great and unfeigned danger of your self do move you to keep on your journey In which case you shall commit the doing of this message and receiving of answer to your Secretary whom you shall leave behind so that he be a man able to do this charge Given at Reading the 28 of September 1572. in the fourteenth year of our Reigne T. Smith The Ambassadors Message in three Points THat the King was of necessity for safeguard of his own life forced to cause such execution to be done upon the Admiral and his complices as was done for that he and they had conspired the death of the King of which matter the King was very well able to make a verification and that her Majesty should shortly see by the process of the Admiral now in making and that nothing was meant by the King against the cause of Religion That the King was most earnestly disposed to keep the League That he desired to have the marriage of his brother of Alanzon to proceed and to that end the Queen mother was content to come into the Realm with her son at such place and with such numbers as her Majesty here should allow Answers To the first That although the killing of the Admiral and the rest might probably move her Majestie to think ill thereof and to be right sorry that the King should suffer such an act to be done without order of justice yet her Majestie being advertised from the King that he was forced thereunto for safety of his own life and that thereof her Majestie should see good proof by such a process thereof to be sent to her Majestie as should verifie the same her Majestie is content to suspend her judgement against the King untill by the process she may see the truth and by the Kings further proceedings hereafter for continuance of his Edict for tolleration of Religion she may perceive what to judge of his intention for the cause of Religion To the second her Majestie thanketh the King for his so earnest an offer to continue the amity according to the late League made and doth again assure the King of her mind to keep it for her part so as howsoever the King shall by his deeds shew his affection therein her Majestie will
some unplaced and in that profession very excellent but the entertainment they require is so unreasonable and so far exceedeth your Lordships offer as I dare not deal with them They ask 300 Crowns a year besides meat and drink and the finding of their horse and the least they can be reduced unto is 200 Crowns True it is that such of the Noblemen as entertain them do give them no less wages He useth towards them what perswasions he may to induce them to think that 150 Crowns in England will go further then 300 here but as yet no perswasions will serve to make them so to think I say therefore to conclude any thing with them I mind not until I hear further from your Lordship Of late doubting that there is no good meant towards you from hence and having some cause to suspect some Irish practises and knowing that Capt. Lassetty doth understand the state and weakness of that Countrey I have entertained him with some hope to be entertained of her Majestie his imperfections I know well enough notwithstanding his service may be profitable and if it be to no other end yet were the entertainment of him necessary in respect of the harm he may do At all times when any danger did seem to grow towards her Majesty he hath requested me to present to her his service though that Nation be very much inclined to treason yet surely I think him in that point to stand much upon his honor Because I would be loath long in vain to entertain him with that hope I beseech your Lordship that I may by the next hear what your opinion is in this behalf Captain Massino del Beni whom your Lordship knoweth who is now retired into Germany requested me to desire your Lordship to offer his service unto her Majesty who in respect of Religion and the zeal and honor he beareth towards her Majesty would be glad to sacrifice his life in her defence If your Lordship think the same might be received then would he repair thither if otherwise he would be glad to know it because he meaneth to take some other course to direct himself I am the willinger at this point to offer the service of Souldiers for that I fear her Maiesty shall have iust cause to use them considering how slenderly we are furnished at home for now that the Prince of Orange is retired her Majesty may not long look to live in repose I am sorry that the union of Scotland is not already made which I fear will be cause of both their and our ruine If that footing-place were taken away from our foraign enemies our danger would be the lesse Money will do any thing with that Nation as your Lordship knoweth which if her Majesty stick to disburse she shall find neither profit nor surety in it The tempest that hangeth over our head is to mans judgment apparent so great as if she overslip any remedy that may be used she must not long look to keep the State that she now enjoyeth If the great strength and power of her enemies be weighed with her weakness the danger cannot but seem the greater if any thing be omitted to be done that may â—end to her safety If England and Scotland be united and such unsound members cut off as have been the cause of inward corruption both her enemies shall have less will to attempt any thing against her safety and she remain in less perill of such mischiefs as otherwise are like to fall upon her Violent diseases must have violent remedies if her Majesty do not not now think her State to stand in extremity things at home well considered both she and the same are in more danger I beseech your Lordship to pardon my passion in this behalf the suspition I have of the evill meaning here towards her Majesty maketh me to be thus carried away as I am And so leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I must humbly take my leave At Paris the 8 of October 1572. Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham Answers to the French Ambassador given by word of mouth by my Lord Treasurer in the Councell Chamber in Octob. 1572 FOr the Kings answer to the advice of her Majesty given in two points viz. that the King would cause the world to understand of his deed upon the Admirals death somwhat better then yet it did Secondarily that he would see that his Edicts be better observed her Majesty meaneth not to reply thereto wishing that both in the one and the other the King find good success To the motion of the Enterview to be before the 20 of October and iâ— to the Queen Mothers letter is to be at the Isle of Iersey seemed to her majesty so strange both for the time and place as if the Admirall had not shewed the Letters from the King and Qu. Mother to that effect her Majesty should either not have believed it or that the Ambassador had mistaken the same as without long speech the Ambassador may easily perceive for the 20 day of October is not 14 days off from the time of the motion nor one month from the date of the Kings letter and Iersey is a place so far distant as neither King of this land would adventure to sail unto for many causes nor yet any Merchant would take upon him to pass thither almost in that time Besides that the late proceedings in France to the destruction of all sorts of her Majesties Religion which also is not ceased to her Majesties understanding cannot but argue this manner of motion very absurd and besides ingender in the subjects of this Realm such conceits as it were a dangerous thing for Councellors to be so careless of their Prince as to give ear to such motions and it is the stranger now to make this motion by letters of the 23 of September when the French Ambassador the same 23 of September did say at Reading to the Queens Majesty that the Queen Mother was content to come into any place of this Realm which is now strangely changed that the â—ueens Majesty should come to her over the Sea to the coast of France being more then three days sailing except she might have wind at her commandment And in this matter also the Queens Majesty can give no answer untill she hear answer from her Ambassador to her letters sent after the Kings letters were dated As to the offer of continuance of Amity renewing the League by a new Oath the Queens Majesty meaneth nothing more then to continue the Amity And for renewing of any Oath she knoweth no cause of her part to be required a new Oath for that she hath not violated the same nor meaneth to do and trusteth as much in the Kings part that he will keep it without any new Oath As for the proceeding for the establishing of a commerce in certain Towns in France it is over-evident by the late murther in Roan which the
King saith was by the mean people how unmeet it were at this time to motion such a matter unto her Merchants who be now marvellously intimerated and before these murthers did hear not most willingly thereof because of divers evill treatments that they have suffered at Roan and divers other places and therefore this matter is to be suspended untill the Merchants may understand that the King shall have corrected the late murthers at Roan that they shall not attempt the like another time upon them and that they may perceive that the King is so willing to do justice upon the Catholiques which may have the murtherers that they may assure them that under his protection they may go safe and not fear the rage of the furious people As to the sending of the Earl of Leicester or Lord Treasurer after the Queens avouchment her Majesty indeed is very sorry that there is such an alteration of occasion of doing such an office for as her Majesty before had intention to have sent either one of them or such other as should be as agreeable to the King so now there is to all the world one great cause that her Majesty may not with honor nor with law of nature send any whom she loveth to be in danger as it seemeth they may be though the King have never so good a meaning For by the death of so many whom the King doth not avow nor yet punish the murtherers what surety can strangers have especially when the King pretendeth as by his own letters appeareth that it is the fury of the Catholiques against those of the Religion As to the difficulties found by her Ambassadors return and to leave a Secretary there in respect of the danger wherein he is at this time her Majesty thinketh that the King might otherwise think thereof for when he saith he will revoke also his Ambassador from hence if hers should come for a time It is well known with what liberty and surety his Ambassador may and doth travell in this Realm who may go when he will without danger and without fear of mind do his negotiation where contrariwise her Ambassador dare not go out of his doors without a guard being to his great charge and disquieting And so the Queens request is to have her Ambassador from thence but for such a time as the tempest may cease in France and the murtherers be in awe of the King by Justice REQUESTS That the Kings Declarations maintained in his Letters for our Merchants good usage at Burdeaux and elswhere may be published in print as his otheâ— Edicts are That it may be also notified that the King will have the English Merchants restored to their goods which were left in the hands of his subjects that have been murthered for that many of them in Roan and elswhere were by way of Merchandise indebted to the English That for the hearing of English complaints for causes both in Normandy and Gascoigne there might be some extraordinary indifferent Commissioners to hear the same with expedition whereupon if the Merchants shall find favour and justice they may be the more easily induced to allow the Conditions of a Commerce To the right honorable and his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester IT may please your Lordship to understand that by certain that returned from Frankfort Mart I understand that one of the Gentlemen that departed hence with intention to accompany your Nephew Mr. Philip Sidney to Heâ—delberg died by the way at a place called Bladin in Lorain who by divers conjectures I took to be the Dean of Winchester who as I advertised your Lordship by Mr. Argall I employed to encounter the evill practices of your said Nephews servants If therefore your Lordship he now being void shall not speedily take order in that behalf if already it be not done the young Gentleman your Nephew shal be in danger of a very lewd practice which were great pitie in respect of the rare gifts that are in him Touching news I refer your Honor to these inclosed occurents and the report of this Bearer to whom I have given order to communicate certain things unto you And so leaving further to trouble your Honor at this present I most humblie take my leave At Paris the 17 of October 1572. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the right worshipful Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador resident in France SIR I shewed to the Queens Majesty and my Lords of the Councell both your letters to me written the 8 of this instant the one contained your negotiation the other was a discourse both wisely written and very well liked On Thursday last Monsieur du Crocque was here and had audience given him by my Lord Treasurer my Lord Chamberlain and my Lord of Leicester because the Queens Majesty was not at time perfectly whole of the small Pox as the Physicians did say although her Majesty and a great sort more will not have it so now it makes no matter what it was thanks be to God she is perfectly whole and no sign thereof left in her face On Sunday he had his answer given unto the Steward of his house the sum and substance whereof I send you here inclosed whereby you may know his negotiation which was long in words to make us believe better of that King then yet we can and replied as I understand liberally enough although in that Prince and Countrey who have so openly and injuriously done against Christ who is Truth Sincerity Faith Pitie Mercy Love and Charity nothing can be too sharply and severely answered Yet Princes you know are acquainted with nothing but Doulceur so must be handled with Doulceur especially amongst and between Princes And therefore to temperate as you may perceive not that they may think the Queens Majesty and her Councell such fools that we know not what is to be done and yet that we should not appear so rude and barbarous as to provoke where no profit is to any man I think I for my part do not doubt but you will use this answer as you were wont gravely and wisely for the King there will look to have it as well at your hands as at his Ambassadors You are carefull as wisdom doth lead you of the wel-doing here in England which needs must be well esteemed of her Majesty and all her Councell and I tell you we are not so remiss and negligent as peradventure another that knoweth not would think In time things be done unlooked for as well for mischief as that was in France as to good and remedy where God giveth grace and circumspection Truth it is that God disposeth all whatsoever a man doth purpose as Divines do say and it is his gift if wise men do provide for mischief to to come and yet whatsoever they do devise the event doth come of him onely who is the God of hope and fear beyond hope and expectation because you shall understand that even
she being through sickness in that time in state not to give audience To the first touching the Enterview The 2d touching the confirmation of the league with renewing of the Oath The third touching the establishing of Traffique The fourth the Kings requests to have the Lord Treasurer or the Earle of Leicester come over after the Queens delivery To these four Requests I made her acquainted with such answers as were made unto the same To the first touching the time she said that she wrote unto the Ambassador that in respect of the young Queens delivery which she thought would have been ere â—his time the meeting could not be before the twentieth of this moneth and that therefore he should move it against that time not meaning that it should be so precisely set down but it should be referred chiefly to her Majesties choice To the second touching the place she shewed me that forasmuch as she had never intention to come over the same being mistaken by the Ambassador and that the interview by Sea was thought inconvenient hearing that the Isles of Iersey did belong unto her Majesty she thought that that was a convenient place for the said Enterview and therfore she caused the Ambassador to propound it protesting that the same was void of any evill meaning or intention and that there were Letters written to the Ambassador for that purpose before the late execution here To the second touching the renewing of the Oath she said that the same proceeded of advertisements from the Ambassador that her Majesty should say that she could not tell what accompt or assurance to make of the late League concluded whereupon the King willed him to make offer unto her that what she could devise for the assurance and faithful keeping of the same he would most willingly put in execution and thereupon willed him to offer that if her Majesty should think it requisite the same should be confirmed by a new oath and as for my self saith she considering the same had not been violated of either party I concur with your Mistres in opinion thinking the same needless To the third touching the establishing of Traffique she said she saw some reason to think her Majesties answer reasonable That the time seemeth now improper considering the late disorder at Roan notwithstanding the Kings meaning was to take such order as well for the punishing of offenders as for the well using of Merchants as that they should have no just cause to fear to which purpose the King had written both to Caranges the Governour as also to the chief President there Touching the fourth concerning the Kings request for the coming over either of the Lord Treasurer or the Earl of Leicester she said that the same also proceeded of advertisement from the Ambassador that he thought that if their Majesties would require the coming over of either of them after the Queens delivery that the same would be yielded to whereupon the King gave him Commission to move her Majesty in that behalf he desiring nothing more then one of them to whom he knew he might communicate matters of weight as frankly as unto her Majesty and as touching any peril that might happen unto them she said that the King would take such order for safety as they should be in no less surety here then at home in her own realm To that I replied that it would be very hard for her Majesty or any other to be so perswaded in that behalf for that it was not possible any disorder in a State could be reduced to order without punishment and that therefore neither stranger nor their own subjects can make accompt to be in safety within their government so long as the malefactors should remain unpunished To this she said that the injuries done by those of the Religion against the Catholiques were so great as it was hard to bridle the peoples fury especially upon the discovery of this new Treason notwithstanding such order was taken that no publique person or Ambassador should be touched This was the sum of her reply unto such answers as were made by her Majesty to the Ambassador there I made her also acquainted with her Majeiesties answer to the Ambassador touching my Revocation To the which she said That the world would judge some alteration to be between the two Crowns if any such thing should be done without sending some other to supply my place I then delivered her a copie of the three Requests given to the Ambassador there to be exhibited unto their Majesties here in the behalf of the Merchants wherein she promised that there should be such order taken as should be to the contentment of her Majesty and the safety of her subjects and that already the matter had been considered of Being given to understand that the Baron de la Garde was arrived here I requested her Majesty that if it would please her to deal earnestly with him as well for the release of those English ships that were stayed already as also to give order that those that are now presently to repair to Burdeaux may pass to fro in safety without any molestation either with the Gallies or of the other ships there Whereupon she sent unto me the next day the said Baron de la Garde who after long circumstances used of the great good will he bare unto her Majesties Father and to her Majesty her selfe and to our Nation assured me that the ships that were staied were delivered That he had taken order before his departure from Brouage that our Merchants should pass freely without any molestation or trouble and that there were already some passed whom onely he did forbid that they should not touch at the Road before Rochel he shewed me that he had received such strait commandement at her Majesties hands for the well usage of our Merchants as I might assure my selfe they should have no just cause to complain She requested me in the conclusion of our talk to write unto her Majesty that she was given to understand that one Sorez their subject lately retired hither did seek some shipping there within her Majesties Dominions she therefore desired her that she would take order for some restraint to be made in that behalf for that he is so ill an Instrument as he would be glad to do somthing to breed unkindness between the two Crowns which occasion she said she hoped her Majesty would avoid Moreover she shewed me that divers of her subjects did complain of injuries done unto them by certain ships that lye about the Downs and the Isle of Wight and therefore desired me to write unto her Majesty that there might be some redress given in that behalf And so leaving to trouble your Honor any fnrther at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the 25 of October 1572. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the right honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principall Secretary SIR it may please
you to advertise her Majesty that the young Queen was brought to bed of a daughter the 22 of October whose Nativity was consecrated with the blood of Briquemont and Cavannes who the same day between the hours of 5 and 6 in the evening were hanged by Torch-light the King Queen mother and the King of Navarre with the Kings brethren and Prince of Conde being lookers on As Briquemont was going up the ladder the Under-Provost of the Town said that the King had sent him to know whether he could say any thing touching the late Conjuration which if he would confess he would save his life Whereunto he answered that the King had never a more faithful nor a more truer subject then he was but this I know proceeded not of himself but of evil Counsellours about him and so lifting up his eyes to heaven he said O my God upon whose Tribunal Seat I stand and whose face I hope shortly to see thou knowest well that I know nothing nor did not so much as once think of any Conjuration against the King nor against his Estate though contrariwise they have untruly put the same in my process but I beseech my God that he will pardon the King and all those that have been the cause of this my unjust death even as I desire pardon at thy hands for my sins and offences committed against thy Divine Majestie Being then drawn up another step on the ladder he uttered onely these words I have somewhat to utter unto the King which I would be glad to communicate unto him but said he I see that I may not and so shrunk up his shoulders to forbear to use any further speech As his constancy generally was much commended so was his death much bewailed of many Catholiques that were beholders of the same Cavannes used no speech but shewed himself void of all magnanimity who before his death in hope of life made some shew to relent in Religion Two things were generally much misliked at this execution the one the presence of the King as a thing unworthy the Head of justice to be at the execution of justice the other that Briquemont being a Gentleman was hanged a thing very rare in France especially he being reputed of his enemies to be innocent of that thing which lately had been laid to his charge About an hour after the execution the cruel and bloody people of this Town not content with their death took them down from the Gallows and drew them about the streets thrusting them through their bodies with daggers and shooting of dags at them cutting off their ears and omitting no other kind of villanous and barbarous cruelty It was thought also that there should have been another general day of execution of as many as have been known at any time to have been of the Religion the stay whereof I am credibly informed was procured by the Queen Mother who with no small difficulty and intercession obtained the same at the Kings hands who protested that the same was but deferred for a time The King is grown now so bloody minded as they that advised him thereto do repent the same and do fear that the old saying will prove true Malum consilium consultori pessimum At the time of my Congratulation of the birth of the child I used these speeches following to the King Sir knowing the mutual good will that is between my Mistris the Queen and your Majestie as between whom good and evil pleasures and displeasures are common I could do no less being her Minister here but congratulate as well the prosperous delivery of the Queen your Majesties wife as also the Nativity of the yong Princess your daughter who is as it were a pledge of some issue-male to follow that may hereafter supply the Royal Seat that you presently enjoy which when it cometh to pass no Prince Neighbor Ally or Confederate will be more glad thereof then the Queens Majestie my Mistris Whereunto the King answered after private thanks given unto me for the office of Congratulation that I did use such speech as appertained to the good amity between them which was That pleasures and displeasures should be common to either of them which as I look for no less aâ— my good sisters hands your Mistris so she may assure her self saith he at my hands and I wish that my Ambassador might have occasion to use like office of Congratulation towards hâ—r as you do here towards me I thanked his Majestie for wishing that wish for that it was a general desire to as many as truly loved her Majestie As I was taking my leave he told me that they of Rochel against whom he did mean presently to send his Forces did give out that her Majestie promiseth to send them succours which thing saith he I do not believe considering the good intelligence that is between us To this I replyed that if his Majestie should give credit to any such thing he should do her Majestie great wrong considering the late protestation I made unto him on her Majesties behalf that her meaning was not to do any thing that may tend to the violating of the late League concluded between them As for the Brutes given out by them of Rochel who are now in desperation I shewed him that men in that state are glad to give out any thing that may draw others to joyn with them in assistance He answered that he believed it was so And so I took my leave of him I was then brought unto Queen Mother unto whom I used like speech of Congratulation After which speech I shewed her that the King had made me acquainted with certain brutes given out by them of Rochel of some ayd promised by her Majestie which thing very honourably said I he protesteth he would not believe Whereupon she shewed me how it was true that certain Letters were lately intercepted sent by them of Rochel in the which there was mention made that her Majestie underhand had promised to assist them that the Count Montgomery would repair unto them with the said assistance but for my part saith she I know the Queen your Mistris to be too honourable and too wise to intermeddle in any such matter who I know will give the King my son leave to deal with his subjects as shall seem best unto himself I shewed her that in so judging of her Majestie she judged rightly and that I hoped she would give more credit to her Majesties late protestation touching the inviolable observing of the late League then to any brutes that should be given out by desperate men This was the effect of that which passed between us for that present About the seven and twentieth of the last there arrived here a Currier out of Spain sent from the Ambassador Resident there who hath brought unto them very grateful news especially Monsieur as I hear seemeth to be most contented with the same He hath lately had great conference with the
