BL Harley 6991, 4

BL MSS Harleian 6991, 4
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 206 page 426
Sir Francis Walsingham to Lord Burghley, Paris, the 25th of Juliet, 1572

Transcribed by Thomas Wright who notes: This letter is not printed in Digges. It shows that shortly before the day of St. Bartholomew, the Protestants in France were full of fears and suspicions.

Touching the particularities of Janli's overthrowe I refer your Lordship to suche incertainties as I have set downe in the inclosed occurrents. Suche of the religion here, as before did sleepe in securitie, begin now to awake and to see their danger, and do therefore conclude that unlesse this enterprise in the Low Countrey have good succes, theire case groweth desperate. They have therefore of late sent unto the King (who is absent from hence) to shewe hym, that if the Prince of Orange quayle, it shall not lye in him to rnayntayne them in his protection by vertue of his edict. They desyre hym, therefore, out of hand to resolve upon something that maye be for his assistance, offering themselves to employe therin their lyves, lands, and goods. They see, by the assistance given on the other syde, as by the Pope, Florence, Triers, Bavieres, and Cullen, who proceade roundly and resolutely in the matter, and are not otherwise interessed in the Low Countryes, or in the cause, but in respect of religion, that unless her Majestie and the Princes of Germanie in lyke sort joyne with this crowne, in this cause, there is great doubt what will be the event of the enterprise.
The Duke 10 [which is a cypher] hathe therfore requested me to desyre your Lordship, as you tender God's glorie, and her Majestie's safetie, to see if you can induce her (upon overture first to be made by the King in this behalf) to joyne with hym in yielding assistance. He thinketh to bring him to make the overture, so that they might be in some assurance that her Majestie would give eare therto.
They have also dispatched one of late to suche of the Princes of Germanye, as favour the cause, to provoke them to proceede more resolutely and roundly in this matter, laying before them the evydent dangers that otherwaies wyll ensue.
By one lately come from thence, they understand, that the sayd Princes begin to see the danger, and are well bent to do anything that may tend to remedy. The partye above wrytten desyreth with some speed to knowe, how her Majestie will enclyne to the said overture : for that therafter they are to direct their affaires.
As I was wryting, I receyved a copie of a letter sent from Montz ; which I send unto your Lordship here inclosed ; by the which you maye bothe perceave the state of the towne, and also how many are retyred thither of Janli's companye.
And so leaving farther to trouble your Lordship at this present, beseeching God to blesse you in your late honorable calling (1), with as good success as ever any that occupied that place, I most humbly take my leave. From Paris, the 25th of Juliet, 1572. Your Honor's to command,

Fra. Walsingham

(1) Of Lord Treasurer.