L’Abbé’s letters in translation

My lord,

I presented your two letters on the 27th of last month, seeing that the gentleman mentioned in my last letters of the 5th of last month was not on the road, and that no one knew who would be setting out soon, owing to the new disturbances in France. I would have presented them as soon as the Queen’s man arrived here on his return from court, which was on the [22nd?], but I could not: on the 10th I had been taken with a fever which kept me in my room for nineteen days. Yesterday I spoke to the Vice-Chancellor, thinking he would have read the letters. He excused himself, saying that his many engagements had made it impossible. I begged him to read them and put them forward as soon as he could. He promised to do so, seeming pleased with the substance of the letters as I explained it to him. I shall press for a decision with all diligence.

On the 24th of last month I wrote to Monsieur [Barquin?] by two different routes which I have been assured are safe. By one of them I sent him a copy of the cipher I sent you with my last letters, so that we could write freely to one another. I fully expected the Queen’s man to bring letters from you and money, as Monsieur de Vulcob had written to me in his letter of 19 January. But he told me that neither had been entrusted to him. I give you this information accordingly.

Lord Piva left here two or three days after my last letters. Lord Prospero Gonzaga arrived here ten days ago as an ambassador, formally, it is said, to pay his compliments.

Although the nuncio, Monsieur de Mondovì, had written that Danzig had surrendered on the conditions I described in my last letters, and the same had been heard by another route, it was not true. The truth is that the city stands firm. Yesterday I saw letters dated 11 February at Thorn in Prussia confirming this. To divide its inhabitants, Báthory had an edict published on 5 February declaring that all those who left within twenty days, with their wives, children and possessions, would be regarded as loyal to him and to the Polish crown. After that period, everyone found in the city would be regarded as a rebel and an enemy.

To take the city, he has summoned all the estates of Poland for the [15th?] of this month, ordering them to appear equipped for service at Wladislaue, a town on the borders of Prussia, thirty-five leagues from Breslau in Silesia and thirty from Warsaw, for the good of the kingdom. He has no more than four or five thousand men at the siege of Danzig, with Jehan Sborosky as their general. They are about three leagues from Danzig, where they have been badly beaten three or four times while negotiations were taking place over the conditions offered by those within. But Báthory and [the council of the Bishop of Kujawy?] wanted immediately to build a citadel inside the city and remove all its privileges and liberties.

Count [Conrad?] of Mansfeld has entered the city with a good number of men-at-arms, who will be able to hold out for some time. But the inhabitants, being all merchants, will not be able to endure for long. Poland will also suffer when trade ceases.

I hear from several people that Báthory is greatly hated by everyone, as much by the Sboroschi as by the others, because of his great pride: he will not give his word to anyone, whoever they may be, except the bishop, who governs everything. He has remained at the diet of Thorn with about two hundred people.

The Infanta is at Warsaw, very dissatisfied with Báthory. He shows himself very Catholic in his actions. Several years ago, the senate of Thorn had taken possession of the property of the collegiate church of Saint Lawrence in that town and abolished divine service and the ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church. When he wished to hear Mass, he was told that there was no Catholic church, because it had been taken over in this way. He summoned the senate and asked why they had taken the church’s property and driven out the clergy. They replied that this had been done in King Sigismund’s time. He then said that in King Stephen’s time everything would be restored to its rightful owners. He ordered all the church’s ornaments, which are very precious, to be returned the following day, together with its revenues. This was carried out. The next day the bishop consecrated the church and celebrated Mass there, to the great satisfaction of the Catholics.

On the 15th of last month, the Bishop of Mondeui, the Pope’s nuncio, had not yet left Breslau, nor was he to leave for another fortnight. He was awaiting the return of Count [Christophe Rosras Bof?], whom he had sent to the Archbishop of Gniezno. He nevertheless had instructions to go to Báthory, as you will have learned from my last letters. As I heard yesterday from Lord Warsauicio, he will be urged to set out as soon as possible, so that he may be at the diet to see whether a way can be found for the affairs of Danzig to be settled. They could bring about the ruin of the kingdom and Christendom, for Báthory will call on the Tatars, the Turks and even the Hungarians if he has money, which everyone says he lacks.

I am assured that the Poles do not wish to take up arms against Danzig. They argue that, if Báthory had been willing to confirm their privileges, he would not be in danger of losing his reputation or ruining the kingdom. The aforesaid Warsauicio thinks that Monsieur de Mondeui could put everything right.

