
01 문서
| DECODE | 엽 | 내용 |
|---|---|---|
| R8482–R8483 | ff. 70r–70v | Cobham, 오스텐더, 1587/8년 3월 22일. |
| R8484 | f. 71r | “from Middelburgh”의 정보, 다른 필적: Grenier의 계략, 라틴어 경구, 암호 다섯 행. |
| R8485–R8487 | ff. 71v–72v | Cobham, 오스텐더, 1587/8년 3월 20일, f. 72v에 서명. |
| R8477 | f. 11 | 날짜도 서명도 없는 영어 정보 편지로, 한 스페인 사람과 스페인 첩자에 관한 것이며, 숫자와 글자로 된 부호군이 한 행 있다. 다른 체계다. 읽지 않았다. |
위원단(Derby, Cobham, Croft, Dale, Rogers)은 1588년 3월에 오스텐더에 도착했다. 편지들은 Mr Controller(Croft), 브뤼허의 공작에게 파견되는 “Mr Doctor Rogers”, 그리고 벌리 경의 하인을 모두 평문으로 거명한다. Calendar of State Papers Foreign은 State Papers에서 Cobham이 벌리에게 보낸 3월 22일과 24일의 편지를 수록하지만 이 편지들은 아니다. 같은 권 f. 187의 키(R8497, Bodley, 1590)는 다른 체계다.
02 암호
각 구간은 영어 단어의 글자를 기호로 바꾸며, 글자 하나에 기호 하나, 낱말은 따로 떨어져 있다. 몇몇 글자에는 기호가 둘 있고(a: ∪와 ⊥; w: 점 두 개와 점 찍힌 x; g: 가로줄 그은 x와 3), 글자 뒤의 쌍점은 u를 나타낸다. 한 계열의 기호들(l, p, h, m. 모두 교차선이나 고리가 있는 줄기로 그려짐)과 s와 t를 나타내는 두 개의 꺾쇠는 스캔에서 서로 비슷하다. 이것들은 단어 단위로 결정했다.
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | l | m | n | o | p | r | s | t | u/v/w | y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ∪ ⊥ | + | 8 | ∞ | 7 | H̅ | Ӽ 3 | ϵ | ⊥ | ϕ | ∝ | †† | z | ϕ | V | ∧ | ∧ | .. ẋ | ɣ |
키는 각 구간 양옆의 평문 단어로부터 재구성했다. 그 뒤 같은 권에 있는 Cobham의 5–6월 편지를 다루던 세션이 f. 89(R8493)의 당대 주석에서 같은 값들을 찾아냈다.
03 해독
해독된 단어는 이탤릭, 현대 철자. 등급은 README와 같다. (C) 문맥으로 보충, (M) 불확실. 나머지는 높음이다.
3월 22일, ff. 70r–70v
What effect this message will work I know not, but doubt the worst, and therefore do wish and think it expedient that some of .7. ships were commaunded to attend on this coast for all events, for I am persuaded 15 will never yield to send 42 hither. Some provision also for vittailes would be necessarily thought upon, for □ have no megasines here, nor mind to have any. That the same here is but from weeke to weeke as the bilanders do voluntarily bring it … there is any money stirring here. The present garrison will be found too weake for the defence of so large a circuit by the half at the least. The last supply of money will not [keep them] from the presentes wantes of the souldiers above five weeks longer, as the governour tells me. … The Duke is expected within a day or two to be at Bruges. The newe ditche from Gaunt by Eecloo unto Sluce is said to be almost ended, and will be within 15 dayes navigable for the float boates and vessels he hath ready prepared, being some of them fraught with stones and fagottes.
This preparation, together with the reinforcing of his garrisons hereabout, Stanley’s repair unto Turnhout (M), make such [at] Oudenburgh with eleven companies of footmen, and the Duke’s coming to Bruges doth threaten somewhat (C). And in mine opinion this town is fit to be stopped (C) through some attempts upon the haven; which being once stopped, the town being already abandoned of succour by land, cannot make resistance against the enemy many days (C) together.
My greatest grief is that in all this town I am not furnished of any one spy to employ abroad for the more certainty of the enemy’s proceedings. And from Flushing I hear very seldom by reason that the passage is dangerous and subject to interception. … By my servant William I wrote in my private letter a special motion for our remove to Flushing (C), where we might better stand on terms for her Majesty’s honour.
미델뷔르흐 보고, f. 71r
In my opinion the ships would be well guarded (C), and when all ships of charge as well of the [fleet] as merchants be at sea (C), there would be 2 or 3 pinnaces appointed to [watch] and direct the channel (C). [Bastune?] the Jesuite is within these fewe dayes sent post into Italy (surname M). R. tould me in talke with him that 15 ha[th] [in]sted his sonne (being under 17 years of age) in the government of his patrimony in Italy.
3월 20일, ff. 71v–72v
There are new companies lately added to the old garrison of Oudenburgh, our near neighbours (C), which were very strong before. This drawing of his forces by land so near, and the provision of stone and fagots to come from Eecloo by water (C), make us suspect some attempts against this town and haven: we think it therefore expedient that some of the ships did continue upon this coast, to be ready for service upon occasions. Also we pray your honour (C) would remove us hence or dismiss us to some other place of more surety (C).
This bearer hath laboured his own dispatch and would fain have had instructions, but I, fearing that under colour thereof he would proceed in his charge, did let him understand what we had generally written unto my Lord … As by the [words] of your own hand in your letter of the 16 March I perceive you oppose yourself still against such resolutions; for mine own part I would think myself most unhappy to be a means to conclude an irreligious peace. Touching Pigot and Barney, if they shall be delivered over to the States, I am of another opinion … things standing as they do, □ will ranson them, and then what dishonour and disfavour will it be for her Majesty. Pigot is a martial man, and hath means and will to deserve his prise (C).
04 남은 문제
- f. 72r의 “Touching” 뒤에 오는 두 이름과 다음 행의 이름. 플리싱언, 브릴, 오스텐더, 베르헌 어느 것에도 맞지 않는다.
- f. 70r 구간의 약 3분의 1(“42”가 무엇을 나타내는지 포함), 그리고 f. 71r의 마지막 암호 행.
- 기호 단위의 전사는 없다. 해독은 스캔을 보며 단어 단위로 했다.
- f. 11(R8477), 다른 편지와 코드, 해독하지 않음.
05 출처
- British Library, Harley MS 287 ff. 11, 70–72, 이미지는 DECODE: R8482, R8483, R8484, R8485, R8486, R8487, R8477; 키 기록 R8497(Bodley, 1590).
- Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, vol. 21 part 4(1931), 1588년 3월, British History Online: 이 무렵 Cobham의 다른 편지들.
노트, 키, 프로필: 저장소의 targets/harley287/.

