Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	majesty_n	sir_n	william_n	13,430	5	8.0076	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35992	The compleat ambassador, or, Two treaties of the intended marriage of Qu. Elizabeth of glorious memory comprised in letters of negotiation of Sir Francis Walsingham, her resident in France : together with the answers of the Lord Burleigh, the Earl of Leicester, Sir Tho. Smith, and others : wherein, as in a clear mirror, may be seen the faces of the two courts of England and France, as they then stood, with many remarkable passages of state .../ faithfully collected by the truly Honourable Sir Dudly Digges, Knight ...	Digges, Dudley, Sir, 1583-1639.; A. H.; Walsingham, Francis, Sir, 1530?-1590.	1655 (1655)	Wing D1453; ESTC R22010	544,817	462

Smith to the Lord Burleigh 202 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 203 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 204 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 205 Instructions for the Earl of Lincoln Ambassador extraordinary to the French King 206 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 212 Earl of Leicester to sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 213 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 214 Conference betwixt Duke Montmorency and some of the Queens Councel ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 216 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 217 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 218 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 219 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 221 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 222 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 223 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 224 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 225 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 226 Q. Elizabeth to Sir Francis Walsingham 228 Sir William Cecil to sir Francis Walsingham 230 Sir Tho. Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith 231 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith 232 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 234 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 235 Sir Tho. Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham 236 Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 237 Sir Tho. Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham 238 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith 239 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith 240 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith 243 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 245 Lord Burleigh Earl of Leicester Sir Francis Knowles Sir Tho. Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham 246 Lord Burleigh to sir Francis Walsingham 250 251 Earl of Leicester to sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Tho. Smith to sir Francis Walsingham 252 253 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lords of her Majesties Councel ib. The Queen to sir Francis Walsingham 259 Sir Tho. Smith to sir Francis Walsingham 262 The Queen to the French King on the behalfe of the Vidam of Chartres 263 Lord Burleigh to sir Francis Walsingham 264 Earl of Leicester to sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 265 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 267 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 269 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 270 Answers to the French Ambassador 271 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 273 Sir Tho. Smith to sir Francis Walsingham 274 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 275 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith 276 twice Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 278 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 281 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 282 Sir Tho. Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. The Lord Burleigh to sir Francis Walsingham 283 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 284 285 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 86 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 287 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith ib. Earl of Leicester to sir Francis Walsingham 288 Lord Burleigh to sir Francis Walsingham 289 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 290 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 291 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 292 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 293 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 294 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Tho. Smith 295 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 296 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 297 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Tho. Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham 299 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 301 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Tho. Smith ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 302 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 303 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 304 306 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Thomas Smith 307 Sir Fr. Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 308 Sir Francis VValsingham to the Lords of the Council ib. Sir Thomas Smith to sir Francis Walsingham 310 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 311 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Thomas Smith 312 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 313 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 314 Sir Thomas Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham 315 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 316 317 Instructions for the Earl of VVorcester 318 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 322 Sir Thomas Smith to sir Francis Walsingham 324 Sir Francis VValsingham to the Earl of Leicester 325 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Thomas Smith 326 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 327 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 328 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Thomas Smith 329 331 332 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 333 Sir Thomas Smith to sir Francis Walsingham ib. Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 334 Answer of the Queen to the French Ambassador comcerning the Duke Alanson 335 Lord Burleigh to the French Ambassador 3●9 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 343 Sir Francis Walsingham to sir Thomas Smith 344 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 345 Sir Thomas Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham 346 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 346 347 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 348 Answer to the French Ambassadors ib. The Queen to King Henry of France 351 Instructions for Sir Francis Walsingham in his second French Ambasiy 352 353 c. For a League with France 355 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Henry Cobham and Mr. Sommers 356 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Sir Henry Cobham to Sir Francis Walsingham 357 Francis of Valois Duke of Anjou and Alanson to Sir Francis Walsingham 358 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 359 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Queen 360 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 363 Lo. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 372 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 374 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 375 Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Henry Cobham John Sommers to the Lord Burleigh 376 Lo. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 377 379 Sir Francis Walsingham Sir Henry Cobham John Sommers to the

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 ●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 atta●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

hath professed to Spain He forgot not to renew the speech that passed between us touching the League desiring me to use some means to feel how her Majestie is inclined which I promised to do And therefore I shall desire you to move her Majestie in that behalf that I may receive some direction how to proceed therein And so leaving further to trouble your honor at this present I most humbly take leave From Paris the 28 of Ianuary 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham The Lord Seton who lately came out of Flanders to demand succour as I am informed is deferred over for answer untill the Entry be past He ●●eth here as I am given further to understand with good store of Horse and Armour and very well furnished with money To the Right Honorable Sir William Cecill her Majesties Principal Secretary SIr after the closing up of my Letters I was certified by a Gentleman that came presently from the Court that the King is grown very sick of a burning Ague whereupon it is thought that the time appointed for the entry should be put over until after Easter I will seek by what means I can for the certaintie and so afterwards advertise you So leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humblie take my leave From Paris the 28 of Ianuary Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester RIght Honourable and my very good Lord touching the present state of France I refer you to the common Occurrents here inclosed and leave unto you by them to judge what likelihood there is of continuance of the Peace lately here amongst them accorded The best ground of continuance that I can learn by those that can best judge is the Kings own inclination which is thought sincerely to be bent that way Touching his affection towards the Queen my Mistress if outward entertainment may be a just argument of inward affection then surely there is great likelihood of continuance of Amitie and Concord For first I was in all those places where the King had Governors very well received Then at the time when Sir Henry Norris and I were appointed to have access to the Court for my presentment which was at Madrill we were invited to dinner presently upon our Arrival there Laufay by the Kings appointment received us and brought us to the place where our dinner was prepared where we lacked no store of good meat immediately after dinner Chevaleir Thaers sent by the King came and told us that he was readie to give us audience to whom we repaired and were most graciously received at his hands who made great demonstration by outward speech and countenance of great good will towards the Queen my Mistress Besides my ordinarie speeches concerning her Majesties charge to behave my self in such sort as might tend to the best continuance of Amitie between their Majesties I recommended the Peace being so requested by the Deputies of those of the Religion which he seemed to accept in very good part Having thus ended with his Majestie finding the new Q. not there for that it was given out she was sick of a fever I declared unto him that I had Commission from the Queens Majestie to have presented unto her her Majesties Letters as also to have used some office of Congratulation of the late Marriage between them notwithstanding that her Majestie had made choice of a Personage of calling honourable to do that office whose coming stayeth only upon the certaintie of the knowledge of his Majesties entry for that by the Q. Majestie my Mistress he is appointed to honour the same The King alledged sickness for excuse and told me that there should be another time appointed me for the execution of her Majesties Commission in that behalf which both of him and her could not but be accepted in as good part as it was meant Having thus ended with the King whereas before it was customably to be found as I learned by Sir Henry Norris to have present at the Audience both Queen Mother and the Kings Brethren in place with the King we found now each of them to keep their several Estate and so were driven to repair unto them all severally to their Chambers and though from her Majestie I had no further Commission to have done any Message but to the King and unto the two Queens yet for that at my last being there exception was taken at me for omitting my dutie to Monsieur and besides being requested by the Deputies of the Religion to recommend the observation of the Edict unto them severally therefore after access had to Queen Mother my Letters being delivered and certain ordinary speeches used with the recommendation of those of the Religion I repaired to Monsieur who very courteously and with good countenance received me To whom my speech from her Majestie was that she willed me to present unto him her commendations and further to say unto him that she was glad to understand that he did concur together with the King in that good and honourable meaning of the observation of the Edict whereby he did not only win generally the reputation and honour to be thought a Prince of courage in time of War but also of Councel in time of Peace which courage she doubted not but that he would continue in respect of the good will he beareth to the King and his Countrey and the regard he had to his own honour Whereunto he answered with great courtesie that he thanked her Majestie First for her commendations as from a Princess of honour that she was and whom he so much reverenced Secondarily for the good encouragement that she gave him to be a good instrument for the observation of the Edict which thing as he was bound to do in respect of his Duty towards the King and his Countrey so should her Majesties advertisement be of no small force with him in that behalf For my self he told me that during my service here I should receive for her Majesties sake any favour that he could shew me Having thus done I repaired to his Brother to whom I used besides Commendations some short Speech in recommendations of the Edict for manners sake I do rather my very good Lord dwell upon those particularities in respect of your Lordships request In observing Monsieur I had at this present by reason the place served very well for the purpose good occasion to view him in stature by judgement of others that viewed us talking together he was esteemed three fingers higher then my self in complexion somewhat sallow his bodie of very good shape his leg long and small but reasonably well proportioned what helps he had to supply any defects of nature I know not touching the health of his person I find the opinion diverse as I know not what to credit and for my own part I forbear to be over curious in the search threof for divers

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 requiret● 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 opi●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 Pa●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

peny to be so good silver as they think them evill used if it may not passe as current To the end that there may grow lesse harm thereof as some there must needs your Lordship shall do well to hasten it to some 〈◊〉 with what speed you may which I pray God may be as good as ever happened in like case And so leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave committing you to his protection From Paris 8 February Your Lordships to command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Walter Mildmay one of her Majesties privy Counsell SIr I understand by my servant Mills who followeth my suite how it hath pleased you of late both to recomend the same unto Mr. Secretarie as also to the B. of London so that the hinderance I was like to receive by Mr. Haddo's death is now Sir by your good means remedied whereby I hope my cause will grow both to a speedy and a good end Sithence I last wrote to you there hath faln out here no alteration saving that the entrie which should have bin performed with preat solemnitie is now like to go forward the 6 of this next moneth being so published with the sound of the Trumpet without any great pompe of Ceremonies by reason of the new Queens sickness who is now in way of recovery Of late by her Majesties commandment I dealt with the King about de la Roches attempt in Ireland who denieth that ever he was acquainted with the matter and therefore promiseth to see him or any other that hath dealt in that behalf punished whensoever I shall enforme him of their names if the redresse hereof fall out to be better then heretofore was wont to be yielded by his predecessors of like promises in like cases it will be but all in words for such is the expedition of this Court in promise speedy in performing slow At this time surely there are great practises in hand for the invasion of Ireland wherein the Pope and Spain joyn And as for the Cardinall de Lorrain as he may may underhand he faileth not to further the same to his uttermost I have herein advertised her Majesty what I can learn in that behalf hoping that there will be good eye had thereto in time least Ireland through too much securetie be neglected as Callis was And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present with my humble commendations to my Lady I commit you to Gods protection From Paris the 8 of Febr. 1571. To the right Honourable Mr. Francis Walsingham Ambassad●r Resident for the Q. Majestie of England SIr my Lord of Rutland hath such confidence in your friendship as I think it superfluous otherwise therein then to thank you for the good offers you made him at your departure whereof he hath made to me on your behalf very good report In my opinion you shall do his Lordship a great pleasure to take occasion to present him to the King as soon as you may that he may be known before my Lord of Burkh●rst comming In expressing of his linage you may boldly affirme him to be a kin to the Q. Majestie both by King Henry the eight her Father and also by the Q. Mother and he is of the blood Royall in the same degree that my Lord of Huntingdon is the difference being onely that my Lord of Huntingdon is of a Brother of King Edward the 4. and my Lord Rutland of the S●ster of the same King and indeed thereby he is as near in blood though further in danger of fortunes wheel which is busie with carriage of Kings Crowns to and fro I am not able to write any more by weakness of my bodie presently tormented with pain from my house at Westminster the 28 Ianuary 1571. Yours assuredly William Cecil To the right Honourable Sir William Cecil her Majesties principal Secretary SIr any that you shall at any time recommend cannot but receive at my hands any favour or friendship that I can shew them But my Lord of Rutland who besides your commendations and his own calling hath so many good parts in himself that do recommend him as he may well assure himself of any honour or aid that I can procure him Sithence my last which were dated the 8 of this moneth I have learned nothing to any great purpose The complaints of those of the Religion have here but a very deaf eare given unto them The King committeth them over to the Q. his Mother and to Monsieur his Brother being himself altogether given to pleasure To our trusty and welbeloved Francis Walsingham Esq our Ambassador Resident with the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and welbeloved we greet you well we have received Letters jointly from Sir Henry Norris our late Ambassador and you dated the 29 of the last moneth by the which we perceive in what sort you were presented to the King there by Sir Henry Norris as to remain our Ambassador And in what sort you did orderly proceed in declaration of our good will to continue the good Amitie with the King and to appoint you as minister for the same wherein we do not mislike of such speech as by our Letter appeared to us you used to the King to comfort him in the maintenance and continuance of the inward peace of his Realm according to the benefit of his Edict lately granted to his Subjects for the matter of Religion● We have also seen and consider●d another matter of some weight whereof you willed our Secretary by your private Letters to him to advertise us concerning some motion made unto you by le Sieurs de upon certain conferences had by the King with him and therein we find that which you answered to the said Sir J. A. to be discreet and agreable to our mind and and if you shall find any likelihood that such a matter may be further dealt in and that it be meant bona fide to proceed further we would have you not only as of your self but as occasion shall be given to further it in our name for we do hold it so good and beneficiall as we rather doubt that some impediment may grow to hinder the successe thereof then of any speedie furtherance And therefore you shall do well to look well into the matter what likelihood there may be to have it go forward before you discover our intention to the King otherwise then as you find necessary to provoke him thereto By some other your Letters we perceive that the King there is well content that the Lord of Buckhurst shall come forward notwithstanding the sickness of the Q. and so we would have him proceed notwithstanding the same After we had caused thus much to be written hereof we thought good to will you to take some occasion of speech with the King of Spains Ambassador there Resident and first to let him understand that now about the tenth of this moneth we have here

with my own hand or any long Letter by my enditing of the hand of another and therefore now I am enforced for that ●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

that one Merchant in this Town hath 14000 C●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 b●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 Galli●●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 Beal● 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 hea●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 di●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

proves an unreasonable charge to great numbers to the Queens Majestie having her offices of Houshold at Dover and her provisions thereby lost The Earl of Pembroke Lord Windsor and the Lord Buckhurst be at Dover with great and mighty trains Besides hither are come such leavies of Ladies to attend as husbands curse the delay The Queens Majestie is in health The Scotish Queen shall be touched with an Act of Parliament but it will not draw her to any more fear to offend then words will do From S. Iames the sixth of Iune 1572. Your assured loving Friend William Burleigh To my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq her Majestes Ambassador Resident in France MR. Walsingham forasmuch as my Nephew Philip Sidney is licensed to travel and doth presently repair unto those parts with my Lord Admiral I have thought good to commend him by these my Letters friendly unto you as unto one I am well assured will have a special care of him during his abode there He is young and raw and no doubt shall find those Countreys and the demeanors of the people somewhat strange unto him and therefore your good advice and counsel shall greatly behove him for his better direction which I do most heartily pray you to vouchsafe him with any friendly assistance you shall think needful for him His father and I do intend his further travel if the world be quiet and you shall think it convenient for him otherwise we pray you we may be advertised thereof to the end the same his travels may be thereupon directed accordingly As for the boy Clark since I cannot obtain him as I desire I must content me I wish I had one of my Lord Cardinals Monks to see how devoutly he should be kept here But I pray you let it appear that it is great unkindness for one Nobleman to use unto another The boy hath sought sundry ways to return unto me as well by Letters to his Friends as by supplications to my self but I mind not to have him so The cause that I did so earnestly seek him was to punish him in example of others which if it will not be I will leave it for a time and hope to give you knowledge where he is shortly trusting you will give order that he may be suddenly apprehended And thus being forced to trouble you with a tri●tle amongst so many great causes in these days with my commendations I bid you most heartily farewel From the Court the six and twentieth of May 1572. Your very Friend Ro. Leicester To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT hath pleased my Lord of Lincoln to promise me upon his experience had of the intollerable charges here through the daily increase of death to confer with your Lordship in what sort he may best deal with her Majestie for increase of my diet considering otherwise that I shall not be able to hold out my monethly charges drawing now to two hundred pounds the moneth notwithstanding my diet is thin my family reduced to as small a proportion as may be and my horse being onely twelve These things might seem unto your Lordship altogether incredible were there not so many Noblemen and Gentlemen to witness the same by their experience lately had of the extreme dearth here I have made my Lord acquainted how much I am bound to your Lordship and of the fatherly care it pleaseth you to have of me and that therefore I have besought him in moving or not moving her Majestie to yield to such directions as by conference it shall seem good unto you to give him for that I would be loth to procure any thing to be done that may not fall out to your Lordship contentation And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the two and twentieth of Iune 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To my very loving friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr I cannot let any your servants pass hence without some word I have looked for some knowledge of my L. Admirals arrival at Paris and thereupon stayed to send away this bearer until now that I hear by the French Ambassadors Letters hovv my Lord and you have been feasted and entertained which they here do give out with large speeches but how indeed the same is warranted I know not sure I am that they have been so feasted and entreated as none in my memory hath been greater The Queens Majestie before she gave her oath made a protestation that she was not in mind to break any jot of the Treaty and though the Castle of Hume and Fast Castle were not delivered yet the fault was not in her for she had propounded to the Lord Hume and to the Regent also her disposition to deliver it but the Lord Hume required that her Majestie vvould keep it still rather then deliver it so as it bred not an increase of their hateful dissention And hereupon her Majestie hath propounded to the Regent to be content that the Lord Hume may have it if he will be content to acknovvledge the King vvhich the Lord Hume offereth in vvords but the Regent saith that the Lord Hume hath promised to offer his obedience to the King to recover his houses and then he will ayd them of the Castle and this is indeed discovered to be true Besides this Fast Castle was in my Lord Humes hands but as a Tutor to an infant who is come to full age and followeth the Kings part Truly you may thus report to the King and assure him that her Majestie meaneth not to keep the one or the other although she might pretend matters against the Lord Hume for the damage that he did to England in keeping the Rebels in those Houses and invading the Realm From Westminster in haste the twentieth of Iune 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh The form of the Communication with the D. Montmorency de Foix and de la Mot which they had to finish matters expressed in the Treaty Iune 1571. present the Lord Keeper the Earls of Suffex and Leicester the Lord Chamberlain and Burleigh Mr. Comptroler Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir Walter Mildmay THe French by de Foix required That the Scotish Queen might have some favour upon the conclusion of this Treaty betwixt the Queens Majestie and the French King and that such favour might be shewed as might be granted with the surety and honour of the Queens Majestie That a surcease of Arms might be made in Scotland and thereupon a Parliament in Scotland and concord to be made for the State and Realm And if a Parliament could not be conveniently had that then there might be sent hither from both parties some persons to treat here a London with Deputies of the Queens Majesties and the French Kings That some order might be made concerning the establishing of a Traffique for Merchants in France wherein

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 he● to assent to that I said But she added that she wished that Monsie●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 ●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 ●nthonio desireth Whereupon this evening Sir Francis Drake and H●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 m●●neth to send the Lord Howard to Monsieur to visit him Yours assuredly William B●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 ●ueens Majestie sent Mr M●ldmay to inform me to w●ite as followeth This day the French Ambassador with the Fr Portuguese Consul Perdon● 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 T●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 ●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 t●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

in this Book INstructions for Sir Francis Walsingham sent Ambassador into France 1 Sir William Cecil Lord Burleigh to Sir Francls Walsingham 5 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Q. Elizabeth to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 6 To the Earl of Leicester 7 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 9 The Queen to Sir Henry Norris ib. Doubts of Sir Francis Walsingham 17. c. Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 18 Instructions by the Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 2● To Sir William Cecil ib. To Sir Walter Mildmay ib. Sir Henry Norris and Sir Francis Walsingham to the Queen 22 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 26 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 28 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 28 29. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Walter Mildmay 30 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 31 Monsieur Pinart to Sir Francis Walsingham 32 Sir William Cecil to Sir Henry Norris and Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 33 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 34 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 35 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir Walter Mildmay 38 Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 39 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 42 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 43 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 45 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 47 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 48 Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 50 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 51 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 52 Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 53 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 55 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 56 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 57 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord of Burleigh 58 Instructions of the Queen concerning the Match with France 62 c. L. Burleigh to Sir Fr. Walsingham 66 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 67 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 71 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 72 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 73 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 76 The Q. to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 78 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 79 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 81 Lo. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh ib. Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 82 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. The Q. to Sir Francis Walsingham 83 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 87 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 88 The Q. to Sir Francis Walsingham 93 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 94 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Earl of Leicester to Sir Fr. Walsingham 96 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester and L. Burleigh 97 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 100 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 101 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 103 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 104 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 105 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 106 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 108 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 109 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 110 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 111 Earl of Leicester and Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 115 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 115 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 116 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 117 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester ib. Sir Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil 118 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 119 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 120 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 121 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 123 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 127 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 129 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 134 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 135 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord of Burleigh 136 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 137 L. Burleigh to Sir Fr. Walsingham 138 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 139 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 140 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 141 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 144 The Q. to Sir Francis Walsingham 145 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 146 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham ib. Instructions for Hen. Killegrew Esq Ambassador in France during the absence of sir Francis Walsingham 147 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 149 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 150 Sir William Cecil to Sir Francis Walsingham 151 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh ib. Lo. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham twice 152 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 153 Instruction for sir Thomas Smith Ambassador Entraorninary in France 154 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh twice 160 Lord Burleigh to Sir Thomas Smith 161 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 163 L. Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 164 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham twice 165 Sir Thomas Smith and Sir Francis Walsingham to the Queen 166 169 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 172 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Leicester 173 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 174 Sir Thomas Smith to the Queen 176 The Queen to Sir Francis Walsingham 180 Sir Francis Walsingham to the L. Burleigh 182 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 184 The Q. to Sir Thomas Smith and Sir Francis Walsingham 185 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 187 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh 188 Lord Burleigh to Sir Francis Walsingham 189 Earl of Leicester to Sir Francis Walsingham 190 Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Burleigh ib. Sir Tho. Smith to the Lord Burleigh 191 Sir Tho. Smith to the Lord Burleigh 193 Sir Tho. Smith to the Lord Burleigh 198 Sir Tho. Smith to the Lord Burleigh twice 199 Sir Tho. Smith to the Lord Burleigh 200 Sir Tho.

as for her Majestie In the end he said he would write but that it would be two moneths before he could receive answer in the mean time he wished her Majestie to think of his Master as she would wish him to think of her Stewkley he protested never to have heard of If in the rest he be no sincerer then in this then is he Don Francisco not so sincere as he protesteth As for any attempts by Iulio Romero to be done in Ireland tell your Mistress saith he in few words that you her Ambassador ●ere knoweth that they be no Spaniards that have the enterprize in hand I told him that whatsoever I knew he might assure himself her Majestie could not be ignorant of And whereas said I you think that they be Frenchmen I assure my self to the contrarie for that the King hath so assured me He shewed me that he thought the King in that behalf sincere and that if there were any such matter it proceeded not from him but from others This Sir was in effect what I could ghess proceeded between us never spake I with a prouder man or with one more disdainful in countenance and in speech I suppose he is somewhat disquieted to see the honourable entertainment used towards my Lord of Buckhurst and therefore think him the rather to be excused besides he seemeth to be no better affected towards me then I am towards him which is such and no further forth then may concern her Majesties service I mean to have little else to do with him Sir touching de la Roches matter before my Lord of Buckhursts repair to the Court we upon conference agreed that he should make some entry into the matter and then afterwards cause the King to call me to inform what I had learned touching Roches proceeding in that behalf And so at the time of access according to the order agreed between us being called by the King I shewed his Majestie that notwithstanding he was otherwise informed the said de la Roch had been in Ireland and that he had left certain Souldiers there For whose safety he had brought hither two sons of one Fitzmorice to be here in place of hostages who remain now in Brest in Britain at a Kinsmans of the said de la Roch. And fu●ther I shewed him that the said de la Roch was lately departed out of the Town who before his going secretly gave out that he was dispatched about some enterprise I desired therefore his Majestie that according to his promise and the great Amitie he professed to her Majestie my Mistress he would procure some redress in that behalf which he with great earnestness protested to us I also desired his Majestie that it would please him to give me leave to deliver to some one about him a memorial to put him in remembrance thereof which his Majestie willingly granted and appointed one Ger●lomo Gondi a Gentleman of his Chamber to be the partie The like speech I used to the Queen Mother who gave great assurance that there should be speedy redress thereof I look shortly out of Britain to be advertised throughly by a Messenger that I sent expresly for that purpose touching the enterprise where also I have taken such order as I shall not fail to be advertised from time to time of such preparations as there shall be made whereof there may grow any suspition of any intention to attempt any thing that may touch her Majesties Dominions Concerning the having of any intelligence in Spain I hope to procure that one of the Kings Ambassadors men upon some pension shall advertise from time to time how things pass there According as her Majestie hath commanded me I will not be unmindful touching the league hoping not to omit any occasion or opportunitie that may serve that purpose so far forth as my poor skill and experience may stretch Touching my Lord of Buckhursts entertainment here which is very honorable and such as the like hath not been used towards any other I refer you to his Lordships own Letters I find him a Gentleman very wise and discreet and very careful to do that thing that may be for her Majesties Honour wherein he spares no cost And leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave beseeching God to send you better health then by your Letters I perceive you have From Paris the 25 of Febr. 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To my very Friend Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident for the Queens Majestie in France MY Lord Ambassador I thank you for your Letters lately received from you the last being the ninth of Febr. wherein you give very good advice touching the matter of Monsieur and for my own part I am of the same mind to wish sinceritie and honourable dealing in it that either upon very good deliberation it may be embraced or in time and in best sort put from too much entrance for neither is our case meet to dally nor his person for to be abused as he will think if he miss his desire how fair soever we speak him Therefore for my own part I wish all things to be throughly considered of him that her Majestie may fully understand the condition of his person before-hand which is one of the causes that moved me to say unto you as I did before your departure for I find matter that is like to come in question and I perceive her Majestie more bent to marry then heretofore she hath been God make her fortunate therein to his glory and our comforts Touching the matter of Ireland Master Secretary made me privy to your Letters and you do well to follow the matter earnestly and to enquire further thereof by all means you can devise for her Majestie is also advertised that the King of Spain hath like intention and almost ready to put his practise in execution whereupon her Majestie doth mean forthwith to take some order for that Realm We have lost on Monday our good Friend Sir Nicholas Throckmorton who dyed in my house being there taken suddenly in great extremity on Tuesday before his lungs were perished but a sudden cold he had taken was the cause of his speedy death God hath his soul and we his friends great loss of his body The Queens Majestie God be thanked hath her health well and hath summonded a Parliament which shall begin the 13 of April next Thus with my hearty commendations I bid you heartily farewel this 14 of Febr. 1571. Your assured Friend R. Leicester To the Right Honourable my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester YOur Lordships of the 14 I received the 16 of this present and was most sorry as I had just cause by the same to understand of the loss of so dear a friend as Sir Nicholas was unto me whose lack if it were but private only to his Friends the loss were great but if it be weighed generally in respect of her

