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
and to make his means unto us for our favour If he shall shew himself repentant of his former fault and disposed to live hereafter dutiful he shall be provided of as good a living as heretofore he hath had And if he shall not obtain our favour as he desireth at his coming your warrant shall serve him to return safely out of our Realm which manner of usage you shall say is very rare in us but upon your instance we have yielded thereunto And so we pray you use it and give him warrant under your hand accordingly And if you shall find that he hath sought to abuse you as we perceive by your Letters you have some reason to doubt then shall you forbear to deal with him in the former sort and yet procure so much intelligence as you may at his hands and after you shall discover his continuance in falshood and practise there as you can see occasion and can gather matter against him so deal with the King there as by all good means that may be specially considering the Amitie so often of late time assured to us by the King he may be delivered as an open known Rebel and Traytor especially in these practises used by him in Spâ—â—n however he himself hath discovered his evils with the excuses And we have some cause the more to doubt his lewdness there for that Rogers who brought your Letters reported that after he was come from Paris about St. Dennis he met with an Irish man who told him that this Archbishop had been secretly at the Court and was readie to be dispatched away into Spain by the means of the Cardinal of Lorrain which if it were true we cannot think but you have within a short time after been made privie hereof by the Irish man And so according as you shall find the matter we leave it to your discretion The Scotish Ambassadors who have been here with us the Bishop of Ross the Bishop of Gallaway and the the Lord Leviston as from their Queen the Earl Mâ—rton and others as from her son now amongst them accepted as King the said Queen as they think being justly deposed have been long here and troubled not a little us and our Councel After much debating of the cause we minding to make if it might be a final end to the assurance of our selves our Estates and to the reducing of that Realm into quiet in it self without bloodshed or further occasion of intestine War and continual dissention in a Realm so near adjoyning to us found at the last that the said Earl Morton and his Colleagues had no sufficient Commission to treat of that matter which as we thought was most necessarie to be treated of if we should do any good in it which was my final end and purpose that is the ayding of our Sister the Scots Queen without impairing of our estate and â—uretie and without putting the Realm of Scotland in an extriâ—able danger of sedition and intestine war Whereupon we were inforced now at the 〈◊〉 after much debating with both the parties so to leave the matter 〈◊〉 with each of their contentations as we think both by going home for a time the one to have ample Commission to treat with us as appertaineth to that effect we may do that good herein that we desire the other to refresh themselves for a time till the other having Commission may be made a partie which hitherâ—o without Commission from their partie which be on the young Kings side can be accounted but as private persons and not to be dealt withal in reason to do any thing which may be accounted of just moment and effectual in Law And they â—ffirm that without Parliament there can be made no Commission neither to them nor to any other to treat of such matter Whereupon their Parliament begun and for fear of prejudicing the Queens partie in that behalf at our motion surceased and prorogued until May day next They go home to it there to have such ample Power Commission and Authoritie given to them or others to treat with us and the Queen of Scots partie for a final end which done and and 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 shortlie to make an end of this controversie to the pleasure of God and contentation of all parties if it might be This you may shew to the King our good Brother that it is our design and purpose and hitherto in this sort we have travelled and have good hope to bring it to pass And if the King shall thus reply But if they will give no Commission or otherwise defer it of purpose without answering any thing what we will then do you may say that we have thought upon that case That if they shall seek to look onely but upon delaies and upon set purpose and obstinatelie go about to defraud our intent which is to unitie and quiet there we must leave that partie which is unreasonable and obstinate and conclude with the other partie which will hear and understand reason And so God willing we intend to do the good success whereof we do not doubt but the King our good Brother shall see and well allow of Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Westminster the eighth day of April in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable my very good Friend Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident for the Queens Majestie in France SIr my hard case is such as either by business in health or by dolour in sickness I cannot account my self a freeman but a slave to serve or an offender to suffer torment The will of God be fulfilled in me to his honour for otherwise I find no comfort in this world of this enough I am forced to write this in my bed with my hand whilest I groan for pain in my knee and foot and therefore I must be short I could no sooner get answer to your Letters brought by Rogers Your Lordships brought yesterday by Harcourt were I think welcome and well interpreted by her Majestie for I sent them with my own sentence aforehand of my good allowance of your discretion in your choise of taking and leaving The Queen of Scots you see is deferred whereof that portion which is written was for my ease indited by Sir Thomas Smith You must make the best of it and seek out reasons to satisfie them there that will mislike the delay Indeed it hath been onely devised to win delay I thank you for your private Letter Even now we have very good news from the borders that Dun-Britten Castle was taken on Monday last in the night by cunning where was taken the Archbishop of Saint Andrews and the Lord Flenning the manner how it was taken is not signified But it is of a greater importance then Edenborough Castle considering it was receptaculum to all the Scotish Queens Forraign ayd From Westminster out of my bed this Saturday at five of the clock the seventh of March 1571. Your assured
the French shewed themselves ready to assent to assent to all reasonable requests and for that purpose they produced and delivered a Commission under the Great Seal of France Answers to these Points This case was not pursuant upon the Treaty The Scotish Queen had more favour then she deserved or then did well stand with the surety of the Queens Majestie Her evil parts against the Queens Majestie had been amply declared to the French and to the D. Montmorency and de Foix in France by our Ambassador The Nobility also and People now assembled in this Parliament had considered that the Queens Majesties surety could not be preserved without some severe proceeding against the Queen of Scots whereunto her Majestie had not yielded in such extremity And so the Scotish Queen had more favour indeed then either she deserved or then was thought meet by the whole Realm The second for surcease of Arms her Majestie had done therein as much as possibly she could by her Minister Sir Will Drury which she hath sent with le Crocque whereunto the Ambassador did assent with very good words of Sir Will Drury To the third it was thought that no Parliament should be holden whilest they were on both sides in arms and therefore the procuring of persons to come was not misliked To the fourth the Merchants should be spoken withal who had but small liking to any trade of Merchandize with France by reason they had by experience some evil usage of them in France specially at Roaâ— Replies of the French with some new matters As to the Scotish Queen de Foix confessed that he had no warrant to speak for her by force of the Treaty but by a special commandment apart And as to specifie the requests that be made for favour to her they said they meant no favour to be shewed to her against the Queens Majesties surety and therefore they desired only these things following That she might have brought to her all things necessary for her apparel and money also for the purpose That she might have a convenient number of Servants about her That her state might not be impaired That the Duke and the rest might be licensed to send to her certain letters from the French King and Queen Mother so as the same might be done with the privity of the Earl of Sâ—rewsbâ—ry As to the Commerce they agreed that it might be treated upon by the Ambassador Resident New Additions That according to the second article in the Treaty they might have the Queens Majesties Letter answerable to the Kings Letters That the third Article concerning the manner of redress of wrongs done by Scots men upon England that the same might be altered according to a writing which was devised by them to insert in the place of the said Article Answers to the new Requests They should have the Queens Majesties Letters The Article as it is ought to continue and is reasonable having respect to Scotland when private men do great injuries and spoils which if the King of that Realm cannot or will not amend of necessity the Kings of England must revenge upon the offenders To the Right Hononrable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Lordships of the twentieth of Iune sent by my servant Williams I have received touching her Majesties protestation before the giving of her oath For the not delivery of Hume and Fast Castle in Scotland according to the Treaty I will not fail to inform their Majesties when fit occasion shall be offered of the cause thereof The Ambassador of Scotland with the Lord Graunges brother since the Earl of Lincolns departure hath been often at the Court and are very importunate to have somewhat done for their Mistris As also in perswading their Majesties here to consent to the establishment of their Government of their said Mistris what their importunacy hath won I know not as yet but surely I fear as long as the woman liveth there will never grow good accord in Scotland nor continuance of repose in England nor perfect and sound amity between her Majestie and this Crown What is resolved here touching the enterprise of Flanders this bearer is throughly instructed who is to impart the same unto your Lordship And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the eight and twentieth of Iune 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester THis bearer cometh so throughly instructed touching the state of the Countrey and the Flanders proceedings as I forbear to trouble your Lordship to make recital of that by writing which he shall tell you by mouth After your Lordship hath throughly debated with him I hope it shall manifestly appear unto you that upon the good success or evil success of this common cause of Religion And besides the same not well proceeding her Majestie cannot promise to her self any great safety having so dangerous a neighbour whose greatness shall receive no small increase if he overcome this brunt I pray God therefore that her Majestie may incline to do that which may be for her safety And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present referring you wholly to this bearer I most humbly take my leave From Paris the eight and twentieth of May 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh MAy it please your Lordship to understand that upon advertisement come hither from Flushing of the discords there for want of good Governor they have made choice of Monsieur Iunius to go thither out of hand with Commission to establish some policy there until the arrival of the Prince of Orange his brother He shall also have Commission for the sale of such goods as were lately taken For his better assistance in this behalf desireth your Lordships letter unto Captain Morgan there to assist him what lieth in him in the execution of the said Commission and that further it would please your Lordship to admonish him to retain his Souldiers in such order as may answer to the defence of a good cause For that he desireth very much to confer with Mr. Killegrew to make him fully acquainted with the state of their cause he meaneth to repair to Dover and there to imbarque where he hopeth to meet with him I perceive by him that if there be no assistance given underhand by her Majestie they shall be driven to yield to such inconveniences as shall be laid upon them by this Nation And further that they shall be forced to consent to have Strozi in Zealand unless they may have some supplies elsewhere For this cause chiefly the Gentleman who wisely respecteth the liberty of his Countrey and foreseeth the mischief that may follow if the necessity be not relieved disereth much to confer with Mr. Killegrew a thing most necessary and would himself
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
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
Lord Burleigh 380 Memorial for Mr. Sommers 384 Private Memorials for him 385 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 386 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Queen 387 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 388 389 390 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Queen ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh twice 392 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 392 394 Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Henry Cobham John Sommers to the Lord Burleigh 396 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 397 Points accorded and not according upon the League Offensive and Defensive 400 401 402 403 Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Henry Cobham John Sommers to the Lord Burleigh ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 407 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Duke of Anjou 409 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 410 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 412 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 413 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 414 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Henry Cobham and John Sommers 419 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 422 423 Answer to the Commissioners concerning the League Offensive ib Sir Francis Walsingham to the Queen 426 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 428 Conference betwixt the Queen Mother and Sir Francis Walsingham 429 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 434 439 Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Henry Cobham John Sommers to the Lord Burleigh ibid. NEGOTIATIONS OF STATE AFFAIRS BETWEEN The Lord Burleigh and Sir Francis Walsingham in the Reigns of Qu Elizabeth and Charls the 9. of France Anno Dom 1570. Instructions for Francis Walsingham Esquire sent by the Queens Majesty to the French King for the Matters following the 11 of August 1570. in the 12 year of Her Majesties Reign ELIZABETH R. FIrst you shall conferr with our Ambassador Sir Henry Norris knight upon this Charge now committed unto you and as you two shall think best to proceed therein for our Service so we are well content to allow your doings and for the repair and delivery of our Letters to the French King and to the Queen Mother with such other circumstances thereto belonging you shall also follow the advice and discretion of our said Ambassador The charge which we doe commit to you resteth only and principally upon this speciall Matter following whereunto we will that you direct your whole actions We desire that the Accord betwixt the King our good Brother and the Prince of Navarre Prince of Condé and the Admirall with the rest of the Company being the Kings Subjects might be made as favourable for the reasonable contentation and surety of the said Princes and their party as may be possible to the maintenance and continuance of them in the liberty of their Consciences for the cause of Religion And because we consider that there is no small labour made by some directly to impeach this accord and by some others though not openly to withstand is yet by doubtfull dealing in the granting to their Requests to ruine the said Princes and their party in the end We finde it the more necessary for us to use all good means to countervail such contrary labours and to procure not only a good Accord but therewith a continuance thereof as a matter which in our Conscience and Honor we think good both for the King and his whole Estate And therefore after you shall understand the state of the Negotiation of this matter by the Deputies of the two Princes with the King and wherein it shall be profitable for them that our Ambassador and you shall deal with the King or Queen-Mother in our Name Our meaning is you shall in this manner or the like declare our Intentions as Grounds whereupon you may lay the rest of our Reasons and perswasions that shall be thought good to be propounded to the King First you shall say that we earnestly request the King to set apart all manner of Jealousie that either hath been or may be insinuated to him of our meaning in this cause betwixt him and his Subjects for that we mean as well and so alwayes have to him and his Estate as if we were his naturall Sister and never had any intention to maintain or comfort any of his Subjects against him to move any trouble to his estate or to diminish any parcell of his Crown And yet you shall say That we will in this sort be plain with him thinking yet best to agree with good Friendship and Honor that we could never be well satisfied or content in our minds to have the said Princes and their party for professing of the Religion whereof they have freedom granted to them to be overthrown or distressed by means of partiality of their private Enemies as long as they never required in substance any other thing of the King then a permission to enjoy the benefit of the former Edicts granted unto them for the exercise of their Religion In the which we doe also consider that they had been so long suffered as a great portion of people of his Realm had been in their young years therein nourished and established and without opinion of damnation of their souls they could not change the same so as we pray the King to take this our plain dealing in good part and to interpret of our advice that we are bold to give him as one that meaneth first and principally best to him and his estate and no otherwise to his Subjects then shall in our Judgment further the quietness repose and augmentation of him in Honour Wealth and Surety You shall next to this say that we have partly considered of such Petitions and Demands as we be informed his Subjects have in most humble sort required to be granted to them And we note the substance of them to consist specially upon these points The first that they may be restored to his favour and grace as most humble and faithfull Subjects a thing most meet for a King to be granted both readily and bountifully and consequently to serve him with their lives lands and goods a thing also for a King most profitable to imbrace accept And the next that they may be permitted to serve almighty God by exercise of Christian Religion according to their Profession and to quietness of their Conscience a thing also in the sight of God most commendable and needfull of all Christian Subjects And last that they may have assurance hereof in some better sort then by former experience they have had a matter of most moment to be regarded for a full perfection of all the rest and without the which the rest are of no account In these Suits most humbly presented of Subjects to a most Christian King of so great a multitude of People consisting of such sundry kinds and estates of Princes of his blood of noble Captains of learned men meet for Government and Counsel of valiant
other Princes Then she made great protestation of her indifferencie and that she is no less affected in good will towards her Majestie whom it pleaseth saith she to do me the honour as to call me by the name of a Mother then to the Queen of Scots her Daughter in Law And therefore in wishing her liberty I do it saith she as much for the Q. your Mistress quientness sake as for any other respect which without her libertie can hardly grow unto her This Sir in effect was the whole course of the speech that passed from her in that behalf which she had then with me apart the King being then in talk with my Lord Ambassador Then she caused the King to deal with me in that behalf to whom I shewed the state of her cause according to the contents of my Instructions wherewith he seemed to be satisfied He told me that he wished that the Queen his good Sister according to her merciful inclination would have some compassion of her cause and grow to some speedy conclusion in that behalf I told him that I doubted not but that her Majestie would for his sake do that which should be to his contentation so far forth as might stand with her hononr and safetie Then he protested that otherwise he would not desire it Thus having imparted to your honor the effect of my Negotiation to the end you may advertise her Majestie I most humblie take my leave From Paris the 29 of August 1570. Your Honours to command F. Walsingham I have caused by my Lord Ambassadors means according to her Majesties order Monsieur Cavanes one of the Commissioners for the Princes to advertise them of her Majesties intention of sending me into these parts as tending chiefly to their benefits which thing he hath alreadie advertised and as I learn there cometh forthwith a Gentleman from the Queen of Navarre and the rest of the Nobilitie the King here being made privy thereof to give her Majestie thanks for the great favour shewed them in this their troubles Thus Sir having advertised you of the Accomplishment of that which was appointed to me to be done by vertue of my Instructions to the end you may impart the same to her Majestie I most humbly take my leave The Copy of my Letter to the Earl of Leicester RIght Honourable and my very good Lord for that I know my Lord Ambassador here imparteth unto your Lordship the present state of things here I shall need the less to trouble your Lordship in that behalf Touching my Message of Congratulation the King accepteth the same in very good part he professeth good will towards the Queen my Mistress and touching the Peace he protesteth to keep and observe the same inviolably which his proceedings hitherto doth very well confirm the same The mutinous Messiems of Paris he hath fundry times since his repair hither very sharply rebuked and charged them with contempt he adviseth them to take another course and saith he will be known to be a King And therefore for that his meaning is that the Edict should be duly observed he commandeth them straitly to look to the due observations of the same The like advertisement hath he given to the Presidents of his Parliament here who seem as yet to stand in some terms with him For whereas the King would have them sworn to the observation of the Edict they refuse the same alledging that in the entrance into their Government they ordinarily take an oath to observe all such Edicts as by the King shall be published what will be the issue of the refusal I know not The King telleth them that the passions of some of his Councellors hath been of more value then his Authoritie and therefore he assureth them which he confirmeth with many an oath that unless they turn over another leaf he will provide him of new Presidents and extend such punishment towards them as their contempt deserveth and may be admonishment to others to avoid the like As I can gather in the time of my short abode here by such a Conference aâ— I have had with some of judgement I find the grounds of the continuance of the Peace to be in number five his own disposition necessitie pleasure the Kings misliking with certain of his Council and his late favouring of others His disposition of Peace is not grown to-him of late but hath been from the beginning as those that have well observed him do testifie and therefore there is the more hope of continuance of the same His necessity hath two parts first he lacketh treasure to maintain the charges of further Wars Secondly those that have served him in these wars are grown so weary of them as men judge that hardly they could have been drawn to continue them any longer Pleasure and Warrs are direct contraries and he being so much inclined to the one as he is an enemy unto the other it is thought therefore that hardly any thing will bring him to do that that may hinder his pleasure His misliking towards the house of Giuse continueth who have been the nourishers of these wars And though of late the Cardinal of Lorrain hath had access to the Kings presence yet is he not repaired in credit neither dealeth he in Government His favour to Montmorencie a chief worker of this Peace increaseth who now carrieth the whole sway of the Court and is restored to the Government of Paris besides he hath procured the displacing of Monluc Monsieur d'Escars and la Valeâ—t and procured to be placed in their rooms c. These my Lord be the grounds that I can gather of the new accord the doubts of the not continuance are in number three First it is thought that this Marriage with the Emperours daughter may draw him from this peaceable inclination Secondly the great conference that is between the Q. Mother and the Cardinal breedeth some doubt of some practise to impeach the same Lastly it is a common fear that Monsieur can hardly digest to live in the degree of a Subject having already the reputation of a King he seemeth yet to run one course with the King in liking and misliking but so to continue it is altogether thought unlikely I have been desirous underhand to search out somewhat touching the thing your Lordship gave me secret informations of yet I can learn nothing thereof though that would be dangerous yet I pray God there be not a thing attempted of more danger which may with more ease be brought to pass I leave your Lordship to consider by that which hath been shewed both hope and fear of the continuance of this peace What will be the issue of this Tragedy I pray God that fall out that may be to his glory and so committing your Lordship to his tuition I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 29 of August 1570. Yours to Command Francis Walsingham To Master Secretary SIr being in doubt whether I might return before
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
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
