The Fugger Newsletters

Trial of Queen Mary

Cologne, 13 November 1586

It is announced here from Middelburg that the English Captain Drake arrived there on October 30, and proceeded to the English camp. He has brought over £50,000 in cash, and as much more in bills as the Queen of England could raise through English merchants. At Rouen in France English ships and property have been detained because a pirate stole to the value of £4,000. So about £6,000 in costs will be entailed. Letters dated the 8th have reached Middelburg from London. In them it is confirmed that many members of the nobility and of the Council, with two thousand horses, have ridden sixty miles away from the city to conduct the trial of the Queen of Scots. It is thought she would not be indicted in this manner if she alone had caused the conspiracy against the Crown, but, as so many lives have been lost because of it, further proceedings are to be taken against her.

27 December 1586

In letters from London it is written that Parliament has condemned the Queen of Scotland to be executed by the sword. But the Queen of England will not suffer this. The King of France has dispatched Monsieur de Bellièvre to the Queen of England, earnestly to beseech her to spare the life of the Queen of Scotland. How this matter will further develop is awaited with anxiety.

Antwerp, 14 February 1587

In letters of the 24th ult. from London it is reported that more treason against the Queen of England has been discovered. Some French are said to be in prison because of this, and the French ambassador has been confined to his lodgings. Some English gentlemen are said to be in prison too. It is stated that this treason originated with the Queen of Scots and the Duke of Guise.