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

Friend William Burleigh Excuse me to my Lord of Rutland for not writing To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh BEfore the receit of her Majesties bearing date the eighth day of April the Archbishops enterprize offered up to this State through the discreet usage of the Irish Captain was quite overthrown For the same day that he should have conference with Monsieur about the matter the said Captain procured the Archbishop to send him unto Monsieur to know when it would be his pleasure that he might wait upon him and so he according repaired unto Monsieur Monsieur asked him divers questions touching the situation of Ireland the manner of the Government of the same to whom it appertained and divers other such like questions At the length he asked him if the Countrey were fruitful and what commodity the Q. Majestie received by the same Whereunto he answered that the Countrey was very poor and that her Majestie was at continual and yearly charges in keeping of the same without receiving any commoditie from thence Then he asked him what the Bishop was He answered him that he was banished out of his Countrey for certain disorders there committed And that sithence his departure from thence he hath been in divers Countreys seeking at Princes hands such relief as he might get bearing them in hand that he is able to do much in his Countrey And after that Monsieur had heard this report giving him credit as one whom he knew he willed him to tell the Arthbishop that he doubted that he should not be at any leisure to confer with him being now entertained in Counsel with matters of great wait and further to say unto him that if he did lack any thing upon knowledge thereof given he would be a mean unto the King for the same Whereupon the Bishop by his Letters made Monsieur acquainted with his poverty and order was taken that he had sent him two hundred Crowns This I thought good to set down unto your Lordship at large for two respects the one to the end you might the better know the Archbishop the other for that there may be by your good means unto her Majestie some consideration had of this Irish Captain who from time to time hath been a very good instrument for the discoverie of the practises against Ireland which he hath done with the hazarding of his life if his dealing with me or with Sir Henry 〈◊〉 were known I have taken upon me to put him out of doubt that this service of his will not be unconsidered by her Majestie Surely my good Lord if when we promise in these causes consideration and no regard be had thereto neither can those of my calling promise reward nor they to whom we promise give credit to our words when no fruits follow I beseech your Lordship therefore deal earnestly with her Majestie in this behalf he without respect of this present service as I have before written deserveth entertainment in respect of his sufficiency and hability to serve her Majestie through the skill he hath gotten by experience had of these latter wars here After the receipt of her Majesties Letters of the eighth of April according to the charge given me in them I dealt with the Archbishop in respect of the secret practises he promised to reveal Such perswasions as I could I used to procure him to make his repair into E●gland shewing him that her Majestie promised grace and pardon if he would humbly desire it at her hands and purposed by his dutiful loyal meaning hereafter to deserve it And to the end that he should not doubt of her Majesties sincere dealing herein I offered him my safe conduct having authority from her Majesties so to do to warrant him to go safely into the Realm thereby to obtain her Majesties favour with more safety of his person and to return in like case safely out of the Realm if he should misuse the same whereunto he once willingly accorded but afterwards by what sinister counsel I know not he changed his mind in the end he came to this issue that unless it would please her Majestie to grant him this rude request which also I send your Lordship signed with his own hands he would never return either into England or into Ireland I told him that it became not a Subject and an offendor as he was to stand in such terms with his Prince but with humble submission and acknowledging of his fault to crave pardon and to esteem this favour offered as rare and not to be refused but with thankfulness to be received If it shall please her Majestie to grant him his pardon his request is that he might have knowledge thereof within these twenty dayes for that otherwise he is minded to repair again into Spain At this present he is gone to Nantes in Brittain there to dispatch certain businesses as he saith promising to return and not to depart out of this Countrey these twenty days The 19 of this month there arrived here two Gentlemen named Conniers and one other named Beamont who said they imbarqued at Newcastle the 12 of the same and they escaped very narrowly After they had stayed here a day departed by Post into Flanders And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave at Paris the 22 of April 1571. 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 we understand such Message and credit you lately sent and gave to Robert Beal to be declared by the Lord of Burleigh to us according as we did heretofore will you to explore the circumstance of the matter now revealed to you You shall as much as may be say to the party that hath made the demand that we are sorry that we cannot satisfie their demand at this present neither for the place where they require to be satisfied nor for the same with such speed the same being indeed impossible unto us both for place and time And so you may conclude with assurance that the revealing of their intent to you shall in no wayes by our means prejudice their purpose And so we pray you use the matter as they report our answer to the best we mean with expedition to return Mr. Cavalcant thither with so much of our resolution as we can conveniently open unto him And for the rest we mean to commit to your charge by our other more special Letter Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Westminster the thirteenth of April 1571. the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh HEr Majesties answer contained in her Letters bearing date the 13 of Aprill I delivered unto the party who awaited for the same using the best words I might to breed contentation The reply was that he hoped the suit

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

move the same but finding now that he hath secretly named me for that place I do coldlie● 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 enter●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 Bea●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

the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester BY your Lordships of the twentieth of October sent by Mr. Killegrew I conceive great hope of her Majesties consideration of my chargable living here and because your Lordship hath been a most earnest furtherer of the same I most humbly thank you as also for that it pleaseth your Lordship to promise the continuance of your said furtherance when occasion shall be offered wherein the same will stand you in any stead which I will presume with that boldness to use as I hope your Lordship will imploy me wherein your Honour may have any use of my poor service The cause of my present sending is to advertise of the victory had by sea of the Christian against the Turk The Conflict was the seventh of the last moneth not far from C●rfu between Morea and Lepanto There escaped as the Venetian Ambassador gave me to understand onely four of two hundred Gallies other particularities as then he knew not I send your Lordship also a little Pamphlet that they have put in print here touching the said victorie of what credit I know not Whatsoever shew the King here giveth of joy outwardly inwardlie he doth not best like of the victorie as that thing which addeth too great an increase of reputation to the King of Spain I think therefore no time more fit to treat of Amitie then at this present I do not therefore doubt but that your Lordship will urge her Majestie most earnestlie to take profit of the time by sending with convenient speed him over whom she meaneth to use in this behalf And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humblie take my leave At Paris the seve●th of November 1571. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To my assured Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador in France and my brother in Law Henry Killigrew Esq and to either of them HAving this present occasion to send two of my Lord of Oxfords men to Paris at his Lordships request I thought good also therewith to send to you this little Treatise therewith newly printed in Latine in commending or discommending the Qu. of Scots actions to further her Marriage with Bothwel I hear it is to be translated into English with addition of many other supplements of like condition The Queens Majestie hath sent for my Lord Gray to come thither into France and if his health cannot serve him Sir Peter Gray shall come Her Majestie with furtherance of her whole Councel is certainly resolved to send one thither My Lord of Hunsdon is at Berwick by computation yesternight and his Commission is to set a good face upon the matter to bring Grange and the Castle to the Kings devotion if he cannot we of her Councel are of opinion that England shall inforce them And yet it shall do well that no such thing be notified to the French King My Lord Marquis dyed at Warwick on Sunday the loss of a good Councellour The case of the Duke of Norfolk falleth even out by branches to be more odious The B. of Ross is in the Tower where he uttereth many things right plainly and yet you need not be known thereof I pray let the bearers hereof if they shall have need of your friendship find that your friendship is readier for my commendations I think to marry my daughter at Christmass From Richmond the first of November 1571. Yours assuredly Wil. Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh BEsides Mr. Killig●●ws advertisements as from the Court I thought good to give your Lordship to understand what they do here at Paris The Marshal de Coss hath been here imployed of late by the French King in procuring a Loan which is granted and the same is presently in leavying the people murmur much at it and yet do not refuse to pay it Marshal Montmorency repaired to this Town the third of this moneth accompanied with 300 horse The next day after his arrival he and the Marshal de Coss conferred with the chief of this Town about the plucking down of the Cross which was resolved on and the same presently put in execution the Masons employed in that behalf being guarded by certain Harquebus●ers The common people ease their stomacks onely by uttering certain seditious words which is born withal for that was doubted the Protestants by the overthrow of this Cross receive greater comfort and the Papists the contrary Touching my particular I find it will be the latter end of the next moneth before I shall return to my charge for that I am diseased by three sundry Carnosities which will require the longer time in the cure Thus much I thought good to give your Lordship to understand for that I fear her Majestie will think somewhat otherwise in my long stay here And so leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave the seventh of Decemb. 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr the bearer hereof is one whom you may trust as I am informed And if he shall require you to send any his Letters to be conveyed into Scotland he is content that they shall come into my hands whereby I shall not be the worse informed of things meet to be known He can shew you both of Scotlands causes and of Englands Sir Thomas Smith is ready to depart thitherward from hence to morrow if the French Ambassadors Negotiation here with her Majestie this afternoon whilest I am writing this Letter do not prolong the same My Lord of Oxfords servants were constrained by contrary winds to tarry at Callis so as they came not hither before Sunday last at which time came also Fiasco the Genevoise who had likewise stayed at Callis for the same purpose and at his coming he maketh all to be sound between Spain and France and would not be known of the Spanish Ambassadors passage into the Low Countrey nor of any thing done in Henault and yet he did not understand by us here that he had any knowledge thereof from you And so I end wishing to hear of your amendment by Physick At Greenwich the fifth of December 1571 Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majestes Ambassador Resident in France SIr such sufficient persons of understanding credit and acquaintance as this bearer Sir Thomas is may serve to excuse me from writing of any long Letters and therefore I mean to touch things by notes and peice-meals He can tell you of the Duke of Norfolks case but percase not when nor how it takes end neither can I help him to inlarge his knowledge but I think the Queens Majestie will therein deal more substantially then many do imagine He can tell you how straitly the Queen of Scots is kept having now but ten persons of her own of all

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 ●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 ●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 Lodov●ck doth about ●onsieur in Henuaul● we have not so often news as in 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 othe● 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 He●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

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. Fr●●●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 cert●●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 ●all by he●ps and why the heaps fall not upon our selves person●lly I se● 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 whe●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 L●●●ester o● me but if the King would des●●e her Majestie to be God-mother she would not refuse it but would send some person qu●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 Mo●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 ● 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

Amitie betwixt us and our Realmes be left unperfect and unaccomplished on our behalf For Scotland you may say that Monsieur de Crocque ' s going away so soon wherefore we were very sorry because he tarried not until the peace was concluded we suffered our servant Henry Killegrew to sollicite the conclusion of peace And although there appeared great likelihood from time to time to follow of an universal peace and very reasonable conditions offered yet they of the Castle as appeareth not minding to have any peace would not agree to them wherefore as it appeareth they are like again to have civil Wars a thing most displeasant to us being their next Neighbours and for our part we think they have misused both him our good brother and us the King to imploy Monsieur de Crocque and us the Marshal of Berwi●k first and now Henry Killegrew whereas it appeareth they meant nothing less then agreement especially two or three of them in the Castle who have offered unto them all humanitie their lands livings and offices and whatsoever could be reasaonably desired yet will not condescend for common quiet to acknowledge their King and to deliver him that hold having as good offered them for their own suerty which in common peace should seem needless so that for ought that can appear unto us we think it not fit that we or our good brother should suffer such outrage at their hands or our two travels being Princes to be had in so little reguard besides that we have kept in our hands the Castle of Hume at our charge being to us no profit or commoditie but that we desire to bridle both the parties to come to an accord For being by the League bounden to deliver it but any of the Scotish if we should have delivered it to any of the adverse party though the peace had followed we know not how to compel them to render the same to the natural Lord thereof to whom we most desired to render the same although he had smally deserved that kindness at our hands if we had delivered it to him before we doubted there should have bin occasion to make him hold out more obstinately from the Agreement and Peace who as it appeareth is too much obstinate without it And as we have divers times by our Ambassador there and writing declared to them that assoon as they were come to a full Agreement and Peace within themselves we would most willingly render the same Castle and the Territory thereof to the said Lord Hu●● So you may say that our good brother shall well perceive that if yet they will grow to common peace within themselves the Castle of Hume shall be streight restored to the Lord Hume as it hath been often declared both to him and them before And if he and the rest will not come to Peace and Accord peradventure we shall deliver it as we may well do unto them of that Nation out of whose hands the Lord Hume shall have enough to do to get it which is nothing in our default which desires them most earnestly to have them at quiet and peace within themselves and to be ruled by justice so should our Subjects near adjoyning to them be in more rest and have better justice upon the Out-laws and Thieves who do offer daily injury to our Subjects without redress because of the civil troubles And if any mention be made unto you of the Scotish Queen either for her life or for her deliverance that you should be a mean to us for her You shall answer that her attempts be known to have been such both towards us and our Realm as you cannot gladly hear her spoken of and that you could not think your self a good Subject if once you should open your lips for her and therefore you shall require that they will no more speak to you of her nor of any such matters Given at our Mannour of Hampton Court the eleventh of January 1572. in the one and twentieth year of our Reign Thomas Smith I think it shall not be against the Queens Majestie to offer that if Hume Castle shall be delivered to the Kings party that there shall be assurance given to restore it to the Lord Hume when he shall recognize the King as heretofore he did William Burleigh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France MR. Walsingham I have received your Letters sent by Williams I perceive it is hard to recover a Rider but to pay too dearly for him I will stay therefore till better occasion shall serve and do heartily thank you for your good remembrance and travel therein I wrote of late to you which Letter I hope be come safely to your hands the rather for that I write somewhat openly for want of a ready cypher for these causes I have since considered more of the person and the matter and surely I can no way perswade my self that the cause you should stay for is any way sincerely meant there but rather a meer practise to entertain us here and to discover of the other side what may be under the hope that by that means many may be drawn unto for no other way but this have they left to beguil the world especially us and those they seek to destroy seek narrowly and deeply into it and in the mean time consider how slightly the great post haste matter was slipt off that our ship tarried so long for what was it else but a plain work to hold us with such a sudden amazed chance the same in their opinion we should believe their case to be as dangerous as they would make it Weigh also the pretty escape of the disguised attempt of the party that seemed to be in so great peril who can believe other then that it was a made matter to continue a belief whom they think they have inchaunted at their wills Let us examine also the instruments what they be those of the most arrantest sort of Papists those here never counted setled or informed in Religion Besides the process of the doings over both sides doth shew no good end towards but even a stratagem it will prove in my opinion and therefore I am the more careful that we may so espy it and so use it as it may return upon their own necks For my own part I promise you I did suspect it the first time of his opening of the matter for truth will seek no angles Truly he was fain to seek all his brains to make any matter worthy of credit for these suspicions were found even at the first he was divers in his tales his Letters delivered assuredlie were counterfeit and so was driven in the end to confess in a manner albeit in a sort they were after confirmed there from you to his better credit for first he avowed they were all the parties own hands Next he said after the Letters were compared with others of the parties

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 Leic●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

by Merchants of France with the English Merchants for money to be given for salt c. Hereof the Ambassador desireth that you will inform the King that his report may accord with the same We do also stay the Lord Levingstone for like respect as we do Viracque And thus I ●nd not doubting but Mr-Secretary writeth of other common things Yours assuredly William Burleigh Iames Fitz-morice the Rebel with all his sequel submitted himself to Sir Iohn Parrot in Ireland so that all Munster is free from Rebellion Here h●th been a murther committed about Shooters-hill somewhat to the reproof of this place and herein I have used such care as the party is taken being one Brown an Irish man who had served and is put from my Lord of Oxfords seruice To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France SIr now cometh your Successor so long desired I doubt not but both for his own comfort that he may willingly enter into that charge which for the Queens Majesties service you will sufficiently instruct him how he shall best serve and therein so deal with him And if in conference you find any rawness and imperfection you do not forbear but like a Tutor teach him to inform for so I know he shall be greatly bound to you and so it is necessary Let him also understand whom he may trust and so to use them that it good will and conscience be they take no harm wherein I have straitly charged him to be religious Procure the Queen Mother to think well of him I am very fearful that he shall do well for many causes but for none more then to avoid the Queens Majesties displeasure which I am assured of for that I did chuse him to relieve you If he should not content her Majestie in this service he hath required me that you would give leave and perswade that your Secretary might continue with him a while Now I end because he is going From London the first of April 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh By the QUEEN To our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Walsingham our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well Whereas you often made suit unto us to be revoked from that charge albeit we could have been well pleased that you should have tarried there still for the great sufficiency that we know in you and the faithful and discreet handling for our service yet we have thought good at your friends requests and desires for your return to yield unto your suit And therefore we let you wot That seeing you are so desirous to return home we have made choice of our trustie and well-beloved Valentine Dale Doctor of the Law and one of our Masters of the Requests extraordinarie this bearer to be your Successor there and to that end have written our Letters to the King our good brother and to the Queen Mother Wherefore our pleasure is That you do not onely repair with him unto them with the delivery of our said Letters but also before your departure from thence participate unto him all your instructions and such other things as you shall think meet and expedient for him to know for the furtherance of our service And also as you can bring him acquainted with those by whom he may have best understanding of that Court and the affairs necessary for us to be known And that you do leave with him such vessel plate and other furniture that you have of ours taking his writing under his hand and seal of the receit of the same for your discharge These things done we are pleased● that you make your repair unto us with some convenient speed as you shall think meet Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Richmond the nineteenth of March 1572. in the fifteenth year of our Reign Response faicte aux Messieurs les Ambassadeur de France 20 August 1573. PRemierement que le Message qu'a este env●yé d'icy a l'Amb de la Royne resident en France on a esté mal rapporté on mal entendu par le dict Ambassadeur Car il ne s'accorde pas avec ce qu'en a esté faict dans les Lettres du Roy treschresti●n escripts a son Ambassadeur En ce seroyt vrayment une grande absurdité si sa Majeste premierement a son Ambassadeur eust mandé dire qu'il estoit impossible que le mariage eust en effect et puis apres incontinent eust demandé ou parlé d'une entreveue vray est que par les premiers le dit Ambassadeur avoit charge de dire que pour la difference des aages sa Majeste trouve la chose fort difficile de'accorder tel mariage Et que pour raison de cés difficultés son entendement ne se pouvoit de faire de doubtes qu'on y trouvoit si ne se pouvoit trouver quelque aide expedient pour recompense Et ce fut la somme des premieres Lettres comme il pourroit apparoistre par la copie Les secondes que suyvoyent les aide incontinent apres avoyent cecy en somme a l'Ambassadeur qu'il avoit en charge de dire que sa Majeste voyant la continuelle sollicitation du Roy et de la Royne mere du Roy en ce cas de marriage Et mesmes plus fresches Lettre bayllees par l'Ambassadeur du dit Sr Roy environ le 23 Iuin a la maison de Monsieur Tresorier trouve bon apres avoir escript sa premiere lettre de adjouster encores cecy a la seconde a finde fair● apparoistre l'esgard qu'elle avoit des as●iduelles requestes du dit Sr. Roy. Cest quelle trouve deux principax empeschements entre aultres l'une la cause de la Religion se pourroit remedier par quelque conformit● procedant du Duc mesme Ainsi l'autre pourroit sembler estre difficile plust osten opinion qu'en substance Et qu'anssi elle veoit pour le plus souvent que rien ne governe plu● aux mariges ou doibt bien considerer comment une pourroit estre agreeable a l autre que de satisfaire leurs opinions par la veüe de l'un et l'autre especialement en ce cas icy considerant que ceulx que ont ve● le Duc n'osent affirmer s'il pourroit estre agreeable ou non a sa Majeste combien qu en plusieurs choses ils se prisent fort semblablement sa Majeste y adjouste encores pour estre aussi declaré par son Ambassadeur que d'autant quelle pensoit cecy estre chose qu'on luy accorderent pas facilement combien toutesfois qu'on l uy a faict personage d'aussi grand estat qu est le Duc D Alan●on quelle le remectoit a la consideration du dit Roy et Royne dont elle luy donne charge de dire qu'elle n'avoit pensé d'en faire

in me nor in the Ambassador resident here to seek by all the means we may to get knowledge of the particularities she desireth to be informed of But we finde here so great uncertainties as if we should advertise what we hear we should revoke one day what we hear another and therefore are loath to inform until we can attain to some certain knowledge of the true state of things and where her Majesty conceiveth that we may be informed of the Dukes ministers here I finde them not hitherto so throughly instructed or at the least not willing to impart their knowledge to us as I perceive her Majesty is perswaded they are And therefore as this bearer can shew you I have prayed the Duke to give order that by his Ministers here we may be informed from time to time of his proceedings which he hath promised shall be performed I am privately given to understand that our Treaty shall stay any further proceeding until her Majesties full resolution to the marriage be known And therefore I pray your Lordship to procure her Majesties direction in case it fall out so what course we shall hold Paris 27 August Francis Walsingham To Master Secretary SIR I am sorry heartily at this time I cannot procure you any such resolute Answer as I desire and know the causes do require I will not write to you of the incertainties here as I take patience here in solliciting so you must in the lack of that were meet for you the Letters that have been writ to you in common have been altered twice and yet scantly goe with allowance but that her Majesty hath since commanded me to add these things as well to the Letters as to the Answers of the two papers for the two Leagues For the general League her Majesty will not be bound to any number certain but will aid according to the form of an Article in the Treaty of Cambray which form she hath chosen upon this ground She commanded me to press all the Treaties I could both with the Emperor and French King and to repeat to her the diversity of ayds which I did and though the greater number contained with number certain some at the cost of the Prince invaded and some but yet few at the costs of the confederate not invaded with reference to his power and with charge of his Conscience her Majesty very earnestly took hold thereof and so she would have you proceed and though the example I sent you be out of the Treaty between the Emperor and King Henry the eight yet you shall finde in the Treaties between H. the 8. and Francis the French King Anno 1525. made by the L● Bogect of France a like Article of uncertain ayd and in like manner you shall finde the like in the Treaty Anno 1546. between H. 8. and Francis the French King And so her Majesty being not by us here to be perswaded otherwise you are to accept her Answer as she will have it After also that she hath directed an uncertain Answer to the Articles of the private or secret League which I do send you as I conceived her minde and as her self did read them yet she commanded me to write unto you that she knew not why she should be at any certain charge either for Monsieur or D●● Anthonio For as for Monsieurs Actions she would therein give such support as she should please without coertion But yet she added this thereto That if by that her answer she should think that Monsieur for lack of support should leave his actions in the Low-Countreys she will yield to ayd him though presently she will not declare to what quantitie And for supporting of Don Anthonio she knoweth not why she should be bound to any certain charge considering the Queen Mother how she hath in other sort favoured Don Anthonio then percase his Ministers will report For she did cause such preparations to be made for him● as amounteth to thirteen thousand pound English you may turn it in speech to above forty thousand Crowns and all this charge lost by lack of good answer from the King For his conjunction with her Majestie in this ayd and that her Majestie nevertheless did offer to the said Don Anthonio the price of any five of six good ships but he would not accept them And in them he had bought and hired certain ships and barks to the number of eight which he doth now mind to send away and likewise he himself desireth pass-port for himself to depart which her Majestie doth yield unto and to tell your self truly he is solicited hereto by the French Ambassador I pray God he may find good dealing there that he be not sold there away Her Majestie would have you to have regard to the defence of her in any thing that may be there cast abroad on the said Don Anthonio's behalf So as you must answer for her Majestie therein that the lack of the intended voyage hath not grown by her means Thus full warily must I yield for in these unpleasant mat●ers I am weary of a small working I hope her Majestie will be better dis●posed to give you some further authority or else surely I could wish you at home Greenwich the second of September 1581. Postscript I pray you heartily excuse me to my Lord Ambassador there that I write not now privately to him nor yet to Mr. Sommers whose excuse is well allowed of W. Burleigh To Master Secretary Sir Henry Cobham and Mr. Sommers AFter my hearty commendations upon the receipt of your Letters of the 26 of August written from you there joyntly I did impa●t the same to her Majestie and to my Lords of the Councel that are here And for that one of the most special matters in your letter concerneth the stay of your proceeding forward in the Treaty already begun for a League offensive betwixt her Majestie and the French King which is alledged on the Kings part to have grown by report of his Ambassador here in his Letters to the King as is mentioned in your Letters her Majestie denying that she used any speech either with the Ambassador or any other tending to that purpose whereof your letters make mention she thought good to send for the Ambassador and to charge him therewith and so she did yesterday in the afternoon whereupon he shewed forth the Copy of his letter to the King which also I did see wherein her Majestie findeth no such matter as proceeding by any speech of hers to move him to write as it is reported to you she should And so he doth also deny that he hath written in any like sort to the K. but as I do gather by his letter he uttered his own opinion to have Mr. continue constant i● the matter of marriage thinking that thereby he might prevail because in speeches with her Majestie he found her very careful of him and of his estate and very sorry that he should adventure his

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 a● 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 Vale●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

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

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 porte●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 jourd●y à Do●ure que desia a●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 dimin●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 Nanfa●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 p●ec● 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

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 m●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 a● 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 H●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 o● 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 receive● 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 Fe●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 Co●federates he would make account of him accordingly After my departure from the King Lansac told me in mine ear That he had g●●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 Maj●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 Mr●●● 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 Salma●●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 br●ke forth and he further shewed

these things you may give him knowledge to make him have a better taste in his mouth he may perchance contrariwise complain of spoile of his Masters Subjects by Pirats hanting the narrow Seas and specially about the Isle of Weight and I cannot deny the spoiles but surely they are committed by one Lubresst and others belonging to the Prince of Orange which we cannot remedie and yet Mr. Horsey is presently dispatched with Authority to set forth certain ships either to take them or to drive them from our Coast. I confesse to you privately they are too much favoured lucri causa but you may avow truly that the Q. Majestie doth in no wise favour them thus much to your second Letter Now to some credit given by Mr. Beale concerning ● a few words shall suffice if I cannot judge any thing in a ●2 ●3 ●4 ●6 ●8 the matter is much liked and all furtherers thereof allowed and all disswaders not liked I am commanded thus to write that if any mention should be made to you thereof you should shew your self willing to advertise and so you shall doe well The retardation used herein by H. is not liked by A. and the good will of L. in the furtherance is allowed By this you may perceive how to order your self and surely this principle I hold that no on thing shall warrant more suretie and quietness to the Queen Majestie the 3 5 7 in but the manner and circumstance are of the substance of my principall and not accedents Herein I deal boldly with you I find nothing in your writing or doing but allowable if otherwise I did I would advertise you for friendship to your self and for good will to the office you bear Although I cannot advertise you certainly as I would of the grant of your leases yet I am in that forwardness as I trust by next writing to send you knowledge thereof You must hereby be acquainted with the delayes of the Court. From Greenwich the third of March 1570. Sir Thomas Smith I trust shall be admitted to the Councell to morrow and shortly after to be Secretary I pray you Sir commend me to Master Cavalcant Yours assuredly William Burghley Having in this sort ended my Letters her Majestie repeated again unto me what I should write unto you of the great matter which I desired might be in a Letter from her self to you but her Majestie thought it sufficient to be imparted unto you in this sort following If any person of value shall deal with you to understand your mind in the case of her Majesties mariage you may say That at your coming from hence upon some common brute of such a matter concerning her Majestie and Monsieur D. Anjow you sought what to think or report thereof and this you are assured that at your coming out of England her Majestie upon consideration of the benefit of her Realm and to content her subjects resolved to marry if she should find a person in estate and condition fit for her to match withall and that she meant not to marry but with a person of the family of a Prince and you may add that you cannot by any means perceive that her Majestie is altered from that disposition so as you may conclude that if any such matter should be moved to you by any meet person to deal therein you will advertise her Majestie thereof and so would her Majestie you should do If God shall order this mariage or any other to take place you may well judge no time would be wasted otherwise then honour may require I am not able to discern what is best but surely I see no continuance of her quietness without a Marriage And therefore I remit the successe to almighty God This that I write privately to your self ● trust shall remaine to your self for so do I with your private Letters that no person seeth them but my self I am wearied with writing And the rest of things especially our Scotish matters I referre to Master Beales declaration 3. March 1570. Yours assuredly William Burghleigh To 〈◊〉 Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burghleigh YOur Lordship knoweth Necessity hath no Law and therefore I hope that my present request grounded on necessity will be weighed accordingly and surely if necessity forced me not thereto I would forbear to do it for many respects I do not doubt after my Lord of Buckhurst●s return you shall understand as vvell by himself as by others of his train the extremity of death that presently raigneth here vvhich is such that her Majesties allovvance doth not by 10 l. in the vveek defray my ordinary charge of houshold And yet neither my diet is like to any of my Predecessors nor yet the number of my horses so many as they heretofore have kept I assure you Sir of 800 l. that I brought in my purse into this Country I have not left in money and provision much above 300 l. farre contrary to that accompt that I made who thought to have hade 500 l. alvvaies aforehand to have made my provisions thinking by good husbandry somevvhat to have relieved my disability othervvise but my accompt vvas vvrong made and therefore my reckoning falleth short and so short that unless there be by your good means some consideration had of me I cannot but sink under the burthen I have written to my Lord of Leicester and unto Sir Walter in this behalf vvho I do assure my ●elf vvill joyn vvith you in this behalf I most humble therefore beseech you so to take care of me as I in caring hovv to serve may no vvay be dravvn from the same by taking care hovv to live and casting my care on you I leave further to trouble your Honour at this present beseeching God to blesse you in all your doings At Paris the 14 of March 157. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham I am sorry to accompany the thanks that I am bound to give your Lordship for obtaining my suite at her Majestie hands with a new request and so hard is my case that even necessity forceth me thereto And therefore the same being grounded on necessity will be weighed by your Lordship I hope accordingly To the Right Honourable my very good Lord the Lord of Bu●leigh I Thought to send this bearer to attend upon your Lordship for such dispatch as it shall please her Majestie to make hitherward I forgate in my last to advertise you how I had been to visit Olivares whom I found more solemn after the Spanish fashion then wise I dealt with him about Stenklies attempt he protested they were but bruites I shewed him that the Queens Majestie was advertised otherwise and upon such likelihood as she had good cause to believe it For first said I the King giveth him a daily allowance Secondarily he hath advanced him to the Honour of Knight-hood Thirdly that the said Stenklies should entertain about him certain Engineers To the first objection he answered