discretion and secresie to deal in a matter of such consequence In the end having finished this point to leave the better taste with her of the matter I concluded being so warranted by my instructions that if this motion of hers should take effect the like never happened these many hundred yeares in respect of the great profit that would redound to both the Realms To this she answered that as she never desired any thing with like earnestness as she did this so if the same should not take place nothing could more grieve her For saith she besides the great benefit that will grow hereby unto both the Crowns on the successe of this match dependeth the quietness of all Europe This being all the talk that passed between Queen Mother and me I leave to trouble your Lordship any further humbly taking leave From Paris the second of Aprill Francis Walsingham To my very friend Sir Fr. Walsingham Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France I Have upon the receipt of your Letter written by Sir E. Gilbert dealt with her Majestie touching your chargeable dwelling there I trust her Majestie will have due consideration thereof You shall perceive by her Majesties Letters her further pleasure touching Monsieur whose cause hath been broken to her by my Lord of Buck from the Queen Mother we perceive they deal very daintily and doubt much her Majesties intention to marriage at least that she had rather hear of it then perform it But assuredly I do verily believe her Majesties mind herein is otherwise then it hath been and more resolutely determined then ever yet at any time before yet doe they mean to deale so secretly on that side as though they will not yet believe it And accordingly her Majestie mindeth not to deal but as privatly as may be devised that if that should not take effect the lesse reproach is to either party her Majestie hath onely broken this matter with my Lord of Burleigh and me and I think will not use any more till some apparance fall out what is like to become of the matter The person of Monsieur is very well liked of his conversation is harder to know I see her Majestie misliketh not of his estate For she is of mind to marry with the greatest and he is left almost alone the greatest to be had The conditions will be all wherein I am right glad and we are bound to thank God to see her Majestie so well to stand to the maintenance of the cause of Religion For as there will be no great difficulty in respect of his person and estate to cause a marriage between them so yet I perceive with the impeachment any way of the true Religion here now established she will for no cause deal with him as you may perceive by her Majesties own Letters to you Albeit she doth not mean in respect of his policy to drive him in open shew in the mean time to renounce his own profession but conditionally that if they should match then wholly to maintain this aswell privatly as publiquely God send her Majestie alwaies during her life so to stand to the defence of so just a cause and withall his blessings upon her for us all that we may live and see her bring forth of her own body as may hereafter suceed her aswell in that happinesse as in the enjoyning of her kingdome So not doubting but we shall shortly hear from you I commit you to God In hast this 23 of March 1571. Your assured friend R. Leicester To our trusty and right welbeloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and welbeloved we greet you well we have seen your Letters of the 11 of this moneth written to the Lord of Burleigh our Secretary and perceive thereby your diligence in exploring further certain matters practised in Spain where you formerly wrot your doings wherein we doe well commend you and according to our former resolution whereof we lately advertised you we do now send unto the King of Spain this bearer our servant Henry Cobham one of our Gentlemen Pensioners for whose speedier and surer passing thither we have directed him to passe by you both to conferre with you and to utter unto you certain things from us wherein you shall give him credit and also to procure from the King our good Brother his passport and surety to passe throughout that Realm into Spain and likewise to return wherein we pray you to use some diligence to obtain the same for our said servant as you can consider the cause doth require we have instructed this said bearer of the Queen of Scots cause and have willed him to impart the same to you and having well conceived it we would have you there to let the Queen Mother understand so much thereof as shall be meet that she may know our sincere dealing therein And in your speech to her you may say that we do somewhat marvell that she doth so often sollicite and presse in the said Queen of Scots cause considering that we have not omitted to do any thing for her benefit which time and commodity would yield and that with reason we might do And specially we do the more marvell of the late urging of us therein considering the motion of the matter which she lately uttered to my Lord of Buckhurst Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the 26 of March 1571. in the 13 yeare of our raign To the Queens Majesties Ambassador in France Mr. Fr. Walsingham my assured friend AFter I had sealed up my other Letters with Mr. Cobham I received yours of the 18 by Mr. York whereof I thought good to give you knowledge I am also to ascertain you that although the contrary may be reported my Lord of Leicester finding just occasion thereto doth by all good means to my knowledge further the marriage and therefore I think it reason that by such good means as your self may think meet both the Q. Mother and Monsieur de Anjou might understand his disposition so as he may be well thought of herein And if he find that his doing may be liked there if God be content with the cause it is very probable that it may take effect you see how plain I deal with you and the rather because I find by my Lord of Buckhurst that upon the hope you have of the amendment of Monsieur in Religion you do not mislike of the matter Surely if Monsieur be not rooted in opinion of evill Religion as by his young years it is not likely there might be argument made that marriage here with England would be becoming a Professor of the Gospel considering the towardness of him to be a Martiall Prince he may prove a Noble Conquerer of all Popery in Christendome with such aids as may joyn with him in the Empire and other where I wish he were capable of such a designe You see still the more I
liberty leaving him the use of all his Lands and Goods and meaning by degrees to receive him to our grace as we did in some part diminish the demonstration of our offence upon signification of his repentance and protestation never to deal in that matter or any such like and the like declaration did the Queen of Scots make to us from the beginning both by her sundry messages and specially by multitude of her Letters to us which do remain with us written of her own hand And though we had many sparks of suspetion that their meaning was not fully agreeable to their Words Letters Promises and Oathes which made us not hastie in the full deliverie of the Duke yet now we have manifestly found by their practises with sundrie others and by their own Letters which we have in great number that even from the beginning that we did find fault with the said practises for marriage and that they did solemnly revoke their intentions with firm promises in writing never to deal therein any further They did not onely secretlie continue their first intents of marriage against our will but the rest also of our dangers that properlie we did at the begining conjecture to have been joyned to that marriage which now are so manifestlie discovered as no answer can excuse the same and that is in one word to express the whole under colour of restoring her to libertie to deprive us of our Crown and erect her up in our place and that by force not onely by Rebellion to be stirred up in our Realm but by bringing in of Forreign Forces to assist that enterprize against such power as we should have had of faithful natural Subjects in our defence This intention of the Queen of Scots you shall assure our good brother is not to us by conjectures as for the most part the greatest Treasons are that they be not executed but by manifest writing of the Queen of Scots own hand by confession of such as be apprehended and are guiltie thereof themselves and have confessed it voluntarilie with tokens of great repentance And in all these their practises we are much comforted to find it declared yea by the Queen of Scots own writings that she and her partie much misliked the Friendship between our good brother the French King and us and specially gave charge that in seeking of Forreign Forces to invade our Realm none of the French Kings Ministers should be made participant judging by plain speeches and words in writing that she the Scotish Queen would wholly follow the directions of the King of Spain and would procure her son to be transported thither and to entice their friendship she would shew her self willing to marrie Don Iohn of Austria This in sum you may assure the French King we can in substance manifest even by the Scotish Queens writings to the Duke of Norfolk which we have divers ways confirmed by writings and Confessions of others And until this whole Tree shall be fully discovered as well in the branches as in the roots which we trust God will display afore our eyes we have thought meet to impart in this manner so much thereof praying our good brother to shew herein the office of a good perfect friend that is in case of all such danger as this is touching our life our State and the ruine of our Realm and faithful Subjects not to credit the false report of any that to our prejudice shall labour to deprave our doings in the procuring of our own safety and quietness of our State and the continuance of Peace in our Realms and Dominions For surely we do not herein any thing but in the sight of God we are bound in nature to do for our selves and in dutie for our Realm At Richmond the nineteenth of October 1571. Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to understand that finding the King absent from Bloys as also all those from whom I was wont to receive any light of their proceeding here whereby my abode there was to no great purpose finding also my disease to increase upon me and the time fit for the cure to slip away I thought it good to repair to Pariâ— having taken order before my departure for the excuse of my going away without taking leave of the King he being then well near thirtie Leagues from Bloys at a house of Marshal Villeâ—ile not far from Aâ—giers At my access hither I found Master Killegrew who delivered me her Majesties Letters by the which I have just cause to think my self most bound to her Majestie for accepting my simple service as also for the care she hath of my health by sending this Gentleman to relieve me I have conferred with him and made him acquainted with my proceeding in this charge as also with the present state of this Countrey The chief cause of my sending at this present is to advertise her Majestie of the late victorie had by the Princes Confederates against the Turk The particularities whereof as I received them from the Venetian Ambassador were these That the seventh of c. It is much feared by those of judgement here that this Victory though generallie it may grow to Christendom profitable yet particularlie it may prove dangerous to some in that it is likely to increase the reputation and greatness of Spain which may breed some change here and may cause the King to relent over much to Spain the reason of the fear is that Queen Mother who directeth all things here is of nature fearful and therefore they doubt that those that incline to Spain who are in best credit with her will take profit of the Victorie and make her an instrument to perswade the King to dissemble the Injuries received at Spains hands and to encline him to run one course with him for a time Of these fears I thought good to advertise refâ—â—ring the consideration thereof unto her Majestie One Waldie servant unto the Countess of Emden being sent from her unto her Majestie with certain Letters is stayed in the Town through sickness whereby he cannot perform his voyage He desired me to convey over these Letters he hath unto her unto a servant of his Mistris's resident in London whom he meaneth to make his substitute for the delivery of the said Letters as also to make your Lordship acquainted with the causes of his stay His Commission as I gather by him is two ends the one to desire her Majestie that by her aid there may be some order taken for the clearing of the narrow seas of Pyrats the other to move her Majestie to grant to the Subjects of the said Commonwealth an exemption of a certain custom in respect of the favour shewed her Majesties Subjects Thus leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humblie take my leave At Paris the eighth of November 1571. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
of the Realm and that also with her consent as they affirm her party was overthrown in her own sight and she thereby forced to escape by flying with a very small number And being hardly pursued she was driven for safety of her life to enter into a simple vessel and crossing over an Arm of the sea came into England unknown in the Port where she landed yea she herself dissembled her person for a time But yet shortly after being discovered who she was and we hearing thereof within three or four daies for sooner we could not in respect of the distance of the place set forth by Commandment to have her comforted and honourably used And afterwards warned certain persons of honor and credit to attend and wait upon her to bring her from the borders of our Realm where she was in manifest danger of her contrary part of Scotland to be suprized And granted her to remain further within our Realm in a Castle of an ancient Nobleman with all her company that escaped with her and with some others that did also follow her and there she had such entertainment altogether upon our charges as was meet for a Queen and for a person brought into such calamity or for one that had notoriously challenged our Crown and would not perform that she was bound to do for our satisfaction After she had been there some time and that she had now through her whole Realm been newly charged with the former crimes as to have been directly the procurer and deviser of the horrible murther of her husband to have married the principal murtherer to have defended and succord all the rest of the murtherers whereof some of the principal were her own servants with a number of infamous crimes We caused her to be friendly dealt withal to understand what she would have us to do for her that with our honour we might do to relieve her of the infamies wherein we were nearly touched even in the inward part of our heart considering the fresh death of her husband was not yet punished he being next Kinsman both to her and us living on the King our Fathers side and on hers also After many things propounded at length she agreed that her cause of Criminations should be tryed as one that was not guilty of the principal crime the murther and that we should have her allegations for her defence whereunto we assented assuring her that if by any means it might appear that she was not to be duly charged to be a deviser and procurer thereof as she was charg'd her accusers should be with all severity punished as reason was And she should have our aid to be speedily restored to her State but what followed hereupon and what was the cause why she did not cause her Commissioners to answer to the matters produced against her we do omit for this time having been heartily sorry that where so many matters were produced to charge her to be culpable and she by her Commissioners thereof made privy did not suffer the same to be further tried of what value they were to have such credit as they did pretend And in this great matter being so hainous it is well to be considered of our good Brother and Sister to what respect more of her honor and care of her then of our self we hitherto forbore to notifie abroad the mutitudes of the Arguments produced against her by which if we had been by any waies disposed to hinder her as per case some of her friends would have thought of us we could have made and yet can make no small advantage to abase her estimation to the whole vvorld and yet publish nothing but the only rude and bare arguments and matters as they have been manifestly and orderly produced leaving to the vvorld to consider of the same as should seem most profitable But herein have we esteemed more her honor then our ovvn profit having an intention to overcome evil if it might be vvith good and the rather for that Almightie God hath so fortified our estate othervvise vvith his blessings and so abased hers vvith the lack thereof as vve thank him vve have no need of such means to abase our Enemies or evil vvillers And thus far did things pass until this last year in vvhich time vvhilest vve vvere occupied and travelling at her request vvith the States of her Realm vvho had accepted and acknovvledged her son as their King to come to some Conformitie vvith her for her return into her Realm and for a concord to be made betvveen her and her States she again had vvithout our knovvledge entred into a secret dealing of marriage vvith a principal Nobleman of our Realm and not contented therevvith vvhen vve did mislike it she by her Ministers entred into such an intelligence vvith certain of our Noblemen in the North part of our Realm as they novv since Michaelmas burst out into an open Rebellion making their outvvard shevv of intent to change the state of Religion contrary to the Laws of our Realm but in very deed as manifestly it is to us more known and truly discovered their meaning was chiefly to set up her not onely in her own Countrey but in this our Realm And though it pleased God to animate all our Subjects generally of all Estates so to accord to serve us in the speedie suppression hereof yet her manner of unkind dealing against us in this daâ—gerous sort is not the less to be weighed in respect of that which was by her intended to our utter subversion a matter worthie consideration of all such as have States and Governmeâ—t and that mean to preserve them from subversion by such Rebellions wherein the verie Crown of the Prince is sought And thus having as shortly as so many matters of so many years continuance could suffer passed over no small number of unkind and dangerous enteprises against us and contrariwise of our manifold kind and aboundant benefits towards her in all her necessities we doubt not but now if the requests that are made to us to aid her to our power to restore her forthwith to her Realm shall be applid to the former things preceding no indifferent person of any judgement will or can think it in conscience reasonable to move us to commit such a dangerous folly as to be the authour our self to hazard our own Person our State our quietness of our Realm and People at one instant without further consideration how we might preserve the same as God hath given them unto us and not to be lost as it were wilfully and with contemning or neglecting of the wisdom that God hath bestowed upon us to possess and to maintain our Crown and Dignitie with publike peace and quietness amongst our Subjects And therefore although now lately in this time of Rebellion whereunto we well understand that she hath a party we did cause her to be removed further into our Realm from the parties where the Rebellion
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
respects if all be so well as outwardlie it sheweth then is he of bodie sound enough And yet at this present I did not finde him so well coloured as I esteemed him to be at my last being here Since my Arrival here there hath been great search made by divers means how I am inclined to Monsieurs attempt My general answer is that I left my private passions behind me and do here submit my self to the passions of my Prince to execute whatsoever she shall command me as precisely as I may not presuming to do any thing further then I shall be commanded And as for her marriage whensoever it shall please God to incline her to that Change I should forget my dutie towards her and my Countrey if I should not like very well thereof though my present calling requiretâ— me to do no more neither in that nor in any other thing further forth then I am prescribed This answer seemeth very well to satisfie those that would further this matter for that I vvas fore-judged to be a very passionate Enemy Touching the pictures your Lordship desired they can by no means be gotten for no man may make any counterfeit of the King or his Brother vvithout license if he do the punishment is great Thus having imparted to your Honour that which at this present I thought worthy the advertisement I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 28 of Ianuary 1571. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Walter Mildmay of her Majesties Privy Councel SIr I most humbly thank you for your favour promised me by your Letters of the 16 of this Moneth touching my allowance for transportation Surely Sir I find my charges daily increase through the extream prises of things here The expences of my horses at this instant grow to 4 l. the day and yet is my daily diet through the meaness thereof not such as the place I supply requireth True it is the entry causeth the dearth to be so great and some hope there is that hereafter things will be more reasonable but in the mean time I find the burthen over heavie and when things shall be best cheap yet shall I find it heavie enough But herewith I leave further to trouble you at this instant The 25 of this instant moneth I was presented unto the King at Madrill where he now presently lieth being received by him with great courtesie and favour as also by his Mother and Brethren I leave Sir to you to gess the cause of this kindness and yet I should do Monsieur de la Motte Ambassador with her Majestie great wrong if I should not acknowledge some part of this good entertainment to proceed from the good report he hath made of me as one that will do what lieth in me to entertain the Peace Touching the state of things here I refer you to this inclosed Note of Occurrents and though they seem to give some doubt of the Kings sincerity yet surely Sir they that know him throughly are of opinion that if the matters grow to new troubles he will incline to those of the Religion This Oration Sir whereof I send you a Copie pronounced and delivered to him and to the Ambassador of the Princes of Germany hath put him in some good courage whereas before by the faction of the Guises he was put in great fear of the Catholicks aswel Forraign as at home Thus Sir you see for that he is not settled in Religion how he is carried away with wordly respects a common misery to those of his Calling God make those of his calling more truly Religious then we are To whose tuition I most humbly take my leave and commit you to God At Paris the 27 of Ianuary 1571. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham Sir I beseech you when you have read and perused this Oration that then it would please you to send the same to Sir N. Thorckmorton To the Right Honourable Sir William Cecill her Majesties principal Secretary SIr it may please you to be advertised that the last of Ianuary I received a Letter from my Lord of Buckhurst by one Hollinshed wherein he gave me his notice of proceedings onward on his journey hithervvard Whereupon I sent forth M. Beal to the Court being still at Madrill to advertise the King and Queen Mother from me First that the said Lord of Buckhurst who was deputed from the Queen my Mistress to Congratulate his Marriage had sent over thirty of his Train and that he himself about the first of this moneth was minded to be at Dover there to imbark himself and the residue of his Company Secondarily for that I heard the Queens Majestie was sick whereby it was doubtful when she should be in state able without her trouble or some peril to give the said Lord Buckhurst access unto her to execute his charge from the Queens Majestie my Mistress that therefore I desired to know of his Majestie and the Queen his Mother whether there were any hope of her Majesties speedy recovery whereby the said Nobleman may proceed in his journey to accomplish his said charge or otherwise whether I might not with his advice and favour write unto the said Nobleman some Letters of stay or return if he were passed the sea or onward his voyage until such time as he should be hereafter further advertised of her Majesties speedy recovery In answer whereof I received this inclosed from Secretary Pynart and for that Mr. Beal whom he made privy to his Letter did not see his answer directly touching that point which concerned his access to the Queen he desired to know what was the Kings mind in that behalf To whom he answered for that it was doubtfull by reason of the Queens sickness whether the Lord of Buckhurst should have any access unto her the only stay of her Entry and Coronation therefore the King referreth it to my Lords own judgement whether he will come now or stay until the other Entry I have made my Lord privy of my proceedings herein as also what answer I received from the King referring him to do therein as his Instructions should best direct him I have made him also acquainted with my private opiâ—ion in this behalf which is if her Majesties direction may bear it rather to proceed then otherwise First in respect his coming now will be here accepted in as good part as at any time hereafter Secondarily in respect of her Majesties charges and his own Thirdly in respect that the Governour of Picardie Monsieur de Paâ—ne and other Gentlemen who are appointed to repair to to Bullen to receive him should lose their labour if he should not proceed forward And as touching the Queens sickness whereby his access unto her to congratulate the Marriage growth doubtful judged here the chief cause of her repair hither I do not think the contrary but that her Majesties honourable and good meaning will be accepted in as good part
