Table des preuves

1Je n’ai retenu ici pour illustrer, justifier ou complèter mes propos que des documents inédits. Beaucoup sont issus des fonds anglais rarement utilisés par les historiens de la Ligue en Bretagne, et pourtant essentiels pour comprendre la politique d’Elizabeth I à l’égard de l’Espagne et de la France, la campagne menée en Bretagne par ses navires et ses soldats, et la stratégie suivie par Philippe II à l’égard de cette province, constante et cohérente, en dépit des jugements dont elle a fait l’objet.

2Dans la transcription des documents j’ai utilisé les signes suivants :

3La mention d.a. suivant une date signale qu’elle est formulée selon le calendrier anglais.

1. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, Nantes, le 2 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 15

4Monsieur, ayant entendu que le Roy vouloit bien tost vous rappeler avec vostre armée je vous supplieray de me renvoyer l’artillerie à vostre première commodité et le plustost qu’il sera possible, d’aultant que ceste gelée y peut nuire beaucoup, et pour qu’il importe grandement pour la religion catholique en ce pais que nous soyons délivrés des hérétiques que nourrit (sic) ceste place de la Grenache1 et des incommodités qu’elle nous apporte. Je vous supplieray encor pour le zèle et singulière affection que je scay qu’avez pour nostre dite religion de ne la laisser en arrière ains la remettre en l’obéissance du Roy au service duquel elle importe de beaucoup2, et au surplus vouloir laisser le meilleur ordre qui se pourra au pais à vostre partement pour ne nous laisser en continuel allarme avec les huguenots puis qu’ils se sont tant avantagés par la prise de Niort. Quant à ce qui à jamais deppendra de moy il vous plaira m’honorer toujours de l’assurance que j’estime qu’ayez que vous y aurez tousjours tout pouvoir et commandement et qu’en toutes occasions je n’auray rien si cher que de vous servir d’aussy bon cœur que je vous baise treshumblement les mains. A Nantes, ce deuziesme de Janvier,

5Vostre treshumble et obéissant parent à vous faire service. Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

2. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, Nantes, le 4 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 17

6Monsieur, j’ay conféré avec Messieurs de ceste ville pour vous fere fournir du pain de munition comme vous le désirez. Nous sommes bien en volonté de vous sattysfere de cela et dès ce jour nous commancerons à y travailler. Mais il sera volontiers impossible de fournir le nombre pour ce que toutes les rivières sont glacées et n’y a point ou peu de moulins qui facent farine. Et pour le regard de la voyture3 il est aussi impossible que ceulx de ceste ville la puissent fere et faudra que commandiez à ceulx qui ont charge des muletz de vostre armée de les envoyer pour charger ce qui s’en fournira au lieu des vins qui vous avoyt esté promis que j’avois fait tenir tout prest que promis moindrement qu’en reffuz faire4, à quoy ils n’eussent failly comme ils ne faudront à fere tout leur possible pour le pain, mais je vous jure Monsieur qu’il n’y a point de moyen qu’ils le puisse (sic) voyturer. Je vous baise les mains et suys vostre treshumble serviteur. Vostre treshumble et affectionné cousin et serviteur, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

3. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, Nantes, le 8 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 22

7Monsieur, je suis marry de vous importuner si souvent pour la liberté du cappitaine Lachenay5 mais l’affection que je luy porte et l’assurance qu’il vous a pleu me donner d’avoir soing de le voir delivré me servira d’excuse en cest endroit. Ce gentilhomme6 est un de ceux qui furent pris avec luy lequel j’ay faict accompagner d’un mien trompette affin qu’il vous plaise l’envoyer voir le Roy de Navarre pour en tirer une résolution et scavoir s’il veut violer tous droitz des gens et la foy publique ne donnant lieu à la capitulation de Montagu affin que je cherche moyen de m’en revencher. J’espère Monsieur que vous luy en escrirez à bon esciant ainsy que je vous en supplie et vous baise treshumblement les mains. De Nantes ce 8 janvier 1589. Vostre treshumble et obéissant parant et serviteur, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

4. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, Nantes, vers le 10 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 24

8Monsieur, je viens présentement de recevoir vostre lettre par le contrôleur de l’artillerie à quoy je me fauldré de satisfaire et luy donneray toute l’aide que je pourré pour faire conduire les munitions, mais je vous prie très humblement luy commander de m’en laisser six milliers quy est le reste de huit qu’il y a plus d’ung an que le Roy m’a ordonné à prendre au maguasin de Tours car demeurant à la teste des ennemis comme je fais après vostre partement sest chose que je ne me pourois passer et vous acheminant vers le hault Poitou vous serez plus près de Tour[s] pour en avoir quant il vous plaira, vous suplyant Monsieur d’avoir sela pour agréable et croire qu’en chose du monde je ne vouldrois vous desplaire. Il est aussy nécesaire qu’il vous plaise de comander à ceux qu’avez laissez à Montagu7 ce qu’ilz auront à faire craignant qu’il ne soyent ataqué là mal à propos, quy sera l’endroict où je vous baisere très humblement les mains demeurant pour jamais vostre très humble et obéissant parant et serviteur, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

5. Lettre8 de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, Nantes, le 18 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 26

9Monsieur, pour ce que je ne voy aucun moyen ne comodité pour le passage de vostre armée à la rivière de Sévre à Vertou ou à Pont Rousseau près cete ville au contrere toutes les incomodités du monde pour la grande longueur qu’il y auroyt au passage par bateaux et pour la pauvreté du pays, oultre que la rivière passée vous aurez les mares de Goulene qui vous contraindront de rebrousser et monter plus hault, j’ay pensé vous devoir fere ce mot par ce gentilhomme expres et dire Monsieur qu’il vous sera beaucoup plus comode de prendre vostre passage à Monnyere sur le pont qui se peult refere en peu de tems. Et encore que ne manquez de gens propres pour y travailler je ne lesserois d’envoyer de ceste ville quelques charpentiers afin que par faulte de cela ne puissiez estre retardé. Je m’assure que vous informant plus particuliérement de ce que je vous mande vous trouverez que ce sera le meilleur et plus à propos pour vous servir, Monsieur après vous avoir bien humblement baisé les mains, je prie dieu vous donner heureuse et longue vie. A Nantes le XVIIIe jour de janvier. Vostre très humble et obéissant cousin et serviteur, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

6. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, s. l., s. d. (sans doute de Nantes le 19 janvier) 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 28

10Monsieur, j’ay tant de congnoissance des pertes et ruyne que ceux de ceste ville ont souferte depuis que feu Monsieur de Joyeuse fut défait à Coutras que je ne puis que vous suplyer avec eux vouloir exempter du passage de vostre armée leur village plus prochain afin qu’il nous puisse rester après le long séjour qu’elle y a faite quelque chose pour nous remetre, encor que la ruyne y soit extremement grande vous suplyant aussi croire que tout ce quy est en ma puissance est du tout dédyé à vous servir pour ne prendre donc s’il vous plaist la présente suplication à importunitez ains croyez s’il vous plaist que tant que j’auré sang et vie je seré tousjours vostre très humble et obéissant parent et serviteur, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

7. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, n. l. (Nantes), le 19 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 30

11Monsieur ainsy que jay rescu vostre lettre je vous a vous (sic) envoye le S. Tornabonne9 pour vous supplier de mescuser sy je ne vous suis alle baiser les mains se matin comme je voullois faire et comme je dois mais je ne peu abandonner ceste ville jay lay (sic) aussy charge de vous assurer que quoy quy puisse arriver je seray toute ma vie vostre treshumble serviteur et plus desireux de vous en faire paroistre les effaits que a personne du monde ce que je vous supplie de croyre fermement et monore tousjours de lamitie quil vous a pleu me promestre que jesseray de conserver par tout les servisses quy seront en ma puissance et en ceste vollonte je finiray et demeure toute ma vie vostre treshumble et obeissant cousin, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

12Ce 19 janvier.

8. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, n. l. (Nantes ?), le 22 janvier 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 32

13Monsieur, d’autant que j’ay say que v [ost] re armée n’est pas en estat de pouvoir beaucoup entreprendre cela me donne plus de sujet de vous supplier treshumblement ne trouver mauvais sy je retiens les six mil livres de poudre que le Roy m’a ordonné il y a prè d’ung an quy font partie de huict mil dont sa majesté m’avoit fait despecher deux ordonnances avec commendement très expres aux officiers de l’artillerie de n’y faillir tellement que sa majesté estime que je les aye rescu et suis très assuré qu’elle m’escrira contentement qu’elle demeure en ce lieu veu la nécessité quy y a pour son servisse ; mais d’autant que par la lettre qu’il vous a pleu m’escrire il semble que se soit chose quy vous soit à desplesir je ne veux faillir à vous assurer que sy sa majesté l’a désagréable et quy vous feussent demandés je ne faudrè vous les envoyer non seullement cela mais tout ce que j’ay en ce monde tenant vos bonnes graces sy cheres que je hasarderè toujours fort librement ma [vie pour ?] les conserver et vous tesmoigner combien vous […] l’honneur et le servisse que […] auquel je ne manqueroy jamais, sur quoy je ferme et demeureray toute ma vie, Vostre treshumble et tresobéissant cousin.

14Je ne faudrè de donner passepor et toute assistance quy seront en ma puissance à Monsieur du Kort ( ?) et tout son esquipage.

15Ce 22 janvier.

9. Lettre de Mercœur au duc de Nevers, Nantes, le 10 mars 1589. BnF, ms. fr. 3414, f° 46

16Monsieur, je ne veux passer la commodité du sr Garot10 sans vous envoyer ( ?) bien humblement de la souvenance qu’il vous plaist avoir de moy, et vous prie croire que vous n’en aurez jamès de personne en ce monde qui soit plus à vostre service ne qui désire plus les ocasions de se conserver en vos bonnes grases. Au surplus Monsieur je voy l’estat des afferes en un tel point que je ne puis qu’en déplorer la misère avec vous avec autant de regret que j’aurois bien envye d’estre si heureux que d’y pouvoir aporter quelque remède que je ne puis remarquer que d’une seulle puissance divine que je supplie y vouloir metre la main à l’honneur de l’eglise tant affligée et cependant vous donner autant de contentement que vous en souhaiterez toujours, Vostre bien humble et obéissant parant et serviteur, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

17A Nantes ce Xe mars.

10. Proclamations contre le duc de Mercœur et les villes rebelles des 14 et 18 avril 1589. BL, Add. 48126, f^os 109-111

18[Extrait des registres de Parlement] Veu par la Court, toutes les chambres assemblees, les lettres du Roy donnees a Blois, les xiii et xxiii e de mars dernier et a Tours le premier jour du present mois d’Avril, et aultres escrites au sieur de la Hunaudaye lieutenant general dudit seigneur en ce pais ledit xxiii e de mars et deuement informé des actes d’hostilité et meurtres commis en ceste province et jusques aux barieres de ceste ville de Rennes et emprisonnement des sieurs de Ris11 premier president, conseiller de la Cour, Marquis de la Roche12, et autres officiers, serviteurs et subiets du Roy en la ville de Nantes et ailleurs. Et faisant droit sur les requestes et conclusions du procureur general du Roy, A ordonné et ordonne qu’il sera fait commandement a tous seigneurs, gentilshommes, Capitaines, Communes et autres qui sont aux sieges des villes et chasteaulx de Vittré et Josselin, de incontinent et dans xxiiii heures apres la publication du present arrest, poser les armes, se retirer en leurs maisons, et ne faire aucuns actes d’hostilité a lencontre desdites villes, habitans dicelles et autres subiects du Roy en ceste Province, et à faute de ce faire dans ledit temps et ycelluy passé, ladicte Court les a des a present declares rebelles au Roy et criminels de lese magesté, Et ordonne qu’il sera procedé contr’eux extraordinairement, et des a present a apposé et appose la saisie sur tous et chacuns leurs biens meubles et immeubles, laquelle saisie elle enjoint aux substituts dudit procureur general du Roy chascun en sa jurisdiction de faire executer, et de la dilligence quils en auront faite et en certifier ladite Court, et en envoier les proceix verbaulx dedans huitaine a peine de suspention de leurs offices, Et si a ladite Court faict inhibitions et defences aulx susdits et tous autres subiets du Roy portant armes sur les peines que dessus, de non a ladvenir suivre les ensseignes du Duc de Mercoeur, ny l’assister de forces, leur faisant expres commandement de se rendre promptement et au plustost, avec leurs armes et equipage pres des sieurs de la Hunauldaye ou de Fontaines Lieutenans generaux du Roy en ce dit pais pour recevoir leur commandement et courir sus a toutes troupes qui se trouveront au dedans de ce pais non auctorisees de nouvelle commission du Roy ou desdis sieurs de la Hunauldaye et de Fontaines, Et a ceste fin enioint ladite Court a toutes villes, Communautés, paroisses, bourgs, bourgades et habitans d’icelles, de s’assembler a son de tocquessain soubs les Capitaines qui leur seront ordonnes par lesdis sieurs de la Hunauldaie ou de Fontaines, courir sus audis rebelles, dresser feus et signals par lesquels les paroisses circonvoisines en puissent estre adverties. Ordonne en outre ladite Court que toutes garnisons nouvellement establies es villes et places de cedit pais, vuideront et que les sieurs de Ris, premier president, conseillers de la dite Court, Marquis de la Roche et autres officiers, serviteurs et subiects du Roy qui sont retenus prisonniers, seront remis en liberté, et que a cest effect sera le present arrest signifié aux Capitaines des places ausquelles ils sont retenus et suivant les precedens arrests de ladite Court, il sera plus amplement informé par le premier des Conseillers dicelle ou juges roiaulx, des enlevemens, prinses et emprisonnemens susdits faites en la ville de Nantes et autres lieux de ce ressort, sacrileges, volleries de calices, croix, custodes, et autres ornemens d’eglises faites par lesdites troupes et es eglises de Vezin et autres, Enjoint ladite Court et fait commandement aux habitans des villes de ce dit ressort, d’ouvrir les portes d’icelles et d’y admettre les habitans catholiques leurs concitoiens, fidelles serviteurs du Roy qui sen seroient retires et absentes, pour y vivre assemblement en paix soubs lobeissance dudit seigneur, sur les peines qui y echeent ; Et sera le present arrest leu et publyé en toutes les villes de cedit ressort a son de trompe et cry publicq par les carefours et lieux acoustumes, et aux prosnes des grandes messes de chascune paroisse, a ce qu’aucun n’en pretende cause d’ignorance, Et la publication qui en sera ainsy faite es lieux et prochaines paroisses de sur accez sera de telle force et effet comme si elle avoit este faite a leurs personnes et domicilles. Fait en Parlement a Rennes le xiiii e jour du mois d’Avril M. V c IIII vingts et neuf. Signe Cornier.

19Soubsigné Guillaume Million sergent roial residant a Rennes certifie et raporte avoir leu, banny et proclamé larrest de la Court sy dessus a haute et intelligible voix aux caroels tant de ceste ville et fortbourgs dicelle en la presence de Me Jullien Laurinan commis au greffe de ladite Court, apres le son de la trompette fait par Jan Taillandier trompette ordinaire dudit Rennes, de tout quoy en ay raporté le present exploit. Fait ce Samady quinsieme jour davril mil cinq cent quatre vingts neuf. Signé Laurinan, Taillandier, Million.

20De par le Roy

21Henry par la grace de Dieu, Roy de France et de Pollongne, a tous ceux qui ces presentes lettres verront, sallut. Nous sommes deuement informes des forces, viollences et meurtres commis et perpetres par aucuns mal affectionnes a nostre service en nostre pais et duché de Bretagne soubs laveu du duc de Mercoeur, lequel marchant dedans le pas de nos ennemis rebelles qui ont conjuré contre nostre estat, s’est tant oublye de son devoir contre le serment qil a a nous, nostre commandement et lhonneur quil a de nous estre proche, quil s’est elevé en armes, fait assembler des gens de guerre, assiegé et prins aucunes [*]13 dedans nostredit pais et duché de Bretagne, distrait nos subiects de l’obeissance quils nous doibvent, et a nostre tres grand regret fait emprisonner nos bons serviteurs, troublé le repos de nos subiects, avec tout autre acte d’hostilité en ladite province, pour embrasser le party de nos ennemis, ce qu’aiant este recogneu par nostre Court de Parlement de Rennes, et les mauvais deportemens dudit duc, avec des menaces et intimidations faictes a lencontre de nos subiects habitans dudit pais, par son arrest du quatorziesme du present mois d’Avril si attaché, soubs le contreseel de nostre chancelerye, a ordonné quil seroit fait commandement a tous seigneurs, gentilshommes, capitaines, communes et autres estant es sieges de nos villes et chasteaux de Vittre et Josselin, de incontinent poser les armes et se retirer a leurs maisons, et a eux fait deffence et a tous autres portans armes, de non a ladvenir suivre les ensseignes du duc de Mercoeur, ne lassister de force, et comme il est plus particullierement porté par led arrest, duquel aiant fait faire lecture en nostre conseil, et considéré les deportemens dudit duc de Mercoeur et ses adherans, qui font les mesmes desseings et entreprises de nos ennemis qui ne tendent qu’a la subversion de nostre estat et ruyne de nos subiects, Nous avons resollu de nous y opposer, et avec les forces que Dieu nous a mis en main renger ledit duc a son devoir. Savoir faisons que Nous a ces causes aiant agreable ledit arrest de nostredite Court, avons ycelluy approuvé et authorisé, approuvons et authorizons, ensemble tout ce qu’a este fait et ordonné par elle contre ledit duc et ses adherans, voulant que ledit arrest soit de tel effect et force, et executé que sil estoit par nous ordonné, et a cest effect avons revocqué et revocquons nos lettres patentes du pouvoir du dit duc pour l’estat de Gouverneur et lieutenant general audit pais de Bretagne, la reception en ycelluy, et tout ce qui s’en est ensuivy, luy deffendant tres expressement de plus sentremettre d’ycelluy, commander ny ordonner aucune chose en ycelle Province, et a tous nos officiers et habitans d’ycelle le recognoistre ne obeyr en aucune chose concernant ladite charge, ains avec une bonne union et intelligence, ensemble soubs lauthorite des sieurs de la Hunaudaye et de Fontaines nos lieutenants generaulx audit pais, s’opposer et empescher les desseigns dudit duc de Mercoeur et sesdits adherans et ceux qui lont assisté a la prise de nosdites villes, comme a nosdits ennemis le tout sur peine de desobeissance ; si donnons en mandement a nos amez et feaux Conseillers les gens tenans nostre dite Court de Parlement de Rennes, que ces presentes ils aient a verifier, faire regestrer et publier, et le contenu dicelles faire garder et observer sans y contrevenir, car tel est nostre plaisir. En tesmoin de ce nous avons fait mettre nostre seel a cestes presentes. Donne a Tours le dixhuictiesme jour d’Avril lan de grace mil cinq cent quatre vingts neuf et de nostre regne le quinziesme. Signé Henry, et sur le reply/par le Roy/Potier et seel de sire jaune a double queue.

22Leues publiees et enregistrees, ouy et le requerant le Procureur general du Roy, suivant les lettres dudit seigneur et precedens arrests fait la Court tres expres commandement a tous seigneurs, gentilshommes et autres tenant terres nobles de quelque qualité et condition quils soient, de se trouver avec leurs armes, equipages et chevaulx dedans huictaine pour toutes prefixions et delais, pres des sieurs de la Hunaudaye et de Fontaines lieutenans generaux du Roy en ce pais, afin de recevoir leur commandement pour le service du Roy. Et a faute de ce faire dedans ledit temps et ycelluy passe, ladite Court a des a present comme deslors, declaré et declare les deffaillans, rebelles au Roy et criminels de lese mageste, decheus et prives des privileges et titre de noblesse, et eux et leur posterite, roturiers et contribuables aux fouages ; Et a apposé et appose la saisie sur tous et chacuns leurs biens ; au regime et gouvernement desquels seront establis commissaires. Et ordonne ladite Court auxdis lieutenans generaux du Roy, d’envoier, trois jours apres ladite huictaine en ladite Court, les rooles tant de ceulx qui se seront presentes audit service que des deffaillans, pour estre contre lesdits deffaillans procedé pour les dites peines ainsy que de raison. Et que copie, tant desdites lectures, que du present arrest deuement collationnes aux originaux, seront envoiez aux sieges roiaulx de ce ressort, pour y estre pareillement leues et enregestrees, et oultre publiees a son de trompe et cry publicq aux lieux acoustumez a ce faire, a ce qu’aucun n’en pretende cause d’ignorance. Ordonne aussy ladite Court, que la publication qui en sera faite aux proches paroisses des villes de Nantes, Fougeres, Ploermel, Josselin et autres villes, tenues et possedees par ceux qui sont rebelles au Roy, vaudra comme si elle estoit faite au dedans desdites villes. Fait en Parlement a Rennes le vingt quatriesme jour d’avril mil cinq cens quatre vingts et neuf. Collationné. Par extrait des registres du Parlement

11. Convocation de la noblesse du Trégor pour se rendre à l’armée de M. de Chasteauneuf, 6 juillet 1589. Copie. BnF, ms. fr. 22311, f° 87

23Suivant les lettres du Roy du 4 de Juin l’an 1589 et l’arrest de la Cour de Parlement de Bretagne, par où est fait commandement à tous gentilshommes & autres possédans fiefs nobles en ceste province, de se rendre en la ville de Rennes ou la part que sera l’armée de M. de Chasteauneuffdans huit jours sur peine de confiscation de corps & biens, et d’estre déclarez roturiers ; les dites lettres publiées en la court Royalle de Treguer le 6^e jour de Juillet present mois, le sieur de Guernaleguen14, capitaine des gentilshommes & autres possédant terres nobles qui doivent le service au Roy pour ce, de l’Evesché de Treguer, assigne lesdits gentilshommes & autres soubz sa charge de se trouver en la ville de Lannion avec leurs armes en bon et deu equipage, ainsi qu’il appartient, au jeudy 13^e jour de ce present mois, pour de là passer pour aller trouver ladite armée ; ce que fut banni & proclamé en la ville de Lantreguer hier ; & d’autant que M. l’Alloué de la Court Royalle assisté des sieurs de Coatbruc15, Beauregard16 et le fils aisné du sieur de Traoumorgant17, habitans de laditte ville de Lannyon, a remonstré que audit jour de jeudy est le jour de marché ordinaire de ladite ville, & que ils desiroient que l’assignation seroit sursise au Samedy ensuivant prochain, pour meilleur assurance d’eviter a surprinse, le sieur de Guernaleguen l’a supersedé jusques audit jour de Samedy prochain ensuivant, scavoir au 15^e jour de ce present mois, ce que j’ay banni & proclamé a haulte & intelligible voix en langaige François, et après interprété en Breton à son de tabourin par Mathurin Le Roux, tabour de ladite ville de Lannyon, etc. Le 6 juillet 1589. Signé V.L. Floch.

24Banni à la Roche-Derrien par Charles du Rufflay, sergent Royal le 7 juillet, et à Morlaix à la requeste de escuyer Yves de Kernechriou, sieur de la Villeneuve, le 8 juillet, par Morice Masson, sergent Royal.

12. Lettre de Monsieur de Fontaines, gouverneur de Saint-Malo, à Beauvoir, ambassadeur de France en Angleterre, 9 janvier 1590. Original. PRO, SP 78/21, f° 36

25Monsieur, sur aucunes occurances qui se presentoient en ce pais pour le service du Roy nostre Maistre ou le bien particullier de ses bons et fidelles sugectz, j’advisé avec aucuns marchans de ceste ville nommez Gilles Everard, Michel Anne et Guillaume Michelot, qu’il estoit à propos de faire bastir et construire un vaisseau du port de quatre cens tonneaux ou environ pour s’opposer aux desseins des ennemys de sa Majesté, et pour cest effect fut depesché y a quelque temps un des habitans de cestedicte ville, nommé Jan Gouverneur, pour aller à Meluin ( ?) faire faire ledict navire. A quoy y aiant travaillé avec le plus de soin et dilligence qui luy a esté possible suivant le commandement que je luy en avois donné, il m’a faict entendre ledict vaisseau s’en aller du tout prest, et qu’il ne restoit [plus, déchirure] qu’à rechercher les moiens de le faire venir en ce havre avec toutte seuretté. C’est pourquoy, Monsieur, estant fort necessaire d’avoir promptement ledict vaisseau pour l’emploier à aucun dessein de sa Majesté qui s’en veult servir ainsi qu’elle me mande mais qu’elle soit en ce pais où l’on l’attand tous les jours. J’ay bien voulu vous le faire entendre et vous en representer la consequencMelvine pour y aporter le remède qu’il est besoin, qui est occasion que je vous supliray, entant que vous aimez le bien et service du Roy, vouloir tenir la main, d’avoir licence de la Royne d’Angleterre de tirer vingt huict canons de fer coullé avec leur[s] boulletz pour mettre en iceluy navire, avec en outre un passeport pour le faire venir dudict Meluin afin que faisant sa routte pour arriver en ce havre, si tant est qu’il rencontrast aucuns vaisseaux anglois, cela l’exemptast du naufraige et prinse d’iceluy. Aussi Monsieur je vous diray que lesdicts Everard, Anne et Michelot estans bons serviteurs du Roy, sans avoir esté du party des rebelles ainsi que les effectz l’ont faict juger en ce que j’ay desiré les emploier pour son service, comme encore ceste occasion le tesmoigne assez. Ils ont quelques vaisseaux à eux apartenans, dans le d’estroict, où ilz les ont envoiez y traficquer par ma permission, dont l’un d’iceux se nomme Le Jan, du port de VI^xx tonneaux dont est maistre Michel Pourcel et marchant Lucas Guinard, l’autre, La Licorne, de pareil port, duquel est aussi patron Yeun Laisné et marchant Jullien Michelot. ; un autre appelé La Grace du port de L tonneaux dont est maistre Hervé Mareitte et marchant Guillaume de la Mothe, et pareillement en outre, la moictié en la charge du navire Le Chasteau d’or, du port de cent cinquante tonneaux ou environ, dont est maistre Marc Baudoin, lesquelz ils craignent s’en venant dudict d’estroict, estre rancontrez par les navires anglois, et que prinse d’iceux en fust faicte, comme il a esté d’autres de cestedicte ville, ainsi que vous pouvez veoir par les depesches que je vous en fais tous les jours, qui me faict vous suplier, encor un coup, si ainsi estoit que les choses arrivassent en la sorte, aporter si vous plaist toutte affection a les leur faire delivrer sans en recevoir aucun mauvais traictement, car estant zelez pour le bien et service de sa Majesté, ils meritent de ne recevoir desdicts Anglois aucun foulle ny oppression, mais bien d’estre conservez et maintenuz en toutte douceur et liberté. Vous aurez donc à cueur les recommandemens que je vous en fais et vous en voulloir souvenir comme de chose qui regarde l’auctorité de nostre Maistre, et sa grandeur. Sur quoy me reposant en l’entiere dévotion que je scay que vous y avez, je vous baiseray bien humblement les mains priant dieu vous donner, Monsieur, en parfaicte santé, heureuse et longue vye.

26A St Malo ce IX e de Janvier 1590.

27Vostre humble et plus affectionné à vous faire service. Fontanes18.

13. Note de Francis Drake concernant les informations transmises par le prince de Dombes. Octobre 1590. PRO, SP 78/22, f° 107

28État des forces de Mercoeur et de Philippe II en Bretagne. Le siège d’Hennebont et les activités espagnoles à Blavet. Analyse des conditions d’un débarquement anglais sur la côte trégoroise encore fidèle au roi. Il propose l’Île à Bois pour site de débarquement. Le rendez-vous avec Dombes serait prévu à Quintin. Il conviendrait que les navires anglais entreprennent une expédition contre la flotte espagnole à Blavet et Vannes afin d’empêcher l’arrivée de renforts. Il faut organiser l’approvisionnement des troupes en Trégor

29The particulers of such advertisements as the Prince of Dombres leaft to be reported unto me by Arthur Lorance19 his messenger.

30That the Duke of Mercurie is still bestewynge Henabon20, his forces beinge 6 000 men, whereof ther be 2 500 Spanyards and 500 or 600 horse men mayteyninge batterie with 16 canons, of which 10 were brought by the Spanyards.

31That in the haven of Blaouet21 ther be towe galliasses and sixe great shipps.

32That the Spanyards doe worke daylye aboute the fortification of Blewet, which before was all burnte by the Duke of Mercurie, exceptinge only two houses, and fyndinge the haven verie comodious for great shippinge, they doe fortifie the mouthe of the same (beinge verie narrowe) with great ordinance.

33That the Spaniards doe likewise possesse Morbien22 which is a verie good haven and able to receyve a great navye.

34That yf the Queenes Ma^tie please to send over any forces, they might best land at the Isle Boyes23 uppon the coast of Triguer, all which is for the Kinge24, and Monsieur Cargomarch25 hath ther meanes to receyve them.

35That to this effect, it should be needfull to have shippinge of on(e) hundred tuns and not above for landing men ther.

36That the forces being ther landed ar to march 14 leagues of faire waie to Quintine26 wher the Prince would meet them with his power which he as (sic) nowe in leavyeing at Reynes. And the severall armyes beinge joyned to march towards the duke of Mercurie.

37That it would please her Ma^tie to commannd som forces likewise by sea to make som expedicion uppon the said galliasses and shippinge that lye within the haven of Blawet and Morbien, as also to impeche all other supplies which they expect.

38That in hope of forces of assistance from her Ma^tie ther be commissionners appoyntted in Treguer for the provision of all necessaries for the Englishe army when they shall come. Fra. Drake.

14. Le prince de Dombes à Beauvoir, conseiller du roi de France en son Conseil d’État et son ambassadeur en Angleterre, 28 novembre 1590. PRO, SP 78/22, f° 130

39Monsieur,

40Les bons offices dont je scay il a tousiours pleu à la Royne d’Angleterre assister le Roy monseigneur en la plus grande necessite de ses affaires, ont esté occasion qu’en celle où cette province est maintenant reduitte d’hommes et de munitions de guerre pour résister aux desseings du duc de Merceur chef des rebelles d’icelle, et de quatre mil espagnols qu’il y a faict descendre. J’ay bien voulu depescher ce gentilhomme présent porteur27 en Angleterre vers Monsr. le vicomte de Thurayne affin d’obtenir s’il est possible quelques secours de gens de guerre et munitions pour cest effect, et l’assister de ce mot pour vous supplier bien humblement, Monsieur, me faire tant d’honneur que de tenir la main à ce qu’il plaise à la dite dame Royne rellever cette dite province de l’oppression desdits ennemys par le moien dudit secours, et voulloyr au surplus assister de votre aucthorité et faveur ce dit gentilhomme en sa négotiation, de quoy je ressentiray vous avoyr telle obligation que je mettray toute ma vye peyne de m’en revancher par tous les services que j’estimeray vous estre agréables de pareille volonté que je vous supplye bien humblement, Monsieur, me tenir pour estre éternellement,

41Votre humble et affectionné à vous obeyr, Henry de Bourbon.

42A Rennes ce XXVIIIe novembre 1590.

15. Avis de Roger William sur la nécessité pour les Anglais de secourir la Bretagne, 13 janvier 1591. PRO, SP 78/23, f° 28

43Observations stratégiques à propos du port de Blavet28, rumeurs sur l’état de santé de Philippe II, et considérations sur la politique à suivre, en Bretagne et en Flandre, dans l’incertitude ainsi entretenue.

44Charles the ffiste29 when he pretended moste mischeif his interments would give out of his deathe, or at the leaste that he was dangerously sick, only to procure his adversaries to doubt him the lesse. If the Spanish kyng doth the like thincking by suche meanes to compas his affaires the better, especially in Britany which he hath allready ingaged his statagem is not to be discommended. Blavet which they fortefy allready on bothe the sydes of the entry of the haven is the best harbor in all ffrance to lodge vessells of any burden for they have there allready of theire greatest vessells that they call Armathoes30. Blavet is a better harbour then Brest by reason rocks and the foule entry, True it is Blavet was not so famous as Brest by reason there was no traffick into it for want of a towne to utter theire ware, and Brest with a number of other ports far better both to utter and to receave all suche commodeties that Britany yeild, ffor example Millfort is our best haven notwithstanding small traffick is there, by the like reason as Blavet be asured Blavet is in a manner like ffamouth31 and the better harbor of them both, if the ports of Britany be lost I refer the danger unto the wisest sorte. Be assured to fynde all or the most parte of the vesselles the Spanish can make there if the kyng be living, ffor in all the actions of the Spanishe heatherunto wee reade and see at the firste longe to resolve, but being resolved none other [secundid?] theire actions hotter or sounder therefore. If we meane to save Britany we muste have our suckers32 ready to imbarke. Do we fynde the kinge dead we maye dissoulve them if occations presceade you. Is he living you lose all the ports if theire suckers arrives before ours. If the Spanish remaynes there, it were not [anys?] that ours arrived, ffor without direction from there younge kynge and estate they will not staye, in staieng thought the ould be dead the youge resolves to followe his fathers determynacion. Also it will assure the roalist to stirk the better unto there kinge when they perceive the care his frend takes to preserve his estate. If the Spanish fortres be ymployed againt the ffranch kynge, then must they defende rather, then assaile in the lowe countries, no doubt but the states wilbe willing and ready to sucker33 the ffrenche king not being assailed by the Spanish, consydering the greate chardge our sovereign is at in all places no doubt but the stat(e) s willbe content to suffer our fortis to marche into ffrance. So maye her majesty drawne all hers without any danger reserving only the garrison of Bryll and ffusshing34 the which will be sufficient to encounter thrice so many spaniards, saving those that are with Duke de Parma and of those better then his number for number. The ffrench kinge hath the bravest horsemen of the worlde for the number of three thousand, having our ffootemen no doubt with gode helpe but he woulde beate the Duke of Parma out of the ffielde were he far more in number and without our ffoote35 the Duke will saye harde unto the king whensoever they meet, wee here howe the kinge disgnared the Duke at his goeng out of ffrance with one thousand horsemen the other having bothe his horse and foote, I will saye so also unto all the kinge enymies but will never persuade any of his discreete ffrends to beleeve it. We reccken [reckon] the losses of our enymies but never call in question the losses of our ffrends, none can honor and love the brave ffrench kyng more then my self, but be assured levies the spanishe kinge three yeres to an ende his state is to dangerous unles the greate god wille have the contrary, and her Majesty resolve to sucker him with greate resolution.

16. Rapport de l’espion Jason Segard à propos des Espagnols au Blavet. 30 janvier 1591. (20 janvier 1590 d.a.). Original. PRO, SP 78/23, f° 44

45Considérations sur les éléments de défense du port, les effectifs attendus et les forces navales qui s’y trouvent. Informations sur les renforts et l’armement attendu. Le conseil est donné de les attaquer au plus vite sans attendre l’arrivée de nouveaux renforts. Rumeur d’une main-mise espagnole sur Morlaix et Roscoff pour l’été.

46The Spaners ar at Blvott36/1 700/or ther aboutes of soders the by seay ar to galyases/3/flybotte/3/pineses and they have ther a forte withe owte the shipes and the meanes to make a chayne frome the porte to arock (?) whiche liethe in the entring and they do begine to bilde howses that ar downe upe agayne for to inabyte the plases of the frenshe that ar gone thes shipes ife it plese you wolde be takinge with asmale fors nowe present but ife you lete them alone/3/monthes longer I doute you will never gett them owte withe owte greate forses/12/good shipes of merchant shipes withe/61/smale barkes will nowe tacke them for the ar but abell to shute onse ther prowe or starne but that we shall be abord and winding the for castill which you shall do present you shall have the shipe withe all for they have no soker to safe them selfes this moste be done withe in this monthe or/6/wickes at the [sandest?] or eltheyr (?) ayde which is amost redy in Spayne which as the nuse came five dayes afor crismas ar/4 000/men mor to com to gett Breste and then it will be hard for us be cose ther shiping will be stronger ther all so they [ment37?] to have/6/gallyes to lye of and one to cute of oure trad frome38 bordis39 and rochill40 and then at somer they saye that they will come to morlyse and rosko41 and ther aboutes and they saye they will feche us owte of owre bedes ther wer sartine42 flybotes/5/which wer lode withe provision for ware they had/1 000/barill powder/15/tons of shotte/9 000/mouskittes and kilivers withe ther fornitur/9 000/pickes withe ther armor with many other provisions for ware and some of the flyte43 of sir martin Furbisher as they seays met withe then and did fight withe them and tore to of the flibotes very miche withe that ther came/4/or/5/flybottes more of the shore and then the shipes lefte then and went ther wayes which the spaners [reyoste?] at it and sayes that thay wer hens and not englishe men they have/8/nue shipes abilding in bisky44.

17. Le prince de Dombes à Beauvoir, conseiller du roi de France en son Conseil d’État et son ambassadeur en Angleterre, 9 février 1591. Original. PRO, SP 78/23, f° 67

47Monsieur de Beauvoys, il y a deulx moys et demy que j’ay depesché le sieur du Meny vers la Royne d’Angleterre par lequel je vous ay escript amplement le subiect de son voiage, et prié de vous emploier de tout votre pouvoir d’obtenir de la Royne le secours que je luy suppliois treshumblement vouloir envoier en cette province pour empescher l’espaignol d’y prandre pied comme il faict, aiant depuis qu’ils y sont descenduz pris la ville de Henebon et Le Havre de Blavoit qui est grand et beau et de tres grande importance pour le service du Roy, ils le fortiffient en sorte qu’ils nous donneront de la peyne si l’on leur donne loisir de le mettre en deffance et peuvent en vingt quatre heures venir d’Espaigne audit Blavoyt, et n’ayant sceu aulcune nouvelle dudit sr. du Meny ny d’un autre gentilhomme que je y ay renvoyé depuis, je vous ay bien voulu faire cette recherge pour vous prier bien fort de me vouloir donner advis si je doibts esperer secours d’Angleterre que j’ay donné charge audit sr. du Meny de demander suivant son instruction qui vous aura communicqué, depuis le partement duquel les estats de Bretaigne ont tenu qui ont supplyé le Roy de vouloir prier la Royne d’Angleterre de vouloir secourir la province de Bretaigne du nombre d’hommes, pouldres et balles et canon que sa Majesté jugera estre nécessaire pour le bien de son service en ladite province, et que si la Royne vouloit advancer le paiement aux gens de guerre qu’elle envoyra en la dite province, les Estats du pais s’obligeront par la permission du Roy à elle pour son remboursement ensemble pour les pouldres, balles et canon, et ont lesdits Estats passé procuration à cette fin qu’ils ont envoyée au Roy pour y pourvoyr car ils désirent de sortir de la peyne où ils sont ; et ne veullent tomber à la mercy des Espaignols. Leur establissement en la Bretaigne apporteroit de l’incommodité à l’Angleterre pour en estre proche ; voilla la raison pour laquelle la Royne nous doibt plus librement secourir. Je m’assure qu’il ne tiendra à votre solicitation tant pour l’affection que je scay que vous avez au service du Roy que pour l’amytie que me portez voulant bien vous mander comme Monsieur mon père a pris la ville d’Avranches par capitulation après l’avoyr tenue deulx moys assiegée. Je croy que dans deulx jours le Mont Sainct Michel se remectra en l’obéissance de sa Majesté par ce moyen la Basse Normandye est nette de cette vermyne de ligue, vous priant Monsr. de Beauvoyr me mander bien tost de vos nouvelles et me continuer votre amytié, et croiez s’il vous plaist que je seray éternellement

48A Avranches ce ix e jour de febvrier 1591.

49[de la main de Dombes]

50Monsieur de Beauvays, la haste de ce porteur m’a empesché de vous escrire de ma main, je vous suppliie croyre par ce mot que la faveur que je recevré de vous, en l’affaire dont je vous escrys, me tornera à une telle obligation que en votre particulier j’essayeré de m’en revancher par touts les effets que j’estimeré vous estre agreables.

18. Lettre du prince de Dombes à la reine Elizabeth, Saint-Aubin, 2 avril 1591. Original. PRO, SP 78/23, f° 194

51Madame, il a pleu a vôtre maiesté prendre tousiours tel soing des affaires du Roy monseigneur, et avoir tant d’affection a la conservation de son estat, que non seullement sa maiesté mais toute la France recongnoist quil s’est maintenu et garenty de son entiere subversion, par le secours et assistance que vôtre maiesté luy a donnée en toutes ces plus extremes necessités et davantage, Madame vôtre dite maiesté daigne aussy estandre les effects de cette bonne volonté sur cette province, qui est sur le point d’estre usurpée par les ennemis communs des Royaulmes de vosdites maiestez si par les forces quil vous a pleu accorder au Roy monditseigneur elle n’est conservée, cest le subiet qui m’a fait envoyer le sr Desmenilz vers vôtre maiesté, pour la remercier treshumblement de l’honneur qu’elle m’a fait davoir voullu mettre en cela en consideration le particullier de Monsieur le Duc de Montpencier mon pere et le myen, Vous avés Madame par ce bien fait augmenté l’obligation qui vous est acquize de longtemps sur lung, et rendes l’autre tellement vôtre treshumble serviteur quil ne s’estimera jamais contant que lors quil pourra sacriffier sa vye pour vous faire treshumble service, le dit sr Desmenilz fera entendre a vôtre dite maiesté plus particullièrement loccasion de son voiage, je vous supplye treshumblement luy vouloir donner audiance et me faire tant d’honneur de croire ce quil vous representera et avoyr agreable la treshumble supplicacion que je vous faits de continuer en la bonne volonté que vôtredite maiesté a de promptement secourir cette province, laquelle ayant ce bon heur d’estre si voysine de vôtre royaume aura aussy ce bien destre conservée par la bonté de la plus grande et plus illustre princesse du monde, et moy de participer plus que nul autre a ceste obligacion pour laquelle je supplye le createur vous donner, Madame, en tresparfaicte santé tresbonne et treslongue vye. Au camp de St Aubin ce ii e avril 1591.

52Vôtre treshumble et tresobeyssant serviteur. Henry de Bourbon.

19. Réponse d’Elizabeth à la lettre du prince de Dombes : elle lui annonce l’arrivée prochaine des renforts anglais sous le commandement de Norreys. 27 avril (17 d.a.) 1591. Brouillon. PRO, SP 78/24, f° 57

53Mon Cousin, Vos lettres apportées par le sr des Mesnils45 nous ont données beaucoup de contentement en ce qu’elles recognoissent que le soing qu’avons des affayres du Roy nostre bon frère vostre souverain46 [seigneur] a tant apporté de fruict a la France que de l’avoir garantie de son entiere subversion. Ce que nous faict trouver tres bien employé le devoir qu’y avons faict et tout ce que par cy aprez sera en nostre puissance de faire en une si juste cause pour la conservation d’un Roy treschrestien en son droict contre ses rebelles et leurs adjuteurs. Et si la defence de nostre estat contre ceulx qui sont ennemys et de nous et du Roy nostre frère et tout son sang royal, nous permettoit d’estendre [d’amplier] nos moyens selon nostre desir nous nous fussions eslargye au plus ample [tant] que se pourroit requerir. Or pour venir au particulier de ce que nous avez requis par ledit sr de Mesnils, de vouloir impartir de [estendre] nostre faveur a la province de Bretaigne soubs vostre gouvernement comme auparavant avions accordée et tant plus tost en consideration de nostre tres cher Cousin vostre pere et de vous. Vous pourrez entendre par ledit des Mesnils que devant sa venue, les forces qu’avons designées a ce propos estoyent touttes prestes a embarquer, et desja le sont. Et permectant le vent et la saison de la mer nous esperons qu’elles seront toutes arrivées chez vous premier que ledit des Mesnils, fors qu’une partie dicelles laquelle ayant estéz destinée comme les aultres pour la Bretaigne nous fusmes tout soudainement, et par urgente occasion priée de mander a la ville de Diepe pour obvier a quelque attentat qu’on hastoit ( ?) contre la ville, lequel toutesfois nous entendons par l’acces de nosdits gens estre repoussé et esperons qu’en peu de jours la ville se trouvera quittée du danger ce que reuscisant selon nostre espoir avons ordonné lesdits gens suyvre le reste vers la Bretaigne et le sr Norris qui a la charge de nostre armée [nos troupes], lequel vous avons recommendé par aultres lettres qu’il vous rendra (comme nous esperons devant cestes cy pourront parvenir), et soy mesmes et ses trouppes pour vous obeir au service du Roy ou vous aurez occasion de les employer. Au reste nous desirerions que le faix de nostre despence ne fust si pesante et continuelle par terre et par mer pour nostre defence contre l’ennemy commun, mais qu’il nous peust permectre d’augmenter le secours que vous envoy(o) ns selon la volonté qu’y avons. Si est ce que ne faisons doubte qu’il ne se trouve tel qu’avec ce que de plus le Roy nostre frère en sa prudence vous donnera, y concurrant le benissement [la volonté] de Dieu en si juste querelle vous vous acquitterez tant contre l’ennemy comme les rebelles avec autant d’honneur comme [que]

54Mon Cousin nous prions Dieu vous donner avec longue et heureuse vie.

20. Lettre de Mercœur au sieur de Fontaines47, et « injonctions et contraintes » faites par Mercœur à la noblesse de partir pour l’aller trouver pour s’opposer au débarquement anglais. 21 mai 1591. Copie. PRO, SP 78/24, f° 126

55Monsieur des Fonteines, partant de ceste ville avec unne bonne partye de mes forces pour me rendre à Jocelin où j’ay donné le rendez vous de mon armée et avoir desjà faict acheminer notre secours estranger en ces quartiers là sur la déliberation que j’ay prise d’aller opposer la descente des Anglois anciens ennemys de ce pays que le prince de Dombes faict venir, ou les combattre sy tost qu’ils auront pris terre, je convye et interpelle tous bons catholicques de m’assister en ung si digne subjet et particulièrement ceulx de la noblesse comme la plus utille et propre partye de ce corps à l’occasion qui se présente m’assurant que dieu favorisera une si bonne et juste entreprise et fera congnoistre, par l’issue d’une bataille à laquelle je suis disposé, le soing qu’il a de ceulx qui deffendent son Eglise, et pour ce que je vous recongnois pour estre poussé de ce zelle, désireux de rendre ce que naturellement debvez à votre patrye, et de paroistre en une telle occasion par my tant de gens d’honneur qui s’y trouveront, je vous en ay bien voullu advertir et prier de toute mon affection de monter à cheval et de me venir trouver audit rendez vous à Jocelin ledit dernier jour de ce moys, à quoy m’assurant ne voudrez mancquer et que je vous verray bien tost, je ne la vous feray plus instante sinon pour vous prier de croire que je suis votre bien bon et affectionné amy, Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

56A Nantes ce XXIe jour de May 1591.

57Coppie des injonction et contrainte qu’il (Mercoeur) faict à la noblesse de partir pour l’aller trouver, envoyé aud. Sieur [des Fontaines].

58Les ennemys de notre st party en ce pays, voyant n’y pouvoir advancer et establir la puissance et domination du Roy de Navarre autant qu’ils eussent bien désiré ont eu leur recours à l’Angloys antien et mortel ennemy dudit pays, et tant faict qu’ils en ont eu quelque nombre qui a rangé48 ceste coste et est prest de mettre pieds à terre, à quoy désirans nous opposer, Nous avons donné le rendez vous de toute nostre armée aux derniers jours de ce moys à Josselin, et desja faict advancer les forces que sa majesté catholicque nous a envoyées en ceste province ; et affin que chacun de la noblesse et autres estans enrollez et de compaignyes sont advertis de se trouver audict rendez vous, et que l’on ne se puisse excuser.

59Nous faisons sçavoir par les présentes à tous qu’il appartiendra, et mesmement aux gentilshommes subjects au ban et arrière ban, qu’ils ayent à se mettre en deu équippaige de guerre pour nous venir joindre audit Josselin les derniers jours de ce moys pour toutes prefixions et délais pour nous assister, suivre, s’employer et servir en unne si bonne et juste occasion, déclairant comme par lesdites présentes nous déclairons tous les reffuzans et delayans ou qui n’auront légitime excuse, dès à présent comme pour lors, ennemys du st party et de la patrye et comme tels de bonne prise la part qu’ils seront trouvés, et leurs biens pour (la ?) saisis et anottés49 comme les autres ennemys déclairés et suivants le party dudit Roy de Navarre. Et à ce que personne n’en puisse prétendre cause d’ignorance, lesdites présentes Nous mandons aux officiers de justice chacun en droyt les faire publier à son de trompe et cry public, et nous advertir du debvoir et dilligence qu’ils auront faict et usé. Donné à Nantes ce XXI e may 1591. Signé Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine.

21. Lettre de la reine Elizabeth à Norreys. Le 12 août (2 août d.a.) 1591. Brouillon50. PRO, SP 78/25, f° 158

60Elle y exprime son mécontentement à propos de l’attitude du roi et du prince de Dombes, et laisse Norreys juge de l’utilité de poursuivre l’engagement, ou de retirer ses troupes si elles devaient être inutilement mises en danger. Elle l’informe des propositions que lui a faites Sourdéac d’accueillir les Anglais à Brest.

61To Sr Jhon Norris

62We grete yow well. We wold yow have to thynk that we ar not unmyndfull nor uncarefull of yow and our good subiects under your chardg, and therfor though we war content at the request of our good brother the french kyng to send yow with our subiects thyther into Britain, to ayde the sayd kyng by joying of your forces with the prince of Dombes and the kings forces, which we war [peradperadvised?], should have bene more sufficient than yow have found them, yet our meaning never was to have yow and our subiects to be put to that brut and manifest danger both agaynst the rebelles and the Spanyards as we perceave yow ar lyk to be by your last letters to the Tresorer of England, for lack on convenient nombers to be ther employed by the Kyng, and though they war at the begyning in some sort sufficient, yet such as they war we perceave by your sayd letters that the principalls of them of Normandy ar disbanded, and most part of the gentill men of the cuntry ther ar now this harvest to depart [?] to ther troupes, and so no lykhood of any supply from the Kyng but culvarynes. The Spanish forces (as by any intelligences that we can hav) ar ether greatly increased or lyk to increas, for these causes? lyke as of late we commannded our Tresorer to advertise yow of our disposition to revok you if you should fynd your state to be in this sort so dangerous by lack of more ayde from the french Kyng, and by access of greate forces of Spanyards, so now contynuyng our princely [!] care for the savety of yow and our good subiects with yow, we do ernestly require yow to consider well of your state, and if yow shall fynd and perceave your danger to be such, as yow se now, we for the causes above expressed do feare it to be, than we will that yow shall devise by all good meanes how to withdraw your selve and your companyes to the sea syde to some safe place toward our Isles of Jersay or Gernsay, so as we may uppon knolledg had from yow, send some convenient shippyng for you to transport your forces with your self from thence to our Isles and so into England, or els directly from thence into England for such is our care both for the savety of yow and our good subiects, as we will not omitt any oportunity after we shall be advertised from yow what course yow shall deyre to be taken, but we will command shipping to be sent to any port yow shall name, and presently also will gyve commandment that some of war shipps shall attend upp that coast as they may be prepared [?] from the […] wherin they must be […]. But if yow shall perceive by reason of further supplyes from the french Kyng to be sent to yow, as we have required to be gyven that your danger is not such but that yow may contynew ther and ayde the kyng, than we thynk it convenient to lett you know that lately the Governor of Brest named de Ryeux or Sordimack hath sent to us for some necessary supplements, offryng very frely that we shall have for yow and our people with yow the commodite of the castell of Brest for your retrayt and savety, and all the ports ther also for our shipps, in as fre and saffmanner, as may bee [?] for any subiects of the french Kyng, wherof we thynk it well [?] to gyve yow knolledg, and if you shall thynk the same requisit for yow than yow may by some messadg or letter gyve hym knolledg of this our report and his offer to us, and require his answer therto, so as yow may ofer hand know to use the same [?].

63Though we have this care of the preparation of yow and of our subiects, by procuryng your retorne, yet we wold have yow acqueynt the prince D’Ombes with our intention, to the intent he may both by meanes of his father the Duk of Montpensier or otherwise procure for hym self and for yow also such reenforcements as yow shall not be occasionned to leave the defence of the cuntry, which we feare if yow returne will be utterly conquered by the Spaniards.

22. Lettre adressée à Burghley par un des capitaines de Norreys (ou par Norreys lui-même) présentant les opérations militaires auxquelles a participé le corps expéditionnaire anglais en Bretagne du 29 août au 26 septembre (19 août au 16 septembre, d.a.) 1591. PRO, SP 78/25, f° 326-329

64Sir, by my last letters of the XX th of Auguste I did acquainte you with those reasons that moved the prince in suche earnestnes to urge, and my lord Generall to yealde unto this voyage of the sowthe [south], which conclusion soe mightilie perplexed the poore inhabitants of St Brieux that their greifes forcinge the ordenarie passage of a populer discontentment resolved into most bitter railings againste the prince upon whome they publicklie exclaymed that having sixe monthes since supplied his armie with all things necessarie: entertained both him and itt: 14 dais in their towne and lastlie yelded to a contribution of a 1 000 crownes, he would now abandon them unto the implacable furie of their profest ennemies the Lambalists and the gredie [greedy?] covetousnes of M. de Mercury whoe alreadie had extorted 14 000 crownes from them. Some did solemlie vow to seeke new habitacions and the greatest nomber absolutelie to give themselves unto the league. Howbeit in vearie truth theis reasons were not bastant to bind an armie to the conservation of soe meane a place, which by neither partie can be other wise preserved.

65The gentlemen of those partes seeking to diverte this resolution by drawing the prince unto a second undertakinge of Lamballa51 made proffer of 10 000 towards the better performance of that service and offered a 100 of the best of them unto the firste breache that should be made by the cannons. Theis were of those gallants which left us at the late seige of Lambala contented then to look on at the cuttinge of our throates, while they good men did figure unto themselves no other care but the fetchinge in of harvest and the conservation of their petite ménage : as yf the warres of their contrie nothing appartaining unto themselves were onlie to be determyned with her majestys forces. But seing the armie readie to march and that reckoninge somewhat disappointed, knowing with all notwithstandinge M. de Mercuries safegards which the most of them have in their over neer naighbouringe hongrie garisons woulde eaternallie praie upon them after the feyned instance of Ixion52 and the Eagle53 they became untimelie suters for that which not longe before thorowe their owne indevors (endeavors) they might easelie have conquered unto themselves.

66Uppon this texte you must give me leave to note that theis petitioners were onlie [whose] such livinge did lie subjeict to the dailie incursions of the Lambalists, those which dwell sixe leigues from Lamballa were never moved at our departure: no more do theis Brittons otherwise apprehend this generall quarrell then in regard of some particuler interest, whence the kinge being assisted with her majestys forces maie easelie refourme.

67The Prince being taught by former experiences that those few particularyzars could bringe no greate advancement to the kings service contynewed his former determynacion of carreing his armie into the sowthe54 where a greate supplie of forces were promised by Msr de La Verdun and others. And according to that resolution our armie dislodged from St Brieux upon the xxi th of august: that night we came to Kersoe55; the xxiii th to Plemy; the xxv th to Collinie56 where the Prince receaved informacion that Msr de Mercury was dislodged from Dynant and marched that nighte towardes a small village called Brun57, by the opportunitie of which place he might to his reasonable advantage charge us in our next daies marche. Brun is somewhat more than 2 leigues from Collinie and not a quarter of a league from the highe waie by which wee were to passe unto St Meyn58.

68Upon which intelligence the Prince with some of his principall cownsellors came to my Lord Generalls lodginge which then was an english mile from Colliné were [where] Msr de La Verdyne dilating all the circumstances of that late receaved advertisement concluded with theis 2 dowbtfull (I will not saie tymerous) considerations: the firste, that in regard of the enemies purposes to crosse our passage into the sowth partes of Brittanie, it was necessarie to consider whether our forces were sufficient to pound our desseyns. The other, that in holding a right forward course, Msr de Mercury might cutt us from all supplie of victually comyng from Reynes and Monford by taking his lodging at St Meyn. Unto theis 2 doubtes (beinge that onelie matter of moment propounded by Msr de la Verdune), my Lord generall most gravelie and resolutelie answered: that the Prince, Msr de la Verdune himself and the rest of the Prince his couwnsell (after a longe deliberation and most earnest ymportunately havinge ymbarked (?) themselves and him into this course, it was now to late to loke into their weakenesses (which before shoulde have bin wared with better judgement) whereby since their reputations were soe deepelie engaged, he now thought them all tied in honor to march directlie forwarde without any regard to their small nombers and that to take any other course would altogether savour of an exceeding fear; unto the seconde that Msr de Mercurie could no more anoye us by pritting himself betwene Reynes and our armie then woes59 (?) him by possessinge those passages which leade to Dynant and St Malo, from which places he was likewise to attend his greatest releif.