see not considering it hath been already moved to us by sundry and by some that are by nature bound to the Crown of France and that do think in their conscience the matter to be both honourable and profitable to the Crown of France And you shall say to the Queen Mother that she shall not mislike of us though we think so well of our selves and our estate that if God shall order this her motion to take effect it shall be the best marriage for the honour of the King her Son for the weal of his Crown and for the commendation of the Q. Mother that any Q. attempted this many hundred years for France And yet we are content to keep this motion secret according to the request meaning to make none other privy to the same but to such of our privy Councell as are known we have just cause to trust both for their fidelities and secresie that is our Cousin the Earle of Leicester whom you may say that whatsoever may be otherwise doubted we find ready to allow of any marriage that we shall like and withall marriages with any Prince ' stranger most of all this with the Crown of France the other is Sir William Cecill Lord of Burleigh and our principall Secretary and is well known to be a dutifull servant in any thing meet and agreeable for us and our Realm and so may you make report of them both The sixth is that we would not make delay in answer as we doe not The seventh to understand whether we can be pleased that Master Cavalcant shall be used any further herein which we remit to the consideration of the Q. Mother he being an honest Gentleman and to our knowledge alwaies disposed to do good offices betwixt us and the Crown and therefore not to be dissallowed by us if the Q. Mother shall like of him And yet we require you to have regard that his dealings therein considering that he departed lately from hence may not be conceived as directed by us You shall do well to deal warily with the Q. Mother in the matter of Religion for the D. her Son not as we would presse him to make a change of his Religion although we wish it But that if he should marry with us that he should not be warranted to do any act contrary to our Laws Given under our Signet at Greenwich the 24 of March 1571. To the Queens Majesties Ambassador in France Mr. Francis Walsingham SIr if you consider how weary I may be in the first and second writing of the Queens Majesties Letters to you not being void of other business you will allow a short Letter at this time If I be not much deceived Colly Weston North-hampton 〈…〉 in this wherefore you shall do well not to be over superstitious considering the necessity of this time and the dangers ● wise men there do find this matter for ● not unmeet for C. God onely knoweth the successe We here and the good there have a great losse of the Cardinall Chastillon who is thought to have been poisoned by some French Apostata or Counter●eit I pray you hasten Mr. Cobham towards Spain and as soon as you can let us know what you shall receive from thence This case of ● is deferred onely to see some event of the matter for 88. for if that succeed not as is now mentioned the perill is the greater by ● And what is done therein for sparing of writing you shall learn by Master Cobham By your Letter brought by my Lord of Buck. I understa●d the excesse of your charges there whereof my Lord of Buckhurst hath not as yet conferred with me But I will further your relief therein to my uttermost and as cause requireth Commend me humbly to my Lord of Rutland to whom I write but a short Letter From Greenwich the 24 of March 157● Your assured loving friend William Burleigh After I had written this which with the Queens Majesties I meant to have sent by Master Henry Cobham her Majestie commanded for more haste to send some speciall conveyer with them and so I send Harcourt I am in doubt that if this matter for Religion be not well conceived by them there the adversaries to the marriage will take great advantage thereof and urge the persisting in it of purpose to dissolve the same So as I had rather the speech hereof might have come from the Queen Mother or the others to you and so you might answer them as you are warranted then to begin abruptly of your self I wish they would give you occasion so to do which if they doe not then must you needs open it unto them March 25 1570. To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that hers of the 24 of March I received the 26 of the same the contents whereof after I had well weighed and therewithall considered the great practises that are daily used here to stop that the match between her Majestie and Monsieur might not take effect which lacketh not also any such help as may from her own subjects there with you be ministred to breed an opinion in Monsieur that all is but dalliance and that he is like to march in the end in rank with the number of the forsaken whereupon as it should seem a few dayes past he used this talk with Monsieur de Foix saying Monsieur you and others have brought me to yield to this match but I feare that by the next dispatch you shall well perceive that there is no other meaning in the Queen of England but dalliance and that you and I shall be sorry that ever we waded so far And surely said he for my own part unlesse I shall find the answer direct I will never enter farther into the matter These speeches and practises after I had well weighed and seeing the answers in her Majesties Letters very fit and convenient to be made by her in respect of the quality of her person and sex had not the world mistaken her former proceeding in marriage matters But now in respect of the said mistakings fearing that the same being made according to the course appointed by her Majestie would have seemed more doubtfull then direct and so have utterly overthrown the matter I was very much perplexed what course to take when I my self saw it most safe for me to follow the course by her Majestie prescribed whatsoever came of it But when I beheld her Majesty first how she in her own judgement did think it expedient for her to marry Secondarily that if her Majestie did mean to marry abroad this was the only Gentleman fit for her to marry Thirdly the discontentment of her subjects for not marrying Fourthly how presently she is beset with a number of forrain practices the execution whereof onely stayeth upon the event of this match I then resolved that it was most fit for me to forget my self and

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 draw● 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 ●o this she answered that these two Councellors being of her Majesties choise she would not but very well allow of and as for my Lord of Leicester she said she had many waies good cause to judge him a furtherer of the match and therefore was glad of her Majesties choise and hoped thereby of the better successe The last point concerning Master Cavalcant she said she thought him fit to deal in it as one that before time had done good offices between the two Crownes and therefore she rather wished him to be admitted a Dealer I may not omit here to say mine opinion of him which is that her Majestie could not have allowed a Gentleman more faithfully inclined to her Majestie nor more fit for his

SIr after I had written my other Letters yesterday there happened some alteration in this great matter of moment Where the Queens Majestie Majestie had determined besides her answer to the French Articles to have also sent you certain other Articles to be demanded of them there whereby the whole cause should be opened and nothing left behind in silence so that both parties might have understood their mutuall intentions Now suddainly her Majestie hath thought good at this time to send onely the French Articles and her answers and for the rest she meaneth to reserve untill she may understand how her answers are taken and specially how the knotty point of Religion will be smoothed And the cause of this change as I conjecture groweth of some late intelligence brought thence that if the Queens Majestie will stand earnestly upon that point for Religion it shall be assented unto which causeth her to proceed thus confidently And for my part I wish most heartily that it may so succeed but that onely I must fear except you shall moderate the matter better they there will imagine that this matter of Religion is but projected to colour the delay in breaking off for indeed in like cause so did the Emperor for his Brother the Arch-Duke Charles As I cannot instruct you how to dissolve this doubt there but as cause shall be given So I know your wisdome sufficient to invent sufficient answers to mollifie their hard conceits Thus you see how inwardly I deale with you and trust you will so use it I find Mr. Cavalcant very well disposed and sorry to see these occasions given though surely he seeth here the Queen Majesties disposition directly to his contentation From Westminster the 19 of Aprill 1571. Your assured friend William● Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that Mr. Cavalcant arrived here the 24 of this moneth by whom I received her Majesties Letters the contents whereof after I had perused and conferred with him touching his proceedings and for that the King and Queen Mother were departed out of this Town the one to St. Disier the other to Monceaux to bring the Duke and Dutchess of Lorrain onward on their way It was agreed between us that he should repaire the next morning to Monceaux to Queen Mother there to deliver her Majesties Letters as also her answers to the Articles propounded by the King Touching his proceeding with her I referre your Lordship to his own Letters By him I understood at his return that Queen Mother would speak with me at her repaire to the Town if I had any thing to say unto her So the 26 of this moneth she repaired hither and for that during the time of her abode here she could have no leasure she sent me word that the next day in the morning I should repaire unto her to come four English miles from Paris and that there I should have Audience So according to her appointment I repaired thither the next morning and at the time of my accesse unto her presence I shewed her that I was come thither to know how she rested satisfied with the answer she received from her Majestie by Master Cavalcant to those Articles which were propounded by the King and her to the end I might advertise her Majestie She shewed me that the Answers made unto their Articles seemed to her not to be direct saving tha● which was made unto the second Article concerning Religion which saith she is very hard and neerly toucheth the honour of my Son so far forth that if he should yield thereto the Queen your Mistress should also receive some part of the blemish by accepting for a husband such a one as by sudden change of Religion might be thought through worldly respects void of all Conscience and Religion I replyed that I was willed to say to her from her Majestie that she doubted not but that Monsieur her Son by her good perswasion would take in good part her said answers who meant not such sudden change of Religion as that he or his houshold should be compelled to use the Rites of the English Church contrary to his or their Consciences But forasmuch as the granting unto him the exercise of his Religion being contrary to her Laws might by an example breed such an offence as was like to kindle such trouble as lately reigned in France whereof both herself and her son had good experience She therefore hoped that he who if the match proceeded was to sail with her in in one ship and to run with her one fortune would not require a thing that she by no means could yield to who tendred nothing more then the quiet and repose of her Subjects and therefore in respect ●hereof could by no means consent to any such permission as might by any likelihood disturb the same To this she replyed that the not having the exercise was as much as to change his Religion which thing he could not do upon a sudden without the note to be of no Religion which dishonour I am sure no respect can draw him to endanger himself And as he in respect of the said ignominie is resolved fully not to yield so can I with no reason perswade him thereto and as for any peril that may happen by the same I think it shall be the best way of safety of your Mistress who alwayes by the way of his Brothers sword should be the better able to correct any such evil Subjects as should go about to disturb the repose and quiet of her Estate which she may assure herself he will do without having respect to any Religion whereof some tryal lately hath been made by his consenting with the King to have some good justice and example of punishment done at Roan In answer whereof I besought her to consider as well the Queens damage as her sons honour I shewed her that of this permission great mischiefs would ensue First the violating of her Laws Secondarily the offence of her good and faithful Subjects And lastly the encouragement of the evil affected Which three mischiefs if you will weigh said I together with your Sons honours you shall finde them of great moment and that the Queens Majestie my Mistress hath great cause to stand to the denial of any such permission whereof is likely to ensue such manifest peril And as for the ayd of the Kings sword I shewed her that the example by permission would do much more hurt then either his own or his Brothers sword could do good for that the issue of our mischief by civil dissention falls out commonly to be sudden and short but very sharp and were not drawn in length as those that happened in other Countreys we having neither walled Towns nor Fortresses to retire to thereby to protract our Wars To this she answered that her Son would soon be overcome by the Queens perswasions in

I as you know are to Protestants and Catholiques either of these two would be glad to be assured of Monsieur In reason now it is to be weighed with which of these two he is to joyn with the Protestants he shall favour those whom the Queen especially favoureth he shall concur with her in the maintenance of the present State and Government he shall gain the favour of her Majesties Councellours in whom she reposeth her greatest trust and lastly he shall continue the Realm in repose and quietness I● on the other side he persist in his Religion first he shall not gain the Catholiques unless they may have the like libertie as he himself enjoyeth Secondarily they are already devoted unto the Queen of Scots and so misliking nothing more then of his Marriage doubting thereby to grow the prejudice of her Title whereby we may conclude that by all likelihood by having of it he shall not joyn the good wills of the Catholiques unless they may participate with him in like liberty and on the other side it will breed misliking of him with the Protestants doubting the exercise of his Religion will breed some unquietness in the State and consequently he will be misliked of both which inconvenience of misliking I wished him to perswade Monsieur well to weigh Touching the inconvenience that would grow to the Queen I shewed him the same would rise three manner of ways First by breach of Law Secondly by offence of her good Subjects and Thirdly by the encouragement of evil Subjects Which said I if you will well weigh are of much more moment then any may happen to Monsieur he being only touched by relenting in honour the Queens Majestie my Mistress both in honour and safety he as a private person she being as a Monarch and a Prince whose Kingdoms were to participate any inconvenience that might befall unto her To this he replyed that his relenting in Religion being matter of conscience was an inconvenience of more weight then any that might happen to the Queen In the end after many replications on both sides to and fro he concluded that he was well assured that Monsieur in no case would be brought upon a sudden to yield to any change of Religion for no respect and yet that he doubted not but within a ●mall tim● after the Match the same would easily be brought to pass without any great difficulty He willed me to consider how much this match was misliked by the Catholiques and how much on the other side desired of those of the Religion here and that in his opinion and conscience nothing could more further Religion throughout Christendom then this match To this I answered that her Majestie was on the other side fully bent to maintain her answer to the second Article or otherwise resolved not to proceed and so we ended This Conference was between us the day after Master Cavalcants arrival Master Cavalcant being present And so c. From Paris the eight and twentieth of April 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To our right trusty and well-beloved Francis Walsingham Esquire our Ambassador Resident with our good Brother the French King ELIZABETH R. RIght trusty and well-beloved we greet you well By your Letters of the two and twentieth of April sent to the Lord of Burleigh we perceive in what sort you have dealt with the Irish Fugitive Morris fitz-Gibbons naming himself Archbishop of Cassel and having considered his request in a Paper subscribed with his hand we do not so much disallow his request to have our pardon and his restitution of his Bishoprick if we shall so please as the slender manner of his suit being void of all recognition of his offences and therewith his desire to repair out of that Countrey into Ireland without first coming hither where he ought by his submission to recover his pardon And therefore we would that you should inform him by Letters or by Message and upon your informations of his petitions we do not allow of his manner of so slender submission and petition And if he will not humblie require pardon for his offences and shew himself repentant and disposed to live hereafter in Ireland like a faithful Subject we mean not to bestow upon him either pardon or Bishoprick But if he will upon your warrant come hither into England he shall find us ready to shew him grace according to his humbleness in suing for it This you may let him know and express the same unto him in such sort as you shall see cause for except you shall understand certainly of him we understand there is no great account to be made of him as he pretendeth for himself neither is he of kin to the Earl of Desmond as he alledgeth nor of any credit in England And yet we are content to draw him home by means not dishonourable We do well allow of the Irish man whom you have imployed to attend upon him but whether it be Captain Thomas or Henry is not expressed and we would have you to assure him that he shall be considered by us And we pray you to advertise us in what sort you think best to have him rewarded Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Westminster the fifth of May 1571. and in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr for answer to your Letters concerning the Iewd Lozell of Ireland intituling himself Archbishop of Cassels the Queens Majesties will serve And for reward of the Irish man I pray you advertise your opinion by your next I hear by many means out of Spain that the King is therein rather counselled by Epimetheus then Prometheus he hath imployed much money upon Stewkley and now findeth him not worthie of any more Our Parliament is dailie new with child with projects for Laws that I was never more wearie Your Letters for the matters of D. hath driven us to the wall and particularly offended the Queens Majestie But the French Ambassador hath Letters from the Queen Mother and from de Foix wherein the matters are more tempered and I think he hath Commission to qualifie that hard Article that cannot be there digested It is too true that I perceive that you wrote to Master Hennage that some comfort here hath made you hardlier answered Indeed I wish things were not subject to sudden changes but Gods will be done for I cannot tell how to satisfie doubts but must refer me to his power to direct me As I received news out of Scotland so I send you them we have matters revealed which will shortly disgrace ●8 and offend ●2 and yet nothing shall be justly imployed to the Queens Majestie but that she is of meer necessity forced in extremities to use new remedies Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that according

that the same is also in the Latin t●●gue as the service of the Church of Rome and so ordered to be used in our Universities And if the Latin tongue should not content it is also or may be translated into the French either of which his own ministers might use at his pleasure in places convenient whereby he might serve God devoutly and thereby not to be counted irreligious or an Atheist And if it should be objected that by this means it might be esteemed that he might make a change of his faith in matters of questions in Religion certainly herein it might also be truly answered that although we can be glad that all persons should by Gods inspiration change from ignorance or errour to knowledge and truth yet mean we not to prescribe to him or any person that they should at our motion or in respect of us change their Religion in matters of faith Neither doth the usage of the divine Service of England properly compell any man to alter his opinion in the great matters now in controversie in the Church Onely the usage thereof doth direct men daily to heare and read the Scriptures to pray to almighty God by daily use of the Psalter of David and of the ancient Prayers Anthemes and Collects of the Church even the same which the universall Church hath used and doth yet use Lastly if any one part of our Articles and Ceremonies should mislike him as surely we cannot conjecture of any such Yet therein the rest not being by him misliked some tolleration might be to forbear the same untill he might better consider thereof And to that which is said That we permit Ambassadors to use the Religion of Rome First we never made any grant thereof to any whereby in that respect his conscience is free But being suffered that is to say not molested therein by any of our ministers of our Laws the difference is apparent between another Princes servant comming onely but as a Messenger or tarrying to do Messages which is the office of an Ambassador and one that is to be our husband that is in respect of Religion our head and in order to be joynt Governor of our Realms and subjects with us that is to assist us in maintenance of our Laws in punishing offenders in giving good example to our Subjects in counselling us how to maintain the quietness of our estate and preserve to us and to himself for our sake the love which he shall find is born to us by our subjects And how contrary it shall be to all those that he may doe as Ambassadors are suffred to doe in whom neither we nor our People can have any such Opinion of carriage for us or them or for our Laws or quietness every person understandeth Yea commonly Subjects think the contrary of all Ambassadors of strange Princes though all give not like cause Thus you see what we think meet to answer at this time having some reasonable Causes to move us to think That if the matter be as earnestly meant as is by the Ambassadors words pretended they will not be so precise as to demand any conditions in the case of Religion whereof our estate may come in danger or our present quietness come in doubt And therefore you shall be the more earnest in setting forth the dangers that necessarily may follow The Ambassador hath required us to send you the rest of such demands as is meet for our part whereunto we were once inclined and have them in readiness But now we find it convenient first to understand the resolution of this matter of Religion before we will propound the rest whereby no delay of time shall follow if in the first we may accord for we may speedily by Post send you the same demands if cause so require Given under our signet at our Pallace of Westminister the 11 day of May 1571 and in the 13 year of our Reign To the Right Honourable Fr. Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr by the Queens Majesties Letters you shall understand what you are directed to do and say and therefore I must forbear to deal therein with you considering you are prescribed But I will friendly let you know how the answer hath proceeded and so the cause and circumstance known you may the better conceive the inward sense of the Message At the first coming of your Letters hither with the answer from Queen Mother In A was very sorry to judge the matter so perplexed and almost desperate Whereby I then judged there was here a plaine forward intention to proceed in the cause if this let for Religion should not be a stay After two daies the French Ambassador had Letters and the Queens Majestie was by some informed that saw the Letters that there was no such difficulty in that matter of Religion Nevertheless the Ambassador himself being appointed to conferr with my Lord of Leicester and me made the cause very hard alledging directly that Monsieur would never sustaine that dishonour as to come hither with an accompt to the world that he should have no Religion and then I answered as is contained in the Queens Majesties Letters setting out the neerness of ours to such as was good and found in the Roman adding that we omitted nothing but those which were impious and doubtfull to be against the Scriptures And so with us he ended with this request that the Queens Majestie would grant these words quod which sentence I found imperfect and so yet do I reported this to the Queens Majestie After this I was by one of some value secretly informed that if this matter of Religion were earnestly sticked unto and peremptorily pressed it would be obtained whereupon the answer was conceived and I commanded to report it to the French Ambassador who hearing it seemed much dismayed and concluded That he saw not but this answer should make a breach and end of the whole For if the answer saith he be grounded upon the Queens conscience then saith he there is no qualification to be hoped for Thus I reported and thereupon I saw her Majestie was perplexed and wished I had forborn to have made the principall foundation upon her Majesties conscience which I was commanded to do and therefore no fault in me And to remedie the matter I was willed speedily to advertise the Ambassador secretly that I was larger in explication of her Majesties conscience then I see since my speaking with him was meant and that the principall reasons were the other of the misliking of her good subjects and of the danger to lose their good wills c. And so did I by a little writing advertise him whereby what conceit he gathereth I know not but by some others I heare that he still judgeth it broken After this I was commanded also to temper the sentence in the Queens Majesties Letters as you perceive for it is not as it was an assertion of direct necessity but of possibility

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 Paspor● 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.

we were content to pass over the same with hope that he would attend his causes only according to the place he held to be as an Agent or Minister for her and not to intermeddle as he had done with our Affairs and to trouble our State nevertheless within a few moneths after he did eftsoons secretly by night which was the last Summer enter into such intelligences and practises with some of our Nobility as we could not endure the same but for a time restrained him of his libertie until he promised never to be found in the like to offend us Contrary whereunto he hath now of new entred into practises by his Letters and Ministers to stir up secretly some new Rebellion in our Realm and hath for that purpose dealt by his Ministers with certain our Fugitives and Rebels in the the King of Spains Low-Countreys As also with the Duke of Alva and further prosecuted his intentions to that purpose by sending both to the Pope and to the King of Spain of all which his doing we have full proof and in certain part to prove the same his own Confessions and manifestly argue his guiltiness Now therefore you shall require the King or his Mother if they shall deal with you herein to interpret well of our doings for that we may not endure such kind of dealing as may so indanger or at the least trouble our Estate And for this purpose if you shall be required why we do refuse to grant to the Bishop of Glascow passport you shall say it is upon the self same ground for we do well know his conditions and specially how unmeet a man he is to come hither to do any good office betwixt the Queen his Mistress and us who we know hath rather been a maintainer then a pacifier of discord betwixt us in times past And for our intention towards the Queens of Scots although her Minister the Bishop of Ross hath otherwise deserved yet we do continue in minde to proceed to the hearing and ordering of her cause upon the coming of certain Noblemen out of Scotland both for her and the King her Son the delay whereof hath lately grown by the renewing of arms on both sides whereof being by an express Messenger of ours now very lately sent into Scotland to both parties earnestly charged by us either of the parties do charge the other and excuse themselves and yet at length they are now content to re-enter again into Treaty offering to send hither their Commissioners For which purpose we have even this day returned answer to them of our contentation to hear them and have required both parties to lay down their Arms which we doubt not but they will and so doing we trust shortly some good end will follow for so is our desire and full purpose and so shall it appear by our actions Of all this we thought good to inform you to the end you may the better answer thereto if speech be moved thereof or else not Given at Osterley the eighth of Iune 1571. and in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable and my very loving Friend Mr. Francis Walsingham Esquire Ambassador Resident in France SIr as I promised by my last Letters sent by your Italian so do I now dispatch Harcourt By her Majesties Letters you shall see your charge wherein God give you good success as I for my part sincerely mean even for his glory and for the surety of the Queen my Soveraign and weal of my Countrey wherein if I do dissemble I wish as I am writing the indignation of the Almighty Lord of Hosts The cause of the Queens Majesties persisting so hard in the cause of Religion wherein I rejoyce as the allowance of the matter is as I find and do disclose secretly an opinion that her Majestie conceiveth that if she will stand fast they will utterly yield Now how true that will fall out in the event or why she is so informed if it be not too certain you may ghess I hear by some other that du Pine saith so unto me he neither saith so nor doth answer to it though I do ask him thereof directly But this he saith that Monsieur will be content to have the point of Religion left free without any Capitulation This I pray you keep to your self for it may be mistaken of some I send you a a Book in French of the Common-prayer which is hardly gotten as this bearer can shew you I fear the first Articles were mistaken in that the Ambassador saith they lacked some clauses And I perusing my Copies find both sorts remaining with me that is one sort without these clauses added and another with them whereof I do now send you one I did name to the Ambassadour for the Queens Majesties Dowry Fourty thousand Crowns and since I find the Queens Majestie content with Thirty thousand for so was Queen Maries by the name of Three thousand pounds Flemish after fourty grooz to the pound which maketh but Thirty thousand Crowns French The Ambassador since he had his answer wrote to me to procure a more certain Answer what Monsieur should have and though it be not expressed in the first answers where properly it was to be answered yet I think it shall be no less then the Dowry of Kings Wives here hath been which is Ten thousand Marks or Twenty thousand Nobles Now I must wearily being assaulted with business of Scotland which is now in Arms and dangerously for our part and also fore Ireland which is onely in trouble for want of money give over c. From Osterly where the Queens Majestie is retired for this day and to morrow the seventh of Iune 1571. To the ●ight Ho●●●ra●le and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh IT may please your Honour to advertise her Majestie that the 19 of this Moneth having access unto the King I shewed unto the King her Majesties Articles using such speech before the delivery of the same as by mine instructions from her Majestie I was directed The King shewed me that he could not but accept in the best part her Majesties frank and confident dealing and that therefore he found himself most bound unto her willing me to assure her Majestie from him that this sincere and direct dealing should receive the like aquital at his hands Touching his answer unto the said demands he told me he would confer with his Councel and would within a day or two send for me to the Court to understand what would be his resolution The eighteenth of this Moneth he sent for me and there shewed me that upon conference with his Councel he was resolved forthwith to dispatch a Gentleman of his Chamber named de l' Archant being Captain of his Brothers guard to give her Majestie thanks for that it pleased her to deal so frankly with him and so sincerely as she had done in the Treaty of this weighty cause in hand which honourable proceeding of hers

he willed me to assure her that he would never forget and further to signifie unto her that he made choise of the Marshal Montm●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 ● 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 gr●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 ●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. Anjo● 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

both how inconvenient it would b● 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 fe●●ed In the end she concluded whatsoever in the matter through this hard poin● 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 th●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 ren●er unto her Majestie most humble th●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 ●●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 〈◊〉 N●gotia●on And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this pre●e●t I most humbly t●ke my leave At Melun the last of Iuly 1571. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Hono●rable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester AFter long deliberation the King is 〈◊〉 to send over forthwith Monsieur de F●ix with his 〈…〉 touching the matter in hand who as I suppose hath Commission ●o conclude either marriage or some 〈…〉 between the two C●owns They rest here very w●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 st●ggering S●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 〈◊〉 ●ow cometh he 〈◊〉 every way in defence of her honour as much as if he were her 〈…〉 he is like to ●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 r●lent For certain respects they desire Monsieur de Foix coming to be kept secret until his arrival Besides Caval●●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 desperat● 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 disp●table whether the same is to be received otherwise then after the acc●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

