Reference: TNA, SP 84/49/9 f.9r-10v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0448/008
Date: 07 July 1594
Note:
Copy of: 0040
addressleaf
fol.10vEndorsed: 7 Jul 1594 Copy of my lettre to Master bodeley
lettertext
fol.9r
Sir I have acqainted her Majestie with all suche lettres as I have received from yow. Who dothe allowe very well the course of your proceedinges since your departure; and althoughe the occasion of this lettre hath his dependancie uppon your former Instruccions to negotat with The states for some support towardes the accion of Brittaine wherin her Majestie was ingaged before your departure; yet forasmuche as something hath passed since that tyme which is fitt for yow to knowe, I have thought good both to acquaint yow with the same, and what hir Majesties pleasure is yow should doe in regard therof. Her Mayestie being advertised of the strength of the K. of Spaines Forces in Brittanie (besides the conjunction of the Leaguers of that Province) of his great preparacion of Shipping onlie intended to possesse Bresthaven, where he hath on the one syde of the haven already built a Fort wherin he spareth no charge to proceede, and finding that without a great Force, this deseigne cannot be altred, and that Force is to be used both by sea and land, wheruppon her Mayestie sent expressely Sir Roger Williams to the French King (after his returne lately made from Brest) to acquaint him with the state of that place, and to let him knowe that her mayestie perceaving the imynent danger by the losse of that haven, and forseeing howe litle advauntage anie other place in Brittaine wilbe if that be lost, did make to the King this proposicion That if he would resolve to send downe such an Armye by land of horse and Foote, as being increased with suche Forces as she could conveniently spare, might be able to master the Enemy in the Feild, and lykelie to recover that Fort without the which small frute will aryse of the accion taken in hande, that then shee would send a Convenient proporcion of Shipping to impeache the Fleet of the K. of Spayne, and would increase hir numbers there already on land in convenient proporcion. To this, the K. hath made aunswere that he will send the D. Montpensor with two thousand Foot, and one thousand Horse, out of Normandie, with the addycion of those Forces which be already in Bryttany, which arise in his accoumpt to three or fower thousand foote more, and with all some sixe hundred horse. With which nombers althoughe her mayestie sees no reasone to believe that any great thing can be done, yet is shee resolved to enter into some Course howe to obvyat this vyolent purpose. And nowe resorting to many the Remembrance of many offere made by the states long synce to second her mayestie for the fol.9v
service in Brittanie in a very large proporcion even as by many lettres of their owne it hath appeared, with one halfe of whatsoever her Mayestie should imploye; her Mayestie hath particulerly dealt with Master Caron their Agent even by her owne mouthe, speedily and seriousely to move the states to put their helping hand, with asmuch Force as they may be Sea, and with other helpes of munytion to serve to recover that Forte. Which motion her pleasure is yow should recomend, as a matter newly nowe againe revyved to yow, and that yow do also acquaint the states that the Queenes mayestie doth expect present aunswere to those demaundes, which by their Agent she hath also directed to be by him Communycated to them and so I byd yow Farewell: From the Cort at Grenewich the vijth of Julye 1594.
Postscript: I have moved the Queene ernestly for your returne but her Majestie Consisdering that uppon the finishing of the matter of Groninghen, one way or other, there will fall out some Negotiacion betwene her and the states, her mayestie is pleased that yow doe first procure some aunswere to theise her Majesties proposycions and after signifie your proceeding in all thinges without returning untill her Majesties pleasure be further knowen.
Postscript: Yow are to deale with The states that with what nombers of shipping and men, and with what quantitie of munycion they will assist this service of Brittany the same may with out delay be put in execucion for her mayestie hath already sent Sir John Norreis with all his power by land to Brest, and also hath sent certen her shippes of warre, to discover the state of Brest haven, and therfor if the states shall seriousely mynd the good of this service, by their ayd, the same will doe no good if it should be delayed.
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