BL MSS Cotton Galba c. i, 39(c)

BL MSS Cotton Galba, c. i, 39

Minutes of Chaloner's Correspondence

Wright Vol 1, 4 Page

Transcribed by Thomas Wright, ‘Queen Elizabeth and her times,’ London, 1838

(16 Augusti, 1559.)

Mr. Secretarie Cecill's letter to Sir Thomas Challoner, that he should in the Queene's behalf congratulate with the Duchcsse of Parma (6) for her new regencye.

(6) Margaret, Duchess of Parma, natural daughter of Philip's father, Charles V. The sovereignty of the Netherlands having- passed into the house of Austria, became joined with Spain under Charles V. When Philip left the Netherlands for Spain, he made his illegitimate sister, the Duchess of Parma, regent in his absence, and appointed for her chief minister Granville, Bishop of Arras. During her regency she endeavoured, as much as she dared, to soften down the violent measures of the bigoted Philip and the no less bigoted and persecuting bishop; but at last the king, dissatisfied by her moderation, sent the Duke of Alva with an army, and the duchess resigned her office in 1568, and rejoined her husband in Italy.