Original letters, illustrative of English history : ser.1-3

&

IaA^.^I^o^l

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF

EN GLI SH HISTORY

INCLUDING

NUMEROUS ROYAL LETTERS :

FROM AUTOGRAPHS
IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, THE STATE PAPER OFFICE,

AND ONE OR TWO OTHER COLLECTIONS.

WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

BY

SIR HENRY ELLIS, K. H. F. R. S. Sec. S. A.

PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

THIRD SERIES.
VOL. IV.

LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,
i|3ubltsl)?v in (©rKmarij to &u- $Iajfstp.

MDCCCXLVI.

LONDON :

Printed by S. & J. Bentlet, Wiwon, and Flet.

Bangor House, Shoe Lane.

CONTENTS.

VOL. IV

LETTER PAGE

cccciv. Sir Thomas Smith to Francis Walsingham, Esquire.
Mons. de Mauvisiere received at the English
Court. Death of the Earl of Marr. The Earl
of Morton chosen Regent of Scotland. Enquires
what is said in France respecting the new Star. 3

A Complaint from the Sussex Justices to the Lord
Treasurer, of her Majesty's Purveyor summon-
ing Teams to cany the Queen's timber, at twen-
ty-four miles distance 9

Lord Burghley to the Earl of Sussex, Lord Cham-
berlain, respecting the Earl's Application to the
Queen for a grant of the Mansion of New Hal).
in Essex 14

Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely, to Lord Burghley,
declaring his poverty 1 o

Archbishop Parker to Lord Burghley, who had re-
proached him for the want of hospitality IS

Edmund Hogan to Queen Elizabeth, announcing
his Arrival and first Negotiations at Morocco... 21

Peter Osborne to Lord Burghley. On the rate of
Exchange between England and France. The
French King getting the gold and silver from
France and Flanders into his hands by debasing

his Coin 24

ccccxi. Edmund Freake, Bishop of Norwich, to Lord
Burghley, respecting his proposed removal to
the See of Ely ; and on the Increase of the Fa-
mily of Love 29

ccccv.

ccccvi.

ccccvn.

ccccv II I.

ccccix.

ccccx.

IV

CONTENTS.

LETTER
CCCCXII.

CCCCXIII.

CCCCXIV.

ccccxv.

CCCCXVI.

CCCCXVII.

CCCCXV III.

CCCCXIX.

CCCCXX.

CCCCXXI.

CCCCXXII.

CCCCXXIII

PAGE

John Wolton, Bishop of Exeter, to Lord Burghley,
upon his proceedings against Anthony Randall,
and against the Sect called the Family of Love. 33
Sir Francis Knollys to the Lords Burghley and
Leicester ; to search for the Printers of Castalio's
Book. The Free-Will Men and Family of Love

compared. Danger from the Jesuits 35

A private Memorial of Queen Elizabeth to Wil-
liam Herle, concerning a Loan of Money from
abroad, a.d. 1581. The whole, excepting the
royal signature, in the hand-writing of Lord

Burghley 37

Lord Wentworth to Lord Burghley, announcing
what settlement he could afford to make, upon
the Marriage of his son, Mr. William Went-
worth, with Elizabeth Cecil, Lord Burghley's

daughter 40

The Lord Wentworth to Lord Burghley, upon the

death of William Wentworth, his Son 44

Queen Elizabeth's Letter of Licence for Transport-
ing One Thousand Pounds weight of Bullion

into Russia 45

Queen Elizabeth's Letter of Recall for those who

had gone abroad without her lea ve 46

Queen Elizabeth to the Duke de Montpensier, ac-
quainting him in what manner the daughters of
the lately assassinated Prince of Orange had

been disposed of 48

Lord Burghley to the Sheriff of Surrey, respecting
the representation of G'atton, in that County, in

Parliament 51

Mr. Francis Alford to Lord Burghley ; concerning
the expences and delays of Law-Suits : and for

Counsell to practice in one Court only 53

Emanuel Plantagenet, alias Miles Fry, a madman,
to Lord Burghley, that he was the son of God

the Father and Queen Elizabeth 00

Mr. Tirwitt, sub-dean of the Queen's Chapel, to
Lord Burghley, respecting the Invention of some

CONTENTS.

LETTER

CCCCXXIV.

ccccxxv.

CCCCXXVI.

CCCCXXVII,

(CCCXXVIII

CCCCXXIX.

ccccxxx.

CCCCXXXI.

CCCCXXXII.

Cl'CCXXXIII,

CCCCXXXIV .

ccccxxxv.

PAGK

Musical Chimes, as commanded to him by the
Queen 64

Lord Admiral Howard to Lord Burghley. Her
Majesty's pleasure that Capt. Oseley should
have a Lease of the Parsonage of St. Helen's,
London 66

Sir Owen Hopton to Lord Burghley: describing
the performance of his duties for eighteen years
as Lieutenant of the Tower 67

Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely, to the Queen, upon
her requiring his House in Holborn, for Hatton
her Vice Chamberlain 71

J. Wolley to Lord Burghley, that the Queen is de-
sirous to relieve the Earl of Essex in his need,
by the exchange of some Bishops' lands 74

Arthur Atye to Lord Burghley. The debts of the
Earl of Leicester 75

Sir Julius Cajsar to the Lord Treasurer, relating
the Assault made upon the Ambassador from
Scotland by Nicholas de Gozzi 79

Sir Thomas Heneage to Lord Burghley. The
Queen's commands bl

John Arundel to the Lords of the Council, detail-
ing the circumstances under which he was lying
in prison 82

James Either to the Lord Treasurer. The ill affec-
tion of the Scotts to the English 85

A Letter of request from the Judges of both
Benches, and the Barons of the Exchequer, ad-
dressed to the Lord Chancellor and Lord Trea-
surer, that measures may be taken to prevent
men from being imprisoned contrary to Law .... 87

Lord Stafford to Lord Burghley, to aid him in pro-
curing a match between a rich citizen's daughter
and his son 90

Henry Pranel, the son of an Alderman of London,
to Lord Burghley ; apologizing for his marriage
with Mrs. Frances Howard, the daughter of
Lord Howard of Bindon, with a schedule of his

Estate. 1591 91

a 3

VI

CONTENTS.

LETTER
CCCCXXXVI.

CCCCXXXVII.

CCCCXXXVIII,

CCCCXXXIX.
CCCCXL.

CCCCXLI.

CCCCXLII.

CCCCXLIII.

CCCCXLIV.
CCCCXLV.

CCCCXLVI.

ccecxLvn,

CCCCXLVIII.
CCCCXLIX.

PAGE

Mrs. Cooke to Lord Burghley, as Earl Marshall,
complaining of Lady Cheke's taking precedence
of her at Court, although the younger daughter
of a Viscount 95

The Justices of Hertfordshire to Lord Burghley,
to know whether they shall obey the order to
attend the Court, for composition for Purvey-
ance, as the Plague had appeared in their County 97

The Lord Mayor and Citizens of London to Lord
Burghley, stating the prices they can afford to
give for certain prize goods taken in a Spanish
Carrack 99

Lord Vaux of Harrowden to Lord Burghley, com-
plains of his extreme poverty, and that he has
been forced to pawn his Parliament Robes 108

Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Household,
to Lord Burghley. Details a Contest in the
House of Commons concerning exempting the
Clergy-Government from the Temporal Ill

Robert Beale to Lord Burghley ; on the Earl of
Essex trying to get his place from him, for his
servant Smith 112

The Earl of Essex to the Lords of the Council just
before his departure from Plymouth on the ex-
pedition to Cadiz 127

Mahomet the Third to Queen Elizabeth upon the
taking of the Fort of Agria, 1590. Translated
from the Italian 138

The Lord Admiral Howard to Lord Burghley.
Indorsed in pencil, 10th Oct. 1597 148

The Earl of Sussex to Lord Burghley. His po-
verty, and his desire of employment in the
Queen's sendee 149

Sir Robert Cecil to Sir Michael Hicks 150

Mountjoye to Queen Elizabeth ; professing his zeal
in suppressing the Rebellion 152

Sir Julius Caesar to Lord Buckhurst, regarding
his services to her Majesty 154

Mahomet III. to Queen Elizabeth, tendering his

CONTENTS.

Vll

LETTER PAGE

Alliance against the Sultan of Alphrangi. A

Translation 1 55

ccccl. King James the First to ... . Blake : respecting

his disputes with the Puritans 161

ccccli. The Earl of Salisbury to Mr. Adam Newton. His
apology for coming from Royston without taking

leave of the Prince of Wales 163

cccclii. The Earl of Salisbury to Mr. Newton. The King
determined to hear the matter between the Mer-
chants and the Mint-men : and wishes the Prince

to hear it 16-5

ccccliii. Henry Prince of Wales to his father James I.,
with a list of Knights of the Bath. Asks per-
mission to go to Chatham with the Duke of

Brunswick 166

ccccliv. The Lord Deputy, Arthur Chichester, to the Earl

of Northampton, on the Affairs of Ireland 167

cccclv. Walter Pye to Sir John Scudamore of Home Lacy,

the Arrival of the Palsgrave 170

cccclvi. Dr. Thomas Ryves to Sir Daniel Dunn. The open-
ing of the Parliament of Ireland, and the choice

of Sir John Davies as Speaker, 1612 173

cccclvii. Elizabeth, Princess Palatine, to Sir Julius Cassar,
respecting the payment of her Jeweller for Rings

which she had given away at her departure 180

cccclviii. The Princess Palatine to Sir Julius Caesar in be-
half of the son of one of her Servants 182

cccclix. John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, to the Lord Ad-
miral, upon the accident of Archbishop Abbot
killing a man by a shot from a cross-bow. His

own affairs respecting the Great Seal 183

ccccLX. The Duke of Buckingham to the Viscount St. Al-

ban, after his disgrace 187

cccclxi. The Duke of Buckingham to the Viscount St. Al-

ban. Sends the Warrant for his pardon 188

cccclxii. My Lord of Buckingham to the Viscount St. Alban,
releasing him from the Treaty concerning his

House 190

ccccixin. The Duke of Buckingham to the same. The King

Vlll

CONTENTS.

LETTER

CCCCLXIV.

CCCCLXV.

CCCCLXVI.

CCCCLXVII.

CCCCLXV1II.

CCCCLXIX.
CCCCLXX.

CCCCLXXI.

CCCCLXXII.
CCCCLXXIII.

CCCCLXXIV.
CCCCLXXV.

CCCCLXXVI.

CCCCLXX VII.

C( ('(I. XXVIII,

PAGE

promises that Viscount St. Albau shall come to
kiss his hand 190

The Bishop of Lincoln to the Duke of Bucking-
ham, respecting the Office of Lord Steward just
vacant 191

Philip Earl of Montgomery, afterwards Earl of
Pembroke, to Sir Adam Newton, requesting the
loan of his house near Greenwich for the recep-
tion and lodging of M. Soubize 199

Sir Edward Dering to Sir Robert Cotton, an-
nouncing his intended present of the Charter of
King John, dated at Runnymead 200

Mrs. Pecke to her Brother, Sir Julius Caesar : re-
specting a Bond for one of her Sons 201

Edward Earl of Dorset to Sir Thomas Pelham,
Bart., respecting the injuries received by the
latter, from his neighbour Mr. Thomas Lunsford 203

Secretary Coke to 206

Archbishop Laud to Dr. Potter, Provost of Queen's
College, Oxford, and Dean of Worcester, re-
specting the Rectory of Wimbledon in Surrey,
the patronage of which was in the Dean and
Chapter of Worcester 209

Sir Thomas Knyvett to Sir William Le Neve Cla-
renceux, King of Arms, on his claim to the
Barony of Berners 210

Bishop Juxon, when High Treasurer, to Sir Rich-
ard Wynn, for the loan of Money to the King. . . 213

Sir Symonds D'Ewes to the Earl of Pembroke :
respecting Lord Herbert assuming the Barony
of Marmion 214

The Earl of Essex to John Pym, Esq 216

King Charles the First to the Printer who pre-
pared his Proclamations 217

Sir Samuel Luke to a person whom he names
" Honest Sam" 217

Sir Samuel Luke to the Earl of Essex. A Letter
of News 219

Sir Samuel Luke's Letter of Warrant for the Safety
of the Lady Digby 221

CONTENTS. IX

LETTER PAGE

cccclxxix. Sir Samuel Luke to Serjeant Wilde, for the taking
off the Sequestration from the Estate of Captain

Longvile 222

cccclxxx. Sir Samuel Luke to respecting the delin-
quency and the Estate of Sir Thomas Ashfield.. 223
cccclxxxi. The Earl of Essex to Sir Samuel Luke upon the
taking of the Prince's Falconer and Hawk by

Sir Samuel's troops 224

cccclxxxii. Colonel Legge, Governor of Oxford, to Sir Samuel
Luke, acknowledging the receipt of the Prince's

Hawk 225

cccclxxxiii. Oliver Cromwell to Sir Samuel Luke. The draw-
ing together of Forces 225

cccclxxxiv. Henry Johnson, the King's Surgeon, to Sir Samuel
Luke ; requesting the return of a Boy, his ap-
prentice, who had been made prisoner 226

cccclxxxv. Sir Samuel Luke to Sir Thomas Fairfax. General

News 227

cccclxxxvi. C. Harvey to Sir Samuel Luke, for a Passport to

fetch his daughter 229

cccclxxxvii. Richard Hovez to Sir Samuel Luke ; for payment

of arrears 230

cccclxxxviii. Sir William Compton to Sir Samuel Luke, for a

Pass for his Mother and her Servants 231

cccclxxxix. Edward Ayscough to Sir Samuel Luke. General

news 231

ccccxc. Sir Samuel Luke to his Father, in London, relating

to a Bill of two hundred pounds unpaid 233

ccccxci. Letter of Remonstrance to Sir Samuel Luke from

the Soldiers under his command, for their Pay 234
ccccxcii. The Countess of Bedford to Sir Samuel Luke, re-
specting her daughter the Lady Diana Newport 236

ccccxcin. Sir Samuel Luke to The state of Affairs

in the Country neighbouring upon his Garrison 239
ccccxciv. Sir Samuel Luke to Major Bridges, upon some

minor successes 240

ccccxcv. Sir Samuel Luke to Col. Vermuyden, offering him

quarters 242

ccccxcvi. Sir Samuel Luke to Major Watson. Alarmed at the

apparent success of the Royal cause 243

CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

ccccxcvii. Sir Samuel Luke to his father, Sir Oliver Luke.

The King at Daventry

ccccxcvm. Sir Samuel Luke to the Lord Roberts. The ap-
proach of the Armies towards each other. Crom-
well ordered to advance with all speed

ccccxcix. Sir Samuel Luke to his Excellency the Earl of

Essex : a Letter of encouragement

D. Sir Samuel Luke to the Committee of Aylesbury..

di. Sir Samuel Luke to his uncle. General events of

the Spring of 1645 : ending with the Battle of

Naseby

dii. Sir Samuel Luke to Sir Thomas Fairfax

Din. Sir Samuel Luke to Bulstrode Whitlocke, Esq. . . .
div. Oliver Cromwell to Sir Samuel Luke, to convoy

the Treasure taken at Naseby to Northampton
dv. Col. Fiennes to Sir Samuel Luke, to lend assist-
ance in conducting the prisoners taken at

Naseby to London

dvi. Col. Bridges to Sir Samuel Luke. The local dis-
tribution of the Royal Forces

dvii. Sir Samuel Luke to Col. Bridges. In reply

dviii. Sir Samuel Luke to Col. Fleetwood, respecting

Captains Hobson and Beaumont

Sir Samuel Luke to Sir Thomas Fairfax on the

DIX.

DX.

DXI.
DXII.

DXIII.

DXIV.

DXV.

244

245

246
247

248
254
255

25?

same .

Sir Samuel Luke to Richard Knightley, Esq. Still
respecting Captains Hobson and Beaumont

Sir Samuel Luke to Aulicus wounded

William Osborne to his Wife. The Siege and
taking of Colchester

The Clerk to the business of Sequestration in the
County of Huntingdon, to all whom it might
concern, respecting Mrs. Cotton's rents at Steeple
Gidding

Mr. John Greenhalgh to Mr. Thomas Crompton.
Account of Dunkirk while in the hands of the

English .

251

259

260

262

263

264
267

268

273

277

Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle to the
Deputy Lieutenants of Kent, to raise sailors

CONTENTS.

XI

LETTER

DXVI.

DXVII.

DXVIII.

DXIX.

DXX.

DXXI.

DXXII.

DXXIII.

DXXIV.
DXXV.

DXXVI.
DXXVII.
DXXVIII.

DXXIX.

DXXX.
DXXXI.

PAGE

with all expedition for the King's service subse-
quent to De Ruyter's victory 293

Prince Rupert to Sir William Coventry. A French
Ship taken. Remissness of discipline in the

English Fleet 294

Letter of Memorial to King Charles II. from Sir
John Hinton, Physician in Ordinary to his Ma-
jesty's Person, a.d. 1679 29G

The Earl of Sunderland to King James the Se-
cond's Agent at Rome. The King wishes to

have Father Petre made a Cardinal 311

The Earl of Sunderland to the same. The King
resolves to place his Affairs at Rome in the

hands of the Cardinal d'Este 313

The Earl of Sunderland to the same, respecting
the Appointment of certain Bishops " in par-

tibus" 313

The Earl of Sunderland to the same ; again for

Father Petre's promotion 314

The Earl of Sunderland to the same. The King
lias made the Cardinal d'Este Protector of his

Dominions at Rome 315

The Earl of Sunderland to the same. Lord Thomas
Howard intended to go as Envoy Extraordinary

to the Court of Rome 316

The Baron de Ginckell to the Lords Justices 319

Lord Chancellor Somers to King William III. re-
specting certain Persons who stood charged in
conspiracies against his Majesty's person and

government 326

King William III. to Bishop Burnet 330

Queen Anne, in consolation to Sir George Rooke.. 330
John Duke of Marlborough to in odd dis-
tress 331

Archbishop Tenison to Queen Anne, on Dispensa-
tions 331

Patrick Blair, in prison, to Mr. James Petiver.... 34
Lord Townshend to Bishop Kennett, communicat-
ing a Regulation made by King George I. con-

XI 1

CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

cerning the disposal of Livings in the gift of the

Crown 343

dxxxii. Earl Harcourt to his brother. The state of Scot-
land in the Rebellion of 1744-5 345

dxxxiii. Edw. Umfreville to James West, Esq., respecting
State Papers and Records in the Library of Sir

Robert Cotton, claimed by the Crown 349

dxxxiv. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, Ambassador to
Russia, to Andrew Mitchell, Esq., Envoy at
Berlin. The untowardness of Affairs at Peters-
burgh 351

dxxxv. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Andrew Mitchell,
Esq. Mr. Douglas, an English subject, arrived

as a spy for France 353

dxxxvi. Mr. Mitchell to the King of Prussia. The Duke

of Cumberland about to embark for Holland 357

dxxxvii. William Duke of Cumberland to Mr. Mitchell.

His arrival in Hanover 358

dxxxviii. Mr. Mitchell to the Earl of Holderness. The ac-
tion at Hastenbeck 360

dxxxix. Mr. Mitchell to the King of Prussia 361

dxl. The Duke of Cumberland to Andrew Mitchell,
Esq. The King's determination to treat with the

French in his quality of Elector of Hanover 362

dxli. Mr. Mitchell to the Earl of Holdernesse. The an-
nouncement of his Majesty's determination to

the King of Prussia's Ministers 365

dxlii. The Duke of Cumberland to Mr. Mitchell. The

Convention of Closter-Seven signed 367

dxliii. The Earl of Holdernesse to Andrew Mitchell, Esq.
Mons. Thurot appears off the Western Coast of

Ireland 370

dxliv. The Earl of Holdernesse to Andrew Mitchell, Esq. 371
dxlv. The Earl of Holdernesse to Mr. Mitchell, inclosing
a Summary which he had received of the then

present state of the French Court 373

dxlvi. King George III. to Lieut. General Conway.

Commutation of sentence to a Criminal 377

dxlvi:. King George III. to General Conway. Capt. Pal-

liser and the Coast of Newfoundland 378

CONTENTS. X1U

LETTER PAGE

dxlviii. King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. The

King of Prussia 380

dxlix. King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. His

Majesty's opinion in relation to America 381

dl. King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. De-
sires intelligence respecting a debate 381

dli. King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. Com-
mends the summoning a Committee of Council
upon the dearness of Corn. Ceremonial for the
Espousals of his Majesty's Sister 382

dlii. King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway 384

dliii. The King to Lieut. Gen. Conway. Parliamentary

Enquiry upon instances of Corruption 385

dliv. Sir Alexander Gilmour to Sir Andrew Mitchell... 386

dlv. The Rev. W. Cole to Mr. Bedingfield at Worlaby

Hall, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire 388

dlvi. King George the Third to Lord Viscount Town-
shend, Master of the Ordnance. The King's
Instructions 390

dlv ii. Sir George Brydges Rodney to George Jackson,

Esq., after the defeat of Langara 391

DLVin. General Washington to Mrs. Wright, respecting

his Bust modelled by her son 393

dli x . General Washington to David Stuart Erskine, Earl
of Buchan. Dr. Anderson. The political po-
licy for America to pursue. The Family of
Fairfax connected with General Washington.... 394

dlx. The Emperor Paul of Russia, to Sir Charles, af-
terwards Earl Whitworth, expressing his deter-
mination to employ his troops in the defence of
Great Britain 398

VOL. IV

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER CCCCIV.

Sir Thomas Smith to Francis JFalsingham, Esquire.
Mons. de Mauvisiere received at the English Court.
Death of the Earl of Marr. The Earl of Mor-
ton chosen Regent of Scotland. Enquires what is
said in France respecting the neiu Star.

[MS. HARL. 260. fol. 380.]

%* The latter part of this Letter needs a short Comment. In
November, 1572, there appeared in the Constellation Cassiopeia a
remarkably brilliant star, which had not been before observed, and
which continued visible there till March 1574, when, after a gra-
dual diminution of lustre, it completely vanished. This being the
only change which had been known to take place in the appearance
of the heavens since the revival of Learning in Europe, (though,
about three hundred years before a new star had in like manner
been for a short time seen,) naturally excited great attention, and
concerning its nature there were formed various opinions, which, as
may be conceived, betray some of the erroneous ideas then enter-
tained with regard to the constitution of the Universe. Tycho
Brahe, who probably was the discoverer, 1 not being able to ascer-

* Tycho Brahe was not the actual discoverer of this Star. He first saw it on the
11th of November, 15/2. Cornelius Gemma had seen it on the 9th, Hainzelius, at
Augsburg, on the 7th, and Wolfgang Schuler had seen it at Witteberg on the 6th of
that month. Munos of Valentia was sure it had not become visible on the 2nd of
November. Such is the Account in Gassendi's Life of Tycho Brahe, 4to. Hag.

B 2

* ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tain that it had any sensible parallax, justly enough concluded that
its place was beyond the region of the planets, but he was less for-
tunate in supposing that it was produced by a condensation of the
matter collected in the via lactea, in which it was situated. Valle-
sius supposed that it was a small star previously existing, which
had simply become brilliant on being brought by a revolution of the
sphere among the denser light in that portion of the heavens. Some
persons thought it to be a comet without motion, and the mathema-
tician John Dee proposed the idea that it moved alternately to-
wards and from the earth, in a right line, and ceased to be visible
when very remote from thence. Such is the account of this singu-
lar phenomenon given in Professor Narrien's Treatise " On the
Origin and Progress of Astronomy."

There was scarce a contemporary astronomer in Europe who did
not write something on the appearance of this star. Lists of the
different Memoirs upon it may be found in Scheibel's " Astrono-
mische Bibliographie," 8vo. Bresl. 1784, pp. 64-77, and in La
Lande's " Bibliographie Astronomique," 4to. Par. 1803. The most
valuable Work upon it, however, was Tycho Brahe's Tract, now ex-
tremely rare, " De nova, et nullius JE\i memoria prius visa, Stella
jam pridem Anno a nato Christo, 1572, mense Novembri primum
conspecta, C'ontemplatio Mathematica," 4to. Hafn. 1573. He again
treated of it in his " Astronomias instauratae Progymnasmata," 4to.
Francof. 1610. Shorter notices of it may be found in Halley's
Short History of the several New Stars which had appeared withiu
a hundred and fifty years previous to 1715, in the Philosophical
Transactions, vol. xxix. p. 354 and seqq. ; and in the Elements
d'Astronomie, par M. Cassini, 4to. Par. 1740, pp. 59-63 Sir
Isaac Newton also alludes to it, and gives an hypothesis as to its
being brought to light by the contact with some comet.

Sir, I hartely thanke you for your often advertise-
ments, and alsoe that you are soe carefull for our es-

Com. 1655, p. 21. " Cum Tycho Stellam viderit primum die Novembris, xj. non ea
fuit nihilominus prima illius apparitio : nam Cornelius Gemma Lovanii illam jam
viderat die ix., Memoratus Paulus Hainzelius Augusts die vij., Wolfgangus Schu-
lerus Wittebergje die vj. Conjicit autem Tycho fuisse primum exortam die v. hoc
est tempore Novilunii, quod ilia die contigit. Hieronymus certe Munos Valentise
in Hispania professor illam die secunda nondum fuisse exortam asseruit, non ex re-
latu modo Pastorum, sed etiam quod ipse turn forte ostendens discipulis suis Stel ■
larum sedeis, et noniina, illam non animadvertisset."

ORIGINAL LETTERS. O

tate, the which, soe farre as I can learne, dependeth
onely upon the providence of God as it hath done all-
waies, but easilye susteyned by the polecye of men ;
and yet hath spedd better then any man would, and
soe I pray e God it may doe soe stille. De Mauueseire b
hath bin honorable receaued and friendlye, and yet to
saie the truth, sith theis late and execrable murtherers
of the true servants of God there, the minds of the
most number are much alienated from that nation,
even of the very Papists, much more of the Protes-
tants heere ; and if in contynuance and enterteyn-
ment some coldnes might appeare, it must be
ascribed to our English nature, which as yet cannot
dissemble soe deepelye as the Frenche can, and hath
done it: but I am sure De Mauuersiere hath noe
cause to complaine.

In Scotland, after the death of the Earle of Marie
the late Regent, about the xxiiij th of November,
they chose the Earle of Morton Regent, with a
great common consent of the Lordes and Burgesses
of Scotland, whoe, as wee heare saie, doth very care-
fullye and wiselye endeavor himselfe to reconcile
as much as maye be, the Lords, one with another,
and to appease bothe the factions, which I feare will
not be but with some charge to the Queenes Ma tie ,
and some greef to the French Ministers, and pro-
cures who can best abide quietnes in that realme.

b Michael de Castelnau, Seigneur de Mauvisiere.

G ORIGINAL LETTERS.

M r . Killegrewe is yet there still, who, assoone as
they appeare to agree within themselves, shall re-
tourne (as he would gladlye doe) hether to re-
ceave some thankes for his paines ; I pray God for
soe much as he hath deserved for his integritye and
diligence.

Our men bee all come from Flushinge, the most
parte sicke, either before, or att, or sithence their
retorrninge. Sir Humpherye Gilberts sicknes is
turned into a quartaine ague ; some of them that
came with him bee buryed at London.

I thanke you for the Mattholus you sent mee, I like
it well, but yet if I could recover my owne, winch I
have noted through with my hand, I would like it
farre better, but he that stole it from mee doth
thinke that I shall have it againe of that price. I
pray you buy mee a case of Instruments, such as bee
to bee sould in the Pallace I meane, conteyninge two
compassages, or three, a square, a penn of metoull,
and other thinges. I have two of them allreadye, one
of the least, and the other of copper or lattine, and
the manner of iron. Xow I desire to have, of the
biggest volume, which is with the case, a foote, or
there abouts longe, and if more, it were not the
worste. "Wrieather the Instruments be of iron or of
lattine, I care not. I have shewed your man myne
to the intent hee might knowe what I meane. I
have sent you by him five French crownes of the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. <

sonne, to paie for niy Booke of Mattholus and the Case
of Tooles, and if it come to me I will paie what soe
ever it be, with most heartie thankes.

I am sure you have heard of, and I thincke you
have seene the newfaire Starre, or Comett, but with-
out beard or taile, which hath appeared here this
three weekes, over the backside of the Chaire of
Casseopea, and on the edge of Lactea Via; bigne- -
betwixt the bignes of Jupiter and Venus, and keeper,
to mv appearance, who have noe Instruments to ob-
serve it, and because of this cold weather alsoe dare
not, the precise order of fixed starres. Such an
one never have I observed nor read of. I pray you
lett me knowe what your wise men of Paris doe
judge upon it. I knowe they will not thinke that it
is the Admiralls soule, as the Romans did of the
comett next appearinge after the murther of Julius
Caesar, that it was his soule. It may be as wee are
now speakinge, out a farre of in the North, to -
what revenge shalbe done upon soe much inocent
bloud shedd in Fraunce att a marriage banquett, and
rere suppers after it, yet would doe mee good yet to
understand what your Astronomers and Heuen-gazers
there doe judge of it.

Yf I were not so much occupied as I am, I would
turne over all my ouid bookes but I would saie
somewhat of it myself, and ^uesse the chance even
as wiselye as they, though I would not publish it but

8 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

to my friends ; for follie the more it is kept in the
Letter.

Methinkes I heare you saye what a mischeefe
meanethe hee to write unto mee of new Starres and
Astronomers, and telleth me nothinge of my comeing
home. Sir, if I should tell you any thinge hereof
de die et tempore, I should but guesse as astronomers
doe ; but this I can tell you, all your frends hath not
onelye bin dilligent, but more then importunate to
bringe you home ; and your wife with teares and la-
mentacions; and the Queenes Ma tle seemed to encline
and graunt our requests, but when a pinn is sett fast
in a hole, till wee have another to thrust that out,
and tarry there itselfe, hard it is to gett it out : and
you knowe how longe wee bee heere of resolvinge,
and how easilye to be altered.

Att the signinge of her Mai ts lettres this morninge,
I said to the Queene, " Madam, my Lord Ambassador
lookes now to have some worde from your Ma tle of
his retourne. It would comforte him verie much."
" Why," saieth shee, " hee shall come." " Yea (quoth
I) but when the poore gentleman is almost dismayed
your Ma Ue hath heard enough with what greefe he
doth tarry there." " "Well," saith shee, " you may
write unto him that he shall come home shortlie,
wee thinke, with the Lord of Worcester." I said,
indeed, my Lords traine should be more honourable,
if he had noe Ambassador to goe with him, and an-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 9

other to retourne with him. " Yea," saith her Ma-
jestye, " there be some makes excuses that they
would not goe, but their excuses shall serve them." I
thanked her Ma t,e , and came my waies ; for shee made
haste to goe a walkinge with the ladyes, because it
was a frost, Farre ye well : from Hampton Courte,
the xj th of December, 1572.

Yours, allwaies to be commaunded,

THO. SMITH.

Her Highnes appauleth still upon M r . Francis

Carewe to bee your successor, but hee maketh great

labour to the contrarie, by ladies of the Privie

Chamber, and others, but as I can perceave by his

last speache, and others, hee shall succeede you.

To the right worshipfull Frauncis
Walsingham, Esquire, Ambas-
sador resident for her Ma tie in
Fraunce.

LETTER CCCCV.

A Complaint from the Sussex Justices to the Lord
Treasurer, of her Majesty's Purveyor summoning
Teams to carry the Queen's timber, at twenty-four
miles distance.

[lansd. ms. xvi. art. 83. OrigJ\

%* The reader who sees the term " Purveyor," written over
tradesmen's shops in London, indicating them to be providers of

B 5

10 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

victuals, little thinks of the national grievance out of which the
name arose.

Purveyance in former times extended not only to the arbitrary
purchase of provisions, but to the temporary seizure of horses, car-
riages, and other accommodations for the Ring's use. This power
having been often abused by the purveyors, was restrained by
many statutes, such as the 21st chapter of Magna Charta; 28th
Edw. I. c. 2 ; 4th Edw. III. c. 3 ; 5th Edw. III. c. 2, and many
others ; and at last was wholly taken away by the same Statute
which abolished feudal tenures, namely, 12th Cha. II. c. 24.

The Lansdowne MS. 58, art. 52, contains a List of the Purveyors
to the Queen, their Commissioners, and Deputies. Among them
we find Purveyors not only for wheat, beer, wine, and spices, but a
" purveyor of poultry for her Majesty's mouth," who alone had four
commissioners and three deputies : a purveyor of salt-butter ; of
apples ; of sauces ; of aeatry ; of beefs and muttons ; a separate
purveyor for veales ; purveyors of sea-fish, and of fresh-water fish ;
of salt score ; a purveyor of the stable, and he had twelve commis-
sioners and twelve deputies under him ; a purveyor of the race ; of
carts ; of long carts within the office of the buttery ; the milk-wife
was a purveyor, with one commissioner and one deputy ; a pur-
veyor of carts for the cellar. The turner was a purveyor ; there
was also a purveyor of cups ; a purveyor of baskets ; another of
waxe ; Mr. avenor was a purveyor ; and there was a purveyor of
rushes. Total of Purveyors, fifty-six ; Deputies, a hundred and
ten ; Commissioners, a hundred and eleven. Lord Burghley signi-
ficantly wrote for enquiry at the bottom of this Paper, dated
March 15S8-9, " What Wages have all these?"

In an Apology of the House of Commons made to James the
First in his first Parliament, touching their privileges, we have the
following passage respecting Purveyors : " But a general, extreme,
unjust, and crying oppression is in Cart-takers and Purveyors, who
have rummaged and ransacked (since your Majesty's coming in)
far more than under any of your royal progenitors. There hath
been no Prince since Keury III. (except Queen Elizabeth) who
hath not made some one law or other to repress and limit them.
They have no prescription, no custom to plead ; for there hath not
been any r Parliament wherein complaint hath not been made and
claim of our rights, which doth interrupt Prescription. We have
not in this present Parliament sought anything against them, but

ORIGINAL LETTERS. i 1

execution of those Laws which are in force already. We demand
but that justice which our Princes are sworne neither to deny, de-
lay, nor sell." 3

Pleaseth Yt voui Honor to be advertvsed that
tyrnber beinge hewed in Fraunt wood, in th'ea-'
confynes of Sussex, now the Queues Majesties
wood, late Sir Walter Wawlers, the Purveyor for
the carriage of the same tyrnber, callinge himself
Henry Lane, hath directed his precepts into the
Rapes of Lewes, Pevenesey, and Hastinge, in Sussex,
for the havinge of a great number of cariages, out ol
the said Rapes, the which beinge so farre of from the
wood of Fraunt as some be xxiiij. myles of. The
howners of those cariages be greatly greved with, that
extreeme charge, sayinge that they are not able to
come thvther with their draughte of oxen under twoe
dayes, and then one daye to carve theire, and home-
warde agayne they must have a daye or twayn ; the
which hathe made them earnestly to complayne to
us the justyce of peace of this Sheire of Sussex,
desyring our ayde to avoyde this great exaction,
beyngelytlefurtheraunce to that, the Quenes, service.
And for that we can doe lytle there in withoute your
Honors direction, we have thought yt our duties to
open this our neighbors gryefe to your Honor (the
which we knowe to be a greate inconvenience) refer-
ring th'orderinge thereof to your honorable wysdom.

» Petyt's Parliamentary Collections, MS. Lansdowne, 512, fol. 131.

12 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

But in our poore opynyons, in theis services, yt ys
not necessarye to take anye waynes for caryages
above vij. myles from the place of the ladinge ; ffor
comminge vij. myles to his loode and caryinge his
loode vij. myles afterward to unlade, ys as muche as
anye draught of oxen canne doe in a daye : and,
takinge vij. myles everye waye, yt wilbe xiiij. myles
compace, within which cyrcute there wilbe one hun-
dred teames taken, the which one hundred teames
maye, in a somer, carrye DCCC. loods, conteyning
one thowsande tonnes of tymber, the which e we
thinke ys asmuche as wilbe required out of one wood
in a somer. The rest that ys charged so farre of ys
(as we thinke) rather to inryche the Purveyor, by
gyving him mony to release cariages then to per-
forme the necessarye service of the Queue ; where-
with this countie have beyn vearye often oppressed.
We of the Rape of Lewes and parte of the Rape of
Pevensey have lately caried greate cariages for the
Quenes Ma tie out of her Grace's wood, called Bay-
bushe, in the said Rape, and doe shortlye looke for
more cariage theire. We are also charged yerely
with the cariage of the Quenes Ordynaunce and
shotte. All whiche we thought yt our duties to in-
forme your Honor of, requiringe your Honors favor-
ablie direction, and some prescrybed order herein to
the relief of our poore neighbors, whoe be daylie many
otherwayes charged, the which they doe willinglie

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 13

obaye that they conveniently cann doe. Most humble
requestinge your Honor to gyve further creadyt of
advertyshent to theise bearers whoe can more par-
tyculerly enforme your Honor of their grief. But yf
your Honor take noe order herein, the Purveyor will
take waynes xl. myles of us, we thinke,«and as the
Purveyor himselfe sayeth, he maye doe us, we here
and thereby make a taxation of it more chargeable
then a subsedye. Thus beinge bolde to troble your
Honor with th'openinge of our Neighbors gryffes
beinge vearye chargeable to the countre, we leve
your Honor with God, whoe ever preserve your Ho-
nor with longe lyef to th'increase of the same to his
good pleasure. "Wryten the xxvij th daye of June,
1573.

Your Honors to comaunde,

GEORGE GORINGE.

JOHN LUNSFORD.

JOHN SELWYN.
To the right honorable thare vearye good
Lo: the Lo: Hyghe Treasorer of Eng-
laiide.

14 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCVI.

Lord Burghley to the Earl of Sussex, Lord Chamber-
lain, respecting the Earl's Application to the Queen
for a grant of the Mansion of New Hall, in Essex.

[ms. cotton, tit. b. ii. 357. Orig.~\

%* New Hall, in the parish of Boreham, near Chelmsford, was
anciently part of the possessions of Waltham Abbey ; but about the
24th of Edward III. was exchanged with Sir John de Shardelowe
for the manors of Copped Hall and Shingled Hall, in Epping. Erom
the Shardelowes it passed through two or three other families, and
at last came into that of Boteler Earl of Ormond, and under a
clause in the will of Thomas the last Earl of Ormond was pur-
chased of Richard Bishop of London in 1517, by King Henry VIII.
Camden, however, says that Henry VIII. procured it of Thomas
Boleyn, Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire, whose mother was Mar-
garet, eldest daughter of Thomas the last Earl of Ormond.

Henry the Eighth was so pleased with the locality, that he named
it Beaulieu ; but this appellation never prevailed among the com-
mon people, who still called it New Hall. He also erected it into
an Honor, adorned and improved it, and made it fit for a royal resi-
dence. He kept the feast of St. George at it in 1524 ; and the
Princess Mary resided at it for several years.

New Hall continued in the Crown, as Morant says, till Queen
Elizabeth, 28th May, 1573, granted it to Thomas Kadcliffe, Earl of
Sussex ; but the tenor of the present Letter shows that the comple-
tion of the grant could not have been made so early.

Robert Earl of Sussex sold this estate some time before his de-
cease, which happened Sept. 22, 1G29, to Villiers Duke of Buck-
ingham, whose son having forfeited it during the civil wars, it was
bought, in 1G51, by Cromwell : two years after which Cromwell ex-
changed it for Hampton Court. The second Duke of Buckingham
recovered this estate at the Restoration, soon after which it was
purchased by or for Monke Duke of Albemarle. Christopher Duke
of Albemarle, who four days only before his decease had married
the Lady Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Henry Earl of Ogle (after-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 15

wards Duchess of Montagu), jointured her in this estate. The re-
version of New Hall was subsequently purchased of the heirs of
this Lady by Benjamin Hoare, Esq., who in 1737 sold the house
and park (but not the lands surrounding them) to John Olmius,
Esq., afterwards Lord Waltham, who took down a large portion of
the edifice. In later years New Hall was purchased at the expense
of some Roman Catholic families, as a residence for a congregation
of Sepulchrine Nuns from Liege in Flanders, who still live there.

New Hall is now but the east side of the ancient mansion, which
in its better day was considered the second house in Essex ; inferior
only to Audley End, though it surpassed it in the extent and the
disposition of its grounds.

The painted window now in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster,
originally in the chapel of the Abbot of Waltham at Copt Hall, was
thence removed to that of New Hall, and finally, upon the pulling
down of this latter chapel, to its present position.

My good Lorde, I have, in presence of S r Walter
Mildmay, renewed your sute for New hall to hir
Ma ty and told hir that your L. had therof wrytten to
me becawse the season of the yere will pass awey
wherin you might do much good with the house. M r .
Mildmay also asisted me with affirmance of that I
sayd on your behalf. Wherunto answered, as most
commonly she hath doone, that she thought it best
that yow shuld have it, but therwith she mixed
spechees, after also hir accustomed manner, what a
notable House it was, and with what charges hir
father had buylt it, &c. Wherof being satisfyed that
hir father did in his latter tyme abandon it, and that
it was no such place mete for hir, as was pretended,
than she wore a new dout, wherof I never heard,
whyther she shuld not have a rent for the Park, to

16 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

which I told hir that you shuld relynquish to hir
Ma tv all your fees which you had duryng your liff,
and that you had interest in the Park duryng your
liff without rent, so as it wer not resonable to require
rent of you. In the end she chaunged hir talk, and
being by me pressed, wold gyve no resolvt answer of
yea or knay, so as, presently, I can not otherwise
answer. A.nd so committyng your L. to God I end,
29 Mar. 1574.

Your L. assur.

W. BURGHLEY.
To the right honorable my very good L.
the Erie of Sussex, L. Chamberlane,
and on of the LL. of hir Ma* 8 Prive
Counsell.

LETTER CCCCVII.

Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely, to Lord Burghley, de-
claring his poverty.

[lansd. ms. xix. art. 5. Orig.']

*** Richard Cox was consecrated Bishop of Ely in 1559. He
had been an exile in Germany in the reign of Mary. Although the
coadjutor of Parker and Grindal, he afterwards did not entirely
please the Queen in matters of religion : and toward the middle of
her reign he suffered much persecution from her courtiers. Ha-
rassed and tormented, in 1577 he offered to resign his bishoprick,
which the Queen refused. In the beginning of 1580, upon the
Bishop's repeated desire, Lord Burghley obtained leave of the
Queen for him to resign, and the form of resignation was actually
drawn up. The statement of the Bishop's requests on this occasion
is still preserved among the Lansdowne manuscripts, vol. xxviii. p.
82, signed with his own hand. The pension he required was two

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 17

hundred pounds, together with the house and profits of the manor
of Donington. The Court, however, could not find any divine of
note who would take the bishoprick on their terms, of surren-
dering up the best manors belonging to it. Cox continued in the
See till his death, July 22nd, 1581.

My very good Lorde, I trust it be not true that
your L. should conceive of me that I am riche, and
have greate heapes of monye lying by me : for I
compte that state to be miserable and synfull, espe-
cially in this nedy and beggerly tyme ; and also our
fennes, loodes, dykes, and banckes, beinge almost in
all places so sore decayed. I meane not to troble
you with discoursing of my state, which partly I have
done to my Lorde of Canterbury, qui nuper erat in
simili seductione. I am lothe to utter my bare con-
dition. But I dare protest coram Domino in conscien-
tia bona that my summe is well under a thousande
powndes, as I am liable easely to declare. Or a ob-
loquentia Deus veritatis vindex obstruere dignetur.
I wishe rather an hundred others to talke their plea-
sures, then your L. conceive any thingeamisse of me,
and otherwise then truthe will beare. And, there-
ore, I thought good at this tyme to signify thus
muche vnto your good L. as to my derest frende on
earthe. Dominus Jesus te nobis diutissime servet in-
columem. From my house at Downham, the xxviij th
daye of Aprill, 1574. Your L. assured,

RICHARD ELY.

To the righte honorable and my very
good Lord, the L. highe Tresurer
of Engelande.

18 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCVIII.

Archbishop Parker to Lord Burghley, who had re-
proached him for the want of 'hospitality '.

[ibid. xx. art. 59. Orig.~\

Sir, to awnswere a sharpe message that M r . D.
Wilson saith you willed him to saie to me concern-
inge certaine straingers.

For lacke, peradventure, of informacion, your
Lordship is offended. Thus standeth the case : I am
not greatelie slacke to my vttermoste habilitie to pro-
vide for straingers, whose state I have alwaies pittied.
Deus novit. As for Count Montgomerie, and those
ministers of Fraunce exiled, I did not onelie procure
by collection a good portion, but also gave them of
my own purse a large and an honest portion amongst
them, which I have not yet muche biased, nor entende
not ; lett other men delighte in their gloria patri, I
will doe but what I can quietlie.

I sawe a lettre that your L. shoulde sende to the
Busshoppe of London that we shoulde provide for an
Irishe busshope. The truthe is, one Irishe busshoppe
came to me whome I retained at my table, and gave
him certaine crownes.

The Italian, M r . Alexander, vppon yo r letters, I
retained him bothe frendelie and gentlie, I thinke he
cannot saie the contrarie. I gave him also certaine

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 19

Frenshe crowiies. I receiued him at my bourde, and
otherwhiles in my hall when he cummeth. I ofFred
him also his entertainement within my howse, and to
provide him things necessarie. My L. of Bedforde
and himself refused it, as not conveniente. I signi-
fied vnto him that the Q. Ma tle might give him the
next advousion of a prebende in Caunterberie
Churche, but your L. liked not that ; as to him, I
did promise my diligence in the same. I also have
written for him to certeine of my brethrein, for sum
prebendes, but I heare not that they have anie voide
yet. I wrote to the B. of Elie for him, for a pre-
bende in his Churche ; he writeth vnto me that he
hath sente vpp one to you for him for the next void-
ance. Also I am contented that he maie have one of
the prebendes which I give in Caunterberie Churche
for the Advousions of the same till they fall.

Furthermore, one Malachias, sumtime an Irisshe
Busshope, whoe hath been longe in prison, wherin I
knowe that he gave papisticall councell to sum of my
foulks cominge to visitt them, but now he saith he is
retorned from Papistrie, and saith you favor him, and
that you are abowte to give him an Irishe Arch-
busshoprike. He came to me to requier a Piuralitie,
but I tolde him it shoulde be a Commendam that he
must sue firste for at the Q,. handes, and I woulde
give him my fees, and dismissed him and gave him an
honest pece of golde.

20 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

If you knewe the truthe of my habilitie, you
shoulde see I doe asmuche as I can ; I am no gatherer,
nor will be, whatsoever they prate abroade. Coram
Deo non mentior. I am compelled to borrowe everie
half yeare before my munneye cummeth in, for my
owne expences. Excepting a little monie that I
have to burie me, I have noe superfluite, sed hcec
domestica, &c.

As I was thus writinge, M r . Alexander Citolinus
came to dinner, not sittinge with my self, for that I
amid stempered, and kepe my chamber ; he dined in
the hall. After dinner I sente him worde of th'ad-
vowsion of that prebende that the B. of Elie shoulde
give him, and I caused him to be asked whether he
woulde goe with me into Kente. He made noe
graunte therto, but would first common with you or
my L. of Bedforde.

Thus I commende yo r L. to the tuic5n of Al-
mightie God. From my howse at Lambeth, this ix th
of Aprill.

Yo r L. lovinge frende in Christe,

MATT. CANTUAR.

To the right honorable my L. Tresorer
of England.

V* This Letter is endorsed by Lord Burghley, " 9 Apr. 1575."
As a melancholy comment upon one passage, it may be added, that
the succeeding volume of the Lansdowne MSS. xxi. art. 4, contains
the order for Archbishop Parker's funeral, May 1575.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 21

LETTER CCCCIX.

Edmund Hogan to Queen Elizabeth, announcing his
Arrival and first Negotiations at Morocco.

[MS. COTTON. NERO. B. XI. 297. O/v'g-.]

Maye it please your Majestie to be advertised
that after your Highnes Lettres beeinge derecktid
unto the Kinge of Barbere, with your Majesties
Commission signid, delyverid unto me, I preparid
myselfe for theese partis, imbarking at Portesmothe,
the vj th daye of Maye, and the ... of the same
monthe aryved on this coste of Barbere, at a porte of
the Kinges cawlid Saphia. I remanid a boorde shipp
in the Rode, and wrott lettres to Marocus, wheare
the Kinge keepes his Coorte. At the ende of v.
dayes, the Kinge beinge informyd of my arivall,
sente sartayne captaynes with soldiers and Englishe
marchauntes to me for to saphecundit me upp to his
Coorte, declaringe that he greatley rejoysed at the
Letter from your Majestie. So as the first of June
I cam to his Citty of Marocus, and upon the third
by his order mett me all the Christean marchauntes ;
and neere to the Citty, some of his souldiors ; whome
declarid it was the Kings pleasur to honnor your
Majestie all he coolde devise, and thearfore I
thoughte it good I shoolde cum to his presence.
So to his pallace I was broughte, and to the pre-

22 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

sence of the Kinge settinge in his chare of estate,
and his Cownsallors, beeinge as well Moores as
Christeans, standinge abowte hym. I dutifulley
delyverid your Ma t,es lettres and declarid my mes-
sage in Spanishe, which allbeit he well undarstoode,
and cawsid one to make relation what I said in the
Arrabik language that the Moores mighte undar-
stande the same. And after, the Kinge geving
greate thankes to your Majestie declarid that he with
his Contre and all thinges thearin, shoolde be at your
Majesties commandemente, regarding his honnor and
law. I aunswearyd your Majestie reservid the same,
as by yowr Highnis lettres he shoolde parceave.
Theareuppon, I being conducktid to my lodginge,
beeing appoyntyd of purpose with necessaries accord-
inglye, the same nighte he sente for me to the
Coorte, where as he held late conference with me,
declaringe that the Kinge of Spayne had sente to
hym for lycence that he myghte send an Embassador
heather with request that his Honnor woolde not
gyve audyence to anie that mighte cum from yowr
Majestie, which leycence he had graunted, butt
(sayd the Kinge) when he comethe he shall see that
I make more accompte of you, comynge from the
Queen's Majestie of England, then of anne from
Spayne ; ffbr I will use hym after the use of some
placis in Chrystendome, to tarre twentie dayes be-
fore I speake with hym, for that that the Kynge

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 23

cannott govarne his owne Cuntrie, but ys govarnid
by the Pope and Inquesityon, which religion hee
doothe holley myslieke of. Fyndinge hym. to be a
very earnist pr . . . . ante of good religion and
lyvinge, and well experementyd as well in the Olde
Testamente as New, bearinge greate affecktyon to
Gods trew relygion used in yowr Highnes Realme, I
fynde hym agreeable to doo good to yowr marchants
more then to anie other natyon : and not to urge
anie demawnde of yowr Majestie that maye tend to
your dishonnor or breache of leage with other Chris-
tian Princes, whear as appartanithe to my duty I
specialley regarde. He is not yett all in quiett with-
in his cuntre, for the Blacke Kinge keepythe in the
Mowntaynes, beeinge of small force. Thus praing to
the Lorde for the presarvatyon of yowr Majesties
Royall estate and honnor longe to govarne. From
Marrocus in Barberia, the xj th of June, Anno Dom.
1577.

Your Ma tles moste humble sarvaunte,

EDMOND HOGAN."
To the Quenes Ma" 8 .

» Sealed with a merchant's mark.

~F ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCX.

Peter Osborne to Lord Burghley. On the rate of Ex-
change between England and France. The French
King getting the gold and silver from France and
Flanders into his hands by debasing his Coin.
[ms. lansd. xxiv. 41. Orig .~\

%* Peter Osborne was 'a citizen of London, who, at onetime,
held the place of Clerk of the Faculties ; and was afterwards the
Lord Treasurers Remembrancer of the Exchequer. Many of his
Letters to Lord Burghley, upon subjects of Commercial policy, are
preserved among the Lansdowne manuscripts. From one of them,
of the date of 1572, it appears that he was then engaged in com-
piling a Collection of all the Statutes, Letters patents, Charters, and
Privileges, subsequent to the third of Henry the Third, to that time,
which concerned the traffic of the Realm ; " how trade had grown,
been diverted, and stood at the present." In the same year he assisted
in reforming the Custom House : and in 1586 he was appointed with
one Thomas Owen to enquire into the disorders of the Fleet Prison.

Osborne, in his earlier day, was the friend of Sir John Cheeke,
who died at his house in 1557. He was also one of the Executors
of Archbishop Parker in 1575. The editor has not found the time
of his death.

May it please your Lordship, when I had writen

and sealed up theise enclosed, Marmaduke brought

me yours wryten to me this mornyng.

Accordingly I straight sought Caltrop, the broker,
to furnyshe your Lordships request. Theise X th

dayes I could neyther by interest, nor exchaunge get

of the authority or others j d . They have shut up

theire Cofers and say they have noe monye. The best

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 25

Alderman in London can not have an Ct. heare apon
exchaunge, though he wold pay in Flaunders xxvj s .
viij d . sterling for a pounde sterle, and this offer ronneth
apon the Royall Exchaunge, and neyther straunger
nor Englyshe hath or will have any monye, and soe
is yt apon interest.

The reason is that the straungers eyther by theire
conjectures or by advertisement understode the Low
Countrves will vet a new enhaunse theire monves.
Yesternight our owne men had lettres that, monv
will ryse yet higher in Flaunders, whereapon mony
stayeth in all merchants hands, and will by noe de-
vise or offer be fetched out, eyther at interest or bye
exchaunge heare in England.

In Flaunders all the factors of the Flemynges that
bee heare doe take up at sight all the mony our
Englyshe men will delyver theare at a xxv s . x d . fl.
and xxvj 5 . fl., and soe the Flemyngs heare dispatche
theire great masses of mony they have or had heare,
and have in theire owne country xxv s . x d . fl. for
theire pounde sterl. Now that, in November last,
before the proclamacon in Flaunders, wold have
yelded theim but xxiij s . fl.

Your Lordship is farther to understand that the
Frenche Kinge hathe coyned newe sowces a soe bace
that an (X of theim doe hold but xxvii. sterl. in
the C ,h ., and soe he gayneth iij th for one, and by this

■ Sous.
VOL. IV. C

26

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

meanes he hath gotten up bothe the gold and silver
heare, and the gold in Flaunders, so as the most cur-
raunt mony in Flaunders now be theise new Frenche
sowces, and the Frenche testorne, the basenes of the
which sowces beyng now espied one may have an C K .
of sowces in Flaunders for iiijft. interest a yeare, and
rather then faile with out any interest to pay at the
yeares ende, the merchaunts feare soe the fall of
theim.

By this sodeyne devise and shorte the Frenche
King gathereth up all the gold and fyne silver mony
of the world to make his payes, to discharge his debt,
and to have a masse to ayde agaynst Flaunders, if
the fyne gold and silver of the world will com still
and seake his sowces and with theim his wares, or
with forreyne monye, at greater rekenyng then him-
selfe gyveth for yt.

For your Lordship is to understand that in Bryt-
tayne, wher theire canvas and whiteware is, and in
places whear most of theire wares bee, all forreyne gold
and silver goeth higher then after the Princes offer,
bye reason they rayse theyr wares in those places soe
mouche as bye the basing of the Kings sowces they
bee occasioned, and soe mouch more as they offer the
C th . above the Kinge, whoo hath an angell for ij s . vj d .
of our sterl. mony coyned in to sowces, and x. silver
monyes for ij s . vj d . lykewise coyned out at the sayd
rate. Whereby the Frenche in the ende shall rayse

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 27

all things to high pryces, and above that they wilbee
carryed away at, or can bee sold for in the countryes
from whence the fyne mony is gone unto theim ; and
soe must crye downe mony agayne, after his people
and countrye be poore and miserable. That may bee
a cause of a parte of this devise, to rule theim
th'easelyer and to pull theire pryde ; and then what
utter penury and misery will force hunger-starved
subjects and malecontents God knoweth.

Thus your Lordship seeth you can have noe monye
apon interest when Aldermen or Aldermens fellowes
can have none upon th'Exchaunge, neyther by ex-
change nor interest, and then were yt not best to
impart your Lordships meanyng to Younge, that
might perhappes publysshe more then your L. wold ;
and yet having writen thus farre I am now goyng to
the Exchaunge to see what the Brokers can doe,
Maston having enformed me in all things as Caltropp
did afore.

Beyng now heare at th'Exchaung neyther I nor
any one can fynd any monye theare ; not an C*i.

Xow apon theise ij. lettres your Lordship seeth
how yt importeth her Ma tle forthwith to open hyr
mynt, with any condicons to have noe intermission
which is used to werye the state.

I advertised Mr. Collshill longe sence that your
Lordship neybours of "Waltham that eyther sowe
corne, or sowe none, can not buy any corne but by

c 2

28 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

lycence ; and bye lycence of the Justices of theire
Shire they can buye but only in Hartfordshire.
Therfore your Lordship must procure theim licences
to provide for London ; and then they may buy in
any shire put in to theire lycences. And thus from
the Exchange I dispatch my man with the postm r at
the breaking up therof, this xv th of October, 1577.
Your Lordships ever most humbly to command,

PET. OSBORNE.

To the right honorable L. Burghley,
L. Treas r of England at Tebolds.

%* Queen Elizabeth issued a Proclamation on the 12th Oct.
1587, for reforming the deceits in diminishing the value of the coins
of Gold, current within her dominions, and for remedying the losses
which might grow by receiving thereof, being diminished. Os-
borne, within a few days, wrote the following Letter to Lord
Burghley on this subject. " My good Lord, Fabian, this bearer,
delivered me the enclosed, wherewith I had waited on your Lord-
ship, but I am not well, and troubled with the stone. Now the
case is so presentlye to be considered upon, that I thought yt mete
to send him with yt to your Lordship, least upon your new Pro-
clamation for damnyng of light Gold, the Low Country men doe
straight slippe off two graynes of your new coyned gold, and yet
allow yt currant straight way, and soe your Lordship seeth how we
shall be new spoiled by them. And further, your Lordship per-
ceiveth that if wee of the Realme, according to Catoes rule, bee not
forthwith more vendaces then emaces beyond Sea, wee shall never
bring back the mouy the Queen sent a late over, nor yet shall the
Realme keape that as is now curraunt emong us. For ware bought
with transported money gayneth by tale about a vij. 1 ' and viij 1 '.
more in the hundred then money made over by exchaunge, and
payethe noe custume outward, and whoe then will not bring over
forreyne wares, rather bought thus with transported money then
with the best Euglysshe commodyties carryed over. And soe I
leave your Lordship further to this bearers informacion. From

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 29

Ivye Lane, the xxvth of October, 1587. Most humbly at your
Lordships command, Pet. Osborne." MS. Lansd. lii. art. 35.

Osborne, in his earlier day, was the friend of Sir John Cheke,
who died at his house, in 1557 : he was also one of the Executors
to Archbishop Parker. The Editor has not found the time of his
death.

LETTER CCCCXI.

Edmund Freake, Bishop of Norwich, to Lord Burgh-
ley, respecting his proposed removal to the See of
Ely ; and on the Increase of the Family of Love.
[ibid. xxix. art. 39. Orig.~\

%* The first part of this Letter relates to a proposed removal of
Freake from Norwich to Ely, in the contemplation that, as has been
already noticed, Bishop Cox, who was so memorably persecuted by
Queen Elizabeth, was about to resign that See. Cox's resignation,
however, did not take place ; and Freake remained at Norwich till
1584, when he was translated to the See of Worcester.

The latter part of this Letter relates to the Family of Love ; a
fanatical Sect, founded in the middle of the sixteenth century by one
David George of Delft, who died in 1556.

Camden, in his Annals, under the year 1580, notices the first re-
ception of his tenets into England. " Foreigners," he says, " out of
Holland (a Countrey fruitful of Heretics) began at this time to
trouble the peace of the Church and Commonwealth of England,
who, under a show of singular integrity and sanctity, insinuated
themselves into the atfections of the ignorant common people, and
then instilled into their minds several damnable heresies manifestly
repugnant to the Christian Faith, using uncouth and strange kind of
expressions, contrary to the Christian profession, which men might
rather admire than understand. These named themselves of the
Family of Love or House of Charity. They persuaded their follow-
ers, ' that those onely were elected and should be saved who were
' admitted into that family, and all the rest reprobates, and to be
' damned : and that it was lawfull for them to deny upon their Oath
* before a Magistrate, whatsoever they pleased, or before any other

30 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

' who was not of their Family.' Of this fanatical vanity they dis-
persed Books amongst their followers translated out of the Dutch
tongue into English, which they intituled ' The Gospell of the King-
' dom, Documental Sentences, the Prophecy of the Spirit of Love,
'the publishing of Peace upon Earth; the author, H. N.' The
author's name they could by no means be persuaded to reveal : yet
was it found afterward to be Henry N icholas of Leiden, who, with
blasphemous mouth, gave out that he did partake of God, and God
of his humanity. For the timely suppressing of these by law, the
Queen commanded by proclamation, that the Civil Magistrate
should be assistant to the Ecclesiastical, and that the said Books
should be publicly burnt."

Fuller, in his Church History, b. ix. p. 112, gives a still more
minute account of the Family of Love. He calls them the Family
of Lust, and says their practices were worse than their opinions.
As late as 1604 they endeavoured to insinuate themselves into King
James's good opinion by a petition, printed by Fuller, b. x. p. 29,
who adds that in his time they were succeeded by the Ranters.

A curious little Volume on the history and doctrines of this Sect
appeared in the very year of Bishop Freake's Letter, from the pen
of John Rogers ; entitled " The Displaying of an horrible Secte of
" grosse and wicked Heretiques, naming themselves the Family of
" Love, with the lives of ther Authors, and what doctrine they teach
" in corners. Newly set foorth by Jo. R. Imprinted at London
"for George Bishop, 1579." 12mo.

Right honorable my singuler good Lorde, 1
do understand by the information of my frindes
abowte the Courte, that hir Majestie is determined
to translate me to Elie, if my Lorde the Bisshoppe
there do resigne the same. Whereunto perswadinge
my self, upon the remembraunce of yo r L. speeche
sometymes used unto me towchinge Elie, that hir
Highnesse hathe bene the rather induced by yo r L.
motion, I do by imputacion accoumpte yo r L. the
author of this intended preferment, and my self

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 31

therefore by so mutch the more bounden to your
Ho. by howe mutch the lesse my deedes do merit
sutch singuler frindshipp at yo r L. handes. In which
matter I am to beseeche yo r H. so to deale with hir
Ma tie , that, in case of my remove to that See, I maie
have the Benefice with sutch condicons, as neither
the comoditie of the same, nor my good name be im-
peached thereby. For of theise two thinges I have
speciall regarde ; and the rather becawse I have
hithertoo corned freelie unto my promotions, and
woulde be lothe nowe in myne oulde age to become
infamous and condemned of the worlde, as some of
my bretheren are at this present.

Moreover not knowinge howe soone either God
maie call me owte of this worlde, or hir Ma t,e re-
move me in case aforesaied, I am to be an humble
suiter to hir Highnes, that where the Abbaie of S f .
Benedict belonginge to my Bisshoprike is utterlie
decaied by my predecessor, for the dilapidations of
the which, and of other places I have recovered a
sume of moneie by lawe, the moitie or more parte
wherof I have bestowed upon my howses of resi-
dence, it woulde please hir Ma tIe to acquite and dis-
charge me of the dilapidac5ns of S'. Benedicts. My
requeste wherein is the more reasonable in considera-
tion of my charges laid upon my howses at Norwich
and Ludham, and other places, the expences in lawe
for dilapidations, and some allowaunce of moneie, to-

32 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

wardes the payment of my predecessors legacies to
poore servauntes, deducted owte of the said some
adjudged to me for the decaies aforesaid. And as
for S 1 . Benedicts, the howse is downe and the scyte
so unholsome, as neither I am hable to re-edifie the
same, nor yet to builde anie other convenient howse
there ; or, if I coulde, woulde either inhabit the
same my self, or can thinke that anie of my succes-
sors woulde be resident therein. Yo r L. maie greatlie
pleasure me in compassinge of this suit, and nothinge
therby prejudice my successor, unto whome I shall
leave everie thinge els so well reparied, as nothinge
can niede greate reparacions in manie yeares. Yo r
Lordship shall fynde me gratefull for the obteyninge
of this discharge.

I have receaved lettres verie latelie from my Lords
of the Councell, for the suppressinge of the Familie
of Love, which sect is saied to increase greatlie in
Suffolk, as it seimeth by theire Lordships' lettres.
Howebeit for myn own parte I have not harde of anie
others then those that be in prison at Norwich and
Burie, and therefore do thinke that the information
given in that behalfe is but officiosa quadam sedulitas
in some, cunninglie to accuse me of negligence.
Yet as yo r L. well knoweth, I have bene thought to
have delt verie sevearelie, and hardlie with those of
that Secte, for reteininge them thus longe in prison.
And therefore as well towardes them, as anie other

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 3

• i

that shalbe suspected to be of that Familie, I meane,
God willinge, effectuallie to execute the saied Lettres
in my Visitation approchinge, and to certifie accord-
ingelie. And so moste humblie besechinge yo r Ho.
by message or lettre delivered to this bearer my ser-
vaunte, to satisfie my desier of answer to some parte
of these lettres, I betake your L. to God, with my
humble duitie remembred. From Ludham, this iiij"'
of June, 1579.

Yo r LL. moste humblie at coinaundement,

EDMUND NORWICH.
To the right honourable my singuler
good Lorde the L. Highe Treasurer
of Englande, at the Courte.