69Theis reasons being highlie approved by the Prince and La Verdune himself (whoe willinglie woulde have driven a wider course by Malletroit and Plermer60) it was concluded that by breake of daie following the armie should dislodge and march directlie towarde St Meyn, and that forthwith certaine light horse should be sent forth to discover whether the enemie was that night come to Brun or not. The order of march and the place whereonto the armie shoulde the next day marche was refered to the morninge consultation at the place of rendevous.

70Att this cownsell I remember Msr de La Verdune (in his florishing formallities) would needes prescribe a solemne platt of battall against the next daies expected encownter, but that devise was reddilie confated by my Lord Generall, who affirmed that all formes of fighting were evermore tied to the circumstances of those places wherein men were to fighte, and therefore not to be determined till the place were first viewed.

71The XXVI^th our armie dislodged from Collyne and because the Prince was certainelie enformed by those lighte horse sente forth the nighte before to discover yf duke Merc[ury] was not come to Brun, yt was resolved that the armie should marche that daie to St Meyn. But thorough the unredines of all thinge appartayning to the Cannoniers (wherbie the best parte of the morning was wasted) and the disablebillitie [disability] of our weake men in so shorte a time to performe a marche of such lenghe, this course was cutt of by the waste and that night wee came to Medriniack61 which standeth in the midd waie betwene Collinie and St Meyn.

72Att Medriniack the Prince was trulie enformed that Msr de Merc[ury] the daie before in full secrecie aboute 7 of the clocke in the evening dislodged from Dynant with his armie and was that nighte come to Plenmaden62 where this daie he reposed himself, meaning thearebie [thereby] (as afterward it appeared) the better to cover his entention, which was with a speadie marche in the nighte following to possesse himself of St Meyn before wee should suspecte his departure from Plenmaden which is 4 leigues from St Meyn, from Medriniack thither are cownted but 3. But this frawde was easelie discovered by my Lord Generall who advised the Prince (owr grose being not able to performe that march thorough the cumber of the cannon and the greate number of weake men) that Msr de La Verdune having 400 of our ablest foote joyned to his 80 curasses and not 500 hargabu(siers) a cheval, should dislodge about midnighte and assaie yf by a speadie dilligence he could disappointe the enemy of his entended lodginge at St Meyn, which was accordinglie performed.

73My Lord Generall most exceedinglie carefull upon all hazards to seconde theis troupes caused our army to dislodge from Medriniack the next morning almost 2 howers before daie which was the 27 th. In our marche the Prince receaved advertisement from Msr de La Verd(une) that St Meyn was invested with his forces, and that nothing could be discovered of the ennemies ententions that waie, soe that all seemed to be vearie sure on our side. But my Lord Generall suspecting that within truth followed persuaded the Prince to advance with his cavallerie insomuch the greater speede toward St Meyn, and to the end that our foote might follow with the better hast. His Lord commanded the canon and bagage to be placed rearward, and for the gard thereof appointed captaine Lannce Kinghth63. The event did shew some spirritt of divination of what should follow: ffor the Prince had not bin 3 quarters of an hower in St Meyn when a vearie warme reporte was brought unto him that Msr de Merc[ury] with his whole armie was within half a league of the towne. The truth of this matter was vearie sensible: for the reporter brought with him 2 spanish captaines whome he and his companions (being all but comon souldiers) had presentlie made prisioners. The one of theis 2 did afterward sweare Botadios that he was taken por caritad ffor hearinge a poore woman pittifullie crieng owte as they weare in thear march, and going to her succours, they were taken by those french companions which came thither a la picoree not 200 pace from the head of Msr de Merc(ury) armie.

74Some will saie that Msr de La Verdune did this day notablie forgett his lesson for comming by VI of the clock in the morning to St Meyn, he did neither sende forth his light horse pour batre le strado64 wherebie the enemies approaches might have bin advertised in tyme conveniente, nor ymploie the service of his foote in gardinge the avenues towards the enemie. But in a plaine securitie of all that mighte happen, he lodged himself and his in a village half a league from St Meyn quite opposite from the waye the enemie shoulde take, and left our foott imbattelled in the towne rather for a parade then to any other serviceable purpose. By the like carelessnes in Msr de La Verdune, the Counte Soissons was 2 yeares since taken at Shateawgiron, his armie absolutelie defeated and himself did meet with a vearie narrow escape. But our leisure att that time did not vearie well serve us to dispute of errors.

75The allart65 amongest our french you maie be sure was veary hott. The Prince in a wonderfull dismaie, and those about him that in calme would overrule all cownsells, in this litle storme did know never apointe in the compasse. The enemie was within half a leigue of St Meyn. Msr de La Verdune had bestowed himself and his troupes soe far or farther of from us. The french horse that came with the prince had alreadie lodged themselves in villages, and where the prince was were onelie left those 400 Englishe sent the night before with Msr de La Verdune, and my Lord Generall Cornett of horse: our vangard was at the least a long league and a half from us: In which hard plighte neither the prince nor these about him could apprehend any other course of proceedinge but what they did see (?) with the eyes of a most desperate feare. But in this notable obscuritie of french spiritts my Lord Generalls vertue did shine who with a most chearefull cowntenance and excellent perswasions full of all comfortable assurances did first win the prince unto a better opynion of his fortune, and then to repose himself onelie upon his service: By his Lords comandement the English troupes were presentelie drawen owt of the towne and by himself placed in those waies which did leade directlie towards the enemy: ffirst the horse were appointed to advance the foote some quarter of a mile: the dikes and hedges were lined with shott to the best advantages that might be thoughte on, and in the high waie which was somewhat large our pikes were disposed into three severall stands: meanewhile the Prince had sent for Msr de La Verdune and the rest, soe that having a greater encrease of horse, discoverers were sent somewhat farther of to see what course Monsieur de Merc[ury] did take, whoe being certainelie enformed that the prince had alreadie invested St Meyn, became sodenlie no less perplexed in the feild, then his contrimen were in the towne. His armie was exceeding wearie, for the same had marched all that nighte. To make anie far retreait they could not, to tarry and fight with us they durst not: much lesse to force us from our lodginge att St Mayn where they supposed all our armie was, so that the confusion amongest the enemy became very greate, and it was wearilie belewed that att time with 2 000 Englishmen Msr de Merc[ury] and all his armie might easelie have bin defeated. But howsoever certaine it is that in a vearie gentle feare he retired to Quedilliack which did vearie well appeare for not finding that place of such strenght as he ordenaralie useth to encampe in, and nothing liking our neew neighbourhood (Quedilliack being but one leigue of distance from St Mayn) he was contented to dislodge from that place, after that the loggs (lodge?) for the cor de gard fyars were laied to get here, and to encampe att St John [St Jouan] wherebie Msr de Merc(ury) did finde the meane to putt a reasonable good river betwene him and us and to lie 2 longe leigues and a half from St Mayne66.

76Thus with a handfull of men and my Lord Generalls carefull forefighte, the Prince was delivered from the greatest feare that ever he was in and wee became quiet possessors of our lodging at St Meyn which was a service of greate consequence principallie in regard of the multitude of our sick men who otherwise had bin left unto many hard discomforte. Besides the enemies disgrace herebie receaved was not litle: as forthe rest of our armie they came not unto us in 2 longe howers after the enemyes retreete and yt was almost night before the arryvall of our cannon. This is the summe of that daies worke.

77And because it was the next daie fownde that Msr de Merc[ury] dislodged not, the Prince was advised by some (in whose hartes peradventure some reliques of the former daies feare yett remained) to followe his course towards Renes (Rennes), which he might vearie well doe having abundantlie satisfied his reputacion in his late confronting the enemye and crossing his purposes, butt my Lord Generall directlie opposed himself against this cownsell, affirming that yf wee dislodged first, the enemie would be encouraged to pursue us, and beating still upon the taile of our weake armie, travaile the same with contynuall paine and trubble which could not be tollerated. Besides the performance of his former vaunte which was that he would drive us before him into Renes. That it was therefore better for the Prince to sende for suche succours as mighte be drawen from Renes and other places not far of: to make good the place whereof they were alreadie possessed: And to attend either the enemies first dislodging or some good opportunitie wherebie he might be forced unto the same.

78This cownsell was followed and such dilligence used in the execucion thereof that by the next morninge 200 horse were come unto us and 2 cannons sente from Reynes were alreadie advaunced as far as Montford. Upon the arrivale of this finall supplie, itt was presentlie resolved that our armie should dislodge the next daie and encampe within a quarter of a leigue of St John. But Msr de Merc[ury] (whoe all this while did but seeke to countenuce [?] himself with his staie att that place) understanding the resolucion of our armie, dislodged the next morninge before X of the clocke and marched 4 leigues unto a village called Ereac where for himself and his Spaniards he fownd a lodging of greate strengthe.

79Certaine knowledg being given that Msr de Merc[ury] had made his retrete to Ereac, the Prince (led with what cownsell I know not) streightly comannded that all our armie should be in readines at 9 of the clocke in the nighte to marche towards the enemie for yt was presupposed that by the advailtage of that marche in the nighte wee fall upon Mrs de Merc[urys] armie wearied and not loking for us, and so performe some greate piece of service, or (?) att his next morninge rising, distresse the reareward of his armie, our sickmen and bagage were left att St Meyn and a 200 of owers (ours) for their guarde.

80My Lord Generall being well acquainted with the weakenes of our armie and observing the thin repaire of those that were sent for, did veary muche oppose himself against this course, the rather because at that time there was not any one in our armie that could justelie enforme the state of the enemies lodginge. But the Prince to satisfie my Lord hearein [herein] toulde him in greate secrecie that all was but pour fair la myne, and that after some 2 leagues march yt was mente (meant) that wee shoulde retourne. Howveit [Houever?] in our march one pace so puld on an other that la myne was quite forgotten, and something before dailie light we were come within 2 miles of the enemies lodginge: wheare (and that not withoute good cause) a stande was made, and it was solemlie demanded what could be donne upon the enemie. The estate of their lodginge was freshlie enquired after, whereunto answeare was made by a French gent dwellinge in those partes that there weare but 2 rivers betwene us and the ennemies grose of his armie whereof the one was hardlie to be forced and that from thence the waie to Ereac was exceedinge streight. By meane whereof wee did now begin to learne how our cannon might have bin loste and our armie notablie engaged. But look how the Prince was owte of cowntentmence, how all our chers Mrs did disavow this cownsell, first La Verdune, then Momartin, Bastine67 and the rest. Yet god of his goodnes did save all our honestie: ffor while the Prince, my Lord Generall and the rest were in cownsell som of ours had taken a preist and a peazant by whome they were enformed that a companie of the enemies harga[busier] a chevall did lodge within half a league of us, and that theare was nothinge more easie then the cuttinge them in peeces. To the ceazing of this praie La Verdune and Monsieur de Bastine with 30 curasses and 300 harga[busiers] a chevall were presentlie sente forthe for in sodaine enterprises it was thought better to use the service of those french shott a horsback then of our foote. Theis following their guide fownde not onlie that company but 3 french regiments lodge al escart, every man in a sownde sleape and not so much as one sentinell to give the allart, which being well perseaved by Bastines he willinglie would have sent for 400 of our shott and pikes wherewith questionles all the skirtes of the enemies armie might have bin handsomelie cutt of. But La Verdune either in an emulacion towarde us, or in to greate impatience with himself, would not [herken?] unto the cownsell. But making the stand himself with his curasses farenough of, he sent those harga[busiers] a che[val] to the enterprise, who finding no kinde of resistance slew sixe scors of the enemy, in which nomber Capt. Messandere68 was one, and att that time La Mott Chevre69 was taken prisoner, whoe commanded another companie of Harga a cheval. The rest which were not, but might vearie well in like sorte have bin assailed, receaved the allarm by their companions last cries and soe saved themselves. The armie likewise warned by theis, presentlie dit putt themselves in armes.

81This service thus perfourmed wee did stand 3 longe howers embatteled upon a faire spatius heath, not half a league from Monsieur de Mer[urys] armie, but when it was perceaved that neither honor nor losse could drawe him unto a triall of armes (although besides his french forces it is certaine that he had then with him about 3 000 Spaniards) and that it was not possible to passe farther without apparant losse, the Prince thought good to comande our retreite.

82Wee poure fowles were not this daie able to march 1 200 stronge, but had you seen their notable resolutions and earnest desires to fighte you would peradventure greeve that suche men and a comander of my lorde worth should be exposed unto soe greate inequallitie as hetherto wee have mett with, for I protest unto you before the living god that our shoulders onelie have borne the entier burden of this summer service. Att Lambala we were not assisted with 300 frenche, which maie seeme vearie strange but what the write is most trewe. And how far my Lord Generall will in all service adventure his person is soe well knowen unto you as that I shall not neede to mention the same. Upon every opinion of encownter with the Spaniards a faire blew skarfe (in like goode presented by some honorable ladie) is fastened to the end of his pike; for his Lord understanding that Don John de Laguila had used some brave speaches did send him word by Monsieur Guebrian that by that favor he would make himself knowen att their first meetinge.

83After our retourne to St Meyn the Prince perceaving that Monsieur de Merc(ury) ment that daie to dislodge from Ereac and that the place of our aboarde did yeald no kinde of comforte to our weake armie, other then such as came thither from Reynes and Vittry [Vitré] which was some time cutt of by the waie thought good likewise to dislodge the daie followinge; and soe for this time Msr de Merc[ury] and wee did parte companie. He upon the 30th leaving Ereac did take the waie towarde Jocelin [Josselin]; wee the daie following dislodged from St Meyn and soe to Ifenditt [Iffendic]; the second of september to Breall, the third to Noyall where the Prince did accord unto us 20tie daies rest att Chatteaw-Giron for the refresching of our weak men. At this place wee arrived the 4th of september70. The daie following my Lord Generall was solemnilie invited by the principall magistrates of Reynes to visite their cittie, and the third daie after was receaved into the same with all those testimonies that might assure a most kindie welcome.

84The Prince in the meane time having 300 men and 3 Cannons from Vittrye did invest the castle of Chastillion upon the 7th of this instant. But after 3 daies triall finding those forces nothing sufficiente (for he had but those 300 Frenche and 500 launceknights71) he sent unto Reynes for 6 canon more and to my Lord Generall in all earnestnes to assist him with 600 Englishe. His lord consideringe that after suche a deduction, the remainder would be vearie weake and by suche a separation subject unto hazard, thought good with all his companies to remove unto St Aubin de Cormier wherebie the strenght of our armie might stande still united and the Prince according to his desire readelie enoughe assisted: for from St Aubin to Chattillion are but 3 litle leagues. In the meane season his Lord sent 200 shott and pikes to attend the cannon of Reynes, whose services afterward the Prince used to greate purpose.

85Thus not havinge staied 6 daies att Chatteaw-Giron wee dislodged upon the 10^th of september and encamped that night about Chatteaw-burgh. The next daie to St Aubin.

86The Prince havinge receaved those cannons sent from Reynes and planted the same, upon the 12^th of september were discharged some lose vollyes upon the defences of the castle. The morning following my Lord came to the Prince with 300 English more and then the batterie was persued with such furie that by 12 of the clock the breach was made vearie faire and assaltable, which being well perceaved by the defendants, they came to a parley and from the Prince receaved theis last condicions that all gentlemen and captains within the castle shoulde become prisoners, that the souldiers should have their lives onelie, except 20tie which should rest at the Prince his discretion for he ment to make some exemplarie punishement of them.

87While the enemie did entertaine somewhat to longe time in the acceptance of theis condicions, owr lannceknights (in a hungrie desire after spoile) did drawe themselves [uncommannded] towarde the assaut. My Lord Generall perceaving the same and doubting that some touch in honor towarde the Prince might therebie arise, partelie by persuasions and sometime by threatininge did slaie them from that purpose a longe half hower. But in conclusion they offered violence to their Coronell, di(s) obeyed all their comanders, forced the breache where they fownde no resistance, and of 260 that were within the castle left not 20 alive. But in their rager pursute after spoile they fired [unawares?] some barrells of poulder; with the furie whereof 30 of them weare presentlie slaine and at least 50 more came from thence the most miserable creatures that ever I did behould. The judgments of god were most justelie executed upon them both: in theis for their disobedience, in the enemy for their notorious spoiles and infinite owtrages committed upon the contrie. It is constantlie affirmed that theis companions did yearlie spoile La Vall, Vittry and Reynes of more then (than) 120 000 crownes.

88They of Fougiers were soe terrified att the takinge of Chatillion, that in doubte of owr nexte remove towardes them, they did begin the vearie same daie to burne their suburbes, which peradventure was but a needelesse feare, ffor in plaine English wee have neither men nor meanes to undertake the seige of such a place.

89Msr de La Verdune did leave the Prince att Ifendic and promised to retourne within 3 weekes with 3 000 foote and 500 horse. His preparacions for owght I can perceave do come but slowlie forwarde, and yet I knowe the Kinge hath of late urgentlie hastened the same. Our men do now begin to die and that vearie fast, so that without a present supplie wee are like to have but a poore armye.

90The Spaniards paie arived at Blavett about the 18 th of august last; the same was brought thither in 4 galliasses. Mounsieur de Mercurie is gone to Nantes, where a Spanishe Cownte of the howse of Tolledo hath, theis daies past, attended his cominge thither sente by the Kinge of Spaine to negotiat about the affaires of Brittanie upon the promise of some honest bribe. You maie peradventure win me to send you a trew reporte both of what is past in the last yeares traffique and in this presente negotiation betweene the Kinge of Spaine and Madame de Merc[ury], for it is she that doth swaie the ballannce. And soe hoping that you wilbe as wearie in the reading as I am in the writing hereof, I comitt you to the comforte of your best desires and us both to the blessed protection of the almightie. From our poore armie att St Aubin de Cormier this XVI th of september 1591.

23. « Discours de la prise et ruyne de Blein advenue en Novembre 1591 ». AD 44, 1 J 539, relation de l’époque qui proviendrait des archives de M. Duplessis-Mornay

91Au commencement du mois de Novembre 1591, le duc de Mercoeur apres avoir pris la Bretesche s’en alla devant le chasteau de Bleing accompagné de bien deux mille espagnols et quelque peu d’infanterie françoyse où s’estant retranché tant dans le bourg de Blein qu’es environs du chasteau fit venir de plusieurs endroicts ce qu’il avoit d’artillerie estant de longuemain sollicité à ce faire par les habitans de Nantes lesquelz estoient fort molestés en leur bestial par le sieur du Goust commandant audit chasteau, lequel à la vérité n’obmettoit rien de son industrie pour bien faire ses affaires estant du pays et ayant congnoissance de tous ceulx qui auroient de l’argent à plus de dix lieues d’alentour de sa garnison. Si bien qu’il avoit tellement fait la guerre aux païsans par emprisonnemens et rançonnemens qu’il avoit acquis par commune réputation la valeur de cent mil escus et par mesme moyen la haine irréconciliable de ses voisins pour les inhumanités dont il usoit pour parvenir à son intention. Car pour intimider ceulx qui ne luy vouloient paier rançon, il laissoit mourir de faim les plus ahurtés et n’ostoit point les corps morts d’auprès des vivans afin de contraindre par une telle peine les autres de payer comme il estoit accusé de tant de telles cruaultés qui pour la plus part estoient tresvéritables que les Nantois qui en estoient extremement animés n’obmirent rien pour faciliter ce siège et s’y investirent plus que leur ordinaire fournissant de canons et pouldres et semblablement de munitions pour l’entretien de l’armée comme pain et vin et autres commodités ayans la rivière de Loire à trois lieues près dudit Blein.

92Quelque temps au paravant, Madame de Rohan qui de long temps prevoyoit quelque insigne orage sur sa maison s’estoit essayée d’y pourvenir redoutant l’animosité de ceulx de Nantes et se deffiant d’ailleurs de la résistance qui leur seroit faite par ceulx de dedans sadite maison les congnoissans tous pour gens qui avoient fort peu hanté les armées et sachant mesme que nul d’eulx ne s’estoit jamais trouvé en siège, à ceste occasion aussy qu’elle avoit peu aggréable les inhumanités qui s’y commettoient, elle avoit essayé de moyenner une neutralité de ladite place laquelle elle désiroit se faire remettre entre les mains et la pouvoir tenir avec le gré des deux partis soubz l’obéissance du Roy sans que la guerre s’y fist, et pour cest effect avoit esté parler à Madame de Martigues aux faubourgs de Nantes dès le mois d’avril précédant pour négotier ladite neutralité moyennant laquelle elle demandoit que le duc de Mercoeur l’accordast semblable pour les chasteaux de Rohan, Pontivy, Josselin, les Salles, la Cheze et Loudeac qu’il détient sur Messieurs de Rohan et qu’elle avoit assez heureusement acheminé hormis pour le chasteau de Josselin qui est le douaire de Madame de (sic) la douairière de Rohan sur lequel il luy fut respondu qu’elle se contentast de parler pour elle sans y comprendre sa belle sœur, et quant à celuy de Blein ils [sic] se contenteroict qu’il demeurast entre ses mains et qu’elle le tint sous l’obéissance du Roy pourveu qu’il n’y fust point fait de guerre.

93Sur quoy ayant donné advis du tout à Monseigneur le prince de Dombes elle envoya vers le sieur du Goust pour traicter avecques luy de quelque récompence au cas que le Roy et mondit seigneur le prince eussent ceste neutralité agréable afin que les choses se faisant avec son gré en fussent plus faciles. Mais il se monstra si peu disposé à obéir aux commandemens qui luy en seroient faicts tant il estoit affriandé au gain qu’il faisoit en ceste place, qu’il n’y eut jamais récompense qui luy peust suffire car il demandoit le gouvernement de certaines places qui ne sont point en l’obéissance du Roy comme entre autres celuy de Redon, et outre cela des estats d’hommes qui vivoient avec des sommes d’argent excessives et d’ailleurs il disoit ouvertement que quelque commandement qu’il eust du Roy pour sortir de ceste place il faudroit tousjours capituler avec luy sur les récompenses, qui fit que voyant la difficulté de cest effect elle fut contraincte de différer ce desseing jusques à ce que par l’approchement de Monseigneur le prince de Dombes ou autres troupes du Roy elle eust moyen de luy faire obéir à un commandement absolu au cas qu’elle en obtint un pour cest effect.

94Le duc de Mercueur voyant que ceste effect tiroit en longueur rompit toute ceste négotiation et estant de plus en plus pressé par ceux de Nantes se résolut au siège, de quoy la dite dame de Rohan estant advertie et sachant les préparatifs qui s’y faisoient fit ce qu’elle peut pour luy faire reprendre les arres de ceste neutralité et différer son desseing jusques à ce qu’elle eust obtenu le commandement absolu qu’elle espéroit. Mais luy se persuadant que ce n’estoient qu’artifices pour éviter ou reculer ce siège n’y voulut plus entendre, et mesme ne luy voulut accorder ung passeport pour elle qui désiroit aller elle mesme parler à luy et audit sieur du Goust pour cercher encores quelque voye de douceur, mais seulement luy en envoye ung pour un gentilhomme de sa part qu’elle accepta et ayant en mesme temps donné advis du tout à Monseigneur le prince de Dombes, comme elle avoit desja fait, des préparatifs dudit duc de Mercueur selon les advertissemens qu’elle en avoit, elle envoya vers le susdit duc le sieur de Beauvois Montfernier pour essayer au cas que les assiégés ne peussent attendre le secours de faire en sorte qu’elle fust comprise en la capitulation qu’ils feroient et que les chartes et papiers de la maison de Rohan qui sont tous dans Blein fussent conservés.

95Le sieur de Beauvoys estant arrivé en l’armée dudit duc qu’il trouva desja logée et retranchée autour de Bleing, et luy estans donné gardes pour observer ses actions, il recongneu ce nonobstant assez les forces des assiégeants pour juger qu’ils avoient beaucoup d’advantages sur les assiégés veu mesmement le peu de résistance que lesdits assiégés avoient fait tant aux approches qui s’estoient faites sans perte d’hommes qu’à la prise d’un espron [éperon] par où se fit la batterie lequel ils avoient laissé perdre fort aysément qui luy fit craindre qu’estans furieusement attaqués comme il en voyoit les préparatifs et battus de seze pièces tant canons que couleuvrines réalles ils peussent malaisément résister.

96Cela fit qu’il demanda à parler au sieur du Goust, ce qu’il ne peut obtenir du duc de Mercoeur qu’estant accompagné d’un conseiller de Nantes nommé Kermezin pour observer ses actions et discours, et ayans esté tous deux introduits à Bleing avec aussy beaucoup de cérémonie de la part du sieur du Goust qui leur fit à tous deux bander les yeulx et amener par plusieurs destours en une des chambres du logis où les fenestres estoient fermées, ledit sieur de Beauvois proposa audit sieur du Goust, en présence de son frère et autres gentilshommes dudit chasteau, l’intention de Madame de Rohan qui estoit qu’elle désiroit la conservation de sa maison, qu’elle le prioit de ne s’opiniastrer point à la tenir s’il n’en avoit bien le moyen, luy fit entendre le nombre de canons dont il devoit estre battu et les forces de l’ennemy, et le pria de la part de ladite dame que s’il falloit rendre la maison qu’il la rendist plustost entière que ruinée et enfin que s’il congnoissoit debvoir capituler qu’elle fust comprise en la capitulation.

97Sur quoy le sieur du Goust après avoir fait ung long narré de la quantité de bleds et vins qu’il avoit, rejetta au loing tous pourparlers de capitulation et de traicté, usant de plusieurs paroles advantageuses comme aussy fit son frère et les autres réfugiés qui se vantoient fort entre autres choses de leurs munitions de vins qui de fait paroissoient en plusieurs d’entreulx car une bonne partie estoient yvres.

98Sur ce le sieur de Beauvois luy replicqua que ce n’estoit pas par famine qu’on les vouloit prendre mais par une fort furieuse batterie, et le pria encores de la part de madame de Rohan de ne hazarder point sa maison mal à propos et en fin luy dit en particulier qu’il se résolust ou d’entrer en capitulation ou de rompre tout parlement comme chose nuisible à gens assiégés s’ils ne sont en termes de se rendre. A quoy le sieur du Goust demanda tenir jusques au lendemain pour y penser et en parler à ses amis.

99Deux jours après, ledit sieur du Goust donna encores lieu auxdits sieurs de Beauvois et de Kermezin pour estre introduits à Blein où après quelques discours de presque semblable stylle que le premier jour ledit sieur du Goust en fin monstrant se desfier du Conseil de Monsieur le prince de Dombes et craindre de n’estre secouru à ce propos, dist qu’il entreroit en capitulation, et de fait il dressa nombre d’articles entre autres qu’il demeureroit gouverneur dans Bleing sans faire la guerre avec cinquante chevaux légers entretenus et cent cinquante harquebuziers pour la seureté de sa personne, et demandoit outre cela vingt mille escus, absolution généralle de ce qui s’estoit passé soubs sa charge et plusieurs autres choses pour son particulier.

100Ces articles estans rapportés au duc de Mercueur, il les trouva du tout esloignés de raison veu l’advantage qu’il estimoit avoir sur les assiégés qui avoient desja laissé gagner le pied de leur muraille aux Espagnols. Toutesfois ledit sieur de Beauvois moyenna encores qu’il leur offrit les conditions suyvantes ayant les susdites seze pieces desja en batterie : Que le chasteau de Blein seroit rendu entre les mains de Madame de Rohan qui promettroit le rendre entre les mains d’un gentilhomme que nommeroit le duc de Mercueur qui y mettroit seulement vingt soldats sans y faire la guerre ny aucun acte d’hostillité et promettroit de ne faire aucune desmolition ny desmantellement audit chasteau et que moyennant cela ladite dame auroit main levée de tous les biens de Messieurs ses enfans qui sont en la duché de Bretaigne.

101Que tous les gentilshommes, soldats et autres qui estoient en ladite place jouiroient aussi de tous les biens qu’ils auroient en la duché de Bretaigne et seroit en leur liberté ou de se retirer en leurs maisons sans y faire acte d’hostillité ou d’aller en telle place de Bretagne qu’ils adviseroient où ils seroient conduits seurement.

102Que le capitaine La Garde prisonnier à Nantes seroit mis en liberté.

103Que tous actes faicts pendant la guerre par lesdits gens de guerre estant à Blein seroient assopis et n’en seroient recerchés pendant ledit temps de guerre.

104Les susdits articles furent portés audit sieur du Goust par lesdits sieurs de Beauvois et de Kermezin avec les cérémonies accoustumées, mais si tost que les assiégés ouirent parler de sortir de la place, ils commencèrent à murmurer comme ceulx qui s’estoient proposés ceste maison pour leur perpétuel domicile, s’estant de fait auparavant opposés à la neutralité que recerchoit madame de Rohan de paeur que par sa demeure audit lieu ils ne fussent incommodés de lever ( ?) logis, et la dessus recommencèrent de plus belle leurs premières résolutions disans qu’ils estoient serviteurs du Roy qu’ils se vouloient ensevelir dans les ruines de Blein et que quant à la démolition de la maison le Roy avoit bien moyen d’en récompenser Messieurs ses nepveux, et ainsy après avoir réitéré plusieurs fois ces trois ou quatre bons mots, ils se firent accroire que quelques soldats qu’ils virent par les fenestres faisant monstre venoient pour les attaquer, et la dessus rompirent ce parlement avec aigreur disans que ce n’estoit pas le temps de s’amuser aux paroles lors qu’on les assailloit en effect si bien que s’escartans sur ceste esmeute sans que pourtant il y eust occasion d’alarme, lesdits sieurs de Beauvois et de Kermezin furent contraincts de s’en retourner sans autre responce.

105Le duc de Mercueur entendant cela ne voulut plus ouir parler de capitulation ny de parlement et mesmes ne voulut permettre que Madame de Rohan y vinst en personne comme icelle désiroit pour essayer si elle y pourroit davantage et fait requérir d’un passeport pour cest effect, mais il ne le voulut jamais accorder quelque instance qu’on luy en fist et se résolut de faire battre en batterie dès le lendemain ne voulant plus perdre de temps pour ce principallement qu’il avoit advis que Monseigneur le prince de Dombes estoit près comme de fait il s’estoit desja acheminé pour le secours de ceste place combien que le sieur du Goust luy eust promis de tenir trois moys. Mais craignant que ses effects ne respondissent à ses promesses, joinct aussi la sollicitation que luy faisoit Madame de Rohan laquelle se desfioit tousjours de la valeur et suffisance de ceux qui commandoient dans sa maison, il s’estoit desja acheminé avec son armée jusques à la Guierche huit lieues près de Blein, si bien qu’au lieu de trois mois de terme qu’ils luy avoient donné il les eust secourus au bout de trois sepmaines ou bien près de là si par la moindre résistance ils l’eussent peu attendre.

106Le susdit lendemain qui fut le mercredy 20^e de Novembre, la batterie commença fort furieuse et fut tiré ledit jour de mercredy environ six cens coups de canon contre une tour nommée la tour du Moulin qui est dans le coing des deux grands corps de logis tenant d’un costé au corps de logis de la salle du Roy et de l’autre à la terrasse.

107Le lendemain qui fut le jeudy 21^e, il y fut tiré quelques quatre cens coups de canon si bien que sur les dix heures la tour tomba et les Espagnols s’y logérent à la faveur de la ruyne.

108Quelques deux heures au paravant le duc de Mercueur avoit fait mener le sieur de Beauvois à Nantes avec gardes afin qu’ayant recongneu son armée il ne peust donner advertissement aux assiégés ny à Monsieur le prince de Dombes lequel on disoit estre près.

109Soudain que la tour fut à bas, ceux de dedans commencèrent à s’estonner et à demander par dessus les murailles qu’ils peussent parler au sieur de Beauvois, mais il n’estoit plus temps et l’avoit on desja ammené, aussi que le duc de Mercueur n’y vouloit plus entendre, ce que voyans plusieurs d’entreux se jettèrent par dessus les murailles du costé qu’estoient logés les François, mais à la fin le duc de Mercueur commanda qu’on ne les receust plus.

110Environ sur le soir, les Hespaignols qui s’estoient comme dit est logés à la faveur de la ruyne de la tour voulurent un peu paroistre vers le bout de la terrasse d’où il leur fut tiré quelques deux ou trois harquebuzades par quelque cannonnière qui fit que s’estant seulement ung peu logés plus advantageusement ils donnèrent tout à l’instant l’assault, et estans montés tout à leur ayse sur la terrasse entrèrent par les fenestres et portes de la salle sans trouver résistance n’ayans eu les assiégés recours qu’au feu qu’ils mirent en plusieurs endroits du logis ayant pour cest effect ledit sieur du Goust dès auparavant sappé et appuyé sur pillotis tout le corps de logis de la salle du Roy et luy s’estant retiré dans la tour de l’horloge demanda par la fenestre qu’on luy sauvast la vie et se rendit à dom Jouan capitaine des Espagnols.

111Tous les autres assiégés qui estoient en nombre de cent cinquante harquebuziers et de soixante cuirasses ou plus furent pris prisonniers et menés à Nantes ne s’en trouvant point de morts ny de blessés d’entre eulx qu’on sache, comme aussy ils ne rendirent aucun combat et n’y fut tué que le portier que les Espagnols se persuadèrent estre ministre et le geolier qui fut pendu à la requeste des prisonniers pour le cruel traittement qu’il leur faisoit.

112Les femmes se retirèrent comme elles peurent dans la troisième tour d’où il leur fut permis de sortir, et furent conduites par le duc de Mercoeur mesmes jusques à St Roc qui est à ung quart de lieue de Blein.

113La maison fut bruslée partie (comme dit est) par ledit sieur du Goust et partie par les Espagnols auxquels ceulx de Nantes auroient donné de l’argent pour y mettre le feu, si bien que les basses courts, chambres des galleries, granges et escuries furent par eulx entièrement bruslées, et le feu du donjon si bien continué qu’il n’est rien demeuré entier que trois tours assavoir la tour de l’horloge, la tour qui regarde du costé du parc près la chappelle et celle du pont levis de la basse court où souloit loger le cappitaine.

114Voilà qui doibt servir d’exemple pour ne souffrir que ceulx qui tiennent les places et gouvernemens se servent de la couverture du service du Roy et en publicq pour satisfaire à leur avarice veu que les exactions et oppressions du pauvre peuple parviennent si aysément jusques au ciel que la justice divine n’a peu estre appaisée de celles qui se sont commises en cest endroit de paix que par la ruyne d’une des plus illustres maisons de France ayant les innocents esté contraincts de patir pour les coulpables.

24. Notes72 sur l’engagement anglais en Bretagne et Normandie, et extraits d’un journal des ordres donnés à Norreys, des effectifs et des coûts, et de la correspondance échangée avec lui de janvier 1592 au 22 août 1593. BL, Cotton Ms 40508, Caligula, E VIII, f° 488

115[…] and others whereby they […] name of the fr[ench] K[ing] 6 000 men to him in [Bri]ttayne, and a further nomber also besides those that are [in?] Normandy, whereupon it was alledged for her Ma^tie that upon hope had that the K. would have peace with his subiects he needed no such helpe, whereunto they answered that they were assured that the K. would never make peace with his Rebells nor with the K. of Spayne without the Q [ueen] consent. And thereupon hir Ma^ties answere was that when she should be certefied from the K. of that his assurance, she would cause hir nombers of soldiers in Brittayne and Frannce to be supplied to 4 000 and to be sent by sea into Brittayne, assone as she should understand that the Fr. K. had 2 000 footemen and a 1 000 horse ready to enter into Brittayne, with other forces to be sent out of Holland.

116It was also on the Q. parte demanded that the K. should be bound, before they should goe into Frannce, to deliver a towne fortefied and a haven.

117Besides it was demannded that the K. should have in Brittayne 4 000 soldiers and 1 000 ho(r) - semen to be payd by the K. monthly.

118Besides the Q. did agree that 7 peeces of ordenance with powder and bullets that were at Diepe should be delivered to the K. to be carried into Brittayne, and that the K. obligacion should be delivered within 4 months for the payment of the charges of levy, and monthly stipendes73 of the said 4 000, and for all the ordinance. And the same to be payd within the space of 12 monethes from the daye of the landing of the said forces in Brittayne. For performance of all with things above spoken respectively the Amb[assadors]. Monsr de Beauvoir and Sancy did by their writings bind aswell the french K. as themselves.

119Memo. At this time 2 550 soldiers were ordered to be removed out of the Low Countryes to serve in Frannce, whereof Capt. Randall and Capt. Ratcliffwith 300 men were diverted into Brittayne and Capt. Browne and Capt. Purley should goe also into Brittayne and 2 Captaynes to be taken out of Ostend to goe into Brittayne insteed of Capt. Lambertt and Capt. Buck […] the same […] by 1 000 men […] 6 bands of footmen are sent out of the Low [Countryes] to passe to Caen and from thence to march into […] with the nombers under Sr Roger Williams charge in Normandy. And 600 more new soldiers levied in England, whereof 300 shall passe into Caen and 300 to Jersey, there to tarry some tyme for the defence of the Iland, so as these nombers make up 4 000 which ought to be under the charge only of 26 Captaynes. And whereas there are now 4 Capt. by occasion of these nombers come out of the Low Countryes and out of Normandy, they should retayne but 26 of them and discharge 14.

120Memo: at thys tyme the power had ben in Brittayne a yere and almost a halfe.

121Bycause the contract being made the last of June for the 4 000 men, and the fr. King hath not from that untill this day made answere to some points of the contract, Sr Jo. Norris shall give the Prince Conty, the Duke Compensier (sic) and the Marshall D’Aumont to understand the cause of deferring the 4 000 men.

122Memo: it is ordered that in every band the Captaynes and officers shalbe accounted parcell (?) of the nomber.

12326 Aug. Order given to Mr. Bodeley to send 100 horsemen out of the charge of Sr Jo. Pooley or Sr Nick Parker into Brittayne which was not performed but so many discharged of either bands as made 100 to be committed to Sr Jo. Norris.

1244 Septemb. Order is given to retayne only 26 Capt. for the 4 000 and whereas 16 came out of the Low Countryes and 6 out of Normandy and 20 were in Brittayne, it is ordered that of the Capt. of the Low Countryes, the followinge shalbe discharge: Tho. Maria Wingfeild, Andley, Purley, Warlock and Prederoy. And of Normandye Masterson, Edw. Brooke, Capt. Throckmorton, and out of them of Brittayne Rigges, Dolphin, Wolfe, Latham, Spring and Symmes besides Hall that is dead.

125Item it was ordered that for the continuance of some of these Capt. some of them might have only bands of 100 and thereby contynue still in pay.

126[…] Beauvoir and Sancy and certeyne Lo. of the […] for 4 000 to be sent into Brittayne which contract hath been seene by fr. K. and annexed to his ratification under the contreseale of his Chancelor, which he doth approve, ratify and conferme for him and his successors; and further commannded them to be registered in his Courte of Parlament and Chamber of accompts.

127An addition to Sr Jo. Norris instructions upon an offer made by himself, that if he may have 1 000 more to make up 5 000 forwhich (?) 1 000 he offereth to procure payment for 2 moneths in Brittayne and then he will take the towne of Na. or the Towne of Mo.74

128Memo : this was not performed.

129Order for 22 bands conteyning 3300 footmen shalbe filled up to make 4000 with 700 comprising the officers.

130Memo : 18 cannoniers are appointed to have entertainment of their cheiks besides their pay to be in bands of footmen.

131It was ordered that there should be payd to every comon soldier iii s iiii d the weeke, and the residue of his entertayment to be afterward delivered in apparrell or other furniture, so as a band of 150 foote shall receave weekly xxix L. xxii d in this sort following,

132It was ordered that wheare as paye was heretofore made to 300 men, and that a greate nomber thearof are decayed (?) the officers of the feild should contynue in paye and certayne of the Capts to be cassed, and but 7 bandes kepte one of 200 heades and the other 6 of a 150 making in toto 1100.

133[…] January. Letters are sent to Sr Joh. Norris […] that the french Kinge hathe required further […] soe as her Ma^tie hathe yeilded to paye 5 000 men to be devided into 33 companies whereof 22 to remayne in Brittanie and 11 in Normandie.

134Which weare delyvered to him wheareof weare:

135[Contents of] certayne […] to Sr John Norreys Annis 1592 and [1593] beinge ymployed in France.

136Item the 21 of January

137March 14

138Sr John Norreys writt letters by Mole the Treasoreis deputye, and Smythe in answeare of the former leters sentte to him by Smythe he maketh mention of her Ma^ties Comanndement to demynishe her forces and to discharge ix Captaynes; and to reteyne but iii M iii C men to be compounded of the nombre of the xxii C L^ti that came out of the Lowe Countryes.

139The last of Marche 1593

140Her Ma^tie writeth to him to drawe downe to Granvile and soe to shippe him selfe to Pempole, which letters came to him the 23 of Aprill.

141The firste of Aprill 93

142Letters sentt to Sr John Norreis by Capt. Martyn Leister answeringe his letters of the 14 of Marche reciteinge the contents ther of, and specially to notefie to him her Ma^ties absolute pleasure to retayne but xxii bands makeinge iii M iii C L men, accordeinge to the scedule therof sentt in January laste and if as her writeth the Frenche Kinge will paye the overplus for 3 or 4 monthes her Ma^ty can be content that they shall remayne.

143The order of late sente is also renewed for ymprests to the comon souldior weekely of iii s iiii d where they had before that but ii s vi d. Likewise he is charged to keepe in his band but 200 where it seemeth he keepeth 300, and therfore to helpe one company with a C [hundred?].

144The 19 of Aprill 93

145Letters from the Counsell to Sr. John Norreys reciteinge that wheare it appeareth by his letters of the 29 of Marche he keepets still in charge 32 bandes, wheare before he hathe bene charged to keepe but 22 bands her Ma^ty is greately offended with him, and comanndeth a reformation, and that he shall be allowed paye for his bande of C horses but from the firste of Aprill: And if the Kinge will paye the overplus her Ma^ty wilbe content, but otherwise the burthen will lighte uppon him selfe.

146The 25 of Aprill

147Letters from the Counsell at White Hall (whear the Lo: Treaso^r was not) to Sir John Norreys declareinge the receipte of his letter of the 7 of Aprill wherin he declareth that the forces of the Fr. Kinge broughte to ioyne with the Queenes troupes are in nombre 2 400 Frenche foote unde(r) Monsr. S^ct Luke, and that Monsr. S^t Luke will make upp 200 horse, makeinge noe mention wheare the Marshall d’Aumont is nor what forces he shall bringe. Soe as her Maiestie thinketh that the 2 400 foote, and the patched nombre of horses to the nombre of 600 beinge not agreable to the nomber promised by the Kinge, and consideringe the Frenche followe their services in Mayne and Anioue, and not in Brittaigne her Ma^ty dothe conclude not to spende any more of her treasure or people theare, and meaneth to revoke them presentlye, and as she shall heare from you with speede to sende shippeinge wheare you maye beste come for them for the transportacion hither. And wheare he affirmeth that he hathe 800 unable men, her Ma^ty would have those men sente awaye, and uppon knowledge he shall have a supplye, if theare be cause for his tarryeinge theare.

148The 24th of Maye at Croydon

149Letters to Sr Jo: Norreis receyteinge(receyveinge?) his letters of the 27 of Aprill. Faulte is found with him that he went not to Pempole that by his owne reporte theare are of the Frenche but C horses and under St Luke but 2 000, and yet he thinketh theare are not one halfe. A mislike to sende 500 to Pempole and 1 500 to him selfe. A mislike that he hath not answeared her Ma^ty what nombers he hathe althoughe he shoulde have but 22 bands, yet by a not sentt he hath 32 bandes and not compleete.

150The firste of Auguste 93

151Letters from the Counsell to Sr Jo. Norreys repeateinge the substaince of her Ma^ties letters dated ultimo Julii sent by one S^ct [blanc] for his retorne, and doe sende to him the coppy of hir Majesties letters.

152The XII of Auguste

153Letters from her Ma^tie to Sr Jo. Norreys in answeare to his letters of the VIII of July and the laste with chardge to retorne and to certifie at what porte he will have shippinge sente to him with a perscripte not to come whilest he shalbe hable to give succour to Mont. (Montpensier ?)

154Collections out of letters sentt from Sr Jo. Norreis from the 28 of October 1592 to the 17 of June 1593 declareinge in what places he hathe bene since his departure77

25. Accord passé entre les princes de Conty et de Dombes, à Laval, le 9 février 1592. Copie. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 102

155Le Roy n’ayant rien de plus cher et recommandable que le soing extreme d’aviser aux moyens les plus convenables pour la conservation de son estat contre les pernicieux desseings de ses ennemys qui essayent par [actes de guerre ?]94 de forcer, emporter (un mot) d’icelluy et subjuguer soubs leur domination les plus belles et grandes provinces, ayant considéré que l’une des choses plus necessaires de s’opposer aux entreprises d’iceulx cestoyt par[…] la […]resister à leur effort principal et aux grandes forces par le moien desquelles ils pretendent entrer en son royaume, et d’ailleurs ( ?) pourvoir par autres sollides expedians a la seurette des provinces plus importantes agittées de mesmes incommoditez, sachant de quel prix et importance luy sont celles de Bretaigne et Anjou ausquelles le duc de Mercur s’est rendu ennemy commung, et favorisé des armes et commoditez d’Espagne, […] d’ampietter sur icelles, auroyt sa Ma^té estimé que pour luy arrester le cours de ses advantageux desseings, il estoyt expediant luy opposer Messeigneurs les Princes de Conty et de Dombes a ce que par le moien d’une bonne et mutuelle intelligence, ils eussent a joindre leurs forces ensemble, et entreprendre non seulement la conservation desdits pays, mais aussy d’en chasser les Espagnols qui depuis quelque temps y sont entrez pour favoriser les mauvaises intentions dudit duc de Mercur, parquoy ayant pleu a sa Ma^té faire entendre sa volonté ausdits seigneurs Princes par [courrier pressant ?] se seroyent le VIIIe du present moys reunis et assemblés en la ville de Laval assistez tant d’une part que d’autre des notables seigneurs cy soubzsignez, lesquelz muz d’une sincere affection au service de sa Ma^té repos et soullagement desdites provinces, apres avoir meurement deliberé sur les commandements qu’ilz ont receu d’icelle, ont par ung commung accord et consentement mutuel apres les raisons et opinion de chacun desdits seigneurs desduittes, et par iceulx representé l’estat des forces moyens et prétentions dudit duc de Mercur, arresté ce qui ensuit :

156Que Monseigneur le Prince de Conty mettra ensemble dans le prochain moys de Mars quatre mil harquebuziers et quatre cens chevaulx, et se rendra avec lesdites forces a Chateaugontier assisté de Messieurs de D’anville son lieutenant en l’armée, de Malharne Gouverneur et lieutenant general pour sa Ma^té en Poitou, de la Rochepot, Gouverneur d’Anjou, des seigneurs comte de Montsorreau, Marquis de Villayne, de Pouilly et autres seigneurs particuliers qui ont accoustumé l’assister,

157Comme aussi d’amener et faire conduire avec luy cinq canons de battery, des munitions pour tirer quinze cens coups, ensemble des pionniers necessaires pour la conduitte et service desdites pieces.

158Monseigneur le Prince de Dombes promet au semblable de mettre et assembler audit jour et se rendre audit lieu avec trois mil harquebuziers et cinq cens chevaulx outre les forces composées de celles qu’il a pleu a la Royne d’Angleterre envoyer en Bretaigne, conduittes par Monsieur le général Norreys, du Régiment de Lansquenetz [en surcharge, sans doute de la main de Norreys, 400] et de mil harquebuziers francoys, et sera assisté des seigneurs de ladite province, assavoir des seigneurs marquis de Coesquin, Marquis d’Asserac, baron de Maulac, de Montmartin [en surcharge, gouvernor of Vitry], baron de la Moussaye, de la Rochegiffart et plusieurs autres,

159Promet au pareil se rendre audit lieu avec huit canons et trois coulleuvrines, deux mil balles, et de poudre pour tirer douze cens coups, avec deux cens pionniers,

160Outre ce que dessus, Monsieur le Marquis de Villayne a promis fournir cinq cens balles a canon,

161Le tout acordé et convenu, lesdits seigneurs princes [un mot] que les munitions de guere qui se déprendront a l’ung de leur gouvernement seront remplacés par celuy par lequel ils seront employez,

162Comme aussy que le munitionaire des vivres de Mondit seigneur le prince de Conty fournira les vivres et munitions necessaires pour les armées aux provinces du pouvoyr d’icelluy seigneur prince, ainsi qu’en semblable sera faict au gouvernement de Monseigneur le prince de Dombes par le munitionnaire de son armée.

163Et d’aultant que de dilligence les effetz doibvent ensuyvre, ont mesdits seigneurs les princes promis ne manquer d’une part ny d’autre à l’exécution de ce que dessus ausdits jour et lieu, et sur la proposition faicte d’employer lesdites forces pour le premier effort sur l’une des villes occupées par ledit duc de Mercur sur la frontiere desdits pays d’Anjou et de Bretaigne fermant le passage a l’une et a l’autre province ainsi qu’il a esté proposé d’attacquer [a necessité ?] Craon, Fougeres ou Chateaubriand, considerant que icelluy duc de Mercur pourroyt par advis particullier savoir le desseing principal et par ce moien pourvoyr a ce qu’il jugera necessaire, il a esté advisé que mesdits seigneurs les princes estant jointz avec leurs dites forces prendront telle resolution quilz estimeront pour le mieux, et ont sollempnellement promis et juré d’adviser a tout ce qui sera necessayre au pays et provinces de leur pouvoyr pour le service de sa Ma^té, repos, tranquillité, bien et conservation des subiectz d’icelles, et qu’ilz n’auront rien plus recommandable que par une bonne intelligence resister aux forces de leurs ennemys commungs et secourir les ungs les autres ainsi que la necessité des affaires de sa ma^té le requerra, et y employer tous leurs moyens et forces, mesmes leurs personnes, ainsi que semblablement l’ont promis les seigneurs qui ont assisté lesdits seigneurs princes a ceste entrevue et de se rendre conformes a leurs intentions par tout ou besoing sera.

164Nosdits seigneurs princes ont advisé de requérir ledit sieur général Norreys d’envoyer coppie du present traitté fait entreulx a la Ma^té de la Royne d’angleterre, et de luy depescher sur ceste importante occasion quelque personnage de quallité et creance, pour luy representer (outre ce que dessus) les particullaritez dignes de luy estre fait entendre, comme aussy le debvoir auquel le Roy se mect pour la conservation de sa province de Bretaigne, a ce qu’il plaise à sa Ma^té (ainsi que lesdits seigneurs princes la supplyent treshumblement) de la voulloyt honorer et favoriser de sa grace des forces qu’elle advisera et jugera necessaires et utilles pour avoir dautant plus le moien de s’opposer et d’entreprendre contre les ennemys commungs d’Angletere et de cest estat. Signé en l’orriginal Francoys de Bourbon95, Henry de Bourbon, Norreys, La Rochepot, de Champaigne [en surcharge : Marq. de Villain], Racan, Montsossoreau, de Pouilly, de Coesquin, d’Asserac, Montmartin, de La Moussay, de Rochegiffart. Par mes dits seigneurs les Princes. Le Roy, Grasset.

26. Lettre du prince de Dombes à Burghley, le 9 février 1592. Original. PR0 78/27, f° 98

165Monsieur, je ne scaurois assés dignement vous remercier des demonstrations qu’il vous pleust me departir aux occasions qui s’offrent pres la Royne pour le bien du service du Roy monseigneur et advancement de ses affaires en la province de Bretagne, ainsi que le sr du Perron m’a seu representer, de quoy en mon particullier je vous demeure estroittement obligé. Les surchargements de divers subjets qui s’offrent de jour a autre au Roy mondit seigneur luy ont donné d’assés contraires empeschemens a sa volonté d’envoyer des forces en son dit pais de Bretaigne. Touteffois pour empescher que le Duc de Mercure ne puisse executer la diffinition de ses pernitieux desseings par l’advantage qu’il a de forces ayant esté celles qui sont soubs ma conduitte combattues et assaillyes d’extremes malladyes, sa majesté voullant pourveoyr songneusement a la conservation dudit pays a commande a Monsieur le prince de Conty et a moy de nous joindre ensemble affin que par une mutuelle correspondance nous puissions entreprendre sur ledit Duc de Mercure, ce que nous avons fait au moigns donné temps et lieu pour nous veoyr et conferer ensemble chose qui a esté effectuée, et par la conferance et traitté (dont j’ay baillé coppye a Monsieur le général Norreys pour envoyer a sa maiesté) vous verrés le temps que nos forces doibvent estre ensemble et de quoy elles doibvent estre composées. A quoy Monsieur, l’assistance de sa dite majesté nous seroyt tres favorable, si elle m’honoroyt de me concedder la tres humble requeste que je luy fait de nous vouloyr a ce besoign secourir d’autant que si avec celles dont sommes assurés le secours d’Angleterre nous venoyt si a point cest sans doubte que nous travaillerons beaucoup nos ennemys veoyre les bien battre, encores que leur nouvelle levée de quatre mil espagnols (de laquelle jay advis assuré) feust jointe à eulx. Aussi, Monsieur, cette preignante occasion me convye de vous supplier me departir vostre bonne et acoustumée faveur envers la Royne a ce qu’il luy plaise acorder ma tres humble demande fondée avec les vifves raisons qui vous seront d’ailleurs representées par le dict general Norreys et la suffisance du sieur collonel Norreys son frere qui va vers icelle. Si jay ce bien d’estre favorisé de vous Monsieur en ceste affaire vous augmenterés les [estimables ?] obligations qu’avés desja acquises sur moy, pour m’en acquitter par tous les moyens que je pourroy adviser vous estre agreables, et la province tiendra. l’honneur qu’elle recevra a ung extreme bien repos et soullagement que vous luy aurés apporté. De quoy par la congnoissance que jay de vostre inclination au bien de la France, j’ose me promettre les evenemens estre comformes au desir que jen ay et qui m’occasionne dautant plus vous assurer Monsieur que je suis et seray inviolablement,

166Vostre bien humble et affectionné a vous servir, Henry de Bourbon.

167Laval ce IXe de febvrier.

27. Lettre de J. Norreys à Burghley, de Laval le 10 février 1592 (31 janvier 1591, d.a.). Original. PRO SP 78/27, f° 100

168Compte-rendu des discussions menées entre les princes et leurs états-majors. Choix de l’objectif et moyens susceptibles d’être mis en œuvre. Scepticisme de Norreys sur la capacité des princes à réunir les forces prévues et l’opportunité de cette campagne.