and that time we will hasten as we may I pray you buy me the Commentaries of Mathiolus upon Dioscorides translated into French and let it be bound there with two or three sheets of paper before and in the end That book was never wont to go from me and now I cannot tell how it is stoln from me because it was noted with my observations and notes I had rather have lost a far better thing and in London I cannot buy any other and therefore I pray you help me to one and I wil repay it where you will appoint in French Crowns with a hundred thanks Fare you well From Windsore the thirtieth of October 1572. Your assured Friend Th. Smith To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr yesterday came Williams your servant to Windsore with your Letters and Advertisements of that which he had to declare concerning Lions Florence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein I see strange dealing for the party once offered to remain Prisoner until the truth might be tryed and so to lose his head if the tale were not true wherefore I see it is good reason to be slow in credit to such matters Presently there is here one York come as he saith with Letters from Lyons of credit to the Queens Majestie and his message is to declare secretly the danger of and that if 3 would be so content E would come to lie into hall 2 with such other fond devices as for many respects the party is greatly suspected wherefore her Majestie hath willed me with all haste to will you by some good means to understand the truth of the party himself that is to say of Glasco and if he have not sent any such then with speed to advertise for I think it will be necessary for 3 in honour and for in safety to utter the matter or the party to Florence This messenger pretendeth great devotion in Religion and we understand that he is of great levity and fully meet for any dangerous enterprize I cannot write any more for haste of sending away this Pacquet because her Majestie would have speedy answer I trust you shall shortly hear of some comfort of a successor The Queens Majestie is content that I shall speak to Mr. Frâ—â—â—is Carew to supply that place with whom to morrow I will speak and that earnestly We are wont to have all evil news from thence but now we have also very evil news in our North parts The nine and twentieth of the last the good Regent of Scotland dyed as I think by a natural sickness and yet the certâ—â—nty is not known This will make our cause the worse in Scotland for I fear the conveyance away of the King and yet there is care taken for his safety but I can almost hope for no good using our selves â—all by heâ—ps and why the heaps fall not upon our selves personâ—lly I seâ— nothing to the let thereof in our selves God be merciful unto us Yesterday the French Ambassador sent me word to declare to her Majestie that the French Queen hath brought forth a Daughter and to know wheâ—her the Queens Majestie would be content to Christen it with her own name and to send my Lord of Leicester or me thither Her Majesties answer was That she would not desire to Christen it nor would send my Lord of Lâ—â—â—ester oâ— me but if the King would desâ—â—e her Majestie to be God-mother she would not refuse it but would send some person quâ—lified What will follow hereof I know not From my house at Westminster the third of November 1572. Your assured loving Friend William Burleigh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France MY Lord I do thank you for the speedy answer to my former letters which I wrote touching a Rider and I perceive you used so much care as you have already hearkned out one that is recommended very sufficient but his demands you think are very great and so they be indeed But as I am desirous to have such a man so am I loth to pay too dearly for him I would gladly hear how Moâ—ret doth imploy him now or whether you think him not a meet man for that purpose If he be of his wonted mind he is very desirous to return again hither and to serve very reasonable and I am given to understand that he hath profited very well in his profession since his being there If he be to be had reasonably and that you hear of his ability therewith of men of judgement to be confirmed I had rather have him then any other If he be not then this I say for the other whom I thank you again for I will give him 150 Crowns a year wages and his meat and drink and lodging in my house for him and his man and allowance in my stable for two horses and if he prove a man to my liking I think you do believe I can find in my heart to be better worth to him one way or another then 50 Crowns besides his wages If you can thus agree with him the sooner he come to me the better not doubting but that you will in the mean time make good inquiry of his trade and life and what his conditions be And if ever he have been honest I trust to keep him so and if his nature be not too bad I hope he shall be contented here with his usage as I mean he shall be treated And so Sir I most humbly desire you to let me have some description of the man by your next and what you think he will do Now Sir Touching our estate here First thanks be to God our Mistris is in very good health and I trust in God ere it be long will shew some care over us all The matters in Scotland stand but in tickle terms between the parties I mean between the King and the Queens side and so have they Agents for that the King left them who be now returned with better hope I think then in the end they shall have cause to bring their practises to pass Other particular news of weight here is none at this present worth the writing but that we are all here yet quiet and by Gods good assistance I trust shortly more certain hope we shall have of the continuance of it We your poor friends here are continually labourers for your coming home and surely I trust you shall return ere it be long For my own part I will not cease till it be granted and in hope of that I will forbear to write somewhat now which when you come home if you will affirm â— will tell you So my good Francis fare you well In some haste the seven and twentieth of October At Windsore I mean to morrow or next day being at London to visit your wife ceaseth vvho not to call daily upon all your friends here by your letters for your coming home I like not my
observation of the accord between them requesting him to continue the same Touching the election of the King of Polonia they write that the Elector Brandenburg is most like to be chosen notwithstanding they have great hope of Monsieurs election which men of great judgement do think to be void of any good ground By letters out of Italy they write that the Turk will have in a readiness against the next Spring 400 Gallies whereof they are very much afraid the rather for that their own Forces by sea do decay the greatest part of their slaves for the furniture being decayed by sickness this last voyage And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eighteenth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord of Treasurer BEcause Steward is absent from the Court I can by no means decypher what is the end of Monsieur de la Noue's travel If there be no mystery in the matter then are others doing not so well grounded as they make men believe So soon as I shall be able to decypher any further of the matter I will not fail to advertise your Lordship It is here said that Monsieur de la Mot hath advertised how that her Majesties meaning is to execute the Queen of Scots Whereupon such as favour her do discourse that it were good to stay the Noblemen that shall be sent hither by her Majestie for the Christening as a pledge for the said Queens safety that their Majesties here should have such intention I know not The Legate as I am most credibly informed hath amongst other Articles of his Instructions commandment earnestly to commend the Queen of Scots cause to the King here and to devise with him some mean for her delivery whereby England may be reduced to the Catholique faith The Scotish Ambassador hath more often recourse unto him then any other Ambassador here which maketh me the rather to doubt some practise Hamilton brother to him that killed the Regent hath sent this message unto D. Chasteauherauld following that is to do what he may to keep the Castle of Edenburgh and to maintain his party until Whitsundy next assuring him that by that time they shall have assistance both from the Pope Spain and this Crown The party himself that is to do the message made me acquainted with all which is now departed towards Scotland and hath promised me to declare no less to Mr. Randolph who knoweth him And so leaving further to trouble your Honor at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eigh and twentieth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester WHat hope they have here to compound with Rochel and by what means your Lordship shall understand by Mr. Secretaries Letters as also what is written from Flanders Germany and Italy If Rochel may be reduced to compound as they hope for they think it will be a means to cause the other Towns to yield the sooner It is said that the Rochellois are drawn the rather to give ear to a composition for that they see there is no hope of Forreign succours and yet when a man considereth what is past a man would think there could grow unto him no greater danger no other way then to grow to composition I cannot therefore think but that there is some other mysterie in the matter more then I can as yet decypher The hope of composition doth put them in great comfort that they shall shortly settle their inward troubles which I fear will breed some troubles to their neighbors And so having nothing else to advertise your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eighteenth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship to understand that after the closing up of my Letters to Mr. Secretary I was given to understand that by a Currier lately repaired hither from Rochel they have received from Monsieur de la Noue certain Articles of composition propounded by them of Rochel unto the King Amongst the rest I do understand First that they may have the free exercise of their Religion as heretofore they have had Secondly that they may keep inviolably the old and ancient liberties of their Town Thirdly that instead of Monsieur de Byron they may have la Noue to be their Governor It is though there that the King will consent unto their Articles with intention to observe them as he hath done others before He thinketh that the Composition with Râ—chel will serve for an introduction to others that hold out to do the like the hope whereof doth make them here very merry For other advertisements out of Germany Flanders and Italy I refer your Lordship to Master Secretaries Letters At Paris the eighteenth of December 1572. Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident in France ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well there hath been with us Monsieur de Mannesire with the Letters from the King and Queen Mother and the Duke of Alanson His credence was in three points The continuance of the Amity That we should be God-mother to the Infant and to pursue still the request of marriage with the Duke of Alanson To whom we answered First that as for amity having it of late by league so straitly made betwixt us on our behalf we never attempted nor minded to attempt any thing that should impair it but rather do study and wish to encrease the same if we could and therefore you may say it is that and the good will appertaining to that Amity that made us by you before and now by de Mannesire to declare what we have heard of our good brotheâ— which we are sorry to hear First the great slaughter made in France of Noblemen and Gentlemen unconvicted and untryed So suddenly as it is said at his commandment did seem so much to touch the honour of our good brother as we could not but with lamentation and with tears of our heart hear it of a Prince so near allied unto us and in a chain of undissoluble love knit unto us by league and oath That being after excused by a conspiracy and treason wrought against our good Brothers own person which whether it were true or false being in another Princes Kingdom and Jurisdiction where we have nothing to do we mind not to be curious yet that they were not brought to answer to Law and Judgement before they were executed those who were found guilty We do hear it marvellously ill taken as a thing of a terrible and dangerous example and are sorry that our good brother was so ready to condescend
it were better for our â—erchants to lose that they sue for then to continue their suits The Kings Letters Patents sent to Roan to certain Presidents to see such Merchants there restored to their goods as sustained loss at the time of the late troubles are as much regarded as if â— had sent my Letters thither Our Nation is so evil liked here as whatsoever fair speech they use they think it injustice to do them justice Monsieur I a Mot as I learn hath sometimes written most earnestly to them here to cause them to do better justice then they do notwithstanding I see it prevaileth nothing at all And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eleventh of January 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honoâ—rable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester THis bearer besides the enclosed Occurents hath charge to communicate certain things unto your Lordship by mouth and therefore at this present I leave to troâ—ble your Lordship with many lines saving that I cannot but renew my old suit most humbly beseeehing your Lordship to continue the furtherance of my revocation Touching a Rider Captain Lassetty hath written both to Millan and Florence from the last he hath received answer that one worthy of entertainment will not be hired under 300 â— the year and such other benefit as by our Lordship is offered He looketh shortly to have answer from Millan I fear your Lordship shall hardly be furnished of such a one as you desire of that calling unless it would please God to make one of that profession to be of the Religion who then would be glad to have such an offer and to live in so good a Sanctuary as England is I do imploy divers in this behalf and by some I am put in hope to have your Lordships turn served And so having nothing to impart at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eleventh of January 1572. Your Honours to command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable his very good Lords the Lords of her Majesties most honourable privy Councel ACcording to your Honours order by letters of the six and twentieth of October I recommended unto the King here this bearers brothers cause whereupon he directed his Letters to certain Presidents at Roan appointed by Commission to see such of our Merchants as sustained loss in the last troubles restored to their goods At whose hands neither by virtue of the Commission directed to them nor by the Kings particular recommendation he could receive any other answer then that they had advertised the King touching such information as they had received of the injury he pretended to be done unto his brother wheâ—â—by it may well appear that there is nothing less meant then to make restitution of the spoils as were made in the time of the disorders besides this bearer notwithstanding he had the Kings safe-guard which I procured him was sundry times like to have been assaulted as he informeth me by such as outraged his brother and his host also where he lay was threatned because he received him He making complaint thereof there could have no redress and I making complaint of it here unto the King and his Councel found as little Ere he could receive answer what information was sent hither he was driven to attend a moneth In the end he was answered that one of the Presidents deputed their Commissioner was repaired hither and had informed them how that this bearers brother was a lewd young man and riotously consumed his substance and therefore used this as a mean to defraud his Creditors and that he onely payed twenty Crowns for ransome to such as had imprisoned him and that the cause of imprisonment proceeded upon certain quarrels about a wife he had married at Roan contrary to the will of her friends Whereupon I sent word to Secretary Pynart who gave this answer that he might be well able to discern by this kind of proceeding what will they have to do justice in that the answer was not made at Roaâ— where he might have procured justification of his brothers behaviâ—ur and that therefore in apparence there is no other reason why the party should be driven to attend answer here but that they think onely by such kind of delays to make him weary of prosecuting the matter To this Pynart answered that forasmuch as the President was a publique person and of such integrity and uprightness as he could not be charged with any untruth or wrong done to any person and â—n the other side Stallenge one that was touched in his life and behaviour he could do nothing in his behalf Nevertheless he said that to gratifie me he would write again to the President if I thought his Letter would prevail any thing to the furtherance of the poor mans cause Your Honours may perceive by these answers what good will they bear to do justice considering that they had authority granted unto them to have determined the cause there But this answer they used for a delay to make him weary of prosecuting the matter I find them of late very slow to yield any expidition not onely in this bearers cause but also to such other of our Merchants as lately I have preferred and therefore considering how chargeable it would be for him to continue his suit here any longer and little hope there is of redress in the end I have advised him to repair to Roan to procure a testimonial as wel of his brothers behaviour and conversation as also of the evil usage he received during his abode there to the end that having informed your Honours thereof accordingly Your Honours may take order as to the same shall seem fit And so leaving to trouble your Honors any further at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the thirteenth of Ianuary 1572. Your Honours to command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr I am sorry that I wot not what to write unto you things do fall out so here Dr. Dale was warned to dispatch and your revocation ready When it came to signing no such thing meant Dr. Dale wrote unto me he had provided half a score horse in his stable men to go with them and their own horses their liveries already bought and he altogether ready at my Lord Treasurers warning and mine and now understanding that he should not go the effect of this Letter I shewed this day unto her Majestie She beshrewed them it was long of Dr. Dale could not go before Midlent or Easter there was other matters which she would trust to no new men but to you and to none other Well Madam quoth I the poor man hath been already at these charges and chargeable it will be yet to him to put them away is loss to keep them charge besides my Lord
the Letters were of his own writing that escaped a late but the superscription the others Lastly he could not tell it for certainty for that it was sent to him But the message was surely delivered by the person himself which we after perceiving the party there to avow did alter the minds of some albeit for my part it would not enter into me Since how great suspicion again is given I refer to your self The matter known to many of his Countrey men as well as to you and yet a shew to be kept secret from the King who will believe it again his often sending his own servants and never none met withal who can think it likely Also the parties chief instruments there to be imployed being so great a Papist and not to take such a matter as was lately offered him in worse part then he doth who will believe there can be plain dealing in this case O it were a happy turn to make some small trial what we were there and that we might have occasion to trounse his companion here for his pains and yet to pay them with their own rod and seem to crave thanks for discovering to the King there such a dangerous practise which we may easily and well do And I dare venture my arm to be cut of that it will fall out a plain practise and in the end the King may take his advantage against her Majestie when he list and say justly that she was willing to offer him such an injury by entertaining such practise I am bold to discover thus much of mine own conceit to you you may use it to as you see cause But truly I for my duties sake do not spare to inform her Majestie what I think of it albeit she is yet somewhat loath to discredit the party there she is born in hand his love is great Now also a little further as your friend I will be bold with you I pray you consider accordingly of it We find certainly that oft-times your advertisements be made more common even of the greatest then is thought convenient You know what opinion is here of you and to what place all men would have you unto even for her Majesties sake besides that the place you alreadie hold is a Counsellours place and more then a Counsellours for a time for oft-times Counsellours are not made partakers of such matters as you are acquainted withal and do advertise hither so much the less are others to be acquainted with your secrets And the more boldlie this for that it hath been friendlie told me and in this sort That you have written sometimes more largelie to some private friends then almost to her Majesties self if it be so then I pray you accept this friendly if not yet I will tell the parties and their names And even upon this your last advertisement which you committed to your messenger to deliver to my Lord Treasurer and me the same was also communicated to others being no Councellors and by your Letters referred to receive the understanding at the Messengers hands and I will tell you what followed and this we speak upon knowledge before we had either imparted your Letters to her Majestie or scarce read them all I assure you the Count Montgomery was advertised being this day here in the Court of the matter which if it should grow further may happilie turn to that Gentlemans destruction besides the like secret matter which you committed to be delivered to my Lord Treasurer and me upon the slaughter when you durst not write was likewise communicated unto others which came also to our knowledge for it was in open talk within ten hours after we had it yet upon our honour we had not delivered it to any Councellour living one or other wherefore you may see it is not good to trust messengers nor to impart any of your weighty causes how near or dear soever they be to you for I assure you they go from friend to friend and my self have had them brought to see and yet I must say I saw no matter of so great weight albeit I saw that such were fitter to receive almost no letters then to send them abroad This I assure you Mr. Walsingham I do upon meer good will and honest friendship towards you and so I pray you take it And I desire you to commit this letter to Vulcan And being weary I commit you to God In haste the eighth of Ianuary 1572. Your assured Friend Ro Leicâ—ster To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queen's Majestie in France I Have received your letters of the of this moneth and my Lord Treasurer hath imparted unto me his Letter which was sent with the Cypher as also since two other of the four and twentieth of this moneth which all contain matters of importance specially this last which is to be foreseen and for my part I believe the advertisement to be very likely and true the further you may grow into the certain knowledge thereof the better service you may do I perceive the King doth earnestly prosecute the reformation of his Subjects how God will prosper him methinks he should greatly fear for his victory doth not consist in his great numbers My hope and prayer is that our mighty God will shew his wonted mercie and grace towards innocents and his poor afflicted flock Here hath been of late a Gentleman for the partie you wot of one that I know and have seen him here before though he be not forward in Religion yet is he a faithful Gentleman and of great trust with his friend The matter doth stand very tickle and methinks they deal far more unsafely then if they had dealt by you and yet is it the cause of your stay onelie I am glad to hear of the good fortune of the Rochellers God send it to be true as also that the King is of no better credit with the Almains and Switzers I wrote of late to you of some length but it hath pleased Mr. Secretary to forget the sending these ten daies I pray you send me word whether it hath been opened or no. If I thought you should tarry longer there I would send you a Cypher but I think otherwise and therefore in that full hope I will forbear I thank you verie much for your mindfulness of the Rider if he be good your bargain is verie reasonable My Lord of worcester hath great judgement in those matters but I durst trust Claudio my old friend that he would not abuse me What you promise on my behalf shall be performed towards him to the uttermost Thus having no news but of our Mistris's perfect good health I bid you farewell In some haste the nine and twentieth of January 1572. Your very Friend Ro. Leicester To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr the Instructions of my Lord of Worcester have in them such a clause that if he
be not provoked to answer to any of those points mentioned in them he should not minister occasion of talk on them and possibly they will say nothing and yet with you they will be busie which if it come to pass there is no doubt but you can and will answer to the effect of those Instructions and further as occasion shall be ministred But in one point that is for the breach of the abstinence in Scotland which then was not certain and now is certain hard it is if they be not questioning with you for I am sure de la Mâ—t will not be without his intelligence from Scotland nor negligent in advertising to France And upon occasion of time whether you be demanded or not it is thought meet that you take occasion to shew the King that to the grief of the Queens Majestie the Scots have not agreed but be broken again into hostilitie within themselves which although touâ—heth joyntly the Fr. K. and her Majestie because they two being Princes of so great authority and so conjoyned in love and amity and both by mutual consent by their Ambassadors labouring to bring them to unity peace and concord within themselves should be so illuded and scorned of a few petty companions that having all things offered unto them that they could desire reasonable and more yet they would still maintain war in their own Countrey and in the tender age of their young King whom to set up and Crown they were the first doers This injury you may say touched the King as well as the Queens Majestie because joyntly they both like Princes in most amitie agreed in their Leagues together to pacifie and unite Scotland in it self which now by discord intestine being disunited is brought almost to extreme poverty and misery The other cause toucheth more her Majestie because they being her Neighbours next adjoyning and bordering upon her Subjects while the Realm of Scotland was united and peace within it self if any of their Thieves and Out-laws had injury by theft or murther any of her Majesties Subjects upon complaint redress was had the Malefactors punished and he who had the injurie restored and so was it on both sides reciprocally Now in this Civil dissention miseries robberies stealth and murthers be committed daily and then the one part or the other beareth them out so that it were almost as good to have a border war betwixt England and Scotland for the poor men that do dwell thereabouts as civil wars betwixt the Scots themselves and therefore this breach betwixt the two parties must needs grieve her Majesties Subjects more then the French King being so far distant and so consequently her Honor who indeed doth take it and not without cause heavily for that they have not esteemed better her Majesties good will and desire that she had all their strifes and debates among themselves compounded and accorded and that they have set so light by the authoritie of the French King their brothers and heirs The young King is her Majesties near Kinsman and her Highness desireth not onely to have him preserved but also his Realm if it could be in quiet peace and good oâ—der and aboundance which without inward peace cannot be had and must needs think evil of these few petty companions being gotten into the Castle of Edenburgh which for their wilful obstination and private benefits shall keep that Realm still in that dissention and trouble in contempt of such Princes as the French King and her Majestie is whose design tended to nothing but to make unitie and concord among them there And therefore if Hume Castle and Fast Castle which her Highness hath detained hitherto in that hope upon accord to have rendred them to the Lord and owners thereof from whom they were before by just war taken Now her Majestie seeth no longer cause to detain but to render them according as is comprised in the Treatie not to them who have so evil deserved of her Majestie their own King and Countrey by their perverse obstinacy and of the French King also but one of the same Nation who acknowledgeth their King and is desirous of unitie peace concord and good government in that Realm and of this her design her Majestie thought meet to make her good brother the French King first privy unto for the love that she doth bear unto him and according to the Amity and Intelligence betwixt the two Realms I am glad to have this occasion to send this bearer Iohn Farry your man unto you for I assure you I do pitty your case that so many of your men be here together peradventure occasion may serve shortly to send you another yet methinks you forget me to send so often to others without any letters to me Fare you well From Somerset-house the nine and twentieth of January 1572. by English account I thank you for the case of Tools I yet have not leisure to understand them all nor looked not for so many nor on that sort When I shall understand the properties and use of them I shall have more cause to thank you Yours alwayes assured Tho Smith To the Earl of Leicester AFter the inclosing up of my other letters I received at one instant two sundry Letters of your Lordships the one of the eighth and the other of the nine and twentieth Touching the first your Honour doth concur with me in opinion as I conceive by the same that the matter which is the chiefest cause of my stay is but a meer entertainment the matter through misguiding is never like to come to issue If they mean otherwise which is most likely why should her Majestie endure to be any longer abused As your Lordship findeth the partie that dealeth there halting and divers in his tales even like unconstancie and doubleness do I find in him here that dealeth with me To disguise the matter they borrow certain names out of Amadis de Gaule wherein they deal most aptly to adde to a fained thing fained names They judge us to be very gross and do think that every fair and coloured speech is able to abuse us I cannot be otherwise perswaded but some here that rule all are acquainted with the matter for otherwise the partie that last came over would never have medled in the same God send it a better end then I look for For your Lordships good advice in the latter end of your letter I most humbly thank you and do think my self much bound to you for the same as for any other favour I have received at your Lordships hands since I entred into this service The best recompence I can make unto your Lordship as I know is to take profit thereof True it is that sometimes in requital unto some of my Friends who have given me large entertainments of the state of things whereof otherwise I have been ignorant I have also largelie made them partakers how things passed here and somewhat more largelie then I have
