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he doubted not, if God gave them both their lives, they would foresee in time. He spake of two things, wherein he feared the King and Council had disobliged these mer- chants : and so they might be the more difficultly brought 325 to deal with the King for the future. The one M^as, that when he, the said Gressham, had lately offered a fine jewel at 8000/. to sell, which if the King would have bought, they should have lent him 52,000 Z. for a year, the Lord Wiltshire, Lord Darcy, Lord Warden, Sir John Gates, and Secretary Cecyl, of the Privy Council, undervalued the jewel, as though it were worth nothing. And at another time he offered, in the name of the Fuggars, a bargain of fustians to the King of 5000/. for the prolongation of 25,000/. which also did not like them. But the Council would have these bankers continue their money for another year, with- out taking any merchandise or jewels. This, as Gressham said, did abash him, considering how things went hereto- fore, when the King's father, who first began to take up money upon interest, did use to take his fee-penny in mer- chandise, either jewels, copper, gunpowder, or fustians: and that so it was accustomed ever since, to take wares, when the King made any prolongation, until the charge of this business, as he said, was committed to him.
commis-
sion. 564^ MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL BOOK And therefore, he added, if there were not some other ^^' ways taken for the payment of the King's debts, but to force Anno 1552. men from time to time to prolong them, the end thereof, he said, would neither be honourable nor profitable for the King. In consideration whereof, if there were no other ways taken henceforth, he beseeched that he might be dis- cliarged of his office of agentship : for otherwise, he saw in the end he should receive shame and discredit thereby, to his utter undoing for ever : which yet, he added, would be the smallest matter, if his Majesty's credit should not be spotted thereby ; specially in a strange country ; where, at that present, his credit, he said, was better than the Em- peror's. For the Emperor had offered 16 per cent, and yet no money could be gotten. Gressham's Gressham was also, in this mission, to deal with the Fug- gars for prolongation of 43,000/. and on that condition he was to signify that the King was content to take 6000Z. in fustians: and with the Schetz to prolong 10,000L that would grow due to them November 20 next. His device And being sensible of the King's growing debts, and the Kin^ out of g^'^^t inconveniences that at last would follow, he projected, ^*^^^' that in case this agency of his for the prolongation of these payments succeeded, to find out a way to bring the King wholly out of debt in two years, in case the King and Coun- cil would assign him 1200/. or 1300/. a week, to be secretly received at one man's hand, that so it might be kept secret. And he would so use that matter in that town of Antwerp, that every day he would be seen to take up in his own name 200Z. sterling by exchange : which would amount in one year to 72,000/. And thus doing, it should not be per- ceived, nor administer any occasion to make the exchange fall. He projected also a great benefit to the King, if all the lead were in the King's hands, and the King to make a staple thereof, and to make a proclamation, or to shut up the Custom-house, that none should convey out of the land any parcels of lead for five years: whereby the King might cause it to rise, and feed them at Antwerp, from time to
OF KING EDWARD VI. 565 time, as they should have need thereof. By which he might CHAP, keep his money within his realms, and bring himself out of ______ the debts, which his father and the late Duke of Somerset Anno i55< had brought him into. *^^^
usury, he assured the Duke of Northumberland, that it would prove a marvellous great hinderance to his Majesty. But if these his counsels were taken, he mistrusted not to save the King 20,000/. in the payment of his debts, ere the year went about. This may serve to shew the pressing state of the King's debts abroad ; and, by the way, to display somewhat the abilities of this brave English merchant. c. The said Gressham, Sept. 23, gave in a very fair and Gressham large account during the time of his being at Antwerp this ',noney re year, between the King; and him: which he entitled, " A^'''7dan< " brief declaration of the whole account of your Majesty s " servant Thomas Gressham, mercer, of all such sums of '' money as he hath received and paid in the town of Ant- " werp, for your Majesty's behoof, since the 1st of March, ^' anno 1552, until the 27th of July, 1552, as hereafter shall " more plainly appear to your Highness.
" knt. the 1st of March, 1552, in French crowns of gold, " the sum of an hundred fourscore thousand two hundred " twenty-five pieces, at 6s. 6d. the crown, amounts to the <' sum of " Received of Jasper Schetz, the 1st of March, 1552, " which was taken upon interest by Sir Philip Hoby, and " me Thomas Gressham, for three months, after the rate of " twelve upon the hundred, Money also was mentioned to be taken up of Anthony Relinger, and Condrat Relinger ; and much more, and at several times, of Jasper Schetz. At last, " Item, Paid for ^' a supper and a banquet that I had made to the Fuggar, " and to the Schetz, and others, that I have had to do witii " for your Majesty since the time that your Highness hath «« committed this great charge unto me, 25?.