LETTER CCCCXII.

John Wolton, Bishop of Exeter, to Lord Burghley,
upon his proceedings against Anthony Randall, and
against the Sect called the Family of Love.
[ibid, xxxiii. art 15. Orig.~]

* *

*

This, and the succeeding Letter, are placed a little out of
proper succession, as giving further testimony to the increase of the
" Family of Love."

Christopher Vittall, a joiner of Southwark,who had been infected
with the doctrine of Arius twenty years before, and whose credit
was great amongst the " Family of Love," is said to have been the
chief occasion that any of our countrymen became conversant with
their doctrines. He travelled about the country to disseminate
them : and was likewise author of a little book in reply to Roger's
" Displaying" of the Sect, printed in the same year.

c 5

34

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

My dcutie to yo r Lordshipp remembrid, for that I
am advertised that the LLs. of the Counsaile had, and
yet haue earneste complaintes made vnto them
againste me, for my procedinges againste one An-
thonye Randall, late Parson of Lydforde, in my
dioces, whome I iustlie depryued for his damnable
opynions and heresies ; and after his appeale from
me to the Arches, and from thence to her Ma ties . de-
legates, I had my procedinges approued and rati-
fyed ; yet for that yo r L. may happelie not be ac-
quaynted therew th ; and also for yo r better resolu-
tion of my doinges, and the savinge of my credytt
w th yo u ; I thoughte yt appertayning to my deutie to
sende yo r L. herewithall a copie of his straunge opy-
nions trewlie exemplified, w ch opynions he main-
taynethe obstynatelie at this presente, and \v ,h in
theise fewe daies subscrybed vnto them againe in the
presence of dyuerse publique Notaryes, as yt maye
appere vnto yo r L. by this inclosed, the originall re-
mayninge in my Registrye, as a perpetuall testy-
monie againste Randall ; and for that Randall hath
manie complices, and that hurtfull Secte the Famylie
of Love beginneth to creepe in this contrie ; of the w ch
companye, I haue brought twentie to open recantacon
in this Cathedrall Church, and my procedinges againste
the reste woulde be much weakened yf the vntrevve
reportes of Randall or his fryendes should be hearde.
In consideracion of the premysses, I do beseche yo r

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 35

L p . that my sentence geuen against the said Randall
and ratified as aforesaide may haue good contynuance
and likinge at yo r handes. Which I requeste not so
muche for myne owne creditte, as for the peace and
quyetnes of Gods Churche, which by meanes of Randall
and hys adherentes ys vearie much disturbed. Thus
fearing to be teadious to yo r L. I commende you to
the protection of the Almightie. Excestre, the vj th
of June, 1581. Yo r Lordshippes to commande

JOHN EXON.

To the righte honourable my vearie good lord
the L. Treasurer, this be deliuered.

LETTER CCCCXIIL

Sir Francis Knottys to the Lords Burghley and Lei-
cester; to search for the Printers of Castalws Book.
The Free- Will Men and Family of Love compared.
Danger from the Jesuits.

[ibid, xxxiii. art. 84. Orig.~\
My very good LL. your hablenes and redynes to
do good in theise peryllous dayes of trayterous prac-
tises, bothe agaynst God and agaynst hir Ma tie , dothe
bolden me to presume to remember your LL ps that by
your good meanes order may be taken, that the towe
awthors and favorers of the settyng forthe of Castalio
his booke, with the abusers of the Bisshop of London
in that behalffe, maye be dylygently examyned and
bowlted owte ; that the hypocrysye herein used beyng

36 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

knone, the pestilent doctryne therof may be the more
sowndlye suppressed : for it semethe to me that these
free wyll men, or anabaptisticall sectaries, doe folowe
the same scoope that the deified men of the Famyhje
of Love do followe, savyng that the same perfection
that the Famylye of Love doe pretend to obtayne by
the vertue of love, the same perfection do Castalio
his sectaries pretend to obtayne by the vertue of
faythe, but it is not by faythe in belevyng to be
saved by the merytes of Chryste, but by a faythe in
belevyng that everye man is liable to fulfyll the lawe
of God, and that the cawse whye men do not fulfyll
the lawe is the wante of this Castalio his beleeffe.
Nowe bothe these sutes do serve the turnes of the
Papistes, as all free wyll men and Justicieries or Jus-
tifies of theym selffes doe ; yet this dyfference is be-
twene the Papistes and these Sectaries, I do meane
towchyng theyre practises here in Yngland ; for these
Sectaries are more hypocrytycall, and woll sooner
denye theyre doctryne and assertions to avoyde
punyshment then the Papistes woll. But the Pa-
pystes secrete practises by these Jesuytes, in goyng
from howse to howse to withdrawe men from the
obedyence of hir Ma tie unto the obedience of the falce
Catholyke Churche of Roome, hathe and wolle indan-
ger hir Ma tles parson and State, more than all the
sectes of the worlde, yf no exeqution shall followe
uppon the trayterous practisers, that are for the same

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 37

apprehended ; or at the least, yf exeqution shall not
followe uppon sotche of theym as woll not openly
and playnly recante.

Thus desyryng your LL ps , that are the two headds
of the two Vnyversities of Yngland, to pardon my
boldnes herein, bycawse I that am an vnworthie par-
son and halffe an abjecte, doe expecte great good
thynges at your LL ps handes, which hathe ymbolden-
ed me herevnto, and so I take my leave of your LL p! .
At London, goyng into my contrye to the qwarter
sessyons at Oxford, the 29 of September, 1581.

Your good LL ps to comand,

F. KNOLLYS.

To the right honorable and his very good
LL. the L. Tresorer of Ynglond, and to
the Erie of Lescyter, give theise.

LETTER CCCCXIV.

A private Memorial of Queen Elizabeth to William
Herle, concerning a Loan of Money from abroad.
A.D. 1581. The zohole, excepting the royal signa-
ture, in the hand-icriting of Lord Burghley.

[MS. COTTON. TIT. B. Y. 98 150]

A pryvat Memoryall for W m . Herle of
chardg gyven to hym by y e Q. Ma 4 *.

ELIZABETH R.

Where yow have one other instruction signed by
vs, contening the maner of your proceding in pro-

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

curyng v* expedition and suerty for recovery of all
our armor and mvnition reniayning at Hamburgh,
Breanie, and those marityme parts, our pleasure is that
therein ve shall doo your endevor as tyme shall serve
you. But our special! chardg to vow is to procure a
bargayne for y e borowyng of a mass of mony to the
somme of j^j. or jC. thowsand pownds sterling, and to
pave for the interest therfore for the space of one yere
not above vj. in the hundred, but rather to pave but
iiij. or v. for y e hundred. And if vow can not
obteyne so grete a somme, yet if ye can obteyne a
somme above iij. or jy; thowsand pownds vppon such a
reasonable interest, we shall allow of your service.
And if vow can not obteyne y* interest under vj. for
the hundred, than vow maye stay concludyng for any
bargayne, and if the interest be not above vij. in the
hundred, than to suspend the conclusion therof in
such sort, as we may within ij. months accept it or
refvse it, and thereof other to certefy vs by lettres,
or els to retorn your self.

For your manner of proceding herin, ye shall vse the
best pollecy that vow can, not to appere that your
comming is for that purpoose, vntill you haue found
good towardnes in the matter, and than for your au-
thorite to make such a barsravne, vow mav at vour
discretion show your Cornission signed and sealed by
vs.

For the tyme and place of delyvery, we desyre to

ORIGINAL LETTKK&

haue the mony if it cold be possible by y* end of
August at Antwerp, if not, to bane it in Jam
next at Antwerp. If that can not be, bu: ust

nedes leceave y* mony there in Hamburgh or in Hol-
satia, than i bargayne to be made conditionally

that y* interest shall not begyn, but from y* daye
we shall haue it in our shippes. And therein y* bar-
gayne must be considered, y* other we must haur i I
delyvered before y* end of September, or els not
before April, beeing the transportation by sea in
:er tyme is dangeroose.
1 nw shall for y* assurance of repayment offe:
same bonds y 1 all other y* merchants of A rp and

Augsburgh hare, which is a bond of ours vnder our
Great Seale of England and y* bonds of y- Citee of
London vnder there comen seale, both which
maye coTenant to delyver vnto them at such tyme
. hall accord to receave the monny.

.ally yow shall vse all your conning to make y*
interest easy, and to make y* bargain so conditional!,
that we maye haue power vppon knowledg from vow,
to accept or refuse, wherin we meane certenly to
good expedition.

40

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXV.

Lord Wentworth to Lord Burghley, announcing what
settlement he could afford to make, upon the Marriage
of his son, Mr. William Wentworth, with Elizabeth
Cecil, Lord Burghley 1 s daughter.

[ms. lansd. xxxiii. 5. Orig.~]

My very good L. for answer to your lettre, althoghe
I went befoer as fare as my state woold bare, yet I
persave your L. doth not thinke me so liberall in
granting as I ame excessive in demanding. Truly my
L. I did sett doone the resons that movid my de-
mands, and the cause why I was no moer liberall ;
but for that I persave by your lettre your not allow-
ance of them, and because your L. shall persave
what likyng I have of this match, I have by thes
stretchid my selfF beyoonde my power, and am con-
tent to assuer 200^. by yer for ther present living,
which I am content shalbe the jonter of your L.
daughter, after my soons dethe, and after my dethe
to enlarge it with on hundred poonde moer. And
this I truste your L., considering that I must live in
sum calling, will both like and acsept, for if I wer
able to do moer, your L. shuld not be so redy to de-
mand as I wold be to give. And thus, with my

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 41

humble commendations, I committ } r our L, to God's
good keeping. Milend, a the 18 June, 1581.

Your L. alwais to comand,

THOMAS WENTWORTH.

%* After the moderate sum, even for that time, proposed by Lord
Wentworth as a part of Elizabeth Cecil's dower, the expenses of the
wedding feast will seem extraordinary : but the marriage was that
of the daughter of the Lord Treasurer of England. The celebration
lasted three days : and the charges, in great minuteness, are pre-
served in the same volume with Lord Wentworth's Letter, in a tabu-
lar form, separated into the departments of Pantry, Cellar, Buttery,
and Kitchen. This curious document distinguishes what was pro-
vided on the occasion from the home store, what was purchased, and
what presented ; gives the charges for the hire of cooks, turn-spits,
aud scullions ; the hire of glasses and other vessels for the feast,
and even the cost in mischief done to them. In fact, it supplies the
complete picture of a marriage feast in high life in the middle of the
reign of Queen Elizabeth.

In the Pantry the cost in bread, for mancheat was il. 4s., coarse-
cheat 4/. 9s., kitchen bread 11. 3s. In the Cellar department, al-
ready provided, ten hogsheads of Gascon wine 40L ; two hogsheads
of white wine 81. ; Rhenish to the amount of 20s. ; sack 10s. The
purchase of sweet wines came to 61. In the Buttery one hogs-
head of March beer was provided from the home store 20s. Twenty
barrels of beer purchased, cost -il., and two hogsheads of ale 24s.

In the Kitchen, the cost of beef already provided at home was
4/. ; forty-eight stone, purchased, cost 48s. The value of the beef
which came in presents amounted to 17/. 2s.

Purchases follow immediately. Sixteen lambs 59s. ; lard 21. Is. id.;
seven dozen of neats tongues 21. 12s. ; six gammons 11. Is. 6d. ; fif-
teen pigs 1Z. 5s. ; turkeys, capons, &c. to the value of 91. 7s. ; wild
fowl of divers sorts 51. 14s. 2d. ; sea fish, 6cc. 61. 14s. 6d. ; acates
121. 19s. ; butter 10*. 12s. 8d. ; eggs 51. 16s. 8d. ; suett 21. 13s. 4d.
These purchases in the total, cost 63Z. 16s. 2d.

Provided from the home store : six veals 3Z. 12s. ; three hinds

' Milend, in the parish of Stepney, near London ; see Lysons's Environs.

42 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

CO*. ; fourteen does 42. 13s. 4d. ; divers sorts of baked meats, asred-
deer, wild boar, &c, 10/.

In Presents : fourteen muttons 92. 2s. ; sixteen lambs 42. ; four
kids 24s. ; one hind 20s. ; two bucks 40s. ; six does 62s. ; six hares
8s. 4d. ; four chines of beef 12s. ; two flitches of bacon 10s. ; four
gammons 10s. ; two dozen of salt tongues 12. 4s. ; thirty-six swans
202. 16s. ; two storks 11. 14s. ; forty one turkies 122. Cs. ; two hun-
dred and ten capons 202. 16s. ; a hundred and nineteen . . . es 5/. 16s. ;
. . . Pullets 50s. ; thirty-six chickens 12s. ; forty-nine curlewes 52. 2s. ;
a hundred and thirty-five mallards 4/. 10s. ; three hundred and fifty-
four tailes 62. 17s. 2d. ; a thousand and forty-nine plovers 232. 16s. 2d. ;
a hundred and twenty-four knotts 42. 2s. ; two hundred and eighty
stints 41. 12s. 8d. ; a hundred and nine pheasants 18s. ; two hun-
dred aud seventy-seven partridges 132 18s. 4d. ; six hundred and fif-
teen cocks 202. Is. 8d. ; four hundred and eighty-five snipes
72. 6s. 2d. ; eight hundred and forty larks 32. 5s. 2d. ; twenty-one
gulls 22. 5s. 6d. ; all other wild fowl 102. 16s 9d. ; twenty-four
conies 12s. ; five dozen and eleven rabbits 19s. 9d. ; twenty-three
pigeons 3s. lOd. ; two fresh sturgeons 60s. ; sea fish and fresh fish
132. 19s. ; baked meats divers, as red deer, wild boar, &c, 62. 17s.
Total of the Presents, 2251. 5s. 6d., " whereof," it is added, " abating
for rewards given, 232. 3s. 8d., resteth 2022. Is. lOd." Divers ne-
cessaries for the kitchen came to 42. 8s. ; rewards to those who
brought Presents 232. 3s. 8d.

In the Pantry, from store, eight barrels of meal were provided,
22s. ; but twenty -four barrels of flour were purchased for 42. 16s. ;
and cream, &c, cost 2Ss.

In Grocery, of spices of all sorts, the value of 106s. Sd. was pro-
vided from store: the purchases amounted to 32. 13s. and the pre-
sents to 272. " Bancketting stuff," to the amount of 40s. was pro-
vided from store ; purchased to the amount of 92. Is. 6d. ; and pre-
sented to the value of 52. 16s. Sd.

In the Chandry, the purchases were two dozen of torches 24s.
and wax lights 10s. Sd. ; white lights provided from store cost
59s. 4d.

From the Wood-yard, the provisions from store were six load of
coals 62. ; four thousand billets 54s. ; five hundred faggots 25s. ; two
load of talwood 13s. 4d. ; six bushell of sea coals 3s.

From the Salsery, from store, vinegar 12s. ; verjuice, &c, 8s.

" Emptions for offices " from the Wardrobe ; fire pannes and tongs

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

43

two pair ; " Four Braunces with six round platts for lights, with
divers other plats, &c, 71. 12s. Sd." Buttery, four black jacks,
10s. 9d. ; six pantry baskets 10s.

Hire of Cooks. The hire of cooks 25/. Is. Sd. ; hire of turne-spits,
&c, 59s. 8d. ; hire of " sculders" 4/. ScuUery 14s. Sd. ; with la-
bourers in divers places, and women scowring, sweeping, 6cc, 26s.

The Hire and Losse of Vessell 14/. 16s. For glasses being lost
and broken 37s.

Rewards. To musicians 10/. ; to the players 100s. : trumpeters
40s. ; mending the instruments, &c, 4/.

Necessaries. Twelve dozen rushes 42s. ; carriage of them 3s. 4d.;
carriage and re-carriage of divers stuffs 10s. 6d. ; carriage of wild-
fowl provided, 72s.

In divers Works "as apperyng," 55/. 17s. lOd.

The following are the totals. Pantry, 91. 16s. ; cellar, 55*. 10s. ;

butter}', 61. is. ; kitchen, 338/. 5s. ; pastry, 71. 6s. ; grocery, 52/. 17s.;

chandry, 5/.; wood-yard, 10/. 9s. 4d. : salsery, 20s. ; emptions,

8/. 13s. 5d. ; hire of cooks, &c, 34/. 2s.; hire of vessels and

glasses, 16/. 13s.; rewards, 21/.: necessaries, 6/. 7s. (id, ; works,

55/. 17s. lOd. ; forming the full total of 629/. Is. lid.

Ready money, 278/. 8s. 9d.

Provisions, 98/. 12s. Sd.

Presents, 252/. 0s. 6d.

Mr. Wentworth died at Theobalds, early in the month of Novem-
ber, 1582. Lord Burghley returning from the City, where the
plague then raged, to his country-seat, found Mr. Wentworth newly
dead. The Lansdowne manuscript, No. 36, contains letters of con-
dolence to him on this occasion from Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir
Christopher Hatton, the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Leicester, and
Lord Wentworth. Strype has printed parts of one or two of these
letters in his Annals, fol. edit. vol. iii. p. 144. Dugdale, in the
Baronage, vol. ii. p. 300, says that Mr. Wentworth died without
issue. Lord Wentworth, in the letter which follows, thanks God
for making the burthen of his affliction lighter, inasmuch as his
daughter-in-law was left with child.

44 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXVL

The Lord Wentworth to Lord Burghley, upon the
death of William Wentworth, his Son.
[ibid, xxxvi. art. 9. Orig.~\
My very good L.

I humbly pray your L. to bare with me that I
have not written to your L. befor. The losse com-
mon to us bothe is such as would have stayd a wiser
mane then I am, and althoght many croses hath
fallen upon me, yet non so great as this ; but I thanke
my God that he hathe made the burthen sumwhat
the lighter, that he hath lefte my daughter with
child, home if it pleas his goodnes to blisse (as my
praier is) we shall resave sume comfort after this sor-
rowe. Praiyng your good L. to continew that good
will and favour to warde me that you woold have
doon if ower soone hadde lyvicl, untill I deserve the
contrary. And thus leving . . . your L. I have sent
this barer to declare unto your L. my opinion as con-
cerning the Will and other things, home I besech
your L. favorable to here, and looke what your L.
shall doo in this matter, I shall willingly agree unto
it : and thus God to send you all your honorable
desiers. Milend, the 10 November, 1582.

Your L. alwais most assueryd,

TH. WENTWORTH.
To the right honorable and my very good
L. the L. Thresorer of Ingland.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 45

LETTER CCCCXVII.

Queen Elizabeth's Letter of Licence for Trans-
porting One Thousand Pounds weight of Bullion
into Russia.

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS. c. xiv. 420. Orig.~\

By the Queene
Elizabeth r.

Wheras our Merchaunts Adventurers trading into
the countrees of Moscovia, have, at this present,
almoost in a redines eight good shippes, fraighted
with clothes and other Englishe commodities, to
make saile from our port of London toward Sainct
Nicholas and other portes of Russia, We lett you
witt that for certen consideracons us speciallye
moving, We have licenced, and by these presents
doe licence the bearers hereof in the name of
the sayd marchaunts to cary and transport with
them out of this our realme towards the said
Sainct Nicholas, and other ports of Russia, the
quantetye of one thowsand pound waight in bullion.
Wherefore we will and commaund you to suffer the
sayd bearer of theis our lettres quietlie to passe by
you with the sayd one thousand pound waight of
bullion for the purpos aforesayd without any your
staie, lett, or molestac5n, as ye tender our pleasure
and will aunswere for the contrarye at your perils.

46 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

And theas our lettres shalbe jour sufficient warraunt
and discharge in this behalfe. Given under our sig-
net, at our manour of Grenewich, the twentieth daie
of May, 1582, in the fower and twentieth yeare of

our raigne.

To all Maiours, Sherifs, Bailiffs, Constables,
Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers, and all other
our Officers, Ministers, and Subjects to whom it
shall appertayne in this case and to everye of
them.

L. S.

LETTER CCCCXVIII.

Queen Elizabeth's Letter of Recall for those who had
gone abroad without her leave.

[ms. cotton, append, xxix.]

%* In Queen Elizabeth's time, leave to go abroad for the pur-
pose of travelling was difficult to obtain. Lord Burghley, too,
when applications for such permissions were made, would frequent-
ly call the party before him, and examine into what the applicant
knew of his own country ; and if found deficient in that knowledge
would advise him to stay at home for the present.

Among the Cottonian charters, one of the blank licences is pre-
served, written upon vellum, which Queen Elizabeth used to grant
on these occasions. It is addressed to all Justices of the Peace,
Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Controllers, Searchers, &c. &c. and states
that whereas at the humble petition of such an one, gentleman, the
Queen had given, and by these presents gave him, licence, with her
favor to resort unto the parts beyond the Seas, there to remain during
so many years next after the time of his passing over, for his better
increase in learning, and knowledge in foreign languages ; "These
are therefore to suffer him with his necessary furniture and ten
pounds in coin, to pass without let or gain-saying, and to enjoy the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 47

benefit of this our licence accordingly ; " " provided that if we would
have him return home before the expiration of the said specified
years, and the same signified to him by our Letters, or by the let-
ters of any six of our Privy Council, or by any of our Ambassadors,
he shall return after such knowledge given unto him so far as the
distance of his journey will suffer him ; provided also that he shall
not resort unto the territories of any Prince or Potentate not being
with us in league or amitie, nor shall willingly keep company or
haunt with any person our subject born, that is departed out of our
realme or dominions without our licence or other lawful warrantise.
And these our Letters, or the duplicate of them, shall be to you for
his passage, and to him in observing the premises sufficient warrant
and discharge in this behalf." a

By the Quene.
We greete you well. Forasmuch as you ar of late
departed out of this our realme in a very contemp-
tuous sort, without either our licence, or making us
or any of our Counsell priuey therunto, We let you,
therfor witt, that our pleas'" and express will is, that
upon the allegeance and duety you owe unto us, you
do furthwith, upon the receipt herof, make yowr
repair back again into this our realm, and present
your self either unto us or our Privey Counsel to
declare the causes that moved you in this straunge
sort to withdrawe yourself. Letting you further to
understand, that if you shall refuse thus to do, we
will not faile to procede against you, according to
our lawes in that behalf provided. Geven under
our signet, at our Palace of Westm r , the . » day of

a Cottonian Charter, xii. 75.

48 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

. . . 1583, in the six and twentieth yere of our

reign.

Indorsed — " A Lre from hir Ma tie to returne into England, beynge
without leave departed to foraine parts, disloyally, without leave."

LETTER CCCCXIX.

Queen Elizabeth to the Duke de Montjwnsier, ac-
quainting him in what manner the daughters of the
lately assassinated Prince of Orange had been dis-
posed of.

[ms. cotton, tit. b. ii. 201 b. Orig.~]

Mons 1 " mon Cousin, comme le feu Prince d'Orange
preuvyant le danger imminent auquel, il estoit
tousiours subiect, par les secretes menees et em-
busches que luy tendoient ses ennemys, nous eust de
son viuant bien installment prie d'auoir ses filles pour
recommendees, et de les prendre en nostre protection,
s'il luy aduenoit de les laisser sans pere, se reposant
(comme a bon droict il pouvoit faire) sur la faue r et
affection que luy auons de tout temps portee : Nous
auons aduise apres cest infortune accident de la mort
du diet Prince de fe r bailler l'aysnee a Madame la
Princesse de Nauarre (Bierne) sa parente comme
scauez, ou elle ne peult failler d'estre bien et vertueus-
ment nourrye ; et de mander querir la seconde, qui
est nostre filleule, pour la tenir icy pres de nous,

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

49

ayant parcydeuant recommende celle d'apres, qui se
nomme Brabantine, a Madame la Duchesse de Bouillon,
vostre seur, pour estre nourrye pres de Madamoy-
selle de Bouillon sa fille. Les deux aultres estant
desia accordees, l'une nominee Amelyne a L'Electoire
Palatine, et l'autre nommee Katerine a la Contesse
de Schwartzenburgh, leurs marraynes. Et quant a
l'autre nommee Flandrine que la Dame du Paracly
auoit desia aupres de soy du viuant du pere, nous la
luy auons de long temps bien expressement aussy
recommandee. Dont vous auons bien voulu particu-
lierement aduertir pour l'interest qu'auez en elles
par le droict de Nature ; esperant que ne trouuerez
mauuaise la disposition qu'en auons faute, ains plus-
tost qu'aurez pour agreable le soing qu'auons d'elles.
En quoy vous prions de nous seconder, et y aporter
aussy de vostre part tout l'aduancement que pourrez
comme le plus proche parent du coste maternel,
prenant et acceptant la tutele de vostre Niepces,
et vous rendant protecteur et conseruateur de ce
quelles ont de bien en France, a fin qu'elles en
puissent estre subu . . . ues pour leur entrenement.
Et que a ceste fin il vous plaise requerir le Roy de son
commandement et authorite pour le' faire faue r sil en
sera de besoing. Et ainsi faisant icy fin de ceste,
Nous prierons le Createur quil vous ait, Monsieur
mon Cousin, tousjours en sa saincte garde, et vous
doint tresbonne vie et longue. Escript a nostre

VOL. IV. D

50 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Maison de Hampton Court, le dixseptiesme jour
d'Octobrc, 1584.

Vostre tresaffectionee bone Cousine,

et tresassuree Amye a jamais.

ELIZABETH R.

A JMousieur raon Cousin Le Due de
Montpensier.

TRANSLATION.
Sir, my Cousin,
Since the late Prince of Orange, foreseeing the imminent danger to which he
was always liable from the secret plots and snares spread for him by his enemies,
had, whilst alive, very earnestly prayed us to have his daughters in esteem, and to
take them under our protection if it happened to him to leave them fatherless, re-
lying .as he had good right to do) on the favour and affection which we have at all
times borne him, We have resolved, after this unfortunate accident of the death of
the said Prince to deliver the eldest to the Princess of Navarre (Bierne) her kins-
woman, as you know she cannot fail there to be well and virtuously brought up ;
and to send to fetch the second, who is our god-daughter, to keep her here with us,
having before recommended the next, who is named Brabantine, to the Duchess de
Bouillon, your sister, to be brought up with Mile de Bouillon, her daughter. The
two others being already assigned, the one, named Ameline, to the Electress Pala-
tine, and the other, named Katherine, to the Countess of Schwartaenburgh, their
godmothers. And as for the other, named Flandrine, whom the Lady of Paracly had
already with her during the lifetime of the father, We have long very expressly re-
commended her to her care- Of all this we have wished particularly to inform you,
from the interest you have in them by the law of nature, hoping that you will not
take ill the disposition we have made, but rather be pleased with the care which we
have for them. In which we pray you to second us, and also to bring on your part
all the assistance that you can, as the nearest relation on the mother's side, taking
and accepting the guardianship of your Nieces, and making yourself protector and
preserver of the goods they possess in France, in order that they may be made sub-
servient to their bringing-up. And that to this end it will please you to request the
King by his command and authority to further this matter, if need be. And here
making an end of this business, We pray the Almighty that he will have you, sir,
my Cousin, always in his holy keeping, and give you a good life and long. Written
at our Kouse of Hampton Court the seventeenth day of October 1584.
Your very well-affectioned Cousin,

and very assured friend for ever,

Elizabeth R.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 51

LETTER CCCCXX.

Lord Burghley to the Sheriff of Surrey, respecting the
representation of Gatton, in that County, in Parlia-
ment.

[ms. harl. 705.]

%* The following Letter is curious, as showing that so long ago
as 1584 the Town of Gatton in Surrey was without burgesses to
nominate its representatives in Parliament. The nomination in
consequence was in the lord of the manor : but Mr. Copley, the late
owner of the manor, was dead, and his son a minor. Lord Burgh-
ley, as the head of the Court of Wards and Liveries, held the nomi-
nation.

From the postscript we learn that in 1584 the great Lord Bacon
(he was then twenty-three years of age) was returned for this bo-
rough in the Sheriff's indenture, but that being returned for another
borough at the same time, " and so certified and sworne," Edward
Browne, Esq. was ordered to be certified in his room.

Gatton only began to send members to Parliament in the 29th
Hen. VI. It was disfranchised by the Reform Act of the 2nd Will.
IV.

To my verie loveinge frend M r . Walter Covert,
Esquire, Sherife of Surrie.

After my verie hartie comrnendacions, wheras
theare are to be returned by you against the Parle-
ment two Burgesses for Gatton, in that Countie of
Surrey, which heretofore have beene nominated by
M r . Coplie, for that there are no burgesses in the
Borough there to nominate them : forasmuch as by
the death of the said M r . Copley, and minoritie of
his sonne, the same with his landes are within the

D 2

52 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

survey and rule of the Court of Wards wherof I am
her Ma ,leS cheife officer, you shall therefore for-
heare to make returne of anie for the said towne,
without direction first had from me therein, whereof
I praie you not to faile. And soe I bid you hartelie
farwell. From the Courte at S'. James, this xiiij th of
November, 1584.

Yo r verie lovinge frend,

W. BURGHLEY.

To my verie lovinge frend M r . Walter Covert,
Esquire, Sherife of the Countie of Surrey and Sus-
sex, and to his Under Sherife, or the eyther of them.
After my hartie commendacions, whereas in the
Indenture retorned for the Boroughe of Gatton, in
the Countie of Surrey, M r . Frauncis Bacon and M r .
Thomas Bushopp are nominated Burgesses : foras-
much as M r . Francis Bacon is retorned also for an
other borough, and soe certified and swome : yow
shall appointe in his roome and place Edward
Browne, Esquire, and so to certefie hym with M r .
Busshopp. Soe fare you well. From the Courte,
this xxiiij th of November, 1584.

Yo r lovinge frend,

W. BURGHLEY.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 53

LETTER CCCCXXI.

Mr. Francis Alford to Lord Burghley ; concerning
the expences and delays of Law- Suits : and for
Counsell to practice in one Court only.

[ms. lansd. xliv. art. 1. Orig.~\

%* The fees of the Lawyers, as well as the salaries of the Judges,
increased greatly in the sixteenth century. Chaucer's Serjeant at
Law is certainly represented to have been successful, and from the
emoluments of his practice to have become a great purchaser of
land : but the picture is probably overcharged, since Rastall's
practice, who was an eminent man, at a later period, in the time of
Henry the Eighth, produced him but forty marks a year. The
salaries of the Judges too, as appears from many proofs, were small.
Sir Thomas More's account of his income as Chancellor will not
be out of memory.

The dispersion of the abbey lands, and the consequent forms of
title so numerously required for the grantees, or for those who had
abbey lands aliened to them from others, brought an influx both of
business and emolument to the men of the long robe of that period
of which we have now hardly a conception.

This is remarkably illustrated in a manuscript treatise addressed
to James the First, preserved among the old royal MSS. in the Mu-
seum, entitled Anthony Atkinson's " Discovery of Frauds and
Abuses about the Revenues of the Crown, 1603." a

" Yf two men contend for a hundred pounds land per annum, the
Lawyers and Attorneys eat up all the profit, and leaveth them both
beggars. There are many offices belonging to the Courts at West-
minster, and other Courts, that in King Henry the Eighth's days
were not worth one hundred pounds per annum that are now worth
20001., 3000L, or 4000Z. per annum. And many Attorneys towards
the Law, that their offices in those days were not worth iOl. per
annum, that are now worth three, four, or 5001. per annum. There
were many Lawyers in those times that gained not one hundred

» MS. Reg. 17, C. vii. fol. 45, et seqq.

54 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

pounds per annum, nor that purchased in the space of ten years a
hundred pound land per annum. But there are now that, in one
year, can gain three, four, or 500/. per annum, and purchase lands
in less than ten years worth one, two, or 3000/. per annum ; and
some that in that small time that have purchased seven or 8000/.
per annum. And yet these fellows do neither keep houses, men,
horses, or relieve the poor, or yet make peace and quietness in the
Commonwealth."

My right honorable good Lord ; God blesse you,
and send you good successe in the most nedefull and
most honorable reformacion of the most intollerable
chardges and delaies in Lawe, wherewith aswell the
riche as the poore finde themselves oppressed in this
Common wealth. And as God hath put into her
Majesties harte his holy Spirite to bende her princely
mynde to the care of the same ; so if by your honor-
able wisdome it may take effect, her Highnes shall
bestowe upon her poore subjectes the greatest favour
that ever Prince did upon this our Realme and Coun-
trey, and shall most binde them to pray for her
Highnes and soche of her honorable Councell as
shall further the same. And furst touchinge exces-
sive chardge for councellors fees, there is one onely
plott in my poore understandinge which willbe the
sole remedie for that excesse : which is the sorting of
the councellors of the lawe accordinge to her Majes-
ties severall Courtes of Justice, whereof I offered
unto your Lordship privately a plott in Parliament,
but by some occasion it was not offered to the House

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 55

at all, which I am bould to present unto your Lord-
ships wise consideration nowe agaiue, beinge a thinge
which may be donne by her Majesties regall auctho-
ritie, and nedeth no Parliament, and shalbe so moche
more acceptable to the subjectes as procedinge from
her great justice and mercie, in seing her lawes exe-
cuted with ease and. expedition of her poore subjectes.
And knowinge your Lordships great busines in the
hole affaires of this common welthe, I have bin bold
to offer unto your Lordship a draught or a forme of
Edict in that behalf to be perfected by your honor-
able judgement and knowledge. For the fees which
the councellors take is not that which e so muche
grieveth the subjectes as that they are driven to re-
taine many councellors for one cause ; and very often
more then nedes ; as to move orders, to alter orders,
to amend pleas, to justifie the plea, to respite judge-
ment, to pray execution, to respite execution, and
many suche like ; and for every cause newe fee, and
every daie of attendaunce newe fees, wherunto they
are forced by the confuse thronges of councellors,
shiftinge and ronninge from barre to barre, which is
the chiefest cause of delaie, and greatest expence, and
if they have not diverse of these councellors to sup-
ply the absence and defectes of others, they may
chaunce to have rules entred against them, and other
peremptorie orders to there utter undoinge ; as also at
there daies of hearinge to misse there councell to the

56 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

losse of theire hole cause ; where if the barres were
sorted, and councellors attendinge allwaies at one
barre, and theire attorneis in Courte, the Lawe wold
goe on with great expedition, and you shold heare
litle complaint of councellors fees. And this benefitt
shold the lawiers receave, that thoughe that some of
them shold not growe so excedinglie riche, yet a
farre greater nomber shold be ymploied in medio-
critie of good fortune ; who deserve as well as those
that carry away the vanitie of the people by there
peruriancye of witt, and boldnes of tounge. This is
the ordere of the Courtes of the Parliament of Paris,
that a councellor or attorney in one Courte of Parlia-
ment, cannot be a councellor or attorney in another.
The like reason is the cause that no Spirituall
Court or Civill Courte amonge the Civillians in Lon-
don is kept at the same howre as another Courte is,
because there advocates shold be all attendaunte and
present in Courte at there clientes causes. And this
is universally throughe Christendome. But for to
allott the councellors fee certen, either in respect of
there paines or attendaunce will be very difficile and
litle hope to be observed. And for other expences
increased ether upon fees of proces, copies of bookes
and recordes, and clarckes and officers fees, I have sett
downe so farre, as other my experience (which hath
bin to great in the infellicitie and trouble of lawe
against my will) hath ledd me unto, or as I can at-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 57

taine unto in this shorte tyme. But this I dare
affirme unto your Lordship, that the fees are so
greatly increased upon proces, that whereas an Ha-
beas Corpus since the begynninge of this Queenes
time hath bin but 2 s . 6 d . in the Common Pleas, and
3 s . 4 d . in her Majesties Benche, are nowe at 12 s . or
14 s . in the said Courtes ; and Supersedeas at 18 d ., and
nowe 7 s . 6 d . ; Latitats 3 s . 4 d ., and nowe 5 s . l d . ; and
many more in like maner, which have growne by
fault of the Judges, who have appropriated unto
themselves fees out of the proces. Your Lordship
in this care and office of charitie, may do a most
meritorious dede, to cause a Commission to be di-
rected for prisons, for the relief of the great oppres-
sions, which poore prisoners sustain by fault of there
kepers. And wheras the Lordes Chief Justices of
either Benche do twise a weeke attend upon Nisi
Prius for London and Middlesex, yf there were a
Judge of either Courte which shold weekly heare
the causes of suche as plead in prison to expedite
there sutes, God shold reward you, and the common
wealthe shold be greatly relieved from muche cala-
mitie. And so I commit your good Lordship to the
tuicion of the Allmightie, who preserve you in longe
lief and muche honore, this 9 th daie of November,
1 585.

Your Lordships most humble to command,

FRANCIS ALFORD.
D S

58 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

%* Among the Manuscripts of the Lansdowne Collection there
is a small volume, No. 683, a sort of political Register, apparently
compiled for the use of one of Queen Elizabeth's Ministers of State.
Amongst other matter, it contains the following List of the Lawyers
in best practice in 1576, accompanied by short notes of their condi-
tion, as well as of the estimation in which they were individually
held.

" June, 1576. The Names of certayne Lawiers in every of the

FOURE INNES OF CoURTE.

" Greis Inne.
" Siiigle Readers. Mr. Gerrard, hir Ma ts Attorney generall.
Mr. Seckfor, master of Requests.
Mr. Meres, of the Counsell of Yorke, of good liv-
ing.
Mr. Barton, of the Counsell in the Marches of
Wales, of good living.
" Double Readers. Mr. Kitchen, of the Counsell of the Citie of Lon-
don, of good wealthe.
Mr. Alcock of Canterbury, poore.
Mr. Rodes, of the Counsell of Yorke, of great

living, and very learned.
Mr. Colbie, of great living.
" Single Readei's. Mr. Jute, of one hundreth mark living, Recorder
of Cambridge, very learned.
Mr. Kearle, of great living.
Mr. Allington, discontinueth, poore.
Mr. Anger, very learned, wealthie.
Mr. Whiskins, learned, poore, of smale fame for

practise.
Mr. Yelverton, learned, of great gayne and wealth.
Mr. Snagge, learned, of great living and practise.
Mr. Brogrove, very learned, poor, smally prac-
tised, worthy of great practise.
" Barristers. Mr. Burnam, at York.

Mr. Burket, her Ma ,s Attorney at Yorke.
Mr. Nevell, at Yorke.
Mr. Kempe, learned.
Mr. Escoute.
Mr. Stuanl,

, no practisers.
Mr. Purfray '

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

59

Mr. Daniell, of great practise, very welthie, and relli-

gious.
Mr. Smithe.

Mr. Boothe, smally practised.
Mr. Godfrey, well practised, rich.
Mr. Shuttleworthye, very learned, and rich, and well

practised.
Mr. Williams, smally learned.

" The Middle Temple.
ik Double Readers. Mr. PlowdeD, very learned, of great living.

Mr. Fleetwood, Recorder of London, very learned,
and riche.

Mr. Nicholls, learned, riche.

Mr. Popham, very learned, of great living, hir
Ma* Sollicitor.

Mr. Farmer, very learned, riche.

Mr. Gent, wel practised.
" Single Readers. Mr. Rosse, wel practised.

Mr. Crampton, wel practised.

Mr. Archer, wealthie.

Mr. Stephens.

Mr. Dale, practised.

Mr. Fenner, learned.

" Th'inner Temple.
" Double Readers. Mr. Kelloway, Survio r of Liveries.

Mr. George Bromelej, Attorney of the Duchie.

Mr. Withe.

Mr. Poole.

Mr. Mariot.
" Single Readers. Mr. Risden.

Mr. Walter.

Mr. Hurleston.

Mr. Halton.

Mr. Pagrave.

Mr. Bullock.

Mr. Gray.

Mr. Wiatt.

60

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Mr. Smithe.
Mr. Hare.

" Lincoln's Inne.
" Mr. Richard Kingsmill, Attorney in the Courte of Wardes.
Mr. Kempe, of sniale accompt, a double reader.
Mr. Baker, of great living, wel practised, a single reader.
Mr. Clinche, wel practised.
Mr. Dalton, wel practised, not welthie.
Mr. Owen, welthie.
Mr. Wykes, very riche, wel practised.
Mr. Cooper, practised.

Mr. George Kingsmill, wel practised, welthie.
Mr. Egerton, very learned, a younge practiser, and very to-
ward."

LETTER CCCCXXII.

Emanuel Plantagenet, alias Miles Fry, a madman,
to Lord Burghley, that he was the son of God the
Father and Queen Elizabeth.

[ibid. xcix. art. 6. Orig.~\

%* This may be taken as the sample of a considerable number
of Letters addressed, some to the Queen and some to Lord Burghley,
from lunatics. Royalty and greatness have always been liable to
such approaches. William Hobby requests Lord Burghley's leave
to drive the devil and his dam from treasure hid in his Lordship's
castle, at Skemfryth, in Montgomeryshire. The voice of the coun-
try was, that the devil sat there upon a hogshead of gold, and his
dam upon a hogshead of silver, and that by his Lordship's full
power and authority they should be removed, by the grace of God,
without any charge to the Queen. He was probably a prisoner, as
the letter is dated from the Tower of London, 28th April, 1589.

One Johnson writes an incoherent letter to the Queen. He shews
her Highness that he was a nobleman born, but that by many mur-
ders he lost his parents in his infancy. At four years old he was
tailed Edward Brown, at seven Edward Kingsmill, at nine chris-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 61

tened Richard Clifford, and at ten Johnson. After being stolen as a
suckling, and sold for ten pounds, he had undergone all kinds of
changes ; finally, discovering that Guy of Warwick, and Bevis of
Hampton (whose sex he mistakes) had been his father and mother.
He desires to be restored to his honors and possessions.

There are two Letters from a distracted Irishman of the name of
Crimble, and one of three sheets from a Frenchman, enumerating
thirty treasons against the Queen, which he pretends to have dis-
covered.

Roger Crimble tells the Queen, " You are placed by Christ in
Paradyce, as Adam was in the beginning, to dresse the garden, to
pull up the weeds, and to cherish the good herbs, that when God,
in the cool of the day, doth come to walk therein he may find all
things well. And now, my good mistress Gardener, wher shall the
Crymbles growe, so that this cold wynter the frost may not kill
them, considering we are some of the sweete smelling flowers unto
God ; wherfor I praie you to looke unto us, being now in very great
neede of your Highnes graciouse goodnes. Also wee are all sol-
diers bound to feight under the banner of Christ against the great
captain, our enemy, the dyvill, against the Pope his lieutenant,
and the King of Spain, his standard-bearer, with all their associates,
whose devices God destroy, as hitherto he hath ever done with all
those that wisheth your Highnes anie harm."

John Castle, a vintner of London, ends another Letter with a long
Canticle composed for the comfort of that right blessed virgin, Eliza-
beth, through God's grace, Queen of England.

Lord Burghley preserved these and many other Papers with as
much care as if they had related to affairs of state.

To the right honorable the Lord Burley. Lord
Tresorer of the Quene of England.

My Lord, I am sent an Embassador from God the
Father unto the Quenes Highnes to declare unto her
that I am the sonne of them both, and when she was
delivered of me, I was taken from her by the Angel
Gabriel and brought unto one Miztres Fry for to be

62 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

kept ; and the time of this keping is ended : and
God my father hath sent me unto her Highnes to
declare unto her that I am her sonne : and to signifi
unto her that this Gabriel which she loketh for at
this time shal not cum unto her until fifti yeres be
expired. I prai you to signifi unto her Majeste
that I her pore sonne do humble besech her to suffer
me to declare my fathers embassage unto her, and to
be merciful unto me which am in great extremiti
and redi to perish for lak of helpe. This embassage
did I signifi unto Syr Francis Walsingam, her Secre-
tari, almost fower yeres past, who promised to helpe
me unto the Quene, but did it not, and my sute
during almost this fower yeres, I having written a
letter unto my Ladi the Quene and another unto my
Lords of her Councel, and sundri letters unto that
her Secretary at sundri times, besids the spech of
my mouth unto him at divers tymes : I am yet so
far from helpe of my Ladi that I have not the favor
of a subject in her relme though I be her sonne.
And during this sute I have bin hardli used: and
nowe do make this my last mone unto you that you
wolde obtaine of my Ladi the Quene for to hire this
embassage of me and to accept me for her sonne.
I have bin this xxxv. yeres knowen by the name of
Miles Fry ; and have bin taken for the sonne of M r .
John Fry and Mistres Jone Fry his wife. This M r .
Fry your Honor knoweth wel, which nowe dwelleth at

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

63

Dulses, in the parish of Kilmington or Axmizter, in
Devonshire. At this Ynne it is not convenient for
me to ztai ani time, and yf I would I have not where
with al : and in this Citi I shal not get ani helpe : so
that yf you do not presentli helpe me uppon the
sight hereof I shal then presentli depart unto De-
vonshire againe : and yf I do so, as treweli as God
liueth and as my Ladi doth live, immediatli uppon
my returne thither I shall end my life : as by my
letters unto my Ladi and her Councel I did signifi
longe gon : and then will God punish this land. My
calling is not to redeme the worlde, but to shew the
end of generation and the love between Christ and
his Church ; which Salomon began to do, and did it
amisse. My autorite is greater than Gabriels. I
am the son, he is but a servant. I pray you upon
the sight hereof to speake with me ; that with my
mouth I mai declare unto you that which here I
have written with my hande : you have bin alwais a
favorar of the complaints of the Quenes pore sub-
jects; much more then, ought you of her sonne.
Thus I prai God to preserve my Ladi the Quene,
and to direct your Honor in the right wai. Writ-
ten with my diing hand at the signe of the Rose and
Crowne in Saint Johns Strete, beyond Smithfelde,
in London, the xxvij th of June, 1587.

Your Honors to use,

EMANUEL PLANTAGENET.

64

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXXIII.

Mr. Tirwitt, sub-dean of the Queens Chapel, to Lord
BurgJiley, respecting the Invention of some Musical
Chimes, as commanded to him by the Queen.
[ibid, cviii. art. 58. Orig.~]

%* Queen Elizabeth's fondness for music is frequently noticed
by her contemporaries. Melvil, in his Memoirs, would lead us to
believe she was a proficient. He says, " The same day, after din-
ner, my Lord of Hunsdon drew me up to a quiet gallery that I
might hear some music (but he said he durst not avow it,) where I
might hear the Queen play upon the virginals. After I had heark-
ened a while, I took by the tapestry that hung before the door of
the chamber, and seeing her back was towards the door, I entered
within the chamber, and stood a pretty space, hearing her play ex-
cellently well ; but she left off immediately so soon as she turned
her about and saw me. She appeared to be surprised to see me,
and came forward, seeming to strike me with her hand, alledging
she was not used to play before men; but when she was solitary,
to shun melancholy." Playford, in his Introduction to the Skill
of Musick, also says she played on an instrument strung with
wire, called the Poliphant. a

Sir John Hawkins, in his History of Music, vol. iii. p. 458, sub-
joins to the passage here quoted from Melvil, an anecdote which
bears immediately upon the subject of the present Letter. He says,
" To this passage it may not be improper to add a little anecdote,
which perhaps has never yet appeared in priut, and may serve to
shew either that the Queen had, or, affected to have it thought she
had, a very nice ear. In her time the bells of the church of Shore-
ditch, a parish in the northern suburbs of London, were much
esteemed for their melody ; and in her journies from Hatfield to
London, as soon as she approached the town, they constantly rang
by way of congratulation. Upon these occasions she seldom failed
to stop at a small distance short of the church, and amidst the
prayers and acclamations of the people, would listen to and com-
mend the music of the bells."

* Playf. Introd. edit. 1666.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 65

The practice of ringing bells, or rather what is called ringing in
changes, is believed to be peculiar to England.

Please it yowr Honor to vnderstand, that wheare
the Queries Maiestie commanded me to devise her a
Chime, I shewed her it wold be more chargis then I
am able of my poore habilitie to reache vnto, in that
her request is to haue it playe pavens and galliardes a
or any other songe ; her Maiestie wisshed me to
repaire to yowr Honor, who shoulde take order for
the charges therof. And yf yowr Honor will com-
mitte the disbursinge of the charges to M r . Stockard,
surveyor, I will with all expedition devise her that
worcke by geometric, arithmeticke, and musicke,
that I suppose was never devised sins Christes assen-
tion ; which shalbe an everlasting memori of her so
longe as Englande remayneth. 1 beseche yo r Honor
to give me an answere where vpon to staye, lesse I
incurre her Highnes displesure in neglectinge her
Maiesties request. Yowr humble Oratore

TIRWITT,

Subdeane of her Maiesties Chappell.

%* This Letter is followed by a singular Paper of particulars,
headed in a different ink, and indorsed " A devise of the Sub-dean."

" These Nots delivered to Her Maiestie at Grenewiche, which Her
Maiestie commanded to geve to Mr. Midle?nore. b

" First, yf it shall please your Maiestie to be at the charge of a
Tower vppon the whiche there must be forty-four belles, the greatest
of the whiche woulde be asmuch as the greate Bell in Westminster

a The paven was a solemn, the gralliard a lively dance. The one was Spanish,
the other French. They are frequently mentioned together in our old writers.
>> Henry Middlemore. See Carlisle's Gent, of Privy Chanib. p. 85.

66 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Abbie, for vnles they be greate, they wilnct be armonious, hauinge
no pipes with them. W hiche bells beinge tuned, shall play any
Pauen, Galliarde, French songe, Italiane songe, beinge either tripla,
quartipla, or sextipla, only by Geometrie, without hand or foote of
any man. There shalbe also in the same a paire of keyes like a
virginall, vppon the which youre Organists in the Chappell, or
Mr. Earle c of the chamber shall playe any voluntarie that may be
played vppon the virginall or organe, whiche wilbe an euerlastinge
memorie of youre Highenes, so longe as the worlde shall endure.

" Secondarily, yf yo r Maiestie mislike of the charges of the Tower,
you may haue a cupbord of the bignes of my Lorde of Leicestour's
chime for your gallarie with suche small bells as those be, and also
what noise of pipes youre Highenesse most deliteth in. Whiche
chyme hauing a barrell of copper or iron, as I haue deuised it, shall
playe any songe, Pauen, Galliarde, Maske, Italiane or Frenche
songe of 80 or an 100 nots longe. And when yo r Maiestie will haue
a newe songe, I will teache any that can singe a pricke songe to
take off one, and sett on the other. The greatest charge of this in-
strumente wilbe the copper barrell, and the notes whiche must goe
with vices.

" Thirdlye, yf youre Highenes wilbe contented with an instru-
mente to playe but one Pauen and Galliarde, as youre Maiesties
request was to me, I will with a small charge spedely accomplishe
your request, yf it were for euerie house one, suche I trust as none
outlandishe man shalbe able to atcheiue vnto."

LETTER CCCCXXIV.

Lord Admiral Howard to Lord Burghley. Her Ma-
jesty's pleasure that Capt. Oseley should have a
Lease of the Parsonage of St. Helen's London.

[ibid. lix. art. 4. Orig.~\
My verie gode Lo., this bearer, Nicholas Oseleye,
hath bin an humble sutor unto her Majesty for a
lease of the parsonage of S*. Ellens, in London, and

c Mr. Walter Karle occurs as a gentleman of the Privy Chamber in Queen Mary's
time. Ibid. j>. 67.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 67

it hathe pleased her Highnes, in respecte of his good
service heretofore in Spaine, in sendinge verie good
intelligence thence and nowe since in oure late
feighte againste the Spanishe fleete, to graunte the
same unto him. Theise are therfore to praye youre
Lordship to staie the same parsonage, that noe lease
be in the meane time graunted oute of the Ex-
checker, which shold prevente the reward of one
that hathe soe well deserved in adventuringe his life
soe manie waies in her Majesties service. And soe
ernestly prayinge youre L p to favoure the [bearer's]
reasonable sute, I hartely bid your good L p farewell.
From the Courte at Richmonte, the v. of Januarie.
1 588. Yowre L ps verie lovinge freind,

C. HOWARD.

To the right honnorable my singuler good
Lo. the Lo. Threasorer of England, geve
these.

LETTER CCCCXXV.

Sir Owen Hopton to Lord Burghley : describing the

performance of his duties for eighteen years as

Lieutenant of the Tower.

[harl. ms. 6994. art. 71. Orig."]

%* The time when Sir Owen Hopton became Lieutenant of the
Tower is stated nowhere but in this Letter. In 1588, he had been
Lieutenant for upwards of eighteen years. He was of Suffolk de-
scent, the son of Sir Arthur Hopton of Westwood. His ancestors
had lived in Suffolk from an early period. His pay, as Lieutenant
of the Tower, seems to have been 2001. a year. The Cottonian MS.
Titus C. vii. fol. 19, preserves " The names of the prisoners which

68 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

were and are in the Tower in the time of Sir Owen Hopton, Knight,
there Lieftenant." They were, " the Duke of Northfolke, con-
demned for high treason at Westminster, the lGth of January, and
died the 2d of June, at Tower-hill ; the Earl of Southampton ; the
Lord Lumlye ;* Sir Thomas Jerrard ;* Sir Thomas Stanlye;* the
Bishop of Rosse ;* Mr. Howe ; Sir Henry Percye ; Mr. Rolston,
condemned at Westminster, 16th May, 1572 ; Mr. Goodyeare; Mr.
Layssells ; Mr. Pooell, condemned at Westminster, 14th May, 1572;
Mr. Bartye ; Mr. Hickford, condemned at Westminster, 8th Feb.
1572, for treason;* Mr. Bannyster, condemned at Westminster,
17th May, 1572 ;* Thomas Cobham ; Mr. Barker, condemned at
Westminster, the 6th Feb. 1573; Gilbert Barnes, and Edmund
Madder, condemned at Westminster, the 6th Februarys 1573, for
high treason, being hanged, drawn, and quartered, the 11th Feb-
bruary, from the Tower. Mr. Booles, condemned the 14th of May,

at Westminster, 1573; Mr. Cantrell ; Mr. Jones; Charles ;

Mr. Hall, condemned at Westminster, the 17th of May, 1573; Mr.
Norton ; Mr. Bishopp ; Mr. Wilkinson ; Mr. Hussey ; Mr. Battes ;
Lassells the younger." a

Right Honorable, thear never was gentleman
moore bounde to a noble man than I am to yow, for
by your good meanes and favour I was made Lieute-
nant of the Tower, and by your speciall grace and
goodnes I continewe in yt ; I vowe to God I serve
hir Maiestie the more dutifullie and paynfullie be-
cause I was preferred by your Lordshipp, wliome 1
love and honour. Now license mee to make knowen
to your Honor, what hath bin doone by me, more
then by other Lieutenantes, heertofore, in this place.

At my first cominge, I increased the Watche two
dayes in the weeke, by two men, whearof the Queene
was deceaved.

* The names marked with an asterisk, are of persons concerned with the Duke of
Norfolk, in the business of the Queen of Scots.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 69

I commaunded that all the Warders in the howse,
should attend on the keies with the lieutenant to
churche, everie Sunday and holidaye. I ordered
that at everie festivall time, Sundaies, and al the
soramer while, the warders should weare their liverve
coates.

I alwaies since my first cominge, I have, and dooe
keep xxx tie men ; xx" e in the howse, and x e out of
the howse, readie at my commaundement ; and when
any ambassadors come to see the Tower, xxx tie of the
warders stand at the first gate, and xxx ,ie of my men
at the next in my liverye, with holbertes. And if
the Ambassadors weare of anie accompte, I made
them banquettes of mine owne chardges.

Since my time, hir Majestie hath not bin chardged
at the coming in of anie great prisonner with anie
extraordinarie watch or warde ; whearas before, the
Queene hath bin charged with \]\ or jj"; men,
everie one at viij d . by the day, which came to iijC. r
iiijC. ii. at a time, as in the Exchequer appeereth,
and at all such needfull times my men watche with-
out wages.

I also made a Mounte in the Tower which coste me
cviijii. If her Majestie had made it, yt would have
coste ijCli. For dyverse of my men, and of the
Queenes, wrought without wages.

I hav served hir Majestie in this place and offices
these xviij. yeares and upwardes, by all which time

70 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

(I thanke God) I never lost prisoner, but came to
his arraignment, which few Leiutenants in this place
have donne, if they taried but iij. yeares ; and somme
Leiutenauntes in their time lost two or three, and
had no great displeasure for yt, after they had made
the Kinge acquainted with yt.

Consideringe this time of perill, I have com-
maunded that all the warders in the howse should
bee at the shutting and openinge of the gates, and
bringing up the keyes; and whearas thear warded
but vj., I have appointed xij. which warcle dailie, of
the Queenes menu, besyde vj. of my owne servauntes,
which doo daylie ward with their holbertes.

I never caried prisonner to Westminster, but with
barge at mine owne chardge.

I have bestowed more cost in glasinge, in garden-
inge, in making chimnyes, and in dooing other repa-
racions to the howse then any other Leiutenaunt
hath donne in the memorye of anye maim living in
the Tower.

Whereas great complaintes have bin made of my
servauntes to hir Majestie, by some commissioners,
when they cannot gett the prisoners to confesse those
things which they would gladly knowe ; they say the
prisonners have had intelligence, which is utterlie
untrue. And to avoyd mie menn from suspition, j
and mee from perill, I did iij. yeares past appoint
cwo of the yeomen warders to bee jaylers.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 71

Item, that everie day throughe out the yeare, the
keyes being brought up by the gentleman porter,
yeoman porter, or anie of the warders, hee that
bringeth the keyes dineth and suppeth with mee.

Aug. 6, 1588.
Your Ho. at commaundement duringe lyfe,

OWYN HOPTON.

To the right honorable my speciall
good Lorde, the L. Highe Tresurer
of EDglaude.

LETTER CCCCXXVI.

Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely, to the Queen, upon her
requiring his House in Holborn, for Hatton her
Vice Chamberlain.

£lansd. ms. 61. art. 2.]

Scribunt quidam, Jupiter nutu totum treme-

factat Olympum. Serenissima Regina, ita Liter*

tuae in Hattoni tui gratiam scriptse me non parum

turbarunt et terruerunt. Quod enim prius subtimui,

cum in gratiam tuse pietatis aedium mearum partem

Hattono tuo cessi, jam evenire palam est. Constan-

tiores, fateor, fuerunt patres mei. Potentissimus

rex pater tuus non obtinuit pro Cancellario suo

Writhesleo nisi ad tempus aades Elienses. Magnifi-

cus ille Northumbrise dux non valuit illo tempore

Episcopum ab a?dibus illis exigere. Neque ego cha-

rissimo tuo servo Magistro Parris, vel tua Majestate

interpellante, aedes meas concessi. Ipse vero tandem

72 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

precibus fatigatus trepido quidem ammo, ne ingrati-
tudine majestatem tuam laedere viderer. Locavi
partem aedium mearum tuo Hattono ad annos viginti
unum. Jam vero postulatur, ut in perpetuum
cedam. Cedam, inquam, non solum ea, quae tunc
temporis cedere volui, sed etiam alia subduntur et
postulantur, quibus aegre admodum cedere possum.
Navigo inter Scyllam et Charibdim. Optarim enim
(Deus testis est) magis mori, quam Majestatem tuam
merito ofFendere. Verum si Deum nostrum temere
offendero, mors secunda timenda est : et si unum ex
Christi pusillis ofFendero expedit, ut mola asinaria,
&c. Dignetur tua pietas raecum perpendere, quo in
loco me posueris, et quo me vocaveris. Episcopum
me voluisti esse : nimirum ad bonum opus obeun-
dum, ad veri Dei gloriam propagandum, ad regni
tui non infimum ornamentum, ad Ecclesiae ministros
in ordine continendum, ne scilicet scismata et conten-
tiones subinde orirentur, ad subsidia Principum opes
nostras conferendum quoties res ita postulat, et ad
miseros oppressosque pro viribus juvandum.

Tu vero Deo longe charissima et devotissima data es
ab ipso Deo Ecclesiae tuae ministra, nutrix indulgen-
tissima, et defensatrix fortissima. Episcoporum vero
ordinem tu sola foves et sustentas, eo quidem zelo, quo
avi tui divino spiritu ducti instituerunt et conserva-
verunt. Quorum quidem pium ardentemque in
voram Religionem affectum, absit, ut ego misellus

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 1%

homuncio vel extinguere vel minuere videar. Si qui
ante me in hac re peccarunt, non mea referre debet.
Mea cura est quis Deo imprimis, deinde quid Majes-
tati tuae prsestandum sit. Accepi ego praedia, aedes,
et alia hujus generis, quae pientissimi principes indi-
carmit functioni nostras necessaria. Haec ego accepi
(te donante) a praecessoribus meis, quorum custos
non dissipator esse debeo. Absit enim, ut ego solus
in tanto Episcoporum numero successoribus meis ea,
quae bona fide accepi, mala fide tradam, et sacrilegii
reus evadam. Absit autem, ut pias principum re-
gumque voluntates sciens et prudens violem, sacra-
que testamenta rescindam : quum ipsi ea in tarn pios
usus tradiderunt quorum profanationem ulcisci solet
Justus Dominus: cavendumque in pia et Christiana
Repub. ne quis ulli ullam afFerat injuriam: maxime
vero in hiis quae Christo sancte consecrata sunt. Sed
unde petam subsidium nisi a tua eximia pietate, quae
in Ecclesia Christi Dei vicaria es. Verum longe
pientissimum est de amicis et charis servis bene
mereri. Sed ea naturae et Christi regula firmissimo
clavo in cordibus nostris Agenda est perpetuo, non
facias alteri, quod tibi non vis fieri. Non ullius ad-
modum alieno incommodo augendum est. Magnos
vero sumptus fecit tuus Hattonus in aedibus meis.
Aiunt legisperiti non satis firmam esse locationem
aedium Hattono factam. Ego vero ut firmior redda-
tur opto, si id per me confici possit. At ut perpetua

VOL. IV. E

*4 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

fiat alienatio, nondum induci potest timida mea con-
scientia. Nee libenter me et successores meos nudos
relinqui velim, ut horto, pomario, et pastura muro
cincta destituantur, et aedes meae in nimis arctum
comprimantur. Ignoscat nobilissima Heroina liberae
sacerdotis tui voci: vix justificare audeo eos Prin-
cipes, qui in vere pios usus collata, in usus minus pios
transferunt. Denique si ulla ratio excogitari possit
quae justa et aequa videatur, qua pietati tuse gratifi-
cari passim non lasso Domino Deo meo summo om-
nium Judice in me mora non erit ulla : qui Majes-
tatem tuam per multa saecula beare dignetur. Ex
aeclibus meis Eliensibus. 20 die Aug.

Tuae Majestati a sacris et mista humillimus.

LETTER CCCCXXVIL

J. Wolley to Lord Burghley, that the Queen is de-
sirous to relieve the Earl of Essex in his need, by
the exchange of some Bishops'' lands.

[ibid. lxi. art. 61. OrigJ]

My very good Lord, her Ma tie hath notice geaven
unto her that the Erie of Essex entendeth tomorrow
or the neaxt daye to alienate the best parte of his
landes, yf he be not otherwise holpen by her, for the
payment of his debts. She ys therfore desirouse to
do hym the best help she can, meaning with the ex-

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

75

change of 300*i. or more of bisshops landes to supply
his need. But hath willed me to pray your L. to
write your opinion in what sorte ye thinke she maye
with lest hurt to her self releve his estate, which yt
may please your Lordship to do with all spede (for so
her Ma tie desireth), and withall to lett the Erie un-
derstand her H. good intention forthwith, to the end
he should not hasten irrecoverably the sale of his
land. And so I humblye take my leave. At the
Courte, the 7 of Septemb. 1589.

Your Lordships euer most bownden,

J. WOLLEY.
To the R. honorable the Lorde Burghley,
Lorde Highe Threasorer of Englaunde,
haste, haste, haste.

LETTER CCCCXXVIII.

Arthur Atye to Lord Burghley. The debts of the
Earl of Leicester.

[ibid. lxi. art. 81. Orig.~\

My especiall good L., touching the Erie of Leyces-
ter my late M r . his debtes to her Ma tie and others,
whereof your L. spake to me yesternight. For those
to her M tie which may concerne the services of the
Lowe Countryes, I thincke the trew estate of them
to be this, viz. that he had of her Ma tle out of the
receipt of the Exchequer at severall tymes for and
upon occasion of those services,

E 2

76 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

First .... £8000
Then .... 6000
Then .... 5000
And last . . . 26000
whereof

The first £8000 was for horsage, at £20 for a horse
and man armed, for 400 horses mustered in Tuttell,
before lus first going into the Lowe Countryes.

The £6000 was borowed of her Ma tle and pawnes
laide for it, viz. the lease of the fyne office for £3000,
and the lease of the Impost of sweet wynes for the
other £3000. The lease of the fyne office was re-
deamed in his lyfe tyme, and £3000 worthe of plate
and better laide into the receipt of the Excheaquor
for it. Which plate, whether it be redeamed or not
I knowe not. The lease of the sweet wynes was not
redeamed in his tyme, because the daye of payment
came not till the Lady daye after his deathe. Whe-
ther it be since redeamed by the Countesse, or by
the Erie of Essex, I can not tell.

The third some of £5000 was also for horsage for
250 horses more then the 400 mustered in Tuttell
which 400 and 250 were all mustered together at the
Haghe in Hollande shortly after his Lordships first
arrivall there.

