BL MSS Cotton Galba c. i, 39(a)
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
(To the Queene, 3 August, 1559.)
Ill reports of your Majestie be here delivered; the ground 1 think to be the frustrate suite of the King in his marriage with you. Although whatever rage they beare to us, they pretend it for the alteracion of relligion by your Majestie. Cont Feria (1) told me he was sorie to see your present enemye the French onlie gaping for opportunitie, you being without money, men, armor, fortresses, practise in warr, or good captaines: " And what a councell !" quoth he, and soe begann sainge that England wold be another Millanne to sett the princes together by the eares that the young Kinge was ruled by your greate enimye the Guise, and you should have hard of them before this, "yf my master wold have geven assent." Though the Spaniards doe somewhat mislik us, yet in this lowe parts in all conferences they take our parts. A plott discovered by one Hoggin, that before the French kinge's death, the Spaniards ment to have stolne my Ladie Katherin Graie, whom they ment either to marie to the Prince of Spaine, or some other of lesse degree, if lesse depended on her. They take her discontented, not esteemed of your Highncs nor her Frends.(2) He telleth us of a letter sent from the Bushopp of Aquile (3), part of it conteyning theis words, Ho tanto tarder del Rey horn che los Inglesses se damn a Francia. How they contemne us, because we are unarmed, wantinge exercise and soldiours. I remember the Cont Feria wold saie we had matter, but wanted forme. An armed prince hath ever the quiett friendshipp of his neighbours. The Rengrave offereth his services to your Majestic, and wisheth that England and Scotland were conjoyned, then to geve att forraine princes displeasure.
(1) King Philip's minister in England, and a great enemy to Queen Elizabeth.
(2) Camden asserts that the Spaniards, fearing lest the French should obtain England by means of Mary Queen of Scots, had endeavoured privately to carry off the Lady Katherine Grey, in order to set her up against the latter, on the credit of Henry's will. Katherine was the daughter of Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, by the Lady Frances Brandon, niece of Henry VIII. and sister of the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey.
(3) Alvarez de Quadra, Bishop of Aquila, the Spanish ambassador in ordinary to the court of England, who proved himself to be a very intriguing and troublesome person there.