Serenissimus Dux non diutiùs utetur ritibus ceremoniis haud consentientibus cum Legibus Angliae quam quoad institutus persuasus fuerit ut Ecclesiae Anglicanae ritus sufficientes esse existimet ad Cultum divinum neque iis quidem consentientibus cum legibus Angliae ita utetur ut aut bonis subditis regni ad publicam offensionem aut malis ad violandas leges prebeatur sed semper quum publicae offensiones huic aut acciderint aut indubitatè ad futurae videbuntur unde tumultus in regno metui possint se adomnes suae Majestatis benevolas admonitiones cum pro honore securitate suae Majestatis quam pro communi tranquilitate regni conservanda modo forma se geret ut Reginae Consilio suo par esse atque conveniens videbitur Idemque per omnia permittit se prestiturum pro omnibus domesticis qui cum illo permittenter ad esse in aliquo suo cultu Religioso Postremo quia Regiae Majestati visum est Oratores falsos esse se non habuisse potestatem iis premissis ut proponuntur plenè assentiendi aequum esse etiam visum est suae Majestati ut illa responsa non tradantur tanquam ita maturé consult determinata à sua Majestate quin ut liceat suae Majestati detrahere aut ad ea aliquid adjicere impost erum et eò magis quia non fine multa persuasione cohortatione consiliorum suorum ad astentiendum multis praedictorum adducta est Et id circo etiam Majestas Sua petit à Christianissimo fratre suo Rege Christianissimo ut quanquam haec quae ● sua Majestate responsa sunt non sunt per omnia Regi placitura nulla tamen Diminutio mutuae amicitiae prioris intersuas Majestates subsequatur quia nihil poti●s habet in votis sua Majestas quam amicitiam mutuam cum Christianissimo fratre suo conservare atque augere To the Right honourable and my very Friend Francis Walsingham Esq her Majestes Ambassador Resident in France SIr as we here upon dispatches sent thither to you do not hear of long time of any answer from you are unquiet in our minds for the desire we have to understand the process of the causes in hand so I am assured you have not been out of trouble and care in that you have not of long time heard from hence in what sort Monsieur de Foix hath treated or rather been handled but this shall content you to think and therefore I do assure you that the negotiation hath had almost as many changes though not in contrarieties yet in varieties as it hath had days of conferences and sometimes moe If I may truly report that in some one days act one part of the day hath not been so seasonable as the other and therefore judge you if you had been advertised from one time to another how dissonant the same might have been in your ears how deformed in your eye and percase as herewith you may be justly grieved so would you ask of me the just cause thereof if you were with me which I would not refuse to declare conjecturally as I might but to write hereof I do forbear thinking that by other your friends Letters you will guess Monsieur de Foix hath had seven or eight special conferences with her Majestie and with us of her Councel And at the first he found such favourable answers as he accounted the matter his own to call you truly the 3368 tu wholly added with a certain circumscribld 4 s ● 477 ●●● t 418 and if any of them have principally or indirectly impugned the same as I cannot affirm truly therein he nor they shall have hereafter a quiet conscience Indeed we have cause to think that some for proof practising particularity have troubled quiet waters God give them grace to repent their errours The answers have been since they were first given in words altered in writing and directed so to be to the worse and thereby the Ambassador have been greatly perplexed to find the latter harder then the first and yet now as you shall see the words for the point of Religion thus her Majestie is resolved and so she doth pronounce to her Councel whom she seeth earnestly bent by all means to further this marriage for her own surety and for the avoiding of the inevitable Ruine of this Monarchy that surely so as Monsieur will forbear the mass she will assent to the marriage and this she confirmeth with all good speeches to give credit but yet all of us are not so perswaded not for doubt of her assertions which surely are agreeable to her mind when she uttereth them but for doubt that others misliking the same may indirectly draw her from her determination If you require of me what you may say her Majesties Letters will warrant you for words but what you may hope will succeed I can no more ascertain you then I can my self who am now to expect at Gods hands blessing or vengeance for it is likely his Majestie will no longer dissemble his determinations In the mean time the beholding of this cloud the time to creep nearer by prayer for fear and reverence of his mercy and to beseech him to direct the heart of her Majestie to chuse that which may be most to his glory Monsieur de Foix hath had good entertainment in all external offices well used by her Majestie defrayed for his diet at the time he hath been near the Court and in coming and returning my Lord of Buck●urst hath very courteously and honourably accompanied him during his being here and to increase his honour I caused my Lord of Oxford to attend on him in sundry places and by the way from London hither to Wal●en he dined at my house as I doubt not but he and the Resident Ambassador have seen my hearty devotion to the marriage and indeed so is my judgement therein confirmed as I am not ashamed to utter my self howsoever it may be perilous to me when it shall not take place you see also how openly I deal with you I have declared to her Majestie the necessary occasion that you have this present moneth to attend Physick whereby the place you hold were meet to be supplyed by some such as her Majestie shall think convenient but I cannot have her direction fully to be declared But she saith that upon the next answer to come from you she will give you either authority to appoint Beal in your place as your Substitute or she will send Master Killigrew thither Monsieur de Foix hath very earnestly moved her Majestie to send some one person of credit to the French King to affirm and justifie the reasons of her answer or rather if the Marriage shall not take place to enter into the Treaty of some straiter allyance and confederacy which for my part I thought very reasonable and did assent and

given unto de Foix which he did repute to be done unto himself for that it was done for his sake Secondarily he willed me to shew unto her that he was glad to understand by him and receive at so good restimony of the great affection that her Majestie beareth unto him and of the desire she had not onely to continue in good Amity with him but also to encrease the same Lastly he willed me to shew unto her that her answer touching the point of Religion is very hard and that therefore he trusteth that the Gentleman whom he is put in hope she will send over shall have authority to qualifie the same as also to treat of some other matters to be propounded that may tend to the encrease of further Amity which he above all things desireth who shall be unto him very welcome and that he will strive with her in honouring of such Ministers as shall come from her Majestie whereby the good will he hath to honour her may appear After he had ended in this behalf he desired me to recommend again unto her Majestie Moris Chamails the Brittain on whose behalf he had lately written and sent his Letters unto his Ambassador to be delivered unto her Majesty and that he hoped for his sake that the said party should receive redress and come to an end of his long suit whereby he might have more cause to yield like justice to her Majesties Subjects at such time as they shall have recourse unto him for the same In this behalf I understand that the Councel here have promised him that if by the Ambassadors means his cause shall receive no end that then he shall have a Letter of Mart given him I find him very importunate and one that maketh very lewd reports how that he hath been put in fear of his life and that therefore he dare not return to follow his suit I beseech your Lordship that by your means I may receive some order from her Majestie how to answer him I was sent unto by the Lord Admirall to desire your Lordship to be a mean unto her Majestie that whereas there was delivered unto his late brother the Cardinall a Bill signed with her Majesties hand for the receipt of certain Jewells engaged that it would please her Majestie for that the said Bill is onely signed and not sealed which being sent unto me they will deliver the other unsealed upon the receipt of the same This he willed me to shew you that he doth it rather to content the Queen of Navarre then that he thinketh the other bill insufficient who thinketh his said Brother to have used some negligence in this behalf Thus leaving further to trouble your Lordship at this present I most humbly take my leave At Blois the 23 of September 1571. Your Honour to command Fr. Walsingham To Fr Walsingham Esq the Q. Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr you see that our Northern Planets have their influences to make changes as others in the Meridionall have howsoever Monsieur de Foix or the French Ambassador shall advertise of the cause now happened concerning the Duke of Norfolk this is the truth and so you may avow it The money was taken being by the Dukes commandment as he avoweth and confesseth received by Barker his man from the French Ambassador to have been sent to Banister the Dukes man dwelling about Shrewsbury to one Lowther and other of the Dukes servants secretly kept upon the West-borders and by him should have been sent to the Lord Harries and by him to Riddington There was in the Bag also Letters from the French Ambassador to Viraque in Cipher hereof Monsieur de Foix made mention before his departure and did think there was no other matter against the Duke which I would there had not but sith there was much other of great danger God is to be thanked that it is discovered as now it is There is found a long discourse about the D. sent from the Queen of Scots in Cipher to him the 7 of February last by which the said Q. layeth before the D. how she is Councelled from Spain to fly into Spain misliking utterly of the French by reason of the doubt of the Q. marriage with Anjou She doth also use hard words against the Queen Mother she doth also in this discourse conclude that she will make a semblance to the Spaniard of the liking of Don Iohn of Austria although she assureth the Duke of Norfolk of her countenance she moveth that Ridolf may be sent to Rome and to be directed wholly by the Duke of Norfolk with many moe things of such sort The Duke hath confessed the receipt of this from the Queen of Scots but denieth he was privie of Ridolfs going otherwise then that he was earnestly required by the Bishop of Ross to instruct him and write by him to the Duke of Alva to require aid of men and money for the Queens party in Scotland wherein he saith he did refuse to deal for the perill thereof He confessed that he had received four Letters from the Scotish Queen within this Twelve months and did answer them by Writing and all in Cyphering but his were only of Thanks and to move the Queen of Scots to depend only upon the Queens Majesty but herein the Duke can make none of us to credit him He saith also that before the sending of this money he helped the French Ambassador to send his Packet to Viracque in July We have also found his Cypher betwixt the Scotish Queen and him but all his writings are conveyed which he saith were by him burnt Now have we great cause to think that he was privy to the dangerous practise whereof we found Ridolph to have dealt in with the Duke of Alva in offering him that a Rebellion should be moved here this Summer if the Duke of Alva would assist it but of this the Duke will not be known But we do find more presently a smell that 258. Deep whereas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 28 at 740 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are at this time much perplexed herewith and secretly disposed to no good but there is waite laid upon them Now for Scotland the fourth of this moneth Huntley and Hamilton with others to the number of 300 secretly stole into Sterling in the night by Corruption of one Bell of Sterling who had a postern of a wall into the privy Garden they addressed themselves to the lodging of the Earle of Lennox the Regent Morton Glencarn Lord Rithill Mookgill and suddenly without any great resistance took them and was carrying them out of the Town with intent to have killed them but rescue came out of the Castle and so they were all saved but the Regent who was slain with a pistolet by one Calder who being taken confessed that Huntley and Lord Hamilton did so command him he is executed and so also is Bell that betrayed the Town the Regent lived 8 houres and died stoutly and godly The Earle

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 no● 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 persw●ded that her Majesties heart is nothing inclined to marry at all for the 〈◊〉 ●as ever brought to as many points as we could devise and alwayes she was bent to hold with the difficultest For my part i● 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 he●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 seeme●● 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 siste● 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 ●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 co●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

directing his Speech to me saying that I had been and was the cause of all the unkindnesse that had chanced betwixt the King his Master and the Q. Maj. whereunto as it became me for truths sake I answer'd with more modest terms then he deserved and referred my self to all the Lords in Councel to report of me whether any thing had beene said or done by me from the beginning of these broils concerning him or his Master or the Arrest that had not been ordered and directed by her Majestie in Councel all which the whole Lords did affirm and my Lord of Sussex in the Italian tongue did very plainly and very earnestly confirm it but yet his cholor would not be so tempered and so he was dismissed and Mr. Knolls appointed to tend on him at his house This was done the thirteenth of this Month and untill the 24 he could not be gotten out of the Town and then he went to Greenwich and on Saint Stephens day to Gravesend where he yet remaineth but this day or to morrow he is to remove to Canterbury and Iohn Hawkins with whom he is well enough agreed notwithstanding the braw that had been for Hawkins spoyl in the Indies is now appointed to pass him over at Dover to Callais in a Ship of the Queens Majesties and to confirm the continuance of his mallice where there was a full determination made by Treaty by one Monsieur of the Low-Countrie and Thomas Fiascio a Genevoise for a mutual restitution on both parts and the same part in writing to have been sealed and subscribed he hath so handled the matter as by his addition of certain words the whole is become void For if our Merchants should admit his device they should be without all surety of their Goods in Spain and contrariwise the Spaniards should first have theirs arrested here whereby it is likely that the intent of this Treaty will break off and therewith our Merchants are best contented For now considering the breaking off proceedeth from the other party it is intended that there shall be a speedy sale of the strangers Commodities and therewith our own Merchants shall be duely recompenced At this present there is another come from the King of Portugal to move an end of all arrest and renew the Traffique between this Realm and his whereby it is manifestly seen that there shall follow a very good vent for all Commodities that Spain was wont to expend As yet there is no accord known to us betwixt the Kings party in Scotland and them of the Castle for that they of the Castle cannot have their reasonable demands for the restitution of their Lands and Goods well assured The French Ambassador lately by the Queens Majesties appointment dealt with my Lord of Leicester and me upon these Points following which he said he was willed to doe by his Masters Letters of the first of this Moneth For offer of Amity by Marriage or League To complain of the intention of her Majestie to send force into Scotland to aid the Kings party with a kind of threatning that the King might not endure but aid the other party with force and in speech hereof a request that some expedition might be made to procure the Queen of Scots restitution with the Queens Majesties assurance To demand restitution of money that was intercepted being sent towards Scotland for Viraque alleadging that the one half was the Kings money and that though the Queen Mother had otherwise at the first spoken to Mr Walsingham yet she now understandeth the contrary by the Kings Treasurers who sent it To these was answered To the first That you had Commission amply to satisfie the King To the second That nothing was intended to be done by force if they that were of the Castle would abide by their own offers which they had made to the Queens Majestie by Messages and Letters viz. That they would accord with the other party so as the Queens Majestie would provide for their honours lives and their Lands and Goods which her Majestie intended to doe and therein to doe nothing that should be prejudicial to the ancient League betwixt the French King and the Crowne of Scotland and so was told him that you had Commission to declare to the King wherewith the Ambassador seemed very well content As to devise any way expedient for the Scotch Queen absolutely was answered That the Queens Majestie would never assent thereto neither would any Counceller of this estate willingly permit any consultation to be made thereof such was her known malice to the Queens Majestie The third for the money we told him as plain a tale to the contrary and vouched the Bishop of Ross his Confession thereof but the Ambassador would still have us believe him which he could not obtain This Treaty was long on both sides and ended in good sort and friendly In the end he was earnest for his freedom of impost for 30 tonn we said that he should be free from as much as he should spend in his house but that contented him not finally considering the terms of towardness to friendship he shall have his own desire whereby spending seven or eight tonn the rest shall pay for his expences Of all these things I have thought good to scribble to you this Childermas day in my bed and am bold to send this Letter unsealed in a Letter of Mr. Walsinghams because he shall not be ignorant I think the Duke shall be arraigned on Monday the 14 of the next Month. At Westminster the 28 of December 1571. Your assured friend W. Burleigh To the right honorable and my very good friend Mr. Francis Walsingham her Majesties Ambassador in France SIr You shall understand that immediately after Sir Tho. Smith had taken his leave of the Court a servant of my brother Killigrews named Geofery came to the Court with Letters from you and from the Court and before this bearer can come to you I doubt not but you shall have understanding by Mr. Smith what charge he hath and therein here is now an earnest determination to spend time no longer then honour will spare and so I thin● this bearer will say of his knowledge who surely maketh good demonstration of his honest meaning to all Parties and therein he is to be comforted On Friday last the Spanish Ambassador was sent for to the Councell and in the Queens name commanded to depart the Realme the same hath beene oftentimes intended but never put in execution before this present and now provoked by intelligence of certain new practises within this Realm to perswade the Subjects that the King his Master would aid them with power this Spring c. he hath also lately searched for certain Barons Walls he shall depart by Dover into the Low-Country I can write no more for lack of leasure being occasioned to write at this time divers waies and not unoccupied with feasting my friends at the marriage of my daughter who is

this day married to the Earl of Oxford to my comfort by reason of the Queens Majestie who hath very honourably with her presence and great favour accompanied it I am sorry that your health is not more sperable to be speedily recovered but I trust after you have rested so in convenient time the Medicines shall have more power to do their effects My Lord Gray of Wilton hath had the like disease this Summer and seemeth to be cured or eased by the industry of an Italian Phisitian here in London called Silva he is thought to be more experimented in Surgery then in Phisick for so is his father who lieth in the Savoy with the Duke if you will send me some note or description and therewith a note of their method in curing of you I would confer with this Silva and advertise you of my opinion I wish to hear more life of the matter of 57. And thus ending with my most hearty commendations c. From Westminster December 1571. Yours most assured Will. Burliegh To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr Though I had no great matter to you yet if I had my health being now subject to a combat with a Feaver whereof this day I have had an assault of a second fit I must be excused to hold my hand where my head is not able to command it as this bearer can inform you Since your Letters which came when Sir Tho. Smiths were brought I received from you two other of the 17. by which I see you are advertised from good places how things passed at the Court there and in that matter of the third person newly offered his age and other qualities unknown maketh me doubtfull how to use speech thereof The Ambassador hath dealt as he saith secretly with me And I have shewed no argument to one hand or other as I may learn further from thence I will deal but fear occupieth me more in this cause of her Marriage whom God hath suffered to lose so much time then for my next fit and yet truely I have more cause then before time for it cometh of a great cold and a Rhume fallen into my Lungs where it is lodged as yet without moving but in respect of other things I see and suffer I weigh not my own carcase The Queens Majesty hath been alwaies a merciful Lady and by mercy she hath taken more harm then by justice and yet she thinks that she is more beloved in doing her self harm God save her to his honour long among us Mather hath in presence of my Lord of Leicester Mr. Treasuror Mr. Mildmay manfully charged Borgest the Spanish Ambassadors Secretary that his Master and he both inticed Mather to murther me and Borgest denying it Mather hath offered to try it Con la spada c. From Westminster the 23 of January 1571. Your loving Friend Will. Burleigh To Francis Walsingham Esq the Queens Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr I have nothing to write worth your good hearing for that I might write is not to my liking but Gods will be fulfilled This day the Marshal of Berwick and Mr. Randolph are gone for Scotland matters I mistrust not the matter by their handling but they lack that which others should handle you know what I mean and yet here hath lacked no solicitation I have not been able by a cold to see her Majestie these eight daies and this day I am in Phisick throughly sick and I write as you see like one unsetled and surely in mine opinion others though very few lack not to sollicite by speech oportune importune The Spanish late Ambassador passed hardly over conducted by Hawkins to Callais and like himself at Gravelin he turned out all the English men that he found and yet he knoweth that here remaineth Monsieur Sweringham at the request of the Duke of Alva Here is no small expectation whether the Duke shall die or continue prisoner I know not how to write for I am here in my Chamber subject to reports which are contrariwise Mather and Berny besides that they intended to kill me have now plainly confessed their intention and desire to have been rid of the Queens Majesty but I think she may by justice be rid of them Mather denieth not but that he was a 8 2 0 6 and now saith he is a 0 2 1 0 6. I wish him grace From Westminster the second of February 1571. Yours assuredly W. Burliegh To the right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France SIr I heartily thank you for your frequent Letters and especially for that of the 9. whereby you will not be afraid of the Scotch preparation of force out of that Country indeed they should much disturb our proceedings there privatly for Mr. Drury and Mr. Randolph are there about this instant labouring to reconcile them of the Castle to the Kings side but this French Ambassador understandeth the matter to be only about the Treaty of abstinence untill la Croque may come whose haste I wish were retarded with a fit of my gout The Queens Majesty is very earnest that you should return to the Court specially because she would have you joyn with Sir Tho. Smith in this Treatie and when I excused your absence for the recovery of your full healing she said that she understood that you were healed almost one month past and thereto I said that as you were healed so was there as much need for you to rest for the confirmation of your healing or otherwise you should suffer a relapse with as great peril as before Well quoth she see you write to him that it is my desire and will him to find means to repair gently to the Court and there he may rest him But for all this it were better her Majestie should mislike of your tarrying if it be necessary whereby you may after that serve her better then by going now to doe one piece of service thereby be made unable to do the rest of many I cannot write you what is the inward cause of the stay of the Duke of Norfolks death only I find her Majestie diversly disposed sometime when she speaketh of her Majesties danger she concludeth that justice should be done another time when she speaketh of his nearness of bloud of his superiority in honour c. she stayeth As upon Saturday she signed a Warrant for the Writs to the Sheriffs of London for his execution on Monday and so all preparations were made with the expectation of all London and concourse of many thousands yesterday in the morning but their coming was answered with another ordinary execution of Mather and Berny for conspiring the Queens Majesties death and of one Rolph for counterfeiting the Queens Majesties hand twice to get concealed Lands And the cause of this disappointment was this suddenly on Sunday 〈◊〉 in the night the ●ueens Majestie sent for me and entred into a great

Mother said she would speak with her son in the matter Then I required her that she would do so much as call for Monsieur de Foix and shew him how she was agreed for the Merchants and that he would make haste with the Treaty as it was agreed upon saving for the mending of three or four words for I saw novv I must be fain to send into England before I can subscribe it She said she would not fail but that said she if it be but that doubt or some such small thing it might be let alone till one should come out of England The King my son will send over the Marshal Montmorency because the Queen your Mistris desired it and he desireth again that she would send hither my Lord of Leicester whom he desireth to see and honour for the good affection that he beareth to the Amity betwixt the two Realms and to acquit himself for the presents which he hath divers times sent unto him and then she doubted not all things should be done as your Majestie would desire Nay Madam quoth I I know the fashion of leagues it must be first agreed upon betwixt the Commissioners that no words be altered then subscribed with the hands of both the parties your Commissioners delivering the part signed with their hands to us and ours next to them then the Prince causeth it to be made under the great Seal of the Realm and so causeth it to be delivered each to others Ambassador he that cometh to see it sworn to may make a new League if the Princes will so to alter that he cannot for the Princes be bound to ratifie and swear to that the which the Commissioners were agreed upon And it were not wisdom to send such personages as your Majestie speaks of to an uncertain League you may consider my Mistress will not do it Well saith she I will speak with the King my self and send you Monsieur de Foix who shall treat with you of all these matters Then Mr Walsingham asked her if any thing were done as touching de la Roche and the matters in Ireland And she said yea and that de la Roche saith it is nothing and that there is not a French man there and that he will lay his head on it I pray you send home word that it may be tried out and if he do not say truth that he may feel smart for it and be well punished Then Mr. Killegrew took his leave of the Queen Mother and the Lady Margaret as he did before in the Kings Chamber of the King and the Duke for so they name the Duke d'Alanson of all whom he had gracious and gentle words as he can shew your Majestie he could not for divers respects conveniently have taken his leave before The younger Queen is taken here to be undoubtedly with child for she hath all the tokens of a woman that hath conceived and they gess she hath gone three moneths and more whereof the King and Queen Mother is not a little joyful Thus we most humbly commit your Highness to the tuition of Almightie God From Bloys the first of March 1571. Your Majesties most humble Subjects and Servants Tho Smith Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Lordship by Sir Tho Smithes Letters unto her Majestie shall be fully informed what hath passed in Conference as well with the King as his Deputies touching the League to which I refer you Of late I caused one under the colour of a Catholique to repair unto one Darbishire an English Jesuit in Paris for that I understood that there is a concurrency of intelligence between him and those of Lorrain as also with those of the Scotish Queens faction The party I sent did seem very much to bewail the evil success that the late practises took in Scotland and that now he did fear their case will grow desperate especially for that Mathers enterprize was also discovered To this the Jesuit answered that the evil handling of matters was the cause that they took no better effect notwithstanding saith he be of good comfort and assure your self there are more Mathers in England then one who will not admit when time shall conveniently serve to adventure their lives in seeking to acquit us of that lewd woman meaning her Majestie For saith he if she were gone then would the hedge lie open whereby the good Queen that now is prisoner in whom resteth the present the right of this Crown should easily enjoy the same For besides that all the Catholiques within the Realm of England are at her devotion there are saith he God be thanked divers Heretiques that are well-affected towards her which is no small miracle that God hath so blinded the● eyes as that they should be inclined to her that in the end shall yeild unto the● their just desert unless they return unto the Catholique faith The other replye● that for his part he could never hope to see her at liberty nor long to see her ke●● her head upon her shoulders and therefore could receive no great comfort 〈◊〉 way Well saith the Jesuit I tell you truly that I dare assure you she shall have no harm for she lacketh no friends in the English Court And as for her liberty saith he it standeth all good Catholiques in hand ●o much to seek it either by hook or by crook as no doubt but there are some good men that will venter a joynt to bring it to pass For if she were once possessed of the Crown of England it will be the onely way and mean to reform all Christendom in reducing them to the Catholique faith and therefore you must think that there are more heads occupied in this matter then English heads and that there are moe ways to the wood then one and therefore be of good courage and ere ever one year be at an end you shall know more Besides his villainous and undutiful language of her Majestie he used very lewd and bitter speeches against the Earl of Leicester and your Lordship This was the sum of their talk which I conferring and weighing with the former intended practises made me think it worth the advertisement that her Majestie may see how much they build upon the possibility of that dangerous woman whose life is a step unto her Majesties death for that they repute her for an undoubtable successor or rather which is a more danger for a right Inheritor And though I know her mischievous intentions are limitted that they can reach no further to her Majesties harm or prejudice then shall seem good to Gods providence yet is her Majestie bound for her own safety and her Subejcts to adde to the same his good providence her just policy so far forth as may stand with justice And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Bloys the second of March 1571. Your Honours to

