Germany. Princes of The Archduke Ferdinand hath Tyrol, and retaineth the most part of Ilsburg. For his eldest son he hath bought in Germany a pretty state, not far from Ulms; the second is a Cardinal. Now he is a widower, [and said that he shall marry a daughter of the Duke of Mantua.]1 These are uncles to the Emperor: besides Maximilian and Ernest, he hath two brothers, the Archduke Matthias, that hath a pension of the estates of the Low Countries, and a Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo. In Germany there are divers princes diversly affected. The Elector Palatine Ludovic, a Lutheran; his chief abode is at Heidelberg. His brother, John Casimyre, Calvinist, at Keiserslautern, or Nieustadt. During the life of the last Elector, Ludovic dwelt at Amberg in the Philip Ludovic dwelt at Norbourgh on the Danow, and is commonly called Duke of 2 John dwelleth at Rypont, or Sweybourgh, or in Bergesaber; the other three brethren have no certain dwelling-place. George John, son of Rupert, Count Palatine, dwelleth at Lysselsteyn. Augustus, Duke and Elector of Saxon, remaineth the most part at Dres. Germany. den on the Elbe; sometimes at Torge on Elbe, a goodly castle fortified by John Frederick. This elector is Lutheran, and great enemy to our profession; of sixty years of age, half-frantic, severe, governed much by his wife, greater exactor than the German princes are wont to be, and retaineth in his service divers Italians; his eldest son married of late the daughter of the Duke of Brandebourg. The sons of John Frederick, captive, and yet in prison, remain at Coburge in East Franconia, near the forest of Turinge. The sons of John William abide at Vinaria in Turingia. Joachim Frederick, son of John George, Elector of Brandebourg, at Hala, in Saxony, on the river of Sala, as administrator of the archbishopric of Magdebourge. George Frederick, son of George, dwelleth at Orsbuche in East Franconia, or at Blassenbourge, the which was the mansion of his uncle Albert the warrior. The Elector of Brandebourg, John George, remaineth at Berlin on the river of Sprea: his uncle John dwelleth at Castryne beyond Odera, very strong both by the situation and fortified. William, Duke of Bavyre, a Papist, at Munich in Bavary, married the daughter of the Duke of Lorrain. His second brother, Ferdinand, remaineth most at Landshute. The third, Ernest, is Bishop of Frysinghen and Hildesheim, and late of Liege. Julius, Duke of Brunswick, at the strong castle of Wolfenbettle on Oder.3 1 Inserted since the transcript was made, by the hand which filled the blanks. Ericke of Brunswick, son to Magnus, uncle to Julius, remaineth at Mynda, or where the rivers of Verra and Fulda do join, making the river of Visurgis navigable. William, Duke of Luneburge, hath his being at Cella, on the river Albera. Henry his brother at Grysorn, where before their uncle Francis was wont to dwell. Otho their cousin, Duke of Luneburge, inhabiteth Harburge on this side the Elbe, over-right against Hamburge. 1. The Duke of Pomerania, John Frederic, dwelleth at Stetim. 2. Bugslaus at Campena, some time an abbey in the county of Bardruse. 3. Ernest Ludovic at Wolgast, on the river of Panis that runneth into the Baltick sea. 4. Barmin at Ragenwald in Further Pomerania, in the borders of Poland and Prussia. 5. Cassimire at Camyn, which bishoprick he holdeth, either as administrator, or in his own possession and right. Ulricke, Duke of Meckelbourg, remaineth most at Gustrow: his brother John Albert dwelleth at Swerne, whose two sons are in the court of the Duke of Saxon. Adolph, Duke of Holst and Dytmarch; his chief seat is at Gottorp in the duchy of Sleswick.1 John his elder brother, unmarried, hath his abode at Haderberge. John, son to Christiern, King of Denmark, and brother to the Duke of Holst, and to Frederick, now King of Denmark, is Bishop of Oeselya and Courland in Livonia. William, Duke of Juliers,2 Cleve, and Bergen, hath his court at Dusseldorphe in the dukedom of Bergense. 1. William, Landgrave of Hesse, dwelleth at Cassels on Ulda. 2. Ludovic at Marpurge. 3. Philip at Brubache on the Reyne. 