BL La 102, 20

BL MSS Lansdowne 102, 20
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 42 Page 102
Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith. November 13, 1562

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

Sir, sence the pacquett and the carrier were redy to depart, I hard from Newhaven that it is trew that the Prynce of Conde is sorted out of Orleance, and joyned with the Almaynes, and it is dowted whether they will to Pariss, or come to Normandy. If he come towards Normandy, he shall have, I thynk, redy to joyne with him some convenient nomber of our men. You maye advertise the Prince of Conde that the money promised to him shall be ready at Newhaven within these ten days (1). The French ambassador shall have his answer on Mondaye, which shall tend to continue in our former purpose to mayntain our doings for help of the King's subjects, and to prevent our own dangers by the Guises.
The matter of the Pooles (2) here shall not be medled withall untill the Parlement.
Put into your cipher in the lyne of d for dayes D, and in writing of the cifre, write no more than is nedefull.
I here that Killigrew shall be redeemed for young Pegrillion, and that Layghton is prisoner, and that our Englishmen are putt to the gallies. You may taxe that crueltie, and move them not to provoke us to follow theire crueltie.
I never thought so long to here from ambassadors. For God's sake hereafter devise some shyfts to let us know somewhat, though you send by Flanders by some merchaunts.
But herin I ask your pardon, for I am assured your lott is over great, and so I take my leave. Monsieur de Fortz and Rybault be come, and I here that the Cont Montgomery is coming hyther with Sir Henry Sydney (3). 13th of November, 1562.
Yours most assured,

W. Cecill

(1) This last paragraph is in cypher.
(2) “Arthur Poole and his brother, great grandchildren to George, Duke of Clarence, brother to King Edward the Fourth, Antony Fortescue, who had married their sister, and others, were arraigned, for that they had conspired to withdraw themselves into France to the Duke of the Guise, and from thence to return with an army into Wales, and to proclaime the Queene of Scots Queene of England, and Arthur Pool Duke of Clarence. All which they ingenuously confessed at the barre, protesting, notwithstanding, that they meant not to enterprise these things while Queene Elizabeth lived, who they believed would dye ere the yere came about, being induced so to thinke by the unlawfull arts of conjuring wizards. Whereupon they were condemned to dye : neverthelesse, their lives were spared for reverence of the blood royall." Camden.
(3) Sir Henry Sidney had been sent into France to negotiate on the affairs of the Protestants.