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 ●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 pr●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

and novv be in the Castle of Edenburgh and this being understood the Ship vvas stayed and searched and amongst other the confirmation of that vvhich I told you before vvas in the Scotch Queens Letters that she gave her self and her son novv the young King of Scotland vvholly into the hands of the King of Spain to be governed and ruled only by him and assure him that if he vvould send any povver the young King should be delivered into his hands For in the Ship it doth appear that the Lord Seton by his instructions is named the Scotch Queens Ambassador tovvards the Duke of Alva A goodly Ambassador saith the Queen And there in his Ambass he offereth the young King to be delivered into his hands to be conveyed into Spain And to animate him more to set up again the Scotch Queen and take the protection of her that she hath right both by Gods Law and mans Law to be Queen of England and also of Scotland and that she hath not only all those that be in trouble now but a great sort more in England on her part so that the King by setting her up should not only govern both these Realms but shall also set up in both again the Catholique Religion Alas saith the Queen that head of hers shall be never in quiet This quoth I toucheth us most the next toucheth the King your son I will shew unto you as I have it my Lord Burleigh writeth it unto me In the same ship amongst other was found a Letter of the Countess of Northumberland who was one of the chief stirrers in the last Rebellion Her husband the Earl is now prisoner in Scotland for the same purpose The Countess in her Letter writeth to her husband that the Duke of Guise hath of late been with the D. of Alva disguised and she affirmeth to her husband for certainty all the house of Guise and that faction will follow in all points the direction of the King of Spain Saith the Queen he was not for by reason of his Treaty of accord she meant between the Admiral and him which hath been long time in doing and yet taketh that small success every four daies we either hear from him or send to him so that we know certainly where he is and that he hath not been there he might well enough send some other person but somewhat there is we know well enough saith she that they incline somewhat that way of Spain and it may be nothing for it is the Spanish practice to aid themselves with lies and spread abroad that those and those be of the Faction to bring other in when indeed it is nothing so that used the Emperor Charls and so brought some by this means unto his lure before they were aware and that is a shrewd art quoth I to abuse rash fools Yes saith she but when at the last it is espied it makes them the more to be hated and other the harder to be abused by them Then she left that matter Jesu saith she and doth not your Mistress see that she shall be alwaies in danger untill she marry That once done and in some good House who dare attempt any thing against her Madam quoth I I think if she were once married all in England that had any traiterous hearts would be discouraged for one Tree alone may soon be cut down but when there be two or three together it is longer a doing and one shall watch for the other but if she had a child then all these bold and troublesome Titles of the Scotch Queen or other that make such gapings for her death will be clean choaked up I see she may have five or six saith she very well I would to God we had one No saith she two boys le●t the one should die and three or four daughters to make alliance with us again and other Princes to strengthen the Realm Why then quoth I you think that Monsieur le Duc shall speed With that she laughed and said Ie le desire infinitement and I would trust then to see three or four my self at the least of her race which would make me indeed not to spare Sea nor Land to see her and them And if she could have fancied my son d'Anjou saith she as you told me why not this of the same house Father and Mother and as vigorous and lusty as he and rather more and now he beginneth to have a beard come forth so that I told him the last day that I was angry with it for now I was afraid he would not be so high as his brethren Yea Madam quoth I a man doth commonly grow in height to his years the beard maketh nothing Nay saith she he is not so little he is so high as you or very near For that matter Madam quoth I I for my part make small account if the Queens Majestie can fancie him For Pipinus Brevis who married Bertha the King of Almains Daughter was so little to her that he is standing in Aquisgrave or Moguerre a Church in Almani she taking him by the hand and his head not reaching to her girdle and yet he had by her Charlemain the great Emperor and King of France which is reported to be almost a Giants stature And your Oliver Glesquim the Briton Constable that you make so much of and lieth buried amongst the Kings at St. Dennis if he were no bigger then is there pourtrayed upon his Tomb was very short scarcely four foot long but yet he was valiant hardly and couragious above all in his time and did us English men most hurt It is true saith she it is the heart courage and activity that is to be looked for in a man but hear you word of the Queens affection that way can you give me no comfort No I assure your Majestie quoth I for the Letters were written the 11 of this Month the same day or the next that our Currier went with the dispatch from hence Thus with much other talk in such sort the time was passed that day betwixt her Majestie and me All the world doth see that we doe wish her Majestie surety and long continuance that her marriage and issue of her Highness body should be the most assurance of her Highness and of the Wealth of the Realm The place where and the person whom I for my part remit to her Majestie but what doth her Majestie mean to maintain still her danger and not provide for her surety I assure your Lordship I can see no reason God preserve her Majestie long to Reigne over us by some unlooked for miracle for I cannot see by natural reason that her Highness goeth about to provide for it Thus I commit your Lordship to Almighty God From Blois March 22. 1571. by English account Th. Smith To my Lord of Burleigh MY Lord You must excuse us if the Queens Majestie or any other body do find fault that we send this man away

we do long so much for answer out of England it being 22 daies since Mr. Beal departed from hence and we thought but upon 15. the thing being here so desired of them so necessary as we think for us that the fault we find there we will not have found in us but rather send all that we have here and be sick for grief that we hear nothing from you then you would excuse us there by our like doings here Your Lordship may be well assured there is nothing more expected and looked for then the Queens Majesties resolution in these two points whereof for the one the League is accounted a● sure both of us and them the other for the marriage although in suspence yet in great hope so much as they get in uncertainly in such a matter on their side for our parts as we have said we can say nothing whereof we are more sorry and do lament in our hearts to see such uncertain so negligent and irresolute provision for the safety of the Queens Majesties person and of her Reigne over us God of his almighty and miraculous power preserve her long to Reigne over us What shall we say more that is done heretofore even to this day is written fully what shall be written fully what shall be written for you and what God hath disposed to be done we cannot know till we hear from you His grace and mercy turn all to the best and preserve her Majestie and your Lordship with long life and felicity From Blois this Palm Sunday 1571. Th. Smith To my Lord Burleigh YOur Lordships Letters of the 20 of March made us both Mr. Walsingham and me in the reading for we read them both together in a marvelous agony but having the medicine ready that her Majestie was within an hour recovered it did in part heal us again but as your Lordship writeth the care doth not yet cease in you you may be assured it doth as little cease in us calling to our remembrance and laying before our eyes the trouble the uncertainty the disorder the peril and danger which had been like to follow if at that time God had taken from us that stay of the Commonwealth and hope of our repose that Lanthorn of our light next God whom to follow nor certainly where to light another Candle but if the Queens Majestie do still continue in extremities to promise in recoveries to forget what shall we say but as Italians do Passato il pericolo gabbato il fanto And you shall perceive by our proceedings what justly may be required is easie to be done and done if her Majesty deceive her self and with irresolution make all Princes understand that there is no certainty in her Majestie nor her Councel but dallian●e and farding off of time her Majestie shall first discredit her Ministers which is not much but next and by them discredit her self to be counted as uncertain irresolute unconstant and for no Prince to trust unto but as to a Courtier who hath words at will and true deeds none Your Lordship must pardon me for I have here kept so long that I am now in an Ague both in body and spirit nor seeing no cause why Mr. Beal cometh not nor any reason shewed neither in her Majesties Letters nor yours why he doth not come as the humours in my body maketh an Ague in my body whereof I would it should make an end so this irresolution there with you I hope will help to conclude that I shall feel no more miseries which I fear those that come after us shall feel Quia non videbimus tempus visitationis nostrae Thus I commit your Lordship to Almighty God From Blois this Good-Friday 1571. Because the French King doth deal so plainly faithfully and frankly with the Q. Majestie at this time touching the matters in Scotland I pray move her Majestie to deal as frankly with him and let de Crocque be privy to your Instructions and let them be conformable to his and if he shall think so meet you may add more to them for they would have the Commission to be joyntly to doe and with common consent all things To my Lord Burleigh MY very good Lord With much difficulty at the last we have concluded the League and ●r Walsingham and I were fain to stand even to the breaking of all together The last Instructions seemed to us so precise for the Scotch matters we taking them as concluded between the Queens Majestie and Mr. de la Mot their Ambassador Resident there that he did not so conclude nor had no such authority but that it was referred again to us In fine after five or six daies debating the 14 of this month we came to this We yielded to put out and in those words as be in the Instructions as de la Mott required and to change one or two more which varied not the sentence but made it more clear and remitting to us the last Article of reservation to the Scots we remitted also to them the 24. because we would once be at a point And where reservation is needless in a League defensive where is ●o derogation to other Leagues defensives yet we would not that the Queens Majestie should seem any more to relent to them then they to her Highness All the rest they accorded to us as we would desire and in all points as is required in her Highness Letters to us as ye may perceive by the Treaty and by our demand in Latine and that which we followed or gave us reason why not which we send unto you indeed that word present is not so necessary nor effectual for when we speak Statum Scotiae and if you put praesentem and now it is in trouble and doubt may be made whether you would maintain the troubled State or no and so present shall be Determinatio diminuens as homo furibundus seminectus moribundus moriens somniens for so is a Commonwealth in sedition And again when you say Contra publicas Soctiae Leges consuetudines Parliamenta it is understood by common sense praesentes for Laws and Statutes abrogated or antiquated be not Laws so they confessed unto us that they got nothing by putting out praesentem or praesentis but that it lay not so open unto cavillations as though they should by special words maintain the troubled State or allow the Parlament whereby the Queen was deprived and the King allowed although indeed in tacite they would not deny but it was allowed and in the plain sense of the words wherein they said they did much for the Q. Maj. that they were content to make no mention of the Q. of being so their friend and allie but gave her over to the Q. Maj. and in all things relent to her Highness desires so they may have any colour to s●ve the K. their Masters honour Likewise where the maintaining of Rebels done by the Scots and the expulsion to expell them was set

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 ●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

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 Roa● 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 S●rewsb●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

repair to London but the discords raigning presently in Flushing cannot abide a long delay of redress And thus having nothing else whereof to advertise your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave From Paris the second of July 1572. Your Honours to Command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Earl of Leicester I Hope your Lordship upon report made unto you by Mr. Beal of the present state of things here how matters fall out in Germany and how necessary a thing it is that the Enterprize of Flanders should not be slacked both in respect of the common cause of Religion as also of her Majesties safety will not suffer that the same shall lack any ayd of assistance that your Lordship can yield Upon report come hither of the disorder at Flushing for lack of a good head there is choice made of Monsieur Iunius whom your Lordship knoweth is servant to the Count Palatine to repair thither to reduce the loose and disordered Government there to some better form of Policy as also to take order for the sale of the goods lately taken that the same may be imployed in the maintenance of the cause and not converted to private spoil And because he may receive assistance in this behalf of such of our Nation as are there he desireth me to procure your Lordships letters to Cap. Morgan to that effect as also to advise him to keep his charge in such warlike Discipline as may appertain to the furtherance of so good a cause which beside the reputation will grow unto him thereby his travel and hazard shall not be unconsidered by the Prince of Orange Mr. Iunius meaneth to imbarque at Dover for Flushing where he desireth to confer with Mr. Killegrew before his imbarquing whom he will make acquainted in what state things presently are As he himself is one of the Low-Countreys so doth he wisely desire the liberty of the same in such sort as by removing of one evil they may not draw on themselves another no less prejudicial surely unless some assistance be given underhand necessity will inforce them to yield to some great inconvenience And so thinking this sufficient in this behalf I most humbly take my leave leaving further to trouble your Honour From Paris the second of Iuly 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To my very Friend Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr now that D. Montmorency is gone I thought good briefly to write somewhat to you by this bearer the French Ambassadors servant because none of yours are here that I can learn of nor any other so ready as this bearer is The Duke with all his train to the number of forty have been entertained here for their meat and drink each in their degrees as it is to be affirmed that the like hath not been seen in any mans memory The honour also done to him hath been such as surely her Majestie could do no more I mean in her courteous usage of him in appointing sundry sorts of the Nobility of the highest sort to attend on him onely the difference from my Lord Admirals intertertainment was that no other Lord but my Lord of Leicester did feast him as in France was done saving I did upon Midsummer even feast him and all his Gentlemen with a Collation of all things that I could procure being not flesh to observe their manner As for his reward though it be not so great as I wish it had been yet this it was the D. had a Cupbord of Plate gilt of a great Cup of gold of a hundred and eleven onces and Monsieur de Foix had a Cupbord of Plate of This for their rewards Now Sir afore there going hence they had done what they could in the matter of the D. D'alanson whereunto they had neither yea nor nay but a delay onely for one moneth which they interpreted diversly They mentioned certain things which I do send you here in a Paper inclosed with that which was answered I also send you in another writing other things at their departure whereunto as we gave them answers so shall you also receive note thereof I am willed to require you to use all good means possibly to understand what you can of the Duke D' Alanson of his age in certainty of his stature of his conditions his inclination to Religion his devotion this way the devotion of his followers and servitors hereof her Majestie seeketh speedily to be advertised that she may resolve before the moneth And surely I cannot see in her any lack towards this but in opinion for his age which defect if it might be supplyed with some recompences it were meet to be thought of I could wish we might have Callis to the issue of their bodies and he to be Governor thereof during his life so as we might have security for our Staple there I wish also that secretly the Queens Majestie might be assured that although there be no contract therefore that he would here no Mass after his marriage If somewhat be not advised to recompence the opinion that her Majestie conceiveth as that she should be misliked to make choice of so young a Prince I doubt the end Now for our Parliament I cannot write patiently all that we laboured for and had with full consent brought to fashion I mean a Law to make the Scotish Queen unable and unworthy of succession of the Crown was by her Majeste neither assented to nor rejected but deferred until the Feast of all Saints but what all other wise and good men may think thereof you may gess Some here have as it seemeth abused their favour about her Majestie to make her self her most enemy God amend them I will not write to you who are suspected I am sorry for them and so would you also if you thought the suspicion to be true Your assured loving Friend William Burleigh To my very loving Friend Francis Walsingham Esq her Majesties Ambassador Resident in France MY Lord Ambassador This day my Lord Admiral came to the Queens speech and reporteth well of his entertainment there I am sorry that the opinion groweth here of the French Kings recoil from the Flanders enterprize it breedeth coldness here Some that are come home bear us in hand that ●3 reneweth the in o A. D. F. ●4 whereby the last matter B ●9 is hindred I marvel much therefore indeed ● is more given to Millane ●4 then to ●5 And I am commanded to write to you hereof and to require some answer of your opinion which I pray you do with all good haste that you can I see no means by worldly means but Florence in ●3 God send it some way I have done my best as by others you shall perceive an end for you with your Mr. Worseley whom I found wisely and wilful but I provided convenient medicines for him and so his humors were altered Fare you well From Westminster

the fifth of Iuly 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Lordships of the second and fifth of Iuly sent by the Ambassadors servant I received the tenth of this moneth by the which I was glad to hear the particularities of the royal entertainment of the Marshal Montmorency who arrived the self same day I received your Lordships Letters He omitted no occasion to set out the great honor he received at her Maj. hands and withal so good as never able to yield the like The like speech passes from the rest of his train who all returned very well satisfied and cannot speak too much good of her Majeste The day following after his arrival Queen Mother sent for me and shewed me how the King her son who was gone to S. Germains desired her to send for me and to request me on his behalf to render unto her Maj. most hearty thanks for the great honor and good entertainment given unto the Marshal which he could not but interpret as a manifest argument of her Majesties unfained affection and good will she beareth him the which he desireth to will me to assure her Majestie that she should find him ready to serve and honour her during his life Furthermore she willed me to shew her Majestie both on his behalf and hers also that they pray God to direct her heart to yield to that resolution in the marriage lately propounded as might be to the increase and establishment of perfect Amity between the Crowns which thing they saw so necessary for both as they could not but wish and desire most earnestly And yet notwithstanding they protested that if they did not think the issue thereof would fall out to her good satisfaction and contentment they would in no case wish nor desire the same Touching the particularities that her Majestie desired to understand of the age stature conditions religion affection towards her Majestie and devotion of his followers and servants your Lordship shall understand that first touching his age as I was informed he was born the five and twentieth of April 1555. his stature and proportion of body the Lord Admiral Sir Tho Smith Mr. Killegrew and other of the Gentlemen that are here can better express by word of mouth then I can set down by paper Touching his conditions since the matter hath been in motion I have used what care and curiosity I might to be informed of them I find generally this opinion conceived of him that he is of as good and tractable a disposition as any other either Prince or Gentleman in France and withal is both wise and stout and subject to the French lightness insomuch as they do apply to him the French Proverb Qu'il a de plume en son cervean besides the general opinion I find the same confirmed by the Admiral Count Rochfoucouls Tilligny Bacquenaunt and divers others of the best judgement of the Religion with such earnest protestations as for mine own part I cannot but credit the same knowing what testimonies they have given to the world of ther zeal and Religion And as for the Admiral debating with him in this matter he hath protested sundry times to me calling God to witness that if he did not think the match proceeding would prove both honourable profitable and comfortable and for her safety in respect of the doubtful terms he standeth in he would not advise her unto it for any worldly respect And as for his Religion they have great hope grounded upon good conjectures that he is easie to be reduced to the knowledge of the truth and for mine own part I have many great reasons to induce me to think that if there be no other impediment then the use of his mass that he will be easily induced to the same Touching the affection towards her Majestie I am credibly informed that where it hath been objected unto him that he would be glad to have the title of a King he protested that if he were not moved with the great and honourable report of her Maj. rare vertues more then at any desire he had to a Kingdom he would never have desired the King nor the Queen his Mother to have made any motion thereof Many ways am I given credibly to understand that his affection is unfained and great Touching the devotion of his followers and servants to the propunded match I am also credibly informed that they do also earnestly desire the same especially those whose advice he chiefly useth who though they be not of the Religion yet are they not enemies to the same and rather incline that way then otherwise of the which a dozen of them were discharged of his brothers service in respect thereof This is that in sum which truly and sincerely I can learn in that behalf Touching Callis the Admiral made some overture at my request as a motion that proceeded from my self He findeth in their Majesties no disposition to yield thereunto I used some speech thereof also with de Foix and shewed him how that nothing would yield so much furtherance as the same We did at large debate that matter Pro contra in the end he protested most earnestly that he thought he knew it impossible to be brought to pass notwithstanding he could be content to devise any other thing that might breed satisfaction to her Majesties opinion conceived of some misliking that would grow by her choice of so young a Prince In this behalf saith he I have said lately so much to her Majestie grounded upon good reason that I see no cause but she should rest therewith satisfied In debate of this matter he asked me whether her Majestie would not be content as I thought having already foot in Flushing and the match proceeding to have the King pass in the Contract and Article to bind him and his Successors to assist her aswel for the conquering of the rest of the Island which would be more profitable to your Countrey then ten Calis's Of this thing saith he I have no Commission to make any overture as that thing that hath not yet fallen into consideration but onely I propounded it by way of communication in respect of desire I have to devise some remedy for the recompence of her Majesties opinion Notwithstanding saith he I have some reasons to lead me to think her Majesties yielding content to her match that the King will be easily induced thereto I shewed him that as I had no Commission to make any overture so had I no Commission to answer the same as a thing propounded unlooked for notwithstanding I agreed with him in opinion that Flushing would be more beneficial to us then Calis To come to your Letter of the fifth of this moneth I find the conjectures touching the ●3 reneweth the in o A D F ●4 altogether false and vain whereof I am assured of the contrary many ways and do much marvel what reason should

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 C●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 Orang●s first entry into the Country a mean to discourage him and to encourage the enemy How much his well doing or evill doing importeth us I need not say any thing to your Lordship the thing being so apparant how dangerous it were to suffer him to quail it is no less evident how little hope there is he shall receive relief from us especially from the news of

this overthrow it grieves me not a little to think of it considering what dependeth thereon and I hope God will make my fear vain To suffer him to miscarry knowing our own danger were to lack both policy and magnanimity We cannot deny but upon that that lately hath been discovered that if God had not raised up the Prince of Orange to have entertain'd Spain a dangerous fire ere this time had bin kindled in our own home To assist him therefore is to assist our selves for that we are to run one fortune with him the difference is that by miscarrying the mischief shal first touch him and then consequently as many of us as profess one Religion with him for the supply that is given by the Pope Florence and divers Catholique Princes in Germany sheweth that the quarrel is mixt and consisteth as well of Religion as o● state They fail not to make demonstration thereof and therin they shew their courage and ●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. ●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

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

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 ●ae● 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 seve● 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 Char●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 a● nous et requirant de nous nostre favo●rable recommendation de son cas enuers vous et pour ce que l'avons tro●ve de cocur loyal et fidel envers vous desirant tousiours sur toutes choses le tenir en repose et que par toutes occ●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 tro●ve pour lè present que recommander affectueusment a vous sa cause qui nous s●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 a●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 a●quel prions tresh ault tresexcellent trespuissant Prince nostre trescher tresame bon frere cousin vous avoir tousiours a tressainte garde De nostre Chastea● 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

that I received at Br●larts hands of such things as I propounded unto him on her Majesties behalf to be communicated unto the King and to the Queen his Mother Le Roches often repairing to the Court maketh me to suspect some enterprize to be done in Ireland The passages here be kept so strait as by no means I can imploy any man in Brittain towards the sea-side as well for the discovery of the said le Roches enterprize as also for the observing of Strozzies doings for though it be said that the said Army is dispersed yet know I not what I think it were good to imploy some Western Barque that way under the colour of merchandize for the discovery of the doings The Duke of Guise of late hath often conference with certain of the Scotish Guard though sithence the late murther he sheweth outwardly some miscontentment He was never in greater jollity then presently he is especially since the news of the Prince of Orange ' s retiring They begin now to discourse here that it would be a deed of charity for the Princes Catholiques not onely to set the Queen of Scots at liberty but also to restore her to her right Her Majestie is not ignorant what I have written touching the opinion of wise men what is to be done in that behalf for her safety If that sore be not saved I fear we shall have a Bartholomew Breakfast or a Florence Banq●●t So they terme the late execution here Monsieur Grandmont hath Commission from the King to suppress all preaching in the Countrey of Berry and to plant there the Catholique Religion which is a verification of the Kings intention touching the observation of his Edict irrecoverable for the tolleration of Religion For that I hear that all Scotish men are stayed at the Ports that come hence I will make some stay to give them passports if the stay proceeded in respect of carrying over of secret ●●●ters from hence there will grow little help and remedy thereof that way for that the Scotish Ambassadors Letters do pass in the Kings Pacquets methinks the return of the Scots might rather do good then harm for that the most part of them detest their proceedings here the report whereof will do no harm to the furtherance of the accord I would be glad to understand her Majesties pleasure especially for the Lord Levingston I and mine and divers of our Nation never received the like pleasure at their hands as lately we have done I have stayed for her Majesties service here Mr. Herbert by whom I receive good assistance I would therefore he might receive some good words from her Majestie to encourage him in the same for he is one that hath very very good parts in him and may hereafter grow a good and profitable servant Touching my return home I hope her Majestie will have just consideration of me who do now remain here without her benefit for a colour of their Ministers there to practise that thing there which is to her danger And so leaving further to trouble your honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eighth of October 1572. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr I most humbly thank you for the care you have every way of me and especially in that you would not suffer me to be ignorant hovv things do pass there vvith you vvhich giveth me no small light to direct my course here and yet vvhat direction can I receive that may vvell guide me vvhere I find neither faith nor constancy to build on it should but minister unto you grief for me to amplifie this matter and no great contentment to my self It is our part novv rather to think on some remedies for the mischiefs that are like to come then to rest amazed vvith the passed miseries I am sorry to hear that the accord in Scotland is not made and yet so long as la Crocque remaineth in Scotland vvhat cause have we to hope after it seeing that upon this alteration the end of his staying there is rather to impeach then to further the same if we think otherwise we do but dream our selves I am sorry to see the Ambassadors fair speech take such place as it doth methinks the late fresh experience we have had of that unsincerity should teach us to take profit of others harms Surely considering how things do proceed here and weighing the great presumption there is how that the tr●e Monarchies of Europe are bent not onely to disquiet but also to displace her Majestie and to substitute some other it were no more then necessary policy to cut them off from so convenient a footing place as Scotland is which thing might easily be brought to pass if her Majestie would proceed roundly weighing that the Scots are not a little alienated from this Nation upon this late accident If her Majestie would joyn pensio●s with perswasions the thing in my opinion might easily be brought to pass not only to unite them under the Government of the King but also divide them from such League and Allyance as they have with this Crown There is Sir as you know another remedie which as it hath been long sithence needful to put in execution so was it never more needful then presently If her Majestie stick now to spend or put in execution all those things that tend to her safety she must not long look to live in repose nay she must not long look to keep the Crown upon her head The cause of her former quietness proceeded of her neighbours unquietness which being removed she must now make another account The Admiral is now dead and the Duke of Guise liveth the Prince of Orange is retired out of Flanders but the Duke of Alva remaineth there still I need not to conclude for that to mans judgement it is apparent what will follow Is it time now think you Sir to stir or is it not time to omit any remedy that may tend to her Majesties safety As far as I can learn there is none yet sent to deal with the Princes of Germany and yet there is here almost daily conference between the Popes Nuncio the Ambassador of Spain and them here they omit nothing that may tend to our peril I would we were as careful not to omit any thing that may tend to our safety It may be said that I fear too much Surely considering the state we stand in I think it less danger to fear too much then to little It may be said also that the jealousie that Spain hath of the greatness of France will not suffer him to indure to let France have any footing in England and that like affection reigning in France if Spain should attempt any thing I confess it to be true and yet I see no reason but that they both may consent to advance a third person who pretendeth right to the

Crown especially being provoked thereto by the Pope which is my chief fear It may also be alledged that the offer of the marriage sheweth that they have no evil meaning towards her Majestie First it may be doubted whether considering how now adays their speech and meaning disagreeth they offer as they mean Secondly whether their intention of offering the said Match tend to our benefit or no. I was not heretofore so forward in believing all friendly offers to proceed of sincerity as I am now ready to think the same to proceed of abuse only to lull us asleep in security for any thing that I can perceive the best way not to be deceived by them is not to trust them The Gentleman himself who is offered I think honourably of him and if I could think so well of the rest I would then believe that their outward speech did consent to their inward meaning but the case standing as it doth I know not what to think I cannot therefore in this doubtful case but make her Majestie and my Lords of the Councel acquainted with these proceedings and leave to them to gather what may be their meaning here Methinks Queen Mothers calling back of her word touching her coming into England doth shew that they but dally It is not likely that the Ambassador without Commission would otherwise have made the offer besides the cold answer made to her Majesties request for the Vidame doth shew how they are affected To gratifie the King of Spain those 800 that came from Montz were put to the sword Methinks if there were that good will that they profess they should not have sticked with her Majestie in granting her request for the Vidam a thing both hononourable and profitable all circumstances considered I see rather mischief to be looked for then friendship from hence and therefore I cannot tell with what safety her Majestie may repair to Burd●aux and yet advise the contrary I would be loth having no other ground but suspicion I think the danger will be the less so long as Rochel holdeth out And so leaving further to trouble your Honour I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eighth of October 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh YOur Lorpships of September 25 I have received beseeching you to pardon me in that I presently in answering of the same am driven to use the help and hand of another being not yet after my sickness restored to that strength as I can indure well to write I perceive that your Lordship by the contrary here is void of the Ambassadors speech doth well enough discern that the late cruelty here executed is void of all manner of just defence and therefore in Gods just judgement is like to receive just punishment and if the same doth not happen so soon as we desire our sins is the let They here are so far imbrued in blood as there is no end of their cruelty for no Town escapeth where any of the Religion is found without general murthering and sacking of them and yet they protest all this to be done against their will though it be evidently known that it is done by their Commandment This manner of proceeding seemeth to all men so strange as no man can tell what to judge of it openly no man dare but commend it privately few are found that do not utterly detest it I have not heretofore been so ready to commend their sincerity as I am now forced to set down their infidelity surely I cannot see that all their fair speeches and friendly offers tend to any other end but to abuse which would well appear if they were seized of Rochel In the mean while I do not think the contrary but that they will provoke the Duke of Alva now that the Prince of Orange retireth into Germany who of himself is enough bent as your Lordship knoweth to execute somewhat long time practised in England to the danger and disturbance of her Majestie It is the opinion here of all men of judgem●nt that her Majestie is to look for any mischief that either Spain or this Crown can yield And therefore if she shall not now seek to quiet her self they do not see any reason for her long to hope to keep the Crown upon her head The matter of it self is so apparent as he is of mean discourse that doth not so think The House of Guise who since the late murther seem to have some miscontentment was never to the outward shew in greater favor nor in greater jollity He hath often conference with such Scotishmen as are here of the Kings 〈◊〉 and therefore I am sorry to understand that they are not grown to any 〈◊〉 in Scotland though her Maj. pay dear for it as mony may do much with that nation I would both the union were made amongst them and they reduced under the Kings Government and divided from such allyance as they have with this Nation If these great Monarchies may have Scotland for their footing I fear the event will be over dangerous The Popes Legate who is at Avinion hath sent hither in post his Secretary to know the Kings pleasure what his resolution is touching his access as I hear the King will not yield thereto for the same will make it apparent to the world what the King of Spain and his intention is They think they may deal more covertly bringing the matters better to pass then by such open kind of dealing I cannot decypher any thing whether they proceed sincerely touching the pretended match for my opinion I think of it as of the rest of their friendly offers that these tend to nothing but to abuse Of late since the news of the Prince of Oranges retiring out of Flanders they seem not to be desirous thereof as before I judge if they were once seized of Rochel they will begin to renew their suit for the Queen of Scots or rather attempt somewhat for her delivery Their silence they use maketh me to suspect the more seeing the Queen of Scots friends bear such sway in the Court. I shall not need to recommend unto your Lordship my revocation for that I know your Lordship is careful of your self for the same And so leaving further to trouble your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the eighth of October 1572. Your Honours to Command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester IMmediately upon the receit of your Lordships Letters of the two and twentieth of September I requested Captain Lassetty whom your Lordship knoweth and is most willing to do your Lordship any service as one whom he most honoureth and thinketh himself most bound unto to make enquiry whether there were any of his Nation excellent in riding unplaced and had any desire to go into England After search made by him he found