566 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL BOOK a The sum total of all my whole payments amounteth - " to 106,301/. 4^. Mr Anno 1552. ^^ ^^|j j^^^ j^^l^ ^^^ ap'aiii over the seas, into France and TbeEng- ^ v ? • -i lish like not Cjrermany, accordnig to whose successes it must necessarily the sue- gQ ^i^]^ England. As the Turk had prospered against the France. Emperor this summer, so liad the French also and Ger- mans ravaged and spoiled, and greatly distressed him in his Low Countries: whose ill successes the English began to take to heart. For they cared not that either the one or the other should be too prosperous. Chamberlain, the ambas- sador residing then at Brussels, spake his thoughts in a letter to the lords, about the beginning of September, that he did right well weigh with himself the present time, [thinking England to be in danger by the French successes,] and he did earnestly wish, he might have occasion to certify of some exploit done by Cesar, who was then on foot again. A matter, he believed, that would be a means to make Eng- land's other neighbour [of France] deal more gently with us. " For to say the truth,'' as he further explained him- self, " the game had not gone indifferently, having too long " gone on the other side." The Emperor was hastening now in September to face these triumphing Frenchmen, who carried all before them. The foresaid ambassador wrote to the Council, that, accord- 327 ing to the secret talk, the Emperor was, September 12, (the day on which he wrote his letter,) at Spire or Strasburg. From whence it was thought he would direct an army to enter France, by the way of Burgundy, and make the Prince of Piemont general thereof, who was come to the Emperor The Era- in post. And others did think, that his Majesty himself lomln^ would pass by Loraine and Luxemburgh, and seek to enter against the France that way ; meaning so to cause the enemy to divert his power from the Low Countries, especially from Artois : where, it was said, that the French did at that present burn and spoil greatly ; and were then before a place of Mons. De Reux, called Renty, where he did not a httle lament, that he might not set upon them as he would ; which the OF KING EDWARD VI. 567 Emperor had forbidden, until such time as he was clear out CHAP of Germany. It was then commonly reported, that the ^' Emperor was now strong, and reckoned out of all danger Anno 155 among the Germans, and that his power daily increased, by good numbers of men of war that drew unto him. So that in that court, where the English ambassador was, they said, that ere it were long, the world should hear that his imperial Majesty was revived, and not so much put to the worst as men thought. But for all that, others there were that thought the Emperor not so well furnished of money, presently to do so great feats withal. And indeed in the burse of Antwerp money was never so scanty : where he ran, as the ambassador was informed, martely great and ex- cessive interest for large sums already had, and most part spent, as it was thought, by the Queen Regent, to defend those Low Countries. And so men did conjecture the Em- peror should have two impediments ; the one, the year being spent ; the other, want of money. But in the midst of these expectations from the Emperor, at this juncture the French took two places of importance in Piemont ; the name of one whereof was Crescentia.
