Add MS 35830

State letters and papers, principally the correspondence of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton (1515/16-1571), diplomat and member of parliament.

He was appointed ambassador to France in May 1559, two months before the death of King Henry II, and his letters give detailed accounts of his interviews with Mary, Queen of Scots, Lord James Stuart, who had been despatched to Paris by the Scottish Parliament to find out the Queen's intentions with regard to Scotland, and with Catharine de Medici, Queen Mother.

Among the other correspondents are Robert Jones, who was for some time with Throckmorton at Paris, but had now returned home, Sir Henry Neville, Henry Killigrew, and Thomas Randolph, ambassador in Scotland.

ff. 1r-3v: Orders for the Privy Council, by King Henry VI. [24 November 1426]. Late 16th century copy.

ff. 4r-17v: Eight letters from Henri Clutin, Seigneur d’Oysel et de Ville-Parisis, to Mary of Guise, widow of King James V of Scotland. Relating to the settlement of her daughter Mary in France. London and France, August-December 1553. French. Copied by ‘P.F.’ from originals in the Advocates’ Library, Edinburgh.

ff. 18r-19v: Paper titled ‘Avisi di Germania’. Ratisbon, 9 January 1557. Italian.

ff. 20r-21v: Letter from Marco Girolamo Vida, Bishop of Alba, to Cardinal Reginald Pole. On behalf of "la congregations de canonici regulari d'Italia" of the monastery of St. Mary in the Tremiti Islands. Cremona, 23 January 1558. Italian.

ff. 22r-23v: Letter from an unknown recipient to Cardinal Reginald Pole. On ecclesiastical matters. Venice, February 1558. Italian.

ff. 24r-25v: Letter from George Lily, Canon of Canterbury, to Alvise Priuli, executor of Cardinal Reginald Pole. Canterbury, 27 April 1558. Italian.

ff. 26r-27v: Letter from Jehan Valete, Master of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, to Cardinal Reginald Pole. On his election to the Mastership. Malta, 7 May 1558. Italian.

ff. 28r-29v: Letter from Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, to Cardinal Reginald Pole. Suggesting that, now Calais is taken, a wool staple should be established at Bruges. Antwerp, 29 May 1558. Italian.

ff. 30r-31v: Letter from Marcos Gomez Meso to Francisco Delgado, Chaplain to the Court at Richmond. London, 30 July 1558. Spanish.

ff. 32r-33v: Letter from John de Villa Garcia to Francisco Delgado, Chaplain to the Court at Richmond. [1558]. Spanish.

f. 34r-34v: Letter from Aonio Palaeri to Hercole Pagnano. Reporting that Pier Francisco Spinola is anxious to send a copy of his Latin psalms to Cardinal Reginald Pole. [1558].

ff. 35r-36v: Letter from the Privy Council to the Mayor of Maidstone and Thomas Wotton, Sheriff of Kent. On behalf of women in Maidstone Gaol. 23 December 1558. Signed by: Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford; William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke; Sir Edward Clinton, Earl of Lincoln; Sir Richard Sackville; and Henry Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel.

ff. 37r-38v: Letter from Pietro Paolo Vergerio to Sir Henry Killigrew. Stoccardin, 26 December 1558. Italian.

ff. 39r-48v: Copy of a letter from Guido Cavalcanti, of Florence, to William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. On the negotiations for peace at Cambrai, with accounts of his interviews with King Henry II and the Duke of Guise. Paris, 20 March 1558/9. Italian, with English translation.

f. 49r-49v: Letter from William Brooke, Baron Cobham and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, to Thomas Wotton, Sheriff of Kent. Sending instructions to receive the French ambassador and suite at Dover. London, 8 May 1559.

ff. 50r-51v: Letter from John Somers, Secretary to the Embassy at Paris, to Thomas Wotton, Sheriff of Kent. Sending a list of the French ambassador’s suite. Boulogne, 15 May 1559.

ff. 52r-53v: Letter from the Privy Council to Thomas Wotton, Sheriff of Kent. On the French ambassador’s arrival. 25 May 1559. Signed by: Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper; William Parr, Baron Parr; Sir Ambrose Cave; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley; Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford; William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke; and Sir Edward Clinton, Earl of Lincoln.

