Catalogs of the Manuscript Books of England and Ireland Collected into One Volume

Ambassador in Ordinary at The Hague.

In the year 1598, in his forty-fourth year, he was sent to the United Provinces so that, with his residence fixed at The Hague, he might preside over all affairs concerning the Queen and the Belgians. And he performed this duty, which we English call Resident. Ample and honorable privileges were granted to Bodley by the States: that he should be admitted into the Great Council of State; that he should occupy the seat next to Count Maurice in the Assemblies; and that he should not only be present, but also have a vote in public decrees. Three years earlier, the Queen had struck a treaty with the Provinces, and had supplied them with troops and war equipment under certain conditions. Meanwhile, it happened through the avarice of some that the treaty was observed less religiously on the part of the English: which the Belgians took so indignantly that they were not far from enmity. These discords he settled by his own prudence alone, without any mandates from England; and for that reason, he earned great gratitude from the English and testimony from the Belgians for having preserved their Republic.

The Queen's benevolence towards him.

Upon learning these things, the Queen sent him letters full of comfort and benevolence, in which she testified how pleasing his faithfulness and diligence were to her. Furthermore, having tested the man's prudence in so many difficult negotiations, she left the care of Belgian affairs almost entirely to him: so much so that, once the state of affairs was observed, she immediately followed his judgment and did not greatly await his authority. He nevertheless declined this honor in more serious matters, which he proposed to the States as if commanded by the Queen, so that she, being informed in the meantime, could revoke them maturely if she less approved of his judgment. This was indeed a sign of a modest man, thinking sparingly and cautiously of himself, and a token of a pious spirit, preferring the utility of his country to his own glory.

After five years, the duration of his absence began to be seriously inconvenient for his personal estate. Wherefore, he solicited the Queen, both through letters and through friends, for the power to return home. Having obtained leave with difficulty, he returned; but after staying briefly among his own people, he was sent again to the Provinces. He is sent to the States of Belgium. The cause of his departure was this: In the year 1585, the Queen had committed six thousand foot soldiers and one thousand cavalry to the States of Belgium, on the condition that she would supply the expenses and replace the decimated troops annually; and the States, after the war was finished, would repay the money to the Queen. It was prolonged further than anyone had initially thought. Meanwhile, the Spaniards made new plans, and the Irish incited riots; for which reasons, more soldiers were enlisted in England and heavier taxes were demanded. The Queen, therefore, thinking it unfair to oppress her kingdom to support foreigners, especially when her own affairs demanded such a force of men and money, sent Thomas Bodley to Belgium to represent all these things to the Provinces. At that time, the States were pressed by great difficulties: for they had exhausted the treasury by arming a fleet against the Spaniards, feeding a numerous army, and fortifying towns. The calamities were increased by an unusual flood of waters (which brought very serious damage), and the enemy still looming over their borders. These inconveniences made the embassy difficult, especially since the Queen (by agreement) was held to sustain the troops, while they were not held to pay their debts until the war was completed. Bodley, however, with great force of eloquence, recounted the Queen's benevolence and showed how dangerous her offense would be; and finally, he led the States to conditions, which were especially opportune for the straits of the English: b That if they wished to retain the English soldiers longer, they should support them at their own expense; that they should pay twenty thousand pounds for some years; and after peace was concluded, they should pay one hundred thousand pounds annually for four years. I have as a witness of these things the History of that embassy, which Bodley himself composed; short, but written accurately and elegantly.

With these things settled in this manner, he returned, not to return again to the Belgians. He had now proved his faith and diligence in managing the Queen's affairs for twelve years; the Queen had produced many testimonies of her will toward Bodley. So we might wonder why his merits toward the Republic were not publicly rewarded with any prize, if it were not clear that the overly officious diligence of his friends stood in his way.

Hear the whole matter in a few words. c From the time Regarding his friendship, and the contentions of Burleigh and Essex. he surrendered himself to the Republic, he experienced no one more kind to him than Baron Burleigh, the Treasurer. So much so that he used to tell the Queen that no one could be found in England who would administer the office of Secretary so lavishly: which he learned from the Queen herself and others standing by. The Treasurer's son also informed him that when his father had destined himself for that duty, he decided to join this partner to him. Which he certainly would have done, had not the Earl of Essex (an ambitious man, and a fierce enemy of the Burleighs, both father and son) favored Bodley's glory excessively. For Bodley placed the hope of all his fortunes in Burleigh alone; since he was most powerful with the Queen and had given the clearest testimonies of his benevolence toward Bodley. Essex took this matter bitterly; and he strove greatly to draw Bodley's mind away from Burleigh and to bind him to himself with favors. While he was at The Hague, he addressed him with letters full of friendship: and upon his return, he received him with the utmost zeal and kindness. He often spoke honorably of him to the Queen; he also labored vehemently that the office of Secretary might be deferred to him; and he cast bitter insults at Burleigh's son. But she, having recognized the man's fervor and rashness, was little moved by his recommendation; especially when she noticed that all these things proceeded from hatred toward the Treasurer. Nay, so far was his importunity from doing any good that it gradually alienated the Queen, who was previously most inclined toward Bodley, from him. And since such a significant display of benevolence from the Earl demanded some signs of gratitude from Bodley, Burleigh interpreted them as if he were being drawn by Essex's blandishments to support his side. Moreover, the contention for honor between them was so vehement that one tried to overturn the other's plans in everything. Thus Bodley, eager for both, was entangled in this sort of domestic war; and, oppressed by the offices of his friends, he threw away all hope of attaining Dignity.