Cypher I have I will make new and send it you and then you shall hear of a matter worthy the writing We hear here that Montmore●cy is in some danger Your very Friend Ro. Leicester To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq her Majestes Ambassador Resident in France YOur messenger that brought your dispatch of the five and twentieth of October arrived here the second of November and my Lord Treasurer imparted unto me such matters as you advertised him of by whom again you shall understand her Majesties pleasure for that I think his Cypher is better then mine I am loth to enter into some of t●ose things which I am very desirous else to say somewhat to you of but not doubting but his Lordship will signifie the whole I will now forbear and descend to smaller matters And to answer you for the two Captains you wrote to me to move her Majestie for she is now pleased to entertain the one him that hath most means am I lothest to name lest he might be suspected In this mysterie you know whom I mean and shall also by your servant she is content with 50 l. yearly whether it will like him or no I know not if it do not we will do what we can to increase it also the other her Majestie yet is not minded to use his service We perceive the party Saint 4 is very coy in his dealing but surely he is not to be blamed the world being there with you as it is You shall hear of another manner of matter I am sure by my Lord Treasurer which is lately offered me here but we greatly suspect it to be some practise or else the choice is not well made of the party in my opinion And you shall do well to understand it with all expedition as I am sure my said Lord doth advise you throughly therein for it is of consequence and it behoveth us withal speed to know whether it be right or wrong if it be wrong by my consent there shall be right example made of the like c. The Regent of Scotland is dead as we are advertised this day I suppose it to be very true I trust her Majestie will not lose the opportunity offered there If the Emperor be dead also it will make a great change I hope better for Christendom I mean for good Christians I have sent you a letter two days ago by a Scotchman one D●uglas wherein I have sent you my mind touching the Rider whom I desire greatly to have if I may reasonably have him You shal perceive by this Letter at large that if I may have him for 150 Crowns a year for himself and to give him meat and drink and his man with a couple of horse found in my stable I think I shall be worth to him otherwise half as much more if he like me well as I mean he shall try me and I him for a year And if so he be content the sooner he come the better God send him to be an honest man and I warrant you he shall be very well entreated For his sufficiency I leave it to your good enquiry I trust shortly you shall be at home I have not ceased daily since your wives arrival to call upon her Majestie for it and she is fully agreed thereto and hath named some for your successor I think Francis Carew shall be the man as it is yet resolved or Henry Cobham but one of them I care not who shall be hastned for your sake assure your self I pray you shew all the favour and countenance you can to Benedict Spinola he hath a great cause there in hand which he hath heard you have favourably furthered He hath required my thanks he is my dear friend and the best Italian I know in England Her Majestie hath written for him Let his brother know that I have written to you I pray you if the Rider conclude I am sure Spinola ' s brother if he be there will answer his brother here again So good Francis fare you well Your good wife is in health In haste the second of November Your assured Friend Ro Leicester To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary IT may please you to advertise her Majestie that Standen arrived here lately in post out of Flanders where he staied onely five daies and had daily conference for the time of his abo●e there with the Scotish Ambassador together with L●ggens who at his return which was by post accompanied him into Flanders Those that observed the manner of their conferences his coming and returning by post being accompanied by Liggens at his return maketh the Sotchmen that wish continuance of quiet in their Countrey to fear that there is some dangerous practise in hand The said Ambassador doth now daily repair to the Court and hath often conference with the Queen Mother at an extraordinary time in the morning when as commonly no Ambassador hath access but in the afternoon Not long ●ince in talk apart with his friends he said that if the troubles of Scotland had not been his Mistris had been at libertie and perhaps enjoyed a better Crown then Scotland is He said further that if his Mistris had as many good friends in Scotland as she hath in England she had not long remained in prison as she doth Thus you see how dangerous a ghest her Majestie harboureth The Spanish Marquis who is come hither to congratulate the Queens delivery under the colour of the same as I learned secretly he hath commission to treat secretly of three points The one to cause the King to enter into the League The other to the marriage between Monsieur and his Masters daughter The third to propound some way for the Scotish Queens delivery Being procured thereto by the house of Guise in recompence of the execution done upon them of the Religion whereby the King of Spain acknowledgeth to have saved the Low-Countreys The Cardinal of Lorrain by his Letters procured the King to write earnestly to his Ambassador in Turky to cause him to travel by all means to compound the differences between him and the Princes of the League The Almains do fear much the election of the Emperors second son in Polonia as that thing which will make the house of Austria too great And so for other matters referring your Lordship to these enclosed Occurrents I most humbly take my leave At Paris the twelfth of November Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh MY very good Lord touching the Scotish matters her Majestie desi●eth to be advertised of your Lordship shall understand that I should know the partie my self ever since my repair hither who is of the Religion and though not taken heretofore to be very zealous yet always reputed to be very honest He had been slain if he had not been saved by ● in this last broil with whom he is most

unto her that way Her Majestie can of her self well enough judge of the peril besides I know she lacketh not good advice and if sparing be not the let I hope all will do well And so for other matters referring your Honour to the Lord Treasurers Letters and this bearer I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fifth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer YOur Honour by Master Secretaries Letters shall understand that the Isle of Rez is taken by them of Rochel that there is some hope conceived in Germany of the Elector Brandenburgh to the Kingdom of Polonia That the Ambassador of Spain here giveth out that the fifteenth of the last Moneth Zatphen in Gelderland was taken That certain of the Princes ships are lately distressed and that the two Dukes are at Boisleduc The Legats doings are kept very secret in so much that his Secretary is not made acquainted with them for the avoiding of suspicion The Ambassador of Spain hath no great conference with him but by a third person named L. Angr●lett● Audit●re della Rota who passeth daily to and fro between them he is one in whom the Pope layeth the chiefest weight of his legation in respect of his wisdom and experience The Duke of Savoys repair hither in person maketh men to think that the unity between this Crown and Spain is like to grow great for that he is termed here Lame du Rey du esquire and that therefore the matters of treaty between them are of great weight I know that sithence my coming to the Countrey the King hath openly used some speeches of misliking of the said Duke but this late change changeth all things upside down The doubt of the Turks great preparation for the next year is a great bridle of their intentions For the removing of this impediment the last of this moneth they dispatched hence their Ambassador to make great offers both in Spains and the Venetians behalf to draw him to an accord The Venetians as I am credibly informed have been these three years past at the charge of 800 000 the moneth and therefore would be glad to be rid of so weighty a burthen And so having nothing else to impart unto your Honour at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the fifth of December 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer BEcause this bearer promised to see my letters safely delivered unto your Lordship I thought I would not let him go without them The Legate stayeth here until there come resolution touching that they have lately treated here which they have dispatched both toward Rome and Spain by two sundry Curriors The King is of late advertised that the number of those of the Religion in Lanquedoc is encreased very much and that there are joyned with them 600 horsemen and 1500 footmen that are departed out of their Countrey of Bern who by the way have distressed the most part of Count Ioyeux Company They have taken also upon the edge of Languedoc a certain place called Sanins where their Gun-powder is made this encrease of their number maketh the King irresolute what to do Before these advertisements he was determined to have besieged Sancerre but now he is advised to march toward them in Languedoc The new accidents that happen make them to change their purposes Of late there is one arrived here from the Duke of Baviers whose coming is thought to proceed through the Cardinal of Lorrains perswasions with commission to make great offers to the King from the Duke to the end encourage him both to the imbracing of the league as also to proceed to the rooting out of those of the Religion here Monsieur de la Mot hath of late earnestly recommended to their Majesties here certain requests commended unto him by my Lords of her Majesties Counsel Whereupon Pynart●ent ●ent unto me to assure me that there shall be such justice done to her Subjects as her Majestie shall have just cause to rest contented therewith And so having nothing else to impart unto your Honor at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the tenth of September 1572. Your Honours to Command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr It may please you to advertise her Majestie that by advertisement lately come to this Court from Rochel the King is given to unde●stand that Strozz● hath taken Marans not far from Rochel where he put to the sword two Companies of Souldiers placed there by the Rochellois Further he is given to understand that de la Noue is entred into Rochel being sent thither by the King having beforehand given oath that he would faithfully travel to reduce them to yield who by perswasion hath much wrought with them as they are content to grow to some capitulation which proceedeth chiefly through a disagreement that is between the Rochellois and such strangers as are repaired thither Also it is said that the Baron de le guard hath taken three ships laden with corn by them of Rochel These sundry newes hath put them of this Court in great jollity for that they hope shortly to reduce the Realm to inward quietness There are marched out of Burgundy a Captain footmen and certain horsemen levied by the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Aumale whether they shall be imployed at Sancerre or whether they shall march directly to Languedoc it is not as yet concluded The Duke of Guise arrived here the twelfth of this moneth who is marvellously well accompanided The Cardinal of Lorrain his Uncle is daily looked for here as also the Cardinal of Guise his Cousin By Letters of the fifth of this moneth out of Flanders they write that the D. of Alva doth distribute his Army into Garrisons and that the Roysters do remain at the Forrest of Arden and in the Land of Luxenburg where they commit great spoils and outrages being not yet payed for that the D. of Alva pretendeth not to have wherewithal to discharge them They write further that the Prince of Orange remaineth at Dortrecht where he maketh collection of money for the levying of forces for the next Spring From Cullen they write that there are certain Commissioners repaired thither sent by the Emperor as it is said to treat some accord between the Prince of Orange and the D. of Alva notwithstanding they do give out other causes of their coming By Letters from Vienna they advertise that the Emperor is repaired into Bohemia to procure the election of his Son which being done he meaneth to repair to Germany and there to keep a Diet for the election of the King of Romans Further they advertise that the great Turk of late hath sent unto him a present commending him very much for the keeping of his promise and the

square a pen of metal and other things I have two of them already one of the least and the other of Copper or Latyn and the manner of Iron Now I desire to have of the biggest volume which is with the case a foot long or thereabouts and if more it were not the worse whether the instruments be of Iron or Latyn I care not I have shewed your man mine to the intent he might know what I mean I have sent you by him five French Crowns of the Sun to pay for my book of Matthiolus and the case of Tools and if it come to more I will pay whatsoever it be with most hearty thanks I am sure you have heard of and I think you have seen the new fair Star or Comet but without beard or tail which hath appeared here these three weeks on the backside of the Chair of Cassiopeia and on the edge of Lactea via The bigness is betwixt the bigness of Iupiter and Venus and keeps there to my appearance who have no instruments to observe it and because of this cold weather also dare not observe the precise order of the fixed stars such a one I never have observed nor read of I pray you let me know what your wise men of Paris do judge upon it I know they will not think it is the Admirals soul as the Romans did of the Comet next appearing after the murther of Iulius Caesar that it was his soul. It may be Astraea now peaking out afar off in the North to see what revenge shall be done upon so much innocent blood-shed in France at a marriage banquet and reer suppers after it It would be to me good yet to understand what your Astronomers and Heaven-gazers there do judge of it If I were not so much occupied as I am I would turn over all my old books but I would say somewhat of it my self and gess by chance even as wisely as they though I would not publish it but to my friends for folly the more it is kept in the better Methinks I hear you say what a mischief meaneth he to write to me of new Stars and Astronomers and telleth me nothing of my coming home Sir if I should tell you any thing thereof de die tempore I should but guess as Astronomers do but this I can tell you all your friends have not onely been diligent but more then importunate to bring you home and your wife with tears and lamentations And the Queens Majestie seemeth to incline and grant our requests but when a pin is set fast in a hole till we have another to thrust that out and tarry there it self it is hard to get it out Your successor cannot yet be found yes find enough but we cannot get one that will ●tick fast till he might be thrust in indeed and so you to be thrust out and ye know how long we be here a resolving and how easie to be altered At the signing of her Majesties letters to you this morning I said to the Queen Madam my Lord Ambassador looks now to have some word from your Majestie of his return it would comfort him very much Why faith she he shall come Yea quoth I when the poor Gentleman is almost dismaid your Majestie hath heard enough with what grief he doth tarry there Well saith she you may write unto him that he shall come home shortly we think with my Lord of Worcester I said indeed my Lords train should be the more honourable if he had one Ambassador to go with him and another to return with him Yea saith her Majestie there be some make excuses that they would not go but their excuses shall not serve them I thanked her Majestie and came my ways for she made haste to go a walking with the Ladies because it was a frost Fare you well From Hampton Court this eleventh of December 1572. Your assured Friend Th. Smith Her Highness appointeth still upon Mr. Carew to be your successor but he maketh great labour to the contrary by Ladies of the privy Chamber and others but as I can perceive by this last speech and others he shall succeed you To the Right Hono●rable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France THis bearer your servant cometh onely with credit for I have no leisure to write but this Mannesire hath gotten knowledge for which Glasco 9 sent Marcellis le davison hither as Davison this present night telleth me whereby he saith that if Mannesire shall come hither before this bringer then shall 9 Glasco and he be in great danger and therefore Davison doth write by this bringer to Steward as I think and to 9 who as Davison thinketh will surely come hither For which purpose he hath required me to provide a passenger to attend at Harwieh Le the Port of 2 0 ● 6 ●● The rest of things your servant shall shew unto you and this do I depeach without knowledge of the Queens Majestie until I may have answer From Westminister this eleventh of December at Midnight 1572. Yours assuredly William Burleigh To the Right Honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principal Secretary SIr her Majesties of the eleventh of this moneth I have received but have not yet communicated to their Majesties here such answers as were made unto the things propounded unto her by Monsieur de Mannesire both for that he is not yet returned as also for that the Queen Mother at this present is not in the best health whereby Ambassadors can have no access to her as yet Her sickness is onely a Catarrh so that I think by his return she will be in state able to give access seeing the Government resteth wholly in her hands without committing the matter unto her as well as unto the King it will be to no great purpose for that he receiveth his light from thence The eighteenth of this moneth the King by mischance of another mans sword received a little hurt in his left arm which is not great but that every small hurt is great in a Prince The hope of the Rochellois is yielding is now worn away they having lately received advertisements from them that Monsieur de la Noue can do no good and that they imprison as many as do perswade them to yield as those whom they hold suspected so that now being out of all hope to obtain the same by composition they here consult of the means to obtain the same by force and therefore it is said that Monsieur and Monsieur le Duc shall march thitherwards about the latter end of Ianuary Yesterday as I am credibly informed they received news that did not best content them out of Switzerland which is that the last Diet holden there they have concluded not to suffer the King to have any succors f●om thence for that they suspect that the fire lately kindled here is to extend to themselves The Souldiers here do conclude that without either Switzers or

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 Loug●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 cho●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 ●● 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 ● 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 g●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

Ambassador in France your Majestie knoweth in what state he is and the poor Gentlewoman his wife Yea saith she that pity of her is that maketh all this haste and I am sorry for her but there is no remedy he cannot now go before Midlent or Easter Well Madam quoth I seeing it be so may it please you may he be sure to go at Easter and may I write so to my Lord Ambassador Yea saith her Majestie now you have my Commission and so much I can say judge of it as you shall please but I assure you my Lord of Leicester my Lord Treasurer my Lord Admiral and I and some other of your friends have done what they can for your return but whether it be Fatis or what else hath letted I know not nor can guess but I perceive what is the issue at this time You are a wise man and can comfort your self with wisdom and patience and the rather if the promise do hold that by Easter you may return My Lord of Worcester bringeth full instructions for that he hath to do or may fall out in communication the which he must and will communicate unto you and use therein your advice I send you some Occurrents out of Scotland If you would know what we do here we play at tables dance and keep Christmas The Queens Majestie and all the rest of my Lords thanks be to God be in good health My Lord Privy-Seal what with age and sickness is not thought long to abide in this world and the Earl of Kents health is almost desperate Farewel From Hampton Court the twelfth of Ianuary 1572. Yours alwayes assured Tho Smith To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Esq Ambassador Resident for her Majestie in France SIr I am both sorry and ashamed that I cannot write of any matter meet for satisfaction in your own case as I would and as I know you have had occasion to expect but the impediments thereof I know you shall understand by other your friends and therewith do assure you that whatsoever any of them do write of my former care taken for you and that I have now promised to follow I have as much or more and will continue and persevere to the utmost of my power and so wish you as much patience as you have cause of grief This bearer finding me here at my house at Westminster telleth me that he is dispatched from the Court I think i● needless to advertise you of the coming of my Lord of Worcester and for that I think surely that Mr. ●●cretary doth advertise you of all things I do forbear Glasco Daviso● longeth to he●● from Lyo●s 9 the ship abode in the place appoi●●ed 23 days And so I end trusting to see you here amongst your friends within this ●ix weeks at the least to be revoked at that time From Westminster the ●2 of January 1572. Your assured friend Will. Burleigh To my very loving friend Mr. Francis Walsingham the Queens Majesties Ambassador in France THe cause of her Majesties longer stay of your abode there and not to send presently D. Dale is onely in respect of some persons you have there to deal withall which you may easily conceive whom I mean though I name them not the cause I write it not plain is lack of a cypher having worn mine to pieces this progress time in carriage and pray you to bear the more with this dark writing but it concerneth such as you wrote a little of to my Lord Treasurer Her Majesty doubteth greatly the state of that person and hath in expectation that some great matter will proceed from them and neither doth she think Dale to be a fit man to be imployed neither that the other will deal frankly with him as with you For my part I am perswaded that great matters will fall that way and surely you shall do well to enter the more speedily and deeply with them for the knowing of their whole intent I must but tell you mine own conceit I fear it be but a practice to dandle us for so many are acquainted here with the cause I mean of that Nation but it is impossible but that the Ambassador here must know it Besides I see that the hope of the marriage is still entertained here and our Mistres made to think it is ever ●incerely meant which if it were indeed and the other matters true of the parties disposition what could with-hold to put that in execution which were most like for him to get it for his own value must sue more for him then his friends commendation or else his party here will be little as I think But this manner of dealing I see serveth to no purpose but winneth them time and loseth us all good opportunities and hindreth your retur● where your friends wish you both for your self and chiefly for her Majesties better service You shall do well therefore for her Majesty for I cannot imagine what good this great suspence will do her to seek by all means you can at their hands to know their full mind and the scope of their intent for by these the dealing of the Ministers here with her Majesty hath no cause to find any way direct or substantiall she takes great hinderance otherwise and no good shall come to them neither in this sort of proceedings And as none here are privy to the matter but my Lord Treasurer and I so is it too great a burthen so long to conceal her Majesties so great hindrance of her greater cause● as the time wants for lack of certainty through understanding the intent and bottom of this Cause which surely hitherto giveth more cause of suspition of practise then of good meaning And yet if it were minded as they pretend except they proceed otherwise then I perceive yet they do they shall rather hurt themselves and us both then further any good purpose that may bring hope of that good success we would wish Thus as well as I can utter my poor conceit both for your self and us and do wish you to deal accordingly with all speed and to return your answer thereof with all diligence you can and thereupon we wil take occasion again to procure your return which if staying might yield service to her Majesty and good to the Countrey I would no way hinder if you were my brother Otherwise finding no more cause then I do you have no friend here will further sooner the other My Lord of Worcester hath desired me to write to you that you would deal friendly and frankly with him he disableth himself and trusteth to your advice in all such sort as belongeth to his place I heartily require it for him onely it may suffice you to know he is a Papist and a favourer of all such especially a ● otherwise a good simple Gentleman and fit for the Christning Shew him I pray all the courtesie you can as I doubt not of it My Lord Privy Seal is dead this

morning Her Majesty in good health So God be with you In all haste this 12 of January 1572. Your assured friend Ro. Leicester To the Right honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principall Secretary SIR if the cause of my stay here grow onely in respect of her Majesties service as by your Letters I am assured though I have as much cause to desire my return as any other that ever was imployed in the like service yet can I with more patience digest the same as he that thinketh both his travell substance and life as well imployed in her service as any other subject she hath I hope when her Majesty shall find my stay here not needfull she will tender my case and yeild to my Revocation Sithence the Cardinall of Lorains arrivall here the direction of Scotish matters are committed to his charge The Lord Levingston and the Lord Ogleby look shortly to be dispatched hence who receive at the Cardinals hands great entertainment and great promises of great good that they and divers others of their Nation shall receive at the Kings hands here Amongst others they have commission to assure D. Castelherault to be retored to the Kingdom here and that the Marshall Montmorency shall be otherwise recompenced That the Lo. Arboth shall be General of the Scotish men at Arms. That the Lo. Clade shall have the reversion after Losses death of the Captainship of the Guard That the Lo. Huntley and the Earle of Argile shall have the great Order sent unto them and assurance of great pensions And though it seemeth by the occurrents out of Scotland that the said Earle of Argile inclineth to the King yet the best there are of another opinion and think him to favour the Queens part which they are resolved to maintain I am advertised by one at whose hands I have received advertisements that the Cardinall of Lorain hath brought from Rome for Monsieur to marry with his Neece who as I hear as he doth hope after the marriage of Polonie so he doth not greatly like thereof and would be loath that Monsieur should be removed so far off The Marshall Tavannes who was held here for dead is now in some hope of recovery And so c. At Paris the 21 of January 1572. Your Honours to command Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer YOur Lordships of the 14 of this moneth I have received by the which I perceived two sundry Letters which I sent you by the Vidams man with certain books are not come to your hands which maketh me to mistrust some some wrong measure for that he departed the second of this moneth The matter of most importance contained in the same was touching a Gentleman of ● departed hence to 2 ● 6. 4 with intention to imbarque there if the Barque were not departed Steward who is gone to Rochel as I sent your Lordship word by my servant William Williams promised before his departure to have come and seen me and to have had some conference with me which he did not but sent onely his man unto me with a fond Cypher requesting me to hear often from me To whom I answered That the Cypher he sent me was not for the purpose and as for writing often I told him I could not tell what to answer untill I might speak with his Master and that therefore I desired most earnestly to confer with him before his departure as well of that as of other matters notwithstanding his own promise and my request he is now departed so that considering his loose kind of dealing I cannot tell what to judge of the matter If the party that cometh over do not deal more orderly and roundly there then I am dealt with here I think it were well if it were at some end for that I fear the issue will prove such as the parties are that deal in it who are over young and lack experience that were fit to guide a matter of so great weight I serve in the same but for a distributer of Letters and yet as it should seem the chief cause of Religion groweth thereby If I thought there were good faith meant therein or that by good guiding there might grow good effect to the benefit of her Majesty I should then with the less grief continue my abode here Such Letters as I received lately from Davison I know not what to do with having no sure means how to convey them for one of mine own cannot with safety travell that way And as for any of this Nation I find none whom I may trust in that behalf and therefore untill such time as I hear further from your Lordship what liking you have of the overture that shall be made by them that I sent over who as I am informed by Steward is to grow to some through resolution I mean not to deal any further with them unless I see they proceed more orderly Of this loose kind of dealing I thought good to advertise to the end you may rather grow to some through conclusion with the said party there At Paris the 20 of January 1572. Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable my very good Lord the Earl of Leicester YOur Lordships of the 12 of this present I have received and though I cannot at large write unto you touching the contents of the same through this Bearers hast for his own particular affairs yet I thought to write these few scribled lines in answer Touching Stewards matter which as I perceive is the chiefest cause of my stay here I assure your Lordship I know not what to think of it They deal very warily with me and seem to have more will to deal with you there then with me here I stand but in stead of a Post to rece●ve to deliver Letters By one that departed from thence I am shewed that you shal be ful informed what is their intention in that behalf I fear the issue thereof will be such as are the dealers therein In my Lord Treasurers Letter in respect of the Cypher you shall more plainly know my meaning If my stay here imported her Majesties service I could not so importunately seek my return though I have more them just cause so to do being rather overpressed then over-charged But seeing I do but serv● here to entertain a broken matter having no great credit with the parties otherwise then in generall terms I hope through your Lordships good assistance her Majesty will tender my cause by sending over my successor Now that the Cardinall of Lorain is arrived here who beareth the whole sway in the affairs they conclude somwhat touching Scotish matters In the mean time there is one lately dispatched hence with great offers to entertain the Queens party as your Lordship may perceive by the inclosed And so leaving further to trouble your Honor at this present I most humbly take my leave At Paris the 20 of January

1572. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham To the right Hono●rable my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship to understand that B. who hath great conference with B. G. in matters of greatest importance did discover to a friend of his who imparted the same unto me that he learned at his hands that the 19 of this moneth Queen Mother held a secret Councel at which was present onely the Cardinall of Lorain and two others In the which it was debated what course was to be taken for the appeasing of their troubles here And after long deliberation it was concluded That untill such time as England might be kept occupied there could grow no through redress here without hazarding of the whole estate and that therefore it was requisite now to yeild to them of Rochel any reasonable kind of surety they would require as also to other Towns in France that would not yeild And rather then fail to yeild to them so far as to let them have the liberty of their Religion to suffer the Nobility of the Country that inhabit near the Towns to live in the same to keep such Garrisons in the same as they may think fit for their surety with condition that the said Nobility shall deliver some of their children to be Hostages with the King for his assurance that the said Towns shall be kept to his use And amongst others it was agreed that the offers should be made to Count Mango to retire himself to Rochel with condition to yeild his son to be a Pledge These offers they think to be so large as they make full account they will be accepted This thing being done it is then concluded to send under the conduct of the Marquis de Maine 1000 shot which thing shall be done as proceeding from him himself in respect that he is the Queen of Scots kinsman and disavowed by the King who shall land at a place called Aier shall after they have joyned with the Qu. party repair to Edenburgh where Liddington and Grange Kirkaldie have promised to deliver up the Castle unto such as the King shall appoint upon recompence to receive some living here in France there leaving a sufficient Garrison they shall besides fortifie themselvs in the town of Lo●ghbreton at Brochty besides Dundee at Haymouth And that this being done the Duke of Guyse and Chevalies shal come over with other forces to procure the delivery of the Queen of Scots such of the Queens friends as are in England wil incontinently take Arms who do give out to them here that her party and forces are so great there that having good Leaders munition they shal be able to make their party good enough to deliver the Queen of Scots in despite of her Majesty In the mean time till the King hath compounded with those Towns that now hold out they are resolved that the D. of Chastelr●●lt and the ● of Huntly shall seem to yeild to any composition that the Regent will have them onely to keep out that her Majesty shall send thither no forces in assisting of the Regent which thing they have advertisements from their Ambassador that she hath meaning to do And for the communicating of those matters unto the Queens party there it is determined that Viraque shall depart thither forthwith he shall also have commission to bear the Regent in hand that the King here doth not mislike of the present government there nor that he is chosent Regent and to use all such like speeches as may entertain him for a time untill such things here be setled He shall also have charge to offer him the entertainment of men of Arms to all such young Gentlemen as are serviceable as well to them of one part as to those of the other Other particularities he said he learned of him which he might not utter and were of great consequence The Gentleman to whom this was discovered being a Scot is one whom I do very well credit and for that he is thought to incline towards the Queen of Scots the party above named did deal the more frankly with him and because I thought it necessary for her Majesty to understand so much I thought good to send this Messenger of purpose withall and have promised for his recompence to have 6 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence For that mine own men are not returned I am driven to use him If her Majesty desire to hear often from hence then must there be order taken for the sending back of those I send thither And so leaving c. At Paris the 24 of January 1572. Your Honors to command Fr. Walsingham Viraque is already departed and commanded to use all expedition possible To the right honourable Mr. Francis Walsingham Esquire her Majesties Ambassador in France SIR as Dido said Non ignara mali miser is succ●rrere disco so I who know what things they be whch Ambassadors do most desire will not let you want that intelligence which I can give you by your man I send you the occurrents of the Scot. By my L. of Worcesters instruction you shal understand what is to be answered to all questions likely to be moved either to you or to him yet that all things might be perfect I have sent you a Peer of my L. Treasurers sent to me because the French Ambassador shewed the ● ●ajesty that the Emperours Master of the Horse who cometh for the Emperesse doth intend to hold the Child himself The Queens Majesty to save money will have my Lord do so too except as in the Instructions The childs name as the Ambassador told her Majesty should have the name of both the Godmothers and so be called Mary Elizabeth so neither shal strive with others for the name This is all I can say for that matter And for your return and successor as much as I could know I wrot to you by your servant Iacomo We have had intelligence lately from Rochel that there was a servant of the late Cardinall Chastillans put to death there for going about and conspiring to betray the town of Rochel and the same as he went to execution confessed that it was he that poisoned the same Cardinal in E●gland whereby it may appear that this design of murdering had the plot laid long before and a man may doubt whether the Queen of Navarre passed out the same way I thank you for your notes which you sent me of the Comet or new Starre but in the placing of it your Astronomers and ours differ exceedingly Yours do place it in the 29 of Piscis and ours in the 7 degree of Taurus so they vary one whole sign and 8 degrees Your printed Book goeth upon it 〈…〉 If any hath more boldly written of it in print I pray you let me see it Our men do not deny but that he riseth in that degree of Piscis or the first of ● but it is one thing to rise with the degree

