The Duke of Guise was now free to oppose Philip’s inroads into France. By the month of October, Philip had three French fortresses in his possession, namely, St. Quentin, Hammes and Catelet; and Henry’s plan was to harass him in as many quarters as possible, in the hope that being obliged to divide his forces, he would be inferior to his enemy in each one of them. His further design was to hamper Mary, and prevent her from sending reinforcements across the Channel. With this object the French King despatched 10,000 infantry-men, and a company of horse to the Queen Regent of Scotland, who hereupon entered Berwick-on-Tweed, and occupied it, at the same time ravaging the Borders.
Flattering himself that Henry would disband, in face of the rigorous winter, Philip returned to Brussels, convoked the States, and required them to levy a subsidy in money, for carrying on the war in the spring. The utmost that could be obtained from them was 800,000 crowns, far too small a sum for maintaining his troops, and defending his conquered fortresses in the midst of an enemy’s country.
If the victory of St. Quentin was the principal feature of the first campaign, the loss of Calais marked the second with disaster. The first note of alarm came from England, in a letter from Cardinal Pole to the King, dated the 4th January 1558. It proved not only the prelude to worse news, but testified to the spirit in which Mary was prepared to meet the crowning calamity of her life.
“Although I wrote to your Majesty yesterday, in reply to what you were pleased to write to me on the 24th ultimo, yet nevertheless having heard to-day of the loss of Risbank near Calais (taken on the 3rd) I will not omit telling you how in an untoward circumstance, the most serene Queen has shown her usual firmness, which has comforted me the more, as I was at first anxious, lest such unexpected news might seriously agitate her Majesty, especially as we now hope she is pregnant; but having seen not only that she was not in the least disheartened by this news, but that immediately on hearing it, she commenced arranging and providing by such means as possible, both divine and human, for what the present need requires, as also by ordering supplications and prayers to be made in all the religious congregations for success, I was much comforted. I have deemed it my duty to give notice of this to your Majesty, as by your putting forth your vigorous arm and aid, which we are certain you will do, with such speed as the present need requires, I have no doubt but that the Almighty will thus convert everything to His greater glory, and at the same time to the consolation and honour of your Majesties and your realms; as I continually pray His divine Majesty’s goodness to do, and to preserve and prosper your Majesty for the common weal, and particularly for this kingdom, which is placed under your care and government.”[658]
On the same day, Lord Grey de Wilton, Governor of Guisnes, wrote to the Queen as follows:—
“My most bounden duty humbly promised to your Majesty; whereas I have heretofore always in effect written nothing to your Highness but good, touching the service and state of your places here, I am now constrained, with woful heart to signify unto your Majesty these ensuing. The French have won Newhavenbridge, and thereby entered into all the Low country, and the marshes between this and Calais. They have also won Rysbank, whereby they be now master of that haven. And this last night past, they have placed their ordnance of battery against Calais, and are encamped upon St. Peter’s heath before it; so that now I am clean cut off from all relief and aid, which I looked to have, both out of England and from Calais, and know not how to have help by any means, either of man or victuals. There resteth now none other way for the succour of Calais, and the rest of your Highness’s places on this side, but a power of men out of England, or from the King’s Majesty, or from both, without delay, able to distress and keep them from victuals coming to them, as well by sea as by land, which shall force them to levy their siege to the battle, or else drive them to a greater danger. For lack of men out of England, I shall be forced to abandon the town, and take in the soldiers thereof, for defence of the castle. I have made as good provision of victuals as I could by any means out of the country, with which, God willing I doubt not to defend and keep this place as long as any man, whatsoever he be, having no better provision and furniture of men and victuals than I have; wherein your Grace shall well perceive, that I will not fail to do the duty of a faithful subject and Captain, although the enemy attempt never so stoutly, according to the trust reposed in me. I addressed letters presently to the King’s Majesty by this bearer, most humbly desiring aid from him, according to the effect aforesaid. I might now very evil have spared this bringer, my servant and trusty officer here in this time of service. Howbeit, considering the great importance of his message, I thought him a meet man for the purpose, desiring your Majesty to credit him fully, and to hear him at large, even as directly your Grace would hear me, to open my mind in this complaint of imminent danger. Thus trusting of relief and comfort forthwith from your Majesty, for the safeguard of Calais, and other your places here, I take my leave most humbly of your Grace.
“At your Highness’s Castle of Guisnes, most assured English, even to the death, the 4th of January 1557 [8] at seven of the clock in the morning. Your Majesty’s most humble Servant and obedient Subject,
“Grey.”[659]
Lord Wentworth, Deputy Governor of Calais, in the absence of the Earl of Pembroke, who was collecting troops in England, had written on the 2nd, that the French were before Risbank, and that he feared no more of his despatches would get through, adding, “but I will do what I can tidily to signify unto your Majesty our state”.[660] Close upon this followed the news that Risbank had fallen, and Lord Pembroke crossed to Dunkirk, six leagues from Calais, with 5,000 infantry, hoping to raise the siege of that place.[661]
In Michiel’s report of England in 1557, the ambassador describes Calais as having a garrison of 500 of the best soldiers, besides a troop of fifty horsemen, and as being considered an impregnable fortress, on account of the inundation with which it could be surrounded, although certain engineers doubted that it would prove so, if put to the test. The recent inspection of the town by the French had led them to the conclusion that its boasted strength was a fable, and that it might easily be taken by storm; and their chief reason for recalling the Duke of Guise from Italy was probably, that he might restore this lost jewel to the French Crown.