ff. 54r-63v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. On his interview at Neufchâtel with Michel de Seurre, his proceedings to England as French ambassador, the intended expedition of the Marquis d'Elboeuf into Scotland and the general support by the French King of the pretensions of his wife, Mary, Queen of Scots, in England and Scotland. Paris, 4 February 1559/60. Partly cipher.

ff. 64r-65v: Letter from François de Vendôme, Vidame de Chartres, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Expressing friendship and explaining that illness keeps him from Court. La Ferté, 6 February 1559/60. French.

ff. 66r-69v: Letter from Robert Jones, Clerk of the Privy Seal, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the rumour of Queen Elizabeth I’s intention to marry Robert Dudley, and reporting his conversations with the Queen, William Cecil, Robert Dudley, and Sir Thomas Parry. London, 30 November 1560. Partly cipher.

ff. 70r-71v: List of Princes who met at Neuburg, Meissen, on 30 January 1561. Latin.

ff. 72r-73v: Letter from Juan Pereira Damtas, Portuguese ambassador at Paris, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On behalf of Emanuel d’Aranjo, who had been sent with letters from the King of Portugal to Queen Elizabeth I, but delayed by illness. Moret, 26 February 1560/1. French.

f. 74r-74v: Letter from Sir Henry Neville to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the intended marriage of Queen Elizabeth I with Robert Dudley. 14 April 1561.

ff. 75r-76v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Concerning the request of the French ambassador that Baron Courtillan should be received as ‘an hostage here in the place of the Conte of Roussy’ without credentials from the French King or introduction by Throckmorton. Westminster, 19 April 1561.

ff. 77r-78v: Letter from William Seyntlowe to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the imprisonment of Sir Edward Waldegrave, Sir Thomas Wharton, and other Catholics. Court, 26 April [1561].

ff. 79r-84v: Letter from Thomas Randolph, ambassador in Scotland, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the despatch of James Stuart, Earl of Moray, to France, Mary, Queen of Scots, and the affairs of Scotland. Edinburgh, 28 April 1561.

ff. 85r-94v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. Describing his interview with the Admiral Coligny, near Fontainebleau, and with James Stuart, Earl of Moray. The latter ‘declared unto me at good length all that passed betwene the Q. his sister and him, and betwixt the Cardynall of Lorrayn and him’; pointing out the dangers to herself and England, if she favours the Catholic religion; and begging she will receive his remarks with her accustomed goodness, ‘and so to use this my lettere as my liberall speche for your proffit and service’. [Paris, 29 April 1561]. Partly in Throckmorton’s hand.

ff. 95r-100v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. On James Stuart’s despatch: ‘The speciall causes why she hath thus chaunged her opinion for my L. James (as I heere) is for that the cowde by no meanes diswade him from his devotion and good opinion towardes your Majestie and th' observacion of the league betweene your Majestie and the realme of Scotlande, and also for that she nor the Cardinal of Lorraine cowde not wynne nor diverte him from his Religion, wherin they used very great meanes’. [Paris, 1 May 1561].

ff. 101r-103v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. Recommending the bearer, James Stuart, Earl of Moray, and describing the means taken by the King of Navarre to suppress the religious tumults in Paris, and what took place between the latter and Somers as to the reception in England of Baron de Courtillan. [Paris, 4 May 1561].

ff. 104r-105v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Recommending Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, dispatched into France. Greenwich, 6 May 1561.

f. 106r-106v: Copy of a letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Mary, Queen of Scots. Accrediting one de Sommer to receive her ratification of the treaty of Edinburgh. Greenwich, 6 May 1561. French.

ff. 107r-108v: Letter from Robert Jones, Clerk of the Privy Seal, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Sending news of the English court. Greenwich, 8 May 1561.

ff. 109r-110v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On Throckmorton’s wish to return to England, the expected arrival of the Papal Nuncio, ill affairs in Ireland, and Queen Elizabeth I’s marriage. Greenwich, 10 May 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 111r-112v: Letter from William Parr, Baron Parr, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Asking Throckmorton to receive a servant of his into his house, and sending a present of two greyhounds. Court, 10 May 1561.