4. George at Damstade. Ludovic, Duke of Wirtenberge, his chief house at Statgard. Frederic at Montbelgard. The Marquises of Bath: the elder Ernest, the second Jacob, the third brother yet younger; their chief dwelling-place is at Forthsheim, or at Durlache. The sons of Philip at the Bath called Baden. Ernest Joachim, Prince of Anhalt, at Zerbest, in the midway between Magdebourge and Wittemberge: his other mansion is at Dessau on Mylda, where he was born, new built and fortified by his grandfather Ernest; he hath besides the castle of Cathenen, the which was the habitation of Walfange, Prince of Anhalt, his great uncle. Ernest favoureth religion. George Ernest, Prince and Earl of Henneberg, at Schlewsing, by the forest called Turing. George, Duke of Silesia and Bricke, of the family of the kings of Poland, 2 Jubyche in MS. 1 Gotrope and Shadswicke in MS. France. dwelleth at Bricke; his eldest son, Joachim Frederick, hath married the daughter of the Prince of Anhalt; his second son, John George. Henry, Duke of Silesia and Lignitz, son to the brother of George, dwelleth at Lignitz; he hath no children alive. Frederic, brother to Henry, unmarried. Charles, Duke of Minsterberg and Ols; his wife the countess of Sternberge in Bohemia, where he maketh his abode. Henry, brother to Charles, remained at Ols. John Frederick, Duke of Teschen. Charles, Duke of Lorrain; his chief court at Nancy. His eldest son Henry, of man's estate. Charles, Cardinal Archbishop of Mets. Besides, there are in Germany three Electors Bishops, and divers The free towns of greatest importance are Norremberge, Auspurg, Ulmes, and Strassebourg: then the cantons of the Swisses, the Grisons, and Valloys. The greatest trouble in Germany at this time is about the concordate, furthered by the Duke of Saxon and the Count Palatine. There is at this present no prince in Germany greatly toward or redoubted. The Duke Casimir's credit is greatly impaired, and his ability small. The dyet imperial shortly should be held,' where the concordate shall be urged, collection for Hungary made, and a King of the Romans named. The French king, Henry III.,2 of thirty years of age, of a very weak constitution, and full of infirmities; yet extremely given over to his wanton pleasures, having only delight in dancing, feasting, and entertaining ladies, and chamber-pleasures. No great wit, yet a comely behaviour and goodly personage; very poor, through3 exacting inordinately by all devices of his subjects; greatly repining that revenge and hungry government. Abhorring wars and all action; yet daily worketh the ruin of those he hateth, as all of the religion and the house of Bourbon. Doting fondly on some he chooseth to favour extremely, without any virtue or cause of desert in them, to whom he giveth prodigally. His chief favourites now about him are the Duke Joyeuse, La Valette, Monsieur D'Au.1 The Queen Mother ruleth him rather by policy and fear he hath of her, than by his good will; yet he always doth show great reverence towards her. The Guise is in as great favour with him as ever he was; the house is now the greatest of all France, being allied to Farrare, Savoy, Lorrayne, The Diet of Augsburg began on the 3rd of July, 1582. Burghley Papers, 2 second in MS. p. 375. 3 So in MS. Query though and ravening. 4 This name is written in the margin by the corrector. No blank had been left for it. Scotland, and favoured of all the Papists; the French king having his kinswoman to wife, and divers great personages in that realm of his house. The chiefest at this present in credit in court, whose counsel he useth, are Villeroye, Villequyer, Bellievre, the chancellor and lord keeper, Birague and Chiverny. He greatly entertaineth no amity with any prince, other than for form; neither is his friendship otherwise respected of others, save in respect of the reputation of so great a kingdom. The Pope beareth a great sway, and the King of Spain by means of his pensions; and of the Queen Mother with the Guise; she for her two daughters, he for other regard, can do what he list there, or hinder what he would not have done. The division in his country for matters of religion and state, through miscontentment of the nobility to see strangers advanced to the greatest charges of the realm, the offices of justice sold, the treasury wasted, the people polled, the country destroyed, hath bred great trouble, and like to see more. The faction between the house of Guise against that of Montmorancy, hath gotten great advantage. At this present the King is about to restore Don Antonio, King of Portugal, whereto are great levies and preparation.' Francis, Duke of Anjou and of Brabant, for his calling and quality greatly Duke of to be considered as any prince at this day living, being second person to Brabant. the king his brother, and in likelihood to succeed him. There is noted in the disposition of this prince a quiet mildness, giving satisfaction to all men; facility of access and natural courtesy ; understanding