The last somme of £26000 was delivered his Lord-
ship at his second going over, to the reliefe of Sluyce.
to paye the newe bands that were sent there. The

ORIGINAL LETTERS. I i

accompt of this by appointment of her Majesties
lettres was afterwards given over to Sir Thomas
Sherley, who hathe all the warraunts and acquit-
tances concerning the same, and according to her
Ma ties lettres Sir Thomas gave his discharge thereof
to his Lordship at Vlushinge. And after his ]>.
last retourn into Englande his own acquittances for
the saide £26000 were taken out of the receipt of the
Exchequer, by vertue of a Privye Seale to that effect
from her Majestie, and Sir Thomas Sherleys acquit-
tances for it were put in, and the Erie, in his lyfe
tvme, had a full discharge thereof under the Exche-
quer Seale. So Sir Thomas Sherley is nowe to give
accompt for this somme.

And these are all the sommes which his Lordship
(to my knowledge) receyved immediatly from her
Ma tie out of the Exchequer upon occasion of the
Lowe Countrye services. All his other receipts for
those services came from her Ma tIes Treasourers
there, who are accomptable for them, he having
allreadye finished all his accompts with them.

Of his other debts to her Ma tle , contracted for
matters here in Englande, I can not saye muche
because they were of former tyme (as I take it) then
my dealings were in his revenues or monyes. But
I thinke there is £4000 yet owing of £15000
borowed upon an old morgage of Denbighe. What

78 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

is owing in the Court of Warcles or in other Courts,
or for rents of leases, or of fee farmes, or in the
Ordinance Office, or any other where, or for any
other things, I thincke your Lordship may be best
enformed by her Majesties Officers of the Courts,
and Auditors of the severall Shyres where his deal-
ings were. And because Thomas Duddeley, Wil-
liam Beynham, and Charles Wednister are the lyke-
lyest men, eche for his porcion, to have some know-
ledge of them, I will, as your Lordship requyreth,
conferre with them, and move them to signify to you
what they knowe herein. But surely his Lp. did not
accompt them to be any very great matters.

Touching his debtes to others, I knowe manye ;
but that they shoulde be so great as I heare they are
sett down, viz. that they shoulde amount to £50000
or vpwards, besides the debt for Denbighe, I mar-
vayle. But be cause I have not seene the particuler
noates, I can saye little nowe to them. But this I
knowe, that yf it had pleased God he had lyved but
till an Audit which he ment before Chrystmas last,
he would have known all his debtes, what they were,
as well to her Ma tIe as others, and also woulde have
taken present ordre for them. For he had exprestely
given me charge againste or at his audite to learne
them, and appointed the meanes howe to discharge
them. But God tooke him awaye before, whome I

ORIGINAL LETTERS. T9

hartily pray to preserve your L. And so I humbly
ende. This 9 th of December, 1589.

Yo r L. greatly bounden,

ARTH. ATYE.

To the right honourable my especiall
good Lorde, the L. Treasouror.

LETTER CCCCXXIX.

Sir Julius Ccesar to the Lord Treasurer, relating the
Assault made upon the Ambassador from Scotland
by Nicholas de Gozzi.

[ibid, clvii. 220. Sir. J. C&sar's own copy.}

%* Sir John Finet, master of the ceremonies to King James and
King Charles the First, in his work intitled " Philoxenis," gives
numerous instances of contests which formerly arose amongst Am-
bassadors. He calls them " Clashes." As for example, " a clash
'twixt the Savoy ambassador and him of Florence;" "a clash
'twixt Gondamar and the States ambassador;" and "the great
clash 'twixt the Persian ambassador and Sir Robert Shirley." The
larger number of these clashes were for precedency, in sitting at as-
semblies, or in taking place at ceremonial processions. Evelyn, in
his Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 338-342, gives an account of a greater clash
than any of these, in the Narrative of " the bloudy encounter," on
September 30 th , 1661, " which then had newly happened between the
French and Spanish ambassadors, near the Tower, contending for
precedency at the reception of the Sweed's ambassador :" at which
the King himself was present, by whose command the Narrative
was drawn up to be despatched to the Earl of St. Alban's, then the
English ambassador at Paris. A considerable number of persons
were wantonly slain, and others wounded at this encounter.

Nicholas de Gozzi was the Agent for the Republic of Ragusa.
The Lansdowne MSS. preserve two of his Letters, one (vol. lxiii.
art. 57) to Lord Burghley, in Italian, concerning English subjects,

80 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

supposed to be in the Spanish service. The other (vol. cxii. art.
53) for the restoration of forty-five pounds weight of Venetian gold,
his property, unjustly seized by the officers of the customs. The
Gozzi family was one of great distinction at Ragusa.

My humble dutie done to your good L p ., my L.
Ambassador of Scotland, being this afternoone in my
chaumber, called Nicholas de Gozzi poultron, in re-
gard of certaine most hard speeches delivered against
his L p . by Nicholas de Gozzi, as his L p . saide. De
Gozzi, finding himselfe agrieved, used speeches of
choler, but not of injury, as I heard, and yet unre-
verent. Wheruppon the Ambassadeur took him by
the beard, but myselfe stepping betwene them, left
his handfast speedily ; yet thereuppon De Gozzi
drewe out his dagger and offered to strike the Am-
bassader. Whereuppon much mischiefe had pre-
sently growen by th'Ambassadeurs men standing by,
if God had not prevented the same ; and myselfe,
for th'appeasing of th' Ambassadeur and his men, sent
De Gozzi presently to the Marshalsea. Whereof I
have thought good to advertise your L p . to th'ende it
may please the same to direct what further course I
shall take therein.

But touching th'amends to my selfe I humbly re-
ferre it to yo r L ps . accustomed favour towards mee.
And so humbly beseching th'Almightie to graunt
your L p . in perfect health a long and happie life, I

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 81

most humbly take my leave. From the Arches, this
6 tb of May, 1590.

Your L ps . most bounden,

JUL. CESAR.
To the right honorable my verie good L.
the L. Burghley, L. High Tresorer of
England.

LETTER CCCCXXX.

Sir Thomas Heneage to Lord Burghley. The Queens

Commands.

[ibid. Ixiv. art. 61. Orig.~]

My Lord, coomyng euen now to her Ma ty , she
streight commanded me to wryte to yo r L. that you
shold let the wayter owt of pryson, and to telle you
from her H\ that yf he had do5ne amys, he myght
answer the matter, and not be imprisoned for dysco-
ueryng that w ch might be profytable vnto her. This
I fynd from her Ma ty (thoe I knowe nothing of the
matter) to be Carmardens sute ; and that her H s . ys
dyspleased that my L. Cheef Baron gave not judge-
ment. Besydes I perceaue, she was not well content
that yo r L. went away this night w th owt speakyng
with h r Ma ty : and she willed me to wryte to yo r L.
that she wold haue you looke into the letters the
Scott brought, that is the Bysshop of Rosse's ne-
phewe, and to let her knowe therof. More I haue

E 5

82 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

not now to troble yo r L. with, but to coinend me
humbly to yo r good L. whom God ever blesse. At
the Court, this xxvj th of June, 1590.

Yo r L. bownd at comandment,

T. HENEAGE.

To the right honorable my singuler goode lorde,
the L. Thresorer of Englaude.

LETTER CCCCXXXI.

John Arundel to the Lords of the Council, detailing

the circumstances under which he was lying in

prison.

[ibid. civ. 47,]

%* The state of Westminster, as regarded the Sanctuary and its
neighbourhood in Wolsey's time, has been already shown in a for-
mer Letter. We here see, incidentally, its condition at the close of
the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The writer mentions the fields towards Charing Cross. There is
a short Letter in the State Paper Office (Misc. Corresp. 2 Ser. xvii.
182) from Mr. Thomas Heneage " to good Master Cromewell,"
about 1527 or 1528, which appears to indicate the time when the
buildings about Charing Cross first increased.

" Maister Cromwell, I hartely recommend me unto you. Sir,
the King's plesure is that Pers his yoman Cooke shal have his
dwelling in woon of the New Housis at Charing Crosse. Wherin
I hartely pray yow to be good to hym in hitt, as I may disserve it
to you. Thus our Lord kepe yow. At Eltham, the xiiij th daye of
June. Your most bounden Thomas Hennege."

With all humblenes prayeth your Honors to be ad-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 83

vertized my poore self, by birth, educacion, and
sworne aledgeaunce, a meere English Gentleman :
whoe, althoughe not knowne to your Honours
thoroughe basenes of Estate, yet perfectly tryed to
the knowledg of many (both honest and honorable) in
all duetifull aledgeaunce without spott or chalenge ;
as in some perticuler occasions more then the gene-
rail sorte of my Coat.

Travailing thoroughe the highe waves about the
ix. & of August last past, to my lodging in Westmin-
ster, was the same night twise most dangerously as-
saulted ; first, with the shott of a Calyver, passing
thorough the feilds towards Charing Crosse ; second-
ly, with a mighty stroke of a drawne sworde in the
darke in Kyng Streete : from w ch daungers escaping
to my lodging, about half an hower after my comyng
in, was apprehended by her Ma* 3 Officers, uppon sus-
picion of the death of a man that night slayne in
Kyng Strete, as they reported.

But they fynding no proof of their suspicion, con-
sidering the Lawe at most inured but to defence
(Sta. 24, Hen. 8) ympanelling a Jury, according to the
ordinary and generall course of procedings in suche
cases : uppon my lawfull request was bayled by the
Officers of the peace.

Notwithstanding, about iiij. dayes after my said
liberty, being sent for by especial warrant after ex-
aminacon taken of me (without other cause, to my

84

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

knowledg, then aforesaid : some parsons belonging
unto me being examined, and ymprisoned : my goods
and evidence unlawfully taken from me (Sta. 1. R. 3)
the Jury ympanelled for tryall being sondry tymes
unlawfully stayed from giving their verdict (Sta. 3.
H. 7) as from the ix th of August, untill the xxvj th ;
from the xxvj ,h untill the second of September ; from
the Second of September, untill the xxviij th of the
same) was by perticuler comaundemente comytted to
warde. Whereas I have remayned ever sithence, to
my great greif, discreditt, and charge : so shall I re-
mayne I knowe not howe long, w th out your Ho rs espe-
ciall regard and coinisseration of the innocency of my
cause.

Wherefore, yf it may please your Ho' 3 in respect
of your accustomed justice ; in respect of my tried
aledgeaunce ; in respect of the innocency of my
cause ; in respect of the warrant of the Lawes ; to be
my good and honoured Lords, as to commaunde my
inlargement uppon baile ; the restitucon of my goods
and writyngs ; the ordinary proceding to tryall by
verdict, as in all such cases hath alwayes byn a usuall
course of proceeding. I doe not onely with all sub-
missive condicions pray your Ho : good pleasure to
my distressed comfort, but shall remayne an obliged
to the Almighty for the increase and preservacon of
your Honors in things proper to your dignityes ; for
the comfort of subiects, the worthynes of your places,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 85

and the glory of the blessed and holy Trynitie.
Written from the Pryson at S'. Katheryns, the . . .
of September, 1590.

J. A.
For your Honor.

LETTER CCCCXXXII.

James Either to the Lord Treasurer. The ill affection
of the Scotts to the English.

[ibid. lxiv. art 72. OrigJ]

By long observance I have euer notyd (right Ho-
norable) the people of this ysle though allwaie divi-
ded by the auncyent enmyties of Ingland and Skot-
land, yet the neerer any parte of our pale is to Skot-
land the less enmyty, the more accordance in man-
ners, not that the Skottes take of us but wee of them,
as the evell is ever more infectyve then the good.
Greatly in the far North partes is commendid the es-
peciall praises which the King of Skottes shold give
of late to all northern gentillmen, with his more re-
gard of them then of the rest, then the pulling
dowen of the Lo. Arnbasidors armes by night being
sett up over the doore of his lodging. In Skottland
thes thinges I cwold not heer, being about the court
when my said Lo. returned, albeyt I was much con-
versant with som northren gentylmen that had ben
that jorney ; but bee thes rumors fals or trewe they

86 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

are Rima by which wee may easyly spie into their
myndes throurough thes speechis what they lyke.
Also out of thes partes I perceve dyvers that have
horses to sell, and were woont to carry them to the
great horse fayer at Malton in the east partes of this
shier, are now purposed to go to Kaerlyle with them.
They found means ynow to convey them into Skott-
land from more inward fayers, but whie shold that
needy nation esteem our horsis at a greater prise then
our owen country people do, for yt is the hope of
Skottes mony that draw these horses to Kaerlyle and
so the sellers confess. Ther are also that settell
dweling that way upon no substantiall causis that I
can learn. I wysh no moe fugytyves thither, for
they wach a tyme of returne which they will by all
means hasten. Pardon my conceyt (good my Lord)
y 1 ys Kentysh, as far from the condicons of this in
mynde as in country, and yet as neer fully as the
Skott is in good will to the trew Inglish. Wee have
many Skottysh wyttes amongst us ; the borderers
property of taking more then his owen (for they
never steal) is gotten so into us that cattell, sheep,
and horses were never so harde to keep from theeves
hands, even in the hart of this shier, as nowe. The
complaintes ar many and great, the redress small ; the
Lord in his marcy graunt us all trew Inglish hartes
and presarve our such vigylant presarvars as he hath
hetherto blessid us with, under this her Ma ts most

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 87

florishing Empeir, which we humbly beseech hym to
contynew in his accostomyd favor. Harwood, this
xxix th of Aug. 1590.

Yo r Honors most humbly to dyspose,

JAMES RITHER.

To the right honorable his singuler good
Lord, the Lord High Treasorer of Ing-
land.

LETTER CCCCXXXIII.

A Letter of request from the Judges of both Benches,
and the Barons of the Exchequer, addressed to the
Lord Chancellor and Lord Treasurer, that mea-
sures may be taken to prevent men from being im-
prisoned contrary to Law.

[ibid, lxviii. art. 88. Orig.~\

* m * Douce, in the Catalogue of the Lansdowne Manuscripts,
says, "This very curious and honest document seems levelled
against some arbitrary proceedings of the Privy Council."

To the righte Ho. oure verie good LL. S r . Cristo-
fer Hatton, of the Ho. order of the Garter knighte,
L. Chauncellor of Englande, and S r . William Cecill,
of the Ho. order of the Garter knight, L. Burghley,
L. Highe Treasurer of Englande.

Wee, her Ma ties Justices of bothe Benches, and
Barons of th'Exchequer, do desire yo r LL. that by
yo r good meanes suche order maie be taken that her

88 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Highness subjectes maie not be commytted or de-
teyned in Preson by commaundemente of any noble
man or Counsellor, againste the lawes of the Realme,
to the greauous charges and oppression of her Ma" es
said subiectes. Or els helpe vs to have access to her
Ma tie to be Sutors vnto her Highness for the same,
for diuers haue bene imprisoned for suinge ordinarie
accons and sutes att the Common lawe vntill they
will leaue the same, or, againste theire wills, putt
theire matter to order, althoughe sometime yt be after
Judgmente and Execucon.

Itm, others haue bene commytted and deteined in
Prison vppon suche commaundem te againste the lawe
and vppon the Quenes writte in that behalfe ; no
cause sufficiente hath bene certified or retorned.

Itm, some of the parties so commytted and detein-
ed in prison after they haue by the Quenes wiitte
bene lawfullie discharged in Courte, haue bene eft-
sones recommytted to prison in secrete places, and
not in common and ordinarie knowen prisons as the
Marshalsey, Fleete, Kinges Benche, Gait-house, nor
the custodie of any Shearife, so as vppon complainte
made for theire deliuerie the Quenes Courte can not
learne to whome to a warde her Ma Ues writt, without
w ch justice cannot be done.

Im, diuers Sergeauntes of London and Officers
haue bene manie times committed to preson for law-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 89

full executinge of her Ma ,ieS "Writtes oute of the
Kinges Benche, Common place, and other Courtes to
theire great charges and oppression, wherby they are
put in suche feare as they dare not execute the
Queues Process.

Itm, diuers haue bene sente for by Pursevauntes
for private causes, some of them dwellinge farr dis-
tante frome London, and compelled to paie to the
Purseuauntes greate somes of money againste the
lawe, and haue bene commytted to preson till theie
woulde release the lawfull benifite of theire Sutes,
Judgments, or Execucons, for remedie in w cb behalfe
wee are almoste dailie called vppon to minister justice
accordinge to lawe, wherevnto wee are bounde by
our office and othe.

And wheras it pleased yo r LL. to will diuers of vs
to sett doune, when a presoner sente to custodie by her
Ma ,le , her Counsellor some one or two of them, is to
be deteined in preson, and not deliuered by her
Ma tles Courtes or Judges.

Wee thinke that if anye person shalbe committed
by her Ma tles speciall commaundemente, or by order
frome the Counsell Borde, or for Treasone touchinge
her Ma ties person, any of whiche causes beinge gene-
rallie retorned into any Courte is good cause for the
same Courte to leaue the person commytted in cus-
todie.

90 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

But if any person shalbe commy tted for any other
cause then the same oughte speciallie to be retorned.

C. WRAY. ED. ANDERSON.

ROGER MANWOOD. FRA. WYNDAM.

J. CLENCHE. FRANC' GAWDY.

THO' GENT. ROBLE CLERKE.

\VY. PERYAM. THOS. WALMYSLEY.
EDWARD FENNER.

Indorsed by Lord Burghley —

"9 Junij 1591.
A declaration of all the Judges of svndry

misvsadges in coinmittyng men to prison

w'out lefull cause."

LETTER CCCCXXXIV.

Lord Stafford to Lord Burghley, to aid him in pro-
curing a match between a rich citizen's daughter and

his son.

[ibid, lxviii. art. 20. Orig.~\

May hit pleas your Lordshippe to understond
that wheras my good Lord and cheefist of my kynne
th'Erle of Huntington, not only too yeeres past, but
also within this fortnyght, dealt with a riche Citizen
for his only dowghter and heire, to be maryed unto
my sonne (which Citizen prehending that he will not
matche with any other than of his own trade, I pre-
sume that my old adversary Alderman Heyward doth
drawe him from herkenyng to th'onorable mocion of

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 91

my said Lord). And therefore my peticion unto
your Lordship is non otherwis but that hit may pleas
you to send for the man at such tyme as your plea-
zure shalbe t'appoint him and me to wayte upon
you, at which tyme I will in few words make him so
reazonable an offer, as I trust he will not dysallowe.
So humbly I leave your good Lordship to the protec-
cion of the eternall God.

Your Lordships euer at comandment,

D. STAFFORD.
To the right honnorable and my especiall
good Lord, the L. Burlegh, High
Threr of England. 11

LETTER CCCCXXXV.

Henry Pranel, the son of an Alderman of London, to
Lord Burghley ; apologizing for his marriage with
Mrs. Frances Howard, the daughter of Lord
Howard of Bindon, with a schedule of his Estate.
1591.

[ibid. lxix. art. 52. Orig.~]

%* Thomas Lord Viscount Howard of Bindon married to his
third wife Mabel, daughter of Nicholas Burton of Carshalton, in the
county of Surrey, Esq., by whom he had an only daughter, the sub-
ject of this Letter. She was first married to its writer, Henry
Pranel, citizen and vintner of London ; upon whose death she be-
came the third wife of Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford ; and
lastly, the third wife of Lewis Duke of Richmond and Lenox, Lord
Steward of the Household, and Chamberlain and hereditary Admi-
ral of Scotland. She died Oct. 8th, 1639, and was interred in a
small chapel on the south side of that of Henry the Seventh in

a Indorsed Dec. 1591.

92 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Westminster Abbey, under a stately monument, which she had her-
self erected to the memory of her last husband.

Arthur Wilson, who has given what he calls the Duchess of
Richmond's Legend, in his History of Britain, says much of her
vanity in regard to pride of birth ; and adds, that when her second
husband, the Earl of Hertford, used to find her in those exaltations,
" to mortify her he would say, ' Frank, Frank, how long is it since
thou wast married to Prannel?' which would damp the wings of
her spirit." Hist, of Britain, p. 258.

Right honorable and my verie good Lorde, being
to my greate griffe certified, how your Honor by mis-
informacon shoulde be incensed ageinste me, and
daring not presume into your Lordshipps presence,
either to excuse my self, or to craue pardon for my
amisse, I thought it my dutie in these fewe lines
with submission to acknowledge my faulte, and
vnder your Honors fauoure with all humilitie to
alledge somewhat for my selfe. True it is, my
Lorde, that I haue maried M rs . Fraunces Howarde,
daughter to the Lorde Thomas Howarde, Viscount
Howarde of Bindon deceased, but I protest (as I
desire your Honors patronage) I did not begine my
sute without the liking of her freindes, I proceded
not without their furtherance, neither can they justi-
fie I maried her ageinst their wills. The gentle-
woman I haue a longe time loued dearlie, being
bounde therevnto by her mutuall liking of me : litle
or nothing I expected with her, considering she had
litle or nothing to mainetaine and preferr her self;

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 93

she being destitute of freindes and abilitie I thought
it a most frindlie parte (with her good acceptance) to
present her my selfe, and therbie to make her par-
taker of all wherwith God hath blessed me : wherbie
^as latelie I vnderstoode) I haue (though not willfullie
offended), yet ignorantly incurred your Lordships
just displeasure, as not knowing that your Honor
minded otherwise to haue preferred her, or that your
Lordshipp being howrelie busied with serious pub-
licke affaires, woulde haue bine accquainted and
trobled with such domesticall and private matters.
But since it is past, and I would gladlie make
amendes for that which cannot be vndone, good
my Lorde, in honorable clemency be not too seuere
to him who is vnfeignedlie penitent, but of your
wonted fauoure graunte a pardon wher the offence
with all humilitie is acknowledged ; and the rather
because it cannot be justlie suggested that the
gentlewoman is caste awaie, considering I will avowe
my self to be a poore gentleman, the onlie sonne of a
late deceased alderman in London, who, with his liffe
confirmed his reputacon, and whose honeste fame I
trust shall neuer die : one who is to assure her a
large joynture, and who hath sufficient to ratifie his
assurance : whose inwarde disposicon of mynde his
outwarde behauior can testifie, and whose outwarde
behauiour the worlde may (as occasion shall serve)
reporte. Thus not doubting but your Honor will

94 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

indifferentlic waie my offence, and suspende your
judgment of mie deserte till manifest proffe shall
manifest my estate and condicon, I humblie take my
leave, desiring the Almightie that as he hath blessed
your Honor and yours with all happines in this
worlde, soe he woulde eternize your self and your
whole progenie with all felicitie in the worlde to
come.

Your Honors poore suppliante,

HENRY PRANELL.

To the right honorable the Lorde Highe
Thresurer of Ena;lande. a

ciiij 1 '.

*«* The Estate of Henry Pranell, gent., sonne and heire of Henry
Pranell, late Alderman of London.
Corn. Hertf. The mannor of Xewsill in Berk'
waie, letten by yere for .
The quit-rents yerelie . . . xvj 1 '.

Ouer and besides cxx. acres of lande re-\
served to the dwelling-place worth to be -xl 11 .
letten by the yere )

The mannors of Rookev and Water Andrewes 1

worft by the yere " . . . . }cxxrj^iij-\ iiij".

The profitts of Courtes one yere with an other c. markes.

London. Houses in Pater noster Eowe by the yere c. markes.

Besides a dwelling house which is to be lett)

Ixpi
by the yere . . . . j

Howses at Crowched fryers by the yere lvj u . vj\ viij d .

A House and a Garden with out Creplegat |

by the yere J vn J '

Summa totalis v c xxiiij li . vj s . viij d .

Wherof

The thirde parte is in possession, and the other two are to dis-

cende to him after the death of his mother, or marriage.

» Indorsed Sth Feb. 1591.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 95

Besides which thirde parte he hath yerelie out of the other two
partes xl 1 .

His porcon lefte vnto him by the Custome of the Citie MM.CC 1 '.

Besides the possibilitie of the porcon of his mother, being execu-
trix of her husbaode.

The manors of Newsill Rookey and Water Andrewes he is con-
tented to assure Mrs. Frauncis his wiffe for her joynture, and if
that be not sufficient he will submitt him self to his honorable good
Lorde, the Lorde Highe Thresurer of Englande.

LETTER CCCCXXXYL

Mrs. Cooke to Lord Burghley, as Earl Marshall,

complaining of Lady Cheke' s taking precedence of

her at Court, although the younger daughter of a

Viscount.

[iBro. lxix. art. 33. Orlg.']

%* Contests among Ladies for precedence, it appears, were not
unknown at the Court of Queen Elizabeth. The Earl Marshall was,
of course, the person to setde such disputes, who in this instance
had to reconcile the differences of his own family connections.

The office of Earl Marshall, before it became hereditary, passed
by srrant from the Crown ; and from 1590 to 1597 was held by Lord
BursLlcv. Lord Howard of Effingham, and Lord Hunsdon, in com-
mission. In 1597 it was granted to the Earl of Es-ex, Charles II.
in 1672. gave it in perpetuity to Henry Lord Howard and his male
issue.

Mrs. Frances Cooke, the writer of the following Letter, was the
wife of William, second son of Sir Anthony Cooke, of Gideon Hall,
in Essex, and daughter of Sir John Grey, brother of the Duke of
Suffolk. Her husband was brother to Lord Burghley's second wife.

Lady Cheke, of whom she complains, was the widow of Sir Henry
Cheke, who had been secretary to the Council in the North, and
knighted by QueeD Elizabeth. He was the son of the celebrated
Sir John Cheke, and nephew to Lord Burghley's first wife.

96 ORIGINAL LETTER?.

Righte honourable my very good Lorde, vnder-
" ge "our Lordshipe hathe nowe the office

of Lo. Marshall of Englande, I am moste humbly to
beseche tout Lo. that as you are honourabell your
sel: b, sc it may please your Lo. to vouchsaffe your
honourabell fauoure towardes my poore brother, and
the howse we are come of. whiehe as your Lo. best
know e - nee not lest honourabell, thought by mis-

fortune nowe brought lowe, wherof it senieth my Lady
Cheke, to whome I neuer gaue cause of just offence,
takethe srreat aduantase. for she dothe not onlv offer

- *

me all the wronsre and dis _ :hat she can in

Courte, in takinge place a fore me, wher it becometh
not me in modesty to striue for it, but she oppenly
publisheth to euery body that I haue no place at alL
Truly, my Lorde, I shoulde thinke my fortune hard
and my deserts ill, if my hape fall out to be put
doune bv a woman of no eTeater bvrthe, then I take
my La. Cheke to be. I hope her M _ : and your
Lordeshipe will make some deference betvrixt our
too bvrthes. and I trust neuer hauin^e offended her
Magesty, that I shall receaue that gracious fauoure
from her, as that I may stille posses the place I did
in my Lorde my fathers life time, and euer scence
his death, till of late, whiche place I touke was as
a younger ^ icounts daughter : wherin most humbly
entreatinse vour Lo. honourabell fauoure. withe mv
moste humbell dewtv I take mv leaue : hartelv de-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. Wl

siringe Allmighty God to geue your Lo. longe life
and mutche happines. From my poore hous, nere
Charing Crose, the iij. of February, 1591.

Your Lordshipes most humbell poore Sister in
lawe,

FRANCES COOKE.

To the righte honouraball my especiall
good Lorde, the Lorde H. Tresarer
of Eaglande, geve this.

LETTER CCCCXXXVIL

The Justices of Hertfordshire to Lord Burghley, to
know whether they shall obey the order to attend
the Cmirt, for composition for Purveyance, as the
Plague had appeared in their County.

[ibid. box. art. 67. OrigJ\

May it please youre Honor to be advertysed that
accordinge to the contents of the lettres of late sente
unto us from your Lordship, the Lorde Buckhurste,
and M r . Fortescue touching the abuses of Purveyors,
with many other thinges allsoe therein conteyned,
we have openly published the same unto our coun-
treymen, which with great joye doe she we them-
selves very thankefull unto her Majestie for that her
princely care and kinde affection towardes them in

VOL. IV. F

98 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

seekinge hovve to ease and free them from many
intolerable abuses of longe tyme ofFerred unto them
by sundry Purveyors and their yll disposed ser-
vaunts, which we hope by youre Honors good
meanes wyll nowe be easylie reformed. And wheras
by youre lettres youe have required that some thre
or foure of us shoulde make our repaire unto the
Courtt wher her Majestie shoulde be the xiij th day
of this October, then and ther to attend uppon her
Majesties Commissioners aboute that service. In
respect of the great infeccion of the plague happen-
inge in many places since the date of youre lettres,
we are bolde herby humbly to desire youre L.
opinion whether yt be youre pleasure that we should
at the daie allreddy appointed attend uppon youe,
or ells that we shoulde staie vntyll yt shall have
pleased God in his mercy to withdrawe this great
infection from us. Our cuntrey generally is as yeat
ffre from the plague, savinge that S*. Albons is in-
fected, wher ther have dyed allready aboute ffyftie
persons. And at Broxborne streate ther are allsoe
two howses vysitted with that dyseasse, the one is
M r . Fordams and the other is one Taylors right
against yt, wher ther have dyed thre persons. Thus
much we thought it our dueties to imparte unto
youre good L. and soe restinge reddy at youre
Honors commaundment, we doe commytt youe to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 99

Gods mercyfull protecc5n. From Hertford the se-
cond of October, 1592.

Youre L. most assured in eny service,

H. COCKE. JOHN BROKETT. PHILLIP BOTELER.

R. LYTTON. THO. HARRIS. THO. FANSHAWE.

A. GREY. JO. BROGRAVE. WA. MILDMAY.

ARTHURE CAPELL. HENRY BUTTLER.

W. WHISKYNZ. RAPHE CONINGESBY.

THOMAS SHOTOLFE.
WALTER TOOKE. E. PULTON.
To the right honorable the L. Burghley,
Lorde Threasorer of England, and L.
Lyftenaunt of the Countye of Hert-
forde.

LETTER CCCCXXXVIII.

The Lord Mayor and Citizens of London to Lord
Burghley, stating the prices they can afford to give
for certain prize goods taken in a Spanish Carrack.

[ibid, lxxiii. art. 8. Orig.~]
%* Camden, in his Annals, under the year 1592, gives the mi-
nute particulars of the taking of this Carrack. Sir John Borroughs,
he says, was commanded to wait at the Azores for the coming of
Carracks out of the East Indies. " And this design proved not
wholly fruitless ; for while the Spanish admiral had an eye upon
Forbisher, he neglected the defence of the Carracks. Borroughs (to
say nothing of the small ships he took from the Spaniards, and out of
what great danger he happily freed himself by his great valour,
being hemmed in between the Spanish shore and the enemies fleet)
arriving at Sancta Cruce, a small town in the Isle of Flores, after a
few days got sight of a Portugal Carrack, attended upon by three
English ships of the Earl of Cumberland's ready to fall upon her :
but they could not come quite up with her by reason of a great calm.
But a storm arising in the night forced both the English and the

f 2

100 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Portuguezes to weigh anchor. As soon as day appeared, the Eng-
lish saw the Portugueses, both merchants and mariners, unladiug
the Carrack in all haste at the Flores, who, as soon as the English
approached, presently set fire to the ship. Borronghs being in-
formed by one or two prisoners he had taken, that other great Car-
racks were behind, disposed all the ships he had for the space of
two leagues near the Island, and spread them to such an extent,
that they might easily discern all tilings round about them at a
great distance. They had not long waited, when a huge Carrack,
called The Mother of God, which was a hundred and sixty-five
foot long from the prow to the stern, and seven decks high, ap-
proached them, laden with rich merchandize, and manned with six
hundred men.

" This Carrack the English played upon furiously with their ord-
nance from all sides with various success, being the more encou-
raged in hope of a rich prize. Yet they soon stood off, being terrified
by the tallness of the ship and the multitude of defendants, until Sir
Robert Crosse laid the Queen's ship called the Providence across
the prow of the Carrack, and maintained the fight three whole hours
alone. And then also the rest on all sides so set upon her, especially
at the stern, that no man durst any longer manage the rudder. The
first man that entered was Crosse, followed soon after by others.
Having gotten the victory, they found all places full of slaughtered
bodies, and men half dead confusedly mixed with the dead, and
whole men with the wounded, which was a lamentable and sad
sight to see : insomuch as their hearts were touched with pity, and
they used the victory with moderation and mercy. The booty which
they brought home was worth by report one hundred and fifty thou-
sand pounds English, besides what the commanders, seamen, and
soldiers, out of their natural ravenous greediness, had purloined and
embezzled. But though strict inquiry were made by Commissioners
after this kind of men, touching the goods embezzelled, as if they had
not payed the due custom ; and a proclamation put forth (as others
had been oftentimes before) that they should bring forth the goods
they had privily conveyed away, unless they would sutler punish-
ment for their fault as thieves and pirates : yet for all this their
dishonesty was too hard both for the industry and care of the Com-
missioners, and the rigour of the proclamation, whilst they forswore
what they were charged with. For they said, ' they had rather
venture their souls in the hands of a merciful God by perjury, than

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 101

their fortunes gotten with peril and hazard of their lives in the
hands of unmerciful men.' "

The ship which Camden calls the Providence is named the Fore-
sight in the Papers which follow this Letter.

Where (Right Honourable) wee have by order of
the honorable M r . Chauncellor seene the goods at
Leadenhall, and considered theruppon according to
his Honors appoyntment for some higher price to be
given for the same then formerlye we have offred,
so it is (Right Honorable) wee fynde our prices for-
merly set downe so much as wee can not enlarge them
to take them alltogether. And therefore wee hum-
blye desyre your honourable favour for the same, and
our former offers wee Will performe in some reason-
able tyme of payment.

And if it be not Her Majesties pleasure to let us
have the same goods for the prices formerlye set
downe, then wee humblye desire to have our propor-
tionall part of so manye of the same goods for our
part, accordinge to the articles signed, by your Honor
and the Right Honourable the Lord Admyrall, to the
Citie at the settinge out of the saide adventure.

"Wee hope her Majestie by your Honors good
favoure will stande gracious to us in our sute in
regarde that wee have bene heretofore at verye great
charges in three fleets set furth, as that against the
Spanyerds and that in Portugall, and the last to the
ayde of the Lorde Thomas Howard, besides our ad-
venture in this Voyage.
six Jan. 1592.

102

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Kates of prices to bee humbly offered to her Majesties Commission-
ers on the behalf of her Highnesse humble and obedient subjects
the Maior and Comminaltie and Citizens of London, for the
Goodes and Marchandises lately taken in the Carraque, and now
remayning at Leaden hall (whiche rates and prices, may it please
her Highnesse Commissioners to understand, of goodes and Mer-
chandises drye, marchantable, and well-condicioned).

Pepper ungarbled the pound

Cloves the pounde

Maces the pounde

Sinamon the lb.

Fusses of Cloves the it).

Ginger Callico the lb.

Nutmegges the lb.

Ryce the C. xiij s . iiij* 1

Benjamine the lb.

Franckinsence the C.

Gallingale the lb.

Aloes Cicatrina the lb.

Burroughes or Tincall unrefined the lb

Camphire unrefined the lb.

Indico the lb.

Laccar the C. .

It is in the pryces to be considered, that all these
above mentioned are ungarbled.

Booke Callicutts, the peece marchantable

Callicutts drye and marchantable, the wholl pack .

Callico Lawnes, the peece

Broad Callico white, the peece

Narrowe Callico, the peece .

Starch Callico, the peece .

Course narrowe Lawnes, the peece

Course white Callico, the peece

Browne Boulter, the peece

Browne Callico, the peece

Course Diaper, the peece

Strype Calico, the peece

Cloth of Ryne of trees

Divers other parcells of cloth uppon sight

Damask 172 peeces .... Lxxvj 1 '.

iiij 8 .
viij".

iij s - ij d

xij d .

xij d .

iij s .

xiij s .

ij s . viij d .

L*.

xij d .

ij s -

ij s -

ij s -

vj s .

vijl j .

Xlj"

UK

XX s

xvj !
xj s .
xij s ,
vj s .
vij 6 .

ij s -
v 6 .

ij s -
ij s .

viij d .

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

103

Taffitaes peeces uppon sight .

Cipres uppon sight

Cheynye Silk unwrought, the small pound

Sleyved Silk, the ft.

Stitching Silk of clivers coloures, the ft.

Hard Wax, the ft. .

Bedsteads .

Xlj".

viij s

X s .

XV11J

.'I

It is humbly desired that it will please her Majestie to graunt
that her Highnesse humble subjects the buyers, and all others to
whom they or anie of them shall sell any part of the above men-
tioned goods or marchandises, may transport them freely without
paying custome.

Item, that her Highnesse will be also pleased (touching the
Spices and Drugges) to make such accustomed allowance as is
usuall betwixt merchaunt and merchaunt, English and Straungers,
and as is allowed unto her Majestie (touching these kindes) for
provision of her house, that is to say iiijft. uppon every hundred.

The 25 January 1592.
The names of the Ships that weare at the taking of the Carrick,
with ther several tonnedge, and nombers of men.

The Foarsight her Majesties Sh]
The Rowbuck Sir Walter Rawl

p. .

es

•

Tonnedge.
. 450 .

350 .

Men.
170

160

The Dayntie Sir John Haukyns
The Tegar .

shipp

Tonadge.
700 .

. 300 .

Men.
256 \

100

The Sampson

The Grace of Dover

350
90

•

153
46

,-1235 .

500

The Phenex

70

.

35

The Discovery

25

.

10/

The Golden Dragon

170

.

81 1

260

127

The Prudence

90

•

46

Tonedg*

i 2595

1057

The goodes taken in the Carrick valued at 140000". 0. 0. The
which som of 140000 1 '. being devided amongst the Ships that
were at the taking of the sayd Carrick, according to the custom
of the sea, after the rate of Tonne for Tonne, and man for man,
the partes will fall out as followeth.

104

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

The Foresight for her Ton-
edge 450 to have
For her men 170
For her victualing as for

her men .
The Rowbuck for her Ton-
edge 350
For her men 100
For her victualing as for

the men .
The Dayntie for her Ton-

nedge 300
For her men 100
For her victualing as for
the men
/The Earle of Comberland
The Earle for Tonedge 1235
of Com- 4 For the men in his fleet 500

£ s. d.

8092 9 Si

£ s. d.

7505 10 4 r 23103 10 U

7505 10 4 J

6294 03 1'
7004 00 4^

7004 00 4§J

5394 19 9i

20422 03 10§

berland.

Thes 2
Ships of
London.

For vitualing as for the

men
^The Golden / for ther \

Dragon 1 Tonnedge '
ThePrudence * 200 )
For ther men 127
For

men

4415 00 2^ I 14225 00 2|

4415 00 21 ,'

22209 07 01

22075 01 1§ r 00359 09 9|

22075 01 li,

4075 13 2

\

5007 01 3^

r 15889 15 9

vitualing as for ther

5007 01 3§

Totallis Am'. 140000. 00.

It is to be understoode that when a ship goith in any voiage in
warlike affairs by the thirds, whatsoever is gotten in the voiage
is to be devided into three equal partes, wherof the owners for
the shipp are to have one, the company another, and the vitualers
th'other third part. But when two or more ships do joyne in con-
sortship together, then whatsoever is gotten in that consortship is to
be devidid tonne for tonne, and man for man, as above is set downe.
Afterwardes whatsoever comyth to any ships part for tonnadge, men,
and vitualls, the same joyned together in one some is to be devidid
into three equal partes, wherof the tonnedge is to have one, the
company another, and the vitualers th'other third.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

105

The Foarsights part of the Caricks goodes am' to

The Rowbuckes part

The Daynties part ....

£ s. d.
23103 10 4i
20-122 03 10^
14225 00 1\

Totallis am 1 57750 14 04|

The three ships above set downe are accompted to be of the consort
of S r Walter Rawleies fleete, which being 80, then the porcion
that commeth to ther partes of the Caricks goods ought to be dis-
tributed amongst that whole fleete, according to the consortship,
tonne for tonne, and man for man ; here under followeth the names
of all the said Ships and Vessels, with ther several tonedg and
nomber of men, viz.

The Garland ....

The Foarsight

The Rowbuck

The Alcedo

The Susan Bonaventure

The Gallion Rawlye

The Marget and John

The Lyons Whelpe

The Disdayne

The Sonne

The Dayntie

Tonnedge 3510 Men 1555
The whole som and porcion of the Caricks goodes dew to Sir Walter
Rawlies fleete in consort by the three ships specified on th'other
side, am' unto £57750 lis. \\d. The which for brevitie in work-
ing I wil accompt to be but £57750, and leave out the 14s. i^d.
Som to be devided . £57750 00
Wherof the part and porcion dew to each Ship after the rate of
Tonne and Tonnedge is her under particulerly set downe, viz

The Garland for her ton.
edge 700 is to have
The Gar- For her men 360 she is to
land. have

For her vitualing as for her
men

Tonnadge.
. 700

Men.
360

450

170

. 350

160

480

180

. 310

150

310

120

. 270

117

120

050

. 100

050

120

098

. 300

100

£ s. d.

£ s. d.

3839 00 7i

4456 11 10

^12752 04 3±

4456 11 10

F 5

106

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

The Foarsight for her ton-

£ s. d. \
2407 19 00 1
2104 10 00

£ s.

d.

Foarsight.

edge 450
For her men 170

6676 19

oi

For her vitualing

2104 10 00 J

The Rowebuck for her ton-

'

Row-
buck.

edge 350 .
For her men 160 .
For her vitualing
The Alcedo for her ton-

1919 10 04
1980 14 02
1980 14 02 ,

5880 18

8

Alcedo.

edge 480 .
For her men 180
For her vitualing
The Susan Bonaventure

2632 09 07
2228 05 11
2228 05 11 ,

1

■ 7089 01

5

Susan Bo-
naventure

tonned. 310
For her men 150
For her vitualing
The Gallion Rawlie for her

1700 02 10i
1856 18 03
1856 18 03

1

- 5413 19

4*

(iallion
Rawlye.

tonedge 310
For her men 120
For her vitualing
The Marget and John ton-

1700 02 10
1485 10 07|
1485 10 071

- 4671 04

l

1

Marget
and John.

nedge 270
For her men 117
For her vitualing
The Lions Whelpe for her

1480 15 04i
1448 07 10
1448 07 10

\ 4377 11

H

Lyons
Whelpe.

tonedge 120
For her men 50

658 02 4i
618 19 05

• 1896 01

n

For her vitualing

618 19 05

The Disdayne for her ton-

■

Dis-

dayne.

edge 100
For her men 50
For her vitualing .
The Sonne for her tonedge

548 08 08
618 19 05
618 19 05 ,

- 1786 07

|

6

The
Sonne.

120 .

For her men 98

For her vitualing

The Dayntie for her Ton-

658 02 04
1213 03 08
1213 03 08

h 3084 09

8|

Daynty.

edge 300 . . :
For her men 100
For her vitualing

1645 06 00
1237 18 10
1237 18 10

4121 03

8

Totallis Am* 57750 00

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

10'

These xi. Ships ought to have and injoye besides this of the
Caricks goodes ther partes in proporcion, tonne for tonne, and man
for man, of that consortship.
The Carrick 1592.

The devision of the Carricks goods,
tonne for tonne, and man for
man.

A Breif report of the grosse somes in severall accompts demaunded
by suche as pretend interrest to the Carriques goods, as the same
Accompts were allowed and presented by the Commissioners unto
her Majestie the 24th of Januarie Anno 1592.

Th'earle of Comberland for his L. whole demaund

the some of

S r Walter Raw-
leigh for 4 seve-
rall accompts,
viz.

£19510

£ s. d.
6832 17 41

14418 12
1700 Oj
2345 Oi

for'

£ s. d.

The rest of the
owners of Ship-
ping and their }
charges, viz.

The first .

The second

The third .

The fowerth
fSir John Hawkins
the Daintie .

Henrie Colethrust and
companie for their ship
called the Lark geven
with her Furniture to
the Spaniardes of the
bisken prize . .

Mr. Carew Rawleigh for
the gallion Rawleigh

Ald r . Saltanstalle for the \

25290 9 4

2958

300

> 34854 9 4

Suzan

)

' for the
John Watts Alcedoe
viz. for the )

. Margaret)
| for the )
John Moore ' Dragon J
| for the
Prudence

1000

1000

1200

900

1500

700

Somme demaunded £54370 9 4

108

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

For the which

Her Majestic is pleased to allowe unto the said parties

severallie as followeth, viz. to

The Earle of Comberlaund for his gaines . 18000 1 '."

S r Walter Kawleigh . . . 15900

S r John Haukins ....

Mr. Carew Rawleigh . . . 900

Henrie Colethrust and Companie . . 200

Alderman Saltanstalle . . . 900

John Watts . . . .1700

John Moore .... 2000

The Citie of London for their Adventure to be

,..,., r 12000

delivered in goodes

S. 30000".

Md. That the soraraes of monie heare rated uppon S r Walter Ra-
leigh and thos after him being of his companie, showld have onelye
the sommes sett uppon them and noe more, as the same is above
mentioned, and the same to be paid in monie in London credited or
awnswered in goods, at such prices as the same are presentlie
rated.

W. Burghley. C. Howard. T. Buckhtrst.

Ro. Cecyll. Fortescue.

29 Jan. 1592.

LETTER CCCCXXXIX.

Lord Vaux of Harrowden to Lord Burghley, com-
plains of his extreme poverty, and that he has been
forced to pawn his Parliament Robes.

[ibid, lxxiii. art. 26. Orig.]

%* Dugdale says this William Lord Vaux was first summoned
to Parliament in 4 and 5 Phil, and Mary, and took his place there
on the 20th of January. He died in 1595.

Aunswearable to my devoted loyaltie unto her
Majestie and this my natiff countrey, I have} uppon

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 109

late summons, made my present repayre to this most
honourable assemblie of Parliament. But so yt is
(my evermore verie singulare good Lord) that
throwgh uneath to be sampled infortunacy I may
neither dispose of my owne to my requisite reliefe as
others usuallie doe, and I willingliest would : neither
canne in anie sorte procure to have my sonne and
heyre therin joyne with me as in filliall duetie he
owght ; and as by expresse Articles sett downe be-
fore the Lordes of her Highnes Privie Councell
(principallie by your honorable mediation) were
agreed and subscribed by us, and our learned Coun-
cell full two ye res since. This mishappethe me by
Andrewe Mallories lewdest misleading my sonne. By
reason wherof my debtes and miseries beyond mea-
sure multiplied, I am come upp raggedlie suted and
clothed, unfittedst to geve duetiefull attendance on
Royall presence. Yea I protest to you on my faieth
and honour that I am monieles and creditles to pro-
vide me better, or defraye my daielye expences, unles
my brother, S r . Thomas Tresame, helpe to furnish
me with both. "Whom to urge in that behalfe I may
be ashamed ; haveing allreadie, to my in speacable
hearts griefe thrust him latelie into forfayte of two
thousand fower hundred pounds in providing me three
hundred pounds in sommer paste to pay M r . Carroll
for a gainfull purchase, which he also compassed me.
Moreover my Parliament Robes are at pawne to a

110 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

cittizen where I have offred large interest (unable to
disburse the principall) to borow them for some feaw
dayes, also offring my bond with Suertie to redelyver
them. Neverthelesse, I cannot obteyn them. Al-
beyt I yesterday did write to the Lord Maior of
London to freind me therin. Wherfore, in humblest
wise, I beseche your good Lordship that this my ex-
orbitant necessitie may behoofully free me from all
note of want of woonted dutie in attendinge accord-
inge to my calling till my friends and kinsmenne in
Commortha manner, enable me to stirr forth of my
lodginge. Even so instantlie doe begg of your Lord-
ship to contynewe your former commiseration in re-
lievinge my distressed, my els desperate estate.
Wherwith T humblie betake your Lordship to the
governement of Allmightae God, who ever prosper
you to his honor and glorie. This present Sondaie,
the xviij th of Februarie, 1592.

Infortunatest peere of Parliament for pouertie that
ever was

W. HAROWDEN.

To the right honorable my verie singulare
good Lord, the Lord Bourghley, Lord
Treasorer of England.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. Ill

LETTER CCCCXL.

Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Household,
to Lord Burghley. Details a Contest in the House
of Commons concerning exempting the Clergy-Go-
vernment from the Temporal.

[ibid. Ixxiii. art. 30. OrigJ]

My very good Lord, because I do knowe your
wysdome, and youre greate experyence, and youre
temperate governmente, therefore I do presume to
send unto your Lordshippe herewith a Booke of
suche Collections, as I have gathered, spetyallye
towchinge hir Mat s supreme government ; the
whiche begynnethe now to be impugned in oure
Lower House of Parlement by the Cyvilians, and also
spetyallie by M r . Dalton the lawier, and chieffelie
impungninge a speeche that M r . Morrys, the atturney
of the Courte of Wardes, dyd use yesterdaye agaynst
certen abuses nowe used in the government of the
Clergie ; whereby it seemethe that theise Cyvilians
and other confederates of the Clergie government,
would fayne have a kynde of Monarchye in the sayd
Clergie government, as is in the temporaltye, the
which Clergie government they would have to be ex-
empted from the temporall government, saving they
speake not agaynst the Prynces government towching
the supremacye. The which dyfferences I knowe

112 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

your Lordshippe is better acquaynted with all then
I, and therefore I do saye no more, but that in myne
opynyon M r . Morrys dyd speake bothe modestlie, and
wyselye, and warylie, and trulye, towelling the
abuses in the government of the clergie at this pre-
sent. And so I do commytt your Lordshyppe to
God. The last of Februarye, 1592.

Your Lordships to command,

F. KNOLLYS.

To the ryghte honorable his verye good lord,
the Lorde Highe Treasorer of England,
geeve this.

LETTER CCCCXLI.

Robert Beale to Lord Burghley ; on the Earl of
Essex trying to get his place from him, for his ser-
vant Smith.

[ibid, lxxix. art. 80. Orig.}

It maye please your honorable good Lordship, I
have verye often, and with good deliberacion, consi-
dered of the speaches not longe sythe delivered unto
me by your Lordship from her Majestie, of hir High-
nes pleasure, bothe concerninge my office of Gierke
of the Councell, to be bestowed uppon M r . Smithe
the Erie of Essex servaunt, and lykewise for m}
goinge to Yorke. And to saye the truthe, the mes
sage hathe not a little troubled me. Howbeit at th<
lenght I have thought good, for her Majesties sa

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 113

tisfaction to make some aunswer therunto. And for
that if I shoulde seeke to doe it unto her Majestie by
speache, the verye conceipte and grief e were lyke to
make me mute, accordinge to the olde sayinge, Cum
leves loquuntiir ingentes strepent; and it would be
taken for a presumptious and offensive parte, to
wryte unto her Highnes; I have rather chosen to
present my minde unto your Lordship, to serve by one
accion bothe turnes : beseeching your Lordship bothe
to accepte it in good parte, and impartinge the same
unto her Majestie to accompanie it with some favour-
able speaches, that it maye atteyne that good suc-
j cesse that I desyre.

For the first, I thincke it in no wise to be mislyked
that my Lord of Essex should seeke to preferre his
servauntes, and I have hearde well of the gentleman
for whome he suethe. But if his Lordships intention
be that he should be pleasured with my place and
fee, to speake plainelie, I thincke his Lordship doethe
me greate wronge. And I doe assure myself that
neyther his owne father 11 nor father in lawe b have
made so ly tie accompte of me, as to have an olde ser-
vitor so disgraced and cast of, for anye belonginge
unto them, how learned and sufficient soever he
might be otherwise. I cannot sett forthe myselfe
perhappes as others can, and therfore I maye be the
lesse esteemed. But yet his Lordship hathe no cause

* Walter Earl of Essex. b Sir Francis Walsingham.

114 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

to thineke otherwise of me then of an honest man,
and one that, without flatterie, would be gladd to doe
his Lordship anye laufull service that I were liable.
About three monethes sythe, I was advertised from
Oxforde that it was reported that I was deade, and
that the said M r . Smithe should have my said place.
And the like rumor was sprcdd abroade the same
weeke that your Lordship tolde me her Majestie was
moved therin, and an inquisicion made amonge my
neighbors, whether I was deade or no. But all-
thoughe I cannot lymit the tyme of myne owne dayes,
remittinge the same unto the Lorde, yet seinge no
hope of anye other advauncement towardes me, mine
intention hathe ben not to departe with the place so
longe as I lived. I enjoye it with the fee of fiftye
poundes yerelie, under the greate Seale of Englande,
wheras at Yorke I have but thirty three pounds by
Instruccions onelye, alterable without other warrant
or assurance. And manye accidentes maye happen,
to abbridge the other uncertayne casualtyes, as I
partlie have proved sithe my comminge to it, by the
decaye of the Office, beinge not so beneficiall now as
it hathe ben heretofore. Wherfore, when I doe con-
sider how manie as greate and greater pencions her
Majestie hathe graunted to Englishe subjectes and
straungers, that enjoye the same peaceablie, and have
not don the hundreth parte of the service that I have
don, I cannot sufhcientlie marvayle why such a presi-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 115

dent should be begon with me, unles my service onelie
hathe deserved to be so disgraced and forgotten, as
never anye mans hitherto. I have served now all-
most twenty three yeres in the place ; which is a
longer tyme, then anye Clerke of the Priveye Coun-
sell served eyther her Majestie or any her progeni-
tors, without other preferment. No man I am suer
is able to detecte or charge me with anye misdemean-
or or lewde dealinge. Twice or thrice I have ben
commaunded to attende in Courte in the tyme of the
absence of her Majesties late Secretarye, c when he
was employed in Flanders, France, and Scotlande. I
trust her Majesties service was performed without
blame. Uppon his returne I still withdrewe myselfe
within the boundes of my former callinge, allthoughe
I had advise not to leese the small credit which be-
fore it seemed I had gotten. But I was not ambi-
tious : I would geve none anye cause of suspicion or
offence. Six severall tymes or more 1 was sent to
the late Queene of Scottes. At the first accesse my
commission was to deale with her alone. After-
wardes I did for sondrie respectes desire that I might
not deale without the privitie of the Erie of Shrews-
burye, beinge a nobleman and a councellor. She was
with much adoe brought to make larger offers unto
her Majestie then she had before don to anie others
whose negptiacions I had seen. I w r as then suspected

Sir F. Walsingham.

116 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

to have ben (as some termed it) wonne to a nevve
mistresse. Wheruppon the charge was commytted
to the said Earle and Sir Walter Mildmaye, and I
onelie appoynted to attende uppon them, to charge
her by vvorde of mouthe with certayne articles gather-
ed out of the said Erles and my letters. She avowed
all that we had reported, and I thancke the Lorde I
acquyted my self to be an honest man. Besides
sondrye voyages that for her Majesties service I made
into France in former times, when Sir Francis Wal-
singham was Ambassador, within these twenty yeres,
since lwas sworne her Majesties servaunt, I have ben
sent in fower severall messages into the partes of
biyonde the seas. In one of them I procured the re-
lease of merchauntes goods of the value of an hun-
dred thousand pounds, which the Prince of Orange
had staied. In an other, to most of the Protestant
Princes in Germanie, I obteyned that which I was
sent for, that is, that the Elector of Saxonye and Pa-
latine would surcease from proceadinge to a condem-
nacion of other reformed Churches, that did not
agree with the Ubiquitaryes. I was in the waye
spoyled by pirates and wounded, and miles I had
tasted of some extraordinarie liberalitie of some of
the German Princes, my losses were suche that not-
withstandinge the allowaunce which I had from her
Majestie, I might have gon a begginge when I cam
home. I served a whilest with the late Erie of Ley-

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ir

cester, in his seconde voyage into the Lowe Coun-
treyes. If anie faulte were founde with that service,
suerlye it was neyther my colleagues nor my faulte.
Before our goinge out of the realme, letters were
sent hither, that the Englishe bandes wanted 2000 to
fill upp the companies, and that the Estates would en-
terteyne a regiment of 3000 Englishemen in lyke
paye as her Majestie did. For these two services
fyve thousand men were levied in sondrie shires, and
sent over. The next dave after the Erles arrivall in
Zelande, a conference was had with the Muster
Master, for the fillinge of the bandes. And there
were not founde 600 poles wantinge. And the Es-
tates coulde by no meanes be broughte to accepte of
anie suche Regiment. So at one clappe 4500 men
were there, over and above her Majesties ordinarie
and covenaunted forces, to her Highnes greate charge.
Sluce was upon the instant to be reskued. By such
as cam out of the towne, it appeared that the onelie
waye to rayse the siege was by entringe the haven,
as was afterwardes verified by the Governor before
the Counsell of Estate, and lykewise by the reporte
of the Count of Arenberg to the late Erie of Derby
and other the Commissioners. The hatred and
trecherie of the Officers of the Admiraltie was suche,
that neyther they would take that enterprise in
hande, nor yielde boates and scutes to such others as
Vould nave attempted it. Such of her Majesties

118 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

officers as served in those partes before, departed
without gevinge unto us anie lighte of service. And
further, wheras in their presences, before our arrivall
a platte was sett downe for a service that yere, wherto
besides her Majesties ordinarie forces and charge,
they deraaunded an extraordinary e loane of fiftye
thousand poundes : albeit her Majestie had aunswer-
ed preciselie, that she woulde not passe fifteen
thousand poundes ; yet that resolucion was ey ther not
made knowen unto them, or at the least they would
not seeme to have understoode therof: and we
havinge no informacions from others what was don
before our comminge, could not presse them to be-
lieve more by our bare wordes then they listed. Yet
Sir Henrie Killigrewe and myself made an atonement
betwene the Erie and the Estates, without the alter-
inge of anie one sillable of there satisfaccion, which
they voluntarilie offred*. Heruppon we grewe to
treate of another plott for two monethes service in
the fielde uppon our repaire into Hollande. At that
instant were the Erles Instruccions sent over, and the
conceipte which the Estates then had taken of the
peace, made thinges farre worse then they were be-
fore. Where the fault was I will not saye, but I am
suer in all my services, I cannot be charged with
suche a matter : but yet we proceaded further ; we
did what we coulde for her Majesties service, and
findinge greate confucion and variaunce about the

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

119

matters of the musters not taken by Commissioners
on bothe sydes according to the contract, we laboured
with the Counsell of Estate, so as they were content-
ed to accept the rolles of the Englishe Muster
Master for the time past. And for the time to come
ordred that her Majesties Lieutenant should appoynte
18 Commissioners, wherof th'one moitye to be En-
glishe Deputyes to M r . Digges, and th'other of the
countreye, accordinge to the severall places of the
garrisons, with lyke Commissions and Instruccions for
the joynt takinge of the Musters. The Englishe
Deputyes to returne their rolles to the Englishe Mus-
ter Master, and th'other to a Commissarie appoynted
for that purpose by the Estates ; which two should
examyne the certificates, enforme the Counsell of Es-
tate therof, and so proceade to the closinge upp of a
certaine accompte of everye yeres charge ; which we
tooke to be a farre better course then to leave thinges
to uncertayne wranglinges about accomptes and de-
maundes for depredacions and other matters, as their
maner is. Briefelie, we bothe, to the best of our
powers, performed her Majesties commaundement
according to the Instruccions and charge delivered us
by worde of mouthe, without takinge uppon us anye
of the said Erles private quarrells, we did the best
offices we could to make frendshippe and amitye, and
never went about to incense him against anye. We
plainelie delivered our opinions, sometymes contrarye

120 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

to his, and yet in duetifull sorte. For small matters, we
rather sought to salve and cover the same, then to
take pleasure at them and to discover or blase them
abroad e to the dishonor and hinderaunce of her Ma-
jesties service and the noble man, as others have don.
But to returne agayne home to my doinges : besides
myne ordinarye service, it pleased M r . Secretarie
about fifteen yeres sythe, beinge chosen Governor of
the Mynes Royall, to appoynte me his Deputie. I
have ever sithence kept the bookes without one
pennye allowaunce. I have gathered in the evidences
of the Companie, which were dispersed in sondrye
mens handes. I have seen a debt of thirty seven
hundred poundes aunswered, wherof her Majestie
hathe had good paiment or securitie for the somme
of twenty five hundred poundes, lent to upholde the
Companie, besides two hundred, or one hundred and
fifty, or one hundred pounds yerelie aunswered for
the fifteenth parte. There is also at this present a
stocke of two thousand pounds for the Companie, and
(God be thancked) thinges are in farre better order
then they were before. And it is well knowen, that
my labor herin hathe ben more then of anye other, so
as I have not ben alltogether an unprofitable drone.

Further, besides my ordinarye service, I was by
your Lordship and the rest thought a meate man, to
carry e downe the Commission for the execucion of
the late Scotishe Queene. I receaved it at your

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 121

Lordships hands, in the presence of divers othir
Counsellors : and I performed, in regarde of her Ma-
jesties safetie, that which was committed unto me,
not knowinge of anye matter betwene her Majestie
and M r . Davison. d And the Lord knowethe that
callinge to remembraunce former examples I at that
time moved suche a doubte to S r . Christopher Hatton
then vicechamberlayne, whether her Majestie were
resolved therin or no, who aunswered me, that I
neaded not to doubte therof, seinge I had her Majes-
ties hande and the Greate Seale. I did nothing but
as I was commaunded, and can make good proofe
therof for my defence. And I take it I did a good
peece of service. But what gott I by it ? As much
displeasure at home as anie of the rest, and abroade
diffamed with carryinge downe the hangeman ; and
my self and my posteritie threatned with all revenge.
Some will perhappes saye this is my conceipte, and
no matter of moment. Suerlye I would lesse es-
teeme the loss of all my Offices in Englande, which
are so much gaped at, if I could therby wype out that
malitious brande of slaunder. For ever sythe, I have
loste all my credit and reputacion abroade : and for av-
oydinge of offence here forborne to declare the truth

J "After she had given Davison order for the drawing of the warrant for the Scots
Queen's execution, the next day she sent him word, that it should not be drawn,
but he had already done it, and under seal. The Queen blamed him for making
such hast, and was moved at it. And after Beal was sent down with the warrant,
she not knowing therof, talked to Davison of dealing with the Queen after another
manner, and taking another course with her. A sign she intended not her execu-
tion." — Note in the hand of John Strype.

VOL. IV. G

122 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

how thinges proceaded, and myne owne innocencye,
to satisfye others. And if I would have hearkened
to speaches, that the Prince (whome the matter most
concernethe) will not impute anie faulte to particular
persons, that were actors in it, I might conceave lesse
feare. But I never dealt on bothe handes. I will
beare my crosse patientlie ; and performe my duetye
to my Souvereigne without lookinge unto future
tymes ; allthoughe I have hearde what vowes, ob-
tescacions, and menasses have ben made of a revenge ;
and some experience and readinge of histories have
taught me that in suche cases Princes (allthough not
according to the rules of innocencye and justice) must
for the satisfaccion of others, and vaine reputacion of
honor, adventure to make some revenge, as the Gos-
pell teachethe us Herode did : and it is lykelyer to
fall uppon me, then those that were first before me
in the fault, if any were. As it hathe pleased her
Majestie of late to deale gratiouslie with M r . Davi-
son, 6 so I trusted that I should not be wholie forgot-
ten, who was further from anie faulte then he was,
and yet subject with him to the same daunger. I
doe not recyte these thinges of anye vayne glorie,
which is farre from me, or anye whyt to lessen and
empaire her Majesties benefites towardes me. I doe

« " Who being Secretary, had put in execution the warrant for the Scotch Queen's
death, without acquainting the Queen of England with it, who intended not she
should have been put to death, though for some secret causes she had signed the
warrant. For this Davison was heavily fined in the Star Chamber, imprisoned, and
lost his office." J. S.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 123

confesse that her Highnes hathe duringe the time of
my service, bestowed divers good thinges uppon me,
if I could have kept them. The licence of Steele
which I had, was cunninglie gotten over my heade ;
the revercion of M r . Collshills office was surrendred
for M r . Carmarthen, who besides hathe another li-
cence of Irishe yarne from her Majestie, worthe
one thousand or one thousand two hundred pounds
yerelie. Extraordinarilie I have not had muche.
And such is my harde happe, that the warde which
your Lordship hathe latelie bestowed uppon me (for
which I most humblie thanke your Lordship) will (as
his frendes saye) prove no warde at all. Mine
office f at Yorke is made a greate matter, worthe one
thousand pound by the yere (as your Lordship tolde
me her Majestie hathe ben enformed). I have had but
four hundred pounds yerelie, which hathe borne but
the charge of my house. And if my colleague had ben
so greate a gayner, I thincke he should not have dyed
more then one thousand pounds in debt, as I heare
he hathe don, and maye appeare by his widowes
suite to her Majestie in respecte of her husbandes
services for findinge out the evidences of the Lord
Dacres landes. And as farre as I can learne, the
best meanes to helpe his creditors must proceade from
me. If I were yonger, and not subject to suche in-
finnityes as I am, I might abyde the toyle of the

f " Perhaps Secretary to the Council in the North." /. S.

G 2

124 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

place. But as the estate of my bodye is at this pre-
sent, I am tolde by others that I shall never be hable
to susteyne it. Now therfore, I beseeche your Lord-
ship to consider whether it were fitt in my declyninge
and unhealthfull yeres to putt me from th'one office,
and bynde myself continuallie to the other. What
have I don that deservethe suche a disgrace, as now
to be putt out of the Hall into the Kitchin ? I have
served longer then anie of my place hathe don honest-
lye. I have not dealt under hande or doubly e with
anye ; I have the knowledge of tongues and expe-
rience of service abroade and at home, as much as
anie of my companions, or others that maye thrust
into the place. I have not lived riotouslie or prodi-
gallie anye wayes. I have endevoured myself to at-
teyne to some knowledge. In suche matters that
maye concerne her Majestie in honor or justice, I
have laboured, and can saye as muche as they all at
this instant, onley I finde that I have commytted
a greate error, in that I left no sooner suche thinges
as were for her Majesties service, and betooke myself
to matters of more gayne. I knowe what surmises
have ben made touching my religion, 5 but hitherto I
could be never called to my aunswer. For so would
it have appeared in whome the common surmise oi
not followinge lawe remayned. And further, I trusl

s " Being a Puritan, and enemy to the Bishops' proceedings in their Ecclesiastics
Courts." J. S.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 125

my doinges have in a longe time of tryall ben founcle
suche as that myne accusers have seen their owne
faultes, and that their consciences have condemned
them for dealinge so unkindlye and uncharitablye
with me as they have don.