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 M●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 tou●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 o●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

hath brought the most of them to hearken to his pipe I have let her Majesty see and consider of your letters saving some concerning our occurrents here I will move her Majesty to be more earnest then yet she hath been There lacketh no no sollicitation for your revocation and untill my Lord of Worcesters return it shall be hard to obtain any resolute answer If the French King shall follow towards Rochel I would wish you to procure means to tarry in some convenient place near Paris and to send a Secretary to follow the Court with some pretence of lack of your health But hereof you shall best counsell your self And so I end From Westminster the 29 of January late in the night After I had supped here at my house all the Lords of the Councell and by their means 20 Lords more to the which I had commodity by the Queens Majesties being here at Somerset House Yours assuredly W. Burghley To my Lord of Burghley the 11 of February THis Letter I received the day of my Lord of Worcesters departure and because I doubted your Lordship would not wel read the same I thought good to copie it out what the effect thereof should be I know not it seemeth to me but a Riddle The party that brought them was as vain as vanity it self he shewed me that La. Motts departure without taking of his leave was for that he durst not repair unto me being very much suspected I told him he needed not fear so much for that he dealt not with me in any matter but that he might repair unto me any time safely without any danger for any thing that I know I have of late discovered one that carrieth a box of Linnen to the Queen of Scots who departeth not this town these three or four days I think your Lordship shall see somwhat written in some of the linnen contained in the same that shall be worth the reading Her Majesty under colour of seeing of the fashion of the Ruffes may cause the severall pieces of linnen to be held afore a fire whereby the writing may appear for I judge there will be some matter discovered which made me the more willingly grant the Pasport To my Lord of Burleigh I Should do my Lord of Worcester wrong if should not impart unto your Lordship both his dutifulness and discreet usage of the La. of Northumberland His sister sent unto him at the time of his abode here to the end your Lordship may make her Majesty acquainted with all First as soon as he heard of the said parties coming his Lordship made me privie thereof and shewed that though she was his sister yet in respect of her undutifull usage towards her Majesty he did respect her as a meer stranger and so meant to do untill such time as her peace were made He would not so much as vouchsafe to give ear to any Messenger or Message sent from her and therefore willed him to forbear to repair unto him The like usage towards the said Messenger did Charls Somerset use utterly refusing to speak with him And leaving c. At Paris the 12 of February 1572. To Sir Tho. Smith SIR According to your direction of your Letters the 29 of the last I shewed the King of the great grief that her Majestie had conceived that the travel both of his and her Ministers took no better effect touching the appeasing of the matters in Scotland as a thing dishonourable for them both to be deluded and scorned by such petty companions as those are that are in the Castle to whom was offered as much as they themselves could desire reasonable and more yet so are they carried away with their particular passions as they desired nothing more then to maintain still Warr in their Countrie not having such a respect to the tender age of their young King as they ought especially seeing that they were the first and chief doers in deposing of the Queen and setting up of him I shewed him also That though the Kings civil Warr and hostility touched both their Majesties generally as they that desired the repose of that Realm yet it touched the Queens Majestie more particularly for that during the time of these civil troubles amongst them her Majesties Subjects that are borderers are marvelously charged by outlaws and thieves whereof no redress can be had by reason of their inward troubles amongst themselves I declared unto him also that her Majestie in regard of the kindred betwixt the young King and her could not but wish his Realm to be in quiet and peace in this his minority which thing would not be brought to pass so long as these petty companions in the Castle through their own wilfulness obstinacy and private respects shall keep that Realm still in dissention and trouble in contempt of both him and her Majestie whose designe tended to no other end but to make unity and concord amongst them And therefore the King to this answered that he was sorry that their intentions in according of them took no better effect And as for Hume Castle he said that though by the League it was not expresly mentioned to be delivered to the L. Hume yet the meaning of it was so Whereunto I reply'd that the meaning of the clause in the League touching the rendring of Hume Castle had not respect to any particular person but generally to set that Country free from all forein forces and that therefore her Majestie might render the same to whom she would of that Nation To that the King replyed that he had rather it should remain in the Queens Majesties hands who saith he is a Prince honourable and sincere then to be delivered into the hands of any of the other party But herein saith he I will advise my self with my Councel and within a day or two make you acquainted with mine answer I told him according to my Lord of Worcesters Instructions that her Majestie delivering the same would capitulate with those to whom it should be delivered to restore the same to the L. Hume when he shall recognize the Kings authority as heretofore he hath done The King took occasion upon these Scottish matters to recommend unto the Earl of Worcester the Queen of Scots case To whom my Lord answered that such was their dangerous and unkind dealing towards her Majestie as he should forget the duty of a good Subject if he should once open his lips for her and therefore desired his Majestie to pardon him in that he refused to be a dealer in that behalf To this the King answered That he did not desire any favour to be shewed unto her otherwise then might be with the Queens Majesties safety At our access unto Queen Mother she desired my Lord that whereas there hath been long in Treaty a marriage between her Majestie and her Son M. Le Duc de Alanzon that he would therefore move her at his return that the same may grow to some conclusion

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 Camisad● 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 Sha●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

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 h●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

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 it● 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

and that no residence or traffique be suffered for any of them in the others Counttries Item It shall be covenanted that if any person shall invade as an enemy the Countries of any other that upon signification thereof duely made the Prince certifyed shall declare the invader to be his enemy and so shall continue in all manner of actions an enemy to the invader and his Country and Subjects until the invader shall have satisfied the Prince invaded and that no satisfaction or composition or accord shall be made by the Prince invaded without the assent and liking of the other Prince Confederate Item If for defence of either partie a greater supply of force shall be requisite then is contained in the Treaty made with Charls the ninth the Prince that shall have need to require a greater supply shall signifie the same to the other not invaded and the party not invaded shall upon request yield all other succors that he can at the reasonable charges of the party invaded that shall so require a further ayd Item It is good to convenant that neither of the Princes shall at any time hereafter give aid to any enemy of any other Prince with whom now they are in peace thereby to provoke the other third Prince to make war or invasion for that cause of ayd given but that before the ayd shall be given the Prince meaning to give such ayd shall first advertise the other confederate and have his allowance thereof In the word of ayding shall not be meant any other kind of ayd but such as shall make the enemy ayded thereby able to use open hostility against the third Prince To Sir Henry Cobham and Mr. Sommers AFter my very hearty commendations for as much as her Maj. pleasure was that I should first make my repair to Monsieur before I came to the Kings presence and the state of my business standeth so that I cannot well dispose of my journey before I have had some conference with you touching the charge committed to me and you I have therefore thought good to pray you to meet me at Clermont on Saterday at night where God willing I mean to be how painful soever the travel may be to me for that the necessity of her Majesties service so requireth and so I leave you to God Bulloign Iuly 27. 1581. Your assured loving friend Fr. Walsingham To the Rght Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord I arrived here this Thursday morning somewhat distempered in body as well for want of two nights sleep as by reason of our posting to Dover this violent travail agreeing not very well with me who have now been used to long rest of body and therefore I have been driven to stay here all this day to refresh my self whereby I might be the better able to go forward with speed meaning God willing to be at Clermont a place four Posts distance from Paris upon Saterday where I have appointed Sir Henry Cobham and Mr. Sommers to meet and to the end I may before my going to Monsieur receive some light and particular information from them of the present state of things here for the better furtherance of this service I am driven to make more haste in my journey for that the term of the prolongation of the Reservation endeth upon Thursday next Since my coming hither I understand that the Ministers here were forbidden about six weeks past the exercise of Religion by Crevecoeur the Gunner Master whereupon they have dispatched one to the King to be an humble suiter unto him in their name that they may be permitted to use their freedom and liberty in that behalf accordingly as by his Edicts and Proclamations it is granted unto them which is all the news that I can as yet write unto your Lordship out of these parts After I had finished these Letters I received the inclosed from Sir Henry Cobham by the which your Lordship may perceive that my coming putteth them in more hope then will be answered with effects according to their expectation if the contents of the said Letters be true a little egging one with a resolution to assent to an open assistance though it were performed with a less sum would set the two great ones a work and keep them from uniting of themselves against our Soveraign a matter greatly or rather assuredly to be feared and therefore in respect of a little charges not to be stuck at the Instructions signed by her Majestie do give me Authoritie in case the King shall peremptorily insist upon assistance in such sort as without the same he will refuse to enter into the intended action against Spain to yield hereunto but her Majesties own speech since the signing of the Instructions hath restrained me in that behalf I would therefore be glad to know her Majesties pleasure therein lest that if upon my denyal of yielding to an open assistance there should ensue a breach of the Treaty the blame hereafter might be laid on me having warrant from her Majestie to yield therein and so for the present having no other matter to impart to your Lordship I humbly take my leave Bulloign Iuly the 28 1581. Your Lordships to command Francis Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham THe Queen mother in the absence of the King being now at St. Germains but ready to return hath taken order in such sort as your Honour shall be lodged in Madame de Carmualles house which is by their Majesties appointment furnished very honorably as your servant this bearer hath seen It seemeth the King is determined to chear you and all yours according to the appointment they make the care thereof is assigned to Monsieur La Mothe Fenellon as likewise for the receiving of you the which I have signifide to Mr Burnham But it seemeth they look not for your present repair hither because Arnolde hath informed them you are by the Queens Majestie appointed to pass first unto Monsieur Therefore if it please you methinks it is somewhat requisite you did send one afore whereby I may assure them of your certain resolution therein Their Majesties are most glad of your coming having received good hope of the Queens resolution for the ending of the great cause and Amitie which they long to understand I have been informed the King revoketh his Ambassador leiger Monsieur Sangrade from the Spanish Court leaving a private Gentleman to be Agent The King hath monied Monsieur and hath accorded to him a placet the which they inform me will be worth one hundred thousand Crowns and more It is further said the King shall give Commandment for to Attache and Arrest the three hundred thousand Crowns which were in a readiness in Lyons for to be transported through Savoy into Flanders for the use of the Prince of Parma The Quen mother hunted the Bu●k yesterday at Bois de St. Vincent and this day also at St. Maure the Woolf Monsieur

is this day at Provence five leagues besides Chasteau Thiery It is advertised that the Emperour doth by little little amend of his disease having been carried to his Garden to take the ayre but no assurance of his full recovery The Cardinal d Este is returned to Rome having been met with the Duke of Sora the Popes son They do prepare ten Galleys at Naples besides others at Genua to transport the Empress into Spain Prospero Colonna is appointed General of the Men of War which are levied in the Dutchies of Milan and Tuscan There hath been a quarrel betwixt the Spaniards and Gentlemen Millanoises The King of Spain hath been received in Lisbona and held there his estate called Cortes There is a deprivation passed against the Bishop of Guarda for following the partie of Don Anthonio The Abbot of Bisegno Agent for the Catholike King at Rome hath with the Cardinal of Como sollicited the Pope for to intreat the French King to withdraw his brother from the enterprise of Flanders so as the Pope is resolved to send two Legats to the French King to continue the peace between the French King and the Catholike King Onchibli is departed from Constantinople with twenty five Galleys towards Affrica They advertise out of Spain that the Corn doth fail them this Harvest so as they doubt of famine c. Your Honours to Command Henry Cobham A son bon ami Mr. François de Walsingham M Onsieur de Walsingham j'ay une extreme contentement quand la Royne m a voula tant favouriser de vous avoir choisy pour faire ce royage vers le Roy mon Seignieur et frere me faisant bien par cela cognoistre les effectes de ses bonnes voluntés me comblant de tant d'obligations que je ne m'en pouroy jamais retirer si ce n'est par le continuel desir et inviolable affection que je ay de luy faire service Et ce suistres-aise de m'estre trouve y a propos que n'estant que fort peuesloigne de votre chemni vous me passies veoir sans perie de beaucoup de temps vous priant que se suit La Fere en Tartinois ou je seray aujourdhuy a coucher et croyez que vous seres le tres-bien venu comme iceluy que tient l'un de primiers bieux apres de celle que je honore et estime plus que Princesse que soit sus la terre et que tiens pour l'un de mes mieux amis Vous attendant en bon devotion de supplieray le Createur qu'il vous ayd Monsieur de Walsingham en sa tes Saincte et digne garde a Chasteau Thiery le dernier jour de Iuliel 1581. Votre bien affectione ami François To the right honorable Sir Francis Walsingham SIR The sending of this away by Mr. Mills to you moveth me to accompany him with a few lines We here have nothing to write unto you about the Negotiation but doe now from this day forward look to hear from you whereupon I think her Majestie will have some matter to be occupied withall VVe hear nothing of Monsieurs proceedings but the Spanish Ambassador warneth that the Prince of Parma is so strong and so bent to fight with Monsieur as he pretendeth that at the least Monsieur will forbear to adventure his own person He did yesterday by her Majesties appointment speak at Leicester House with my Lord of Ley and me to expostulate for her Majesties refusal to speak with him requiring to know the cause and being answered That we doubted not but that he oftentimes had been made privy that it was for that her Majestie had not received any Letters from the King Catholique for her satisfaction in the case of Invasion in Holland c. He saith that he never promised to procure Letters from the King neither was he ever required of her Majesties behalf but the Speeches were alwaies delivered to him that her Majestie would not speak with him untill she might be satisfied of those things in the case of Holland but saith it was not required that he should send to the King for any such satisfaction and yet he did for his own part write to the King and upon answer from the King he did let her Majestie understand that the Collection of the Souldiers the Arming and Victualing of the Ships and men were wholly by the directions of the Pope whom he could not deny and he had also cause to think that her Majestie meant not that he should procure Letters from the King for that Mr. Wilks said that her Majestie would send a Gentleman to the King or else write to him by the way of trade And for confirmation hereof he said that he heard that a kinsman of the Earl of Arundels and Master of the ● 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 Aug●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

Majestie had been already mindfull thereof and I would not fail to sollicite it at mine access unto the King Du Uray returning to me after the report that he and his associates appointed to confer with me had made to conferr with his Highness told me that whereas they had perswaded him seeing your Majesties resolution was signified to forbear to prosecute it any further they found his affection so setled that he minded not so to give it over and how that they perceived by him that after he had once taken order for the matters of Cambray he will make a voyage over to your Majestie to lay down before you his own reasons himself with this affection notwithstanding that if his reasons and perswasions shall not be found meet to take place he will never hate where he once loved but will for ever imbrace the amity of your Majestie and the Realm Also your Majestie by these Letters written to my Lord Treasurer shall understand what passed this day between Queen Mother and me at the time of my audience which I thought meet to impart unto the Duke who being then in bed when I had finished with Queen Mother I desired that I might have the honour as to speak with him at his bed-side which it pleased him to assent unto who after I had let him understand the substance of that which passed between his mother and me praying his assistance to remove the impediments that I saw she did stand upon which was to have the League accompanied with the marriage for that it greatly imported the action he had in hand that the League were presently proceeded in To this he answered That the matter of a League partained to his brother the matter of marriage saith he is the only matter that concerneth me which notwithstanding the small hope I put him in yet was he resolute not to give it over And thereupon fell into very earnest request with me that I would plainly let him know whether I had not some further matter to deliver then that I had yet imparted unto him touching the marriage whereof when I assured him I had none to impart unto him he did then declare unto me as he did before that I should find the King very resolute not to imbrace the League without the marriage I did then shew him that I hoped that if he and his mother with that affection that the cause it self did merit did joyn together they might so dispose the Kings mind before hand to give better ear to the League then his Highness did put me in comfort wherein I shewed him that I should hope he would deal the more effectually if he could lay aside his affection and look into the cause as a politique Prince ought to do preferring the publique especially his honour being so farr ingaged as it was before his private desires but in the humor I found now I shewed him that I greatly suspected the Kings resolution grew through his perswasion wherewithall he was very merry and did let me understand again that it was very hard for a man upon the sudden to lay aside an affection which he had harbored in his breast so long a season Touching this subject there passed many pleasant speeches from his Highness which he delivered with a singular grace as any person that ever I knew I presume the rather to write these particularities to your Majestie for that by some speech that passed from him I perceived I should do a thing very agreeable to him to acquaint your Majestie withall Amidst these publique matters I may not forget with all humility to signifie unto your Majestie how infinitely I think my self bound unto you for the gracious usage of the she-Ethiopian your comfortable Postscript in the Earl of Leicesters Letters other your most gracious and favourable speeches given out publiquely since my departure of the good opinion it pleaseth your most excellent Majestie to hold of your poor and unprofitable servant which though the undeserved favours cannot increase my wonted care yet do they minister unto me a most singular comfort by making my service less burthenous through your Highness gracious acceptation of the same The Lord bless the rest of your Majesties years with that happiness of Government which hitherto through Gods goodness you have enjoyed and confound those which wish the contrary Your Majesties most humble Subject Fran. Walsingham To the right honorable my very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord It may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that on Wednesday last being the 20 day of August I arrived at the Castle of Fere in Tartinois a house of Montmorencies about the 11 in the morning somewhat sooner then the Duke looked for me through the negligence of the Gentleman whom he sent to visit me at Meaulx whom I prayed to advertise the said Duke that I meant to be at the place above mentioned the self-same morning I arrived there notwithstanding I found before my coming thither a Lodging very well furnished prepared for me and order given for my Diet and for the placing of my horses in the stable belonging to the said Castle immediately upon my repair thither the Duke sent his Chancellor Mr. le President Reyne and Kingsey his Secretary to excuse the Duke that there was sent no body to meet me After that divers Gentlemen as Farmangues and other of quality came by his order to visit me so that there lacked no good will in his Highness to make it appear that he was most ready to honour such as should be sent unto him from her Majestie I doe the rather dwell upon the setting forth of the manner of the entertainment lest perhaps some other might advertise that forasmuch as there was no body sent to meet me by the way the Ministers sent from thence be not received here with the like regard and care as they are there I do assure your Lordship that no man could have more care to excuse the omitting of the ceremony in that there was none sent me by the way then the Duke had Besides in this time his Highness is to be excused for omitting of ceremonies being overcharged with affairs having especially to direct an Army compounded of voluntaries about three of the clock the same afternoon I had access unto him and after I had acquainted him with the points propounded by the King to her Majesties Ambassador and Mr. Sommers before I did let him understand what answer was made by her Majestie to the same he shewed me that the King his brother was most resolute not to proceed in the amity untill it might appear what might become of the marriage and therefore he advised me to think how I might be able to satisfie him therein for that otherwise he saw no likelihood that the other two points touching the League and the secret Treaty should take any effect Wherein I replyed that I doubted not but that the King his brother being

enemies Besides I did let her understand that it behoved the Queen my Mistriss if they did not embrace the League but upon such condition as she could not in reason agree unto to take some other way for the establishing of her own estate not doubting but that she would be as well able to withstand the malice of Spain as any other of her neighbours To this after she had declared how earnestly the King her son did affect the marriage considering he had no issue himself and had but one only brother upon whom and such issue as he should have depended the continuance of the house of Valois she prayed me to consider whether the King had not just cause to insist upon the said marriage and as for the League she said she had no Commission to wade therein but a matter that depended onely on the King and therefore because it required for the reasons by me alleadged expedition she advised me to make haste towards him I then prayed her that for as much as I did understand she did not mean to be at Paris in five or six days she would dispose his minde by Letters to imbrace the same which she promised to perform accordingly Touching the Companies that are to follow the Duke I can as yet deliver your Lordship no more but this in generality That he is to have six thousand footmen and two thousand six hundred Lances which as the report goeth are sufficiently appointed and in such good order as the like have not been seen this many yeers in France Their meaning is to joyn with the States Forces that are now in Flanders doubting nothing more then that the enemy will not encounter with them but withdraw himself into his holds I am promised a particular of all the Forces as soon as it cometh to my hands I will with the next dispatch send it to your Lordship Your Lordships assured Fr. Walsingham To the Right Honorable Sir Francis Walsingham SIr your servant Bonham this bearer came hither yesterday being Wednesday the ninth of this month about of the clock at which time I was on the North side of the water to have gone to Theobalds but by good fortune I had word of his arrival so as I returned being not gon from the water-side her Majestie had two or three days before spoken of you marvelling that she could not hear from you I answered always as now it proved true that the Letters or bearer should bring with them reasonable satisfaction For I knew certainly that you would be careful to delay no time of sending I delivered to her Majestie your Letters directed to her shewing her also that I had others directed to my self but she said she would first read her own first Monsieurs Letter and next yours so she having done asked me what you had written to me for said she I finde nothing in mine concerning the matters for which he went then I told her I would read yours to her But she using breath in speech said she would have me make report thereof which I said I could hardly do because you had written at such length what had passed in Colloquie first betwixt Monsieur and you secondly between certain of his Councel and you at several times Lastly between the Queen mother and you and so in the end she was content to hear the whole Negociation adding her self that by your Letters to her you had spoken to Monsieur being in his bed after his Mothers coming thither She added also that she perceived that Monsieur would come hither and receive his answer himself after his journey of Cambray Concerning the Negotiation she saith she would not have had you to have made direct mention of the league but that incidently it should have fallen out upon their objection that if her Majestie would not consent to the marriage with the war that then the war should cease Then thereupon she saith you might have thereto answered that in respect of the King of Spains greatness in growing it were good that there were such a league made betwixt the French King and her To this I answered that your ord●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

marriage as though the marriage should serve for all this charge and thereto her Majestie with some sharpness of speech added that she knew and saw it now true that the Queen Mother in counsel had before pronounced that if the marriage could be concluded the Queen of England should be put to the whole charges This is the substance of that I can wring from her for that she saith until she hear from you of your Negotiaon with the K●she hath nothing here to 〈◊〉 of But she wished me to write to you as before is mentioned and she meaneth also to write some letters to Monsieur to give him some comfort as I think Marchemont had Letters and as I hear by report the contents are a report of your dealings and of Monsieurs resolute answers to you that the King his brother would in no sort consent to any thing without the marriage and so they stand like good Chapmen without falling in their bargain from the principal but by this time you can best judge what will follow The Queens Majestie asked me whether if in no letter from you to me you had recommended Monsieurs wisdom I said by no express speech I marvel thereof quoth she for to me in this letter he doth greatly commend him and so did by reading pronounce very great commendation of him by you but I saw not the words written I answered that always you above any other of her servants had ever commended him most I pray you remember to send ●s a Callender of Monsieurs Captains and Leaders with the numbers likely of all sorts and what his monethly pay may be in charge and how he hath been furnished of money towards this leavy I am sorry to see so large a time spent from the beginning of his preparations until this time and yet I think far off to put in execution that which he pretendeth I fear the Queen Mother finding the marriage desperate will practice with the Duke of Parma to withdraw his siege and that the Town may be relieved and so Monsieurs Honour saved and thereupon Monsieur may leave his general enterprize wherewith the Spaniards ought to be contented For thereby shall they have their wills in the Low-Countreys and so also the Queen Mother may save her son free from gun-shot and put up all her pretences and live without offence to the King of Spain Thus much of the French matters From Ireland I have not heard but once since you went which was by a letter from Waterhouse that the Lord Gray had advertised them they should send no victuals into Odonels Countrey but onely to Carlinfoord For when the Lord Gray came to the Black-water Tirch fled breaking his two Castles and sent my Lord Gray word that he would be at peace with Odonel and all others by his Lordships order Whereupon the Lord Gray sent Justice Dowdal to him to treat hereupon but more I have not heard My Lord of Ormond findeth himself greatly grieved upon his discharge not as he saith for his discharge but that he hath been wronged in not advertising how great prizes he hath done In Scotland the King pretendeth to keep Amity yet by Ashton secretly I learn that he will be wholly guided by her Majestie whereof she conceiveth hope I pray God she be not deceived therein and hereby I fear her Majestie will be the flower to hearken to the assistance with France and yet her Maj. uttereth not to me these Scotish matters but I learn them otherwise The Lord of Huntley is arived in Scotland and offered to Lord Ferihurst is fully restored and both these well accepted with the King We have gotten from Campian knowledge of all his peregrination in England as in Yorkshire Lancash Denbigh Northampton Warwick Bedford Buckingham c. hereof I am sure Mr. Beal will write unto you who hath herein with Mr. Hamon taken great pains We have sent for his hosts in all Countreys And thus I end doubting I shall wea●y you with reading as I am almost with writing This tenth of August 1581. Your assured loving Friend William Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Friend Sir Francis Walsingham SIr after I had yesternight being Thursday written and sealed up my Letters I understand lately that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath informed her Majestie that Monsieur found himself greatly discontented with the manner of dealing with him in making the marriage so desperate as it seemed to him you came of purpose to break it and onely to sollicit the league with the K. upon which matter this forenoon her Majestie told me that she misliketh of your manner of proceedings as though you did not express the causes why she could consent to no marriage but abruptly shewed that she would not marry and so forthwith to deal with Monsieur for a league To this I made answer Madam it is to be seen in Mr. Secretaries Letters to me which I read to you that he did so proceed to open your mind for forbearing to marry as your self did determine with us all and as he is warranted by your instructions for Madam he did not say that you would not marry with him but that as the case standeth he being entred into a war you found it not good either for him or your self to assent to the marriage for so by your marriage your Realm joyntly with your marriage should enter into a war so as your speeches according to your instructions were not absolute to deny the marriage but to shew that the marriage could not content her subjects with a war joyned therewith and so using as many reasons as I could I ended that I could not see that you had done any thing but that I my self in your place would have done the same And I did put her Majestie in remembrance that all her resolutions with us of her Councel was that you should so deal as to acquit her of the marriage and if there might be a good amity made and by a league betwixt France and this Realm to abate the King of Spains greatness vvhich I did object required a present action and to that end you should so proceed as there might appear no hope of marriage For as long as France could perceive any hope thereof they would not assent to any league To this her Majestie could not but assent but finally she changed her opinion in saying that if she should make a league whereby a war might follow she said she had rather be at the charges of a war with the marriage then without a marriage But saith she let Walsingham know my minde to be this that I would gladly enter into a league with the French King onely with these conditions that if I were invaded he should help me and if he were inwaded I would help him and so to abate the King of Spains greatness She said she would concur with the French King to do that by aiding of Monsieur and also the King of

