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fol.303vEndorsed: To my L. Tresurer 10 December 1591
fol.302rLater Addition: Belgia 1591 10 December To my L. Treasurer
Later Addition: Belgia: 1591. December
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May it please your good L. what successe I have had in the suite of Master Winter, this bearer his servant can informe you at large. I had so firme a promise of Count Maurice, as I could not any way request, to have it more in his favor, to witte, That the two Italian prisoners Don Alfonso D'avalos, and Pedro Francesco should not onely be staied to redeeme Master Winter, but that he himself woulde use his autoritie, in setting downe what mony should be paied to the Captaines, to whome the prisoners apperteined and that the frindes of Master Winter, in disboursing the saide mony, should take the prisoners to themselves, To this effect he gave his worde, not onely to me, but to Sir Francis Vere, and that very often, and in sundrie communications, with suche tokens of willingnes, as I coulde not desire, to be more assured by his speeches. With all he desired me to write the same unto her Majestie from whom I was moved to will him, That for the Weakening of the Enemies purposes in Fraunce, there mighte not any pri- soner of qualitie and service, of those that were taken in the late encounter at Arnham, be released for a time time. Moreover I shewed him after, that I had certefied her Highnes of his honorable dealing towardes Master Winter: and that I was assured it woulde be kindly accepted, for the speciall services, which were done by his Father unto her, and for the hope that she conceaved, that his sonne woulde succeede him in vertu and valor. I told him besides, that the Gentleman had caused his mony to be made to Middlebourgh, to pay for the prisoners, and had sent hither to that ende a couple of his servantes. All this notwithstandinge upon the sodaine, without giving any notice to Sir Francis Vere, or to me, he hath released Don Alfonso and sent him away. The day before his depar- ture, being secretly informed of this intention of the Count, I went of purpose unto him, and signified what I heard, fol.302v
Later Addition: Belgia: 1591: December
putte him in minde of his promise, and of that which I had writ- ten to her Majestie upon it. For your L. I hope receaved those letters, which I writte of that matter. His answear was, that the prisoners had bin long detened, and seing in all this time they weare able to doe nothing for Master Winters delive- rance, upon suite made unto him by the Marquis of Guasto he had promised to dismisse Don Alfonso: who also pro- mised upon his honor, that he woulde imploy all his best frindes and meanes to procure Master Winters libertie. Wherto I replied that if Don Alfonso had bin putte into our handes, according to promise, there might better effectes have followed of his endevors: but being used heere with all curtesie and honor, and being secrettly promised a great while sins (for so I was advertised by those that knowe it) that he shoulde be enlarged, there was no hope that ether he or his frindes would greatly care for Master Winter. And as for his promise to doe any thinge nowe, it had no apparance of any successe. I told him in conclusion, that he had given his worde unto me, which I had signified unto her Majestie to deliver bothe the prisoners to Master Winters frindes, that they had made over their mony to certaine marchantes of Middlebourgh, where it had lain a long time to their very great charges, and that Master Winter by reason of his promise had neglected all other meanes to procure his redemption. In which respect I should be sorie that her Majestie should finde so just a cause to be offended with his dealing. For mine owne part I could doe noe otherwise but advertise it home, and leave unto himself the salving of his honor: wherin I pressed him so neere, that he came to this point, that her Majestie he was sure, would be pleased with his answear, which he would signifie himself by letter unto her: and sent me theruppon the letter heere inclosed. Wherof I knowe not the tenor, but I have certefied [truly] fol.303rLater Addition: Belgia 1591 December
truly, how the matter hath bin caried. He hath urged me muche to take the other prisoner, alleaging his credit with the D. of Parma, and the report of his wealth, for yelding a rounde ransome, farre above the summe, which should be paied for him heere. But forasmuche as bothe the prisoners, as he himself was persuaded would not ballance Master Winter, in the Enemies account, this other man alone would serve to litle purpose, unles it were to make a benefit, to selle him againe: which I esteemed as I told him a mechanical consideration, and nothing to the matter which was sought by Master Winter. And thus I ended with the Count, whose proceeding in this matter, doth seeme so very strange, and without all excuse, to all that understand it, as I finde him greatly discommended in every mans judgement. And thus referringe to the bearer whatsoever is ommitted, I take my humble leave. Hage 10 December 1591.