Los planes de Felipe II según Odo Collona.

COUNT MAURICE to WALSINGHAM.

I shall write nothing in relation to the proposals of Odo Colona, for you will understand them by reading the summary I send you but I assure you he is a young man of lively and ready wit who speaks well and has been well brought up, although showing by his writings that he knows hardly anything beyond the court of Rome and his acquaintance with the good houses of Italy.

He has seemed to some of mine, older and more experienced than myself, that there was reason in what he said, and that I ought to advertise her Majesty thereof, both from the nature of what he says, and to let her know that when occasion offers, I am her very affectionate servant, which it is fitting to my quality and house to show by deeds and not by words.

And in this intention, I am here in this army, assembled by my diligence from all places of my government, with intent, if God does me that grace, to withstand the power of the greatest enemies of her Majesty's and of all Christendom; which are the King of Spain and the Prince of Parma, who, with all my heart I desire to meet in person, when I hope, by God's aid to make him understand that he is not so good a soldier where he finds resistance as when ill-advised men give victories into his hands, and help him by their cowardice to take so many fine towns.

I pray you to maintain me in her Majesty's good graces and to continue to me the friendship which you bore to my father, for I hope God will give me grace to follow him in constancy and firm resolution.

In the fleet near Biervliet, 9 December, 1587. Signed. Add. Endd. In Pierre de Villiers' hand-writing. French. 1 p. [Ibid. XIX. f. 149.]

Examination of Odo Colonna.

Taken on the Brussels road with a passport of his captain who is in garrison at Grave, to go to Brussels, and brought to Rotterdam to be examined. Re-examined at Camfer. Son of the late Mutio Colonna, nephew of Prospero and of Cardinal Marc Antonio. Left Rome from fear of the pope who is the worst since Boniface, and because he had slain a knight of Malta.

Did not make himself known to Parma because their houses are not friendly. 12 to 15,000 foot and 500 horse have left for Netherlands, almost all Italians banished from Naples and Rome, the levy made in the pope's name, Spinelli maitre de camp. On arriving most have been distributed in garrison and the old soldiers, as well Spanish as Italian drawn out to be employed on the enterprise of the Prince of Parma. Before they left a large number of Italians was sent to Sardinia, no Germans; but the Archduke Ferdinand charged to send Germans to Netherlands, does not know how many.

Heard that army of Parma and the Marquis of Santa Cruz would consist of 60,000 men. When asked the intention of this army he would only inform the Prince of Orange. Brought to the chamber of the Count of Nassau told him that he knew from his uncle, the Cardinal, that the pope had made a league against the Queen of England for which he had held three consistories.

The pope was chief, and there were also the king of Spain, the dukes of Florence, Savoy, Ferrara, Urbino, Mantua and other Italian potentates, the House of Austria and other Germans.

The Venetians wished to stand out, but had at last agreed to give money. The king of France, after several refusals, only entered when the pope threatened to excommunicate him. The king of Scotland will enter on condition that the king of Spain has him crowned king of England and will give him his daughter in marriage.

The Prince of Parma to conduct the war by land and Santa Cruz by sea. The Spaniards boast that they will destroy the English fleet if they meet it. When objected that he took no account of the king of Scotland being of the religion he mocked saying that kings do everything for advantage.

Told that the Queen looked for peace and the Prince of Parma was willing to treat, he said she might do what she pleased but she could see if these preparations were for peace. Told that the king of Spain himself had written about it to the king of Denmark he replied that the king of Spain might do this to deceive but the war would still go forward in the name of the pope and of the Grand Master of Malta.

He knew from his uncle that the funds of which the pope was assured, derived from the said princes and the clergy of Italy whom he had compelled, amounted to 8 millions. Asked what he wished to do, said he was content to remain in that country where the pope had no power and not leave it until the pope died. On the advice of the earl of Leicester he was sent prisoner to Vuillemstad.

Endd. The confession of Odo Colonna. 3 pp. Also in Villiers' hand. French. [Holland XIX. f. 151.]