or lights a great number of torches, and so
tempered that no water can put them out. A great number of little
mills for grinding corn, great store of biscuit baked and oxen
salted, great number of saddles and boots also there is made 500
pair of velvet shoes-red, crimson velvet, and in every cloister
throughout the country great quantity of roses made of silk, white
and red, which are to be badges for divers of his gentlemen. By
reason of these roses it is expected he is going for England. There
is sold to the Prince by John Angel, pergaman, ten hundred-weight of
velvet, gold and silver to embroider his apparel withal. The
covering to his mules is most gorgeously embroidered with gold and
silver, which carry his baggage. There is also sold to him by the
Italian merchants at least 670 pieces of velvet to apparel him and
his train. Every captain has received a gift from the Prince to
make himself brave, and for Captain Corralini, an Italian, who hath
one cornet of horse, I have seen with my eyes a saddle with the
trappings of his horse, his coat and rapier and dagger, which cost
3,500 French crowns. (!!) All their lances are painted of divers
colours, blue and white, green and White, and most part blood-red--
so there is as great preparation for a triumph as for war. A great
number of English priests come to Antwerp from all places. The
commandment is given to all the churches to read the Litany daily
for the prosperity of the Prince in his enterprise." John Giles to
Walsingham, 4 Dec. 1587.(S. P. Office MS.)

The same letter conveyed also very detailed information concerning
the naval preparations by the Duke, besides accurate intelligence in
regard to the progress of the armada in Cadiz and Lisbon.

Sir William Russet wrote also from Flushing concerning these
preparations in much the same strain; but it is worthy of note that
he considered Farnese to be rather intending a movement against
France.

"The Prince of Parma," he said, "is making great preparations for
war, and with all expedition means to march a great army, and for a
triumph, the coats and costly, apparel for his own body doth exceed
for embroidery, and beset with jewels; for all the embroiderers and
diamond-cutters work both night and day, such haste is made. Five
hundred velvet coats of one sort for lances, and a great number of
brave new coats