CP, 153, 9

CP Volume 153 Folio 9-10

HMC Volume 1 Page 242 Number 756

Haynes Page 334-335 Number 341

Transcribed by Samuel Haynes in “A Collection of State Papers . . . 1542 to 1570” London, 1740

28 June 1560 Mr. Secretary Cecill to the Duke of Norffolke

IT may please your Grace, John Bynks cam yesterdaye at two of the Clock, before I looked for hym. This Night at midnight I had Intelligence out of the Towne, that Martigues is certainely deade, and that the hope of Peace kepeth the Soldiors from Tumult. Uppon this I have considered, that as this Hope comforteth them, so doth it much animate these Imbassadors to stand with us, in certen Poynts. Therfore, I have serioosly this Morning communicated both to the Lord Grey, and the Camp, and to the Lords of Scotlande, (although by our Sollicitation they be accorded with the French, so as we also doo accord,) that now we see playnely, by reason of such Lettres as we have receaved from the Queen's Majesty, (as in dede there is new Matter in these Lettres that will putt the whole in hazard,) we dout the French, and we shall breake, and so by this meanes there is Fornoone growen a fearefull Report to the French, that there wilbe no Peace. The Scotts be very gladd hereof, and so is my Lord Grey and certeyn Captayns; but not all, nor almost any of the poore Soldiors, who cursed Sir George Howard this Morning, whom I sent purpoosely to scatter this Report hymself, being also therwith by me perswaded. I have also caused certen Papers to be shott into the Towne at this present, which will make some styrr in the Towne; wherof I send your Grace one Copy. All this I doo only to abate theis French Embassador's Hopes of Peace, and so reduce them to some better Termes. I think suerly with Practise the Towne might be rendred, but then I consider Peace will not follow; and how unconvenient it is to come to a Warr, but uppon Necessite, your Grace knoweth my Mynd, as I also doo your Gracees; and therfore suerly I my self hope of Peace, and yet am content to disperse another Opinion into all Men's Mynds here, and wish your Grace shuld renew the lyke there, in case these Men be releved with Intelligence from thence. Thus I must pass this Daye before I can wryte any more, besechyng your Grace to advertise thus much to the Court. The Tresoror must nedes come with some Mony to ridd awey our Horsemen, and to pay for some Victells, that I have caused to be provided for our Shipps; for otherwise they shall not be hable to depart home. From Edenburgh the 28th of June, 1560. Your Grac's at Command,

W. Cecill.

I beseche your Grace to excuse my lack of tyng to the Court, for that I am here overwhelmed. My meaning is, not that contrary Opinion wer devulged ether to France, or to King Philip's Ministers, but of Peace, for stayeng of those Purposes.

Copy of the Paper thrown into the Town. VOUS bons Souldatz, maintenant est rompu le Traicte de Paix, pour ce que vos Ambassadeurs ne veulent pas livrer au Seigneur my Lord Gray cinquante de voz Capitaines, comme le Duc de Guise eut à Callais. Pourtant pour sauvez voz vies, & pour eviter l'Effusion de votre sang, rendez au Duc de Norfolk, ou a Messieurs les Ambassadeurs d'Angleterre qui sont icy, cinquante Personnes: Car aultrement assurez vous, que Monsieur le Duc de Norfolk, quant il sera venu, a fait veu de revenger le sang qui a este espandu sur le vostre, qui estes de la ville. Et ne vous laissez point abuser sur promesse qu'on vous face de secours, car certainement voz forces de mer ne pourront estre prest deuant la my Aoust; & les grandz Tumultes & Dissensions de France furent renouvelles par tout le Pays, le jour de la Feste Dieu dernier passe, tellement que tout y est sans dessus dessoubz, & n'est pas pour estre appaise bien tost; de quoy soyez tous asseurez. Nouvelle Armeé d'Angleterre est aussy arriveé à Barvuicq, laquelle est ja toute preste à Marcher, & pourtant advisez y, vous le pourres bien faire avecq' votre honneur, ayantz soustenu & si bien defendu ung si long Siege, & estants tant de foys frustrez des promesses, qu'on vous a faictes, de vivres & de secours, aux jours quilz vous ont esté promis. 28. Junii 1560.

To the Duke of Norfolk's Grace, Lord Lieutenant Generall in the North.