169Ryght Honorable my very good Lord, the toe Princes, accordinge to theyr pourpos, resolved on longe sins mett in thys town of La Valle friday the XXVIII of January, the first accompanied wyth Monsieur de La Rochepott, de Monsoreau, de L’arcan and the Presedent Bergiot, the other havyng wyth hym the Marquis of Quoaquin, the Marquis of Asserac, Monsieur de La Moussay, M. de Monmartin, de Bastenay and the Cussay. On Saterday they asembled in counsell, wher Monsieur de La Rochepott was commannded by the Prince of County to delyver the receyt of the Kinges commanndment for the joyninge of hymself and hys forces wyth the Prince Dombes, for the better enablynge of them both to make theyr warres agaynst the Duke of Mercure eyther in Anjou or Brittany, wyth large discourse howe wyllinge the said Prince was to followe that direction, as well for the annswerynge the Kinges expectation of the good [s… es] of that servyce, as for the desyer he had to assist hys cosin. He was annswered by the Prince Dombes hym self, who grounded hys speech opon the dangerous estat of Brittany, the ennemy havynge taken so great foetynge in yt, and therfore wyshynge theyr fyrst entreprises myght be framed that way, wyth many complements and much rejoycynge at theyr desired meetyng. After them, every man delyvered hys opinion, in divers sortes, but yt was easyly seen that every Anjounier insisted to have the forces imployed toward Crane whych is in that government, and every Breton towards Fougieres. In end yt was agreed on that ech part should sett down what forces they were able to make, what provision of artigliery and munition, and what number of pioniers, and a day and place concluded on wher all the troupes and provisions should be assembled, and those beynge together them to be determyned what servyce should be fyrst undertaken. The perticularityes of thys counsell your Lord shall understand by the copyes of the actes ther agreed on whych I send heer wyth, wher in I fear your Lord shall fynd a great deall more florysh then effect, for fyrst I certaynly knowe the Prince Dombes is not able to bringe above 250 horse and 500 hacquebusiers besydes the Lansquenets whych are 400. The Prince County, as by those that best knowe the estate of hys forces, I am certaynly informed, can not bringe above 1 500 hacquebusiers and 300 horse, for Monsieur de la Tremoulle and divers others that he thought would have accompanied hym are gone to the Kinge, so that the body of theyr force must depend opon our troupe, whych what it is your Lord hath been often informed, but because her Ma^ty may the better know the certaynty therof, as of many other thynges fytt to be reported, I have dispached over my Brother, whom I most humbly beseech your Lord to assist in all such motions as he shall make as well for the generall cause of the servyce of thys contry, as for my own particuler, to the end that the great expectation of thys meetynge doe not faule to the ground, and the default therof be cast opon her Ma^ty wythout whose extraordinary succour, what so ever they heer promis lyghtly to them selves, I am sure ther wyll no good followe to the cuntry, and thus restynge most redy to doe your Lord my best servyce, I humbly take my leave at La Vall thys last of January 1591,

170Your Lord most assured at commanndment. J. Norreys.

28. Compte-rendu en français de la défaite de Craon. 23 mai 1592. PRO, SP 78/28, f° 105-106

171Ayant pleu au Roy commander à Messieurs les Princes de Conty et de Dombes joindre leurs forces ensemble pour s’opposer à ses ennemys et entreprendre sur les villes qu’ils occuppent en provinces de Bretaigne et d’Anjou led. Sr Prince de Conty assisté de Messieurs Dampuille duc de Montbazon, de la Rochepot, baron d’Auvaugour, de Rambouillet, marquis de Villaines, de Picharic, de Raquan, d’Arson (d’Achon ?) et quelques autres et led. sr Prince de Dombes de Messieurs les marquis de Coasquen, d’Asserac, de la Moussaye, de Crapado, de Boisronante, des Pruneaux et autres considérans que la ville et chasteau de Craon estoit la place qui importoit grandement tant à l’occasion du passaige que pour plusieurs autres preignantes considérations ausd. deux provinces voisines, prindrent résolution de l’assiéger et suivant celle qui avoit esté prinse entre lesd. Srs Princes, celuy de Dombes se rendit le XIIIe apvril avecq toutes ses forces pour blocquer lad. Place gaignant à linstant mesme l’abaye et le faulx bourg St Clement en chassant les ennemys qui y estoient venus pour y mettre le feu, et de la part dud. sr Prince de Conty se trouva de l’autre costé de l’Anjou led. sr de Racan avec partye des forces dud. Sr Prince.

172Ledict sr Prince de Dombes recongnoist incontinant la ville qui se trouva bonne et beaucoup meilleure qu’on ne l’avoit estimée y ayant une rivière qui passe le long de la ville et chasteau, les fossés fort creux plains d’eaue et de belles contrescarpes tellement que pour y entreprendre fut advisé qu’il falloit bon nombre d’artillerie dont en fut fourny six pièces trois jours après par led. sr Prince de Dombes : assavoir cinq canons et une coulevrine, estimant que celle de mond. sr le Prince de Conty fut preste avec les autres commoditez nécessaires ce que ne peust pour plusieurs raisons.

173Ledict sr Prince de Conty se rendist en son armée le vingtcinquiesme jour dud. mois d’apvril et quelque temps après envoya son canon et pouldres ceste longueur advenue par la prinse du sr de la Noue Intendant des finances en son armée allant à Tours pourveoir au payement desd. munitions, tellement qu’il se passa environ ung mois avant que toutes choses fussent prestes pour la batterie.

174Ce pendant on travaille aux tranchées et particulièrement à celles du costé dud. sr Prince de Conty qui estoient fort longues et o quantité d’eaue, qui fit escouller environ six sepmaines de temps pendant la fin duquel on tire quelques coups de canon aux deffenses, speciallement à deux tours qui incommodoient le logement des nostres sur la contre escarpe.

175Durant ce loisir le duc de Mercur assembla ses forces qui se trouvèrent pour le moings esgalles à celles desd. deux Princes avecq cinq pieces d’artillerie, lequel fut dans le temps susdit logé à deux lieues dud. Craon et sur la rivière ayans ponts pour passer et prendre sa commodité sur les deux armées les trouvant toutes deux en eschee estans séparée de la rivière.

176Et ayant par luy este recongneu une autre commodité s’approcha à demy lieue d’une maison nommee bouche duziere qui est dans l’encongneure d’une petite rivière qui vient entrer dans celle de Craon de façon qu’il estoit couvert des deux.

177L’armée dud. sr prince de Dombes se trouva de ce costé là s’advança contre icelle petite rivière qui estoit la seul[e] entre deux des armées laissant trois tranchées garnies et la garde de logis.

178Il se fit tout le jour de belles escarmouches et fut empesché led. ennemy de pouvoir rien entreprendre combien qu’il se servy de son canon contre une demy armée qui n’en avoit poinct là.

179Cela tenoit les deux armées séparées tousjours en armes ayant huict tranchées à garder l’artillerie et le logis et une bonne force pour l’escorte des vivres.

180Surquoy ayans lesd. Srs Princes considéré voyans le continuel travail, fatigue et hazard d’estre une des deux armées forcée encores qu’il[s] eussent faict faire bon nombre de ponts pour aller de l’une à l’autre advisèrent par le commun advis des seigneurs qui les assistoient, qu’il estoit impossible de faire la batterie ny d’aller à la bresche ayant une telle armée ennemye sur le bras, et de lever le siège et qu’on passeroit du costé de Monsieur le Prince de Conty pour pouvoir plus aisément retirer l’artillerie en quelque place proche pour en estre fort chargés et avoir les vivres [der…] résoluz de s’oppiniastrer par tous moiens pour forcer led. ennemy à une bataille.

181Cela arresté monsr le prince de Dombes retire son artillerie, la faict passer et apres son armée ainsi voisine de celle des ennemys, et la passa sur les ponts qu’il avoit faict faire à la portée d’arquebuse de la ville sans rien perdre, et gaigna la place de bataille qu’avoit esleu led. sr Prince de Conty où estoit son armée n’ayant esté changée que pour conserver le dehors de ses tranchées, mais il se falust arrester à cause de deux canons dud. sr Prince de Conty qui n’avoient leurs montures, laquelle place estoit distante de la ville de demy portée de canon.

182Lesd. ennemys eurent tout aussi tost passé leur armée par la ville n’osant la passer sur les ponts qui avoient esté faicts et se mirent en bataille sur la contre escarpe.

183Alors commancèrent à s’attaquer les escarmouches venans les ennemys dans les fortes hayes et fossés tout soubs la portée de l’arquebuzade sans qu’ils s’advanensent (sic) d’avantaige, et y fut faict d’aussi belles escarmouches qui se soient jamais faictes en guerre les chevaulx légers desd srs Princes les recongnant souvent jusques dans leur armée durant l’espace de sept à huict heures.

184Et voyant lesd. srs Princes que l’artillerie de l’ennemy passoit et que la place de bataille estoit si près de la ville qu’elle eust fort endommagé leur armée estant leur infanterie lasse et manquer de meches et balles dellibérèrent se retirer en ung villaige près de là où firent acheminer l’artillerie restante pour là attendre une bataille et d’autant que le nombre d’artillerie estoit trop grand en faisoit acheminer partie à Chateaugontier distant de trois lieues de là et lors ordonnèrent leur retraicte ainsi qu’il ensuyt.

185Monsieur le Prince de Conty qui menoit la bataille ses trouppes départies par escadrons avoit devant luy et aux costés nombre d’infanterie pour estre le pais plain de hayes et de fossez, après marchoit monsieur le Prince de Dombes qui faisoit la retraicte avec l’escadron de sa cornette, après luy une autre trouppe de cavallerie suivye de lansquenets et après ung regiment d’Anglois, laissant par trouppes picquiers et harquebuziers derriere se retirant en escarmouchant.

186La ville estoit sur la gauche et près, à ceste cause fut ordonné au droit des lansquenetz une trouppe de cavallerie du costé desd ennemys et au droict des Anglois toute la cavallerie légère dud. sr Prince de Dombes, et sur la gauche plus près desd. ennemys fut ordonné l’infanterie pour garnir les fossez et les hayes et combattre en se retirant.

187Cest ordre acheminé, advint qu’estant dans le pais marchans se presenta quelques ennemys comme il advient sur les retraictes, les trouppes n’observant cest ordre par l’incommodité du pais ou autrement se met une espouvente dans l’armée si grande qu’elle s’en alla sans la pouvoir arrester, encores que led. sr prince de Dombes fit son pouvoir pour ralyer le tout, estant led sr prince contrainct demeurer sur la queue lequel voyant ce désordre alla neantmoings par trois fois à la charge ausd. ennemys avec si peu qui restoit avec luy, à la dernière desquelles il se trouva fort engaigé y ayant led. sr prince receu trois harquebuzade et ung coup de pistollet desquelles toutesfois il n’est offensé.

188Anfin il ne peust empescher que la retraicte ne se fit à Chateaugontier96 au regret merveilleux des gens de bien, et vit devant ses yeulx une armée deffaicte d’elle mesme après avoir si bien faict et si valeureusement que son ennemy ne l’osoit attaquer ouvertement estans suivis trouvèrent l’artillerie par les chemins qui n’estoit encores arrivée à cause de la lanteur de l’attiral et des mauvais chemins, de laquelle ils se rendoient maistres. Voilà comme Dieu est le maistre des batailles. C’est chose advenue aux plus grands monarques et plus saiges guerriers qui n’ont pour cela perdu cœur mais à la fin ruyné les victorieux.

189Il ne (sic) fust perdu par la main des ennemys vingt gentilshommes, peu d’infanterie et ont pour prisonniers messieurs de la Rochepot et Dachon, les sieurs de Lestelle et de Moudon.

29. Autre compte-rendu97 par Anthony Wingfield, lieutenant de Norreys, de la bataille de Craon. 23 mai 1592. PRO, SP/28, f° 71

190After the duke de Mercury was arrived at Chatebrian [Châteaubriant], our princes beganne to hould there comitees what they should doe against him and they all resolved if it might bee to drawe him to fight but untill the 11 of this monthe they grewe to noe particuler that daie they determined that they would with 2 000 men hold all the gardes about the towne firme and drawe out the rest which bie (by) particulers they promised to bee 3 000 foot and verie near 900 horse which they would still loge in the hed of his armie redie to front him on anie waie that hee should undertake. That daie hee lodged at Chatillion a league and half from us where uppon the next morninge they consulted againe wherin it was as they last decreed that they would not thinke of leavinge the seege but would drawe in all ther companies of horse and foote to incampe close uppon our gard and soe to certefie us in all our lodginges as that anie one quarter should bee able to withstand his uttermost charge, all the rest might com in to ther releeffe. Thus beinge resolved an order was given for the execution thereof.

191About ten of the clocke the alaram (sic) came that the ennemie was advanncinge towardes us whereuppon the Prince sent presentlie to mee for 150 to front him in his passage over a smale river which hee must needes com over which I appointed to Capt. Woolfe after whome I brought down 200 more for his second for it was an Englishe mile to the place before the first companies came they had taken all the hedges alonge the river with some companies of there vauntgarde and weare entringe uppon a myll wherin was held a gard of Frenche and was the principall passage, but our cominge upp within lesse then an hower beat them from thoes defences, and held them our selves all there armie cominge presentlie downe whereuppon I drewe theis 2 regements which weare not in garde intirelie downe also there weare 2 companies of horse and 100 lanceknights brought thether. Our cheeffes havinge vewed the ennemies armie all that daie tooke an apprehension that they would bee to stronge for us and there uppon tooke a resolucion to leve the seege and that they would that night drive awaie there cannon and all our bagage from ours to Prince Connties side for the assurance of which retraite wee laie bie the rivers side all that night to hinder his passage and did soe soe longe as wee laie there hee made no more attemptes the next morninge about 6 of the clocke all the gardes in the suburbes and on our side weare aquite (?) whereuppon wee drewe ours also in from the river and passed them in to Prince Connties quarter. But as soune as wee had lefte it the ennemye presentlie advannced over the same river and with his vanntgarde came and skirmished with us uppon our marche and so continuwed yt untill wee came in to our campe de battalia wheare wee entertained a fight with him 7 howers longe at the least with the greatest furie that ever I sawe ainie soe longe maintained which was all done bie our Englishe troopes. In theis fightes wee brought our men at the least 4 times to the pike and gave our horsmen 3 or 4 times occasion of verie gallant charges bie havinge scattered ther foote out of the hedges and diches and bie that meanes brought the ennemyes horses and ours to the blowe of the sword in good troopes twice or thrice in theis charges of our horse wee slue (?) in ainie of thers in our owne vewe.

192About 12 of the clocke the ennemye had uppon a Frenche gard gotten a hedge well trenched which did beat uppon all our battaille which made all our great ones to stagger verie muche from the which place; ours did againe beat them and cleared that place which would otherwise soe have beaten us wheare wee stoode as wee should have bine driven in infinyte disorder to quite that place. Duringe theis skirmishes I did manie times impart unto the Prince and his advisers that in respect of the longe service wee had bine in the daie and night before and all that daie that our men had spent all there bulletts even to the last in so muche that they had not ainie left in respect whereof knowinge there pretence to disloge from thence I told them directlie that I could not in that marche assure the retraite whereuppon they ordeyned that wee should marche awaie next to his owne cornett that the lanceknights and Frenche should make the retraite for us all together and that monsieur Liskaite98 do with ther horse companies should stand to assure them, but as soune as the Prince Dombre his cornett I gave order for ours to marche but the lanceknights whoe should have stood for saufftie of the rest did not onlie marche presentlie awaie but did bie accrosse waie or two: thrust before ours and the French did put themselves out of an orderlie place to gett the start of us also soe as wee onlie weare lefte to supporte the whole for the better affectinge whereof the 2 companies of horse that weare appointed for the strenghninge of them that should remaine ther did bothe uppon the approche of the ennemyes horse in to our place of armes which wee had left abandon there charge and did there disorderlie goinge awaie threnghe a lane that wee weare marchinge did breake our order which gave suche a discuragment to our poore men whoe had in the vewe of the world deserved excedinglie well all that daie as beinge bid this monstrus disorder scattered and beaten uppon everye.

193In ther retraite bie the ennymies shott which for want of bullettes wee wear not able to withstand which was the losse of our leaders and best men for our shott failinge whoe weare without bulletts they wear driven to make it good with ther pikes bie 2 standes one after an other but wear beaten soe bie the stormes of there ennemyes shott as yt was ymposseble to make them good; in theis 2 affrontes weare our captains, officers and gent lost of whome I maie justlie saie wee had a losse for I never sawe men generallie in one daie deserve better then they all did, but it was godes judgment uppon us the impression of that feare which they had before conceaved did then mightelie apeare in the Frenche whoe could bie no meanes bee perswaded to make ainie stand against them. Our cannon and bagage was drawne some 2 englyshe miles to a village called Pomce99 where wee should have quartered of which place wee had hope they would have had some care because it was the last hope of our strenght there the Princes with there cornetts charged wherin the Prince de Dombre lost his cornett he beinge slaine whoe carried yt and himself had 2 shott uppon the bodie of his armor; but they wear so stendorlie(?) followed as yt was a great greeffe to thinke of; for that charge did but give them passage whoe weare before; there was the count Roschpott taken, Monsieur Liscoyt shott and Monsieur de Trefume (?) hurt in the hed, ther wear lost our 10 peces of cannon and culverin with all our bagage, and from thence everie man scattered where they could; Monsieur Lestill100 was taken after this uppon the waie to Chasteguntie whether the 2 Princes came that night and most of the armie wee had there, the next daie 600 of our Englishe came in and the next and anie after that found(?) at Lavall manie of them, soe as I am assured that wee have verie neare 800 men a live but not in servisable troopes above 600 or neare aboutes for they scattered themselves everye waie. The greatest nomber wee lost weare of suche as went with our bagage but the greatest losse was of our Captains and officers whoe susteined the last brunt of all and deserved wonderfull commendation the continewance of 2 daies and a night for the fight beganne on Frydaie about none and seazed verie little [tied?] Saturdaie 3 of the clocke at afternone; for in the night also wee viseted there gardes but in the end god viseted us thorowlie.

30. Copie d’une lettre adressée par le maréchal d’Aumont à Henri IV, du Mans, le 20 juin 1592. PRO, SP 78/28, f° 163

194Sire, il court icy ung bruict que Vostre Majesté n’y vient pas et qu’elle y envoye Monsieur le Maréchal de Biron, ce que je ne puis encore croire. J’ay escript à Vostre Majesté par Monsieur de la Bastille ce que nous avions commencé à faire pour Vostre service. Nous y acheminons tous ces jours les afferes sur l’espérance que Vostre Majesté les trouveroit en bon estat pour y faire ung grant effect à Vostre arrivée, mais je supplye très humblement Vostre Majesté de ne trouver poinct mauvais sy je vous dis que je seoys marry quelle m’y eust envoyé pour y en envoyer ung austre. Je ne veulx céder à personne pour avoir de l’affection à Vostre service et me semble que sy vous aviez la vollonté de luy envoyer que me retenant au près de vous j’eusse bien faict ce qu’il a faict. C’est pourquoy je ne puis croire que ce bruict soit véritable. Je m’asseure que Vostre Majesté ne trouvera poinct estrange sy je dis que je ne luy dois poinct tenir de Maréchal de camp et de luy avoir servy de ce que je pensoys vous servir. Il est en vous Sire d’en disposer ainsy qu’il vous plaira mais sy cella est je vous supplye trouver bon que je ne continue plus icy de faire la beste comme j’auray faict, et que je m’en aille mettre ordre à mes affaires. Sur quoy attendant l’honneur de vos commandements, je prye Dieu, Sire, augmenter et accroistre Vostre prospérité et grandeur.

195Vostre très humble et très obéissant subject et servitteur, Daumont.

196Au Mans, ce 20 juing 1592,

31. Lettre de Montpensier à François Desnos, sieur des Fossés, capitaine de La Hunaudaye, lui ordonnant de rassembler ses troupes en vue de lever le siège de Malestroit. Rennes, le 11 juillet 1592. Original. AD 22, 113 J

197Monsieur des Fossez. Je receus hier soir des lettres de ceulx qui sont dans Malestroit où ils me mandoinct quilz sont bon nombre de gens de bien et tous resoluz à bien deffendre la place jusques à des quilz ayent du secours. Cest pourquoy jay pris resolution de leur mener en la plus grande dilligence quil me sera possible et à cest effect assembler toutes les forces de ceste province veu la facillité qui y est non seullement de secourir led. Malestroit mais aussi davoir revenche de nostre dernier desastre et parce Monsieur des Fossez que je faictz certain estat de vostre assistance en ceste digne occasion je vous prie incontinant la presente receue et en la plus grande dilligence que faire ce pourra vous trouver à Moncontour avec le meilleur nombre de cuyrasses et harquebouziers que pourrez assembler où vous trouverez le sieur de Sourdeac qui vous fera entendre mon intention et masseurant que ne manquerez je demeureray cependant

198Rennes le XI juillet 1592.

199(Ce qui suit est de la main de Montpensier)

200Cappne des Fossés advisés de vous accomoder le sr du Boys et vous lequel des deux me viendra trouver avec tout ce quil a de cuyrasses dans la Hunodaye et le plus dharquebusiers que pourrés. Vostre assuré amy, Henry de Bourbon.

32. Lettre de Henry de Bourbon, duc de Montpensier, à Norreys, de Rennes de 7 août 1592. PRO, SP 78/28, f° 324

201Monsieur le général, Encores que j’estime le sr Wynfeils n’aura obmis à vous represanter comme après avoyr (par sa présance et des troupes qui donnèrent dans Vittré avec luy) fait perdre l’envye au duc de Mercure de l’attacquer, nous fusmes contraints de les envoyer à Ploermel pour conserver aussi la place à la teste de l’ennemy ; si est ce que je ne laisseray de vous assurer, Monsieur le général, que ce qu’a fait en cela le dit sr Wynfeils ç’a esté suyvant ce que je luy ay ordonné par l’advis des seigneurs et cappitaines de mon conseil, et si sur l’instance qu’il m’avoit faitte de les retirer vers luy, je l’ay pryé de les y laisser encores quelque temps jusques à ce que nous voyons l’ennemy plus esloigné de ladite place, qui luy demeureroyt en proye sans l’assistance desdites troupes, ce que je vous represente, Monsieur le général, affin de vous faire juger que c’est l’extreme besoing qui nous y contraint, et vous prier croyre le tesmoignage que vous en donne, Vostre plus obeyssant et tres fidelle amy, Henry de Bourbon.

202A Rennes le viie [aout 1592]

33. Lettre de Anthony Wingfield à Lord Burghley, 7 août 1592 (28 juillet d.a.)101. PRO, 78/28, f° 310

203Nouvelles des sièges de Malestroit et Ploërmel. Les difficultés du contingent anglais. Reprise de Châteaugiron. On désespère de voir arriver en Bretagne le maréchal d’Aumont. Hostilité à l’égard de Montpensier. Recommandation pour le capitaine Sims.

204May it please your Lo. Sinc my last the enemie beseged Maletroit, which after thay had helld out 16 or 18 days, with an aperanc all that whyle that thay woold have continued to doe so still, sodenly the duke having assembled his forces to have hindred that seege att the least, thay compownded with him to departt with there bagage and arms, the town paying 6 000 crowns for not pitting (!) the seeme. Wee look howerly whom Plermell shoold bee invested, whether by the importunitye of the duke, I have sent Cap. Hinder with 200 of ours, for the releef of Maletroit the D. assembled his forces, but that being lost hee dispersed them again, so as Plermell must trust to a good composition, for the which I prepared Cap. Hinder before his going thether, mistrustinge itt woold coom to that, for hee had 2 letters with him from the D. the one willing them not to enterpryse any thing, or to hold any cowncels concerning the town without him, and the other which hee keepeth to himself till hee have cawse to show itt that thaye enter into no capitulation without him. Upon the drawing of these forces together, the D. apoynted mee to martch from Vitrey, but I, in respect of the great povertye of our men, many of them being without armes, and the most without swords, infested so long against him, as I gott means from him to arm and sword those which were without, and borowed 1 400 crowns of him to give them weekly imprests withall, which purpose of going to the wars being broken, and wee marched as far as Renes. We are now quartered at Chatewgiron, within 3 leags therof resonable commoditye. The castell wherof the enemie took lying there, but hee who was left in gard therof, so soon as the enemy went away abandoned the same.

205The D. maketh himself beleev that the Marshall d’Aumont will coom down hether, but thay who know more of this purposes are of opinion that hee will not coome on this syde the ryver of Mein or not into Brittany, in respect that hee will not bee so soon put out of any cours hee shall enter into, as hee is lyke to bee by the Marshall Biron who is still sayd to bee governor of these countries, and only attendeth the resolution out of Ingland before hee will martche; so as the only cumfort of this contry dependeth upon her Ma^ties gratius favor towards the same, without the which thay are lyke to bee extreamly ruined. Msr Montpansier remayneth here till the Marishall bee established, against whose cowncell the gentlemen of the contry grew of late into a great discontentment, and put up petitions unto him, to have them removed from about him, namly Msr de Prenaw, Tebottew, Cnise, and Brasett102, but by perswasion of soom amongst themselves in respect of the small tyme hee had to (journey?) amongst them, thay were apeased.

206The enemie doth dayly vant of the aryvall of there new supply of 4 000 Spaniards, and wee doe very mutch fear them, in so mutch as wee have almost every daye alarms that thay bee landed.

207What mony I have had by all means sinc my coming to Vitrey, I have acquaynted the generall and sr Thomas Sherley withall, so as I shall not need to troble your Lo. therwith.

208This bearer Cap. Sims having importuned mee both in respect of the estate of his bodye and lyvinge, bothe which doe seem to require his being sum small tyme in Ingland; I have presumed to give him leave to take this occasion, wherin I think wee shall have no great imployment hee is one (?) who as hee hath long depended upon your Lo. honorable favour, so dothe hee still humbly crave the continuance of itt, and (dookly?) his very good courses in following thes wars endevour very mutch to make himself worthy of the same. So praying for your Lo. long continuance in helthe, I do humbly end and allwaye rest Your Lo. most humbly in al service. Ant. Wingsfield.

34. Instructions données à John Norreys lors de son retour en Bretagne avec de nouveaux renforts, 2 septembre (23 août d. a.) 1592. Minute. PRO, SP 78/29, f° 59

209Instructions for Sr John Norris Knight appointed to returne into Brittagne to continue his former charge there as Capt. Generall of our forces which are presently there and to be sent thither.

210Wheras yow have, since April was twelvemonth, continued governor generall of our forces at that time sent into Britagne, which were to the number of 3 000, or therabouts, and that the same have bin greatly diminished by death and other accidents, so as the continuannce of so few numbers as remains there are to no purpose for the service of the French King, or for good defence of themselves without renforcement of greater numbers. Therfor we have in those respects assented and yelded to the French King that the numbers there being shalbe encreased to make them 4 000. And therfor yow shall understand that to make up your numbers, which we suppose to be at this present about [blanc] we have ordered 16 bands of footmen of our forces there to be sent out of the Low Countries to be transported to Caen, and so by your order to marche into Britayne with all such numbers as remaine in Normandy under the charge of Sr Roger Williams, and 600 more adde soldiers without officers are in like manner levied here in England, wherof 300 are appointed to repaire to Caen, and 300 to be transported to our Isles of Jersey and Gernesey there to remaine sometime, for the defence of those Ilands, whilest the ennemy is therabouts with shipping, and if no such perill shall continue there, then the same 300 to be also transported from thence to Brittayne, so as by these numbers coming together yow shall have the full number of 4 000. And for that at this present, your numbers in Bretaigne are so decaied, as there are to many Captaines and officers to continue in charge for conduct of so small a number as is there, and the like inconvenience is to be found in the numbers under the governement of Sr Roger Williams in Normandy, having mo[re] Captaines also then are requisite for the numbers, and it may be that the bands comming out of the Low Countries shall not be so complete as there shalbe cause to continue all those Captaines and officers, that shall come with those bands into Britaigne, and considering that it shalbe sufficient for the governement and conducting of those 4 000 sodiers under your charge to have 26 Captaines or at the most 27, we have determined that so many other Captaines with their officers and ministers, as cannot have hereby bands complete to governe shalbe discharged, for the doing wherof we have caused our Counsell to consider of all the Captaines whose bands shall come out of the Low Countries, and of the Captaines that are with Sr Roger Williams in Normandy, and of the Captaines remaining in pay in your governement in Britagne, all which do amount about the number of 41, out of which onely 27 are to take charge of those iiii^M, so as it shalbe requisite to discharge 14 of the said 41. And by cause untill all these bands shalbe mustered, and the sufficiency of their numbers considered, it wilbe hard to determin specially and by name, who shalbe discharged, although we think it reasonnable upon the first sight that the Captaines that have served the lesse time and such as have their numbers most deficient should be rather displaced then the anncient Captaines having their numbers more complete; yow shall have a schedule delivered unto yow of all the said 41 Captaines, and speciall notes and marks upon the names of them who are thought meetest to be discharged, and yet we do not so resolutely determine upon those speciall persons, but that wee leave it to your discretion, if yow shall find any other, that either with their good wills will desire to be cassed or that shalbe fownd of lesse continuannce in service, and lesse furnished with their numbers, then those 14, that have bin thought fit here to be cassed, wherin we think yow shall do well to use the advise of Sr Roger Williams and some others of the most anncient Captaines amongst the whole numbers.

211Item when at your first entrie into this service of Britaigne it was at the first intended that Sr Roger Williams should have bin Marshall of the feld, and second officer there with yow, which was altered by reason of his sodaine sending to Diepe with 600 soldiers parcell of your first numbers, now considering we do direct him and all his numbers out of Normandy into Bretagne to serve there with yow, we do order him to be the Marshall of the feld, and to have the wages belonging to that office, and also to be a Colonell of a regiment there with the entertainment due to the same.

212Item considering this our great charge now having continued there in Bretagne more then a yeare and almost half our numbers now at this present encreased to be a fourth part in charge, we require, and charge yow to have great care, that both our people and our charges may be so regarded as the end and purpose of this our sending them thither may tend more to the encrease of the French Kings service there, then hitherto it hath; and considering it seemeth much more profitable for the King and advancement of his service and preservation of his country to have his maritime towns of that duchy recovered and kept from the ennemy, then sundry inward townes farre in the land, considering also the ennemy hath no way to come into the land but by sea, and by possessing of maritime townes, neither can the inland townes long continue in the obedience of the King if the ennemy or rebells shall possesse the maritime townes, upon those considerations yow shall do well to conferre secretlye with the Kings Generall there, that shall have the conduction of the martiall cawses, and move him to take that course in hands like as we have sent this our advise to the French King, and as we find it most allowed of all wise men of knowledg to be most probable. And if yow shall find thew there with whom yow shall confere unwilling, or not earnest to follow this advise, then yow shall advertise us therof, and yow may boldy affirme to them there, that without they will take this course to recover the maritime townes we shall think the service of our men there but lost, and shalbe forced to revoke them from thence.

213Item yow shall understand that at the time we did assent to have the numbers increased, it was covenanted on the French Kings part by his Embassador here, that before our men should passe over into Britaigne, the King should deliver unto such, as should be appointed to governe our forces there surch a town walled and being a maritime port, as either we or our Gouvernor should require in Britaigne, if the King had any in his power to be delivered or else such one as he might herafter recover, in which towne and port our soldiers might preserve themselves in case of any necessity, and to which port also any of our subjects might repaire safely both with more auxiliarie companies, and with victualls. And besides that it was convenannted that if the Kings soldiers and ours should recover any towne or fort from the rebells or the ennemy by way of composition with the inhabitants, there should be as much distributed of the benefit of such composition to the English as to the French. Of which convenannts yow shall have the copy delivered unto yow, the confirmation wherof with diverse other things in the same contract wee do daily looke for from the French King, the lack wherof is imputed to the sicknes of M. Sancy who was one of the contracters, or rather his death, so as for lack of his accesse in time to the King to informe him of that had passed by contract with the ordinary Embassadors and him, the same is not yet come to us. And though by the contract it be specially accorded that we should not send the new succours into Britaigne untill the French King should have assertained us of his assent to the said contract, and should also have satisfyed us in certaine doubts, so as the contract being passed the last of June, there are almost iii moneths passed, without hearing of any answere from the French King, which hath bin the cause of protracting the time of sending those forces thither, and so may yow justly declare to the Prince, and duke Montpensier, and to the Marshall d’Aumont the very trew cause of the deferring of those our forces sending thither; and yet finding by daily reports the great advantage the ennemy getteth there for lack of more succors, such is our earnest desire to give all ayde to the King that we can as (before any advertisement yet had from the King according to the contract) we have, as yow see, given all the speedy order we can to procure the encrease of our forces there to the number of 4 000.

214Item when wee have assented to find iiii^M men now in Bretaigne for accomplishment therof, we do adde, as we have done the like in the Low Countries, that in every band of CL the Captaines and officers of the bands shalbe accompted parcell of the CL, or of the C, where ther shalbe a band but of C.

215Item when there are the number of XIIII, or XV Captaines with their officers to be cassed to reduce the whole numbers to IIII^M, or if one thowsand mo(re) shalbe levied in England to be paid by the French King then the numbers shalbe V^M, and that so being then such Captaines as are to be discharged may be V partly reteyned, and to have the charge onely of one hundred a pece with their former officers and il like sort to reteyne the mo(re) number of Captaines in pay, if it shalbe fownd that any other Captaines, that have had charge of CL in a band shalbe so weake in their numbers, as they shall not have to be mustered above C heads, then yow shall in like sort reteyn such Captaines with the numbers onely of C allowing them X in the hundred for dead pay, and by this meanes it is likely there shalbe X (?) Captaines cassed except they themselves shall require to be cassed.

35. Rapport d’Antony Wingfield adressé à Norreys, le 7 octobre 1592 (27 sept. d.a.), dans lequel il raconte son errance et celle de ses compagnies, et la façon dont il fut attaqué, battu et fait prisonnier à Ambrières. PRO, SP 78/29, f° 169

216The reasons why I drewe the troopes which I then commanded out of Britany into Main, where I was charged and taken.

217I knowe it hath been repented by some whoe never looked further into the estates of the service then to the outwarde appearance thereof that I might have held our men in garnisons after they were overthrowne at Crane103, untill such time as they had bene supplyed from hence. But I can assure your Lord that longer then they stoode in feare of being beseedged, from the which they will alwaies confesse that our companies freed them, the towne of Vitrey it self which alwaies favored us most of any other, was very leath (?) to holde us onlie in the suburbes of their towne; and did dailie impotune the D [uke] Monpensier to have us from them, till they had obtained it at his handes against the which tarring here unable I was to hould the field, I did insist almost more then (un mot) me, and in deede so far, as I capitulated both for aid (?) and money to relieve and furnishe us withall, until such tyme as I might have order from hence, before I would dislodge from thence.

218After I had bene some tyme in the field, and had order from M. Mole oure vice treasurer to receave 1 500 crownes by bills at Renes and within a while after he himself came unto me but brought provision for 2 monthes weekelie imprestes only, being almost assured at his cominge away of greatest supplyes within that tyme by the generall himself. With this proportion, I showed the companies as longe as it would last, and in that tyme refused no service which it pleased the D. to command me and when this smale store grew to an end, M. Mole having tryed by all the meanes he would, to take up more money to relieve us; but not being able to doe it either in Renes or Vitrey in anie sorte, and the D. and countrey being so far from helping our wants (?) as they would not suffer us to lodge within 4 myles of Renes in any place but exposed us contynually to lodginge of no lesse dannger then that where this [un mot] before, I foresawe that I must either supplye our wants from such places as where our owne store remained, or be subiect to a miserable povertie which would be the cause of breaking that poor remainder of our companies, either by runninge away of our souldiers from the extremity thereof, or disorderly mutyninge against the extremitie of it; where upon I made my suite unto the D. to give me leave to draw unto those parts from whence I might have meanes to fetche money, apparell and armes from Cane104, or standinge in very great neede of them all; and not being able out of so small a number to send any such convoy as might assure the safe coming of those things unto me.

219Moreover by all the letters which I receaved from the Generall he willed me to hould all those companies which I had together whitout admitting anie separation of them; and to seeke to drawe those supplyes unto me which had bene sent not longe before to that end; the one by Lieutenant Morison and the other Lieutenant Slater, th(e) one of them having upon their distent put himself into the army under the Marshall Donmont; and the other into garnison into Pontevesque105 for danger whereof there could be no more convenient place then that whether I went.

220And although these occasions were very urgent to moove me hereunto, yet was I not so voyd of judgment, but that I knewe it to be a journey full of perils, if I should have presumed onlie opon my owne strength. May it please your Lord therefore to understand that Msr de Monmarten did many tymes solicitt me, in the name of the Marshall, and the Marshall himself writt unto me to the same purpose, that I shall obtaine leave of the D. to mertche into those parts; alledging that those companies would give great countaine unto the seidge of Lavall, which he assured me he then pretended to undertake; which if he had done I might without dannger have ben thereabouts till our provision had come from Cane, for his army had beene betwixt the enemy and me; and Msr de Fournaux assured me also, that I should no soon come into those parts, but he would ioyne his regiment of 400 with me, and that himself would alwaies remaine with me.

221Upon these groundes of necessitie and hopes of assurance, I obtained leave of the D. to come that way, in which jorney Msr de Monmartyn with his companie of horse, and Msr de Fournaux went alonge with me till I came to Main. But there Monmarten hearing that the Marshall had taken a resolution to besiege Rocheforte, went presentlie with him, and Fournaux forgetfull of the promise he had made unto me, went to Can, about his own private busines. So as I finding myself alone there, and knowing what small assurance I had to (gather?) safelie the men by reason of the late revoult of the greatest parte of that countrey, after I had dispached M. Mole from thence upon the first daie of September to goe to Can from whence he promised me to retorn in 8 or 10 daies (as he might easelie have done) and sent one especiallie with letters unto the Prince Counti and the Marshall for the sendinge of Morrison unto me with those men he had there, and a letter unto himself signifyind the necessitie of my sending for him and thereupon willing him upon his uttermost perill to come unto me without any delay. The like whereof I sent to Slater for his men at Pontovesque by M. Mole; I drove the companies to La Ferte Maseny [La Ferté-Macé] which is in Normandie neare Can, then where I was and without danger of the enemy where I purposed to attend the retorne of them both.

222From Morison my messenger retorned within 8 daies, but coulde neither bring him nor above 6 of his men away; from M. Mole I receaved letters the 8 daie, whereby his gave me to understand that the death of Msr de Hallet which happened at the same instant, had caused such a tumult in those parts, as that he was entreated by Msr de Varonne governour of Can that our men might be suffred to staie some six daies longer at Pontevesque, till he might put in some other other garnison there. The 11 daie I received another from him that with these men aforesaid he would sett out of Can the 11 daie, upon which daie I knowing that he setting forth from thence the 12 might be at Ambrier which was the nearest way of our retorne) the 16, I sent to M. Mole to let him understand that I would be three the 16 daie, and was so assuring my self to meete them there. But I heare no newes of them whoe came with the convoy, which were Captain Wolfe and Lieutenant Slater till the 20 daye, only M. Mole was come himself the nearest way with a Vidam de Chartres 2 daies before telling me by the comptation of their journeys that they would be with me the 19 daie, yet was it the 20 before I received any newes from them, and then that they were come as far as Danfront [Donfront]. Whereupon I sent presentlie 120 to strengthen them in their passage to me fearing least upon so longe intelligence the Voliers (!) of the countrey might assemble themselves for the love of our money against them; and writt then unto them to mertch as fast as possibly they could to ioyne with me. But as they so unnecessarilie delaied the tyme in all their passage from Can, which was the cause of my long staying in those parts then I purposed, or was needful, so did they in the ende for otherwise they might have ben with me the 21 in the morninge whose cominge had so strengthened me with those men they brought alonge with them, and those which I had sent to them the daie before, which togeather were above 250, and with the provision of armes and powder which they brought with them, as the enemy could not have assailed me. Or had they the day after I was chardged (they then being within the hearing of our shott) come up to our releife; they might have (no doubt relieved us as well as our generall that now is, was after he was put in rowt at the Grane [Craon]) relieved by a troupe of no far greater number whoe by that meanes onlie got the victory of that encounter, after chasing them whoe had him then in chase.

223The true manner of those intelligences which I had before I was charged by the enemy.

224I cannot deny but I receaved advertisements from Msr de Burnef Gouvernor of Main the 18 of September that Msr de Boisdolfin was assemblinge all the forces he could make by himself and his friends to doe some thing in those parts, either against himself me, or the howse of Ecotes which was not far from thence held by our parts. This letter I had no great reason to believe, because it came from one whoe had in my passage that way used me with great discurtesie, and at my new coming to Ambrier sent me a quarrelling letter, for that I was lodged so near his gouvernment. In opinion that he had sent that as many others had don before, onlie to that end to cause me to dislodge, and therefore made him answere according to the the conceite I had of it.

225His second letter I receaved the 20 th at night, which was that Boisdolfin did contynue still to assemble his friends togeather, and that himself was gon out of Laval with those companies which he had there into the field to meete with the rest, unto this because it was confirmed by one from the Vidam de C[h]artres], I gave the more order, and retorned him the kindest answere I could, desering him to contynue to give me certen intelligence of their purposes, that I might accordinglie prepare myself, and write to the Vidam as earnestlie as I could for that purpose, for that my greatest assurance! was in him.

226The last he sent me was the 21 at dinner tyme, which was the daie whereon I was chardged, wherein he wrott that Msr de Boisdolfin was come out of Lavall and lodged in St John sus mayne, which was 21 myles from me. When this came there was a gent of the countrey with me at dinner whoe assured me upon his knowledg that Boysdolfin was at that instant sicke in his bed at Laval, which notwithstanding I writ to Msr de Burnef as before, as thankfully as I could and prayed him that he would if it were possible get notice where he would lodge that nyght, for that with his helpe we might overdoe some good upon him in his quarter I being for my part more desirous to chardg then to be chardged. Within one howr after this letter, the enemy was in our quarter, and this last messenger brought them their last and most assured intelligence both that our companies were yet unjoyned with us, and that we were not in armes no more then upon our ordinary guardes. This the enemy after I was taken confessed to me, and for proofe of it showed me a letter which I sent by him. They tould me also that they had their last intelligence from Burnef himself, by whome they understood howe many men I had sent forth and the time where they should retorne, himself that daie hastening them by letter to come before we should be ioyned togeather or not at all, that Mrs Boisdolfin himself one daie in kindness confessed unto me, and this […] was tould to Capt. Whiststock by some of Bournofs followers after I was taken, which his rere [pendency] with them may be the more miserlie (?) feloonie. In as muche it was aparent to all the world there, that there was not one gent howse in the countrey therabouts out of which there went not two pioniers of their followers sent to the ennemys assistance against me, against any of whome they being all his gouvernement. I could never since my coming out of prison have anie reason; and for better testimony hereof the Marshall being advertised of the truth of it, did write a letter to Captain Woolfe after I was taken, that if he would bring the remainder of theis companies to him unto Rotesfort, that he would give them in their retorne the spoils of 3 of the greatest gent howses in that countrey, who armed themselves against us, and of 20 villages. For that he understood that all the Peisants also had taken armes with the enemy that daie. This letter I have yet signed with the Marshall owne hand.

227This I protest unto your Lord with all the intelligence that ever was given me, which howe indirect it was, you may hereby understand whereupon I thinke no man of warr would have wished me to dislodge before my companies had ioyned with us, they being within so little a way of me, as they were with 250 good men at the least with armes to arm a great nomber whoe were with us unarmed, and with the powder which we wanted in extremitie. In so much as they being ioyned with us, we should have ben more then 600, whereas I was there not above 300 at the most, and able to mertch anie way in more securitie or to have susteined anie chardge of the enemy. And other advertisements then from them two it was not possible for me to have, for that the whole 469 countrey was of the partie against me inso much as they by whome I had at my last being in those parts understoode the estats of all things did refuse to come at me, and all other meanes which I had before used failed me.

228But admit I had had all the meanes that might be to understand the enemies estate and not tyed by such a necessitie to that place as I was, I hope yet that no man will condempne me for being surprised by 1 500 which was by their owne confession the least nomber, I being but 300 armed. And let Msr de La Noe escape free, whoe being generall of the Army in Flanders when he had meanes ynoughe of intelligence, was in the selfsame sorte surprised by a smaller nomber then his owne, had all his army defeated, lost 22 ensignes, and was himself taken prisonner. Here was afterwards no losse reputed by all men then he had ben before. I hope therefore that I shall not be thought lesse worthy then before, for having this evitable well fortune layed upon me whereunto the greatest soldiers that ever were have ben alwaies subiect though being in greater safety then I could be with theise poore troopes.

229The manner howe I was chardged and of our capitulacion in th(e) end

230Upon the first chardg which was given upon the greatest entrance into our quarter which was held by Captain Woolf his company, Dracot whoe commannded Captain Dolphins companie having abandoned his gard which was of 56 men, and strongly barricaded left that of Woolfes, by the reason thereof not defensible, for that it was flanked from his; so as after the first charge susteined by them, wherein Captain Catsby, myne owne ensigne, and manie of the best men there were slaine. At the second chardge the(y) were constrained to quitt the place for that there was brought a piece of artilery against them. During this I finding that the other side of the quarter was also chardged and entred, went myself with some 50 men against them there, and forced them to quitt a great howse which was some 100 paces out of the quarter, and served us after for our restreate which they had then taken, in doing whereof I rescued many whoe were taken prisonners by them and namely M. Mole. This done I put a lieutenant with some men into the howse for the garde thereof, and going back againe to the village, in the entrance thereinto, I found our men all in rowt, for that they whoe were first chardged had quited their defence, and those of the gard of the church which was our maine gard had also quitted theris, so as the enemy having entred there slew many of our men in their retreate, which being so I had no other remedy but to take that howse which I had repossessed ymediatly before. The base court whereof we kept some two howers, till by the fiering of a great longe barne which stood upon the wall thereof, we were constrained to leave yt, for that the heate of the fire made two of our defences unable to be stoode unto, and to be take ourselves into the body of the howse, which also being not long before dismantled lay open in some places.

231This also we held more then two howers even till night, during which defences all of the Captains there, saving captain Blunt and myself, being either slaine or forehurt, as also all the lieutenants saving lieutenant Baynard onlie, all the howse lying full of dead and hurt men, our powder all spent, one of our defences of the howse burning about our eares, the smoke whereof had almost choked us, and a cheefe corner of the howse being on fire; which by reason of our want of powder we could not prevent, being then left to the defence of our pikes only, and many of our men with the terror thereof crying out upon me to make some composition for their lyves, some others who trusted rather to the mercy of the ennemy, then to our hasard, throwing themselves out of at the windowes amongest them, and all of us being utterly out of hope of our succours having so longe attended them, I thought it very highe tyme to call for parley. In which after they had longe staied upon our yelding to discretion, which I would in no wise assent unto, I upon the assurance which the marshall of the army brought me from Msr de Boisdolfin, went unto him, and captain Blount with me, thinking it much more fit to doe so, then to take anie counter pledge into the howse (which they offred to give) where they should so much have discovered our misery, as I doe not thinke that upon knowledg thereof they would not have given us anie conditions at all. When I came to Boisdolfin, he would not in a great while yeld to anie accord but that I should give myself and all the captains prisoners at warr, and all the rest into his discretion, whereunto I would never yeld, holding it in my opinion a thing unwarrantable, either by custome, lawe, or a mans conscience for any man willinglie to espose the life of the meanest soldier unto the discretion of any ennemy; and therefore was breaking of our compitulation. But in the end our accorde was to yeld my self and all the captains prisoners, and that all the rest should paie one monthes pay out of their wage for ransom, for the which I should be answerable, and that I shall have a captain delivered upon my word for his ransom, whoe might with pasport and gard conduct the soldiers to some place of safety.

232This was the last acte of our unfortunate journey whereunto although I was constrained by great necessity, yet may I justlie call it unfortunate for that so many things did concure against me as it was not to be avoided for first if the duke had given me that help in Britany for garnison or otherwise, which he might have done. Or that the towne of Rennes and Vitrey could or would have furnished us of money upon the vice tresorers creditts I had never thought of going that way. If in the jorney Msr de Monmarten and Fournaux had kept their promises with me, I might have bene in safetie, where I was overthrowned. Yea if, after I was thus far, they whoe went four our money and other commissions, had returned within reasonable tyme from Cane, I had mertched out of those parts before this assembly could have bene made against me. Or if our relief being yet in the end so neare us I had come honestlie uppe unto me, I doe not thinke but that they might without difficulty have succored us. But it was gods will to lay his heavy punishment upon us, which for my parte I take it as such.

36. Rapport du duc de Montpensier sur cette même attaque dont fut victime l’armée anglaise à Ambrières, 12 octobre 1592. PRO, SP 78/29, f° 178

233Discours de ce qui s’est passé à la charge faicte sur les Angloys par l’ennemy et les causes de l’accident qui en est advenu.

234J’ay cy devant donné advis à la Royne d’Angleterre comme j’avoys departy les Angloys et Lansquenetz par les villes de ceste province, tant pour empescher les deseings du duc de Mercoeur que pour conserver ces forces estrangeres qui ne pouvoient seurement se tenir à la campagne en attendant celles que nous esperons d’Angleterre, et autres qu’il a pleu au Roy Monseigneur promettre de m’envoyer, Esquelles villes je les ay faict accomoder d’armes et autres choses necessaires durant le sejour qu’ilz y ont fait, sy a propos que tant qu’ilz y ont esté et demeuré, ledit duc de Mercoeur n’a eu moyen d’y rien entreprendre, ayant enfin esté contrainct de separer son armée pour la rafreschir.

235Ce que voyant les Angloys qui s’ennuyeoient d’estre divisez prirent ung subget de se remettre ensemble sur ce qu’il n’estoit plus de besoing de les retenir dans lesdites places, et la dessur me firent entendre qu’ilz avoient expres commandement de ladite dame Royne de ne separer leurs trouppes me demandant aveq tres grande instance qu’il leur fust permis de se rejoindre.

236L’occasion de ce faire se presenta fort a propos sur l’occurrence du faict de Saint Brieuc ou je pris resollution de m’acheminer pour favorizer l’execution du sieur de Sourdéac et a cest effet j’assemblay tous lesdits Angloys, qui se trouverent en nombre de cinq a six cens.

237M’estant mis en chemyn, j’eu nouvelles dudit sieur de Sourdéac comme il avoit esté contraint de quiter le fort dudit Saint Brieuc sur l’advis qu’il avoit eu du secours des espagnolz qui s’aprochaient en faveur de l’ennemy, et cela fist que changeant mon premier desseing, j’allay donner dans les fauxbourgs de Dynan ou je surpris et deffys ung bon nombre de Lorrains nouvellement arrivez dans le pays.

238Apres lequel effect ne me voyant avoyr forces bastantes pour tenir la campagne ou faire quelque entreprise, j’advisay de me retirer à Rennes, et fys loger à troys petites lieues pres de moy lesdits Angloys en attendant des nouvelles de Monsieur le Mar^al d’Aumont qui me les avoit demandez auparavant mon partement, et ne m’avoit pour lors esté possible de les luy accorder ayant necessairement affaire d’eux au voyage dudit Saint Brieuc.

239A Rennes je fuz adverty comme cinq ou six jours avant mon retour ledit sieur Mar^al avoit pris le chasteau de Meyne et pour n’avoir esté secouru comme il desiroit s’estoit departy du desseing qu’il avoit sur Laval, n’estant plus en propos d’y aller mettre le siege, ou touteffoys je m’estois bien deliberé de l’assister non seullement desdites forces angloyses mais de toutes celles que d’ailleurs j’eusse peu mener aveq moy.

240Sur ces difficultez le Sergent Major des Angloys me demanda permission d’aller vers Donfront pour favorizer la venue de cent hommes de renfort nouvellement arrivez d’Angleterre qui estoient a Caen, et retirer quelques commoditez d’argent, accoustrementz, et autres choses necessaires, ce que je ne luy voullu permettre, et luy fiz offre de faire escorter tout ce qui leur venoit par les garnisons des places de Normandye jusques a Pontorson ou il pouroit luy mesme aller au devant sans courre aucun hazard comme il faisoit prenant la route de Donfront, attendu qu’il passoit au millieu des plus fortes garnisons du party contraire parmy ung peuple seditieux et du tout a la devotion des ennemys.

241Touteffoys il ne fut en ma puissance de l’empescher qu’il ne prist la route du Mayne et s’en alla loger a trois lieues de là en ung village nommé Embrieres ou il a fait sy long sejour que le sieur de Boysdauphin a eu tout loysir de recognoistre son logement, l’ordre de ses gardes, et donner le rendezvous aux garnisons de Dol, Fougeres, Chateaugontier, Cran et Laval pour l’aller charger et deffaire.

242Ceste armée ennemye qui se trouva composée de quinze cens harquebusiers et deux cens chevaux, menant aveq soy deux pieces de campagne se rendit le jeudy premier jour de ce moys audit lieu d’Embrieres et donna dans le village ou les angloys ne pouvoient estre lors plus de troys cens hommes ensemble, d’autant que ce mesme jour le Sergent Major avoit envoyé deux cens au devant des commoditez qui leur venoient de Caen, et neantmoins vous pouvez assurer sa Majesté qu’ilz se deffendirent aveq autant de courage et valleur qu’on sauroit desirer, ayant rendu cinq heures de combat ou plus, et tué ou blecé pour le moins deux cens hommes des ennemys, entre autres quatre Cappitaines y sont demourez mortz sur la place, et Lachesnaye Vaullevert106 Gouverneur de Fougeres fort blecé d’une harquebuzade en la cuisse et d’un coup de picque en la teste.

243Les autres blecez sont pour la pluspart gentilzhommes et gens de marque, d’autant qu’alors qu’il fut question de donner, les gens de pied redoutans la reputation desdits Angloys ne l’oserent jamays entreprendre, tellement que ledit sieur de la Chesnaye fut contraint de mettre pied à terre aveq la cavallerye qui estoit pres de luy.

244Le sieur de Boysdauphin voyant la perte de ses hommes et la resollution des Angloys qui s’estans retirez en une grande maison du village de deffendoient de mieux et myeux, enfin s’advisa de les faire sommer de se rendre a luy, soubz promesse de la vye sauve et de toute courtoysye et bon traictement, ausquelles parolles ilz s’arresterent pensant trouver foy ou elle n’estoit pas, et neantmoins s’estans ainsy renduz furent pour la pluspart inhumaynement tuez et masacrez contre toutes les loix de la guerre, et les chefs et capitaines seullement retenuz prisonniers.

245Touteffoys la perte n’a pas esté sy grande qu’on pourroit faire entendre à sa Ma^té, car le Sergent Major qui est du nombre des prisonniers m’a mandé qu’il peult bien encore faire estat de quatre cens hommes ou plus qui se sont ralliez et jointz aveq ceux qui amenoyent leurs commoditez de Caen à Donfront ou j’ay envoyé pour leur faire acheminer seurement en ce lieu et faict plusieurs despesches à tous les Cappitaines et gouverneurs particulliers du pays pour monter promptement à cheval et se joindre à eux à ceste fin.

246Toutes lesquelles particullaritez seront emplement represantées a sa Ma^té affin de luy faire parroestre que le malheur qui leur est advenu ne doit estre imputé faulte d’y avoir voullu aporter tout l’ordre et seureté requise a leur conservation.

247Et affin d’en rendre sa Ma^té plus certaine, je luy envoye la coppye de deux lettres que m’a escrites ledit Sergent Major pour respondre à deux des miennes par lsquelles je taschoys de le retirer du lieu ou il estoit et faire aprocher ses troupes de Rennes tant pour le doute que j’avoys de ce qui leur est arrivé que pour essayer de faire ung corps d’armée, voyant le duc de Mercoeur party de Nantes et venir a Redon pour assembler la sienne.

248Encores non content desdites deux dépesches je luy en voulu bien faire une troysiesme sur mesme subget par ung chevaucheur d’escurye envoyé expres qui est demouré prisonnier à la desfaite, luy mandant expressement qu’il estoit tres necessaire pour le bien du service du Roy monseigneur qu’il me vint trouver et amenast ses trouppes en toute dilligence.

249Je porte ung extreme desplaisir de ce qu’il ne m’a creu et ne desire rien tant au monde que d’avoir la rayson de l’outrage faicte à ces gens de bien, pour lequel effect, j’attens en bonne devotion le secours des nouvelles forces qu’il a pleu à ladite dame Royne promettre d’envoyer en ceste province, dont elle sera derechef treshumblement supplyée et de les faire embarquer (sy ja ne le sont) au plus tost que faire se poura. Faict à Rennes le xiie jour d’octobre 1592, Henry de Bourbon.

37. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, de Portsmouth, le 7 novembre (28 octobre d.a.) 1592. PRO, SP 78/29, f° 262

250Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. Thys morninge the wynd is come good so that I trust wyth Gods permission we shall sett sayle thys eveninge. I thought good to put your Lord in mynd that conferrynge agayn wyth Sr Tomas Sherleys Deputy, I fynd he hath money for us but for thre weekes on munday next, wherof at the least one fortnyght wylbe consumed in unshypping of us and makynge us redy to march, and wyth one weekes provysion yt were not convenient to march into Base Brittany or enter into any servyce of importans; that your Lord wylbe pleased to have care of us, that we have no want, for our soldiers are infynytely geven to mutyny, and that in respect of the great difficulty we shall have the recover the mony sent unto us, the proportion may be the greater. I have cauled unto me all the Captains and Masters of her Ma^es shyppes and conferred wyth them (wythout lettynge them knowe that her Ma^ty intendeth any thynge agaynst St Malos) to knowe wherther (sic) yt were possible for her Ma^es shyppes to contynewe about the Ilands to hynder the contynual entercourse that St Malos hath wyth Spayn and such partes of Frannce as hould for the Leaghe. They all agre that yt is unpossible for any of her Ma^es shyppes of charge should remayn about the Ilands in the wynter, and consequently not to be able to serve for that purpos, but that yf yt shall please her Ma^ty that these syx shyppes and pynases may be imployed to that end about the end of February that then they wyll undertake that nothynge shall come in or out of the town. Heerof your Lord may please to consyder for yf her Ma^ty may please by the sayd end of February to land me in Frannce, about Granvylle, 2 000 men armed, and these her shyppes may be then redy, and such artiglyery and munition as her Ma^ty last grannted unto, I dare venter my credytt that I wyll delyver her St Malos, and I wyll take opon me to bear the charge of the 2 000 men that they shall cost her Ma^ty nothynge after theyr arryvall in Frannce; and in my simple judgment yt were better for her Ma^ty to be at some extraordinary charge, for some pourpos then spend all the rest to no pourpos. Yf her Ma^ty shall lyke of thys course yt may please your Lord to lett me understand yt as soon as may be, that I may therafter frame my directions, for the tyme wyll drawe on a pace, and in thys dephth of wynter we shalbe able to doe lytle servyce wyth these pooer naked men, whom yf your Lord wyll favour wyth theyr wynters apparrell presently, you shalbe cause of savynge many of theyr lyves; yf yt shall please her Ma^ty to send a Muster Master he must be receaved, and the troup wyll requyer one more then ys, but I wyll assure your Lord yf you trust not the Generall better then the muster Master, you wylbe abused. And thus praynge for your Lords health I wyll commytt the same to Gods Divyne protection. From Portsmouth thys XXVIII of october 1592,

251Your Lord most assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys.

38. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, de St-Hilaire, 16 décembre (6 décembre d.a.) 1592. Original. PRO, SP 78/29, f° 364

252Montpensier rencontre Norreys à Pontorson et remercie la reine pour le renfort. Après le siège de Rochefort, le maréchal s’est éloigné de Bretagne. Saint-Luc prépare à Brouage, pour le printemps, une flotte chargée de protéger les côtes de Bretagne où toute action est momentanément impossible. Le duc exhorte Norreys à faire mouvement vers le Maine, lui dit son regret d’être écarté de son commandement, et le déconseille d’attaquer Saint-Malo comme le bruit en court : la place est forte et les gentilshommes bretons en seraient fort mécontents. Norreys regrette le départ du prince. Boisdauphin souhaite voir Mercœur intervenir à ses côtés en Maine. Mais les Nantais poussent ce dernier à attaquer Clisson.

253Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. I found the Duke Monpensier, on Monday the iii of thys present at Pontorsum, come thether only accompanied wythe the Marquys of Quoesquin and a fewe jentlemen more of Brittany, wyth not above 80 horse. He delyvered unto me the cause of hys comynge to be espetially to geve her Ma^ty thankes that yt had pleased her to renewe her assistance, and to advyse howe the smaule troupe I had wyth me myght spend theyr tyme attendinge the comynge of the rest, and the Marshall d’Aumounts approch, who the Duke sayth opon the levyinge of the seege of Rochfort hathe retired most part of hys troupes towards Tours to refresh them havynge geven them the tyme of theyr rendevous the fyrst day of the yeer (after theyr reckninge) at Sablé in Mayn; that St Luc lykewyse was gone to Browage107 to take order for certayn shyppinge that he prepares to lye opon the cost of Brittany thys springe, havynge fully resolved not wythstandinge to be back wyth the Marshall Daumount by the tenth of January, the Duke therfore considerynge that, our troupe beynge so smaule, the Marshall d’Aumounts dispersed, and those of Brittany not assembled, he was not able to put hym self to any entreprise, advised yt to be most expedient, that we should march towards Mayne, and ther about the cuntry, to attend the comynge of the rest of our men, and the Marshall and hym self would assemble the forces of Brittany to be redy to come unto us about that tyme that he should heer the rest of the forces to be redy to joyn wyth us, and in the mean tyme would make provision for the attelage of the artigliery, whych he persuades hym self is come to Jerzay; but I heer nothynge of yt. After the endynge of these matters treated in hys counsell, he had divers private speeches with me, fist (first?) seeminge to be extreem (sic) sory that the Kinges pleasure was to draw hym away from the warres of Brittany, wher he sayd he was most desyrous to spend hys tyme; in hope he should doe her Ma^ty servyce, after he tould me he thought her Ma^ty was not well informed of the strenght of St Malos, whych he understood her desyre […]108 fynd, comes from Monsieur de Poille, who hath reported not only to the Prince but also to divers of the cuntry that her Ma^ty is pourposed to entreprise St Malos, a thynge not lyked of by any of them; and yf her Ma^ty should have any such intent, hys relation of the matter wyll make yt farre more difficult, for yt is by thys tyme knowen, unto those of the town, I could not replye much to yt because I have not receaved any letter of her Ma^es pleasure sins my comynge over. Tochynge hys leavyng of Brittany I aunswered that hys absans as I thought would greatly hynder the Kinges servyce; and soe no dout but yt wyll for the pluralyty of Liuetenants that the Kinge hath appointed, viz: the Marquys of Quoesquyn, in the upper part of Brittany, Monsieur de Surdeac, in base Brittany, Monsieur de Monbarot in the town and territory of Renes, and Monsieur de St Luc to have a superintendens over them all, must nedes breed confusion, espetially yf they be not all overuled by some one of greater autoryty then the Marshall d’Aumount; for the greatest assistans that can be geven to Brittany must come from Normandy, and yf the Duke were ther hym self, he would drawe the greatest force he myght to hym, but yf he shalbe wyth the Kinge, all Normandy wyll follow hym thether. After divers replyes, he seemed very wyllinge to contynew the charge and sayd that the Marshall d’Aumount did also desyer yt, but that of necessity he must goe to the Kinge for some fewe weekes, and after ward yf her Ma^ty thought hym worthy or able to doe her servyce in Brittany so that yt would please her to wryte to the Kinge for hys return, he was assured yt would be graunted. Thys necessity of goynge to the Kinge is only to conclude the maryage wyth the K. sister who is comynge to Tours wher the Kinge pourposeth to come to meet her and finish the matter. The Count de Soysson meaneth to interrupt the matter what he can, and to that end hath sent for all the freendes he can make, wherof many that he hoped for in Normandy doe leav hym, in respect that the Duke is theyr Governer.

254The Duke Mercure hath not yet taken any resolution what he wyll doe. He is extreemly pressed by Monsieur Beaudolfin to send hys army into Mayne to disloge us out of the cuntry, and to keep the Marshall from comynge into Brittany. On the other side he is importuned by those of Nantes to beseege Clisson, a castell that is on the other syde of the Loyr, that greatly trobles that town. Yf he come towards us, he wyll dryve us afore hym lyke sheep and make us spoyle our own freends, so that ther wylbe more exclamation against us then agaynst the ennemyes, and surely yt had been better for the cuntry that her Ma^ty had sent hether none att all then these fewe; yt may therfore please your L. to induce her Ma^ty to make us able to keep the feeld, wherby we may doe her and the Kinge some servyce, or els to make account that all she spendeth heer is wholly lost, and that speedely the losse of the cuntry wyll followe. In the states of Brittany lately held at Vannes, they have extreemly proceeded agaynst the Kinge, and enacted (?) that none of theyr party shall speake of hym or name hym as Kynge, nor converse wyth any that folowe hym, and concluded presently to make choyse of a newe Kynge. Ther is also an advertisment come from Paris whych I dare aunswer to be trew, that Monsieur du Mayne, at hys nowe beynge ther, hath imprisoned and driven out of the town all such as inclyned to the trety of peace, and that ther they have lykewyse condescended to the election of a newe Kinge. These causes requyer not that we should be slack in assistyng the Kynge for he hath need of yt; and the longher yt is differed, the harder it is to doe hym good. Agayn I humbly beseech your Lord to have us in remembrans, that we may knowe what her Ma^ty is mynded to doe wyth us, for yet sins my comynge over, I have had never a letter from Ingland, and thus leavyng to troble your Lord, I humbly take my leave. At St Hillaryes in the County of Mortayn, thys VI of Dec. 1592.

255Your L. most assuredly to commannd, J. Norreys.

256I am forced to venter my letters by our vittelers, the charges beynge so great to escort a messenger of pourpos.

39. Lettre de Norreys à Burgley, de Escochy (Écouché, près d’Argentan) le 20 janvier 1593 (10 janvier 1592 d.a.). PRO, SP 78/30, f° 15

257La reine a promis d’envoyer des renforts. Paimpol et Bréhat étant proposés par les royaux comme place de sûreté pour les Anglais, Norreys suggère que les troupes de renfort s’y dirigent directement. Il juge cette place suffisante pour leur sauvegarde. Cela préviendra une nouvelle descente espagnole prévue pour le printemps dans ces parages. Nouvelles diverses de Bretagne. Norreys redit la confusion que risque d’apporter le départ de Montpensier.

258Ryght Honorable my very good Lord, yt was an exceedinge great comfort unto us to understand her Majesties gratious disposition to reliev us in all our wantes, espetially to assist us wyth more men, whych in truth is the only way to make us able to doe her service, I wyll take opon me to assure her Majesty that ther shalbe no abuse in the Captayns as tochynge theyr musters, and that her charge shall not be unprofitably spent, not doutinge but God wyll blesse our entreprises wherby we may recover our taynted honor: I beseech your Lord to contynewe your furtherans towards her Majesty for the performans of her Royall promis to supply us wyth men money and apparrell, whych beyinge donn yf her Majesty be not well served I am contented the fault shalbe layd opon me, and wheras her Majesty pleased to commannd that a muster roole should be sent over, to the end the state of our strenght myght be seen and no more men sent over then were requisyte, I have accordinge to her Majesties pleasure by my last sent over the bookes of Musters (though the tyme were not fyt for yt) and wyll presently when the companyes of the lowe cuntryes shallbe joyned whych I expect wythin syx dayes, make an other Generall Muster, wherin as in the last I doe take so strict an order, as hardly any abuse can be used; and I could be very well content that some who may be thought to understand what appartayns to that matter were sent over to see and make report of the course that I hould: but thys I humbly beseech your Lord that although by the Muster rooles ther may appeer to be some 2 or 300 men above the 4 000 that her Majesty hath undertaken to intertayn, yet neverthelesse the full number of 1 000 may be sent over, for I wyll absolutely take opon me that her Majesty shallbe charged but wyth her 4 000 and your Lord may well knowe that the only way to have her Majesties numbers full is to have 3 or 400 more, whych alwayes may supply them and yf her Majesty shall please to (venter?) this full charge wyth me for thys sommer I trust to geve so good an account of yt, as her Majesty shall thynk yt well bestowed: heer in I must also make an espetiall sute to your Lord that strayght charge be geven for the good choise of such men as shallbe sent over beynge an extreem robery to her Majesty and her cuntry, to have such men taken up as run away with theyr furniture, and are not able to serve; I dare undertake that of the 1 300 that were last levied ther ran away at least 600 before they were shypped and many that are yet wyth us wyll never prove able to doe service: I must a lytle complayn unto your Lord that toe of the principall meanes for us to doe servyce are stayed or differed to come to us: the artigliery and the horse, whych interuptions make me not knowe howe to enter into any setled course for the warre, yt may please your Lord to lett me know what to trust to in them both. I fynd by a letter from sir Tomas Sherley that some diffyculty is made to allowe my horse company in her Majesties pay, yt may please your Lord to remember that at redinge in the counsell chamber, yt pleased your Lord to agree that I should have them intertayned by her Majesty so that her Hyghness were not charged wyth any more then her 4 000. I assure your Lord I would not have missed them at thys tyme for ten tymes so much as they have cost me, and yet I wyll truly prove to your Lord that the furnishynge of that company and my foetband hath cost me more then the profitt of them both wyll ryse to in one year. The men that yt shall please her Majesty to send over must needes be sent to Caen, whych place though yt be farthere from wher we shall serve then Granville yet is that cost so dangerous as durynge the longe nyghtes and wynter wether, yt is most dangerous for any shyppinge to arryve ther.

259The Duke Monpensier havynge been advertised from St Malo that her Majesty had altered her pourpos for sendinge of the troupes of the lowe cuntryes hether or at the least differed yt for a tyme, sent Monsieur de Mesneuf to me to thys end, that fyndinge the danger we ran into beynge contynually espied by the ennemyes that they myght make some attempt agaynst us, he had advised to geve us some place of retrayt, and ther opon havynge conferred wyth Monsieur de Sourdeac he had induced hym to grannt to delyver us Pempoll and the Ile of Brehac, wher we myght remayn in surety tyll the comynge of the rest of the troupes and in the mean tyme refresh those that are heer. After I have hard [heard] thys proposition, findinge that yt only grew opon an opinion the Duke had, that the companies should not arrive before Aprill, I returned Monsieur Mesneuf wyth thys aunswer, that nowe the companies were landed I would cause them to march wyth all possible expedition towards Mayn, wher finding the Duke, accordinge to hys former determynation, I would be redy to receave all such directions as he should geve me, and as tochynge hys proposition for to geve us a place of retrayt, for as much as I was advertised that her Majesty was pleased to send over some more men to supply our companies, yf so be that I myght receave an assurans under the handes of the Duke Monpensier and Monsieur de Sourdéac, that those places should be absolutely delyvered unto us; that then I would wryte to her Majesty to the end that those men whych were appointed to come hether to supply our bandes, myght be sent thether to take possesion of those places, he hath promised to bringe me aunswer wythin eyght dayes makynge no dout but yt wyllbe accorded. Yt may please your Lord to consider well of thys matter and to remember yt is a good thynge to have a foetynge in a cuntry. Pempoll is but a smaule thynge and newly fortifyed but alredy so stronge as Monsieur de Mercure durst not attempt yt after he had taken the tour of Sesson. The haven is better then any haven in Normandy and the rode of Brehac able to receave most of her Majesties shyppes; the place fytt to interrupt all the trafic that Spayn can have wyth the hether part of Brittany and all Normandy, and by all apparances of the fassion of the Spanish fleet that was the last yeer opon thys cost, they mean to possesse yt thys sprynge yf yt be not prevented; and wyth out that harbour all the fleet had been cast away. Yf her Majesty accept of thys offer then I beseech your Lord that the men may be held redy opon very short warninge, and the matter kept secrett, and as soon as I shall have hard from the Duke, I wyll send one wyth larger instruction to guyde the men thether. Yt wylbe most necessary that the artigliery be hastened and that we have 100 horse more, I wyll undertake that all manners of charges as well of fortifycations, vittayls and any others on thys syde (of) the sea shall be comprehended wythin the charge of her Majesties 4 000 men, and doe hope to doe her Majesty and her cuntry a very good servyce, and so for thys tyme I wyll comyt your Lord to Gods divyne protection, restinge your Lords most assuredly to command. J. Norreys.

260At Escochy thys X of January 1592

261The state of Monsieur de Mercure hys army your Lord shall see by the letter sent heerwyth sins the wrytynge (wherof?) he hath not styrred from the frontyers of Brittany the 1 500 Spaniards last arryved are styll at Blavett wher beynge (besognoes?) they are fassionynge them selfes.

262The Marshall Daumont is looked for wythin four days at Mans, wher Monsieur de La Verdin assembleth some forces for hym, whych as hym self wryteth shalbe 1 500 foetmen and 200 horse. Of Monsieur St Luc we have no newes.

263The Duke Monpensier hath appoinyted the XVIII of thys present [soit le 28 d. f] to be at Domfront and from thens meaneth to joyn wyth us between Alencon and Mayne, whether he wyll goe to the kinge presently or see fyrst some effects of the army, we certaynly knowe not.

264The pluralyty of the Kings Lyuetenants wyll breed a great deale of confusion in Brittany for yt appereth alredy that every one taketh care but for hys perticuler quarter.

265Ther is none so fytt to put them in order as the Duke Monpansyer and yf her Majesty would wryte to the Kinge that he myght contynewe the Government of the army in Bryttany, yt would much further the service.

266St Laurens that was taken at St Brieux is escaped from Guinghan not wyth out suspition that it was with the consent of those that had the kepinge of hym. The Barron of Molac is before the tour of Sesson, but hath no artigliery so that I thynke hym not lyke to take yt.

267We heer the kinge hath differed hys goynge to Saumur and is returned wyth hys army into Picardy.

40. Lettre du sieur Paillo, député du prince de Dombes, adressée à la reine et à ses conseillers. 26 mars 1593 (16 mars d.a). Copie. BL. Cotton, Caligula E VIII, f° 97109

268J’ay esté commandé de mon Seigneur le Duc de Monpensier de venir trouver sa Majesté Serenissime pour luy representer l’estat de la Province de Bretaigne, laquelle avec le reste du Royaulme la supplie, comme par le passé, de luy faire encores sentir les effects de sa bonté contre les nouveaux efforts de l’ennemy, n’ayant autre refuge ny port plus assuré que la bienveillance de Sa Majesté Serenissime, soit contre la pretention de l’Espaignol, soit contre l’usurpation du Duc de Mercueur qui s’efforce de la mettre en proie, & l’eust embrassée davantage sans le grand secours de quoy il a pleu à sa Majesté Serenissime assister le Roy mon Seigneur & Monsieur le Duc de Monpensier lequel, après Dieu, rend à sa Majesté tout l’honneur & la gloire que ses effects luy ont acquis par les armes, & bien que le courage et la valeur, parmy ses autres vertus insignes, luy ayent esté donnée en partage, toutesfois il avoue luy mesme quelles estoient comme languissantes & presque inutiles sans l’aide et faveur d’une sy grande Princesse comme sa Majesté Serenissime qu’il honore sur tout ce que le soleil esclaire.

269En ceste considération il rend à sa dicte Majesté son bon heur, de quoy Dieu a beny tousjours ses entreprises sur l’ennemy depuis le desastre arrivé, les ayans desfaicts par plusieurs fois, comme je suis commandé d’en faire recit à la Royne Serenissime & à vous autres Messieurs de son Conseil.

270Premierement à st Brieu où l’un des principaux chefs de l’ennemy fut blessé et prins prisonnier, toutes les troupes defaictes et deux pieces d’artillerie gagnées, et estoit le susdit Monsieur de St Lorens ; après mon dit Seigneur Duc tailla en pieces cinq cents Lorreins dans les faubourgs de Dinan. Depuis est suivy la reprise de la ville de Malestroit par escale, qui estoit la seule conqueste du Duc de Merceur en Bretaigne depuis sa prosperité de Cran. Nostre Governeur de Montfort a surpris aussi deux chasteaux où ont esté trouvés l’équipage de deux compaignies de chevaux légiers. Monsieur de Sordeac les a battus aussy à diverses rencontres. Le duc de Merceur voyant la fortune ne luy rire plus, faict nouvelle confederation avec l’Espaignol, et tire assurance d’un secours, encores leur promettant des villes pour retraite dans la Province, quy est une consequence trop pernitieuse si on n’y remedie en s’opposant promptement à ces desseins. Le dict duc de Merceur a faict cependant ouvrir un traicté de paix, afin que la Noblesse du Roy mon Seigneur ne se preparast de monter à cheval avec mon Seigneur le duc de Monpensier, et aussy à fin de gaigner le peuple de nos villes quy ne demande que ceste douceur sans regarder les causes et evenements. Enfin le dict duc de Merceur voyant ces artifices inutiles, est sorty de Nantes avec canons et munitions pour attaquer nos places, voyant que Mylord general Norreis n’avoit encores prins port avec l’armée. Sa Majesté, mon dict Seigneur duc de Monpensier, et Noblesse, n’a voulu aucunement entendre à ce dict traicté de Paix, ce qu’il proteste ne faire jamais sans la volonté du Roy mon Seigneur & de la Royne Serenissime.

271A cest effect mondict Seigneur de Monpensier, avec toute la Province, supplie treshumblement sa Majesté de commander une prompte expedition de l’armée, accordée de Sa Majesté, & commandée par Monsieur le General Norreis ; supplient aussy treshumblement sa dicte Majesté d’envoier, suivant leur priere & requeste, jusques à sept canons & cinquante miliers de poudre n’y ayant plus requis dans le païs pour l’advancement de nos affaires.

272La Noblesse de Bretaigne & tout le peuple qui obeit au Roy, n’a autre esperance de liberté pour eux & leurs moyens, que les secours de sa Majesté Serenissime par l’Armee de Monsieur le General Noreis qui trouvera de tres belles forces quy l’attendent.

273A cest effect mon Seigneur le Duc de Monpensier & Messieurs de son Conseil ont faict regler les finances quy avoit esté perverties de passé par mauvaise administration, si bien qu’il s’y trouve maintenant des forces establies, jusques à sept cents chevaux, entretenus aux garnisons, qui serviront tousjours. Oultre cela, quinze cents arquebusiers françois entretenus, quy par consequent serviront tousjours aussy. Puis y a les Anglois & Landsquenets quy sont encore de present en Bretaigne. Monsieur le Mareschal d’Aumont viendra aussy avec son armée, & la Noblesse de Poyctou et d’Anjou, quy luy ont tous promis, & Monsieur le Duc de Monpensier, de l’assister en Bretaigne, apres la prise de Rochefort, à quoy ledict seigneur Mareschal s’est occupé en Anjou, attendant l’armée de sa Majesté & l’armée de Monsieur le General Norreis.

274Monsieur de St Luc est party d’aupres du Roy Monseigneur pour venir en Bretaigne avec de tres belles forces, & est là destiné pour servir tousjours. De surplus, Monsieur de Duc de Monpensier estant pourveu du Gouvernement de Normandie, de quoy il se tient tres obligé à sa Majesté Serenissime, n’a voulu aller prendre possession de son dict gouvernement ; au contraire en a mandé toute la Noblesse pour le venir trouver desirant hasarder sa vie avec tant de gens d’honneur, particulierement estant assiste de si bons Hommes, & venants d’une grande princesse qu’il honore tant comme sa Majesté Serenissime.

275Il plaira donc à sa Majesté donner secours à la Bretaigne des cinq mil hommes demandes & avec les canons susdits & munitions.

276Et la dicte armee arrivant sus les heureux succes que j ‘ ay allegués cy devant, avec toutes les forces predictes qui l’attendent, il y a apparence certaine de rompre les desseins du Duc de Mercueur, & de faire une grande reduction en la Province, au service du Roy Monseigneur.

277J’ay parlé cy dessus de cinq mill hommes, d’autant que j’entens que sa Majesté & vous aultres Messieurs de son Conseil, croies qu’ils sont fournis et en est faict le payement ; sur ce il vous plaira considerer qu’il n’y en a d’embarqué en Flandres que quinze cents, Monsieur le General Norreis n’en a que six cents embarqués, sy bien que c’est fort loing de l’intention de sa Majesté, & de l’esperance de Monseigneur le Duc de Monpensier, je parle de ceulx de Flandres d’autant que Monsieur l’Ambassadeur de France en a eu certaines nouvelles.

278A ces causes, il plaira à sa Majesté, & à vous autres Messieurs, de commander une pronte expedition des derniers mil hommes que sa Majesté a donne de surplus.

279Pour le regard de la descente de Monsieur le General Norreis, Monseigneur le Duc l’a ordonnée en base Bretaigne, à raison de l’isle de Breal très propre pour la retraicte de ses vaissaux, laquelle Monsieur de Kergommar a regaigné sur l’Ennemy depuis quinze jours.

280Le Chasteau de Tonquedec est voisin de la dicte isle, qui servira pour retirer l’artillerie & munitions de la dicte armée de sa Majesté. Apres y a deux aultres places proches des susdictes, quy serviront pour rafreschir les soldats : sçavoir Morlaix & Lannion, où il y etapes faictes, provisions et vivres, tant pour les sains que pour les malades.

281Et est à noter que mon dict Seigneur Duc & son Conseil baille à Monsieur Norreis la dicte ville de Morlaix pour retraicte, laquelle estant fortifiée se peut rendre en un mois imprenable à vingt canons à raison de la mer, au reste c’est un tres bon port.

282La dicte descente de l’armée est fort à propos en ceste coste là, non seulement pour les susdites raisons, mais aussy d’autant que mon dit Seigneur Duc pourra reduire la dicte base Bretaigne en un moys, n’y ayant aucune ville forte & de là tirera de grandissimes deniers, & est lieu fort à propos pour faire guerroyer l’armée. Aussy que oultre la forze du pais, le duc de Merceur sera lors occupé en la haulte Bretaigne contre Monsieur le Mareschal d’Aumont.

283A la dicte descente est ordonné Monsieur de Sourdéac pour recevoir Monsieur Norreis avec trois cents chevaulx, & près de deux mil arquebusiers, & a le Pays entierement à sa devotion.

284Le reste de la Negociation particuliere qui ne se peult escrire, sera declare à sa Majesté Serenissime à sa volonté

41. Discours adressé par l’ambassadeur de France et Montmartin aux Lords du Conseil, 10 mars110 1593. BL, Stowe 166, f° 51

285Bretaigne, X of Marche.

286A persuasive discourse written by the French Ambassador and M. Montmartin to the Estats and deputes of Bretaigne touching honorable favors received from her Ma^ty and also the necessety of surrendinge Pempole and Brehac unto her Ma^tie aswell for her securitye of expences as for a retraict for her forces, sentte to the Lords of her Ma^tes privi Counsell111.

287Messieurs,

288La tresgrande humanite et bon accueil dont a [usité ?] la Serenissime Royne a l’endroit des deputes des Estats de Bretaigne, a vostre favorable et honneste reception en vostre Conseil, ne se peult non plus remercier ny asses recognoistre, que les infinis bienffaicts, singulieres graces et assistances, que la dicte Province a receues de sa Serenissime Majesté.

289Mais considerant la puissance et grandeur de vostre ennemy, le grand usurpateur et plus grand tyran de tout le monde, et qui ne peult torner ny limitter son ambition d’un nouveau monde, desbordant ses rages et furies sur toute la Chrestiente et speciallement et peculierement en la pauvre Province de Bretaigne, là où il a jetté plus de Espagnols, qu’en nulle aultre conqueste qu’il aye entreprice, vous doibt, Messieurs, faire supporter plus doulcement et moderement, les grandes demandes ce qui semblent expressifves, que vous ont faictes lesdicts deputés, qui sont fondés sur la craincte qu’ils ont, de veoir ceste belle et grande Provynce et qui vous voisins de si pres, tumber en la servitude Espagnole, prevoyans leu(r) s autels et leurs foyers, et tout ce qu’ils possedent, pancher infalliblement a une inevitable ruyne si la Serenissime Royne de sa specialle grace, faveur et bonte accoustumee, ne les releve de ceste miserable captivite qui leur est preparee, et en laquelle ils vont tomber.

290Ce subject bien considere, Messieurs, fera juger par vos grandes et rares prudences, que la vertu, le merite, l’honneur et la reputation de leur salvation ne fera moins de trophee et de gloire immortelle a ladicte Serenissime Royne que a ce grand Tiran, l’assouvissement de son ame tyrannicque et incomparable ambition, de leur ruyne et destruction.

291Or Messieurs, il y a deux poincts a meurement considerer et mediter.

292Le premier, principal et plus special cest la conservation de la Religion conforme entre nous, qui doibt esmouver toutes les Ames Chrestiennes et fideles a remuer les contrailles (entrailles ?) de tous les gens de bien et craignant Dieu, pour y apporter le talent et pouvoir que Dieu leur a donne, et mis en mayn, pour la juste deffence, delivrance et establissement de son Eglise.

293Le second, cest la mutuelle amitye bonne intelligence et correspondence qui est graces a Dieu, bien establie et fundee entre leurs deux Majestes pour mayntenir et conserver leurs estats et couronnes contre cest usurpateur universell.

294Il est donc tout clair et notoire, et recongneu de tous hommes doctes qu’il n’y a point d’exemple aux histoires sainctes, ny profanes d’une si specialle grace, faveur et benediction de Dieu sur aucune souveraine Princesse qui ayt regne depuis la creation du Monde jusqu’a ceste heure, que celuy que nostre Dieu a si benignement et favorablement departy a la Serenissime Royne en son heureux reigne et souverainete, qui est une marque et demonstration toute visible, que Dieu l’ayme, la conduict, preserve et conserve, pour mayntenir, conserver et garder son Eglise et ces fideles.

295Toutes ces specialles graces se doyvent rapporter au soing et intime affection que sa Serenissime Majeste a tousjours eu de cercher le Royaulme de Dieu, sa justice et sa gloire, et toutes choses luy ont este adjoinctes.

296De ceste divine source, luy est decoulee sa grande piete et incomparable prudence vertu polliticque et civille accompagnee de clemence et d’authorite pour non seullement regner en paix et justice, en ces florissants estats et Royaulmes, mais comme un soleil et astre divin pour esclairer et donner lumiere a tous les estats, Royaulmes et Republicques chrestienes, et mesmes jusques aux infideles, ayans pour patron et exemple, sa conduicte, sa sagesse, dexterite et son fidelle et bon Conseil, en son reygne si heureux, si excellent, et si admirable, terreur du Pape et de l’Espagnol, consolation, secours et ayde aux bons, courageux et vertueux Princes.

297Et toutes ces graces sont conferees de Dieu a la Serenissime Royne, pour avoir este jusques a ceste heure le ferme pilier, le vray secours et appuy de l’Eglise de Dieu.

298Ce qui doibt entrer en consideration plus que jamais puis que l’une des estoilles qui esclairoit et illuminoit la chrestiente, est tombee du ciel, dans les ordes tenebres de la terre, de laquelle cheute, nous esperons en la bonte de Dieu et en la vertu de sa Majeste que nous l’en verrons enccor releve.

299Cest donc a cest unique flambeau et comme Astre divin ou il nous fault puiser les rayons et clairtes humaines du repos et lumiere de nos pauvres ames et asseurance de nostre religion qui estant si furieusement assaillyes par le Pape et le Roy d’Espagne ont (pour leur souverain but) d’exterminer entierement la vraye piete, pour establir leur tyrannique servitude et ydolatrie.

300Nous ne pouvons donc avoir asile ny seurete humayne que le recours a la clemence bonte et piete de la Serenissime Royne de laquelle apres Dieu, nous esperons le favorable mayntien et establissement de la Religion, et conservation de l’estat de la France.

301Or pour y parvenir, il semble que la Serenissime Royne ne doibt refuser les places que le Roy luy offre et desquelles sa Majeste a faict faire expresses demandes par le sieur de Wilkes, est (sic) qui en estoit par cy devant contentee par les contracts qui en ont este passes. Car tout ainsi que la sagesse de (sic) hommes est follye devant Dieu, ainsi de ces deux petites places Paimpol et Brehac qui sont tant mesprisees, peuvent naistre de plus grands effects, qui tiendront en bride les ennemys de la verité, et des deux estats, quand ils considereront que ceste courageuse nation, en petit nombre, a toujours vaincu le plus grand et qu’il n’y a jamais rien eu de plus redoutable aux ennemys communs que entree ( ?) et fermeté.

302Et fault observer que les subsdites places Painpoll et Brehac, tiendront St Malo et toute la coste de Bretaigne en perpetuelle craincte, et qu’estant fortifies comme il est chose fort facile et de petite despence, tout ce qui voudra venir et trafficquer en la coste de Bretaigne, fault qu’il passe soubs le joug des deux susdites places, estans entre les mayns des courageux Anglois qui par ce moyen tiendront en craincte et en bride les ennemys declares et les feincts amys, qui secrettement desirent et machinent la ruyne du Roy, de la Religion et de l’estat de la France, et sera la specialle conservation de la Provynce de Bretaigne.

303Mais par ces petits degrets il est aise de monter plus hault, car si la Serenissime Royne desire avoir de meilleures places, infailliblement Sct Malo ne peult sauver ( ?) de tumber entre ces mayns, Dinan et Dol qui en sont proches, ne s’en peuvent exempter et la ville de Cancalle ou il y a un bon port fort aise a fortifier.

304Et quant aux moyens de prendre St Malo, ville si riche et tant estimee de toute la France, il est tout certain que c’est un œuvre facille et de prompte execution en premier lieu leurs vaisseaux ne se peuvent garentir que l’on ne les brusle. Prenant Sollidor qui est l’entree du port, il ne leur peult entrer aucun vaisseau. L’eau qui est comme le source de la vye aux assieges leur peult estre ostee en moings de demye heure ne ayant que a coupper les tuaux de la seulle fontene et eaue doulce qu’ils ont dans la ville, et les attacquent au moys de Juing et de Juillet, temps que les citernes sont coustumierement puantes et corrompues, ils ne peuvent durer quinse jours sans crier misericorde. Et les femmes verront leurs enfans a la mamelle, qui sont ordinairement en nombre de deux a trois mil, perire pour n’avoir laict de chevres ny de vaches pour les nourrir.

305D’ailleurs, la Serenissime Royne et son prudent et sage Conseil, doyvent se representer que s’ils quictent et delaissent Paimpol et Brehac, ils n’ont plus aucune seurete que la foy publicque, des grandes sommes qu’ils ont advancees et prestes pour la deffence de la Bretaigne et de toute la France. Et ne fault craindre que la Serenissime Royne ne soit promptement remboursee, quand elle voudra rendre lesdites places. Car les estats de Bretaigne aymeroient mieux que la Serenissime Royne eust telle autre meilleure ville qui soit en ladite Province, d’aultant que Brehac et (sic) le moyen de tenir toute la coste de Bretaigne en sa subjection. Et a este opiniastrement debattu devant M. le Marshall et M. de St Luk que Sct Malo n’estoit poinct plus prejudiciable pour ladicte Province que la dicte Isle de Brehac. Et d’aultant qu’il a este parle de Brest, et que vous Messieurs avies opinyon que lesdits depputes auroient quelque charge de vous en faire offre. Apres les avoir sondes et recerches, et surtout le Sr de Montmartin qui ne voudroit vous menter ny tromper, vous desirant encore de meilleures places je vous puys asseurer que cest chose dont il ne leur a jamais este parle. Et est tout certain ores que le Roy le voulut et que les Estats l’eussent consenty, que le Sr de Sourdeac qui y commande, ne le voudroit bailler, et que quelque traicte qu’il face avec vous, vous n’en verres sortir que des parolles sans aucun effect. Et semble qu’il ne sera difficille si l’on attacque St Malo qui sera infailliblement pris par les moyens susdicts de traicter avec le Roy qu’en rendant Paimpol et Brehac, ladicte place sera mise entre les mains de la Serenissime Royne pour la seureté de ces despences. Et lors le Roy et ceux de la Religion pourront s’asseurer que leurs ennemys declares et les couverts qui font les feincts amys auront telle terreur qu’ils n’oseront plus faire la guerre a la religion et a l’estat. Quand ils se souviendront que huict mil Anglois ont traverse la France donne la bataille au Roy Jean et pris prisonnier ; Et qu’en plusieurs autres lieux ils ont laisse tant d’aultres marques de leurs victoires, qu’ils se peuvent dire avoir tousjours este les invincibles.

306Or si ces choses s’executent et que la Serenissime Royne maintenant rejoyne Pempole et Brehac pour les fortiffier comme j’ay eu par cy devant commandement du Roy de les luy offrir, ratiffie par les instructions du Sr de Montmartyn sans doubte avec une armee de quatre mil Anglois, sa Majeste ne sauvera pas seulement la Bretaigne et en chasser les Espagnols, mais asseurera la prosperite et advancement des affaires du Roy.

307Pour la conclusion de mes deux poincts cy dessus desduicts, je vous diray Messieurs que par ces raisons la religion humainement se peult asseurer, et que les eglises de la France seront plantees et redressees sans oposition ny contradiction. Et que le Roy en ressentira un heureux succes et grande utillite en toutes ces affaires que les ennemys François tant domestiques que declares, auront leurs malitieux et pervers desseings flestris et abbatus. Et que ce grand Tyran qui par toutes ses scelerates et damnables entreprises de poysons et de meurtres, qui attente a la vye et a l’estat de leurs majestes sera perplex et confus, voyant ce que plus il redoubte avoir pied ferme en la France. Et Dieu benira ces bons desseings et heureusses entreprises qui regardent son service, son honneur et sa gloire contre la rage execration et abonination du Pape, tyrannie, cruaute et trahisons execrables de ceste nation et rase (race ?) catholique que Dieu ne laisse vivre que pour le chastiment de nos faultes et desmerites.

308Et en oultre les egl(i) ses reformees de la France en demeureront tellement obligees a sa Serenissime Majeste que l’occation s’offrant d’espandre pour son service jusques a la derniere goutte de leur sang. Si elle y faillent elles demeureront eternellement condampnees pour estre tumbees au vice d’ingratitude detestable parmy toutes les Nations et ceux qui ont faict profession du vray honneur.

309Pour fin, Messieurs, je supplie Dieu vous donner le bon jour avec longues annees, et tousjours aussy heureusement le servir, et ceste grande princesse comme vous aves heureusement commence a sa grande gloire, au repros de toute la chrestiente, et a vostre propre honneur. De Quincton, le X en mars 1593.

310Subscript.

311Messieurs je vous proteste devant Dieu qu’il n’y a que Monsieur de Sct Montmartin112 et moy qui ayent congnoissance de ceste lettre et serions bien marrys que les aultres le sceussent, nous vous supplions donc de ne nous en toucher point en leur presence.

42. Réponse anglaise aux députés de Bretagne, 27 mars (17 mars d.a.) 1593. BL., Stowe 166, f° 78

312England: 17 March 1593. Answere to the deputye of Brittaine.

1. It is very trewe that in all treatys betwixt princes allied and conferated the honnours and contentments of the Soveraynes allyed ought to be regarded for the mutuall defence and conservation have (?).
2. And so also is it trewe that the prince which giveth succours to the prince ought to messure the necessitie of him that is oppressed.
3. And accordinge to the two rules hath the Queens ma^tie had regard to the French kings estate beinge afflicted and hath messured his necessitie and relewed the same with greater succours and charges than can be remembred in any age that any one prince in christendom hath done the lyke.
4. But as the former two rules are generally trew so are they to be expounded as the lawe of nature doth limitt them that is so to healpe and succour the estate of a freind (friend?) as thereby his owne estate may be preserved from danger and so also to healpe on freind as not to neglect allnother.
5. And so hath hir Ma^ty most liberally extended hir frenship to the French kinge as she hath endangered hir owne havinge both wasted hir people and her owne treasure and the comon treasure of hir subjects as is lamentably seene that hir subjects ar endampnified of great somes of money that have ben lent her Ma^ty for the ayd of the French kinge.
6. Hir Ma^ty hath also by hir great expences from the French kinge forboarne these late yeares to furnishe his navye their ordinance and forts and such lyke which presently by the knowledg she hath of the kinge of Spayne great preperations by sea she must with speede prevent in sundry sortes as to make hir navy stronge to provyd victualles for an army to serve in the sayd navy, to put more forces into Ireland and not to neglect Scotland.
7. Besyde this it ought to be remembred, how to help the French kinge hir Ma^ty hath withdrawen certen of hir succours which by contract the States of the lowe countryes do agree.
8. But to answere perticularly to the rest of the articles delyvered by the deputies of Brittayne hir Ma^ty findeth no manie (?) of offers by them to provoke hir Ma^ty to yeld them such succour as they demannd.
9. For in 16 articles there is but one wherein they offer any thinge to her ma^ty and that also is rather a chardge to hir Ma^ty then benefitt which is they will delyver Pempole and Brehack, but with no condition of benefitt to hir Ma^ty for in all other their articles they do restrayne hir Ma^ties people for their may no inhabitants be receaved so as hir people shall have no lodginge and by that meanes the inhabitants shalbe still owners of the towne.
10. The Queens ma^ty governement shall be excluded from havinge any profitt that shall arise of the custome for wyne. And so all the rest of the articles contain provisos for the benefitt and favor of the people of Brytyn what any kynd for the benefitt of her Ma^tes people.
11. And in the end omitting all kinde of other offers they require all that can be devised to be asked, that is increase of nomber of men of warre, artillerie, powders and bullets and for maintenance also of their owne forces they require money from hir Ma^ty the imposition of the wines brought into Pempole they alleadge that with that money must be payed 1 500 Suisses to be sent by the kinge and II^M V^ct French men brytons so as there is no apparance of any other forces to be provided eyther by the French kinge whose promisse was to have had fower thowsand footemen and one thowsand horse under the chardge of marshall Darmont which was now never yet performed nor any hope gyven at this tyme for performance thereof.

43. Lettre de Henri IV à J. Norreys, 22 avril 1593. Original. PRO, SP 78/30, f° 267

313Monsieur, je scay le regret que vous portez de ne veoir voz trouppes employées aussi promptement et utilement pour mon service que vous désireriez, en quoy nous faictes dautant plus cognoistre l’affection que vous avez au bien de mes affaires et ay très grand occasion de vous en scavoir tresbonne gré comme je fais, estant tres marry que les choses ne peuvent en cela estre effectuées selon les résolutions que jen ay faictes comme je y ay aussi le principal interest, mais la consideration du temps y apporte tant de difficultés que plusieurs bonnes délibérations en sont retardées et perdent leur saison à mon très grand regret. Je suis particulièrement fort déplaisant (sic) que mon Cousin le Mareschal d’Aumont ne s’est rendu en mon armée de delà aussi tost que j’en avois faict estat, lequel j’envoye encores à présent haster d’y satisfaire par les lettres que je luy escris et par ung gentilhomme que j’aye advisé de dépescher vers luy et combien que mon intention est qu’il entre incontinent dans la Bretaigne tant pour satisfaire au désir et prudent advis de la Royne madame ma bonne sœur vostre souverayne que pour le bien de mon service, touteffois se pouvant l’entreprinse de Laval faire en peu de jours avec l’assistance des Gouverneurs voysins, il importe tant en mes affayres de la Bretaigne d’avoir ce passage, que je desire bien fort qu’elle soit exécutée ou par mondit cousin ou attendant sa venue si elle ne peult estre si prompte comme j’estime qu’il se peut faire par une bonne intelligence et résolution entre lesdicts Gouverneur et le sieur de St Luc avec vostre assistance et bon advis. Et à cest effect leur escrivant fort expressément je vous ay aussi bien voulu faire la présente pour vous prier de vous y voulloir desposer et y ayder tant de vostre bonne conduicte que de vosdictes trouppes croyant que me ferez ce faisant ung service très agréable lequel j’espère n’apportera grand retardement aux desseings qui sont à faire dans lesdicts pays de Bretaigne où je mande audict sieur de St Luc que j’entends que incontinent après soit donné commencement à faire quelque bon effect mesme au lieu quil m’a dict que vous luy avez proposé pour le désir que j’ay que la Royne soit satisfaicte de la retraicte qu’il a esté promis de ma part de donner à ses forces et vaisseaulx aussi tost qu’il y aura commodité de ce faire, et me remettant à ce que ledict sieur de St Luc vous dira plus particulièrement sur le tout, je prie Dieu, Monsieur de Norris, vous avoir en sa saincte garde. Escrit à Mantes ce XXII jour d’avril 1593. Henry.

44. J. Norreys aux Lords du Conseil, Argentré-du-Plessis, 8 mai 1593 (28 avril d.a.). Original. PRO, SP 78/30, f° 315

314Récit d’une bataille livrée et gagnée par les Anglais et M. de Saint-Luc contre le sieur de Perraudière et les Lavallois. La reine désire que ses troupes embarquent à Granville pour rejoindre Paimpol. Norreys tente de l’en dissuader : le mécontentement serait trop grand chez les royaux. Il est préférable d’attendre le maréchal pour entrer avec lui en Basse-Bretagne.

315Yt maie please your most honorable Lords, Your Lords letters dated the first of this present sent over by M. Lister, cam to my handes the xxiiii^th following, and the reason whie I have since differred to make present answeare unto them according to your Lords pleasures therin specefied, was the extreame danger of the passage, and to send by a convoye the charge therof is found to be so greate as that I knowe her Ma^tie would be unwilling to make allowannce for the same, which hath caused me to think uppon some other meanes, wherby to have them with lesse charge adressed unto you.

316As toucheing that point wherof her Ma^ie especiallie requires answeare I have presentlie by a letter unto her highenes signefied the same, with my opinion therof, wherunto I beseeche your Lords to be referred.

317For the state of the armye and of our retreit from La Guerche, yt maie please your Lords to understand that wee being to passe by a castell or fort of the ennemyes called Montjeahn, with our artilerye that was brought from Vitrey, thinkeing that the feare therof would be sufficient enoughe to cawse them of the place to deliver the same uppon some composition, yt happened that dureing the time of our sejourne (?) there ther fell dailie such store of raine with continuall foule weather as that by reason of the river that wee were to passe (which we understood was therby alreadie greatlie increased) yt was thought best to have the said cannon againe retourned to Vitrey, and not to hazard the same by the danger of the passage. Only our owne peece wee adventured to bring along with us not otherwise knoweing wher to bestowe yt, and to recover the same (if need should be therof) with anie conveniencye.

318The xx^th of this instant towards the evening wee arived at the water side, which wee found to be so highe, as that yt was x of the clock at night before wee had passed over some parte of our cavallerye, whych was doen with soch difficultie besides, as that diverse boyes and horses laden with baggage were drowned in the adventure. For this cawse, that night wee held our men together on that side the water, and the next daie passed them over, and likewise our culvering by meanes of a fery or pont (as this terme yt-sic-here) which I caused to be made, God be thanked, with verie good safetie, which being doen, wee drew home our said troupes to the quarter, leaveing only some 30 men on the other side to make shewe of guarding the passage, least the ennimye should happen to come downe, whom, if they did at anie time discover, then thei were to make their retreit over to an abbaye which stood on the other side close to the river, wher was continuallie held a corps du guard. About noone the Governour of Lavall with his wholle garnison both horse and foote, and as manie Burgours and peasants as he could possiblie assemble together out of the countrie to the nomber of 1 000 or 1 200 men came downe, thinkeing to attempt the takeing of our retreit which thei imagined was not at that time passed over: But some of their horsemen being perceived, the alarm was presentlie given to the said Corps du guarde which Capt. Randoll was appointed at that time with some companies to hold, whoe forthwith without anie further direction ledd over 130 men. So fast as I had knowledge of the alarm, I imediatelie hasted thether and comannded 300 fotemen to followe me, but being comen to the water side, and discovering nothing but a few struggleing horsemen uppon the topp of the hill, I thought it not like that thei would charge us haveing so long marchanded, and therfore I countermannded the soldiers, and would have had Capt. Randoll to retire which he diffeiring. Soone after some of the ennimyes infanterye discovered themselves, and cam to offer a slight skirmishe, I then thinkeing yt a disreputation to make a retreit in all the fight of the ennimye, sent over Capt. Jackson to cawse Capt Randoll to make the place good, and willed Capt. Woolf who laid the neerest to the place to come to assist hime whith 50 shott, giveing order likewise to those in the Abbaye and that where about me to passe also so that thei were about 200 men; and I sent with all speed for 400 more to the quarter which was more a mile of. The ennemyes ledd by the Governour of Laval, one Monsr. Peraudiere, and some 50 cuyrasses came with great furye to the charge but were repulsed by our shott till that thei being overlaied with nombers were forced to retire yet without anie losse saveing that Capt. Wolf was dangerously hurt. Our pikes in stend of goeing to the charge made a hastie retreit the ennemyes being in their necke: Capt. Randoll, Capt. Christmas, Capt. Purley and Lieutenant Jermyn were slaine, Capt. Jackson taken prisonner and some 60 soldiers lost wherof the most part were drowned. By that time that those which whith hurts and greate difficultie were escaped had passed the bridge; our freshe men arrived from the quarter which I presenlie cawsed to charge againe over the bridge notwithstanding that the ennemye gave them diverse volleys of shott being lodged at their advanntage, wee recovered the passage and made the ennemyes to retire. Then haveing woonne some growne, I made an alta (!) till our men were passed. The ennemyes rallied themselves and martched awaie in verie good order their cuirasses makeing the retreit. Before thei had martched half a mile, I haveing gotten together some dosen light horse and about eight cuirasses crawseing (?) 300 fote to followe as fast as they could, I overtooke them, and then enterteined them untill a fewe cuirasses more were come upp and the infantery in fight. Then I went to the charge which was given so sowndely as that the ennemyes horsmen made smalle resistance but breake through their fotemen, and wee after them. The chace dured to the verie suburbes, and by that meanes wee were betwen their infanterye and the towne, which toke over the hedges and threwe awaie their armes. Our fotemen plyed the execution so hotly as that I assure your Lords ther were about 400 of the ennemye found dead uppon the place, besides soch as drowned themselves in the river, all their Capts slained, and above 80 of the cheifest burghers, and not one that carried anie armes awaye. This good successe thus happelie effected with the losse onely (?) of some 2 or 3 men in the followeing of the charge wee marched back againe that night to our quarter. Monsieur de St Luc received the alarm of this action, but before his men could be brought downe yt was whollie performed. That night Monsr de St Luc and my self haveing advised together thought it good uppon this blow thus suddenly given to those of Laval that the next daie before anie more forces were part in an enterprise should be made uppon the towne, and to invest the same on both sides the river with French and Engleishe. But Monsieur de Boisdolphin haveing that night recovered hastie intelligence of his late overthrowe, slacked no time but erre (?) morneing had drawen thether some of the garnison of Chasteaugontyer, so that in this pourpose being prevented wee retired backe againe. Haveing martched within half a league of the towne uppon the performance of that service, Monsieur de St Luc notwithstanding advannced so neer as that they of the towne sallied out and mainteined some skirmish with hime for a whille, to the losse of a few men of either side, and afterwards retired himself in verie good sort.

319It was thought the next daie verie necessarie by myself and Monsieur de St Luc to hasten awaie Monsieur de La Verdine with the cannon unto us, finfeing yet those of Laval mightelie astonished with their overthrowe, from whom we receveid newes by a letter of delaye that the Kings pleasure was that he should in no wise come unto us before the Marschall Daumont were first come downe. By this devise wee were driven to leave the place and to drawe our selves some five leagues downe into the countrie from emongst their garnisons, wher we finde our selves better accomodated for storage and provisions for our people then wee were before.

320The Mareschall d’Ammont hath written unto me a letter wherof your Lords shall herewith receive a coppie. He hath therin made great shewe of his desire to be with us, sheweing how unnecessarie a thing it is for us to goe downe into Bretaigne before his comeing, but I feare the late quarrell betwene Montignye and hime will be a cause that will verie moch hinder his devotion. We have made earnest meanes to the King to send his letters unto the D. Montpensier to take the matter uppon hime, which if her Ma^tie would likewise please to doe the like, I thinke he would not then refuse yt, whose presence would verie moch uphold the estate of theis affaires.

321And as toucheing an answere to that point of her Ma^ts letters wherin her highenes maketh mention to have our men drawen downe from theis partes to Granveile ther to be shipped for Pempoll, with your Lords favour I think it not done without hazarding a generall revolt in the countrie, for that the King being now about to assemble his forces together, uppon the heareing of so moch, thei will never possibly be held together, but seek daily to disband, and then yt will be no smalle time before the like head be drawe together againe, and likewise if her Ma^tie please to continewe that determination, I must them (?) of necessitie have (?) the Kings aucthoritie to his governours in that behalf, without which I shall never be able to doe anie thinge, and therfore in the meane time I dare not so moch as thinke of soch a matter unto them. Thus with my humble dutie unto your good Lords, I take my leave beseecheing God to have your Lords in his most gratious kepeing. At Argentre this xxviii th of Aprell 1593.

322Your Lords most humbly at commanndment. J. Norreys.

45. Campagnes militaires menées par J. Norreys du 14 avril au 7 mai 1593. PRO, SP 78/30, f° 336

323“A collection of the late services don by Sir Jo: Norreys in Brittayne”

324The 4 th of Aprill last, Sir Jo. Norreys came to lodge with his forces at a village called Entrames distant one league from Laval, where wanting vittaills he sent out a partie of 500 men under the leading of Capt. Williams, Capt. Greene, Capt. Baynard and Capt. Roger Smyth, who passing the River of Mayne mett with a paysant that brought them to a village called St Supplice 2 leagues from Chataugontier, where was lodged the regiment of Ruaudière, he himself being gone but 2 hours before to Boisdaulphin at Chateaugontier. Our men charged into the village, slew divers, and the rest retired into the chuch, where they were fired out, and putt all to the sword, saving the capt. called La Touche whom they toke prisoner, and brought manie horses awaie. The number of th’enemies slaine was about 200.

325Five daies after, the Generall passed the same River with his culvering and th’one half of his able men, accompanyed with Monsieur Sent Luc and some of his troopes, and marched to a towne called La Guerche in the borders of Brittanie, for they had intelligence that the D de Mercure had determined to make his Rendez-vous at that place. Th’english over marched the french and came thither before them. The first charge was geven to Collonell Sherleys regiment, who comming into the suburbs beatt th’enemie back into the towne and lodged in the counterscarpe with the losse onlie of 2 men that were slaine, and 4 hurt. The next daie they skirmisht with us all daie, where a collonell of the french was hurt hard by the Generall. That day came to us Monsieur Montmartin with 2 canon from Vitrey which with our culvering were planted that night. The next morning which was Good Friday, when they had discovered our canon, they called for a parley, and so yealded the place, the capt. and officers prisoners, the rest to departe onlie with a white wand in their hands. In the towne some good horses were found. The place is said to be razed.

326After this, Monsieur Montmartin retourned with his 2 canon to Vitrey, and the Generall with his culvering and forces marched homewards to Entrames where he had left the rest of our forces under the charge of Capt. Morton. Seaven daies after being fridaie, and the 20 of April, he came to the water side, but found the water so hie as he had much a doe to passe over his men and horses in 24 houres, the men being forced to wade upon the bridge above the knees and glad to make a punt for the culvering to passe over, and it was Sunday morning the 22 April before it was cleane over. All this while there were 2 gards held by the water side, of which one garde so soone as the canon was past over, was called awaie, th’other stayed for Capt. Smythes companie, which was lodged on that side the river; they being both come downe, th’enemy discovered himselfe about noone to the number of 20 horse, and sodainlie upon the hill were 500 more seene, all which charged home (?) upon our men, and after some quarter of an houre fight, putt them to the worst. Some wryte we lost not above 60 but others said there were the fewer found in th’army by above a 100. The Generall upon this tooke th’alarm hott, and with some 800 men passed the bridge againe with much adoe, and yet time ynough to their cost for there were some 20 of the Generalls horse that sodainlie and unlooked for of th’enemie, charged in the reareward of them, brake them, and scattered them, and thereupon the foot falling in whith them did such an execucion as there is generallie reported to be slaine and drown’d of them betwene 5 and 6 hundred, of which most were of the companie of Perrauldiere Governor of Laval, himselfe escaping verie hardlie. The chase was followed almost to the verie suburbs of Laval. There were taken but 4 prisoners, of which one was an Englisman, who the next daie was broken upon a wheele. The number of th’enemy that came out of Laval to this service, was 1 200 souldiers and burgars, and of them divers Capts. and men of verie good worth.