if any great thing should be done Scotland is very well come forward to an universall agrement sith Duâ—Crocque and Viraque went away The Duke and Earle of Huntly be come in from them and all their followers to acknowledge the King and his Regent None holds out but Grange and Liddington who keep the Castle The King and the Lord Regent not being able for fair means to get them to the unity of the whole Realm offering unto them all reasonable conditions that they can demand so that they will leave the Castle and to keep no longer Edenburgh which is the London and Paris of Scotland in subjection unto them yet cannot be heard and therefore is required of the Queens Majesty to bring them to order the which the Queen may do for any league treaty or promise heretofore made and so I think will do if there be no remedy Du Viraque who is thought to be sent to keep them still in dissention by good hap and contrary winds was driven with six ships of Scotland into Scarbrough-Haven stayed there by there by the Lord President In the mean while was the Duke and the Earl agreed with the Regent and the Scotish Ships departed He is now thought to be in the way to come to London for so my Lord president appointed but not yet come A man of his taken in Scotland hath confessed that he was sent back under another pretence to cast into the Sea the most part of his writitings the which he did which declareth good plain dealing The Lo. Leviston is now come to London pretending his desire to have his Conscence at liberty but not yet trusted that he meaneth the quiet of Scotland words have escaped him and his Companions by the way which have not fallen to the ground Farewell from Greenwich the nineteenth of March 1572. Your assured friend Tho. Smith To my very loving friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for her Majesty with the French King SIR your letters brought to me were of the 11 of March dated at St. Cloud and the next former were of the 25 of February for which I thank you that you do so carefully advertise me of the state of things as I find you have done when I have been more answerable then now I can be The reason of my frequent absence is the intervall of times when here I am no less mindfull of your causes both such as belong to her Majesty and such as belong to your self then any other to my power is or can be and even now on Wednesday last her Majesty hath signed all things meet to revoke you and to send another in your place wherein I know you haue found cause to think the time long and so have your friends been lately grieved with it but I trust now to see you shortly to your contentation You shall understand that the French Ambassador hath of late time been very earnest with her Majestie in certain causes as first in offering by all good speeches the continuance of the Amitie and with complaining as grievously that the Q. Majesties offering of Montgomery to be aided as he is with mony c. must needs move the â—ing to think his Amity contemned And with some sweet minatories he intrated that he might be staied c. He also reneweth the marriage matter and thereto requireth a resolute answer as a thing necessary to be ended the one way or the other for honor of all parties He also hath seemed greatly offended with the stay of Viraque at Scarborough He hath made suit that for the Queen of Scots some ther in France meaning two or three might come hither to bring the said Queen money and account of her Estate In the end came hither an Agent named Chasteau Neuf from the Camp afore Rochel his coming was as we perceive to disswade Montgomery from going to Rochel but he brought loving letters to her Majesty from M. le Duc. To these things briefly you shall know the Answers His offers of Amity have been thankfully accepted and it hath been told him that his Majesty is more bound to the Queens Majesty for her perseverance then any other upon like cause For though it be manifestly seen and fully discovered by such as are arrived in Scotland out of France having been dealers with the King in France and others there how the King is disposed against the Queens Majesty and this Realm to offend it when his own troubled causes shall be setled and how he persecuteth the Protestants being of the Queens Religion yet her Majesty hath resolved to persevere in her League meaning first to see the breach come indeed first from the French King then she doubteth not by Gods Grace to preserve her and her Realm whereunto she also findeth all her people so willing to withstand all forces force as she hath much ado to detain them from adventuring in great numbers to pass to Rochel of their own charges and those are not of the popular but Noblemen and Gentlemen of Ancient and great livelihoods who surely have offered of their own charges to finde an Army of 20000 footmen and 2000 horsemen for six months in Gascoyn and so earnest they have been that it is already known to themselves both where the men are to be had and the money onely they desire but a permission and truely her Majesty hearing hereof hath shewed her self much offended herewith and with great charge for fear of her indignation of the same the Ambassador confessed he had understanding whereupon he was constrained to confess how much his Master was bound unto her Majestie All this you may notifie unto the King and amplifie it for it is true and meet to be uttered As for the stay of Montgomery it was said that he desired to depart the Realm considering her Majesty refused to aid him and therefore her Majesty thought it a cruel part to stay him whom she was not disposed to aid And for his manner of departure the Ambassador could tell how much he was grieved with that her Majesty had caused all such as were on the Sea for him and Rochel to be apprehended and all that which they had taken from other the French Kings subjects to be restored as indeed the like general speedy restitution hath not been made in my time so as therewith also the King hath cause to commend her Majesties observation of the League For the Marriage her Majesty caused me privately to confer with the Ambassador and her Majesty hath willed me to let him know that you shall make the Answer and yet he shall be acquainted with it and so this it is her Majesty would have you to let the King and his Mother understand that she cannot accord to take any person to her husband whom she shall not first see Secondly she cannot assent that any person which shall be her husband shall with her Authority and assent use any manner of Religion in outward exercise that is
Princes Protestants pour la defense de la Religion et pour assister aux attempts de ceux qui voudroint invahir ce Royaume dont pour toucher le paix a touts inconvenients que pourroient sur venir en l'amitie et bonne ligue qu'est de present entre leur Maj. et entre leur deux Royaumes Il ni voir aucun rien de plus expedient que de le confirmer et estraindre d'advantage par ce mariage A Copie of the Lord Treasurers Letter to the French Ambassador MOnsieur I Ambassador according to your motion I conferred with her Majestie upon the alteration or qualification of some points in the writing which you sent me as concerning the matter of Religion to be tolerated for Monsieur le Duc and after some long speeches passed herein her Majestie collected in a few words that she would it should by me be imparted unto you meaning to abridge the length of the form First That the King hath known her disposition to marriage and upon what cause since the first motion for Mr. d' Anjou and therein how she alway resolved not to marry without mutual sight and liking nor yet to have the matter of Religion to be a cause of trouble to her state and of the same minde she hath been and yet is for Monsieur d' Alanson Now what is to be done further by Monsieur le Duc she leaves that to the King and him with this that if he should thus think beforehand if he should come percase liking should not ensue that then he should conceive such offence thereof as his good will should turn into hatred her Majestie thinketh it not meet that in such case he should come at all but if onely the matter of Religion should breed such difficulty betwixt them as howsoever the one should like of the other yet in respect of the satisfaction in that behalf the marriage should not take place it were honorable enough for both or either of them though upon the enterview the marriage did not succeed And therefore no offence ought to follow or an alteration of good will which is that her Majestie desireth to be conserved whatsoever happen of the matter of marriage Thus after much long speech passed between her Majestie and me praying you according to the knowledge that she is assured you have of her sincere meaning by conference with her Majestie you will also deliver it to the King To the Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship to advertise hâ—r Majestie That upon the receipt of your Lordships Letters of March 20 I communicated to Q. mother her Majesties Answer touching the marriage matter which I thought to begin withal and concerning the other three points to say nothing but as occasion shall be ministred by her For the marriage I shewed her that her Majestie could not speak more cleerly in the matter then heretofore she hath done which was that she could not accord to take any for her husband whom she should not first see Secondarily That she cannot assent that any man that shall become her husband shall with her Authority and assent use any manner of Religion in outward exercise that is in her Conscience contrary to the direct Word of God and so consequently prohibited by the Laws of her Realm To the first of these two points she answered that the King and she could not consent to his coming over without surety that the marriage should proceed To the second She said that it was neither honorable for him to abandon his Religion upon the sudden neither could her Majestie require to have a husband to live without exercise of his Religion and as for those words whereas she saith that he cannot consent that he shall have any manner of Religion methinks said she the words be very dark and therefore I would be glad to know of you what they mean To that I answered that I had not Commission to interpret them but in my private opinion her Majesties meaning was to debar him of the exercise of any Religion repugnant to the Laws of the Realm Upon these two points there passed between us long debating I shewed her how necessary the contentation of the eye was in marriage and that her Majestie by none that heretofore had seen him could receive any such satisfaction as were requisite Further I used divers Arguments to prove unto her that if the matter did not succeed yet could there not grow any dishonour unto him otherwise then in opinion For the second I shewed her that as her Majestie had at all times cause to stick upon this point of Religion so never more then at this present considering what lately had passed here which had generally bred in her Majesties subjects great jealousie of this Crown seeing them so earnestly bent to oppress those that profess the same Religion that they do In the end she desired me in this behalf to shew unto her Majestie touching the interview that the King and she could not consent that the Duke should come over unless he might be assured to speed for that otherwise he returning without speeding should receive great dishonor which might hinder some honorable offer lately made unto him And after other Covenants that depend upon the conclusion of the said marriage which heretofore in the other Treatie were reduced to a reasonable accord shall be so secretly debated here by some choice persons elected for the purpose with her Majesties Ambassador here resident at the same time as shall not be made common to the world and then the same being agreed upon and assurance being given unto the King and her by some Letter of her own hand writing that her intention is to proceed to the consummation of the marriage he should not fail to come over and yet should he give outto the world that he adventureth to come over upon no other assurance then upon good hope I shewed her that in this point the Queen my Mistriss as I took it was fully resolved not to receive any to her husband before she shall see him Notwithstanding Madam quoth I I will make her acquainted with your requests in this behalf And as for Religion saith she we onely require that he may have some secret exercise for himself and some few of his that he shall bring over with him with this Caution that her Majestie should depute some whom she should think fit for the purpose to see that none of her subjects should resort to the same I shewed her that I would make her Majestie privy to these her requests though said I as far as I can perceive I see her Majestie resolved to accept neither of them So proceeding in further talk she shewed me that she hoped howsoever the marriage took place the Amity notwithstanding lately concluded would continue I shewed her that if there grow any violating thereof the cause should rather proceed from them then from his Majestie though Madam I know
that there are bruits given out here to the contrary but I hope Madam the King and you rest satisfied if your Ambassador hath made you truly acquainted with her Majesties proceedings To that she answered that the King and she was to think themselves beholding to her Majesty notwithstanding that they would have wished that Montgomery had not received at her Majesties subjects hands that he doth though we know that Inhibition is made by her Majesty to the contrary I then shewed her that to the end she might understand how much she was beholding to my Mistris I would with her leave make her privy to such reasons as might have moved any other Prince but my Mistris who is consequently bent to make good Amity with them to yield to C. Montgomory all assistance First I shewed her that divers of her subjects of great quality courage and likelihood had laid before her Majestie sundry reasons to induce her to think that the fire lately kindled in France to the ruine of those of the Religion there if through Gods goodness it be not quenched is also so meant that it shall extend towards her saying that if she forbear to support them and suffer them to quaile she would be the cause of her own ruine and of her Realm besides laying before her danger they have laid before her also honor and profit and have shewed her that now is the time for her to recover such Provinces in this Countrey as appertain to the Crown of England And for the better incouragement have offered her to finde her an Army of 20000 footmen and 2000 horsemen for the space of six months Further I shewed her that late it hath been discovered by such as are in Scotland arrived out of France having been dealers with her Majestie and others here how they are disposed when their own troubled causes shall be setled to attempt somewhat against her Majestie Lastly I shewed her how her Majestie hath been put in minde how little account is had of the recommendations heretofore made by her and the Princes of Germanie of those of the Religion here seeing them persecuted with such extremity contrary to the assurance given by their Majesties unto such their Ministers as did recommend them which may give just cause to think her Amity is little esteemed All these courses notwithstanding which would move any other Prince such is her affection towards this Crown as she is fully resolved to persevere in her League meaning first indeed to see the breach come from the King and then she doubteth not in Gods goodness but that she shall preserve her self and her Realm against him or any other Prince that shall attempt any thing against her finding all her subjects most willing to withstand all forraign forces whatsoever is given out by certain Rebels To this she answered that she knew by advertisement come from the Ambassador that there was great sollicitation made by her subjects as also great offers and that therefore they acknowledged themselves much beholding to her Majestie for her intention to persevere in good Amity Now whereas you say there hath been discovered by certain apprehended in Scotland some intention of ours to disquiet her Majestie I protest saith she that both the King and I know of no such matter and that the parties that so do say do belieâ— us What Commission they have received from others of this Realm I know not but if it may be proved that they have received any they that have given them Commission shall receive such punishment as the Q. your Mistris can desire Our intention saith she touching the matters of Scotland was never other then to perswade them to accord and to acknowledge the â—ueens Majâ—sty their Mistris for their Governor To this I replyed in so doing they break the League for that it was contrary to that which vvas concluded in the same for that it vvas agreed that neither the one nor the other should give Lavv unto Scotland but should joyn in maintenance of that Government That they among themselves should agree upon to be most for their safety vvhich thing may give my â—istris just occasion to suspect that vvhich is discovered in Scotland the rather to be true Then she seeming to be sorry that she uttered so much that she could do no less but say somevvâ—t to recommend her câ—use 〈◊〉 the allyance and yet vvished any accord rather thâ—n they shâ—uld â—â—strâ—y one anoâ—her Upon this occasion she fell in to some purpose about the staying of Viracque and said that it vvas strange Ambassadors should be stayed vvho vvere alvvays persons priviledged vvithin the Dominions of their Confederates To that I ansvvered that it mighâ— seem more strange to the Queen my Mris. considering that it vvas agreed that the matters in Scotland should be treated in common that any should be sent secretly thither her Majesty not being made privy thereof vvhich gave her Majesty a great occasion to suspect that vvhich vvas discovered by certain taken in Scotland to be true seeing such dealing under hand the Queen my Mistris said I wâ—s rather perswaded that Viracque had been sent over by some of this Realm who envyed the good between the two Crowns then by the King and therefore shall be sorry to hear him be avowed to be his Minister To this she answered That the Queen my Mistris had been made acquainted of their intention to send Viâ—acqâ—e long since by their Ambassador to the end to joyn with Mr. Kâ—llegrew in the treaty of accord I told her that I thought that they should finde their Ambassador had failed to let her Majestie understand so much for that as I am informed she understood nothing of his going thither until such time as she heard of his stâ—y And as for his stay Madam quoth I though he avows himself to be the Kings Ambassador yet her Majesty hath given order throughâ—ut all her pâ—rts that all her persons whatsoever they pretend unless they be notoriously known to be Merchants or have pasports or safe-Conduct shall not onely be staied but also sent up to the Court and therefore this stay being generally upon good consideration considering the present state of Europe neither he nor any other that either hath been or shall be stayed can complain of any violating of any privi edge c. that appertaineth to any Ambassador She seemed to be very much intangled with this matter and had not therefore much to say for the staying of him Afterwards falling into Montgomeries matter I declared to her Majesty also at large how much he was aggrieved with that her Majesty had caused all such as were on the Seas for him and Rochel to be apprehended and all that which they had taken from others the French Kings subjects to be restored and that with such speed as the like speedy and general restitution hath not been in my time heretofore Whereby said I your Majesty hath just occasion to commend her Majesties
and that no residence or traffique be suffered for any of them in the others Counttries Item It shall be covenanted that if any person shall invade as an enemy the Countries of any other that upon signification thereof duely made the Prince certifyed shall declare the invader to be his enemy and so shall continue in all manner of actions an enemy to the invader and his Country and Subjects until the invader shall have satisfied the Prince invaded and that no satisfaction or composition or accord shall be made by the Prince invaded without the assent and liking of the other Prince Confederate Item If for defence of either partie a greater supply of force shall be requisite then is contained in the Treaty made with Charls the ninth the Prince that shall have need to require a greater supply shall signifie the same to the other not invaded and the party not invaded shall upon request yield all other succors that he can at the reasonable charges of the party invaded that shall so require a further ayd Item It is good to convenant that neither of the Princes shall at any time hereafter give aid to any enemy of any other Prince with whom now they are in peace thereby to provoke the other third Prince to make war or invasion for that cause of ayd given but that before the ayd shall be given the Prince meaning to give such ayd shall first advertise the other confederate and have his allowance thereof In the word of ayding shall not be meant any other kind of ayd but such as shall make the enemy ayded thereby able to use open hostility against the third Prince To Sir Henry Cobham and Mr. Sommers AFter my very hearty commendations for as much as her Maj. pleasure was that I should first make my repair to Monsieur before I came to the Kings presence and the state of my business standeth so that I cannot well dispose of my journey before I have had some conference with you touching the charge committed to me and you I have therefore thought good to pray you to meet me at Clermont on Saterday at night where God willing I mean to be how painful soever the travel may be to me for that the necessity of her Majesties service so requireth and so I leave you to God Bulloign Iuly 27. 1581. Your assured loving friend Fr. Walsingham To the Rght Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord I arrived here this Thursday morning somewhat distempered in body as well for want of two nights sleep as by reason of our posting to Dover this violent travail agreeing not very well with me who have now been used to long rest of body and therefore I have been driven to stay here all this day to refresh my self whereby I might be the better able to go forward with speed meaning God willing to be at Clermont a place four Posts distance from Paris upon Saterday where I have appointed Sir Henry Cobham and Mr. Sommers to meet and to the end I may before my going to Monsieur receive some light and particular information from them of the present state of things here for the better furtherance of this service I am driven to make more haste in my journey for that the term of the prolongation of the Reservation endeth upon Thursday next Since my coming hither I understand that the Ministers here were forbidden about six weeks past the exercise of Religion by Crevecoeur the Gunner Master whereupon they have dispatched one to the King to be an humble suiter unto him in their name that they may be permitted to use their freedom and liberty in that behalf accordingly as by his Edicts and Proclamations it is granted unto them which is all the news that I can as yet write unto your Lordship out of these parts After I had finished these Letters I received the inclosed from Sir Henry Cobham by the which your Lordship may perceive that my coming putteth them in more hope then will be answered with effects according to their expectation if the contents of the said Letters be true a little egging one with a resolution to assent to an open assistance though it were performed with a less sum would set the two great ones a work and keep them from uniting of themselves against our Soveraign a matter greatly or rather assuredly to be feared and therefore in respect of a little charges not to be stuck at the Instructions signed by her Majestie do give me Authoritie in case the King shall peremptorily insist upon assistance in such sort as without the same he will refuse to enter into the intended action against Spain to yield hereunto but her Majesties own speech since the signing of the Instructions hath restrained me in that behalf I would therefore be glad to know her Majesties pleasure therein lest that if upon my denyal of yielding to an open assistance there should ensue a breach of the Treaty the blame hereafter might be laid on me having warrant from her Majestie to yield therein and so for the present having no other matter to impart to your Lordship I humbly take my leave Bulloign Iuly the 28 1581. Your Lordships to command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham THe Queen mother in the absence of the King being now at St. Germains but ready to return hath taken order in such sort as your Honour shall be lodged in Madame de Carmualles house which is by their Majesties appointment furnished very honorably as your servant this bearer hath seen It seemeth the King is determined to chear you and all yours according to the appointment they make the care thereof is assigned to Monsieur La Mothe Fenellon as likewise for the receiving of you the which I have signifide to Mr Burnham But it seemeth they look not for your present repair hither because Arnolde hath informed them you are by the Queens Majestie appointed to pass first unto Monsieur Therefore if it please you methinks it is somewhat requisite you did send one afore whereby I may assure them of your certain resolution therein Their Majesties are most glad of your coming having received good hope of the Queens resolution for the ending of the great cause and Amitie which they long to understand I have been informed the King revoketh his Ambassador leiger Monsieur Sangrade from the Spanish Court leaving a private Gentleman to be Agent The King hath monied Monsieur and hath accorded to him a placet the which they inform me will be worth one hundred thousand Crowns and more It is further said the King shall give Commandment for to Attache and Arrest the three hundred thousand Crowns which were in a readiness in Lyons for to be transported through Savoy into Flanders for the use of the Prince of Parma The Quen mother hunted the Buâ—k yesterday at Bois de St. Vincent and this day also at St. Maure the Woolf Monsieur
is this day at Provence five leagues besides Chasteau Thiery It is advertised that the Emperour doth by little little amend of his disease having been carried to his Garden to take the ayre but no assurance of his full recovery The Cardinal d Este is returned to Rome having been met with the Duke of Sora the Popes son They do prepare ten Galleys at Naples besides others at Genua to transport the Empress into Spain Prospero Colonna is appointed General of the Men of War which are levied in the Dutchies of Milan and Tuscan There hath been a quarrel betwixt the Spaniards and Gentlemen Millanoises The King of Spain hath been received in Lisbona and held there his estate called Cortes There is a deprivation passed against the Bishop of Guarda for following the partie of Don Anthonio The Abbot of Bisegno Agent for the Catholike King at Rome hath with the Cardinal of Como sollicited the Pope for to intreat the French King to withdraw his brother from the enterprise of Flanders so as the Pope is resolved to send two Legats to the French King to continue the peace between the French King and the Catholike King Onchibli is departed from Constantinople with twenty five Galleys towards Affrica They advertise out of Spain that the Corn doth fail them this Harvest so as they doubt of famine c. Your Honours to Command Henry Cobham A son bon ami Mr. François de Walsingham M Onsieur de Walsingham j'ay une extreme contentement quand la Royne m a voula tant favouriser de vous avoir choisy pour faire ce royage vers le Roy mon Seignieur et frere me faisant bien par cela cognoistre les effectes de ses bonnes voluntés me comblant de tant d'obligations que je ne m'en pouroy jamais retirer si ce n'est par le continuel desir et inviolable affection que je ay de luy faire service Et ce suistres-aise de m'estre trouve y a propos que n'estant que fort peuesloigne de votre chemni vous me passies veoir sans perie de beaucoup de temps vous priant que se suit La Fere en Tartinois ou je seray aujourdhuy a coucher et croyez que vous seres le tres-bien venu comme iceluy que tient l'un de primiers bieux apres de celle que je honore et estime plus que Princesse que soit sus la terre et que tiens pour l'un de mes mieux amis Vous attendant en bon devotion de supplieray le Createur qu'il vous ayd Monsieur de Walsingham en sa tes Saincte et digne garde a Chasteau Thiery le dernier jour de Iuliel 1581. Votre bien affectione ami François To the right honorable Sir Francis Walsingham SIR The sending of this away by Mr. Mills to you moveth me to accompany him with a few lines We here have nothing to write unto you about the Negotiation but doe now from this day forward look to hear from you whereupon I think her Majestie will have some matter to be occupied withall VVe hear nothing of Monsieurs proceedings but the Spanish Ambassador warneth that the Prince of Parma is so strong and so bent to fight with Monsieur as he pretendeth that at the least Monsieur will forbear to adventure his own person He did yesterday by her Majesties appointment speak at Leicester House with my Lord of Ley and me to expostulate for her Majesties refusal to speak with him requiring to know the cause and being answered That we doubted not but that he oftentimes had been made privy that it was for that her Majestie had not received any Letters from the King Catholique for her satisfaction in the case of Invasion in Holland c. He saith that he never promised to procure Letters from the King neither was he ever required of her Majesties behalf but the Speeches were alwaies delivered to him that her Majestie would not speak with him untill she might be satisfied of those things in the case of Holland but saith it was not required that he should send to the King for any such satisfaction and yet he did for his own part write to the King and upon answer from the King he did let her Majestie understand that the Collection of the Souldiers the Arming and Victualing of the Ships and men were wholly by the directions of the Pope whom he could not deny and he had also cause to think that her Majestie meant not that he should procure Letters from the King for that Mr. Wilks said that her Majestie would send a Gentleman to the King or else write to him by the way of trade And for confirmation hereof he said that he heard that a kinsman of the Earl of Arundels and Master of the â— whom we took to be Tilney was named to go into Spain By the way he saith that you told him in presence of the Councel at Nonsuch that her Majestie had no League with the King of Spain but the States of the Low Countries I told him I was assured he mistook you for you might say that the League which was the greatest was with the Emperor Charls and so with the King of Spain in respect of the Dutchy of Burgundy and the Low-Countries but he flung away after his hot manner Now to end these matters for the discovery of a multitude of Popish subjects I think Mr. Beal writeth to you of a number of choice persons who being at least but fined upon that que Dam noble wil yield a great sum of money My Lord Grey and Tyrwick were about a Peace the 29 of July finding my Lord Deputies forces ready to enter one way and Sir Nicholas Malt by another way offering to my Lord Deputy to abide his Order for the matters between Odonell and the whole Countrie he hath wasted pretending to set upon Odonels son begotten of Tirleghes wives daughter which he had by Mac Connel by Ashton that came from Ireland we secretly understand that the new Earl Arrig with a great number are determined to keep Darbique from his intentions against the Religion and the King doth secretly assent thereto whether Ashton be deceived time will prove The King hath sent to Seffade 200 souldiers to enable him to compel his people to answer to Justice upon demand of England and great promises are made in the Kings behalf to keep amity with her Majestie And thus almost wearied I end expecting shortly to hear of your progress in your Ambassage which they there may enterprise a regress or a recess Her Majestie is in very good health thanked be God Greenwich where I am tyed by your absence and yet do little good Augâ—st 6. 1581. Your assured friend Will. Burleigh To her Majestie August 6. IT may please your most excellent Majestie I have imparted in my Letters directed to my Lord Treasurer the substance of that which passed