shewed his zeal to Popery, even at this present, when thereby himself' he did but more irritate and provoke the Germans against g^J^^"^ him. The before-mentioned ambassador wrote hither, that every man there wished, that the Emperor, to win the Ger- mans, would dissemble, and shew them best countenance at this time. But, it seemed, he took the contrary way ; bav- in »• made Don Lewis d'Avila of his privy chamber, captain of all his light horse ; which the nobles of those Low Coun- tries did much mislike, being a stranger; and so it was thought the Germans would too. And upon conference the ambassador had with divers, he found that the most part did then misUke in the Emperor, that he could not play the part which he was wont to play so well, being a chief prin- ciple with the Spaniards, among whom his Majesty was brought up for a good part of his youth ; that is, to dis- semble, and temper with the times. For when he passed
568 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL BOOK through Ausburg, he had expelled some of their preachers, taking for colour, that their preachings tended more to se- Anuo 1552, dition than religion. In which, the ambassador said, that in his conceit he had much overshot himself. For, as some persons of virtue and good judgment said, if ever he could dissemble, it behoved him now to do it, and to make fair weather with the Germans ; shewing them the best coun- tenance he could, whatsoever he meant besides. And so, indeed, there went a talk, that the Emperor would forget and forgive all unto Marquis Albright, [who was the chief 328 of the German Protestants that confederated with France, and made havock in the Emperor^s countries,] and rather re- ward him with good livings besides, to win him from the French King's devotion : which, as the ambassador went on and expressed his judgment, whether they said as they would have it, or what was thereby meant otherwise, he knew not: but that a man would not think it the worst means to reckon, having made so fair a shapada, as they called it there. The Low The Low Countries were all in a great disturbance at suffer nmch these ravagiugs of the French, beating down all before them. by tiie Jgut at the Emperor's being now on foot, and coming down towards them with the forces he had gathered, they grew more easy, and the court at Brussels was presently reduced to some quietness, over what it was before : every one ex- pecting, with the present fair weather that happened this latter end of September, to hear of some good exploit to be done by the Emperor, upon some places which the French had gotten in his absence. And this also the English would inwardly be glad enough to hear of, not liking these French proceedings. And therefore Chamberlain, the ambassador, promised the lords, to get all the intelligence he could, and hoped to acquaint them with matters worthy his writing : beseeching them to assure themselves, that of his part should no negligence be shewed, for lack of advertisement. For that he knew the same to be the best service he could do ; and did consider how much he was bound to employ himself thereto, without refusing any pains or labour.
OF KING EDWARD VI. 569 The news out of Germany, as the ambassador now sent CHAP, it to the lords, were, that Mons. de Bossii, general of the ^' Emperor's army, was repairing to the Emperor with part of Anno 1552. the forces of the countries where the said ambassador was ; ^^'^^ ^^^ and that he was, September 26, at a place called Gelven many,'^'by within eighteen leagues of his Majesty. That the soldiers of ^'^\^g"^^'^'' Marquis Albright of Brandenburgh, the chief enemy of dor. the Emperor on the German side, and that had pillaged and plundered extremely the Emperor's towns and places, find- ing themselves wealthy, and rich of the branskating and spoil, did daily sHp away from him and leave him. And a bruit was, how the French King should ask reckoning of Albright, of that he had branskated ; and that Albright had yet to receive 200,000 florens from the city of Treves: which, it was to be thought, the Emperor now coming, would keep him from at this time, albeit he had threatened to burn the city, if he had it not. That the Bishops of Colen and Treves did furnish Bossu his camp with victuals, and did send unto the Emperor 1500 horse, and six ensigns of foot.
barrels of gunpowder, lying then at Antwerp, upon her de- Emperor sire to borrow it for three or four months. And Damsel, the gunpowder. English governor there, delivered it to Corrier, one of that Queen's Council. How the French about this time dealt with King Edward and his subjects, which served more to cool the affection of the English to him, I proceed next to shew.
for the great wrongs done on the sea to the English by his [,"'^"j^g^ men, to pacify him somewhat, commissioners were in Sep- French. tember sent into England from France, to hear and deter- mine such maritime matters. But as Chamberlain, the ambassador, wrote to the Duke of Northumberland, that the report was there, that while the French King did send 329 ' his commissioners into England, to understand the spolia- tions his subjects had committed upon the poor merchants, they did not stick to take still at the sea what they could 570 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL BOOK get of ours: whereupon the said ambassador gave his own ^^- judgment, " That for his part, he wished that fortune Anno 1552." would shew herself a Uttle indifferent, and turn another " while on the other side, and then he would well hope we " should have good restitution. And so if she would dally " now on the one side, and then on the other, for a year or " two, he would verily believe we should dwell by good " neighbours on each side a good while after."" The French It was uow the 24th of September, and these commis- their'iXa- sioners from France, though in London for some days, yet <^'^s. had not yet been at the court, by reason, as was said, the ambassador had been lately sick and disordered of a rheum; but being amended, that day they desired access : which was granted them. Yet at this very time the Frenchmen upon the seas continued their depredations on the merchants, and had lately taken certain passengers towards Calais ; alleg- ing, that unless certain pirates of theirs, taken and detained at Calais for notable piracies, were set at liberty, the same passengers should not be delivered, but should be used as the English should use theirs. And this the Council signified to Sir William Pickering, ambassador with the French King. Steukiey's At this juucturc ouc Stcuklcy, once the Duke of Somer- conceSn^^ sct's servant, who, upon his troubles, fled to France, and France. there abode, came now over, and brought with him this in- telligence, as he pretended to have from the French King himself, viz. that the said King intended, upon peace made with the Emperor, to besiege Calais, and to invade England about Falmouth, and more to that purpose ; as, the invading it at the same time on the north, by the help of the Scots. This information startled the court. Rumours There went also rumours abroad^ of the French's design
K^i"g- should invite the King to a banquet aboard some French ships ; and having him thus in their hands, to convey him away. This report fled over to Antwerp by a merchant that haunted England, and came lately thence with the said news: and withal, that the ports and passages were stopped; OF KING EDWARD VI. 571 an hundred sail of French ships arrested in the west parts; CHAP, and the French ambassador forbid to approach to the ^• court; which perhaps might be true enough, upon the dis-Anuo 1552. pleasure taken at the French, as for other matters, so par- ticularly for Steukley's discoveries.