Portugal underhand Against which I objected that although she might in some sort aid them both underhand yet surely the French King could not aid his brother underhand Whereupon she concluded that if by necessity she must enter into an open war she would rather choose to be at charge with a marriage then without it Finally she said she would write a few words to you her self which I prayed her might not be discomfortable and so she said it should not be But howsoever it be use and practice your wisdom as long as you mean to do well not to be your hurt I have made my Lord of Leicester acquainted herewith to whom at the time of my writing her Majestie had not imparted thus much but when she shall I think he will friendly answer for you and so he hath promised me to do Since the sealing up of my two letters her Majestie sent me word by Mr. Killegrew that concerning the motion made by Viscount Turayne you should let Monsieur understand her Majesties intention therein according that she did signifie to you her mind without that you should that you should name any sum in certainty since the writing hereof she hath willed me that you should not offer that part above mentioned for entring into an open war until she should hear from you first for she desireth most of all to have a League defensive and offensive without war but upon first cause by the king of Spain and to joyn in ayd secretly underhand To the which if they will not assent without open ayding then you shall so advertise for as her minde now seemeth to be she will rather marry with the war then have the war without the marriage Even now at the closing up of this Letter her Majestie sent me this little Letter to you and so I have directed it wishing you not to be troubled therewith Greenwich this 11 of August Yours assured W. Burleigh To her Majestie August 10. IT may please your most excellent Majestie the continuance of Gods goodness towards your Highness hath not the least appeared in this resolution that the King hath taken to joyn with you in streighter Amitie being as your Majestie knoweth considering the earnest Protestations that have been made here to the contrary as a thing no way to be yielded unto unless the same might be accompanied with marriage a matter thought altogether impossible to be brought to pass so much the greater is this benefit to be esteemed in that they seem to be resolved to continue the prosecution of the Marriage whereby your Majestie of necessity if your state hereafter shall induce you hereunto are left at your own choice to proceed therein or to relinquish the same as I doubt not but your Majestie will be thankful to God for this so great benefit so I hope your Highness for that this League cannot be accompanied without charges will prefer safety before Treasure assuring your Majestie that there shall want no care in me or my associates to reduce the same charges to as tolerate a proportion as may be I hope also your Majestie will have both gracious consideration and speedy resolution touching the Viscount of Turaigns advise for an offer to be made unto his Highness of present support of a hundred thousand Ducats upon such resosolution as your Majestie shall take therein we are to attend here either good or evil success of this Treatie Monsieur Pi●ac sent a Gentleman unto me to let me understand how greatly he was grieved to hear that a Prince of your Majesties vertues and worthiness whose good opinion he did esteem before any worldly Treasure should have entred into some sinister conceit of his devotion towards you and to the end that his desire to cleer himself in that behalf may the better appear unto your Majestie he prayed me to conveigh unto your Highness this inclosed The desire I have to dispatch this messenger with speed maketh me to forbear to trouble your Majestie any further beseeching God to continue his blessings towards you whereby we your poor subjects may enjoy the continuance of that happy Government we have most happily lived under during your Majesties Reign Paris August 10. Your Majesties most humble Subject F. Walsingham To the Rght Honorable and their very good Lord the Lord Treasurer OUr very good Lord may it please your Lordship to let her Majestie understand that upon Thursday the eleventh of this month in the afternoon at the time of our access unto the King I the Secretary declared unto him her Majesties Answer to the three points according to mine Instructions with reasons and perswasions to make him like thereof after the King had heard them very attentively he answered to the first That he was sorry to hear the Answer so far from his expectation for that he trusted to be fully satisfyed therein to his contentment as a thing he desired most in the world and for the singular affection he beareth to his brother he rejoyced in it as much as in any good thing that might happen to himself and thought his brother to be the happiest of all other to match with a Princess of that Virtue and that he himself having no children and yet God might send him some esteemed of his brother as of his son and his heir and that with his brother her Highness should marry himself and all his means wishing her Majestie would believe with what affection he imbraced that marriage but that seeing her Majestie findeth now that difficultie and amongst other the misliking of her Subjects to this marriage he took it to be one of the Malheurs that happened to him and that he cannot express the grief he hath carried ever since he hath heard of this alteration by the Queen his mother and that if his soul might be seen his grief should well apear therein But yet laid that he trusted her Majestie would give him and his brother more comfort then this and that her Highness would procure the good liking of her people therein praying us all very earnestly to be a means and to do good offices to her Majestie in that behalf Many other speeches he uttered of great affection in this point to have the marriage go forward as to the other two points for a League offensive and defensive and for a private Treatie for the matters of the Low-Countries he said that though there were good Amitie and Intelligence already between her Majestie and him yet he was most desirous to enter into a streighter Amitie with her Highness for the better assurance of his good will towards her and that he would in both these matters confer with the Queen his mother and then would appoint some to come to us to let us understand his further determination therein adding again his former desire that the first matter so well begun might not be thus ended for he had a special confidence in her Majestie that she will not suffer it so

to do and then prayed us all again particularly as he had done before thereto I the Secretary said that her Majestie should be speedily advertised of this his Answer and request praying his Majestie that because these other things required speedy resolution and among other the case of Don Anthonio it would please him to deliver his pleasure so soon as might be whereunto he consented Then we went to the Queen his mother being in her Chamber where I the Secretary remembring unto her what had passed between her and me before and how I had at this time proceeded with the King and what answer his Majestie had made I prayed her to procure the Kings resolution therein with speed which she promised she would do this was the effect of our Negotiation at this time whereof we have thought meet to advertise her Majestie in the mean time until we may further understand of the Kings Deputies how other things will be answered and offered to be treated upon And so we take our leave of your Lordship from Paris this tenth of August 1581. Your Lordships to Command Fr. Walsingham Henry Cobham Iohn Sommers To the Right Honorable my good friend Sir Francis Walsingham SIR Your servant Watson brought hither at dinner time this day being Sunday the thirteenth your Letters that is your common Letter dated the tenth from you the ordinary Ambassador and Master Sommers containing your Negotiation with the French King and your private Letter dated the eleventh with another of your own to her Majestie and one from Pinart as her Majestie informed me by the Treaty with the King it seemeth the King refuseth not to have a Treaty of streighter Amity and yet he carpeth upon the marriage by your Letter to her Majestie as she telleth me you think there may be a Treaty without the marriage but not without charge And therein her Majestie saith she had as good be as charge with a marriage as without and therefore she hath again willed me to write unto you That if Monsieurs action may be continued towards the Low-Countries she can be content to be at some reasonable charge by Contribution with the French King to maintain the same so it be underhand to bring her into no war otherwise she will not you shall consent without making her privy and having her answer and for a Treaty offensive and defensive she can also be content therewith but not thereby directly to enter into a war in this sort she hath willed me expresly to write unto you not allowing any Argument to the contrary whereof I made divers and those apparant necessary for by these means the King of Spains greatness shall grow to such ripeness as hereafter no open force shall withstand it And it is not likely that the French King will aide his brother which he cannot to any purpose do secretly where her Majestie will do it but underhand For the matter mentioned by the Viscount Turraign both my Lord of Leicester and I have deal● very earnestly with her and she hath answered my Lord of Leicester that she hath given a full order to you for the same but by me she answereth that you know her meaning to be that if the French King shall not ayd his Brother she will not see him abandoned But I desired to know how she would ayd him and the Viscounts motion importeth both necessity and speed to be relieved she answereth that until she may hear from you what the French King will do for his brother she will answer no more particularly This evening she willed me to advertise you that she is in great doubt that the Queen mother will induce Monsieur to leave the enterprise of Cambray with an intention to compass the marriage and then she saith if the marriage shall not follow Monsieur shall be dishonored and the King of Spain shall prosper hereof she commanded me to write to you that you should have thereof good regard In this sort I am commanded to write unto you but in what sort you shall deal to remedy this inconvenience neither by her Majestie can I direct you nor of my self can I inform you but I know you will do your best as the place and time shall serve and more cannot be required Her Majestie would have Master Sommers to return and so she willed me to signifie her pleasure and yet I told her that he was in Commission and might hardly be spared but yet she commanded me so to write if his being there cannot be spared you may do well to write so otherwise I do leave the matter to your consideration I know it will greatly grieve you not to have a good Answer to the matter for the Loan moved by the Viscount but surely all means are used here to help but none prevail as yet The Letter written from Master Cobham the ninth of August consisted on two points very contrary the first shewed the French Kings allowance to have Don Anthonies case furthered here as also it was there The second contained matter of great appearance that Monsieur should be withdrawn from offending of Spain and contrariwise to marry which two points cannot concur Master Beal hath the ciphered Letter of Twyns to procure to be interpreted but as yet it is not done and so with my paper I end From Greenwich the 13 of August 1581. Yours assured William Burleigh To the Right Honourable and my very good Friend Sir Francis Walsingham SIR since my writing yesternight though the Letters be not gone yet her Majestie by way of repetition hath willed me again to warn you that you be not overtaken with this that her Majestie doubteth that the Queen mother will withdraw Monsieur from the Low-Countries actions meaning thereby to obtain the marriage which her Majestie cannot allow in any sort to have the action left how you shall be able to order this you must there seek the way For ayding of Monsieur these are her Majesties words that if you finde the King not willing to support his brother rather then the action shall fail you shall say that her Majestie will not see him destitute but the sum she will not name till she hear from you we are desirous to hear how the King will deal to ayd Don Anthonio for her Majestie here is in such a suspence as at this present the journey stayeth namely because besides her 5000. l. there is demanded 2500. l. more which she will not yield and neither Drake nor Hawkins will go onward further and upon some scruples Mr. Bingham York Fenton and Ward do forbear her Majestie saith you know some cause why Mr. York should not be trusted She speaketh of a practisement by him in the Thames mouth whereof she hath willed me to write to you that you should call it to memory I renewed my opinion that you could not spare Mr. Sommers whereunto she answered that if you could not you should do as you thought best although she said she would

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 ●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 therefor● 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 diff●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 ●o councel the application of inward medicines when outward will serve so were it less dangerous to attend a Warr at home the inward corruption being throughly looked into when that the same by some provident course by your Majestie taken may be put off the only difficulty resteth only upon charges which if the likelihood were would grow greater then your Estate or Crown might bear then were it reason for your Majestie to forbear the same for that Ultra posse non est esse and to stand upon your own defence But if the charges may be reduced into such a convenient proportion as the Crown may bear then were it very hard that treasure should be preferred before safety I beseech your Majestie that without offence I may tell you that your loathnesse to

day since her Majestie received your Letters my Lord Chamberlain and my Lord of Leicester by a former appointment were at Westminster to examin the Lord Vaux Sir Thomas Tresham and Mr. Griffin of which three the first two are close-prisoners in the Fleet who deny Campians being with them but they will take no oath the other confesseth plainly and simply By this occasion her Majestie forbeareth without advice to make any censure of your Letters or to give me any charge what to write to you She saith untill she shall hear what Mr. Bellieure shall do with the Prince of Parma and Pinart and Mr. Sommers with Monsieur she cannot guess what will be the event She denieth that any one here had any cause to give comfort to the marriage But truly I think some have had such a conceit and whether they have sent it over since I know not you shall do well to write to her Majestie or to me of the state and proceedings of Monsieur with his Army for she findeth fault therewith August 18. Yours assuredly W Burleigh Postscript I pray you in my name to thank Sir Henry Cobham for his Letters to me excusing me for not writing for want of leasure and matter To her Majestie August 16. 1581. MOst gracious Soveraigne The particular Letter it pleased your Highness of your Princely favour to voughsafe to write unto me did minister unto me two singular comforts The one that your mislike conceived of my dealing with the Duke is in part quallified The other for that it hath pleased your Majestie to lay open unto me your disposition touching the charge committed unto me whereby I may use the same as a load-star the beter to direct my course Touching the first I hope when your Majestie shall be throughly informed of my proceedings you shall find that I swerved not from your instructions I received nor yet had cause that indiscretion might lead me to take another course The principal cause why I was sent over as I conceive it and as I trust your Majestie can call it to remembrance was to procure a streighter degree of amity between the King and you without marriage and yet to carry my self in the procuring thereof as might not altogether break off the matter of marriage yet the success of my travel fell out so through Gods goodness as I did assuredly not without good ground make account that the amity would have taken place had it not been crossed by some practice as your Majestie may perceive by some former advertisements not yet discovered and yet both the King his Mother and Monsieur resolute to continue their former determination for the prosecutiou of the marriage which if I had made the case so desperate as I perceive your Majestie hath been informed then surely would they not have continued their disposition to follow the matter I was sundry times pressed both by them and their Ministers to yield a resolute answer whether I had power to say that your Majestie would not marry Whereunto I answered as I was directed that I had no such authority otherwise then to lay before them the impediments that made your Majestie doubtfull to proceed in the marriage which was to have the same accompanied with a Warr. This then being true as the effects do shew I hope your Majestie in the goodness of your own Princely nature and uprightness in your judgement will rest satisfied For otherwise If ● or any other like Minister imployed shall be condemned unheard it cannot but minister great cause of grief and discouragement Touching the other benefit received by your Majesties particular Letter by which you have so farr forth opened your self as if you shall of necessity be thrown into a Warr you find it more agreeable with your surety to have it accompanied with marriage then without I cannot but let your Majestie understand as I declared to you before my departure that if your Majestie shall be content to yield to marriage I am fully perswaded that the King will be induced to covenant with you that you shall be discharged of such burthen as the 〈◊〉 may cast upon you which is the only matter that we have presently to deal in considering that now your Majestie hath so far forth opened your self to Monsienr Marchiamont as to let him understand that if the impediment of the charges that the Warr may cast upon you may be removed your Highness seeth no cause why the marriage should not proceed For this thing being known to their Majesties all hope to procure the League without marriage is excluded I beseech your Majestie therefore we may receive your speedy direction in this case as also what other thing you would have annexed unto the marriage besides the removing of the impediments above mentioned And so with all humbleness do beseech God of his great and infinite goodness to bless all your Ma●esties proceedings with that happy success as may be to your Highness particular content and the comfort of your best affected Subjects Your Highness poor Subject and Servant Francis Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord finding in a Letter written to me by Monsieur Marchiamont whereof I send your Lordship a copy that her Majestie hath so farr forth opened her self as that she hath signified unto him That so the burthen of the charges that the War may cast upon her be born by the King she seeth no impediment why she should not proceed to the marriage I see our Treaty of League without marriage utterly overthrown so that now there resteth nothing for us to doe here but to perswade the King to take upon him the burthen of the Warr as the only impediment in the marriage and therefore we are to pray your Lordship to procure her Majesties Warrant under her own Hand in plain and clear termes to proceed therein And if there shall be any thing besides that her Majestie shall desire to have annexed to her marriage that is not contained in the former Contract then we beseech your Lordship that we may understand her Majesties further pleasure therein for untill such time as we shall hear from her Majestie we have nothing to doe here the League without marriage being utterly broken off Your Honours to command Fra Walsingham To the Right Honourable and his very good Lord the Lord Treasurer MY very good Lord I have cause 〈◊〉 think my self infinitely bound to your Lordship for your honorable standing for my defence touching my proceedings here which my Lord of Leicester hath testified unto me that you● Lordship hath performed in most friendly sort If her Majestie upon this new resolution taken with Marchiamont be not resolved to marry then is she entred into a very dangerous course For as in mine other Letter I have written to your Lordship all hope of League is taken away which as your Lordship m●y perceive by former advertisements was in a very

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 touchi●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 autho●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 Sp●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.

sent 2. Whether her Majestie can yield to the support of the 6000 men named in the Treaty defensive for the space of four moneths at her charges and if we be by the Commissioners pressed to assent that her Majestie shall bear the charges any longer time then four months how farr forth she will yield in that case and if they shall require greater numbers then are above specified then to what numbers we shall yield and for how long time to be continued at her Majesties charges 3. If in case the said Commissioners not content with our answer shall insist still upon joynt Forces to be yielded to the Princes Confederates as by them was propounded we desire to know how far forth we shall yield therein and whether her Majestie in that behalf will be content to contribute a third or fourth part either in men or money and whether it shall not be meet to have the said joynt forces to be limitted by a certain number as also to a time in which they shall be imployed A Note of such things as are to be resolved by her Majestie touching the secret League 1. WHat summ of money her Majestie will be content to contribute and in what sort openly or secretly 2. To what summ we shall press the King to yield unto in proportion of that summ which her Majestie shall be pleased to supply whether double or trebble more then her Highness shall be content to contribute 3. How long her Majestie will be pleased to contribute the said summ and upon what considerations whether by way of loan or otherwise and if by way of loan what caution she will require and whether it were not meet to covenant with him to procure the bonds of the States ad majorem cautelam within some convenient time for the repayment of the same 4. Whether her Majestie could not best like that this secret Treaty between the King and her should pass only by mutual promise contained in privat Letters under their own hands To the Lord Treasurer IT may please your Lordship to advertise her Majestie that as by our last Letters to you of the 21 of this present we advertised of the Kings and Monsieurs consents that a League should be treated of without speaking of the marriage So the same day Messieurs Villquier la Mott Bellieur Brisson Pinart and Du. Uray coming to us from the King said that his Majestie desiring much the Queens Majesties amity and to have the same augmented by Treaties by marriage and by all other good means and finding some impediments in the matter of the marriage he had sent them to confer with us about such other means as might best serve to encrease the amity And so after divers speeches used to them again to signifie his H. reciproque inclination in that behalf We entred into talk of League defensive remembring the last made at Bloys in King Charles his time which they said if we found not to be sufficient it should be altered or enlarged And that they thought it good for both the Realms to add an Article to it to meet with dissentions and disorders committed on the Sea whereof they had heard very many Somewhat they also said touching a Staple to be established at Roan as is mentioned in the said Treaty but after they had heard good reasons which moved against the occasion of that Article they said little to it but earnestly desired that other for the maintenance of good intelligence and sure Trade between the Realms and Subjects Then something was also propounded for a League offensive where it was also remembred that there were two kinds of Leagues offensive the one where two Princes or more doe combine themselves against another Prince by name the other in general terms for conservation of Estates And for as much as France and England were at this time in amity with all Princes that League for conservation of Estates was thought but to be Treated of and argued and so no Prince could have just cause to be openly offended therewith And so without further entring into particularities untill our next meeting they departed On Wednesday the twentithird they came again and having shewed their Commission it was propounded That for a League offensive they said it was to be first accorded that either Princes should be friend to friends and enemy to enemies after invasion made upon either of them And for a second it was propounded That if either of the Princes Confederate should be assa●led the Prince assailed should be bound thereof to advertise the other Prince his Confederate who should send streight to the Prince that hath assailed to warne him to cease his Invasion and to repaire forthwith the wrongs done or else in case of refusal that the said Prince Confederate will denounce Warre to him that did assaile as he shall doe indeed if the Invader will not retire and repaire the wrongs within seven weeks This motion being found indifferent for both parts I the Secretary delivered to them certain other Notes taken out of other Treaties which they said they would answer at our next meeting Your Lordship doth herewith receive the copy thereof Here it was propounded by them That if either of the Princes Confederate should be invaded by another Prince and that the Prince invaded shall require his Confederate to declare open Warr and to enter into open acts of hostility with him against the Invader as bound by League after due admonition and summons made who shall bear the charge of the Forces of the Prince required whether shall he bear them alone or the Prince requiring to bear a portion thereof according to his quality and greatness These things being very considerable we deferred to answer them untill our next meeting and so did provide to answer as your Lordship shall see by notes sent herewith Beseeching your Lordship to procure her Majesties resolution and answer to us and that by her Highness direction and warrant these and other points that shall be thought meet may be resolved upon to be agreed unto here to come to an end without unnecessary spending of time and charges The next day the 24. whilst we looked for them according to appointment they sent us word that upon occasion of Letters which the King had received that day from his Ambassador in England the King had deferred their coming untill the next day and then they came and said VVe might well remember that from the beginning of this Negotiation and long before the King desired nothing more then the marriage which would bring with it all other good things for Leagues and streight bonds of amity such as her Majestie would desire and that since their being with us his Majestie had received Letters from his Ambassador Mr. Mannisiere on the 24. and another the 25. dated the 22. of this month by the which he gave the King very great hope of the marriage upon speeches proceeding from her Majestie in a long

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 v●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

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

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 the●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 Vinni●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

that the King his Master was glad to entertain any Gentleman of countenance that offered him service as also to honour them with the honour of Knighthood I then made him acquainted with the couse of Stenklies life as also how little he had to take to and therefore willed him to consider how unworthy he was of any honour or entertainment in respect of himself But said I being as he is a Rebell unto the Queens Majestie with whom the house of Burgundy hath had so long Amitie and to be used with that honour and entertainment at his Masters hand gave her occasion to think that kind of Amitie not to answer best to such good will as outwardly is professed and so c. At Paris the 19 of March 1571. Your Honours to command Francis Walsingham To our trusty and welbeloved Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador Resident with the French King ELIZABETH R. TRusty and welbeloved we greet you well we have seen the severall Letters which you lastely wrote of the 5 of this moneth to the Lord of Burleigh our Secretary together with a Letter sent to you out of Spain of the 25 of Ianuary and do like well of your dilligence used herein and having well considered and looked further into ●he matter and comparing your advertisement with others of like sort and finding the same to be of great importance we have resolved to send out of hand a Gentleman to the King of Spain both to decipher by speech with him and by other means to understand the Kings intention herein and also to deal roundly and plainly vvith him in the matter and in the mean time vve do give order for all events for vvithstanding of any enterprize as vvell by sending of our ships to the sea-coast of Ireland as by other Forces to be sent into Ireland And for that much time may pass before vve can have ansvver from thence we pray you continue your travel and care to understand further as much as you may thereof and to advertise as matter may be further discovered worthy of knowledge Touching the matter of Credit sent to you from Rochel whereof you gave knowledge by Beal we pray you as of your self to learn further thereof and to discover their intentions and the likelihood of their intentions and what are the meanest sums of money to be demanded and what are best assurance and assoon as you can to advertise us without giving any token that you are thus directed to do For other matters we refer you to the advertisements of our pleasure signified lately by the Letters of the Lord of Burleigh And whereas an ancient and very good servant of ours Sir Thomas Cotton Knight hath occasion to complain as he informeth of the evil dealing of one Loen de la Hay a Subject of the French King who being once our Prisoner of War and licensed to depart upon his faith upon condition to redeem and send home freely a son of the said Sir Thomas Cotten then Prisoner or else within a time limitted to return again as his Prisoner hath performed neither of both besides a good sum of money which he lent to de la Hay at his departure yet unpaid We have thought good to recommend the same matter unto you and for the better instruction therein you shall receive herewith the request of the said Sir Thomas Cotten praying you to take some convenient time to open the matter to such of the Kings Councel or to himself if occasion may serve and to such other as you shall think able and well-affected to do any good therein and to seek by all good means that some reason may be had of the said de la Hay in this so plain and justificable a case so as our said Servant may have no further cause of Suit to the King for lack of justice the partie being well able to pay as is enformed If you shall have any occasion to deal with the Spanish Ambassador there you may be bold to shew him of these reports that we hear from Spain and if he shall hear of any our preparations by Sea and Land that the same is for our defence and if we shall be offended we will use them not onely for defence but to offend for our Revenge Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the tenth of March 1570. in the thirteenth year of our Reign To the Right Honourable Francis Walsingham Ambassador for the Queens Majestie in France SIr by the Queens Majesties Letters you may understand how well she liketh your diligence and besides that which is therein contained I am commanded specially to write to you that it is to her related that certain reports are made there as she thinketh by practice from thence of such as do not in with that a meaneth and so much in any place affirme And if L. shall by any occasion deal vvith you A. vvill that you do so assure him for A. knovveth not of any 0234 colour that doth mislike hereof Herein I am commanded to to vvrite earnestly unto you and to vvill you by no means to hinder the proceeding for it is meant as to me it appeareth very earnest and some offence here taken vvith H. for an opinion of cold dealing After the signing of her Majesties Letters she commanded me as she reposed trust in me that I should not be remiss her●in And so I pray you consider thereof and advertise me vvhat you hear and find thereof I make haste to end because I have many things to do From Greenvvich the tenth of March 1570. Your assured loving Friend Will. Burleigh I have no more leisure but to pray you to commend me to my Lord of Rutland To the Right Honourable and my very good Lord the Lord of Burleigh HEr Majesties of the tenth of March I received the vvhich I perceive her Majestie hath sundrie vvaies advertisements of the Irish enterprize vvhereof as I had cause before to doubt so have I novv more cause then before and therefore am glad to understand that there is order taken for the vvithstanding of all events that may happen in that behalf It may therefore please your Lordship to signifie unto her Majestie that the 24 of this moneth the Archbishop of Cassels sent unto me two of his Servants to know whether he might come to speak with me or no. I answered them that whensoever he would come he should be verie welcome and for that he should not lose his labour in coming I shewed them that he should find me at home both that day and the day following So the next day being the 25. he repaired unto me his first speech tended to his justification for departing out of Ireland without her Majesties leave saying that being deprived from his living and another substitute in his place who he confessed to have outraged before his departure necessitie inforced him to depart to seek maintenance some other where and the rather for that in respect of the

said o●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 con●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 hear● 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

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 Pari● 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 Ville●ile not far from A●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 ref●●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

the Scots our neighbours be awakened by your Beacons in France I have sent you a Scotish proclamation herewith Du Crocque and Viracque have already taken their leave of Scotland and be come to Barwick The 20 of this moneth they appointed to be here at Court. By that we can see the Lords in Scotland draw neerer and neerer to an accord that rather it is in hope then in despair These cruelties in France have helped not a little and now continuing much more will You gave good advice that all Scotish men should not be stayed no more they be not some of the late Commers have given the rest in Scotland a good to make them awake yet there may also be false brethren come amongst them which as reason is shall be stayed and sent back if they may be known Yet it is true That much water goeth by the Mill that the Miller knoweth not of but mans wisdom must provide as much as may be as it would always it cannot The answer of the Ambassador may justly seem to you to debar your coming home and to prolong it longer then you would yet I assure you your friends do not cease by all means possible to provoke her Majesty so much as may be for your Revocation and her Majesty is as carefull for you as any Prince may be for such a subject as you are of whom assure you her Highness maketh no small account and so it is reason You know that things go here slowly with much respect of irresolution but for my part I hope to see you here shortly there shall no occasion be left which I will not take to further it Although your friends here be as forward as may be yet your wife ceaseth not continually to cry on them Fare you well From Windsor the 13. of October 1572. Your assured friend Thomas Smith To the right Honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principall Secretary SIR it may please you to advertise her Majesty that of late the King and Queen mother have had sundry conferences with the Scotish Ambassador to whom there is repaired out of Flanders one English Gentleman called Tempest and another called Musgrave servant unto the Earl of Westmerland they both have also access unto the Duke de Aumale and to his Nephew the the Duke of Guyse Davy Chambers since his return out of England hath had also conference both with the King and the House of Guyse who hath let fall these words how that the death and execution of the Earl of Northumberland hath increased the number of the Queen of Scots friends and that she is now grown to have such a party in England as that five or six thousand shot with some good Leaders will make her strong enough to encounter any forces her Majesty can make It is also secretly whispered in Court that there is some new practice in hand for the Queen of Scots delivery the particularities I can by no means decipher but the circumstances of these conferences well weighed the conjecture is great that there 's somwhat a hatching Little Douglas who conveyed the Queen of Scots out of Loughtean departeth out of hand into Scotland who besides other conference with the King hath had long conference with the Queen mother the Ambassador being present And so for other matters referring your Honor to this Bearers report touching divers particularities I most humbly take my leave Sir I most humbly desire your Honor to further a most reasonable suit that this Bearer my Secretary is to prefer unto her Majesty as wel in respect of his great travell already taken under me in her Majesties service as also for that thereby he may receive encou●agement to continue the same and in time through the experience of his service and the good parts that are in him may hereafter grow able to serve her Majesty in a better calling For my own part I have no means to recompence him as you Sir well know and if therefore the consideration grow not by her Majesty neither he nor any other shall have courage to serve in aservice both so dangerous and painfull as this is wherein he serveth And so not doubting of any furtherance you may yeid him I leave to trouble your Honor any further taking my leave At Paris 18 of October 1572. Your Honors to command Fr. Walsingham To the right Honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majestiess principall Secretary SIR I am glad by your Letters to receive some hope that there is good care taken to prevent such mischiefs as may happen notwithstanding untill such time as the root of the evill be removed it is rather to dream of remedies then to apply such as the disease requireth I am glad to hear that there is some hope that they will grow to an accord in Scotland if that postern gate were shut up and other inward medicines applied and her Majesty strengthened with the outward Amity of the Almain Princes she should be the more esteemed and feared of those that mean her not great good And though the remedies may seem chargeable yet considering the necessity of the same and that they may avoid both great charges and no small danger I hope her Majesty will prefer safety before cost especially when the di●bursing of one pound may save a thousand Surely Sir the more I observe their doings here the more I increase my jealousie of their evill meaning They never spake more fair to the Admirall then a few dayes before he died nothing was demanded by him that was not granted insomuch that Tilligni said to a Gentleman a friend of his a few days before the execution that their liberall granting of requests without any difficulty did make him to suspect some unsound and hollow meaning and thereupon alledged that Italian Proverb They never used fairer speech then presently they do nor greater protestations of Amity and because it is more then was accustomed and is now at such time as we have cause to suspect the contrary I cannot but be jealous of her Majesties safety so long as any thing is left undone that tendeth to her Majesties preservation And so leaving further to entertain your honour with my jealousies and fears I most humbly take my leave beseeching you to continue your assistance in procuring my revocation At Paris the 25 of October 1572. Your Honors to command Fran. Walsingham To the right Honorable Sir Thomas Smith her Majesties principall Secretary SIR although I had no express commandement from her Majesty to communicate unto the King and Queen Mother such an answer as was yeilded unto those things that were propounded by their Ambassador here notwithstanding I thought it convenient to impart the same unto Queen Mother as she that hath the Helm in hand to see in what sort the said answer would be interpreted at my access unto her I shewed her at large that the Ambassador had propounded four things unto certain Deputies by her Majesty of her Councell

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 ●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