in conference both with the Duke and certain Commissioners appointed by him to conferr with me touching the said matters which by your Highness orderâ— I was directed to communicate unto him The day following at such time as I took my leave of him I had long conference with him the principal points whereof I thought meet to impart to your Majesties self At my access unto him he took me aside into a place between the wall and his bed and caused me to sit down by him telling me that he was not now to confer with me as a brother of France but as a servant to the Queen my Mistress with a confident servant of hers and therefore would deal frankly and plainly with me And so at the first he declared unto me that he was very sorry to understand as well by my speeches as by the report of the Commissioners appointed to conferr with me that your Highness had taken so hard a resolution in a cause he had so long pursued and whereof he hoped presently to have received the fruits of his travel that his affection was not so light or so loosly setled as that he could resolve with himself to give over the matter so neither could he believe but that I had brought some matter of more comfort unto him Whereunto I replyed that it was hard to give Law to affection and therefore did leave it to his own best judgement to take such course therein as he thought meet But as touching the having of any Commission to deliver unto him any other matter then that I had already imparted unto him I did protest unto him I had not Then he declared unto me that seeing I had no other Commission he would forbear any further dealing with me in that case and so proceeded to let me understand how resolute I should find the King not to assent to League without Marriage besides he said he feared that this resolution of your Majesties might make the King grow cold in the action he had taken upon him I thereupon shewed him that I hoped when the King should duely consider such reasons as I was directed to lay before him for the necessity of the League being as he was a Prince of judgement and assisted with no ill Councel he would not reject so honourable and profitable an offer unless it were to gratifie him thinking that by standing upon the point of the marriage to be accompanied with the League and otherwise not to take place he should the rather draw your Majestie to marry upon doubt of such perils as otherwise might fall upon your Estate Whereupon he protested unto me that he had dealt very effectually with the King sundry waies by his Ministers and friends to induce him to proceed to the conclusion of the League and could never draw him to yield thereunto I then told him I feared I should hold him a very cold advocate in that cause notwithstanding I prayed him as one that professed to be so greatly devoted to your Majestie to let me understand what were the principal causes that might move the King to forbear to proceed in the League for that by knowledge of them aforehand I should be the better able to Treat with the King he then shewed me that besides the factions of the Court and the practises of such as were corrupted by Spain who did propound sundry impediments There were two principal matters that were put into the Kings head that wrought a stay in him in that behalf The one the doubt he had of your Majesties perseverance in the performing and due observation of the said League fearing lest when he should be imbarqued your Majestie would slip the Collar The second That some perswasions have been used towards him that England and the Low-Counntreys making profession of one Religion after that Spain and the Crown of France should be imbarqued in a Warre would become lookers on To the first doubt I shewed him that I heard his Highnesse would be respondent for your Majestie that you would not take so dishonorable a course as to abandon your associate without some special cause given The other I said was very weak for that no man of discourse or judgement could think that England and the Low-Countreys would minister unto France so just an occasion of offence whereby France and Spain growing to some composition might upon so just ground take some dangerous revenge He then did declare unto me that the Court was divided into factions and that such as were inclined unto Spain did seek by all means to make the King jealous of your Majesties friendship For removing whereof he said he had traveled with his friends to the uttermost of his power but that the nature of the King his brother was such that what he had once conceived he would not easily be removed from it and therefore was to be left to be wrought in time whereof he had some good experience touching this his enterprise upon the Low-Countries wherein though at some times he had found him favourable and forward enough to countenance him in the action yet soon after through the perswasion of such as had affected Spain he found him altered in so much that what could be drawn from him was rather by force then any good affection he seemed to bear to this enterprise which difficulties notwithstanding upon Declaration made by me how evil it would come to passe for the affairs of the Low-Countreys if the League between your Majestie and his Brother should not goe forward for that the better sort and such as doe affect this League would be discouraged and the contrary part much enlarged He answered me That he would doe any thing that might be for the Queens service I delivered also to his Highness the care that your Majestie hath of his safety and therefore that you wished that he should not goe this Voyage in person but commit the conduct of it to some other sufficient personage of quality and meet for the enterprise and moreover that your Majestie could not but advise him to seek to be advised and assisted with good and sufficient Councellers fit for the ordering of so great an enterprise After thanks rendred for your Majesties care of him he said that the Noble men and Gentlemen which were com to accompany him in this enterprise did it rather of affection they bear to his person then to the cause and therfore he could not but go in person with them especially seeing â—here is no one amongst them to whom the conduct of the action might be committed with the security of obedience due to him and freedom of jealousie as in a matter of so great consequence more to be desired As for a sufficient Councel to be about him it was his greatest care and therefore he desired your Majestie would be a means to the King his brother that he might have the Marshal of Cosse to attend upon him Whereunto I answered that your
Majestie had been already mindfull thereof and I would not fail to sollicite it at mine access unto the King Du Uray returning to me after the report that he and his associates appointed to confer with me had made to conferr with his Highness told me that whereas they had perswaded him seeing your Majesties resolution was signified to forbear to prosecute it any further they found his affection so setled that he minded not so to give it over and how that they perceived by him that after he had once taken order for the matters of Cambray he will make a voyage over to your Majestie to lay down before you his own reasons himself with this affection notwithstanding that if his reasons and perswasions shall not be found meet to take place he will never hate where he once loved but will for ever imbrace the amity of your Majestie and the Realm Also your Majestie by these Letters written to my Lord Treasurer shall understand what passed this day between Queen Mother and me at the time of my audience which I thought meet to impart unto the Duke who being then in bed when I had finished with Queen Mother I desired that I might have the honour as to speak with him at his bed-side which it pleased him to assent unto who after I had let him understand the substance of that which passed between his mother and me praying his assistance to remove the impediments that I saw she did stand upon which was to have the League accompanied with the marriage for that it greatly imported the action he had in hand that the League were presently proceeded in To this he answered That the matter of a League partained to his brother the matter of marriage saith he is the only matter that concerneth me which notwithstanding the small hope I put him in yet was he resolute not to give it over And thereupon fell into very earnest request with me that I would plainly let him know whether I had not some further matter to deliver then that I had yet imparted unto him touching the marriage whereof when I assured him I had none to impart unto him he did then declare unto me as he did before that I should find the King very resolute not to imbrace the League without the marriage I did then shew him that I hoped that if he and his mother with that affection that the cause it self did merit did joyn together they might so dispose the Kings mind before hand to give better ear to the League then his Highness did put me in comfort wherein I shewed him that I should hope he would deal the more effectually if he could lay aside his affection and look into the cause as a politique Prince ought to do preferring the publique especially his honour being so farr ingaged as it was before his private desires but in the humor I found now I shewed him that I greatly suspected the Kings resolution grew through his perswasion wherewithall he was very merry and did let me understand again that it was very hard for a man upon the sudden to lay aside an affection which he had harbored in his breast so long a season Touching this subject there passed many pleasant speeches from his Highness which he delivered with a singular grace as any person that ever I knew I presume the rather to write these particularities to your Majestie for that by some speech that passed from him I perceived I should do a thing very agreeable to him to acquaint your Majestie withall Amidst these publique matters I may not forget with all humility to signifie unto your Majestie how infinitely I think my self bound unto you for the gracious usage of the she-Ethiopian your comfortable Postscript in the Earl of Leicesters Letters other your most gracious and favourable speeches given out publiquely since my departure of the good opinion it pleaseth your most excellent Majestie to hold of your poor and unprofitable servant which though the undeserved favours cannot increase my wonted care yet do they minister unto me a most singular comfort by making my service less burthenous through your Highness gracious acceptation of the same The Lord bless the rest of your Majesties years with that happiness of Government which hitherto through Gods goodness you have enjoyed and confound those which wish the contrary Your Majesties most humble Subject Fran. Walsingham To the right honorable my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord It may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that on Wednesday last being the 20 day of August I arrived at the Castle of Fere in Tartinois a house of Montmorencies about the 11 in the morning somewhat sooner then the Duke looked for me through the negligence of the Gentleman whom he sent to visit me at Meaulx whom I prayed to advertise the said Duke that I meant to be at the place above mentioned the self-same morning I arrived there notwithstanding I found before my coming thither a Lodging very well furnished prepared for me and order given for my Diet and for the placing of my horses in the stable belonging to the said Castle immediately upon my repair thither the Duke sent his Chancellor Mr. le President Reyne and Kingsey his Secretary to excuse the Duke that there was sent no body to meet me After that divers Gentlemen as Farmangues and other of quality came by his order to visit me so that there lacked no good will in his Highness to make it appear that he was most ready to honour such as should be sent unto him from her Majestie I doe the rather dwell upon the setting forth of the manner of the entertainment lest perhaps some other might advertise that forasmuch as there was no body sent to meet me by the way the Ministers sent from thence be not received here with the like regard and care as they are there I do assure your Lordship that no man could have more care to excuse the omitting of the ceremony in that there was none sent me by the way then the Duke had Besides in this time his Highness is to be excused for omitting of ceremonies being overcharged with affairs having especially to direct an Army compounded of voluntaries about three of the clock the same afternoon I had access unto him and after I had acquainted him with the points propounded by the King to her Majesties Ambassador and Mr. Sommers before I did let him understand what answer was made by her Majestie to the same he shewed me that the King his brother was most resolute not to proceed in the amity untill it might appear what might become of the marriage and therefore he advised me to think how I might be able to satisfie him therein for that otherwise he saw no likelihood that the other two points touching the League and the secret Treaty should take any effect Wherein I replyed that I doubted not but that the King his brother being
enemies Besides I did let her understand that it behoved the Queen my Mistriss if they did not embrace the League but upon such condition as she could not in reason agree unto to take some other way for the establishing of her own estate not doubting but that she would be as well able to withstand the malice of Spain as any other of her neighbours To this after she had declared how earnestly the King her son did affect the marriage considering he had no issue himself and had but one only brother upon whom and such issue as he should have depended the continuance of the house of Valois she prayed me to consider whether the King had not just cause to insist upon the said marriage and as for the League she said she had no Commission to wade therein but a matter that depended onely on the King and therefore because it required for the reasons by me alleadged expedition she advised me to make haste towards him I then prayed her that for as much as I did understand she did not mean to be at Paris in five or six days she would dispose his minde by Letters to imbrace the same which she promised to perform accordingly Touching the Companies that are to follow the Duke I can as yet deliver your Lordship no more but this in generality That he is to have six thousand footmen and two thousand six hundred Lances which as the report goeth are sufficiently appointed and in such good order as the like have not been seen this many yeers in France Their meaning is to joyn with the States Forces that are now in Flanders doubting nothing more then that the enemy will not encounter with them but withdraw himself into his holds I am promised a particular of all the Forces as soon as it cometh to my hands I will with the next dispatch send it to your Lordship Your Lordships assured Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham SIr your servant Bonham this bearer came hither yesterday being Wednesday the ninth of this month about of the clock at which time I was on the North side of the water to have gone to Theobalds but by good fortune I had word of his arrival so as I returned being not gon from the water-side her Majestie had two or three days before spoken of you marvelling that she could not hear from you I answered always as now it proved true that the Letters or bearer should bring with them reasonable satisfaction For I knew certainly that you would be careful to delay no time of sending I delivered to her Majestie your Letters directed to her shewing her also that I had others directed to my self but she said she would first read her own first Monsieurs Letter and next yours so she having done asked me what you had written to me for said she I finde nothing in mine concerning the matters for which he went then I told her I would read yours to her But she using breath in speech said she would have me make report thereof which I said I could hardly do because you had written at such length what had passed in Colloquie first betwixt Monsieur and you secondly between certain of his Councel and you at several times Lastly between the Queen mother and you and so in the end she was content to hear the whole Negociation adding her self that by your Letters to her you had spoken to Monsieur being in his bed after his Mothers coming thither She added also that she perceived that Monsieur would come hither and receive his answer himself after his journey of Cambray Concerning the Negotiation she saith she would not have had you to have made direct mention of the league but that incidently it should have fallen out upon their objection that if her Majestie would not consent to the marriage with the war that then the war should cease Then thereupon she saith you might have thereto answered that in respect of the King of Spains greatness in growing it were good that there were such a league made betwixt the French King and her To this I answered that your ordâ—r in proceeding was warranted to you both by your instructions and also the same grounded upon the order of the French Kings answer to her Ambassador which was in three points The first to know the day of her marriage which being agreed unto they would enter into a league offensive and defensive And lastly to a secret Treaty for the matters of the Low-Countrey For orderly answer whereunto you were instructed to that which you did herewith I think she was satisfied at your well-doing But I found her touched with some fear that this league and secret treaty should be very chargeable unto her I told her that there would be no great matter managed that was free from charge and if she had no need of assistance to withstand her perils which she knew and so doth all the world besides see it manifestly otherwise she needed not to have sent you at this time Then also she spake of her ayd to Don Anthonio doubting how to use the matter both because the season of the year passeth away and that she could not be assured what course the French King would take therein without whose entring into the action she would be loath to adventure any thing and yet she added that the French Ambassadour told her two days since that the King his Master had willed him to thank her Majestie for the favours and supports that she gave to Don Anthonio but in the end for the matter she would stay until she should hear from you what the French King will do therein For the greatest important matter in the Letter expressed by the Viscount of Turayne I dealt with her Majestie earnestly therein and having made my Lord of Leicester first acquainted with your Letters next my L. Chamberlain and then Mr. Vice-Chamberlain I required the assistance of the said two letters as a matter most necessary for the French cause in hand as that which being neglected neither a league offensive nor yet hereafter any secret treaties could remedy Whereunto she told me as my Lord of Leicester said she told him the like that you had Commission to satisfie Monsieurs need therein but presently upon seeking to perswade her that words were no satisfaction but that deeds must do it and such a thing could not be perfected with words nor thoughts no nor in short time she answered me that you had warrant from her to yield to that which was required when you had found the Kings disposition desperate to help his brother For quoth her Majestie if he should any way open my good will herein to Monsieur afore the French Kings mind were fully known then the whole burthen should fall upon me as for more proof saith she you may see by the speeches of Monsieurs Councellours alledging that Monsieur had mony lent him by divers upon hope of the
Portugal underhand Against which I objected that although she might in some sort aid them both underhand yet surely the French King could not aid his brother underhand Whereupon she concluded that if by necessity she must enter into an open war she would rather choose to be at charge with a marriage then without it Finally she said she would write a few words to you her self which I prayed her might not be discomfortable and so she said it should not be But howsoever it be use and practice your wisdom as long as you mean to do well not to be your hurt I have made my Lord of Leicester acquainted herewith to whom at the time of my writing her Majestie had not imparted thus much but when she shall I think he will friendly answer for you and so he hath promised me to do Since the sealing up of my two letters her Majestie sent me word by Mr. Killegrew that concerning the motion made by Viscount Turayne you should let Monsieur understand her Majesties intention therein according that she did signifie to you her mind without that you should that you should name any sum in certainty since the writing hereof she hath willed me that you should not offer that part above mentioned for entring into an open war until she should hear from you first for she desireth most of all to have a League defensive and offensive without war but upon first cause by the king of Spain and to joyn in ayd secretly underhand To the which if they will not assent without open ayding then you shall so advertise for as her minde now seemeth to be she will rather marry with the war then have the war without the marriage Even now at the closing up of this Letter her Majestie sent me this little Letter to you and so I have directed it wishing you not to be troubled therewith Greenwich this 11 of August Yours assured W. Burleigh To her Majestie August 10. IT may please your most excellent Majestie the continuance of Gods goodness towards your Highness hath not the least appeared in this resolution that the King hath taken to joyn with you in streighter Amitie being as your Majestie knoweth considering the earnest Protestations that have been made here to the contrary as a thing no way to be yielded unto unless the same might be accompanied with marriage a matter thought altogether impossible to be brought to pass so much the greater is this benefit to be esteemed in that they seem to be resolved to continue the prosecution of the Marriage whereby your Majestie of necessity if your state hereafter shall induce you hereunto are left at your own choice to proceed therein or to relinquish the same as I doubt not but your Majestie will be thankful to God for this so great benefit so I hope your Highness for that this League cannot be accompanied without charges will prefer safety before Treasure assuring your Majestie that there shall want no care in me or my associates to reduce the same charges to as tolerate a proportion as may be I hope also your Majestie will have both gracious consideration and speedy resolution touching the Viscount of Turaigns advise for an offer to be made unto his Highness of present support of a hundred thousand Ducats upon such resosolution as your Majestie shall take therein we are to attend here either good or evil success of this Treatie Monsieur Piâ—ac sent a Gentleman unto me to let me understand how greatly he was grieved to hear that a Prince of your Majesties vertues and worthiness whose good opinion he did esteem before any worldly Treasure should have entred into some sinister conceit of his devotion towards you and to the end that his desire to cleer himself in that behalf may the better appear unto your Majestie he prayed me to conveigh unto your Highness this inclosed The desire I have to dispatch this messenger with speed maketh me to forbear to trouble your Majestie any further beseeching God to continue his blessings towards you whereby we your poor subjects may enjoy the continuance of that happy Government we have most happily lived under during your Majesties Reign Paris August 10. Your Majesties most humble Subject F. Walsingham To the Rght Honorable and their very good Lord the Lord Treasurer OUr very good Lord may it please your Lordship to let her Majestie understand that upon Thursday the eleventh of this month in the afternoon at the time of our access unto the King I the Secretary declared unto him her Majesties Answer to the three points according to mine Instructions with reasons and perswasions to make him like thereof after the King had heard them very attentively he answered to the first That he was sorry to hear the Answer so far from his expectation for that he trusted to be fully satisfyed therein to his contentment as a thing he desired most in the world and for the singular affection he beareth to his brother he rejoyced in it as much as in any good thing that might happen to himself and thought his brother to be the happiest of all other to match with a Princess of that Virtue and that he himself having no children and yet God might send him some esteemed of his brother as of his son and his heir and that with his brother her Highness should marry himself and all his means wishing her Majestie would believe with what affection he imbraced that marriage but that seeing her Majestie findeth now that difficultie and amongst other the misliking of her Subjects to this marriage he took it to be one of the Malheurs that happened to him and that he cannot express the grief he hath carried ever since he hath heard of this alteration by the Queen his mother and that if his soul might be seen his grief should well apear therein But yet laid that he trusted her Majestie would give him and his brother more comfort then this and that her Highness would procure the good liking of her people therein praying us all very earnestly to be a means and to do good offices to her Majestie in that behalf Many other speeches he uttered of great affection in this point to have the marriage go forward as to the other two points for a League offensive and defensive and for a private Treatie for the matters of the Low-Countries he said that though there were good Amitie and Intelligence already between her Majestie and him yet he was most desirous to enter into a streighter Amitie with her Highness for the better assurance of his good will towards her and that he would in both these matters confer with the Queen his mother and then would appoint some to come to us to let us understand his further determination therein adding again his former desire that the first matter so well begun might not be thus ended for he had a special confidence in her Majestie that she will not suffer it so