Doctor Smithe, her Majesties Phisicion, knowethe
the estate of my bodye, how heretofore my water
hath ben wholie stopped by the space of tenn dayes.
Manye tymes I have ben forced to keepe my bedd
fyve or six weekes for the stone. I have had the
gowte. Not longe sythe, comming with Sir Moyle
Finche to the Courte in a coche which went fast, I
was the worse for it two or three dayes after. And
so it hathe happened divers times unto me, uppon
anie greate exercyse. Moneye I have none, but am
somwhat indebted, and my late colleague at Yorke
is one hundered pounds behinde with me. For the
charges of my goinge to Yorke, I must sell my
bookes, and leave my wyfe and children destitute of
anie house to putt their heades in, if anye mishappe
should light upon me there. And finallie, what ser-
vice can I there doe that shall not be disgraced and
misreported, and perhappes turne me to excessive
charge, if not to my utter undoinge. If I could not
avoyde suche thornes here, I doe not thincke that
there I shall finde mine estate anye whytt bettred.
Ah Aquilone omne malum, saiethe the prophete. And
for these causes and others which I reteyne in myne

\2G ORIGINAL LETTERS.

owne brest, I beseech your Lordship that I maye de-
liver my minde plainelye unto your Lordship, that I
have neyther harte nor meanes to make my ordinarye
residence there. And therfore most humblie be-
seeche your Lordship to preferre this my poore suite
once for all to her Majestie, that it would please her
Highnes, eyther to joyne another with me, that
shalbe a man learned in the lawes, as my former col-
league was ; or to suffer me to serve by a deputie, as
by my letters patentes I maye ; or if it be thought that
there is no further use of me, and it shalbe fytt for
her Majesties service, that my offices be geven to
others, it would please her Majestie to vouchsafe to
bestowe uppon me, surrendringe bothe of them,
suche a gift as M r . Davyson latelie had, to be hable
to leave somwhat to my wyfe and children. And I
shall spende the remnant of my dayes as a countreye
clowne, still prayinge to Allmightie God for the
longe and prosperous preservacion of her Majesties
person and realmes. And so eftsoones I beseeche
your Lordship to take in good parte this declaracion
of my greate griefe, which I confesse is over longe
and tedious ; but I could neyther abbridge it, nor
fynde anie other patrone to trouble, from whome I
might receave anye comforte and aunswer, but onelie
from your Lordship uppon whome I speciallie relye..
expectinge a favourable aunswer. And so I humblk

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 127

take my leave. From my poore house in London,
the 24th of Aprill, 1595.

Your Lordships most humblye at commandement,

ROBERT BEALE.
To the right honorable and my verye
good Lorde, the Lord Threasurer
of Englande.

LETTER CCCCXLII.

The Earl of Essex to the Lords of the Council just
before his departure from Plymouth on the expedi-
tion to Cadiz.

[ADDIT. MS. BRIT. MCS. 12497. fol. 183.]
%* Lord Essex's short Letter to Lord Burghly upon the taking
of Cadiz, has been already given in the Second Series of these Let-
ters (Vol. III. p. ITS). The present is the Letter he wrote to the
Lords of the Council when he went on ship-board for the expedition.
It comes from one of the volumes of Sir Julius Cassar's papers, pur-
chased for the British Museum in 1 S42, at the Sale of Lord Orford's
Library at Strawberry Hill. It was writteu in Plymouth Road,
about the latter end of May 159G.

Camden, in his Annals, gives the best preface to this Letter. " A
constant rumour grew," he says, " every day stronger and stronger,
that the Spaniard with all his might and main prepared for war
against England and Ireland ; encouraged the rather because he
was now in possession of Calais (from whence it was but a short
cut over into England). Hawkins and Drake's Voyage had had ill
success, and the Irish rebels earnestly urged the succours out of
Spain. The Queen, to scatter this storm that was gathering, sup-
posed it the best course to set upon the enemy in his own ports, and
to that end rigged a fleet of a hundred and fifty ships, whereof se-
venteen were of her Navy Royal, twenty-two Low Countrey ships,
which the confederate Estates joined with hers ; the rest pinnaces
and victuallers. In these were 63G0 souldiers under pay, volunteer
gentlemen 1000, seamen 6772, besides Low-Countrey men. Robert
Earl of Essex, and Charles Howard Lord Admiral of England, who

128 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

were at great charges toward this Expedition out of their own es-
tates, were made Commanders-in-Chief, with equal authority, under
the title of Generals; yet so as the Lord Admiral should have the
principal authority and dignity at sea, the Earl of Essex at land.
To these were joined, for a Council of War, the Lord Thomas How-
ard, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Eraucis Vere, Sir George Carew, and
Sir Couiers Clifford. The whole Fleet was divided into four squa-
drons: the first the Lord Admiral commanded, the Earl of Essex
the second, the Lord Thomas Howard the third, and Sir W alter Ra-
leigh the fourth. The officers of the army were, Sir Francis Vere,
Lieutenant-general or Marshal ; Sir John Wingfield, Quarter-master
General; Sir George Carew, Master of the Ordnance ; Sir Couiers
Clifford, Serjeant-major. The Colonels were Robert Earl of Sussex,
Sir Christopher Blunt, Sir Thomas Gerard, Sir Richard Wingfield,
Sir Edward Wingfield, Captain of the Volunteers ; and Anthony
Astley, Secretary of the Council of War, who was to register their
counsels with every man's reasons, and to record all their actions
and enterprises."*

The Queen gave a body of Instructions to the Generals, and ap-
pointed a form of Prayer to be used daily in every ship, to crave
God's assistance and blessing upon the enterprise.

My verie good Lordes. Having taken order for
all thinges that belong to our land affayres, and stay-
ing nowe only till our shipps be readye to take in
our souldiers, I am come abourd, asvvell to drawe
other men, by example, to leave the shoare, as to
have time and leisure to ask an accompt of myself,
what other dueties I have to doe, besydes the govern-
ing of those troopes, and the using of them to good
purpose. In the which meditation, as first I studye
to please my most gracious Soveraigne, aswell as to
serve her ; so my next care is, to leave your Lord-
ships well satisfied of my passed cariage, since I was

a See Camd. Ann. edit. 16S8. pp. 5l6, 51".

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 129

nominated to this service, and apt also to make
favorable construction of what I shall doe here-
after. In my past cariadge, I will neither pleade
merite, nor excuse myne imperfections ; for whatso-
ever I shalbe able for to doe I knowe it lesse then I
owe. And besydes my faultes, my verie fayth and
zeale (whiche are the best thinges in me) doe make
me to committ errors. But I would fayne approve
the matter it self of undertaking this service, to have
ben undoubtedly good, howsoever my formes have
ben erronious ; or (at the least) myne entent, and
myne end unblameable, though my judgement were
faultie. Your Lordships knowe it hath bene the
wisdome of all tymes, rather to attempt and to doe
some thing in other contrie then to attend an enemy,
and to be in daunger to suffer much in our owne.
And if this rule amongest the Auncients was gene-
rallie held true, it might be better allowed of us in
particuler cases, where a State little in territorie, not
extraordinarily riche, and defended only with it selfe,
should have to doe with an other State that hath
ample and many dominions, the treasure of the
Indies, and all the mercenaries of Christendom to
serve it. For we have, as the Athenians had with
that auncient usurper Philipp, prcelium facile, helium
difficile, therefore it is our disadvantage to drawe
warre into length. And if any man in this king-
dome should be allowed to persvvade to prevention,

G 5

130 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

he might best be one that serve the Spaniard at home,
apprehend an invasion, with greater terror then he
makes abrode, and that was a witnes, howe a hand-
full of men, neither armed, victualed, nor ordered as
they should be, landed, marched, and had don what
they listed, if either the shippes had come up, or
they had had any provision to make but a hole in a
wall, or to breake open a gate. But though the
counsell be good for some States, or perhaps for ours
at this tyme, yet the opportunitie must be watched.
And it must alsoe appeare that this is it, which is
nowe taken in hand. The opportunitie for suche
services I take to be, when either the enemy maye
receive the most hurt, or when he is likeliest to
attempt against us, if he be not impeached. The
hurt that our State should seeke to doe him, is to
intercept his treasure, whereby we should cut his
sinews, and make war upon him with his owne money;
and to beate him, or at least to discountenaunce him
by sea ; whereby her Ma ,ie shalbe both secured from
his invasions, and become mistres of the sea, which is
the greatnes that the Queene of an Island should
most aspire unto. In the matter of profitt we maye
this jorney much hurt him, and benefit our selves,
seeing he hath (as it is agreed upon by all men) more
Carickes to come home nowe, then ever any yere
before ; besydes many other good advantages, which
wilbe offered if we comaund his coast ; and to geve

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 131

him a blowe, or to discountenaunce him by sea, is
nowe the tyme, when he hath declared his ambition
to commaunde the sea, and yet hath so devided his
fleetes that some are but nowe appoynted to be sett
out and yet fraut in a redynes, other uppon poynt of
comming home, and not fitt to defend themselves, if
either they be mett at sea, or els mett in harborough;
and all so dispersed in severall places, as if at any
tyme wee might doe good that waye, ii is even nowe.
And whether we maye perswade our selves, that he
will make warrs uppon us if wee lett him alone, let
his sollicitacons and guifts, offered to the rebells
of Irland, his beseeging of Calis, and wynning those
parts of France that front uppon us, and his strength-
ening of himself by sea, by so many meanes, let all
these thinges (I saye) tell us. So as if we will at any
tyme allowe the counsell of prevention to be reason-
able, we must now confesse it to be opportune.
And whatsoever the counsell in itself were, I am not
to be chardged with it, for as I was not the contryver,
or offerer of the project, so againe, if I had refused
to have joyned with him that did invite me to it, I
should have bene thought both incompatible, and
backward in her Majesties service. I saye not this,
for that I think the action such as it were disadvan-
tage to be thought the projector of it, but I saye,
and saye trulie, that my Lord Admirall devised it,
presented it to her Majestie, and had aswell her

132 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Majesties approbation, and the assent of such your
Lordships as were acquaynted with it, as my promise
also to joy ne with him. One thing I confesse I am
above all men to be charged withall, that is, that
when her Majestie, the Citie of London, the Coastes,
and the Lowe Contries chardge was past, the men
leavied and inarching to the rendevous, that I could
not see howe with her Majesties honor and safety
the jorney might have bene broken. Wherein
though I should have ben carried only with passion,
yet I praye your Lordships consider, who (almost)
that had ben in my case, named to such an action
throughout Christendome, and engaged in it as much
as I am worth, and being the instrument of drawing
more voluntarie men of their owne chardge, then
ever we had seene these many yeres; who, I saye,
would not have ben so affected. But be it farr off
from mee in an action of this importance, to waye
myself, or my particular fortune any thing in the
world. I must beseech your Lordships to remember
that I was from time to time warranted by all your
opinions, declared both among your selves and to her
Majestie, which ties you all to allowe the counsell.
And that being graunted, your Lordshipe will call
that zeale, which makes a man constant in a good
counsell, that would be passion in an evell or doubt-
full. I confesse her Majestie most graciously offered
us recompence for all our chardges or losses. But

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 133

(my Lords) I praye your Lordships consider howe
many thinges I should have sould at once for money.
I will leave mine owne reputacon, as too small a
matter to be mentioned, but that which is greatest I
should have sould the honor of her Majestic, the
safety of the State, the contentment of her confe-
derates, the fortune and hope of many my poore
frendes and contrymen, and the possibilitie of giving
a blowe to that enemy, that ought ever to be hatefull
to all true Englesh hartes; all this I should have
sould for private profltt. Therefore though I ask
pardon of her Majestie and praye your Lordships to
mediate it for me, that I was carried with this zeale
so fast, that I forgott those reverend formes, which I
should have used : yet I had rather have had my
hart out of my bodie, then this zeale out of my
hart.

And now as I have layd before your Lordships my
past carriage and entraunce into this action, so I
beseeche your Lordships give me leave to prepare
yow to a more favorable construction of that which
I shall do hereafter. In which suite I am resolved
neither to pleade the hazarding of lief, nor spending
of my substance in a publique service, to th'end I
might finde your Lordships {who are publique per-
sons) more favorable judges; but I will confesse I
received so much favour and honor by this trust and
imployment, as when I have done all I can, I shall

134 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

still be behind hand. This suite therefore only I
make, that your Lordships will neither have too
greate an expectacion of our actions, nor too little,
least all we doo seeme either nothing, or to be don
by chaunce. I knowe we must be tyed to doe no
more then shall be for her Majesties service, nor no
lesse. In which straytwaye though it be hard for so
weake a man as myself to walk upright, yet the ex-
ample of our rawe souldiers maye somewhat comfort
an unsufficient Generall. For they, till they growe
perfect in all their order and motions, are so afrayed
to be out, and with such a contynewall headfulnes
observe both themselves and those that are neere
them, as they doe keepe (almost) as good order at the
first as ever after. I am sure I am distrustful! of
myself as they, and bycause (perhapps) I have more
sense of my duetie, I shalbe more industrious. For
sea-services, the judgment of my honorable com-
panion shalbe my compasse ; and for land his assent,
and the advise of those whom her Majestie hath
named as counsellors at warr, shalbe my warrantize.
It wilbe honor to her Majestie and greate assuraunce
of her estate, if we either bring home wealth, or
give the King of Spayne a blow by sea. But to have
made a continewall diversion, and to have left (as it
were) a thorne sticking in his foote, had bene a work
worthie of such a Queene, and of such a preparacion.
For then her Majestie should have heard no more of

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 135

his intentions for Irland, or attemptes uppon the
coast of France, or his drawing of shipps or gallies
into the narrowe seas ; but should even at once have
delyvered all Christendome from his fearefull usurpa-
tion, wherein as she had bene greate in fame for such
a generall preparacion, so shee should be as greate in
power in making all the enemies of Spayne in Chris-
tendome to depend uppon her. She should be head of
the partie, she only might be sayd to make warrs
with Spayne, bycause shee made them to purpose;
they all but as her assistantes and dependantes ; and
lastly, as the end of warr is peace, so shee might have
had peace when shee would, and with what condi-
tions shee would, and have concluded or excluded
whom shee would, for shee only by this course,
should inforce him to wish for peace, having the
meanes in her owne handes to make the conditions,
and as easie it had ben to have don this as to have
performed lesser services. The objections against
this wilbe hazard and chardge ; hazard to hold any
thing of his that is so mightie a King, and chardge
to send such supplies from tyme to tyme, as wilbe
needefull. For hazard, it is not the hazard of a
State, or of the whole, as are the hazards of a defen-
sive warr, whensoever we are inforced to fight ; but
it is only a hazard of some fewe, and such corn-
maunders as shalbe sett out for such a service. And
these also that shalbe so hazarded, shalbe in lesse

136 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

daunger then if they were put into any frontier place
of France, or of the Lowe Countries, for they should
not be left in any part of the Mayne, or Continent of
Spayne or Portugall, where the enemy might bring
army upon army to attempt them (though I doubt
not but after he had once tryed what it were to
beseege two or three thowsand English in a place
well fortified, and where they had a port open, he
would quickly growe weary of those attemptes), but
they should be so lodged as the state and strength of
the place should warrant their safety ; so that to pull
her Majesties men out of it should be a harder task
then to conquer any contrie that standes uppon the
firme land by him, and to suffer the English quietly
to possesse it should so much prejudice him, as he
were not able to indure it. And for chardge, there
needes not so much be expended but that it might
easilie be borne, and the place being well chosen,
and the warr well conducted, in a short tyme there
would not only arise enough to paye the chardge, but
great profitt to her Majestie, and wealth to the con-
trie would grow from the place that should so be
held. For in a short tyme the golden Indian streame
might be turned from Spayne to England, and her
Majestie be made able to give lawe to all the world
by sea, without her chardge. Besydes, this fearefull
enemy that is nowe a terror to all Christendome,
shalbe so weakened in strength, reputation, and

u

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 137

purse, as her Majestie should for ever after have an
easye enemy of him.

It maye be, your Lordships will desyre to knowe
the place that shalbe attempted, the meanes first to
take it, and then to hold it, and the commoditie or
advantages that maye growe to the State by it ; but
that (with your Lordships leave) shalbe reserved till
my next. This is only therefore to beseech yow for
our deere Soveraignes sake, and for the glory and
wellfare of her estate, that yow will think uppon this
proposition, and if your Lordships shall fynd it rea-
sonable, that yow will move it to the Queene ; by
whom if I be commaunded to sett doune the Hypo-
thesis, or to descend into particulars, I will offer my
project uppon this condicion, that if I advize any
thing that the counsell of warr shall think daun-
gerous, it maye be rejected, or if myself be actor in
any thing belonging to this project, whereby her
Majestie shall receive dishonor, that I maye answere
it with my lief. And yet your Lordships knowe I
am matched with those in whom I have no particuler
interest, but I must attribute their assentes to me, to
my good happ to take the better parte. In my Lord,
with whom I am joyned, I fynd so much honor, and
such zeale to doe her Majestie honor and service, as
[ doubt not but our unitie in affection will make an
initie in counsell, action, and government.

I have troubled your Lorships with a tedious let-

138 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ter, begun in a daye of leisure, but finished in the
middest of a troublesome busynes. Pardon the
errors in it, and keepe so honorable opinion of me,
as I be not condempned by yow uppon any com-
playnt, advertisementes, or reportes, till I have given
answere to them, for as the nature of my place is
subject to envy and detraction ; so a little bodye full
of sharp humors, of all other is hardliest kept in
temper, and all the discontented humors of an army
doe make their greatest quarrell to him that com-
maundes the army : not so much for his faultes, as
by cause he brydleth theirs. And so commending
your Lordships to Godes divine protection, I rest
At your good Lordships commaundement,

ESSEX.
To the Lords of her Majesties
most honorable Privy G'ouncell.

LETTER CCCCXLIII.

Mahomet the Third to Queen Elizabeth upon the
taking of the Fort of Agria, 1596. Translated
from the Italian.

[ms. cotton, nero. b. xi. 225. Orig. Itul.]

* *

*

The author of the History of Germany in the Modern part of
the Universal History, having noticed the defeat of the Turks before
Graan in 1595, says,

" The following year was not so fortunate to the Imperialists.
Mahomet the Third, who some months ago had succeeded to his
father Amurath in the Othoman Empire, resolved to signalize the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 139

beginning of his reign by some great exploit ; and for that purpose
marched with an army of an hundred and fifty thousand men to the
siege of Agria, one of the most important places of High Hungary.
At first the garrison made a resolute defence, in expectation of a
powerful succour, which the Emperor had sent to them under the
conduct of his brother, the Archduke Maximilian ; but that Prince
being retarded by the rains and bad roads, the soldiers of the town,
who had been always licentious, grew- impatient at the delay, and
even compelled the governor to capitulate, and surrender the place
upon dishonourable conditions. This business was revenged by the
Turks themselves, who, enraged at the great loss they had sustained
before the town, disregarded the capitulation, and put the whole
garrison, man, woman, and child, to the sword.

" The Archduke Maximilian, being mortified with this misfor-
tune, and inflamed with a desire of revenge, approached the enemy's
camp, and harassed them with all his power. At length a battle
ensued, in which the Turks were routed with the loss of twelve
thousand men, their artillery taken, and without doubt the action
would have been decisive, if an Italian renegado, who perceiving
that the Imperialists, instead of pursuing their victory, amused
themselves with plunder, had not returned to the charge with fresh
troops, by which the fortune of the day was reversed, and the Ger-
mans put to flight in their turn. He would not, however, venture
to pursue them farther than the field of battle ; so that the Arch-
duke, Prince of Transylvania, Tieflembach, and other officers, had
time to rally their forces, and re-collect themselves from the confu-
sion produced by this check, which cost them five or six thousand
men. After this battle, Mahomet seeing his army greatly diminished
by the siege of Agria and this last encounter, resolved to return to
Constantinople, where he abandoned himself to his pleasures. He
left ten thousand men in Agria, and shared the command of the rest
of his army among his generals, who were so much divided by jea-
lousy, that they could not act in concert, and, when the Sultan re-
tired, gave themselves no farther concern about the progress of his
arms."

The hyperbolical bombast of Mahomet's Letter is not more amus-
ing than the confused manner in which he purposely relates the at-
tack upon his camp.

Agria remained in the hands of the Turks till 1687.

140 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

To the most splendent, glorious, and effulgent
Elizabeth, Queen of all the great ones who follow
Jesus, wisest moderatrix of all the affairs of the Naza-
rene generation, most serene and balmy shower of
rain, fountain head of splendid honors, sweetest of
the sex, heiress to beatitude, the glory of the illus-
trious realm of England, whose favour is sought by
all and every one, We wish prosperity in all her
royal undertakings, and send greetings worthy of the
friendship we bear her.

And let it be known that God, the most High,
having enjoined in the Koran " Combat for the
divine Faith," and I having been desirous of putting
into execution this sublime and divine command-
ment, I have not failed to go to war for the love of
God in proper person, accompanied by my victorious
friends, and have proceeded gloriously from the Royal
seat, my Imperial residence of well protected Con-
stantinople, to attack the fortress of Agra, belonging
to the King of Vienna, and reputed impregnable.
On approaching it with my victorious unnumbered
troops it appeared to me, at some distance, strong
and fast as the mountain of Demanent, and like unto
the two rocks of Elbuas and Eluent ; and approach-
ing nearer to it, it exhibited itself impregnable even
as Mount Caucasus, and its foundation seemed to
exceed in bulk the Bull and the Fish that support

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 141

the world, a and its walls and towers equalled in mag-
nitude the planets of the heavens ; over them, it" the
sublime bird of Caucasus, the blessed Phoenix would
wish to soar, the horror of this frightful eminence
would cause the shedding of his feathers, and off
would drop his wings. The balls sent forth by its
admirable artillery, and the bullets of the muskets
descended as a shower of rain in a tempest; the
clouds of smoke ascended to heaven, so that it was
not only difficult for an army to approach, but even
birds of the air would have found it impossible to
raise themselves to it; and this in spite of all that
could be done by my noble Vizirs, valiant Begler-
begs, and famous Sangiachs, and by my army (may it
always reap the honors due to its valour!) numberless
like the stars of heaven. They neither spared artil-
lery nor musquetry, but without ceremony sur-
rounded the fortress aforesaid, and in order the
better to prove to the Nazarenes the prowess of
Mussulmans they raised the bastions opposite to the
strongest parts, confounding and annoying in every
nook with their artillery those accursed damned
ones; b so that to this fortress the passage of the
Koran is applicable which saith, " We have let
stones rain down upon them, and we have sunk them
in the abyss." In this manner about twenty days

a A marginal note says, " The Tuikes dreame that the world is founded uppon an
oxe, the oxe standing uppon a fish, and the fishe uppon the sea."
b " Maledetti dannati."

142 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

were employed from dawn to night to attack, and make
havock among the obstinate enemy ; and, although on
account of the heavy rains which fell in these days,
the true Mussulman soldiers were obliged to stand
up to their knees in the mud, in addition to their
other difficulties in assailing the fortress, yet my in-
numerable armies, aware that such fatigues and suf-
ferings would be accounted meritorious, and procure
them mercy in the other world, recommended them-
selves to the Almighty God, and gave battle several
times by day and night like ferocious lions. They
first took one of the most important forts, being
of about the size of Galata or Scutareto. After this,
on the 11 th of the month Seffer, being Friday, in the
beginning of the Pascha of the Faithful, I took, with
my imperial army, three more very strong forts, and
put to the sword five thousand infidels, the remainder
of the garrison having retreated to the interior forts.
But on the 19 th of the same month, happening to be
the day of the blessed Sabbath, after another voice of
Divine annuntiation from the Koran had reached the
ear of the heart, namely, "We have opened the way
to thee, and God favoureth thee with high favor,"
the whole of the fortress fell by divine grace into
my imperial possession, together with all its sur-
rounding boroughs, castles, towns, and inhabitants.
The infidels, aware of my high commands and in-
tention, had betaken themselves to the confines, to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 143

which it was my imperial intention to carry my vic-
torious career, in spite of the inclemency of the
weather ; but the armies of the King of Vienna and
of Spain, of the Pope of Rome, the Dukes of Flo-
rence and of Transylvania, in short, the military
strength of six or seven Princes, about 300,000 in
number, had (in their usual way) united together in
the vicinity of Agria, where, furnished with all the
requisites for it, such as a hundred fine pieces of
ordnance (each of the value of 10,000 zechins) colu-
brenes, basilisks, and many other large pieces of
artillery, they had vainly flattered themselves to be
enabled to assail and take by surprise my imperial
tent while the Mussulman warriors were occupied by
the siege of Agria ; but in this (praise to the Most
High !) they did not succeed. My Imperial Majesty
has obtained information through spies and prisoners
that these miscreants, enraged to find that an im-
pregnable fortress like Agria was taken in a few
days, had encamped their armies in its neighbour-
hood, to fall upon my imperial tent, and afterwards
t to retake the fortress. This made the fire of zeal
and honor, buried within my imperial bosom, to
break out into flames : I left Agria with my victo-
rious army, and straight proceeded to the trenches of
the enemy, and there, on the 3 d of the month of
Rabil, encamped myself opposite to them. The

< " Maledetti."

144 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

squadrons on both sides arranged themselves for
battle ; but there happened to be a swamp between
them, like the one which separates hell from para-
dise. After reconnoitring it in all parts I found but
one. place where it was passable, though with great
difficulty, at some distance from their trenches. To-
wards this place my victorious forces approached and
were received by a heavy artillery fire from the camp
of the enemy, whose accursed infantry in their pride
now passed over to the opposite side where were my
victorious bands, who put about two or three thou-
sand of these infidels to the sword, and took their
colours ; but as on this day the invisible Saints were
present in the northern skies, not much was done in
the way of fighting ; on the following day, however,
these Saints were in the East, and being certain that,
by the pleasure of the Most High, they must in that
quarter be favorable to the Mussulman army, the
greater portion of my imperial army immediately
passed the swamp, threw itself upon the trenches of
the infidels, and expanded its victorious colours like
the wings of the blessed Phoenix ; making their
dragons vomit forth their fire, my brave warriors
commenced the battle with an impetuous assault
both on the right and the left flanks of the enemy,
cut off the heads of a multitude of bold and valiant
infidels, and performed many other feats of prowess
and magnanimity. Also some of my noble Visirs

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

145

and veteran Sanghiacs displayed much greater
bravery than could be expected, so that, with the
help of the Most High, we once or twice routed the
squadrons of the enemy, who did not take flight
because they were close to the mountain. This
stratagem was made use of because the infidel enemy
having made the assault upon my slaves the Begler-
begs, my victorious army, by its retreat, made room
for them. By so doing they got over the pass to the
opposite side of the accursed infidels, and while the
said Beglerbegs were standing in order of battle with
the warriors and victorious colours at the tents, they
did not make an impetuous assault upon those mis-
creants, who now imagining the Mussulmans to be
actuated by fear and vanquished, made themselves
an impetuous assault, with cavalry at one side and
infantry at the other, upon my imperial tents. The
Mussulman troops now rushed forth with their blood-
thirsty sabres from all quarters, attacked the infidels
in the rear, and, with the help of God, instantly cut
them to pieces ; the whole field was covered with
corpses ; many heads were cut off in the swamp itself ;
for their original steadiness had given way to the
most brutal confusion, and their bravery to cowardly
flight. The most noble among the great Lords, Feti
Gira Sultan the Tartar (who may he for ever com-
mand his swift Tartar battalions and for ever be pre-
sent in my armies innumerable as the stars) pursued

VOL. IV. H

146 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the infidels as far as their tents ; they next attempted
to throw up fortifications, but finding there was no
salvation, they at last abandoned their tents, artil-
lery, and baggage of every description to fly for
safety to the mountains. They were, however, also
in these parts overtaken by the Tartars, who cut off
their heads, and of their officers only a few who had
good and fresh horses could save themselves by flight.
A hundred beautiful pieces of cannon, and all their
arms, are deposited in my imperial arsenal. For
three entire days the river ran with the purest blood,
and half an hour before the setting of the sun, have
the just and the good seen, with the intellectual eye,
120,000 infidels perish by the sword. The .destruc-
tion of such numbers, in so short a space of time,
was rather the work of God than that of man ; for as
the chapter in the Koran hath it, " Not by you are
they slain, but by God." One half of this memo-
rable battle being of double the magnitude of those
fought in the fields of Calderane and Mohack, let
unceasing thanks be offered up to God. And as it is
convenient and necessary to render all Mussulmans
acquainted with the results of this fortunate and
complete enterprize, orders are transmitted to all the
ministers of my empire to cause public rejoicings to
be set on foot. And as it is likewise meet that your
Highness should have knowledge of this enterprize
by reason of your great love and sincere friendship

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 147

towards our blessed Porte, we have also written an
imperial letter to your Highness, on the receipt of
which it is required, conformably to the perfect
friendship, sincerity, and loyalty subsisting between
you and the blessed Porte, that letters and persons
be despatched by your Highness to the ministers of
your dominions, ordering them to cause the guns of
all your fortresses to be fired, and to institute festi-
vities and merriment. As to your Highness's well
beloved Ambassador at our blessed Porte, Edward
Barton, the glorious one in the nation of Messiah, he
having been enjoined by us to follow our imperial
camp aforesaid, without having been enabled pre-
viously to obtain your Highness's permission to go
with my imperial staff, has well acquitted himself of
his duties in that campaign, so that we have reason
to be satisfied, and to hope that also your Highness
will know how to appreciate the sendees he has thus
rendered to us in our imperial camp. The same
Ambassador having acquainted us that your High-
ness has sent a vast army against your enemy the
King of Spain, and through God's mercy has been
victorious, let it be known to your Highness that we
have felt great joy and satisfaction on hearing it.

From the " Custodio Constaninopoli," the last day
of Regiep, of the year 2005, or about the last day of
February, 1596.

H 2

148 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXLIV.

The Lord Admiral Howard to Lord Burghley. In-
dorsed in pencil, 10th Oct. 1597.

[lansd. ms. lxxxiv. art. G5. Orig.~]

My honoured Lord, your Letter being delyvered
unto her Majestie, and havyng red it vnto me,
comanded me to wryte this to your Lordship that you
do not geve her so manny thanks for that she did to
your sonn, as she gevith her selfe for the doing that
wych may any way comforte you, and also to give
your Lordship thanks from her for your kynd and
most thaukfull letter ; and sayeth althowgh you have
brought vp your sonn as nere as may be like vnto
your selfe for her sarvys, yet are you to her in all
thynges and shalbe A and 12. Her Majestie also
prayeth your Lordship that you wyll forber the
travell of your hand though she is seure you wyll not
of your hed for her sarvys. Her Ma tle geveth your
sonn great thanks, that he was- the cause of your stay,
for she say the whersoever your Lordship is, your sar-
vyse to her geveth houerly thanks : and prayeth your
Lo. to youse all the rest posyble you may, that you
may be able to sarve her at this tyme that commethe.
My ho. Lo. let me crave pardon that for want of me-
mory cannot so fully wryt her Ma t,e3 gracious wordes
and her thanks to your Lo. that her selfe did utter ;

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 149

but it sufysuth that your Lo. knoweth her Ma ties ex-
celensi and my weknesse to expres it : but I protest
my harte was so fylled with her kynd speches of your
Lo. as I wattered my eys, and so cravyng alwayes
pardon, I rest ever most dewtifully.

Your Lordships trew pour frend to doue you sar-

vys. C. HOWARD.

The Court this Monday.

To the right honorable and my especial
good Lord, the Lo. Treseror of Eng-
land.

LETTER CCCCXLV.

The Earl of Sussex to Lord Burghley. His poverty,

and his desire of employment in the Queens service.

[ibid, lxxxiv. 72. Orig.~\

My most honored Lo., thoughe I have already
beene verey troublesome unto your Lo., using your
helpe in many sutes unto the Queene, amongest all
which it hathe hitherto beene my fortune to obtaine
none, thoughe I am fully assured that I have not
wanted any furtherance you could affoord mee. So
that I cannot but thinke my selfe verey unwoorthie, or
weakly grounded in her Majesty's opinion. Yett, will
I not forbeare to seeke any meanes to helpe my selfe
for it is my case to refuse nothing that may either
support my estate or ease my mynde, bothe of them

150 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

beeinge at a lowe ebb. Wherfore as alwayes I have
made your Lo. my helpe, soe doe I pray yow to con-
tinue ; and euen now yf as I heere there bee any forces
to bee levyed for Fraunce or ells where, for whether-
soever it bee I am well content to goe, lett mee not
lacke your Lo. furtherance, for I hadd muche rather
make a good ende in her Ma ts service abroade then to
live in a miserable povertye at hoame which cannot
be avoyded unlesse things doe fall out more success-
ively then I can expect. So hoping muche on your
Lo. I take my leave. From Yvi Bridge, this 28 th
November, 1597.

Your Lo. assured to command

RO. SUSSEX.
To the R. Hono r my verey good Lo.
the Lo. Treasurer of England.

LETTER CCCCXLVI.

Sir Robert Cecil to Sir Michael Hicks.

[ms. lansd. lxxxviii. art. 52. Orig.]

%* This Letter is entirely in Sir Robert Cecil's hand. The direc-
tion in a different hand. The particular detail of circumstances to
which it relates, it would probably be difficult now to discover. It
is given here, only to illustrate the bias to artifice and dissimulation
which marked Sir Robert Cecil's character. The Lord Treasurer
was Thomas Sackville Earl of Dorset, whose daughter Anne mar-
ried Sir Henry Glemham.

I am very gladd yow have chosen M 1 . Grevill, and
I will do all I can for yow, only believe me y l in this

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 151

place my L. Threr his voice will way downe ; and
being soght withowt him will neuer be had, for he
will violently cross it. Go, therefore in any wise to
my Lady Glemmam, give her promise of a 100 }i . so she
will winn her father to yow, which you may say you
will no further troble then to give yow his fauour if
you can winn the Q. by your freends. Do not seeme
that you rely uppon me in this matter but as if he do
like it, and seem not to haue heard from me about it.
I send away this Ire because you may be doing in y e
meane time till Mather haue don with M r . Grevill for
whom he is wayting to speake and may tarry a good
while, this being an ill day with the Q. who keeps in
vppon y e hwes a of my Lady Nottingham. And so I
end.

You must tell Glemmam that except you may as-
sure me that her father likes of it, yo r best freends
will not stirr. She must don it so directly with the
Thre r for her 100 iJ . or els she may cosin you.

For the lOOli. I will find a ward to pay it, or 200
rather then faile.

Keep this till we meet.

To my verie lovinge freind,
Mr. Michaell Hickes, Esq.

a So in the orig. Ed.

152 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXLVII

Mountjoyc to Queen Elizabeth ; professing his zeal in
suppressing the Rebellion.

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS. F. XIII. fol. 287. Orig.]

%* This is a specimen of the free and familiar manner in which
Queen Elizabeth permitted her favourite courtiers to correspond
with her. Essex, it will be remembered, in the autumn of 1599,
returned unadvisedly from Ireland, in the midst of Tyrone's rebel-
lion, and was at first placed in the custody of the Lord Keeper.
"The Earl," says Stowe, "being thus restrained, the Queen and
Council warily foreseeing the imminent danger of those Irish rebels,
whose strengths and fury would instantly increase to the utter ruin
of that kingdom, if present precaution were not had, thereupon made
choice of Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy, being also of a mild dispo-
sition, and very gracious with the peers and common people. Which
said Lord Mountjoy set forward from London for the Irish expedition
the 7th of February next following, having sent many companies of
souldiers before him from London and divers shires, being in all
points very honorably accompanied and attended: though not in
such magnificence as was the Earl of Essex."

Charles Blount, who succeeded his brother as Lord Mountjoy, in
1594, had been one of the commanders in the fleet which encoun-
tered the Spanish Armada, and was afterwards governor of Ports-
mouth. His subsequent repulse of the Spaniards at Kinsale is well
known, James the First created him Earl of Devonshire. He
died April 3rd, 1606.

Sacred Ma 1 ^.

If while I labor to hew downe this ouergrowne

tree off rebellion youre Ma tye doo but marke how

muche is yet vncutt, you will thinke my woorke to

bee farr from the ende, but if you voutsafe to looke

ORIGINAL LETTERS. J 53

how neere the axe w ch you have giuen me is to the
harte off the tree, itt will appear how easely iff you
now force itt w th youre fayre and myghtye hande
with a suddayne, though but a shorte strengthe, itt
will fall with his owne weyghte. Iff I did loue nay
wages better then my mistress, I should desyre to bee
hyred by the day, and to prolonge my woorke, but
I haue taken this tasx in greate obedience, for
itt was by youre absolute commandemente, in great
desyre to accomplische itt, for itt is my dewtey ; and
I doo labor in itt w^ so greatte zeale and sinceritey,
thatt I am nott affrayde off the eye off my mistress,
but wisch thatt what soeuer is between her vpryght
syght, and the labors off my harte wear transparent.
If my trauayles be acceptable to youre Ma tye I haue
my ende, and desyre no greater rewarde ; and iff I
with all thatt I haue may stopp the gullfe off theas
wars by throwinge my sellfe to bee swallowed vpp
thearin, I shall dye a happye and a contented Curtius;
and one gratius thought off yours throwen after mee
shallbe more pretius then all the iewells off the
ladeys off Roome ; but while I Hue, O lett me liue in
youre fauor, for I am youre

Ma teys truest seruantt,

MOUNTIOYE.
8th June 1600.

H 5

154 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXLVIII.

Sir Julius Ccesar to Lord Buckhurst, regarding his

services to her Majesty.

[ms. addit. 12,497. fol. 175. Orig.~\

*** Indorsed by Sir Julius Caesar, " The copy of my Letter
to the Lord Treasurer touching the goods brought in by Sir Robert
Mansell, adjudged to her Majesty."

Myne humble duetie don to your good Lordship.

By this tyme I hope the Commissioners have
brought into her Majesties cofers above thirtie thow-
sand powndes sterling, for the peper, sugar, indigo,
synamon, brazil wood, greene ginger, oyle, cotton-
wool, jewels, perles, bezoar stones, and ready money,
which I have within these three last monethes (not
without myne excessive paynes and some chardge) ad-
judged unto her. But this is not the first money,
neither all by fowerscore thowsand pounds at the
least, which myne industrie hath brought to her
Highnes, synce my first serving in the Admiraltye.
Others maye take at sea and sometymes perhaps
better untaken, if profitt and honor bee balanced to-
gether, but nothing can in that kynd be rightlie pos-
sessed by her Majestie before it bee adjudged good
prize, and beeing so adjudged must bee still defended
agaynst all oppositions of detracting tongues. These
two partes are laborious and dangerous, and myne
owne, and yet unrewarded.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 155

To saye that D. Lewes, my predecessor, had in
guifts, bestowed on him by her Majestie, above ten
thousand poundes at severall tymes in leases, parson-
ages impropriate, lycences for transportacon of beere
and corne, and the like, and I yet nothing, might bee
construed perhapps wordes of discontentment, but
that bee farre from mee. I knowe that her Majestie
is an upright judge, hable to help, and ready inough
when she seeth her tyme, if I bee worthie. Only my
complaynt is with the cripple in the fifth chapter of
S*. Johns Gospell. Io non ho kuomo che mi metta nel
lavatoio, quando Vacqua e turbata, per il che mentre
cK io vado, un' altro vi scende innanzi a me. And so
I most humblie take my leave, beseeching the Al-
mightie to graunt your Lordship in perfect health a
long and happie lief. DD. Comons 13 th of March,
1601.

Your good L ps most humblie at coinaundement.

LETTER CCCCXLIX.

Mahomet III. to Queen Elizabeth, tendering his Al-
liance against the Sultan of Alphrangi. A Trans-
lation.

[MS. COTTON. NERO. B. xi. 79.]

%* The Arabic of the more important parts of the translation is
given in Latin characters at the side, with interpretations, and at
the end, the signature " W. Bedwell, March 20, 1604." The year
of the Letter is 1G02.

156 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Glory be to God who hath magnifyed himself in
wourks, glorified his dominion, ordeyned kings and
kingdomes, exalted himself alone in Maiestie and
power, he is not to be vttered by wourd of mouth, nor
conceaved by imagination of the hart, he is no vayne
shew, no bond may conteyne him, nor simylitude
expresse him, his blessing and his peace is over all
his goodnes in the creature, he hath byn proclaymed
by his Prophett heretofore, and since that, often ;
and now againe by this Writing at this present which
is inferior unto none.

For this Citty which is not slack to shew their
love, hath manifested yt in that societie which filleth
the horizont with joy, and hath confirmed yt to the
eie, which bringeth by a signe a knowledg of remem-
braunce of yt generally and particulerly.

And, for that their request is reasonable with pur-
pose of Exchaung, and they themselves of honest
carriage, and their kindnes in doing good to the crea-
tures great ; helping the creature in adversitie and in
prosperitie ; joyntly giving liberally unto the pore
and such as do stand in need of their aboundance ;
preserving the creature to their vttermost with will-
ing mynd ; which for them now is extended vnto
India and Arach, sending fourth the chiefest men of
note and discrecion, calling also the best of the crea-
tures to counsell therin.

This is the Sultan which doth rule in the King-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 157

dome of England, Fraunce, Holland, and Frizland,
God preserve and contynue that Kingdome and Em-
pire long in prosperitie.

And for that that he that hath obteyned the
writing of theis lettres from the King of the King-
dome of Ashey, who doth rule there with an absolute
powre, is a man generally well reported; and for
that there came unto us a good report of you, de-
clared and spred very joyfully by the mouth of Cap-
tayne James Lancaster, God contynue his welfare
long.

And because that you affirme that in your lettres
are commendacions unto us, and that your lettres are
patent priviledges, Almighty God advaunce the pur-
pose of this honorable consosiacion, and confirme this
wourthy league.

And for that you do affirme in them that the Sul-
tan of Alphrangi is your enemye and an enemy to
your Company in what place soever you doe meet
from first to last.

And for that he hath lift up himself proudly and
sett him self as King of the Wourld, yet what is he
besides his exceeding pride and haughtie mynde.

In this therefore is our joy increased and our
societie confirmed, for that he and his subjects are
our enemyes in this wourld and in the wourld to
come ; so that wee shall cause them to dye, in what
place soever wee shall meet them, a publique death.

158 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

And moreover you do affirrne that you desire
peace and amytie with us, to God be praise and
thaneks for the greatnes of his grace. This therfore
is our serious will and honorable purpose truly in
this writing, constantly that from hensforth you may
come and send from your Company unto our Bander
to trade and to traffique.

And that whosoever shalbe sent unto us in your
Highnes name, and to whom you shall prescribe the
tyme unto, he shalbe of a joynt company, and of
common priviledges. For this Captaine and his
company so soone as they came unto us, wee have
made them of an absolute societie, and wee have in-
corporated them into one Corporation and common
dignities.

And wee have graunted them priviledges and
have shewed them the best course of traffique, and
to manifest unto men the love and brotherhood be-
twene us and you in the wourld, there is sent by the
hand of this Captaine, according to the mannor and
custome unto the famous Citty, a ring of gould bew-
tifyed with a rubie rich placed in his seat; two
vestures woven with gold and imbrothered about
with gold, enclosed within a red box of China.
Written in Tarit, of the yere Mxj.

Farewell.

LETTE RS

OF

THE REIGN OF

JAMES THE FIRST.

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER CCCCL.

King James the First to ... . Blake : respecting his
disputes with the Puritans.

[ms. cotton, vespas. f. hi. fol. 35. b. Orig. entirely in the King's

hand.']

My honest Blake, I darre not saye faced 3, the
lettir talking of deambulatorie counsalls and suche
lyke satirike trikkis did a littell chafe me, but ye
may see I ansoured according to the olde skollairs
reule, in quo casu quoeris, in eodem res pondere tene-
ris, for I wolde be sorrie not to be as constant indeid,
as she was that callid her self semper eadem ; in deid
ye may tell the beagill that he hath best cause to
complaine of my being a peripatetike, for I will ofte
tymes walke so fast rounde about and aboue with
him, that he will be lyke to fall doun deade upon
the floore. I ' can giue you no other thankis for
youre daylie working and publique railing upon me,

162 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

saue only this, doe quhat ye can, ye can giue me no
mo argumentis of youre faithfull affection touardis
me; and doe quhat I can unto you, I can neuer
increase a haire the deuotion of youre seruice to-
uardis me. We have kept suche a reuell with the
Puritainis heir these two dayes as was neuer harde
the lyke, quhaire I haue pepperid thaime as soundlie,
as ye haue done the papists thaire ; it uaire no rea-
son that those that uill refuse the airie signe of
the crosse after baptisme shoulde haue thaire pursis
stuffid with any moe solide and substantial! crossis ;
thay fledde me so from argument to argument with-
out euer ansouring me directlie, ut est eorum moris,
as I was forcid at last to saye unto thaime, that if
any of thaime hadde bene in a colledge disputing
with thair skollairs, if any of thaire disciples had
ansoured thaim in that sorte, thay wolde haue fetchid
him up in place of a replye, and so shoulde the
rodde have plyed upon the poore boyes buttokis.
I haue such a booke of thairs as maye uell conuerte
infidellis, but it shall neuer conuert me, except by
turning me more earnistlie against thaim, and thus
praying you to comende me to the honest Chamber-
laine, I bidde you hairtelie fairuell.

JAMES R.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 163

LETTER CCCCLI.

The Earl of Salisbury to Mr. Adam Newton. His
apology for coming from Royston without taking
leave of the Prince of Wales.

[harl. ms. 7002. art. 54. Orig.~]

M R . Newton, I have now so much need of help,
and promise my self from you so much frendship in
any honest cause, as I have sent this lettre to pre-
sent you the image of a trobled mynd, and an er-
nest desire to be relieved with speed. First, because
I have ofended, and next, because I have alredy
judged my self out of mine owne conscience, which
(whylst it is gilty) continews a shrewd companion.
My fawlt is shortly this, that when I was come 6
miles on my way, I remembred, that I had left
Royston without wayting on the Pr. of Wales to
receave his comandments. Have I don so because I
knew it not to be my duty, then am I worss then
Tom Dyrry ; dyd I forbeare it, becawse I loved him
not ; God knowes (excepto uno) my hart is his before
all the world. Shall I tell you, then, any trew cawse
of this omission, I protest unto you, it was no more
nor less, then a gross and beastly oblivion to do that
when I was out of the K.'s chamber, which I resolued
when I was in it. Not that I had any thing worthy
his knowledg, for I came rather to do my duty

164 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

(being neare the K.) then for any other business, but
that which was contained in the lettre I left with
you. In all which his Majesty resolves to heare fur-
ther, both from Savoy and from Germany, before he
make any answer.

Now therfore S r ., that you have my plane confes-
sion, and my trew contrition (both which I desire
this paper may present his H. by your convoy) I
will hope to receave spedy newes of absolution, for
which purpose I resolued to write thus much in this
place before I went up any stayres. I pray you also
let his H. know that I had thus much more ill
fortune that came to my feeling when my errour
came first to my thoughts (which was six miles on
this syde Royston) and that was (putting my hand
doun to my knee that was a cold), I fownd I had
never a garter. So as if you heare of any such ware
at the markett, as a golden garter with a Hony soit,
stey it for Your ass. fr.

R. SALISBURY.

From Audley End.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 165

LETTER CCCCLII.

The Earl of Salisbury to Mr. Newton. The King
determined to hear the matter between the Mer-
chants and the Mint-men : and wishes the Prince to

hear it.

[ibid. 7002. art. 53. Orig.']

*** Ruding, under the year 1611, in his Annals of the Coinage
of Britain, says, " On the 9th of May, in his tenth year, the King
was (as usual) present at the trial of the Pix, and diligently viewed
and examined the state of his Money and Mint.

" It was probably in consequence of this examination that a Pro -
clamation was published upon the 28th of the same month, forbid-
ding all persons (except the officers of the Mint, for the service and
employment thereof,) to melt any coins, to make plate, &c. or for
any other use, or to cull coins to export or melt, ice. In this Pro-
clamation his Majesty said that he had been informed daily, by the
officers of his Mint, and otherwise, that it was a frequent practice
with goldsmiths and others to weigh the money, and to cull out such
as were more weighty than the rest : some part of which money so
culled he had found (when it pleased him to enter into the examina-
tion thereof himself) to be daily openly sold to goldsmiths, and by
them employed for the making of plate, &c. and some part to be
exported, for private men's particular gain, whereby great scarcity
of good money was likely to ensue, unless a remedy was quick ly
applied.

" For this purpose the King consulted with his Privy Council
(and with divers gentlemen of quality and discretion), and called
before them merchants of every trade, the officers of the Mint, and
goldsmiths of the best sort, in order that he might the better ground
his resolutions upon such informations and discoveries, as either
art, experience, or the knowledge of the affairs abroad, could af-
ford." 1

In consequence of the inquiries then made, it was resolved to
raise the gold coins of the kingdom, so as to make them of equal

" Ruding's Annals, 8vo. edit. vol. iii. pp. 116, 117.

166 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

value with the price of gold in foreign parts, though not to make
alteration in the weight or fineness of the standard.

S r . The K. being determined to heare the matter
between the Merchantts and the Mynt men tomorrow
at 9 of clock, I have thought it fitt to advertise" his
H. by you, both because it is worthy his hearing,
and because I find that the K. (though he send not
for him) is willing he shold be at it, so many thinges
of civill pollicy being incident to that deliberation as
are worthy th'eares of that excellent mynd, moulded
(in his owne dew tyme) for the government of kyng-
doms. The houre is 9, at furthest, and this is the
hand of his humble seruant and

Yo r loving frend,

R. SALISBURY.
To my very loving frend Mr. Newton,
or in his absence, to Sir David
Murray, knight.

LETTER CCCCLIII.

Henry Prince of Wales to his father James I., with a
List of Knights of the Bath. Asks permission to
go to Chatham with the Duke of Brunsivick.

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS. F. III. 11. b. Or'tg.~]

May it please your Majesty.

According vnto your Ma. commandement I haue
sett down there names who were recommended to
me for Knights of the Bathe, aswell Noblemen as

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 167

others, to be kept or altered as shall be best plesing
to yo r Majesty; not doubting but yo r Ma. will declare
yo r pleasure within a short tyme. And because the
Prince of Brunswik hauing seene with me the new
shippe which is building att Wolwich, is desyrous to
see the rest of them att Chatham, hauing this occa-
sion I make bold to intreate leaue to go thither for
two or three nights, which in this I must be directed
by, as in all other things, your Ma tles will must be a
law to him who most humbly kissing your Ma ties
hands resteth.

Your Ma. most dutifull and obedient sonne,

HENRY.

LETTER CCCCLIV.

The Lord Deputy, Arthur Chichester, to the Earl of
Northampton, on the Affairs of Ireland.

[MS. COTTON. TITUS. B. x. fol. 195. Orig.']

My honorable good Lord, the condition of the
affayres and state here is such att this tyme, as it
affoords lyttle other matter to be imparted but that
which concearnes the Plantation of the Escheated
lands in Ulster, into which we have made an entrance,
and of that subject I have so largely written in the
generall letters to your Lordships that I should com-
mitt an errore in troublynge you in the superfluous
repetition therof ; to which worke I see your Lord-

168 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ship is well affected, for you have made a good choyse
of the personnes you have sent to undertake your
precynct, and if their resolutions be as good to abide
a storme when it happens, as their purses are (for the
most part) to performe the conditions, ther is no
doubt but they wyll doe well, and finde commodi-
tie by it. But when I consider that the worke wee
have in hand is one of the greatest that hath byne un-
dertaken by the Kinges of England in manie ages,
and the conditions of the Parties that have under-
taken yt, I meane for such as have come yet in per-
son unto us ; I doe then conceiue that these are not
the men that must performe the busines, but that wee
must expect some other ; for to remove and displant
the natives (who are a warlike people) out of the
greatest part of six whole Counties, and to bringe in
straungers to replant the same is not a worke for pri-
uate men who seeke a present profitt.

In the distribution of the Precyncts made ther, I
can not but thinke that the servitores and natives
were greatly neglected in all Counties but that of the
Cauan, for wee conceiued here that the one halfe att
lest of each Countie would haue byne left and assign-
ed for them; but nowe they have but one Baronie in
a Countie, and in some Jesse, which hath greeued the
servitor, and so discontented the natives that they
(fhe natives I meane) wyll do what spite and malice
can inuent to hinder the proceedinge and good sue-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 169

ceasse in a worke so commendable in it selfe, and pro-
featable to all posterities, and sure I am had I not
disarmed them of their weapons and instruments of
warre (as I did the first and second yeare after I came
to this Governement) manie of them had by this
tyme declared themselves Rabies, for it is not to be
thought that their hartes are better affected att this
tyme, and if wee be not furnished with monie to lye
in deposite to aunswer such a sudden alarme, and to
encounter them upon their first insurrection (if anie
be, which God forbydd,) our delay in attendinge of it
from thence, wyll increase their numbers aswell as
their pride, and so enhable them to geve the stronger
opposition.

I have heretofore recommended the consideration
of that advise, and have att this tyme revived yt ; for
the layenge upe of twentie or thirtie thousand pounds
(for such a purpose only) maye prevent a mischeife
and save manie a thousande att one tyme or other,
and if ther be no such cause to use it, yt wylbe as
safe (by Gods grace) here, as in the Towre of London,
but that trecherie and treasons are more riffe and
usuall here then ther, to which it must be aduentured
togeather with our lives.

This noble gentleman, Sir Oleuer Lambeart, is of
himselfe so well acquanted with all occurrents here,
and with what I haue thought fitt to propounde to
you Lordships, that I thinke it well becomes me to

VOL. IV. i

170 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

spare your paynes in reading so the written letters.
Your Lordships honorable countenance and supporta-
tion hath geuen me such grace and content, that
I humbly acknowledge myselfe perpetually indebted
unto you, and for the same I wyll ever honor you and
yours with my best love and service. And so with
the remembrance of my dewtie, I remayne

Your Lo ps in all readines to be commanded,

ARTHUR CHICHESTER.

Att his Ma ties Castle of Dublvn,
the last of October, 1610.

To the right honorable my verie good lord
the Earle of Northampton, Lord Priuie
Seale.

LETTER CCCCLV.

Walter Pye to Sir John Scudamore of Home Lacy,
the Arrival of the Palsgrave.

[scudamore papers, BRIT. mus. vol. iii. OrigJ]

The last Saterday I purposed to have written vnto
you but that I thought good to stay vntill I might
advertyse you of the Palgraves any vail.

And nowe you shall vnderstand that on Saterday
last the Kinge sente the Duke of Lyneux and some
tenne noble men and gentlemen of qualytye to
Gravesend to meete him, and on Sonday they
brought him towardes London in barges, and, about

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 171

the Tower, the Duke of Yorke mett him on the
water, and soe cam by water to Whitehall, and on the
stayers at the court dyvers noblemen met him and
brought him into the newe buy It banquetinge house
at Whitehall, where the Kinge sate in his chayer of
estate, the Queene and Lady Elysabeth on th'one
syde, and the Prynce on th'other syde, and the Pals-
grave w th a very bold and manly coiitenance entered
the rome, and cam very close to the chayer of estate,
and then vncovered his head, and bowed himself to-
wards the Kinge, and the Kinge descended from his
chayer two steppes, and mett the Palsgrave comynge
vp, and the Kinge imb raced him, and he the Kinge
much lower then the Kinge, for the Kinge imbraced
him about the myddle and he saluted the Kinge al-
moste to the foote ; and, after some speach vsed be-
twixt them in Prenche, he turned to the Queene and
bowed himself very 1 owe, and the Queene offered him
her hand, and he tooke her hand with reverence, and,
as they gather that did see it, the Queenes purpose
was that he shold have kyssed it, but he did not kysse
her hand, but put it from him in a very comelye
fashion, and then he spake a word or two to the
Queene, and looked about him carefully to see where
the Prince stoode and Princes, and then went to the
Prynce, and saluted him in a familiar fashion, and
iinediatly went to his Mystres and saluted her downe

to the grounde, and tooke vp her kyrtle and kyssed

i2

172 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

it in the bowinge, and in his rysinge kyssed her, and
had some speache with her, and then the Kinge and he
w th drewe themselves into the gallarye, and he wold
have preferred the Prince, but the Kinge wold not
suffer him, and after followed the Queene and Princes
and there they stayed half an houre and more, and soe
he was conveyed w tb many noblemen to Essex House
where he lay that night ; he cam to Whitehall above
fy ve of the clocke, and stayed there tyll neere seven
of the clocke and cam by barge to Essex House.
The company that comes w th him of noblemen and
gentlemen, and others, are about a hundred, and not
tenne more, besydes saylors ; the Kinge is much
pleased w th his good and discreete cariage, and the
Queene, that was not willinge to herken to the match,
is nowe much pleased with him, and soe is the lady,
and the Prince, and all others that behelde him. I
have sent you hereinclosed his pycture, such as is or-
dynaryly sold ; there was greate dyversytye of
opinions concernynge his behaviour and his reve-
newe, but nowe his behaviour is seene and much
coinended, and I heare of certaynety that his re-
venewe is two hundred thousand pownds by yeare.
Peeter Vaulour is my author ; he is in greate possy-
bylye of the Duchye of Bavaria for the present Duke
is 55 yeares old, and is maryed, and not lykely to have
any childe ; and his brother is Bushop of Cullen, and
may have none, soe he is after them next heyre. He

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 173

went agayne to the Courte on Monday in the after-
noone, and there was feasted, but not entertayned in
any greate state or shewe in publyke, but in pryvate.
The speach is, the yonge Princes lykes him well. I
pray God send them much joy and comforte.

I have noe other newes to wryte of at this presente
but will conclude with my prayer to God for you and
yours, desyringe you wold be pleased to make S r
James partaker of these Duch newes, and doe rest
ever Yours in all servyce,

WAL. PYE.

From the Middle Temple, this
21 th of October, 1612.

To the right wo r S r John Scudamore,
Knyghte,athis house atHomelacye,
gyve this w th speede. Leave this
letter at Willyam Cater's house in
Rosse, to be sente to Homelacye.

LETTER CCCCLVI.

Dr. Thomas Ryves to Sir Daniel Dunn. The open-
ing of the Parliament of Ireland, and the choice of
Sir John Davies as Speaker, 1612.

[ms. cotton, tit. b. x. 222. Orig.~]

*»* This Letter affords the reader a picture of what an Irish Par-
liament was in 1612. None had been summoned previous to it for
seven and twenty years ; and upon its assembling a scene took

174 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

place which could only be surpassed by the meeting of a Polish
Diet. The Lord Deputy prorogued it till the following May, that
the minds of both the parties of which it was composed might be
suffered to cool.

The Speech which Sir John Davies made, when he was approved
of as Speaker of this Parliament at its subsequent opening, is
printed among his " Historical Tracts," edited by Mr. George
Chalmers, 8vo. London, 1786, p. 293-317. He dwells in it upon
the History and Succession of the Irish Parliaments, dating their
establishment as first taking place toward the decline of the reign
of Edward II. " For before that time," he says, " the meetings
and consultations of the great Lords with some of the Commons for
appeasing of dissensions among themselves, though they be called
Parliaments in the antient Annals, yet being without any orderly
summons or formal proceedings, are rather to be called Parties than
Parliaments."

Honourable Sir,
Yow have beene pleased at sundrie times to com-
mande niee to write unto yow out of Ireland. Times
heretofore afforded noe matter to be written of; and
letters of ceremonie, to men of greate imployments,
as yow are, are never pleasing, and commonlie offen-
sive. This is the cause why I have hitherto for-
borne to trouble yow. Now the waters beginn to
growe trowbled here ; which as it is dangerous to us,
soe doeth it afford occasion of discourse abroade ; es-
peciallie in England and at the Court; and though
yow dwell at Well-head, and cannot butt be informed
of all that is there spoken, yeat because I knowe that
the reports will be different, and everie man will be
apt to beeleeve and to speake according to his affec-
tion, I therefore thought it fitt to certifie yow of the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 175

truth of all that hath passed ; as having been an eie
and eare witness of most of that which hath passed ;
and had good occasion to bee rightlie informed of the
rest. Our Parliament beegann upon the 18 th day of
this May. In the morning, certaine of the recusant
Lords came to the Lord Deputie, complaining that
this cowld bee noe free Parliament, because that,
contrarie to the ancient custome, it was to bee held
within the Castle ; and that there were certaine
companies of souldiers drawen into the towne, they
feared for noe good purpose. My Lord replied,
that the cause why the soldiers were drawen into
the towne, was a tumult latelie raised in the towne ;
that the Castle was the most convenient place for
such a business ; that if they departed, it should
bee at theire perill ; butt leave hee would give them
none ; requiring them to staie, and to proceed to
the Parliament according to their summons. Thease
words, spoken by a man whose vertue and valour
the whole Irish nation dreadeth both at home and
abroade, caused them to give theire attendance on
him to the churche dore, and afterward to the Par-
liament howse. The knights and burgesses of the
lower howse, having received order from the deputie
to chuse a Speaker, went together : myself having
this poore honour, to bee one of the nomber. Sir
John Davis, the King's Attornei Generall in this
kingdome, was commended to us from the King;

176 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

and therefore wee named him : the recusants named
one Sir John Everard ; a man soe farr addicted to
his superstition, that hee left his place att the Kings
Bench, rather then hee would take the oath of supre-
macie. Seeing therefore that the major part could
not bee discerned, as wee sate, Sir Oliver S 1 . Johns,
Master of the Ordinance, called all those which
named Davis, and willed them to follow him out of
the house, as the manner is : and being without, wee
sent in a couple to them, to nomber them, request-
ing them to send out a couple likewise to nomber
us; butt they refused to nomber, or to bee nombred;
our men were noe sooner returned unto us, but they
tooke Sir John Everard, and sett him in the Speak-
ers chaire ; which when wee sawe, wee entred the
howse againe, and propownded for Sir John Davis,
and finding ourselves to be the major part by 28
voices, or thereabouts, having named him, two
knights tooke him and putt him allsoe in the
Speakers chaire, and sett him downe in the others
lapp ; and because hee would not remove they tooke
him fairelie out of the chaire, and kept Sir John
Davis there. I cannot express what a crie was
raised hereupon, butt the recusants seeing they
could not prevaile, left the house, and being sent
unto by us, refused to returne, but went everie man
to his lodging ; and shortlie after, wee caused the
mace to bee borne up before our Speaker, and car-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 177

ried him to his howse. This is the true somme of
that which passed that day, noe man doubteth Sir,
butt that, had the Parliament beene kept in the
towne, the whole towne had beene drawen in upon
us ; and wee had all fallen to cutting of throates.
Butt in the Castle, they durst not stirr soe farr. The
next daie came eight of them, to the Lord Deputy
to complaine of the wrong they had received ; al-
leaging that Sir John Everard was pluckt out of the
chaire with greate violence and throwne all along
upon the ground : in soe much that he was now soe
lame thereof, that hee could not rise out of his bedd,
and that hee had undoubtedlie beene killed by us in
the place, if they had not taken him away, and saved
him. It was a wonder to us to heare men soe shame-
leslie to affirme such vile falsities : I stood upon a
seate next over them ; I sawe all that passed ; and soe
lett God blesse mee, as all these assertions are false
and slanderous. Not soe much as his hatt, that I
sawe, moved upon his head ; neither doe I thinke
that hee soe much as touched the ground with a
knee ; it seemed to mee, that in coming out of the
pugh, hee trode upon his gowne, and soe stooped, as
lowe as a mans bosome and noe lower : and this was
all. Wee understand that they sent away a letter
that night to theire frendes in Court in England. I
cannot doubt butt that they have delivered good
truthes in them : seeing they were soe audacious to

I 5

178 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

affirm in writing such things to us that were present
and able to repell them. In the meane time the
towne was full of people diverselie affected, and
theire bold words and discontented looks gave us
cause to thinke that wee might happilie have come
to blowes ; butt, thanked bee God, the towne is now
well emptied, and wee continue in good assurance.
My Lord Deputy upon that verie first day, after the
Parliament was risen and the streetes a little cleared,
having given good order for things, if occasion should
bee, went and played a game att rubbers, as upon
anie other ordinarie day ; noe man doubted, butt
that hee did it of purpose, to shewe what little
reckoning hee made of all theire brables. For as
hee is wise to forsee, soe is hee, and ever hath beene
observed to bee, the most confident man that ever
was placed in authoritie ; yeat in execution tender
harted and milder then som would have him. Those
of the lower howse came noe more at us ; th Lords
recusants came the second day allso to the upper
howse, and there complained of greate feare, and
namelie, that they feared they should bee blowne
upp with gunpowder. The Lord Deputy told them
that theire feare was causeless, if anie ; that they
could not suspect anie such matter, seeing himself,
and the other Lords sate with them : and that they
kr.ewe well enough, what religion it was which
hatched such cocatrices eggs. Upon the Satursday

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 179

the Lords allsoe sent word that they would bee ex-
cused from coming to the upper howse. The Lord
Deputie that evening made a proclamation, that all,
as well Lords and others, should not faile upon theire
allegeance, to appeare in Parliament upon Thursday
in Whitson weeke ; for as much as the Act, concern-
ing the Kings title, was then to be prepounded.
When Thursdaie came, none of them appeared:
what will come hereof, wee cannot tell, butt the
Lord Deputie hath sent the Erie of Tomond, the
Lord Cheife Justice, and Sir Oliver S*. Johns to his
Majestie, to informe him of the right. In the meane
time wee keepe the Parliament for fashon. For this
is that which they have plotted of long time ; either
to make a major part, and soe to stopp all proceed-
ings; sondrie mandatorie letters having beene sent
into all parts from theire preists, and some bookes
published to that effect; and as it is saied, some breifs
allsoe are come from Rome ; or if that could not bee,
then to frustrate all by some such action ; and never
to give consent to anie Act in prejudice of theire reli-
gion, and consequentlie not to hafe themselves bownd
by anie such Act hereafter. Sundrie other particu-
lars there are, butt this is the maine of all, which I
thought good to write unto yow, in discharge of my
dutie, requesting yow to conceale my name in the
relating thereof ; and if yow shall be pleased to lett
mee understand of the receite of this letter, I shall

180 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

have cause to thanke vow for it ; thus in hast, en-
treating yow to remember mee to that honorable
societie, hoping that they will ever acknowlege me
for a poore member thereof, I humblie take leave
and rest

Yours in all service to bee commanded,

T. RYVES.

From Dublin, this 29 of May.

