A TRUE REPORT

OF

THE DETESTABLE TREASON,

INTENDED BY

DOCTOR RODERIGO LOPEZ,

A PHYSICIAN attending upon the person of THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY,

WHOM HIE, FOR A SUM OF MONEY, PROMISED TO BE PAID HIM BY THE KING OF SPAIN, DID UNDERTAKE TO HAVE DESTROYED BY POISON; WITH CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, BOTH OF THE PLOTTING AND DETECTING OF THE SAID TREASON.

[PENNED DURING THE QUEEN'S LIFE.]

Paris, it is to be thought that both the worst world. For some of her majesty's council long affected of the league will submit themselves upon any tolerable conditions to their natural king, thus advanced in strength and reputation; and the King of Spain will take a second advice ere he embark himself too far in any new attempt against France. But, taking the affairs as they then stood before this accident unexpected, especially of the council of Spain, during this his supposed harvest in France, his council had reason to wish that there were no disturbance from hence, where they make account that if her majesty were removed, upon whose person God continue his extraordinary watch and providence! here would be nothing but confusion, which they do not doubt but, with some no great treasure, and forces from without, may be nourished till they can more fully intend the ruin of this state, according to their ancient malice.

But howsoever that be, amongst the number of these execrable undertakers, there was none so much built and relied upon by the great ones of the other side, as was this physician, Lopez; nor, indeed, none so dangerous: whether you consider the aptness of the instrument, or the subtlety and secrecy of those that practised with him, or the shift and evasion which he had provided for a colour of his doings, if they should happen to come into question. For, first, whereas others were to find and encounter infinite difficulties, in the very obtaining of an opportunity to execute this horrible act; and, besides, cannot but see present and most assured death before their eyes, and therefore must be, as it were, damnable votaries if they undertake it: this man, in regard of his faculty, and of his private access to her majesty, had both means to perpetrate, and means to conceal, whereby he might reap the fruit of his wicked treason without evident peril. And for his complices that practised with him, being Portuguese, and of the retinue of King Antonio, the King of Spain's mortal enemy, they were men thereby freed and discharged from suspicion, and might send letters and receive letters out of Spain without jealousy; as those which were thought to entertain intelligences there for the good of their master. And, for the evasion and mask that Lopez had prepared for this treason, if it had not been searched and sifted to the bottom, it was, that he did intend but to cozen the King of Spain, without ill meaning; somewhat in the nature of that stratagem which Parry, a most cunning and artificial traitor, had provided for himself.

since entered into consideration, that the retinue of King Antonio, I mean some of them, were not unlike to hatch these kinds of treasons, in regard they were needy strangers, entered into despair of their master's fortune, and like enough to aspire to make their peace at home, by some such wicked services as these; and therefore grew to have an extraordinary vigilant eye upon them: which prudent and discreet presumption, or conjecture, joined with some advertisements of espials abroad, and some other industry, was the first cause, next under the great benediction of God, which giveth unto princes zealous counsellors, and giveth to counsellors policy, and discerning thoughts, of the revealing and discovering of these treasons, which were contrived in order and form, as hereafter is set down.

This Lopez, of nation a Portuguese, and suspected to be in sect secretly a Jew, though here he conformed himself to the rites of the Christian religion, for a long time professed physic in this land, by occasion whereof, being withal a man very observant and officious, and of a pleasing and appliable behaviour; in that regard, rather than for any great learning in his faculty, he grew known and favoured in court, and was some years since sworn physician of her majesty's household; and by her majesty's bounty, of whom he had received divers gifts of good commodity, was grown to good estate of wealth.

This man had insinuated himself greatly, in regard he was of the same nation, with the King Antonio, whose causes he pretended to solicit at the court: especially while he supposed there was any appearance of his fortune; of whom also he had obtained, as one that referred all his doings to gain, an assignation of 50,000 crowns to be levied in Portugal. But being a person wholly of a corrupt and mercenary nature, and finding his hopes cold from that part; he cast his eyes upon a more able paymaster, and secretly made offer long since of his service to the King of Spain: and accordingly gave sundry intelligences of that which passed here, and imported most for the King of Spain to know, having no small means, in regard of his continual attendance at court, nearness and access, to learn many particulars of great weight: which intelligences he maintained with Bernardine Mendoza, Antonio Vega, Roderigo Marquez, and divers others.