as if by access unto her he might have executed the same for that the let and impediment groweth only from God and for confirmation thereof there was lately sent an Ambassador from Luca to execute the like office who by reason of her sickness could have no access and so was driven to deliver over his Message to the King which was accepted at his hands very graciously and so was dismissed as I heard rewarded with a very honourable Present Thus having been over long in this behalf I leave further to trouble your Honour and most humbly take my leave From Paris the first of February 1571. The Copy of Secretary Pynarts Letter MOnsieur je vous a envoye la pasporte que ce porteâ—r m' ay demandé de vostre parte Et j'ay faict entendre a leur Majestes conme vous m' avez mande que le my Lord de Buckhurst devoit arriver au jourdâ—y à Doâ—ure que desia aâ—cuns des gentlehommes de sa troupe estoient passes à Bullougne que vous desires d' entendre si les dictes Majesties auroient agreable que le dit Seigneur my Lord sa troupe se diminâ—ast que ie vous ferois plasir de vous mander quand feroit l' Entrée Surquoy les dictes Majesties m'ont faict dire que iceluy Sr my Lord de Buckhurst sa dicte troupe seront les tresbiens venus fort voluntiers venus receus mais que la maladie de la Royne avoit esté cause que l'on auise que le Roy seulement feroit sans grand ceremonie son entrée le primier dimanche de Quaresme prochaine que le sacre de la dicte Dame Royne son entrée estoient remis à une autre fois a cause de sa dicte maladie dont ie n'ay voulu faillir de vous advertir Et saluer pour la fin de ceste-cy vre bonne grace de mes bien humbles recommendations priant dieu Monsieur vous doner le bon jour An Chasteau Boulloigne le primier de feuriere 1571. Vre bien humble avous faire service Pynart To the Right Honourable Sir Henry Norris and Mr. Francis Walsingham Ambassadors for the Queens Majesties in France or to either of them I Am presently as this bearer can inform you unable to regard any matter and therefore excusable to you both though I write not any longer Letter this that I write is in my bed and therefore unperfect of necessitie Upon a Letter of yours Sir Henry Norris sent to me last by Nanfaâ—t which I shewed to her Majestie touching the advertisement that you had of the French attempts in Ireland Although her Majestie understood the like from Ireland and hopeth when the season of the year shall mend the same shall be remedied yet she complaineth hereof to the French Ambassador requiring to let the King understand that such kind of obliquites do not accord with the offers of the Kings Amitie so often by him the Ambassador remembred And in like manner her Majestie would that the King should be enformed by you both if your commoditie may serve to negotiate joyntly or else by you Mr. Walsingham if you be entred into your charge requiring the King that her Majestie may know his intention herein so as if those attempts be not speedily redressed and stayed by his Authoritie and according to his friendship that then her Majestie may otherwise provide for the remedie whereof cannot but follow such inconveniences as shall not be meet for their Amities You shall not make the matter dangerous of it self but onely the attempts of such as are his ordinary Subjects do shew a contrary effect of that which it hath pleased the King to offer to her Majestie and whereof her Majestie took great comfort I am utterly tired with this writing and am forced to remit the rest to this bearer In my bed at my house of Westminster the 26 of Ianuary 1571. Your assured loving friend at command William Cecil Totle Right Honourable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principall Secretary SIr the third of this moneth I received a Letter of yours directed to Sir Henry Norris and to me and after that I was entred into my charge and Sir Henry Norris had taken his leave of the King I as a thing pertaining to my charge forthwith sent to the Court for Audience which is appointed me the 6 of this present so soon as I shall receive the Kings answer to the message I shall do unto him in her Majesties name I shall not fail with speed to advertise If la Roches attempt be done with his privity as in reason hardly me thinketh otherwise it nothing agreeth to the great profession of good will he maketh here unto us her Majestities ministers Which to the outward shevv is done in that sincerity as he that trusteth least may right easely thereby be deceived And yet vvhen I consider hovv he is not fully restored to the reputation of a King and that daily many disorders of contempts are here committed I see some cause of stay in condemning but hereof by his ansvver or at least by execution of that vvhich he shall promise her Majestie shall vvhether invvard meaning or outvvard profession doe agree I vvas right sorry to understand that the gout hath of late newly assailed you after so small time of respit Surely Sir seeing that both God and Nature doe so require you must with importunacie desire her Majesty so to use your service as you may long serve of whose lack I pray God she may never have tryall And so leaving further to trouble your Honour beseeching him to send you your health and continuance of the same I most humbly take my leave From Paris the third of February 1571. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To my very loving friend Mr. Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident for the Q. Majesty in France MAster Walsingham I thank you for your Letters vvritten at Bullen I doe make no lesse accompt of your good vvill indeed then you have offered and assure your self to find to my power as much Friendship at my hands as at any mans hands in England We have no cause of new matters to write unto you here hath bin and is much speech of the man and matter I talked with you of in my closet at Hampton Court as yet there is no overture made directly of that side and till then little will be said unto it in the mean I pray you inform your self throughly of them and let me hear some pâ—ecâ— of your opinion of them I confesse our estate requireth a match but God send us a good one and meet for all parties My Lord of Buckhurst will set forward in four or five daies after this date so my good Francis farewell in some hast this 16 of Ianuary 1571. Your assured Friend Robert Leicester To the right Honourable my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester YOur Lordships of the
25 of Ianuary I received the third of February by the which I perceive the matter your Lordship and I talked of hath bred some speech there with you and here the matter passeth not in great silence but is taken to be much more forward then I percieve it is I meane amongst the Common sort so far as I can learn there will be no further overture of this matter then alreadie is for here they stand upon the reputation and therefore would be loth to move speech unlesse they were in full hope to speed The experience of others that have heretofore attempted like matter maketh them more doubtfull how to proceed In my poore opinion the Commodities or discommodities of taking or refusing may easily be seen and therefore when they are once vveighed a speedie resolution vvere best to cut off many inconveniences that delay of time commonly bringeth By my last of the 27 of Ianuary I made your Lordship acquainted vvith my opinion so farre forth as I could enform my self using such circumspections in that behalf as is fit for me considering the jealousie already conceived of me But vvhen I shall be further enformed I vvill not fail further to advertise your Lordship And so for this time having no leisure to vvrite any more at large I most humblie take my leave from Paris the third of February 1571. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the right Honourable Sir William Cecil her Mejesties principall Secretarie SIr it may please you to advertise her Majestie that before I had accesse unto the King I sought by vvhat means I could to be informed of the Irish attempts by those of this country And being given to understand that de la Roch vvho as I learned by Rogers vvas the partie that should lead the Souldiers that made the invasion there vvas here in this Tovvn I found the means to cause Monsiuer Brickmals for that he said De la Roch had served under him to deal with him and to aske him whether he had not bin in Ireland who answered he had not bin there but in such cold terms he denied it as he gathered by divers circumstances and his manner of speech that true it was he had bin there which thing he seemed to be loth to affirme for that he said he was well assured that whosoever they were that dealt in the enterprise the King would disavow them Hereupon at the time of my accesse which was the 6 of Febr. at the Cardinall of Burbons Lodging in Paris I thought good to temper my speech accordingly in such mile sort using this speech following I told him after ordinary commendations done that though the Q. Majesty my Mistress was advertised from her Viceroy of Ireland That one de la Roch his Subject had landed certain men there who confederated with certain Rebells in that Island did commit by way of hostility certain out-rages not answerable to the good Amitie that rested between their Majesties Notwithstanding her Majestie was so well perswaded of his great good will and sincere affections towards her Majestie whereof she had received by his Ambassador from him so earnest assurance and protestation that she could not but do him wrong to think that this disoder should proceed from him but rather from some evill Minister of his such as do mislike and envie the good Amitie that presently resteth between them And therfore so doubted not but that his Majestie as her good Brother unto this good advertisement given would in such sort extend his Authority for the redresse of this inconvenience as she might have just cause to think that the new and earnest lately professed friendship was grounded on sincerity which could not but bring forth fruits answerable to the said profession To this in few words he answered That of his faith he knew of no such matter and therefore willed me to give him the names of all such as I could learn any waies offendors in that behalf and that he would so punish them as that her Majestie his good Sister should well pâ—rceive what good accompt he made of her friendship After I had thus ended with him I repaired to the Q. Mother both for that she ruleth all here as also for that the rest of the Ambassadors here observe the same course and declared unto her as unto the King that it was her Majesties pleasure that I should so do requiring her Majesties name to be a good mean to avoid all such offences as may any way impeach the good Amitie that presently is between the King her son and the Q. Majestie my Mistris I received at her hands for answer divers good words of assurance and continuance of Amitie which she promised to further so much as lay in her power and that she found the King her Son so well inclined thereto as the Q. my Mistris might full well assure her self that whosoever should go about to disturbe the same should receive such punishment as should be to the Q. my Mistris satisfactions I thanked her in her Majesties name and shewed her that I would not fail to make report unto the Q. my Mistris of this her good affection towards her Wherefore though herefore she had received good assurance yet that friendship vvas of that Nature as it is alvvaies desired to be entertained vvith the exercise of mutuall good offices This Sir vvas the effect of the speech that passed betvveen the Kings Majesty Q. Mother and me at this present accesse Novv to the end that there may be some triall vvhether these words were as well meant as they were uttered I have made choise of one to send to Britain to search out the names of the offenders to the end I may present them unto the King to see whether he will be as good as his word in punishing of them further by him that I said I meant to take order there to be advertised from time to time from thence of such preparations as may any vvay reach to any of her Majesties Dominions vvhich I see a thing very needfull because this Tovvn is full of brutes As I vvas in vvriting I vvas certified by one from vvhom my Predecessor Sir Henry Nâ—rris had his best intelligence who repaired secretly unto me and told me this news following How that the enterprise of Ireland is of great consequency and danger whereof though he thought the King was not privie yet he did assure me that the faction of Gâ—ise were great dealers in it Further he said that the Popes Nuntio labored what he might to draw Monsieur into the practise promising him for the maintenance thereof to be paid in Paris 100000 for his encouragement he made no difficulty to bring the said enterprise to passe in respect of the great intelligence that they have both in England and Ireland and that the same being won it would be an easie step to a step of more consequence meaning England Lastly he shewed me that if he would not
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
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
Majestie and our Countrey the want of him will then appear greater For be it spoken without offence to any for counsel in peace and for conduct in war he hath not left of like sufficiency his successor that I know I will not dwell upon this matter for that it is no less unpleasant for your Lordship to read then for me to write And leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fifth of March 1570. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principal Secretary SIr as I wrote unto you in my Letters of the 25 of February the Spanish Ambassador came to visit me who after some superfluous talk of love matters entred to talk of the unkindness that reigned between the Queens Majestie and his Master expressing with words of great vehemency the desire that they were drawn to some accord as a thing to the benefit of both Princes for saith he as the League between the house of Burgundy and England hath been the preservation of both the Countreys so the breach thereof might make them both a prey to their neighbours I shewed him that I was glad to hear that he was of that good opinion and therefore I doubted not but that he will use all those good offices that mâ—ght salve the unkindness The first to cause all those occasions that might breed any suspicion of evil meaning to be avoided The second to procure some grateful Ministers to be sent from the King his Master unto her Majestie to enter into some Treaty of accord To the first he said that her Majestie whatsoever was given out to the contrary needed not to doubt of the Kings sincerity towards her To the second he said he saw not how the King could do it with his honor considering how the D. Marquis Vitelli and the King his Masters Ambassador were rejected To that I replyed the offence grew by two of them and therefore ungrateful and most unfit to deal in that behalf And as for their having no direct Commission from the King but from him that had bred the offence in reason he was not fit to be imployed in that care The end of our talk was that he for his part and I for my part would not fail to think of those things that might best tend to breed reconcilement between our Princes But Sir to the end you may know the ground and spring of this alteration of so strange to become so familiar and curteous you shall understand that not past three days before he presented unto the King three requests from the D. Alva The first for that the D. vvas given to understand that the Prince of Orange maketh preparation in Germanie for Flanders that therefore it would please him in respect of the aid his Master had sent him in his civill troubles to send him the like number of Reisters for the better understanding of the said Princes entreprize The second that it would please him that he might leavie here such number of Catholiques as would willingly serve his Master against the said Prince The third that it would please him to stay certain ships there a preparing aâ— Rochel on the Princes behalf To the first the King answered That his treasures were so near spent that he took more care how to pay the Reisters to whom he was indebted for service in the last troubles then he was well able at this present to provide any succour or aid for the King his Master and hoped that seeing his necessity was such his said Master and good Brother would bear with all Touching the second he answered That if he should condescend to the leavying of such Catholiques as would be content to serve that thereupon the Hâ—gonots would take occasion to put themselves in Arms suspecting that the said leavie were but colourable and a device that might reach to themselves To the third he answered That he was informed that the said ships were prepared onely to be revenged oâ— certain of his Masters Subjects that had taken certain ships of those of the Religion and had drowned divers of the men and others they had delivered unto the inquisitors These answers falling not out to his contentment maketh him as I suppose to think that the friendship of England is worth the having The first of this moneth there arrived here the Count Olivares sent by the King of Spain to congratulate the marriage his train was onely in number 11. he is reported to be of livelihood fortie thousand Crowns a yeare his enterment here is nothing answerable to that my Lord of Buckhurst hath receiveâ— I mean to repair to see him as also to propound unto him if I see occasion thereto what by her Majestie I was appointed to declare unto the Spanish Ambassador The second of this moneth which was the day my Lord of Buckhurst took his leave there was set up a Bull which was at Ponte de St. Estienne of the same day that Feâ—ans was containing the self same matter which a servant of mine 〈◊〉 by reason he saw divers flocking about it tore it down and brought me the same whereupon my Lord of Buckhurst I upon conference before his said accesse immediatly broke with the King in that behalf The King called me unto him and asked me the contents of the said Bull whereof being advertised as also I presenting unto him so much of the said Bull as was given me by my servant he shewed himself very much moved thereat in such sort as we might very well see it was unseigned forthwith he called Lansac unto him and willed him to take order with the Judge Crimniall for the searching out of the setter of the same assuring us if by any means he could be found he should receive such punishment as such a persumption required considering the good Amitie between him and his good Sister I shewed him that if he did not take order in this the like measure might be measured to himself He answered that he did perceive that very well and that whosoever he were that should seem to touch in honour any of his Coâ—federates he would make account of him accordingly After my departure from the King Lansac told me in mine ear That he had gâ—â—at cause to guesse that this was some Spanish practise Thus Sir having made you partaker of such things as I thought me for her Majâ—sty to understand I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 5 of Mar. 1570. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham Post-Script Sir Mrâ—â—â— who willed me to write his name in Cipher gave me to understand that a friend of his who talked with an Italian Bishop of the house of Salmaâ—â—i who came lately hither from the Pope to congratulate the marriage did learn by him that he hath a practise in hand for England which would not be long before it brâ—ke forth and he further shewed
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
and our Country is That if the pretended match between her Majestie and Monsieur should not go forward then nothing can be so dangerous as her delivery for here they stand upon this point that neither the King can be safe nor the Realm â—uiet unlesse Monsieur be provided of some other harborage The places likely to be attained and fit for his calling where they would place him are two England and Scotland if England refuse then is Scotland more ready to receive him This well weighed though your Lorship with the rest of the Comissioners are both wise and of great experience notwithstanding so full of danger is the Cause as no resolution can possibly grow to you that shall be void of perill I pray God therefore in this hard case that that course may be taken wherein is least perill and most safety for her Majesty At this present there is no matter here worthy of your Lordships knowledge only I am to trouble you with mine own particular estate my charges grow here to be so great through the excessive deareness of the place as necessity forceth me at this present to make my moan unto your Lordship and to desire your aid that I may not be as I am overburdened whereby the care how to live may hinder the onely care I ought to have how to serve I have forborn hitherto to expresse my grief to the end that my Lord of Buckhurst's report might add some credit to my complaint And though my service cannot deserve so much as I am allowed yet my place and my estate requireth consideration to be had of the present time for otherwise I shall not be able to do that which shall be for her Majestites Honour and service when men of livelihood were imployed in this calling alwaies change of time bread change and of Allowance If any time therefore required consideration this chiefly for that never was the like dearth here and if any mans estate was to be weighed none more then mine that am far inferior in ability to any other that ever supplied this place I will not longer entertain your Lordship with this private cause but commit it to your good consideration assuring my self of any furtherance that you can give me And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 9 of March. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To my very loving friend Mr. Francis Walsingham Esq the Q. Majesties Ambassador in France SIr I have received your Letters both by Mr. Wigmore and Beale as by Hâ—rcourt I did late advertise you And having made her Majesty partaker both by hearing them read and by her own reading I am in this sort directed to answer you To the first of the second that is to that of the 13 of Febr. brought by Beale her Majestie maketh good accompt of the person of him â— mean the 36 T s 4 t 10 30-0 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the intelligence which he gave you but it breedeth some doubt in her that the certainty can be no otherwise understood in that it is informed you that the practise continueth by late dispatching of an Englishman of high stature and lean of visage wherein is such incertainty as no man can thereby attain either to discover the practise or withstand it by apprehending the party and surely Sir her Majesty cannot but think but they that can attain to the knowledge of the practise may aswell attain to the knowledge of the parties name for they that are trusted with the matter may be trusted with the persons and so her Majestie wisheth you to endevour your self with such as you shall think good to come to the knowledge of some persons by stay of whom such a matter might be deciphered For mine own part I think it likely that these practises are devised but without more apparence I see no evident reason to move me that in the time when the Queen of Scots her self and her Factors are in hope to be delivered by treatie and with the favour of our Queen there should be any attempt otherwise for her escape wherein how cunning soever men be in device yet the execution standeth upon many adventures and any mischance hapning might breed ruin to the whole enterprise I have been acquainted with many of these like advertisement But surely I never found any substance in them in the event but yet with them and without them I ever find it good to be circumspect I write not to have you forbear from hearing and reporting of any the like but my experience serveth to move you to procure the givers of such things to discover the matters more certainly and so they are of more value The message sent you from Rochel of some dangerous intent upon Ireland from Spain hath more apparence for that we also hear it from Spain confirmed and it is the same that before I advertised you concerning Stukelie I also smell some purpose of the Count Lodowicks coming with his ships toward the Low-Countries to accompanie the designe for his brother the Prince of Orange whereof I would look for some better successe if I had not understanding thereof so many waies for the force of that enterprize should consist in suddenness and secresie which are not like to take place Thus much for your first Letter Now to the second brought by Wigmore the Q. Majestie liketh well of your proceedings with the Spanish Ambassador there and marvelleth that he should be so coy with you considering the reports of his former curtesies but by likelihood some other accident moved it which by you next speech will be better discovered The cause why that Ambassador could not be answered sooner of the matter whereof he advertised her Majestie from the Duke of Alva was for that her Majestie could not sooner hear thereof from the Duke If you shall find it convenient to impart matters to the said Ambassador you may let him know of these things following One Monsieur Senegen a Low-Countrie-man is comming to end the Treaty for restâ—tution on both sides of the Merchants goods There are lately come into the ports of the West certain Hulks laden from Spain and Portugall driven by Tempest And because they should be well used the Ambassador here for the King though in other things he be not used hath been dealt withall to name certain strangers Merchants to resort to the ports and they have speciall Authoritie from us to put the same in all good safety and that no dealing shall be by any to the impairing of the said goods And this speciall favour is shewed because the time of restitution is at hand And therefore we mean not to give any cause of quarreling There were also certain other ships of Warre that came from Spain being of the company which conducted the Queen of Spain into Spain which being furnished with Souldiers were favourably entertained and permitted to depart at their pleasure Of