To the right worshipfull my honourable
frend, Sir Daniell Dunn, knight, att
his chamber in the Doctors Commons,
givethease.

LETTER CCCCLVII.

Elizabeth, Princess Palatine, to Sir Julius Ccesar, re-
specting the payment of her Jeiveller for Rings which
she had given away at her departure.

[ms. addit. brit. mus. 12504. fol. 253. Orig.]

Good Sir Julius Ceaser, if you bee remembred, I
did send you a note signed with my owne hand the
10th of this present moneth, containinge the number
and prises of rings which, as tokens of my affection,
I have bestowed vppon my frends. Now doe I send
you an other bill which shall shewe you the number
and prices of rings distributed amongst those who
takinge theare leave did require som token, Avhich I
could not denie, and havinge nothinge to confer, was

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 181

constrained to make Jacob Hardret my Jeweller fur-
nish me with these rings, which I do acknowledg by
my signe apposed to this last bill, to have receaved
and given awaie. You doe know that it is fitting for
my quallitie at the time of my partinge from my na-
turall countrie to leave som small remembrance of
me amongst my affectionate frends, but that any
thinge employed for my vse should rest vnpaied
doeth not well becom my qualletie, and thearfore
beinge fullie perswaded of your affection towards
mee, in such sort that you will never suffer my name
to come in question for anie debt contracted by me,
I do earnestlie intreate you to cause see these billes
payed and discharged so sone as may bee for my re-
spect, because all these tokens have bin given with
mine owne hand, I am assured his Ma tie shall allow
you in soe doinge. This messenger expecteth vo r
answere, which I pra}^ you lett be sent me with all
expedition, and in recompence you shall ever find
me redie to prove Yo r good frend,

From Canterburev, Elizabeth.

the 20 th of August, 1613.

To her honourable frend, S r Julius Cesar,
kn l , Chancellor of the Exchequer.

This Letter is indorsed in Sir Julius Ccesars hand, —

"20 April 1613.
The Princesse Palatine El. to pay Hardret
his bill of 500 and od lib."

182 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCLVIII.

The Princess Palatine to Sir Julius Caesar in behalf

of the son of one of her Servants.

[addit. ms. brit. mus. 12,504. art. 252. Orig. Entirely in the Prin-
cess's hand.]

Good Sir Julius Caesar, I have a requeast vnto
you in the behalfe of one of my seruants, her name
is Sandill, whome I employ about my litle sonne,
and have found her cairfull and dilligent attendance
such as I must acknowledge. She hath a yong sonne
in England, to whom by the death of his grandfather
is fallen some inheritance, which by reason of his
yong yeares, and his mothers absence, is lyke to be
impaired by his vnkynd vncles, who also may most
probably be thought to shew a Will for their owne
aduantage, and not that which was last made by the
deceased. There are many reasons wherby this my
seruants sonne semeth to be ill vsed, and his grand-
father, to whom he is heire, dying so wealthy as I
vnderstand, my thinke there is no reason but he
should have better then this Will is shewed doeth
afford him. I do therefore most earnestly entreat
you for my sake that if the bussines doeth come
before you, as you shall be informed therein by them
who shal come vnto you, that this lad may have his
right, and what fauour as you can afford. I ame
so fully persuaded of your affection and have so

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 183

ressented the effects of it, that I do vndoubtedly
assure my selfe of your fauourable assistance herein.
I shal see in the good successe of this busines your
desyre to second my suite, and my seruants good,
wherin you shal oblige me infinitly, and shal acknow-
ledge it amonst your other courtesies, amonst which
I giue you most kynd thanks for your caire and good
successe in my owne bussines, wishing I had as good
meanes as true affection to testifie my gratitude, as
by al occasions you shal knowe that I am and shal
constantly remaine

Your most affectionnate frend,

ELIZABETH.

To Sir Julius Caesar.

Indorsed in Sir Julius's own hand, —
" From Heidelberg, 6 Jan. 1615. The

Lady Elizabeth, Princesse Palatine of

Rhene, on the behalfe of her servant

Sandill."

LETTER CCCCLIX.

John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, to the Lord Admi-
ral, upon the accident of Archbishop Abbot killing
a man by a shot from a cross-boiv. His own affairs
respecting the Great Seal.

[ms. harl. T000. art. 30. Orig.']

%* George Abbot was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1611 to
1633. The unfortunate circumstance to which this Letter relates,
happened but very few days before it was written. The following

184 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

is Mr. Alexander Chalmers's account of the occurrence, and of the
proceedings which followed, under the impression, with many, that
homicide must necessarily incapacitate an Archbishop from exer-
cising the functions of a primate.

"The Archbishop," be says, " now in a declining state of health,
used in the summer to go to Hampshire for the sake of recreation ;
and being invited by Lord Zouch to hunt in his park at Branzill, he
met there with the greatest misfortune that ever befel him ; for he
accidentally killed that nobleman's keeper, by an arrow from a
cross-bow, which he shot at one of the deer. This accident threw
him into a deep melancholy; and he ever afterwards kept a monthly
fast on Tuesday, the day on which this fatal mischance happened.
He also settled an annuity of twenty pounds upon the widow.
There w r ere several persons who took advantage of this misfortune,
to lessen him in the King's favour ; but his Majesty said, ' An
Angel might have miscarried in this sort.' But his enemies repre-
senting, that having incurred an irregularity, he w r as thereby incapa-
citated for performing the offices of a primate, the King directed a
Commission to ten persons, to inquire into this matter. The points
referred to their decision were, 1, Whether the Archbishop was irre-
gular by the fact of involuntary homicide ? 2, Whether that act
might tend to scandal in a churchman ? 3, How his Grace should
be restored, iu case the Commissioners should find him irregular !
All agreed that it could not be otherwise done than by restitution
from the King ; but they varied in the means. The Bishop of Win-
chester, the Lord Chief Justice, and Dr. Steward, thought it should
be done by the King and by him alone. The Lord Keeper, and the
Bishops of London, Rochester, Exeter, and St. David's, were for a
Commission from the King directed to some bishops. Judge Dod-
deridge and Sir Henry Martin were desirous it should be done both
ways by way of caution. The King accordingly passed a pardon
and dispensation ; by which he acquitted the Archbishop of all
irregularity, scandal, or infatuation, and declared him capable of all
the authority of a primate.

MY MOST NOBLE LORD,

An unfortunate occasion of my L. Grace his kill-
inge of a man, casually (as it is here constantly re-

ORIGINAL LETTERS

L

ported), is the cause of my secoridinge of my yester-
dayes letter unto your L p .

His Grace (upon this accident) is, by the common
lawe of England to forfeyt all his estate unto his
Ma tle . and by the Canon lawe (which is in force with
us) Irregular, ipso facto ; and soe suspended from all
ecclesiastical function, untill he be agayne restored
by his Superior, which (I take it) is the Kings Majes-
tye, in this ranke and order of ecclesiasticall jurisdic-
tion. If you send for D r . Lamb, he will acquaint
your Lordship with the distinct penalties in this
kynde. I wish with all my heart, his M tle . wold be
as mercifull as ever he was in all his life : but yeat
I held it my dutye to lett his M tie . knowe (by your
Lordship) that his M Ue . is falne upon a matter of
great advise and deliberation.

To add affliction to the afflicted (as no doubt he is
in mynde) is against the Kingis nature. To leave
Virum sanguineum, or a man of blood, primate and
patriarke of all his Church, is a thinge that sounds
very harshe in the old Councells and Canons of the
Church. The Papists will not spare to descant upon
the one and the other. I leave the knott to his M ,ies .
deepe wisdom to advise and resolve upon.

A rume falne into myne eie (together with the
rumor I last wrote unto your Lordship about) hath
fastned me unto my bedd, which makes this letter
the more unhandsom. But I will take nothinge to

186 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

heart that proceedes from that Kinge, who hath
raised me from the dust to all that I am. If the
truth were sett downe, 1, that my selfe was the
first mover for a temporarye Keeper, 2, that his
M tle . hath promised me upon the relinquishinge of
the seale (or before) one of the best places in this
Church, as most graciously he did, 3, the yeare and
a halfes probation left out, which is to noe purpose,
but to scarre away my men, and to putt a disgrace
upon me, 4, that my assistinge judges were de-
sired and named by myselfe, which your Lordship
knows to be most true : such a declaration would
neither shame me, nor blemish his Ma 1 " 65 , service in
my person. And it were fitter a great deale, the
penning thereof were refer' d to my selfe, then to
M r . Secretarye or the Lo, Treasurer, who (if he
hadd his demerit) deserves not to hold his staffe halfe
a yeare.

I doe verilye beleeve they will hasten to finish
this Acte befor I shall heare from your Lordship,
which if they doo, God send me patience and as
much care to serve him, as I have, and ever hadd to
serve my Maister. And then all must needes be
well.

I send your Lordship a copy of that speech I have
thought upon, to deliver at London upon Monday
next at the Commission of the Subsidyes. If his
Ma tie have leasure to cast his eie thereupon, and to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 187

give direction to have any thinge els delivered, or
any point of this suppressed, I would be directed by
your Lordship, whom I recomend in prayers to Gods
guidinge and protection, and doe rest ent r

Your L pps . true servant bound in all obligem*.

JOHN WILLIAMS,

Westm r . Julye the 27 th , 1621. Custos Sigilli.

To the right honourable my most noble lord,
the L. Admirall at Court.

LETTER CCCCLX.

TJie Duke of Buckingham to the Viscount St. Allan,

after his disgrace.

[ibid. 7000. art. 37. Orig.~]

My Lo.

I am glad your Lo. vnderstands me so rightly in
my last letter. I continue still in the same minde,
for I thank God, I am setled to my contentment, and
soe I hope you shall enjoy yours with the more,
because I am soe well pleased in myne. And my
Lo. I shall be very far from takinge it ill, if you
part with it to any else : judging it a like unreason-
ableness to desire that which is another mans, and to
binde him by promise or otherwise not to let it to
another.

My Lo., I will move his Ma tie . to take commisera-
tion of your longe imprisonment, which in some re-
spects both you and I have reason to think harder

188 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

then the Tower. You, for the help of physicke, your
parley with your creditors, your conference for your
writings and studies, dealinge with frends about your
busines ; and for this advantage to be somtymes hap-
py in visitinge and conversinge with your Lo. whose
company I am much desirous to enjoy, as beinge
tyed by antient acquaintance to rest alwaies

Yo r Lo. faithfull frend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.
To the r' honor ble my very good lo.
the Lo. Viscount S l Alban, theis.

LETTER CCCCLXI.

The Duke of Buckingham to the Viscount St. Alban.
Sends the Warrant for his pardon.

[ibid. 7000. art. 38. Orig. Entirely in the Duke of Buckingham's

hand.]

My Ho ble Lord,
I have delivered your Lo ps . letter of thanks to his
Ma tie . who accepted it gratiously, and will be glad to
see your booke, which you promise to send very
shortly, as soon as it cometh. I send your Lo p . his
Ma ty . warrant for your pardon as you desired it,
but am sorry that in the current of my service
to your Lo. there should be the least stop of any
thing, yet having moved his Ma ty . upon your ser-
vants intimation, for your stay in London till Christ-
mas, I found his Ma ty . who hath in all other occa-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 189

sions, even in that particular all ready, to the dislike
of many of your own frends, shewed with great for-
wardnes his gratious favour toward you, very unwil-
ling to grant you any longer libertie to abide there,
which being but a small advantage to you, would be
a great and general! distast, as you cannot but easily
conceave, to the whole State. And I am the more
sorry for this refusall of his Ma ty . falling in a tyme
when I was a sutor to your Lo p . in a particular con-
cerning myself, wherein though your servant in sisted
further then I am sure would ever enter into your
thought, I cannot but take it as a part of a faithfull
servant in him, but if your Lo p . or your Ladie finde
it inconvenient for you to part with the house, I will
rather provide myself otherwise then any way incom-
modate you, but will never slack any thing of my
affection to doe you service, whereof if I have not
yet given good proof, I will desire nothing more then
the fittest occasion to shew how much I am

Your Lo ps . faithfull servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.
To my very ho ble lord the Lo. Viscount S l Alban.

190 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCLXII.

My Lord of Buckingham to the Viscount St. Alban,

releasing him from the Treaty concerning his

House.

[ibid. 7000. art. 3G. Orig.]

My ho ble . Lord.
Now that I am provided of a house, I have thought
it congruous to give your Lo p . notice thereof that
you may no longer hang upon the treatie which hath
been between your Lo?. and me touching York
House, which I assure your Lo p . I never desired to
putt you to the least inconvenience. So I rest

Your Lo p P' s faithfull servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

To my ho b ' e Lord, the Lord Viscount S l Albans.
Indorsed — " L. of Buckingham, sent by
S r Arthur Ingram's servant."

LETTER CCCCLXIII.

The Duke of Buckingham to the same. The King

promises that Viscount St. Alban shall come to kiss

his hand.

[ibid. 7000. art. 57. Orig.~\

My Lord,
I have dispatched the busines your Lo p . recom-
mended to me, which I send your Lo p . here inclosed,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 191

signed by his Ma tle . And have likewise moved him
for your coming to kisse his hand, which he is
pleased you shall doe at Whitehall when he re-
turneth next thither. In the meane tyme I rest
Your LoP s . faithfull frend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

I will give order to my servant to wayt upon S r .
John Suckling about your other busines.
Newmarkett, 13 of November, 1622.

To my very ho ble Lord,
the Lo. Viscount S' Albans.

LETTER CCCCLXIV.

The Bishop of Lincoln to the Duke of Buckingham,
respecting the Office of Lord Steward just vacant.

[ibid. 7000. art. 92. Orig.]

Maye it please your Grace,
This heavye and unexpected accident of my Lord
Stewards death makes me to be troublesom unto
your Grace at this time. In safetye and discretion,
I might very easilye spare this labor, but my obliga-
tion to your Grace is such, as that, if I conceale any
thinge w ch but my selfe apprehendes fitt to be repre-
sented to your Grace, whilst I affect the title of a
reserved, close, and wise, I maye loose that other of
an honest man, wh ch I more esteeme. Thus much
by way of preface.

192 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

I represent this office of a Lord Steward, as a
place to be either accepted of by your selfe, or els to
be discontinued (as for many yeares towards the
latter end of Q. Elisabethes, and the beginninge of
our Master's raigne it was), and in any case, not to be
plac'te upon any other, w th out the deliberation of
somme fewe yeares, at the least. Beinge an office
that none but the Kinges kinsmen, or favourites, or
counterfavourites (raised up of purpose to balance the
great one) have auncientlye possessed. I could de-
sire your Grace hadd it in your owne person : for
these reasons.

1. It is an office of fayre, and very competent
gettinges, but that is scarce considerable.

2. It keepes you in all changes and alterations of
yeares nere the Kinge, and gives unto you all the
opportunityes and accesses, w th out the envye of a
favouritt. I beseech your Grace pawse well upon
this ; and call to mynde, if the Duke of Richmond
was not in this case.

3. It gives you opportunitye to gratifie all the
Court, great and small, virtute ojficij, in right of
your place, w ch is a thinge better accepted of and in-
terpreted, then a courtesye from a favouritt. Be-
cause in this you are a dispenser of your owne, but
in the other (saye many envious men) of the Kinges
gocdnes, w ch wold fiowe fast enough of it selfe, but
that it is restrayned to this pipe and chanel onelye.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 193

4. There must be one daye an end of this atten-
daunce as a Bedchamber man, but I hope never of
beinge next unto the Kinge as a great Counsailour
and Officer, and above all others, which you cannot be
but by this office. The Maister of the Horse is but
a knights place at the most, and the Admiralls (in
time of action) either to be imployed abroad person-
allye, or to live at home in that ignominye and shame,
as your Grace will never endure to doe. I will
trouble your Grace with a tale of Dante, the first
Italian poet of note, who beinge a great and wealthy
man in Florence, and demaunded his opinion who
should be sent Embassador to the Pope, made this
answer, that he knew not who. Si jo vo chi sta, si jo
sto chi va. " If I goe, I knowe not who shall staye
at home ; if I staye, I knowe not who can performe
this imployment." Yeat your Grace stayeing at
home, in favoure and greatenes with his M ty % maye by
your designe and direction soe dispose of the Admi-
rall, as to enjoy e the glorye without running the
hazard of his personall imployement. My gracious
Lord, if any man shall putt you in hope that the
Admiraltye will fill your coffers and make you riche,
call upon them to name one Admirall that ever was
soe. As in times of hostilitye there is some gettinge,
soe are there hungrie and unsatiable people present-
lye to devoure up the same. God made man to live
upon the land, and necessity onlye drives him to

VOL. IV. K

194 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

sea. Yeat is not my advise absolutelye for your re-
linquishinge of this, but in any case for the retayn-
inge of the other place, thoughe with the losse of the
Admiraltye.

5. I beseech your Grace observe the E. of Leices-
ter, who (beinge the onely favouritt in Q. Elizab. hir
time that was of any continuance) made choise of
this place onelye, and refused the Admiraltye two
severall times, as beinge an occasion, either to with-
drawe him from the Court or to leave him there
laden with ignomynie. And yeat beinge L. Steward,
wise, and in favoure, he wholye commanded the Ad-
miraltye, and made it ministeriall and subordinate to
his directions.

6. Remember that this office is fitt for a yonge, a
middle, and an old man to enjoy e ; and soe is not any
other that I knowe about his M tye . Nowe God Al-
mightye havinge given you favoure at the first, and
sithence a greate quantitye (I never flattered your
Grace nor doe nowe) of witt and wise experience, I
wold humbly recommend unto your Grace this op-
portunitye, to be neerest unto the Kinge, in your
yong, your middle, and your ciecreasinge age, that is,
to be upon earthe as your pietye will one daye make
you in heaven, an everlastinge favouritt.

There are many objections which your Grace maye
make, but if I finde any inclination in your Grace to
laye hold upon this proposition I dare undertake to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 195

awnswer them all. Your Grace may leave any office
you please (if your Grace be more in love with the
Admiraltye then I thinke you have cause) to avoide
envye. But my finall conclusion is this, to desire
your Grace most humbly to putt noe other lord
into this office, without just and mature deliberation,
and to pardon this boldnes and hast, which makes me
to write soe weakelye in a theme that I perswade
my selfe I could mayntayne verye valiantlye. I have
noe other coppye of this letter, and I pray God,
your Grace be able to reade this.

I send your Grace a letter deliverd unto me from
C. Gondomar, and dated either at Madrid, or (as I
observe it was written first) at London. There is
noe greate matter at whither of the places it was
invented.

I humbly beseech your Grace to send me by this
bearer the resolution for the Parliament. And doe
rest

Your Grace his most obliged humble servaunt,

JO. LINCOLN, C. S.
2 Martij. 1624.

k2

LETTE RS

OF

THE REIGN OF

CHARLES THE FIRST.

*

*** The following Note occurs in a Volume of the great Collec-
tion of Tracts published during the Rebellion of the time of Cha. I.,
in the British Museum, in the hand-writing of the Collector.

" Memorandum, that Col. William Legg and Mr. Arthur Treauor
" were imployed by his Majestie K. Charles to get for his present
" use a Pamphlet which his Majesty had then occasion to make use
" of, and not meeting with it, they both came to me, having heard
" that I did employ myself to take up all such things from the be-
" ginning of that Parliament, and finding it with me, told me it was
" for the King's own use. I told them, all I had were at his Ma-
jesty's command and service, and withal told them if I should part
" with it, and lose it, presuming that when his Majesty had done
" with it that little accompt would be made of it, as so I should
" lose it, by that losse a limb of my Collection which I should be
" very loth to doe, well knowing it would be impossible to supply
" it if it should happen to be lost ; with which answer they returned
" to his Majesty at Hampton Court (as I take it), and told him they
" had found that piece he so much desired, and withal how loath he
" that had it was to part with it, he much fearing its losse. Where-
" upon they were both sent to me again by his Majesty, to tell me
" that upon the word of a King (to use their own expression) he
" would safely returne it. Thereupon immediately, by them I sent it
" to his Majesty, who having done with it, and having it with him
" when he was going towards the Isle of Wight let it fall in the
" dirt : and then calling for the two persons before mentioned (who
" attended him), delivered it to them with a charge as they would
" answer it another day, that they should both speedily and safely
" return it to him from whom they had received it; and withall to
" desire that party to go on and continue what had begun ; which
" Book, together with his Majesty's signification to me by those
"worthy and faithful Gentlemen, I received both speedily and
" safely.

" Which Volume hath that mark of Honor upon it, which no
" other volume in my Collection hath ; and very diligently and care-
" fully I continued the same, until the most happy Restoration and
" Coronation of his most gracious Majesty King Charles the Second,
" whom God long preserve. Geo. T^omason."

The Volume is now marked C. 21 b. The Tract was the " Re-
monstrance of James Earle of Castlehaven and Lord Audley, con-
cerning his imprisonment in Dublin and escape from thence." 4to.
Waterf. 1G43. The stains of dirt are still within the Volume, in
which Lord Castlehaven's Remonstrance is the last tract.

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER CCCCLXV.

Philip Earl of Montgomery, afterwards Earl of Pem-
broke, to Sir Adam Newton, requesting the loan of
his house near Greenwich for the reception and
lodging of M, Soubize.

[ibid. 7000. art. 111. Orig.']

* # * Charlton House is that which is alluded to in this Letter. It
was built by Sir Adam Newton about 1612. The chapel was con-
secrated in 1616. The stables, which were also built by Sir Adam
Newton, have the initials A. N . frequently repeated on the outer
walls. See more of its history in Lysons's Environs of London, edit.
1796, vol. iv. p. 326.

After my very harty commendations. His Ma tlfc .
haueing occasion to provide a lodgeing for Mons r . de
Soubize in some convenient place neere London,
hath beene informed that you haue a spare house not
farre from Greenwich which would bee very fitt for
that purpose. Wherof his Ma tie . hath commaunded
mee to giue you notice, and to desire you to giue
speedy order for the furnishing and prouiding thereof
with all thinges requisite for the lodgeing and ac-
commodating of a personage of that worth and quali-

200 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tye, his Ma ties neere ally, and one to whome his

Ma ,ie . desirethe to giue all testimonies of

respect and f expected here by the middle

of the next week at farthest. And therfore I pray
you doe not fail to have yo r house in readineswith all
the convenience you may. It is not intended that
you should he at any charges with his dyett or other
expences. It is only your house w ch his Ma tle .
doth desire to borrow. For all thinges else, hee will
provide him selfe. And soe desireing you not to
faile heerin, I bid you heartily ffarewell, and rest

From the Court at Your very louing fFriend,
Whitehall, the 14 th of Montgomery.

September, 1626.

To my very louing flriend Sir Adam Newton, k l .
at his house by Greenwich, or elsewhere, these.

LETTER CCCCLXVI.

Sir Edward Dering to Sir Robert Cotton, announcing
his intended present of the Charter of King John,
dated at Runnymead.

[ms. cotton, jul. c. in. 191 b. Orig.~]

* m * From this Letter we become acquainted with the source
from whence Sir Robert Cotton obtained some at least of the beau-
tiful and early Saxon Charters which still till the great Cottouian
Volume Augustus II. Several of these relate to Canterbury Ca-
thedral, and were probably procured by Sir Edward Dering in Kent.

Tradition has been heretofore busy in asserting that the cele-
brated Charter of King John, so injured by the Cottouian fire in
1731, and still exhibited within a frame in the British Museum, was

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

201

rescued by Sir Robert Cotton from the hands of a tailor, who was
preparing to strip it into measures. The present Letter shows that
this story has no foundation. It was Sir Edward Dering's gift to
Sir Robert Cotton.

S R .

I received your very wellcome lettre, whereby I
find you abundant in courtesyes of all natures. I am
a greate debtor to you, and those obligacions likely
still to be multiplyed; as I confesse so much to
you, so I hope to wittnes itt to posterity.

I have sent up two of your bookes which have
much pleasured me. I have heere the Charter of
King John, dated at Running meade : by the first
safe and sure messenger itt is your's. So are the
Saxon charters, as fast as I can coppy them; but
in the meane time I will close King John in a boxe
and send him.

I shall much long to see you at this place where
you shall command the heart of

Your affectionate friend and servant,
Dovor Castle, May 10, 1630. EDWARD DERING.

LETTER CCCCLXVIL

Mrs. Pecke to her Brother, Sir Julius Ccesar : respect-
ing a Bond for one of her Sons.
[addit. ms. 12,496. fol. 149. Orig.]

%» This Letter is indorsed by Sir Julius, " 13 Octob. 1629. My
sister Pecks Letter to pay 81. for her to Mistres Downes in full dis-

K 5

202 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

charge of a bond of 40 lib. for payment of xx lib. long since which I
p d the next day accordingly, and sent to my sister by her son John.
The bond cancelled."

Right Honnorable,

And my mostelouing deare Brother, I beseech you
be not angry with me, but help me now, for I ame
much greued and trowbled in my mind. I did giue
my bonnd for one of my sonnes, which is now with
the Lorde ; the dett was twenty pound, but I haue, I
thanke God, so much prevailed with Mistres Downes,
to whom the monny is dow, that shee is contynted to
take eyght pound and delyver me my bonnd, and if
it maye pleas your Honnor to paye this eyght pound
I shallbe euer bound to you, as alwayes I haue binn,
to praye contynually to God for you and yours. I
doo assure you vppon my fayth and creadet I neuer
ded the lick in my life, nor neuer will agayne ; sweete
Brother, now help me, and I vowe to God I will neuer
trooble you to pay eny dette for me so long as I leve
agayne, so resting vppon your loue and fauour, I
caese ; with my prayrs to God for your Honnor, and
your vertues ladye, and all yours.

Your Honnor's pour sister,
This messinger is my land lord anne pecke.

wher i ly, Mr. Stryckher.

To the right honn able Sir Julys Caesar,
Master of the Roulles.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 20o

LETTER CCCCLXVIII.

Edward Earl of Dorset to Sir Thomas Pelham, Bart,
respecting the injuries received by the latter, from
his neighbour Mr. Thomas Lunsford.

[ibid. b. mus. 5682. p. 648. Orig.~\

%* The original of this Letter is preserved among Sir William
Burrell's Collections for a History of Sussex. It is without date,
but must have been written in the early part of 1631. The Earl of
Dorset was at this time Lord Chamberlain. Sir Thomas Pelham,
to whom it is addressed, succeeded his father in the Baronetcy in
1627, and died in August 1654.

Thomas Lunsford of Lunsford, and of Wiligh, (a manor farm in
EastHoathley) in Sussex, to whom the Letter relates, was the son of
Sir John Lunsford, who had been High Sheriff of that county in the
8th of James the First.

Noble Cozen,

Havinge occasion to send a pursevant to bring be-
fore mee a delinquent dwelling in those parts adjoyn-
ing on you, I embrac'd willingly the opportunety to
lett you know thatt I nether soo litle respect your
person or the high and intollerable injury s, consider-
ing the publek qualetys you hold in thatt county,
as to forgett to right your reputation, and secure
your person agaynst thatt young outtlaw, M r . Luns-
furd, who nether fears God nor man ; and who,
havinge given himselfe over unto all leudness and
dissoluteness, only studyes to affront justice, and all

-04 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

such as hee think detests those abominable courses
of his.

Wee are now come together to Hampton Court,
where all mv Lords of the Counsavle are mett toge-
ther, and wee shall often command the service of M r .
Aturney Generall heere, so as now all opportunitv
serveth to call this yong gallant into question, and I
shall nott fayle to appeare soe much and soe truly
your frend and servent, as the world shall see whatt
difference I make between one of your worth and
vertue, and such a debauched creature, as desrenerat
from all gentele birth or education, and takes a glory
to bee esteemed rather a swaggeering ruffian then
the issue of thatt ancient and honest family.

The better to inable mee to serve vou herein, I
pray send mee the particulars both of his words and
actions, as alsoe the proofes you have, and withall
whatt course you desire should bee taken with him,
and what satisfaction you most desire ; for as you
desire I shall endeavour to performe.

If youretein M r . Attorney Memory, itt wold nott
be amis, and appoint some body thatt may follow the
busines and our resolutions. I have noe more to
say unto [you] but that I am both your faithfull
frend and affectionate servantt,

DORSET.

* *

*

The subject of this Letter receives a little light from the fol-
ing petition and extracts, also preserved among Sir William Bur-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 205

rell's Collections ; they shew moreover the occasional severity of
the decisions in the Court of Star Chamber in the time of Charles
the First, when private influence had sway.

" To the King's most excellent Majesty.

" The humble Petition of Thomas Lunsford, Esq., shewing, That
whereas your Petitioner was justly censured in your High Court of
Starr Chamber at two several tymes ; the former offence being for
the hunting and killing of Sir Thomas Pelham his deer, and for as-
saulting of one of his keepers ; for which offence your petitioner
was fined in 1000/. to your Majesty, and 750/. damages to Sir Tho-
mas Pelham and his keepers ; and for a second unadvised and rash
offence, being an assault upon the said Sir Thomas Pelham, your
petitioner was deservedly fined 5000/. to your Majesty ; both the
said fines amounting to 0000/., besides imprisonment during your
royall pleasure, and some other punishments to be inflicted upon
him, as by the Records of that Court doth appear, besides 3000/. for
damages to Sir Thomas Pelham. That a perfect and friendly at-
touement and reconciliation is made betwixt Sir Thomas Pelham
and your petitioner, being near neighbours and kinsmen. The pe-
titioner on the bended knees of his heart, humbly beggs your Ma-
jesties pardon for his sayd offences, and since your Justice hath had
ytts course in the Censure, that now your mercy may interpose and
spare the execution ; for your Majesty delights not in the ruin but
amendment of your Majesty's subjects. Be pleased (great King)
to look on your petitioner as a fit subject of your mercy ; and having
pardoned his offences, to remit also the fine due to your Majesty,
together with his imprisonment and other penaltys to be inflicted
upon him, and to perfect this gracious work of mercy, be pleased to
grauut your W arrant to your Attorney General to prepare a Pardon
and Discharge for the same fit for your Majesty's signature, ac-
cording to the extent and latitude of your Majesty's clemency and
the nature of your petitioner's offences, and your petitioner shall
strive by his future actions to deserve your Majesty's good opinion,
and he will ever pray for your Majesty's long life and eternal hap-
piness."

24 July, 1632. Thomas Lunsford, Esq. petitioned Lord Keeper
Coventry for liberty on surety given, having been eighteen months
prisoner in the Fleet, being greatly in debt, having a wife and many
children.

At the Court at York, 24 April, 1639. The petitioner being now

206 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

employed in the army, His Majesty is graciously pleased to pardon
his offences, and to remit the fine due to his Majesty, and his im-
prisonment, and other penaltys to be inflicted upon him by the sen-
tence in the Starr Chamber ; and Mr. Attorney General is to pre-
pare the said pardon for his Majesties signature as is desired.

LETTER CCCCLXIX.

Secretary Coke to

[ms. harl. 7001. fol. 1. Orig.~\

%* It does not appear, upon the face of this Letter, to whom it
was written. The external address is, " For your selfe." Sir
Richard Weston, afterwards Earl of Portland, was sent ambassador
to France in 1632. He came home and died in 1634. Several
Envoys were sent to Paris about that time ; and, what is singular,
no complete List of the Ambassadors sent from England to any of
the Powers of Europe, greater or smaller, is anywhere to be found,
at present.

s r ,

I haue receaued your letters of the 6, 7, 13, 17,
19, and 20 th of January. In the last whereof you
say you did (as of yourselves) congratulate the Car-
dinall on the good successe of that Kinges armes to-
wardes the Ryne. A latitude which you could not
take from anie clause in my lettre, nor from anie
relative instruccion : and considering the thing itselfe
is so prejudiciall to the interests of the Prince Elector,
and to that cause which his Ma tle talceth soe much to
hart : it was indeede a complement soe vnpleising to
his Ma tie , and also subject to an ill construccon of the
French, who could not but know, that you speake

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 207

not your owne sense, but descended too much to
compile with theirs. You must hereafter take heed
not to lett fall the reputacion of your employment by
applauding their going on, when, to effect what was
required, you ought rather to have diss waded them
from pressing on soe farre. This I write by direc-
tion, and withall am willing, by a friendly admonition,
to lett you see wherein you must avoid the giveing of
offence ; wherein the safest way wilbee to have in-
struccion for all offices to bee done, and all represen-
tacions to bee made : wherein any thinge may reflect
upon the interests of States.

I have shewed unto his Ma tle both the declaration
made by the French King his brother : and the pro-
ject of that sea companie, which they purpose to raise
to the commaund of all the seas. A worke which
hardly anie project will effect. It will bee worth
your enquirie to fmde out in particuler the whole
state of that businesse, and by what degrees, and
how farr they have proceeded. Before Mons\ Botard
receaved letters for his recallinge, I had warrant to
require you to acquaynt the Cardinall with his bad
offices here. Not only in deliuering to his Majestie,
in his Master's name, that concerning Monsieurs con-
sent to the annullinge of his marriage (whereof I haue
formerly written unto you) but alsoe in meddling with
the affaires of his Ma ties house, and laying imputacion
in particuler upon Madame Vantlet, her Ma neS neere

208 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

servant, which he hath not made good. And when
you shall informe them of this unworthie carriage,
and how in that respect hee can bee held no fitt in-
strument to enterteyne that good correspondence his
Ma tie holdeth with that King, his deare brother,
(howsoever, after his revocation and dismission, hee
brought a new credential, and now (as hee saith)
must expect answeare from thence before he can de-
part) yet it may bee presumed that upon this adver-
tisement hee shall the sooner bee called back ; and
some other man imployed whose condicions may sute
better with the businesse hee now propoundes. Pere
Joseph haveing acknowledged that his first declaration
was made without warr te , will doubtlesse condemne
him more for his busie medling in those thinges
which perteyne not to his agencie, and tend to doe
noe good. I send this letter by this expresse, that
it maye come safely to your handes. Yours are
weekely well delivered, by the Ordinary, and there-
fore you may continue to goe that way without send-
ing extraordinaries, when pressinge occasion doth
not require it. Soe I rest,

Yo r assured freind, to doe you service,

JOHN COKE.

Whitehall, 20 th of January, 1633.
For your selfe.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 209

LETTER CCCCLXX.

Archbishop Laud to Dr. Potter, Provost of Queen's
College Oxford, and Dean of Worcester, respecting
the Rectory of Wimbledon in Surrey, the patronage
of which was in the Dean and Chapter of Worcester.

[ibid. 70001. art. 60. OrigJ]
Salutem in Christo.

I am about to draw up my Order for Worcester,
and to settle peace betweene the Bishop, the Citty,
and the Chapter, if I can. In the mean tyme, I am
inform'd there is some flaw founde in the lease of
the Rectory of Wimbleton, and that my Lord is
aboute to renew it agayne of your Church of Worces-
ter. To this Rectory, Putney and Mortlake are
Chappells of Ease ; and Mortlake hath beene for
diuers yeares, and is at present, a place of great in-
conformity, and where usually such men are plac'd
as will take little from your lessee, and lyve vpon
the humor of the people.

Upon this I have two requests to make to yow.
The one that you woulde finde a meanes to increase
the stipend of the Curate there, and at Putney also,
and to make it certayne. The other that you would
(as it well beseemes you) take the nomination of the
Curats in both places to yourselves, and not to

210

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

leave it to your tenant my Lord Wimbleton, or any
other. And I shall expect to receave satisfaction
from yow in both these particulars, haveing ac-
quaynted his Ma tie with them already, and hee ap-
proves them. Thus, not doubting of your care
herein and ready performance, I leave you to the
grace of God, and rest

Yo r very loveing friend,

W. CANT.

Lambeth, May 12, 1637.

To my very loveing friend Dr. Potter,
Provost of Queen's Colledge inOxon,
these.

LETTER CCCCLXXI.

Sir Thomas Knyvett to Sir William Le Neve Claren-
ceux, King of Arms, on Ids claim to the Barony of
Berners.

[MS. LANSD. CCLV. 189. Orig.~]

%* From Dugdale's Baronage we learn, in illustration of this
Letter, that John Lord Berners (the translator of Froissart), though
in his will, dated 3rd March 1532, he bequeathed legacies to three
sons who bore the name of Bourchier, yet that they were all illegi-
timate. His only legitimate child was Joan, his daughter and heir,
by Catherine his wife, daughter of Johu Duke of Norfolk, then
married to Edmund Knyvet of Ashwelthorpe in the county of Nor-
folk, esquire, and who, as his heir, had livery of his lands. Sir
Thomas Knyvet was her great grandson. A Note of Anstis's, in
the editor's own copy of Dugdale's Baronage, refers to the Earl
Marshal's Book, p. 39.

original letters. 211

Worthy Sir,

I have not forgot some discourse had with you at
my last being at London, concerning my coming up
this Tearme to recorde my claime to the Barronye
of Berners in your office. Sir, I must deale ingeni-
ouslye with you that I find long journys so charg'able
(which my purss hath no need of) that 1 shall think
my selfe much obliedg'd to you, if this may be done
in my absence. What the charge wilbe, I shall
write to a friend to defraye it. I have sent you
heerinclos'd, a coppye of my grandfathers petition to
King James, and likewise a coppye of the Commis-
sioners returne after ther examination of the title and
pedigree, with all their hands to it, together with the
hands of towe of the Kings of Armes and Heraulds
that weare then present. I also find by some notes,
and comparing of the times, that proseqution of this
busines ceast at that time by reason of my fathers
death, which unfortunately happened at the very in-
stant when this was agitated, I being then but nine
yeers olde, and my grandfather, an aged man, di-
verted his thoughts another way ; fell upon unfor-
tunate suits in law T e, incident to froward old age ;
which bredd my miserye, for not only the estate went
to wrack, but neglected my education and breeding,
a loss to me unavalleuable. Thus Gods hand hath
been upon our familye, for suerly had he thought us
worthy of such an honor we should some of us have

212 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

lighted upon the meanes to have attain de it ; but 'tis
too late for me nowe to acquier it. Thoughe my
right be most apparent, my estate being no way cor-
respondent to such a dignitye ; yet would I be sorrye
that any sluggish neglect of mine should prejudise
posteritye ; for althoughe the sunshine of our fortune
be now clouded, and my Sunn be almost set, yet, by
God's providence and assistance, my Sonn may rise
againe ; if not (his will be done) : I am sure a scru-
tinye in the Stor'house of Nature at the consumma-
tion of all things, will never distinguish our dust
from a Lo s .

Sir, the noble favore I desier from you is an ac-
compt of the parte I am to acte for posterity's cause,
and whether this may not be done without my pre-
sence: your noble proferd curtesye in this busines
drawes this trouble upon you, and my bouldnes, for
which your pardon wil befit him that at no distance
can put of the quallitye of being

Your friendly servant,
and unfortunat neighbour,

THO. KNYVETT.

Quiddenham, April 23, 1638.

To his worthy freind S r William Le Neave, K'.
and one of the Kings of Amies, give these.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 213

LETTER CCCCLXXIL

Bishop Juxon, ivhen High Treasurer, to Sir Richard
Wynn, for the loan of Money to the King.

[From the original in the possession of Mr. Williams Wynn of Lin-
coln's Inn, communicated to the Society of Antiquaries, Dec. 5th,
1799, by Samuel Lysons, Esq., Director.]

Sir,

I am comaunded by his Majesty to let you know
that hee hath given me a peremptory direction to
call upon certain persons that are to lend him monies
to the end they may bring in the same for supply of
his great occasions within these ten daies at, furthest,
amongst which number you are one. I thought fitt
therefore to acquaint you with his Majesties pleasure,
and the farthest limitt of tyme hee hath given for
performance thereof, desiring you not to faile in the
payment of the same of three thousand pounds ex-
pected from you within that tyme, otherwise I shall
discharge myself to his Majestie upon this adver-
tisement, and the blame will fall where it is not

wished by

Your very loving freind,

GUIL. LONDON.

London house, the 18th th of
Aprill, 1640.

To my very loving friend Sir Richard Wynn,
K*. and Baronet, these.

214 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCLXXIII.

Sir Symonds D'Ewes to the Earl of Pembroke : re-
specting Lord Herbert assuming the Barony of

Marmion.

[ms. harl. 374. fol. 157. Orig.~\

My ever noble Lorde,
1 assure myselfe that your honourable endea-
vours wanted not to produce those blessed effects,
which wee all hope and pray may bring much happi-
nes to the Church, the King, and Kingdome. I be-
seech your Lordshipp to consider of my former let-
ters which I hope, being written a fortnight since,
are now come to your hands. Certainly, if his Ma-
jestie did by proclamation abolish this new Oath the
Prelates have sett foorth, and therin alsoe freely re-
mitt all arreares of Shipp money now due, and dis-
charge the present and past Sheriffs from all further
collection, (which will noe way prejudice any right
his Majestie supposeth hee hath to it) it would not
only bring much honour and glory to his sacred per-
son, but alsoe infinitely gaine upon the hearts of his
loiall subjects, and extreamly further and expedite
the busines of the ensueing Parliament. I desire
your Lordshipp alsoe to take into consideracion my
former proposition of your sonne, my Lorde Her-
berts, assuming the title of that great and ancient
Baronie of Marmion. Ther cann bee nothing more

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 215

honourable for you both, and your posterities. For
now hee is punigh Lord Harbert (the Earle of Wors-
ters sonne inheriting that ancient Baronie which was
your noble Ancestors) and then hee will bee one of
the auncientest Barons of the Kingdome. The Earle
of Lincolnes sonne was thus called by writt in Queene
Elizabeths time, and my Lord Maltravers called by
writt as Lord Moubray at the last abortive meeting ;
you need not make it a request to the King, for it is
your right ; all the favour is that his Majestie shall
please to call him as Lord Marmion, to the upper
house. If your Lordshipp follow my advice soe ad-
vantageous for your noble line, you may bee pleased
speedily to give me notice, that I may turne over my
recorde collections to see the true antiquity of that
brave and ancient Baronie of Marmion.

I know ther will bee great use of moderate spirits
this Parliament, of which number I hope your Lord-
shipp takes me to bee one, though flattery and dissi-
mulation are beneath mee. For this reason, and out
of my desire to doe publike service, I have presumed
to send this enclosed to your Lordshipp, and to desire
your favour in it, if you thinke fitt, or to condemne
it to the fire. I may safely averr upon mine owne
oath ther is not a word but truth in it : yett I submitt
it to M r . Houlesworth to add or diminish to it, hee
knowes I am not ingrate, and I beseech your Lord-
shipp by him to send me a speedy answeere of your

216 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

resolution to both my propositions. Beleeve, noble
Lord, I am adequately and really

Yo r Lordsliipps most humble servant,

SIMONDE D'£WES.
Stowh. Oct. 1, 1640.

LETTER CCCCLXXIV.

The Earl of Essex to John Pym, Esq.

iOrig.-]
S R .

Now wee are vpon ouer march to S*. Albons ;

ower long and late marches hath made ower rege-

ments somthing thin, but wee hope many will come

vp within a day, but if the cavaliers march towards

you, wee shall march to Barnet to morrough upon

necessety ; or otherwise on Mounday. I doubt many

are gone to London to visit theare frends, but I am

confident thos that fought soe gallantly will not

quite quit thear coulours; if thear bee a search

made, in London and Essex, I beleeve many will re-

turne ; the Army is marching ; thearfore I end with

this desier, that wee may haue spare arms of picks*

and muskets. I haue often wrote for them. I am

Your faythfull frend,

Marget Street, this 5th of essex.

November, 1642.

For my honor d fl'reud Johu Pym, Esq.
these be dd. \v ,h haste.

a pikes.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 217

LETTER CCCCLXXV.

King Charles the First to the Printer who prepared
his Proclamations.
[ms. harl. Orig.~\
CHARLES R.

Our will and command is that you forthwith
print, publish, and disperse Our Proclamac5n herew 1 * 1
sent, entituled, " A Proclamacon for y e free and safe
passage of all persons who shall desire to repaire to
his Ma tle , and of all paquets and letters sent by his
Ma tys Ministers." And for soe doing this shalbe yo r
Warrant. Given at our Court at Reading, y e 5 th
day of November, 1642.

To our Printer.

LETTER CCCCLXXVI.

Sir Samuel Luke to a person whom he names " Honest

Sam."
[From his own Register of Letters, ms. brit. mus.]

%* The Letter-Book of Sir .Samuel Luke, in three small folio
volumes, was purchased for the British Museum in 1840 of Mr.
Rodd the bookseller. Some extracts from this book, (bibl. egerton.
785, 786. 787,) will now be presented to the reader.

Sir Oliver Luke, of Woodend in Copley, in the County of Bed-
ford, married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Valentine Knightley, and
had three sons, of whom Samuel was the eldest. The name of the
second is not known. The third son was Nicholas Luke. The

VOL. IV. L

218 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

family had beeu long seated at Copley, and claimed descent from
Sir Walter Luke, who became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas
in the 24th of Henry the Eighth, and who died in 1544.

Sir Oliver and his son Sir Samuel were both colonels of horse in
the service of the Parliament during the Civil Wars. The latter
was at first scout-master for Bedfordshire and some of the adjoining
counties, but afterwards became for a time governor of the garrison
of Newport Pagnel. His name has attained much celebrity, as the
supposed original of Butler's Hudibras. It is certain that the poet
lived some time in his House, acting in the capacity of his clerk ;
and it is observable that, in his Poem of Dunstaple Downs, he ex-
pressly calls Sir Samuel Luke Sir Hudibras. 3 Sir Samuel was
buried at Copley in 1670. His descendants continued at Wood-
end, now a farm-house, till the death of George Luke, the last of
the family, in 1732. b

A few of the Letters which follow were written whilst Sir Samuel
Luke held the government of Newport Pagnel.

Honest Sam,
I have received severall lettres from you, but
cannot bee content till I heare you are setled accord-
ing to your harts desire, that you may as well have a
place as a face that pleases you. I pray think of my
fur'd coate, and doe the utmost you can for procure-
ing it ; and get Ralph Norton to see if he cannot re-
gaine my Armes and other things which were lost

a See the subject discussed in the Biogr. Brit, by Kippis, vol. iii. pp. 86, 87,
Notes. In Butler's Memoirs of the years 1649 and 1650, published in his Posthu-
mous Works, he has given ludicrous descriptions of Sir Samuel Luke both in prose
and verse. The latter may be quoted :

" Sir Samuel, whose very sight wou'd
Entitle him Mirrour of Knighthood,
Was one of those who first march 'd out
To raise a regimental rout.
Have you not seen an old baboon
From chain broke loose leap up and down ?
Such was our champion's antick zeal
For Parliament and Commonweal."
^ Lysons's Bedf. pp. 71, "2.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 219

after Newberry fight at Aldermaston. If I may bee

usefull to you heare in any office of love, none shall

bee more ready to doe it then

Yo r assured loveing freind,

s. L.
March 13th, 1644.

%* The commentators upon Hudibras have been much puzzled
to discover who Ralph was intended for.

A squire he had, whose name was Ralph,
That in th' adventure went his half.

" Sir Roger I/Estrange says, this famous squire was one Isaac
Robinson, a zealous butcher in Moorfields, who was always con-
triving some new querpo cut in Church-government ; but in a key
at the end of a Burlesque Poem of Mr. Butler's, 1T06, in folio, p.
12, 'tis observed, ' That Hudibras's squire was one Pemble, a taylor,
and one of the Committee of Sequestrators.' As Mr. Butler bor-
row'd his Knight's name from Spenser, 'tis probable he named his
squire from Ralph the grocer's apprentice, in Beaumont and
Fletcher's play, call'd the Knight of the Burning Pestle."

This is Dr. Grey's Note. But in the preceding Letter from Sir
Samuel Luke to one Sam, a person of inferior condition to himself,
we have a Ralph quite as appropriate for the purpose as either Ro-
binson, or Pemble, or the grocer's apprentice.

Neither is it impossible but that " honest Sam," to whom this
Letter is addressed, may have been Butler himself.

LETTER CCCCLXXVII.

Sir Samuel Luke to the Earl of Essex. A Letter of

News.

[IBID.]

May it please your Excellency
To receive herein inclosed an Informacon from

L 2

220 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Oxford, with assurance that the Packetts which were
intercepted by Newarke forces were brought to the
King on Tuesday last, whereby they understand the
Earle of Argile hath had another blow given him by
Montrosse, 3 and had beene utterly routed had not
Harry playd the man amongst them. The Carts
were kept at Oxford from Sonday till Thursday
night, for feare least Sir William Waller should have
intercepted them ; in the evening they were layden
and caried away to Farington, and soe for Bristoll. I
heare this day that the Committee at Aylesbury was
assured that there were four Cavileers from Oxford
mounted upon horses worth 50^. a horse, that view-
ed the workes here and retorned back againe, which
if it bee true it cannot but contirme my former be-
leife of a designe that is intended against this place.
Col. Rossiter is retorned againe into Lincolnshire,
which is all for the present that can bee assured your
Excellency from

Your Ex. most humble servant.

Newport, March 30th, 1644.

I most humbly thanke your Ex. for the passe you
was pleased to send mee for M r . Harvey and the
Lady Harvey.

* Dumfries, in Scotland, was taken by the Marquess of Montrose, April 1", 1644.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 221

LETTER CCCCLXXVIII.

Sir Samuel Luke's Letter of Warrant for the Safety
of the Lady Digby.

[ibid.]

These are to will and require you upon sight
hereof to forbeare to prejudice the Lady Digby, of
Gotehurst, in the County of Bucks, a by offering any
attempt or violence to her owne person or the per-
sons of any of her family, plundring her house or
Parke, rifling her goods, or by spoyling or taking
away any of her horses or cattle, as you will answer
the contrary at your perills, without speciall warrant
from his Excell. the Governour of this Garrison for
the time being, or the Comittees of this County
appointed by the Parliament. Given under my hand
the 4 th day of June, 1644.

SAM. LUKE.

To all Colonells, Lieu 1 . Collonells, Captaines,
Lief 6 , and all Officers and Souldiers of the
Army, and others whom it may concerne.

a Gothurst, now called Gayhurst, lies about three miles from Newport Pagnell,
near the road to Northampton. The manor came to the Digbies by the marriage
of the heiress of the family of Mulso with Sir Everard Digby, whose son's wife,
Venetia the Lady of Sir Kenelm Digby, then exiled in France, is the Lady Digby of
this Letter. The manor house was an Elizabethan edifice.

222 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCLXXIX.

Sir Samuel Luke to Serjeant Wilde, for the taking
off the Sequestration from the Estate of Captain
Longvile.

[IBID.]

%* The manor of Wolverton in Buckinghamshire, a short dis-
tance from Stoney Stratford, was the estate here alluded to. It
came into the Longueville family about the year 1439. Sir Ed-
ward Longueville, the last of the family who resided here, sold this
property in Queen Anne's time to the celebrated Dr. Radclifle, who
bequeathed it, with other large estates, to the University of Oxford.

Honoured Sir
Give mee leave to beg your favour towardes that
gentleman, Captaine Longvile, who hath bin an
Officer in the Kinge's Army, but was taken at Graf-
ton House about Christmasse last, 3 and being in the
Towre, after severall moneths imprisonment, finding
no exchange could be gotten, ransomed himselfe and
had his Excellencies discharge, with his protection,
for his quiet abiding at his owne habitation, which is
not farre distant from this place, where he hath
carryed himselfe so civilly that there hath not ap-
peared the least malignancy in himm. I know not
what want may force him to, therefore my request to
you is that you will be pleased to be his friend and
helper in the taking off the Sequestration of his Es-
tate, whereby he will be engaged to us, and I be-

" Prince Rupert went out of Oxford, with horse and foot, to relieve Grafton
House, Dec. 24th, 1643. Diary of Sir William Dugdale, p. 5".

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

leeve will be very usefull to the Parliament. The
reasons of his going on the other side he will acquaint
you with, and I doubt not but he will give you good
satisfaction for the altering of his resolutions. Here-
in you will oblige him to you, and give him cause to
acknowledge all that he hath is from you. And you
will lay a further obligation upon mee of being

Your most obliged servant,

July 28th, 1644. S. L.

For Serg'. Wilde.

LETTER CCCCLXXX.

Sir Samuel Luke to respecting the delinquency

and the Estate of Sir Thomas Aslifield.

[ibid.]
Sir
I have sent upp a prisoner to his Excellency who
termes himselfe S r Thomas Ashfilde. I have in-
formed his Excell. sufficiently of his delinquency.
Only I forgott to lett him knowe that hee was a
greate recusante. Hee is very rich, hath a greate es-
tate, and is a Pattentee for the Coles att Newcastle.
I would I could gett his place. All the Informacons
that I sent to his Excell. agreed that his Ma ties forces
are moovd this day, but I am confident they will not
stirr till Satturday, which is all for the present can
bee assured you from

Yo r most dutifull and obedient sonne,
December 6, 1G44. SAM. LUKE.

224 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

If Sir Thomas Ash\vell a makes any Composition
with the Committee for his estate, I hope this garri-
son or myselfe shall bee the better for it. There is
a copps in Grafton Parke ready to be felled. I pray
you gett authoritie from the Committee that you may
have the felling and selling of itt.

LETTER CCCCLXXXI.

The Earl of Essex to Sir Samuel Luke upon the

taking of the Prince's Falconer and Hawk by Sir

Samuel's troops.

[ibid.]

S R . I am very sorry I cannot doe for you accord-
ing to your desires, but now I hope you will not pre-
sently have so much need, the enemy being drawne
farr from your Garrison. I take it thanckfully from
you that you were pleased to assist Capt. Abercromy
who is very carefull and active for the publique
good. b S r . I am informed that the Prince's ffaul-
kenor and hauke were taken by your troopes that
were with Capt. Abercromy, which if you find to
bee soe, I desire you will send them both unto the
Prince as from me.

Capt. Clarke sent mee word last night that there is

» So written in the Register, not Ashfilde as before.

b He was killed upon the very day on which the Earl of Essex's Letter is dated.
" March 7. Major Abercromy, a rebellious Scot, was slain near Strctton Audley
in Buckinghamshire, and seventeen of his men taken, by a party from his Majesty's
garrison of Borstall house." Memorable Occurrences, in 16-14, at the end of
" Mercurius Rusticus."

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

225

a speech that the enemy is slighting the workes at
Oxford, which I cannot beleeve to bee true.

S r . I am yo r faithfull frend,

7°. Mar. 1644. ESSEX.

LETTER CCCCLXXXII.

Colonel Legge, Governor of Oxford, to Sir Samuel

Luke, acknowledging the receipt of the Prince's

Hawk.

[ibid.]
S R .

His Highnesse the Pr. of Wales being absent, I
have received the hauke from you by your Trum-
pet!, and shall not fayle to lett him know of your
civiility towards him shewed. And in any thing of
the like nature I shall bee

Yo r humble servant.
Oxford, 13°. Martij, 1644. WILL. LEGGE.

LETTER CCCCLXXXIII.

Oliver Cromwell to Sir Samuel Luke. The drawing
together of Forces.

[ibid.]
Noble Sir,

I beseech you cause three hundred foote under

a Captaine to march to Buckingham upon Monday

L 5

226 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

morning, there to quarter with four hundred foote
of Northampton, which M r . Crew sends thither upon
Monday next. There will bee the Major Generall
to command them. I am goeing for a thousand
foote more at least to bee sent from Cambridge, and
out of the Associations. If any man bee come to
you from Cambridge I beseech you send him to mee
to Bedford with all speed, let him stay for mee at
the Swan.

S r . I am your humble servant,

March 8 th . OLIVER CROMWELL.

Present my humble service to Coll. Aylife, and
tell him hee promised me his coate of male.

LETTER CCCCLXXXIV.

Henry Johnson, the King's Surgeon, to Sir Samuel
Luke; requesting the return of a Boy, his appren-
tice, who had been made prisoner.

[ibid.]
Honored S r .

At your late beateing up our quarters at Kidling-

ton, a amongst other prisoners there taken, was a boy

named Benjamin Gill, my apprentice. It is very

well knowne how carefull I have ever beene in dress-

* Five miles from Oxford, on the Banbury Road.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 227

ing your wounded men whensoever they have fallen
into our hands. Therefore S r . if you will give him
a speedy release and safe passe to Oxford, I am very
confident the favour shall not passe without an ear-
nest endeavour of recompence, ffor if at any tyme
any Chirurgion or wounded men of yours shall fall
into our hands, my care of getting releasement, or
dressing those that have need thereof, shall manifest
howe greate a favour you have done S r . to

Yo r obleidged servant,

Kidlington, 11 th of HEN. JOHNSON,

March, 1644. ™ . . , . ,.-,•

Chirurgion to his JV1 .

owne Troope.

LETTER CCCCLXXXV.

Sir Samuel Luke to Sir Thomas Fairfax. General Neivs.

[ibid.]

May it please your Excellency,
After two dayes consideracion the Trumpeter
that went to Oxford with the Prince his hawke and
ffawkener delivered mee a lettre from the Governor
of Oxford, a coppie whereof I make bold to tender
to your Excellency, with the transcript of two let-
tres from Sir Marmaduke Langdale at Pontifract,
and assurance that on Saturday last, in the morning,

228 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

there came into Oxford of Welsh and Irish a great
number. They are much distracted, and they say
that the Bishopp of Armagh is much discontented;
that hee will not come there again e, but is gone
to live with his sonne, whoe hath a Government in
Wales. 3 His excuse was to waite upon the Prince
whoe I heare hee hath already left. This inclosed
note, found in Coll. Ermins pockett; b I doubt not but
your Excellency may heare more of it from the Scot-
tish Commissioners; and within these two dayes I
shall bee able to give your Excellency a better ac-
compt of Prince Roberts march. Thus craving par-
don for this my boldnes I humbly begg leave to kisse
your Excellency's hand.

Your Excellency's most humble servant,
March 18, 1644. S. L.

a Mr. Vertue showed the Society of Antiquaries, April 27, 1738, a medallion in
gold of Cardinal Richelieu. It was a present, sent with a Letter to Archbishop
Usher, inviting him to come to France and settle there till the civil war was ended,
with liberty to exercise his religion. It at that time belonged to General Tyrell,
grandson by the daughter of Archbishop Usher.

b Col. Armyn was one of the officers slain on the rebel side, when Sir Marmaduke
Langdale relieved Pontefract castle, March 1st.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 229

LETTER CCCCLXXXVI.

C. Harvey to Sir Samuel Luke, for a Passport to
fetch his daughter.

[ibid.]
Honord Sir,

The experience I have had of your former favours
encourageth mee to continue your suitor, that you
would bee pleased to vouchsafe my Cousin Harvey a
passe for myselfe and his attendants to fetche my
daughter from Woodstocke, and if you please to
putt in my name, shee being desirous that I should
accompany my Cousin Frances Hervey when shee
comes to fetch her. As yett I am not resolved to
goe. But rather than she should stay in a place as I
conceive, when the King marches, of little safety ;
and where she may be subject to much danger; it
may bee I may bee perswaded to goe, but whether I
goe or not I shall send for her and her children with
all expedition that will bee. If you please to vouch-
safe mee your passe I shall take it as a spetiall favour,
and subscribe myselfe

Your respective friend and servant,

Oldwinckle, the 24th C. HARVEY.

March. 1644.

For Sir Samuell Luke, K».
Governor of Newport.

230 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCLXXXVII.

Richard Hovez to Sir Samuel Luke ; for payment of

arrears.

[ibid.]
Right HoNo ble .

I make bold to trouble your Worshipp with a few
lynes to entreate your Worshipp that your Worshipp
would be pleased to take some order that my arreares
which are due unto me (as Gentleman of the Or-
dinance) under your Worshipp in the Garrison of
Newport, may with all convenient speed bee paid to
M r . Winch, Commissary for the Garrison, whom I
have intrusted to receive for mee. S r . my wants are
very greate, more then I can expresse, and I was at
greate charges when I came before, but received but
parte of my arreares. And I am very shortly to goe
to sea in the Parliaments service, therefore I doe
humbly intreate your Worshipp to bee mindfull of
me, and to take my necessityes into your tender con-
sideration. Thus hopeing your Worshipp will not
bee unmindfull of mee I doe humbly take my leave
and remaine

Yo r Worshipps most humble servant,

March 27°. 1645, RICH . HOVEZ.

London.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 231

LETTER CCCCLXXXVIII.

Sir William Compton to Sir Samuel Luke, for a Pass

for his Mother and her Servants.

[ibid.]
S R .

The Countesse of Northampton (my mother) de-
sires your passe for her selfe, and these subscribed
servants to Moulsoe, a near your garrison ; where unto
for the present her urgencyes invite her. In your
Passe, if you please, to graunt her a limitacion of
six dayes, and safe conduct to Banbury, with her
retinue, it shall bee (if occasion offer it selfe) more
then the tye of a retaliation from
Banbury Castle, Your servant,

28°. Mar. 1645. W M . COMPTON

Her servants.
Tho. Doughty. John Johnston

James Bates. Treforsa Armstor.

LETTER CCCCLXXXIX.

Edward Ayscough to Sir Samuel Luke. General news.

[ibid.]
Sir,

Our honest Scout Master offering me the oppor-
tunity to convey these unto you I was unwilling

» The manor of Mulso in Buckinghamshire, which had been Sir John Spenser's,
passed from his family by marriage to the Comptons.

232 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

t'omitte the same, which can assure you of nothing
more then how ready I shall bee, here or in any other
place, to serve you as readily as any servant you have.
Wee are in a quiet condition since the retorne of our
horse, but in their absence the Newarkers tooke
occasion to runn over parte of Holland where they
gott good stoare of booty and plunder, but now
keepe quiett. Yesterday they suffered S r . Thomas
Fairfax Lady and retenew passe through their garri-
son towards her husband : many muttered to lett her
good coach horses passe. Wee heare the Lo. Fair-
fax fforces hath beleagured Pomphrett, and forced
in many countrymen who they had summoned in
upon th'array, soe as if they looke well to keepe
them in, may make the worke easier, haveing soe many
mouths with them to helpe the consumpcion of their
victuals. The siege of Scarborrow goeth on, but not
soe victoriously as before Sir John Meldrum's mis-
fortune of being blowne downe the rocke, of which
I presume you have heard ; but hee recovereth, and
then businesse will goe on more speedier. 3 I have
beene heere about a month, and a fortnight hence I
intend to retorne where I shall bee ready to obay
your commaundes. In the interim I remaine

Y r most affectionate freind and servant,

Apr. 3 d , 1645. ED. AYSCOUGH.

» On May 11th following, Sir John Meldrum was wounded in a sally from the
CasCe by the Royal forces, and died soon after.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 233

LETTER CCCCXC.

Sir Samuel Luke to his Father, in London, relating to

a Bill of two hundred pounds unpaid.

[ibid.]
S R .

Here is a Bill of 200*i. which was audited and not
paid ; the want of monyes being such that at that
tynie 1 forboare it. It should have beene paid in
London where I was trusted for it, and now I come
up to London I shall never sleepe quietly till it bee
paid ; therefore let mee intreate you to use the best
meanes you can for procureing it, or else to keepe it
safe till my comeing to London. I pray know of M r .
Jessam whether the Lady Cooke hath not paid in the
lOOti. which I was ingaged with S r . Robert for, and
assure him the money that I have promised him shall
bee paid to morrow seavenight. Thus with the ten-
der of my most humble duty to you I rest

Yo r most dutifull and obedient sonne,
Newport, Apr. 13 th , 1645. S. L.

I was forced to take up this mony at Gloster,
which was the cause his Ex. directed it to London.

(The Bill.)
"These are to require you forthw tb out of the Treasury remaining
in your hands to pay unto S r Samuel Luke, R l . Scout M r . Generall,
the summe of 200 u . upon accompt, and for soe doeing this shall bee
yo r sufficient warrant. Given under my hand the I lth day of De-
cemb. 1643. Essex.

" To S r . Gilbert Gerrard, Barronett,
Trer of the Army, or his deputy.
Jo. Baldwine, Seer.
Int. Ri. Wilcox, Audit."

234; ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCXCI.