ff. 113r-114v: Letter from Guido Cavalcanti, of Florence, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Advising him to be patient on the subject of his recall. London, 10 May 1561.

ff. 115r-116v: Letter from John Bull, Comptroller of the Mint, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Concerning some silver flagons being made for Throckmorton, and the daily output of silver from the Mint. [11 May 1561].

ff. 117r-118v: Letter from James Stuart, Earl of Moray, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On his arrival in England and reception by Queen Elizabeth I. London, 20 May 1561.

ff. 119r-120v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Introducing the bearer, James Stewart, Laird of St. Colme’s Inch, and discussing John Dymock, messenger from the King of Sweden. Greenwich, 24 May 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 121r-122v: Letter from James Stuart, Earl of Moray, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On his arrival in Edinburgh, and the state of religious parties there. Edinburgh, 3 June 1561.

ff. 123r-124v: Letter from Sir Edward Saunders, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. 8 June 1561.

f. 125r-125v: Copy of a letter from Jehan Valete, Master of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, to Queen Elizabeth I. Malta, 8 June 1561. French.

ff. 126r-127v: Letter from James Stuart, Earl of Moray, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Referring him to the bearer for news. Edinburgh, 9 June 1561.

ff. 128r-129v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Announcing the arrival of ‘Monsr La Moye to become hostage in place of the Conte de Mawre’, without any letter ‘from the French King our good brother requereng vs t'accept him neyther yet any lettere from you of his habilitie’, and explaining her action with regard to the nonrenewal of the French ambassador's commission on the accession of a new king. Greenwich, 18 June 1561.

ff. 130r-139v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. Describing his interview with Mary, Queen of Scots, and her refusal to ratify the Treaty of Edinburgh until she has consulted ‘the mobles and estates’ of her realm. [Paris, 23 June 1561]. Partly in Throckmorton’s hand.

ff. 140r-141v: Letter from Robert Jones, Clerk of the Privy Seal, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the religious opinions of Cardinal Charles de Lorraine, the return of Mary, Queen of Scots, to Scotland and her expected marriage, and the rebuilding of St. Paul’s. Belchiers, 4 July 1561.

ff. 142r-143v: Letter from Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. London, 8 July 1561.

ff. 144r-145v: Letter from the Privy Council to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On Queen Elizabeth I’s reception of Henri Clutin, Seigneur d’Oysel et de Ville-Parisis, messenger from Mary, Queen of Scots, sent to request a passport and safe conduct for his mistress on her journey to Scotland. ‘In dede as hir coming into Scotlande by some present argumentes semeth very hurtfull and preiudiciall to the State of thinges betwixt these two realmes, so is it not thought mete for vs to furder that, and by this we think suche in Scotlande as be in doubt of hir retorne shall better allowe of our meaning. The longer the Scottyshe Quenes affayres rest vncertayne the better shall the Quenes majesty's affayres prosper’. 13 July 1561. Signed by: Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper; William Paulet, Marquis of Winchester; William Parr, Baron Parr; Nicholas Wotton; Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby; Sir Francis Knollys; and Sir Ambrose Cave.

ff. 146r-151v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. Describing his interview with Sebastiano Gualteri, Bishop of Viterbo, the Pope’s ambassador in France, concerning the Council of Trent, the religious tumults, and the journey of Mary, Queen of Scots, to Scotland. ‘I vnderstand that the Q. of Sc. is throughly perswadid that the most dangerouse man in all her Realme of Scotland, both to hinder her entent and dissolving of the league betwene your mate and the Realme of Scotland, is Knokes [Knox], and therfore is fully determyned to vse all the meanes she can devyse to bannish him thence, or elles to assure theim that she will neuer dwell in that contrey as long as he is there’. [Paris, 13 (endorsed 11) July 1561]. Partly in Throckmorton’s hand.

f. 152r-152v: Copy of a letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to James Stuart, Earl of Moray. On behalf of some English merchants. Paris, 13 July 1561.