were not as he was a man of the Church he would be revenged of him for the report he made of him In the end after report made of this talk passed touching Stewkleys proceedings he concluded that the cause of his departure out of Spain was onely that he saw great likelihood that this enterprize should go forward and therefore would be loath as one descended from the house of Desmond to be suspected by his abode there to be a favourer of the said enterprize hating nothing more then the name of a Traytor I told him that I was very glad to here this talk pass from him whereof I promised him not to fail to make her Majestie privy hoping that he meant sincerely touching the practice I shewed him that her Majestie was neither ignorant nor unprovided of the remedy notwithstanding I did assure him that her Majestie could not but take it in good part if his meaning and words agreed both his withdrawing himself from thence as also in that he did discover unto me her Minister here what he knew touching the same I prayed him therefore to use plainness with me and told him that if it fall out otherwise First he should be reputed a Traytor and so little trusted of those whose turn he should seek to serve it being held for a common rule That a Traytor to his own Countrey came never to be true to another Secondarily that if he were partaker of the enterprize the matter was provided for and so their attempt not like to take effect whereby he should grow odious to those that he should procure to enter into the same And lastly I willed him to consider what benefit would grow to Ireland his Countrey if it should be reduced to the Spanish Government who doth rule altogether by Tyranny as divers of the Countreys where they do govern witness whereof he as a Traveller could not be ignorant whereas now they enjoy as great liberty as any Nation doth and if there be any defect it proceedeth frâ—m themselves who cannot yield to imbrace such good orders as her Majestie carefully for their benefit hath sought lately to place there amongst them to reduce them from Barbarousness to Civility He then protested that her Majestie should find him sincere though he were out of hope of all favour in respect of his honour and the love that he bare to his own Countrey But saith he if it might please her Majestie so far forth to be my good and gracious Lady and Soveraign as for that my Successor is dead to restore me to my Countrey and Place I will then give to you in writing her Ambassador here both the manner of the Conspiracy as also the remedy I shewed him that I would not fail to advertise her Majestie thereof notwithstanding I thought good to desire his return at this present considering the suspicion conceived of him would breed some doubt of sincerity for that it might be thought that his coming home now was rather to give notice to the evil affected Subjects of his Countrey how things passed in Spain then otherwise He replyed that if he had meant any such matter he might have gone directly from Spain into Ireland Then he told me that he feared that your Lordship had not conceived very well of him through Huggins report I made as though I never heard of Huggins and shewed him that your Lordship was not one that would lightly condemn any man and therefore willed him not to doubt that if you might find him sincere none would be more ready to further him in getting her Majesties favour then your Lordship Unasked he shewed me that Huggins was returned again to Prison which thing I seemed not to regard I asked him vvhen Stewkley vvas to imbark He thought not much before the end of April I asked him vvhether it vvas true that Iulian Romerâ— vvas appointed to that enterprize He told me that he heard so This vvas in effect the talk that passed betvveen us vvhich I thought good to set dovvn at length to the end that your Lordship might the better judge both of the matters and of the man For my ovvn opinion I cannot tell vvhat to think of him to suspect that he meaneth not good faith I have these causes First I am informed that tvvo Irish men sent from him out of Spain vvere the cause of Roches enterprize Secondarily I am also informed that he vvas sent for out of Spain by the Cardinal of Lorain Thirdly for that he vvisheth the young Boy Fitzmâ—rice's son in Spain that is novv at Brest in Brittain Lastly I do not forget his Nation and Religion I have placed some especially about him to vvhom he repaireth as also vvho repairs to him I find the Irish Captain here vvhom I desired my Lord of Buckhurst to recommend unto her Majestie serviceable in this behalf It shall go very hard but I vvill give a great ghess of the cause of his coming He desireth to knovv vvithin tvventy daies hovv her Majestie inclineth to his request The onely hope I have of him is that I imagine that he mislikes that Stewkley should have the glory of the enterprize that they both pretended and that he first set abroach and therefore vvould be glad to do any thing vvhich might impeach the same Novv having made your Lordship acquainted vvith that vvhich passed betvveen us I attend her Majesties pleasure herein how I shall direct my self And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the 19 of March 1570. Your Lordships to Command Francis Walsingham Touching the other matter of credit committed to B. relation I hope to be able to advertise in what estate things stand within these ten daies To our Right trusty and well-beloved Sir Francis Walsingham our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well forasmuch as by the Lord of Buckhurst we do understand in what sort the Queen Mother hath moved unto him the matter of marriage for her son Monsieur D' Anjou with us and in what sort both the King her Son her Self and Monsieur being the party are desirous that the same might take place and that for the first entry into the matter in respect of the doubtfulness that is generally conceived of our resolute determination to marry that is by the Queen Mother required that none might deal there in the same betwixt them and us but you as our Ambassador and that with none of their Councel but with Monsieur de Foix we have thought meet plainly to inform you in what sort you shall deal not doubting but you will so use the same to all respects as may concern our estimation in due honour according to the place we hold and for the quality of our person and sex And because you shall the more orderly proceed herein we do conceive our answer by way of Articles which we
do understand were by him shewed to the Lord of Buckhurst in writing as followeth The first Article of their demand was to understand both very speedily and certainly of the truth of our firm resolution to marry To which you may constantly answer that as the Lord of Buckhurst hath already said so are we resolved for the benefit of our Realm and contentation of our Subjects to marry with some person of Kingly blood and quality meet for us and our Countrey and that we are free from all manner of impediments to marry where we shall please And because that we perceive that notwithstanding the like answer hath been made in our name by some other who hath of late time earnestly required to know our mind in this case yet it is doubted by sinister reports that we have not a resolute mind to marry but that we have a disposition rather to hear of motions and suits for Marriage with Princes and great Estates then finally to accept any of them how honourable or reasonable soever the conditions might be that should be offered Therefore you shall in times convenient and as you shall be by some objections provoked say that we are very sorry that our former dealings in like cases of Marriage moved to us from other Princes hath not been better understood on our behalf then it seemeth they have been whereby some prejudice is grown to make more doubtfulness to be conceived in our Answers then we mean For the alteration of which untrue conceptions we cannot but generally answer except it were particularly remembred with vvhat Prince moving matter of marriage to us we did deal doubtfully And therefore you shall say that it is not unknown to the world for how many Kings Princes and Estates motions of marriage hath been made to us and if the same were well considered and our answers from time to time truly known certainly there was no cause to mislike the same though the motions took no place neither could any of the parties think themselves touched in honour by this though their desires took no effect In the beginning of our Reign that is not unknown how vve had no disposition of our own nature to marry no otherwise then it is manifestly known that vvhen the King our dear Father reigned and many times pressed us earnestly to marry nor vvhen in the late King our Brothers time the like vvas renevved unto us even for such as then presently vvere in real possession of Kingdoms vvhen vve lived but in a private state as a daughter or as a sister of a King yet could vve never induce our mind to marry but rather did satisfie our self with a solitary life If also it be considered vvho they vvere that in the first part of our Reign motioned marriage unto us and hovv inconvenient such a match vvas both for our self for matter of conscience and for discontentation of our people as then the time vvas vve doubt not but vve might challenge to our selves some praise in that vve yielded not thereto vvhen all other vvorldly respects of honour wealth and greatness besides the worthiness of the person were evident to have provoked us thereto But therein and in all other motions of marriage following our answers were such as if they were known with their circumstances we would not doubt but to have a general allowance and commendation for our sinceritie in dealing as now it seemeth that the world which commonly erreth in such reports hath also erred in this and sundry other things touching us which time we doubt not shall make manifest for truly whilest we continued as it were settled by natural disposition in a determination not to marry we did so also plainly answer all persons and required that the motions might be stayed wherewith if the parties or their Ministers would not be satisfied but would continue rather still their motions what default was this in us Yea it is very true that some parties being answered by our own mouth and that deliberately and frequently yet would they not accept the same for a final answer wherein as we could not but esteem their affection very great towards us so truly did we give them no new cause to hope of any change of our mind to marriage Nevertheless after some course of years passed we confess that the state of our Realm the continual urgent and frequent solicitations not only of our Counsellours to whom we alwaies think meet to give ear but also of the whole Estates of our Subjects being many times assembled in our Parliament did stir us to some further consideration by the weight of their reasâ—â—s then naturally of our self we had been induced unto And therefore we yielded thus far to their importunitie that for such great necessities concerning the universal state of our Realm as were plainlie laid before us we would not refuse to hear of any honourable motions to be made to us for any person of a Royal blood that might be meet for us and our Realm and that we would commend our heart to be directed by Almighty God to follow that which might be to the comfort of our loving Subjects And this mind we did continue and did so far proceed as reasonablie we might with our honour and with regard to the estate of our Policie And howsoever the world may mis-judge of prolongation of such matters by us certainlie the same was not of any intent in us to continue the same without purpose to conclude But such were the terms and difficulties in some points necessarilie to be provided as the lack of satisfaction of us therein was the onelie cause to us known of the prolongation All this we find meet at length to impart unto you to the end that you may also in like manner thereby with truth satisfie the hard opinion that as iâ— seemeth is conceived of us because it is seen that many suits hath been made to us and by great Estates for marriage and none hath taken effect And as heretofore of late years the solicitation of our loving Subjects generallie did induce us for their sakes to hearken to motions of marriage and to incline our selves thereto So may you for more assurance of our firm determination to marrie affirm to them that have judged doubtfullie of us that we do now indeed find in our own judgement upon good respects the motions of our people not only necessary for them our Realms and Dominions but also convenient for our selves so as a person may be offered to us agreeable for our honour and meet for the state and pollicie of our Kingdoms And thus much may fully satisfie for justification of our doings against sinister conceptions and also for a certainty for our determination being accompanied with a further resolution growing of our judgement otherwise then aforetime The second points is to know whether now that we have perceived by the Lord of Buckhurst the good disposition of the King and the Queen Mother
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
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
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
advertised from their Ambassador I had order from her Majestie in that behalf Your Lordship therefore shall do well if there be none sent before the arrival of this Messenger to hasten the same with all speed And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave at Paris the fourteenth of May 1571. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lords the Earle of Leicester and my Lord of Burleigh I Thought good to advertise her Majestie with speed that they rest here in very good opinion of the matter and that if the Articles were here that are to be propounded by her Majestie it would make them more reasonable in the point of Religion Thus farre I hear they are come on that they are content that that Article shall be left out uncapitulated Montmorency who is now at the Court hath done very good offices herein They stand upon this as I learn that her Majestie promised to deliver her Articles assoon as she could receive the King and that therefore without the having of them will not deal so frankly as otherwise they would for that the same being promised and not come breedeth mistrust I beseech your Lordships therefore for putting away all jealousie to deal earnestly with her Majestie for the present sending of them with all speed for that by her Majesties Letters I perceive they are in a readiness To morrow I repaire to the Court to deliver my message whereof they have an inkling by the Ambassadors Letters who doth deal very honorably towards her Majestie Thus for haste leaving further to trouble your Lordships at this present I most humbly take my leave At Vernon the 19 of May 1571. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham 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 welbeloved we greet you well after we heard the contents of your Letters sent hither concerning your communication with the Queen Mother and also with Monsieur de Foix upon the answer we sent you by Cavalcant to the Articles brought by him we understood also by the French Ambassador here resident that he had received Letters from the Q. Mother and de Foix concerning the same matters And though the answer made to you as by your Letters we conceive were more peremptory then such as the Letters to this Ambassador which we have seen did purport adding thereunto some dulcimes to qualifie the same especally in answering that which we could not but object as strange that the Q. Mother required to have answer from us within the space of ten dayes yet to omit rehearsalls either the contents of your Letters or of the Letters sent to this Ambassador we think best to impart unto you which we will you shall impart to the Q. Mother or to the King which is thus we find more great and urgent causes to move us to persist in our former answer in the Article of Religion both for our conscience our safety honour and quietness then can be be alledged or imagined for the conscience and honour of Monsieur de Anjou and the reasons hereof as apparent in this sort following First if we shall grant a permission to Monsieur to have the use of his Religion which we take principally to consist in the having saying and hearing of the private Masse though the same should be secret for the place and rarely for the time and not frequented with numbers yet it might seem doubtfull to us how without offence of conscience such a tolleration might be by us permitted Secondarily though our conscience should not be offended yet we are well assured that our realm being not void of diversities of opinions herein though indeed presently we find no disobedience worthy of any accompt against our Laws there could not any such exercise of Religion be used by our sufferance by a person of such estimation as one being allowed to be our husband should be but that the same would breed such a misliking to our best subjects and servants as surely should diminish their great love toward us and consequently hazard some inward troubles within our Realm by occasion that one part now dutifully obeying us would grow doubtfull of our conscience in the observations of our Laws and another part would be imboldened by example of that which our husband should be permitted to do should attempt to neglect our Laws and multiply occasions discords and seditions and these perills are so evident to follow and so dangerous if they should follow as surely if we should not aforehand so consider them we might condemn our selves of great folly as not having due regard either to our own particular estate or to the common quietness of our Realm whereof hitherto we thank Almighty God through his speciall goodness we have had the effects of much contentation On the other part we see no such matter of weight to be considered for Monsieur that either his conscience his honour or safety should be troubled impeached or indangered although we perceive that the Queen Mothers speeches seem to tend thereto for where it is said and that by answer if he should come hither and live without his own Religion he should be accompted as one of no Religion and in time comming he should be as de Foix saith an Atheist and so neither could we in right esteem him to have any faith neither should he keep the reputation that he hath Of all which certainly if we could think that by our answer and his yielding thereto any hurt might happen to him we should utterly condemn our selves and readily Reform the same or else forbear to give any answer at all but you shall say That we require the Queen Mother or the King or if the cause so require Monsieur himself to consider better of our answer we leave him freedome to use our Religion in that we are content not to constrain him or any of his otherwise to use it then it shall please him saying That we think it expedient that if he should be our husband he should accompany us to the Church and why he should not or may not use our manner of prayers and divine Service certainly we think no reason can be yielded by any that knoweth the same and will compare it to that which the Church of Rome doeth use For in ours there is no part that hath not been yea that is not at this day used in the Church of Rome as of late the same hath been allowed by the last Councell at Trent and if any thing be more in ours the same is part of the holy Scripture Now therefore why it should be objected That Monsieur should live here without Religion if he shall be present at ours there is no cause except it may be objected that ours is in the English tongue and not understood but to satisfie
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
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
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
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
both how inconvenient it would bâ— for her Son to live without some kinde of toleration as also that there would not follow by the same that inconvenience in her Estate as she feâ—â—ed In the end she concluded whatsoever in the matter through this hard poinâ— should become that both she and the King were infinitely bound unto her Majestie for her honourable and sincere dealing in this cause And that for her own part she would bear no less affection towards her thâ—n if she were her own natural daughter After I had done with her Monsieur came unto me and desired me on his behalf to renâ—er unto her Majestie most humble thâ—nks for the great liberality bestowed on his servant l' Archant who had made such report of her Majesties rare and Princely vertues as it was an intolerable grief unto him to see so great a block to lie in the way as the point of Religion which so nearly touched both his Honour and his Conscience to keep him from the attaining to the 〈◊〉 good hap that ever in the world could happen unto him He protested how he wished so that the same were â—â—removed he had lost an arm or a leg But howsoever saith he the matter fall out I shall desire her to make account of me as of a Champion ready at all times to hazard my life in her defence during my life against any that shall attempt any thing against her This in effect is as much as passed from them at this 〈◊〉 Nâ—gotiaâ—on And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this preâ—eâ—t I most humbly tâ—ke my leave At Melun the last of Iuly 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honoâ—rable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester AFter long deliberation the King is 〈◊〉 to send over forthwith Monsieur de Fâ—ix with his 〈…〉 touching the matter in hand who as I suppose hath Commission â—o conclude either marriage or some 〈…〉 between the two Câ—owns They rest here very wâ—ll perswaded of her Majesties sincerity So that the matter resting now on those good 〈◊〉 if you find not in her Majestie 〈…〉 to marry a thing most 〈◊〉 for our stâ—ggering Sâ—ate then were it expedint to take good hold of 〈◊〉 which may serve to ease us for a 〈◊〉 though our disease 〈…〉 Her Majestie is bound to the Gentleman 〈◊〉 â—ow cometh he 〈◊〉 every way in defence of her honour as much as if he were her 〈…〉 he is like to â—ear a great 〈◊〉 in this Government and 〈…〉 affected as he is to her Majestie he may stand her in great stead therefore you shall do well to advise her Majestie both honourably to use and liberally to reward him And as for your particular part you cannot be more beholden to a stranger I doubt not therefore but that your Honour will use him accordingly Touching the point of Religion though some hope came lately from their Ambassador of some toleration they are grown more stiff in that point then before I am not to advise in so great a matter What my opinion is in that behalf I refer your Lordship to my former Letters Great practises are here for the impeachment of this match the P. Nuncio Spain and Portugal are daily Courtiers to disswade this Match The Clergy here have offered Monsieur a great pension to stay him from proceeding In conclusion there is nothing left undone that may be thought fit to hinder For a day or two it was given out that the matter was quite broken and that Monsieur had no meaning to procced In respect of this brute at the time of my being at the Court he used great words of assurance that there was no such matter and that he remained still most constantly affected saying that if it were his mishap not to proceed in this match he could not but think himself most unhappy He protested that he wished the loss of an arm or a leg as that difficulty might be so ordered as he might not be touched in Conscience and Honor. I used sundry perswasions to induce him to content himself with the form of our Prayer and not to stand so much upon a toleration which might be prejudicial both to her Majestie and himself the match proceeding In outward shew he seemed to have no disposition to râ—lent For certain respects they desire Monsieur de Foix coming to be kept secret until his arrival Besides Cavalâ—â—nts general good offices he doth in this cause your Honour is particularly beholding to him for the good office he useth towards you The desire I have to dispatch this bearer with some speed will not suffer me any longer to trouble you with these scribled lines And therefore in haste I commit your Lordship to Gods protection who send you to grow to some conclusion as may be to Gods glory and her Majesties safety From Melun the one and thirtieth of Iuly 1571. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leceister MY Lord if neither Marriage nor Amity may take place the poor Protestants here do think then their case desperatâ— they tell me so with tears and therefore I do believe them And surely if they say nothing beholding the present state here I could not but see it most apparent What to hope of the marriage I know not because it hath so many overthrows both here and there If it may be to Gods glory and her Majesties safety and contentment I then wish it otherwise at an end Touching the conclusion of some League and Amity I hope every one doth wish it that desireth her Majesties safety and the benefit of our Countrey notwithstanding there lieth a block in the way whereat divers may stumble The block is our ancient League with the House of Burgundy which by entring into some strait League with France may somewhat be touched and for that the one cannot yield that profit that the other may at the first sight it may seem dispâ—table whether the same is to be received otherwise then after the accâ—stomed manner but if the circumstances of the present time be duly considered this block may be removed and the Amity that will be proffered profitably received The house of Burgundy till of late days was ever inferiour to England and so depended thereon but now being tyed to the house of Austria he is grown to the greatness as of inferior he is become superior of a good quiet Neighbor a most dangerous and ambitious Neighbor which we shall speedily finde if we do not speedily provide for it How evilly they rest satisfied with us in respect of the Injuries received it is well known how naturally they are inclined to Revenge the world hath had sufficient tryall of If presently they forbear it is not for lack of good will but in respect of the incommodity of the time which if the jealousie between them and France were taken away we should soon
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
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
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