Two days ago an ambassador from Báthory arrived here with eight horses, together with a man sent by Bekes of Transylvania. Yesterday, before dinner, they had an audience with the Emperor, one after the other, in the presence of His Majesty’s privy councillors. As I hear, they are merely bearers of letters. According to what I hear from the aforesaid Warsauicio, these ask His Majesty to consent that Bekes may marry in Hungary, and also to learn whether the Emperor will give Báthory the title of king, so that he may send an ambassador to His Majesty. It is held certain that he will be satisfied, and that it will be welcome for him to be a friend of this house. Although this will not be for his own sake, it will be for that of the Turk, with whom every possible means will be used to have peace, following the opinion of Emperor Ferdinand. From all my letters you will have learned that this is also the opinion of Weber and Trautzen, who govern as they did before.

The Poles [are divided?] as they were before. Although they show a friendly face to Báthory, in their hearts it is the opposite. I hear this for certain, not only from the aforesaid Warsauicio, but also from several others. Yesterday the aforesaid Warsauicio, in the presence of a servant of the Emperor familiar with the affairs of Muscovy and Poland, said that he had heard for certain that Riga and Reval were in the hands of the Muscovite. One had surrendered of its own accord, and the other had been taken by surprise. If this was so, as he believed, Ruthenia would surrender immediately, both because it follows the Greek religion and because its voivode is a man who turns with every wind. Lithuania would consequently fare badly.

Most of the Poles believe that Báthory will not live long, so each does the best he can for himself. Until now Lord Warsauicio has had a pension of five hundred thalers a year from the Emperor, with leave to reside wherever he wishes, provided he does nothing against this house. But, as I have heard from him himself, he hopes to be restored to his homeland. He is awaiting a decision from Poland here. When it comes, he would leave immediately because of his great expenses here.

Sborosky left here with five hundred thalers for his journey and an assignment of three thousand in Silesia. Nothing definite has yet been given to Lord Lasky. Meanwhile he has been given some money every week to maintain himself. He courts the Florentines, and Warsauicio the Savoyards, in the event of a new election.

The referendary did not go to Poland; rather, he is expected here from day to day. The voivode of Kalisz is also here, both to obtain assistance and to recover what was taken from his brother within the jurisdiction of the Abbey of Fulda as he returned from France.

I am told that Count [Hierome Rasros Bof?] has gone to Báthory instead of coming to Breslau.

Although it has been said until now that the Emperor would go from here to Lusatia, Silesia and Moravia, I was told this morning that he would go first to Vienna and Hungary. It is not yet known whether he will leave immediately after his father’s funeral, which will be on the 30th of this month, or immediately after Easter. It is certain, however, that the Empress and Queen Blanche will remain here.

The Emperor has asked the estates of this kingdom for two hundred thousand thalers each year for two years, to support the Hungarian frontier; for the ordinary taxes to be prolonged for another two years; and for the outstanding arrears to be paid. [Marginal words unclear.] He has also urged them to consider where and how the river called the Elbe could be made navigable throughout the kingdom, and how the abuse of extravagant clothing and banquets in this kingdom could be removed. The estates are to give His Imperial Majesty their final answer on these articles today, much sooner than had been expected. His Majesty has refused to hear any discussion of religion, saying that this was something he could not and would not grant, and that changing anything in it would not be for the kingdom’s good. If asked for something concerning the kingdom’s welfare and peace, however, he would be found very accommodating. Nothing further on the subject has been heard since.

Count Aremberg arrived here fifteen days ago, sent by Don Juan to pay his compliments to Their Majesties. Four days later Count Galve, son-in-law of Lord Dietrichstein, the Emperor’s master of the household, arrived to congratulate His Imperial Majesty on his coronation, which took place more than a year ago. Another man of higher rank will come to offer condolences. They are both lodged with the Marquis of Almazán, the Catholic King’s ordinary ambassador at this court. He says that he is to leave here soon and that his successor should have arrived at Genoa. Aremberg is shortly to go on to Vienna and Graz for the same purpose.

The prisoner Landolfi is still at Graz as of today, awaiting safe-conducts and letters of passage for Italy.

Five days ago news arrived here by express courier from Flanders that peace had been proclaimed at Brussels on the 19th of last month. Several people do not believe it, however, because the colonels have not yet been ordered to stop recruiting soldiers.

The Emperor’s two ambassadors who are to offer obedience to the Pope have set out for Italy: Lord Flach, prior of the Order of Saint John, from his usual residence six or eight leagues beyond Kaiserslautern; and Doctor Tonner, an Aulic councillor of the Emperor, from here.

It is true that the Pope has granted the Empress one hundred thousand écus from the revenues of the Archbishopric of Toledo. Since the Pope meant future revenues, Her Majesty has sent the man I mentioned in my last letters to ask His Holiness for revenues already accrued, because of her great present needs.