327Of ours were slaine in the first charge, Captain Randolph, Capt. Christmas, and Capt. Purley, and Capt. Wolfe so sore hurt as since he is dead, M. Jermyn Collonell, Sherleys Lieutenant drowned, Capt. Jackson taken prisoner, and not anie one prisoner but he. M. Mackwilliam that daie charged bravelie in the head of the troope, onlie in his dublett (pourpoint) and hose, and in fight with 12 receyved a great hyrt in the face upon the brow (?) betwene the eyes, and on the shoulder had his dublett cutt in the seame, and a gash in the shoulder as long as a finger, and yet no dannger in neyther.

328Since these services the Generall wrote ernestlie for Monsieur La Verdin Governor of Mans to come and meet him with his troopes113, and he expects daily the Marshall d’Aumont to ioyne with him. So soone as they shalbe ioyned, they will besiege Laval as it is presumed.

329In the same letters there is mention made of the great sicknes and mortalitie of our men in th’armie, which hir Ma^tie may please to have a consideration of, that some supplies may be sent over speedilie for the strengthning and savering of the rest that yet remayne. In the same likewyse the deputey viztreasurer complaines of the difficultie and almost impossibilitie of carying the treasure from Caen to th’armie, he having ben laid for twice in passing the last supplie whith above 800 of the enemy, betwene Caen and Mans, and of the great charge and expense about convoyes which he is forced to take up by all places as he passeth.

46. Monsieur de Saint-Luc à la reine Elisabeth, s. l. 10 mai 1593. Original. PRO, SP. 78/30, f° 334

330Madame,

331Jay differé jusques à maintenant d’ozer escrire à Vostre Ma^té pour lesperance que j’avois d’arriver plus tost en la Bretagne, & my estans rendu plus capable des afferes en donner conte à Vostre ditte Ma^té & recourir à elle comme à la bonne seur de mon Roy qui a tousiours si grandement fait parestre son zelle & juste affection au bien de ce Royaume. Mais mayant fait entendre Monsr. le general Norris quil depeschoit vers Vostre Majesté, jay pensé en attendant ne devoir retarder plus long temps, au moins à vous supplyer tres humblement, Madame, m’honorer tant que disposer de ma fidelitté & tres humble devotion, tous les effets de service que le peril de ma vye pourra produire en cette province. Nous avons icy sur cette frontiere trop perdu le temps à attendre Monsieur le Mareschal qui avoit promis de si rendre des le 22 du mois passé. L’armée ce pendant a esté occupée à ce que nous avons jugé faisable, dont je croy que ledit Sr général fait entendre à Vostre Ma^té les particularités, & combien il est nécessere Madame que Vostre Ma^té veuille encor renforcer le service, le rendant capable de résister aux ennemis, estant choze claire & quil fault confesser, que si la main de vostre Ma^té liberalle ne sauve cette Bretagne, que d’aillieurs je ny voy que beaucoup de perils estant la Magesté du Roy mon Maistre si occupée en ces autres provinces que celle cy particulièrement assaillye d’une puissante main ennemye doit de mesme estre secourue d’une qui ait de quoy y aporter remede, ce que Vostre Ma^té seulle peult. Lon avoit parlé de deux mil Wallons que ceux des Estats voulloict envoyer en cette armée. Si Vostre Ma^té deignoit en fere instance audit Roy mon Maistre & à Messieurs des Estats à ce que cest article inseré au contract passé entre sa Ma^té tres chrétienne & vostre Ma^té fust accomply, ce seroit un beau service & que je juge nécessaire, autrement ce que nous pouvons ne sera que rester sur la deffensifve, et augmenter lorgueil & les esperances des ennemis qui pourront fere des effes & progres avantageux à leurs afferes. Vostre Ma^té trouvera bon sil luy plaist, ce que je luy en represente, & que recourant à elle pour le bien general des afferes de nostre Estat je luy proteste en mon particullier tout le tres humble service que peult rendre à vostre sacrée Ma^té, Madame, celuy qui prye Dieu pour sa prosperitté & qui sera tousjours son Tres humble & tres obéissant serviteur. St Luc.

47. Lettre114 de J. Norreys à Burghley, 16 mai 1593 (6 mai d. a.), de Chammes (à l’est de Laval). Original, PRO, SP 78/31, f° 9

332Nouvelles de Bretagne : Mercoeur a pris Rostrenen et a investi Corlay. Moncontour est menacé, comme Paimpol qui risque d’être perdu si la reine n’y pas déjà adressé un renfort conséquent. Sourdéac s’inquiète aussi du sort de Brest. Le maréchal s’approche de Bretagne et annonce des effectifs que Norreys juge trop optimistes. Les troupes anglaises sont affaiblies, seul un renfort conséquent leur permettrait d’agir efficacement. Un Anglais suspect de connivence avec les Espagnols a été arrêté près d’Alençon. Norreys demande des instructions à son sujet. On dit que Mercoeur a cédé Auray aux Espagnols.

333Yt maie please your Lord, I have presentlie receaved advertisement that Monsieur de Mercure hath taken Rosternan115, a castell in base Bretaigne not farre from Ghymene116, and that presentlie after he did invest Corley which is not like to hold hime long worke because thei canne be in litle hope of succour, which being taken yt is most apparent that he will undertake Monconter117 and so to Pempoll, so that if her Ma^tie have not alreadie sent to take possession of those places, yt will be toe late. Yet I thinke Monsieur de Kergomart, who hath the comandement in those places next to Monsieur de Surdeac will give her Ma^tie notice of their approache from those quarters, for he will be as moche afraide of Ghinghant which is his owne garnison as of the rest. I am still of opinion that her Ma^ties best course is to send 5 or 600 men to ktnklo ymv ert goymv [Pempol and the Iland] with some proportion of victualls and munition, and that ydtha sllv gdkkoa xt qtme el xhqmst qm ert yhng [avery food supply be sent to bringe in the arms], for I assure your Lord that wheras in a former dispatche I wrot unto your Lord that wee were elt erldgymv yxot utm, ert gqwpmtg qg qm gdwr glhe gmwhtygtv erye ettyht mle mlet bldhettm rdmuhtv [toe thousand able men, the sicknes is in such sort increased that wee are not nowe fourteen hundred]. Ther must also letters be written from Aries [Queen of England] to the Governour of Westment [Brest] to give hime knowledge what Aries [the Queen] intendeth for the pourposes above mentioned, especiallie to encourage hime with the comeing in of the armie least he take another course, for it maie be that Mondaye [D. Mercury] maie entreprise to xttgtst Westment [beessege Brest], for he hath xi wymmlmg nyhwrqms [cannons marching], and wee heere he loketh for store of Amphora from Scorpio [shipps from King of Spain]. These reports are doutfull what is yet donne in the river of Burdeaulx, and yet moch hoped that the Spannishe armie is beaten, but it is most certeine that Blay is declared spannishe and revictualled. I have yesterdaie receaved letters from the King and the Marshall, the copies wherof I send to your Lord. By that from the King your Lord shall see that I have complained of the unprofitable spending of the time, and now what course his Ma^tie desireth to have held with his armye. The towne spoken of in his letter is Islington [Morlaix]. The Marshall promiseth his speedie repaire to the armye, and hath sent for soch companies as are apointed by the King to come to hime viz Mongomerye, La Vardin, Cossefeuile, Pisherie and Rochepott. I doubt his comeing will not be so sone as he wrighteth, but now he is on the waie it cannot be long before he be here, and he will make the more hast for that as is said. The King hath given hime the absolute commanding of Bretaigne, which I the rather beleve, because the King hath apointed the D. Montpensier to lead his armie in Normandie, which wee saie here is donne to hinder the disseins of the Comte Soyssons whoe assembled some troupes there. To end withall, I beseeche your Lord I maye with all importunetie recommend to your Lord the speedie dispatche of this supplye wheron dependethe onely the good or bad successe of the Kings affaires in Bretagne, and if her Ma^tie doe not resolve to make this armye stronge enoughe to enter into that countrye before harvest, yt were then as good for her Ma^tie to revoke us all as to consume her subiects and do the King noe good, and if her Ma^tie did nowe when, yt is of most importance spend 5 000 lb more then ordinarye. I will assure your Lord to save more then that in the winter. And thus hopeing to understand her Ma^ties pleasure from your Lord verie shortelie, I humbly take my leave. At Chames118, 6 may 1593.

334I had omitted to advertise your Lord that certeine gentlemen about Alançon have taken an Engleisheman prepared as they saie to goe in Spaine, who nameth hime self Hauward [ en marge, de la main de Burghley: Haward] and sonne to the Erle of Arondell, thinke they have a greate prise of hime and loke for greate reward from her Ma^tie, for they said hime self offereth greate ransome. I have desired them and so I thinke thei will staie hime till her Ma^ties pleasure maye be knowen. I cannot yet discover what he is, they saie he speakes Greake, Latin and all other languages and was once taken and should have bene sent into England when my Lord Wylloby was at Caen but that he escaped; by this meanes, your Lord maye knowe what he is. I must also put your Lord in minde that the artillerye which her Ma^tie hath appointed for Bretaigne maie presentlie be sent thether, for otherwise the armie will be unprofitable. I have also receaved certeine advise that Monsieur de Mercure hath given to the Spannish another place called Auray, which is uppon the haven that in your Lords sea cart is written Morbean119, being a place of farre greater receit than Blavett, and the haven as good. This place they fortefie with all expedition because of the danger of the passage. I have advised to send unto your Lord two letters of one same tenor by severall wayes.

335Your Lord most humbly at commanndment. J. Norreys.

48. Lettre de J. Norreys à Burghley, 5 juin 1593 (26 mai d.a.). Original. PRO, 78/31, f° 86

336Norreys rencontre enfin d’Aumont et lui fait part du ressentiment de la reine. Justifications de d’Aumont et son récit du siège de Rochefort. Menaces sur Paimpol. Demande de renforts.

337Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. The Marshall D’Aumount arryved at Sable on Munday, the XXI of thys present, whether on Tuesday I went unto hym wyth Monsieur St Luc. I let hym understand her Ma^es discontent for hys long absens and that the tyme was spent unprofitably wythout any servyce donn to the Kinge, and that such troupes as were promysed by the contract to joyn wyth her Ma^es forces, wherby they myght march into Brittany were not yet assembled, lettyng hym farther know that sins her Ma^ty sawe no apparens that any advanncment could growe to the servyce of the cuntry by thys manner of proceedinge, that her pleasure was to revoke her troupes, he made me thys awnswer that the Kinge immediatly after the contract agreed opon, had sent hym wyth an army not much lesse then the numbers mentioned in the contract, to come into these partes, wyth whych army he tooke the castle of Mayne; and then thought to have found her Ma^es forces heer, whych beynge ioyned wyth the Kinges would have been sufficient to have entred into Brittany, but they not beyng arrived, he findinge hym self not stronge inough to attend the Duke Mercure, who then had turned hys head towards hym, was forced to put hym self beyond the ryver of Loyr, and ther wyth advyce of the Kinges lyuetenants undertooke the seeg of Rochfort, hopinge to have been able to have taken that place by that tyme that her Ma^es succours should be arryved, but fyndinge the seeg more difficult then he looked for, wherby he not only fayled the takinge of the place, but also ruyned hys army, so that he was forced to geve lycens to the rest, whych yf he were not so soon able to assemble agayn by reason of many contrary accydents that fell out, he desired her Ma^ty not to be offended therwyth, sins nowe he had layd the foundation of an army and did not dout but very shortly to furnish the numbers promised, and to take such order that they should be contynued, to whych effect he would presently dispach some gentleman of account to the King, desyringe her Ma^ty lykewyse to cause her cumpanies to be suplyed to the full numbers mentioned in the contract, wythout the whych he douted that safely he could not passe into Brittany, or beyng ther could not undertake any thyng to the advanncynng of the Kings servyce. These and such lyke reasons he hath promysed to wryte hymself to her Ma^ty; in the neare tyme he wryteth to all the gentlemen appointed for thys servyce to repayr unto hym, and by the proportion that he hath sett down, I thynk he wylbe able to assemble 7 or 800 horse, but what the number of hys foetmen wylbe I can geve no assurans tyll I see them, but I am very sure that except her Ma^es troupes be supplied he wyll never be able to passe into Brittany. We are styll advertised that munday [D. Mercure] doth hould hys purpos to xtgttst ktnklo120 and that he hath tryed by all possible meanes el wlhhdke ert wykeyam121 whych is lyke he may perform yf our army be not entred into the cuntry before erye koywt xt xhldsre qmel intwtjaeq122. Ther is also an advis come to Monsieur St Luc that ert sldthmth lB westm123 is ndwr vqgkotygtv124 wyth the delayes used in thys matter lB ktnklo125 and the rather for that 120 Swises that the King sent hym were all cut in peeces as they were on theyr way; and Monsieur de St Luc doth suspect that ert gyav sldthmth lB westm cao mle vtoadth ktnklo eao rt gt ert yhna wlnt mtth dmel ae126. Our sycknes doth continuew and neyther captayns nor officers free from yt ymv Btc erye rydt xttm gqwz vlt tdth wyha ertah yhntg ysyam127, so that yf her Ma^ty doe attend to have any servyce donn we must xt gdkkoatv caer ye ert otyge elt erldgymv ntm128 and that must be donn wyth all possible expedition yf yt be not already in hand, wyth thys caution styll that her Ma^ty shall not be put to any extraordinary charge. I beseech your Lord also that yf her Ma^ty doe contynewe thys servyce, I may contynewe my sute for the leavy of fyfty horse wythout the whych I assure your Lord I am not able to mayntayn my company, whych is so necessarary (sic) for us as I dare presume to say wyll save 500 mens lyves in a yeer. The Marshall tould me that he had understood that her Ma^ty for our supply did determyn to send those Inglysh that are in Normandy to joyn wyth us whych yf yt should so faule out we should be but lytle the better for them, for that yt is heer certaynly reported that they are not 600 able men, and by that tyme they shall come to us they wylbe many lesse. To end wythall, I beseech your Lord I may recommend to your grave consyderation the care of thys warre, that eyther we may be mayntayned in such sort as the King and the cuntry may receav benefytt by yt to her Ma^es Honor, or els her Ma^es subjects and charges spared, and thys troup wyll not contynew in state to doe servyce yf at the least twyse in the yeer yt be not supplyed wyth fyve or 600 men at a tyme. The example of the Spaniards may teach us who though they have the commodity of good havens to bringe them al thynges they lack yet are they supplyed every thre monethes wyth 4 or 500 fresh men. Thus expecting your L. aunswer tochynge her Ma^es resolution, I humbly take my leav. From St Denis d’Anjou, thys XXVI of May 1593, Your L. most assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys.

49. Lettre du maréchal d’Aumont à la reine Elisabeth, 26 juin 1593. PRO, SP 78/31, f° 127129

338Madame,

339Depuis que je suis arrivé en ceste armée, j’ay faict une dépesche à vostre Majesté où je luy ay mandé bien particulièrement, comme toutes choses passent icy, la diminution de nos trouppes et le besoing qu’elles ont d’estre promptement rafraichies pour le suppléement de voz hommes que les maladies ont beaucoup diminués avec ceulx quy s’en sont allés, de façon Madame qu’aujourd’huy nous pourrions estre prests de faire quelque chose de bon sy nous avions le reste de forces qu’il vous a pleu promettre, les forces que le Roy a promises aussy de sa part estans toutes prestes, suivant le mémoire que j’en ay envoié à Monsieur l’ambassadeur que vostre Majesté verra s’il luy plaist. Ce nous est ung extresme déplaisir Madame que ne puissions mieux emploier le temps quy s’est perdu que ne faisons, en quoy je suplieray très humblement vostre Majesté y apourter le remedde que nous en attandons selon sa bonté acoustumée, car auttrement il est à craindre que nous ne perdions encore cest esté quy seroit une desfaveur extresme au service du Roy et au bien de la Bretagne, quy me faict supplier treshumblement vostre Majesté de vouloir envoier ce rafraichissement à vos dites trouppes aussy promptement que la necessité le requiert, car sy elles eussent esté complettes nous eussions desjà attaqué deux villes que je m’assure nous aurions maintenant réduittes en l’obéissance du Roy et parce que V.M. n’ignore pas combien la diligence et promptitude sont requises à la guerre je me promets, Madame, que nous envoieres d’autant plus promptement le secours que nous en espérons de vostre bonté, avec lequel et ce que nous avons Dieu nous fera la grâce de produire de sy bons effects en Bretagne que voz Majestés en seront contentes et satisfaictes, vous supliant treshumblement Madame que le renfort qu’il vous plaira envoier soit de trois mil hommes s’il vous plaict, lesquels avec ce que vous avez icy ne pourront pas faire plus haut que les quatre mil qu’il a pleu à V.M. promettre d’envoier. Il est vray qu’il y a des malades que l’on espère s’ils guérissent pouvoir revenir à quatre ou cinq cens dont nous serons d’autant plus fortiffiés, mais aussy nous les paierons et solderons fort bien, et pour tenir V.M. advertie des forces que peut avoir l’ennemy auquel nous avons affaire, il y a au moins de sept à huict mil hommes de pied dont il y a trois mil espagnols, et mil chevaux, par là vous pourrés juger, Madame, de l’inégalité de noz forces aux siennes et du besoing par conséquent que nous avons qu’il plaise à V.M. haster le partement du secours que nous en espérons, supliant le Créateur,

340Madame,

341Conserver V.M. en trés parfaicte santé, trés heureuse et très longue vie.

342Au camp de Loué, ce XXVI me Juing 1593

343Vostre très humble et très obéissant serviteur, Daumont.

50. Lettre du maréchal d’Aumont à la reine Elisabeth, 27 juin 1593. Original. PRO, SP 78/24, f° 251

344Madame,

345Aiant achevé la depesche que jenvoie a vostre maiesté jay esté bien esbahy des nouvelles que Monsieur le general Norreys mestant venu voir ma apourtees. Comme vostre Majesté le rappelloit, a loccasion que vous croiez que le Roy n’avoit pas satisfaict aux forces quil auroit promis mettre enssemble pour servir en Bretagne, je lay supplie Madame, de superceder encore, & jusques a ce quil ait aultre commandement de vostre Majesté esperant qu’aiant veu les lettres que je vous ay cy devant escriptes et celles que je vous envoye maintenant vostre Majesté cognoistra que le Roy a satisfaict a ce quil a promis, de sorte que sil vous plaict Madame, nous envoier le reste des forces quil vous a pleu promettre, nous ferons quelque choze de bon. Car vos trouppes quy sont icy, estans complettes et au nombre que vostre Majesté a promis denvoier selon sa bonte acoustumee & le bien quelle procure a ce pauvre estat, nous entreprendrions et executerions, ce que ne pouvons faire pour les raisons que jay plus particulierement representees a vostre Majesté quy me gardera de vous en importuner de plus long discours que pour vous suplier derechef treshumblement Madame, de nous vouloir envoier en diligence le secours que nous attendons de vostre Majesté, affin que ne perdions pas ceste saison quy est sy chere supliant le Createur conserver longuement, Madame, V.M. en tres heureuse & tres parfaicte sante.

346Au camp de Loue, ce xxvii me Juing.

347Vostre treshumble et tres obeissant serviteur. Daumont.

51. Lettre de J. Norreys à la reine, 27 juin 1593 (17 juin d.a.), PRO, SP 78/31, f° 134

348Norreys n’est toujours pas en Bretagne. La reine a décidé de révoquer ses forces. D’Aumont s’en émeut et tente de la faire revenir sur sa décision. Norreys, qui s’inquiète pour sa fortune, espère retrouver un commandement, mais en Flandres.

349Yt may please your Sacred Majesty. By toe dispaches alredy sent from hens, and nowe by thys also, I have geven account to my Lords of your Ma^es Counsell of the causes that have moved me to dyffer my goynge into Brittany, and to forbear the cassing of the companies, so that I dout not but yt wyll affect that I have been suffitiently waranted therto, and therby your Ma^ty fully satisfyed. I have also delivered to the Marshall your Ma^es resolution for the revoking of your forces, which hath geven hym a very great alarme. He sendeth over to the Ambassador to informe your Ma^ty of the state of the Kinges forces, whych he hath geven me a note of, also signed by hym self, the copy wherin I send to my Lords of your Counsell, and because in hys list he hath sett the numbers wyth the most, I have corrected them to the least. In the mean tyme he hath very ernestly intreated me to stay from leavynge the army, consydering howe much yt importeth the Kinges servyce, tyll I shall receave farther order from your Ma^ty, whereunto I have condescended, as well because the commandment I receaved from my Lords was conditionall and therby (as I take yt) no suffitient warrant for me, as also for that it is not expedient for us to come to the water syde tyll such tyme as we shall understand that shyppinge is alredy come thether or very neer comynge, and then we wyll use all dilligens that may be to come to our port of shyppinge. Nowe that your Ma^ty hath [decided?] to wythdraw your forces, I beseech your Hyghnes to permytt me to be an humble suter for your Ma^es leav to make a passage into the Lowe Cuntryes whych I am enforced to, for to seeke some meanes from them for the payinge of my detts, whych in respect that they owe me a great deale, and that they can not forgett the servyce I have donne them, I hope they wyll not refuse me, and then in all humilyty I wyll also beseech your Ma^ty to geve me leave to cary these men into the Indies, wher I trust God wyll favour me soe as I shall imploy them to doe your Ma^ty great service, these last refuges I am dryven unto, understandinge that your Ma^ty is not pleased to discharge my fathers land that is bound to your Ma^ty for my dett, whych is such an extreem greefe forth (?) to my Mother and hym self as I trust thynke yt hath been the cause of theyr sycknes, and besydes that litle land that was lett me by my Grandfather, whych is all I can looke for to mayntayn me, is engaged and lyke to be lost yf by some such adventure, I can not fynd meanes to redeem yt. Yf by the(e)ffect of that viage I can make my self more able to serve your Ma^ty, ther is none that shall wyth better devotion hasard hys lyfe for your Ma^es service then my self as one that besydes the bond of my duty am (sic) vowed and wyll alwayes contynewe,

350Your Ma^es most dutifull subiect and servant. J. Norreys.

351From Vallon in Mayne thys XVII of June 1593.

52. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, de Saint-Pierre-La-Cour, 17 juillet (7 juillet d.a.) 1593. Original. PRO SP 78/31, f° 211

352Mercoeur s’est rapproché de Rennes, mais sans l’attaquer. Rumeurs de débarquements anglais à Lannion et Brest. Grande mortalité chez les Espagnols. Mercoeur préfère se replier sur la Basse-Bretagne travaillée par Sourdéac. Il pourrait assiéger Moncontour et attaquer Paimpol si les Anglais n’y sont pas. Le maréchal attend ordres et renforts du roi avant de s’aventurer en Basse-Bretagne. De même Norreys à qui la reine vient de donner l’ordre de rembarquer. Il demande confirmation. L’état sanitaire de sa troupe s’améliore, mais pas sa situation matérielle. Sablé tombe aux mains des ligueurs. Le maréchal veut la reprendre et sollicite l’assistance des Anglais.

353Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. We were contynually advertised for these XV dayes that Monsieur de Mercure was pourposed to march wyth hys army towards us and to that end was come thre leaghes on thys syde (of) Renes. But yesterday we had an advyce that he was retyred back agayn as far as Montfort whether intendinge to beseege that place or to retyre any farther back into base Brittany. We have yet no certaynty, the occasion of thys hys retraye we impute to many uncertayn brutes that have been shredd in the Dukes army of her Majesties sendinge some forces into base Brittany for yt hath been written from the ennemyes themselves that 2 000 men were landed fyrst at Lanion then at Brest; and all thys proceedes of the comynge of those four companies to the Ilands; an other cause is thought to be an extreem beginninge of sicknes amongst the Spaniards who, as we are advertised, doe dye alredy XX and XXX in a day, but the lykest connection that we can make of hys intention is that havynge understoode of those men arryved at the Ilands, and thynkinge them sent to take the possession of Pempoll, he douteth that they, assisted by Monsieur de Surdeac and the other troupes that myght be assembled ther, should so much terrify those of Base Brittany that they should enter into treaty wyth the sayd Monsieur de Surdeac and accord hym some great contribution (whych is the thynge that Monsieur de Surdeac cheefly shootes at), and therfore he wyll hould hys army neer those partes to hynder any attempts that shalbe made opon the cuntry, and yf he shall see that ther be no apparens of thys army to come neer hym, then yt may be he wyll beseege Moncontour, whych is a place not to hould longe yf the army doe not approch to succour yt, and afterwardes he may attempt Pempoll yf he fynd that the Inglysh doe not enter into yt. Those of Renes doe very ernestly sollicit the Kinges forces to be drawen neer unto them, but I fynd the Marshall to have no disposition to march that way tyll he shall understand her Majesties resolution for suppliynge of her troupes, neyther would I agree therto tyll I knew her Majesties pleasure, remembring that by the last dispach I was commannded to drawe the cumpanies neer to the sea syde to attend shyppinge for theyr revocation: yt wylbe therfore very needfull that her Majesties resolution be spedily had, for the tyme of the yeer passeth apace, and tyll her troupes be made strongher, both french and Inglysh, wyll remayne unproffitable. Our sycknes is not so great as yt hath been, but our soldiers much distressed for want of apparrell, at the comynge of the vicetresorer last from Caen we sent for all that was to be had whych was so litle as doth us no good. And thus not havynge any thynge els at thys tyme to troble your Lord, I most humbly take my leave, from St Piere de La Court between Mans and Mayenne, thys VII of July 1593.

354Your Lord most assuredly to commannd, J. Norreys.

355As I had ended thys letter the Marshall hymself came to my lodginge bringinge the yll newes of the losse of the castell and towne of Sablé, the Governer therof cauled Landebry beynge poignarded by hys own folkes and the ennemyes beynge brought in firste to the castell by ladders of cordes and then after into the town. The place is of very great importans seated opon the ryver of Sartre, by the whych the ennemyes have nowe a passage into those partes of Mayn, Anjou and Normandy whych they had not before. The Marshall hath resolved to beseege the place to seek to recover yt agayn, and to that end hath sent for all such companies as are appointed to hym. He was so ernest wyth me to joyn wyth hym in thys seege alleging the importans therof, as I could not refuse yt hym, as well for our reputations as that I dout the whole cuntry would become our ennemies yf I did refuse yt; and undertaking of yt, except her Majesty doe very quicly supply us, I can looke for no better issew of yt then of that of Cran, for we see that Monsieur de Mercure hath never left any place beseeged unsouccoured; and yf her Majesty send us any lesse then 2 000 men besydes those that are already sent to the Ilandes, yt were as good we had none att all; and I humbly pray your Lord they may not be stayed or lessened under culler of charge, for yf theyr should growe any overplus of charge we would rather bear yt our selves, then hasard to have our throtes cutt. The commodyty of the convoy requyreth such hast as could not have leysure to wryte to my Lords of her Majesties Counsell, and therfore I must beseech your Lord to acquaynt them wyth the contents of these letters. J. Norreys.

53. Lettre du maréchal d’Aumont à la reine Elizabeth130, de Sillé, le 19 juillet 1593. Original. PRO, SP 78/31, f° 216

356Madame,

357Ayant escrit desja troys foys à V(ostre) M(ajes)té depuis mon arrivée en ceste armée, je vous supplieray tres humblement me pardonner si je vous importune encore de ceste quatriesme lettre sur le subject des précédentes, ne pouvant pardonner à ceste commodité pour le zèle que je porte au service du Roy mon Maistre & au vostre Madame ; et parce que j’ay cy devant bien particulièrement représenté à V. M. l’estat des affaires de deça, & le dépérissement que les maladies ont causé à vos trouppes qui sont icy, je n’useray point de reditte, crainte de vous ennuyer, ains vous supplieray tres humblement, Madame, nous vouloir envoyer le renfort et rafraischissement dont elles ont besoing. Mays qu’il ne soyt pas s’il vous plaist de mille ou douze cens hommes seulement, car ce seroyt une despence inutile & qui ne torneroyt à aulcun bien ny advancement du service de Vostre Majesté, ains de troys ou quatre mille pour le moings si V.M. désire que nous facions quelque chose de bon en Bretaigne comme je scay que c’est vostre intention, & si vous aviez agréable, Madame, de nous en envoyer jusques à cinq mille, je donneroys ordre de paier & soldoier si bien le surplus des quatre mille qu’il vous a pleu destiner pour le service en Bretaigne, que V.M. je m’assure en auroyt du contentement qui me faist vous en supplier treshumblement, Madame, et croire que j’accompagneray de tant d’affection & de diligence le vœu que j’ay faict d’y servir dignement Vostre Majesté que l’on cognoistra qu’il n’y en pouvoit estre destyné un plus désireux de s’y bien emploier que moy, qui ne vous escriray jamays, Madame, que la verité & comme les choses passeront en ladicte Province. Il plaira doncq à V.M. nous envoyer promptement s’il luy plaist le dict renfort avant que le reste de cest esté expire affin que nous en puissions prevaloyr à la prise des deulx places qu’il fault de necessité que nous reduisions devant qu’entrer en Bretaigne. Pryant Dieu, Madame, conserver V.M. en très parfaite santé très heureuse & longue vie.

358Vostre très humble & très obéissant serviteur. Daumont.

359Au camp de Sillé ce XIXe juillet 1593.

54. Lettre de la reine Elizabeth à d’Aumont. 30 juillet 1593 (20 juillet d.a.). Minute. PRO, SP 78/31, f° 233

360La reine y répond, de façon virulente, aux demandes et justifications répétées du maréchal, et le rend responsable des errements de la guerre en Bretagne.

361Monsieur le Mareschall, We have receaved as yesterdaye being, according to your accompte, the XIX th of this monethe, ii of your letters, dated almoste one monethe paste before they were presented to us, and this daye following another letter of a later date. By perusin of all which your letters, we perceave in them all your earnest request to have us reenforce our trowpes there under Sr John Norreis, to make them to be 5 000 men, with such as are already there which yow accompte to be but 1 200 men, besides a number sicke. For the overplus above 4 000, yow write that they shalbe there payd, and yow have also sent to the King’s ambassador a memoryall in writing to informe us of the causes why yow have not for the space of theise 8 or 9 monethes brought the forces that were promised by the French Kinge, and for the conducting whereof into Brittanie. We are certenily informed that yow had both the Kings commandment and money also delivered yow for collecting of the said forces and to conduct them into Brittanie. But in perusing both of all your letters and your memoriall, we must deale planilye (?) with yow as having greate cause geven us of offence, and in our honour towched. We fynd no good defence by yow for the faulte committed in so long abusing of us by your often promises to bring your forces to joyne with ours. Whereby yow have disobeyed both the King and commandant and also deceyved us and our Generall that had charge of our forces there, in a hope proved vayne for the space of 9 monethes, never observing any of your promisses. Whereby we have bene at a great charge to maintayne our trowpes in contynuall paye without doing any service to us or to the Kinge. And in the meane tyme also for want of some place of retreit which was promised us, a greate part of our people are pitifully wasted and dead, and a greate parte, as yourself doth wryte, are so sicke as they are not able to do any servyce. But (as we are greived to thinke of) lye at the mercye of God more like to dye then to recover. And seing we have bene thus yll acquited by your meanes for our coste and waste of our people, and dyrectlye by not performing of that service which the King commanded yow and which was promised to us by the Kinge and by his ambassador here, contracted by the Kings authoritie under the greate seale of Frannce, we see no cause at all why, uppon theise your former promises and requests, we should suffer our selves to be any further abused, or rather (as truly we may terme it) mocked. Neither can your liste sent to the French ambassador conteyning a nomber of horsse and footemen (which it semeth yow would have us thinke that yow have in readyned for your army) move us to creditt that yow have so many ready, considering we are verye certenily advertised that there are not in readynes scant the one half in the whole of the nomber which was promised. So as where as by the conditions of the compac beetwixt us and the French Kinge and by your promisses, thei should have bene 4 000 footemen and 1 000 horsemen in October laste besides the ordinary forces of Brittanie. When our forces were there according to our promise, there were not any forces at all for 8 monethes brought thither by yow as was promised, and without the promise of which nombers to have bene there ready, afore our forces, were to come thither, we had not sent our Generall with any troupes thither at all. And thoughe the consideration hereof mighte justlie move us to forbeare to be at any further charge, or to suffer our people to be further wasted, and as it were to make the coulor of service in Brittanie to be the sepulchre of our good subjects, without any service donne to the French Kinge, yett the verie contents of your last letters doth moste justelie cause us to resolve not only to forbeare the sending of any more thither, but to revoke those which are there, for yow do spetially repeate it in your laste letter that though we would send one 1 000 or 1 200 newe men the same should be but a despence inutile, and that the same would not turne yow to any good or avanncement of service for the Kinge, otherwise then that we would send 3 or 4 000 at the least so as, if also with ours that are there, there should be of our 5 000 yow would pay the overplus of the 4 000. And yett when all should be 5 000 yow geve no assurance to enter into Brittanie before that with theise 5 000 yow should recover 2 townes. But of what moment the same be, or how longe yow should be occupied in wynninge of them, we can ghesse no otherwise, but by estimation of so many monethes spent by yow heretofore about the wynninge of Rochfort and on[e] or twoo of the lyke sort, when yow were commanded to come into Brittanie. And if the wynning of theise 2 townes should deteyne yow as long from the service of Brittanie, we see no likely good? of any service to be donne in Brittanie, any tyme this comme, thoughe we should send yow (as yow require) 4 000 newe men which could not be possible to be donne before the end of September, beside both the danger and uncertenitye of the passage by sea. And therfore uppon theise former consideracions, both of the abuse offred to us so long tyme (which we take to have founded ( ?) to our dishonnor) and also uppon this your unreasonable laste demande for the sending of 4 000 newe men, besides those which are there alreadye, and alledging that the sending of one 1 000 or 1 200 more would be a despence inutile, We do determyne that our troupes which are ther shall retorne, and so we have signified our pleisure to the Generall of our said troupes, and do require yow to give him assistance of your creditt in the Kings name and some ayd of your forces to conduct him and his troupes safely to the seaside where he shall by his advise thinke it most mete to embarque him self and his companye for to recover some coast of this our Realme, which we hope that in honor yow will not denye, considering the long contynuance of them there ready for the Kings service and for the compassion to be had for the losse of so many as have spent their bloude and perished both by fight in the Kings service and by sicknes.

55. Lettre adressée par le roi au maréchal d’Aumont le 4 août 1593. Copie. PRO, SP 78/31, f° 299131

362Mon Cousin, J’ay différé pour quelques jours de vous escrire attendant la resolucion de la trefve laquelle se traictoit. Enfin elle a estée accordée selon les articles lequeles je vous envoye, comme je fais aussy aux gouverneurs de mes provinces et à mes parleme(n)ts pour les faire observer chacun en sa charge, pourveu que mes ennemis facen(t) le semblable de leur part, ainsy que le duc de Mayenne a promis, et parce que les Anglois et autres forces au(x) quelles vous commandez sont à présent en mon païs d(e) Mayenne, je vous prie de voir sy le Sire de Boisdolphin et autres qui ont l(a) charge pour mes en(n)emis observer ladicte trefve affin que s’ils ne le font vous ayder desdictes forces en ce que vous (verrez) estre affaire pour mon service, ainsy que vous fairez entendre le Sr de La Verdin lequel j’[ay] envoyé pour vous a(s)sister [de] vous faire mener les cannons et munitions qu’il a promis de fournir. Sy l[e]dict Sr de Boisdolphin observe l(a) trefve, je vous prie de vous (a) cheminer en Bretaigne avec le(s) dictes forces pour vous en servir contre le duc de Mercure et sy ce n’est qui veuille de sa part observer l(a) dicte trefve dont je vous prie de me donner pour [lemet ?] advis affin que s’il e(s)t d(is)posé de continuer la guerre je vous envoye incontinent les forces de provinces circonvoisin(e)s ou bien que je vous donne advis d(es) garnisons où vous pourrez loger les gens de g(ue)rre qui sont près de vous (.) Sur quoy je vous prie de m’advertir promptement des deportemans tant du duc de Mercure que du Sr de Boisdophin affin que suyvant les advis que me donnerez je face pouvoir promptement de ce qui sera necessa(ire) pour vous ayder à me servir selon (la singulière) volonté que je say vous en avez. Je veux avertir mon Cousin de la résolution que j’ay prins d’accorder la trefve n’est fondée que sur l’espérance que par le moyen d’icelle il me sera plus aysé de traicter l(a) paix, à laquelle je porteray tout ce qu(i) dépander(a) de moy pour l(e) repos de mes subjects sy je voy que mes ennemis y soyent d(i)sposés. Je vous ay donné (c)es jours passés (l’)advis de ma conver(sion) et de la résolution que j’ay prins de me faire bientost couronner, et vous ve(r)rez en peu de jours le Sr de La Verdin par lequel vous entendrez plus particulièrement de mes nouvelles. Et sur ce je prie Dieu, mon Cousin, qu’il vous ayt en sa saincte digne garde. De S [ ?] le IIII jour d’Aoust.

56. Lettre du maréchal d’Aumont à la reine, 11 août 1593. Original. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 1

363Madame,

364Depuis que je suis arrivé en ceste armée, de sa conduicte de laquelle il a pleu au Roy m’honorer, j’ay par quatre dépesches & entre aultres par homme exprez, faict entendre à V.M. l’estat auquel j’ay trouvé les forces que vous avez icy soubz la charge de M. le Général Norriz & comme les maladyes les ont telement affoiblyes qu’il n’y a eu moyen de pouvoyr rien entreprendre, ny attacquer l’une ny l’autre de troys ou quatre places la réduction desquelles a esté jugée nécessaire avant que mener ceste armée en Bretaigne, qui me faisoyt vous supplier très humblement, Madame, nous vouloyr envoyer un renfort de troys mille hommes, lequel avecq ce que vous avez icy de faction ne scauroyt faire guère davantage que les quatre mille qu’il a pleu à VM accorder pour faire la guerre en lad. Province, & que sans cela il nous estoyt comme il est encore impossible de pouvoyr tenir la campagne au moings pour faire contract & resistance à M. de Mercure, fort d’hommes & de moyens comme il est, et nous vivons tousjours, Madame, en espérence que vous nous ferez ce bien ; car encore que le Roy ayt accordé la trefve à M. du Mayne qui l’a acceptée pour tous ceulx de son Party pour troys moys, si n’est il rien si certain que led. sieur de Mercure ne la tiendra jamays, et qu’ainsy ne soyt il tient assiégée une place de conséquence en Bretaigne qu’il ne veult nullement desmordre, et parce qu’il monstre assez par là le désir qu’il a de continuer à faire la guerre, vous jugerez, Madame, combien il est nécessaire qu’il vous plaise envoyer en diligence le secours que nous nous promettons de V.M., aultrement led. sieur de Mercure continuera ses progres tout à loisir sans rencontrer personne qui s’y puisse opposer. Quant aux françoys nous en avons bien assez, mays nous avons besoing d’un grand corps de picques, si doncques il vous plaist nous l’envoyer, Madame, comme je vous en supplie très humblement pour le bien du service de vos Magestez, j’espère que nous le ferons repentir de sa désobéissance, que si ce qu’il vous qu’il vous plaira envoyer & ce qui est icy excédé le nombre des quatre mille que V.M. a promis d’entretenir en lad. Province, croyez s’il vous plaist, Madame, que je les soldoieray si bien que vous en aurez tout contentement. Led. sieur de Mercure a eu de nouveau un renfort d’Espagnols pour le moings de deulx ou troys mille, qui augmente la nécessité que nous avons du secours qu’il vous plaira nous envoyer, pryant Dieu, Madame, conserver V.M. en très parfaicte santé et très heureuse et longue vie,

365Vostre très humble & très obéissant serviteur, Daumont.

366Au Camp de Loué ce XI e Aoust.

57. Lettre d’Elizabeth à J. Norreys, 24 août (14 août d.a.) 1593. Minute. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 36

367We gret yow well. We have seene your letters of the last of Julÿ, brought hyther the 12 of this month, and on the same daye war brought your letters of the viii of Julÿ being daye befor your last, and we have marked in these your letters, sondry varietes of the Marshalls procedyngs then, such as if we shuld accommodat our actions agreable therto we shuld mak manny channgs, for by the letter of the 8 of July which came after the letters of the last, you wryt that the ennemy hath won a town called Sablé, beyng a passadg for the ennemy into Anjou, Mayn and Normandy, for recovery wherof the Marshall required yow to asist hym, which yow yelded unto, but whom point shuld be attempted, Madam La Verdun wold have not lett the Marshall have ii canons from Mans, so as that purpos fayled, than the Marshall and Boydolfyn accorded to publish the truce, as yow also did in your quarter, and by your form letter yow wryt that except we send a supply of 2 000 besyde the 600 that ar in our Ilands, it war as good yow had none at all. Yow signefy also that the Marshall hath required yow to send for the 600 that ar in the Ilands, and so yow have doon though yow dout whyther they will obey your directions, whych we thynk they will not, nether war it mete that the Ilands shuld be unfurnished at this tyme whom your self doth wryt, that ther ar XXX spanish shipps of war uppon that cost, in whych respect uppon knolledg of the lyk shipping of the ennemy afor this tyme, these 600 war sent thyther, and so war it inconvenient to leave our own in danger to content the Marshalls request, not knowyng to what purpose these 600 shuld serve, consideryng yow ar of opinion that except ther be also 2 000 mor sent, it war as good that yow had noone, but this we observe in all your letters that still yow require to have your nombers increased so farr, as if ther shall be more than yow ought to have we shall not be charged therwith, but first we ar never advertised ether by yourself or by hym, whom yow have apoynted muster master, how manny yow contynew in paye, and how manny ar so sick, as hav bene a long tyme fitt to have bene sent away, both for ther recovery and easyng of our chardg, yow have often tymes reckoned uppon IIII^M men and we precissly apoynted yow to reduce your troops only to 22 bands makyng III^M III^C L heades, wher yow withowt warrant hav kept in place IIII^M IIII^XX and odd the reformation wherof we did by our letters in March last command to be doon, but how it is performed we know not, and how manny yow chardg us with all at this tyme yow never mak mention, but if yow ar so few as now yow wryt that yow can not carry to the feld above VIII^C we hope a great deale of the monny that hath bene sent to pay III^M III^C L ought to be saved for we thynk yow will not tak uppon yow, to command monny to be payd for men that ar not (present?), but to suffer the check to be saved for us, and not to be commanded by yow as we have herd, yow hav such a (…), but we trust the tresorers deputes will not assent to any such disorder. Yow have also wrytten to young Shyrley132, to bryng over with spede 2 000 men, and that a levy be made for yow of L horses, but whylest yow wryte for these supplyes yow forgett that we have directly wrythen often to yow, that our intention is that yow shall come from thence, and to that end we looked that that yow wold have drawn your nombers down to the sea syde so as shipps might be sent to such place as yow shold thynk mete to bryng yow and your nombers into England.

368Anf therfor how so ever the Marshall require the contrary if he war duly informed, wher the fault hath bene that these XI months our forces have doone no service in Brytain, to whych service we did only promiss them, and not for Mayn or Anjou, he wold in reason yeld to our determination, for besyde the great loss of our people we have expended for that service of Britanie under your charg more than IIII^C M (400000) crowns, wherof CL^M (150000) hath been spent since your last return thyther beyng almost XI month for the which yow never cold have any ayd to go into Brytanie, nether do we know any proffit of 1 C crowns valleu geven in all that tyme to the kyng.

369Nether do we yet know what forces the Marshall hath accordyng to the contract, but by your late letters yow advertised us that he had scant half the nomber wherof he gave yow a list, and at this tyme yow wryt not a word, whyther they ar increased or diminished, and yet yow require a supply of II^M VI^C men to be sent newly from us, which if we had not determyned uppon your revocation, yet in wisdom we ought not to increas our forces, not knowyng how the Marshalls forces war accordyng to the convention on that syde; so as to conclud, we will yow not to delaye your return but send word with spede to what port yow may most saffly come mete for our shipps to come thyther, to receave yow and your companyes to return into England and not into the Low Countries as it semeth yow have a disposition to go, wherof a further consideration may be had when our shipps shall come thyther.

370Post Scriptum: If at the comming of these our letters to yow, it shall so happen than yow ar ether in the actuall service together with the Marshall to releve the town of Moncontour, or that yow ar marchyng thyther with intent to succor the town, than we ar well content that yow attend that speciall service, and that being fynished than to retorn accordyng to this our letter, and yet in the mayn leav tyme to send word to what port yow shall thynk it mete for our shipps to come unto, for your transportation, and for how manny men the same shall be nedefull.

58. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, de Bédée, 27 août 1593 (17 août d.a.). Original. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 42

371Levée du siège de Moncontour. Les raisons pour lesquelles Mercoeur accepte la trêve et la levée du siège. Nouvelle organisation militaire consécutive à la trêve. Interrogations de Norreys sur sa situation et celle de ses régiments. Informations politiques relatives aux contacts du roi avec le pape.

372Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. After a great many bravings, the Duke Mercure hath advised hymself to accept of the truce, and accordingly the XVI of thys present levied hys seege from before Moncontour, not wythout a great deall of miscontent espetially of the Spaniards who were very hardlye brought unto yt. Ther are toe causes of the change of hys resolution: the one the importune letter of Monsieur de Mayne signifiynge the necessity of observing the truce, the other the expedition that the Marschall hath used in assemblynge and approchyng the army, for he ceased not to march ten dayes contynually and great jorneys so that he was arrived wythin toe smaule dayes march on the place. The jentlemen also on both sydes were so desyrous to injoy the benefytt of thys harvest as those of the Kinges syde came in very ranndly to the Marshall semynge very wyllinge to venter theyr lyves agaynst an infractor of the common quiet, and those of the Dukes syde protested to leave hym yf they myght not enjoy the benefyt of thys cessation of armes. The truce beynge publyshed, the Marshall hath seperated hys forces and sent such as were come out of Normandy and the farrest partes of Brittany to theyr garrisons. He hath receaved no other direction from the King for the placynge of her Ma^es troupes then by that letter of the Kings (sic) wher of I sent your Lord the copy. I have very ernestly urged the Marshall tu put us into Pempoll and the isle of Brehac, accordinge to the promyse made us by the states of the cuntry, alleginge that otherwyse her Ma^ty would be unwyllinge to contynew her souccour yf the warres should begin agayn. The matter beynge brought in delyberation in theyr counsell hath found some crosses first of those of the cuntry who flatterynge them selves wyth the hope of a peace to follow, thynke they shall have no more need of us, then of an opinion that Monsieur de Mercure wyll not allowe of yt as beynge a thynge agaynst the contents of the truce, but I have been so importune with the Marshall that he hath promysed he wyll gor wyth me to see me put in possession of yt. I have also wrytten to Monsieur de Sourdéac to know howe he is disposed to yt, for those that are in the place are at hys devotion. Yf yt be refused us, then we can not be in any safty, and therfore I pray your Lord that I may knowe what her Ma^es pleasure ys shall become of us (sic). Yf they grannt us that place for our garrison then I beseech your Lord to procure me a leav to come over, after I have setled the troupes, that I may satisfy her Ma^ty and your Lord of all my actions since my comynge over for that understand that some have used very lyberall speeches to her Ma^ty, to thynke to disgrace me; and yf thys tyme had been unproffitably spent as some that knowe not what appartaynes to the wars wyll surmyse, I shall show good profe that before my comynge over I dyd put her Ma ty in no other hope. Yf her hyghnes dyd repose her self opon the french Kinges forces, all whych thynges I wyll differ to speak any farther of tyll I shalbe so happy to attend opon your Lord. I have had an advertisement whych because yt is of importans I have thought good to acquaynt your Lord wyth all, to the end that commparynge yt wyth your other advertisements you may judge of the truth of yt, but I wyll assure your Lord that yt cometh from good place, it ys erye Taurus ryer ykklqmetr ert vdp lb mtdthg crl ag y wykaeyo tmtna el erlg lb ert htoasqlm el slt el ert klkt ymv el khlnagt ran, erye ab rt nya xt htwtydtv qmel ert wr dhwr rt cao mle lmoa nypt cyh ysyamge ert khletgeymetg lb Cancer xde lb yo whqgetmuln133, theffect of the same hath been seen in a letter intercepted from the Count Porigny to Monsieur de Canysy Governer of Avranches hys brother in lawe, but I doe not beleve that all that wyll make the klkt htwtdt ran134. I leav yt to your Lords wyser consyderation, humbly praynge your Lord that I may wyth speed heer her Ma es pleasure tyll where and ever I wyll remayn. Your Lord most assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys.

373At Bede a leagh from Montfort, thys 17 of August 1593.

374I have by the way of Caen sent the copy of thys letter to the end that yf the one should miscary, the other myght arryve.

59. Lettre adressée à J. Norreys par le pasteur Merlin135, le 6 septembre 1593, non localisée (sans doute de Vitré). Original. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 132

375Monsieur,

376Par celles qu’il vous a pleu m’escrire, vous me faites beaucoup d’honneur de vouloir entendre de moi ce que je puis scavoir de l’estat de nos affaires, & sur tout ce qui concerne le bien & repos de nos Eglizes : Il me déplaist que je n’ai autant de moien de vous informer de ce que vous attendés de moi, comme j’ai l’affection de vous faire tres-humble service, & en ceci, & en toute autre chose. Voici donc, Monsieur, ce que je vous puis mander. C’est en premier lieu que les Ministres qui servoient au Roi ont fait une protestation sur ce que le Roi sans les avoir appellés pour les ouïr en presence des Evesques a changé de Religion, de laquelle [protestation] je vous envoie copie. Item que le Roi monstre avoir bonne volonté d’ottroier à nos Eglizes ce qui sera convenable pour leur bien & repos. Et pour cest effect, il a mandé les députés des dictes Esglizes, lesquels se doivent trouver à Saumur sur la fin de ce mois, là où après avoir conféré ensemble, ils présenteront leurs requestes & supplications au Roi pour avoir pleine liberté d’exercice de Religion, & tout droit d’estre admis indifféremment à tous estats, charges & dignités dont ils seront trouvés capables. On verra ce que le Roi leur ottroiera. Je m’asseure que ce sera fort peu, veu que ceux qui le possèdent ont desja tasché de tirer promesse de lui de le faire jurer d’extirper l’hérésie c’est-à-dire, comme ils l’entendent, nous & nostre doctrine, car pleust à Dieu qu’il se fust bien résolu d’extirper la vraie hérésie, car la plus grande hérésie qui soit au monde, c’est la Papauté. Il a refusé constamment jusques ici de faire telle promesse. Mais nous craignons bien fort que Monsieur de Nevers qui est envoié vers le Pape pour faire les submissions & obtenir absolution, ne la rapporte avec très-dures conditions,& pour le Roi & pour nous, qui ne seront de ne l’absoudre sinon qu’il consente & jure la guerre contre nous. Partant Monsieur nous avons plus grand besoing que jamais du secours & assistance de la Roine d’Angleterre & de vostre faveur envers elle, qui me fait vous supplier très-humblement au nom de tous mes compagnons, que comme jusques ici vous avés si franchement & à travers tant de périls, conduit en ces quartiers le secours qui a esté octroié par lad. Majesté, qu’il vous plaise de continuer la mesme volonté envers nous. Car après Dieu, nous ne regardons qu’au secours qui nous peut venir de vostre part, lequel nous avons ja expérimenté à nostre grand bien & conservation, & notamment ceste ville qui fut secourue si à point par le reste de vos troupes après la route de Craon, dont nous vous demeurerons à tousjours obligés. Et en ceste volonté, je prie Dieu,

377Monsieur, qu’il lui plaise heureusement vous conduire, & benir en toutes vos entreprises,

378C’est Vostre bien humble et bien obéissant serviteur, P. Merlin.

379Ce 6^e de Septembre 1593.

60. Lettre de Saint-Luc à la reine, 15 septembre 1593. Original. B. L., Cotton 40 509, Caligula E IX, f° 127

380Madame,

381Aÿant pris la hardiesse descrire à Vostre Ma^té dès le dix de may pour luy rendre compte de ce qui c’estoit passé depuis que je m’estois joint avec vostre armée Angloise, de quoy je veux croire que Vostre Mag^té aura esté particullièrement informée, j’ay discontinué jusques à maintenant à l’importuner de mes lettres, parce que à l’arrivée de Monsieur le Mar^al Daumont en nostre armée qui lors estoit au Mayne, il fut advizé de me dépescher en cette province pour y pourvoir et pour la seureté de la ville de […]136 aux environs et contre les fauxbourgs de laquelle le duc de Mercueur et les Espagnols estoient logés. Ces entreprises segrettes Dieu mercy y ont esté vaines, & encore plus celles qu’il y a voullu tenter par la voÿe ouverte, aÿant137 tellement pourveu d’hommes jusques aux moindres places qu’il a voullu [attaquer ?] que n’aÿant peu en trouver une seulle despourveue, il se résolut, le troisième du mois passé, d’attacquer Moncontour, où quatre heures auparavant j’avois fait entrer un bon Capitaine des nostres nommé Sarrouette138 avec les forces et munitions qu’il luy falloit, tant que nous avons donné loisir à l’armée conduicte de mondit sr Mareschal de ce joindre aux forces que j’avois assemblées en cette province, & dont je fatiguois journellement l’ennemy qui en fin nous voÿant assemblés et logés à sept ou huict lieues de luy, a levé le siège & receu la tresve que jusqu’alors il avoit fait semblant d’ignorer, quelques significations suffisantes que je luy en eusse données. Je certiffÿeray une chose à Vostre Ma^té, Madame, dont Monsieur le général Norris me sera tesmoing, qu’à l’assemblée des dittes forces le nombre si est trouvé de mil chevaux complets & de trois mil harquebuziers françois, suivant ce qui avoit esté promis par le contract passé entre vos Mag^ez, et oze respondre, Madame, que le dit nombre est encore dans le paÿs et ne défaillira point d’y estre bien exploité au bon progrès et avancement des afferes si Vostre Magesté, advenant que la trève ce rompe, nous continue les mesmes bonnes et singullières faveurs dont elle a tant obligé cette couronne. Mais Madame, outre le [nombre ?] d’hommes que nous luy supplÿerons trèshumblement remplacer jusques à quatre mille, elle sera encor très humblement requize de nous assister de pieces d’artillerÿe, de balles & de poudres que de deça nous ne pourrions trouver assés tost, pour au point que cessera la tresve fere de bonnes & promptes executions. Depuis le lèvement du siège de Moncontour & la trefve receue en ce paÿs, je me suis acheminé icy pour y loger vostre armée [Madame], à quoy j’ay satisfait comme Vostre Mag^té pourra voir par les articles que sous le bon plaisir de vos Mag^tés nous avons passées ledit sieur général Norris & moy qui prÿe bien, Madame, Donner à Vostre Magesté très longue et très heureuse vÿe. A Pempoul ce 15 septembre 1593.

382Vostre très humble et très obéissant serviteur, St Luc.

61. Lettre de Norreys à Burgley. De Paimpol, le 8 octobre (28 septembre d.a.) 1593. Original. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 178

383La reine tarde à décider du choix de Paimpol pour servir de garnison à ses troupes. Plaidoyer de Norreys en faveur du maintien des troupes anglaises en Bretagne. Etat de l’armée espagnole. M. de Sourdéac arme une flotte. Intentions du duc de Montpensier à l’égard des protestants

384Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. Your Lords letters of the 25 and 27 of August were brought unto me by a french post the 22 of September, wheras in the fyrst your Lord repeateth an advertisment of myne that Pempoll was not so fortified as that yt were able to hould agaynst the ennemyes yf her Majesty did not assist the kinge to have an army in the feeld, and that these numbers nowe remayninge heer, were toe fewe to doe any service at the expiringe of the truce, and that opon these consyderations her Majesty had by her own letters commannded me to returne. That opon a farther consultation and your Lords allegations that a clean takynge away of her Majesties forces would geve the ennemyes occasion to thynk that her Majesty had clean forsaken the Kinge, and consequently be the ruyne of hys Estat in Brittany, and that yf Pempoll were refused, yt might be taken by the Spaniards or the Duke Mercure at the expiringe of the truce and after not to be recovered, yf yt should be wyshed for, beynge a place of good foetynge in the cuntry and fytt for shyppinge to come unto from Ingland and from the Iles; yt was advised her Majesty would contynewe her charge duryng the truce, and although in your Lords second letter ther is an other conditionnall charge for our comynge away, yet in respect that the shyppinge is yet differred to be sent I doe imagin our departinge can not well be before the expiringe of the truce, which wylbe the XXI of October after our reckninge, and therfore I wyll accordinge to your Lords commanndment set down my opinion of the strenght and comodyty of the place wher in I wyll precisely and wythout any perticuler respect, followe that charge that your Lord, in the latter end of your letter doth geve me, whych is to followe that course whych I shall thynk to be fittest or best for her Majesties servyce.