move the same but finding now that he hath secretly named me for that place I do coldlieâ— deal therein knowing both my insufficiency and doubting of the success thereof but whether any shall come or who shall I surely cannot gess The Queens Majestie would have you to enquire what becometh of Liggons my Lord of Norfolks servant that hath of long time been about Paris and the Court. Here is some matter presently discovered that my Lord of Norfolk should still mind this matter of the Scotish Queen for there is intercepted a good portion of money in gold that was and by Letters in Cypher directed to my Lord of Harrife for help of the Scotish Queens party in Scotland and the same was sent by one Higford the Dukes Secretary who was by order from hence taken and committed at London and this day is examined by Sir Thomas Smith who yesterday went thither for that purpose What will follow I cannot now write but sorry I shall be that my Lord of Norfolk shall be found undutiful and yet if he be I am glad it shall be known and so I end with my prayer From Audeley-Inne by Walden the second day of September 1571. Your assured Friend William Burleigh I send you something from Scotland whereby you may see how small the Queen of Scots party is in Scotland To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that according to her order prescribed me by her Letters bearing date the second of September I made report unto the King here of that which passed in sundry Conferences between her Majestie and his Ministers Monsieur de Foix and his Ambassador Resident as also apart with her Majesties Councel His answer was that he had great cause to give her Majestie thanks for her honourable enterâ—ainment given unto de Foix. until whose coming he could say nothing in answer of that which had passed by conference He protested that he desired nothing more then straight Amity with her Majestie and therefore thinking marriage the best means for the accomplishing thereof it should be no small grief unto him if the same should not take place whereby that perfect Amity might ensue that might be beneficial to both the Crowns This was the effect of this present answer Her Majestie is very much beholding to the D 3. who standeth most earnestly in defence of her honour against any that seek any way to touch the same she seemeth to think her self much bound to her Majestie for that it pleased her Majestie to vouchsafe once to write I suppose a few lines of thanks bestowed on her again from her Majestie would win her to be a good instrument to give advertisements of such things as are sit for her Majestie to know Queen Mother is much governed by her and therefore she may be the better able to do the greater good And if may further please her Majestie to bestow some ring on her I think the profit that would grow thereof in time will make her Majestie think it well bestowed Of late there is a great sum of money to the sum of 15000 franks made here in Poictu by the Queen of Scots Officers an the same barrel'd up and sent to Paris and from thence as I hear it shall be conveyed into Scotland to those of her faction there yet as I am informed that ill success that the money that they sent before had maketh them to stand in doubt to convey it by sea and therefore if they may conveniently they would rather make it over to London by exchange whereunto by your Lordships order if there may an eye be had it will easily be discovered the sum being so great The Admiral arrived here the twelfth of this Moneth Touching the manner of his receiving I refer you to the report of this Gentleman Mr. Lyster her Majesties servant whom I have throughly instructed what I have truly learned in that behalf The day after his arrival he sent a Gentleman unto me with this Message that in respect of the place I hold he was bound for the great favour shewed by her Majestie generally unto them of the Religion in the time of their necessity as also particularly unto his Brother to have come and visited me but he desired me to consider what suspicion would grow thereof which might rather do harm then good notwithstanding he assured me that her Majestie should always find him ready to serve her with the hazard both of life and goods whensoever any occasion should be presented to shew the affection and good will he beareth her Majestie in respect of the bond he oweth her Generally all those of the religion who are the flower of France do make like protestation assuring her Majestie that when occasion or tryal shall be offered she shall find them no less ready to serve her then if they were her own natural Subjects The Marriage between the Prince of Navarre is not so forward as Queen Mother was in preparation at Paris who had provided both Jewels and Wedding-garments The onely impediment as I hear is Religion There departeth shortly towards the concluding of this matte towards the Q. of Navarre who is now gone to Arragon to certain Baynes there for her health Byron and Beaâ—voys Co. Lo. left a man here of purpose to attend her Majesties answer touching those things that I propounded on his behalf in my letter sent by Mr. Dannet The resolution of that enterprize stayeth onely upon the expectation what her Majestie will do and it is feared that the matter will be so long protracted as the opportunity of the enterprize will be let slip which if it so fall out the unkindness between this Crown and Spain will be reconciled which I fear will not tend most to her Majesties safety and so do as many fear as love her Majesty here The house of Guise secretly doth travel by all means to break the Amity with England for that they think nothing will more prejudice the Queen of Scots their Kinswoman then the same Touching my own private estate my disease groweth so dangerously upon me as I most humbly desire her Majestie to take some speedy order for some to supply my place I hope my life shall stand her Majestie in more stead then my death and upon these extream points standeth the defering of the cure I hope therefore her Majestie will have consideration of it accordingly Thus leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave At Blois the sixteenth of September 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 within three days after Monsieur de Foix arrival the King sent for me and after my access unto him he willed me first in his name to thank her Majestie for the honourable entertainment
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
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
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
Conventum est quod fadus liga is not to be misliked for continuance of this Treaty although the third Article of your writing beginning Tempus vero durationis seemeth plainer and better and agreeth with the like in former times The sixth being imperfect beginning De tempore antem modo would be supplyed with the like Clause and Article at length mutatis mutandis and as you have excerped out of the year 1546. and as in the last of your writing of the 18 of January Now for our opinion of the Articles presented by you to the French the 18. we do like well enough of the Preface and for the first Article you may perceive well enough what we would have added thereto That nothing should be continued in former Treaties being repugnant to this The second for a Covenant of a League to be defensive we think not amiss thereof although the second and third of the French contain them plain enough in fewer words so as the one or the other may serve To the third of yours we like as before is mentioned The fourth beginning Et quamvis supervacuum may be forborn considering the substance thereof is contained in the second delivered by the French the 17 of January The last of yours concerning the manner of aid we like best as before is said according to the Article of the Treaty of An. 1549. As to the third Article delivered by you the 18 of January in one writing to the Kings party concerning the Arrest to be made of the Subjects of other Princes if any other Subjects should be arrested in a strange Country for matter of Religion we would not mislike if you could obtain the same but for that we think it very hard to be granted by the French King as the time is we will not 〈◊〉 you much to press it But as to the other matter of our Merchants we do 〈◊〉 of the manner of Articles presented by you and yet we cannot presently 〈◊〉 in what form to have the same conceived fit for our Merchants and for 〈…〉 and therefore except you shall be shortly advertised from us how to 〈…〉 more particularly we would have you insert some general clause in the Treaty for such a purpose and besides that also to move it to the King that there may be some Colloquie had here betwixt the Kings Ambassador here Râ—sident having authority therefore and such as we shall appoint after conference had with our Merchants to Treat with the said Ambassador thereupon Some other doubts may appear in the Writing sent from you whereof the Ambassador made no mentâ—â—n and yet fit for you to understand or mind therein if you shall thereto be pressed but except you be pressed thereto by the other party we think it good that you should not remember the same but if they will needs move the same unto you then you shall answer as followeth First in the paper intituled with the letter B. and brought to you by Monsieur Pinarts brother the 16. there are two doubts moved in the third Article beginning A este auxi and answer made though not satisfactory in the fourth beginning Sur le premier For the first we do not mislike but that one of the Confederates should be bound to defend the other being invaded although the other Prince may pretend that he hath been thereto provoked by the Prince invaded So as the provocation be not first given by any open War or Invasion made by the Prince that shall require aid for it is not consonant to reason that the one Prince Confederate should be aided by another where he himself that requireth the aid hath by his own Invasion of another Prince provoked himself to be invaded And if they shall not like of that exception where the Prince invaded gave occasion by former invasion then you shall accord to have the words general as have been in former Treaties And for this matter you may gather some light by the Treaty called L'Esclarissement of the peace made in An. 1545. in the exposition of the sixth and seventh Articles betwixt the Emperor Charls and the King our Father The second seemeth doubtfull to be answered that is considering the charges of the aid shall be born by the Prince requirant it may be permitted that the succours given may continue in the pursuit of the Invader out of the Country of the Prince invaded But therein it is reason that some time be thereunto limited that is by the space of 6 or 7 daies at the most to be out of the said Country or rather some distance of a league or two but if the Deputies there treating with you can be content to have the cause so conceived as the aid shall not exceed the limits of the Confederate Country you shall like it best And so you may let it alone in general words as heretofore the same hath been in former Treaties without raising up of such questions The fifth Article beginning Item à este en avant we think it reasonable that the Prince that shall defend the other may continue their treats which he hath with the Prince against whom the aid shall be given and suffer Traffique and Commerce for their Subjects mutually saving only it may be provided that he shall not suffer any Armor nor Munition of Warre or other like things to be carried out of his Countrey to the offence of the Prince whom he shall aid As to the last Clause of the Writing concerning Scotland we do not disallow of the Answer in the Margent made by you in Latin but yet our meaning is not to have any Article in the Treaty comprehending that matter In this sort we have thought meet to instruct you and considering the former Treaties betwixt us and the French King shall continue and be confirmed hereby we see no cause to remember you of the inserting of any other necessary Articles which have been heretofore comprised in former Treaties so as nevertheless it be provided by a special Article that by this Treaty nor by any part thereof any thing be derogatory to such other Treaties as we have and be now in force with any other Prince and namely with the King of Spain and as to the comprehension of any Princes according to the ancient manner of Treaties we would have you to enquire the intention of the French Kings Deputies whom they mean to comprehend and as near as you can to comprehend the same saving only the Bishop of Rome and that Sea and not forget the Emperor besides in person the Princes of the Empire and the Electors of the same and namely the Count and Countess of Embden and the Count and Sonetie of Hanze And if they will needs have mention made of Scotland we can be content that the same shall be if we will not accept the name of the King by the name Regnum Scotiae or Regnum status Scotiae we do for these purposes send
the same time were letters intercepted of the Queen of Scots to the Duke of Alva whereby she giveth her self her Realm and her Son to be in the proâ—ection and government of the King of Spain And with that the L. Seton who had been there and sithence with the Duke of Alva driven by a Tempest into a Haven which by the Conspirators was appointed where the Flemings and Spaniards should arrive disguising himself like a Mariner went from thence and came as I told your Majesty into Scotland and into the Castle of Edenborough with some other of the Queens Majesties Rebels his papers and instructions being â—ound declared that in her Majesties name he had assured the Duke of Alva that with a small power they might bring into their hands the yong King of Scots and so carry him into Spain Then giveth comfort to other of the Rebels by other letters that shortly they shal return into Scotland This Madam quoth I is enough to make the Queen our Mistris to awake and to look about her and even at that same time cometh Monsieur de Crocque with the Kings letters and requireth the Scotch Queen to be set at liberty and to be sent into France Madam quoth I I pray your Majestie consider of the case and imagine you were the Q. of England my Mistris and that all these things at one time came to your consideration what would you think Ah Monsieur L'Ambassador quoth she we did know then of no such intent of the Q. of Scots you may be sure we would be as loath that any such thing should be attempted and rather loather Madam quoth I I do not doubt considering this good amity which is so forward betwixt the two Realms Well saith she she is allyed to the King and to me and brought up here and we for our part could do no less then intreat for her what we could obtain at the Queen my sisters hands She seeketh another way to ruinate her self to hurt her friends to deserve no pity nor favor and sorry we must be for her and if she be so dangerous as it appeareth we cannot nor dare not require liberty for her which is so perilous to the Queen my sisters state yet if it shall please her for our sake to give her her life and for the rest provide for her own safety as reason is she shall do a deed of price and in this matter we will trouble the Q. your Mistris no furthâ—â— Then quoth I one other thing there is touching Monsieur de Crocque his power or Commission for so we call it is not large enough for he hath as he saith but Commission to move them to Peace and Agreement To the which now of late they of the Castle do shew themselvs very obstinate perverse and unreasonable by reason of some offers from the Duke of Alva and some hope peradventure received from hence For where before they were content to require the Queens Majesties aid to come to a good agreement with the adverse faction so that the surety of their Persons Lands Goods and Honors might be provided for now they be so puffed up that they will not come to any abstinence of Civil war amongst themselves And surely the Queen my Mistris meant no other then to have brought them into quietness among themselves To the intent that the Realm might after agreement within it self enter into this League with the other two Realms making as it were for defence one whole Realm and so I have always told you Madam It is so saith she and we desire no other Well Madam quoth I if you then will concur with us the matter will be soon at a point Then Monsieur Crocque must have a larger Commission then yet he hath for he saith he hath but as I said before a Commission to make them to accord amongst themselves to choose a number of men to govern the Realm and never make mention of King nor Queen Why saith Master Walsingham that were a headless Government and when will they agree to it he that knoweth that Nation will never think that will come to pass and therefore that should be to make more dissention amongst them not to make a Peace Madam quoth I that Commission hath no Order nor Authority but as is said to continue trouble But Madam as in all matters hitherto we have well agreed betwixt the two Realms of England and France I pray you let us agree in this And if we speak reasonable the King shall concur with us if not let us hear answer to the contrary and we will answer The Queen my Mistris hath propounded this that they shall all agree to acknowledge the young King for King For as the for Queen she hath good cause not to trust her nor you neither Then for compounding how one shall agree with th' other for their Lands Offices and Goods that to be agreed by the mediation of wise and indifferent men whereof your Ambassador be it Monsieur de Croque or any other to be an Umpire and whom the Q. my Mistris shall appoint to be another So that they shall well know that these two Crowns as friends will make them by perswasion to agree to reason if not to joyn together to make them take reason against their wills Ye say well Monsieur Amb. saith she and you speak roundly and plainly as you were wont to do and I will speak with the K. my son and you shall have answer Madam said Mr. Walsingham Monsieur Amb. saieth here plainly unto you Yea saith she so he is wont I know him well enough Yea saith he but while two shall be at strife if ye would set up again the Scotch Queen whom by reason the Queen our Mistres cannot abide if in the mean time a third should come and set foot in Scotland would it not trouble you and us also Yes saith she and we should be as loath to see that as you Well Madam quoth I then take heed of the pick-thank for he is ready I know whom you mean quoth she and he is ready indeed and loves to be medling in every place but I doubt not but the Queen your Mistris and we shall agree it is our desire and that this amity may increase to make us both strong for all that Coast I hope so quoth I and would be loath that all labour for so little a matter should be lost Lost saith she fear you not your Queen can desire no reasonable thing at our hands but we will agree to it you shall judge your self and to morrow you shall have answer God willing but hear you nothing else of the other matter Madam quoth I I know not what you mean but surely notâ—ing is spoken not so much as from Mr Killegrew nor of the league but we look every day that our Currior should be here and then we shall be able to inform your Majesty Ye shall not marvail saith she that I
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
in the writing as a thing confessed both by the King here and the Q. Maj. they would have the rehersal made as of her Majesties relation and yet the thing done as her Highness requireth as you see in the Treaty These things when they come to conclusion your wisdom knoweth be not to be sticked upon so that the Q. Mother with her Honor hath done all that is desired of her Highness And as I hope and trust the best League that ever was made with France or any other Nation for her Majesties surety As yet we have not signed the Treaty but to morrow or the next day we shall have There hath been such variance betwixt us for some words and somewhat for slowness of Writers Thus in few words you have the reasons of our variances and agreements so that with the said and other which your Lordship can adjoyn all doubts and objections if any may be answered And so I commit your Lordship to almighty God from Blois April 17. 1571. To my Lord Burleigh MY very good Lord After the dispatch of our Post this here inclosed was brought to us to look upon to know what we thought upon it we answered for us we could not judge but her Majestie had well considered of it and we doubt not will either signe to the like as it is or with some other amendment but because the League is concluded and signed we have no more to do Dâ— Florence brought it and was content to leave it with us the which we thought convenient to take of him and send it your Lordship by Cavalcant somevvhat to consider of it before for their Ambassador shall present it to the Q. Majestie to have the like of her Highness Mr. Cavalcant also doth partly understand the reason of it vvhich is to satisfie such as would be glad to find any cavellation to mislike the League And therefore for our part vve vvish that her Majestie should condiscend to so much as conveniently her Highness may do because the King here dealeth so frankly and roundly vvith her Majestie And straightly after that I had written so farr came Monsieur brother and brought us a copy of a League in French and also of the reciproque Letters for the explication of the general words thereof to be understood also in matter of Religion This League in French serveth for three purpose the one the King here understands French and not Latine the other for the aid of horsemen and footmen The Latine at this day is forced to signifie the manner as it is now differing although it be the manner of the Romans the French is proper to the orders of the War at this day which be better known by that Language now then by Latine Now you having both the one may serve for the interpretation of the other although the very League is that which is in Latine and signed with â—ll our hands and Seals Thus I commit your Lordship to Almighty God From Blois April 22. at night To my Lord of Burleigh MY very good Lord I most heartily thank you for your Leters of the 28 of April wherin I greatly rejoyc'd that du Crocque is sent at the last into Scotland the staying of him was not well taken here for it bred some suspicion as of no plain dealing and the King here meaning surely for any thing I can yet perceive nothing but sincerity and plain and faithful dealing towards her Maj. is again for his part suspicious but I wil not swear for his Councel within these three daies there was a Letter of du Crocques to the King sent from the Court hither to Mr. de Montmorency and du Foix who sent to us immediately du Florence complaining very much that du Crocque had written to the King that he was in despair of his going into Scotland he thought verily the Q. would not let him go This thing somewhat amazed us both but so soon as we received your Letters which was yesterday the 8 of May and with them a Letter of Iohn Woods that du Crocque went into Scoland in May we went streight to visit the Marshal and du Foix imparted to them the news we knew and especially that du Crocque was gon we shewed them also the Articles propounded by her Maj. and their answers of the Castle wherein they might understand how sincerely the Q. Maj. meant Before du Crocque came they all liked very well yea and also that de la Mott and du Crocque did accept instead of that 5 Article and they doubted not both the Princes once binding themselves together to set a quiet in that Realm both the parties must needs content themselves to yield to reason And if the young King be established there as I have often written the K. here and the wiser of his Councel do desire no other Marry he must not seem to be the doer of it nor the condemner of her cause As for those Articles neither I nor 〈◊〉 Walsingham as we told plainly and I am sure Mr. du Foix will say as much in England did neither allow nor disallow for we had no Commission as we said and because it was referred to her Maj. we could not but leave them whole and intire for her Highness to judge upon I marvel my L. Admiral is so long before he set forward Marshal Montmorency and du Foix and all that should go with them be ready and attend only to hear when my L. Admiral doth set forward A man would marvel what a number of great persons both of the long and short Robe do desire to go with the Marshal and to see England and what shift he is fain to make to cut off his train and shake them off that desire to go let he should have too many he is surely a great Prince here marvelous wel belov'd and one that loves the Q. Maj. and our Nation as much as any Noble man in France I hope the Q. Maj. will give him the Order at his being there that he may follow his father therein he will esteem it much and I know not how it cometh to pass here is a rumor already spread that he amongst others was elected on S. Georges day and your Lordship also whereof I pray God give unto you long joy and many years to wear that Order I am glad the Treaty is liked Now it cannot be said her Maj. is altogether alone having so good a defence of so noble couragious and so faithfull a Prince of his word and so near a neighbour provided for and bespoken before hand against any need partly that and partly the trouble in Flanders which I trust God hath provided to deliver his poor servants there from the Antichristian Tyranny shall make her Highness enjoy more quietly both England and Ireland and a better neighbor of Scotland Thus I commit your Lordship to Almighty God Paris May 7. 1571. To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the
potentissimum principem fratrem nostrum charissimum Gallorum regem residenti salutem Cum in tractatu qui inter Legatos nostros ad praedictam Principem missos ejusque serenissimi Regis Deputatos intercedit de amicitia pace renovanda augenda quae inter praedictum regem nos nostraque regna dominia subditos existit certi articuli de mercatorum nostrorum hinc inde comerciis negotiatione propositi fuerint de quibus propemodum quidem inter utrumque convenit nisi quod ante praefatam rei consummationem necessarium sit quosdam tà m à nostro quà m à praedicti regis parte constitui qui cum mercatorum prudentium consilio deliberent sintne illi articuli satìs ad rem aptè amplè compositi an vero alios quosdam immitores adjici expediat quibus commercii negotiorum ratio commodius regi exerceri possit Nos igitur de homine ad hanc rem idoneo cogitantes deque tua prudentia virtute industria in res nostras fide confidentes mandatorum procuratorum seu deputatum nostruÌ„ creamus constituimus per praesentes ut cum consilio principalium nostrorum si qui in illis partibus fuerit cum Regis praedict deputatis agas tractes unaque cum illis ea consideres statuas quae ad coâ—tinuendam augendam commercii intercessus necessitudinium necessaria vidâ—buntur Itemque de mertium vectigalibus tributis porteriis impositionibus iisque conditionibus quae ad mercatorum comertii libertatem securitatem pertinebunt rationes ineas Deque iis omnibus nos certiores facias ut re prope inspecta considerata quod é re fuerit decernamus concludamus quod ipsum simile à dict ' regis Legato hic fiet qui simile vicissim ab ipso rege mandatum habiturus est Et generaliter ut ea omnia tractes facias quae ad hanc rem necessaria erunt in tam amplis modo forma ac si in singulis magis speciale Mandatum haberes In cujus rei testimonium has litteras patentes â—ieri sigilli nostri impressione communi missimus Dat. in Regia nostra sancti Jacobi die mensis Maii Anno Dom. 1572. Regni vero nostri 14. Instructions given to the Earl of Lincoln Lord Admiral of England and one of the Lords of her Majesties privy Councel appointed by her Majestie to repair to the French King in Ambassage and at his arrival at Paris or elsewhere to be assisted for the execution of the matter underwritten with Sir Th Smith Chancellor of the Order and Fr. Walsingham Ambassador resident for her Majesty with the French King at St. Iames May 25. 1572. THe said L. Admiral shal have with him both Commission under the great Seal of England authorizing him and S. Th. Smith and Fr. Walsingham and Letters also to require the French K. to confirm the last treaty concluded at Blois by his oath whereupon he shall proceed first after his access to the K. obtaining by the Ambass resident for the demand of the said oath as is meet for the honor of the League of amity now concluded between their Maj. using therein all good speeches to assure him that according to such express words as are contained in the same Treaty for a mutual love and amity to be hereafter used and maintained between them her Maj. is fully bent in her heart to maintain the same on her part the rather because she doth assuredly hope that the K. wil do the like whereof his Maj. by his Ambass that he hath sent in the time of the late Treaty and negotiation of the same shewed many manifest arguments of his own special favourable directions of matters at sundry times resting in doubt between her Commissioners and his Maj. to more reasonable ends as appeared then otherwise would have 〈◊〉 ordered by his Ministers And so the L. Admiral having in this manner assured the K. of her Maj. ful and resolute determination to imbrace and hold fast this mutual amity he shal say that his coming thither is to visit the K. on her Maj. behalf and to attend upon his leasure and best oportunity to be present and to receive the K. oath to be made for ratifying of the said Treaty according to a clause in the said Treaty for that purpose And when the K. shal have accorded thereunto the said L. Admiral shal before hand percase by som privat conference had with some of the Secretaries of the State how and in what sort the ceremonies therof shall be observed so as the proceeding may be at the time at the solemnity thereof without any alteration And for the better proceeding herein the Lord Admiral shall have with him both Articles of the Treaties requiring the said oath and the manner form of like oath given by the said K. heretofore in like cases And the instrument also to be demanded in writing for testimony of the said oath with such other things as are thereto requisite so as the like manner may be used as near as may be agreeable to former usages and that there be with him present to assist him S. Th. Smith and the Ambass resident if they may be there to help And as for the place where the said oath should be given the said L. Admiral shal not refuse any that the K. shal appoint foreseeing only that he be not by reason thereof compelled to be present at any Mass to be said for the purpose but if it be in Church or Chappel he shal not refuse to require to take it in the same Furthermore although there is no other cause special of the sending of the L. Admiral at this time to the said K but to require his oath yet for that there may be many occasions offered of speeches in the matters where it shal be looked for that the said L. Admiral should answer the said K. to his satisfaction Therfore he wil in these things following accommodate himself as hereafter is mentioned wherein the said L. Admiral shal as occasion shall serve take the help of Sir Th. Smith who is also herein well acquainted In the matter of Scotland although the said L. Admiral be privy in what sort her Maj. hath hitherto proceeded so as he may by consideration thereof conjecture what is likely further to be her Maj. meaning yet to make her case the more plain he may wel hold opinion tht her Maj. meaneth not any thing more then that the Realm of Scotland may be brought to quietness and remain free from any invasion of any stranger wherby the liberty of that Crown and Nation should be impaired And he may wel remember of his own knowledge how often times since the Scotch Q. coming into our Realm we have bin wel disposed to have obtained an accord betwixt her and her Subjects but always when we were most earnest to have done her pleasure therein she