f. 153r-153v: Copy of a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. Suggesting that the safe conduct and other documents for the Queen of Scots should be sent directly to him, if not already delivered to Henri Clutin, Seigneur d’Oysel et de Ville-Parisis. Also discussing John Knox: ‘I thinke, by so muche as the Quene of Scotland dothe covett to expell Mr. Knoxe the preacher forthe of Scotland, so much the more it behoveth the quenes mate to vse all hir fryndes and meanes to retayne him there in credytt and saftye emongst the Scottes’. [Paris, 13 July 1561].

ff. 154r-155v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Explaining her refusal of the request made by Henri Clutin, Seigneur d’Oysel et de Ville-Parisis, for the safe conduct of Mary, Queen of Scots. ‘except she will furst accord to doo those thinges that by her promes vnder her hand and seall she is bound to doo . . . .Offring further that, if the Quene his mistres shalbe content thus to doo, we woold be then most glad to see hir in this our realm, and to haue such aquayntance with her as might make an ende of all controuersyes and a perpetual good amitye for our selfes and our countrees’. London, 14 July 1561.

ff. 156r-157v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the reception of Henri Clutin, Seigneur d’Oysel et de Ville-Parisis. London, 14 July 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 158r-159v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the reception of Henri Clutin, Seigneur d’Oysel et de Ville-Parisis, the contemplated journey of Mary, Queen of Scots, an expedition to Barbary for purposes of trade under Captain Melchior, and the King of Sweden's coming to England. London, 14 July 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 160r-161v: Letter from Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On private matters. Cheyneys, 23 July 1561.

ff. 162r-170v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. Reporting on his audiences with Mary, Queen of Scots, Charles IX, the Queen Mother, and others, on Queen Elizabeth I’s refusal to grant Mary a safe-conduct. [Paris, 26 July 1561]. In Throckmorton’s hand. The original letter is Cotton MS Caligula E. V, f. 126.

ff. 171r-172v: Letter from James Stewart, Laird of St. Colme’s Inch, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the refusal of a safe-conduct to Mary, Queen of Scots. Paris, [July 1561].

ff. 173r-174v: Letter from John Knox to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Thanking him for his efforts to preserve him against the ‘practises of Sathan’, and saying that he has written to the Queen ‘and somwhat mor amply and boldlie to Mr. Secreatarie’. Edinburgh, 6 August 1561. In Knox’s hand.

ff. 175r-182v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. recounting his audiences with Mary, Queen of Scots, on her refusal to ratify the Treaty of Edinburgh, and asking advice as to the suppression of a book reflecting on Queen Anne Boleyn, sent to him by John Calvin. Abbeville, 11 August 1561. In Throckmorton’s hand. The original letter is Cotton MS Caligula E. V, f. 133 (damaged by fire).

ff. 183r-184v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Recalling Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford. Smallbridge, Suffolk, 12 August 1561.

ff. 185r-186v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Giving the reason for the recall of Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford: ‘The Lady Catharyne Grey discovered hir self to be with child, and alledgeth it to be begotten by the Erle of Hertford, to whom also she sayth she was marryed before Christmas last’. With news of the arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots, at Calais, and of an attack by Shane O’Neill on the Queen’s army in Ireland. Smallbridge, Suffolk. 12 August 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 187r-188v: Letter from Nicholas Tremayne to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On Queen Elizabeth I’s talk with James Stewart, Laird of St. Colme’s Inch, concerning Mary, Queen of Scots. London, 19 August [1561].

ff. 189r-190v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots, in Leith, the war in Ireland, and Lady Catharine Grey. Stortford, 26 August 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 191r-192v: Letter from Peter Osbourne to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Sending news from the court, and discussing the objection of Queen Elizabeth I to married clergy. Ivy Lane, London, 29 August 1561.

ff. 193r-194v: Letter from Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On his return to England, and the plots to prevent him speaking to Queen Elizabeth I. 30 August 1561.

ff. 195r-196v: Letter from Anne Throckmorton to an unknown Lord. Pressing for her husband’s recall. Paris, 30 August 1561. Written by Nicholas Throckmorton.

ff. 197r-198v: Letter from Sir Thomas Gresham to William Paulet, 1st Marquis of Winchester and Lord Treasurer. On the debts of Queen Elizabeth I and matters of finance. Antwerp, 2 September 1561.