The ambassador of the King of Sweden, whom I mentioned in my last letters, is still here and will entertain Lord Lasky at dinner tomorrow. He has already obtained letters of recommendation from His Imperial Majesty to the King of Spain, but not in the form he wished, to enable him to obtain what I wrote that he was going to seek at Naples.

I have been assured that the King of Sweden and Báthory are allied.

Four days ago a servant of the Emperor arrived here on his return from Constantinople. From him it has been learned that peace will certainly continue between His Imperial Majesty and the Turk, and that the latter is not arming this year. Nor is war against the King of Persia certain.

From Prague, 2 March 1577.

Postscript. Having been unable to send this letter by the last courier, I can now tell you for certain that my business has been put before and decided by the Aulic Council. But I have not yet been able to obtain the decision: it must first be reported to the Emperor, which will be tomorrow. [The final clause is unclear.]

My lord,

I have not written to you since my letters of 17 and 19 April, because we have been travelling continually. Having arrived here, I pressed the Emperor for the summons, since the Duke of Mantua has not replied. I fully expected today to have a decision on the petition which I submitted for this purpose on the 30th of last month; but, as there has been no Council meeting, it will be for Monday or Tuesday.

Up to now I have received no answer to the many letters written to Monsieur [Barchino?], which greatly surprises me. I have written to him by various routes. Consequently, if I were granted the summons as I have requested it, I would be unable to specify the revenues that have accrued from the day of dispossession [a die spolij], because the amount has been left blank, as I have already written to you. Nor do I have the assignment or payment order issued by the Duke of Mantua to his officials to pay the sum of 2,000 écus every year; nor the copy of the letter which that same Duke wrote on this matter to the presidents and councillors of Montferrat; nor any documentary instruments recording the receipts made by your attorney, together with the [power of attorney?] of the attorney who received the money and issued those receipts. Yet these are supporting documents that I ought to have. I shall keep writing to him at every opportunity that comes my way, so that I may at last have some letter from him. It is true that the Milanese merchants did not follow the court onward from Prague, but went off to Vienna, so it is possible that they have some letter. They nevertheless know that I am here; consequently I fear that the aforesaid gentleman may be ill or dead.

Doctor Weber having resigned his office three days before the Emperor's departure, which took place on 27 April, Doctor Viehauser was immediately admitted in his place. He is a worthy man, as far as I have been able to judge during the time he has been at this court.

The aforesaid Weber has gone to Augsburg to see an estate which he recently bought in those parts, called Krompach. He will return to Vienna when His Majesty has arrived there. He will continue to attend the court for two years, to remain familiar with its affairs. But several people would shed no tears if he never returned there.

On the 2nd of this month I wrote to you by the Verdun route to the same effect concerning this matter, but at considerable length about the news; and I informed you that, if I were granted the summons, I have no money to have it served.

From Breslau, on the said 2nd.

Your most humble and obedient servant.

My lord,

I have not written to you since my letters of 17 and 19 April, because we have been travelling continually. Having arrived here, I pressed the Emperor for the summons, since the Duke of Mantua has not replied. I fully expected today to have a decision on the petition which I submitted for this purpose on the 30th of last month; but, as there has been no Council meeting, it will be for Monday or Tuesday.

Up to now I have received no answer to the many letters written to Monsieur [Barchino?], which greatly surprises me. I have written to him by various routes. Consequently, if I were granted the summons as I have requested it, I would be unable to specify the revenues that have accrued from the day of dispossession [a die spolij], because the amount has been left blank, as I have already written to you. Nor do I have the assignment or payment order issued by the Duke of Mantua to his officials to pay the sum of 2,000 écus every year; nor the copy of the letter which that same Duke wrote on this matter to the presidents and councillors of Montferrat; nor any documentary instruments recording the receipts made by your attorney, together with the [power of attorney?] of the attorney who received the money and issued those receipts. Yet these are supporting documents that I ought to have. I shall keep writing to him at every opportunity that comes my way, so that I may at last have some letter from him. It is true that the Milanese merchants did not follow the court onward from Prague, but went off to Vienna, so it is possible that they have some letter. They nevertheless know that I am here; consequently I fear that the aforesaid gentleman may be ill or dead.

Doctor Weber having resigned his office three days before the Emperor's departure, which took place on 27 April, Doctor Viehauser was immediately admitted in his place. He is a worthy man, as far as I have been able to judge during the time he has been at this court.