Letter of Remonstrance to Sir Samuel Luke from the
Soldiers under his command, for their Pay.

[ibid.]
Hon ble S r .

Wee are fully resolved that you are not ignorant
of our wants and grievances, in regard that our pay
is soe long kept from us ; and who is the occasion, it
is unknowne to us. In the meane tyme wee find
many commaunds from your Honor which except
speedily redressed will prove very disadvantages to
the State. As for those that concerne our dutyes in
martiall discipline, it is best knowne to your Honor
how ready wee have beene to obay ; but for those
that concerne our quartering in the country, wee
may have just cause to feare that the people may
rise and cutt our throates, if an enemy approach from
whom they may expect some releife from such op-
pression ; as by their continuall murmering appeares
that their grievances are soe greate that their gene-
rall expressions are that wee eate the meate out of
their childrens mouthes, they paying their contribu-
tion and wee neither receiving any pay to give some
small satisfaction for quarter, nor they expecting any
abatement out of their taxe, having beene soe long
deceived by fayre promises; which is probably as
greate oppression to the country as Pharoh's de-
m?unding the full tayle of bricke, without allowance

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 235

of straw. Your Honor may bee pleased to consider
the crye of the Country which is dayly in our eares,
and our wants likewise, which wee are very sensible is
likely to bee greater if wee march further without
mony. Wee are not ignorant of the extraordinary
sums of mony that are allowed by the Parliament
for the payment of the garrison, which wee conceive
should amount to above four weekes pay in four
months at 14 s . per weeke ; and the most of us paying
a months quarters out of it, our desire is that yo r
Honor would speedily redresse it, considering that
wee can neither have apparell for our selves nor ne-
cessarye for our horse, noe nor soe much as powder
and bullett, from the garrison, although to secure it
from the approach of the enemy, without mony or
security; and finally wee desire that your Honor may
understand, that, if upon this reasonable declaration,
wee cannot have our pay upon reasonable tearmes,
that wee shall more fully declare our selves, and ap-
peale to the honorable the High Court of Parlia-
ment. In the meane tyme untill wee have an an-
swere from your Honor wee rest at our quarters at
Cosgrave 3 .

Yo r obedient soldiers in all lawfull commaunds,
April 14 th , 1645.

THO. WEBB. WM. SEDWELL. JOSEPH FINCH.

JO. LANCASTER. SAM. DAVIS. ROGER BEGERLEY.

» Near Stoney Stratford, in Northamptonshire.

236

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

THO. LAW.
ED. JACKSON.
WM. FORETH.
RICH. DRAPER.

JO. PERKINS.
RICH. HEYNS.
JO. HODGKINS.

WM. RUTHEN.
RICH. ELLIOTT.
HEN. VICARS.

RICH. BARRETT. WM. COWLEY

JO. MALORY.

SAM. WRIGHT.

GEO. YOUNG.

RICH. PALMER.

JO. ANDERSON.

RICH. PRESCOTE. WM. OLD.

WM. PAKE.
JO. ALLEN. THO. HAIKE.

ROBT. WIETT. ALEX. WHITNELL

XTOPHER. SMITH. THO. CHAPMAN.
ED. SHRIES. WM. PINKARD.

ROBT. NASH. LAUR. GOUTHER.

LUKE WILLIAMS.

SERNON KORKE. ED. BARBER.
THO. MOORE. THO. BIRD.

Our demaunds is ten weekes pay at the least, and
therefore put us not of with the cocking of a pistol,
or stearne threatening, as upon the like occasion hath
beene formerly.

LETTER CCCCXCJI.

The Countess of Bedford to Sir Samuel Luke, respect-
ing her daughter the Lady Diana Newport.

[ibid.]

%* Katherine Countess of Bedford was sole daughter and heir
of Giles Bridges Lord Chandos, and a widow at the time of writing
this Letter. Her daughter Newport was her youngest daughter
Diana, who had married Francis Newport, son of Richard the first
Lord Newport. The Newports, both father and son, made great
exertions in the royal cause ; but the father, being aged, retired to
Moulins in France, where he died in 1650. The son, who fought
for the King in North Wales, unfortunately became a prisoner to
the Parliament army in 1644. LTpcm his father's death, Francis
Newport succeeded to the title, and, partly in consideration of his

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 237

services in the royal cause, was afterwards made Treasurer of the
Household to King Charles the Second.

The former favours I have received from you
makes mee presume you will not bee unwilling, if it
bee in your power, to give comfort to this afflicted
hart of mine, and that is about my poore daughter
Newport, who I heare is besiedged ; I am sorry shee
tarryed there soe long, surely shee hath beene much
misled, and I doe wonder at it, for I know her hart
ever stood more affected to the Parliament than to
the other party, but I doe beleeve she did it to keepe
her poore house ; but my suite to you is only this,
that if you heare any news of her that you would
make me partaker by this bearer, whether the seidge
holds still or noe, or whether shee bee gott out of
the house, and whether you send that way or noe, if
you doe I beseech you to send this note of mine,
which is unsealed, wherein I write to her to charge
her to come away ; and I doe begg it of you that you
will write to Sir W m . Breretoir 3 that hee will be
pleased to lett her out with some favour, if shee bee
not willfull and will not come out; and if shee bee
willfull and will not remove, then it will lessen my
sorrow if shee doe not otherwise then well, I haveing
discharged the parte of a mother. Truly it doth add
to my other afflictions to heare I should loose you

1 Sir William Brereton was at that time governor of Chester.

238 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

from Newport, and I do beleeve it will be a generall
losse to the country, as well as in particuler to my-
selfe, thus feareing to trouble you any further I rest
Wooborne Abbey, Yo r affectionate ffreind,

Apr. 19 th , 1645. KATHARINE BEDFORD.

Postscr. If your messenger that retornes will but
come and bring mee the newes, I will pay him for his
paines.

" Deare Daughter Newport,
Never was there a sadder hart of a mother then I
have for you, and know not which way to give you
comfort. All I can devise to doe is to begg this
favour of Sir Sam. Luke to write to Sir William
Brereton to lett you out. Certainely they did not
give you good advice that perswaded you to tarry
there. For Gods sake come away and have a care of
your little boy, and little Love which I fear you will
loose. Thus begging to God for you, I rest
" Wooborne Abbey, Your affectionate mother,

Apr. 19 th , 1645. KATH. BEDFORD.

" Poster. Kate Tubby is come from your little
gerle and sayes shee is very well. Mary Whiteing
and shee hath bothe seene her, and saith shee is won-
drous pritty and wants nothing ; with both their ser-
vices to you." b

b Nothing is said of the release of the Lady Newport either in Sir Samuel Luke's
or in Sir William Brereton's Register of Letters, but as Sir William Brereton is
stated to have been a kinsman of the Bedford family, there can be little doubt but
that the application was successful.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 239

LETTER CCCCXCIIL

Sir Samuel Luke to The state of Affairs in

the Country neighbouring upon his Garrison.

[ibid.]
S r .

Receiveing this inclosed informacion from Capt.
Goodman, I could not but present it to you, and
though I was suspitious of that I presented unto his
Excellency, yet now you may see it confirmed to the
full. The enemy hath beene plundering about
Aylesbury, and, as I heare, hath done very greate
hurt in the country. Borstall governor, 3 hath sent
this inclosed Warrant to these three hundreds for
lOCHi. a month, to be brought in to them there by
Thursday next upon paine of plundering the ne-
glectors thereof. These Privy Seales are alsoe sent
abroad againe up and downe this country. I pray,
Sir, if his Ex. bee in Towne lett him have the first
sight of all, though hee hath had the full substance
before. The thirty prisoners which I sent to Bed-
ford Gaole broake all out on Satterday last, but they
are all (save eight) taken againe. Wee have an ex-
traordinary able Committee man come from Essex,
who lookes strictly into accompts and musters.
Neverthelesse, I doubt not but hee will give such a
character of us as none of us shall be ashamed of our

* Col. Gage.

^40 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

actions, whatsoever M r . Browne 6 thinkes of us ; if hee
thinkes to reduce the men and horse which belong to
the Garrison to a lesser nomber, it will bee a great
deale better for him to thinke wholly of demollishing
it, ffor the nomber of ffoote allotted are too few if the
enemy should come before it. The three hundred
horse are alsoe with the least, if they expect any be-
nefitt to the Associated Counties from them, but if
hee thinkes to save charges the best way will bee for
him to demollish both Aylesbury and Northampton ;
for I dare under take to name two places which if
they were fortifyed would doe more service then both
these townes, and will both bee kept with five hun-
dred men. Thus, with the presentation of my most
humble duty to you, I rest

Yo r most dutifull and obedient sonne,

s. L,
April 22 th , 1645.

LETTER CCCCXCIV.

Sir Samuel Luke to Major Bridges, upon some minor

successes.

[ibid.]
S r .

I have received your lettre, and am most hartily

sorry your other miscarryed, for it gave mee full sa-

tisfacc5n of Gods greate mercy to those poore troopes

b Maj. Gen. Browne.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 241

of mine under your conduct at Warwicke. The
newes brought to mee being soe unexpected and be-
yond reason to beleeve, that though I had it second-
ed and thirded by soldiers and servants of my owne,
yet I could not be possesst with the truth of it till I
saw it confirmed under your hand. S r , this victory
at Warwicke, makes their passage more difficult and
dangerous, and therefore will require the more care
and vigilance, wherein I doubt not but they shall
have your assistance. S r , I beseech you give them
the best advice you can, and furnish them with the
best guides. Pr. Rupert and Pr. Maurice being in
Oxford, I hope have drawne thither the greatest parte
of their forces alsoe. I cannot retorne these lettres
with soe good newes as I had from you. You told
me of your games, I must now tell you of our losses.
The Newerkers have taken a Fort upon the river of
Trent, neer Nottingham, and they make us beleeve
wee have hopes of regaineing it againe. They say
alsoe at London that Greenevill was kild before
a house of Col. Pophams by a muskett shott, which
if true, hee hath received the reward of his treachery.
S r Tho. Fairfax they say hath mustered compleate
eight thousand ffoote, and then when Waller and
Cromwell come up with their horse and joyne with
those hee hath already, I doubt not but hee will
march with a very good body. I pray God prosper
you, and give the new molded Army noe worse suc-

VOL. IV. M

242 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

cesse then hee hath formerly given to the old, and
soe begging the like for your selfe and all others that
are firme to the cause, I rest

Yo r loving ffreind to serve you,

s. L.
Apr. 24 th , 1645.

LETTER CCCCXCV.

Sir Samuel Luke to Col. Vermuyden, offering him

quarters.

[ibid.]
Sir,

Your messenger comeing to mee I could not but
salute you, and let you understand that I shall bee
most hartily glad to serve you, but desire that you
will bee carefull of your selfe, because I heare that
some of the King's Quarter masters were taking up
quarter this night within five miles of the place
where your head quarter is. The towne of Olney is
at your service, but I shall desire you to bee as
spareing of it as may bee, by reason of the poverty of
the people, who are not able to provide what is scarce
fitt for man. If you please to quarter at M r . John-
son's house, I know my officers will not bee soe un-
civill as to deny you ; but for the Fort, I reserve it
for the Scotch fforces, who are quartered all on this
side, and that is very scarce quarters ; but out of

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 243

their affection to mee they are contented with it,

which is all for the present you shall bee troubled

with all from

Yours in all servicable respects commaundable,

s. L.
June 6 th , 1645.

S r Tho. Fairfax quarters this night at Fenny
Stratford.

LETTER CCCCXCVI.

Sir Samuel Luke to Major Watson. Alarmed at the
apparent success of the Royal cause.

[IBID.]

Sir,
I received your lettre yesterday, for which I re-
torne you thankes, but am most hartily sorry for the
ill successe of our forces in all parts, which hath
caused a dead hartednesse in all people that they are
strucke with such a parmick feare, that, if I am not
deceived, the Parliament cause was never in soe de-
clineing a condition as at present. His Majesty's
head quarter was last night at Harborough, and parte
of his horse advanced within seven miles of North-
ampton. What hee intends, whether to fight with
you, or the surprizall of Northampton, or this place,
or the Association, this day will discover. I pray

M 2

244 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

helpe this messenger in his jorney what you may,

whereby you will oblige mee to bee

Your Lo. freind to serve you,

June 6 th , 1645, S. L.

Newport.

LETTER CCCCXCVII.

Sir Samuel Luke to his father, Sir Oliver Luke. The
King at Dav entry.

[ibid.]
Sir,

All the newes you shall see in his Excellencies

lettre which I beseech you peruse and seale up. I

have followed your direction in sealing up my lettres

to the Lord Roberts, soe that I hope now this will

please all. His Majesty continues still at Daventry,

and keepes his out guard within two or three miles of

Northampton, and hath not as yet removed one

guard. The prisoners that are taken affirme that hee

meanes to fight, but for my parte I beleeve it not.

Skirmish I beleeve he will, and seeke by partyes to

weaken our army, but I am confident he will not in-

gage his whole body. The soldiers that are taken

are very full of mony and plunder, and one of their

Ser te taken yesterday, had £20 in his pockett, soe

that wee cannot but fight with hart and courage, and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 245

for numbers certainly wee cannot but equall them at

the least. This is all for the present you shall be

troubled withall from

Your most dutifull obedient sonne,
June 12 th , 1645. s , L<

LETTER CCCCXCVIII.

Sir Samuel Luke to the Lord Roberts.* The approach
of the Armies towards each other. Cromwell or-
dered to advance with all speed.

[ibid.]
Right Honorable
The Armyes interposeing themselves soe neare,
makes my scouts fearfull to venture, because they are
not able to disserne one party from the other, and
are soe often questioned by both that they are very
unwilling to stirr. And, therefore, I hope you will
not expect much from mee, till either the fight be
over or his Ma 1 * retreated. Though the wether was
very unseasonable yesterday, yet S r Tho. his army
marcht from Stony- Stratford, and in the feircest of
the wett drew up in a body upon Hanslopp Greene,
and marched thence to Wootton, where the head-
quarter was, which is not above eight miles distant

• John Robartes, second baron Robartes, of Truro, co. Cornwall, was created
Viscount Bodmin, co. Cornwall, and Earl of Radnor, in Wales, 23 July, 1679.

246 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

from Dayntry, and this morneing, as they report, they
intend to advance and beleeve shall bee engaged.

One LA Russell was sent from Cambridge by IA
Gen. Cromwell to Sir Tho. Fairfax yesterday, who
past through this towne, and assured mee that IA G.
Cromwell had a many forces came to him which he
had advanced from Cambridge, and that hee only
stayd for orders from the Generall Sir Thomas Fair-
fax and some other forces out of Essex, which he ex-
pected either the last night or this day, and then hee
assured mee hee would bee able to advance with
4000 horse and foote at least ; the IA is againe re-
torned this morneing with commaunds (as he saith) for
IA G. Cromwell to advance with all speed, which is
all for the present shall bee assured yo r Honor from
Yo r Honors most humble servant,

s. L.
Newport, June 12 th , 1645.

LETTER CCCCXCIX.

Sir Samuel Luke to his Excellency the Earl of Essex :
a Letter of encouragement.

[ibid.]

Wee cannot choose but fight with extraordinary
courage, for every ffoote soldier that wee have taken

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 247

hath 20 or 30 s . a man in their pocketts ; and yester-
day there was a Serjeant taken that had £20 in his
pockett ; which will make men fight if they intend to
fight. I pray God send us good successe, and it
shall not fayle but bee speedily convayed to you
from

Your Ex. most humble servant,

June 12 th , 1645. S. L.

Newport.

LETTER D.

Sir Samuel Luke to the Committee of Aylesbury.

[ibid.]
Gentlemen
I have received your Lettre wherein I cannot but
acknowledge my unworthynesse of that respect you
show mee therein. Hen. Garlinstocke and Ed.
Hampsheire were both of my troop and before, and
men of vallour, and well esteemed of both by the
troope and my selfe ; but being guilty of such mis-
demeanours as horse-stealeing, I shall deferr them
wholly to your despose, and deseire you not to favour
them for my sake, for I shall never encourage men in
those courses. The originall of this inclosed Coppy I
received from them, the truth whereof you are better
able to judge of then I. Therefore, retorneing you

248 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

most harty thankes for this favour, I take leave and

rest

Yo rs , in the like or any other serviceable respects

comma undable,

June 12 th , 1645. S. L.

Newport.

LETTER DI.

Sir Samuel Luke to his uncle. General events of the

Spring of 1645 .- ending with the Battle of Naseby.

[ibid.]
Honored Sir

Since my last there have many things happened
which have not beene soe successful to us as to give
me any encouragement to hast them to you. Leif '.
Gen. Crumwell with Sir William Wallers party
comming from the West, where I last left them, Sir
W m . Waller himself retyred to the House in obe-
dience to that self denying Ordinance. Leif*. Gen.
Crumwell, willing to kepe himselfe in imployment,
tooke that opportunity of their swift retreat out of the
West to fall upon their quarters at Oxford,* where he
did good execution, taking two or three hundred pri-
soners ; tooke Blechington Howse, b whereof Coll. Win-
debanke, the Secretaries sonne, was governor, which
yelded to his mercy, and the governor for his reward
had a muskett shot in his pate at Oxford. From

» He routed a party of the King's horse at Islip, April 23d. b April 24th.

c He was sentenced April 25th, and shot in the garden of Oxford Castle, on
May 3rd.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 249

thense he went on the other side of the river and
tooke another howse, Farrington ward, and then be-
siedged Farrington, d where, with the assistance of
Major Generall Browne, hee continued above a
weeke, but had severall repulses, and in the conclu-
sion, Goring, with the Princes, comming to victuall
Oxford, and to fetch his Ma tye away, caused them to
retreat to their severall quarters. Some three or
four dayes after, his Ma tye with the Princes marcht
away 6 for the reliefe of Westchester, and L. G. Crum-
well and Major Generall Brown followed after, but
at such a distance as if they never meant to harme
them. His Majestye in his march took Hawksworth
Howse, in Worcestershire, and in it good store of
prisoners, horse, and armes; f we being then within a
dayes march of them or a very little more, the
enemies forces consisting of some six or seven
thousand, and ours not much inferiour in number.
Then came orders from above to command Col. Ver-
muden with two thousand horse and five hundred
dragoon es to joyne with the Scotts, and to call L. G.
Crumwell and Major Browne back to the seidge at
Oxford : during which tyme his Ma tye had tyme to
releeve Westchester : Sir W m . Brereton being by
orders from the Committee of State commanded back
to his garrison, by which occasion his Ma ,ye had op-

d April 30th. « May 7th.

f Hawkesley House surrendered to the King May 15th.

M 5

250 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

portunity to effect his designe, viz 1 , the releife of
Westchester. From thence hee marcht through
Cheshire, Lancashire, Darbyeshire, Nottinghamshire,
and soe into Leycestershire. In which march hee
gott soe great a recruite of strength that hee fell upon
Leycester and stormed it, possessing himselfe of the
towne in one half hour; 6 Coll. Grey, the tituler
Governor thereof, unworthyly deserting his post ;
though they stormed it but with three ladders at that
place where they first entred. The Newarke fort in
the towne held out somewhat longer, though much
battered by his Majesty's Ordenance which made a
breach, but was defended by Major Ennis, whoe
made upp the breach again and kept it three full
hours after the towne was taken : all which tyme hee
was ignorant of their entring the Towne. In the
end, they haveing perfected their security in the
towne, and possest themselves of all, they fell to the
attacking of Newarke on the towne side also, which
gave the Major the first notice of the towne being
taken ; soe that then seeing it was in vaine to hold it
longer, surrendred upon conditions. All this while
our forces were at Oxford, where Sir Thomas Fairfax
with his newe army mett them, h being retreated from
Blanford, by command from the Committee of both
Kingdomes, whither hee was before advanced for the
releife of Taunton. But afterwards, finding that the

b May 30th. h May 22d.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

251

Seidge at Oxford was of greater importance, and that
a smaller number would doe the worke, the Com-
mittee of both Kingdomes commanded a party of four
Regiments of foote and two of horse, under the com-
mand of Coll. Welden and Coll. Graves to bee sent
out for the releife of Taunton : and commanded him
backe to Oxford, where meeting with L. G. Crum-
well and Major Gen. Browne with all their strength,
continued about three weeks with little encourage-
ment, some losse or other each day on eyther side :
wee taking some of their workes, and they taking
some of our guards. The march of his Ma tje through
those severall Countyes, and his approach to the
Association, did soe stirr upp the hearts of the citti-
zens that they could not bee at quiett till they had
obteyned an order for Sir Thomas Fairfax to march in
pursuite of his Ma tye , and which hee noe sooner re-
ceived then obeyed. But being as willing that hee
might regaine the loss of soe much tyme at Oxford as
to yield obedience if any thing could be done without
any hindrance to his .... that might bring encou-
ragement to his soldiers, resolved with a party of
foote to fall upon Bostall Howse while his other
forces were drawing off from before the citty, which
hee performed, though God was not pleased soe to
prosper his endeavours as I could have wisht. 1 For
his army marching upp to him, and hee resolving to

' General Fairfax assaulted Borstal House but wa» repulsed June 4th.

252 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

shew himselfe a child of obedience was forced to with-
drawe from thence also without doeing any hurt at all.
Thence with his whole army hee marcht to Sherring-
ton, within a mile of this towne. On Saturday, the 7 th
of this moneth, Collonell Vermuden with the two
thousand horse and five hundred dragoones, that weare
sent to the Scotch army, came to him. HisMa tye
having setled all his affaires in Leicester, the Lord
of Loughborough being left commander in cheife of
all the forces in those partes, and L. Coll. Appleyard
deputy Governor for the towne of Leycester, came
the . . of June to Daventry with his whole force
where hee had opportunity to ease himselfe of his
plundered goods and cattle which hee had taken upon
his march and not sent to Newarke, by sending them
with a safe convoy to Oxford. In this tyme, Coll.
Massey resolved not to be idle but to doe something,
and though he had but a hand full of men yett hee re-
solved to try his fortune, and with lesse then a thou-
sand horse and eight hundred foote marcht to
Evesham, a strong garrison of the enemies, well forti-
fied by entrenchments, brestworke, and pallizadoes,
Robert Legg being Governor thereof, whoe had six
hundred foote and three troopes of horse there. Hee
arrived on Satturday, the day of . . and on Monday
morning stormed it, and within lesse than an hower
tooke it, and in it k

1 Evesham was taken by Col. Massey for the Parliament May 26th.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 253

Our forces in the West had noe lesse good successe
under the command of Coll. Welden, then those under
Coll. Massey. For when they came within two or
three howers march of the towne the enemy lefte
their seidge, and our men releived it and pursued
them, doeing good execution upon them. The 9 th '
Sir Tho. Fairfax marcht to Stony Stratford, where
they stayd a day, the 1 1 th to Wooton, the 12 th to Kil-
linsberry, the 13 th they past the water, where, when
they arrived, they found the King had made a hasty
retreate from Daventry with his whole army ; they
persued him all the way by Noebottle wood,.Ashby
Leagers, and soe by Winnick, and the 14 th he quar-
tered at Guilesborro, and his Ma ty at Harborrow. By
breake of the day Sir Thomas Fairfax drew out his
army in pursuite of them, Pr. Rupert drew out his
Ma ,ys to incounter it, and in Nasby feild they meett ;
the encounter was hott, lasted two or three houres,
the dispute doubtfull ; at the first Pr. Rupert routed
our left wing and forced them to a retreate, the
enemy being double in number to us ; but our Gene-
rall Sir Thomas Fairfax rally ed them together againe,
and charged the enemy soe thorroly that he utterly
routed them, and charged half a mile beyond them
into the body, beleeving his Majesty to have beene
there. Col. Rossiter that commaunded our right
wing, invironed the ffoote and routed them alsoe;

1 9th of June.

254 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

two thousand slaine upon the ground, five hundred
wounded, four thousand five hundred taken prisoners,
twelve peeces of cannon, aboute two hundred car-
riages, seven coaches, and the King and Princes
sumpter horses. The enemy fled to Leicester, our
forces persued them within two miles thereof, and
then retreated to Harborrow where our head quarter
was. Thus you see what greate thinkes the Lord
do the for us ; his name bee ever praysed for it, and
therefore, I beseech you, to him give all the glory,
which that we may all doe shall bee the dayly prayers
of Your most dutifull and obedient nephew,
Newport, June 15 th , 1645. S. L.

Now I hope wee shall regaine the West againe.

LETTER DII.

Sir Samuel Luke to Sir Thomas Fairfax.

[ibid.]
Sir

These two men, Capt. Hobson and Capt.Beaumont,
averring themselves to bee of your army, I made my
warrant to send them to you, and they pretending
that my officerf had abused them in apprehending
them, I have sent my officers along with them to re-
ceive such condigne punishment as your Honor shall
think fitt. Capt. Beaumont, as I have heard from
some officers of myne, hath declared that hee thought

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 255

it not fitt to fight in this cause. Then how heartily
he can give thankes to God for a victory in this
cause I leave it to your Honor to judge, and how ritt
such men are for a Garrison your Honor cannot but
know. How I have manifested my thankfullnes to
God for this victory, the contry and towne are able to
declare. This day was ordered for a Thankesgiving,
and I thanke God for the cause of it, and the Actor
that did it. Neverthelesse, these men whose spiritts
it seemes were in a higher spheare then ordinary,
withdrew themselves with a company of ignorant
women, and a yong boy of Capt. Draper his, and
seven men more to Lathbury, where by the witnesse
of a company of Potts and Juggs they exercizd their
guifts. I suffer'd them all this weeke in the towne
upon workey dayes to use their pleasures : but now,
in the tyme of a solemne thankesgiving, I could not
indure it. However I shall ever bee

Y r Honor's most humble servant,
June 15, 1645. S. L.

LETTER Dili.

Sir Samuel Luke to Bulstrode Whitlocke, Esq.

[ibid.]

Honored S r .
This inclosed Peticon from the Lady Digbey with
a coppy of my warrant was presented to the Ho ble

256

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Committees of your Association which I perceive by
a lettre from Mr. Lane much troubled you; there-
fore I am bold to desire you to give them the reason
of it, and then I shall submitt it and my selfe to
their further judgements. Wee had noe bulletts in
our garrison left, and except upon the church I can-
not beleeve there was one hundred of lead in all the
towne. The Committees had bought two thousand
waight at Northampton, but the Kings fforces being
soe neare, the Committee of Northampton would not
suffer us to have it; whereuppon by the advice of
the Committee I sent out those warrants to such
houses where I thought it was to bee had, and it
was obayed at the Lady Throckmortons and the
Lady Terringhams, without any manner of com-
plaint, for which I doubt not but they will bee fully
satisfyed, though the lead that they parted with
could not but bee inconvenient to them. The Lady
Digby being a most desperate dangerous woman,
animating both her neighbours and the soldiers
against the Parliament, I beleeve shee might be
glad of some occasion offered her by the soldiers to
complaine. Therefore I desired two of the Commit-
tees of this garrison to see the warrant executed, and
to see noe injury done her. When they came to her,
and shewed her the warrant, shee gave both you and
the soldiers such language as was not fitt to bee
indured, and told them shee had noo lead, and none

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 257

they should have there. Walking up and downe the
house they found spouts which they told her they
must have. Then she intreated them to forbeare
and promised that shee would furnish them other-
wayes, and thereupon sent her servant to digg in a
muck-hill, where shee found seven or eight hundred of
lead, and sent it hither. This is the whole truth of
the businesse, and Sir, to deale injeniousley with you,
if such people be suffered to live so neare a garrison,
and the officers not suffered to looke into their accons,
it will bee impossible for the garrison to bee in safety.
I shall desire this much favour from you as to lett
mee understand of such complaints as are made
against mee, and if I cannot give you satisfaction, I
shall aske pardon for any offence, ever remaining
The humblest of your servants,
June 15 th , 1645. S. L.

LETTER DIV.

Oliver Cromwell to Sir Samuel Luke, to convoy the

Treasure taken at Naseby to Northampton.

[ibid.]
Sir,

I doubt not but you heare before this tyme of the

greate goodnesse of God to this poore nation for

which wee have all cause to rejoyce. The Generall

258 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

commaunded mee to desire you to convoy the trea-
sure to Northampton, where Col. Cox will receive it
and discharge yo re . This is desired may speedily
bee done.

S r . I am your humble servant,

June 15 th , 1645. OLIVER CROMWELL.

LETTER DV.

Col. Fiennes to Sir Samuel Luke, to lend assistance

in conducting the prisoners taken at Naseby to

London.

[ibid.]
Honored Sir,

Sir Thomas Fairfax hath commaunded mee with
my regiment and with other horse, foote, and dra-
goones I can gett out of the garrisons, to conduct the
prisoners taken in the late successfull battell to Lon-
don ; they are four thousand in number, and many
officers of quality ; the convoy wee have is too
weake, therefore I desire you will bee pleased to
send unto mee what forces you can possibly spare to
Oulney, tomorrow morneing early, and you shall very
much oblige
Northampton, Your humble servant,

16 Junij, 1645. JQ> FIENNIS<

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 259

LETTER DVI.

Col. Bridges to Sir Samuel Luke. The local distri-
bution of the Royal Forces.

[ibid.]
Sir,

Your lettre this Satterday night finds mee very
busy in disposeing of the general! officers belonging
to Sir Thomas Fairfax, the General being this night
quartered in Warwicke ; which way hee intends to
steere his course I know not at present, for the re-
mainder of the Kings army (which only consists in
horse is soe dispersed) that they are hardly to bee
found. The King yesterday with a small party
passed by the skirt of Herefordshire towards Bristoll,
the E. of Northampton on Thursday night passed
over Harvington ffoard on the river Avon, two miles
above Evesham, and beate up Newport horse quar-
ters ; at Honyborne tooke a cornett and quarter-
master and twenty horse : Prince Maurice is in
Worcester such as some say, Gerrard is said to bee
upon his march thither with two thousand five hun-
dre ffoote besides horse ; Pr. Rupert is about Here-
ford, his horse about two thousand betweene it and
Bewdley. I saw some of your agents at Leicester,
though I had not tyme to speake with you. I suppose
you have a good accompt from them of all occurrants
there. S r . I have at present noe further newes to tell

260 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

you, but could wish myselfe with you to tell you some

old storyes to invite you to mirth. Col. Massey

left us this morneing about ten of the clocke. If any

thing worthy your knowledge fall out, you shall, with

the first, hear it from, S r .

Your resolved and humble servant,

Warw. Castle, JO. BRIDGES.

21 Junij, 1645.

LETTER DVIL

Sir Samuel Luke to Col. Bridges. In reply.

[IBID.]

Honored Sir,
I cannot tell you how much you have engaged me
by your Lettre of the 21 st June, at one aclocke at
night, that in the midst of your so great employment
and the great company of Generalls and IA Generalls
and such great officers, you should think of the poor
Governour of Newport, who should be as willing to
spend an hour or two with you, concerning the suc-
cess of my agents at Leicester, which could not but
make you laugh heartily, and certainly had you the
yellow jaundies it would cure you of them, if the
drugg from the taylors shred could do it. I thanke
you for your newes, and though I cannot tell you
much, yet I shall tell you some which I beleeve will
not be knowne to you before this comes to your

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 261

hands. The Lord Savill is committed close prisoner,
as I heare, who hath been tampering with some con-
cerning a peace, from whom both you and I expected
better things. The joy of this great victory may
extinguish all fears and so perhaps you may hear no
more of it.

I should conclude but that I must tell you a riddle
before I leave you. I sent two preachers, Capt 3 ., of
the army, by my agents to Leicester, which spent the
day of the battaile as devoutly heere at Newport as
might be, and though they thought it unlawfull to
fight in the cause when the armies were so neare con-
ioyned, yet I hope they were not affraid all the while
to take pay from the cause. Now comes the riddle.
Though they thought it unlawfull to fight, yet being
taken preaching in a private house, contrary to
ordinance of Parliament (during the time of our
exercise) they pretended it was giving of thanks for
the Victory. How they should think it unlawfull to
fight for the cause, and yet pray for the cause, I
leave it to you to judge.

Should my wife have passed through Warwicke
you should have seene her, and shee should not have
drunke there but under your protection. Thus
thanking you againe for your remembrance of mee,
I rest

Your faithfull freind and humble servant,
June 23 th , 1645, Newport. s# L#

262 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Postscr. If any messenger of M r . Bedfords come
to you, I pray provide him a scout or two to goe
unto the Kings army, and hee hath order to pay
him.

LETTER DVIII.

Sir Samuel Luke to Col. Fleehvood, respecting Cap-
tains Hobson and Beaumont.

[ibid.]
Sir,

I have received your lettre, some passages whereof
seeme very strange to me, and least you should be
mistaken, I have sent you a copy of your lettre again
to peruse. You have knowne me a long time, and I
hope in all that time I have not varied from my first
principles. The sole cause that drew me into these
wars was the maintenance of religion, and liberties of
Parliament. Now that these two men Hobson and
Beaumont (olim Capt 8 .) should come countenanced
with your authority to preach the working of mi-
racles, and declare the unlawfulness of fighting in
this cause is no less strange to me, then their usage
here seems strange to you. I hope you are not igno-
rant of the covenant that I have taken, and, God
willing, will with my life and estate endeavor to
maintaine ; you cannot likewise but hear of an orde-
nance of Parliament against the preaching of any not

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 263

in orders or approved of by the Assembly. If either
Taylor Hobson, or Druggist Beaumont, be thus
authorized ; I have done ill in interrupting them, if
not I have but a little strayned with duty to comple-
ment with your Generall where I expected to have
right done me, as his Honour may be assured he shall
have done him here, if those officers prove guilty of
such ill usage as they are accused of by the two
preachers. But I hope you will excuse me if I do it
in a legal way, for I have referred it to a councell of
war who are to hear their examination, and deliver
their opinions, and if their opinions jump not with
your Generall's desire I shall send them up to the
Parliament and wash my hands of all. I pray God
the light you speak of in the latter end of your letter
proves not the darkness which hath plunged Germany
in to all her miseries. Soe rests

Y rs in all serviceable respects commandable,
Newport, June 23 th , 1645. S. L.

LETTER DIX.

Sir Samuel Luke to Sir Thomas Fairfax on the same.

[ibid.]
Sir,

Instantly upon the receipt of your Honors let-
ters dated the 19 th day of June from Leicester I

264 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

committed the examination of the businesse concern-
ing your Honors two captains and my ensigne and
marshall, to a councell of war, to hear and- determine,
wherein if your Honours commands shall not be
obeyed I shall then send both the examinacons with
the councell of war's sentence with their reasons up
to the Parliament; and if you have not satisfaction
in what your Honour desires I doubt not but your
Honour will have such reasons as you shall have no
cause to suspect,

Your Honors most humble servant,
June 23 th , 1645. s , Li

Postscr. Your Honor knowes that by the lawes
and ordinances of war, no officer can be casheered
without a councell of war, if they desire it : which
they have claimed accordingly, declaring that they
had no witnesses examined for them, but that your
Honors informac5n came only from the Capt s . owne
mouthes.

LETTER DX.

Sir Samuel Luke to Richard Knightley, Esq. Still

respecting Captains Hobson and Beaumont.

[ibid.]
Sir

According to severall Ordinances of Parliament,

I sent these two persons, who termed themselves

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 265

•

Captains under S r Tho. Fairfax (I meane Hobson
and Beaumont) to him that they might receive con-
digne punishment for the breach of the Ordinances
of Parliament. The Lettres and Warrant which I.
sent along with them, with the Colonells and S r Thol
Fairfax answere thereunto, and my reply, you shall
receive herein inclosed: my Marshall being com-
maunded to deliver the contents of your principall
Ordinance by word of mouth, and haveing Witnesses
there ready to attest their preaching in a private
house dureing the tyme of our publique exercise heere
in this Garrison. The offence was committed in
Lathbury, under this Garrison, where my soldiers are
continually billetted, w ch bred such a disturbance
amongst them, that the Maior of the Towne was
forced to goe out of the Church to commaund a
guard of Musketeers for apprehending them ; I
thought my sending them to Sir Tho. Fairfax would
have beene a meanes to have freed you from the
trouble, but thus it is. This day they came again to
this towne with this Passe a from Col. Fleetewood,
and sending for them to know the occasion of their
comeing, they questioned mee to my face whether
my committment of them was legall or illegall ; and
therefore not any more fitt to judge the legallity or
illegality then yourselves, nor any fitter to judge of

1 " Suffer Capt. Hobson and Capt. Beaumont with a servant and their horses to
passe to Newport, and from thence to London. Given under my hand at Southam,
June 23, 1645. Charles Fleetwood, Co.'onel.

VOL. IV. N

26Q ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the contempt of Ordinances than they that make
them, causeth mee to send them to you, assureing you
that the greatest parte of the weeke they preached up
and downe the towne ordinarily, and the last Lords
day but one which wee solemnized here for our late
greate Victory, they preached twice at Lathbury, in a
private house dureing the time of our exercise, which
bred a disturbance that for my owne defence and
secureing them from injury, I was forced to take this
course with them. There was another townesman
with them as able a Preacher as themselves, who
I shall take an order with all, and shall remaine
Y r most humble servant in executeing and
observeing all orders and Ordinances of
Parliament whatsoever till yo r pleasure to
the contrary bee knowne.

s. L.
Newport, June 24 th , 1G45.

Postscr. Had I beleeved they had had either reli-
gion or honesty in them I should have past by any
affront done to my selfe, but beleeveing them to bee
Anabaptists, which cannot consist with Magistracy or
Government, I sent them to you, that by their punish-
ment the peace of the Kingdome may bee established.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 267

LETTER DXI.

Sir Samuel Luke to Aulicus wounded.

[ibid.]
May it please your Excellency

The greatest losse the Cavileers have had in the

late greate Battle hath not as yet beene sensible to

the world. I meane Aulicus, hee is soe deepely

wounded that hee is unlikely to recover. All the

Pamphletts I had this weeke I shall beseech you to

receive as from

Yo r Ex. most humble servant,

s. L.
Newport, June 25 th , 1645.

Postscr. S r Tho. Fairfax with his Army lay last
night at Stratford upon Avon and there abouts, in-
tending to march early this morneing, but whither
unknowne. The Scotts were yesterday in the
evening ready for a march, which was reported to bee
for Newarke.

N 2

268 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DXII.

William Osborne to his Wife. The Siege and taking

of Colchester.
[harl. ms. 7001. art. 107.]

My deare Wife,
Through the great goodnesse of our God, after a
compleate eleven weekes seige, this expedition is
over. Colchester is become ours; yesterday wee
made our entrance into the towne about ten of the
clocke, secured all the workes, prisonners, did exem-
plary justice on two, but of that more hereafter. Give
me leave to give thee and my friends a line or two
of what hath heer fallen out since my last comming
downe. Though I could scarce make my horse move
a limbe, yet within lesse then halfe an hower of
night, the same day, I came to Lexon Lodge, their
had been this day overtures made and desires from
them that his Excellency would treat upon the
former Articles that he had sent in. M r . Barnardis-
ton, one of our Committee, who was a prisoner of
theirs, was sent out to use his rhetoricke, who disco-
vered much of selfe, much feare, which carryed him
on to speeke that for which afterwards hee made an
apology. This night they would have engaged the
soldiery to have sallyed out, which they attempted,
by giving of them wine and tobacco plenty, but being
all in a readinesse they refused, telling them, that by

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 269

running the hazard to have their throats cutt, they
would not endeavour to open a way for their escape
and preservation. On Saterday the Councell of war
concluded that they having neglected the season of
accepting those former articles delivered in, his Lord-
ship was not obliged to make good what therin he
offered, therupon other Articles were drawen up,
sent in, and willingly embraced. Whiles these were
in debate, a messenger came from the North, brought
about 100 of the Scotch colors, the Marques his
owne, being a crowne, with this subscription Bate
CcBsari ; he told likewise how that hee heard upon the
way that the Marques and Langdale were taken pri-
sonners, but this he was not an eye witness off.
Though the enemy were very high, yet the returne
that they sent out Sabbath day morning, very erly
(for they were loath to loose any tyme by reason that
our souldiers much prest upon the wall, and could
not without much difficulty and slashing be keept
from falling upon them, so greedy they were of new
cloathes, and of the spoyles of their enemyes) will
sufficiently declare how crestfallen they were ; their
return was this.

" My Lord, having hitherto acted the duty of sol-
" diers and gentlemen, wee must acknowledge the
" truth of what is intimated by your Lordship that
" ther is a great alteration between our condition
" and yours, since the first offer of the treaty. How-

270 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

"soever, according to your Lordship's permission,
" wee have sent Sir William Compton, Colonel Abra-
" ham Shepman, Colonel Faman, Colonel Tuke, and
" Colonel Ayleff, to treate and conclude upon the
"circumstances necessary for the clearing and orderly
" performance of that which your Lordship by your
" last hath offered ; wee being resolved to committe
" ourselves your Lordships prisonners, (signed) Nor-
" wich, Capell, Lucas ; according to your Lordships
" desire (rather demande) wee have sent out the Com-
" mittee. August 27, Colchester."

Sabath day morning the Committee came out, they
were receaved with great acclamations of joy, his Ex-
cellency appoynted Commissioners to treat with them.
Ireton, Raynsborough, Whaley, three of Essex, three
of Suffolke ; all was concluded upon. The chiefe of the
Articles were these, All Officers — captains are
to submitt to mercy ; and conditionally, that the pri-
vate souldiery delivered up the afforesayde officers,
they are to have faire quarter, which is to have their
skins whole, though stript of all their outward ap-
parrell. My Lord refused to treat with the towne
by Military Commissioners, telling them that hee
could not beleeve that those who had soe much
ruined them would now be carefull to preserve them ;
others were therefore appoynted, and it was concluded
that the towne should pay 11,000; 10,000 to the
souldiery, and 1000 to the poore.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 271

Yesterday wee entered and found a scarcity of all
things, yet I myselfe with some others found a table
well spread with varietys, had our shares, and gave
an alarum of it to others, that were in an hungry con-
dition. Sir Charles Lucas, Sir George Lisle, were
both harquebusierd this afternoon. Sir Barnard
Gascoyne, a recusant, was only putt into a fright,
the souldiery much crying out for Goring, Capell,
and Hastings, though it much troubled them that
they had not the plunder of the towne, yet it as
much satisfied them that they lived to see justice
done ; these, with the rest of the prisoners, are
referred to the justice of Parliament, but of their
clemency wee have all had sad experience, of their
depalment being about to suffer I shall give you an
account very shortly, for my spiritt is now sett at
liberty. Tell my father that Justice Smith often
asketh mee how it is with him, and how that I was
not unmyndfull of calling upon Colonel Mildmay as
I came ; lett it suffice for the present that I desire
him to forbeare to give entertainment to the party.

I went to view the prisonners, saw most of the
great ones ; one of them desired mee to tell them the
truth of the Northern affairs, of which I gave them
the full relation, which, by the shaking of their heads,
I imagine was unwelcome and as a bitter pill unto
them. Colonel Farr was condemned to suffer with
the rest, but being demanded could not be found ; it

272 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

is imagined that hee is couchant in some place within
the walls ; search is made, and I hope that hee will be
found, that soe such a troubler as hee was may not
escape the sword of justice.

My thoughts are now (deare heart) inclining home-
wards, and I shall follow my letter at the heeles and
returne to my former condition, which I thinke not
on without much perplexity to my spiritt, but the
will of God be done.

I have give you hier a short view of what hath
passed, a short relation of the great things that our
God hath don by weake armes; let him have all the
glory ; let our mouthes and our harts declare his
prayses ; I leave them in his armes, in his bosome,
who is a God of love, and of power, from whose
wayes it is the desire of my soule that we may never
depart. Thine whilst his owne

WILLIAM OSBORNE.

Lexon Lodge, Aug. 29 th , 1648.

Thou hast a view of my heart, knowest how and
after whom it beats, let all my friends be sensible of
it ; as thou impartest my love to them, soe distribute
this relation, though I beleeve it will not be new
with you.

Colonel Farr and Lodge both our neighbouring
enemys are taken, the former in a kill in the towne
last Monday at night ; the latter upon the roade neer

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 273

Chelmesford ; the former was condemned and had

been executed yesterday with his felow malefactor,

had hee been found, but wee expect the performance

of it to day.

For Richard Shute, Esq., at his howse,

neer Fanchurch, London.
For Mrs. Mary Osborne.

LETTER DXIII.

The Clerk to the business of Sequestration in the
County of Huntingdon, to all tvhom it might concern,
respecting Mrs. Cottons rents at Steeple Guiding.

[ms. cotton, append, xxix.]

Com. Hu nt

To all whom these presents may concerne.

These may certifle that the whole rents of M rs .
Cottons lands lyeing in the parish of Steeple Gidding
in this County of Huntington, was sequestred by the
Additionall Sequestrators of the said County, from
the beginning of the Sequestracon untill Lady Day
1645, in which tyme ther was £300 clearly receaved
out of the same and all taxes paid, as by the accompts
of the said Sequestrators appeared, drawn up by me,
and now remaining in the hands of the Subcommittee
for Accounts ; of all which monys M rs . Cotton did not
receave one pennye towards her third parte.

Eor the following yeares, 1645, 1646, 1647, and

N 5

274 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

1648, there hath bin a third parte of the said rents
sett out and allowed the said Mrs. Cotton, but by
reason of the smaleness of Rents in the troublesome
times and the greatness of taxes, the great dispropor-
tion of the County in generall, and that towne in
particuler, as alsoe by reason of a tennants running
away with two yeares profitts, M rs . Cotton hath not
receaved above threescore pounds clearely out of her
estate this last 7 yeares, though the estate before
these troubles was lett for £200 per annum. Know-
ing these particulers to be true of my owne know-
ledge, and being thereto desired, I could doe noe
less then certifie the same.

JONATH. PARIS,

7°. May, 1649. Clerk to the business of

Sequestracon in Coin. Hunt.

LETTERS

OF

THE REIGNS OF

CHARLES II.

AND

JAMES II.

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER DXIV.

Mr. John Greenhalgh to Mr. Thomas Crompton.
Account of Dunkirk while in the hands of the
English.

[ms. lansd. 988. fol. 208. &.]

Cousin Livesey and M r . Crompton,
In the beginning of May I took a resolution to
look abroad beyond Sea. I bad been for a month
before almost dayly upon the Exchange amongst the
Merchants, and reading the ship bills hanged up
there, to find a ship that would land me at Naples,
or some port of Italy, but could light of none ; it
being probable I might in some other port then far
off, about May 9 th I took ship not far from Black-
wall, and after four days and four nights I landed at
Dunkirk, the wind was somewhat averse, and we
savled somewhile along the coast of Norfolk. When

278 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

becalmed, to drive away time, I fished with a cord of
many yards length, with two great hooks at it, baited
with pieces of raw flesh, but greater gain was nearer me,
for half a dozen of great black fishes came up above the
water often within three rods of our ship, and I think
followed us, for I saw them, by times, above an hour.
This the seamen told me was ordinary there abouts,
being upon the main, out of sight of any land. Some
of them were as big as pretty young bullocks. I was
in Dunkirk and saw what was to be seen, prying into
every corner ; especially the Houses of religion, which
are three Monasteries, three Nunneries, and one great
Colledge of Jesuites. The structures of all which are
very stately and magnificent, every House having his
own church adjoining as part of it self, without
steeple, and only one bell ; wherein the altars, candle-
sticks, crucifixes, images of saints, and goodly pic-
tures, are so many, so rich, so elegant and exquisite,
as is beyond the belief of any who have not seen them ;
all the places and things being kept most neat, clean,
and bright, and in print. I was oftenest amongst the
Monks and Friers (they are called by both names)
which are here of three orders, Capuchins regulars,
Franciscans, and Jacobins ; the two former differ little
in their habit, being a very coarse grey coat, with
each a very great and broad white patch on the back
to make it look more beggar-like, and like a fool's
cap sovved to the neck of it, and this only, without

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 279

shirt, band, or stockin, girt to their skin, with a rope
twice about the middle and tyed on knots, the ends
whereof hang to the ground ; having wooden sandals,
which do only fence the bottom of their feet ; their
heads shaven as bare as my nail, save a little diper
left round above their ears. Each hath at his right
side, hanging at his rope, a great chain of white
beads as big as a musket bullet, with a cross of wood
or brass, hanging at the end of the chain. The Jaco-
bin goes like a magpie, for he wears a long white
coat reaching to the ground, and a short black cloake
upon it, with a black low crowned and very broad
brimmed hat ; strangely ridiculous. The Jesuites
habit is grave and somewhat comely, they wearing
long black gowns with sleeves close at hands, as our
mourning gowns, no band at all nor cuffes, a broad
brimd black hat without hatband, shoes without
heels, and heads not shaven but polled close to the
skulls : and when they go in the street (which both of
them, and each other religious order, is always set
together, as I often saw) they carry each in his left
hand a short smooth staff, like a commanders staff,
but dyed black, griping it in the middle. I was in
their garden walls and colledge sundry times, and
heard them at lectures on philosophy, rhetorick, and
grammar, where he that read but rhetorick to youths,
stood in a high pulpit, in a great gown, and a very
light cap with its corners standing streight and up-

280 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

wards, mitre wise; in a more majestick garb, than doth
one of our Divinity professors when he reads in Cam-
bridge. They do affect an outward pompous show
in all things. One day I saw four of them hearing
auricular confessions of several gentlewomen in their
church ; the man sate covering his eyes with an han-
kerchief, that he might not see the womans face,
while she whispered in his ear, kneeling. You must
know that some of them are also priests, or they could
not do this ; and then also I saw one of them celebrate
Masse. I saw the Capuchins have Masse in their
church, and the Franciscans in theirs ; who have also
very loud organs. There I saw the monks kneeling
on a row receiving the Sacrament before the altar,
the manner of all so ceremonious office is too long to
relate, often kissing the floor prostrate, and twenty
postures, &c. The chief monk being a priest did also
say Masse, and administer to them ; and that while
he had a most gorgeous cope, and glorious robes
above his poor coat. I had some words with the same
man, and he spake Latin well, in their cloyster ; I
would have had him to [have] shewed me their cloys-
ter gallerie, but he refused, I think because he saw a
soldier walking near that would have gone in too. But
Capuchins monks did very friendly at my desire unlock
me the great door of their cloyster and gardens, and
there I was alone, and walked up and down an hour.
Their gardens and orchards are so large and fair, well

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 281

planted and ordered, as might become the King of
Spain ; many fine arbours, as also many images, and
great wooden crosses set up in them. The monks
were busie, some dressing, some weeding, some get-
ting herbs for dinner. I had some little talk with
several of them, and none that I spake to but could
speak Latin promptly ; but having been once or twice
there, last time I so far expressed my dislike of their
fopperies in the masse that they were displeased, and
I was glad when [I] got out, and came no more there
for fear of a mischief. Some of our English who had
lived three or four years in Dunkirk told me that
these do live mostly or meerly upon alms ; and I saw
some mendicant friars go in the streets two together,
with each a basket in his arms, and into shops and
houses; and I noted how they, though as beggars,
passed along, all people of all sorts take off their hats
and shewing great reverence towards them, as they
do strictly observe towards all their religious. They
told me that these friars do each day once cover their
tables with a coarse but a clean cloth, and set on salt
only, there expecting what their providers will bring
them (which office they do by turns), of which be it
more or less they make a dinner, and be it never so
short they who beg the next day do not complain ;
their manner being not to ask but to stand silent, and
to take what is given. But when it falls out, which
sometimes though seldom doth, that they have had

282 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

many short meals together, and too sore pinched,
they have a bell on the top of a corner of their
House, called the starving bell, which they (having
first covered their empty table, setting on salt only,
and setting their hall door wide open, and have out
of modesty retired themselves into their cells out of
sight) they ring out aloud, which being once heard
abroad hath the same effect there that a fire bell
being rung hath in a town with us ; people running
out into the streets and crying " Jesu, Maria, the
starving bell, wo and alas for the holy men ;" such an
hub-bub as though the judgement of Sodom were
ready to fall upon the town, for their neglect of the
holy men. So of the richer sort, the mistresses do in
all hast send out each their maid, running one with
a cheese, another with a loaf, another with a dish of
butter, one carries half a great pastie, another runs
with a standing piece of roast beef, &c. all which en-
tring the monastery . hall, they lay down upon the
table, and get them out again ; one monk peeping
through a hole sees when the table is soundly fur-
nished, then comes out and shuts the hall door of
modesty, so as they who come after that go back
again with their meat, saving both it and their credit;
when all are gone the hungry friars creeping out of
their holes do fall aboard.

I was in one of the three Nunneries chappel, at
the time of performance of the evening prayers or

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 283

vespers. I saw two nunns below, one old nun kneel-
ing down within two yards of where I stood ; all the
rest were in an upper partition made with a lattice,
but so wide as I could well see them. Their habit
is a black gown tyed close about their middle, and a
veil of pure whitest linnen cast over their head and
reaching to their girdle, set out with such handsome
manner of dress upon the forehead and about the
face as indeed is marvellous comely. Their altar was
rich and most curiously dressed, with artificial pure
white lillies, white roses, &c. emblemata casta. They
sang their prayers in a most mournful! ditty in
each portion, which was distinguished by a long
pause one of them did only keep ; they groan to the
singing of the rest as a conjoyned undersong ; drawing
it out long favnineo ululatu very dolefully; but when
they sing praises, they are as merry ; for not having
organs, they play on loud virginals joyntly to their
singing, which with the small quavering voices, make
up a Syrenical and Spherical harmony. Of these
Nuns are two sorts the one regular, which are recluse,
and stir not abroad ; the other called gadding nunns,
of which I saw diverse walk the streets, and one day
two of them, gallant ladies in rich gowns and veils,
and ushered by a gentleman ; they had under each
arme a big book, the one whereof had a white cover,
another a black.

The Cathedral of Dunkirk is great and very muni-

284 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

fieent, and exceedeth all the other churches in riches
and excellency of its various Ornaments ; before the
highest alter, upon the floor, stand two brass candle-
sticks as big as two brass pillars, each three yards
high and very thick, of brightest and purest shining
brass, which had two very great wax tapers blazing
upon them with a mighty flame. There is a very large
frame or Table many yards in length and breadth,
which covers almost all the west end of this church,
upon which is drawn or painted the Day of Judge-
ment so lively as is wonderfull to behold and very
terrible. Diverse told me that the King of France
hath desired to buy it, and offered to cover it with
gold coin pieces all over as the price of it, which
would be a vast sum. In the said church upon Whit-
sunday, which festival they kept with great and ex-
traordinary solemnity, I was present at, and saw all
their services, which were many and various. Upon
the highest altar, which is very great and high, were
above thirty great wax tapers flaming, each a yard
high ; before it, at High Mass, upon the three steps of
ascent, stood three priests, at a distance, one streight
behind another, in most rich red embroydered copes,
which made a mighty show. The priests are shaven
only upon the crown, about the breadth of a five
shilling piece of silver, in which place they were
anointed at their consecration. The quire men in
their surplices ; some stood on the midst of the floor

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 285

singing, some sate in the seats ; the rest of the quire

was filled with the burgo masters, gentry, and lady's

of the town. I stood at the higher end of the quire.

Their organs are far bigger and louder than those in

S*. Pauls, London, and yet when they sung High

Masse not only those organs played, but also thereon

stood loud wind musick, in the midst of the quire,

and also a set of viols to help, which all playing and

sounding together made a most roaring musick for an

hour ; the which priests mean while did diverse times

burn incense which ascending up as a cloud before

the altar, filled all with smoke and most fragrant

odour. In latter end of Mass I walked down the

south isle and up the north, even over the church, and

I counted seventeen other altars within the church,

i

all adorned with rich hangings, crucifixes, and candle-
sticks of silver, images and pictures of Saints lively,
many great wax tapers flaming in them upon each
(some hundreds whereof burned in the church most
of the day) ; priests were saying Mass at some of
them, and people praying at each of them, and this
all at the same time. The multitude of people was
incredibly great. Mass being ended, ascended the
great high pulpit in midst of the church, and preacht
a sermon, a proper black man, in his surplice, and an
high cap upon his head, the corner whereof stood
streight upwards, mitre wise. He preached in the
Flemish tongue, but by his quotations of texts and

28f) ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Fathers in Latin, I perceived the drift of his discourse
was to prove the real corporeal presence : inveighing
much against us hereticks : forsooth a violent and
most furious man; he sweat and his eyes even candled,
and he, sometimes almost ready to leap out of the
pulpit for anger ; ever when he named this word Sa-
crament, he put of his hat and the people bowed low.
They have not seats as we, but stand to hear as more
reverent. Sermon being ended all the congregation,
both priests and people, arose, and went the so-
lemn procession for the day. First went some in red
copes with shaven heads, carrying high silver candle-
sticks with great wax tapers burning in them ; next
follow the chief priest carrying on high the great
silver cross which was very big and long, its lower
part of wood, the uppermost yard and cross piece of
it were silver richly embossed ; I think it was hollow,
or he could not have carryed it so lightly ; after him
came other priests in like red embroydered copes
with each a book in his hand and the quire men in
their surplices all singing aloud, rem Sancte Spiritus,
&c. After them followed the burgo-masters of the
town, and gentry in rich attire ; then the burgers and
commonalty in some hundreds. They began from
the hisfh altar and came down the middle isle of the
church ; then up the north isle singing all the way,
and compassing the quire ; came down the south isle ;
then as they went up again in the midst of the body

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 287

of the church the priests and the whole procession
stood still, singing very loud Veni Sancte Spiritus, &c.
and then was acted the memorial of the day. In the
top of the arched roof of the cathedral, which is very
high, there is a cupilo or great round hole, as round
and broad as a mill stone. In that hole was first
made a flash of fire lightning as if the heaven opened
there ; there descended from thence a living milk
white dove, it was let down by a pully with a small
string with its wings and tail extended and spread by
two very small white sticks at back of them, to which
the feathers were tyed with white thread and could
scarce be perceived, but I, standing very near, did
discern it, and this done the dove looking prettily
about, as a dove will, descending by degrees, when it
came near over the priest's head it staid, hanging and
hovering over them a good while, they still singing
Veni, &c, then it was drawn up by degrees into the
Cupulo out of sight, and after this out of the same
great hole in the roof were thrown down as it were
many cloven tongues of fire, which came down flaming
over the priests heads, but they instead of receiving
them, opened to the right and left, and let those fall
to the floor, so saving their shaven crowns, I per-
ceived these were papers besmeared with some sul-
phurous matter to make them blaze better, and at
the coming down of these tongues there was a shout
set up in the church that the town rang again. Last-

288 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ly, there was thrown down a shower of holy water,
which fell in drops upon the people to sprinkle and
hallow them ; so ended the procession of all the fool-
ish fopperies of the forenoon. In the afternoon of
the same day, and in the same pulpit, I heard another
Capuchin Friar preach, without any surpliss, and
only in his poor bare patent grey coat, and rope with
a chain of great big beads and a cross at his side, and
bareheaded with his shaven peeled naked scalp, a
strange sight to me. You scarce ever saw a wretched
beggar stand at a door in such an abject forlorne
garb and despicable habit, yet the people reverence
them more than they do either their priests or the
Jesuits ; and they are counted the best preachers.
They take no text at all, but make a discourse some-
ways relating to the Gospel of the day, and by his
Latin quotations I perceived that he insisted chiefly
in shewing the great dignity of priests, who receivethe
Holy Ghost in more special manner, often repeating
those two texts, Accipite Sjririticm Sanctum, &c, &c.
Quorum peccata remiseritis, &c. In the same pulpit
again upon the Monday in the forenoon, I heard
another, a Franciscan Monk, preach; a mighty big fat
man, but in the same like poor habit as the former ;
one thing I observed that all these three preachers
were in their language very prompt, nimble, and elo-
quent nlen ; another thing that instead of prayer be-
fore and after sermon as we use, each of them did at

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 289

his coming up into the pulpit, in the first place, very
gravely with his forefinger, make crosses upon his
forehead, mouth, and breast (if you should do so next
Sunday when you come into your pulpit, the folk
would think you were mad) ; then kneeling down with
his face towards the high altar he mumbled his Pater
noster once over. The people in the mean while
doing the very same upon the floor kneeling. After
that he arose and fell roundly to his preaching, and
so did each likewise after sermon.

The new fortifications which our English are doing
about Dunkirk, upon which I often was and viewed
(many hundred of soldiers working daily at them
still), are well brought on towards perfection, and for
their frame and largeness of height, length, thickness,
and each way indeed stupendous ; nor do I think a
more noble and magnificent work was ever done by
the Roman legions of old ; all the fronts and outsides
being built with stone and brick, which with lime and
tarr they have partly here, and partly out of France,
and by ships. I was at Mardike, the houses whereof
being burnt down, I saw not above six standing. A
regiment of Irish, being the Duke of Yorks, keeps a
camp there in hutts made of sods. Most of the
towns in the country near about are burnt down in the
late warrs. I counted seven or eight churches stand-
ing, each alone by it self, in midst of the field ; their
towns being burnt; and of those churches nothing

vol. iv. o

290 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

but bare walls, and streets remaining. I was at
another great walled town in Flanders, called Burg,
wherein the King of Spain hath a strong garrison of
Spaniards. It is rather bigger then Dunkirk ; the
walls, rampiers, ditches, and trenches, and sluces
making it one would think invincible. I went up
and down among those soldiers there, and viewed all.
I saw the houses of religion which are many here too,
here I saw in the street two being nuns, veiled, and
their gown girt about their midle with a rope, with
either a basket on their arm. I saw also a little
young friar being a child not above seven years old,
but in all his habits like the eldest. The parents
here dying, put some one child here with its portion
into a monastery at that little age to be a saint be-
time. I was at the great Abbey in this town, the
monks whereof are Augustins and wearing black
coats, more handsome, but are shaven, &c. like to
the others. I saw and stood by them, when they
were at their morning service in the quire of their
great Abby Church adjoyning to their House. Di-
verse of them were tall and goodly men.

Having in the time of my stay found no Ship in
the Haven of Dunkirk that would land me at Naples
or any Port of Italy, I went into France, first to a
town called Gravelin, and made some stay there. It
is a town very strong with walls and trenches, and
sluces deep and broad. In it the King of France

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 291

hath a strong Garrison of French, and Switzers
amongst them.

When I went and viewed the town, having horse-
hire from Dunkirk so dear almost treble to the post
horses in England, I went hence many miles up into
the country by boat up a river ; in which passage I
remember two friars who were travelling, being weary
and sore beaten with a storm of wind and rain that
then fell, espying our boat, came to the rivers bank,
and would fain have come to us ; but the churlish
boatman knowing they carried no money would not
carry them, excusing want of room, when there were
but seven or eight French officers and soldiers and
my self in the vessel, which was great and went with
great sail. I was sorry for them, being almost starved
in that their poor habit before described.

After I had seen a town or two more, finding
horse-hire so excessive dear, for I could not have a
horse to ride seven leagues, which is but twenty-one
miles English, under 6 livers, which is 6 — 20 d ., or 10 s .
English ; and foot it I might not, the weather hot
and country sandy ; I tryed one half day, but it gave
me enough ; I even struck down to Calais, where I
staid four days viewing all worth seeing. I saw them
at prayers in the Cathedral there, and saw several
orders of their religions, little differing from those in
Flanders, save a friar that went with a sandall on one
foot, with the other quite bare. Also three priests

o 2

292 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

walking and talking a long time in their surplisses
and caps by the town side.

After four days stay here, finding not there any
ship in this port that was bound towards Naples, I
shipped thence to Dover, where we landed at mid-
night, with a good wind, having loosed from Calais at
12 at noon ; here in the same place where our King
set foot on shore they have set up a pillar with this
inscription. " Siste Viator Iter. Vestigia prima se-
cunrlus Carolus hie posuit cum redit Exilio." Finding
neither in Dover port any ship for my Italian expe-
dition, though I was provided for it having taken
some gold with me, some silver, besides had left two
considerable sums in London with two substantial
citizens one a gold smith, my cousin german, the
other a grocer, an old scholar of mine, to be returned
me, I even took a horse of the post office and rid to
Canterbury, where I tarried viewing the city through-
out, which is a most pleasant rich place, also the
Cathedral, which is the most goodly and stately that
ever I saw ; for though it be not full out so vast as
Pauls, yet far exceeds it in curious structure. I de-
sired the more to see it, because of some description
which Erasmus hath made of it in that Colloquium
entituled, Peregrinatio religionis ergo. I was twice
at service in the quire of it, and heard a sermon in it
by one of the Prebends ; thence I came to Rochester,
another Bishops See, where I viewed the town and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 293

castle, and was at service in the Cathedral. There is
a bridge over the ebbing and flowing water, little in-
feriour to London Bridge. At Chatham, near by, I
saw the Kings ships lying there in harbour, mighty
men of warr, many and great, no Prince in the w r orld
can have better ; from thence to Gravesend and that
twenty miles by water to London, where now I am
again.

Your loving kinsman and friend,
London, June 26 th , JOH n GRENHALGH.

1662.

LETTER DXV.

Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle to tlie
Deputy Lieutenants of Kent, to raise sailors with
all expedition for the King's service subsequent to
De Ruyters victory.

[ms. harl. 7526. Orig.']