they might not seem too credulous, the Council wrote to ,^'^ ''"^^ *"* Fickenng, ambassador m that court, especially because sador con- Steukley had pretended to have imparted something of this sleukif y. to him. Their letter ran to this tenor : Gaiba, B. 12. " After our hearty commendations unto you. Ye shall " understand, that Thomas Steukley returned hither into " the realm about the latter end of August ; and since his " coming, upon some demand made, hath uttered certain " matters of great importance: alleging, that he did disclose " some part of the same to you: whereof he inquireth, whe- " ther you have at any time advertised ; that is to say, that *' the French King understood certain advantages for the '' taking of Calais, by the surprising of Newenham bridge, 330 " the taking of Ricebank, and so consequently Calais: which " thing, he saith, he understood of the French King him- " self. The matters he telleth be of great moment ; which, " he saith, he liath had of the French King himself, with " whom he entered into such credit, as we here be somewhat " amazed how to interpret the tales, and how to judge of " the man. For some trial of whom, we thought to under- " stand certainly, whether he hath uttered any like matter " to you at any time, as he saith he hath : and thereof we " do not remember that ye did ever write any thing to us, " as we know ; surely ye would, if he had. We remember '' ye wrote to me, the Duke of Northumberland, in the " man's favour, for his return into this country, with the " King"'s Majesty's favour. Wherefore, for our better judg- *' ment of the man, and his strange tales, we pray you to " certify us what intelligence he hath at any time given you " of these manner of matters, and of others also : and the Council. 572 MEMORIALS ECCLESIASTICAL BOOK " same to send in cipher to us, as ye shall think needful, "• " &c. From Windsor, Sept. 24, 1552. Anno 1652. " Your loving friends,
" J. Bedford. Rich. Cotton. " W. Northampton. John Gate. " E. Clynton. W. Cecyl." Consuita- What answer the ambassador gave to this letter we shall tion of gee by and by. But how weary the English court already w7th '"^ grew of their friendship with France, and how busily it was cTibr'B employed at this very juncture to fall in with the Emperor, 12. ' will appear by this deliberation, contained in these minutes
Minutes of L To Consider by what means the Emperor shall be in- duced to demand aid again of the King, [who had some months ago denied him.] II. If that cannot be compassed, then to consider how the Emperor shall understand the King's contentation to aid him, and what personages shall execute this, either with the Emperor or with the Regent. III. To order, that upon this opened to the Emperor, our ambassador with the French King may withdraw him- self secretly.
may have some intelligence and accord with the King. V. To devise to practise with the Scots, to further their discontentation with the French. VI. Whether Steukley shall return into France, and con- tinue his practice there, for more intelligence. VII. To see the estate of Calais, Guisnes, and the marches, well ordered and guarded with officers, and helps of other lacks there : and therein to consider the report oi the commissioners, [viz. Sir Philip Hoby, Sir Richard Cot- ton, and William Berners, esq. who were sent to view the condition of those places in June last.] OF KING EDWARD VI. 573 VIII. The like order for Barwick, and other frontiers CHAP, upon Scotland. ' IX. To give order that the passages at Dover be well-^""'' '552. looked unto.
and Mr. Winter to take two pinnaces, and to keep the Tha- mise.
two questions serving for this present occasion : cmusVon I. Whether the Kinei's Maiestv shall enter into the aid t'l^t argu- of the Emperor. Gaiba, B. II. Whether he shall only declare the French King his ^^• enemy, without sending aid according to the treaty. Yüklə 12,09 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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