martes, 21 de agosto de 1554

Edad:
27 años

De M. de Eecke a Maria de Hungria

Veere,

Madam: We are informed that several pirate ships from Normandy have set out for the North Sea to harry the herring-fleet, and have already made some captures in spite of the convoy of men-of-war from Holland and Zeeland, for those from Flanders are only just getting ready now. The convoy that was to have guarded the fishing-smacks: namely, eight ships from Holland, four from Zeeland and six from Flanders, will not be sufficient to put a stop to attacks, because they are not under one command, but the ships from each country try to protect their own smacks. It is to be feared that the French, who are aware of this, will put out to sea more and more numerous, for they know that the Emperor's fleet of fourteen sail under M. de Wacken's orders has come home and is being disarmed. They hear all these news from the Scots and Easterlings who are always moving hither and thither.

On thinking this over, we saw no remedy but to urge certain private individuals of this island, to which some of the fourteen men-of-war belong, to make an effort and go out to sea in the ships at their own risk in order to prevent the French from approaching this coast and waxing bold in their incursions, as they would otherwise do. And these people are willing to do it, provided they may have the use of some of the Emperor's artillery that was aboard the ships, for which they will deposit sufficient surety to indemnify your Majesty in case of loss or deterioration.

We consider this to be prudent in times like the present, so that the Emperor may suffer no loss, though, thank God, there is quite enough artillery besides to fit out a goodly number of vessels, were his Majesty pleased to do so; but we have not ventured to accept these terms definitely without informing your Majesty, whom we beg to intimate your pleasure to us. The ships will be five or six in number, well-found, manned with good crews and able to stand up to a greater number of French ships if they fall in with them, for we have had the advantage of being able to pick and choose from the men who served under M. de Wacken, who arrived here fat and in fine condition and anxious to be at the French, which they have not been allowed to do all this time they have spent under the English Admiral's orders off the English coast.Holograph. French.

Fuentes

Brussels, E.A.109.

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

Edited by Royall Tyler.

Published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1954.

 

 

Día anterior Día siguiente