to lay distrust aside not doubting but in time the King would deal we should see very honourably the cause whereof Pinart did assure us with most earnest protestations as a man that was acquainted with the secrets and inwards of the Kings own soul. At the end of our conference upon the Speeches I the Secretary delivered unto them how that her Majestie understanding of this alteration with the King for entring into the association would cause the preparations for Portugal to stay Pinart desired very earnestly in Queen mothers name that in no case they might stay but be furthered with all convenient expedition and that she would take it as a singular favour done to her self by her Majestie in case she would go forward therewith as she had begun assuring us that there were at Bourdeaux certain ships in a readiness likewise to set forwards towards the Isles to be imployed in this service Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham Henry Cobham Io. Sommers A Memorial for Mr. Sommers FIrst you shall declare to the Duke That whereas the King had yielded to proceed to the Treaty without marriage the same resolution was altered by a request made by Du. Vray in his name that it might not be proceeded in without the said marriage whereupon our Negotiation in that behalf is stayed untill the King and the Queen his Mother shall by Secretary Pinart understand his determination touching the continuance of the said stay by Du. Uray procured that whereas I the Secretary at the time of my being with him did pray his Highness considering the proceeding in the League did require expedition that it would please him to recommend the same unto â—he King He did then declare unto me that though he could not recommend the same in respect of the doubt and conceived that it might impeach the marriage which was the matter he chiefly sought yet considering he found by me that it tended to the advancement of her Highness service he would not impeach or hinder the same we are therefore to pray his Highness it would please him for the satisfaction of the Queen my Mistress havâ—ng advertised her of his promise made in that behalf to let us understand the cause of the alteration thereof that it shall be meet to lay before him the benefit that may grow by the said League unto the enterprise that he hath in hand by comforting his own party in the Low-Countries by discomforting the adverse party as also that it will serve to very good purpose to remove the jealousnesse here within this Realme and thereby to continue the present peace whereby he may the better prosper in his present actions that we doe not see how it may greatly hinder his intended pursuit of the Marriage but will rather further the same for that it will breed a good satisfaction in her Majesties Subjects and to put them in hope to receive more fruit of the Marriage when they shall see these two Crownes to be knit together in amity against their common Enemy the King of Spain That we hearing of certain bruites given out at Paris not by mean and base persons but by such as doe pretend to know how matters of importance dâ—e passe how that there should be some overture made hy his Highness of a marriage with Spain which we for our parts can in no case beleeve considering the earnest protestations that have been made by the King his Mother and himself touching his intention for the continuance of the pursuit of the Marriage and therefore did think meet in respect of the Honour that we think our selves bound to bear towards one that hath so well deserved of the Queen our Mistress to acquaint him therewith to the end we may receive from himself some such matter as may yield satisfaction to her Majestie upon the hearing of the said bruit That we esteem him to be a Prince of so great honour so long as he shall pursue the Marriage with her Majestie not to entertain any other Besides knowing how greatly those Marriages knit between persons in nearness of bloud are condemned in the opinion of the world being both against the Law of God and Nature we cannot be perswaded that he being a Prince of that integrity and one that is guided by conscience in all his actions can be drawn thereunto That it is also given out that in consideration of the said Marriage the Prince of Parma will be induced to withdraw his siege from Cambray as also to yield to a surceasance of Arms with the States of the Low-Countries for the space of five or six moneths that in the mean time there may be some way found for the pacifying of those Countries and the reducing of them to the obedience of the King of Spain with the preservation of their Liberties That we have cause to believe some part of this for that at our conference here with the High-Commissioners it was declared unto us that Bellieure was sent unto the Prince of Parma for that purpose that if the same might be brought to pass for the surety of the States none would be more glad of it then the Queen our Mistress who hath desired nothing more then the repose of that Countrey that herein we cannot but let him understand how men of judgement doe see this project is onely layed to stop the pretended course for the impeaching of the greatness of the King of Spain For they that consider how greatly the States are alienated from the King of Spain and how resolutely the King is bent not to yield to them in matter of exercise of Religion so no reason that ever there can grow any good by any such Treaty unless it be unto the King of Spain And therefore we as those that wish him all honour doe pray to God also that it fall not out so that some part of that project doe not tend to his disadvantage August 14. Private Memorials for Mr. Sommers YOu may besides the Points contained in this Memorial add such other things as you can call to remembrance and shall think meet for the advancement of her Majesties service If you shall find the Vice-Count of Tâ—raigne there you shall doe well to impart our proceeding unto him here with the King and to pray his assistance if he shall like to deal in the Cause to remove the impediments that the Treaty may proceed considering the benefits that may ensue thereby as well to the furtherance of the Dukes actions as to remove the jealousies here within the Realm You may also declare unto him that touching the sum of money which he desired me to procure at her Majesties hands for the Dukes support that her Majestie having been moved therein is very wilâ—ing upon notice given that he standeth in need thereof being not otherwise furnished by the King as her Majestie hath been certainly informed that he was to see him supplyed of some convenient summe And therefore if it please the Duke
to advertise me thereof I will not faile to doe mine endeavour to procure that the same may be sent over with as convenient speed as may be And in this behalf if you shall perceive at your coming there that the Duke is in no such necessity or that the Prince of Parma will retire his Forces whereby the victualing of the Towne of Cambray may be performed Then may you forbeare touching the offer of the money You may also declare unto the Vicecount that by the Lettets sent of late out of England from Marchiamont the D. may be put in more hope of the marriage then I could put him in at my being there and thereby he may perchance conceiue that I did not proceed so far forth as I had Commission in respect of some particular mislike I have of the marriage you shall therefore pray him in my name to use what perswasions he may to remove any such opinion from the Duke in whose good opinion I doe desire to remain assuring him that when the truth of my proceedings shall be known it will be found that I have dealt sincerely and accordingly as I did protest to the Duke my self And if you shall see any just occasion in such conference as shall pass between you and the said Duke to deliver any speech for my particular defence I shall then pray you to deal with him therein as in your good judgement and discretion shall be thought meet Fr. Walsingham To the right honorable my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord by the general Letter and Copy of that I writ unto her Majestie your Lordship may conceive as much as we are able to decypher of the causes of their alteration here with us but the greatest cause of stay and hanging off for hearkening to our motion is a doubt they conceive that her Majestie will not resolutely imbarque her self into any such certain proportion of charges as both this action of the Low-Countrys and other charges which in time may be found necessary will require Spain and the Pope make great and large offers which are not lightly hearkened unto Now if we shall not in our treating be able to countervail them either with as good or with some such certainty as may be to their liking our conference will be to small purpose and in my simple opinion it were much better that we were revoked then that further imployment of time and charges should be fruitlesly expended and therefore I beseech your Lordship to be a mean to her Majestie that we may have some certainty set downn â—o us which in our conference with them we may deliver to them and that we may particularly know to what sum and for what time her Highness can be pleased to extend her aid and whether in case it be demanded of us and they will have it so concluded she can be content to enter into open Warre against the King of Spain or not for in these two points chiefly will all their treating consist wherein if we shal not be able to resolve them your Lordship can easily conceive what end our Negotiation will have I am given to understand that in case her Marriage shall not take place then the King will enter into a League Defensive onely adding to the Treaties already in force such other matters as shall be thought necessary for common defence I pray your Lordship therefore that we may know her Majesties mind in this and what shall be thought necessary meet to be added to the former Treaties And so I humbly take my leave of your Lordship Paris the 13 of August 1581. Your Lordships Fr. Walsingham To her Majestie August 13. IT may please your most excellent Majestie I know you cannot but find the Kings alteration of his former resolution very strange and thereforâ— would be glad to know the true cause of the change wherein I would to God I could satisfie your Majestie of with truth to think that the same proceeded of two causes alleadged by the King whereof we have in our general Letter unto the Lord Treasurer made mention I have many reasons to lead me to be of contrary opinion and have rather just cause to think that the ground of the change grew upon advertisements received from thence being put in hope that either your Majestie they insisting still upon the League with marriage will yield thereto or else in respect of the doubts they are put in that the marriage not taking place your Majestie will not go so resolutely forward in the prosecution of the Warr against Spain in case it should be found so expedient to enter into a publique and open Warr If your Majestie have conquered the diffâ—culty in your own nature as also other difficulties of Estate touching the marriage and shall be disposed to proceed to the effectuating thereof then we your poor Ministers here do hope that we shall not receive that disgrace as that your resolution therein shall rather be delivered by others then by us On the other side if that your Majestie shall not be disposed to enter into an open action against Spain with this Crown in respect of the charges then were it good that any further proceeding therein were forborn to give them occasion by the entertaining thereof to think that your Majestie dallieth with them both in marriage and League cannot but greatly exasperate them against you how your Majestie shall be able alone to bear the malice of Spain France and Scotland for such a concurrency against you is to be looked for I doe not see otherwise then to depend upon Gods goodness The consideration of this matter doth minister necessary questions in State The one Whether it were not better for your Majestie to joyn with France against Spain or to have them both with Scotland against you The other Whether it were not better to convey the Wars out of your own Realm by the intended association with this Crown or to have this Crown with the rest of the evil affected neighbours to assail you within your own Realm The solution is very easie for as in cure of a natural body being diseased it were evil advice â—o councel the application of inward medicines when outward will serve so were it less dangerous to attend a Warr at home the inward corruption being throughly looked into when that the same by some provident course by your Majestie taken may be put off the only difficulty resteth only upon charges which if the likelihood were would grow greater then your Estate or Crown might bear then were it reason for your Majestie to forbear the same for that Ultra posse non est esse and to stand upon your own defence But if the charges may be reduced into such a convenient proportion as the Crown may bear then were it very hard that treasure should be preferred before safety I beseech your Majestie that without offence I may tell you that your loathnesse to
day since her Majestie received your Letters my Lord Chamberlain and my Lord of Leicester by a former appointment were at Westminster to examin the Lord Vaux Sir Thomas Tresham and Mr. Griffin of which three the first two are close-prisoners in the Fleet who deny Campians being with them but they will take no oath the other confesseth plainly and simply By this occasion her Majestie forbeareth without advice to make any censure of your Letters or to give me any charge what to write to you She saith untill she shall hear what Mr. Bellieure shall do with the Prince of Parma and Pinart and Mr. Sommers with Monsieur she cannot guess what will be the event She denieth that any one here had any cause to give comfort to the marriage But truly I think some have had such a conceit and whether they have sent it over since I know not you shall do well to write to her Majestie or to me of the state and proceedings of Monsieur with his Army for she findeth fault therewith August 18. Yours assuredly W Burleigh Postscript I pray you in my name to thank Sir Henry Cobham for his Letters to me excusing me for not writing for want of leasure and matter To her Majestie August 16. 1581. MOst gracious Soveraigne The particular Letter it pleased your Highness of your Princely favour to voughsafe to write unto me did minister unto me two singular comforts The one that your mislike conceived of my dealing with the Duke is in part quallified The other for that it hath pleased your Majestie to lay open unto me your disposition touching the charge committed unto me whereby I may use the same as a load-star the beter to direct my course Touching the first I hope when your Majestie shall be throughly informed of my proceedings you shall find that I swerved not from your instructions I received nor yet had cause that indiscretion might lead me to take another course The principal cause why I was sent over as I conceive it and as I trust your Majestie can call it to remembrance was to procure a streighter degree of amity between the King and you without marriage and yet to carry my self in the procuring thereof as might not altogether break off the matter of marriage yet the success of my travel fell out so through Gods goodness as I did assuredly not without good ground make account that the amity would have taken place had it not been crossed by some practice as your Majestie may perceive by some former advertisements not yet discovered and yet both the King his Mother and Monsieur resolute to continue their former determination for the prosecutiou of the marriage which if I had made the case so desperate as I perceive your Majestie hath been informed then surely would they not have continued their disposition to follow the matter I was sundry times pressed both by them and their Ministers to yield a resolute answer whether I had power to say that your Majestie would not marry Whereunto I answered as I was directed that I had no such authority otherwise then to lay before them the impediments that made your Majestie doubtfull to proceed in the marriage which was to have the same accompanied with a Warr. This then being true as the effects do shew I hope your Majestie in the goodness of your own Princely nature and uprightness in your judgement will rest satisfied For otherwise If â— or any other like Minister imployed shall be condemned unheard it cannot but minister great cause of grief and discouragement Touching the other benefit received by your Majesties particular Letter by which you have so farr forth opened your self as if you shall of necessity be thrown into a Warr you find it more agreeable with your surety to have it accompanied with marriage then without I cannot but let your Majestie understand as I declared to you before my departure that if your Majestie shall be content to yield to marriage I am fully perswaded that the King will be induced to covenant with you that you shall be discharged of such burthen as the 〈◊〉 may cast upon you which is the only matter that we have presently to deal in considering that now your Majestie hath so far forth opened your self to Monsienr Marchiamont as to let him understand that if the impediment of the charges that the Warr may cast upon you may be removed your Highness seeth no cause why the marriage should not proceed For this thing being known to their Majesties all hope to procure the League without marriage is excluded I beseech your Majestie therefore we may receive your speedy direction in this case as also what other thing you would have annexed unto the marriage besides the removing of the impediments above mentioned And so with all humbleness do beseech God of his great and infinite goodness to bless all your Maâ—esties proceedings with that happy success as may be to your Highness particular content and the comfort of your best affected Subjects Your Highness poor Subject and Servant Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord finding in a Letter written to me by Monsieur Marchiamont whereof I send your Lordship a copy that her Majestie hath so farr forth opened her self as that she hath signified unto him That so the burthen of the charges that the War may cast upon her be born by the King she seeth no impediment why she should not proceed to the marriage I see our Treaty of League without marriage utterly overthrown so that now there resteth nothing for us to doe here but to perswade the King to take upon him the burthen of the Warr as the only impediment in the marriage and therefore we are to pray your Lordship to procure her Majesties Warrant under her own Hand in plain and clear termes to proceed therein And if there shall be any thing besides that her Majestie shall desire to have annexed to her marriage that is not contained in the former Contract then we beseech your Lordship that we may understand her Majesties further pleasure therein for untill such time as we shall hear from her Majestie we have nothing to doe here the League without marriage being utterly broken off Your Honours to command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord I have cause 〈◊〉 think my self infinitely bound to your Lordship for your honorable standing for my defence touching my proceedings here which my Lord of Leicester hath testified unto me that youâ— Lordship hath performed in most friendly sort If her Majestie upon this new resolution taken with Marchiamont be not resolved to marry then is she entred into a very dangerous course For as in mine other Letter I have written to your Lordship all hope of League is taken away which as your Lordship mâ—y perceive by former advertisements was in a very
great forwardness to have taken effect whereof I had never doubt so that it might have pleased her Majestie to have kept a consonant course there In like sort as your Lordship can well remember was Sir Francis Bryans Negotiation crossed at Rome I cannot but pray to God so to bless her Majesties resolution to marry with that good effect that may be to her own comfort and the benefit of her Realm Your Lordships Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Walsingham SIr I thank you for acquainting me with that you write to her Majestie whereof you sent me a copy but until this afternoon I had it not whereas the original from your self was delivered to her Majestie the delay as Mr. Mills told me of the delivery grew for that your Cousin had not time to deliver it yesterday to Mr. Mills who also was absent But having now read it I see you have great cause why her Majestie should be well content with your actions in all occurring with the course appointed you and lo now this evening without using any token of sight of your letters I repeated to her Majestie that the course you held to procure the League without marriage was specially committed to you to obtain against which it was certain that Monsieur for his particular and all his Ministers for his sake would spurn and so in doing your duty you were subject to their misliking Hereupon I found heâ— to assent to that I said But she added that she wished that Monsieâ—r might have been perswaded thereto I answered that she her self should not be able to perswade him to content himself and much less her Ministers This afternoon finding her Majestie unwilling to send the Fleet to the Azores whereby charge should grow without profit it was motioned that in the mean time that her Majestie should be assured of the French Kings actions to concur with hers two or three of the ships with a Bark should forthwith repair to the Tercera with some Captains Souldiers Powder and Munition to comfort the â—slanders to stand fast and to direct to be furnished for the defence of the Island until more forces might come a matter as my Lord of Leicester saith Don â—nthonio desireth Whereupon this evening Sir Francis Drake and Hâ—wkins are gone to him and so I think the ships shall away to morrow if it alter not By the next you shall know though the French King to our Ambassador there and by his own said that he would aid Don Anthonio yet these being but words changeably by a Prince if now he shall reveal to you his minde it is reasonable to say that though it will require some longer time to contract a treaty hereupon yet if it please him to write a letter to her Majestie to assure her that he will joyn with her in aiding Don Anthonio and if for her action the King of Spain shall offer offence to her Majestie or her subjects he shall repute the quarrel his own joyntly with her in defence of her and offence of the King of Spain such a writing may animate her Majestie to that which I think otherwise she will not resolve Her Majestie mâ—â—neth to send the Lord Howard to Monsieur to visit him Yours assuredly William Bâ—rleigh To Mr Secretary SIR when I had made up your Packet being come late this Evening about the many matters spoken of in one of my Letters The â—ueens Majestie sent Mr Mâ—ldmay to inform me to wâ—ite as followeth This day the French Ambassador with the Fr Portuguese Consul Perdonâ— were with her Majestie with Letters from the Qu. mother of great earnestness to her Majestie to aide Don Anthonio by that name but not by that of the K. Anthony whereof the Fr Ambassador made reason for the Q. mothers pretence but from the French King her Majestie had no Letter Thereupon her Majestie is scrupulous doubting to give occasion of a Warr to be born by her self alone and the more She doubteth finding the Fr King so precise in his Brothers cause We finde in a Letter of Tuyns here decyphered that the King sent Gondy to him with ample Commission to carry away the 300000 Crowns wherewith the Prince of Parma became so lusty Her Majestie would have you decypher in this matter of Portugal Tâ—is day Don or King Anthonio hath pressed the Q. Majestie to have restitution of his Diamond and by Mr Weldmore he would have sent to my Lady for it but I mean my Ladies answer shall be that it was left with her by you and that without your commandment she may not deliver it except such money be paid as she knoweth you have borrowed upon it Her Majestie will not have it detained for her â—000 l. which I see she could be content to lose so he were satisfied Surely Mr Secretary the cause hath been but lightly conducted and many things overcharged For I have seen a Note of yours amounting not much above 3000 l. and it is brought almost to 14000 l. and the King Anthony regardeth nothing therein done but remitteth his payment to the Island or rather to the pay of the King of Spa Indies yet we here do what we can to content him I hear that the Count Vimioso will be here within these two dayes he is altogether French and will seek to draw this King into France where his life I fear will be vendible From my House the 24 night of August at eleven of the Clock Your assured Friend W Burghley To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham SIR where by my last Letters I made doubt unto you of the going forth of the Ships in the Voyage intended as before your going over you were acquainted with yet now at the last her Majestie is resolved that 4. onely shall goe forth under the charge of William Hawkins wherof the Primrose is the chiefest And least occasion should fall out of service by Land Capt. Norris is appointed for that purpose It is thought meet that such Victuals as were provided for tâ—e other Ships and cannot well be kept should forthwith be uttered and sold. Nevertheless the ships to be in a readiness upon a short warning as further shall be advertised from you of the French Kings resolution Her Majestie seemeth resolutely bent not to exceed 5000 l. whereby your charge is the greater which I have assayed to qualifie as if it had been my own case And thus constrained to be shorter then I would otherwise for the dispatch of this Bearer c. Greenwich late in the night August 24. 1581. William Burleigh To the Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship after the long stay from proceeding in our Negotiation upon such reasons as in our former letters we have advertised Du Vray came unto us on Friday to acquaint us with such answer as he had received from the Duke his Master touching the furtherance of the league desired The sum of the speeches that he delivered unto us being this
That the Duke was contented that the treaty should go forward as a thing found necessary by her Majestie so that it might be no prejudice to the marriage And for that the Duke his Master rested assured of her Majestie that she had no such meaning as by the one to prejudice the other he did let us understand that by the said Dukes order he had imparted so much unto the King and that he thought upon the return of Monsieur Pynart who was looked for that evening we should know the Kings further pleasure touching our proceeding This report of Du Vray we thought good not to advertise before the 〈…〉 Mr. Sommers from the D by whom we did look to be throughly 〈◊〉 of the truth who returning this last night delivered as much to us from 〈◊〉 Duke as your Lordship may perceive by his reports set down in writing sent down herewith This day la Mot and Pynart sent unto us to let us understand that the King meaneth to morrow in the morning to confer with his Councel about the cause we are come for praying us to excuse the delay that the King by reason of letters from the Duke his brother and others from the Duke du Main was so entertained as he had no leisure to consult touchiâ—g our said cause As for the manner of our proceeding in the Treaty with the French King or his Ministers we mean to observe the course prescribed by her Majestie as well contained in our Instructions as also in your Lordships letters of the 13 of this present And as touching the contents of the said letters whereas her Highness conceiveth by a letter written by me the Secretary the 10 of this present that a treaty without drawing her Majestie into charges will not be effected which causeth her Highness to put on a resolution that it is as good for her to be at charge with a marriage as without In which behalf for that the one seemeth to us to depend upon the other and both of them doubtful we neither receive perfect direction for the marriage nor for the charges without the marriage especially what sum her Majestie can be content to yield unto in case the contribution shall be accorded to be done underhand We humbly pray your Lordship that we may speedily have her Majesties resolution herein for that otherwise the treaty will be drawn into great length both to her Majesties and the Kings charge here besides that we know that it will breed some misliking and will be found strange that we should have authoâ—ity to deal in general terms onely without entring into particularities but must be driven to send over for resolution in such points as might well be considered of before hand we are the rather moved to pray your Lordship to move her Majestie in these points for that we are given to understand they mean to grow here to deliberation in Counsel whether it shall be fitter for Monsieur to continue the prosecution of his action in the Low-Countreys or else having discharged his promise by releeving of Cambray to give over further proceeding therein In the debating whereof such as are affected to Spâ—in as we are informed mean to lay before the King such reasons as may induce him to think it not fit to concur with his brother in assisting him in his action in respect of the great charges which the following thereof wil require Besides divers other inconveniences that may accompany a war against such a Potent Prince as the King of Spain Others that consider the danger that may grow to this Crown if his greatness be not impeached do mean on the other side to perswade him to joyn with her Majestie upon the present occasions given for the abating of the said greatness Now to the end the King may stand assured how her Majestie will proceed in that behalf it is meant that we shall be effectually dealt withal both for the manner of the attempt and also for the charges wherein if we shall not be able to yield sufficient satisfaction it is to be doubted that the resolution will fall out that Monsieur shall be persvvaded to give over the enterprize whereunto without support and by the great offers likely to be made unto him he shall be of necessity forced to yield and run some such course as shall not be good for her Majesties safety Thus much we have thought good to impart unto your Lordship referring the same to her Majesties consideration praying your Lordship to procure her speedy resolution which may be without alteration or else it shall be thought here that all our doings are but dalliances Paris 21 of August Francis Walsingham Henry Cobham I. Sommers To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord your letter of the 17 sent hy Mr. Vice-Chamberlains man I have received the contents vvhereof I mean to send by the next Sorry I am to see her Majesty so apt to take offence against me which falleth not out contrary to my expectation and therefore I did protest unto her after it had pleased her to make choice of me to employ me this way that I should repute it a greater favour to be committed unto the Tower unless her Majesty may grow more certain in her Resolutions there Instead of Amity I fear her Highness shall receive enmity and we her Ministers here be greatly discomforted having no certain direction what to follow The Kings charges here are great for my Diet amounting to One hundred pound per diem And the charges of his Ambassador that he last sent over stood him in well near 60000 Crownes now in the end of it prove neither Marriage nor honourable Amity he may besides the dishonor think his charges hardly employed To think that the Amity such as may bring surety will be compassed we here see no reason so to conceive Now her Majesty finding it more for her surety to have the charges accompanied with marriage then without I pray your Lordship that we may have warrant to proceed accordingly and then by experience her Highness shall not finde that any particular passion beareth that sway with me as I finde She conceiveth it doth Whereas her Majesty would have me to signifie my knowledg touching Mr Gilbert York surely for mine own part I cannot but report well of the Gentleman and therefore her Majesty hath received information some other way The Marshall de Coss is greatly condemned here for that he did not accompany the Duke he required at the Kings hands a Warrant not contenting himself with a verball commandment The King answered him That he might as well without Warrant accompany his Brother in this Voyage as to take a Pension of him of 12000 Francks yearly which no Marshall of France ought to doe Besides this pension he hath in Abbies and other benefits bestowed on him by the Duke as I am informed 15000 Francks The rest of the Marshals Monsieur doth not desire And so c. August 21.
Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham To Mr Secretary SIR when I had imparted to her Majestie all the Letters brought hither this 24. from your self alone and from Sir Henry Cobham with you and Mr Sommers and also the contents of Mr Sommers Negotiation with Monsieur of all which particularities nothing did or could content her Majestie more then that Monsieur was entred into Câ—mbray according to his honourable intention and promise so as her Majestie rejoyceth greatly with this his fruits of so great an enterprize And whereas by Mr. Sommers report of the Dukes own mouth as also by that you have sought to understand that he is not relieved by the King in this his action being so chargeable unto him so as if he have not some present relief otherwise then as the Duke himself hath told Mr. Sommers he shall be forced to desist from any further action in the Low-Countreys As also you by your Letters do signifie that you fear it will be so concluded by the French King and his special Spanish Councel that some peace may be made and Monsieurs honour saved by the revictualling of Cambray and so his promise being therein acquitted he may retire and disperse his forces Upon consideration whereof her Majestie findeth it strange that Mr. Sommers gave no more comfortable words to Monsieur upon the declaration of his request of and from her Majestie in such earnest sort as Mr. Sommers himself doâ—h report it But said he had no Commission to deal in that matter but that he would not fail to report his Highness request faithfully to her Ambassadour whereas contrariwise you Mr. Secretary did in a Post-script of your letter of the 17 of August write to me that Mr Sommers who was then with the Duke had Commission to offer him support in case he should see his necessity great or not likely to be otherwise supplyed so as her Majestie â—aith that either Mr. Sommers was greatly to blame not to utter such speeches to Monsieur or else he had not instruction from you so to do which to be done by him or otherwise her Majestie saith plainly you knew her mind and pleasure So that she is greatly grieved that for lack of comfort given him he may in the mean time be forced to hearken to some other sinister perswasions for some patched peace Wherefore as it may be possible her Majestie hath willed me with all haste to send this pacquet to you to will you without any delay to give Monsieur knowledge that her Majestie hath regard of his cause and hath at this present instant hour at noon of the 24 of this moneth when she heard of Mr. Sommers his motion made to him given order that assoon as money can be told and how that by thâ— advice of Marchiamont it may be safely sent he shall have a support from her Majestie to continue his action and not to give it over being so honourably begun and now so fortunately entred by his entry into Cambray for want of support and so I assure you Sir for your satisfaction I am commanded by her Majestie to cause a support to be ready for this purpose to the value of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thousand pound As for your other matters concerning your proceeding in a treaty for a league her Majestie hath willed me to repeat that which you have had knowledge of both by your inâ—tructions and otherwise since that now the Treaty of the marriage remaineth in suspence and that the King will be contented to Treat of the rest you are to consider that the first matter is to Treat of the general League offensive and defensive whereby if the King of Spain should offend either her or the King the other should not only aid the party offended but also offend the offender wherein there is no cause to speak particularly to what quantity or sum her Majesty for her part or the King for his part should be contributory as it seemeth to her Majestie by your Letters you require to have a particular resolution But for contribution of any sums of money that is to be treated of with the King upon a secret Treaty apart in which sort it shall be thought convenient both for the French King for the abating of the over-greatness of Spain in what sort Monsieur in the Low-Countries should be supported and also in what sort and manner the King and her Maâ—estie might aid Don Anthonio to recover his Kingdom of Portugal And of this secret Treaty you have especial instruction to deal with the King which would be accelerated and not delayed as it hath been by the French upon a continual pretence to have a resolute answer for the marriage which now being by Monsieurs consent put in â—uspence â—o as the other Treatys may proceed It is now then time that this latter Treaty were dealt in as well for the necessity of Monsieurs actions to be continued and maintained as the aiding of Don Anthonio whilst the Island of Terceras being of most moment doth as you hear continue for the said King Anth. And whereas you would have her Majâ—stie now aforehand answer you what sum of money or other aid she shall offer to these several â—ctions she willeth me to write that it is impossibâ—e or at least inconvenient for her to name any thing in certainty untill she shall hear from you further knowledge of these things following Fiâ—st for aiding of Monsieur what shall be his enterprises of what monthly charges and with what numbers and then how much thereof may be probably paid by the States according to the compact they made with Monsieur and then what probably himself may of his own contribute And lastly for supply of that which shall be wanting what the French King will yield who in reason both for his brother and for respect that the Countries to be acquired unto hâ—s brother are to remain to the Crown of Faance ought to yield a treble support and the rather also for that his charges and his Civil Warrs are now at an end the rather by the means of the travail of the Duke his brother in the procuring of the last Peace and these parts being by you well considered and debated so as you may see reason to lead you to think these computations probable then her Majestie shall finde ground to consider how farr she may proceed to contribute which presently 〈◊〉 can neither limit nor ghesse But because you think the lack of your knowledge to answer hereunto and the expence of time to send to her for Answer will seem unto them there strange You may assure them that when her â—ajestie shall understand the circumstance of the matters she will yield speedy Answer and give a reasonable contentation according to her interest therein which cannot nor ought not to be so chargeable as percase will be demanded of her for that herein her Crown shall receive no benefit Therefore to conclude the like consideration would be had
conference had of late with her Highness whereupon the King had commanded them to tell us that seeing that matter was now in so good terms he thought good to stay further proceeding in the Treaty of a League But to end first that which was first begun and in such forwardness which was the Marriage and that they thought we should have commandment from her Majestie very shortly in this behalf whereunto it was answered unto them that though we heard nothing thereof from her Majestie yet we would believe what they had said as written to the King from his Ambassador and that untill we might understand her Majesties pleasure herein we thought that this Negotiation for a League might well proceed to bring it to some good point and to win so much time seeing the King had consented and desired to have such a League with her Majestie Mr. de Chevereny said that the time would not be so long ere we should receive her Majesties pleasure and that they could not proceed any further in the Treaty seeing this was the Kings pleasure Then it was said by Pinart that the Ambassador had then written as so spoken by her Highness to him that she had rather marry a mean Gentleman of France then go now from that which was so farr proceeded in between her Highness and Monsieur Thus we being put off from our Negotiation and at a stay knew not how to proceed any further in any thing untill we may understand her Majesties pleasure which we beseech you to procure to be sent unto us in some certainty that an orderly and honourable course may be holden to grow to an end At this time Pinart as so commanded he said by the Queen Mother did very specially recommend to her Majesties consideration the estate of poor Don Anthonio and to remember the great charges he hath been at in providing shipping in England to be sent and to joyn with the French Kings ships under Captain Carles who he assured they had advertisement was gon to the sea seven daies ago thinking to meet with Don Anthonio's ships rigged in England at a Cape which he could not name And that unless the same depart not out of hand all the charge will be lost and that the King shall be fain to venture his ships alone if no other aid joyn with them He shewed there an advertisement came that day from the Isle of Tercera that the French have landed there taken the Isle and certain ships and put to the Sword 800 Spaniards among whom were they whose names were here in a scedule and that he thinketh they are gon to meet with the rest of the Spanish Fleet. And thus c. Paris the 27 of August Fr. Walsingham Henry Cobham Iohn Sommers To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord I send your Lordship here inclosed the last Article contained in mine instructions for the League which we have forborne to adde to those heads of a League which we exhibited to the Commissioners for that we find it somewhat darke and therefore doe pray your Lordships explanation therein For as we conceive of it it will restrain the French King from aiding of the Duke his brother which I think is not meant considering her Majesties promise to assist the Duke in the action I beseech your Lordship that we may have speedy resolution by way of Post or otherwise as by your Lordship shall be thought meet to such things as we send your Lordship by this dispatch After I had proceeded thus far in my Letter thinking that our conference with the Kings Commissioners would have bred some good accord touching the most parts of those points which were by us propounded unto them Upon the hope the King is put in by Letters lately come from his Ambassador resident there our further conference is staid as your Lordship may perceive by our general Letters which if it be not so throughly resolved on as the Ambassador conceiveth and as he hath reported to the King his Master whereof we her Majesties Ministers here stand in doubt having no confirmation thereof Then surely this report will doe a great deal of harm many waies and ministers to the persons named in mine other Letters matters of strange discourse Besides we that serve here cannot but be infinitely grieved to see the weighty cause we have in hand subject to so many interruptions especially of the alteration of proceeding upon occasion given from thence It were well her Majestie did capitulate with the Ambassador in these great matters not to advertise any thing without first making her privy thereunto as also that upon any such resolution taken with him we here might be acquainted withall to the end there might be concurrency with us Touching her Majesties pleasure for the return of Mr. Sommers I hope when her Majestie shall consider the weightiness of the cause we deal in and the number and sufficiency of the persons we are matched withall her Highness shall see more cause to send some other well chosen Civilians to assist us then to withdraw him from us Upon the perusing of a Letter that the Ambassador resident wrote unto me much to the same effect he had written to the King I thought good to send to Pinart to acquaint him with the contents of the said Letter which as I gave order to be declared unto him caried no other substance but a report of such speeches as her Majestie had delivered to the said Ambassador the same evening that he waited on her Majestie when she road abroad to take the aire wherein her Majestie did rather lay open unto him how she stood affected to the marriage then delivered him any resolution and that it was so it might well appear hereby for that her Highness doth not use to give her resolution in any matter of importance without the privity of her Councel and acquainting her Ambassador on this side therewith to the end there may be a concurrency between her Majesties Ministers and the King which being otherwise in this case I could not but rest doubtfull of the substance of the report And therefore was desirous if it might stand with the Kings pleasure considering the great charges his Majesties is at with us and the time that passeth away fruitlesly the Treaty might go on until we might receive further matter from her Majesty To this Pinart answered that he thought the request reasonable for that it was grounded upon great probability and would therefore the next morning move the King in the matter requiring in the mean season that as much might be delivered to some other of the Commissioners as had been to him especially to Chivergni Villequire which was offered to be done by the messenger I sent but they being in conference with the Queen mother and therefore for that time not to be dealt withal at his motion it was delivered to Bellieure whom they found in the utter Chamber of Queen mother who in like sort
found the message and request teasonable and concluded with Pinart that the next morning the King shall be moved in it when Pinart delivered this answer to my messenger he told him withal that the King upon the receit of this letter from his Ambassador had put on a resolution not to proceed in any League offensive unless the marriage were first fully accorded and that being done he would make a Treaty offensive not onely against one Prince but against all whatsoever With this I thought good to acquaint your Lordship notwithstanding I finde them full of alterations to the end that in case the King should dwell in this resolution I might receive her Majesties pleasure for my return humbly praying your Lordship to use the matter so that it may be no cause of stay in her Majestie with this dispatch For my own opinion I think that the King will stay in this resolution until he may hear from his brother to whom Du Uray this day hath dispatched a pacquet the 26 of August Francis Walsingham To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord whereas I perceive by your letters of the seventeenth of this present that her Majestie doth marvail that she heareth nothing of my moving of the King to assist his brother it may please your Lordship therefore to let her Highness understand that at the time of my first access unto the King I did very effectually recommend the same in general terms unto him and did receive from him assurance that he would have care of his brother as in honor and in nature he was bound thinking at the time of our conference when we should enter into the dealing for the secret Treaty the time would then have served most aptly to have furthered the same in a more particular sort which being stayed as your Lordship knoweth by a request made by Du Uray in the Duke his Masters name and being given to understand by good means that the King protested that unless he had been assured that the marriage would have taken place he would never have suffered his brother to have proceeded so far in the enterprise of the Low-Countries I thought it out of time to use any perswasion in furtherance of the assistance to be given to the said Duke unless I might have had some Authority to assure him of the marriage Besides If he should have demanded as it is probable he would what support her Majesty would have yielded for the good will she professeth to bear towards his said brother I was restrained to put him in any comfort thereof by her Majesties special direction for that as your Lordship knoweth her pleasure was I should make no offer of support unto the Duke unless I were assured that the King would not ayd him as also for that her Majesty did conceive that if the said King should know that his brother should be supported by her he would then forbear to yield any relief The case then standeth thus as I was neither able to assure him of the marriage without the which as it seemed he was altogether unwilling to imbark himself any way nor acquaint him with her Majesties determinations to assist his said brother whereby to have provoked him to have concurred with her Majesty being restrained as your Lordship seeth by her Majesty for the reasons above mentioned to make any offer of assistance in her Highnesses behalf I hope her Majesty upon due consideration thereof will rest satisfied it is a great grief to any minister that shall be imployed in any matter of that weight as those that are committed to any charge to have no certain directions I would to God her Highness would resolve one way or other touching the matter of her marriage the uncertain course that is now held in that behalf besides that it doth offend the Prince here and discredit her servants that deal therein especially being perswaded as they are that I have more authority then I have doth minister unto the Secretaries of forraign Princes matters of discourse greatly to her Majesties dishonor and extreme grief of us here that are acquainted withal as that when her Majesty is pressed to marry then she seemeth to affect a League and when a League is yielded unto then she liketh better of a marriage And when thereupon she is moved to assent to marriage then she hath recourse to the League when the motion for the League or any request is made for mony then her Majesty returneth to marriage as these things are delivered out here in discourse among the said Secretaries so are they all so conveyed and distributed into other Conrts through Europe whereof her enemies will make their profit to throw her into the hatred of all the world it shall be therefore most necessary for your Lordship and the rest of the Councel whose advice she doth use in this cause to move her Majesty earnestly to grow to some earnest resolution in that behalf as a thing that doth import her greatly both in honor and safety Paris August 20. Francis Walsingham Au Duc d'Anjou M On seigneur ayant tout a ceste heure receu lettres de la part de sa Maj. par lesquelles suis adverty que sa dite Maj. a accordée de fournir a vostre altesse la somme de 100000 escus n'ay voulu laisser l'opportunité d'en advertir icelle en toute diligence en estant pour ma part bien joyeula ne desirant chose plus au monde que de faire tres humbles services a s'on Altesse et esperant que ce bon fondement que sa Majestè a mais se combler á d'aultres fruicts a vostre souhait Au reste il plaira a vâ—stre Altesse d'estre adverti que par le moyen d'icelle estant les commissaires de la Maj. tres-christiens Et nous autres entres bien avant au traicte des l'amitie perpetuelle que sa Maj desire veoir establie entre ces deux couronnes comme chose fort a propos et duisantè a l'advancement des affaires que vostre A. a presentement en main et y ayant travaillé en sorte qu'estions bien prés a couronner l'ouurages tout soudain le 25 de se present mois par le commandement du Roy le dict traicté se rompt et demeure en suspens a l'occasion de quelque advertisement que par ses lettres l'un va donner Monsieur de la Muanissiere comme si la Maj. de la Royne ma maistresse auroit conclus entre elle et luy de donner vostre A sans plus de remises promesse reale de mariage entendant proceder si rondement et de bonne foy que la consummation ne demeureroit gueres a paracheuer dont peu le estre que Mr. Du Uray a desia adverty V. A. Chose que nous sembloit bien estrange n'en ayant receu mot de la part de sa Maj. comme n'en avons encores
per ses dernieres qui furent escriptes deux jours Apres celles de son ministre ne se veult en oultre eslargir en l endroit du dit traite premier que vâ—oir le dit mariage tout touchè et arrestteé de sorte que demeurons maintenant oysifs et demeurerons si nonque V. A. sera servir de faire cest honneur a la Royne nostre Maistresse et a nous ses ministres et vostres trâ—shumbles servit eurs si bien que de moyenner envers la Maj. tres-christienela procedure du dit traicte comme chose bien duisante a l advancement du dit mariage et ne pouvant en sorte du monde l'empescher ou retarder Que sera la fin en apres avoir tres-humblement supplié V. A. vouloir donner foy et credit a ce porteur en quelques particularitez qu'a icelle il dira de ma part et l'avoir aussi tres-humblement ceusti a icelle lâ—s mains Ie prie le creator vous avoir et tousjoâ—rs tenir Mon signeur en sa tres-saincte et tres-digne garde Escrit a Paris ce 27 jour d'Aoust par moy vostre fidele serviteur Francis Walsingham To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord the contents of your Letter written unto me the 24 of this present and received the 26. I conceive to consist principally in the points following First that her Majesties pleasure is that speedy knowledge should be given to Monsieur of the regard her Highness hath of his cause and of the support it pleaseth her to yield him to which points is added the dislike she conceiveth that at Mr. Sommers being with Monsieur and understanding the necessity he stood in he had no direction to make him a more comfortable Answer Secondarily That in the Treaty of a general League offensive there is no cause to speak particularly in what quality or sum her Majestie should be contributary Lastly That in the secret Treatie no offer should be made in her Highnesses behalf before the particularites of the forces that shall be imployed and of the charges that Mousieur himself the King and States will be at be delivered and set down unto us for Answer whereunto it may please your Lordship to understand that immediately upon the receit of the Letters as soon as I could dispatch the messenger I sent to Monsieur to acquaint him with her Majesties good meaning towards him and by what means and with what expedition it should be made over unto him and as touching the dislike for that the Answer unto the Duke was not more uncomfortable It may please your Lordship to inform her Majestie that at the time of the sending of Mr. Sommers unto his Highness because I could not be throughly informed according to the directions received from her Majestie how far the King meant to inlarge himself towards him and finding also in all former letters received from thence I was willed not to be over forward in promising of assistance without good intelligence first had of the Kings intention in that behalf and being not ignorant what conceits her Majestie hath taken of my service since my being in these parts It made me to deal the more warily in the Commission I gave Mr. Sommers and yet was it not such as your Lordship may perceive by the inclosed Copy but that the Duke might take comfort thereby Besides your Lordship can be a witness with me how upon the motion made to me by the Viscount Turaign touching the necessity the Duke stood in how earnestly I dealt for private support to be yielded him so as if by occasion of want he should have been constrained to have given over the enterprise or had carried it otherwise then her Majestie would I were not to be charged with Secondarily Whereas in a general League offensive it is thought that there needeth no particular Contribution to be spoken of Your Lordship may see by our last dispatch that such a motion is already made unto us and that thing thought needful having besides the presidents of all former Leagues offensive thought it will be long before the Contributions shall be imployed yea happily never And therefore seeing it is material for their satisfaction and a matter of no new president we could do no less but desire to know her Majesties pleasure therein which we hope to receive by the next dispatch Lastly For the particularties of the secret Treaty our opinion is that a certain proportion set down such as her Majestie can be content were very necessary and greatly for the furtherance of the service intended whereby in our Treatie with them we might frame our course the better in seeking to be informed of their several Contributions For to stay the resolution whereof until the certain numbers be set down wherewith the service of the Low-Countries shall be prosecuted which is a matter very hard and found by experience that it never holdeth in any certainty will draw the Treaty into an unnecessary length Besides We are perswaded that it will be much more chargeable for her Majesty in case she should capitulate with them to furnish them either with men or mony according to such proportions as they shall set down for that there cannot but grow some variance for the numbers of men and for the time of service wherein they shall be imployed whereby her Majestie shall be driven to pay for greater numbers and for longer time of employment then in Reason and Equity she ought And herein experience doth teach us that in former Leagues of Association there hath risen always great controversies about the above named Circumstanstes For the avoiding whereof it were necessary some certain Contribution were set down and without yielding Contribution it will be but in vain to enter into any speech of the League though for the Reasons contained in your Lordships letter it ought not to be great considering that besides the benefit that this Crown doth receive to have the King of Spain kept under they are like to â—eceive some particular benefit otherways which if it be true as Du Uray informeth me the same also being confirmed by President Neve and Secretary Qâ—insey at my being at La Fere the benefit is only to redound unto Monsieur in the state that he is now for when he shall come to be King of France if that for default of issue in the King should happen they of the Low-Countries have capitulated with him that they may be at their own choice to choose their Soveraign But herein such direction as it shall please her Majesty to givâ— us we will follow putting your Lordship onely in minde that the longer tract of time it shall receive the more subject shall it be to practises Whereby upon great offers to be made they may be drawn to run some other course And therefore the more expedition is used the better success it is likely to take And as touching the
Argument which her Majesties pleasure is we should use to induce them to think that she ought not to be burdened with any great charges touching the matter of Portugal considering the Queen mothers pretence we will not fail when we shall have to deal therewith to proceed accordingly though I am perswaded that the said Queens pretence is used but for a colour to justifie such assistance as they shall give rather then in hope of any benefit they look to receive thereby otherwise then that the King of Spains greatness shall be abated And so c. Paris this 28 of August 1581. Fr. Walsingham To Master Secretary SIR Since the departure of Iohn the Currier hence this is done Mr. Sommers is ordered to ride to Monsieur he hath secretly to carry with him so many pistolets as come to And there is just as much more to be provided which is here hard to be gotten My Lord of Leicester moved Palla Vicine to procure it by exchange at Paris which he took upon him but when I was curious how he would do it he answered me that every Crown would cost me four pence at the least and yet he could not so answer it but for a small sum and secondly for the time he could not answer me but that he must pass it forth to Antwerpe and then to Paris he also was moved to ride to Paris himself but the charge thereof must be layed to the former so as the sum would be slenderly pinched with such abatements Hereupon I stayed proceeding with him and have for the first half made means here and have gotten Paul Swallore Alderman Martins man to take charge of packing the wait is more then two spare horses can carry and now I am resolved to divide it into four portions and to commit to four the several portions to be carried upon a Pillion and so they may pass in post whereas otherwise being charged upon two horses they could not ride post with it I am now to pray you to advertise me what you can do there to have the rest paid there if the like sum shall be paid here with security by Exchange and what the charge will be or else whether you think the same were not best to be sent in specie thither to Monsieur himself which I think the best seeing therein are two inconveniences danger by sea to pass for La Motts knowledge and by Land by false brethren or Spaignoilists for I fear such secresie will not be kept of the next as I trust hitherto in this I have such crooked dealing here with Lopez for that the King urgeth the speedy delivery of the Jewel without satisfaction for your charge as I think Mr. Mills will advertise you the Queens Majestie for her part is content to stand to curtesie or to loss for the 5000. l. From Scotland we hear commonly evil that the King shall acknowledge to have by evil counsel of his subjects usurped the Crown and therefore he will resign it to his Mother and she to grant it back to be possessed joyntly We hear also that the Earl of Arraign is fully bent to make a Band of the Protestant Nobility to the contrary hereof I think my Lord of Leicester will write hereof to you for he hath dealt here in very wisely by means of Robert Ashton that was my Lady of Lenox servant at this time I have paid this bearer Philips 20. l. in name of his travel Greenwich the 27 August 1581. W. Burleigh To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord Finding by the inclosed that the Duke desireth that all expedition may be used in the transportation of the mony I thought it very necessary to send away this messenger with all speed whom I did imploy in this journey towards him And therefore found it expedient to send him unto you to the end he might make report both of the state of his Camp and of the present enterprise he hath in hand If your Lordship mark the Letter well you shall finde it written with very great judgement and in most thankful sort If this young Prince continue the course he hath begun there are few or none that promise greater things in our days then he The pain he taketh as this bearer can shew you is intollerable and his patience having to deal with so strange and â—nquiet humors as serve under him is admirable It offendeth the better sort here to see such Treasure spent here in preparations of Masks and other vanities and this poor Prince forced unless he were otherwise relieved to give over an enterprise so many ways profitable to this Crown Amongst other things I gave this bearer in his Instructions charge to know the Dukes pleasure whether I should make the King and his mother privy to the Loan and in what sort I should deliver it unto them In answer whereof he hath willed him to let me understand that he referreth the same to her Majesties best consideration for mine own particular opinion considering that the matter cannot be kept secret I think it meet they should be both made acquainted withal for that it might nourish or rather increase in the King a jealousie already conceived of some inward intelligence not to the best purpose between her Majesty and the Duke Besides it would serve to very good purpose to remove the opinion that both he and his mother have conceived that her Majesties friendship consisteth altogether in words who hitherto hath shewed more friendly and better effects then they thought both nature and policy ought to lead them to deal otherwise then they do This day I had long speech with Queen mother both about tha Portugal causes as also about our stay of the proceeding in the Treaty for the first I do finde by her that the King will attempt nothing by way of Occurrency with her Majesty without the marriage and as for our further proceeding in the Treaty I also learn by her that he is resolute to stay until he hear from his Ambassador hereof I will enlarge unto your Lordship more at length by the next the conclusion of her speeches were an earnest recommendation of the marriage without the which she said she saw there could be no sound friendship she also renewed her former request touching the support to be yielded to Don Anthonio letting me understand that the four ships were departed from Burdeaux with six hundred men at the least and therefore prayed me most effectually to recommend the same to her Majesty Whereas I perceive by your Letter of the one and twentieth sent by the Lady Marquesses brother that her Majesty is offended for that she is not more particularly informed of the state of both Armies I shall desire your Lordship to be an humble suitor in my behalf unto her Majesty that it will please her Highness to conceive better of my service here then I perceive she doth And as for the fault her Majestie findeth there lacketh no care