was most ready to practice against us as it seemeth not satisfied with the recovery of her own Country without the practice also she might have ours as by most manifest proofs the said L Admiral and Sir Th. Smith also can avow to be ready to be shewed whereupon her Maj. hath been forced for her safety and weal of her Realm to take another course And therfore as for the government of that Crown and Nation her Maj. finding it certain that the 3 Estates of the same did in ful Parlament accept the Q. of Scots division of her Crown to her son and that thereby he was Crowned and invested according to the ancient Laws of that Realm and that he is so acknowledged by the said Estates and the whole people a very few persons for their particular quarrels excepted her Maj. finding in her such dangerous ingratitude meaning in her self not to direct any other orders in the said Realm then she findeth by her own Law having also so good and just occasion to detain the said Q. as she doth Upon these considerations she hath indeed concluded and meaneth hereafter to continue her favour towards that K the nearest kinsman she hath and in profession correspondent to all such as have acknowledged his authority and so shal therein continue wherupon the said L Admiral who is wel acquainted with this cause shal also say to the K. that if it please him to do the like for the K. he shal best thereby recover a common peace to that Land and the attempt of such as seek to withdraw that Nation from the ancient amity that hath been and yet continueth betwixt the Realm and the said K. Crown shal thereby be made frustrate and as occasion shal serve to this purpose the L. Admiral may truly inform the King how the Q. of Scots of late time both by sundry her own Letters to the D of Alva and by her Ministers to the K. of Spain laboured to intice the said K. of Spain to attempt the same with plain assurance that she will not in any wise depend upon the French K. but hath wholly given her self her son and Realm so far forth as she can to the said K. of Spain and to that end hath done her utmost to move the said K. to send forces into England to joyn with such as she promiseth shall be ayding thereunto surprize her son and to carry him into Spain by sea according thereunto the D. of Alva hath sent several men to peruse the ports in Scotland for that interprize Of these and such like things the said L Admiral can and shal of his own knowledg inform the said K. and thereby move him not to be abused by any her other offers to him to the contrary thereof and shall plainly let him to understand except he shall take this plain way to restore that Realm to a common peace the said Q. will do her utmost to make it a prey to others As for the person of the said Q. of Scots he may declare how well she is treated for her diet and other things meet for her health howsoever the contrary may be reported so she may at her pleasure take the air on horseback so she doth in company of the E. of Shrewsbury for her diet it is such as her own Ministers do and will prepare without respect of charge only it is prohibited that no strangers shall have liberty to come to her to practise with them as she hath long time used and yet it is found daily that she doth not cease by letters and messages to solicite all manner for things for her purpose as by the interception now and then by her letters and messages is to be seen amongst which are found these her continual labours to procure her son to be stollen taken away into Spain besides the continuance of her former dangerous practises attempted against the Q. Maj. and her Realm And howsoever the Q. Maj. hath used a notable clemency and remisness towards her in not using such revenge hereof as she well might and she thinketh no other Prince would in like case forbear yet the said L. Admiral shal shew to the K. with great earnestness her Estates now assembled in Parliament have and do solicite her Maj. both in respect of her Maj. and the whole Realm to proceed against the Scotish Q. by order of justice for her attempts against her Maj. person the state of the Realm wherein her Maj. is so perplexed with the incessant clamor and request of her people in this behalf as indeed she is marvelously therewith troubled for as of her own nature her Maj. hath bin always found even in her own most private causes and where her person hath been in danger not given to shew any vehemency or to pursue avenge so to refuse the universal motion the general advice exhortation of her States she thinketh it no smal hazard of their love which they bear towards her what may happen hereof the L. Adm. may say is doubtful And to the intent the L. Admiral may in this cause of the Q. of Scots particularly shew how contrary to all deserts of gratitude and favor meant towards the said Q. by the Q. Maj. she hath been by her not onely ungratefully but also most dangerously dealt withal and thereby as it were by extremity of her malice intended against the Q. Maj. she hath been forced to change her course and regard her own safety The said L. Admiral may cal both to his remembrance and conference Sir Tho Smith of these things and their circumstances that is first of her secret seeking of the marriage with the D. of Norfolk without her Maj. knowledg at that time that her Maj. was travelling to compound her causes with her subjects and after that her Maj. had imprisoned the said D. for that attempt that her practises in the same were discovered and therewith not unknown to her Maj. what comfort she had given to her Maj. subjects to enter into rebellion as they did being subdued and forced to fly were openly maintained in Scotland by the Scotish Q. means It is yet notorious how her Majestie by sundry solicitations partly of her self and partly of the French King and his Ministers was content as it were to bury the former notable injuries and did newly eâ—ter most earnestly to treat with her subjects for restitution left no good means unassayed neither by request nor threatnings to move them to accept her Maj. earnestness then which the Nobilitie of Scotland professing obedience to the King her Son that her Majestie plainly charged them that if they would not condescend to her motions for her she would utterly abandon them and rather be a party against them Whereupon they were entred into such hard terms as they answered that they would so persist in their obedience to their King as they would venture their lives in the quarrel And yet finally by some
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
move them that so bear her Majestie in hand and so to think having no other ground thereof but such vain conjectures Thus having made answer to such things as by you were propounded on her Majesties behalf I most humble take my leave At Paris the thirteenth of Iuly 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Lordship by this inclosed Letter sent from Ennius the Count Palatines chief Counsellour unto Dr. Innius which I had Commission to open as also another sent unto him from the Count himself may perceive how the Prince of Orange proceedeth in his doings as also that the Forces of the Duke of Alva so much talked of are not in so much readiness as was spoken of I do much marvel that the Duke of Holst being her Majesties Pensioner and knowing in what doubtful terms her Majestie stood with the King of Spain will in any way yield to serve the Duke of Alva I hope your Lordship will deal earnestly with her Majestie for redress thereof the rather for that it is conceived that the said Duke will have some occasion to deny the same The sight of the said inclosed Letter which I send unto your Lordship to communicate with her Majestie hath given them here no small incouragement to proceed in yielding assistance as they made underhand The stay of their lingering in that behalf proceeded for that they wished Don Iohnd ' Austria on his way towards Morsa before they made any great demonstration to be any dealers in the said enterprize For the help and better disguising of this matter there was proclamation made for revoking such of the Kings Subjects as were already at Montz as also inhibition for any other to repair thither upon forfeiture of life lands and goods and another Edict also was published to prohibite the Kings subjects not to buy such goods as lately were taken by them of Flushing The King is so far forward in this matter that no disguising will serve neither her Majestie in policy considering underhand those that are gone to Flushing may suffer the cause to be abandoned especially for that her Majestie lately to the grief of as many as love her both at home and abroad hath forborn the necessary use of the remedy offered to bridle the Queen of Scots practises which received there from Spain 13 in talk with me about this matter shewed me that he hath declared his opinion since his return that it behoveth both his Honour and the Queen my Mistris to consult joyntly in the maintenance of the Prince of Oranges enterprize for that otherwise he saw many reasons to induce him to think that it would be dangerous to them both specially for her Mejestie considering the practises that raign in her Countrey And so ceasing to trouble your Lordship any further at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the thirteenth of Iuly 1572. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester SInce I last wrote unto your Lordship there arrived here a Gentleman sent hither from the Prince of Orange who brought word that the eight of this present the said Prince passed the River of Rhine with seven thousand horse and fifty Ensigns of footmen and that about the fifteenth or sixteenth of the same he was to pass the River of Mose at a Town called Ruremond which Town together with another called Venlo is at his devotion It is thought that he will march toward Holland there to receive money for the payment of Reysters as also to plant Garisons in such Towns as are revolted unto him There arrived of late here a Gentleman that is come from Constantinople from the Kings Ambassador there who reporteth that the preparations that the Turk maketh for the next year by sea are very great that he promiseth this King of money if he will break with Spain that he is content that the King shall be a mean to accord the difference betwixt him and the Venetians Other particularities he brings but these be those of most importance The Venetians as I hear do find themselves agrieved with the King of Spains dealing towards them therefore it is thought that they will grow to accord with the Turk especially upon the evil success that lately they have had at the siege of Caselnuovo They write from Antwerp that Chiapina Vitelli should be hurt with a Harquebush in winning of Moniz and that he is in peril of his life For Italian news I refer your Honor to these inclosed Occurrents And so I leave further to trouble you most humbly taking my leave At Paris the eighteenth of Iuly 1572. 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 the eighth of this moneth the Prince of Orange passed the River of Rhine at a place beneath Cullen called Asburgh and that about the fifteenth or sixteenth he determined to pass the River of Mose at a place called Ruremond which Town with another called Venlo scituate upon the said River is at his devotion This news is brought to this Court by a Gentleman sent hither by the Prince himself His Army consisteth of seven thousand horse and fifty Ensigns of footmen It is thought they will march towards Holland with intention to plant Garisons in such Towns as are revolted to him as also to receive money there towards the payment of his Army It is thought here for certain that Ianlis hath either fought or is arrived in safety at Montz Upon advertisement come lately out of Italy that Don Iohn d' Austria is not yet departed they make fair weather with the Ambassador of Spain who in outward shew doth bear them in hand he believeth all they say There is great suspicion that Florence 4 is underhand enemy to these wars but dare not shew for fear of A. who doth very much affect it otherwise all had quailed long sithence Rome 3 is not free from suspicion There is lately arrived a Gentleman sent hither from the King Ambassador at Constantinople who giveth to his very friends these particularities First that the Turk maketh great preparations by Sea for the next year greater then any of his Predecessors ever made That he offereth the King here great sums of money to break with Spain That he remitteth unto the Kings hands the according of the difference between him and the Venetians Other particularities he giveth out but these are of greatest weight As I learn the Venetians are so weary of Spains promises as they will not be loth to agree upon any hard conditions From Antwerp they write that Chiapini Vitelli in viewing Montz hath received an Harquebush shot and is in danger of his life The Ambassador of Florence doth what he can to excuse the loan of W m unto the Duke of
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
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
Maritine parts which are next us if you have any certainties you shall do well from time to time to signifie unto us and we will concord with you for the requital Fare you well From St. Albons July 27. 1572. The Scots begin now somewhat to incline to an abstinence of War among themselves and to remit the matter to both the Princes of England and France Sâ—th the writing of this Letter Mr Holingshead came to the Court even at the closing thereof and brought me a Letter from you of the 18 of July and certain Edicts for the which I thank you Your Lordships alwaies assured Th. Smith To the right Honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary IT may please you to advertise her Majestie that according to the direction of her Letters of the 23 of July I imparted unto M. Montmorency her Majesties resolution touching the offer propounded by him and du Foix I made him also acquainted with the Contents of her Majesties Letters of the 27. touching the interview for the better satisfying of the opinions of either party To the firstâ— he said he was sorry that the resolution fell out to be such considering how necessary it was the state of the time considered to have some sound amity and perfect intelligence between the two Crowns which could no way have so well come to pass as by the acceptation of the alliance offered and as saith he I am generally sorry for it so particularly in respect of the good will I bear towards her Majestie whom I see in great peril without this help To the second he said That though Monsieur le Duc was well inclined thereto yet in respect of the danger that commonly ensueth by enterviews he could in no respect give his consent and advice unless he were assured that there might grow a liking Hereupon I desired him that he would so deal with the King and his Mother and that this her Majesties resolution might be by their Majesties accepted in good part wherein he promised to do his endeavour After conference had with him I procured audience the next day thinking it expedient to let him have a daies respit to deal with their Majesties to frame their minds to the well interpreting of her Majesties resolution The next day repairing to the Court and finding the King occupied at the appointed hour of my access I began with the Queen Mother and first shewed her according to the Contents of the first Letter what was her Majesties resolution concerning the offer propounded by the M. Mount and the du de Foix on their behalf To the which she answered That she could not but be sorry for the same for that she saw it the only means to establish a perfect amity between the two Crowns Notwithstanding saith she that the same will not take place the King my Son is determined in any case to continue good amity with the Queen your Mistress Then I proceeded to the Contents of the second Letter and shewed her that her Majestie upon the receit of certain Letters from the King her self and Duc de Anjou Seeing their great and earnest desire of the proceeding of this match had enlarged her answer moved thereto by an earnest and sincere good will to shew her self answerable to their earnest dealing And therefore willed me to tell their Majesties that in her opinion the principal impediments consisted in the difference of their ages and the cause of Religion for the latter her Majestie hoped that the same might be so accorded as might be to the satisfaction of both parties For the first For as much as the difficulty might seem rather to consist in opinion then substance her Majestie desireth them to consider in Marriages a satisfaction of the opinions of the parties that were to match was most necessary and requisite and that therefore seeing that there could grow no satisfaction that way but by an enterview her Majestie could yield thereto if they should so like of it To this she answered That if she were assured that upon the enterview there might grow a liking she would most willingly give her consent but for as much as experience taught that of the meeting of Princes there followeth rather miscontentment then good liking she should not in respect of the danger therof yield her consent for that she would be loath and the King her Sonne and she desiring nothing more then good amity with her that there should fall out any occasion of miscontentment In the end after long speech had of great desire she had of this match and of the great good will and love the Duke beareth to her Majestie she concludeth that she hoped in time considering how necessary it was for her to marry as well for her own safety as for the benefit of her Subjects that God would so dispose her heart as she should prefer publique before private Affairs This in effect is the sum of that which passed from her at that time and so departing from her to the King I used the like speech unto him as before unto her at whose hands I received like answer which I suppose proceeded upon conference with the M. before hand and therefore they according in speech I forbare to make double repetition Touching their proceedings herein Flanders matters it may please you to advertise her Majestie That â—pon advertisement from thence that her Majestie meant to revoke such of her Subjects as presently are in Flanders The King here through the perswasion of his Mother advised thereto by such as incline to Spain is disswaded from overt dealing in that cause who before was very resolute in the matter But now for as much as it is here conceived that without her Majesties assistance he shall not be able to bear the brunt of so puissant an enemy The matter remaineth in suspence as yet what will be done Commonly it is given out the King will not meddle Such as do wish well unto her Majesty and are of the best judgment to see how much it importeth her repose the good or ill successe of that poor Prince do hope that the advertisement of the revocation is false her Majesty having so lately discovered the King of Spains malice towards her and therefore do think her inclined in policie rather to assist then discourage They say that nothing can more hinder the poor Princes enterprise then the said Revocation upon his first entry into the Country for that the people who were otherwise well inclined towards him and are fearfull of nature will thereby grow more fearfull and so forbear to do that that may further the enterprise because I know not her Majesties intention in this case I forbear to affirm or deny any thing in this behalf For my own private opinion having been acquainted with the malice of the Spaniards I cannot as duty bindeth me but wish him further removed in neighbourhood from her Majesty I pray God therefore to direct her Majesties
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
to shew unto her Majestie Duke d' Alanson who was there present desired me to present unto her Majestie his most humble and affectionate commendations and to shew her that so great was the honour that she did unto his servant la Mote as he desired nothing more then to have occasion to shew himself thankful by doing her service and that therefore it would please her to make account of him as of one that is wholly hers In this time of trouble he hath often sent unto me and offered me some of his guard for my surety La Motte shewed himself most thankful for the honour he hath received and every man maketh most honourable report of her Majestie wherefore she may think the good usage of him very well imployed on him The Lord Levingston and divers other Scotish Gentlemen who see here no way to enjoy the liberty of their conscience do desire passport wherein I mean to use less difficulty then heretofore I have done for that they seem upon the last accident to desire most perfect Amity between the two Crowns of England and Scotland in respect of the common cause of Religion I suppose passing by that way and receiving good entertainment at her Majesties hands they will rather do good then harm at home by making them in the Countrey understand what had passed here and the danger that is like to follow without perfect union between the said Crowns Some of the wisest sort of them here that before were enemies and now are become friends do wish that her Majestie sought to make some reconciliation between the Earl Morton and the Lord Lidington and that her Majestie by some pension did make both him and others assured to her They think that her Majestie by so doing in disbursing of two or three thousand pounds a year may save the disbursing of many thousands besides the avoiding of many dangerous practises that are like to grow that way This device might seem to savour of the particular benefit were not the circumstances of the present time reasonable for the same The Ambassador of Scotland telleth such of his Nation as are here that the Kings meaning is to make as great account of them as ever he did That those of the guard for their better entertainment shall have a Captain of their own Nation and further that the Kings meaning is to erect again certain men of Arms under the conduct of some Nobleman of that Nation I leave to her Majestie to consider what this courtesie to that Nation meaneth Sir I beseech you to move her Majestie that for the time that I shall remain here which I hope shall not be long I may hear often from her whereby I may the better know how to direct my course This inclosed Letter of Montmorency was sent me from Secretary Pynart whereby it may appear that he was procured to write to their Majesties And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this Present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fourteenth of September Your Honours to command F. Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr it may please you to advertise her Majestie That of late the King here was advertised from his Ambassador Resident in Flanders how that the ninth of this moneth the Prince of Orange approaching near unto Montz and being fully resolved to fight with his enemy commanded forth of his Army four hundred footmeen and five hundred light horsemen the Prince himself and the rest of his Army following them somewhat afar off in very good order On the righr hand of his Battaile there stood a mill where he planted six pieces of Artillery as well to defend himself as to offend his enemy with more advantage The Duke of Alva likewise sent out against the Prince five hundred Spaniards Harquebushiers and six hundred light horsemen with Harquebushiers a Crock on the right hand of them he set two thousand Rutters and on the left wing as many In this sort they came at length to hand strokes the fight dured a long time to wit from twelve of the clock at noon to six of the clock at night but in the end by means of the Prince of Oranges Artillery the Duke of Alva's horsemen were put in so great disorder as they were constrained to retire themselves into their Tents not without great loss The number of them that were slain is not yet certainly known although it is reported that the Duke hath lost above three thousand men This victory is thought to proceed of 250 horsemen who issued forth of Montz during the Conflict and set upon the tail of the Duke Alva's Army who also afterwards joyned with the Prince of Orang◠Thus much I thought good to write to the end her Majestie may understand how things pass in Flanders Touching the state of this Countrey there is nothing meant but extremity towards those of the Religion On Sunday last which was the fourteenth of this moneth the young Princess of Conde was constrained to go to Mass being threatned otherwise to go to prison and so consequently to be made away The Prince of Conde hath also yielded to hear Mass upon Sunday next being otherwise threatned to go to the Bastile where he is not like long to serve The Friday before Queen Mother told me that no bodies conscience for saith she here is the King of Navarre the Prince of Conde and divers others in this Court that live with liberty of conscience and so shall continue notwithstanding saith she that the King could be content and could wish that they were all converted and become Catholiques And I do perceive that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and therefore I hope her Majestie will stand upon her guard and strengthen her self with the Amity of the Protestant Princes of Germany who as I hear are awake and marvellously stomach this late cruelty and do think that the danger thereof will reach to themselves if they do not seek to prevent it I hope also her Majestie will establish things in such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and wil not suffer her to be abused with her fair speech having had so late experience of her faithless dealing when the King is once possessed of Rochel which he hopeth to have shortly Strozzees voyage is then directly to Scotland All the Hugonote lands which will amount to many millions shall be sold and imployed in the Conquest of Countreys which I hope in God will prove an account without the host if God do not blinde the eyes of the Princes of the Religigion who joyning together shall be able to make their parts good against any of those that shall have will to do them harm One Roulart a Catholique and Canon of Nostre Dame and also a Counsellour in the Parliament uttering certain speeches in misliking this lawless kind of proceeding without justice was apprehended and committed to prison and in prison murthered