The aforesaid Weber has gone to Augsburg to see an estate which he recently bought in those parts, called Krompach. He will return to Vienna when His Majesty has arrived there. He will continue to attend the court for two years, to remain familiar with its affairs. But several people would shed no tears if he never returned there.

Those of the privy council following the court are the two archdukes and Lords Harach and Trautzen.

The Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg came to visit the Emperor at Bautzen, where they stayed three days, with great satisfaction, as they showed. His Majesty did them great honour, calling them his fathers both in their presence and in their absence. Monsieur the papal nuncio came to Dresden, where he was entertained; throughout the Duke of Saxony’s country he received honours which would hardly have been given to an ambassador of a heretical or Protestant prince.

On the 19th of May the Duke of Brieg in Silesia will celebrate his son’s marriage to the daughter of the Marquis of Anhalt. The son of the aforesaid Elector of Brandenburg has gone there, accompanied by three hundred well-equipped horsemen. On his arrival here at the Emperor’s court on the 24th of last month, the aforesaid son of Brandenburg and the prince of Anhalt came to greet His Majesty, with whom they dined and supped. On the day of [Pentecost?] they also accompanied him to Mass and the sermon. They did not remain at either, but walked about the church until the service was finished.

No one remembers any King of Bohemia ever having been received with as much pomp as this Emperor. About three thousand horsemen and five thousand foot soldiers, in good order, came out to meet him. A very magnificent triumphal gateway had been made, with two armed giants above it. Each held a book and a sword, with the arms of Bohemia and Silesia. They bowed to His Majesty exactly as though they were alive. Above the gateway was an eagle which moved its wings and both heads as His Majesty approached. Beneath the arch was an angel holding a crown. It descended with great joy, wishing to place the crown it held in its hands upon His Majesty’s head.

At the entrance to the gateway, between the two giants, were written the following verses:

To Rudolf II, Emperor, Caesar, Augustus, King of Hungary and Bohemia, pious and fortunate, most eagerly awaited by his fatherland.

Rome erected triumphal arches for conquerors,
whose palms of victory were won by shedding blood.
But Breslau promises you a lasting, bloodless triumph
under your auspices: live, Rudolf.
Peace made this work; peace gathers these honours.
[…] triumph […] in peace alone.

On the other side of the gateway were these other verses:

To Rudolf II, as above.

Austria rejoiced when the first Rudolf
held the imperial sceptre in a strong hand.
We call you an Austrian, second to that great man
in name; now you hold the same sceptre, Rudolf.
May sweet destinies come with your sweet name.
He who rules the peoples by counsel helps them.

His Majesty, his chamberlains and his valets are being maintained here at the expense of the citizens of this town. His Majesty made his request to the estates on the 30th [of this month?], and they are expected to give their answer soon. For several reasons he has not specified the sum he asks, but he will have made himself understood. The estates are considering the sum, how to find it, and for how long. Meanwhile they have presented His Majesty with the country’s complaints and grievances, so that he may put them right.

From the reports from Prussia accompanying this letter, you can see that Báthory has had no better success in his enterprise against Danzig; indeed, I see it as more dangerous than ever. While he is occupied with that enterprise, the Tatars and other barbarian peoples are making great incursions into Poland, carrying off the people of the country. I hear from the referendary and other Poles at this court that these reports are true. But I believe that where Gascons are mentioned, Walloons are meant, for by another route it is understood for certain that about two thousand Walloons and Spaniards have arrived at Danzig. Would to God that those who torment France in this way would think of helping not only that city, but of winning the whole Kingdom of Poland. I understand that this would not be difficult, although it would require a good alliance with the King of Denmark.

Nothing is more certain than that Báthory is greatly hated by everyone in general. Only the Bishop of Kujawy is his councillor; he has long been an enemy of the people of Danzig. In recent days it was said that this bishop would come as Báthory’s ambassador to His Imperial Majesty, but I do not expect this to happen. Being the man he is, and so hostile to this house of Austria, as everyone says, he would discuss nothing but unwelcome matters. Whether he or someone else comes, there is talk that Abbot Cyrus, who was detained by the Polish senate, would return once more as the Emperor’s resident ambassador.

Lord Lasky is still in Prague. His wife, whom I said he had taken in France, kissed the hands of the Empress and our Queen Blanche three days before the Emperor’s departure. She was conducted there by the wife of the Emperor’s master of the household. Her expenses are still being paid by the Emperor. In recent days I was told that His Majesty wished to send him as an ambassador to Spain, for he does nothing but spend without serving. The referendary, who has not yet received any reward, does the same, as do Warsauicio, Sborosky and Ponioutowsky. As a reward for the latter, an abbey worth seven or eight thousand florins in Moravia has been given to his brother. Warsauicio has also received an increase in his pension, but it is not enough: he spends far more than he should, and meanwhile borrows money wherever he can get it.

