Series 1 > Diplomatic correspondence of Jean de Montereul and the brothers de Bellièvre, French ambassadors in England and Scotland, 1645-48 > Volume 1

MONTEREUL TO MAZARIN
7
1645]
cult to induce them to abandon the interests of the Parliament and unite
with the King of England, if other subjects do not arise to set them still
more at variance, so that what one may expect is that the fear the English
will have lest the Scots come to a separate agreement may induce them to
offer more favourable terms to their king in a general agreement.
I have seen several pieces of tapestry, some of which are very rich, but
the designs are not at all good. I have been put off day by day though
some obstacle that is always in the way from seeing two sets of hangings
representing the twelve months of the year. 1 believe them to be both
out of England, the one in France and the other in Genoa.
I have seen a piece of Brussels representing the History of Joseph,
without gold, the design of which is a little faded, and I consider it
scarcely suited for your Eminence. I have seen nothing here better than
the Alexander, nor any so reasonable in price. It might be had, I hope,
for less than five hundred Jacobus. There are nine large pieces which
have an extremely good effect. I have been told that a certain Ferrari
had offered 25 shillings the Flemish ell for it, but could not get it; yet it
might be had for a little more.
The Earl of Holland has just come to tell me that Montrose1 has
entirely defeated the Scottish army, and made 2000 prisoners. The
news, he says, has just arrived, so that the Queen of Great Britain will, I
have no doubt, be pleased to learn the first account of it from your
Eminence, if agreeable to you to tell it to her. This may bring an im¬
portant change in the affairs of this country. Parliament has decided
on filling up the vacant seats in the House, which will not facilitate
peace.]
Ill
MONTEREUL au CARDINAL MAZARIN
Loud res, ^^emire 1645.
J’ay informe particul* M. de Brienne de la revolution qui est
arrivee en Ecosse depuis quelques jours, de laquelle je donnais
avis a V. E. par ma derniere; elle me permettra d’y aj outer
seulm* que les Ecossais ne sout plus aujourd’hui les maitres de
I’accommodement des affaires de la G. B.; que le parti du roy
se remettant, la France aura assez de temps pour considerer en
quelle maniere elle se peut entremettre de la paix de ces
royaumes.
1 James Graham, 5th Earl of Montrose, created Marquis 1644; beheaded in
Edinburgh 1650. The above refers to his victory of Kilsyth, 15th August 1645.