and speech great and eloquent; secrecy more than commonly is in the French; from his youth always desirous of action, the which thing hath made him always followed and respected. And though hitherto he hath brought to pass no great purpose, having suffered great wants and resistance both at home and abroad, yet by the intermeddling is grown to good experience, readiness, and judgment, the better thereby able to guide and govern his affairs, both in practice, in treaty, and action. Moreover, the diseased estate of the world doth so concur with this his active forwardness, as it giveth him matter to work upon. And he is the only man to be seen of all them in distress, or desirous [of] alteration. A matter of special furtherance to all such as have achieved great things, when they have found matter disposed to receive form. And there is to be found no other prince in this part of the world so towards and forward as the Duke, towards whom they in distress may turn their eyes. We do plainly see in the most countries of Christendom so unsound and shaken an estate, as desireth the help of some great person, to set together and join again the pieces asunder and out of joint. Wherefore the presumption is great, and if this prince continue this his course, 1A French naval armament was going to his assistance in June, 1582. See Lansd. MSS. 35. fo. 43. 2 Created Duke of Brabant at Antwerp, in February, 1581-2; prospered during all the year 1582; overthrown at Antwerp, January 7th, 1582-3. See Stow. Spain. he is likely to become a mighty potentate: for, one enterprise failing, other will be offered, and still men evil at ease and desirous of a head and captain, will run to him that is fittest to receive them. Besides, the French, desirous to shake off the civil wars, must needs attempt somewhat abroad. This Duke first had intelligence with the Count Ludovic in King Charles's days, and an enterprise to escape from the court, and in this king's time joined with them of the religion and the malcontents: after was carried against them; seeketh the marriage with her Majesty, so mighty a princess, as it were to marry might with his activity. He hath had practice in Germany to be created King of Romans, made a sudden voyage with great expedition into the Low Countries, now is there again with better success than so soon was looked for. The King of Spain, Philip, son to Charles V., about sixty years of age, a prince of great understanding, subtle and aspiring, diligent and cruel. This king especially hath made his benefit of the time; where bis last attempt on Portugal' deserveth exact consideration, thereby as by the workmanship to know the master. The first success he had was at St. Quintin, where he gat a notable hand of the French. He sought to reduce the Low Countries to an absolute subjection. He hath kept France in continual broil, where, by his pensions, the favour of the house of Guise, by the means of the Queen Mother in contemplation of her nieces, he beareth great sway. With the Pope he is so linked, as he may do what him list, and dispose of that authority to serve his purposes: as he hath gotten great authority in pretending to protect the Church and religion. He possesseth the one half of Italy, comprehending Sicily and Sardinia, with Naples and Milan; the which estates do yield him little other profit, save the maintenance of so many Spaniards as he keepeth there always. The Duke of Florence relieth greatly upon him, as well in the respect of the state of Siena, as of the ports he holdeth, and of his greatness. Lucca is under his protection. Genoa, the one faction at his devotion, with their galleys at his pension is most of the greatest there. Besides the Low Countries, he holdeth the Franche Countye, the best used of all his subjects, and Luxembourg: the West Indies furnish him. gold and silver, the which he consumeth in the wars of the Low Countries, and in pensions, and is greatly indebted, while he worketh on the foundation his father laid, to erect a monarchy, the which if he succeed in the conquest of Portugal, he is likely to achieve, unless death do cut him off. He hath one son of the years of five by his last wife, two daughters by the French king's sister, two base sons. He hath greatly sought the marriage of the Queen's daughter of France, sister to his last wife, and cousin german removed. 1 That he had been "proclaimed King of Portugal by the consent of the whole realm," was sent as news to Lord Burghley from St. Laucas on the 11th of June, 1582. Wright's Eliz. ii. 175. |