385To speak therefore fyrst of the intent and pourpos of thys assistans that her Majesty doth geve the Kinge I shall alwayes remayn constant of opinion yet under all humble correction that yf yt proceed only in respect of the present estate of thys cuntry, in what concernes the Kinge accordinge to the accoustumed uses of Princes beynge in leaghe and amyty toghether, that then yt is a great deale to much, and a charge spent to as yll pourpos as may be espetially in thys conjunction and termes that the Kinge standeth in, but yf her Majesty hath been induced to be at thys charge, esteemynge that the faulinge of thys cuntry in to the handes of Spanish (whych most assuredly yt wyll doe yf her Majesty doe wythdrawe her troupes from hens) may be prejuditiall to the state of her cuntry and subjects; then I see no reasen, that yf the King have not altog(e) her performed what was promised by hym for the deffens of thys provynce, rather for want of abylyty, then for any desyer to fayle in yt, for yt tocheth hym toe neer to be wyllynge to leese yt. Her Majesty should therfore quayle in her desyer to preserve her own, but rather havynge experience of the Kinges wantes seeke to supply those deffects, then to geve easy passage to the good succes of a comen ennemy, whych hath most apparently made knowen hys desyer and pourpos to ruyne the dignity and gretnes of both crounes: yf yt shalbe alleged that the smaule proffyt that hath growen by the expens of her Majesties treasure, and consumynge of her subjects doth discourage her and that in thys whole yeers charge, whych no dout hath been great, ther hath been nothinge donne for the deffens of Brittany, thys may well be thus awnswered, that before the last dispach of her Majesties troupes into thys cuntry, ther was often declaration made unto her howe unable the Kinge was to furnish so many horsemen and foetmen, payd and intertayned, as was promysed by the contract, so that yf her Majesty did relye opon the Kinges forces the succes could not be great, and heer opon her Majesty was importuned to increase her troupes to such number as of them selves, wythout pressinge the Kinge to more then he was able, they myght have donne her Hygh and the Kinge good service, overturne beynge made of toe espetiall entreprises, whych would have faullen out both honorable and also proffitable and in end her Majesty did condescend to the increase of the menn, though at the Kinges charge, wyth promys of artigliery and munitions so that ther was an undouted apparens of good servyce to be donne; but thys course had no long contynuans, for I know not opon what consyderations yt pleased her Majesty, even before we had wynd to shupp our selves, to cut of almost one thousand of our men, the artigliery and munitions were stayed, the companies from the Lowe cuntryes arryved not in thre monethes after we landed; and presently after theyr arryvynge, an other retrenchement of 600 men was sent unto us, so that our 5 000 men that we made account to have were brought to 3 350 and then were sent letters from her Majesty to wyll me to lett the Marshall understand that yf the Kinge did not furnish such horse and foetmen as was promysed by the contract that her Majesty would revoke her forces; and heeropon, both the Kinge and the Marshall wrote very ernestly unto me not so much as to thynke of goynge into Brittany, tyll hys comynge, but to remayn in the cuntry of Mayn, to favour the joyninge of the Kinges forces, whych both he and St Luc did assemble as fast as they could; and in thys idele tyme (as yt is thought) ther were at several tymes at the least 2 000 of the ennemyes slayn and disarmed by us. But nowe when her Majesty has cut of from us the best part of our Inglish forces, and cast us to relye opon the french, then of necessyty must we followe theyr directions, and such as doe knowe the present estat of Frannce, howe not any one provynce is free from the infection of the Leaghe and howe men of warre are consumed, wyll not thynke yt strange yf it were longe before the Kinges army could be sett on foet, and yet the very expectation of hys forces, held the Duke de Mercure in such suspens thoughe he were contynually assisted wyth 4 000 Spaniards compleat, and was able to bringe 1 000 horse to the feeld, that he never durst undertake any thynge, and when he had resolved the seege of Moncontour, and obstinated yt wyth many rodomontades nor wyth standinge the truce; yet opon the speedy approch of our army, our Inglysh troupes beynge in the deepest of theyr destynation (?), he was glad shamfully to seek the benefyt of the truce. So that the french forces beynge nowe growen to an end did serve to some pourpos. And so I wyll conclude that whosoever were the autors of the cuttynge of our numbers of men, may clayme to them selves to be the cheef causers that ther hath been no greater servyce donn in Brittany; and whersoever yt shall please her Majesty to mayntayn 4 000 men compleat, for the space of syx monethes, wyth artigliery and munition, I wyll undertake ther shalbe good servyce donn both for her Majesty and the Kinge. And nowe to perticularyse some demanndes that yt pleaseth your Lord to make, yt may please the same to understand that the seat of thys town is such as yt may be made of any strenght that a man wyll, for yt is nor prejudicially commanded by any place, and the sea may be brought to come round about yt at half flud. But as yt is nowe begonne, the bulwarkes are made so lytle as, though they were finished, yet yt were no place to wythstand a Royall battery of XXV or XXX canons, but for any leaghysh battery of VI or VIII peeces, havynge 600 men in yt. Yt wylbe kept tyll yt may be soccourred from Ingland or Frannce; the seat of yt is very fitt and commodious for to receav any thynge from Ingland and the Ilands139, the haven easy to come into and safe lynge within, but all dry at lowe water: savyng that round about an iland at the entry of the haven ther is at all tymes 4 or 5 fadome140 water; and round about the ile of Brehac, ther is at all tymes 4 fadome water at the shallowest place; yt floweth in the haven of Pempoll syx or seven fadome at the sprynge tydes, the chanell is narrowe and turninge, the haven devides yt self by a point of land into toe bayes: the one of whych goethe up the abbay of Beauport, and the other to thys town, neyther of them is so broad at hygh water but that a culveryne wyll reach from the one syde to the other, and both dry at lowe water; and thys is as much as I can say for the strenght and seat of the town and haven. And for proffit that may grow to her Majesty by yt towards her charges, your Lord shall see by those letters that I wrote last that ther is reserved to her Majesty the antient custums and imposts, but I thynke that wyll prove no great matter scarse to serve for the ordinary fortifycations and reparations of the town. But yf her Majesty wyll seek to be eased of some part of her charge, I thynke thys wylbe the best course, that at such tyme as her Majesty shall send newe supplyes hether, yt may please her to make knowen unto the Kinge that the charge of intertaynynge of her forces is toe great to be contynued except the Kinge doe bear some part of yt; and therfore to demannd that all such contributions as are dewe or may be gotten from the thre next Bisshopriks adjoynynge heerto after the space of syx monethes may be imployed towards the charge of her Majesties forces; namely of the Bisshoprik of St Brieux, of Lantreghyer and of St Poll de Lions, and I doe veryly beleev that wyth 4 000 men payd for syx monethes and artigliery and munitions, to brynge those places to contrybute in such sort as they should pay 2 000 soldiers; and thys is the lykest meanes that I can thynke of for easinge of her Majesties charge.

386The espaniards, as I have alredy written to your Lord, are placed at Pontyvy, a good bourgh and a castell beyng fyve leaghes from Corlay, and about X or XI leaghes from Lanvalon wher nowe our troupes lye. They name them selves to be 4 000; but I did very certaynly understand by a jentleman that sawe them in battayl at the seege of Moncountour, that they were not ther above 2 700. Syns that tyme they have receaved a smaule supply, but the most they are able to put into the feeld at thys tyme bevynge (sic) the garrison of Blavet furnished is 3 000 men. I have been certaynly advertised that the fleet wherof Monsieur de Sourdéac maketh mention by hys letter whych I sent your Lord thys other day, was appointed to come for Brehac and thys place; and had been heer longe before thys tyme, but that the last yeeres losses whych they had by foule wether opon thys cost, had so feared theyr maryners that fewe could be gotten to come to those places. Yt ys advertised that nowe the same fleet is appointed to goe into the Ryver of Burdeaux and that they fynd lykewyse a great difficulty to ghett maryners to cary theyr shyppes thether agaynst thys wynter tyme.

387I am exceedingly glad that her Majesty is satisfyed wyth my servyce, and doe assure my self that when yt shall please her Majesty to have all matters examined, yt shall appeer that I have neyther spared danger nor travayll to doe that myght tend to her servyce and when yt shall please her Majesty to geve over these warres I shalbe a greate deals better content to doe her Majesty peasible servyce than martiall, but I would not wyllingly be made the autor of wythdrawynge of her Majesties forces from hens, because I thynk a yeer shall not passe before we be sory for yt. M. Sherley dyd mistake me yf he thought that I ment he should bringe over any voluntary Captayns or cumpanies, but I did thynke yt fytt that hym self and such Captayns and officers as receave her Majesties pay should have come over at such a tyme when we were to looke for a Battayll wher your Lord desyers to knowe whych of the Captaynes were fytt and wyllinge to passe into the Lowe cuntryes, yf the states wyll intertayn them, I doe assure your Lord they doe all desyer to be intertayned for they have no other meanes to lyve, but I should the better knowe theyr wyllinges yf I could let them know who should commannd them ther: and yf any such thynge doe faule out I beseech your Lord I may recomend my brother unto yt, who is one of the eldeste Captayns nowe left that hath followed those warres, and hath lytle meanes to lyve but by the warres.

388I receaved even nowe the copy of letter sent from the Kinge to Monsieur St Luc, wherin he is charged not to come to the Court as he was pourposed, but to remayn to geve order for the matters of thys provynce, because the Marshall is to goe to the Kinges coronation. Out of whych I gather that, ther is lytle apparans of the prolongation of the truce and doe thynke that the King wyll stay the Marshall from comynge any more back agayn and send the Duke Monpensier hether agayn. And heer wyth I must let your Lord to understand of an advertisement that I have receaved, of good importans and secresy, but assured me to be trewe, erye141 ert vdpt nlmktmgath ag htglodtv ab cyhht xt nyvt ysyamge ert itoasglm rt cao eypt ert archytenens kyhea. Thys beynge so, yt were greatly to be wysshed erye ert gyav vapt ryv ysyamt ert wlnnyamvamst qm erag wameha blh xa rqg vtok almst hlrym ymv oydyo xtams yogl lb ert htoasqlm erye kyhea cldov xt yg gehlms qm erag khldamwt yg qm yma kyhe lb camer ymv xtgavtg ert slathmth lb htmtg ryer yfdhtv nt erye rt cao rldov ert elcmt blh ert htoasqlm ab rt nya xt yma cya yfqgerv. And so much hym self spoke to me to make knowen to her Majesty yf I should stay heer I besech your Lord I may have some direction howe to cary my self in thys matter; and to end wyth, I wyll lykewyse be a suter to your Lord to induce her Majesty to take a spedy resolution on way or other, and that yt pleasynge her to contynewe us heer, we have men in tyme to doe her some servyce, and yf we may be supplied as I have before wrytten, I doe not dew(!), but wythin one moneth after the expyringe of the truce to put Islyngton142 into her Majesties handes whych after longher tyme wyll not be so easly donne for they are alredy jelyous of us to pretend to yt. And so levynge to farther troble your Lord, I wyll alwayes remayn,

389Your Lord most assuredly to commannd.

390J. Norreys

391At Pempoll thys 28 of September 1593.

62. Note adressée à la reine, sans doute par Lord Burghley, octobre-novembre 1593. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 287

392Il lui présente les raisons qui plaident en faveur d’une poursuite de l’aide anglaise à la France et à la Bretagne.

393The dengers that may inferre to her Ma: & the Realme by abbandoning the present action of the frenche K:

394First the calling awaie of the Q[ueen] Ma[jesty] forces at this time of the treaty betwene the K [ing] and the ligueurs for peace will give corage to the ligueurs to make their demandes the more unresonable when they shall see the K abbandoned by the Quene. But if thear follow no peace of the treatie then is the K by this revocation lefte as a praie (!) to them wanting meanes to encounter their enterprise.

395The withdrawing of her Ma^ts succours at this time from the K will drive him into some desperate course for his preservation, eyther in yielding to the ligueurs suche conditions as may be dishonorable and dangerouse to him, or seeke to unite himself with the K of Spaigne, and combine with him againste the Q of Englande.

396His conjunction with Spaigne in what sorte soever, wilbe dangerouse to England, thoughe it be but by peace only, but if it growe by waie of matche with the daughter of Spa: then maie France after the decease of the yong Prince of Spaigne a child weake and full of diseases, and not like to live, become so great (with the addition of so maine kingdomes, as shall descend to her) as the neighborhood of the frenche wilbe intollerable for Englande.

397Yf the Pope shall accept of the K conversion, the K estate being nowe weakned by the revocation of the forces of England, it is lyklie not to be done without promise from the K of a conjonction against the Q: and against his subjects of the Relligion, and the necessitie of the K subsisting, having no more the shoulder of England, maie constrayne him to assent to anie pernitiouse demandes that shalbe required of him, and the K in all likelyhoode will seeke to be revenged of the Quene, when he shall see himself with a kynde of contumelie forsaken of her, and that in the time of his greatest distresse, and when he hathe given so great a testimonie of his continuance with her Ma^tie in warre against Spaigne delivered under his great seale to sr Tho Wilkes.

398Yt maie be the K: will finde the greater favour from Rome & Spag: when they shall see him severed from Englande and the more hope they will have of his constancie in Poperie. This maie be good for the K but dangerouse for the Quene.

399Of the revocation of the Q succours out of Britaigne will followe the absolute losse of that Province in respect that those townes and places which by the continuance of the succours of England doe holde good for the King, must for their saftie yeild wholie to the Ligue when the Q forces shalbe withdrawne, for that the K hathe no presente meanes to defend them or to make head to the enemy there, nowe hable and readie to put himself into the feild with 10 or 12 000 men.

400How much that Province of Britaigne wilbe noysome unto Englande if it maie be possessed by the Spa[niards] or by the Ligue everie meane wilbe cas consider (sic).

401Now the difference whether the K: absolute overthrowe or his conjonction with the Pope, Spai[ne] and Ligue be of leaste danger to England is to be considered. Yf he be deprived of his rights and the crowne fall to the house of Guise, or to anie catholike of the bloode iritated against England, eyther by zeale in relligion or offence otherwise, what expectation maie Englande have of them other then of a continuall warre or speedie invasion, for Spa: will ever be comprised in anie peace that shall growe of the generall union of the Catholikes in France. Yf the K conjoyne with Spa and the Pope, it is as lykelie he wilbe induced to followe their humours against England for the reasons before mentioned, and which of theis two is the better, lett every man judge.

402Suche nombers are of the Relligion in France that shall either be abbandoned by the K or prosecuted by the Catholikes muste avoide the countrie, as they doe commonly uppon all suche uprors, or leave their throates to the sworde, if they make head, having no certaine chief to conducte them, nor hope of anie forraine defence to assiste them. And howe greatelie they wilbe at this time disconforted to see the Q of Englande withdrawe her succours, even at the time that they expected by the contenuance thereof, to have obtained good conditions for their safties, I leave to the imagination of the wisest.

63. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, de Paimpol, 11 décembre 1593 (1^er décembre d.a.). Original. PRO, SP 78/32, f° 355

403Renforts espagnols. Norreys souhaite le retour du prince de Dombes, favorable aux protestants. Il a reçu du roi l’autorisation de fortifier Paimpol, et attend la décison de la reine. Rumeurs de prolongation de la trève.

404Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. Sins my last ther is not any thynge happened worth the troblyng your Lord, and although the Marshall gave the alarme very hotly of the arrivynge of a newe spanysh succours yet have wee hard no newes of theyr landinge or that ther is any Inglysh shyppes taken as he wrote unto me. Monsieur de Mesneuff, of whome I wrote unto your Lord before, was dispached from the King to have come to her Ma^ty but is crosed and stayed by the Marshall. The pretence of hys stay is that the Marshall pourposeth shortly to send to her Ma^ty certayn Deputyes from the States to borowe money, but I beleeve the chefest cause is that he thynkes hym to be toe good an Inglyshman and careth that he myght practise the returne of Monsieur de Monpensier, wherof he is extreem jelyous, and theyr factions wyll prone a hynderans to the servyce, for opon that ground ther are alredy great pykes growen between the Marshall and all the Kinges lyuetenants, so that yf her Ma^ty should thynke fyt to geve any farther assistans to the King, yt were very necessary the returne of the Duke were thought on; whose beynge heer would strengthen the Kinges party very much, and besydes ther is an other verye great cause why hys beynge heer should be requyred, of whych I wrote ons to your Lord in cypher, which is that pisces qg htglodtv el typa ert achitenens kyhea ab tdth ert cyhhtg xtsqm ysyamge architenens, ert htoasqlm caoxt yg gehlmsoa tgeyxoagrtv qm Leo yg qm yma kyhe lb bhydmwt143. The Kinge is also desyrous to remove the Marshall, only that he can not tell els wher to bestowe hym. I have also receaved order from the King to fortyfy thys place, but I doe differre to meddell wyth yt tyll I know her Ma^es pleasure whether I shall begin wyth yt or not, and that I may know her Ma^es pleasure in what sort yt shalbe fortifyed, for yf yt shalbe made only to serve for a retrayt for such companies as shalbe heer for the Kinges assistans, a smaule charge wyll serve to doe yt, but yf her Ma^ty wyll have yt made to serve her turne heerafter then ther must be greater cost bestowed opon yt. Of these thynges I desyer to heer your Lords direction. Heer is a fresh brute of a contynuance of the truce for some longher tyme, yf duringe the same yt shall please your Lord to favour me so much as that I myght have leave to come over, I shalbe able to satisfy your Lord in many matters, whych I shall never be able to wryte, and so leavynge farther to troble your Lord, I wyll comytt the same to Gods divyne protection, from Pempoll thys first of December 1593.

405Your Lord most assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys.

64. Mémoire adressé par Sourdéac à l’ambassadeur de France en Angleterre (Beauvoir de La Nocle). Non daté, non localisé. L’administration anglaise l’a reçu le 26 janvier 1593, style anglais, soit le 5 février 1594. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 68

406Memoires que le Seigneur de Sourdéac Gouverneur pour le Roy a Brest ha chargé le Sr de la Tousche144 de faire entendre a Monseigneur l’Ambassadeur pour sil luy plaist en faire remonstrance a sa Maiesté Serenissime.

407Premierement mondict Seigneur l’Ambassadeur entendra sil luy plaist que le Seigneur de Sourdéac nayant jamais eu ses pensées a rien tant disposées qu’a faire paroistre par effect l’entiere affection qu’il ha et ha tousiours eu de fidellement servir le Roy en touts lieux et en toutes occasions mais specialement en la conservation de la place de Brest qu’il luy ha pleu luy commettre, ha eu tousiours en singuliere recommandation de scavoir au vray les desseings et contenance des ennemys de sa Ma^té. Et pour ce subiect ha esté soigneux d’avoir tousiours quelques espions tant en Espaigne que près le Duc de Mercure, afin de n’estre surpris au despourveu dans sa place. Et par iceux il ha eu advis que cette grande armée des Espaignols qui est au passage près S^ct Sebastien composée de plus de soixante voiles n’ha aultre desseing pour le present que de venir a ce printemps assieger Brest lequel ils esperent bien n’emporter pas incontinent, attendu la force de la place et qu’ils nont aulcune intelligence avec celuy qui y commande, mais veulent bastir des le commencement deux forts sur les deux pointes de lentree du goulet afin que la place ne puisse par après estre secourue par mer.

408Les preparatifs qu’ha faict le Duc de Mercure en Bretaigne sont fort confirmatifs de ces advis. Car il avoyt bien des le commencement de la trefve departy son armee tant francoise qu’estrangere a S^ct Brieuc, Callac, Morlaix, Carhaiz et Pontivy qui sont logements touts en la basse Bretaigne. Mais depuis deux moys ença il ha faict advancer les regiments du Comte de Magnane qui estoyt logé paravant a Callac, le regiment du Sr de Goulaine qui estoyt a Morlaix, les harquebusiers françoys qui estoyent a S^ct Brieuc, et la troupe de chevaux legers et d’harquebuziers de Fontenelles et la troupe de chevaux legers de Rostin145 jusques au Faou et a Chasteauneuf qui ne sont qu’a deux bonnes lieues l’un de l’aultre.

409Toutes ces troupes ensemble peuvent faire le nombre de huict a neuf cents hommes de pied et quelque cent chevaux.

410Or est-il que le dict lieu du Faou est un gros bourg non fermé distant seulement de Brest de quatre lieues situé sur la riviere du Faou qui sescoule dans la baye de Brest, lequel ledict Comte de Magnane faict retrancher et s’y fortifie, et y faict faire de tres grands magazins tant de bleds que de vins.

411Mesme ha commande depuys troys sepmaines ença aux charpentiers du lieu de luy despescher en toute diligence une galiotte et dix bateaux.

412Et comme la noblesse et les paysants de l’Evesché de Leon qui est proche dudict lieu du Faou craignants destre pillez par les soldats de ces troupes nouvelles voulussent s’esmouvoir et armer contre eux, le Sr du Faouët commandant pour le Duc de Mercure audict Evesché les en empescha. Et en une assemblée de la noblesse qu’il fist pour ce subiect à Lesneven leur remonstra quils estoyent commandez du Duc de Mercure de se tenir la pour luy faciliter le passage de son armée lors qu’il assiegeroyt Brest qui seroyt dans peu de temps et que si ceux du pays s’estenoyent( !) contre eux quils se declareroyent ennemys dudict Duc de Mercure.

413En oultre ledict du Faouët ha faict arrester les grands navires de Rosco et se proet de les armer dans peu de temps oultre les deux navires quil ha a luy desia esquipez en guerre qui sont du port l’un de six a sept vingt146 l’aultre de soixante tonneaux.

414Quand pour le gros de l’armée du Duc de Mercure il sera composé de quatre mil cinq cents Espaignols y comprins les deux mil nouvellement arrivez, de huict a neuf cents Lorrains, quinze cents harquebusiers françoys et de bien huict cents chevaux, toutes lesquelles forces sont commandées de se tenir prestes au premier mandement.

415Pour resister a ses efforts ledict Seigneur de Sourdéac oultre la guarnison qui etoyt ordinaire dans Brest de Françoys et de Suisses y faict venir son regiment qui estoyt en Triguer et en oultre quelques compaignies de la haulte Bretaigne, et ha envoye a La Rochelle et a Bordeaux haster nombre de Cap^nes quil avoyt envoyez pendant la trefve refaire leurs troupes, de façon qu’il espere si bien fournir d’hommes ladicte place qu’elle ne sera emportee de force encores quelle soyt dune tres grande guarde.

416Mais d’aultant que pour un si grand nombre d’hommes il est necessaire d’y avoir de tres grands magazins de vivres lesquels ne se peuvent faire en cette place là sans y estre incontinent gastez a cause du peu de logis quil y a dans le chasteau et la grande humidite des voultes ou on est contraint de mettre les fustailles qui y pourrissent incontinent, ce que ledict Sgr de Sourdéac ha experimenté desia mesme encores depuis peu de temps avec sa grande despence veu que il ha presque faict touts les magazins qui y sont de ses propres deniers n’ayant jamais esté aydé du pays ny de aulcuns deniers du Roy pour les faire encores quil n’y eust trouvé quand il se saisit de la place assez de vivres pour nourrir cent hommes assiegez un moys entier.

417Et en oultre quil n’y ha pour le present armée pour le Roy en Bretaigne bastante non pas de secourir mais seulement de ravictailler la place ny par mer ny par terre.

418Mondict Seigneur Ambassadeur fera s’il luy plaist l’honneur audict Sgr de Sourdéac pour le bien du service du Roy, de supplier tres-humblement sa Maiesté Seren^me d’Angleterre de vouloir prendre en sa protection ladicte place et en ambrasser la conservation de telle sorte que advenant qu’elle soyt assiegée il luy plaise la faire secourir si promptement que l’ennemy ne puisse bastir les deux forts qu’il pretend de faire sur lentrée du goulet car lors il seroyt presque impossible de la rafraischir par mer.

419La consequence de la prise de cette place par un si puissant ennemy comme l’Espaignol est telle que d’icelle depend entierement tout l’estat de Bretaigne non seulement mais aussi des deux estats et de France et d’Angleterre consideré le lieu auquel elle est sise qui est en l’entrée de cette mer estroicte et sur l’un des meilleurs havres de toute la Chrestienté147.

420(En endossement: Remembrance sent by Monsr La Tousche from the governor of Brest delivered here the 26 of Jan.)

65. Lettre de la reine Elizabeth au maréchal d’Aumont, 1^er avril (22 mars d.a.) 1594. Brouillon. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 158

421A M. le M^al d’Omont,

422Vos lettres avons receue, et volontiers entendue ce que les deputez ont voulu dire, et par le rapport qu’ils en ont faict cogneue les extremitez esquelles se trouve la Province de Bretaigne reduicte a faulte d’avoir obvié à bonne heure aux desseings violents de l’ennemy qui a sçeu embracer l’opportunité de s’y planter cependant qu’un chascun ententif à son particulier a souffert le commun recevoir playe incurable dont combien que la douleur nous a percée fort avant le cœur eu esgard à l’affection que portons au Roy nostre frere, et bien veillant à la dicte Province, si est ce que nous en soulage aucunement la souvenance qu’il n’a tenu à nous que les affaires ne se soyent mieux portées, n’ayant jamais mancquée de nostre part à y donner les remèdes qu’il nous a esté possible avecq continuelle et infinie despence de nos deniers, laquelle nous eust esté moins fascheuse si les affayres se fussent trouvées tellement conduictes que le fruict en fust ensuivy que nous desirions. Et nous en est redoublé le regret ayant à ceste heure qu’esperions entendre qu’on eust excogite quelque remède esgal à la furie de ce grand mal, et ayant intimé au paravant par le Commandeur de Caranton148 que l’estat de nos affaires ne nous permectroit la continuation de ceste despence, Nous nous trouvons informé par les Deputez d’une part des petits moyens qu’il y a pour faire contrepoix aux grands de l’ennemy et d’aultre part qu’on nous presse de plus grandes choses que jamais auparavant n’avoyent esté demandées sans proposer aulcunes conditions ou asseurances pour la sauveté de nostre peuple qui puissent avecq raison nous donner goust à les exposer derechef à la fortune et hazard qu’ils y ont courrues avecq nostre tres grand regret n’aiant jamais receu ung tel désastre, car telle est la qualite et assiette de la ville de Pimpoul (la rendition de laquelle les Deputez pensoyent nous devoir aulcunement satisfaire) qu’eux mesmes ont confessé qu’il seroyt tousjours en la puissance de l’ennemy d’oster le moyen de la secourir par mer, se faisant fort en campagne, veu qu’il n’y a apparance que les moyens du pays le puissent esgaler de force, jusques à ce que l’estat du Roy le permectra les seconder de plus grands nombres que ceulx dont on nous parle, lesquels au plus grand compte qu’on en faict ne montent qu’à 2 500 de pied françois, de 7 à 800 chevaulx et 1 500 Suisses à peine encores entrez en France, nous estant d’aultre part constamment affirmé qu’il y aye 6 000 Espagnols en la Bretaigne, oultre les forces du Duc Mercure. Mais nous nous deporterons de faire icy repetition des particularitez vous remectant à la responce donnée aux Deputez, l’importunité desquels et la commiseration qu’avons de la province a tant peu gaigner sur nous que nos gens qui sont à Pimpoul s’y arresteront encores un peu de temps, si nostre general en son jugement pensera les y pouvoir tenir saufs, et que il trouvera celles du Roy en volonté de seconder les nostres avenant que l’ennemy les assaille comme nous sçavons qu’il en faict son principal desseing. Du reste vous remectons au rapport des Deputez vous ayant voulu seulement toucher ce que dessus comme à celuy qui estant de jugement sain et experience longue vous mettant en avant l’estat du pays ne pouvez sinon prevoir le danger imminent et quasi inévitable si on n’y donne ordre par renforcement des provisions, par forces mieulx unies et asseurées, et par l’employement d’icelles où proprement le danger le requiert, ce que nous nous asseurons qu’il ne tiendra à vous qu’on ne face au plustost, excitant comme bon patriot par vos advertissements le Roy à prendre resolution conforme au danger. Et quand à vostre particulier ayant comprinse par vos lettres l’affection que nous portez, vous en remercions bien fort, et vous asseurons que ne nous estant jamais montrée ingrate à personne, ne le(s) sommes pour estre vers un personnage de vostre qualité duquel la constance et loyaulté au service du Roy en ces temps mesmes auquel on a veu faire si grandes bresches à la foy de plusieurs par les artifices de l’enemy, merite avecq une gloire infinie estre signamment recogneue. Et prians Dieu vous donner Mons^r le Mareschal guerder condigne à vos vertus et succès, vous souhaitons toutte felicité149.

423Escrit à nostre Palais de Westminster ce XXII de Mars 1594, de nostre règne l’an 36^me.

66. Lettre adressée au roi par les habitants de Saint-Malo. Fin avril 1594. Copie. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 147

424Sire, discourant en bref ce qui nous a causéz prendre les armes, a esté pour nostre Religion, suyvant l’Edit d’Union, nous donné pour Loy fondamentale par le Roy deffunct, que Dieu absolve, en ses Estats Generaux, et faict solennellement jurer à toutes les villes du Royaume, qu’avons observé cest Edit, y exposant nos vies et moyens sans avoir eu intelligence avec Roy ni Prince, que sommes resoluz de ne deroger à cestuy nostre serment, suppliant sa Majesté de ne le trouver, s’il luy plaist, mauvais ; Et que voulons nostre Religion estre asseurée et nos merites recognuz, que nous accomoderons à ce qui sera pour le bien de l’Estat.

425Dessous est escrit :

426Vous (sic) treshumbles et obeissans serviteurs. Le Procureur, Bourgeois et habitans de St Malo.

427Copie des lettres que Messieurs de S. Malo ont envoyé au Roy, venuz en ceste ville par voye de Vitré, receus presentement à quatre heures apres mydy le dernier d’Avril 1594.

67. Lettre de J. Norreys à Lord Burgley, de La Roche-Derrien, le 9 mai 1594 (29 avril d.a.). Original. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 214

428Des seigneurs ligueurs préfèrent se soumettre au roi plutôt que devenir espagnols. En particulier M. de Goesbriand dont le fort de Primel est investi par La Magnane et les Morlaisiens. Norreys décide de le secourir. Récit de l’opération. État d’esprit des ligueurs. L’arrivée de M. de Saint-Luc est annoncée.

429Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. On Saterday the XX of thys present, I was advertised from Monsieur de Cotenisan150, one of the chiefest gentlemen in these partes nowe that by hys endevour divers gentlemen hys neybours who had followed the Duke de Mercure eynge hys delays in yeeldinge hym self to the Kinges obediens and hymself didposed rather to be spanish then french, had declared them selves the Kinges servants amongst whom toe of the chefest wherof the one is cauled Monsieur de Cotedrers151 and the other de Gobrian152, for more assurans (I) had receaved by the soldiers of the sayd Cotenisan into theyr houses, Gobrian havynge castell possessed hym self of a point of Land lying opon the entry of the ryver of Morlayx rytyred (?) over agaynst a fort in a smaule iland cauled le taureau which is kept by the inhabitants of the sayd Morlayx, whych point he had fortifyed with great expedition, beynge a place that would wholly commannd the lastage to Morlayx, thys bridell made those of Morlayx ernest suters to the Duke to have the place beseeged, and at theyr importunyty the Count de La Magnana, Fountenelles, Rostin and some other forces in thes partes were appointed to that entreprise, so that the same saterday late I receaved an other letter from Monsieur de Cotenisan that Gobriand was invested in hys fort by the Count de La Magnana wyth 800 harquebusiers and 100 cuyrasses, and that the place was not yet so furnished wyth munytion and vittayls that yt was able to endure a seeg, desyringe me therfore very ernestly to remove these troupes that had made thys fyrst approch, and in tyme, for that yt was not to be douted but they would soon after drawe the spaniards to theyr assistans, and that yf thys jentelman should be lost, beyng become the Kings servant, yt would be a great discoraginge to the rest that are opon termes to follow that example, whych (re) one wyth others that he alleged made me resolve to try to souccour hym yf I myght, and to that end I cauled the troupes erly on the Sunday to march to thys place and myself wyth 300 of the lyghtest men and my cavagliery advannced as far as Lannyon where I had geven the Rendevous to the rest of the french troupes, whych myght be 200 horse and fyve hundred harqhebusyers, thus Lanyon beynge but four leaghes from the fort beseged, the besegers had advertisement of our arryvall, and theropon at ii of the clock thys munday morninge they quitted theyr seege, thys knowen the gentlemen of the Cuntry came to me and gave me notyce that Rostyn a late revolted Captain from the Kinge, had taken and fortyfyed a house wythin four leaghes of that place, whych yf yt were ons put in deffens would be the ruyne of all that cuntry, and therfore they ernestly desyred me to seek to take yt, assuringe that yf such forces of the Spanyards should offer to releeve yt as were toe stronge for us, we should have suffitient warninge to make a safe retrayt; opon whych perswasion I agreed to undertake yt and made yt to be invested on Munday by ii of the clock, and presently somoned yt, these beseged refused to delyver yt tyll they sawe the cannon I had sent for, toe smaule peeces from the castell of Tonkedec whych beynge brought to us by ten of the clock on tuesday, not longe after we did beat theyr flankers whych were but smaule garrites as they terme them, so that opon the breakinge of one of theyr sayd garrites they demannded to parley whych grannted they were not longe before they yeelded to a very hard composition, to have theyr lyves saved and to depart wyth whyte styckes in theyr handes: they came fourth about 60 men wherof 15 were horsemen, at the vewynge of the place we found that they dyd not leave yt so soon, in respect of the weaknese of yt, as for want of provysions wher of they had none at all, and theyr obstinate refusal to yeald at the fyrst proceded from a promyse made them of succour by eyght of the clock the same day. I left in the place a company of harqhebusiers of Monsieur de Liscoet, tyll the Marschall shal other wyse determyn of yt, and the next day sent all the french troupes to theyr garrisons, and retyred myne to thys place. About thre dayes past I receaved thys letter whych I send your Lord from Monsieur de Sourdéac, yf theyr fleet be no greater then he mentioneth, yt were an easy matter to overthrow them espetially before theyr fort at Croydon be brought to perfection, but we are advertised that they presently looke for a greater fleet, and more men to come hether, yf they be left alone with theyr fortification but toe monethe, they wyll hardly afterwards be gotten out of yt. Monsieur de Mercure doth hould hys parlement at Vannes wher yt is sayd he hath proposed the nobylyty they have to become Spanish, wher opon Monsieur de Goulenes153 one of the best counts that followeth hym replyinge that he thought the nobylyty of Brittany would be loth to endure theyr Master, was pognarded, but of thus we have no certaynty. Ther is a great apparans that most part of the Nobylyty would repire (?) the Spanyards for they sawe the Kinge had any force to defend them. Yt ys reported that Monsieur de St Luc is on hys way hether wards wyth some forces, but all he can brynge wyll not be able to keep the feeld yf the body of theyr army come not from Enland, yt may please your Lord to hasten her Majesties resolution for the ennemyes wylbe entreprisinge in every quarter, and yf I should refuse to assist any that demannds of souccour, ther wylbe extreem exclamations, and the losse of the cuntry imputed to us, and thus leavynge your Lord to Gods Divyne Protection, I most humbly take my leav restynge

430Your Lord most assuredly to commannd, J. Norreys.

431At La Roche d’Areyn, one leagh above Lantreghyer, thys XXIX of Aprill 1594.

68. Lettre d’Elizabeth à Sourdéac, 14 mai (4 mai d. a.) 1594. Minute. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 229

432Monsieur de Sourdéac, par le rapport de nostre serviteur le Chevalier Williams nouvellement retourne delà avons entendu comment les Espagnolz se seroyent empietez en une place d’importance au dedans de l’havvre de Brest s’y fortifiants en sorte que cela menace au port et par consequence a la ville et chasteau soubs vostre commandement, Avons pareillement cogneu par ledict Williams que pour y obvier en tout que vous est possible auriez avecq le peu de gents qu’avez saisy une aultre piece propre a fortifier de l’aultre coste du havvre et vis a vis du fort des Espagnolz, mais que le[s] moyens vous mancquants a passer oultre et la soustenir contre l’ennemy, desirez estre renforce par quelque secours des nostres, le Roy ne vous ayant seconde ainsi comme le besoing requiert. Ce qu’ayant bien consideré et le danger qu’en depend, avons prinse resolution de commander au Sr Norreis Genéral de mes forces en Bretaigne de vous aller trouver avecq tout ce qu’il a de gents en toutte diligences et de vous envoyer de plus au plustost que la levée s’en pourra faire mille hommes de pied hors d’Angleterre par mer, lesquelz feront descente a Conquest et de la passeront a Brest ou par mer ou par terre, quelle ilz trouveront la plus seure. Et si verrons que besoing sera de plus grandes forces, les ferons expedier avecq quelque nombre de noz navires. Pour tant vous prions tenir ferme et avancer le plus que sera possible la fortification commencée. Et a l’arrivée du General avecq les nostres esperons que vous vous trouverez en estat de defence, et qu’ilz s’employeront a bon escient en cest affaire, ainsi que leur avons commandé. Ausquelz vous prions donner le meilleur traictement que pourrez, les accommodant de vivres et logis pour prevenir les maladies coustumieres aux armées en ces chaleurs d’este, dont nous asseurants et de toutte correspondence de vostre part vous recommenderons,

433Monsieur de Sourdéac a la Sainte protection du tout puissant. Escript a nostre maison de Grenvich ce iiij^me de May 1594, de nostre reigne l’an xxxvj^me.

68. Extraits de deux lettres adressées de Saint-Malo à un marchand de cette ville réfugié dans les îles de Jersey ou Guernesey, 26 et 29 juin 1594. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 303

434Pour ce que me dites de la lettre du Roy d’Espaigne envoyée à quatre des principaux, cela ne s’est communiqué. Bien est il venu en ceste ville des lettres du Roy d’Espaigne en general, en forme de sauvegarde, et pour les passeports aussi. Il vint dernierement une lettre au Procureur de la part d’un Capitaine Bisquain, qui rescrivoit comme le Roy son seigneur luy avoit donné charge de nous donner advis, comme il vouloit envoyer une patache avec un navire aulonnois en ces parties, pour venir recognoistre et savoir ce qui se passe tant en Angleterre, France et la Flandre, que nous leur donnions tout faveur, support et ayde, leur subvenions de toutes choses requises et necessaires, comme victuailles, munitions, et que les deniers nous seroient renduz en Blavet ou Bilbau154. Voilà la teneur de ceste lettre. Je n’ignore qu’il n’y ait d’autres particularitez qu’ils n’ont mis, ni ne mettront en lumiere.

435Pour vous donner amplement entendre l’estat auquel nous sommes en ceste ville, nous sommes divisez comme en trois parties. Je vous ay dit l’occasion du changement par le moyen de la conjonction des Politiques ou Royaux avec ceux que nous disions de la petite Ligue, ou pour mieux dire Mercuristes : Lesquels se promirent la foy de se maintenir collez et joints ensemble, pour resister contre nostre Grande Ligue : de quoy Ciquelay, Limonnay, Fougera, le sieur de Grand-poil et la Court estoient les chefs. Et fut accordé entr’eux se donner la main pour avoir l’entrée tant d’un costé que d’autre ; parce que et les uns et les autres signeroient et auroient pour aggréable tout ce que fait a esté par cy devant ; et à l’advenir se conformer avec le Corps, jurer l’amitié les uns aux autres, et s’entr’embrasser en l’assemblee generalle. Ce que les Pepins ont faict à leur entrée, Et toutesfois nous voyons que lesdits Pepins tendent à se rendre les maistres en ces deux partiz ainsi joints comme dit est, et tendent de ne faire qu’un parti. Car depuis leur venue on voit clairement qu’ils taschent à leurs fins, en practiquant ce qu’ils peuvent au service de leur maistre. Mais je croy qu’ils ne trouvent des hommes en nombre suffisant et à leur devotion. Et pource Messieurs de la Grande-Ligue se voyant ainsi desarçonnez et au bas, ils voudroient bien se relever par le moyen des gens de bein (sic), qu’on appelle Royaux (lesquels pour orage ou tourmente qui ait passée par sur eux, sont tousjours demourez stables et fermes comme bons pilliers, sans jamais pouvoir estre esbranlez), et par ce moyen se remettre sur leurs pieds, demandent la paix, et negotier plus tost avec le Roy qu’avec un Duc, qui les mal traiteroit. Ils n’en sont ignorants, et ceux qui penseroient en avoir du bon, avec le temps n’auroient pas meilleur marché que les autres. Voylà l’estat auquel nous sommes pour le present beaucoup divisez ; et ne puis bien juger l’yssue de toutes ces choses ainsi brouillées, car nous avons ce Duc en Dinan, il y a un mois et plus qui n’est aux escoutes pour autre chose que pour voir la fin de ceste farce, se donnant ce pendant du bon temps, etc.

436…/…

437J’ay bien voulu vous donner advis comme Laulonnois du Sieur de Grand-poil est ce matin arrivé de Malques155, qui rapporte avoir veu passer 25 galeres du Levant, qui s’en vont à Lisbonne. Aussi que le Delantade156 y est avec ses galères, il y a long temps. A ce que je puis voir, ils feront là leur gros d’armes pour se joindre avec l’autre armée des gros vaisseaux de Bisquaye pour donner en nostre pays de Bretaigne ; et ne fay doute qu’ils ne donnent sur Brest, ou sur St Malo. Mais pour ce que leur entreprise est encommencée, me faict juger pour Brest. J’ay bien voulu vous donner cest advis pour servir ou estre devra. Je fay estat à present de plus de 60 galeres dans Lisbonne, Naples, Sicille et Espaigne. Philippe fera effort, et semble qu’il y veut coucher son reste.

438Vous aurez oui parler de ceste armée, qui s’est levée en la Guyenne, lesquels s’appellent et se nomment Tard-Avisez. On dit qu’ils sont en nombre environ 50 000 hommes. J’en veux oster la moitié. L’on dit qu’ils font la guerre au nom du Roy, font une merveilleuse justice ; par tout où ils passent, payent ce qu’ils prennent. Vous pourrez entendre plus à plein ce que c’est. Je ne scay pas bien qui en est le chef ; on dit le Comte d’Auvergne, aussi le duc de Bouillon, et la Trimouille. On dit d’avantage qu’ils s’avancent fort vers Nantes. Hier matin partit le duc de Mercure de Dinan. L’on dit qu’il s’en va trouver sa sœur, qui est à Angers à l’attendre, il y a fort long temps. Je ne m’appercoy point qu’il ont gueres practiqué pour avoir esté si longuement icy aux environs.

70. Extrait de la délibération du Conseil tenu en présence du maréchal d’Aumont à Guingamp le 3 août 1594. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 374

439Veu en nostre conseil les requestes contenant les plainctes et doléances faictes par les habitans des paroisses des Evesques157 de Treguier et St Brieuc des violences pilleries, ravages, bruslements, rançonnements et levées des deniers faictes sur le pauvre peuple, joinct la désobeissance notoire faicte à nos commandemens par le Capitaine La Croix et ses soldats, lesquels de leur aucthorité privée se seroyent emparés de la place de Ploumanach et icelle fortifiée et faict lesdictes levées au grand préjudice du service du Roy, du trafficque, navigacion et repos du pauvre peuple. Nous avons faict et faisons commandement au dict de La Croix de quitter et abandonner dans vingt quatre heures la dite place de Poulmanach et nous venir trouver pour respondre aux plainctes et doléances faictes contre luy, Et à faute de ce faire, l’avons déclaré et declarons enemy du Roy et repos de ses subiects, faisant prohibitions et défenses à tous personnes de luy bailler aucun support faveur et ayde, ny fournir et administrer vivres, ammunitions et autres choses : Et aux Capitaines et soldats qui (l’) assistent à présent de le suyvre, ausquels faisons commandement de nous venir trouver et se ranger à nos troupes pour le service de sa dite Majesté dedans le dit temps de vingt quatre heures, sur peine d’estre pendus et estranglés la part ils seront trouvés sans autre forme ny figure de proces. Et le dit temps passé, avons aussy promis à noz subjects et serviteurs de sa dite Majesté de courir sus lesdits Capitaines et soldats et les tailler en pièces sans qu’ils en puissent estre aucunement recherchés. Et à ce que aucun ne puisse prétendre cause d’ignorance, avons ordonné que la présente ordonnance sera signifiée au dit de La Croix et ausdits Capitaines et soldats qui l’assistent par ung trompette et publié aux marchés et lieux publiques de ceste ville de Guingamp et Lanyon et prosnes des grandes messes parochiales des paroisses voisines de Lanyon.

440Faict audit Conseil le dit jour et an.

441Signé, D’Aumont, et plus bas Ceberet.

71. Th. Baskerville à Lord Burghley, de Pontrieux, le 4 août (23 juillet d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 369

442D’Aumont est arrivé à Guingamp dans l’espoir de rencontrer Norreys, mais celui-ci s’est déjà embarqué pour l’Angleterre. Sourdeac demande au colonel anglais d’avancer ses troupes vers Lannion pour être en mesure de soutenir une possible révolte des communes de Léon et Cornouaille.

443Most Honorable, may itt pleas your Lordship to be advertisid thatt since the going of the generall, the marshall de Aumount arrivid att Gingant with some 300 horse, who mad the more hast in hope to hav spoken with hÿm before his imbarking. I went unto hÿme to receave his directions and brought with me 2 letters from monnseur de Surdiace, the one left me by the generall the other sent to me since his going, the which I have sent your Lordship hear inclosid, opon sight of which he advised thatt itt was verÿ requesitt her Ma^tis forcis shuld advance as far as Lanionne, a place thought most fitt to second the pretendid revolt of the people of the provincis of Leon and Cornwall (if the enymy shuld worke anÿ thing to prevent thatt intent) as also to joyne with those itt shall pleas her Ma^tie to send to the aÿd of this cuntrÿ. By the 25 of this moneth I hope we shalbe ther and so much I have asurid monseur de Sordiack whom I know duthe much desir our comyng to thatt place and the rather for thatt our being ther will much incorage the people.

444As ocasion still presents I will nott faÿle to advertis your Lordship of such acurancie as I hear, and so recomend my verÿ humble servis I take mÿ leave. Ponntrÿ this 23 of Julÿ.

445I besech your Lordship thatt itt will pleas yow thatt the entertaÿment yowr Lordship have apoÿntid me, maÿ be sent me, for I asure your Lo. I have spent all I brought and all I cann borow, for I lÿve hear att a hygh ratte, the generall being absent.

446He whos desirs shalbe to do you servis. Tho. Baskervill.

72. Mémoire de diverses choses décidées par la reine et son conseil au sujet de la Bretagne et de Brest, 9 août 1594. PRO, SP 78/33, f° 379

447Sr John Norris is to have 2 000 soldiers owt of England, and 50 miners from Cornewall, and with those soldiers being transported to Pempolle to fill upp the bandes alreadie beinge in Britaigne, aswell such as have been a few time in his charge, as such as of late time have been brought thither by sir Th. Baskerville.

448Item he shall soe order all the said trowpes, as he shall charge hir ma^tie but with the paie of 4 000 soldiers, one hundred horse and 50 miners and certaine cannoniers. And of the said 4 000 he shall cawse perfect rolles to be made conteining the names of the collonells of everye regiments, with the capteines of everye band, and of such rolles he shall send the copies the therof under the handes of himself and the mustermen theare.

449Item because he hath more capteines thence than are (annfavoureable?) for the nombers to be putt into bandes so as certeine of them are to be discharged, he shall forthwith take order that this heareafter named shall not be continued in paie: that is to saie Sr Charles Blunt, nowe L (ord). Montirye, as one not to be charged because of his degree, likewise Thomas Maria Wingefielde because of his longe absence ans discontinuance.

450Item wheare hir Ma^tie hath intended that thes forces should be emploied in Britaigne against the Spaniardes theare, and nonnelie if it be possible to expell them owt of theire fort built at Crondon; hir Ma^tie would have the said sr John Norris as hir generall of hir forces to procure by all meanes possible, all the forces that are to serve the K. theare, and that maie be brought to the field to joine with hir Ma^ties forces to proceade by all meanes that maie be thowght most likelye and probable to recover that fort, and to expell the Spaniardes from thence, and the rest of Britaigne, and to that purpos hir Ma^tie hath also sent sondrie of hir owne shippes under the conduct of Sr Martin Frobissher: the shippes beinge in nomber [blanc] which shall be accompanied with six other shippes of warre of the Cittie of London, all which shippinge shall directlie repaire to the haven of Brest and theare shall serve in such sort as theie shall finde occasion uppon advise had from the capteine of Brest, and from Sr John Norris by waie of the land.

451Item theare are expected also accordinge to promise made by the States of the lowe Cuntries, the comming thither of nine other shippes of warre, whearewith also shall comm a quantetie of powder to be used in this service abowt the recoverie of the fort at Croidon, so as the same powder being well used then the quantetie of other powder sent in the shippes for a stoare maie be saved, and so retorned home againe with the shippes.

452Item the said Sr John Norris shall withowt delaie of time procure the Frenche forces to be in readines for his exploite against the Spaniardes or other the K. rebelles theare, so as the time be not spent as hearetofore viz (?) hath been, withowt anie article service done by hir Ma^ties forces to the great expence of his treasure, and wast of hir people, onelye for that the Frenche forces have not been readie nor sufficient to proceade in that service, as had been requisite consideringe (?) hir Ma^ties forces are to be accompted but auxiliarye to the Frenche, and that the French owght rather to doble hir Ma^ties forces, than to be fewer, for which purpose it is accompted that the ordinary forces in Britaigne for the K maie be above 3 000 footemen and 800 horse, and if the French kinges promise shall be performed the D. of Montpensier is to comm thither with all the forces that he own (?) commannd in Normandy, both of horse and foote wherewith since good accounpt maie be made to have the present forces against the Spaniardes to be so great as with the service (?) theie maie be expelled owt of Britaigne.

73. Copies des lettres écrites par Monsieur de Lezonnet, gouverneur de Concarneau, et de M^gr Charles du Liscoët, évêque de Quimper, au maréchal d’Aumont158, 13 et 14 août 1594. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 15 et 18

453Monsieur, Vous entendres du porteur de ceste tous les progres qu’on a suivy pour plus doucement advancer le service du Roy en ce pais, pour mettre la main derniere a cest oeuvre fort a propos. Monsieur vous avez prins l’ennuy de faire ce voyage, tous les gens de bien s’en rejouissent fort lesquels vous trouveres prepares de vous recevoir avecqu’telle allegresse et recognoissance que merite l’affection que vous apportes au bien de ceste province. Je feray tousjours tout debvoir de les y convyer et vous serviray de toute affection. Ce 13 Aoust 1594. C’est

454Vostre plus obeissant et affectionne serviteur,

455Charles du Liscoest, Evesque de Cornouaille.

456Monsieur faictes moy cest honneur que la depesche que le sr de Kerholen m’a apporte ne soit poinct esgaree, elle a este delivre a Monsieur de La Bruiere.

457---------------

458Monsieur, Je vous renvoye le sr de Cosse qui vous pourra dire ce qu’il a veu tant des Espaignols que de toutes autres choses, reste ascavoir de vous ce que deliberez de voz voisins. Car le jeu est tout prest a jouer, et de belle promesse il faut veoir l’execution. Songes bien en ce que le sr de Cosse vous dira pour vostre acheuvement en ca si il est necessaire ou non, et me mandes par ce dit porteur si vous voules qu’on hazarde l’affaire, et si nous le faillons comme vous y poures remedyer. Je suis tout prest a executer voz commandements sans autre consideration et tout dispose a vous servir. Je vous remercy tres humblement des courtoisis et honeurs que mon nepveu ay receus de vous. Je vous rendray par preuve certaine comme je m’en sera (sic) oblige et suis (gros ?) de vous veoir. Je vous supplie satisfaire Monsieur de Cornouaille du don que le Roy luy a faict des decymes de cest evesque (sic) et ne l’a poinct receu ny moy aussy, et aussy comme l’affaire l’en sera pour noz prisonniers car cela me touche beaucoup. Adieu. Je suis a jamais

459Vostre tres humble serviteur, Lezonnet.

460Vous escripres s’il vous plaist de Conguerservant ( ?) et Cordreztant ( ?) comme je vous ay donne avis et de leur bonne volunte et qu’ilz ayent a m’assister l’affaire (sic) qui s’offre comme ilz y sont tous disposes. Cela leur augmentera l’affection et les vous obligera.

461A Conques159 ce 14 Aoust 1594.

74. Lettre de Thomas Baskerville à Lord Burghley, de Lannion le 18 août (8 août d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 25

462L’évêque de Léon et le gouverneur de Concarneau ont écrit au maréchal. Quimper est prêt à se soumettre au roi. Pour contrer la menace espagnole sur la ville, d’Aumont propose aux Anglais de s’avancer vers ce quartier. Nouvelles venues de nouveaux ralliements au roi. La Croix a rendu le fort de Ploumanac’h au maréchal. Conditions de sa reddition.

463It may please your good Lord. The copies of 2 letters herewith enclosed sent from the Bishop of Cornewoile and Gouvernour of Conques addressed to the Marshall with the report of Mons^r de Cosse (whom they desire to be credited) may be sufficient to witnes the likelyhood of good proceedinges in these partes. He declareth that Kemper Coromtin a towne there neere adioyning and of importannce standes ready (when any occasion shall present) to shew yt selfe for the Kinge. The difficultie they onely make is the neerenes of the spanish army being not above 3 leagues thence. And to prevent any disseignes which the Spanyard might have to hinder so good a course, they require that th’Englishe with such other forces as the Marshall hath should advannce that way. The Marshall himselfe doth muche urge it; and with all th’oportunitie of so good occasions offered for so speciall service of the King, and the comoditie of well lodging the troupes, persuade me not to refuse it. The choyce of 2 quarters is offered me, th’one a burgh called Glasquin160 2 or 3 leagues from Karhays (a place where the Spanyardes have long lodged) th’other not farre from Morlaix and neere the sea coast where is good harbourgh for any shippes. Of this last I have made choyse, to th’end we may both be ready to ioyne with such other troupes as shall arrive as also to seconde any enterprinse of Mons^r de Sourdeac in Leon. For other good news from the King albeit I know your Lo. more sufficiently informed yet I humbly beseech yow to pardon me in presenting unto yow that which passeth here. The Marshall this day receyved letters from Paris (written by the secretarie Ceberet) which he communicated to me, of the Kings entry into Lande, that Roÿ (?) Montedier Peron with Amienes and Ableville161 are yealded to the Kinge and the dukes of Mayen and dAumal retired into Arras. That the duke of Guyse is turned to the Kinge [En marge: This newes of the Duke of Guise came in a litle paper enclosed in the said letter, and therfore the certaintie of it is somewhat dowbted but th’other newes of the townes is assured] unto whom is geven th’office of great Mr, and to Counte Soissons who before had it is geven 100000 crownes for contentment. The Gouvernements of Champagnie and Brye162 with that of Paris are also apoincted to the said duke. Monsieur La Croix hath rendered his forte to the Marshall upon these conditions, to have pardon for him and his for all actions before passed, to have full pay for his regiment and 1000 crownes in money to bring him to the King. I think yf he had lingered but 2 dayes longer his souldiours woulde have delivered him into the Marshalles handes for they began to grow into such tearmes as he was driven to kill one of them. I send your Lo. also herewithall the copi of a letter from Mons^r Sourdeac which came to my handes as I was dispaching of these wherby your Lo. may perceive their successe and proceedings in those parts. And so with due remembrannce of my most humble duety to your Lo. I humbly take my leave.

464From Lannyon this 8 of August 1594

465Your Lordship most affectionid to do yow servis. Tho. Baskervil.