R. Charles, at the Buoy of the Nore,
21st June, 1666.

Gentlemen,
Wee are encouraged by Co 11 . Culpeper to hope
that you will at this present doe a very acceptable
peece of service to the King in using your endeavors
for the raysing of some fitt persons in your countrey
to serve in the present expedition at sea; we are
informed there are many able seamen that lye con-

294 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

cealed about your parts, and there may be many more,
who, though no seamen, yet if they are such as have
been acquainted with the dangers of warre, they may
be of good use to us. We need not tell you of what
import it is to the King and kingdome that the fleet
be well and suddenly manned, and therefore at this
tyme we know nothing we can recommend to you
which is more worthy of your care. If you can gett
a considerable number, you may hire vessells for the
transporting of them to the fleet where we shall im-
mediatly take care for the defraying of the charge
out of the contingent money which we have by us,
and shall remayne, Gentlemen,

Your assured freinds and servants,

RUPERT.

ALBEMARLE.

These for the Deputy Lieu ts of his

Ma ties County of Kent.
For his Majesties speciall service.

LETTER DXVI.

Prince Rupert to Sir William Coventry. A French
Ship taken. Remissness of discipline in the En-
glish Fleet.

[addit. ms. brit. MUS. 12,097. Orig.~]

R. Charles, 19 Sept. 1666.

S r .
I had no sooner caused the enclosed to be pre-

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

295

pared for his R. H. but I gott some farther light
concerning the last night's Action, and it proved to
be some Ships of men of warre falling in with the
Whyte Squadron, which occasioned the shooting raen-
cioned in the Lieut, of Dovers Letter. The full suc-
cesse of it I know not yet, but one of those ships
is certainly taken, which by our glasses we discover
to be a large French ship. "We are now under sayle
towards Sir Thomas Allin to gather up the cables
and anchors we slipt yesterday, and to bring the
whole Fleet into a body againe.

The Royall Soveraigne stays still behind in the
Downes and is not yet come under sayle, though I
gave the Cap 4 , orders yesterday to unmoore. If she
comes not out this tyde she will put us to great
trouble, fearing least she may come to some prejudice
by keeping there alone. If she follows me I intend
to send her into Portsmouth if this wind hold. She
hath been hard put to it this last storme.

I intend now in observance of his H. last order to
bring the fleet into the Medway, where I shall ex-
pect any farther directions.

I heare the Dutch fleet lyes still before Ostend,
where there is no possibility of doing anything upon
them, we having no pilots that will undertake to
bring us near there.

I find every day fresh reason to complayne that
there is a very strange remissnesse in the fleet as to

296 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the strict obeying of orders, which if it be not timely
corrected will prove of very ill consequence. I have
collected some particular observations herein myself
which I shall give his H. an account of. A generall
fault of this kind is not easily corrected. I remayne
S r . Your assured friend,

RUPERT.
For His Ma ties speciall service.
For Sir William Coventrye, of his Ma ties
Privy Councell, and Secretary to His
Royall Highness, at St. James's.
R. Charles, 19° Sept. 10 a clocke morning.

Rupert.
Indorsed — Sent from Dover att sex att night. Henry Rowse.

LETTER DXVII.

Letter of Memorial to King Charles II. from Sir John
Hinton, Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty's
Person, a.d. 1679.

*** For the transcript of this Letter the Editor is indebted to the
kindness of his friend, the reverend Doctor Oliver, of Exeter : whose
Monasticon for Devonshire has so recently appeared.

Wood, in his Fasti, edit. Bliss, p. 47, gives the date when John
Hinton, the writer of this Letter, took the Degree of Doctor in Me-
dicine, " Nov. 1, 1642." He says, "The said John Hinton was
afterwards a knight, and physician to King Charles the Second and
his Queen." The circumstances which gained the knighthood are
detailed toward the close of the Letter ; it was in consequence of
his having procured a private advance of money for the Duke of
Albemarle to pay the Army.

original letters. 297

May itt please your Majesty,

I make bold with all humble submission to pre-
sent your Majesty with a short and plain narrative of
some memorable passages wherein the Divine Provi-
dence hath been extended to a miraculous degree
ujdoii your person and affairs, in which it hath
pleased God to make me personally instrumental, to
which I have added some particular transactions (to
the best of my memory literally true) which may not
be unworthy your Majesty's knowledge or remem-
brance.

I pray your Majesty to understand that I proceed
from an ancient family, which in no age have been
tainted with any undutiful or disloyal behaviour to
the crown, but on the contrary, we have been in actual
services to the hazard or ruin of our estates and lives,
and I hope we shall always so continue in the same
obedience. One of my brothers was killed at the
Isle of Rhee ; another was miserably wounded in the
late Rebellion, so that he lost the use of almost all his
limbs, and more particularly in one long march, the
soles of both his feet rotted away ; a third served
your royal father and your Majesty in a civil capa-
city to the end of his life.

And for myself, my first attempt was upon the
beginning of the late war, by contriving and publicly
promoting a paper to the Long Parliament, styled
" The Inns of Courts' Petition for Peace," for which

o 5

298 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

I was several times examined before the House of
Commons and a Committee of them, and having re-
fused any adherence to that party, and the offers of
very considerable advantages, I was at last forced to
fly from my house and family, whereupon they im-
mediately plundered me to the loss of above one
thousand pounds, and my wife and children were left
in a very bad condition, not being able to obtain the
least satisfaction from them.

I went directly to your royal father of ever blessed
memory to York, and joining with his army, I
marched with them to Beverley and lay before Hull
and in those parts. Soon afterwards his Majesty
was pleased to take notice of me ; and the royal
standard being set up at Nottingham, he sent me
thither with letters and instructions to the Marquess
of Hertford and the Lord Hopeton, who thought fit
to make use of me to ride into Wales to Colonel
Stradling and other gentlemen of quality, in order to
prepare their business, and the reception of the army
at Cardiff; which was accordingly done with good
success, and the army being as complete as they
could make it, I marched with them to Killingworth
Castle, and from thence to Edghill, where, on the
23d of October, which was the first time your Ma-
jesty ever saw the enemy in a body, who were then
under the command of the Earl of Essex, quartering
at Keinton, his sacred Majesty of ever blessed me-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 299

mory, being with his army near that place, and re-
solving to fight them, marched down the hill, which
Essex perceiving, presently draws out to engage the
King, whose army being in battalia (Prince Rupert
commanding the right wing, the Lord Willmott the
left, and the main battaile by the Earl of Lindsay,
General of the Field) within a short time both
armies engaged, and after a sharp dispute, Prince
Rupert routing Colonel Ramsey, and pursuing him
towards Keinton ; the Lord Willmott being in the
meantime forced from his ground by Sir William
Balfour ; the King's army, destitute of both wings
of horse, was both in front and flank attacked by the
enemy's horse and foot, by which advantage Balfour
disorders two regiments of foot, and forced a way to
the royal standard, where the Earl of Lindsey was
mortally wounded, and Sir Edmund Varney, stan-
dard bearer, was also slain, and the standard itself
taken ; but it was s.oon after regained by Sir John
Smith, for that action made Knight Banneret, after
which the King's foot quitting the field, retreated
towards that side of the hill from whence his Majesty
first inarched down to engage : upon which retreat
your Majesty was unhappily left behind in a large
field, at which time I had the honour to attend upon
your person, and seeing the sudden and quick march
of the enemy towards you, I did with all earnestness
most humbly, but at last somewhat rudely impor-

300 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tune your Highness to avoid the present and appa-
rent danger of being killed or taken prisoner, for
their horse was by this time come up within half
musket-shot in a full body ; at which your Highness
was pleased to tell me you feared them not, and
drawing a pistol out of one of your holsters, and
spanning it, resolved to charge them, but I did pre-
vail with your Highness to quit the place and ride
from them in some haste ; but one of their troopers,
being excellently mounted, broke bis rank, and
coming full career towards your Highness, I received
his charge, and having spent a pistol or two on each
other, I dismounted him in the closing, but being-
armed cap-a-pie, I could do no execution upon him
with my sword ; at which instant one Mr. Matthews,
a Gentleman Pensioner, rides in, and with a pole-axe
immediately decides the business ; and then over-
taking your Highness you got safe to the royal
army ; and without this Providence you had undoubt-
edly miscarried at that time, which passage is related
in a book entitled " Miraculum Basilicon," printed in
the year 1664. The next day your Highness's
tutor, Doctor Duppa, was by accident taken prisoner
by a party, who were carrying him away to the enemy,
and having notice of it, I presently applied myself to
Sir Thomas Aston, who with myself and a party of
horse, after a very hard dispute, did rescue him.
From this battle I marched with the army to Ban-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 301

bury, and from thence to Oxford, where your royal
father was then graciously pleased to give me the
place of Physician in Ordinary to your person, being
introduced by the Marquis of Hertford and the Earl
of Dorset, then Lord Chamberlain to the Queen.
Afterwards I marched again with the army to Rea-
ding, and so to Brentford, and from thence to
Oxford, at which time his Majesty was pleased to
look upon me as a proper instrument to do him
some service in London, and riding thitherwards in
company of some gentlemen who had passes, I
thought myself secure ; however, I was taken among
the rest, and carried to Windsor Castle, but I was
soon afterwards discharged by the only favor and
means of the Lord Roberts, now Earl of Radnor, for
no other reason, as I could understand, but that I was
the Prince's servant, for then I had not the honour
to be known to his Lordship. And having dis-
patched my orders in London, I returned again to
Oxford with very great difficulty. Afterwards I
marched with the army to the siege of Taunton, and
thence to that bloody and tedious battle of Lans-
downe, which lasted from break of day until very
late at night, where Sir Bevill Greenwill, father of
the now Earl of Bath, bravely behaving himself, was
killed at the head of his stand of pikes, and in his
extremity I was the last man that had him by the
hand before he died. In this battle I was also

302 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

wounded, but I recovered again soon enough to
march with the army to the siege of Gloucester,
where, when Essex came down to relieve it, the
siege was raised ; upon which the King commanded
me to go to the Queen at Oxford for recruits. I
parted from his Majesty in the night, and went
through all the enemy's guards and part of their
army unsuspected, for otherwise I had been hanged
without doubt ; in short, I got safe to Oxford, upon
which recruits were forthwith sent, consisting of
about three thousand men, and marching with them,
we met the army at Awburn Chace, and thence his
Majesty following the enemy, the first Newbury
light happened. From thence I marched again with
the army into the West by Leistidall and Beau-
conaught where Essex's army lay, and from thence
quite back again to the second Newbury fight, when
the army being routed, and the King and your High-
ness gone, we kept close under the command of the
Castle ; and by considering how to escape I picked
out a small number (above twenty) who resolved to
run my fortune under my command, and the Lord
Goring hearing of my design, said, that he and a
few more would also go with me. I had not marched
above three miles very dark in the night, but Prince
Maurice gave me a pat on the shoulder, saying,
" How dost thou Doctor ? You have some hearty
Cavaliers after you ;" in fine, I conducted his High-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 303

ness to Wallingford, and I got safe to Oxford, as I
first designed.

After which, the Queen being great with child
and weak, having fits of the mother, and a violent
consumptive cough, I w r as commanded to wait upon
her in her journey to Exeter, and I attended her
Majesty till she was delivered of the Princess Hen-
rietta; and as a cruelty which ought not to be forgot-
ten, being in that weak condition, she was forced
within a week after her delivery to go for Cornwall,
in which journey I waited upon her Majesty, the
greatest part of the journey on foot, by the side of
her litter ; from thence she went into France, and
then I was commanded to return, and take care of
the Princess at Exeter by your Highness's special
orders, she having convulsion fits ; afterwards she
went away, well recovered, with the Lady Dalkeith
and the Lord Berkeley.

I stayed till the town was surrendered upon the
Lord Fairfax's articles, and then I returned to Lon-
don, when a great part of the Parliament's fleet
rendered themselves to your Highness, your royal
father being then made prisoner in the Isle of Wight,
which ships Prince Rupert, the Duke of Buckingham,
the Lord Gerhard, the now Earl of Bath, and others,
being there anchored in the Downs. At this time there
was a report raised in London, that your Highness
had been hurt with powder, which notice I had from

304 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Sir John Berkenhead, whereupon I applied myself
to one Sergeant Middleton, and by him I was
brought to Lenthall the Speaker, desiring a "Let
pass" to go as Physician to the Prince, which, that
night, he denied, but promised to move the House
the next morning, and then it was granted ; where-
upon I took with me Mr. Chace, apothecary to your
Majesty's person, and Mr. Ames, one of the carvers,
under the notion of my servants, and having got into
a dogger at Quinborough, we made towards the
Downs, having struck twice upon the sands, and
escaped in great danger of our lives. As soon as I
came on board the Admiral, I related to your High-
ness the news of a total defeat given to Duke Hamil-
ton, which happened so lately that your Highness
had not any intelligence of it ; and to confirm it, I
presented to your Highness a copy of Cromwell's
letter to the Parliament, the knowledge of which at
that instant was of very great consequence, for that,
as I understood, your Highness had received orders
from your father to sail for Scotland, with all ex-
pedition ; but, hereupon calling a Council of War,
your intended voyage was altered : for if it had been
pursued, every man that knew that juncture did con-
clude, that upon your arrival into Scotland, not
knowing of this defeat, your Highness in all proba-
bility had been disposed of, as was your royal
father ; you having been so active in the war. Your

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 305

Highness thus riding in the Downs, and the Earl of
Warwick coming out of Tilbury, your fleet begin-
ning to want provisions, you determined to stand
towards Holland to victual, and your Highness's
orders being given to the Vice and Rear Admiral,
they took no notice of them ; nay they all stood the
other way, resolving to engage Warwick ; but while
some time was spent in this refractory manner, there
came up a small vessel, by which your Highness had
advice, that Warwick was come out of the river, at
which your Highness greatly rejoicing, cut a caper,
declaring your resolution to fight the enemy, where-
upon your fleet came up with your Highness one by
one, and saluted you by throwing up their caps and
great acclamations of joy ; but Warwick declined
fighting, and stood towards the river, and night
coming on, both fleets cast anchor near each other,
and having given the signal of battle, there came on
a sudden and violent storm of wind, so that both
fleets were forced to cast out all their anchors. And
thus then was your Highness's condition — the sands
on one side, Fairfax with all his army on the other,
Warwick with his fleet before you, and another fleet
from Portsmouth in the rear ; and to complete the
misery scarce provisions for twenty-four hours, so
that all hopes of escaping were past hoping for ; but
then in the very midst of your extremity, it pleased
God to whom the sea and the wind owe obedience

306 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

to shew his power to no less than a miracle : for in a
moment the wind chopped clear about, and so with as
violent a storm the other way you got out to sea in
despite of them all, and in a little time you arrived
at Helvoet Sluice in Holland, which great Provi-
dence, whereof I was an eye-witness, is printed also
in the same " Miraculum Basilicon".

And having attended your Highness for some time
at the Hague, I was ordered by your Highness to
return for London (as many other gentlemen did,
being willing to serve you and your concerns in Eng-
land to the last of our lives and fortunes rather than
to eat you up in foreign parts, and to become both
useless and chargeable to you in times of such ex-
tremity) with general instructions for carrying on the
designs which should be communicated to me, by
procuring money in the time of your exile, and
paying messengers, all which I did to the utmost
of my ability, as divers of your servants can well
remember,

But soon after my arrival to London, notwith-
standing the Articles by Fairfax, I was seized upon,
and put into the custody of a Sergeant at Arms, at
first to confinement, but afterwards to more liberty,
but at a far greater charge in your Majesty's and my
own affairs. In this condition, upon all intended or
pretended plots, I was more closely confined, and
many times threatened with the High Courts of Jus-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 307

tice and death, and once in a particular manner by
Oliver himself, after a full hour's examination about
Sir George Booth's business, he swore by the living
God, he would rack every vein in my heart, if I
would not discover the designs against him. I told
him those threats came too late, and death was no
more than I looked for, when he would order it ; but
by the means and intercession of some zealous
women, my patients (who doubtless were more solici-
tous for their own than my life) I was not handled
any more as a devil among the saints, but was always
kept under custody, till your Majesty's happy Resto-
ration.

The day before General Monk went into Scotland
he dined with me, for I had contracted a great
friendship with him, when he was of our party ; and
after dinner, he called me into the next room, and
after some general discourse, taking a lusty glass of
wine, he drank a health to his Black Boy (as he
called your Majesty), and whispered to me that if
ever he had power he would serve your Majesty to
the utmost of his life. At which I was astonished,
he being in so great a station ; and this assurance I
had of his loyalty to your Majesty was the only cause
of my preserving his life many years after, which I
do justify by this short story following. When he
came out of Scotland with his army, and lodged at
Alderman Wale's house in London, the officers of the

308 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

army invited him to dinner. He promised; but
the night before the day of entertainment, Colonel
Whaley's wife was dangerously ill in childbed, upon
which I was sent for about one o'clock at night. I
dispatched my business; but at my entrance and
going out I observed a great many soldiers, and arms
ready fixed, which I conceived could have no good
meaning, especially knowing that he was to dine at
Whitehall the very next day. And remembering his
expressions concerning your Majesty, I could not
rest in my bed, fully resolving to acquaint him ot
it, and accordingly very betimes in the morning, I
called upon the Earl of Stamford (to avoid any sus-
picion of myself) desiring him to introduce me to the
General, for I had not seen him since his return.
"We went together, and after usual ceremonies I took
my opportunity in very few words to inform him of
the passage I had observed the night before, and that
I was confident by some expressions of the soldiers,
that they intended to murder him. Upon which,
thanking me for this intelligence, he sent some trusty
persons to discover the truth, which I desired him to
do immediately. A gentleman was sent to the Rolls
to the Speaker Lenthall, who sent him word, that if
he loved his life to keep in the city, for if he came
that day to dine at Whitehall, it would prove his last
supper. Upon which he presently declared for a
free Parliament, and then succeeded your Majesty's

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 309

glorious Restoration. The consequences of his death
at that time, are very plain and obvious.

After your Majesty's return I did it my duty to
contrive the best for your interest and profit, which
I did evidence by the design of a Free Benevolence,
which I presented to your Majesty in the presence
and by the consent and approbation of the Duke of
Albemarle before that Act of Oblivion. Your Ma-
jesty referred me to the Lord Chancellor Hyde, who
extremely well approving of it, promised me two
shillings in the pound, as a reward for this and my
other services ; but in the conclusion I was informed
that your Majesty got but one hundred and twenty
thousand pounds by it, and I am sure your poor pro-
jector was left to his shifts, for I could never get one
penny of it for myself.

At the latter end of the Plague I returned from
my attending upon your Majesty, resolving to give
the Duke of Albemarle a visit at the Cockpit.
After dinner he was pleased to acquaint me, that he
daily expected the army in London would mutiny
upon him for want of pay, and that without some
supply it was impossible to prevent it, and therefore
desired me to help him with five hundred pounds ;
for he was forced to borrow of every gentleman that
came near him. I answered that I would endeavour
to help his Grace ; and in truth he was very much
dejected upon it ; upon which immediately I went to

310 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

one Mr. Edmund Hinton, a kinsman, then a gold-
smith, in Lombard-street, and by him I procured
the sum of ten thousand pounds, and five hundred
pounds, which was all paid to his Grace within two
or three days, of which service he acquainted your
Majesty at your return to Whitehall, and thereupon
your Majesty was pleased to make your Doctor a
Knight. This and the former business his Grace
did many times own in company, and it was gene-
rally known that he had a particular respect and
kindness for me and my family to the end of his life.
Thus, Sir, did I spend the principal part of my days
and youth in the service of your Majesty and your
royal father at my own expense, by which means,
and being engaged for several of your friends in the
wars and afterwards, I did contract a debt of several
thousand pounds, which I have been forced to pay
out of my own labour. All which with utmost
humility I lay before your Majesty, confidently be-
lieving that your Majesty doth look upon me as a
faithful subject and a careful servant. And [if] it shall
graciously please your Majesty to give some refresh-
ment to me in my last days by your favour to myself
or children, I shall with much satisfaction lay down
my head in peace, and cheerfully leave them to endea-
vour your Majesty's service, as I have done before
them ; and have thereby some time (I hope) to per-
fect the observations in my profession for the benefit

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 311

of the world. So may the Almighty ever bless and
protect your person and affairs against all open and
private enemies. jo. hinton.

LETTER DXVIII.

The Earl of Sunderland to King James the Second's
Agent at Rome. The King wishes to have Father
Petre made a Cardinal.

[addit. mss. brit. mus. 9341. art. 9. Orig.~]

%* la the Life of James the Second " collected out of Memoirs
writ of his own hand" published, from the Stuart manuscripts in
Carlton House, by the Rev. J. S. Clarke, 4to. Lond. 1816, the
reader will find several passages illustrative of the Letters of Lord
Sunderland now before him.

Who was the person at Rome to whom they were addressed does
not appear either in the contents or upon the covers of the Letters :
but it seems more than probable that it was Mr. Caryl! , who was
first sent to manage King James's affairs at Rome before the arrival
of Lord Castlemaine, and afterwards acted in concert with that
nobleman. The directions in Letter DXXII. could hardly have
been given to Lord Castlemaine himself.

In the Life of James II., however, above referred to (vol. ii. p. 79),
it is said " the thing Lord Castlemaine succeeded in, was a per-
mission for the King to name three Vicar-generals more, viz. Dr.
Gilford, Dr. Smith, and Father Elice, a Benedictine monk, who the
King caused soon after to be consecrated accordingly." The direc-
tion to solicit the Pope for the promotion of these identical persons
certainly forms the substance of Letter DXX.

Lord Castlemaine's Embassy, as every reader probably knows,
was in direct violation of the law. Pope Innocent VIII. was wiser
than James the Second, he knew more of the English character, and
discouraged the Embassador in the matters he solicited of highest
moment. " Castlemaine," says Welwood, " had several audiences
of the Pope but to little purpose, for whenever he began to talk of
business the Pope was seasonably attacked with a fit of coughing,
which broke off the Ambassador's discourse for that time, and

312 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

obliged him to retire. These audiences and fits of coughing continued
from time to time, while Castlemaine continued at Rome ; and were
the subject of diversion to all but a particular faction at that Court."*

Q r Windsor, Septem. 25th, 1687,

The King commands me to send you the enclosed
Letter to the Pope, for making Father Petre a Car-
dinall, which he would have you deliver as soon as
you can, and accompany it with such expressions in
his Majesty's name as shall be proper on this occa-
sion. His Majesty depends very much on your care,
prudence, and experience in that Court to bring this
matter to a good issue, and would therefore have you
with all the addresse and diligence you can, endeavor
by such meanes as may be most effectuall to obtaine
the satisfaction his Majesty expects in this request,
which is so reasonable and of so great advantage to
his service, that it can hardly be imagined it should
admit of any difficulty.

His Majesty has also writ a Letter to the Cardinall
of Norfolk on this subject, which I have sent to you
by another conveyance, and am

S r j your affectionate friend and servant,

SUNDERLAND P.

The King has writ two Letters to the Pope for
greater security, one is sent by the way of France,
the other by Flanders, they are both on the same

» Welwood'g Memoirs, p. 185.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 313

subject, as you will see by the copies which go in-
closed, and therefore you are to deliver but one of
them.

LETTER DXIX.

The Earl of Sunderland to the same. The King re-
solves to place his Affairs at Rome in the hands of

the Cardinal d'Este.

[ibid. 9341. art. 10. Orig.~\

S r , Whitehall, Novem. 4th, 1687.

The King having resolved to put his owrie and his
subjects affaires at Rome into the hands of the Car-
dinal d'Este a as Protector of his Dominions, commands
me to let you know it ; and has writ to the Cardinal
of Norfolk himselfe to acquaint him with this resolu-
tion. The Letter goes enclosed which you will take
care to deliver. You are not to speake of this mat-
ter to any person till you heare further from me.
I am, S r , your most humble servant,

SUNDERLAND P.

LETTER DXX.

The Earl of Sunderland to the same, respecting the

Appointment of certain Bishops " in partious"

[ibid. 9341. art. 13. Orig.~\

S r . Whitehall, Novem. 25th, 1687.

The King having, by the enclosed to the Pope, re-

a Prince Regnaldo d'Este, made Cardinal in 16S6, was the uncle of King James's
Queen.

VOL. IV. P

314 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

commended Father Phillip Ellis, D r . Gilford, and
D r . Smith, to be Bishops in partibus, his Maj ,y would
have you deliver the same to his Holinesse, and
sollicit the expedition of their Bulls and other Dis-
patches requisite in this behalfe.

I am, S r , your most humble servant,

SUNDERLAND P.

LETTER DXXI.

The Earl of Sunderland to the same ; again for
Father Petre's promotion.
[ibid. 9341. art. 20. Orig.]

Whitehall, December 22d, 1687.

s r ,

The King having received an account as well by
your letters as otherwise, that Father Petre has been
misrepresented to his Holinesse as a person very am-
bitious and continually pressing his Majesty to obtain
a Cap for him, his Majesty has thought it fit for his
owne honor and the vindication of Father Petre, to
write the enclosed to his Holinesse and to the Gene-
rall of the Jesuits, to let them know that his Ma-
jesty has been induced from his owne motion alone to
repeate his instances for Father Petre's promotion,
as having had long experience of his merit, and the
many services he has done to the Catholique Church,
for which he has also suffered much ; and that there-
fore his Majesty is perswaded his Holinesse will

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 315

agree to his desires herein. His Majesty would have
you deliver these Letters as soon as you can, and
hopes the Pope will not any longer delay gratifying
him in so reasonable a request, and which his Ma-
jesty desires so earnestly from his Holinesse.

I am, S r , your affectionate friend and humble ser-
vant,

SUNDERLAND P.

LETTER DXXII.

Tlie Karl of Sunderland to the same. The King has
made the Cardinal d'Kste Protector of his Do-
minions at Rome.

[ibid. 9341. art. 27. Orig.~\

Whitehall, February 20th, 1687-8.

S',
The King having thought fit to make the Cardinal
d'Este Protector of his dominions at Rome, and in-
tending you should give your attendance upon him,
as the King's Secretary, and be with him in his
pallace, his Majesty commands me to let you know,
that accordingly, as soon as the Cardinal comes to
Rome, you must apply yourself to him, and tell- him
you have received orders to attend his Highness for
his commands upon all occasions. His Majesty will
continue you in the station of his Agent, but yon
must upon noe occasion make use of that character

p 2

316 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

for transacting any business, but only such as the
Cardinal shall direct, unlesse you shall at any time
receive an expresse command from hence. I have
writ to the Cardinal to this effect, so that you must
govern yourself accordingly.

S r , your affectionate friend and servant,

SUNDERLAND P.

LETTER DXXIII.

The Earl of Sunderland to the same. Lord Thomas
Hoivard intended to go as Envoy Extraordinary to
the Court of Home.

[ibid. 9341. art. 30. Orig.~\

Whitehall, June 4, 1688.

I have received several letters from you, but have
nothing to say in answer to any of them except that
of the 22 th of May, which I have laid before the
King, who commands me to tell you that my Lord
Thomas Howard, who will goe hence in a few days
with the character of Envoy Extraordinary to the
Pope, and will be speedily at Rome, has directions
to satisfy his Holinesse concerning the Oath of which
you write, taken by the Catholick Privy Counsellors.

I am, S r , your most affectionate friend and servant,

SUNDERLAND P.

LETTERS

FROM

THE REIGN OF

KING WILLIAM III.

TO

KING GEORGE III.

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER DXXIV.

The Baron de Ginckell to the Lords Justices.
[harl. ms. 7524. fol. 99.]

%* Godart de Ginckell, first Earl of Athlone, was promoted by
King William to the post of Lieutenant General of his forces in Ire-
land, where he gave signal proofs of his courage and conduct in re-
ducing that kingdom to his Majesty's obedience. After the battle of
the Boyne and the King's departure from Ireland, General Ginckell,
whose province it was to prosecute the war, began his work by de-
camping, June 6th, 1691, from Mullingar, and summoning the next
day the garrison of Ballymore : it surrendered after assault. He
next marched to Athlone, assaulted it on the 20th, and gained the
town on the 30th of June. On July 10th, he went from Athlone to
Aghrim, where, having gained another victory, he marched to Gal-
way, which he also took, and thence to Limerick, which with the
Castles of Ross and Clare, and all other places of strength possess-
ed by the Irish, were surrendered upon Articles, October the 1st.
Thus in a few months, by extraordinary bravery and unwearied ex-
pedition, the reduction of the kingdom was accomplished. He was
received in Dublin on the 30th of November.

King William, by privy seal dated Whitehall, Feb. 11th, and by
patent 4th March, 1691, created him Earl of Athlone and Baron of
Aghrim. He afterwards attended the King in Flanders, and was
at the battle of Landen in 1693. He was made field-marshal of the

320

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

armies of the States General, upon the death of Prince Nassau
Saarbruck in 1702, but died the 11th Feb. following, after two days'
illness. In 1693, Oct. 13th, he had a grant of the forfeited estates
of the Earl of Limerick, who had been attainted in 1691, in the
counties of Kildare, Dublin, Carlow, Meath, Kilkenny, Longford,
Tipperary, and Queen's County, amounting to 26,480 acres : this
grant was confirmed by Parliament in 1695.

Camp in Thomond Isle,
Sept. 28, 1691.

My Lords,
I am in hopes the Proposalls I have made to the
Irish will at last induce them to surrender, and your
Lordships find all things ready for your satisfactions
when you come hither, where we impatiently expect
you. My Lord Lucan is very fair in the business,
and that I may be sure not to loose him, I have
made use of the power his Majesty gave me of pro-
mising him a reward, if it comes to a conclusion.
His resolution of quitting the kingdom takes away
the possibility of gratifying him with an estate, and
money your Lordships know we have none ; so I
thought I could not do less than assure him that I
would endeavour to prevail with your Lordships to
connive at his sending back some wine and French
goods in the ships that carry over the Irish forces,
which is the thing he desires. I am a stranger to the
customs of this country, but dare say the great ad-
vantage to the King's service, and the laws of warr,
will justify what your Lordships shall do in this par-
ticular, and his Majesty no doubt will think it rea-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 321

sonable, when instead of taking money from him, it
will add to his revenue by the Double Duties which
the wines will pay.

I am, my Lords, your Lo ps humble servant,

G. BAR. DE GINCKELL.

%* The face of the preceding Letter bears a smooth surface.
But cruelties of no common kind were inflicted at this time upon the
Irish, as well, probably, by James's party as by William's. That
Baron Ginckell's campaign was conducted with severity, may in some
degree be inferred from the vigour and rapidity of his movements.
That he had a Provost-General attached to his army of a merciless
character, is attested by various Depositions, preserved among the
Harleian MSS., most of them taken upon Oath. The following will
be deemed sufficient specimens, as illustrations of the wretchedness
inflicted on the country, and of the rapacity of the Provost-General.

1. "Objections against Van Velthoeven's the Dutch Provost
General's Accompt.

Overcharged.

"Imprimis, charged for 3720 days' diet, at sixpence per] £ s. d.
day, to several prisoners, which comes to 93Z., whereas r 77 10
they were only allowed one penny per day, 151. 10*. '

" Item, charged for extraordinary treats for condemned \
persons at several times, 71. 3s. 6d., whereas there was J" 7 3 6
not one shilling laid out,

"Item, charged paid the executioner for hanging twenty- \
four men at 10s. per head (whereas as. is the fee), which i 6
comes to 122., which 5s. was never paid him, . '

" Item, whereas on execution day his customary fee is
10s. for himself and 4s. for his Lieut, for that day's at-
tendance, and no more, and seven were executed in one
day, for which his fee was 14s. ; he charged them in his j
Ace 1 as hanged on four distinct days, and so charges 21.
16s. Od. .....'

" Item, charged for erecting the gallows without Kil- 1
kenny 21. 5s. 0d., which cost him but 11. 5s 0d., and j 2 5

which was paid him by Gen 1 Scravenmore, .

95

P 5

r

2 2

322 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

" Item, charged for watching condemned persons. For\ 95 G
one he puts down two, at 2*. 6d. per day ; for two, four ; j- 5
the whole comes to 101. : and nothing of that paid, >

" Item, charged for burying a person who was left
hanging, .....

" Item, charged for three days' diet for sixty-eight of-
ficers 30Z. 12s. Od., whereas the meat for the three days
amongst them all cost but 3s. 6d. To each a pint of beer
at 2d. per pint, 17s. ; to each man a |of an ounce of
cheese at 6d. per lb. 8s. 6d. ; to each officer three biscuits
a-day, 21. lis. Od., making a total of but hi. 14s. Od.

" Item, charged for buryiug men and horses, which is
not yet paid ; nor were the men buried, but only thrown
into a river, .....

2 6

25 15

12 15

£138 13

" 1688. Nov. 4th. Item, from Holland he brought but ten men,
and charges fourteen.

" June. 90. Item, when he went to Ireland he charges nineteen
men, and had but sixteen. And from Nov. 90 to April 91 but
twelve.

"1691. Dec. Item, he declares for sixteen men, and had but
fourteen.

" 1691. Item, in Octob. and Nov. he charges sixteen horses, and
had but eleven, of which he returned but nine to the Commissary in
Dublin, sold two, and put the money in his pocket." !

• a

2. "Depositions relating to Public Money received by Mr.

Assarias Van Velthoeven, signed and sworn by J.Hoffelingh,

Zyragh Gout, and John Goedart, 27 Sept. 1692.

" Johannes Hoffelingh, native of the Hague in Holland, aged
thirty -four years or thereabouts, maketh oath that about the beginning
of the moneth of October A . Dni. 1691, Assarias Van Velthoeven,
the Dutch Provoe, being in the camp before Lymerick in Ireland,
gave one of the best horses in his troop to his son Christiaen Van Vel-
thoeven, cadet in another company, makeing his trooper serve on foot.

"That in the moneth of November following, the said Van Vel-
thoeven gave Mrs. Mary Valentine (his lady of pleasure) one tent

» MS. Harl. 6844. fol. 233.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 323

lyned with blew, and four very good harnasses for wagon horses,
belonging to their Majesties.

" That the said Van Velthoeven bought very bad horses for his
troopers, one whereof cost him but three pounds, another twoguineys,
andan other but two cobbs or nine shillings and six pence. Insomuch
that if they had occasion to ride five or six miles in one day (least
they should founder) said, Van Velthoeven would often cause them
to alight and walk on foot in their jackboots to their no small
fatigue.

" That whilest the army was before Limerick and many dyed for
want of bread, the said Van Velthoeven, under pretence he had
many prissoners in his custody, sent for great quantities of bread
from the Ring's stores wherewith (to save charges) he caused his
whole troop of horses to be fed, yet at the same time brought their
Majesties a Dutch guilder a day to account for the keeping of each
horse in his troop. Giving for reason of his knowledge, that he, depo-
nent, was under-lieutenant to said Assarias Van Velthoeven, and
privie to the premisses.

J. HOFFELINGH."

" Sworne before the Commissioners
of Accompts the 27th day of
September, 1692."

" Zyragh Gout, aged fifty -five years or thereabouts, native of the
Hague in Holland, maketh oath that every word in the aforegoeing
deposition of Johannes Hoffelingh is true and nothing but the truth ;
and that the said Assarias Van Velthoeven therein mentioned, by
their Majesties order received moneys in the year 1690 to buy new
boots and pistolls for his troop but bought pistolls so very old and
bad they were unserviceable, and old boots so bad that after
they arrived in Ireland the same were forced to be new footed, for
the doeing whereof he obliged his troopers to pay. Giving for reason
of his knowledge that he was a trooper in the said troop of Van
Velthoeven, and privie to the premisses.

ZYRAGH GOUT."

" Sworn before Commissioners of Accompt,
September the 27th, 1692."

" John Goedart, aged thirty-five years or thereabouts, native of
Midleburgh, in Zealand, maketh oath that the aforegoeng deposi-

324 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tions of Johannes Hoffelingh and Zuragh Gout are true and nothing
but the truth, and that the said Assarias Van Velthoeven caused
him, deponent, to sell foure horses belonging to the said troop, and
put the proceed thereof in his, Van Velthoeven's, pockett.

" That he the said Van Velthoeven swopt away one of the best
horses belonging to the said troop with one Captain Young for one
soe very old, they were forced to leave him behind in Ireland as un-
serviceable ; but what said Captain Young gave to boote he deponent
knoweth not.

" That before said Van Velthoeven went to Ireland he kept one
Johnson, one Williams, and an other, severall moneths ready for
falce musters, and putt their pay in his pockett ; and that the said
Van Velthoeven for near two years received thirty-seaven guilders
ten stuyvers a moneth for a clarke for his troop, and a guilder a day
for his clarke's horse, but kept neither. Giving for reasons of his
knowledge that he deponent was upper-Lieutenant in the troop of
said Van Velthoeven, and privie to the premisses.

John Goedaert."
" Sworne before the Commissioners of Accompt
the 27th of September, 1692." 1 b

3. " The Deposition of John Born concerning Assarias Van
Velthoeven, taken the 28th September, 1692.

" John Born, native of Poland, aged forty yeares or thereabouts,
maketh oath, that in the moneth of May, A Dili 1690, Assarias
Van Velthoeven, the Dutch Provoe, caused John Goedart, his Lieu-
tenant, to sell four of the King's horses belonging to his troop.

" That in the same moneth and year the said Van Velthoeven re-
ceived moneys to buy new boots and pistolls for all his troop, but
employed him, deponent, to buy old boots, the which he did at the
rates following, vizt. — one pair for himselfe for ten shillings, and
the rest, some at eight, some at seaven, and some at five shillings a
pair ; and in lieu of buying new pistolls, he caused his old ones to
be mended, and those was wanting to make up his number he sup-
plied with old second-hand pistolls, for one pair whereof he, de-
ponent, well remembers said Van Velthoeven paid but five shillings.

"That the said Assarias Van Velthoeven, before he went to Ire-
land, kept John Johnson, John Williams, and Thomas Potman for
falce musters, and received their pay himselfe ; and also for near

b Ibid. fol. 252.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 325

two years togeather received thirty -seaven guilders ten stuyvers a
moneth for a clarke for his troop, and a guilder a day for his
clarke's horse, but kept neither the horse nor clarke.

" That the said Provoe swapt away one of the best young horses
in his troop with one Captain Young for one soe very old, they were
forced to leave him in Ireland as unserviceable, but he deponent
knoweth not what he had too boot.

"That the said Provoe gave a horse belonging to the said troop
(called Lafortune) to the Greffier Vanderhurst, who sold the same
afterwards in Dublin.

" That the said Provoe gave also another good horse belonging to
the said troop (called Cockje) to his son Christiaen Van Velthoeven.

" That the said Provoe gave to Mrs. Mary Valentine, his lady of
pleasure, a large tent for prissoners, one other tent lined with ble'w,
and the harnesses belonging to four wagon-horses, all which be-
longed to their Majesties.

" That the boots and pistolls aforementioned, together with two
harnasses for wagon-horses, belonging to their Majesties, and the
brydles, sadles, and holsters belonging to the said troop the said
Van Velthoeven caused to be sold in Dublin.

" That two of the best horses belonging to the said troop were by
the said Van Velthoeven sold, vizt. : the one (called Crook) to Cap-
tain Roghevane, and the other (called Jack) to Major Ashley.

" That said Van Velthoeven left in Dublin with a cozen of said
Mrs. Valentine a large portmantle (full of iron barrs, chaines, fet-
ters, and other things usefull for the securing of prissoners) to be
sent to her.

" That the said Van Velthoeven lent one of his horses to Mr. Trip,
and forced several of his troopers at the same time to march on foot
from Kilkenney to Dublin.

" That the said Van Velthoeven bought very bad horses for his
troopers, one whereof cost him but three pounds, an other two gui-
neys, and an other but two cobbs, or nine shillings and six pence,
insomuch that if they had occasion to ride five or six miles in one
day (least they should founder) the said Van Velthoeven would
often cause them to alite and walke on foot in their jack-boots, to
their no small fatigue.

" That whilest the army was before Lymerick, and many dyed for
want of bread, the said Van Velthoeven, under pretence he had
many prisoners in his custody, sent for great quantities of bread

326 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

from the King's stores, some whereof he sold, and, to save charges,
fed his whole troop of horses with the remainder, yet at the same
time brought their Majesties a Dutch guilder a day to account for
the keeping each horse in his troop.

" That the said Van Velthoeven ordred four of his men to muster in
the company of Captain de Guyse in Colonel Hale's regiment, viz. :
Andrew, Peter, John de Boer, and Vatpot, who, after they had
done it, told him deponent they had received five shillings a peece
for their paines. Giving for reason of his knowledge that he de-
ponent was quarter-master in the troop of the said Assarias Van
Velthoeven, and also used to manage many of his affaires, and wait
on him as a servant, and was privie to all the transactions above
mentioned.

The marke of + John Born." c
" September the 28th, 1692.

Sworne at the borde."

LETTER DXXV.

Lord Chancellor Somers to King William III. re-
specting certain Persons who stood charged in con-
spiracies against his Majesty's person and govern-
ment.

[addit. ms. brit. mus. 12,097. Orig.']

%* Sir John Somers, Lord Keeper, was constituted Lord High
Chancellor of England, April 22, 1697, five days before the writing
of the present Letter. He was created Lord Somers, Baron of
Evesham, co. Worcester, Dec. 2d in the same year.

The Conspiracy alluded to in this Letter was that which was
commonly called " The Assassination Plot," formed at the beginning
of the year 1696; for their concern in which, various persons had
been already tried and executed : and Sir John Fenwick attainted
by Parliament, without Trial, and beheaded.

c Ibid. fol. 254.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 327

Tuesd. 27th Apr. 97.

Sir

I have taken the first opportunity of sending to
your Majesty M r . Attorney Generals state of the
circumstances of the several persons who stand
charg'd as concern'd in the conspiracies against your
person or government. I take it to be defective in
what seems most material, for he has not given any
opinion whether any of them may be prosecuted.
And the only method which I can propose now for
supplying this, is, that when your Majesty does think
fit to send this paper to the Lords Justices, they
should be directed to require M r . Attorney and M r .
Solicitors opinion, as to the several persons who are
in custody, what may be done with them.

I would beg leave to make a few observations upon
some parts of the paper.

As to my Lord Aylesbury ; since the escapes of
Goodman, Birkinhead, and Hunt, there is no other
witnesse against him, at present, but Porter. It is
true Cook may be made a witnesse by your Majesties
pardon, but when he is pardoned, it will in a great
measure depend upon his own ingenuity and since-
rity, whether he will speak the truth without re-
serve ; and he is such an odd fellow, that one may
have reason to fear both his folly and knavery. As
to M r . Porter there is no legal objection to any part
of his evidence, nor in my opinion, any reasonable

328 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ground to call in question the truth of any one cir-
cumstance he has sworn : but there was great care
taken to find out some colour of exception to what
he said at the barr of the House of Lords, and those
who protested against the vote in Sir John Fenwick's
case did industriously set down, as one of their rea-
sons, that Porters was a doubtfull evidence.

As to Cook himself, if your Ma ty is pleas'd to use
him as an evidence, there is nothing to be done but
to passe his Pardon, and see to make him as honest
as he can be ; but, if that be not thought advisable,
it may then deserve consideration whether it will not
be thought hard to execute him after so many re-
prieves, or imprudent to pardon him, so as to suffer
him to live in England.

As to my Lord Mongomery, I have nothing now
to offer to your Majesty. But in relation to the be-
haviour of the Sherifs upon his account, I would beg
leave to say, that if your Majesty be displeas'd with
it, and does judge it fit to have them prosecuted, it
will be necessary that some positive order should be
given in that matter.

As to the persons mention'd to be outlaw'd for
treason, I do humbly propose two things. That the
Justices be ordered to direct M r . Attorney, 1, to
look that there be no errors in the outlawries. 2, to
proceed to enquire immediately after their estates.

I will not presume to trouble your Majesty further

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 329

at this time upon M r . Attorney's paper : but there is
another thing which will trouble you till it be dis-
posed of, I mean the place of Chief Justice of Ches-
ter, for which I think every body does believe himself
qualified. If there were not a necessity that it
shou'd be disposed of before the next great Sessions,
which must be about July or August, nothing should
have made mee say one word to your Ma'* about it
till your return. But since the case is so, I will beg
your leave to lay before you, in as few words as pos-
sibly I can, the names and pretences of the several
persons who have been hitherto proposed to mee as
proper to be recommended to your Ma ty for that
employment.

I cannot neglect this opportunity of letting fall
one word of your Ma ties goodness and generosity to
mee, altho' I know how much more you love to be
exercising those royal qualities then to be told of it.
The manner of doing it, so unsought for and unex-
pected, must take, with any good mind, more then
the thing itself, and I am sure the sense must always
last with mee. But at the same time I must own
that I cannot be with more zeal and duty than I was
before, S r .

Your M ties most dutyfull, most humble, and most
obedient subject and servant,

J. SOMERS.

330 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DXXVI.

King William the III. to Bishop Burnet.

[addit. MS. BRIT. MCS. 571C. Orig.~\

Oct. 29th.

My Lord,
I find by your kind letter you have had good
weather in those parts you have been in since your de-
parture, but it has not bin soe here. I hope you will
be soon back, and that the weather will be better for
your journey then it has bin for my hunting.

I am your most affectionat friend,

WILLIAM.

For the Bishop of Salisbury.

LETTER DXXVII.

Queen Anne, in consolation to Sir George Rooke.
[addit. ms. brit. mus. 4293. art. 5. OrigJ]

I am so concern'd for the great affliction which
hath befallen, that 1 can't forbear letting you know
the compassion I have for you ; I think you are of
so great importance to my service, that if any assur-
ance of my favour can help to support you under it,
you may depend upon me.

ANNE R.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

331

LETTER DXXVIII.
John Duke of Marlborough to in odd distress.

[coxe papers, ms. brit. mus. Orig. Entirely in the Duke ot
Marlborough's hand.]

Friday.
S r .

I beg pardon for troubleing you with this, but I
am in a very odd distress, too much ready money ; I
have now £105,000 dead, and shall have 50 more
next weeke, if you can imploy it any way it will be
a very great favor to me.

I hope you will forgive my reminding you of M r .
Se well's memorial for a majority, if any vouchers are
wanting for his carecter I believe M r . Sellwin will
give him a very good one. I am with great truth
your

Most obliged and obedient servant,

MARLBOROUGH.

LETTER DXXIX.

Archbishop Tenison to Queen Anne, on Dispensations.
[ms. lansd. brit. mus. 827. fol. 156. Orig.j

Lambeth House, Jan r y y e SI", 1712-13.

Madam,
Your Majesty having bin long since graciously
pleas'd to permit me to address by writing, when I

332 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

could not attend in person ; and that continuing to
be my unfortunate case, I presume on this manner
humbly to lay before your Majestie an instance very
worthy (as I believe) of your present consideration.

It is that of a very late royal warrant for a Dispen-
sation in favour of one M r . Borradale, to hold the
livings of Market-Dieping in Lincolnshire and Foul-
sham in Norfolk, notwithstanding they are above
distance, that is, above the canonical distance of
thirty miles ; much above, as I compute.

I cannot but perswade myself, that your Majestie
has bin surpriz'd in this grant, and, having heard
your Majesty at the beginning of your reign, declare
to me your aversion to such distant pluralities, I am,
upon this account under great concern.

I am not against all canonical pluralities. I think
there is a necessity of many of them, till, by the pro-
gress of your Majesty's great bounty to the clergy,
and other means, their maintenance becomes suffi-
cient ; and that those who preach the Gospel, may
live of the Gospel.

I dispute not your Majesty's prerogative in this
matter of a Royal Dispensation; yet firmly hope,
that, in instances which may at any time appear
either inconvenient or mischeivous to this good
Church, the milder perfections of your wisdom and
goodness will moderate your power.

"When the statutes for Dispensations and Plura-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 333

lities were enacted in the reign of Henry the Eighth,
there was great want of able secular Pastors, and no
encouragement was judg'd too great for them, tho'
now the Curates are more than the churches. Be-
sides, the dispensations for pluralities obtain'd at
Rome, having run into a boundless excess, in point of
number, it was judg'd a considerable step at first,
towards a reformation of that abuse, to reduce them
to two, tho' without any limitation in point of dis-
tance.

At the beginning of Q. Elizabeth's reign, divers
of Q. Mary's clergy standing out against the Re-
formation, the labourers in it were few, and the
harvest was great. Upon this emergency the dis-
tances were widely extended ; and there is extant in
the inner library of my College, a scheme of Visita-
tion in those times in which the disproportion of
preachers to non-preachers is not more than one to
fifty. Also, in an account which I have by me of
two Deanries in a small Diocese a°. 1505, and also
a . 1506, the disproportion of preachers to non-
preachers is about ten to twenty.

But, when learning flourish'd, and the number of
able Pastors daily encreased, pluralities at great dis-
tances were complain'd of as grievances fitt to be
redress'd.

In the year 1576, it was under the deliberation of
her Majesty's Council, not only to suppress undue

334 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

and illegal Faculties, but also whether the distance
should not be reduced to twenty miles ; it having
been before restrained to twenty-six, so far as the
canons of 1571 had any validity.

In 1580, the lower House of Convocation, among
other heads, propos'd to the Lords, as follows.
" Touching Dispensations for plurality of bene-
fices, we wish that none may have that privilege, but
only such, as for their learning are most worthy, and
best able to discharge the same, that is, that the
party at the least be Master of Arts of four years
standing and a common known prgacher of good
ability ; and yet the same to be bound to be resi-
dent at each Benefice some reasonable proportion of
time.

In the year 1584, a canon was made, and by royal
authority ratified, for limiting the distance to thirty
miles at farthest; and about the year 1586, there was
a project drawn up in convocation to be offer 'd to
the Parliament, to disable any man from having two
livings unless they were within twenty miles distance.
But (as I imagine) private and party interest occa-
sion'd a slowness in the growth and ripening of such
matters in the publick reformation.

However, in the 30 Eliz. a . 1587, there were
great debates in Parliament about the most proper
methods for regulating of abuses in pluralities, upon
which occasion, it was said by the then Lord Trea-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 335

surer Burleigh, " That he was not so scrupulous as
absolutely to like of the Bill against Pluralities, with-
out any exception ; for he did favour both learning,
and wished a competent reward to it. And therefore
could like and allow a learned man to have two bene-
fices, so they were both in one parish, that is to say,
in one diocese, and not one in the diocese of Win-
chester, and another in the north, where the several
diocesans would have noe regard of them." In the
course of the same debate, it was signified to the
House, that her Majesty was acquainted with the
matter ; and that she was very forward to redress the
faults.

It appears, further, by the Journals of both
Houses of Parliament, that bills of the like purport,
for the regulation of Pluralities, have been frequently
depending there, as in 3 Jac. I., 4 Jac. I., 7 Jac. I.,
16 Car. I., and in each of the four first years, after
the happy restoration of K. Charles the Second.

In the first year of K. James the First, the consi-
deration of distances was reassumed ; and he ratify'd
and promulged that canon treated of, and agreed on
in convocation, which limits the utmost extent to
thirty miles; tho' leaving still the statutes in the
state in which they were. That canon (number 41)
has on its side the custom and prescription of more
than an hundred years, tho' not without some inter-
ruption.

336 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

However, it was dispens'd with, in the reigns both
of K. James and King Charles the First, tho' (I pre-
sume) sparingly, upon extraordinary occasions, and
in favour of extraordinary persons, so being, or so, at
least, represented. But this is by no means the pre-
sent case, as shall be hereafter made to appear.

After the return of K. Charles the Second, the
clergy who had adher'd to the interests of the Royal
Family were very many and (divers of them) very
poor, and 'tis no wonder if the indulgence to many of
them was very extensive in Archbishop Sheldon's
time, as likewise to other Conformists, the number of
incumbents having bin diminished by those many who
did not comply with the terms of our Communion,
tho' now there are numbers of Priests and Deacons
(even more, as I think, then enough) for the supply-
ing of all vacancies in most dioceses in England.

This being the present case, as, on the one hand,
your Majesties wisdom will not levell the revenue of
the Church, so, on the other hand, your compassion
will not suffer a few so to engross it, that thereby
many, tho' honest and able, should be expos'd to
penury and contempt.

I have heard of some instances (and no doubt
grounded upon warrants) in the time of Archbishop
Sancroft, especially in the year 1677-8, which was in
his first year ; but the last warrant which I can find
here, and pass'd in his predecessors time, bears date

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 337

1676. It was granted in favour of Mr. John "White-
hall. I am heartily glad there are not in this, such
words as I find in that, vizt. Notwithstanding any
statute, canon, custom, or constitution to the con-
trary.

For K. William and Q,. Mary, I know it to have
bin their opinion, that the distance of six miles was
much more expedient then that of thirty. And, in-
deed, if the distance was some way shortned, and
the time of residence lengthen'd, it is my poor
opinion, that it would tend much to the true interest
of the establish'd Church.

By this means Simoniacs would be often disap-
pointed, the cure of souls would be better discharg'd,
the poor and the sick would be better look'd after,
just hospitality would be better kept, the woods
would be better planted and preserv'd, dilapidations
would be, in some measure, prevented. The affec-
tions of the sheep would not be so much alienated
from the Pastor, as principally loving the fleece.
The common scoffers at pluralities under the odious
phrase of ecclesiastical monopolies, would, in some
degree, be silenc'd ; separate meetings would not be
so commonly set up in such places, and by the parish-
ioners frequented, even in despite to the Pastor, whilst
the cheapest Curates are, notwithstanding the care of
the Bishops, too often chosen, especially by Lay Im-
propriators, some of which have sometimes allow'd

VOL. IV. Q

o38 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

but five or six pounds a year for the service of the
Church. And such Curates having no well fixed
place of abode, and a poor and precarious mainte-
nance, are powerfully tempted to a kind of vagrant
and dishonourable life, wandering for better subsist-
ence from parish to parish, even from north to south.

In my predecessors and in my own time till this
fatal month of January, there hath not bin granted
one royal dispensation ; and I firmly hope, that after
the crowd of present and most important affairs,
which may be some impediment to recollection,
becomes less pressing, your Majestie will call to
mind, that, when I waited upon you, upon this sub-
ject, (among other matters) at the beginning of
your reign, you were pleas'd, most freely and gra-
ciously, to assure me, that I should have no trouble
from you upon this account, and that thirty miles
distance was great enough.

In the present instance especially, in which no
emergencie at all appears, but rather the contrary, I
humbly hope for a favourable answer.

One of the parishes (Dieping) is a market town,
and the other (Foulsham) tho' a more private place,
was given, after the death of Dean Ashly (or Astely)
the former Rector, to my uncle, Dr. Philip Tenison,
Archdeacon of Norfolk, with regard to his great suf-
ferings in the late evil times ; and was then look'd
upon as worth £120 per annum; a value very high
and rare in that County.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 339

The Clerk is a young man come lately from the
University, and only qualified with the inferior de-
gree of a Batchelor of Laws ; whereas the canon re-
quires, that he be Master of Arts, at the least, of one
of our Universities.

The statute also of 25. Hen. 8, grants the Arch-
bishop and his successors a power of Dispensation on
condition of previous due and good examination
by them had of the causes' and qualities of the per-
sons procuring dispensations. And the canons, call'd
Articles, made and ratified in the year 1 584, required,
as our present canons of 1603 do still require, that
dispensation be granted to such only as shall be
thought very well worthy of his learning, and very
well able and sufficient to discharge his duty.

Upon private inquiry, I cannot find, that this clerk
is above the common levell of the ordinary curates of
those dioceses, and cannot modestly pretend to an
extraordinary favour.

If a door for royal dispensations (which your Ma-
jesty's great wisdom and goodness hath hitherto shut)
should be once again open'd, there being already
such an overflow of supernumerary clergy, the num-
bers of which (when God sends peace) will, by dis-
miss'd ministers who serv'd in the land and sea forces,
be greatly multiplyed ; and so many Scots Peers
having since the happy Union, acquired so just a
right of qualifying Chaplains in this part of Great

Q 2

340

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Britain ; your Majesty will be perpetually troubled
with unwelcome importunities, and much prejudice
will come to that good Church of which your Ma-
jesty is the nursing mother, and in which I am placed
(how unworthy soever in other respects) as a watch-
man and shepherd, in order to the promoting the
benefit of that flock, and to the securing it (as far as
in me lies) from any detriment whatsoever.

Whilst I do my duty sincerely in this way, and no
longer, I shall depend upon your Majesties protec-
tion and encouragement, without that, my gray hairs
would soon be brought with sorrow to the grave,
towards which I am hastening, but from which may
God long preserve your Majestie for the manifold
advantage of Church and State.

So prayeth, with undissembled fervency, Madam,
Your most dutiful and most humble
subject and servant

CANTERBURY.

LETTER DXXX.

Patrick Blair, in prison, to Mr. James Petiver.
A.D. 1716.

[ms. sloan. 3321. art. 38. Orig.]

* x * Dr. Patrick Blair was a native of Scotland, and practised
physic and surgery at Dundee, where he became known as an ana-
tomist by the dissection of an elephant which died near that place in
1706. Dr. Pulteney in his Sketches of the progress of Botany in
England, says he was a Nonjuror, and so far attached to the exiled

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

341

family as to have been imprisoned in the rebellion of 1715 as a sus-
pected person. The present Letter details the circumstances. But
matters went much further than Dr. Pulteney was aware : for
among Sir Hans Sloane's Papers, beside several Letters of Dr.
Patrick Blair dated in 1716 from " Newgate," there is one short
note to Sir Hans, announcing that he was condemned to die,
" Dear Sir,

" There is at least an human period put to my life, which is to
terminate on Friday next (as an signed warrant intimated to me this
day do's declare) unless the providence of Almighty God and the
good endeavors of such worthy friends as you are do prevent it. I
am abundantly sensible of your good wishes, and want only to see
you here that we may concert proper methods per first. No time
now r to be lost. I am, &c.

"July 8, 1716."

Salmon's Chronological Historian says, July 7, 1716, " The dead
warrant signed against twenty-five of the Preston prisoners in New-
gate." Patrick Blair was one. He was ultimately, by great in-
tercession, pardoned, and afterwards settled first at London, then at
Boston in Lincolnshire, where he died about 1729. He was valued
in the Royal Society as a physiologist, and was one of the first who
discoursed upon the sexes of flowers.

Honoured Sir,

May I presume upon those advantages I formerly
enjoyed of your favour and countenance, to write to
you from this unhappy place, and humbly represent
to you the case of my misfortune, whereby I am be-
come obnoxious to the indignation of the Govern-
ment, and rendred unworthy of the countenance of
such worthy persons with whom I us'd to be acquaint-
ed and correspond in this place.

Be pleased to know that upon the first Insurrection
in Scotland it was my lot to live nigh to the place
where it first broke owt, where there was such a ge-

342 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

neral concourse of Nobility and Gentry from all parts
of the country that some would not, others were not
allowed to stay at home ; and the gaining of my
bread depending upon those in the neighbourhood, I
was put to sad straits for maintenance to myself and
small family when they quitted their own habitations,
especially when they carried along with them all the
money either belonging to them by their tennents or
others, and not only was I thus straitned in my way
of living, that both advantages I us'd to reap by my
profession ceased, and what was owing to me could
not be obtained, but I was threatned with quartering
and the payment of very high taxes, more than my
stock was able to bear, if I did not join my self; and
that which rendered me noted by the prevailing party
was, that being the surgeon of the oldest experience
in that country I was looked upon to be one of the
fittest for that purpose among them, which made
them the more earnest to have me along with them.
Upon which account I was ordered to go along with
the Lord Nairn, as his physician and surgeon to one
of the regiments were under his command. I was so
far from a ready compliance with their desire, that
when the Highlanders passed the Forth, I lingred and
returned to my own habitation, till advice being
given that the surgeon belonging to the other regi-
ment was taken prisoner, upon which I was again
called for, and ordered to cross the Forth and serve

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 343

as surgeon to all the foot which was marching for
England. So that I hope you have so much charity
for me as to believe I was no wise accessory to this
late rebellion : for I never did carry arms, never,
never received any commission nor pay, nor never
acted any other part than that of physician and sur-
geon wherever I was called, which is notoriously
known to all those with whom I have been. This, I
hope, worthy sir, you'll take to your serious consi-
deration, and that you'll truely reflect upon the sad
circumstances unto which I am so innocently and un-
happily brought. And I am not to doubt of your
friendly offices in representing my case as it is inge-
nuously held out to you in this paper. This I pre-
sumed to acquaint you with, hoping you'll not forget
your old friend, and who ever shall be

Your most obedient and most obliged humble ser-
vant.

LETTER DXXXI.

Lord Toicnshend to Bishop Kennett, communicating a
Regulation made by King George I. concerning the
disposal of Livings in the gift of the Crown.

[MS. LANSD. BRIT. MOS. 988. fol. 389.]

Whitehall, 6th May, 1724.

My Lord,
His Majesty having thought fit to make a Regula-

344 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tion concerning the disposal of the Livings in ihe
Gift of the Crown, has commanded me to transmit to
your Lordship a copy of the order be has made on
this head. The just regard his Majesty shews upon
this occasion to the clergy in all parts of the kingdom,
will undoubtedly be of service and advantage to the
Church, and as it tends to so good and great an end,
an honour to his Government.

I am, with great respect, my Lord, your Lordship's
most obedient humble servant,

TOWNSHEND.

" His Majesty being desirous that, in the disposal of Ecclesias-
tical Promotions, a just regard should be had to the Clergy in all
parts of the Nation, who are persons of good learning and sober
conversation, and of known affection and zeal for his Government,
and that the disposition of the Benefices in the Gift of the Crown
should be put into such a method as may most effectually conduce
to that eud, hath been graciously pleased to declare that henceforth
when any Benefice with cure of Souls, which is in his own Gift,
shall become vacant, it shall be bestowed upon some Clergyman
qualified as above, who at the time when such vacancy happens
shall be an Incumbent or officiating Curate duly licens'd within the
County, or at least within the Diocese to which such Benefice be-
longs, or else to such person in the two Universities as is a native
of such County or Diocese, and shall be in holy Orders at the time
when the vacancy happens. And to the end the foresaid Rule may
be punctually observed in the disposition of all Benefices belonging
to the Crown, His Majesty hath further ordered that Entries thereof
be made in the Offices of his two Principal Secretaries of State : and
the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, upon his Majesty's re-
commendation, is determined to observe the same Rule in the dis-
posal of such Benefices with Cure of Souls belonging to the Crown,
the patronage whereof appertains to His Lordship's Office."

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 345

LETTER DXXXII.

Earl Harcourt to his brother. Tlie state of Scotland
in the Rebellion of 1744-5.

[From the Orig. in the possession of Lord Vernon.]

Kensington, Sept. the 7th, 1744.

Dear Brother,
I came into waiting last Sunday. Notwithstand-
ing my fondness for the country at this time of the
year, I own I never came up with more willingness,
for I believe his Majesty's presence was never more
necessary than upon this occasion. The remains of
the late Administration and Lord Grenville's friends
have made very slight of all the reports that came
from Scotland concerning the Pretender's son and his
adherents. But they seem now by their dejected
looks to have altered their minds. There are so many
contradictory accounts from Scotland that I believe
those who have the best intelligence from thence
scarce know what to think or believe. The Pre-
tender's eldest son (who is certainly among them) has,
I hear, published two Manifestos, one dated in De-
cember, 1743, which was to have been published if
the Dunkirk expedition had succeeded; the other is
published in the name of the Pretender's son, who
assumes the title of Prince of Wales, and has the
modest assurance only to style himself Regent of
Scotland, England, France, and Ireland. One Cap-

3-1-6 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tain Swettenham (I think that is his name) who was

taken prisoner by the rebells, and released upon

parole, dined here last Monday. He was going to

Fort Augustus or Fort William, with his servant ; but

was taken as he was alighting at a little publick

house in order to refresh his horses. He was carried to

their head quarters where they very kindly offered to

introduce him to the pretended Prince of Wales ;

but he did not think it consistent with the duty he

owes his Majesty to accept of their offer. He was

detained among them near a week, and was present

when the Pretender's standard was reared ; it is a

white flag with the Union in one corner. The Duke

of Atholl's eldest brother (commonly called Tully-

barden) was the person that carried the standard.

Captain Swettenham saw the young Chevalier review

his people ; and he says he observed him to take off'

his hat fifty-two different times, which he supposed

were the number of officers that were among them.

He says he supposed their numbers were not more

than two thousand when he was among them ; but it

is thought their numbers are encreased to about three

thousand. They had no artillery with them, but

they were furnished with new fire-arms from France,

They had no tents, nor can I hear of any baggage

they had. M r . Cope had passed Sterling in order to

attack them. But as they had posted themselves in

a very strong camp he was obliged to take a great

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 347

circumference in order to come up with them, during
which time they slipped by him, and are got between
him and Edinburg. M r . Cope's numbers are not ex-
actly known, but he is certainly strong enough to en-
gage them if he can come up with them. When the
last letters came away, the rebells were got to the
Duke of Atholl's at Blair, where I hope they will
stay some time, for it is expected that part of the six
thousand Dutch are by this time landed at Edinburg,
in which case the rebells will find themselves in no
agreeable situation. Ten battalions of the best of
our own troops are sent for over directly ; the trans-
ports are ready to take them on board, so that it is
thought they may be here in a week or ten days.
All well wishers seem to approve of this step, with-
out which there is great reason to apprehend danger,
for the French and Spaniards by all accounts seem
determined to attack us. Our Fleet is reinforcing
every day by the coming home of ships from different
parts, which will enable us to look them in the face
in case they pay us a visit. Several Lord Lieute-
nants of countys, and others who think they can do
service in their different stations, are gone into the
country, which I hope will contribute to keep things
quiet. The Duke of Devonshire talked of setting
out this morning. He made a great many excuses
concerning the delay which you met with in your
affair, but he assured me there were some circum-

348 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

stances that had hindred him from doing the thing in
a genteel manner as he could have wished. That he
was very sensible that you was not only the properest
but the only person that ought to have the command
of that Forest. He desired me to make his apology
for not having returned your visit, which he was
afraid the lateness of the season and the hurry of bu-
syness may not allow him to do this autumn. I was
very glad to find there is so good an understanding
between his Grace and Lord Gower, of whom the
Duke spoke in the handsomest manner. I shall set
out tomorrow morning for Cockthrop. Our races at
Burford come on the week after next. I take it for
granted I shall meet there some of our Oxfordshire
true Blews, who will make a joke of this Scotch
affair. But I shall be no more surprised at that than
I should if some of them were to declare for the Pre-
tender, which I make no doubt they would gladly do
if they thought they could do it with any safety. I
believe you wont think me uncharitable in my con-
jectures, I am sure I desire nothing so much as to
find myself mistaken. Lord Effingham is now here ;
he commonly dines with me, and we frequently drink
your health togeather. I think he is more obliged
to matrimony than any man I know, for it seems to
have altered his way of living, and to have made him
soberer than he was. I own I think him greatly im-
proved for the better. He seems to be a very good-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 349

natured man. My mother received a letter from my
sister the day I left Cockthrop. I beg my love
to my sister, and compliments to Master Vernon
and Dr. Addinbrooke, after which I shall only assure
you with the greatest truth, that

I am, yours most affectionately,

HARCOURT.