In the conveyance of which his intelligences, and in the making known of his disposition to do Nevertheless, this matter, by the great good- the King of Spain service, he had, amongst others, ness of God, falling into good hands, of those one Manuel Andrada, a Portuguese, revolted from honourable and sufficient persons which dealt Don Antonio to the King of Spain; one that was therein, was by their great and worthy industry discovered to have practised the death of the said so handled and followed, as this Proteus of a dis- Don Antonio, and to have betrayed him to Berguised and transformed treason did at last appear nardine Mendoza. This man coming hither, was, in his own likeness and colours, which were as for the same, his practice appearing by letters foul and monstrous as have been known in the intercepted, apprehended and committed to prison. VOL. II.-28 T

Before which time, also, there had been by good | him about the certainty of his reward. Andrada diligence intercepted other letters, whereby the having received those instructions, and being fursaid Andrada advertised Mendoza, that he had nished with money, by Lopez's procurement, won Dr. Lopez to the king's service: but Lopez from Don Antonio, about whose service his having understanding thereof, and finding means employment was believed to be, went over to to have secret conference with Andrada before his Calais, where he remained to be near unto Engexamination, persuaded with him to take the land and Flanders, having a boy that ordinarily matter upon himself, as if he had invented that passed to and fro between him and Lopez: by advertisement touching Lopez, only to procure whom he did also, the better to colour his employhimself credit with Mendoza; and to make him ment, write to Lopez intelligence, as it was conceive well of his industry and service. And agreed he should between him and Lopez; who to move him hereunto, Lopez set before Andrada, bade him send such news as he should take up in that if he did excuse him, he should have credit the streets. From Calais he writeth to Count de to work his delivery: whereas, if he did impeach Fuentes of Lopez's promise and demands. Upon him, he was not like to find any other means of the receipt of which letters, after some time taken favour. By which subtle persuasion Andrada, to advertise this proposition into Spain, and to when he came to be examined, answered accord- receive direction thereupon, the Count de Fuentes ing to the direction and lessoning which Lopez associated with Stephano Ibarra, secretary of the had given him. And having thus acquitted him- council of the wars in the Low Countries, calleth self of this suspicion, became suitor for Andrada's to him one Manuel Louis Tinoco, a Portuguese, delivery, craftily suggesting, that he was to do who had also followed King Antonio, and of some notable service to Don Antonio; in which whose good devotion he had had experience, in his suit he accordingly prevailed. When Lopez that he had conveyed unto him two several had thus got Andrada out of prison, he was suf- packets, wherewith he was trusted by the King fered to go out of the realm into Spain; in pre- Antonio for France. Of this Louis the first tence, as was said, to do some service to Don received a corporal oath, with solemn ceremony, Antonio; but, in truth, to continue Lopez's nego- taking his hands between their hands, that he tiation and intelligences with the King of Spain, should keep secret that which should be imparted which he handled so well, as at his return hither, to him, and never reveal the same, though he for the comforting of the said Lopez, he brought should be apprehended and questioned here. to him from the king, besides thanks and words This done, they acquaint him with the letters of of encouragement, and an abrazo, which is the Andrada, with whom they charge him to confer compliment of favour, a very good jewel, gar- at Calais in his way, and to pass to Lopez into nished with sundry stones of good value. This England, addressing him farther to Stephano jewel, when Lopez had accepted, he cunningly Ferrera de Gama, and signifying unto the said cast with himself, that if he should offer it to her Lopez withal, as from the king, that he gave no majesty first, he was assured she would not take great credence to Andrada, as a person too slight it: next, that thereby he should lay her asleep, to be used in a cause of so great weight: and and make her secure of him for greater matters, therefore marvelled much that he heard nothing according to the saying, "Fraus sibi fidem in from Ferrera of this matter, from whom he had in parvis præstruit ut in magnis opprimat;" which former time been advertised in generality of Loaccordingly he did, with protestations of his fide- pez's good affection to do him service. This lity and her majesty, as a princess of magnani- Ferrera had been sometimes a man of great livelimity, not apt to fear or suspicion, returned it to hood and wealth in Portugal, which he did forego him with gracious words. in adhering to Don Antonio, and appeareth to be a man of capacity and practice; but hath some years since been secretly won to the service of the King of Spain, not travelling, nevertheless, to and fro, but residing as his lieger in England.

After Lopez had thus abused her majesty, and had these trials of the fidelity of Andrada, they fell in conference, the matter being first moved by Andrada, as he that came freshly out of Spain, touching the empoisoning of the queen: which Lopez, who saw that matter of intelligence, without some such particular service, would draw no great reward from the King of Spain; such as a man that was not needy, but wealthy as he was, could find any taste in, assented unto. And to that purpose procured again this Andrada to be sent over, as well to advertise and assure this matter to the King of Spain and his ministers, namely, to the Count de Fuentes, assistant to the general of the King of Spain's forces in the Low Countries, as also to capitulate and contract with