75. Lettre de Baskerville à Lord Burghley, de Morlaix, le 28 août (14 août d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 59

466Préparatifs du siège de Morlaix. Demande de renforts. Importance de la place.

467Most Honorable, Since mÿ last to your Lordship we have advancid as farre as Morlaÿx, and partly bÿ fair means partly by threatts we have gaynid the place. The castell only houlds owtt which with 5 peecis of cannon would easelÿ be carÿed. In itt is retyrid manÿ gentillmen of the Leage and ther is no douts butt the Duke Mercurÿ with the forcis of the spanÿards will atempte to sucore the place. By the castell theÿ have good entrÿ into the towne, which we have impechid as much as in us lÿes, butt nott soe butt thatt under the covertt of itt theÿ maÿ enter. Therfor I beseech your Lordship (if her Ma^tie houlds her determÿnation to asist the Kyng in thess parts) thatt 1000 of the tropes maÿ be sent this place with as much speed as maÿ be, thatt being donn I dowtt nott butt we shall carÿ the place, and make the Spaniards retire towards their fortes of Blavett and Crodonne. This towne is of such imports (as your Lordship best knows) for the Kings servis thatt itt is resoulvid thatt we tinÿ (!) our fortuns, befor we leave itt, and surely itt is a towne verÿ marchant and from wense [whence] all the comodyties of Bass Britanÿ ar ventid, and wher our nacion trafficks most in this countrÿ. This I thought verÿ requisitt to advertis your Lordship of and and so resting most redy to be comandid by your Lordship I humbly take mÿ leave.

468Your Lordshipp most affectionid to do yow servis. Tho. Baskervill.

469Morlayx this 18 of August.

76. Lettre de Baskerville à sir Tho. Leighton, de Morlaix, le 29 août (19 août d.a.) 1594. Copie. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 60

470La ville est prise. Le château résiste. Demande renouvelée de renforts. Difficulté des communications avec Londres.

471Sir, what with faire meanes and good perswations, we have made our selves maisters of Morlas, a towne as yow knowe very riche, and besids very comodious for comerse with our nation; it reste to take the castell a place of no verie greate strength, but yett to strong for us to gett without meanes especyallye our armie beinge no stronger then it is, and this we looke for the spanishe force joyned with those of duke Mercurye will come to seconde the place, whych yf they doe, they shall under the favour of it have good entrye into the towne. Therfore my requeste to yow is that yf there be anie forces arrived att your governement, I meane of those her Ma^tie intende to sende to the ayde of Brittayne, that yow will cause them to drawe this waye with as much speed as may be, for it were noe reputation to leese that is gotten with so good fortune, and a great hinderannce to her Ma^ties good intents. Sir, further I must intreate yow that yf there be none of these forces arived at your isle, that it will please yow to advertise her Ma^tie and my Lords of the Counsell of the takinge of it and of our great wants, which letter frome yow maye worke more then those I have sente unto them163. Sir, further I intreate that yow will wright unto me what hope there is of her Ma^ties sendinge anye other troupes into these parts, for scince the generalls goinge I have not had anye letter neyther frome my Lords of the Counsell neyther frome the Generall, so that I thinke theise poore troupes are noe more thought on. I send this man a purpose to yow, to understand of yow what hope we have of theire cominge. The Marshall hath much desired me to intreate ii pieces of your canon, offeringe to binde the whole bodye of this towne for their safe returne, I excused it, but yt I thought good to wright unto yow his desire. Canon we wante, which yf we had the castell would be ours within 5 dayes. And so att this tyme not havinge anie other thinge I reste,

472Morlas this 19 of August.

77. Lettre de Norreys à Sir Robert Cecill, le 11 septembre (1^er septembre d.a.) 1594. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 94

473Après quelques contrariétés de navigation, une partie du renfort anglais vient de débarquer à Paimpol. Mercoeur serait à Carhaix fermement résolu à lever le siège de Morlaix. Norreys craint de voir sa route coupée. Morlaix servira de test pour juger des possibilités des ennemis de défendre le fort de Crozon. Mais l’artillerie fait défaut.

474I am constrayned to scrible thys letter to your Honor wyth a ghyddy head beynge newely landed, havynge been these four dayes att sea wyth contrary wyndes, by whych meanes a great part of our fleet is left we knowe not wher. At my arrivynge at Ghernsey, I had conferens wyth Sr Tomas Leyghton and all the pilots, whether yt had been fytt for us to have taken our course to Morlays, but they were all of opinion that our best and speediest course was to come to thys place, and so yt fell owt, for yesterday the wynd calmed so as we could not advannce syx leaghes and thys day came all to the south west, and west south west. The contraryety of the wynd hath made us leese164 halfe a dosyn of our shyppes, whych I hope be at Ghernsey by thys tyme, whether I send the Charles to hasten them away, and yf he should not fynd them ther then I have spoken to the Captayn to put over to Portsmouthe that yf they be yet remayninge ther, he may bringe them away, for we have no men to spare. I meet heer wyth thys certayn advyce that the Duke de Mercure is at Kerhays wyth hys army fully resolved to sett up hys rest to souccour the place. He is reported to be 6 000 foetmen and 600 horse; what our strenght is your Honer shall see by Sr Tomas Baskerfeelds letter, we shall not increase the number past 1 200 what by meanes of those that are runne away and left behynd us, but our numbers shall not discourage us, yt may be that we shall fynd some difficulty to joyn wyth the armye, by reason that the Duke beynge at Kerhays, whych is but ten leaghes from Morlays and on way to crosse us as we shall march, may perhaps make some entreprise opon us, whych I wyll prevent as well as God shall permytt me. Thys action wyll goe neer to shewe what wylbe our succes for the fort, for yf they be not abble to souccour thys place, they shalbe lesse able to souccour the fort. I fear no want for that servyce but artighliery and munition, for we must make account to have no more from the Kinge but her Ma^es toe canons, and what can be found at Brest whych wyll not be much. So that yf her Ma^ty affect the havynge of the place, four or fyve peeces more were well imployed, ther is no apparans that we shalbe idell and I dout not but your Honor shall heer that we wyll (fee?) our reputation; and thus in very hast I most humbly take my leave remayninge

475Your Honors most redy to doe you servyce. J. Norreys

476At Pempoule thys sonday at iii of the clock fyrst of Sept.

477Yt may please your Honor to remember that the Marshall be wrytten unto about the fortifycation of thys place and to delyver us her Ma^es cannon, yf yt be not alredy donne.

78. Lettre de d’Aumont à Norreys, Morlaix, le 12 septembre 1594. Copie. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 97

478Monsieur, Je ne vous scaurois dire l’aise que nous avons tous de vostre arrivée, & encore plus sy vous estiez saute. Jay ceste chose certaine & dont je vous veulx bien asseure que les espaignols sont a K[er]hays. Monsieur de Mercure y doit estre en nuict ou demayn matyn avec touce quil a des forces, resolu a ce quon dict de nous venir combattre mercredy ou jeudy. Car il y est presse pour ce que ceulx de chasteau meurent de faim que me faict vous supplyer a jointes mains comme il masseure que vous aimeriez mieulx avoir perdre vingt mille escus que de perdre ceste occasion destre icy mercredy, vous asseurant quil se presente aujourdhuy une sy belle occasion pour le service du Roy et bien de la patrie quil ne se peult jamays plus. Car sans doubte Monsieur de Mercure & les espaignols sont perdus & ceste province deslivree vous pourriez penser puis que nous esperyons destre combattre nayant que ce que nous avons & nayant point desperance en vous et que nous debvons fayre vous estant venu, et vostre personne que vault mieux deulx mille hommes cest vostre rival que dom Jouan non a lamour ne a la guerre. Il fault que aujourdhuy vous luy ostiez toutte sa reputation, venez donc encore un coup je vous supplie & jour et nuict & estre icy mercredy ou jeudy de bonne heure l’asseurance que jay de vous veoir me fera faire fin à la presente par mes bien humbles recommandations a voz bonnes graces, priant Dieu (…) Daumont.

479Morlayx ce 12 septembre 1594.

79. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley. De Morlaix, le 21 septembre (11 septembre d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 111

480Arrivée des renforts anglais pour participer au siège de Morlaix. Mouvements de l’armée de Mercœur. Escarmouches et prisonniers. Situation de Morlaix.

481Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. Opon the often and ernest writyng of the Marshall I used such dilygens that wyth half the troupes I arryved at thys place on thursday the fift of thys present, the rest were heer the next day by noon. The Duke de Mercure hys army was come wythin four leaghes of thys place and in all aparans would have been able to succour the castell yf we had not soe happily joyned thys army. He remaynes yet at the same place and maketh great provysion of vittayls, threatninge eyther to vittayl the castell or els to geve us battayll, for the one we doe provyde by makinge of fortes and trenches round about yt, for the other nowe our forces are joyned I thynke he wyll advise hym self. The next day after our arrivall the Duke approched hys army toe leaghes to an abbay cauled le Relec165, whych gave us an opinion that he would suddaynly have tryed hys fortune, but on Sunday the eyght he dislodged thre leaghes back agayn to the great discomfort of the castell. Opon theyr retrayt yt was advised to be necessary that a good troupe of horse should be sent to the warre to take knoledge what way the Dukes army did retyre, and to that pourpos was appointed Monsr. de Bastenay, one of the Marshals of the camp, Monsr. Kergomart, Governer of Ghynghan, and one Monsr. de la Boutellierye166, a gentleman of hygh Brittany whych hath a company of lyght horse, and many other gentlemen of the choyse of the armye to the number of 100 salades and 150 haqhebusiers on horsback; thys troupe, after they had made fyve leaghes, fell opon a company of the ennemyes lyght horse lodged opon the skyrt of theyr army and did put yt in route, the soldiers attendinge to the spoyle, but soon after a good troupe of the ennemyes horse men comynge to charge them, they were in such disorder, as ther hyndmost took a very hasty retrayt and never could agayn be brought to fyght, those that were neerest the ennemy were overthrowen, Kergomart and la Boutellerie taken prisoners, wyth divers others, and some men slayn, the losse thought to be of fyfty gentlemen; Bastene saved hym self by the goodnes of hys horse, and the greatest cause of the deffayt imputed to hym, as well for want of good direction as that he did not geve a charg for the succour of hys companyons that were ingaged. The pride of thys overthrowe caused the Duke de Mercure not to disloge that day as he determyned, neyther yet doe we heer that he is removed, he is not growen strongher then we are by thys myshap, for yesterday the Marquis de Coesquyn and Monsr. de Monbarrot, both the Kinges Lyuetenants; le Sr de Corbuson; de la Tremblay, and dyvers others, joyned thys armye wyth 160 salades and 1 200 shott. The castell seemes to have litle hope of souccour and hath parlyed, but is offered but hard conditions. Our canon is thys day brought on shore and shalbe soon imployed, but thys ingaginge of us at thys seege wyll cut up (?) a great part of our best tyme, though wyth Gods assistans I hope the place wyll not longe be out of our possession. I have lett the Marshall understand of her Ma^es direct pourpos that her forces shall not be imployed to any other servyce then the takynge of the fort by Brest, and doe urge hym to hasten hys provysions. He sayth he wyll omytt no tyme and be provyded of all thynges necessary, but I dare assure your Lord he wylbe able to bringe no canon thether but her Ma^es that are yet at Ghynghan, and at Brest ther is none, so that thys only want of artygliery may be a cause to draw the servyce to more length. Sr Martyn Forbisher hath been eyght dayes sins in the bay of Brest, and as I heer hath geven and receaved many canonades to and from the fort, wherby he is able to lett your Lord understand howe yt is provyded of artigliery, and yf ther be any determynation of newe forces to come into thys cuntry he shalbe able to geve notyce of yt from sea, then we from hens, wher yet we heer nothynge of yt. I must crave your L. pardon yf I wryte breefly, for nyght and day we are busied in our trenches, but as often as commodyty shall serve, your L. shalbe advertised of all that passeth, and I wyll contynewe,

482Your Ls most assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys.

483A Morlays thys xi of Sept. 1594

80. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, de Morlaix, 30 septembre (20 sept. d.a.) 1594. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 129

484Après la prise de Morlaix. Arrivée d’un négociateur envoyé par Mercoeur pour demander une trève. Arrivée de renforts espagnols à Blavet. Le sort des Irlandais faits prisonniers.

485Yt may please your Lord, not wythstandinge, that I have used all possible meanes to hasten the marchynge of the army towards the fort, yet could I not procure the Marshall to disloge tyll tomorowe when I have assured hym that yf he wyll not disloge that I wyll stay no longher for hym. The pretext of hys stay is that those of thys towne (1) have delayed to furnish certayn money whych they have promised, wythout the whych the french wyll not march.

486Toe dayes past heer arrived Monsr. de Taloet, one of the suffitient men that followeth the Duke of Mercure, and Governer of Redon; hys coullor was to treat of the exchange of prisoners, but under hand he hath made motion of a truce for syx weekes; in whych tyme he undertaketh that the Duke shall yeeld hym self to the Kings obediens, or els that hym self, wyth most part of the french nobylyty, wyll forsake hym. Thys motion is much suspected of every body and thought to be but a delay tyll the tyme of the yeer myght passe and they receave greater forces from Spayn. The Marshall neverthelesse taketh great hould of yt and contrary to the opinion of all others hath projected certayn articles whych when I sawe hym not to be removed from, I thought good to restrayn the articles in such sort as they myght not be cause of any delay or prejudice to the servyce; the project of the articles I send your Lord, whych yf in that sort they be graunted they wylbe more advanntagious then prejudicyall unto us, but yt may be douted that the Spanish succour, whych we heer is nowe arrived may alter thys pourpos, the report is uncertayn of the numbers; by some that say they sawe them imbarke in Spayn, we are advertysed they are 3 000, but by those that geve advyce of theyr landinge, we understand they are but 1 200. What soever they be, I trust they shall not be able to hynder our entreprise, espetially yf the Kinge doe send us an increase of force by the Duke de Monpensyer, as we heer that he is alredy dispached. Our people doe contynewe to run away on thys syde as well as on the othersyde, and many begin to be syck, whych wylbe increased by the incomodity of the seege; so that yf yt would please her Ma^ty that 500 men myght be sent us from those sheeres, that had soe lytle care of her Ma^es servyce that they (sic) men ran away before they were shypped, we shall the lesse care for the Spanish souccour, and I wyll see that her Ma^ty notwythstandinge that supply shalbe charged but wyth 4 000 as ys sett down. Her Ma^es artigliery is agayn shypped and I thynk by thys tyme at Brest.

487Yt may please your Lord, havynge understoed that ther were certayn Irish and Inglysh men in thys castell of Morlays, at the tyme of the composytion, whych had formed them selves into a cumpany under the leadinge of an Irish Cap. and Lyuetenant, I caused an article to be put in, that they all should be delyvered unto me, to receave such punishment as they had deserved, whych was accordingly performed. Ther were fownd XXII Irish and II Inglysh. The Cap. is a Marchants sonne of Gallaway, a man of good capacity, but never served on our syde, whych scruple, wyth the importune sute of the Marshall and all the nobylyty with hym, hath made me to respyte hym, tyll I unerstand your Lords pleasure: the man is younge and lyke inough to prove honest. He came from the Spaniards opon a disgrace offered hym by Don John. The Lyuetenant wyth fyve others that had run away from us and had been knowen to use extraordinary cruelty in servyce agaynst us were punished accordinge to theyr deserts. The rest that were taken att sea, and in other partes of Frannce and as they alleage forced to serve, I have put opon suretyes to be come honester men. To conclude I beseech your Lord that I may recommend unto you the tymely sendinge unto us of our money and clothes as well for those newe come men as those that were heer before, assuringe your Lord that they have extreem need of yt, and not be able to indure the seege wythout they be clothed, I wyll ever contynewe, Your L. most assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys.

488At Morlays thys XX of Sep. 1594.

81. Lettre de la reine Elizabeth à Henri IV, 7 octobre (27 septembre d.a.) 1594. Minute. B. L., Stowe 166, f° 138 r°-v°

489Très hault très excellent et très puissant prince notre trèscher et très amé bon frère et cousin. Encores que nous ne doubtions pas que vous n’ayez esté, il y (a) long temps adverty de la part de Monsr. Le Mareschal d’Aumont de la prinse et réduction de la ville et chasteau de Morlaix : si est ce que nous ressantant tousjours de vos fortunes, n’avons voulu aulcunement celer le grans contentement que nous recepvons de ce que nos gents y seroient arrivés si a point, que de vous avoir faict un si agréable service combien qu’il nous semblast fort estrange quand nous entendions premièrement que nos forces y estoient employées, ayants esté icelles par vous requises pour des aultres endroicts. Et ce que nous entendons par notre agent qu’à sa dernière audience il vous auroit remonstré le contract qui a esté passé entre nous pour faire délivrer entre les mains de notre Général pour la retraict des nostres la première place qui seroit gaignée par les secours de nos forces incontinent que nous en fissions demande, et que là dessus vous auriez aussy promis d’envoyer Monsieur de St Luc avec pouvoir d’investir nos trouppes dans lesdits ville et chasteau de Morlaix qu’on pensoit alors avoir esté prins : Nous trouvons convenable si vous n’avez désir pourver (pourvoir) à l’accomplissement de votre promesse vous requérir bien instamment donner promptement ordres. Et d’aultant que sçavez très bien que nous avons destiné l’employement de nosdites trouppes au recouvrement du fort près la ville de Brest par la détention duquel l’un de vos principaux havres seroit si grandement hazardé. Nous espérons que vous estimerez ce lieu là, pour estre si voisin à celuy où se tiendrait nos forces, beaucoup plus propre aux nostres que la villette de Pempol où jusques icy la nécessité les auroit contraints de s’accomoder aulcunement, estant ledit lieu si incommode qu’il n’y avoit point de place assez sans en esloigner et escarter ça et là le demeurant en des bourgades prochaines exposées à l’ennemy. En quoy nous confessons bien nous estre d’aultant plus soigneuse de reçepvoir satisfaction, et que ce soit à tout le moins en nostre élection de l’accepter ou refuser, attendu mesmement que nous commençons à sentir quelque vent d’une appréhension générale esparse parmy les malicieux et tourbulents esprits de ce monde, que nos forces et despences précédantes tant grandes et excessives quoy qu’accompagnées d’un habandon quasi de nousmesme au milieu de périlz qui nous avoient de touttes parts environnée n’auroient toutteffois esté assez dignement prisées et qu’elles ne soient encores pour estre rémunérées à l’équipolent de nostre mérite, de quoy l’on ne peult asseoir jugement plus certain que cest argument si évident, que non obstant tous les fruits de vostre fortune par delà, lesquels sont ainsy provenus tous les jours les uns sur les aultres (dont nous souhaitons continuellement l’accroissement) on n’ait jamais pensé d’aulcun expédient pour nous soulager tant peu que ce soit, en rendant la charge plus légiere que nous portons encores pour le bien de vos affaires. Ains nous voit on journellement importunée ou pour ceste place icy, ou celle là, et que tousjours après la résolution prinse d’y envoyer nos forces, elles y arrivent beaucoup plustost que les vostres comme dernièrement les nostres ayant passé la mer se mirent en œuvre avant que les vostres eussent reçeu commandement de par vous de s’y apprester tant seulement, ainsy que nostre agent nous auroit advertie que le duc de Montpensier n’avoit que tout fraischement esté ordonné par vous d’y faire ses préparatifs. Ce que néantmoins ne vous a d’aultant despleu quant à vostre particulier pour estre asseurement persuadée que vous n’estes pas sans un vray sentyment combien nous sommes engagée pour l’advancement de vos affaires, de sorte que ne doubtons point que ne veuilliez toujours vous esvertuer soigneusement à ce que nous recevions reciproquement telle satisfaction comme ont mérité et mériteront cy après, les plaisirs que nous espérons vous avoir. Et ainsy pour ne vous ennuyer présentement d’un trop long discours Nous vous prions d’armer les forces promises tant par vos lettres que par votre ambassadeur et principalement pour ce que nostre général s’en allant par delà avoit en ses instructions commandement exprès de s’en retourner incontinent avecques ses trouppes advenant qu’il ne se trouvast secondé par celles que vous aviez promises d’y envoyer de par vous pour icelle enterprinse pour laquelle Nous y employons maintenant nosdites forces. Au surplus avons pareillement enjoinct à nostre agent de vous solliciter et touchant ce que dessus, et quelques aultres choses aussy d’importance, esquelles, vous priants luy vouloir adjouster foy et créance, Nous supplions le Créateur trèshault de vous garentir de tous périls, et avec longue et heureuse vie vous donner l’accomplissement de tous vos saints désirs. Escrit à nostre chasteau de Grenwich ce XXVII me de Septembre l’an 1594.

82. Lettre de Norreys à Lord Burghley, au camp devant le fort, racontant les conditions dans lesquelles s’effectue le siège du fort de Crozon, 15 octobre 1594 (5 octobre, d.a.). Original. PRO, 78/34, f° 164

490Ryght Honnorable my very good Lord. Thys fort was invested the XXIII of the last by the french harquebusiers on horsback and some curasses conducted by Monsr. de Liscoet, one of the Marshals of the camp, and the Baron de Molac, one of thys cuntry, who performed yt very well and not wythout danger, being no more men then were in the fort, wherby they were compelled to remayn eyght dayes toghether in gard, Sr Martyn Furbisher dyd well assist them wyth hys sea men. The Marshall havynge imagined a plott for the recoverynge of Quimper Corantyn the cheef town of the Byshoprick of Cornwall, caryed us thre dayes jorney out of the way, and when we came thether we found them in no disposition to compound, but they intertayned us wyth good musquetades. When I found thys detractynge course of the Marshall I went unto hym and let hym knowe that her Ma^ty had geven me expresse charge to intend no servyce but the takynge of the fort, whether I ment presently to repayr, and so tooke my leav of hym and wyth 1 000 men I arryved heer the II of thys present. But because I founde that the takynge of that town was of very great importans for thys seege by reason yt covers us from all the Duke de Mercure hys spanish and french force, I refused not to leave my brother and Sr Tomas Baskervyll wyth the rest of her Ma^es troupes to assist hym to recover the town, whylest wyth these heer I myght make our approches and plant the Cannon. The Cuntry doth afford us slowe assistans and yet I assure your Lord we have donne a great deale of worke for so lytle tyme, as your Lord shall see by the plott whych I send you made as neer as I can ghesse yt. I doe not thynke we shall have any artigliery from the Marshall except yt be toe culveryns, and therfore I have desyred Sr Martyn Furbysher that we may have some of hym who hath promysed us to lett us have four peeces. Her Ma^es Canon at Ghynghan are not come and I dout the Marshall feareth that yf they came abrode we would not suffer hym to have them agayn, wherfore yf her Ma^ty wyll have them he must be ernestly written unto for them, and that I have commission to aske for them. I trust we shalbe able to make our battery wyth in four dayes whych I have not thought good to begin tyll by trenches we have made our way in to theyr diche, and in the mean tyme wyth our culveryns we doe beat the deffences. S^r Martyn Furbisher hath had some advyce from Spayn whych I leav to hym self to advertyse your Lord. I doe assuredly beleve the Spanish wyll imploy theyr uttermost meanes rather then abandon thys cuntry, and therfore yt is necessary for her Ma^ty to enter into a sound consideration what course to hould in these warres. The Duke of Monpensyer hys comynge is not yet assured, beynge much crossed by the Marshall, who contynueth to treat a truce, as all men thynk to divert the pourpos of the Dukes comynge. I have lett hym understand that yf he conclude of any thynge that I shall see prejuditiall to her Ma^es servyce, that I wyll not agree to yt. Yt may be thought I should speak of the spleen, but I wyll assure your Lord he is the unfittest man to commannde an army that ever I sawe, and yf he had donne what he myght doe, the fort had been already in our possession. He hath but yll luck wyth hys French men for I heer that Mons^r de La Tremblay Governer of Moncontour late come out of prison, is overthrowen and 200 horse wyth hym. I humbly pray your Lord that I may receav spedy direction from her Ma^ty for such thynges as I nowe wryte of and have wrytten before for the state of the navall army I leav to Sr Martin; and to promys any assurans of the takynge of the fort I dare not for the enemy sheweth a full resolutyon to hould yt, and therfore I wyll agayn remember your Lord that yt myght please her Ma^ty to send us 500 men that are run away from us and many beynge syck, and wheras we want neer one hundred of those that came out of Devon, Cornwall and Somersett shire that we myght have one hundred good labourers sent in theyr places. I wyll see they shall be payed whithin the charge that her Ma^ty hath alredy sett down, and thus hopinge to send your Lord shortly some good newes, I most humbly take my leave remayninge,

491Your Lord most assuredly to commannd, J Norreys.

492At the campe before the fort thys V of oct. 1594.

83. Lettre de Martin Frobisher à Lord Burghley et à l’amiral Howard, de Brest, le 16 octobre (6 octobre d.a.) 1594. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 175

493My humble dutie my honorable good Lords for the affayres of the Lande the[y] have all taken good successes and so I hope this forte will not stand longe, the perticulers I referre to sr John Norris advertismente that hath preformed them with greate travaille and dilligence, for the helps of the French is slow and small but for there owne profitts.

494I receved sondrie sorts of intelligences, but the fourth of this monnthe I spoke with a mayster of a shippe of Brittaine in the haven of Brest that was in passage the XIIII th of Septembre and sent for by the generall of the Spanish fleette that is in passage and he sent him abord all the VII greate shipps and asked him his opinion how many men he thought would man everie shippe, he sett him downe accordinge to his judgmente the numbers as he sayth the lest of seven is betwixt IX hundred and a XI hundred troup so he sett sone downe, sixe hundred men apeere, and some eight hundred and so to a thousande accordinge to there greatnes. But the general demanded of him how many mayreners would serve, and he sayd low parts or one halfe of so many men at the least, there is more XIIII saylle of other smaller shippinge there but he sayth the(y) have few men and ther was some souldiers lyinge aboute in the cuntrey, all there pillotts be brittains and the[y] run from them daylie.

495There is another come from Rotchell and he saythe that he spoke with one that came from thence the XX th of Septembre and that there is as many small shipps taken up as bringeth twelfe hundred souldiers from passage to Blvett. And I thinke that to be the most like that the[y] will send them in small shippinge, and in some of there smallest shipps or fleebootts, for it groweth neare winter for there greate shipps.

496There is comen to us this day sixe of the men of warre of Aucusant (?), and east Hollande, wee will do our best to entercept them as weather will give us leave. And our vittelles, which wilbe out the last day of this monthe, so praying your honours pleasure to lett us heare upon the coaste yf we shall make any further stay which we meane not to do except we heare to the contrarie from your honours. I crave pardon of your honours to speake my opinion of this forte, after it be taken yf it be rayse, yf the Spaniards meane to continew there axions in Brittanie, the[y] will not be longe or the [y] take this grounde againe and the[y] will amend the fault of this that the[y] find, the[y] tooke low littell grounde into the forte, and fortiffied not a low by the sea. It were better it were mayntayned and another made agaynste it, and kept for some small time for the castell of Brest can do little or nothinge for the defence of this harboure. We have given such asistance as wee may to sr John Norris for the speedie dispatche of this forte, we have not as yett receved anie letters from your honours. I writt by a barke of Scime (?) the XXIIII th of Septembre which was with the first wynd that served from hence.

497I understande of some three pinases, and tow other small men of warre, that keepes aboute Belle-Ille and Blvett, that hath both, Spanishe, French, Englishe, and Swishe in them, we will take the best course wee may to come to them, the[y] have good intelligence of our fleett, the[y] robe brittaynis everie day Thus with my humble prayer to the Almightie for your increase of honour to God glorie from Brest this VI th of Octobre 1594,

498Your honours most humblie, L. Martin FROBISHER.

499I have sent your honours a little draught of the harboure167.

84. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, au camp devant le fort de Crozon. 18 octobre (8 octobre, d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 184

500Quelques événements survenus durant le siège.

501Ryght Honorable my very good Lord. The vi of thys present, the ennemy made a sally about three of the clock, wher our Sergent Maior fyndinge hymself drawe them very quickly in, killed an Alfiero168 that held (?) them, and some soldiers, and tooke many of theyr armes, wythout losse of one man of ours, after every man retyred, the sergent Major leaninge agaynst a gabion169 wyth hys sword in hys hand, was slayne wyth a demy culveryne shott, and wyth hym a sergent and toe soldiers more; we have a great losse of hym, for he was a very carefull and suffitient man, but thys end our protection wyll bringe us all to, at one tyme or other, I have geven (as much as lyeth in me) hys place to Cap. Rychard Wyngfeeld, whom I beseech your Lord to favour in yt. At the returne of Monsr. Tabet to Kimper the Marshall concluded a truce for three weekes, and neyther gave me any advyce of yt, not yett can I ghett the copy of yt, as soon as yt was agreed on; he sent the same forges (?) that was in Ingland to the Kinge. The comen opinion contynueth that he hath importuned the Duke of Mercure to thys truce to stopp the comynge of the Duke of Monpensyer wyth such forces as are appointed for thys service. Yesterday he came hether and promyseth that he wyll see us have all necessary provisions, but I am sure they wyll prowe but woordes, he hath not heer one peece of artigliery nor one corne of pouder, and yf the wynd doe not after he is lyke to have none, I am commanded by her Ma^ty not to spend any of her munition without money for yt, and he hath not a crowne to pay; so that yf I shall observe thys comanndment the good succes of the seege wyll depend opon the uncertaynty of the wynd; but because I know her Ma^ty regardes more the takynge of the place then that expens, and that the detractinge of tyme myght be dangerous unto us, I am determyned, that yf theyr pouder and bolets be not come by that tyme our battery be prepared, to use her Ma^ts store, takynge such assurans for the payment as I can ghett, whych course I pray your Lord I may receave warrant for.

502Yesterday a wallon sent out by the Governer of the fort to cary letters in cypher to Don John, came unto us and brought hys letters with hym, havynge longe before made promys to Monsr de Sourdéac hys Lyuetenant that was prisoner in the fort, to come unto hym as soon as he could fynd commodyty; he dothe assure us that they are provided of all thynges for more then toe monethes, and resoved to doe theyr best to keep yt. I trust we shall not spend a thyrd part of that tyme to take yt, but yt is good in these cases to provyde for the worst and therfore, requysyte (?) we were some what supplyed as in my last I wrote unto your Lord, and what may be donne by us your Lord may be assured shall not be omytted; and thus not havynge any thynge els, I wyll most humbly take my leave and contynewe, Your Lords most assuredly to command, J. Norreys.

503From the camp before the fort thys viii of Oct. 1594

85. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, devant le fort de Crozon, 20 octobre (10 octobre, d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 192

504Le siège se prolonge, mais les assaillants progressent dans leur approche ; trop lentement au gré de Norreys qui demande à Londres des pionniers

505Right honorable my verie good Lo. Yesterdaie the Marshall was desireous to see her Ma^ts shippes and take me abord with hime. In the time that wee were ther, wee might see the enemye make a salley, whoe being succoured by a hill that shaddowed them from being discovered of our men, fell uppon the frenche in their trenches so suddenlye as that thei had not the leasure to betake them to their armes, but were some seventie of them killed and as manie or more of them hurt. Hereuppon the enemye made an enterprise uppon ours, but were repulsed without anie lost almost at all, saveing that our men by geveing out of their trenches to pursue the enemye in their retreate some 9 or 10 of them wer slaine by the canon out of the fort.

506Now that wee have made our approches verie neare, I find the place of better strengthe then wee thought it of and by reason of the plaines of the grownd about it the more subject to anoye our men, so that wee must make accompt that it will rest us the longer time in the takeing of it, and doe pourpose presently to goe in hand to waiste some worke that shall be hable to take that advantage from them. We have had here so moch foule weather as that it hath exceedingly hindred us for the playeing of our artillerye, haveing had verie litle good time to mount it or to put it in redines notwithstanding I have not failed to see soch diligence used about it as that within theis five or six daies I hope serve (?) them a work.

507I must advertise your Lord of the dailye decayeing of our men as well by sicknes as by imployeing mainie for labourers besides those that are runne awaie, and soch as the warres consumes, so that I beseeche your Lord therin to have the more timelye remembrance of us, and that according as I wrott in my former letters unto your Lord for as moch as those nombers that were appointed us out of the counties of Devon, Cornwaills and Somerset came unto us short of their proportion yt would therfore please your Lord that thei might send us from thence 100 labourers in accompt of th’other which would stand us in verie good stead, and that when they meane to send to us from those parts, or anie other dispatches from your Lord they maye be adressed farr westward to Plimouth from which place the wind comonly serves more convenientlye then upp more higher within the strand (?), wher it is impossible to have them sent unto us. And thus I humbly take my leave. From before this fort at Croyzon the Xth of October 1594.

508(La suite est le la main de Norreys)

509I beseech your Lo. to pardon me that I write by a secretarye haveing at the time not so moch leisure as to write myself.

510Your Lo. most humblye to comand. J. Norreys

86. Lettre de Martin Frobisher à Lord Burghley, de la rade de Brest, le 21 octobre (11 octobre d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 194

511Il y évoque les difficultés du siège et du ravitaillement, et la résistance acharnée du fort. Il s’agit sans doute de la dernière lettre écrite par Frobisher.

512My honorable good Lord, beinge at this instant in some doubt of the present takinge of this forte, though the fowle weather of rayne and the slow asistance of the Frenche to provide such necessaries as Generall Noris most of necessitie have to place his batterie, for the Spanierds houldeth it with greatte resolucion, as farr as the(y) show them selfes yett. So as I feare we shall wantte vittles for our fleett before this axion be desides and heare is no helpe for vittlinge, but for wyne which wee most take per force, for heare is nothing to be had in any way of curtissie, nor all this cuntrey is not able to vittle us for twentie dayes, and all things heare is mervelouslie deare, yf your honours cause any vittles to be provided at Plimouthe yf it come over, yf we neede it not heare, there will come no losse in it to be soulde heare. And heare is the merchants shipps that may not stay above tenn dayes, But havinge the helpe of these Hollanders in there steede, yf the Spanish fleett do come as the French giveth it out the will, and those in the fort make full accoumpt as of three of them which is run away from them giveth us intelligence, there is not any thinge neclected that may further the dispatch of this service that hath in Generall Norris nor in our fleett, it is a thing more defecult then the generall thought it at the first, but at the first day of battrie it wilbe sleene which I think wilbe within this five dayes. So with my humble prayer to the almightie for your honours increaste in honoure. From Brest bay this XI th of Octobre 1594.

513Your honours most humillie,

514L. Martin Frobisher.

87. Lettre de Norreys à Burghley, du camp devant le fort Crozon, 10 novembre (31 oct. d.a.) 1594. Original. PRO SP 78/34, f° 217

515Événements survenus durant le siège. Conflits dans le commandement français. Position de Mercœur et des Espagnols.

516Yt may please your Lord. Wyth all the hast and dilligens that we were able to use it was wensday the XXIII of thys present before we could bringe the fourteen peeces of artigliery that are heer, unto theyr place of battery. The same day we began to play at nyne of the clocke, and by that tyme we had shott about 300 shott we myght well perceave that the rampart was so well layed wyth great and smaule wood, that the quallyty of our peeces were able to doe yt lytle hurt, and theropon we resolved, to frame our battery only to take away the parapets and as much of the flanks as the peeces could reach, to the end we myght loge our selves in the dych, yf we found theyr flankes would suffer us; for thys pourpos we shott to about 800 shott, wyth the whych the whole parapets of the pointes of the bastions, and of the mayn cortyne were taken away; whych donne we thought fytt to prove (?) to lodge our selfes, and for that end were appointed by lott 60 men of Coll. Sherleys regiment, and as many of my brothers to second them, and yf they should not have been stronge inough, then 120 of the other toe regiments to second them. Cap. Lister who had the point led very roundly into the dych and ment to intend to make hys lodginge as was appointed though he found some difficulty to performe yt, but Cap. Jacson ons Sergent Major of Ostend wyth divers other gentlemen not appointed to that servyce, burninge wyth desyer to contynew and wyn reputation, assaulted the bastion that had been some what beaten wyth the canon at whych attempt the sayd Cap. Jackson havyng gotten up to the topp was slayn, all the rest seynge thys beginninge left theyr makyng of theyr lodginge and went lyke wise to the assault, but such was the incomodity of the bastion not half beaten wyth the cannon, and seen by the whole curtyne of the other bastion wher lay toe peeces of artigliery, and the point commannded by a retrenchment wythin; that our men could not enter; so that we were forced to caule them away; but the other Cap. that had the arriergard unwyllinge that the others before them should have gone further then they gave a second assault; amongst whych Cap. Barker havynge very bravely gotten up to the topp, was slayn wyth an harqhebusade from the retrenchment, and divers others slayn and hurt, so that thys assault tooke no better effect then the other. Sr Tomas Baskervylle durynge the assaults entred in to the dich and vewed the meanes to lodge but found yt very hard tyll the flank were taken away, whych ever sins we have employed our tyme opon. Cap. Brother, in retyrynge from the assault was slayn by one of our own canons. All thys hurt was caused by a rash attempt contrary to theyr direction; and thys yll happ was seconded by a worse, for at the instant of the assault, by the negligens of a canonier half a barrell of pouder was sett on fyer, whych beynge in the wynd fired all the rest about ten barels. Ther wyth were burned above fyfty Capt, gentlemen and gonners, amongst whych Sr. Tomas Knolles was one, but fewe or none in danger of theyr lyves. Havynge written thys farr yesterday morninge whych was the XXX, I was interruppted by the newes of a salley whether repayringe I found that durynge a great shewer of rayn, ther salyed about 60 of the ennemy wyth pyke and sword only, opon the french and fyndynge them unprovided, and theyr furniture wett, put them from theyr trenches and killed and hurt about twenty of them, but the greatest hurt was that Monsr. de Liscoett, one of the Marshalls of the camp, a very brave and worthy gentleman beynge in a kind of open myne, abandoned by all the rest, was ther cut in peeces. As soon as the alarom came to our companies whych we are fayn to make to back the french, one Jacson, enseing to Cap. Hinder, repulsed the ennemy and repossessed the french agayn of theyr trenches, but was fayn to help them to keep them. Every day bringes us these accidents, the place servinge so to the advantage of the ennemy;

517All the Commannders doe importune the Marshall to proceed to a round battery thynkynge that wyth a generall assault the place myght be caryed, and I am of theyr opinion, but he wyll not yet agree unto yt, but would wyn yt by approches and yett wants all meanes to doe yt. The sycknes increases greatly amongst, so that we have syck and hurt at least 1 500 men, the french forsake the feeld abace (?) both horses and foet, we have nothynge but uncertayn brutes170 of any forces from the Kinge; it is wryten from the Court that the Duke Monpensyer is stayed opon a letter that the french ambassador did wryte, that her Ma^ty dyd nowe very well lyke of the Marshall taryinge, whych her Ma^ty hath very lytle cause to doe, for as soon as he had advyce that the Kinge was disposed to put Morlays into her Ma es handes, he dispached the same Forges that was in England, to the States and Parlement at Renes to urge them vehemently to oppose them selves agaynst yt, and to send theyr deputyes wyth the sayd Forges to the Kinge to that pourpos, but I heer that Forges in passinge is taken prisoner, yet ther is no dout but the Marshall wyll styll prosecute that course. Ther is a great disagreement faullen out between Monsr. de Sourdéac and hym in so much as M. de Sourdéac hath refused to came to the army and protested never to serve wyth hym. M. de Mombarot and the Marquis of Quoesquyn are in the same termes.

518For the ennemy, the Spaniards lye at Kimperlay whych is IX leaghes beyond Kimper Corantin. They are stronge above 3 000. They make great provysion of wagens and vyttayls. The Duke de Mercure is yett at Nantes but begineth to assemble hys forces. Thus your Lord seeth the state of our forces and the ennemyes, and yf her Ma^ty thynk fytt to send us any supply ther would be no tyme lost, yf not we wyll spend our selves and those that are hee[r] to the best pourpos that yt shall please God to geve us meanes. More then thys I dare not promys for the fort. I have receaved but one letter sins my comynge over; but hope I shall heer shortly and thus I wyll contynewe, Your Lords assuredly to commannd. J. Norreys

519At the Camp thys last of Oct. 1594

88. Lettre de Norreys à Monsieur Edmonds, agent pour la reine d’Angleterre auprès du Roi. De Crozon. 22 novembre 1594 (12 novembre 1594 d.a.). Original171. B L, Stowe 166, f° 159-162

520Détail des opérations menées par le contingent anglais du 11 septembre au 21 novembre 1594.

521Sir, yf you have sent anie letters unto me since that concerneing the shipp of St Maloes, they are miscarried, wherof I praie you that I maie heare from you. I thought good by this gentleman to send you the wholle procedeing of this seege to the end you maie meete with soch reports as the French will make. I praie you favour me so moch as to let the king understand the care that I have taken in performeing this his service and that for the mainteneing therof, I have so moch passed her Ma^tes commanndement and instructions as I feare I shall have no thanks for it. For althoughe I was expressely comanded not to let anie part of her Ma^tes powder or bullets to be spent till I had received mony for them, yet I have let it all to be spent without anie peny, and not only that, but for because as wee wanted to performe the batterye, I have paied redy mony above 400 pownd for powder and bullets, that I take of the Engleishe and Dutch martchands, and I assure yow that I find the Marshall so ingratefull and slack in takeing order for the rembursing of my monye, as I think I shalbe fame to trouble the King for the getting of it. Besides I was diverted by her Ma^ty not to hazard anie of her subjects to dangerous attempts or assaults, but if I had not maintened th’assaults, the place had never bene taken. I gave every night 300 men to defend the French in their trenches or els thei would have bene beaten out every hower, and in truth thei wer not in all dureing this seege above six or 700 weake harquebusyers till two daies before the takeing of the fort Monsieur de Tramblay et La Fontayne brought 400 more, and they were not above 100 horse, and lastly this I will assure yow and mainteine before the king that the daie the fort was taken uppon advice that th’enemyes army did approche, the Marshall and all his counseille did resolve to dislodge, in so moch as he had comannded the canon to shote no more, and the myners to leave workeing; which I did countermand presently and went to the Marshall being sick in his bedd, and ther assured hime that I would not leave the seege althoughe all the rest went awaie; and theruppon he was content that I should gor forward whith it, which toke soch succes as yow shall see? by the abstract that I send yow.

522Since the takeing of this place the Marshall hath taken a greate quarrell against me for two points, wherof I think he will complaine to the King; the first that I sent to her Ma^tie the three enseignes that our men toke in the fort, and that I did not deliver them to hime; to this I answered hime (as is true) that after the place was taken and provided for I (came?) to his beside and after haveing delivered hime the wholle discourse of the enterprise, I tould hime how our men had recovered the enseignes he never pourchased to demand them of me, so that the next morneing earlye, I sent them to her Ma^ty, not long after he sent to me for them, but thei were already undersailed.

523The other matter is that the IX of this present when the ennemye understanding the fort was taken did resolve to retyre, he sent a trompett to demand what prisoniers wer taken, which trompett passing by one of our gards, the Capt. of the gard was bringing hime to me, my lodgeing being very near: one Bastiney a folishe Marshall of the camp comes in fury and would have taken the trompett from hime hard at my dore, which the Capt. as he had (occasion?) would not suffer upon this the Marshall sent one Roch Gyffart172 to brave and quarrell with me in my lodgeing, whom I answered and sent awaie as roundlye as his unmanerly fashion did require, and I know ther is no man of warre that can dissclame the Capt. doeing in this case. But theis two things he takes moch to hart, which I thought necessary to let yow knowe to th’end yow maie informe the King of the truthe if it come in question.

524September

525October

526The French never gave anie attempt alledgeing that their bastion was not assaultable.

527Seeing the smalle effect that our artillery wrought, wee began a mine in one of the bulwarks on the french side, in perfecting wherof was spent this time from the 23 to the 7 of November.

528November

529The Maistre de camp and chiefest and gentlemen of the French, namely such as were horsemen, and put themselves that daie on fote (foot), served very gallantly, spetially one Monsieur de Roumegol ung de les maistres du camp, which entred and was slaine with his Enseigne by him on the top of the rampar, wher if he had bene well followed, he had surely carryed it then For those of the remain force, I can not geve them for this action any great commendation.

530Now this service is past, wee attend with good devotion the Kings order for possessing us of Morlayx to serve to refresh our pore (poor) tyred soldiers, but the Marshall will take no knowledge that the King hath anie disposicion to let us have yt, and I knowe that he hath procured the States and court of Parlement to sue to the king to denye it: nether will he give us anie reason for the half of the profitts in takeing of places, sayeing that he hath yet no answeare from the King. Offwhich two things I praie that I maie heare from you what the King doth resolve. And thus for this time I will comitt you to Gods proteccion. From Croyson this XII of November 1594. Your verie assured friend. J. Norreys

531Post script.: I have written unto yow this letter twise (twice), our by the ways of France and th(e) other from England least (lest) they should not come to your hands.

89. Lettre du maréchal d’Aumont à la reine, du camp de Locronan, le 28 novembre 1594. Original. PRO, 78/34, f° 254

532Madame, Je n’ay voulu importuner V. M.^te serenissime de mes lettres depuys mon arrivee en ce Pays bas et que iay joinct vos trouppes ains attendre tousiours que quelque heureux succes men presentast un suget qui vous peust estre agreable comme jespere que cestuy cy de la prise du fort que les Espagnols avoynt faict en ce Pays vous apportera du contentement. Je ne vous ennuyeray point Madame des particularites du siege dudict fort, ny de ce qui s’y est passé, mesmes le jour quil fut emporte d’assault & tous ceulx qui estoint dedans jusques au nombre de troys cens cinquante espagnols naturels tailles en pieczes hormis soixante dix ou quattre vingts qui se precipiterent dans la mer & troys ou quattre qui furent pris en vye. Car j’en envoye a Monsieur l’Ambassadeur un discours bien au long et veritable de tout ce qui s’est passé non seulement audict siege mays depuys mon arrivee en ce Pays Bas qui le vous fera entendre sy vous me faictes lhonneur de le vouloyr ouyr comme je vous en supplye treshumblement Madame ayant bien voulu par la vous rendre comme un compte particulier de mes actions ne plus ne moings que ie ferois au Roy mon maistre affin que vous soyez informee de quel pied ie marche au service de vos Ma^es. Je scay bien Madame que ie ne seray pas le premier qui vous aura donne l’advis de la prise dudict fort & et que dautres vous en ont desia annoncé la nouvelle, mais quoy quon luy en ayt sceu escrire V. M.^te me fera lhonneur sil luy plaist de croyre ce que ie luy en mande & le contenu dudict discours comme n’y ayant rien de plus veritable & qui se trouvera tousiours tel quand on en voudra venyr a une inquisition particuliere. Je ne puys audemeurant Madame vous celer le merite & la valeur des vostres & combien ils firent vaillamment a lassault pouvant dire avec verité n’avoyr jamays veu soldats aller avec plus de courage & de resolution ny oppiniastrer sy long temps sur une breche car ils y furent cinq grandes heures tousiours aux mains avec les ennemys sans respirer ny prendre haleyne. De sorte quil ne se scauroyt mieux faire au monde. Les francoys firent aussy fort bien de leur costé qui ma depuys faict penser millefois que sy ces deux Nations estoint jointes & bien unies ensemble elles seroint capables dassubiectir tout le reste de l’Europe. Je ne passeray aussy soubs silence Madame combien nous avons receu d’assistance & par mer et par terre de Monsieur Le fourbisseur Amyral de vostre armee navale tant pendant le siege que le jour mesme de l’assault ou il fyt sy bien qu’il estoyt impossible de plus. Il y fut un peu blesse, mais ce ne sera rien. Je finiroys en cest endroict Madame pour ne pas vous importuner de plus long discours sy la iuste occasion que iay de me plaindre a V. M.^te Serenissime de l’indignite que ma faicte Monsieur le General Norris ne me forcoyt a la supplier tres humblement de men faire rayson, cest d’avoyr retenu les troys drappeaulx qui furent pris dans le fort au logis du Capp^ne qui y commandoyt qui estoit tout attenant le bastyon par lequel les vostres entrerent au lieu de me les donner comme ayant lhonneur de commander generallement en ceste armee, et quelque chose que ie luy en aye sceu faire dire & remonstrer il nen a voulu rien faire ains les a envoyes a ce que iay sceu a V. M^te serenissime sans men dire mot. En quoy toutesfois il na faict que prevenir mon intention qui estoyt celle la mesme ainsy que ie le declaray assez hault devant tout le monde ledict jour de l’assault et que ie le fis dire par deux fois audict Sr Norris par un gentilhomme que ienvoyay vers luy expres mesmes avant que lesdicts drappeaulx fussent embarques m’asseurant bien que le Roy mon maistre ne le trouveroyt que bon. Mays ledict Sr Norris ma frustre de cest honneur au mepris du titre que ie porte & de la qualite que iay de Lieutenant general de sa Ma^te en ceste province & armee. Jespere Madame qu’ayant esgard au tort quil ma faict en cela V. M.^te serenissime men fera raison comme je len supplie derechef treshumblement et sy elle avoyt agreable d’envoyer par decza un gentilhomme comme il luy avoyt pleu me mander quelle feroyt pour s’informer sur les lieux de la verité des plaintes que ie vous ay cydevant faictes Madame de la licence que ledict Sr Norris a permise a voz trouppes pourveu quil ne fust son cabaliste ains personne quy aymast la justice et vostre service. Il vous en rapporteroyt ie masseure deux fois plus que ie ne vous en ay mandé. Et parce qu’il mest impossible de pouvoyr plus longuement vivre avec luy de la facon que nous faisons je vous suppliray tres humblement Madame me vouloyr faire tant d’honneur que de me prescrire la facon dont il vous plaist que ie m’y gouverne et comme V. Ma.^te serenissime entend que ie procede avec luy, car saichant bien que cest l’intention du Roy mon maistre que ie face tout ce que vous me commanderez je desire seulement estre instruict de vos volontes pour ne point faillir Et dautant que ces deux ou troys sieges que nous venons de faire nous ont bien faict perdre des hommes & que vos trouppes Madame sont de beaucoup diminuees sil vous plaisoyt comme ie vous en supplye treshumblement leur vouloir envoyer un refraichissement dhommes nous advancerions bien les affaires du Roy en ceste Province au contentement de vos Ma^tes, ains je prie Dieu, Madame, conserver V. M. S^me en tres parfaitte santé tresheureuse et longue vye.

533Au camp de Locrenan ce XXVIII e Novembre 1594.

534Vostre tres humble et très obéissant serviteur, Daumont.

90. Plaintes du maréchal d’Aumont contre John Norreys, rédigées au camp de Locronan, le 28 novembre 1594. Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 256

535Premierement que depuis le retour dudict sieur general Norreis avec le renfort qu’il a pleu à sa Majesté Sérénissime d’envoyer, et qu’ils ont este joincts ensemble, ledict sieur Norreys a permis plus que jamais à ses soldats les libertes et insolences et de faire encores pis qu’auparavant.

536Qu’il n’y a esglise en toutte la basse Bretaigne qu’ils n’ayent saccagee les ornemens, mesmes les cloches qu’ils ont envoyees en Angleterre.

537La plus grande partie des maisons des gentilzhommes ont esté traictees de ceste facon par ceulx mesmes que ledict sieur Norreys envoyoit pour les conserver.

538Qu’il n’y a pas trois sepmaines qu’ils volerent un abbé à cinq lieux d’icy et son esglise et emporterent tant en argent monnoyé qu’en autres choses la valleur de plus de quatre mil escus, dont il ne s’est faict que rire quant ledict sieur Mareschal luy en a demandé justice.

539Qu’il n’a non plus voulu faire punir un qui a tué un sien page de bonne maison aagé seulement de douze ou treize ans encores que le meurtrier luy fust representé.

540Que les chevaulx desquels se servent ses boulangers ayants esté vollés par quelques ungs des soldats dudict sieur General encores que les couvertures où estoient peintes ses armes fussent dessus, il n’en voulut faire faire perquisition, mais qu’ayans esté recongnus au passage d’une riviere, il les feit rendre sans faire chastier ceulx qui les avoient volez.

541Qu’il a faict prendre un vaisseau de St Malo nommé le Grand Charles pres du Conquest revenant de Tripoly de Sirye au prejudice de la tresve et suspension d’armes qui estoit lors entre les serviteurs du Roy et ceulx de St Malo, qui a depuis esclos leur reduction en l’obeissance de sa Majesté Treschrétienne, lequel il n’a voulu jamais relascher quelque instance et priere que ledict Sieur Mareschal luy en ayt peu faire, premierement par lettres et depuis de vive voix, ny mesme soubz la promesse pure et simple de Messieurs les marquis de Couesquen, de Montbarot, et dudict sieur Mareschal, de luy representer ou payer la valleur d’iceluy au cas qu’il fust desclaré par le Roy de bonne prinse. Mais il faillut que les marchans à qui il appartenoit luy donnassent huict cautions bourgeoises, et en oultre huict mil escus contans.

542Que ledict sieur General desdaigne tous les officiers de l’armée, mesme le Mareschal de Camp, et n’y pense pas moins estre que ledict sieur Mareschal disant qu’il est venu comme auxiliaire avec les trouppes, et sur ceste oppinion qu’il ha il faict tous les jours des traicts que ledict sieur Mareschal supporteroit mal volontiers sans le respect de leurs Majestés.

543Comme le jour d’hier que dom Joan envoya audict sieur Mareschal un sien trompette, il ne fut pas plustost arrivé devant le logis dudict sieur Mareschal que ledict sieur Norreys l’envoya querir par le Cappitaine de ses gardes et le se feit amener tout aussy que s’il eust este general de l’armee.

544Quant aux trois drappeaux qui ont esté trouvez dans le logis du Cappitaine qui commandoit dans Croson quil a envoyez à sa Majesté sérénissime en cachette, tout le regret que ledict sieur Mareschal y a n’est qu’au peu de respect qu’il a eu de luy et de ses prieres, encores qu’elles luy eussent deu estre apportees comme à celuy qui a l’honneur de commander gererallement et en ceste armee et en ceste Province. Au reste il n’a faict que prevenir l’intention dudict sieur Mareschal, comme il en a des bons tesmoins qui luy ouirent dire le jour de l’assault, qu’il envoyroit lesdicts drappeaux à la Sérénissime Royne d’Angleterre s’asseurant bien que sa Majesté Treschestienne l’auroit fort agreable.

545Que quant ledict sieur Mareschal veult desloger d’un lieu avec l’armée pour aller en l’autre, que ledict sieur Norreys dit tantost qu’il a des mémoires particuliers de sa Majesté Sérénissime et qu’il scayt bien ce qu’il a affaire, tantost qu’on luy fournisse et à tous ses gens des vivres, et qu’il ne leur vient pas un liard d’Angleterre pour leur donner moyen d’en achepter.

546Et sur c’est article ledict sieur Mareschal supplie sadicte Majesté Sérénissime de luy vouloir mander et prescrire la forme et facon dont il luy plaist qu’il procede avec ledict sieur Norreis, car il ne scayt comment il s’y doibt gouverner. Pour le regard des vivres ledict sieur Mareschal leur en fournit quasi tousjours, encores qu’il se veriffiera que depuis son retour sesdictes trouppes ont prins ou enlevé aux esveschés de Treguier, Leon et Cornouaille plus de vingt mil bestes à corne, qu’ils ont la pluspart vendus comme en une foire. Quant à l’argent qu’il luy a donné, il est en un mémoire particulier.

547Au Camp de Locrenan ce XXVIII e Novembre 1594.

548Monsieur le Mareschal oultre le contenu aux plaintes susdictes n’allegue poinct une infinité de concussions tres dommageables au pauvre peuple et qui se montent à de tres grandes sommes, d’aultant qu’il espere que sa Majesté Sérénissime envoyra en Bretaigne, suivant sa promesse, un gentilhomme ou autre personnage de qualité pour en informer, par là sadicte Majesté verra combien son honneur et sa gloire sont diminuez par deffault d’ordre.

