[Charles has been advised not to make war on England, until he has broken the power of her allies, Denmark, Cleves and Germany]
14 April.[1539]
767. STEPHEN VAUGHAN to HENRY VIII.
The 54 hulks left Holland, all in a co[mpany], on Easter Monday, and were seen on the Wednesday following, April 9, lying at anchor at the North Foreland, beside Margate. I hear from a trusty friend that the Emperor has written to Mons. de Busse to stop them, if they are not already departed, until he hears from Andrea Doria what he shall do with them; and that Busse has sent after them to bid them return speedily.
The Emperor intends to repair hither. The French King presses him sore to come through France, and has prepared lodgings for him in many places, but the Emperor trusts him not.
The Emperor has sent Andelo, a gentleman of his privy chamber, to the bp. of Rome, Andrea Dorea, the Venetians, and so to the Almains, to return in 45 days. His intent I cannot learn.
He has written to the bp. of Lunde, in Almayne, to keep the gendarmerie, both horse and foot, ready at Augsburg, and to provide pikes, powder, and other munitions, that there may be no scarcity against his coming out of Spain. For this purpose an exchange has been made out of Spain for 150,000 ducats. He has written to Mons. Dewreux, the Grand Master, to stay there unless he has started to meet him.
The bp. of Lunde, whom I hear to be eloquent, learned, crafty, and of great experience, has advised the Emperor not to make war against England till he has broken the power of your friends in Denmark, Cleves, and Almayn, so that you are left alone. I heard this from a trusty friend who knows much of the secrets of these parts. The gendarmerie who were collected here and sent i[nto] Friseland, have gone, some say to the bp. of Lunde, others, towards Denmark, with the Grave of Oden[burg] in Estlande. I heard from an English merchant at Antwerp that a person came to him from the said Grave to know where he could speak with the English ambassador, as the Grave would be willing to bring your Majesty 1,000 men to England. The merchant advised him to write to you, and thus stayed his coming to me. Another tale I heard is that he has promised to bring Denmark into the Emperor's power with a few men. I cannot say certainly what his inclination is, but I will try to discover from the person who spoke to the merchant. Brussels, 14 April.
