BL La 102, 13

BL MSS Lansdowne 102, 13
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 57 Page 130
Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith. Westminster, March 21, 1562/3
Transcribed by Thomas Wright

Sir, Although I have stayed your man long from you, yet if it wer not to offend you, I wold have stayed him longer ; for that I have not sufficient matter from Sir Nicholas Throkmorton of his dealing with the admirall presently to send unto you.
The last tydings from thence was of the taking of Harfleu, wherin one Captain Lyons had two hundred soldiers. And after that done, the admirall intended to departe from thence, about the 14th of this moneth. So as I have ever sythens looked to have hearde from Sir Nicholas Throkmorton, which hitherto I have not, although I imagine to do before I ende this letter.
The admirall had delivered to him in money the valew of three hundrid thousand crownes, and an assurance for other three hundred thousand crownes to be employed upon some Almaine army this spring, if otherwise cold not follow.
The Conte Montgomery remayneth at Caen (1), as lieutenant under the admyrall in Normandy. Newhaven is well ridde of the Frenchmen by theis occasions. And it is at this present very well manned and victualed.
And where you heard a bruit of certen nombres of Englishmen that should flee unto the Rhingrave, it is false, as it is reported. But yet some little occasion there was of that bruit ; for two Englishe soldiers that had robbid their hoste's house in Newhaven, being a Frenchman, heering that they shuld be hanged or punished for it, fledde from justice, and for none other respect. Whom the Rhingrave wold not keepe, but sent them away to Roan.
Where you write of two impediments in the course of your treaty, the one growing by the Queene of Scott's mynisters, th'other by Cavalcant ; I can assure you that her minister that is here, professeth as much earnestnesse in all his dealings to the crowne of England, as he can, and for that purpose did communicate with the Queene's Majestie his letters which he sent thither to the house of Guise. And therefore I thynke the Frenche are content to make some change themselves, because hoping to fish more out them than they can get of you ; and true it is that he heere hath no more understanding of our means then the Frenche embassadeur ought to have.
As for Cavalcant, he hath wholly sought his merchant-lyke negotiation (as it seemeth) to do himself good, without more regard to th' one syde then to th' other, and so have I judged and dealt with him.
The Provost of Paris's cause hangeth in theis tearmes. He forbeareth to answer, untyll th' ambassador obteyned lycence that Monsieur de Vaux might only see him in the Towre, without use of any speeche. And after that done, he hath made answer in writing with his owne hand falsely for the matter, and yet verie fondlie for himself. The copye of his answer I send you herewith. Th' ambassador coveteth to have him delyvered. But it is meant he shall make some better answer to the matter ; and therafter receyve such grace as his frends shall have reason to allow.
By your last letters and copyes of other letters sent to you from Orleans, I see your great diligence, and to speake in proper tearmes, you deale verie cunningly, meete for the place you hold. The party which serveth your turne shold be well cherished and kept out of danger, whereby his service may last the longer. I have notified him and his service to the Queene's Majestic, and so wold you did let him know. Whilest I am writing theis letters, I feare the peace is made at Orleans there, without consideration had of us (2) ; and if it be so, I know the worst, which is, by stout and stif dealing to make our owne bargain, and so is the Queene's Majestie fully bent and intended.
Here hathe happened two dayes past a lamentable chance. Sir Thomas Fynche (3) being appointed to be Marshall at Newhaven in the place of Sir Adryan Poynings, taking shippe at Rye with thirty gentlemen, wherof two were brethern to the Lord Wentworthe, and some others of his name, were lost with the shippe besydes the Camber, coming in (dryven to re- turne upon fowle weather), before the tyde was full to serve him. The losse is greate, and he as muche lamented as any man of his degree in anye parte of England.
God send you power to gyve the Queene's Majestie occasion to doo you the pleasure that you motioned, and therein I offer you my whole power. From Westminster, the 21st of Marche, 1562.
Your assured to command,

W. Cecill

(1) The castle of Caen had been besieged by the admiral and Montgomery since near the middle of February. It surrendered on the 2d of March, and was followed by the immediate reduction of Bayeux, Faleise, and St. Loo.
(2) The Prince of Conde and the Protestants made a peace with their enemies at Orleans, without any consideration of their friends, the English.
(3) Sir Thomas Finch, son of Sir William Finch, who had distinguished himself in the French wars in Henry the Eighth's time, and the direct ancestor of the present Earl of Winchilsea. He was sent over to Normandy as Knight-Marshal of the forces in Newhaven.