person in such sort as it appeareth he shall in the Low-Countreys and so with many other like speeches of his own conceit without affirmation of any such thing to proceed from her Majestie as hath been alledged there to you to be written by him he doth confess that his own principal desire is to have the marriage take place but doth not affirm any thing certain of her Majesties speech delivered unto him to move him to give any assurance by his writing to the King or to Monsieur neither yet to move them to despair thereof And to this end her Majestie hath required him to certifie the King how he hath been herewith by her Majestie charged and in what sort he hath answered for discharge of her Majestie so as hereupon her Majestie hopeth that the King will give order to his Commissioners to continue the Treaty begun with you which her Majestie would have you earnestly to press forward as a matter profitable as well for the French King and his Countreys as for her Majestie and not to interpret the proceeding therein to tend to the breaking off the marriage which you can tell upon what terms and just causes her Majestie hath suspended being therein not satisfied with any direct answer from the French King to clear the doubts and difficulties committed to the charge of you Master Secretary to deliver both to the French King and Monsieur Now concerning your several articles sent contained in your papers First of the general articles propounded Secondly of so many as you have already accorded and Thirdly of certain points not fully answered by you but reserved until you might receive some further direction from her Majestie for the same you shall understand that all these your writings have been here perused by such of the Councel as are present and report thereof here at the Court made to her Majestie with their several opinions which shall most properly appear by marginal notes in every of the same and if so be it shall chance that you cannot obtain of the French King that his Commissioners and you her Majesties Commissioners shall proceed in the Treaty for a league as you did begin and as the French did twice yield thereunto that is at your first coming to him from Monsieur and secondly after that by Pynart for the King and you Master Sommers for her Majesties part returned from Monsieur with his contentation that the Treaty might pass so as nothing thereby might be prejudicial to the cause of the marriage Then you may say to the King That your abode there is but superfluous and more chargeable for the said King then serviceable and therefore you shall desire him to license you to return which you may say will be by such as mislike of the good amity between her Majestie and the King be interpreted to the worst and will give them more comfort then were convenient at this time And if notwithstanding this allegation and reason yielded they will not proceed in the Treaty her Majesties pleasure is that you shall return and so also shall Master Sommers except you your selves see any cause probable for your abode until you may advertise us and know our pleasure Her Majestie commanded me to write to you that it is greatly misliked is greatly misliked that you have not more particularly and more earnestly moved the French King to give supprt to the Duke his brother in a cause so honourable for the honour of France and the Crown thereof And her Majestie understandeth that the King himself may think you as her Majecties Ministers careless herein of Monsieurs well doing And as I have heretofore written to you hereof so did I impart to her Majestie your answer that you had moved to the King at your first coming thither and of the French Kings answer But her Majestie thinketh you might have solicited such a matter both more earnestly and more often And so now I do notifie unto you her Majesties opinion at this time concerning the cause of Don Anthonio King of Portugal You shall declare either to the French King or Queen Mother if they shall give you any cause to speak thereof that there hath been no lack nor default in her Majestie that he hath not been in other sort relieved For as your self knoweth before your departure it was by us agreed what support he should have had of ships and men and munition according to his own desire and demand And to that end great sums of money have been laid out as therein you have a part of the burthen and accordingly the ships and men with victual and munition was ready two moneths past and as you also know it was by the King Don Anthonio agreed that he would not press us to grant him this support thereby to provoke the King of Spain to some hostility against our subjects trading in his Countreys except the French King should joyn with us in this action and thereof give us assurance Whereupon Don Anthonio sent himself a Count of his and other Messengers to sollicite the same to the French King but so the matter hath fallen out that we never could have any perfect answer from the King whereby we might be assured that he would joyn with us in this support But his Ambassadour here hath said that the King his Master especially thanketh us for our courtesies and reliefs towards Don Anthonio his Kinsman and exhorted us to proceed and he said there should be ships of France for his ayd And in like sort the Queen Mother required our Ambassador there to advertise us the like disposition in her but all this time we had no direct answer of assurance that the King would give him support Whereupon with very great charges the preparations of the ships and men in wages and in expence of victuals hath continued almost two whole moneths and thereby the said Don Anthonio hath lost the whole opportunity of the time of the year over-slipping the recovery of the good Isle Madera and of other Isles of the Azores saving Terceras which by Gods goodness was preserved by the Islanders and indeed not by any aid of the force of the French men For in very deed at the time of the repulse of the Spaniard which was on St. Iames day there were no French men there but onely An. Scabiny had been there before and was gone Westward as was supposed to make some profit of the straglers of the Italian fleet for otherwise he was not able to incounter the Fleet it self nor yet to offer fight with the Kings Armado sent under Pedro de Valdes besides this by this delay for lack of good answer from thence this King Anthonio doubteth of the constancy of a great number of his subjects in Portugal who secretly hoped upon his support and so now in the end though we could have no answer from thence whereby her Majestie might be build with assurance of the French Kings conjunction to adventure the
King of Spains offence yet she did offer to the King â—nthonio the service of certain good Vessels well armed victualled and furnished with men and munition largely to repair now in the latter end of August But the King prudently considering that the time was past for this year to recover any more Isles then he hath already and that such as hold for him could not be by the enmity assailed from henceforth until the next year did not accept our offer but finding the default of answer from the French King to have been the cause of our stay he meant onely to send away a few ships which himself had bought and armed here for the which her Majestie hath already yielded him a pass-port When you shall again deal with the King to have care of his Brother now entred into the Low-Countreys whose actions for the honour of that Crown are to be maintained you may shew him that we think he was not well counselled by such as moved him to yield to * Tanis the King of Spains Agent that 300000 or 400000 Crowns were by his special license carried from Lyons to the Prince of Parma which if the King had stayed but one moneth or twenty days to give license as he did to Tanis there had manifestly followed in the Prince of Parma's Army such a disaster as is notoriously known before the coming of that money that the said Army was ready for want of pay to have broken and especially all the Almaignes had revolted to the service of Monsieur le Duc which by the ayd of that money was altered to the disadvantage of the Duke his Brother And you may say to the King that by considering of this her Majestie doubteth that there are some in credit with him that regard not in their counsels what should be the means to stay the greatness of the King of Spain which causeth her Majestie to be more doubtful how she shal deal in any action tending to stay the said greatness except she might evidently see some more appearance of the French Kings determination to the same end which in this cause of his Brothers actions in the Low-Countreys both ought and might best appear by some honourable good support to be given to the Duke his Brother Greenwich the second of Sept. 1581. Will. Burleigh To Mr. Secretary SIR notwithstanding your later letters of the 28 of August importing many reasons to move her Majestie to give some better answers in particularities yet her Majestie reading them and being reasoned withal will admit no other answer then was directed by the letters written though not sealed up before your last What may further move her Majestie hereafter I know not but I see it common to great and small not to think of adversity in time of prosperity and so adversity cometh with double peril At this present Don Antâ—onio is come to take his leave of her Majestie he will press to have his jewel and so that you may be satisfied I agree to it and so sometimes doth her Majestie but in conclusion he would have the jewel answer for all the losses which of the 13000 l. I think will be about 3600 l. whereof 170 l. is desperate imprest and wages and victuals spent the rest falleth out in the resail of the victuals I appoint Mr. Mills to be in commission about this dissolution and sail who will better satisfie you then I can And so c. Septemb. 2. William Burleigh The Article onely enlarged in words I Tem it is good to covenant That neither of the Princes now confederated shall at any time hereafter the conclusion of this Treaty give open aid to any enemy of any third Prince with whom at the conclusion of this league they are in peace thereby manifestly to provoke the other third Prince for such aid so given to make war or invasion against the Prince that shall give such aid for that cause of aid given but that before the aid shall be so openly given the Prince meaning to give such aid should first advertise by his letters the other Confederate and have his allowance thereof in writing In which word of aiding shall not be meant any other kind of ayd but such open aid as shall make the enemy aided thereby able by such aid to use open hostility and to make war against the third Prince Will Burleigh Her Majestie doth not mislike of this Article but yet she can be content it be forborn The Queens Majestie commanded me to set down a case upon the Article herewith I Tem to covenant with the French King that he shall not give open ayd to any enemy of the King of Spain thereby to provoke him to make war upon the said French King but that he shall first advertise her Majestie thereof and have her allowance otherwise her Majestie shall not be bound to aid the French King or to make war upon the King of Spain In like manner the Queen of England shall not c. Ut supra mutatis mutandis An Answer of such things as are desired by her Majesties Commissioners to be resolved touching the League offensive consisting in three points To the first AT this time here is no other thing remembred necessary to be added To the second Her Majestie thinketh it better for you to offer a covenant such as you shall find contained in a treaty betwixt Henry the eighth and Charls the fifth 1522. in the second Article the sum whereof is That if any Prince or other person should offend the Emperor Charls in his Person Dignitie or States or shall take any thing from the said Emperour in that case he shall repute the same offence or wrong as done to himself and shall repell the same with all his power and shall yield at his own charges aids convenient to withstand the same and to the reciprock the Emperour was bound but for tempering these words which are in the Article Totis virâ—bus potentia sua propulsabit her Majestie would have these kind of words added Prout commodo id fieri possit habita ratione temporis loci ac etiam faâ—ultatis suae and the cause that moveth her Majestie to have rather such an Article of a general resistance then a particular Covenant for numbers of men or money is even as your selves made you answer to the first For until the manner of the Prince Invader be known and thereby consideration had what manner of ayd defensive shall be needful to withstand the same invasion or to revenge it the resolution cannot be particularly set down what numbers shall be requisite But if the French Commissioners shall mislike of such a kind of Article you may say the like hath been between Henry the eighth and Charls the fifth and yet if that will not satisfie it may be further covenanted That upon notification of the invasion and of the greatness thereof by the Prince invaded the Prince not invaded shall give such ayd
conceiveth it that it may serve your turn And as for the league we were in hand withal if the King would have assented that the same should have proceeded in general terms according to such direction as we have lately received from your Majestie I am for sundry causes led to think that it would have proved unprofitable as generally I know that there is a president to confirm the same but if in that time a King of Scots pretending a title to the Crown of England was like by matching with Spain to have wrought that peril towards your Majesties father as he is towards you he would not then have stood upon generality as your Majestie doth now For in diseased bodies there is not alwaies like use of medicines sometimes when your Majestie doth behold in what doubtful terms you stand with Forreign Princes then you do wish with great affection that opportunities offered had not been slipped But when they are offered to you if they be accompanied with charges they are altogether neglected Common experience teacheth that is as hard in a pollitique body to prevent any mischief without char ges as in a natural body diseased to cure the same without pain Remember I humbly beseech your Majestie the respect of charges hath lost Scotland and I would to God I had no cause to think that it might put your Highness in peril of the loss of England I see it and they stick not to say it that the only cause that moveth them here not to weigh your Majesties friendship is for that they see your Majestie doth fly charges otherwise then by doing somewhat underhand It is strange considering in what state your Majestie standeth that in all the directions that we have now received we have special charge not to yield to any thing that may be accompanied with charges The general Leagùe must be without any certain charges The particular League with a voluntary and no certain charge as also that that is to be attempted in favour of Don Anthonio the best is that if they were as they are not inclined to deal in any of these points then they were like to receive but small comfort for any thing that we have direction to assent unto Heretofore your Majesties predicessors in matters of peril did never look into the charges when their Treasure was neither so great as your Majesties is nor Subjects so wealthy nor so willing to contribute A person that is diseased if he look only upon the medicine without regard of the pain he sustaineth cannot in reason and nature but abhor the same if therefore no peril why then it is in vain to be at any charges but if there be peril it is hard that charges should be preferred before peril I pray God the abatement of the charges towards that Noble man that hath the custody of the bosom-serpent hath not lessened his care in keeping of her To think that in a man of his birth and quality after twelve years travel in charge of such weight to have an abatement of allowance and no recompence otherwise made should not work discontentment no man that hath reason can so judge and therefore to have so special a charge committed to a person discontented every body seeth it standeth no way with pollicy what dangerous effects this loose keeping hath bred the taking away of Morton the alienation of the King and a general revolt in Religion intended only by her charges doth shew And therefore nothing being done to help the same is a manifest argument that the peril that is like to grow thereby is so fatal as it can no way be prevented If this sparing and improvident course be held still the mischief approaching being so apparent as they are I conclude therefore having spoken in heat of duty without offence to your Majestie that no one that serveth in place of a Counceller that either weigheth his own credit or carrieth that sound affection to your Majestie as he ought to do that would not wish himself in the farthest part of Ethiopia rather then enjoy the fairest Palace in England The Lord God therefore direct your Majesties heart to take that way of councel that may be most for your honour and safety September 2. F. Walsingham To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord the day following my conference with Queen Mother La Mot repaired unto me sent from her to give me thanks for the speech I had used towards her the day before and prayed me that I would further some good and speedy resolution of the marriage He did acknowledge in talk that passed between us touching my Negotiation with the said Queen that that point which I touched concerning the employment of Monsieur in the Low-Countries for the avoiding of the devision that might grow between the two brethren is a matter that those that wish well unto the King and desire the continuance of the repose of that Realm had great care of which was not the least cause that moved them greatly to desire the marriage which not taking place they saw his employment in the Low-Countries very necessary letting me understand that they found it strange that they heard nothing of 〈…〉 of any intelligence that passed between the Prince of Orange and the Duke 〈◊〉 greatly to the end that the said Duke might be known of the people of the Low-Countries he might be drawn to make his residence at Antwerp 〈◊〉 some of the inward places of the Countrie I see it a general opinion among 〈◊〉 wisest sort here considering the general evil satisfaction that the people have of the present government that it will be very hard to maintain good concord between the two brethren in case the Duke should reside here within the Realm And it is most assured that the affection that the Nobility here do bear to Monsieur which hath appeared by his late Army compounded of voluntaries the same consisting principally of Noblemen and Gentl. hath greatly increased the Kings jealousie towards him and hath not been the least hinderance of that support that otherwise the said King might have been drawn to have given The Duke of Guise is of late crept into a very inward credit with the said King which ought to move her Majestie to be more carefull of the matters of Scotland for that there are daily consultations in the Dukes house especially since advertisements are come hither out of Scotland that the King doth submit himself to any such direction as his mother shall give him even so far forth as the yielding up of the Government to her if she shall think it meet Douglass attendeth some answer from her touching some things that he hath not long since sent unto her upon the return whereof they are to grow to a through resolution for the causes of that Realm I find confirmed by divers that a general hope is conceived of alteration of Religion in that Realm ere a year come about in furtherance whereof
they promise to themselves great support both from the Pope and Spain And yet have we neither power to provide Scotland nor to prevent that the greatness of Spain may no way hurt us yea rather such as have been perswaders both in the one and the other have reaped instead of thanks displeasure Paris September 3. Fr. Walsingham The substance of the Speeches that passed privatly between Queen Mother and me the Secretary in her Garden at the Teilliers the third of August 1581. 1. THe principal matters I dealt in with her Majestie in this conference was first to shew her whereon the stay of the ships in England prepared for Portugal proceeded 2. The causes that moved her Majestie to conceive that the King was not so forward now in seeking to prevent the Spanish greatness as by former overtures he seemed to be 3. That it was strange that the Duke her son dealing in a cause so many waies profitable for the Realm and honourable for himself should be so coldly assisted as he was 4. And lastly I prayed her that she would be a mean to the King that we might proceed in the Treaty considering the stay thereof grew upon no such cause as ought to hinder so profitable a matter for both Crowns For the first after I had let her understand how willing her Majestie would have been to have satisfied her request contained in her last Letter delivered by Mannesiere touching the said preparations I did acquaint her with the whole course of the proceeding in that cause and did shew unto her that Don Anthonio had no cause as it seemed she was informed to find himself agrieved with her Majestie neither for the stay of the ships nor for any charges that he had been at about the same for touching the stay that grew from hence he had rather cause to mislike with the King her son then with the Queen my Mistress for that the same aid was promised conditionally so that the said King would concur in the action which he refusing to do otherwise then in a naked sort by recommending the same to her Majestie it appeareth manifestly that the stay hath grown from hence and as for the charges I shewed her that whereas it was given out that he should sustain 100000 l. loss at the least I was well assured that it would not amount to much above 10000 l. To this she replyed That the King had already made appear unto the world how ready he was to assist Don Anthonio by sending of 500 men the last year to Vienna and by the 500 men sent this Spring to the Isle Tercera and of late by the four ships dispatched from Burdeaux under Captain Carlo to the said Isles which saith she doth shew manifestly how willing the King is to assist him though he would be loath to enter into any such open action as might tend to the violation of the Treaties between him and the King of Spain without he were assured that the marriage would take place Thereunto I replyed that the King might deal therein with much better colour and less danger then the Queen my Mistress for the first in respect of her pretence to the Crown of Portugal for the second for that the Subjects of this Crown have not so much goods in Spain as her Majesties have besides they might otherwise be relieved for that the King of Spain his Subjects both Spaniards and Portugals have great store of goods here Notwithstanding these Arguments she insisted still upon an earnest request that it would please the Queen to be content to suffer the ships to proceed in their voyage Then I asked her whether she could assure her Majestie that if any such arrest should happen to the King for the indempnity for her Subjects would do the like here as also otherwise to concur with her in common defence in case the King of Spain should attempt any thing against her For said I if her Majestie without some assurance should be thrown into Warr with the King of Spain and have her Subjects goods arrested and after should complain unto you of the same and desire the Kings aide you might with good reason answer her That you did not otherwise recommend the cause unto her then by referring to her good judgement to do therein as might be without the prejudice of her self or of her estate and so concluded with her that unless it would please the King by some particular Letter of his to assure the Queen that in case any such inconvenience might happen he would repute it done to himself and jovn with her in common defence if any such thing should be attempted against her Whereunto she answered That if the marriage might take place the King would very willingly assent thereto or any other thing her Majestie could desire but otherwise she thought he could very hardly be brought to yield thereunto I did then shew her that for some difficulties the marriage was accompanied withall it was thought meet by the King the Duke and her own assent that it should be suspended for a time and in the mean time the Treaty might be proceeded in which might yield a mutual assurance of common defence to both Crowns For said I if this mischief which is like to ensue the Spanish greatness should not receive present remedy it may grow uncurable and therefore to have it depend upon the marriage which in respect of the difficulties cannot so easily grow to a present resolution It seemeth that the proceeding in this case may be compared to a Phisitian that being moved to yield some present remedy to a dangerous disease that can abide no delay of time deferreth the same untill he may receive some druggs out of India or some other far part To this she said the fault was in her Majestie for that the matter depending only upon her assent all other things being agreed on the remedy might easily be put in execution And so fell into some long speech both of the desire she had that the same might take the great benefits that might grow thereby both to her Majesties own Realm and person as also to all Europe and the full assurance that the Duke her son did make considering how farrforth her Majestie had proceeded therein that she would not now frustrate the assured hope that he had received of the effectuating of that he had desired above any thing in the world And because said she there dependeth so many good things upon the conclusion thereof the King my son hath thought good by his Ambassador to press her Majestie to some present resolution therein After I had put her in remembrence of such difficulties as I had laid before her in former speech to shew that the marriage could not receive present resolution I did also let her understand that it was a thing that was to grow from above and had his hour appointed before the which it could not take place and therefore the
