Tours, 9 June 1577

Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, Volume 11: 1575-1577

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June 9 1577 , Paulet to Walshingham

His servant sent to Brittany is returned, who as he passed through Maine fell into the hands of Matignon and Rambouillet at Sablé, where after long and strait examination he was sent to the castle and stripped twice to his shirt, and the collar of his shirt and all his other garments searched with all extremity. It was found he had no letters of instructions or any other things in writing; after two days he was discharged, and a gentleman sent after him to see his doings and what way he took in his journey, and who did not forsake him till he was past the town of Vitré. He took his way directly to St. Malo, where he spent three days, and during his abode there laded some forders of canvas, as he has been wont to do at other times, being one that professes merchandise, and his presence being now known to the officers and others of the town, he feigned to have new occasion of business to return to him. He addressed himself to one he knew to be his only good friend, who has undertaken to send one to know the certainty of these preparations, who sends word that La Roche prepares certain ships and makes one or two new ships which are not yet ready. Is advertised that Fitz Morris has advertised his wife that the Pope has promised eight galleys, and will write to the French King to give like furtherance. Is given to understand from the Court that La Roche is an insolent fellow, that he depends altogether upon the Guise, that a kingdom is too little for him, and that he is a very likely man to attempt any desperate voyage. Considering it most certain that some ships are new rigged and some new builded, and comparing the great charge of these preparations with the slender qualities of La Roche, who is said to be of small ability and utterly unable to bear the heavy burden, and seeing he does not join with Lansac, which he would have done if his enterprise had been intended for the King's service, therefore concludes there is some treacherous meaning towards Ireland. He pretended to go to Terra Florida. It seems the King could be content to come to some reasonable composition, but some think the treaty will come to nothing, the commissioners of the King being divided amongst themselves, La Mothe, Fenelon, and de Foix being inclined to peace, but the Bishop of Vienne, M. d'Escars, and the President of Toulouse seeking daily new devices to break it. It is thought the house of Guise has corrupted the Bishop of Vienne. The King of Navarre is said to be waxed stubborn, that he requires besides the contents of the last Edict, ports and frontier towns for his surety, and till he be satisfied in these points will not treat of any other. The King is advertised Duke Casimir makes secret preparation to come into France in August, and that this next Midsummer he will declare himself openly. La Verdin has besieged and won La Ville Franche, a town in Perigord; all the soldiers and a great part of the inhabitants are put to the sword. The Vicomte of Turenne is strong in Perigord and Limousin and Quercy, where he is well obeyed and his company well ordered. It is said they of Rochelle have fought with young Lansac, who is said to be hurt, many of his soldiers slain, and his whole navy forced to retire to Blaye. It has been given out with great gladness here that one man could not supply himself with bread in Rochelle one day for 12 sous tournois, and that they were brought to great extremity many ways, but they are well provided of all things necessary, and want nothing so much as hay for their horses. The battery began at Issoire the 3rd. M. d'Allegre, Renty, Montmorin, Premier Esquier to the Queen Mother, the lieutenant of M. St. Luc, and some others are slain there. Chavinac commands in Issoire. The army of the Duke of Maine, which was bestowed in several towns distant from St. Jean d'Angeli four or five leagues, is assembled again, the purpose is supposed to be against Brouage. The King's galleys at Nantes are appointed to be ready the 12th. The Queen Mother's house at Chenonceau has been called La Maison des Bonnes Nouvelles, but it is feared lest this goodly title will have no long continuance. Danville cannot devise a readier way to force the towns which hold for the religion in Languedoc to come to composition than to spoil their provisions of corn and other like commodities, which he is said to have put in practice already, saving for his own use all he can. Is not much affected to grant passports to Scottishmen in this doubtful time, but having received no commandment to the contrary has granted the one enclosed. Is advertised Moulins is corrupted, and that he goes over for some bad practice, and although he pretends to make this voyage to live in liberty of conscience, one of his familiars has said that he has refused this journey three times, and goes commanded, and not of his own free will. He is said to have 1,000 crowns for this journey, and that his errand touches the Queen of Scots in honour and life. He has daily conference with Morvilliers. He is accompanied with divers archers of the King's guard, and amongst others with Drysdale who is lately returned out of his country. This Drysdale has said to his secretary that the King of Scots inquires daily for his mother, where she is, why she is prisoner, and why he cannot see her; and Drysdale further found it very strange that all Frenchmen have access to the Scottish Queen, and that the same is forbidden to all Scots, and thinks great unkindness of him (Walsingham) because he denied him a license to pass over two English geldings, which he said he passed afterwards without his help for six shillings. Captain Moulins is married to a Frenchwoman and has good living in France, and leaves his wife and children behind him. The secretary of Mauvissiere has informed the King that the Queen gave audience to Haucourt la Personne and others going towards the Prince of Condé late in the night, and that they had it in commission from Casimir to advise him and the King of Navarre to condescend to no peace. The Cardinal of Guise has great credit with the King at this present. The King will be again in this town the 11th, and thence takes his journey to Poitiers, to which purpose divers companies of men-at-arms are already levied here and in the villages adjoining. The Duke of Tuscany has a young son of late, which is much rejoiced by his friends here. —Tours, 9 June 1577. Signed

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