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
Queen Mother and others there for it is not certain how far she and others have entred into the matter not with what honor they are carried But according as you shall see meet you may impart unto her how greatly hâ—â— Majestie is perplexed herein what to think and what assurance to make of the things intended in this late amity And you may also say unto her that the Queens Majestie cannot enough maâ—vel that she being of such wisdom as she is and having such experience as she had of the extreme hatred of the factions there against the Admiral did not aâ—â—he first take order that the informations should be examined and the Admiral and others of his party suspected charged tryed and so by order of justice proâ—eeded which had been honorable to the King and good in the sight of God and so either the guilty had duly suffered â—r the innocent blood hâ—d been saved You shall also procure some good assurance from them such as may â—e had for the safety of the English Merchants now repairing to the Vintage aâ—d therefore procure that some order may be given from the K. both to the town of Burdeaux to the Governor there and to Strâ—zzi and to the Conductors of his Army And for your self it is her Majesties desire that you were here from thâ—t place and so her meaning is to devise for your revocation but presently it cannot without some note of the breach of amity be done Nevertheless you may do well not only to keep your home as you are desirous but to carry you both to the K. Q. Mother by way of complaint shew your unwillingness to â—arry and your 〈◊〉 to be â—â—voked thence for your surety Where we understand that the English Gentlemen that were in Paris at the time of the execution of the murther were forced to retire to your house where they did wisely for your care of them we and their friends are beholding to you and now we think good that they be advised to return home and namely we desire you to procure for the Lord Wharton and Mr. Philip Sidney the Kings license and safe conduct to come thence and so we do require you to give them true knowledge of our minds herein And if her Majestie could think that the French King would be content that you might come home with pretence to be absent from thence whilst this Realâ— were in more quietness and so to leave a Secretary there and to return again to your charge she is well content you shall so do And therein you may do will to assay the Kings minde and to advertise hither Fare you heartily well From Woodstock the ninth of September Your loving Friends William Burleigh Ro Lecester F. Knowles T. Smith Iames Croft To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majestes Ambassador Resident in France SIr I see the Devil is suffered by the Almighty God for our sins to be strong in following the persecution of Christs members and therefore we are not onely vigilant of our own defence against such trayterous attempts as lately have been put in ure there in France but also to call our selves to repentance Of the Queens Majesties answer to this Ambassador I have at good length comprized the same in writing which cometh now unto you signed by the Councel which you are to use according as the time shall teach you For although the Ambassador hath seemed to gain so much credit with her Majestie as she thinketh that the King is not guilty of the murthers otherwise then he reporteth And further that although the Ambassador saith that the King willed him to assure her Majestie that the Navy prepared by Strozzi should not any ways endamage her Majestie we have great cause in these times to doubt all fair speeches and therefore we do presently put all the Sea-coasts in defence and mean to send the Queens Majesties Navy to the Seas with speed and so to continue until we see further whereunto to trust I pray you do your best to discover the intention of that Navy and let us now frequently hear from you as you may and if I could have had my mind you had been presently revoked and onely a Secretary lefâ— there I desire to have knowledge oâ— as many of the Principals as were slain and what Protestants did escape We are much perplexed with varity of reports and your Letters or Messengers with credit may much please us here Pynassy hath been here and is not yet departed we had desire rather to hasten my brother Killegrew who departed hence towards Scotland on Sunday last to supply Drewries room with le Crocque because my Lord of Hunsdon is here and therefore M. Drewry cannot be spared from Berwick The whole Councel shal be here by to morrow but beforehand we that are here wil not be idle I cannot speak for my self to give order to the Realm God keep you and comfort his afflicted Church We know not but the Prince of Orange is much stronger then the two Dukes and that Macklin by him hath been taken the 29 of the last and great likelihood is that Antwerp shall yield Our men in Flushing agree not well with the French but now we think upon this misery their French will not â—e so lordly From Woodstock the ninetâ—enth of September 1572. Your assured loving Friend William Burleigh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassadâ—r for the Queens Majestie in France SIr yesternight after your servant was departed Faunt and my Cousin came hither and although I had before moved her Majestie that she would require you to return yet I could not then obtain it as I did this morning And so now I have obtained a Letter from her Majestie to the French King which Master Secretary sendeth you as by his Letter you may perceive From Woodstock the twelfth of September 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassadâ—r Resident for her Majestie in France THe lamentable Tragedy that hath been there used of late doth make all Christians look for a just revenge again at Gods hands as it hath pleased him to fear us and so pinch us in the mean time with the scourge of correction by the sufferance of his people thus to be murthered but our sins deserve this and more but I trnst he will hold his holy hand over us not to reward us altogether as we deserve but somewhat in his correction comfort us that we may see as well the fall of his and our enemies as the blood of his Saints to be so innocently spilt even for his mercies let him turn it ten fold upon their heads that they triumph not over much to the utter hearts grief of his poor flock If that King be Author and doer of this Act shame and confusion light upon him be he never so strong in the sight of men the Lord hath not his power for nought if he be not the
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
do the like to her power To the third her Majestie would that the King should â—nderstâ—â—d that she did in the motion of the marriage before this latâ— accident of the Admirals death plainly proceed with the Ambassador and with la Mot so she must plainly deal with the King That this acâ—ident of murthering the Admiral and of so general a slaughter of them of the Religion there hath made such alteration in her Majestie and hath moved such doubts in her minde how to interpret of the offers of this marriage and of this enterview by coming of the Queen Mother with her son as her Majestie cannot but suspend her resolution therein until she may understand some further answer to things which the Ambassador had in charge to deal with the King particularly to understand his mind of which her Majestie as yet had received no answer from her Ambassador nor any signification that he hath as yet had speech with the King thereof And besides that as to his last offer of the Queen Mother to come into any part of the Realm with Monsieur d'Alanson her Majestie cannot but interpret the offer very thankfully though she had not received from her Ambassador the Queen Mothers meaning to be such for her words to him were not further but that she would be content to comâ— with her son to Bulloign or to Callis and that she desired that the Queens Majestie would come to Dâ—ver and so then there might be an enterview and communication upon the Sea betwixt Dover and Calais or Bulloign a matter that seemed surely very strange to her Majestie and seeing that her Ambassador had no such offer made for her coming aland within the Realm as the French Ambassador offereth her Majestie meaneth therein to be better advertised by her own Ambassador who shall have charge therein to understand her mind and the Kings And upon knowledge thereof her Majestie will grow to a further resolution to the which it will be a great furtherance if the proof were verified as is said of the just causes given by the Admiral and his Complices for the execution of them And that his further proceedings with the observation of his Edicts for the cause of religion might more clearly appear to her Highness wherby her Majestie shall have good cause to see what is meet for her to do in the further proceeding both for the enterview and for the marriage In both which her Majestie shall be very glad to understand that she may have the same likelihood of the good to follow to her self and Coâ—ntrey for continuance of the amity that was propounded unto her when it was last renewed at la Mots before the death of the Admiral And her Majestie assureth the King that on her part she meaneth to observe the Amity by all good means as shall be to her possible and shall be very glad to find the like answeâ—able on his part and therewith doth presently require the King to give her to understand what his meaning may be in the keeping of so great a Navy and Army nâ—ar Burdeaux and Rochel under the rule of Strozzi which is an occasion why her Subjects and Merchants who were wont all the year and specially about this time to traffique that way for wines and other things be now put in doubt and great feaâ— and dare not adventure according to the assured amity betwixt the two Realms and the rather because now of late divers of her Merchants have been spoiled about Rochel and Burdeaux by those of Strozzies band not onely of victual and munition but also of money and merchandizes and some of them also of their lives To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr although I suppose you are now on your way hitherwards for by Walter Williams I sent you her Majesties Letters for license of your return for a time yet if my Lettâ—rs can find you there or by the way I would not have you ignorant of that which I can shew you I know by self how Ambassadors be to know what is done in their own Countrey The cruel murthers at Roan is now long ago written unto us when we thought all had been done and by the same letters was written unto us that Diepe was kept close and the same execution of the true Christians looked for there but as then not executed howbeit Sigoigne did warrant all our Englishmen to be out of danger and not to be afraid But what warrant can the French make now Seals and Words of Princes being traps to catch innocents and bring them to the Butchery If the Admiral and all those murthered on that bloody Bartholomew day were guilty why were they not apprehended imprisoned interrogated and judged but so much made of as might be with-in two hours of the assumation is that the manner to handle men either culpable or suspected so is the Journeyer slain by the Robber so is the Hen of the Fox so the Hinde of the Lyon so Abel of Cain so the innocent of the wicked so Abner of Ioab but grant they were guilty they dreamt treason that night in their sleep what did the innocent men women and children at Lyons what did the sucking children and their mothers at Roan deserve at Cane at Rochel what is done yet we have not heard but I think shortly we shall hear Will God think you still sleep Will not their blood ask vengeance shall not the earth be accursed that hath sucked up the innocent blood poured out like water upon it I am most sorry for the King whom I love whom I esteem the most worthy the most faithful Prince of the world the most sincere Monarch now living I am glad you shall come home and would wish you were at home out of that Countrey so contaminate with innocent blood that the Sun cannot look upon it but to prognosticate the wrath and vengeance of God The ruine and desolation of Ierusalem could not come till all the Christians were either killed there or expelled from thence but whether do I run driven with just passions and heats The Scots both the parties in words shew themselves desirous of accord willing to come to reason but indeed they seem not so as both Monsieur de Crocque and Mr. Killegrew do fear the old Enemies be so hard to compound and the new possessions so hard to part from but as yet we cannot despair till they both have met together and heard joyntly what both the parties can say which so soon as it can be done Mr. Killegrew hath promised to write to me what is done and what he thinketh may be done What Strozzies hovering cloud which hath so long gone in a mist will brew at the last and what design so long cloaked will break out upon is no marvel though they and we and all the world doubt and if it be to besiege Rochel and to execute more slaughter upon men women
and children Christians as is now suspected and certified that thereabout it goeth and as some say is Master of Rochel when that is done what it will do and whether it will go further or no and if it do to what place I tell you truly many do doubt Divers of our Merchants resorting that way have found small courtesie at their hands no more then if they had been men with Pyrats This maketh our Merchants that they dare not yet adventure for Burdeaux and to doubt whether they may go thither this year or no. And I would mervellous fain know what manner of assurance you can make from thence Fare you well From Reading the six and twentieth of September 1572. YOu may perceive by her Majesties answer that she will not refuse the enterview nor marriage but yet she cometh near to them tam timido suspenso pede that they may have good cause to doubt The answer you see to de la Mot is addulced so much as may for she would have it so You have a busie piece of work to decypher that which in words is designed to the extremity in deeds is more then manifest neither you shall open the one nor they shall cloak the other The best is we stand I thank God upon our guard nor I trust shall be taken and killed asleep as the Admiral was the greatest matter for her Majestie and our safety and defence is earnestly of us attempted nor yet atchieved nor utterly in despair but rather in hope The Queens Majestie is in marvellous doubt for you she taketh as much care for you as any Prince can do for her Subject and she thinketh none can do what she would have done there as well as you You are happy in the one and her Majestie in the other seeing you are advertised so well hitherto God who hath hitherto delivered you will not yet leave you I doubt and I trust I need not fear I doth me good to see the Princely compassion that her Majestie doth take on the poor Vidame who is escaped by good fortune into England her Majestie hath written for him to the King the Copy I send you you shall do well to press the answer and bring it with you I dare say it will do you good if you can do it â—aeâ— est vicissitudo rerum humanarum haec est communis casus hominum All that be not bloody and Antichristian must needs condole and lament the misery and inhumanity of this time God make it short and send his Kingdom amongst us Fare you well once again the seveâ— and twentieth of September which is removing day to Windsore Yours alwayes assured Tho Smith The Copy of the Queens Majesties Letters to the French King for the Vidam de Charâ—res TReshault trespuissant et tresexcellent Prince nostre trescher et tresaimè bon frere et cousin salut Le Vidam de Chartres est retirè en nostre Royaulme et nous a donne a entendre par un sien escript supplicative la cause de sa venue aâ— nous et requirant de nous nostre favoâ—rable recommendation de son cas enuers vous et pour ce que l'avons troâ—ve de cocur loyal et fidel envers vous desirant tousiours sur toutes choses le tenir en repose et que par toutes occâ—sions que se presentoient non cesse de louer vos royalles virtus comme vostre tres affectionne subject dont en pouvons estre bons tesmoins Nous n'avous voulu faire moins aians compassion de l'estat miserable anquel il se troâ—ve pour lè present que recommander affectueusment a vous sa cause qui nous sâ—mble certes fort lamentable et qui merite secours aiant a celle fin envoyè a nostre Ambassadeur aupres de vous sa requeste qui vous la declarera plus amplement en quoy vous prions trescher tresame bon frere et cousin luy donner bonne et favorable aâ—dience et 〈◊〉 bonne response au fin que avec cela nous pussions comme en avons bon espoir consoler le poure desole Vidam a nous y faire gran plaisir comme scait le createur aâ—quel prions tresh ault tresexcellent trespuissant Prince nostre trescher tresame bon frere cousin vous avoir tousiours a tressainte garde De nostre Chasteaâ— de Windsore le 28 de Septemb. 1672. To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France SIr the last Letters of yours by me received were those which yong Mr. Hopton brought hither since which time we have understood by report from Roan that on Thursday was sevennight there was a general slaughter made at Roan of all that could be imagined Protestants so as the very channels of the street did run blood we have heard diversly of Rochel by some that it is sacked by Strozzi by some that it holdeth out and that it is like so to do a long time As to the Ambassadors negociation here with us to seek to perswade us that the King was forced for safety of his own life to cause the execution to be done as it was and that thereof we shall see the proofs by the Admirals process you may imagine how hard a thing it is for us to be so perswaded against all our naturall senses and how they will accord these two jars we know not The Kings Letter first written after the Admirals death doth declare it to be done by manner of sedition and privately by the house of Guise who feared the Admiral and his would pursue against them the avenge for his hurt and the Kings own guard about the Admiral was forced and the King himself driven to hold his guards about him in the Louvre for his own defence and now yet it must needs be notified that the King did for his own surety cause the execution to be done By the dispatch that you shall receive from Master Secretary you shall understand what answer is made to the French Ambassador and upon what sort her Majestie hath forborn to resolve upon the enterview whereof her Majestie hath no misliking if it may appear that the King will forbear from persecuting the cause of Religion ACHE Rome A B Glasis nevertheless it will be very hard to perswade 3lca to like thereof I have imparted to her Majestie two things whereof your wife had in charge to make me privy of From Reading the five and twentieth of September 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France I will now my Lord Ambassador trouble you with some trifles of mine own leaving other matters to other advertisements I am very desirous to recover a Rider if any worthy the entertainment may be had whether there be any more at liberty that were appertaining to any of the late Lords that were murthered it
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
as many Catholiques of the French as were found there which afterwards upon better consideration was stayed for that they thought the same would prove but a poor revenge notwithstanding this Nation groweth so hateful there as for avoiding of danger such of them as travel in those parts are driven to take upon them the names of Burgundians They write also that there is hope that the Elector Brandenburgh shall be chosen King of Polonia which news doth nothing content those here Further they do advertise that the Princes of Germany are in great jealousie of the Legats repair hither and that thereupon they do put themselves in order of defence for that they think his repair hither cannot be but to continue some dangerous practise A day or two after the Legat had made his entry the Court of Parliament sent unto him according to the ancient custom to see his faculties To whom he answered that the intention of his coming was not to execute the office of a Legat but only to visit the King and to treat with him certain private and particular matters Touching the manner of his receiving and entertainment since his access to the King this bearer shall enform you They do all what they can to make the world believe that his coming is not grateful unto them The Ambassador of Spain doth give out that the five and twentieth of the last moneth Zutphen was taken by the Duke of Alva and that eight or ten of the Princes ships have been also lately distressed Pynart of late willed my Secretary to tell me that whereas heretofore Monsieur de la Mot had usually certain imposts of wine granted to him he is afraid that he shall be debarred of the same or at the least some part of the quantity cut off which thing he wisheth not to be done at this time for that it may give the King occasion to think that his Ministers are not so grateful towards her Majestie as heretofore they have been Seeing that the Gentleman is not to make any long abode there being in hope of revocation me thinks it should be well done if he were used as he may return with good satisfaction And so having nothing further to impart unto your Honour at this time I most humbly take my leave AT Paris the fifth of December Your Honours to Command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourble and his very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh SInce I last wrote unto your Lordship Steward repaired not unto me for that there is an eye had to such as resort to my house He sendeth me word that Glasco 4 â—9 party increaseth in strength which will well appear when the season shall serve His letters of advice this bearer shall deliver you The party that is recommended unto you from Berwick telleth me that Iames Kirkaldy departeth hence out of hand with such money as Viracque should have carried into Scotland for that he hath gotten license to stay here for a moneth for that the King mindeth to imploy him there as an Ambassador Resident Further he telleth me that de la Mot hath advertised the King how that the Lord Athol is won to be of the Queens party which now sithence the death of the Regent is grown far the stronger And to the end that Liddington may travel more earnestly in strengthening the faction there is some offer made unto him of some great pension he saith mâ—â—eover that the Bishop of Glasco giveth him to understand that with some assistance of money the Lord Athol and the Lord Argile being revolted from the Kings side as they are they shall be more able to make their party good against any force her Majestie shall send until such time as he hath setled his things here Touching Seers the Earl of Westmerlands man I can by no means learn what answer he received at the Kings hands He telleth me only that he stayed here four days These his advertisements I have confirmed otherwise and therefore I do the rather credit them They have written to the Ambassador to use all the means that may be possible whatsoever it cost to have the Queen of Scots spoken withal willing him in any case to beware to use in that behalf any Hugonot The B. of Glasco hath lately divers times conference for the devising of some good means for that purpose one whom he meant to imploy in that behalf discovered no less unto me who thinketh that there is some practise for the stealing of her away They caused of late Briquemont and Cavannes a little before their death to subscribe to certain blanks which they have filled up with such matter as may best prove that there was a conspiracy pretended Which blanks so filled up they sent by Fregoz and one Carpenter into Germany to shew some unto the Princes there for the better justifying of the late execution If Kirkaldy be well used by Mr. Killegrew he will be no evil instrument he desireth much the revenge of that that hath been lately done here At Paris the fifth of December Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester RIght Honourable the King here is advertised that they of Rochel have of late taken the Isle of Rez and divers ships in the same a thing that imported the Rochellois much for that thereby they have the Haven free and at their commandment and may receive such succours as may come unto them by sea This Court is much agrieved with all aswell in this as in other matters that things frame so untowardly and go backwards The wisest sort do not stick to say that the greatest troubles are now but a beginning If it shall prove true that they write out of Germany which is that the Marquis of Brandenburgh is like to be chosen King of Polonia they may perhaps have just cause to repent their late doings but howsoever that fall out we shall see that God will work somewhat whereby it may appear the blood of his Saints to be dear unto him Perhaps we did build too much before upon the courage and wisdom of them that be dead He can raise up stones to set forth his glory so that we need not doubt to see the revenge unless our sins be the let What is meant by the King touching the besieging of Rochel this bearer shall impart unto your Lordship as also the manner of the entertainment of the Legat and how they seek to make the world believe that they are not content with his coming nor he with his entertainment They say here that the Kings side in Scotland is much weakned and the other side far the stronger they have therefore dispatched of late from hence some to keep the Queens party in courage until they have setled things at home I find therefore her Majestie shall have great difficulty to settle things here in such sort as may prevent such mischiefs as hereafter may grow