let pass the permission given to the King of Spains Ministers for passing of mony without saying any thing to it whereon I forbear to press for that I was informed that the same was done without her privity to the other points of her reply I did onely touch two things the one that at the time of our Conference between the Ambassadors and the Deputies there was no mention made of marriage and so I shewed her that this impediment hath been found out but of late the other that I marvel seeing she her self did confess that it did greatly import to keep the King of Spain from the Island of Tercera that the King her son made so great difficulty in so necessary a matter to concur with her Majesty To the latter point she saith as hath been alledged before that the King had already given order for certain ships to be sent thither and prayed that her Majesty would be content to do the like In which point I concluded that though I would according to her request move her Majesty in that behalf yet I did shew her that I did greatly doubt that her Majesty would hardly be drawn to assent thereto without some letter of assurance from the King unto her as had been before moved And so leaving the matter of Portugal I descended to the third point touching the cold assistance given to the Duke letting her understand that I had special charge from her Majesty from time to time to recommend both unto the King and unto her his cause and therefore being given to understand that notwithstanding the earnest motion made on her Majesties behalf unto the King at my first audience he was weakly furnished of two principal matters incident to the enterprise he had in hand that is of Treasure and martial counsel I prayed her to have due consideration both of the person and of the action of the person for that he was her son and such a one as was like to yield as great honor as ever did childe to mother and for the action if the damage were considered that the Low-Countries have brought to this Crown since it was joyned with Spain having within the space of 24 years given them two notable overthrows as also ministred within three yeers time toward the charges of the war 360000000 florens It shall then appear that to reduce that Country to yield yeerly 3000000 towards the abating of the pride of him that gave the said overthrows to remove so potent an enemy from them and to transport the civil wars into a forraign Country out of this Realm that both the action and the Author is worthy of maintenance and therefore must needs follow that if so great benefits be neglected it seemeth that there hangeth some secret judgement of God over this Crown I did also put her in remembrance how happily this forrein imployment of the Duke her son did fall out to put by a thing that might have proved no less grievous to her Majesty then dangerous to the Realm and that was the division that might fall out between her two sons a matter that hardly would have been avoided if either he should live in the Court or out of the Court within this Realm considering that this said Realm in respect of the civil troubles is full of persons discontented and also of such as have no other virtue to get credit then by breeding of dissentions and though for the present it was known that there was good liking between the two Princes in outward appearance yet it is evidently known unto the world that the King heretofore hath stood in some jealousie of him which sparks being not throughly extinguished by evil disposed persons might easily kindle again With this speech she seemed to be greatly moved and letting me understand that she had care thereof and did what she might to procure him that support that was necessary acknowledging the enterprise to be both honorable and profitable But said she the King without the assurance of the marriage will not be drawn into any open breach with the King of Spain which he should hardly avoid if he should assist his brother in such sort as was meet she did also in a sort acknowledge that though heretofore there had been some jealousie between her two sons yet now there was great good-will and love between them notwithstanding that by some evil instruments there might be some disunion bred between them she did for the avoiding thereof amongst other respects greatly wish that the marriage might take place In the end of my speech I did lay before her such Reasons as might induce her to use some mediation towards the King for the removing of the impediment of our Treaty for that the same could no way prejudice the marriage whereunto she answered that the King was resolved touching the continuance of the stay until such time as he might hear from his Ambassador This in effect was that which past between us August 30. 1581. Francis Walsingham To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord I received by the last Messenger two Letters from your Lordship the one of the last of August and the other of the second of this present For the first I am very sorry that the King of Portugal is so greatly grieved as he is and yet if the answer made of the conference by those that were appointed to deal with Don Diego de Rotelia and Don Emanuel de Silva be by him well remembred he hath more cause to blame France then he Q. Majestie being at that time resolved that the preparation should not go forward unless the French King would concur as also that he himself should bear such loss as should fall out through the said preparation And whereas he findeth himself grieved for that his loss falleth out to be greater then he looked for whereof the greatest part of the blame is laid upon me surely no man is so much to be charged therewith as Doctor Lopes who sundry times in the Kings name desired me that the preparations might be greater then was first agreed upon for that the King doubted that those forces would not be sufficient And for the defraying of the charges he did assure me that the King did mean to procure some money out of the Low-Countries upon Jewels Seeing then that this encrease of charges grew upon the Kings own motion he cannot in reason be offended either with her Majestie nor with any of those that have been dealers in the same notwithstanding it were a very Princely part considering into what a perplexed estate the poor Prince is thrown for her Majestie to take upon her the discharge of the loss that is sustained in the said preparations whose estate I do not think yet so desperate but that God will one day raise him up again to pluck down the pride of him who is the sworn enemy both to God and her Majestie I do utterly mislike of his repair hither seeing
no reason that should move him to attempt the same considering how he hath been dealt withall especially upon the Kings denial to write his Letters to her Majestie if my first advice touching his repair into the Low-Countries had been followed both theâ—sles of the Asores had been preserved and also the East and West Indian Fleet defeated This day there is come advertisement out of Spain that the Fleet is arrived from the Moluccaes who besides the bringing of great quantity of Treasure have brought advertisements that the said Islanders have yielded to the Kings obedience I am very glad that the poor Prince resteth so well satisfied of my dealing towards him for I was in doubt that the Count Vinniâ—so who is a very vain man had sought to cause him to conceive otherwise of me then I deserved notwithstanding that it is apparent to all the world that the stay for the preparations for the Islands hath grown from hence no man being better acquainted with all then himself yet doth he blame her Majestie being carried away with a vain hope that the King here is greatly disposed to assist his Majestie when he shall repair thither which in the end will prove bnt an abuse and I pray God it be not with the peril of his person September 1581. Fr. Walsingham To the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord by the general Letter your Lordship may perceive what resolution the King is grown unto touching the Treatie which considering the naked direction we received in case the Treatie had held falleth out very well Surely unless her Majestie shall hereafter be better inclined to prefer safetie before charges it shall be but in vain for her to have any dealing with forreign Princes and I would to God her Majestie had no need of forreign assistance Notwithstanding I see she is not disposed to redeem her peril otherwise then necessity shall lead her who is one of the most dangerous Pilots that can take the helm in hand for where necessity ruleth election and councel can take no place and though dealing underhand heretofore hath accidentally in respect of the weakness of the Princes her neighbours continued her Majestie in a peaceable kind of Government yet now that Scotland is aliened from her Highness and the King well near of years fit to match with the daughter of some Prince that may stand with him for his pretended title her Majestie is to look for another kind of reckoning That house that is most affected here to the said King and doth above others imbrace his cause never carryed greater sway then it doth presently upon such causes as I will open to her Majestie and your Lordship at my return I hope to depart hence on Thursday next and in the way to visit the Duke de Anjou with whom I think meet besides common dutie in respect of the good will he beareth to her Majestie to confer before my departure out of this Realm And therefore being doubtful where to find him and how long he will stay me I cannot certainly let your Lordship understand at what time I shall return to the Court there Septemb. 13. Fr. Walsingham To the Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship to understand that on Sunday the tenth of this moneth we had audience of the King where I the Secretary did remember unto him how far we and his Deputies had proceeded in the Treatie of the League defensive and offensive by his consent where by means of letters from his Ambassador in England the same was broken off for such causes as it was said as he had written whereof her Majestie being advertised from us and she having conferred thereupon with the said Ambassador found by the Copy of his Letters which he shewed for his excuse that the same was not in such terms as had been reported to have come from him as we thought his Majestie had been advertised from his said Ambassador by his last dispatch And therefore her Majestie had given us in charge to pray his Highness in her name that we might proceed with his Ministers in the treaty of that League being so necessary for both Realms for the causes which his Majestie had heretofore propounded The King answered with long speeches how much he desired her Majesties amity and especially to see the effect of this marriage upon condition to be shortned of six years of his life and how happy he would think himself if it might please her Majestie to think his brother worthy of that favour therein The great good which such a conjunction would bring to both Realms and further in effect the like speeches of affection as he had used before time and in this matter continuing still upon the point of the marriage as the strongest bond of amitie of all other And as for a league he said there was a already a league defensive between them which he was content to enlarge for the more assurance of his good will in any thing that might be found to lack or were meet to be added thereto But as for a league offensive he did alwaies wish and mean that it might go with the marriage Thereunto in answer divers reasons were used to move him to proceed to the Treaty begun and among other that there was none so strong a bond as that which was grounded upon necessity and that the cause of the necessity thereof at this time was not unknown to him that by the concluding of such leagues the marriage was not put back that the great benefit that this Realm was like to receive by it was not small by assuring a Countrey unto it where and by the help whereof this Realm had taken great loss of late years by two overthrows in the King his fathers time letting him also understand that her Majestie seeing the Duke in an enterprize so profitable for this Realm and honourable for himself instead of assistance to receive rather overthwarts and impediments had just cause to confirm her opinion touching the difficulty propounded for the stay in not proceeding in the marriage for seeing that if the same had proceeded the greatest burthen of the war must have lighted on her self the ability of the Duke and of the Sates being not such as was able to encounter the forces of so puissant a Prince as the King of Spain And therefore seeing his Majestie upon answer from his brother had consented that such league should be treated upon without speaking of the Marriage and Deputies appointed by him the same well begun and some particularities for a league offensive agreed upon her Majestie and all the world may find this alteration now to be very strange Hereunto after he had used many speeches of the former substance in general terms without answering any particularities offering himself and all his means to be at her Majesties devotion whose good will he sought with his soul and affection he concluded that there was no such surety in a league offensive as
him into the fire that he may know what it is to serve against God I would your Lordship knew the Gentleman for courage abroad and counsell at home they give him here the reputation to be another Ol he is in speech eloquent pithy but which is chiefest he is in Religion as Religious in life as he is sincere in profession I hope God hath raised him up in these days to serve for an instrument for the advancement of his glory I beseech your Lordship to credit this bearer touching my particular state To whom leaving to trouble your Honour at this present I refer you I beseech your Lordship to procure out of hand that I may know what her Majestie meaneth to do in this matter At Paris the twelfth of August 1571. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the Right honourable and my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq her Majestes Ambassador Resident in France SIr this bearer my Lord of Rutlands servant can more commodiously report unto you the arrival of Monsieur de Foix then I can now write and so I refer the report thereof to him Yesterday your long Letters sent by my Cousin Dannet came to my hand even within a quarter of an hour before de Foix came to her Majesties presence I fear the offers of so great Amitie will diminish or divert the former intention of the marriage without which the French Amity shall serve to small purpose but to make us ministers of their appetites and those fulfilled to cast us off Surely I could have wished that the extremity of the marriage had been seen before these baits of Amity had been thrown before us I see those most liked by such as I could not find to like of the marriage But all this is contrary to your self At Hatfield the sixteenth of August 1571. Your assured Friend William Burleigh To my very Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queen Majestie in France I Have received your Letters written with Cypher by Dannet The matter is of great importance I am most glad to see them at this point I think her Majestie shall be advised not to lose all these good advantages offered her specially when they tend both to the setting up of Gods true Religion and establishing of her own surety with augmentation of her Crown For my part I never found cause since her Reign that moveth me more to further it and be you assured I will do all that is possible that somewhat may come thereof You shall understand as soon as is possible her resolution but I think it will be five or six days near hand first by reason of the other matters which de Foix who had his access yesterday the fifteenth of this moneth and was as graciously used at her Majesties hands as ever I saw any Ambassador he had loving talk and hath already entred into this matter and this day my Lord Keeper my Lord Chamberlain my Lord of Burleigh and my self are appointed to confer with him He standeth stiff to have Religion for Monsieur her Majestie standeth as stiff in denial and so I think meaneth to do For this time I can say no more Your assured Friend Ro Leicester To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident in France ELIZABETH R. TRusty and Well-beloved we greet you well and though we think you had some great desire to hear how Monsieur de Foix hath here proceeded with us in his charge and the rather because we understand that within a few days after the first Speech with us and Conference with our Councel he dispatched Letters or Message thither yet surely until this present we could not ascertain you of any thing certainly concluded with him by reason that he being not satisfied with our answers doth still persist in seeking to induce us to reform our answer more towards his satisfaction But now you shall understand that he and the Ambassador Resident having had sundry Conferences with us and apart with our Councel at all times the weight of the matter hath chiefly depended upon the cause of Religion For they requiring a toleration and we denying they offering to have it tempered and moderated as our Councel shall devise to avoid offence of our Conscience and of the Dukes the same was found always either impossible or so hard as by no device such a mean in plain terms by words or writing could be found to satisfie them or our selves So as in the end they desired as we would be content to agree secretly that he should not be impeached in the secret use of his Religion if we would not consent to a toleration and so you shal see by writing which you shal receive herewith what hath been said by our Councel thereto and with the same writing also two answers to two other matters by them onely propounded because to the same there was no answer satisfactory given in our former writings to their first demands In this writing now delivered to them we perceived them most troubled with a phrase added of great necessity for our purpose and specially for satisfying of our conscience that the Duke shall not be molested for using of any Rites not repugnant unto the word of God which words being in a writing delivered unto them first the one and twentieth of this moneth was afterwards now in the last of August by their importunity as now you see altered from the words Verbo Dei to Ecclesiae Dei which in our judgment is all one and yet finding themselves therewith better content then with the other we yielded to have it so altered Besides this writing because we know not how our answer in the Article of Religion shall be there imparted we have also by express speech declared to Monsieur de Foix that as we shall be well content that our answer may satisfie Monsieur de Anjou for his honour for that we have in some sort yielded to him to use other Ceremonies then ours so that as they be not repugnant to the Church of God and with such other cautions as in our writing are further contained so our meaning is to be declared plainly to Monsieur de Anjou that we cannot permit him at his coming to have the use of any private Mass which speech we have plainly uttered unto him because there should no misconceiving be gathered of our answer whereby the Duke might hope of a sufferance for that we cannot find it without peril of our Estate and quietness to yield thereunto And thus having imparted unto you how we have answered him we will that you also after the consideration of the same and of the answer given unto him in writing which we herewith send shall resort to the King and affirm the same to be our mind And if you shall find them doubtful how to interpret our answer that is whether we having our mind satisfied in the cause of Religion can be content to proceed in
secretly given to understand that the King here is offered by the Princes of the League support of money upon condition that the next year he will enter into the League if by his mediation the peace of the Turk and them of the League shall not follow And so for Italian news referring your Honour to these inclosed occurrents I most humbly take my leave To the Earl of Leicâ—ster YOur Lordship by Mr. Secretaries Letters shall understand at large what success the Marshal hath had in Provence how he hath prospered at the siege of Sansarra and what is lately done at Rochel who as yet continue still resolute never to yield Notwithstanding le Noues abandoning of them I am very sorry to condemn that Gentleman though he be generally condemned by others until I hear what he can say for himself If he be not well able to excuse this his doing in this behalf I will learn thereby the less to build upon any man who I perceive when God withdraweth his staying hand are more weak then weakness itself This Example therefore and others are to teach us to build upon God and to weigh man as he is They are much perplexed here with the Count Montgomeries preparation they have therefore given order all along the sea-coasts to withstand his Landing fearing that if he once land he will draw great numbers unto him They give it out that it will not be possible for him to enter the Haven of Rochel through certain ships sunk in the channel But if he enter it is certainly thought that Monsieur shal be driven to leavie his siege Upoâ— the event of his Entry wise men shall be able to judge what shall be the issue of this trouble here Howsoever he speed I believe most assuredly this Realm shall not be free from trouble until there be vengeance taken for the innocent blood shed here and peradventure God will have it to be the work of his own hand for that we are so ready to depend rather upon men then upon him I am glad that the accord in Scotland is in so good forwardness for I fear if their own troubles here were settled we should not long be free from troubles that way Touching a Rider your Lordship shall understand that there is by the procurement of the Italian Captain one stayed for you in Italie for that here is none worth the having who is both skilful and honest If your Lordship will have him then must you send into Italy a Bill of Credit for so much money as may defray his charge into England C. Massino shal inform your Lordship of the means how to send to the Gentleman that hath provided the said Rider who is acquainted with the matter by the Italian Captain and therefore shall repair to your Lordship to know your mind in this behalf To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France AFter my hearty commendations At the last we have not onely gotten your revocation and Doctor Dales dispatch signed but have also set him forward and am glad that you shall now come out of that bloody Countrey and so be all your friends The news of Iames Kirkaldy was not altogether true but true it was that by treason of the Souldiers he was two or three days in Blackness and the Keeper thereof Alexander Stuard and his brother prisoners but by the same sleight was the â— day taken away again and Alexander Stuard and his brother delivered and so Iames Kirkaldy brought prisoner to the Regent and all the money which he brought out of France and was unspent which was 33000 Crowns delivered to the Regents hands and the Castle of Blackness to Alexander Stuard to keep it to the Kings use sith which time also the Duke of Chastelherauld and the Earl of Huntley be come in and sworn to the King for themselves and all their kinn and followers and very friendly agreed with the Regent who hath behaved himself in all his actions very wisely and very moderately There is none left now but Lidington and Grange in the Castle of Edenburgh which refuse the King and the Regents authority in all Scotland who must either yield or else they will be pulled out by the ears De la Noues revolting doth seem strange and maketh some men to suspect that he hath been of longer time such a one I trust you shall come now into a quieter Countrey And so I bid you most heartily farewell Your very Friend Thomas Smith To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queen's Majestie in France SIr the best news I can send you is that Mr. Dale your successor taketh his journey hence on Wednesday next I dare say you will wish him a speedy passage Since I wrote to you by Walter Williams this French Ambassador hath had new conference with her Majestie to have procured some alteration for his advantage of such speeches as I delivered to him in conference of the matters of the Duke of Alanson whereof I wrote to you And because he would obtain the same he offered his dispatch which I thought he would have made before me and now you may see how late it is for on Friday last he was here with her Majestie and in the end her Majestie yielded she would consider with me what might be altered upon the former answer which he had put in good length in writing whereof I send you the Copy the same being drawn by the Ambassadour as you may ghess to his advantage yet agreeable with the substance of my speeches Hereupon the Queens Majestie considering the writing and finding it of some length willed me to return it to the Ambassadour and to write to him as I did the Copy as I first conceived it in English so I did send it him and now ye may see what is passed in this matter wherewith the Ambassador doth send this his servant He did also on Friday sollicite Viracques dispatch whereunto her Majestie assented but since that yesterday her Majestie had Letters from Berwick by which she understandeth that his coming into Scotland is so much misliked both of the Hamiltons Huntley and the rest The Regent will not license him to come in so as his journey shall be lost and to tarry at Berwick were not convenient so I think this is not to depart so soon The Ambassador saith that the Duke his Master writeth vehemently to move the Queens Majestie about ayding of the Count Mountgomery wherein her Majestie hath throughly answered him that he is departed without any her ayd directly and indirectly and truly he departed with great mislking in that all his French ships were taken as Pyrats the men to the number of 〈◊〉 imprisoned and many died some hanged and all their prizes taken from them so as you may avow that the C. had cause of no small offence And if he have any favour without her Majs kowledge it is by some bargain made
by Merchants of France with the English Merchants for money to be given for salt c. Hereof the Ambassador desireth that you will inform the King that his report may accord with the same We do also stay the Lord Levingstone for like respect as we do Viracque And thus I â—nd not doubting but Mr-Secretary writeth of other common things Yours assuredly William Burleigh Iames Fitz-morice the Rebel with all his sequel submitted himself to Sir Iohn Parrot in Ireland so that all Munster is free from Rebellion Here hâ—th been a murther committed about Shooters-hill somewhat to the reproof of this place and herein I have used such care as the party is taken being one Brown an Irish man who had served and is put from my Lord of Oxfords seruice To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France SIr now cometh your Successor so long desired I doubt not but both for his own comfort that he may willingly enter into that charge which for the Queens Majesties service you will sufficiently instruct him how he shall best serve and therein so deal with him And if in conference you find any rawness and imperfection you do not forbear but like a Tutor teach him to inform for so I know he shall be greatly bound to you and so it is necessary Let him also understand whom he may trust and so to use them that it good will and conscience be they take no harm wherein I have straitly charged him to be religious Procure the Queen Mother to think well of him I am very fearful that he shall do well for many causes but for none more then to avoid the Queens Majesties displeasure which I am assured of for that I did chuse him to relieve you If he should not content her Majestie in this service he hath required me that you would give leave and perswade that your Secretary might continue with him a while Now I end because he is going From London the first of April 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh By the QUEEN To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well Whereas you often made suit unto us to be revoked from that charge albeit we could have been well pleased that you should have tarried there still for the great sufficiency that we know in you and the faithful and discreet handling for our service yet we have thought good at your friends requests and desires for your return to yield unto your suit And therefore we let you wot That seeing you are so desirous to return home we have made choice of our trustie and well-beloved Valentine Dale Doctor of the Law and one of our Masters of the Requests extraordinarie this bearer to be your Successor there and to that end have written our Letters to the King our good brother and to the Queen Mother Wherefore our pleasure is That you do not onely repair with him unto them with the delivery of our said Letters but also before your departure from thence participate unto him all your instructions and such other things as you shall think meet and expedient for him to know for the furtherance of our service And also as you can bring him acquainted with those by whom he may have best understanding of that Court and the affairs necessary for us to be known And that you do leave with him such vessel plate and other furniture that you have of ours taking his writing under his hand and seal of the receit of the same for your discharge These things done we are pleasedâ— that you make your repair unto us with some convenient speed as you shall think meet Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Richmond the nineteenth of March 1572. in the fifteenth year of our Reign Response faicte aux Messieurs les Ambassadeur de France 20 August 1573. PRemierement que le Message qu'a este envâ—yé d'icy a l'Amb de la Royne resident en France on a esté mal rapporté on mal entendu par le dict Ambassadeur Car il ne s'accorde pas avec ce qu'en a esté faict dans les Lettres du Roy treschrestiâ—n escripts a son Ambassadeur En ce seroyt vrayment une grande absurdité si sa Majeste premierement a son Ambassadeur eust mandé dire qu'il estoit impossible que le mariage eust en effect et puis apres incontinent eust demandé ou parlé d'une entreveue vray est que par les premiers le dit Ambassadeur avoit charge de dire que pour la difference des aages sa Majeste trouve la chose fort difficile de'accorder tel mariage Et que pour raison de cés difficultés son entendement ne se pouvoit de faire de doubtes qu'on y trouvoit si ne se pouvoit trouver quelque aide expedient pour recompense Et ce fut la somme des premieres Lettres comme il pourroit apparoistre par la copie Les secondes que suyvoyent les aide incontinent apres avoyent cecy en somme a l'Ambassadeur qu'il avoit en charge de dire que sa Majeste voyant la continuelle sollicitation du Roy et de la Royne mere du Roy en ce cas de marriage Et mesmes plus fresches Lettre bayllees par l'Ambassadeur du dit Sr Roy environ le 23 Iuin a la maison de Monsieur Tresorier trouve bon apres avoir escript sa premiere lettre de adjouster encores cecy a la seconde a finde fairâ— apparoistre l'esgard qu'elle avoit des asâ—iduelles requestes du dit Sr. Roy. Cest quelle trouve deux principax empeschements entre aultres l'une la cause de la Religion se pourroit remedier par quelque conformitâ— procedant du Duc mesme Ainsi l'autre pourroit sembler estre difficile plust osten opinion qu'en substance Et qu'anssi elle veoit pour le plus souvent que rien ne governe pluâ— aux mariges ou doibt bien considerer comment une pourroit estre agreeable a l autre que de satisfaire leurs opinions par la veüe de l'un et l'autre especialement en ce cas icy considerant que ceulx que ont veâ— le Duc n'osent affirmer s'il pourroit estre agreeable ou non a sa Majeste combien qu en plusieurs choses ils se prisent fort semblablement sa Majeste y adjouste encores pour estre aussi declaré par son Ambassadeur que d'autant quelle pensoit cecy estre chose qu'on luy accorderent pas facilement combien toutesfois qu'on l uy a faict personage d'aussi grand estat qu est le Duc D Alanâ—on quelle le remectoit a la consideration du dit Roy et Royne dont elle luy donne charge de dire qu'elle n'avoit pensé d'en faire