viernes, 3 de agosto de 1554

Edad:
27 años

Simon Renard al Emperador

Twickenham ?

Sire: As soon as the entry into London was over, the English lords, Councillors and the rest took leave of the Queen in the accustomed manner after a progresss and went home to rest. The only ones who stayed behind were the Earl of Arundel, the Privy Seal, Admiral, Chancellor, High Treasurer, Bishop of Ely, Controller, Chamberlain and Vice-Chamberlain. When Paget took leave of the Queen, he confessed the error of his ways and promised to amend them, and never again to displease her, especially in matters of religion.

The King distributed pensions to the Councillors when they departed, to the value of 15,000 ducats or more. Certain persons thought he ought to show some liberality to those who presented him with the Garter and other gifts, to those who waited so long for him at sea and to a few of the Queen's ladies and others who were present at the marriage solemnities; but I do not know what he has decided to do about it. People are waiting to see how he will form his household and what offices he will give to the English. A rumour went the rounds to the effect that he did not- mean to employ any of them, upon which several left Court; and very few Englishmen are to be seen in his Highness's apartments, though I believe this situation is going to be dealt with in two or three days, as indeed it is time it should be.

The King has begun transacting business with the Council in order to make himself familiar with the English affair of which the Council have given him cognisance, for thus he may acquire authority and use it on occasion. The Duke of Alva, Ruy Gómez, Marquis de Las Navas, Gutierre López and other members of his household, with Councillor Briviesca, are endeavouring in concert with the Privy Council to settle the lodging problem, a thorny matter because here in England it is not the custom that the lords should live at Court, where there are only two kitchens: the King's and the servants'. As a. rule, in England, even the greatest nobles only occupy three rooms; but it has been decided that they (i.e. Philip's Spanish attendants) shall be lodged either in the King's houses or else out of town, in the country, in order to protect them from the rapacity of the people.

The Earl of Arundel put a stop to the serving of certain dishes which some English servants were in the habit of eating in the Queen's kitchen, and this has been put down to the Spaniards with the object of making them unpopular. Also, a few days ago, it came to light that the French had put false Spanish coin into circulation here, thereby hoping to cause a tumult; and they certainly never rest from devising evil. I hear that when the French ambassador had audience of the King he spoke of his own accord and said nothing about any letters from the King of France, whence I gather that his only motive was to find out how the King meant to treat him, for he probably expected to be sent home; and I have no doubt he acted on the advice of certain members of the Privy Council. As long as he remains here we may be sure there will be machinations against the King's person or interests, for with money in hand he will always find tools, even if only among the heretics who hate the match, and the partisans of Elizabeth. I warned the King that it would be very difficult to decide how she was to be dealt with, and handed him, before he left London, a full memoir containing everything I thought he ought to know.

Cardinal Pole presses for an answer whether or no he is to be received here as legate, and writes that he wants a definite reply so that he may either go back to Rome or proceed on his journey. Of course one must take it for granted that zeal for religion alone moves him, but still doubts assail me. Affairs are not settled here yet, and the King has only been a few days in the realm. The Spaniards are hated, as I have seen in the past and expect to see in the future. There was trouble at the last session of Parliament, and disagreeable incidents are of daily occurrence. Only ten days ago the heretics tried to burn a church in Suffolk with the entire congregation that was hearing mass inside. Moreover, foreign affairs are also to be considered; it is war-time, and the Cardinal's mission will stir up ill-feeling with the Switzers and Germans. These points and many others I noted down in my memoir; and the truth is that I do not see how it can be done. The object in view is God's service; but if an attempt is made and then has to be abandoned the result might be danger to the position and persons of the King and Queen; and if Cardinal Pole mingled human with divine activities, he might not only try to let Courtenay out but support him and thus give the malcontents a great opportunity. The Chancellor is very hot, and wants to settle the matter at once. He addressed a memoir to the Queen, advising her to consult with the Council in order to find out how they would take it and whether the Cardinal might not speedily come and make known his commission. When the King passed on this memoir to me, I wrote another with the object of proving that it would be better to avoid any appearance that the Cardinal had come over on the King's invitation, and pointed out the difficulties involved. I also explained the matter to the Duke of Alva and Ruy Gómez, who were both of opinion that it would be preferable to set things here on a firmer footing and gain popularity for the King before saying anything about the Cardinal's journey. Delays might be created by insisting on consulting your Majesty; and thus the Chancellor's ardour might be kept within bounds, at least until the warm weather is over.

On examining the brief sent hither by the Cardinal and intended to dispense those who hold Church property, I have noticed that it is not drawn up in a suitable manner. The Pope expects submission to the Church to come first, and means afterwards to attend to the dispensations, considering each case separately, on its own merits, and also the nature of the Church property that has been taken possession of. He intends to grant the dispensation to those for whom the King and Queen intercede, though with a restrictive clause binding them to consult the Pope on cases that may appear to be of importance. Another feature of this document is that the King is mentioned as such in it, though it was dated last June when the marriage had not yet been consummated. It is my duty to inform your Majesty that the Catholics hold more Church property than do the heretics, and unless they obtain a general dispensation to satisfy them that their titles will never be contested they will not allow the Cardinal to execute his commission; and he certainly will not be able to do so until the question has been submitted to Parliament, former Acts of which have vested the title of Supreme Head of the Church in the Crown, the right of which to deal with all religious questions consequently stands firm. So if the Cardinal is to come here at all, his powers had better be clear and comprehensive. The Holy See's contention is naturally that if it grants a dispensation for Church property before obeisance is offered, it will seem as if that same obeisance is being bought, and an evil and scandalous precedent would be created; but the loftier aims of religion ought to be considered in preference to a mere question of Church property, especially in this realm where the abbeys have all been destroyed and overthrown by the King's authority. However, this point is a difficult one, as your Majesty will readily appreciate; so I will leave it to your riper judgment.

The old Duke of Norfolk is dead, and is succeeded by the Earl of Surrey, a sonin-law of the Earl of Arundel.

Ippolito Marino, who is detained in prison by Duke Ottavio, has written to me by one of his servants to ask me once more to vouch for the good service he rendered to your Majesty while I was in France, as a reward for which he implores you to take a thought for his liberty. Your Majesty, however, will remember the capture of the Franciscan friar on his way to Genoa, so I will say no more. I could not refuse to add a line about Ippolito to my letter, but I will leave the matter to your Majesty.

Brancacio landed at Calais and pretended to start for Gravelines, but escaped to Boulogne.

Signed French.

Fuentes

Vienna, Staatsarchiv, E.22.

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 13, 1554-1558

Edited by Royall Tyler.

Published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 19

 

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