Catalogue description NEWSLETTER FROM FRANCE.

--"The certain news concerning the wars of France delivered by the merchants of Roane the 9th and 10th of this present month of September, 1615; according to the computation of England. Inprimis Monsieur Marques d'Ancore* got Amiens in Picardy, it being one of the chief storehouses of France, and one of the secretest cities, and placed in the town divers Italians and Spaniards for their garrison. The Duke of Longavile, being governor thereof, is forced to keep himself in Corby with the Duke of Bullion and divers other princes.

"The Duke Longavile took a waggon laden with gunpowder of two thousand weight going to Marquis d'Ancorite to Amiens. The Prince of Condy keeps himself at Cashey, having twelve thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen in arms and eighteen pieces of great ordinance ready for war, besides mighty forces ready to join with them. It is also said that the Duke of Gwise hath slain the Duke Espernon within these five days, it being now the month September. It is also certified that the Duke Longaville did take a great quantity of treasure which was sent by the Queen of France unto Marquis d'Ancorite to Amiens. There is a proclamation sent by the King to the Prince of Condy to command him and his forces to deliver in their furniture to the King's use within this month of September, otherwise he should be compelled so to do, and dealt withal accordingly.

"The Governor of Newhaven being foretold he should be poisoned, provided an unicorn's horn and carried the same always about him. Marquis d'Ancorite offered the foresaid Governor four thousand pounds for his office of Newehaven, but he replied it was given him by the late King and he would live and die in it to this King's use and service. Within two days after that Marquis d'Ancorite had offered four thousand pounds for his Governorship, there met him one that presented a letter unto him upon Nostre Dame bridge near Parrice, at the opening whereof, it being poisoned, he was immediately with the scent thereof taken with such a flux that he had certainly died, if his provided medicine had not prevented it.

"The Duke of Longavile's men made their encounter with the soldiers of Marquis d'Ancorite, and slew of them to the number of nine hundred and sixty in one afternoon, and took many prisoners, being fourteen leagues from Amiens.

"The Governor of Roane demanded in Council or Parliament, he being first President with other Governors, to have a garrison of fifteen hundred men. The other Governors and Council replied that the town of itself was able for their own defence to make ready in arms twenty two thousand men, and withal charged him not to make any such demand, they being very doubtful of him lest he should betray the town. The Prince of Condy doth affirm that Marquis d'Ancorite hath had given him by the Queen of France 60,000,000 francs, sithence the King's death, he being before by the King banished, and had it out of the Treasury without his consent, he being chiefly to be acquainted therewith; which somm 600,000l. stearling' (sic.)

"The King of France (upon the overthrow of his garrison, being sent upon his service and being met by the Duke of Longavile's soldiers being slain near the number of one thousand men) hath sent proclamation of open war against those Princes as is credibly reported, the which news was brought to Roan the 11th of this present September.

"There is also great increase of armies scattered up and down the country looking for the Spaniards' arrival into France and then the wars will continue certainly. The Flemings which came from Spain were pressed in France to the King's service, but they pleaded the league, otherwise they had been forced to carry the soldiers by the King's command whither he thought meet. Upon which occasion all English, Flemings and other nations were discharged, except their own which were forced to stay, as French, Dansick and all others whatsoever except those with whom the league was made withal. And it is credibly informed that the Spanish fleet will be greater than it was in '88, as it is now preparing."

*Concini, Marquis d'Ancre, favourite of the Queen.