Manuel Louis, despatched with these instructions, and with all affectionate commendations from the count to Lopez, and with letters to Ferrera, took his journey first to Calais, where he conferred with Andrada; of whom receiving more ample information, together with a short ticket of credence to Lopez, that he was a person whom he might trust without scruple, came over into England, and first repaired to Ferrera, and acquainted him with the state of the business, who had before that time given some light unto Lopez, that he was not a stranger unto the prac

sions as he could devise, if any of these matters should come to light. And first he took his time to cast forth some general words afar off to her majesty, as asking her the question, Whether a deceiver might not be deceived? Whereof, her majesty not imagining these words tended to such end, as to warrant him colourably in this wretched conspiracy, but otherwise, of her own natural disposition bent to integrity and sincerity, uttered dislike and disallowance. Next, he thought he

tice between him and Andrada, wherewith, indeed, | touched before, as many starting holes and evaAndrada had in a sort acquainted him. And now, upon this new despatch and knowledge given to Lopez of the choice of Ferrera to continue that which Andrada had begun; he, to conform himself the better to the satisfaction of the King of Spain, and his ministers abroad, was content more fully to communicate with Ferrera, with whom, from that time forward, he meant singly and apertly to deal; and therefore cunningly forbore to speak with Manuel Louis himself; but concluded that Ferrera should be his only trunk, and all his dealings should pass through his hand, thinking thereby to have gone invisible.

Whereupon, he cast with himself, that it was not safe to use the mediation of Manuel Louis, who had been made privy to the matter, as some base carrier of letters; which letters also should be written in a cipher, not of alphabet, but of words; such as might, if they were opened, import no vehement suspicion. And, therefore, Manuel Louis was sent back with a short answer, and Lopez purveyed himself of a base fellow, a Portuguese called Gomez d'Avila, dwelling hard by Lopez's house, to convey his letters. After this messenger provided, it was agreed between Lopez and Ferrera, that letters should be sent to the Count de Fuentes, and Secretary Juarra, written and signed by Ferrera, for Lopez cautelously did forbear to write himself, but directed and indeed dictated word by word by Lopez himself. The contents thereof were, that Lopez was ready to execute that service to the king, which before had been treated, but required for his recompense the sum of 50,000 crowns, and assurance for the same.

had wrought a great mystery in demanding the precise sum of 50,000 crowns, agreeing just with the sum of assignation or donation from Don Antonio; idly, and in that grossly imagining, that, if afterwards he should accept the same sum, he might excuse it, as made good by the King of Spain, in regard he desisted to follow and favour Don Antonio; whereupon the King of Spain was in honour tied not to see him a loser. Thirdly, in his conferences with Ferrera, when he was apposed upon the particular manner how he would poison her majesty, he purposely named unto him a syrup, knowing that her majesty never useth syrup; and therefore thinking that would prove a high point for his justification, if things should come in any question.

But all this while desirous after his prey, which he had in hope devoured, he did instantly importune Ferrera for the answering of his last despatch, finding the delay strange, and reiterating the protestations of his readiness to do the service, if he were assured of his money.

Now before the return of Gomez d'Avila into England, this Stephen Ferrera was discovered to have intelligence with the enemy; but so as the These letters were written obscurely, as was particular of his traffic and overtures appeared not, touched, in terms of merchandise; to which only it seemed there was great account made of obscurity when Ferrera excepted, Lopez answered, that he managed and thereupon he was committhey knew his meaning by that which had passed ted to prison. Soon after arrived Gomez d'Avila, before. Ferrera wrote also to Manuel Louis, but and brought letters only from Manuel Louis, by charged this Gomez to deliver the same letters the name of Francisco de Thores; because, as it unto him in the presence of Juarra; as also the seemeth, the great persons on the other side had letter to Juarra in the presence of Manuel Louis. a contrary disposition to Lopez, and liked not to And these letters were delivered to Gomez d'Avila write by so base a messenger, but continued their to be carried to Brussels, and a passport procured, course to trust and employ Manuel Louis himself, and his charges defrayed by Lopez. And Fer- who in likelihood was retained till they might rera, the more to approve his industry, writ let- receive a full conclusion from Spain; which was ters two several times, the one conveyed by not till about two months after. This Gomez Emanuel Pallacios, with the privity of Lopez, to was apprehended at his landing, and about him Christophero Moro, a principal counsellor of the were found the letters aforesaid, written in jargon, King of Spain, in Spain; signifying that Lopez or verbal cipher, but yet somewhat suspicious, in was won to the King of Spain, and that he was these words: "This bearer will tell you the price ready to receive his commandment; and received in which your pearls are esteemed, and in what a letter from the same Christophero Moro, in resolution we rest about a little musk and amber, answer to one of these, which he showed unto which I am determined to buy." Which words Lopez. In the mean time Lopez, though a man, the said Manuel Louis afterward voluntarily conin semblance, of a heavy wit, yet indeed subtle fessed to be deciphered in this sort; That by the of himself, as one trained in practice, and besides allowance of the pearls he meant, that the Count as wily as fear and covetousness could make de Fuentes, and the secretary, did gladly accept him, thought to provide for himself, as was partly the offer of Lopez to poison the queen, signified

by Ferrera's letter: and for the provision of amber confessions appear expressed in their own natural and musk, it was meant that the count looked shortly for a resolution from the King of Spain concerning a matter of importance, which was for burning of the Queen's ships; and another point tending to the satisfaction of their vindictive humour.