Sborosky has his service as a courtier, so that there remains only the aforesaid referendary to reward. He would not be satisfied with a small abbey, but would be with a good bishopric. I am assured that his friends are making no effort to serve him, so that he may humble himself before Báthory; but he remains all the more constant.

At Bautzen there was an envoy from the Muscovite, with letters of condolence on Maximilian’s death. In them he urged His Majesty to continue the good friendship he had had with his father.

His Majesty intends to leave on the 18th of this month to be at Olomouc on the 22nd. The diet is summoned there for the 24th. It is said that he will stay no more than ten days, before going to Vienna, where he will remain until the end of October, so as not to hinder the Hungarians during the harvest and vintage.

The Catholic religion is greatly declining in Vienna because of the preaching of a man expelled from Saxony and Regensburg for sedition. As I have written before, it will be very difficult to prevent a great massacre of Catholics there one day, or rather it seems impossible to remedy matters unless God puts his hand to it. There is fear that some disturbance will occur at the next feast of the Blessed Sacrament if the customary procession takes place. The townspeople, barons and dukes of Silesia, who are all heretics except two or three at most, do not much like His Majesty being as Catholic as he truly is. Nevertheless they are all very pleased with his manner of proceeding. He is an enemy of flatterers and wishes justice to be done to everyone. He gives an audience to each person every day with great patience, except on fast days, when he eats apart so as not to cause scandal.

The courier from Tuscany who brought news of the birth of the Grand Duke’s son arrived three days ago. His Majesty gave him two hundred thalers. Many people rejoiced at this news, but especially the Empress and our Queen Blanche. Lords [Kan?] and the elder Proskowsky remain with them, besides their other servants. Lord von Pernstein will also return to Prague upon the Emperor’s departure from Olomouc. Lord Rosenberg will follow the court until that same departure. The resident ambassador of Tuscany at this court will be Lord Giovanni degli Alberti.

I am informed from Westphalia that the Duke of Cleves, wishing to oblige the Duke of Bavaria, had caused his son to resign the bishopric of Münster, thinking that the chapter would elect the Bavarian prince as its bishop. But when the canons came to the election, the Bavarian had only ten votes, and the Archbishop of Bremen eighteen. Seeing that neither Cleves nor Bavaria could obtain what they wished, the prince of Cleves revoked his resignation. I was subsequently assured that the canons of Cologne had elected that same Bavarian prince, but I do not hear this confirmed.

Three days after the Emperor’s departure from Prague, two gentlemen of His Majesty left by post: one, a Spaniard called Don Giovanni […], to return the Golden Fleece to the King of Spain; the other, called Jean Proiner, to return the Garter to the Queen of England.

It is true that Lord Rueber, His Majesty’s general in Hungary, does not wish to remain there any longer, and is very dissatisfied. But no suitable person can be found for such a charge. Some are seeking it, among them a man called Albrecht, Count of Mansfeld, a good soldier, but he lacks the military experience necessary against the Turks. Lord Schwendi is expected at Vienna, but it is said that this is because the Emperor wishes to enlarge the city of Vienna towards the west. For eight years now, some plans have been drawn up there by a Neapolitan who is in His Majesty’s good favour. I am more inclined to believe that he will come because I know His Majesty sent him, before leaving Prague, to examine and measure everything carefully. Besides his other virtues, His Majesty takes great pleasure in plans for fortifications and matters of war; whenever he can spare the time, he spends it on such subjects.

The Duke of Mantua’s resident ambassador has returned from Heidelberg, where he had gone to offer condolences.

Sbardellati, otherwise called Dudith, who was Maximilian’s agent in Poland, is here, but not held in the credit he enjoyed formerly. He does not show himself either at court or in the town, whereas once no one else was seen.

The envoys of the new Bishop of Kraków have passed through here on their way to Rome to seek the Pope’s confirmation.

Austria will have a very great abundance of all the fruits of the earth, if God preserves them. This is all I can write to you for now. I shall end by praying that God grant you health, happiness and long life, my lord. From Breslau, this 2 May 1577.

Your most humble servant,
D. L’Abbé.

I wrote to you that, if I were granted the summons, I have no money in hand to send a herald to summon the aforesaid Duke, or to send it to the Emperor’s ambassador who ordinarily resides at Venice, if he were instructed to have the summons served, as was done at the Grand Duke of Tuscany’s request upon the Duke of Ferrara in the affair of precedence. Please make provision for this, for in one way or another money is needed.