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
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
in her Conscience contrary and repugnant to the direct word of Almighty God and so consequently prohibited by the Laws of the Realm whereupon these two Consequences do necessarily follow that in this case of Marriage with Monsieur de Duc if he will obtain her his wife without sight of him her Majesty cannot be had and yet therein hâ—r Majesty is very loath that he shoâ—ld think that she desireth his coming but as himself shall finde it meet by the advise of the King his brother and the Queen mother to whom she remitteth the consideration hereof with this assurance that she meaneth in good faith to marry with him if upon his sight the one may like of the other and that for the cause of Religion as he and she may so accord as that which he shall demand be assented unto without offence of her Conscience or without trouble of her Estate and that that point of Religion is thought meetest to be left at large to be communed upon betwixt themselves so as if it should mishap that one of them might not fully like of the other as to a conclusion of marriage that the refusal or breaking up might be imputed the cause of Religion and so either party might honorably be discharged to the world and no occasion grow thereby of unkindness betwixt them This is the substance of her Majesties resolution whereof to make the Ambassador here privy she seemeth not to mislike thereof and in the end concluded with me that she took this course to be agreeable to the same resolution which was delivered at Killingworth the last of August to him and La Mott. And so I think it in substance the same whereof I do herewith send to you the last two Articles of that Answer in French as then it was given to which news you may refer this new Answer And now to add of mine own you shall understand that I see the imminent perils to this State and namely how long soever she shall by course of nature live and Reign the success of this Crown so manifestly uncertain or rather so manifestly prejudicious for the State of Religion that I cannot but still persist in seeking for marriage for her Majestie and finding no way that is liking to her but this with the Duke I do force my self to pursue it with desire and do flatter my fancie with imaginations that if he should come hither her Majesty would not refuse him and for his Religion methinks if he may be otherwise liked he would not lose a Queen with a Kingdom for a Priests blessing of a Chalice I cannot imagine that his Religion is rooted that it may not be transported Now if I am deceived yet for the time it easeth me to imagine that such a sequel may follow but you have cause better to guess hereat then I for I guess at nothing but at the Queens Majesties disposition which I take firmly to be bent to marriage but you on the other part may guess whether he may be liked whether he may be induced to be qualified in his Religion yea whether his marriage be meant seriously and sincerely on that part and upon these conceits you have cause to imagine more certainly what ought to be looked for or desired then I can But now turning my paper I will leave and end this matter praying you heartily to impart unto me your conceit herein if thereby you see cause to stay my course you see how long I have tarried in this matter for the rest of the point for Viracques sending for me to come to the Scottish Queen and for the matters of Scotland I doubt not but Mr. Secretary hath enlarged his knowledg therein to you And for more surety because at the writing hereof he is gone into Essex I will upon the closing up of my Letter impart by speech some part thereof to this bearer Walter Williams to excuse me of longer writing Notwithstanding Gordens denyal to be privy to the Book lewdly augmented with a blasphemous Prologue I understand out of Scotland that he is therewith well acquainted wherefore I pray you search it better out and let me understand what is now become thereof And thus I end on Good-Friday at night the 20 of March 1572. Your assured loving friend Wâ— Burleigh Response de la Roigne d'Angle au Sr. de la Mott Fenelon Amb. du Roy tres-chrestien Fait par Mr. Le Grand Tresorier le 18 Marc. 1573. QUe se Maj. voyant que le Roy tres-christien son bon frere la Royne sa me re perseuerent en le honeste desir de demander son alliance encores que de puis le mois de Aoust dernier plusieurs choses soient entrevennes de la costè par les quelles ell ' a une grande occasion de ne suiure le propos Neant moins a le prochas elle returne maintenant aux mesmes termes on les choses en estoient demâ—ures le 20 du dit mois d' Aoust lors que elle seant en son conâ—eil a Kellingworth present le Sr. de la Mott fist une forme de response au dit Sr. Ambas suivant la quelle elle dit de noveau Que pour le bien de ses subjectes lesquels monstrent de preveoir beaucoup de grandes dangiers en ce Royaume si elle les de laisse sans quelque lignèe prouvenant de elle et sans successeur a fin de les satesfaire quelle est firmement resolue de se marier de quelque bon et grand lieu selon elle si elle peult trouver quelqu'n qui à elle et son estate soit convenable Et sur le offre que les Maj. tres-christienes luy font de Mr. le Duc d' Alanson le frere et fils elle trouve que la partie est fort honorable si toutes autres choses y peâ—vent convenir dont estime qu'il en consiste une bonne partie en l'enterveüe d'eux deux tant a cause de l'inequalite de lâ—aage que pour le rapport que ceux qui ont veu M. le Duâ— ont fait de son visage a fin de veoir s'ily aura mutuel consentement entre â—ux Car ainsi at elle tousiours respondu a toutes autres Princes qui l'ont recerché ce qu'un chascun scait bien que beaucoup ont faict qu â—elle ne achepteroit jamais aucun pour mary si elle ne lâ—eust primierement veue Que neant moins pour le miscontentement et autres displaisirs que pourroient succeder de la dit entreveâ—e si d'adventure les choses ne sortient a effect â—t craignant pour cela quelque diminution d'amitie en lieu qu'elle la veut augmenter elle ne scait que desirer la dessus advis remettant a les Maj. tres-christienes le â—it point d' entreveue scachant trop bien qu'elles ne consillerent
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
Instructions bien amples pour traicter avec vous sur quelques points d'importance dout nous attendous plus prompte response pour selon icelle vous esclaircir sur les dites particularitez dedans le terme prefix mais d'autant que les choses que vous avez proposées tant a nostre Ambassadeur qu'a nostre dict et serviteur sommer sont de plus grande consequence que de pouvoir estre plemement considerâ—s dans si peu de temps ayant deliberé de depescher bien â—ost par devers vous un personnage instruict a plein de nostre intention et volunté quant aux dictes choses par vous proposses nous n'avons cependant voulu obâ—ettre a fin que ne recevant nostre response au temps prefix vous n'estimiez que nostre intention n'est de nous tem au contraict de vous tesmoigner par la presente suivant le desir quâ— a nous avoâ—s de vous donnier entiere satisfaction et contentement de tous nous de portements que sera la â—in Instructions for Sir Francis Walsingham Knight her Majesties principal Secretary sent into France to the French King and to Monsieur the Duke of Anjou 22. of July 1581. ELIZABETH R. FOr that you are throughly acquainted with all the Negotiations passed concerning the marriage desired by Mr. and do know the causes of the prolongation of the conclusion thereof not to have proceeded of us without just grounds there shall be less need to enlarge these instructions by writing but to make rather a memorial for you of the matter in your own presence concluded for answer to such things as of late hath been delivered by the French King to Sommers for which purpose we have made special choice of you for the better satisfaction of the French King And our meaning is that you shall make the Duke acquainted with this your message and to cause the French King to accept the same your action in good part The matters propounded by the French King be these 1 A request upon a supposition made by the French King that the marriage was accorded that we would assign a day within which the marriage should be consummate and in some speech he also named a day 2 An offer that the marriage being promised and the day assigned that the King would upon knowlenge thereof enter with us into a League offensive and defensive and ratifie the same and cause it to be delivered at the instant of the consummation of the marriage 3 A motion that a secret agreement might be made apart betwixt the King and us for the matters of Low-Countries To these three you shall shew the Duke what we have resolved for answer to the King whereof we have willed you to make him acquainted and you shall move him by such Reasons as are both true and known to your self how loath we are to deliver any thing to his misliking if the necessity of the time and the matter did not force us thereto Therefore to the first request of the French King grounded upon the supposition that the marriage is accorded you shall shew him how that it is otherwise to be understood for that the whole Treaty indeed is suspended by an act accorded by the Commissioners whereof you can make him a particular declaration and for the purpose you shall shew him the cause of our long prolongation of the time therein limited which also we do give you authority by word in our general Commission further to enlarge as you shall see cause And to the request for assignation of a day for the marriage you shall declare that for divers considerations we cannot finde it good either for Monsieur or for our selves to assent to the marriage with him as the case standeth whereby he being already entred into an open war against the King of Spain should by marriage bring us our Realm also into a war which in no respect our Realm and subjects can accept with the marriageâ— but the same would prove very ingrateful to our people and ingender a misliking of us both as you may well enlarge that point the rather considering it is seen how hardly many have been brought to allow of the marriage without any war And therefore upon this point we nevertheless thus concluded that though the marriage cannot be allowable with a war for those respects yet considering how necessary it is for the Crown of France as well as for ours yea for all Christendom that the King of Spains greatness should be impeached and this account of Monsieurs should be prosecuted in the Low-Countries we shall be content though we do not marry to joyn with the French King to ayd Monsieur with a reasonable portion so as it may not be so overtly as thereby to prâ—voke a war upon us and our Realm and herewith you shall set forth the necessity of the continuance of Monsieurs actions now in hand as if he will answer that he will lean to our marriage you shall answer that there cannot be so much profit either to himself or to the French King and his Realm or to us and our Realm by the marriage as by the continuance of this action to the abating of the Spanish Kings greatness which if it be not interrupted speedily will so incounter both France and England as neither the marriage nor any conjunction of the forces of France and England can hereafter stay or remedy And if it shall be objected by Monsieur that the offer to ayd him secretly will serve him to no purpose For that he knoweth that the King his brother will either not ayd him at all or will not ayd him otherwise then secretly as will not serve him to purpose so as he must be forced to leave his enterprise you shall still maintain our offer to be reasonable But if you shall finde Monsieur so earnest to mislike thereof as you shall perceive him resolute to leave off the enterprize except we will joyn with the King in such manner of ayd as his brother will be content then you may after some pawsing say that if upon conference with the French it shall appear that he cannot be content with our secret ayd We would be content rather then the Dukes actions should utterly quaile to yield to joyn with the French King by League and Contract both to ayd him as shall be thought reasonable betwixt the King and us And also some other ways to impeach the King of Spains greatness but if the Duke could be contented with our secret ayd we think it should be no hinderance to him and yet a great contentation to us for so we might avoid the offence of our people and so you shall earnestly entreat the Duke to be content therewith As to the other two points for making of a League offensive and defensive and for a secret agreement for the matters of the Low-Countries we shall be ready to make with the
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
as that thing which she hoped would prove profitable unto her Majestie and beneficial unto her Realm and Subjects To this my Lord answered That the cause why the same grew not to some conclusion either off or on proceeds for that they have not made answer to certain things propounded by the Ambassador here Resident unto them whereunto she answered That she did not remember any thing whereunto they were so give answer whereupon I took occasion to shew her that there were two points to be answered The one concerning Religion the other concerning the interview For the point of Religion I shewed her that her Majestie in respect of the alteration that hath lately hapned in this Realm and that which passed in the Treaty of the Marriage between her and Monsieur de Anjou had cause to accord that point first as that thing which touched generally the quietness and repose of her Realm Touching the interview I told her that for as much as her Majestie could have no other way satisfaction then by the same the point of Religion once accorded some convenient means for the accomplishing of her said interview was to be devised To this she answered that her Son was of the same living that the other was and of the same Religion and therefore hoped should have no less favour then the other should have had touching the point of Religion for that it is a thing dishonourable and unchristian for a Prince to change his Religion upon the sudden To this I replyed that for mine own part I did not remember that while I had the dealing in the matter any liberty in that was accorded to Monsieur de Anjou And if it were Madam said I we see that a thing is tolerable in the other In conclusion my Lord requested in that she desired to grow to an end in this matter that she would roundly set down in her Letters what the King and she required touching that part of Religion To this she answered after some denial made thereof saying that their Ambassador should signifie in that behalf that she would be content so to do And touching the interview when matters of Religion should be once accorded she doubted not but there would be means found for the bringing of the same to pass as should be to her Majesties satisfaction I made her acquainted with the matters of Scotland touching Hume Castle whereunto I received like answer at her hands as at the Kings which was that after conference had with their Councel I should understand what was their mind and resolution in that behalf whereupon these Scottish matters she took occasion to recommend to my Lord the Queen of Scots to whom he gave like answer as before In the end as my Lord was ready to depart she shewed him that she was given to understand that there were certain ships a preparing in England by certain Rebels there whereof she desired her Majestie to give redress as appertained to good amity Whereunto my Lord answered that she might be assured that her Majestie had never any intention to tollerate any thing that might tend to the breach of the same so that if there were any preparation of ships in hand as he knew not of any he was well assured her Majestie was nothing privy thereunto as also that her Majesties Subjects were no dealers in the same who hath forbidden them expresly not to intermeddle Why then said she if they be strangers she ought to banish them and not to permit them to attempt any thing to the prejudice of this Countrey considering that she is as well bound to yield up ayd requiring the same at her hands as we to grant the like unto her upon like occasion and therefore she desired him to put her Majestie in mind that some order might be taken for the remedy of the same which he assured her he would at his return This was as much as passed at the time of my Lords taking of his leave The morning my Lord departed Queen Mother sent for me and shewed me that by Letters sent from Monsieur De la Mot they were given to understand that her Majestie let fall some speech that she could not think that the continuance of the Treaty of Marriage with Monsieur le Duc should be sincerely meant he being now retired from hence and imployed by the King at Rochel she therefore for the satisfaction of her Majestie requested me to desire the Earl of Worcester to signifie unto her that there is nothing that the King and she desireth more then the accomplishment of the said marriage and that to the end that the Earl should see the Duke the King stayed him here until Twelf-tide About which time they attended my Lords coming whereas otherwise he had departed together with Monsieur his brother before Christmass and said she if we had known the certainty of the Earls coming he should have come hither in post to the end he might have seen him I took occasion hereupon to tell her my private opinion if it would have pleased the King not to have imployed him in these wars against those of the Religion he should be in better opinion with her Majestie and more grateful to her Subjects To this she said that a young Prince that hath courage and desire to do his Prince service could not with his honour remain behind seeing his other brother imployed I have made my Lord acquainted with such Occurrents as are here to the end he should impart them to her Majestie by mouth And so leaving c. the 12 of February 1572. To Sir Thomas Smith IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that the King departed hence to St. Germains en Lay eight days past and that Queen Mother remaineth here still whereof the King hath great need and the same found hard to be recovered here Touching their proceedings against Rochel there repaired hither of late divers Curriers who use great silence which make men to doubt that things fall not out to their liking I learn notwithstanding that there is in the Kings camp great scarcity of victuals and a great number of Soldiers through cold and want of other necessaries are dead and do die daily That the Duke of Nevers hath taken upon him with the help of certain Italian Engineers to make certain Fortresses in the midst of the Haven to impeach all such as by sea would bring to the Rochellois any succour For the two Fortresses lately made at the Entry of the said Haven six ships notwithstanding passed by laden with corn and other munition as it is reported The common opinion is that it will be impossible by any device to make the said Fortresses that the Duke pretendeth to make There is secret whispering here of some intelligence given by Pacues of an intended enterprize by Montgomery in Picardie and that hereupon the King hath given order for the impeachment thereof The Cardinal of Lorrain hath within these
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
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
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
a Prince of wisdom and judgement would be satisfied with reason wherein I prayed his assistance though for some respects I thought him a very unfit advocate to plead in that cause and thereupon declared unto him the causes that made her Majestie to forbear to assent to the marriage Whereunto he answered That he hoped that his constant pursuit of the marriage so long a season omitting no means that in his judgement might seem meet to advance the same wherein he did appeal to the world his proceedings therein being publiquely known should not take so evil effect as now when he most assuredly looked to reap the fruits of his travel he should receive repulse to his own great dishonour but more to his grief And whereas her Majestie alleadged the War he was entred into for the relief of the poor afflicted in Flanders as a matter of very evil satisfaction to her Subjects he said it was no new matter but such as before had been propounded as he was before informed by her Majesties Commissioners at the time of the Treaty And for that at that time it did breed no breach or stay of the Treaty but that the same went forward he hoped that would not now be alleadged for an impediment Secondarily He said that the pursuit of those Wars considering how evil affected the King of Spain was towards her and the necessity that the poor afflicted in the Low-Countries had of present relief in whose fortune her Majestie was interessed it seemed strange unto him that a thing so beneficial to her Majestie should be a hinderance to the marriage Thereto I replyed That I thought it very necessary before I answered the said points to assure him that the allegation of the said impediment grew not for want of good will in her Majestie For when she did with the eye and affection of her natural body look into his constant love born towards her accompanied with many apparent effects that did shew that it was not feigned as the hazard he came in passing the Seas the imployment of sundry messengers especially men of that quality as lately were sent over and the goodness of his own nature whereof her Majestie at his last being with her grew to have so great a liking as she rested greatly afflicted and perplexed in mind because that in respect of those impediments that concerned her pollitique body which did so greatly import her as the alienation of her Subjects good wils from her in case her Majestie should be accompanied with a War she could not proceed as she did desire Touching the two points for the first I shewed him that though at the time of the Treaty mention was made how ingratefull it would be to her Subjects to have her marriage accompanied with a War yet was it never otherwise conceived neither by her Majestie nor by the Councel but that the charges of the War should be born by the King himself and by the States of the Low-Countries considering her Majestie was to reap no benefit by any such conquest as should be made otherwise then such as did depend upon the issue of her body which being a thing that was to grow from above was doubtfull and ministred no matter of present benefit in requital of the present charges Besides it would seem strange that the first day of her marriage the Treaty should be violated by the uniting of her Highness fortune with a husband that contrary to the said Treaty should throw her into a War which might minister further cause of miscontentment and breed an unnecessary and dangerous jealousie by carrying them into some doubt that as the Treaty was broken in one point so there would ensue some further breach thereof a matter of very dangerous consequence considering that in the due observation thereof consisted the preservation of their Liberties Touching the second I shewed him that if the League offensive and defensive might take place and the secret Treaty that this enterprise for the relief might very effectually go forward without the marriage And therefore her Majestie did greatly marvel to see the King so resolute as that without her marriage he would have no League when it is apparent to the world whatsoever become of the marriage that it were most necessary that such a League should be made as well for common defence as for the preventing and staying of the over-greatness of Spain In the end after much debating to and fro he shewed me that he was greatly grieved considering the assured hope he had put on that the marriage being a thing that he desired above any thing in the world even now when he looked it should come to a full conclusion after so long a pursuit so many messengers being employed a Treaty throughly concluded by persons of quality it should now grow from a conclusion to a kind of dissolution that he hoped I was come hither with matter of more comfort then he should receive thereby Thereupon I prayed his Highness to look well into the cause wherein if he could lay his own affection aside I doubted not but he should very apparently see that her Majestie esteemed nothing more then the good will and love of her Subjects the true strength and glory of a Prince had great reason to resolve as she did considering that the chief end of her marriage which was to content her people should be now performed with a farr contrary effect which could be no less grievous to his Highness if the marriage should proceed having protested alwaies as he hath done that unless it might be with her Majesties contentment and the good liking of her people he would never desire it and so concluded with him that I hoped after he had well digested the matter he should then see that her Majestie had just cause to grow to that conclusion which I had delivered unto him and he no less cause to content himself withall I prayed him that at my next access unto him for that the place was so furnished with Gentlemen and not that silence used that was fit I might have audience in some private place for that many times we could hardly one hear the other in respect of the noise About half an hour after my departure from him he sent his Chancellor the President Mr. de Preureaulx and Combelles unto me who did let me understand they were sent by his Highness to me to confer with me about that which I propounded unto him in her Majesties name letting me know from him that the Duke found it very strange that afteâ— the matter of marriage had been drawn unto so great length even now when he did look for an execution of that which was accorded by Treaty there should be an impediment produced first by Mr. Sommers and now by me not new but such as before the time of the Treaty was thought upon besides that her Majestie was not ignorant how Monsieur had long before intreated the cause of the Low-Countries