91. Réponses de John Norreys aux accusations portées contre lui par le maréchal d’Aumont. Début décembre 1594 (la date du classement par l’administration anglaise – 5 août – ne peut naturellement être retenue). Brouillon. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 84

549He believeth that there were bells taken which the soldiers cold not carry but by mariners who must answer it.

550He denieth it.

551He denieth it.

552That Abbey was sayd to be belonging to the Leawge, and had no safegard, and if they dyd spoile them dyd it by that pretext, yet dyd he make restitution to be made of as much as cold be fownd.

553He comitted him and heard his process before the Marishalls provost, and it was don only to defend his wife whom they hav carried away, and wold have killed the soldier but that he was reskwed, and the boys hurt was small and died of another dissease.

554He remembers such a trifle, and if it had bene prosecuted he wold have satisfied any body.

555He referrs this to the Admiraulty and the Marishall sayd he wold make peace with the D. Mercury if he wold not release it.

556He thinks his chardges under her Ma^ty ought to be respected, and that he dyd therin as he thought good, and yet this never came in question and if he had obeid his comandement there had bene no fort taken.

557He fownd none in a lodging but in the Place of Armes, and he dyd tell him when he had sent them, which if he had not don per adventure they had never bene sent. Syr John Borough dyd the like at Paris, and when he wold have had a peace of artillery which belonged to the Q [ueen] in right he was refused.

558For that he had directions from the Q. not to follow him in all his courses, and that he wanted money out of England it was trew.

559To that he saith the Q. is honored by any honest man in Bretany and hath the glory of conservation of Britany.

560Where the Marshalls army hath bene they have spoiled both man and woman and left more disorders then his troupes comitted.

92. Autre note explicative en réponse aux accusations, sans doutes celles consignées dans le « mémoire particulier » auquel faisait allusion le maréchal dans son mémorandum précédent. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 85

561S. John Norrys his answer.

562He was then in England, but he heard that he had given some money in his absence when M. Baskervyll comanded, but never any confessed to be receaved either by Captaine or soldier.

563He was at the fort and Sr H. Norrys and Sr Tho. Baskervill receaved 2 000 crowns of the towne to forbeare the pillarye as dew unto them by the contract, which was devided amongst captains officiers and soldiers.

564He dyd lend 1 200 crowns to the Queen’s Thresorer, but he hath ben paied and is yet in his debt.

565He dyd so, and yet dyd Sr John Norris forbyd them to receave it, though he thinkes such a reward might well be receaved, for so much service having there neyther powder nor ball, and but 2 culverings.

566He gave sometyme and some tyme they took it by force; but farr from the quantity.

567He can not tell it may be he dyd give something.

568He had beof and mutton.

569The hurt178 were 14 daies without a loaf and for sevenscore hurt he gave but 40 crowns.179

570There were 800 carried up and downe refused in one place and another and had 500 crowns at last, and yet in th’end for want of meanes to intertaine them he was fayne to fetch them to his owne gwarde.

93. Lettre de J. Norreys à Lord Cecil, 4 janvier 1595 (25 déc. 1594 d.a.). Original. PRO, SP 78/34, f° 314

571I receaved your Honors letter toghether whith her Ma^es bearinge date the xxi of No[vember] the xxiiii of thys present, whych comynge so late to my handes, I dout wylbe some cause that I shall not be so soon able to put her Ma^es directions in execution as I desyer, for by the contents of those letters yt seemes the shyppinge eyther is alredy, or wylbe shortly opon thys cost, but I assure your Honor nothynge shalbe omitted that may be donn; neyther wyll I dispute or delay the matter for I knowe such discourses are imputed to be made for perticuler respects, but I wyll ever be of an assured opinion that her Ma^y wylbe forced to geve assistans to Brittany and that yt importes as much her cuntry to keep the Spaniard from the possession of Brittany as of Irland; and I think, yf those that wysh not well to your Counsels, let you run on with thys course for Irland, that they doe yt only by that meanes to break those companies, that they hould not at theyr devotion, wherby they may soon after establish others that they thynke more assured. I must also lett you knowe that thys is a shrewd tyme of the yeer for that parte of Irland, and a moneth or syx weekes tyme wonne towards the springe would have been a great help to the soldiers, but sins the tyme of the yeer can not be altered yt must be helped wyth good provisions. I trust your Honor hath remembred that we may have money to pay our dettes, that we leave the cuntry wyth our reputation, and that the soldiers may have clothes, wherof they have extreeme want. As tochynge my own goynge into Irland I must confesse I dyd beseech her Ma^ty to geve me leav after the takynge of the fort, to seek some other course to doe my self good, beynge wery of thys thankless and unprofytable warre, and hygh tyme for me to provide for my self; but yf yt shalbe thought that my beynge ther may any thynge advannce her Ma^es service, I wyll refuse nothynge, and must think my self greatly bound to your Honors, that yt pleased you to have a regard to my reputation. Yf I may have passage, I wyll hasten to attend opon her Ma^ty, and tyll then wyll comytt your Honor to Gods Divyne protection remayninge Your Honors assuredly to command. J. Norreys.

572I beseech your Honor I may recommend to your favour Cap. Ashendom thys bearer.

573At the Fou thys xxv of Dec. 1594.

94. Lettre de la reine Elizabeth au maréchal d’Aumont, 27 février (17 février d.a.) 1595. Brouillon. PRO, SP 78/35, f° 80

574Monsieur180 Mon cousin, Nous avons ouy ce que ce gentilhomme, Monsieur de Corbie, avoit en charge de nous dire de vostre part, touchant les comportemens de nostre General, le Sr Norris, selon que par vos lettres avez desiré. Et avons veu aussy le memoire que nous a presenté Monsieur l’Ambassadeur pour le faict de quelques deniers que ledict Norris et ses troupes auroyent touchés. Sur quoy encores que les maintes preuves que par tant de fois nostredict serviteur nous a données de ses bons services, nous eussent peu engarder d’avoir opinion qu’il se seroit tant oublié que de meriter justement ce qu’on luy a voulu imputer. Si est ce que pour le regard de vous mon Cousin, et du reng que tenez, et pour vous satisfaire (qui possible ne pouvez avoir l’entière congnoissance de ces choses comme elles passent que par le rapport d’aultres, qui bien souvent se trouve incertain) Nous l’avons faict appeler en la presence dudict sieur Ambassadeur devant les Seigneurs de nostre Conseil, et commandé de faire sa responce à chascung des points qu’on luy met sus, laquelle nous vous envoyons avecq la présente, Et nous semble d’aultant plus raisonnable, qu’il désire bien humblement pour sa justification, luy estre permis de se presenter au Roy nostre bon frere, ne desirant point aultre juge, et se remettant quant aux deportements de ses souldatz, au jugement de tous ceulx qui par leur experience scavent combien il est difficille de brider les desbordemens des troupes auxiliaires veu que ceulx de la nation propre n’ont pas moins espargné icelle Province. Ledict Norris scachant en oultre comment nous luy avons tousjours expressément recommandé la discipline estroite laquelle nous n’endurerions nullement estre enfrainte. Et quant au reste, pour les deniers, vivres et aultres choses accomodées à nosdictes troupes, il en confesse quelque receipte, mais que cela fut faict en son absence, sauf quelques portions lesquelles furent empruntées et puis apres repayées, avouant neantmoins que la plus part de ce qui estoit deu aux souldartz par le contract, ne leur fut point tenu. Et quant est du tort que vous mentionnez estre offert, à cause de la prinse d’ung navire de Saint Malo, fault que vous scachez, qu’il n’y a chose en quoy nous nous trouvons moins satisfaites de nos serviteurs, qu’en ce qu’ayantz prins ung tel navire, ils l’ayent si facillement laissé passer, veu tant de raisons qu’ilz ont à prouver que la prinse est bonne et legitime, affirmantz la valeur dudict navire monter à plus hault de cent mil escus. Or, pour le soulagement et bon recueil que nos gens ont [de temps en autre] receu de vous en particulier et par vostre moyen en leurs necessités depuis le siege, dont nous avons esté adverties, esperans que de leur costé, ils y ont laissé de bonnes enseignes de leurs mérites, nous avons grande occasion de vous en remémorer bien fort, et vous asseurer quant et quant de l’honneur et reputation en laquelle nous vous tenons, tant pour vostre constance et services signalés qu’avez faictz au Roy nostre bon frère, que pour l’affection qu’avez faict paroistre en nostre endroit, laquelle nous recognoistrons par tous bons moyens, comme Princesse qui est et demeurera tousjours, etc.

95. Réponse de John Norreys aux accusations portées contre lui par le maréchal d’Aumont. Fin février 1595. Enregistrement (ou copie authentifiée?). PRO, SP 78/35, f° 107

575Sr John Norreis being called by her Ma^ties commandment before the Earl of Essex, the Lord Chamberlaine, the Lord Cobham, and Sr Ro. Cecill, was charged in the presence of the French Ambassader which such complaints, as were presented in the behalfe of the Marshall to which particulerly he aunswered, after this first generall protestacion to the Lords. That if there were any thing in theis complaints, that her May^tie, thought her selfe interessed in, that he would most willingly aunswere therin before my Lords of the Counsell. But for any thing that should toutch the Kings service, he desired to be excused, if he did not make aunswere to a bare paper fraught with supposed matters which could not reply. But if the King shall thincke, that Sr John Norreis hath not deserved well in those services of her May^tie, and not caried himselfe as was fytt for one holding his place, he is very willing to attend uppon the King (so hir May^tie will please to permytt it) and there to give the King account of all his actions, where his accusers may be brought before him; that neverthelesse if it did please their Lords that he should delyver unto them the truth of the complaints that he would willingly doe it, and theruppon sett downe as followeth.

576To the firste. That it was comonly the custome of all men of warre that kept the feildes, to use the churches, as their chiefe places of defence, wherby the people durst leave nothing in them of value, so that there could be no spoyles done there if it were not of the saintes. Yet neverthelesse Sr John Norreis tooke greater care for the construing of them, then any other Commander, and if there were any bells taken, it was done by the Marchall who must be aunswerable for it.

577There is never a man in Brittany that can justly say any such matter, and when Sr John Norreis shalbe so happie, as to aunswere where the King shall appoint him, he will speake more playnely to anie that shall maintaine it. And further Sr John Norreis will prove, that there were more gentlemen of the contrie, that followed his cornett at the siedge of Corlay then that followed the Marchalls.

578That abbay had ever ben within the jurisdiccion of the League, and had no savegard from any bodye, which served for a pretext for them that offred to spoyle it. Neverthelesse Sr John Norreis caused the chiefe actors of the spoyle to be imprisoned tyll restitution were made, so that one of them dyed in prysonne, and almost all that was taken was redelivered.

579Sr John Norreis caused the souldier to be imprysoned, and his processe to be made before the Marchalls provosts, and two Captens more, where it was founde that this page with two others, having all their swords, would forcibly have taken the souldyers wiefe from him, and he seeking to defend her, had lyke to have ben slayn if he had not ben rescued by other souldyers, in which defence the page had so small a scratche, as his death was rather to be imputed to his disorders, then to his hurt.

580This matter of the Marchalls baker, Sr John Norreis commanded the provost to examyne, who made restitucion of the horses, and he is sure, would have done further justice, if there had ben cause.

581The shipp was stayed by those of the Admiraltye, and released againe by them, and if there were any fault committed, it was in rendring her, and not in taking her being lawfull prise, and so to be proved.

582It is true that Sr John Norreis did thincke scorne to be directed by any inferior officer of the armye, and for his actions he will ever maintaine them.

583The Trumpett was stayd by an Englishe Capten that had the garde who did but his dutie to bring him to Sr John Norreis, and if he would have suffred Monsieur de Bastene to have taken him from him before he had brought him to his Generall he had ben worthie to have ben punished.

584The Marchall sheweth the desire he hath to deminishe the honor of the Englishe in sayeing that the Enseignes were taken in the Governors chamber, where as in truth, they were taken in the place of armes, and that they were not sent in secrett, all the armye did knowe it, and the Marchall did send many messengers to have had them stayed, but Sr John Norreis did not thincke that the King would mislyke with the sending of them.

585It is true that Sr John Norreis would not in all thinges followe the directions of the Marchall, for if he had, the Fort had not ben taken, nether would he suffer his weryed troupes, after a painefull siedge, to be harassed upp and downe upon imaginacions to suche places where they should not be victualled, but Sr John Norreis refusing those unprofitable marches, advised that Corlay should be besieged, whereby it was taken.

586To the conclusion he sayth that thoughe the Marchall under the pretext of these poyles [spoiles?] would deminishe her Ma^ties honor and glory, that neverthelesse he knoweth that there is none in Brittany that doth not impute the conquest of the contrye to her May^ties succours.

587For the mony first

588That in the moneth of August mentioned, Sr John Norreis was in England, and never heard that the companies had receaved any monye from the Marchall, but understood that the Marchall had reported to have given some bodye 2 200 crownes.

589Theise 2 000 crownes by Sr John Norreis his brother, and Sr Thomas Baskervylle, he being absent at the Fort, and they tooke it as their due, and not of guifte.

590There was sent 2 200 crownes by the Marchalls order to her Ma^ties Thresorer at Locrenan, and 1 000 crownes after, but it is all repayd, and the Marchall more then 200 crownes in Sr John Norreis his dett.

591Sr John Norreis would have had officers of the artillary for the lande to have refused the hundred crownes, and would have given them more himselfe.

592The Marchall promyssed 4 000 loues (!) a day during the siedge but gave not the third part therof, and most of that which was gotten was taken by force.

593The sea men had some victualls but Sr John Norreis thincks not somuch as is alleaged.

594The hurt, and sicke, at Morlaix were very ill used, and never could gett but fortie crownes.

595The hurt and sicke that were sent into Leonn had never but 500 crownes amongst them, and were there so used, as wee were gladd to send for them to our quarter againe because they could there have no releife.

596These were hard in the presence of the Erl of Essex, the L. Chamberlayn, L. Cobham and my self, Ro. Cecyll.

96. Lettre de la reine d’Angleterre au maréchal d’Aumont, 22 mars (12 mars d.a.) 1595. Brouillon. PRO, SP 78/35, f° 131

597Mon Cousin, comme les occasions urgentes qui sont survenues en nostre Royaume d’Irlande, nous ont faict rappeler nos troupes de la Bretaigne pour les employer en nos affaires propres, aussy fault il que nous nous servions de nos deux canons que nous feismes envoyer en Bretaigne pour le service du Roy nostre bon frere, lesquels nous pensions avoir esté enlevés lors que nos gens partirent de là, selon qu’avoit esté promis au Sr de Norris, et suivant les lettres que vous en avoit escriptes le Roy, et entendons maintenant qu’ilz restent encores à Guingan. C’est pourquoy nous vous prions bien fort de vouloir donner ordre à ce que lesdicts deux canons soyent promptement rendus à ce present porteur, auquel nous avons donné charge expresse de les recepvoir et les faire sans delay transporter en Irlande où la necessité requiert de s’en servir au plus tost. Et sur ce mon Cousin, ne faisant doubte que ne nous satisfaciez en cecy, eu esgard à l’occasion qui est fort pressée, nous nous recommandons bien affectionnément à vos bonnes graces, priant Dieu vous tenir tousjours en la sienne.

97. Lettre de Monsieur de Saint-Luc à la reine d’Angleterre, 28 août 1595. Original. PRO, SP 78/35, f° 213

598Madame, Nous avons ces jours passez perdu Monsieur le mareschal d’Aumont décédé le quarente sixiesme iour après sa blessure qui fut d’une grande mousquetade qu’il receust au bras droit, devant une place que nous tenions assiégée, en quoy pour les remarquables qualitez qui estoyent en ce vieulx chevallier l’on peult dire que le Roy & cest estat ont faict une perte non commune, et en laquelle les affaires de ceste province ne participent pas peu. Le Roy occupé en tant d’autres endroitz n’y a peu getter l’œil comme la nécessité & fortune qu’elle court le pourroient requérir, bien que sa Majesté nous face espérer toutz les jours l’honneur de sa presence que nous tenons désormais pour ung des souverains remèdes qu’il y ait à ce mal. Monsieur de Mercueur en ces entrefaittes faisant proffict de nostre foiblesse & de la diversion de sa Majesté ne perd pas temps s’estant uny et estrainct plus que jamais avecq les Espaignolz, se confie et aydé de leurs forces, leur permect tout. Bref Madame ilz usent sy bien de l’occasion que en leur faveur ung nommé Fontenelles s’est emparé d’une isle en la basse Bretaigne nommée Douarnenez, qu’il a fortiffiée & mise en tel estat que si l’on lui laisse continuer, dans deux mois elle peut estre rendue (selon la scituation, et par main d’homme) deux fois meilleure que le fort de Croson. Dom Jouan d’autre costé avecq son gros s’est parqué pour faire deux fortz l’un à l’emboucheure de la rivière de Redon, et l’autre vers le Croisil181, esquelz si l’on leur permect de prendre pied & faire progrez ce seront autant de cytadelles inexpugnables qu’ilz establiront en toutes les meilleures costes de ceste Province, et par conséquant rendront interdict tout le commerce & naviguation tant des pais de vostre Majesté Serenissime, de ceux de Flandres, que des nostres. A quoy en l’estat foyble que nous sommes nous n’avons eu moien d’apporter autre remède sinon que pour ne languir point en ceste léthargie, nous ne nous sommes peu contenyr, Madame, d’informer vostre Majesté Sérénissime de ce qui nous presse et de la crainte beaucoup de pis sur l’armement et nouvelles forces que nous scavons qui se préparent es portz d’Espaigne pour venir encore fondre de nouveau sur nous. Vostre Majesté Sérénissime a tousjours tesmoigné tant de bonté & de particullier soing envers ceste pauvre province, que se voyant à présent esloignée du secours de son protecteur naturel, tel & sy prompt qu’il seroyt à désirer, elle a recours à vostre Majesté Sérénissime pour la rendre capable de ses maulx (sic) & implorer sur iceulx vostre secours accoustumé. A quoy, Madame, comme ayant l’honneur d’y commander, j’adjousteray ma très humble supplication, attendant que le Roy vous en face plus particullière et solemnelle instance selon la très expresse que nous luy en avons faite, pouvant assurer vostre Majesté que si l’on ne pourvoyt l’heure à aller au devant de tant de maulx, la volonté en restera après plus que le remède. Sur quoy je priray Dieu, Madame, continuer à vostre Majesté Sérénissime ses grâces & en très parfaicte santé très heureuse & longue vie. A Rennes ce 28 Aoust 1595.

599Vostre très humble, très obéissant & très affectionné serviteur. St Luc

98. Réponse de la reine d’Angleterre aux Etats de Bretagne, 9 octobre (29 septembre d.a.) 1595. Copie enregistrement. PRO, SP 78/36, f° 24

600Messieurs, Que nostre inclination soit facile à secourir les affligés, les pays et peuples nos voisins estantz aultant de tesmoings, la Province de Bretaigne en est aussy ung spectacle si frais, que vous en devez estre asseurez que s’il ne se monstre de mesme vigueur en presentes occasions, c’est pour des tresjustes causes qui le retardent. Car veu que nous y avons planté nos faveurs par le sang de si grand nombre de nos sugetz, et despens de nostre tresor, ne serions pour abandonner une si chère semée, si n’en etions destournée par de bien vives raisons, et qui touchent de plus près à nostre Estat. Combien qu’aussy les considérations de ce qui s’est passé de ce costé là, sont pour faire languir quelque disposée volonté à y contynuer, veu que et aux aultres fois que mes aydes s’y sont si long temps trouvés, et mesmement en ceste dernière pour le faict particulier de Brest, ils ont esté ou du tout point, ou si petitement ou si mal à propos secondés par les forces du Roy et du pays (ayant esté quelques fois trois ou quatre mois sans en avoir nouvelles) que cela a esté cause que les très grands frais qu’y avons employés se sont allés quasiment en fumée, sans en rendre les fruicts espérés ou au service du Roy, ou au bien public. Mais ce qui nous donne encores une juste excuse envers vous, c’est que quasi au mesme instant qu’est arrivé ce gentilhomme, nous venons d’estre pressée par les seigneurs ayantz charge des affaires du Roy en la Picardie en son absence, avec la mesme instance que celle que font vos lettres de subvenir aux necessités de ces quartiers là, se trouvantz fort esbranlés depuis le désastre à Dourlans et siège de Cambray, ce que la très grande importunité qu’ilz en ont faicte, eust expressée (sic) de nostre bonté (tant pour le désir qu’avons de satisfaire au Roy en tous offices de bonne sœur et voysine pendant son esloignement, comme pour ce qu’estans ces quartiers plus proches à nostre œil nous donnent plus vive appréhension de leur calamité) n’estoit que nous nous défendons de ceste très juste raison, que congnoissant que la malice de ceux qui vous sont autheurs de ces maulx, brasse (sic) de non moindre ferveur contre nous de tous costez, le debvoir naturel nous impose loy de nous soigner en premier lieu à la conservation du repos que de si longues années (la mercy Dieu) nous et nos estatz avons jouÿ, au despit de ceulx qui en ont esté enuyeux. Et vous prions vous en satisfaire et vous tenir asseurés que ce n’est pas par excuse que mettons en avant cecy, ains de pure vérité et assurance qu’en avons, estant sans cela, de mesme volonté envers l’Estat du Roy nostre frère, que du passé, et envers vous, etc.

99. Lettre de la reine d’Angleterre à M. de Saint-Luc, 9 octobre (29 septembre d.a.) 1595. Enregistrement ou brouillon. PRO, SP 78/36, f° 25

601Monsieur de St Luc, En celle que faisons à Messieurs les Estatz de Bretaigne, vous verrez les raisons qui nous empeschent à ceste fois de faire au Roy nostre bon frère les mesmes bons offices en ces necessités qu’auparavant l’on nous a veu faire, lesquelles estantz tresjustes et tresveritables, nous nous asseurons qu’ung gentilhomme de si bon jugement que vous, les prendra de bonne part, et en estimera de mesme, estantz tres marrie quant à nous, que les occupations le detiennent tellement ailleurs que de ne luy permettre de jetter les yeulx vers icelle Province, de telle solicitude que les extremités demandent, et que aussy nos affaires propres se trouvent en tel estat à mesme instant, qu’il ne nous est possible de tesmoigner une pareille bonté qu’avons autreffois faict, quand nos affaires estoyent plus à [delivre ?], ayant tousjours eu ung soing particulier d’icelle Province, pour estre plus exposée que nulle aultre de la France aux desseings de l’ennemy commun. La seule esperance qui nous demeure pour le support de la reputation des affaires du Roy, par de là, gist en vostre valeur et vigilance, pour le regard desquelles vertus parmy tant de desmembrements et corruptions ouvertes ; ce qui vous a acquis si bonne part en l’estime et opinion qu’avons de vous, que vous en pourrez attendre pour vostre particulier tout tel tesmoignage que doibt rendre une Princesse d’honneur au[x] vertus d’ung gentilhomme de vostre mérite. Et vous demeurerons cependant

602Vostre affectionnée bonne amye.

603A nostre chasteau de Nonesuch182 le 29 settembre 1595.

100. Lettre du duc de Mercœur au comte de Rochepot, Nantes, 22 juin 1596. Original. PRO, SP 78/37, f° 205

604Monsieur, lors que messieurs noz deputez partisrent d’icy, je leur donne charge d’acorder la trefve pour deux mois seullement pour quelque justes considerations la raison desquelles nestant cessee il ne seroit seant que si legerement je changeasse d’opinion. Mais s’il est utille de la continuer par apres ladvantage, je ne meslongneray de tout ce qui sera au bien de la province. Quand aux aultres pointz desquelz vous mescripvez n’avoir peu tirer aulcune responce de noz dictz deputez je vous dire pour le premier qui est touchant la Roine d’Angleterre quelle ha trop d’ennemytz pour me vouloir promettre de la voulloir exempter de touz ou bouscher le passage qui est trop ample et spacieux pour aller a elle. Mais que je m’asseure que si elle se garantist bien de la mer que pour les Espagnolz qui sont en cest terre j’empescheray bien qu’ilz ne luy facent mal aultrement il faudroit que je luy respondisse de toutes les armees navalles de sa magesté catholique qui poussées du vent peuvent faisant leur route mettre l’ancre aux portz de ceste province, voire quand je ne leur presterois fabveur qui seroit une promesse dont l’exequution seroit trop difficille. Pour le segund article qui est a ce que ceux des provinces voisines puissent faire la guerre en celle cy ou qu’on ne la leur face, en ce qui touche la liberte des laboureurs je m’asseure que nul ne ce peult avecques verite plaindre qu’on leur apporte la moindre fatigue ny en leurs personnes ny en leurs bestiaux qu’on pourroit remarquer. Mais si les nostres sortant hors des limites des treves sont reputez de bonne prise pourquoy ne sera le droict oequal a eux et a ceux qu’ilz y pourront prendre. Les trefves ne sont personnelles ains localles car ung de Bretaigne bien que la trefve y soit ne laisse d’estre ennemi a Paris et celuy de France jouir du privilege de la foy publique en Bretagne et les sauveguardes ne contiennent que le lieu pour lequel elles sont concedees. De moy que je fisse la trefve pour tout le Roiaume ce ne m’est point de honte de dire que mon authorite n’est si longue estendue et aimeray beaucoup mieux avoir le soing de me prandre garde de ceux qui vous prient de faire ceste instance moyennant que ne leur donniez retraicte au pais compris ausdictes trefves encores que ce soit contre la justice que de m’attribuer ung si ample pouvoir lequel comme ( ?) je ne le desire ainsi douteroy je ne pouvoir maintenir, je prie Dieu, Monsieur vous tenir en sa sainte garde, de Nantes ce 22^e juing 1596.

605[La suite est de la propre main de Mercœur]

606Monsieur toutes choses estant accomodees jusques a la fin de l’annee comme j’estime qu’aurez faict, la continuatuion de la presente trefve ce pourra faire aiseement lors qu’elle sera preste de cesser

607Vostre bien bon et plus affectionné a vous servir

101. Supplique adressée par les tréviens de Moustéru au duc de Mercœur au sujet d’exactions commises par les gens de guerre commandés par La Fontenelle. 12 juin 1594. AD 22, 20 G 16 (Moustéru)

608Monseigneur, Supplie humblement le général des treffviens de la treffve du Mousteruz prez Guingamp et remonstre comme sur la plaincte et doleance quilz auroient avant ce jour prête a vostre altesse de levees des deniers et cotisations que les gens de guerre portans les armes pour le St Party de Lunion es évêchés de Treguier et Cornouaille leur demandoinct et faisoinct par ravages, brullemens et autres violances et voies d’hostilittés paier sans avoir de ce faire commission auchune, il auroint pleust a vostre excellance et grandeur les recepvoir en vostre protection et sauvegarde et faire deffanse a touttes parsonnes de natanter a leurs personnes ny biens, ne faire auchune levee de deniers sur eulx sans commission et pouvoir express sur paine de la vye ce qui auroint esté notiffié et donne a scavoir au sieur de la Fontenelle et autres gens de guerre estans en garnison en la ville et chatteau de Corlay, neanmoigns ilz retiennent trois hommes de la dite tresfve depuis les feriés de Pâques dernières en grande captivité et demy ( ?) prisonniers en basse fosse faulte de paiement de la somme de cent escuz sol quilz demandent de la dite tresfve et oultre trante escuz pour leur course lorsqu’ilz furent prendre lesdits prisonniers, et un escu par jour pour leur pansion combien qu’ilz ny soinct nouris que a pain et eau, et en deux fois quilz ont este courir ladite treffve ilz ont ravage dix bestes generalement valant plus de cent cinquante escus et autres bestiaux, meubles a la valeur de seix vingt escuz, et les ont vandu sans toutesfois voulloir rien emploier de tout ce en descharge de leur demande, ainctz menacent encore de les venir ravager et bruller entierement et user de touttes les voies d’hostîllité dont ils pourront adviser comme aussy font les gens de guerre du Capitaine Rostin183 quy leur demandent aultre cotisation pour laquelle lever il n’a eu commission auchune Sy vous remonstrent les pauvres exposants vos pauvres vaseaux subiectz et hommes de vostre terre et seigneurie de Guingamp que depuis le commancement de ces troubles ilz ont tousjours volontairement satisfaict, encor que leurs facultés et revenus ne le permetoinct, aux tailles et subsides que vostre altesse avoinct donne commission et pouvoir de lever en ce pais et par la force et vîolance ont este contrainctz de faire et paier aux garnisons du party ennemy, de forme qu’ilz sont a present desmuni de toutz moiens et sont contrainctz de tout abandonner sy par votre excellence et grandeur n’est pourveu a lestreme licence et temerite des gens de guerre des compaignies des dits sieurs de la Fontenelle et de Rostin lesquelz contre l’auctoritte de vos commandemens et sauvegardes contre touttes lois et ordonnances et contre toutte esquite et raison veullent faire les levees de deniers sans pouvoir ny commission et ravagent les pauvres laboureurs leurs hostent leurs bestiaux et moiens de pouvoir cultiver la terre et gagner leur pauvre vie, les contraignent destre toujours cachés aux fosses ( ?) et autres lieux escartes et habandonner leurs maisons et familles […] obvier quilz ny soinct prins et misérablement retenus prisonniers comme sont ceulx qu’ilz retiennent, ce consideré,

609Monseigneur, qu’il plaize a votre altesse maintenir les exposans en vostre protection et sauvegarde, faire commandement expres audit sieur de la Fontenelle et autres qui commandent et portent les armes en la dite garnison de Corlay de mettre promptement et sans auchun delay en plaine liberte toutz ceulx quilz retiennent prisonniers de la dite treffve et aussi rendre auxdits exposans leurs biens et bestiaux qu’ilz ont ravage et prîns indebuement et faire audit sieur de la Fontenelle, Rostin et toutz autres portans les armes pour le sainct party deffanses tres expresses de ne plus attanter a leurs personnes et biens, les ravager et piller ny faire auchune levee de denier sur eux ny sur autres du pays sans l’express pouvoir et commission de votre altesse et département faict au desir dicelle par les officiers de justice dessus les lieux et gaigneres les benedictions d’une infinitte de pauvres laboureurs, veuffves et orphelins qui toutz prieront Dieu pour vostre prosperitte.

610Et plus bas est escript : Nous faisons deffanses au sieur de la Fontenelle commandant à Corlay et a tout autre de lever auchun denier sur les suppliants ny sur autre sans expresse commission de nous. Faict a Dinan, le 12 juin 1594. Ainsi signé Ph. Emmanuel de Loraine, et plus bas Le Normand et saelle. (Copie.)

102. Extraits de deux lettres écrites de Rennes, 13 et 15 juin 1597. PRO, SP 78/39, f° 278

611Extraict d’une lettre escripte de Rennes le XIII e jour de Juing 1597.

612Je vous confirmeray encores par ce mot la prise de Blavet sur l’Espagnol par les Italyens qui s’en sont renduz maistres et ont pris prisonnier dom Joan. L’on tient pour asseuré qu’ilz ont crié vive le Roy. Ilz demandent Monsieur de Talouet qui leur offre L escus ( ?). Monsieur de Mercoeur a envoye vers eulx leur offrir C escus( ?). Il y avoit force prisonniers francois qui estoient dedans qui ont aydé aux Italyens a se rendre maistres de ladicte place. Bref cest chose seure que l’Espagnol n’y a plus de commandement et sont tous dans la ville de Blavet qui ont seullement pouvoir de contempler leur fort. Je vous supplye de croire que cest chose toute asseuree et en aurez bien tost des nouvelles plus certaines. Dieu veuille bien inspirer lesd. Italyens.

613Par autre du XVe.

614C’est chose toute asseuree que la prise de Blavet. Ce sont les Italyens qui ont envoye devers le Roy. L’aucteur de l’entreprise est un breton nommé Villegourneil (ou Villegouveil ?)184. Dom Joan est prisonnier. Cela donnera la paix en Bretagne. Il n’y a plus d’Espagnols dedans. Voilla tout ce qui est de nouveau par deça.

103. Lettre de Sourdéac au comte d’Essex, de Brest le 7 août 1597. Original. PRO, SP 78/40, f° 45

615Monsieur, J’ay presentement receu certain avis que de sept galeres qui estoient parties de Lisbone il est arrivé six à Blavet qui n’y doibvent tarder estantes commandees d’aler a Calais et prandre langue de vostre armee. J’ay jugé estre de mon debvoir de vous en donner avis que j’acompaigneray d’un treshumble remerciement du convoy que vostre visamiral a faict aulx pouldres et autres munitions qu’on m’amesnoit d’Angleterre, ce sont des recharges d’obligations a Vostre service. Je vouldrois que vos dessains et le service de sa serenissime Majesté permissent que partye de vostre armée peut ancrer en ce lieu peu de jours ce me seroit une assistance non moins fabvorable aulx affaires du roy mon mestre que fust le secours de Croazon pour la grande consequence dont est le sieige que je tiens devand lisle Tristan ou est Fontenelle, et Dieu m’y veuille assister et vous a l’accrue des lauriers dont vostre nom est recommendable par tout le monde. Je desmeureray sil vous plaist toujours, Monsieur, vostre treshumble et tresaffectionne serviteur. Sourdéac.

616A Brest ce 7^e aougst a nous 1597.

104. Lettre du maréchal de Brissac au duc de Montmorency, pair et connétable de France, Rennes le 27 août 1597. BnF, ms. fr. 3559, f° 54

617Monsieur, l’on pensoit tousjours que Monsieur de Mercoeur après luy avoir entièrement accordé ce qu’il désiroit pour Mirbeau185 se resouldroit enfin de signer la trefve que Monsieur de Schonberg avoit concleue avec ses depputez à Angers, mais il a encores demandé au sieur de La Roche des Aubiers qui la luy portoit, huict jours de temps affin d’en communicquer avec l’embassadeur du Roy d’Espagne qui est allé à Blavoet avec le colonel des Espagnols arrivés de nouveau en cette province pour changer la garnison quy y est establie, ne pouvant rien conclure à ce qu’il dict sans son advis, et comme sa permission. Sur cela, Monsieur, je vous supplie faire en sorte que le Roy commande aux forces de Poictou de l’attacquer vivement et se joindre à nous, car s’ils le font huict jours seullement je m’assure qu’il entrera en tel traicté que sa Majesté vouldra, rien ne luy pouvant contraindre que la seulle force, et la crainte de voir une générale liaisson contre luy. Sy on eust voullu croire mon conseil, la seulle démonstration luy eust faict faire la trefve, et nous feussions tous maintenant auprès de sa Majesté pour la servir en cette occasion, suivant ce que je vous ay supplié par deux depesches de m’en faire donner le commandement du Roy. Je vous escriray plus particulièrement, Monsieur, et à touttes les occasions vous rendray compte des affaires de ceste province suivant ce que m’avez commandé. J’envoye au Roy la coppie de celle que Bourcany qui commande à Ancenie186 m’a escrit La Ligue en Bretagne par où vous verrez l’estat de cest affaire où il est de besoing que le Roy prenne garde ainsy que j’escris à sa Majesté. Je la supplie aussy d’envoyer en Angleterre pour le secours de ceste province ; car c’est abus de s’attendre à Monsieur de Mercoeur ; qui est tout ce que je vous en diray m’assurant que vous verrez celles que j’escris à sa Majesté vous baisant sur ce très humblement les mains comme estant, Monsieur, vostre très humble serviteur.

618Brissac.

619Rennes ce XXVIIe Aoust 1597

105. Informations transmises par Sourdéac à Londres (novembre 1597). PRO, SP 78/40, f° 281

620Estat des avis que raporte le Sr De La Motte, envoié de la part de Monseigneur de Sourdéac vers Sa Magesté, arivé à Londres le 3^e de Decembre 1597.

621Il y a environ douze jours quil ariva au Conquet un navire breton lequel raporte avoir rencontré comme il venoit de Lisbonne soissante et dix navires espagnols qui retournoint de ceste coste lesquels le prindrent et lenmenerent a Farol187 ou après avoir este 3 jours il fut libere. Il dit qua son partemant dudit Farol il y avoit de retour de larmee espagnolle environ quatre vints navires et que journellement le reste entroit fort batus du mauvais temps.

622Il y a seze jours quil arriva a Blavet cinq navires de ladite armee espagnolle dans lesquels il avoit aus envisons de 1 200 hommes qui furent trois jours sans sans (sic) avoir permission de ceux de la place dentrer dans le havre ny mettre pie en terre a causse de la discorde qui estoit parmi ceus dudit lieu, lesquels se sont du dempuis racordes et receu lesdits cincq navires, et prins pour leur chef dom Rodrigo de Orosgo, daustant que dom Joan de Aguilla sen estoit alle en Espagne ou apres y estre arive il a este faict vice Roy de Navarre.

623Monseigneur de Sourdéac sur l’interrogation quil a faite a dom Martin de Aiennas sergent maior du renfort de larme espagnolle lequel fut prins a la coste de Bretagne il y a trois semainnes a aprins que le dit renfort estoit conposse de 10 carvelles et quatres navires dans lesquels il y avoit deus mille soldats qui alloint sous la conduite scavoir en mer de dom Martin de Gorostiollas et pour la terre, sous dom Diego de Quinones, chercher larme espagnolle laquelle estoit conposse de 124 navires dans lesquels il y avoit trese mil hommes pour mestre en terre scavoir a Falmue, Plemue ou Dartemue188 en lun desdits endroits, et incontinant sy fortifier et renvoier les navires, lordre du renfort étant semblable.

624Oustre dit que lors que larme espagnolle fut partye du Farol quil fut donne advis de se pais en Espagne que ladite arme ne sortit du Farol a causse que leur dessain estoit descouvert et garnissons minses aus endroits ou ils devoint desandre.

625Partie desdites carvelles furent a lentre de Falmue ou ils penssoint trouver selon leur ordre le gros de larmee mais estant dans ladite entre ils prindrent un bateau pescheur qui leur dit que larmee espagnolle ny avoit nullement este et quil ny avoit aucunnes nouvelles de ladite armee en Engleterre qui fut causse quils retournerent pour aller vers Surlingues, Blavet ou Belle isle pour en ouir nouvelles, et ne oiant rien aller en Irlande.

626Du dempuis huict jours est arive un flibot flaman a Rosqo189 venant de St Lucques pour des marchants bretons lesquels raportent quil y avoit arest generaus et particullierement sur les francois bretons et prouvanceaux.

627Sur le bruit qui a couru en France de la mort du roy despagne les marchants venus dans ledit navire dissent quil nen est rien et que ce na este q’un faus bruit.

628Pour les afferes de Bretagne elles sont telles : Le roy devoit estre a Blais [Blois] sur le loire le sixyeme du p(rese)nt mois stille ancien pour descendre en Bretagne et a ceste causse les estats de ladite province furent assines190 a Morlex au 25 eme du mois passé mais a causse de l’indispossition du Conte de Chomberg depute par le roy ils furent remis a Rennes au 11 du courant et tiennent aus fins de fere un fons tant pour la reception du Roy que pour les sieges de Nantes et Blavet que le roy a promis datacquer. Monsieur de Merceure est dans Nantes lequel observe la treve qui doit continuer en Bretagne jusques au premier de janvier prochain, Il a faict abatre une grant partie des fausbourgs dudit Nantes et a desarme les habitans dudit lieu et mis trois galleres espagnolles dans la riviere pour la garder.

106. Lettre du capitaine anglais Gode191 au comte d’Essex rapportant les circonstances de la prise de Dinan, 26 février 1598 (16 février 1597, d.a.). Hatfield House, Calendar of the Cecil Papers, volume 8, p. 50-52

629My last of the 8 present by the way of Tauttnes, which I do hope your honour hath received ere this, I writ of the “sopring” [surprising] of Denhan [Dinan] by the bourges of St. Mayllows, and also the last of January at Zaclok. In the morning they did arrive into Denhan, where they found the gates opened a two hours before they came. At the entering they did put none to the sword of the soldiers, but there was put to the sword by the inhabitants of Denhan by a “larayn” given by the bourges in the round which was made by a gentleman of Sannt Laring, and the “larman” (en)dured a half hour. With that the bourges of Santt Mallows entering, cried “Vyvylle la Royee vyell la Royee”192, and presently the chiefest bourges for the Lege ran into the castle to save themselves, and the rest rendered prisoners; so it continued till Sunday at the morning afore day came Monser Monggonrye with his troops of horse, and presently cast up a trench betwixt the castle and the town for the defence of the town: the next day came the Barran Mollyaick with his troop, and that day came the regiment of the Suychers [Switzers] to belay the out part of the town, that no man should not come into the back part of the castle, and the 4 day came the troops of Normondy, some 1400, and the 5 day passed 4 pieces of cannon and 10 smaller pieces, with shot, powder, and matches, to prepare a battery against the castle; the 6 day came more powder and ball, with pikes, and other of the munition arrived there, and the 8 day they were ready, and the 9 day played they with some 2 pieces to see if they would render, whereupon the 10 day there was 4 principal(s) went out of the town to them of the castle and 4 of the castle to come to the marshal of the King to parley, whereunto they have agreed that those of the castle shall depart with bag and baggages what they can carry, and to be sent with a conduct of soldiers to guard them a mile or two, and this 13 day at 8 of the clock to depart in the morning, so this agreement makes nothing for the soldier, but to conclude every one of those “richs” is of the chiefest to have the parting of the goods in the castle, which is thought unknown riches there. The reason why they wanted powder and shot was that some of the soldiers of St. Larnss [Saint-Laurent] at the surprisal of the town ran into a tower called Sayntt Jeyllayms. tower, where all the powder and shot was, with great store of other provision in it, saying they could not keep it no longer, put a match burning into one of the barrels, and there did let it burn in a barrel of powder, and within some hour after it they could not keep it no longer, but was forced to leave it for want of victuals, fled out on the back side thereof, and did escape afore the inhabitants could get into it. It blew up of a sudden and blew up the tower and brake it in such an order it is incredible to write what it hath done; these of St. Mayllous seeing that this had happened, went presently to send for provision hither, and making some 6 or 8 shot of the cannon against they sent out one to parley with the marshals of the King, and so concluded that as the 13 day at 8 o’clock in the morning they should depart with bag and baggages, their arms, with safe conduct 2 leagues from Denhan, and so it is concluded that Monser Barron Mollacks shall be their governor, the which the inhabitants of Denhan have desired of the King, and he hath granted them, so the troops are to depart out of Denhan this 14 day. Santt Larnss is one that at this time hath some 200 soldiers, but cannot do nothing, for that the people flee from him as fast as ever they did afore affect him, and do, as it were, utterly deadly hate him. I have heard by the nobles here the King of France did offer Santt Larinss [Saint-Laurent] before this, if he would have come and have submitted himself with his government, would have given it him and 100,000 crowns in money, also a 20,000 francs by the year, and to make him lieutenant of Brittany, and he to enjoy all his goods and lands that he had before, with the order of the Sayntt Essprytt. All this hath a traitor lost and a poor man as a man beside himself, knowing not what to do, as ashamed of himself, a great judgment of God for the traitors of Ingland to behold, that will go against God and their anointed prince and country. Where these troops should have departed the 14 day of this month, as yet the marshall will hear from the King what order shall be afore they do depart, for that the marshall will attend the King’s answer, for this holds here as Placye Berttren [Plessis-Bertrand] a stronghold held and Gyldow [Le Guildo] another, which doth trouble St. Mayllows very much. This plot which was devised for the taking of the last 10 days “trawes” with the Duck Marckryee [Mercury, Mercoeur] was brought to get Sayntt Larnss out of Denhan, as I have shown of a parley because the Duck Marckrey could not rule him. It is thought that the Duck Marckrey will hold unto the King of France, but that he doth make a colour or show to the world, and will have the King to bring his troops and cannon unto Nanttz to besiege him, and upon compulsion will render, and in the intent to keep his place as he is, unto the King’s use. This is thought of here and is spoken of, and has been this month or two secretly by the chiefest sort of the nobles in Breyttany, and is expected to come to pass within these three months, to have all this country of Bretteny in quiet, and in as good peace as may be. All this that is done betwixt the King of France and the Duck is done but to cozen the King of Spain, as they all this while have done, and now that the Duck Marckrey doth see the King of Spain cannot obtain his purpose against England in that he would, he seeing that and also brings promises with him for the last money he demanded, and doth not perform it, sees no way but one with himself, rather to submit himself to the King of France than unto the hazard and danger of that which is like to come unto him, if in time he should not take this, the King’s offer, which now secretly hath been as the blanss “qwn” of France doth solicit daily for him unto the King of France, he seeing how the state stands cannot see how to do better, but he can look to do better than ever he could by the King of Spain so that when these parts be in peace the King shall have the better opportunity to get out the Spaniers from those other places which they are in. But here we have a new bruit that a general peace should be betwixt us and Spain, France and the Low Countries to be forthwith: this is spread abroad here for certain, which is greatly spoken of here, how true it is I do not know it, I do liever think that in such news dire treasons or conspiracies be devised. For these French I do as little trust them as the Spaniard, if they do see their opportunity possible they will pay us with the same payment which now they have done unto the King of Spain for all the money and help they have had of him and us too. I can reckon them like Peter which denied his Master when he see or was afraid of death, for no money or help no longer serves with this French nation, but it is better for us to abide a little mischief than to endure a greater quarrel or “fytt” unto the hazard of a more greater matter. Here was an example made one day at the table by a French gentleman that our nation was wise. A merchant gave the lie to a French gentleman; the gentleman struck him; the merchant being a man of peace endured the same; the rest of the French made answer that the English nation was wise for they would leifer see us cut the throats of one another than once to help to maintain a quarrel, so to conclude, one Monser Degoblytt answered wisely, if that we were wise within ourselves we need not this, if our wisdom were better our peace had been soon(er), so to this was answered if they here were in peace in general they would not care neither for our nation nor other, so proud be they. God send me never to see the general peace in France for our peaces cannot be long. What I do err in this my opinion I crave pardon of your honour. I write as I do think and what I have said of them these 30 years, this nation never deceived me, for that I did never trust them, I do know they do deal underhand to save themselves. It had need we stand upon our guard.— St. Maylos, 16 Feb. 1597.

630Monser Marryshal with his troops goes to the beseiging of Plasey Berten193 to-morrow. By this bearer your honour shall perceive the effect of all things by Lieutenant Bellingly whom I found to depart hence.

631The Senechal of Denham keeps the castle still. The King sent another governor with 20 inhabitants of Denham and 20 Swysch [Suisses].

107. Fragments d’une histoire du baron de Molac, BnF, ms. fr. 22311, f° 138-148

632[…] Mongommerius magnum virtutis specimen ediderunt194, auquel ledit seigneur Baron de Molac et le sieur de Courbouzon Mongommery firent très vaillamment et neanltmoings ayans estez repoussez, les ennemis se rendirent incontinant apres a composition et fut le sr de Kergommar mis pour commender en ladicte place195 et ledit seigneur Baron de Molac, ayant esté blessé se retira en l’une de ses Maisons pour se faire traicter.

633Sur la fin de ladicte année [1591] ledit seigneur Baron de Molac voyant quelques trefves en Bretagne, s’en vint en Normandye ou il passa la plus grand part de l’année 1592, suivit le Roy au siege de Rouen ou il fut reparqué avoir fort bien faict en quelques sorties et escarmouches que firent les ennemis, le surplus de l’année il passa a Caen avecq Madame sa femme et Monsieur de la Veronne, gouverneur de Caen, son beau frère.

634Sur la fin de la 1593 (sic), au mois d’octobre, fut la tenue ordinaire des estatz de la province de Bretagne en la ville de Rennes ausquelz se trouva Monsieur le Baron de Molac qui presida en l’ordre de la Noblesse et se tesmoigna aussy bon patriotte et habille dans les affaires, que bon serviteur du Roy et vaillant capitaine dans les armées.

635De là s’estant ledit seigneur Baron de Molac acheminé en basse Bretagne laquelle estoict quasi toute perdue pour le Roy, entre autres la Cornouaille, où il ne restoit au service du Roy que que la seulle ville de Quinpercorantin voisinée de tous costez de garnisons ennemies qui pilloient et ravageoient le pays chasque jour et venoient piller jusqus dans leurs faulxbourgs, il s’y en vient avecq parties de ses troupes, et dabort trouvant le Baron de Camor avecq son regiment logé dans le bourg et havre d’Audierne, l’ataque en plein Midy bien qu’il eut moins de gens qu’eux, emporte leurs baricades, les enfonce dans les logis, les deffaict et taille en pieces et gaigne le drapeau Collonnel et seix autres dudit regiment lesquelz il apporta en l’église cathédralle de Quimper où ilz ont estez gardez jusques à ce que le tonnerre tumbant en ladicte eglise les brisa, ledict seigneur Baron de Molac y perdit des braves hommes, entre autres le sieur des Isleaux premier cappitaine de son régiment et le sr de L’Espoul son enseigne Collonnelle.

636Monsieur le Mareschal d’Aumont, gouverneur pour le Roy en Bretagne, désira de remettre la ville et chasteau de Morlaix en l’obéissance du Roy, comme place de consequence et limittrophe des eveschez de Léon, Cornouaille et Treguer, et pour cet effect s’y estant acheminé ayant seullement troys mil hommes de pied francoys, sept cens Anglois et troys cens chevaux, et dabort s’estant logé dans la ville, le sieur de Rosampoul se jetta dans le chasteau avecq quelques soixantes gentilzhommes et cinq cens hommes pour le deffendre, et en ayant donné advis à Monsieur de Mercoeur qui estoit à Blavet lequel partit incontinant pour les venir secourir avecq toute sa cavallerye et infanterie, quatre pieces de canon, et cinq mil Espagnols conduitz par dom Jouan daquila, ce qu’ayant appris ledit sr Baron de Molac il se rendit incontinant apres avecq mondit sieur le Mareschal, renforceant l’armée et de sa presance et de plusieurs trouppes Monsieur de Thou au livre cent unziesme sub id ad eum venit Molacus provincioe regulus, vir strennuus qui peditatui universo proerat, dit-il, plusieurs autres y accoururent sy bien que ledit seigneur Mareschal se veid incontinant aupres de luy, le Marquis de Coëtquen, les sieurs de Coetnizan, de Kergommar, de Liscouët et de la Bouteillerie avecq leurs compagnies de cavalleries et pour l’infanterie ledit sieur Baron de Molac avecq son régiment collonnel et les sieurs du Prat, chevalier de Potonville, La Troche, de Courbouzon, de la Tremblays et de Rommegoust, avecq chacun son regiments cent cinquante harquebuziers à cheval et le general Norrys qui arriva avecq nouvelles forces Angloises sy bien que l’armée en bataille se veid composée de seix mille hommes avecq lesquelz ledit seigneur Mareschal esperoit donner bataille audit seigneur Duc de Mercoeur, mais les Espaignolz n’y voullurent jamais entendre, qui causa audit seigneur Mareschal de retourner à son siege et neanltmoigs desirant scavoir l’estat et la contenance de l’ennemy et ayant envoyé le sr du Liscoet recognoistre et son rapport n’ayant pas semblé assez certain, Bastenay par enuye s’offre d’aller recongnoistre l’ennemy, on luy donne deux cens chevaux parmy lesquelz se trouve plus de six vingtz gentilzhommes du pays avecq lesquelz il se jetta avecq sy peu de prudence parmy les ennemis qu’il fut entierement deffaict. Il se retira laissant la plus part des gentilshommes prisonniers, et quelques uns de tuez. Le chasteau de Morlaix n’estant point secouru, ceux de dedans se rendirent à composition, qui fut que les soldatz sortiroient la vye sauve, et les gentilshommes demeureroient prisonniers au près de Monsieur le Mareschal jusques à ce que Monsr. de Mercoeur eust rendu ceux qui avoient esté prins les jours de devant ; en quoy ledit seigneur Mareschal monstra une ame vrayement royalle et une magnificence non commune car pour avoir moyen de retirer ces gentilzhommes qui avoient esté pris, il changea le desseing qu’il avoict faict d’user de rigueur et severité envers les assiegez, et mesprisa plus de cent mille escus qu’il pouvoict tirer d’eux, ce qui est d’autant plus à considérer en luy qui avoict faict de grandes debtes servant fidellement le Roy à ses despans.

637De là Monsieur le Mareschal d’Aumont voyant encor’son armée renforcée par la venue du sieur de Montbarot avecq sa compagnie de cavallerie et son regiment, et le sieur de Terchant fils du sieur de Montmartin avecq leurs regiments, delibera d’aller assieger un fort que les espagnols avoient depuis peu basty dans la terre de Crozon, ou Croudon, et une poincte qui donne sur la baye de Brest, qui est des deux costez inaccessible estant un haut rocher qui tumbe à pied droict dans la mer(,) du costé de la terre la distance peut estre de trois cens pas d’un costé à l’autre, à ce devant les Espaignols avoient faict deux grands bastions et un fossé fort large et fort profond, et s’estoient renfermez là dedans quatre ou cinq cens des meilleurs hommes de toute leurs armée soubz la conduicte d’un vieil capitaine nommé Thomas Praxede, la résolution prise le sieur de Liscouet Mareschal de camp et le seigneur Baron de Molac collonnel de l’infanterie, furent envoyez investir la place, ce qu’ilz ne firent pas sans tirer le mousquet et l’espée contre l’ennemy qui les vient recevoir de fort bonne grace pres d’un quart de lieue, Mox Liscoetus castrorum praefectus & Molacus qui pedita tui proeerat mittuntur qui Crodunam obsidione cingerent, dit Monsieur de Thou Livre CXI fol 509196. Monsieur de Sourdéac gouverneur de Brest, qui y avoit double interrest, celuy du service du Roy et celuy de son gouvernement les assiste promptemant de touttes sortes de munitions, on dresse deux plates formes sur lesquelles on monte douze canons de baterie et quelques autres petites pieces, l’une des batteries conduicte par les francoys, l’autre par les anglois. Ayant faict breche, on donna un léger assault pour voir seullement l’estat de ceux de dedans, d’où estant repoussez avecq perte de quelque cinquante hommes. Il arriva encore un autre accident en la batterie des anglois où mettant le feu en un canon il print à un autre qui tua nombre desdictz Anglois, cella interrompant la batterie donna loisir à ceux de dedans de reparer la breche, et peu après firent une sortie, et gaignèrent la trenchée et le travail que menoit le sieur du Liscouet qui y fut tué. Mais le sieur Baron de Molac accourant promtement suivy des autres maistres de camp les repoussa et regaigna la trenchée et repara avecq une diligence tres grande ce que les ennemis avoient rompu. Monsieur de Thou s’exprime et ces termes : Eruptione acri Hispanis facta, vallum à Liscoeto ductum occupatur ipso Liscoëto interfecto viro strenuo, et qui egregiam admodum operant totto belli tempore Regi nauaverat alii et graviter vulnerati sed accurente mox Molaco cum coeteris legionum tribunis receptum vallum et quod hostis demolitus fuerat summa dilligentia instauratum fuit197. Ceste action fit redoubler les nostres aux batteries, et en fin le quinziesme jour de novembre, ayant battu depuis la poincte du jour jusques à midy, Monsieur le Mareschal commenda aux sieurs de Bastenay et de la Rochegiffart de mettre les régimens en bataille ce qu’estant faict fut donné un assault général. Le premier qui donna fut le sieur baron de Molac à la teste de son régiment, lequel estant au hault de la bresche receut une mousquetade dans son pot qui le porta par terre et fut remporté par les siens qui se retirèrent le croyant mort. Tous les autres régimentz donnèrent l’un après l’autre et furent tous repousséz, le sieur de Rommegoust, frère du Bordet, gentlhomme de Xaintonge, restoit le dernier avecq son régiment lequel jura qu’il entreroit vif ou mort dans la place, et de vray estant monté au haut de la brèche se lançea dedans la place suivy de son enseigne qui furent tous deux tuez son régiment se retirant. Sur les entrefaictes ledit sieur baron de Molac, suivy des autres maistres de camp et des sieurs de Kerollain198 et du Plesseix-Valleron199 redonnent courageusement d’un costé et les Anglois de l’autre, tous avecq tant de courage et d’ardeur, qu’ilz emportèrent la place de force et passèrent tous ceux de dedans au fil de […].