ff. 199r-200v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. Describing the meeting of clergy at Poissy, when ‘Theodore Beza made thoracion assisted on his that (sic) syde with xii ministres and xx persons deputed from the refourmid churches of this Realme’. [Paris, 20 September 1561].

ff. 201r-202v: Copy of a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. Concerning the King of Sweden’s visit to England, the death of Sir Edward Waldegrave, and the disposal of his son’s wardship. [Paris, 20 September 1561].

ff. 203r-204v: Letter from Sir Thomas Chamberlayne, ambassador in Spain, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On general topics, and discussing English merchants captured and tortured by Spanish forces. Madrid, 27 September 1561.

ff. 205r-206v: Letter from Henry Killigrew to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the King of Sweden’s journey, and news from the court: ‘Her [the Queen's] goodwyll and favour contynwyth styll after su[m]e maner vnto my L. R. [Robert Dudley], so as even in the greattest talke of the King of Sueadens cominge my lord Ambrose [Dudley] boke was and is a making for therldom of Warwyek’. London, 28 September [1561].

ff. 207r-208v: Draft letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the appointment of Sir Thomas Chaloner as ambassador to Spain, and of Thomas Danet to succeed Throckmorton at Paris. [4 November 1561]. With Cecil’s autograph corrections.

f. 209r-209v: Copy of a letter from King Eric 14th of Sweden to Mary, Queen of Scots. Expressing friendship and congratulations on her return to Scotland. Linköping, 13 November 1561. Latin.

ff. 210r-211v: Letter from Robert Jones, Clerk of the Privy Seal, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the state of Ireland and Shane O’Neill’s refusal to come to England, the postponement of the King of Sweden’s visit, and the Queen’s foundation of a school at St. John’s House, near Smithfield. Charing Cross, 10 December 1561.

ff. 212r-214v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. On the negotiations of Ippolito I d’Este, Cardinal of Ferrara, for the marriage of Queen Elizabeth I with the Duke of Ferrara, affairs of various states of Europe, his own delayed recall, and the French court’s attitude to the affairs of Scotland: ‘The Frenche doe begine and are in good hope to wyne agayne the Erle of Arrayn to their devocion, for they do begine to despayre of the Q. of Scotland, and yet I am suer they have made her greate offres if she will hange her keyes at their girdle’. [Paris, 10 December 1561]. Corrected in Throckmorton’s hand.

ff. 215r-216v: Letter from Thomas Shakerley to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On Ippolito I d’Este, Cardinal of Ferrara. St. Germain-en-Laye, endorsed 12 December 1561.

f. 217r-217v: Copy of a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I. On the fortification of Calais, and the proceedings at the Council of Trent. [Paris, 13 December 1561].

f. 218r-218v: Copy of a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. Recommending the bearer, Sir James Shelley, Knight of Malta. [Paris, 13 December 1561].

ff. 219r-223v: Copy of instructions from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Francis Petowe. On receiving the Cardinal of Ferrara at St. Germains on 20 December 1561. With a further note, and the Cardinal’s answer.

ff. 224r-225v: Letter from Ippolito I d’Este, Cardinal of Ferrara, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. Sending thanks for the message of Queen Elizabeth I’s goodwill to him. St. Germain-en-Laye, 20 December 1561. French.

ff. 226r-227v: Draft letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Sir Thomas Chaloner, ambassador in Spain. On affairs in France since the latter's departure, the hardships and increasing numbers of the Protestants, the mission of the Cardinal of Ferrara, and a convent scandal at Orleans. [Paris, 20 December 1561]. With corrections by Throckmorton.

ff. 228r-229v: Letter from William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the delay in sending Thomas Danet to succeed Throckmorton, and complaining of his trials in the service of Queen Elizabeth I. Westminster, 22 December 1561. In Cecil’s hand.

ff. 230r-231v: Letter from Nicholas Wotton to Sir Nicholas Throckmorton. On the chance of Throckmorton’s recall, the state of Ireland, and Shane O’Neill’s arrival in England. London, 25 December 1561.