The Corporal dined here yesterday, and desired
his respects to you and my sister, and his compli-
ments to his friend if he is not returned to West-
minster, where the Corporal proposes to exhibit him-
self about Christmas next.

LETTER DXXXIII.

Ediv. Umfreville to James West, Esq., respecting
State Papers and Records, in the Library of Sir
Robert Cotton, claimed by the Crown.

[lansdowne ms. 841. art. 79. Orig.~]

Dear Sir,

Amongst some few MSS. purchas'd at the late
sale of his Grace of Chandos, I found the Autogra-
phic Note Book, in Law-French, of S r . Nich. Hyde,
who presided C. J. of the K. B. from the 2 d to the
7 th Car. l mi .

Upon perusal of the MS. I was let into a piece of

350 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

secret history I was before a stranger to ; which I
hope I have justly translated, and is as follows :

" Trin. 6° Car. [Camera stellata].
" An Informac5n was exhibited by the Attorny G.

" [Heath] against the Earls of Bedford, Clare, and
" Somerset, S r . Ro. Cotton, and Selden, for publish-
ing of a scandalous libel], [which, after opening by
the Att. G. the case concludes] " That the L d . Keep-
" er [Coventry] signified to the Court that the King,
"out of his Grace, and for joy of the birth of a
" Prince, [Charles, who was born the May before,]
" would pardon the deft s , and not proceed to any sen-
" tence of the cause. But upon mocion of M r . At-
" torny that Sir Ro. Cotton, one of the def ts had in
"his library, Records, Evidences, Ledger-Books,
" Original Letters, and Instruments of State, belong-
" ing to the King (and to prove it he shew'd a copy
" of the pardon which S r . Robert had obtain'd from
" K. James for imbezling Records and other offences),
" This, therefore, was thought lawful* and so ordred
" That a Commission should be awarded to Commis-
"sioners who, in the presence of S r . Ro. Cotton
" might search his library, and seise to the Kings use,
" such Records and other Instruments which belong-
" ed to the King."

Thus far the C. J. — as for the pardon, his Life
gives the account of it, and how he suffer'd to oblige

a Fr. luial.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 351

Somerset. As for the Informacion, which is long and
sets forth the libel, I think I have two copies of it,
together with S r . Rob. brief to his council [S r . Ed.
Littleton, afterwards L d Keeper, whose papers I like-
wise bought at the same sale]. I believe the Com-
mission was never executed, for Sir Robert died in
May following : and the State Originals are well
known to be now where they then were.

I thought this extract not amiss as I know you cu-
rious ; but please to remember what you read be-
tween crotchets are mine of explanacion; who am
proud to be

Y rs faithfully to serve donee,

E. UMFREVILLE.
Mitre Court, ([ 4. II. 1747.

To James West, Esq.,
Lincoln's Inn Fields, these.

LETTER DXXXIV.

Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, Ambassador to Russia,
to Andrew Mitchell, Esq., Envoy at Berlin. The
untowardness of Affairs at Petersburgh.

[MITCHELL PAPERS, Vol. Xxi. fol. 1. 0»Vg\]

St. Petersbourg, Saturday, June 5th,
N. S. 1756.

Sir,
By the Earl of Holderness's orders I send you en-
closed, under a flying seal, my letter of this day to

352 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

his Lordship. I wish you .could see in how bad a
situation our affairs are at this Court, which is owing
chiefly to the intrigues and money of France, and to
the unnatural proceedings of the Court of Vienna.

I must own 1 always thought the new Prussian
Treaty a very fortunate event, and nobody that wishes
well to England can think otherwise. But it is very
hard that when the King found a method to weaken
France by the gain of our most powerful ally, the
House of Austria should immediately think of supply-
ing his place by attaching herself to her most invete-
rate and most ancient enemy.

I long to hear news from you ; I hope our corres-
pondence will be very constant, and that you will
give me all the information you can. My health is
extremely bad and has been so ever since I have been
at Petersbourg.

I have nothing more to add, but to assure you that
I was very glad when I heard of your nomination to
Berlin ; I always loved you very much, ever since I
have known you, and most heartily wish you success
in all your undertakings.

I am, dear sir, with the greatest truth and regard,
your most obedient humble servant,

C. HANBURY WILLIAMS.
Mr. Mitchell.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 353

LETTER DXXXV.

Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Andrew Mitchell,

Esq. Mr. Douglas, an English subject, arrived as

a spy for France.

[ibid. xxi. fol. 3. Orig.~\

%* This letter affords a specimen of one of the Cyphers occa-
sionally used by the English diplomatists during the Seven Years
War. The interlinear Decypher, is in another ink, and was of
course inserted after the Letter had been received. At what time
Secret Writing was first resorted to in diplomatic correspondence
it is difficult to say. The earliest specimens which the Editor is
acquainted with, are to be found in the correspondence of Wolsey's
agents at the Court of Charles the Fifth ; in which symbols of ar-
bitrary form are occasionally used, sometimes mixed with letters, or
figures, or both. During the rebellion in the time of Charles the
First, occult writing of several kinds was used ; as well as in the
reign of Charles the Second. The celebrated B r . Wallis was long-
eminent as a decypherer : and in the reign of King William had a
patent of 100/. a year, a short time before his death, with survivor-
ship to his grandson William Blencowe, that their Art of decypher-
ing might be perpetuated.

St. Petersbourg, Juue 15th, N.S. 1756.

Dear Sir,
I have received the pleasure of your Letter of the
21 st of May, and am glad to hear that you are arrived
in good health at Berlin. It will be always with
satisfaction that I shall keep up a Correspondence
with you.
351.219. 1150. 790. 1836. 1159. 1490. 1605.

You may depend upon being informed of every thing

135. 1295. 131. 1695. 1840. 1848. 2528. 349.

that passes here, and I must begin with telling

354

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

737. 1327. 680. 1447. 257. 1461. 178. 1191.2111.

you that by the ungratefull endeavours of the House

262. 1508. 2101.

of Austria and the

2687. 831. 768.

the face of Affairs

2203. 831. 1471.

a year ago.

1121.1884. 1428.

It is now

694. 349. 811.

came here for the

768, 2179.

but all his

secret

1197. 2324.

intrigues of

2179. 98. 129.

is totally changed from

1080. 99. 2296.

1213.

Mr. Douglass

2586. 788.

what it was

1607.

873.

eight

7°

1945.

months

2382.

1

first time.

481.

Discourses,

2113.

He

it.
and

1241.

and

600.

second

circumstances

611. 1053.

of being a

1205.511.

took such

398.

at Court,

1103.

but the

2887.

brought

2034.

from

355. 2374.

and since

1677. 2755.

money and

954. 831.

has owned

1998. 608.

in the service

io[.
ago since Mr. Douglass

1145. 1731. 662.

then made ine a visit

1121. 2939. 1476.

from many other

1211.

I did immediately suspect him

2407. 439. 2575. 749. 636. 352.

French spy, in consequence of which I

603. 978. 2106. 1006. 1350. 1267.

measures as prevented his being present

32. 2066. 331. 1204. 2313. 466.

obliged him

568. 1991.

time he

2300. 1402. 1205.

with him a

quit this Country,

1834. 858. 169.

better armed and

2036. 1285.

of recommendation

2151.

Mons r .

603.

de

636.

he has

1285.

done a

2187.

himself

602.

of

1813.

Rouill^

788.

here

603.

great

978.

to be

968.

France,

to

33.

came

1204.

letter

2782. 899.

to the Vice

303. 1211.

given a great

1130. 545.

deal of mischief.

2368.

Chancellor ;

611.677.

deal of

1945.

He

2361.

the King's

1121.

therefore

899. 2695.

subject and

968. 2120.

by this new

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 355

2796. 1050. 1436. 831. 13. 608. 631.

Declaration of Mar he is actually become a

1945. 1050. 1436. 831. 2900. 968. 1378.

rebel, and well deserves to be treated as such.

1285. 595. 918. 418. 1419. 608. 337. 796.

You may depend upon being well

831. 685. 1197. 2003. 1146. 893. 2959.

informed of what passes here, and in return

2634.

I hope you will not only inform me of what passes

2634. 1108. 963. 2575. 767. 608. 1049.

at your Court, but send any other news

1791. 1145. 918. 322. 1402. 1184. 2745.

that comes to your hands, that I may have where

694. 462. 2626. 2338. 235. 1204. 1049.

with all to contradict the French here, who you

2347. 831. 1428. 2032. 503. 1121. 603.

know are very good at inventing and spreading

523. 1803. 1991. 1141. 1804. 668. 2792.

falsehoods.

2347. 439. 1827. 1428. 2032. 503. 2034.

I was in hopes to have found in your

2007. 636. 164. 439. 1913. 1006. 1146.

letter an account of the reception you had

507. 71. 1691. 2683. 455. 123. 278. 360.

met with at your Court, and I should be glad

1467. 1653. 135. 1198. 899. 1921. 783.

if you would inform me whether Lord Stormont

2672. 1121. 2496. 1609. 1930. 2339. 112.

and M*. Burrish have yet received any orders to

351. 2239. 161. 2562. 1876. 1297. 2214.

renew the Treatys of Subsidy with Saxony

1327, 838. 2031. 1327. 1504. 2310. 728.

and Bavaria. I am in great pain about

151. 1615. 1073. 2823. 2005. 1792. 344.

Minorca, but by the Accounts which I

356 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

559. 1084. 2467. 205. 2021. 680. 370.

received last post, I think Admiral Byng

1540. 626. 1044. 1840. 224. 46. 872.

must be there five or six days before Monsieur

351. 448. 1139. 400. 2852. 810. 1526.

de Richelieu can begin to fire against Fort Saint

86. 90. 1220. 833. 2135. 1373. 2601.

Philip. I cannot persuade myself that the French

2021. 1038. 1984. 774. 2107. 613. 281.

fleet will stand an engagement and if they

1073. 787. 2333. 626. 1693. 838. 1629.

abandon Minorca it will be difficult for

560. 151. 2103. 1607. 2194. 2178. 894.

the French to supply their army with

257. 2467. 1619. 159. 2580. 2021. 103.

provisions.

1535. 1256. 2580. 1319. 1463. 710. 339.

I am sorry for the accident of the

358. 1626. 1700. 2224. 1809. 110. 689.

messengers losing his portmantle, and shall

2258. 785. 1757. 86. 841. 339. 704.

be in pain till I hear that you have recovered

1219. 2318. 2528. 774. 2661. 2641 52.

it.

2513. 2010. 1220. 840. 1498. 836. 2625.

135. 613. 355. 2439. 402. 1623. 392.

662. 833. 872. 225. 1494. 2178.

1167. 191. 2618. 2035. 1769. 2787. 1760.

406. 957. 1492. 626. 786. 876. 560.

2562. 2453. 2035. 1961. 205. 1143.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 357

1073. 75. 1327. 1837. 434. 770. 1220.

594. 1252. 2072. 151. 1607. 100. 2580.

2981. 135. 1226. 2459. 2965. 1768.
I am, Sir, with great truth and regard,

Your most obedient humble servant,

C. HANBURY WILLIAMS.

LETTER DXXXVI.

Mr. Mitchell to the King of Prussia. The Duke of
Cumberland about to embark for Holland.

[ibid. vol. iii. fol. 115 b.]

a Dresde ce 12 mo Avril 1757,
a 5 heures au Soir.

Sire,
Je n'ai pas voulu tarder un moment de remettre a
V. M. la lettre ci-incluse. a Le courier qui vient d'ar-
river m'apporte des lettres du l er . Avril, les quelles
me marquent que le Due de Cumberland devoit
s'embarquer pour la Hollande la semaine passee, le
Yacht etant deja a Harwich pour le porter.

J'ai l'honneur d'etre, &c.

ANDR. MITCHELL.
Au Roy.

1 It was a Letter from the King to the King of Prussia : announcing the Duke
of Cumberland's departure from England.

358 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DXXXVII.

William, Duke of Cumberland, to Mr. Mitchell.
His arrival in Hanover.

[Ibid. vol. xxxii. fol. 1. Orig.]

Hanover, April the 17th, 1757.
M K . Mitchell, I begin our correspondence by
this courier of Count Schmettau's to inform you of
my arrival, and to desire that you would keep up a
regular correspondence with me during the time of
my stay here, or at the army. You shall be in-
formed from time to time of our different manoeuvres
and dispositions; and I natter myself, that by the
opportunity you have of being so well informed, you
will also let me know how things go, on your side.
I shall not give you any account of my present mea-
sures, because of the uncertainty of them, as yet.
But I dont doubt but that Count Schmettau will in-
form his Prussian Majesty of every thing that has
passed here during the few hours since my arrival. I
have assured him, as I do you, that it is both the
King's orders, as well as my own inclinations, to act
with the corps under my command agreeably to his
Prussian Majesty's inclinations, and the assurances
that Count Schmettau has given me, that if I can
weather the storm for five or six weeks, his Prussian
Majesty will take sufficient measures for my relief.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 359

As he has never failed yet in his undertakings be-
cause of the judicious preparations and measures
he has taken, I doubt not but he will succeed still,
notwithstanding the difficulties he has to struggle
with.

I cannot as yet pretend to give any account of the
state and preparations for the Campaign in this part
of the world. But I flatter myself as far as I can
see, as yet, that things are not quite so bad as they
have been represented : but the appearance of dis-
tress has been occasioned more by their ignorance in
the great undertaking they are now engaged in, than
by want of good will ; and I am in hopes that we
shall still find resources to help us through the be-
ginning of the Campaign. You will observe that I
engage myself for nothing, as I am still so uninformed.
But if pains and application can beget information,
I will get at the bottom, and try to remedy, not find
faults. I cannot yet fix our regular correspondence.
But the King's intention, when I went from England,
was to have a weekly messenger to go from London
through here to you, and one in return from you to
call here.

I must conclude with what I ought to have begun
with, which is to desire you to assure the King of
Prussia that nothing can be more my wish than
being of the least use to him, at the same time that I
am serving the King my father ; and that I shall es-

360 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

teem it as great Glory to me if my conduct this Cam-
paign can procure me his approbation, as every one
must allow him to be the completest master, and
therefore the best judge of the Profession.

I remain, your very affectionate friend,

WILLIAM.

P.S. In my hurry I had near forgot to acquaint
you with the troublesome situation Prince Frederic's
command in this army puts me. I need only mention
it, for I am sure you must see it. W.

LETTER DXXXVIII.

Mr. Mitchell to the Earl of Holderness. Tlie action

at Hastenbeck.

[MITCHELL PAPERS, Vol. Hi. fol. 197 b.]

Dresden, Wednesday, 3rd August, 1757.

My Lord,

Since I wrote to your Lordship by Money, the
messenger, (dispatched from hence last Friday, the
29 th July,) I have received an account of the action at
Hastenbek, but I have yet no letter from his Royal
Highness, which fills me with the deepest concern.

President Munchausen desires me to send no more
letters to him, as he expected every moment that the
French would take possession of Hanover, and I am

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 361

really at a loss by what means to carry on the corres-
pondence with his Royal Highness and with your
Lordship.

* * * *

Money, the messenger who was sent to me from
his Royal Highness, went along with an escort of
thirty Prussian hussars which, being attacked between
Grishubel and Nellendorff, was overpowered by num-
bers. The messenger lost all he had, but saved the
dispatch, and delivered it to me on the 22 d July in
the night, at Luschwitz. I have certified the truth
of the fact, and I take leave to recommend him to
your Lordship. I am, &c.

AND. MITCHELL.

LETTER DXXXIX.

Mr. Mitchel to the King of Prussia.
[ibid. fol. 198. b. Orig-.j

a Dresde ce 3 e d'Aoust, 1757.

Sire,
Je prens la liberte d'envoyer a V. M. les lettres
que j'ai eu de Mons r . de Munchhausen touchant la
malheureuse affaire de Hastenbec. Je n'ai pas encore
recu aucune relation de la part de Monseigneur le
Due de Cumberland ni des lettres d'Angleterre de-
puis mon arrive ici.

Permittez, sire, que je fasse des voeux pour
vol. iv. . R

362

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

l'heureux succes des armes de V. M. et pour la con-
servation de sa sacree personne, persuade comme je
suis qu'elle seule par sa conduite sage et mesuree
peut encore maintenir la Liberte et l'lndependance
du Genre Humain . J'ai l'honneur, &c.

ANDR. MITCHELL.
Au Roy.

LETTER DXL.

The Duke of Cumberland to Andrew Mitchell, Esq.
The King's determination to treat with the French
in his quality of Elector of Hanover.

[mitchell papers, vol. xxxii. fol. 66. Orig.~\

Head Quarters at Verden, August 20, 1757.

Mr. Mitchell, it appeared to me that it was ne-
cessary both for his Majesty's service, and for your
private information, that you should be acquainted
with the resolution his Majesty has unwillingly taken
of endeavouring to extricate these his unfortunate
dominions and those of his faithful Allies : which do-
minions, were they to remain any considerable time
in French hands, would be almost everlastingly
ruined. And God knows when they will recover
even the short time they have been in the enemy's
hands. Moved with that consideration, but still
more by the apparent inutility of his Majesty's con-
tinuing this struggle at a time when there was no
further human prospect of my acting offensively in

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 363

this corner, where I am penned in by the numerous
and almost total force of France. Indeed, the struggle
was not well proportioned, when it is considered that
his Majesty, as Elector, was solely left to cope with
the whole and united land force of France. And, as
by the unfortunate turn the campaign in Bohemia
took, his Prussian Majesty was totally deprived of
the means of furnishing that body of troops, that I
may venture to say were reckoned upon at the time
the plans for the campaign were formed, it was be-
come a useful generosity to the King of Prussia, but
a cruel one to the King's Electoral Allies and sub-
jects, to attempt to support this unequal struggle
any longer.

Therefore, his Majesty has ordered M r . Steinberg
to acquaint the Ministry at Berlin, that, with infinite
concern, the King found himself as Elector, obliged
to endeavour to extricate himself, as such, and his
Allies, for the reasons I have before mentioned to
you, in the best manner he could ; that this should
no ways hinder him from continuing to endeavour to
be of all the service and utility that remained in his
power, to the King of Prussia; that, did his Majesty
know himself what conditions he should obtain, he
would have imparted them for his Prussian Majesty's
information. The Ministry at Berlin are further re-
quired to inform his Prussian Majesty of these his
Majesty's intentions, without loss of time.

r 2

;364 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

As his Prussian Majesty, from his natural warmth
of temper, may send for you to the army, for to com-
plain of the measures his Majesty, as Elector, finds
himself obliged to take, you will find yourself in-
formed and prepared. And, though I have no power
to take upon me to give you any orders upon this occa-
sion, yet, I must advise that you would represent to
his Prussian Majesty that the King, though only in
alliance with Prussia, by the treaty of Westminster,
had almost entirely as Elector, borne the whole
weight of France, during these four months; and,
indeed, as long as it could be of any service to his
Prussian Majesty : and you will be pleased to make
use of the above mentioned reasons, which have ren-
dered this measure necessary ; but, that tho' you
have no Instructions from England on this occasion,
you think yourself authorized to assure his Prussian
Majesty, that this step, purely Electoral, which his
Majesty sees himself forced to, with the utmost con-
cern, will no ways affect the alliance between Great
Britain and Prussia.

You will be pleased to make no use of this letter of
mine, at home, as I have wrote this without order ;
but merely for your private information, in a conjunc-
ture when you would have been greatly embarrassed
how to have acted for his Majesty's service, without
these lights. I remain your very affectionate friend,

WILLIAM.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. S65

LETTER DXLI.

Mr. Mitchell to the Earl of Holdernesse. The an-
nouncement of his Majesty's determination to the
King of Prussia 's Ministers.

[mitchell papers, iii. fol. 216 b. OrigJ]

Dresden, Friday, 2Cth Aug. 1757.

(Secret.)
My Lord,

As his Prussian Majesty did not, I believe, expect
to have been so long detained in Lusatia, he carried
no Secretary along with him. M r . Eichel, Secretary
to the Cabinet, who is entrusted in his most secret
affairs, was left at Dresden, and empowered to open
all despatches. That gentleman told me this day
that he had received letters from Count Podewils at
Berlin, which, because of their importance, he had
immediately forwarded to the King his master, and
in confidence he read to me the Report Count Pode-
wils had made of a letter just received from Baron
Steinberg of the 20th current.

The substance of this Report is, the Baron in very
civil terms acquaints Count Podewils, that, consider-
ing the present unhappy situation of affairs, and the
absolute impossibility there is of making any resist-
ance to the French (who, he says, are at least three
to one), and considering the certain and immediate

366 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ruin to his Majesty's German dominions (if the
French should remain longer in that country), and
that his Prussian Majesty was not in a condition to
send succours to his R. H. the Duke, and that the
life of the Landgrave of Hesse was very precarious,
his Majesty had, for these reasons, resolved to treat in
quality of Elector for the safety of his German do-
minions. Baron Steinberg adds, that he had orders
to inform his Prussian Majesty with this his Majes-
ty's resolution.

Count Podewils, after expressing his amazement
that such a measure should have been resolved on
without previously consulting with the King of
Prussia, makes this reflection, that he fears this
hasty and inconsiderate step, far from answering the
end proposed, may bring the war nearer home, and
subject to the calamities of war the dominions of
both Kings.

Mr. Eichel said very little, but expressed his con-
cern in the most decent terms, and then asked me if
I had had any notice of this Resolution. I answered
him fairly that I had no letter from England, but I
imagined the reason of my having no notice might be
that the King, on this occasion, having acted only in
his Electoral capacity, his English Ministers had per-
haps not been consulted ; that I was persuaded every
engagement his Majesty had entered into with his
Prussian Majesty would be strictly and religiously

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 367

observed by the King; and that his Majesty's Minis-
ters, and indeed the whole English nation, were so
well disposed towards the King of Prussia that I had
no, doubt his Majesty would be enabled to fulfil to
the utmost all his engagements.

I expect with the greatest impatience and anxiety
your Lordship's instructions how to behave in this
most important and critical conjuncture, for I confess
the matter is too delicate for me to speak, write, or
think of, without first knowing his Majesty's plea-
sure. I am, &c.

AND. MITCHELL.

LETTER DXLII.

The Duke of Cuviberland to Mr. Mitchell. The Con-
vention of Closter-Seven signed.

[ibid. vol. xxxii. fol. 71. Orig.']

Stade, September 30th, 1757.

M r . Mitchell, your two letters of August 31 and
September 17, are both come safe to hand; but I
have not been able to answer them sooner.

In compliance with his Majesty's intentions and
orders, I have entered upon, and signed a Conven-
tion, on the 9 th instant, with Marshal Richelieu, on
his Majesty's part, as Elector, in order to procure a
suspension of arms between the two armies, which
may pave the way to further peaceable measures.

368 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

The Allied Troops of his Majesty's army under my
command are, in the mean while, to march into their
respective Countries. Part of his Majesty's own
troops are quartered in this town, or encamped in the
environs, and the rest is to cross the Elbe. The
French remain in possession of that part of the
country they have seized upon ; but have evacuated
the town of Bremen only, in order to recover the
free navigation of the Weser to that place, which I
had given orders to his Majesty's squadron, stationed
at the mouth of that river, to stop, upon the French's
taking possession of Bremen the latter end of last
month.

By all the reports I have seen from Brunswic and
other parts, I find the French are extremely uneasy,
on account of his Prussian Majesty's motions, which
most probably must force them to detach from Mar-
shall Richelieu's army. I leave you to judge (but
this consideration I make to yourself, not desiring
you to offer it elsewhere) what a different turn to
affairs it would have given, had his Prussian Majesty
caused a Diversion, which his motions must now occa-
sion, of the Enemy's forces as might perhaps have
been effected two or three months ago.

I have received a dispatch from Lord Holdernesse,
in which was inclosed a copy of the most secret letter he
wrote to you on the 17 th of last July, whereby I am
informed of, and am very glad to see, his Majesty's

ORIGINAL LETTERS. o69

intentions of the King's Resolution to go the lengths
mentioned in that Letter in support of his Prussian
Majesty. Lord Holdernesse mentions also his Ma-
jesty's plan (which I find is now carried into execu-
tion) of employing no inconsiderable part of both his
sea and land forces to cause a diversion of those of
the enemy, which I hope will be productive of some
immediate advantage to his Majesty's affairs, as well
as of a favourable influence for those of his Prussian
Majesty.

I have received Accounts that I can depend upon,
and by which I am extremely glad to see that the
action of the 30 th of last August, between the Rus-
sian and Prussian armies does not prove to be so
much to the disadvantage of the last, as was at first
reported. And since that we have received further
accounts from different parts, which confirm the
march of Marshal Apraxin's army back to Russia ;
occasioned, as it is reported, by the news of the
Czarina's death, and the consequences of such an im-
portant event at this critical time.

I remain, your very affectionate friend,

WILLIAM.

370 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DXLIII.

The Earl of Holdernesse to Andrew Mitchell, Esq.
Mons. Thurot appears off the Western Coast of
Ireland.

[ibid. vol. xv. fol. 23. Orig.]

Whitehall, Feb. 26, 1760.

Sir,
I have received the favour of the letters of the
12 th inst. by Collins, and of the 16 th by a Prussian
messenger ; all of which were immediately laid before
the King.

7j& 7P 7|C 9&T 7JC

Mons r . Thurot having as is supposed made his pas-
sage North about, with the remaining part of his
squadron, appeared on the 18 th instant off the West-
ern Coast of Scotland, and carried off some cattle
from the Isle of Isla. He has since been at Carick-
fergus, having been seen there by one of his Majes-
ty's small sloops of war on the 22 d . We have as yet
no exact account of his proceedings.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most
obedient humble servant,

holdernesse.
Andrew Mitchell, Esq.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 371

LETTER DXLIV.

The Earl of Holdernesse to Andrew Mitchell, Esq.
[ibid. xv. fol. 58. Orig.~\

Whitehall, March 4th, 1760.

Sir,

I acquainted you by last post with the un-
expected appearance of Mons r . Thurot upon the
North Coast of Ireland, and for the further par-
ticulars of what passed at Carrickfergus, I beg to
be referred to what was printed at Dublin by order
of the Lord Lieutenant. That expedition is now
totally at an end, Mons r . Thurot being killed, and
all his ships taken by three of his Majesty's frigates;
the particulars of this action are contained in the
inclosed Extraordinary Gazette.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most

obedient humble servant,

holdernesse.
Andrew Mitchell, Esq.

%* Dublin Gazette Extraordinary, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 1760.

Dublin Castle, Feb. 27.
" An express arrived here at one o'clock this morning with the
following advices from Major-Gen 1 . Strode and IA-Colonel Cun-
ninghame, Adjutant-General, dated from Belfast at 6 o'clock yes-
terday morning, viz : That the French troops were all embarked
but not sailed ; and that the last of them embarked at Carrickfer-
gus about half an hour after three o'clock yesterday morning. They
have left L'.-Col. Jennings, and the officers and soldiers who were

2 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

lately taken with him at Carrickfergus under parole, not to serve
until exchanged.

" Brigadier-General Flobert, who commanded the land forces, is
left at Carrickfergus wounded in the leg. Their present commander is
Mons r . Cavenac. About sixty of the French troops were certainly
killed at the attack on Carrickfergus; and by all accounts L l .-Col.
Jennings and the troops under his command, behaved extremely
well. Mous r . Cavenac has taken with him the Mayor of Carrickfer-
gus ; and three other gentlemen of the town. They plundered the
town, and threw the powder they found in the magazine into the
sea.

" It is conjectured that they landed about a thousand men alto-
gether. They were pickets of five different regiments, viz. the Swiss
Guards, and four others. They had a few Hussars with them, of
which nine were killed in the attack on the town. Three of their
officers were killed at Carrickfergus, one of them very richly dressed.
An intelligent person is sent to watch the motion of the frigates in
the bay, and an account will be sent as soon as they are sailed.
Maj r .-General Strode had detached one Captain, three subalterns,
four Serjeants, four corporals, and one hundred private men, to take
possession of the castle and town of Carrickfergus, and had also
ordered a detachment of the Austrian militia to march thither.

■" By Letters of the 24 th instant, received this morning from Kin-
sale, there is advice that his Majesty's ships, the TEolus, Pallas, and
Brilliant, sailed that day from Kinsale to the northward ; and by
intelligence received last night from Malahide, it appears that three
sail of English men-of-war were seen six leagues to the eastward of
Lambay, at 7 o'clock yesterday morning, steering to the north-
ward."

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 373

LETTER DXLV.

The Earl of Holdernesse to Mr. Mitchell, inclosing a
Summary which he had received of the then present
state of the French Court.

[ibid. fol. 62. Orig.~\

Whitehall, March 14th, 1760.
*****

I take this opportunity of transmitting to you
•copies of some Intelligence that have lately been re-
ceived here, but I am to desire you would be particu-
larly discreet in the use you make of them, lest the
channel by which they are conveyed should be dis-
covered.

" Advices.

Paris, 20 th Feb. 1760.

" It is absolutely necessary to give your Court a small Sketch of
the present disposition of those who have the greatest influence here
that they may. not be surprized at the weakness, inconsistency, and
discord, that reign in the Council, as well as in the Court.

" The King changes so fast, that I may truly say his Majesty
grows old, lean, and melancholy « vue d'ceuil.

" The Dauphin amuses himself with singing Mass, Vespres, and
Litanies, with Madame de Marsan, who by that means is a great
favourite ; he is declared protector of the Due de Broglie, and the
head of his party ; the Due de Broglie sends him duplicates of all
the letters he writes to Marshal Belleisle, by the same Courier that
carries' his dispatches to M 1 . Belleisle. This is known to M 1 . Belle-
isle, and I leave you to judge how he resents this proceeding.

"Madame Pompadour continues as much in his Majesty's favor
as ever, and governs everything. Whoever opposes her will not
long remain in power, except Prince Sonbize, whom the King ho-
nours with his friendship, and Marshal Belleisle, who has a personal

374 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

interest with his Majesty, founded on a good opinion, as well as the
esteem the King has for him. M dme Pompadour continues to be
honoured with the Empress Queen's correspondence ; her Imperial
Majesty writes her such letters as are suited to flatter her pride and
vanity, and to encrease the friendship that so happily subsists be-
tween them, for the good of the Two States ; this express word (I
am assured by one who has heard several read) is frequently used,
and it pleases the King as much as it does M. Pompadour. By
such means, and by the servile court Count Staremberg pays her,
she still continues to be in the interest of that Court. I should here
tell you Count Staremberg takes no steps without first consulting
Madame Pompadour, and is guided by her advice in every thing.
Prince Soubize is Vami de caeur du Roi, and he is very well with
Madame Pompadour, but not so well as he was three months ago;
However, he cannot carry any point by his own interest ; so he
generally joins with the Due de Choiseul. Marshal Belleisle
stands alone. The King is persuaded of his capacity, as well as
his integrity ; and that he has no views but what tend to his Ma-
jesty's glory and the good of his subjects. This encourages
M. Belleisle to speak his mind very freely; and the Cardinal de
Bernis gives him an opportunity of representing to his Majesty the
consequences that have arisen from the unnatural alliance with the
Court of Vienna. 1 know he told his Majesty very lately, that the
Court of Vienna desired that France should pay the Russians, and
that the Russian and French troops should be employed in destroy-
ing the Prussians and the Allied Army, while the Empress pre-
served her own forces. He shewed his Majesty, the policy of the
House of Austria had ever been the same in regard to all their
allies, as his Majesty had seen at the Battle of La Feld ; and assured
the King, the Court of Vienna espoused the Due de Broglie, not
from a persuasion of his being a great General, but because he was
such a one as suited their views. Marshal Belleisle very lately
gave a strong instance of his little regard, not to say hatred, to the
Court of Vienna. Prince Charles of Lorrain wrote Count Cobenzel,
that Mons r . Boccart, who was Commandant at Ruremonde had
found means to render himself extremely agreeable to both those
Courts ; and they, in return, had solicited the Due de Broglie to
continue him there, after he was made a Lieutenant-Geueral. The
Due de Broglie had given them a formal promise it should be done
without consulting M. Belleisle ; but afterwards wrote the motives

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 375

that engaged him to do it ; on which M. Belleisle recalled Boccart,
and sent another in his station, notwithstanding the representations
of the Courts of Vienna and Brussels.

" There was a very indecent scene between M. Belleisle and
Count Staremberg not long ago ; in which they told each other, in
the worst terms, whatever the most violent passion could suggest.
M. Belleisle has since complained to the King ; C. Staremberg to
his Court and to M . Pompadour. From what I have said, you will
easily believe M. Belleisle will not study to make the Due de
Broglie shine at the head of the army ; and you will be sensible,
that the Court of Vienna, the Due de Broglie, and his party, will
leave no means unattempted to ruin M. Belleisle ; but in that I
think I may say, they will not succeed ; for M. Belleisle's head ap-
pears to be as good as ever, though he is continually occupied des
Minuties ; so he really has not time to give himself up a des Vues plus
etendues, and to follow them. Besides which he is ill with M. Pom-
padour and the Due de Choiseul, and not well with P. Soubise : so
he is sure of being opposed by them, whenever he does propose
anything out of his Office ; and he has it in his power by his post to
render ineffectual most things they wish to have done.

" The Due de Choiseul is very well with the King, also with
M. Pompadour and not ill with P. Soubise. He is a friend to the
Court of Vienna ; and has all the qualities requisite worthily to fill
the post he enjoys. His chief view is to become prime minister,
and he hopes when M. Belleisle dies to succeed him ; but if I am
well informed, he will be deceived in this, the King having already
promised it to P. Soubize. He, at present, lives seemingly well
with P. Soubize ; but they do not love one another. He is ill with
M. Belleisle and does not conceal it; but as he does not love busi-
ness, and is very much at his ease, it would not be surprising if he
should be disgusted and retire when he finds he cannot obtain what
he aims at.

" Mo r . D'Etrees has entirely lost his credit with the King, the
Court, and the Nation ; however, he is still very well with JM. Belle-
isle. He also lately had a scandalous scene with the Abbe" de
Broglio in the King's anti-chambre, in which they treated each
other like porters, and were laughed at by those who were spec-
tators. Mo r . de S'. Florentine is taken up with his pleasure, and
maintains himself in his station by voting sometimes on one
side, sometimes on the other ; by paying his court to M. Pompa-

376 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

dour ; and by being well with every body. Mo r . Puyzieulx is the
honestest man at the Court ; but the care he is obliged to take of
his health and his love of peace and tranquillity, make him very
much decline publick business. M. Berryeris as much declined as
the Fleet, and is very little regarded by any body. Mo r . Bertin is a
very honest man, but has not the talents necessary for the Comp-
trolleur-General ; nor has he health ; he only accepted the charge
because the King desired him. Mo r . Paris de Montmartel and his
commis do the business of the office. It was the reverse with Mo r .
Silhouette, who was cried up for his talents ; and if he did not do
the business of the state well, he did his own better than any Comp-
trolleur-General ever did, for he has gained 50,000 French livres
revenue in the short time he was employed. It only remains to
speak of the Due de Broglie ; I think I may say he has lost ground
since he had the command of the army ; his keeping the troops so
long in the field, and thereby sacrificing such a number of troops to
no purpose, proves that a spirit of contradiction and not the King's
service made him alter the plan proposed by M. Contades. The
affair of Dillembourg, and all that passed for twenty days before it,
has been severely censured by his enemies here, and cannot be jus-
tified by his friends. M. Belleisle, M. Contades, M. D'Etrees and
all the generals and officers who are their friends, have spoken their
minds very freely on the Battle of Minden, and by much the greatest
part of the world are convinced Due de Broglie did not do his duty
there, and attribute the loss of that battle to him. I am sure
M. Belleisle has set this affair in so true a light to the King, that
his Majesty is persuaded that M. Contades had great reason to com-
plain of him ; and I am informed P. Soubize is not his friend. So
it is not easy to decide whether he will be able long to stand his
ground against M. Belleisle, who loses no opportunity to lessen him
in the King's favor. This is a true picture of our Ministry. By
it, you see, every thing is brought about by intrigues and cabals.
Every body thinks how to raise himself, or to destroy his enemies.
Nobody has the publick good at heart ; and there is but one bon
citoien in the council. This may, in some measure, account for the
vicissitude, jealousy, and contradictions that appear to the world,
and shew why what is resolved one day is changed the next. It
has been said that the funds necessary for the Campaign were found ;
but I fan told it is not so, and I believe it. Your Court knows
better than I can do whether the prospect of a peace has produced

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 377

the change in the army, that I wrote you was to be assembled near
Liege. I can only say I believe the division between M. Belleisle
and Duke Broglie has had some share in it, as well as the want of
money. I find that the number of recruits that have been sent to
D. Broglie's army, are not yet very considerable ; neither have the
regiments yet received any part of the money necessary to make the
repairs that are wanting. By this it will be the latter end of May
before D. Broglie's army will be in a condition to take the field. If
your Court could profit of this delay, and fall on the troops that are
quartered along the Rhine, they could not fail of success, as nothing
is yet ready to oppose them ; and the regiments in those quarters
would be easily beaten or dispersed by the Allied Armies crossing
the Rhine, which may now be very easily done, as I hear from the
generals who are lately come from those quarters.

" I cannot yet say with what number of troops the King's army
or armies will be re-enforced ; by whom they will be commanded ;
nor when they will be assembled ; but it is probable I shall be able
to write to you with more certainty very soon. It does not yet ap-
pear plain to me, that P. Soubize has renounced the command of
the army that was intended to be assembled on the Maeze ; though
the want of money, or the hopes of peace, have certainly suspended
the assembling it so soon as was intended ; and it is yet very pro-
bable Count Maillebois may be employed this year."

LETTER DXLVI.

King George III. to Lieut. General Conway. Com-
mutation of sentence to a Criminal.

[MS. EGERTON, BRIT. MUS. 982. fol. 1. Orig.~]

Lt. Gen. Conway is too well acquainted with my
sentiments to doubt my desire at all times of saving
the lives even of my subjects when they don't per-
haps much deserve it ; but my duty prevents me I
I hope from yielding to my feelings when they would

378 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

carry me too far. Tho' I owne I think the Judge's
Report far from favorable, yet as the General's
great humanity has made him afresh recommend the
unhappy Criminal for my mercy ; I do consent to it
on condition of transportation for life.

Richmond Lodge,
3 m. past one p.m.

LETTER DXLVII.

King George III. to General Conway. Capt. Palliser
and the Coast of Newfoundland.

[ibid. fol. 6. Orig.~\

Lieut. Gen. Conway, the letter and enclosures
from Capt. Palliser are of so very serious a nature
that I esteem it highly proper to give you my ideas
on their contents on paper, as a more clear method
than any other.

No letter can be drawn up more dispassionately
than his, and if he acts throughout the season agree-
ably to it, he will very rightly deserve every degree
of protection both against the complaints that his
judicious conduct will draw on him from the French
and our own merchants, as impartiality will ever
make a man odious in the eyes of traders.

I think it would however be in the mean time ex-
pedient that M r . Hume should with civility complain
of the French ships of war that have visited the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 379

coasts of Newfoundland, and of the encroachments
made by the French Fishing Vessels, as that will
greatly destroy the fallacious arguments they will
probably use in the Autumn as accusations against
the Captain.

The only method that at present occurs to me by
which the French can be prevented settling on the
coast of Newfoundland, would be the having a
greater military force in that Island ; but the cecono-
mical, and I may say injudicious ideas of this Country
in time of peace makes it not very practicable, for a
corps ought on purpose to be rais'd for that service,
we having more places to garrison than we have
troops to supply. I wish you would think over
whether some other efFectual method may not be
adopted that will prevent the like infraction of treaties
for the future > for my sole view in this and every
other Article of our Treaties, is with temper and
firmness to make France observe them strictly, and
to do nothing that may hurt their honour, for that is
dearer to them than their interest ; knowing how very
unable we are at this hour to make war, and that, let
their inability be ever so great, we are undoubtedly
less able to draw the sword.

GEORGE R.
Aug. 11th, 1765.

380 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DXLVIII.

King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Comvay. The
King of Prussia.

[ibid. fol. 11. Orig.~\

Lt. Gen. Conway, I have just received your
packet but cannot help expressing some surprize at
the great coyness of the K. of Prussia; I should
have expected a different answer to the very friendly
and I may say indulgent part I have on this occasion
acted towards him ; but I would feign hope this is
owing to the fallacious accounts he has received from
Baudouin ; if he expects that I am to go all the way,
and that he is only to receive me if he pleases, he is
much mistaken, for I think the Crown of G. Britain
is a more useful ally to the K. of Prussia than he
ever can be in return ; and I here repeat what you
heard me express to the Duke of Grafton 41 the
opening of this affair ; that if the K. of Prussia means
a new to live well with me, I shall have no objection
to do so with him ; but if he expects 1 am to express
any sorrow for what has pass'd betwixt us, that is im-
possible, for I could not act otherwise than I have
done if my sole object was the interest of my country,
which I should not be an honest Man if I at any
time neglected for other concerns.
30 m. pt. one r.M.

Indorsed— His Mty., 27th Sept. 1765.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 381

LETTER DXLIX.

King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. His Ma-
jesty's opinion in relation to America.

[ibid. fol. 12. On'g-.]

Lieut. Gen. Conway, the enclos'd is the Memorial
I received from M r . Pitt, it is the copy of the one de-
livered to me by L d Halifax, but I received this a
day or two before that one. I am more and more
griev'd at the accounts from America, where this
spirit will end is not to be said ; it is undoubtedly
the most serious matter that ever came before Parlia-
ment. It requires more deliberation, candour, and
temper than I fear it will meet with.
53 m. past five p.m.

When the Memorial is copyed I desire to have
this original returned.
Indorsed — His Majesty, 6th Dec. 1765.

LETTER DL.

King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. Desires
intelligence respecting a debate.

[ibid. fol. 13. Orig.]

Lieut. Gen. Conway, I am desirous of knowing-
how the meeting went off last night, and desire that

382 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

you will obtain a list of the speakers in the Debate of
this day in the House of Commons with P. and C.
after their names, and the motions for alterations in
the Address ; which I hope to receive as soon as pos-
sible after the Debate.
Eleven a.m.

Indorsed — His Majesty, 17th Dec. 1765, in the morning.

LETTER DLL

King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway. Com-
mends the summoning a Committee of Council upon
the clearness of Corn. Ceremonial for the Espousals
of his Majesty s Sister.

[ibid.]

Queen's House, Sept. 20th, 17CG,
8 m. pt. 9 p.m.

Lieutenant General Conway, I think the
summoning a Committee of Council on Wednesday
next to afresh consider the dearness of Corn, and
what means may be expedient to remove the evil at
the present moment, is very proper ; but as the At-
torney-General's opinion was so very strong, even
yesterday, when he was just returned from his visit
to the Lord President, I very much doubt whether
that Lord and the Chancellor, as lawyers, will ven-
ture to change their opinions ; tho' great evils must
require at times extraordinary measures to remove
them.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 383

The present risings are only an additional proof
to me of the great licentiousness that has infus'd
itself into all orders of men; if a due obedience
to law, and the submitting to that as the only just
method of having grievances remov'd does not once
more become the characteristick of this nation, we
shall soon be no better than the savages of America.
Then we shall be as much despis'd by all civiliz'd
nations as we are as yet revered for our excellent
Constitution.

I return you the propos'd Ceremonial for the Es-
pousals of my Sister, which I entirely approve of;
the full power must undoubtedly ex officio be read
by you, and the solemn contract by the Archbishop
of Canterbury. a I desire therefore you will have
it copied, only inserting the Royal Apartments of
St. James's instead of the Royal Chapel, and my
brother's Christian name in those places, where it has
I think evidently been from negligence of the copier
omitted, where he speaks, as in all other solemn de-
clarations that is always us'd, as well as the title ; the
Archbishop should then have it communicated to
him, that he may see whether it is conformable to
precedents, besides the dignity of his station calls for
that mark of regard from me.

■ The King's sister, the Princess Caroline Matilda, was married to the King of
Denmark by proxy, Oct. 1. 1766.

381 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DLIL

King George III. to Lieut. Gen. Conway.

[ibid. fol. 18. Orig.~\

Queen's House, Sept. 20th, 1766,
22 m. pt. 9 p.m.

Lieutenant Gen. Conway, Sir Charles Saun-
ders's answer is so very clear that I entirely decide
for Rotterdam as the place for landing; but wish to
know whether the going from thence to Utrecht at
this time of the year be perform'd by water, or
whether the carriages must be order'd to that place.

I have examin'd the case of the two unhappy Con-
victs lately transmitted from Scotland ; as to the
young man, I am very willing to shew mercy ; as to
the woman, I cannot see it quite in the same light,
but think it may not be improper to send to the pro-
per officer in Scotland for a report with regard to the
woman, as I am ever desirous to be perfectly convinc'd
there is no room for mitigating the rigour of the
Law, before it takes its course.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 385

LETTER DLIII.

The King to Lieut. Gen. Conway. Parliamentary

Enquiry upon instances of Corruption.

[ibid. fol. 36. Orig.]

Queen's House, Feb. 16th, 1768,
45 m. p. 10 p.m.

Lieutenant General Conway, the entering on
fresh instances of corruption will I fear protract the
Session, particularly if every gentleman that meets
with difficulty in obtaining the seat he wishes in Par-
liament is to lay the affair before the House of Com-
mons. The Instruction moved for the Committee on
the Bribery Bill relative to the votes of Custom
House and other Officers having places under the
Crown seems very extraordinary, and can have been
proposed solely from a motive of shewing an inclina-
tion to be impertinent, and run after that empty
shadow Popularity. I am totally indifferent as to
the Borough of Aldborough being taken notice of, as
I can rely on the delicacy of the Duke of Grafton's
conduct on all occasions.

vol, iv.

386 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DLIV.

Sir Alexander Gilmour to Sir Andrew Mitchell.

[MITCHELL PAPERS, BRIT. MUS. lvii. 290. Orig.']

Argyle Street, August 26th, 1766.

Dear Sir,
You will I dare say be surprized at my not having
troubled you with a Letter sooner, and yet if you
could figure to yourself the unsettled situation of
affairs here, it would not appear extraordinary.
Every day produces new abuse against Lord Chat-
ham ; the City and populace seem now to be as extra-
vagant in their scurrility against him, as ever they
were lavish and profuse in praising and almost ador-
ing him. Lord Egmont, you will have heard before
tins reaches you, had resigned being first Lord of the
Admiralty, and to-morrow Sir Charles Saunders is to
kiss the King's hand as succeeding him, a promotion
which will be most popular in the Navy, and cannot
fail, I should think, of producing good consequences
to the service, by having the Admiralty under the
direction of one of his character, and knowledge in
the profession. It was offer'd to Lord Gower, with
a view to withdraw all opposition from the Bedfords,
but that could not be complied with, nor wou'd he
accept of any employment without Lord Weymouth
having a Cabinet office, and Rigby restored to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 36/

be Vice-Treasurer of Ireland ; which propositions
Lord Chatham said neither cou'd or ought to be
complied with. Every day brings forth some new
production from Stowe, endeavouring to prove Lord
Temple the wisest, honestest, greatest, and most dis-
interested patriot of the age, and Lord Chatham the
most contemptible, avaritious man that ever lived,
the lowest and most servile flatterer of Lord Bute,
and the wretch who to serve his own ends has basely
betrayed the interest of his country. And yet all
this is done in so dull and stupid a manner, that it is
impossible to read them, nor indeed even to hear
extracts from them, without the most entire indigna-
tion.

M r . Stuart Mackenzie is to kiss hands to-morrow
on being restored to be Privy Seal of Scotland, but
without any power annex'd to the Office. The two
new Lords of the Admiralty talk'd of, though I do
not know it for certain, are Lord Palmerston and Sir
George Young. As I can send you no other news I
shall only add that I am, with the most sincere re-
gard, dear Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

A. GILMOUR

s 2

388 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DLV.

The Rev. W. Cole to Mr. Bedingfield at Worlaby Hall,
near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
[ms. cole brit. mus. vol. xxiii. fol. 121 b.]

%* The Rev. Charles Bonaventure Bedingfield, to whom this
Letter is addressed, has been mentioned already in the Second
Series of these Letters as a Recollet, and Friar of the Franciscan
Convent at Douay.

In a Letter to which this is a reply, he says " Early in the spring,
before I was well recovered of the gout, I received to my no small
mortification and confusion Letters Patents from our German-Com-
missary-General, to visit the whole Province of both sexes, and to
preside at our Triennial Chapter. So that I was upon the wing
about three months, travelling in various vehicles, and at all hours.
I was afraid that I should never get through it."

Milton, Sunday, Oct. 27, 1776.

*****

I congratulate you on your late promotion and
dignity, and not a little on getting through the fa-
tigue of it with so much ease and pleasure to your-
self, and those who were subject to your jurisdiction.
Your Church has this advantage, though not in a
state of absolute tranquillity, which perhaps it never
attained, or ever will, yet it preserves its discipline
and order unmolested among yourselves. We have
all the pestilent heresies of every age and country
publicly preached among us ; and even by those who
call themselves of the National Faith. Our Royal
Professor of Divinity, hear it with wonder! on

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 389

May the 29 th , the Restoration, preached a sermon,
which is printed, which gave great offence and
delight, as people were affected, at S e . Mary's : it has
been well replied to in a Pamphlet, called Strictures
on D r . Watson's Sermon; however, on Friday last,
the Accession Day, the same Professor, a man of vast
assurance, boldness, and abilities, mounted the same
rostrum, and went on in the same track, Liberty, In-
dependence, Levelling, and the Rights of the People ;
doctrines that will overturn every establishment and
government under heaven. Socinianism, Arianism,
with their consequences, Deism and Infidelity, are now
no longer kept secret, but gloried in both by clergy and
laity. What it will end in, God only knows. How-
ever, let us thank God that we have gained one ad-
vantage in Long Island, and pray that it may be
followed by others : or these liberty-mongers will
make all their neighbours feel their influence.

Some months ago I read the Life of Pope Ganga-
nelli, by Caraccioli, which pleased me : it was in French,
it had many curious anecdotes in it : his letters have
not fallen in my way ; but I am told they are excel-
lent. As to the judgement of the Reviewers, I give
no credit or faith to their criticisms, which are chiefly
founded on Party-prejudices. The Critical Review
is much the best ; the Monthly one is built solely
on a design to abuse the Roman Catholics. The
Critical is managed by Presbyterians and Scotchmen,

390 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

and whatever is produced by them is sure of their
approbation. All the news-writers, country ones
especially, are in the hands of Presbyterians and
Republicans, who daily and weekly poison the minds
and principles of the people, and will end in rebellion
some time or other ; and may probably have its con-
trary effect by producing tyranny.

*****

LETTER DLVI.
King George the Third to Lord Viscount Townshend,
Master of the Ordnance. The King's Instructions.

[Orig. IN THE POSSESSION OF THE EDITOR.]

Queen's House, April 3d, 1778,
55 m. pt. 7 a.m.

Lord TowNSHEN^your clear and full Report on
the state of several of the Forts meets with my fullest
approbation. I therefore authorize you, without
delay, to have the necessary repairs at Landguard
Fort, Tilbury, and Gravesend ; I intend to order a
sufficient force, in addition to the present Garrisons,
for the defence of those Forts.

The Dockyard at Sheerness is essential to the navy,
but most absurdly placed ; what you recommend, and
can be immediately done, must be executed, and the
Navy Board inform' d that if the Fort is attacked the
buildings without the fortification will be destroyed.

Three companies of Militia are proposed to be en-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 391

camped at Pendennis Castle, who may carry on the
requisite works, and will be a proper addition to the
Garrison.

Clifford's Fort : the requisite services mentioned in
the Report must be directly ordered, and the militia
intended for Newcastle, Tinmouth, and Clifford's
Fort, may supply a sufficient number of men for
making such additional works as may appear neces-
sary. GEORGE R.
To the Lord Viscount Townshend.

LETTER DLVII.

Sir George Brydges Rodney to George Jackson, Esq.

after the defeat of Langara.

[addit. mss. brit. mus. 9344. art. 20. Orig.~\

Gibraltar, Jan>. 28th, 1780.

My Dear Sir,

I am sure no person whatever will receive the news
of the happy success of the Squadron with more
pleasure than yourself; and as I know no person
upon earth for whom I have a more sincere regard, I
could not delay writing you a few lines to convince
you of my sincerity in that respect.

I know you will smile upon your reading my pub-
lick letter, and say to yourself the Admiral has given
his Officers his own feelings. Whether they had
them I know not ; but I am sure they ought to have
had them.

392 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Your truely friendly advice I have strictly adhered
to. No man has dared to give his advice. The
Letter is strictly my own, and dictated from the
thoughts that spontaneously flow'd from my own
breast. If it meets with your approbation I shall
be happy.

Providence has allowed me to be the happy instru-
ment of restoring, in some measure, the honour of
the British flag. To restore the old, good, necessary
discipline of the British Navy will be of much more
consequence. 'Tis lost: it shall, it must be restored.
I avoid all complaints ; many, many, I had the
greatest reason to make, and if the Fleet I am going
to command should be as negligent and disobedient
as part of that which sailed from England with me,
you will hear of dismission upon dismission. I must,
I will be obey'd. I will not tell you particular men.
Many, brave, excellent, active, good officers ; others,
negligent, slow, inactive, disobedient, and fit for no-
thing but preserve his M.'s ships and keep their men.
'Tis high time they retire, and leave the British ships
to be commanded by none but those who are truly
anxious to raise the honour of their country.

I will say no more. You will think more than I
can say, and keep it to yourself.

Adieu. My best respects attend M rs . Jackson,
and believe Yours faithfully,

G. B. RODNEY.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 393

LETTER DLVIIL
General Washington to Mrs. Wright, respecting his

Bust modelled by her son.

[addit. MSB. BRIT, mis. 12099. art. 16. Orig.~\

Mount Vernon, Jan. 30th, 1785.

Madam,

By what means it came to pass I shall not under-
take to devise, but the fact is that your letter of the
8 th of December, 1783, never came to my hands until
the 12 th of the same month in the year following.
This will account for my not having acknowledged
the receipt of it sooner, and for not thanking you as
I now do, before, for the many flattering expressions
contained in it.

If the Bust which your son has modelled of me
should reach your hands, and afford your celebrated
genii any employment, that can amuse M r . Wright,
it must be an honor done me. And if your inclina-
tion to return to this country should overcome other
considerations, you will no doubt meet a welcome re-
ception from your numerous friends ; among whom I
should be proud to see a person so universally cele-
brated, and on whom nature has bestowed such rare
and uncommon gifts.

I am, madam, y r most obed' and very h ble servant,

GEO. WASHINGTON.
Mrs. Wright, in England.

394 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER DLIX.

General Washington to David Stuart Erskine, Earl of
Buchan. Dr. Anderson. The political policy for
America to pursue. The Family of Fairfax con-
nected with General Washington.
[ibid. art. 28. Orig.]

*** To this Letter the Earl of Buchan has himself prefixed the
following minute : —

" On the 18th of June, 1793, 1 wrote to Mr. Washington on the
happy prospects America might entertain, if by any means it could
abstain from mingling in European Politics. J laid before him the
vanity and folly of preferring the indulgence of national pride,
vanity, and resentment, to the slow but certain benefits to be per-
manently obtained by peace and internal prosperity; and I flattered
him with the view of the bankruptcy and misery of the old warlike
system of nations, leading to a better order of political policy.

" I ventured also to recommend two great objects to the Execu-
tive of America, peace and union with the Red natives, and attention
to national education. To these sentiments the President alludes in
the following Letter."

Philadelphia, April 22, 1793.

My Lord,
You might, from appearances, suspect me of inat-
tention to the honor of your correspondence: and if
you should, I can assure you it would give me pain.
Or you might conceive that I had rather make ex-
cuses than acknowledge, in time, the receipt of your
favours, as this is the second instance of considerable
lapse between the dates of them and my acknow-
ledgements. This also would hurt me — for the truth

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 395

is, that your favor of the 22 d of last October, under
cover of one from D r Anderson of the 3 d of Novem-
ber, accompanying the 7 th , 8 th , 9 th , 10 th , and ll ,h
volumes of the Bee, did not come to my hands until
the 18 th of the present month.

Having by me the rough draught of the letter
I had the honor of addressing to your Lordship in
May, I do agreeably to your request, transmit a copy
thereof. It is difficult for me, however, to account
for the miscarriage or delay of the original, as it was
committed to the care of M r . Robertson at his own
request, to be forwarded along with the portrait of
me which (for the reasons therein assigned) a pre-
ference had been given of him to take for your Lord-
ship — both of which I expected you had received
long since.

The works of D r . Anderson do him much credit,
and when they are more extensively known will, I
am persuaded, meet a very ready sale in this country.
I have taken an occasion to mention his wish to a
respectable member of the Philosophical Society of
this city, who has promised to bring his name for-
ward at the next meeting : entertaining no doubt of
his being readily admitted, as his pretensions are
known to stand upon solid ground.

The favourable wishes which your Lordship has
expressed for the prosperity of this young and rising
Country, cannot but be gratefully received by all its

306 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

citizens, and every lover of it. One mean to the
contribution of which, and its happiness, is very judi-
ciously portrayed in the following words of your
letter "to be little beard of in the great world of
politics." These words I can assure your Lordship
are expressive of my sentiments on this head ; and I
believe it is the sincere wish of United America to
have nothing to do with the political intrigues, or the
squabbles of European nations ; but on the contrary,
to exchange commodities, and live in peace and amity
with all the inhabitants of the earth ; and this I am
persuaded they will do, if rightfully it can be done.
To administer justice to, and receive it from, every
Power with whom they are connected, will, I hope,
be always found the most prominent feature in the
Administration of this country ; and I flatter myself
that nothing short of imperious necessity can occa-
sion a breach with any of them. Under such a
system, if we are allowed to pursue it, the agricul-
ture and mechanical arts, the wealth and population
of these states will increase with that degree of rapi-
dity as to baffle all calculation, and must surpass any
idea your Lordship can hitherto have entertained on
the occasion. To evince that our views (whether
realised or not) are expanded, I take the liberty of
sending you the plan of a New City, situated about
the centre of the Union of these States, which is de-
signed for the permanent seat of the Government ;

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 397

and we are at this moment deeply engaged, and far
advanced in extending the inland navigation of the
river (Potomac) on which it stands, and the branches
thereof, through a tract of as rich country — for hun-
dreds of miles — as any in the world. Nor is this a
solitary instance of attempts of the kind, although
it is the only one which is near completion, and in
particular use. Several other very important ones
are commenced, and little doubt is entertained that
in ten years, if left undisturbed, we shall open a
communication by water with all the lakes northward
and westward of us, with which we have territorial
connections ; and an inland navigation, in a few years
more, from Rhode Island to Georgia inclusively —
partly by cuts between the great Bays and Sound,
and partly between the islands and sandbanks and
the Main, from Albemarle round to the River S 1 .
Mary's. To these, may also be added, the erection
of bridges over considerable rivers, and the com-
mencement of turnpike roads as further indications
of the improvements in hand.

The family of Fairfax's in Virginia, of whom you
speak, are also related to me by several intermarriages
before it came into this country (as I am informed)
and since ; and what remain of the old stock are near
neighbours to my estate of Mount Vernon. The
late Lord (Thomas) with whom I was perfectly ac-
quainted, lived at the distance of sixty miles from

398 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

me after he had removed from Belvoir (the seat of
his kinsman) which adjoins my estate just mentioned;
and is going to be inhabited by a young member of
the family as soon as the house, which some years
ago was burnt, can be rebuilt.

With great esteem and respect, I have the honor to
be your Lordship's most obed 1 h ble servant

GEO. WASHINGTON.
Earl of Buchan.

LETTER DLX.

The Emperor Paul of Russia, to Sir Charles, after-
wards Earl Whitworth, expressing his determination
to employ his troops in the defence of Great Britain.

[ibid. 12096. Orig. Entirely in the Emperor's hand.]
Je propose en cas que l'Expedition d'Hollande ne
puisse pas avoir lieu, d'employer mes troupes a la de-
fense de la Grande Bretagne, et pour faire une expedi-
tion sur les cotes de la France entre Brest et Olone.

PAUL.
Pawloask, du 17 Aout, 1799.

Au Chevalier Whitworth, Monsieur l'Envoye
de S. M. Brittanique aupres de Moi.

INDEX.

Abbot, Abp. the accident of his

killing a man with a cross-bow,

iv. 183.
Abingdon Abbey, iii. 172, 177,

letter of the abbot of, iii. 41.
Abrincis, or Avrenches, Will, de,

letter of, i. 25.
Academy, plan of, for educating

the Queen's wards, i. 107.
Acken, i. 129.

Admiralty, office of the, 193, 194.
Adrian VI. Pope, election of, i.

304.
Agmondesham, wood in, late the

Duke of Buckingham's i. 227.
Agria, taking of the fort of, 1596,

iv. 138.
Ala Countess of Warren, i. 23, 25.
Alamyre, i. 203, 205, 206.
Alane, Alexander, extract from his

work on the " Auctorite of the

word of God," iii. 196.
Alban's St., monks of, go to Henry

VIII. on the death of their Ab-
bot, i. 274.
Albany, Duke of, i. 287, 324, 326.
Albemarle, Duke of, letter, iv. 293

see Monk.
Albert of Brandenburgh, letter of,

iii. 363.
Alford, Francis, letter of, iv. 53.
Allen and Cromwell, viewed by

Hen. VIII. with suspicion, ii.

99, 101.
Allen, Thomas, ii. 140.
Allen, Archbp. of Dublin, ii. 100.
Almaigne, John, ii. 106.
Almayne, John, ii. 96.
Alvingham, Priory of, i. 27.
Ambassadors, contests of, iv. 79.
America, opinion of K. Geo. III.

respecting, iv. 381.

" Amicable grant," i. 367 ; ii. 7.

Angus, Earl of, letter of, i. 288,
departure of from the English
border, 1522, i. 299.

Anne, Mistress,transcript of a mys-
terious letter relating to, ii. 131,

132, particulars of her residence
with the King at Windsor, i. 132,

133, see Boleyne.

Anne of Cleves, Queen, iii. 251.
Anne, Q. of England, letter of, iv.

330.
Anne, Queen of Ladislaus VI. of

Hungary, i. 125.
Anselm, Archbishop, IMS. volume

of letters of, i. 18.
*' Anticipation," payment so call-
ed, i. 368, 376.
Argyle, Archibald 5th Earl of,

iii. 359.
Arundel, John, letter of, iv. 82.
Arundel and Surrey, Thomas Earl

of, letter of i. 52.
Arundel], Thomas, letter of, iii.

230. '
Asaph St., Cathedral of, burnt, iii.

96, 97.
Ashfield, Sir Thomas, iv. 223.
Aske, Robert, iii. 53, 55, 57, 58,

60. Letters of, iii. 52, 58.
"Assassination Plot" against Will.

III., iv. 326.
Atherstone, Friaries at, iii. 189.

190.
Athol, Countess of, i. 34.
Atkinson, Anthony, iv. 53.
Attorneys, increase of the profits

of, iv. 53.
Atye, Arthur, letter of, iv. 75.
Augustine Friars, Cromwell'shouse-

hold at, iii. 85.
Avrenches, see Abrincis.

400

INDEX.

Aylesbury, Friary at, ii. 131, 132.

Earl of, iv. 137.
Aylesbury, George, letters of, iii.

80,81.
Aylesford, White Friars at, iii. 181.
Ayscough, Edw. letter of, iv. 231.

Babwell, Grey Friars of, iii. 156.
Bacon, Lord Chanc., iv. 187, 183,

190.
Baker, John, letter of, iii. 108.
Baldwin, Abbot of St. Edmunsd-

bury, i. 16.
Bale, John, letter of, iii. 151.
Banastre, Ralph, i. 100.
Bangor, Thomas, bishop of, and

abbot of Beaulieu, letter of, ii.

60, 151.
Barbarossa, iii. 124.
Barclay, Alexander, iii. 112, 113,

115. '"Introductory" of, to pro-
nounce French, ii. 210.
Bardi, of Florence, i. 39—42.
Barkeley Herons, iii. 84.
Barlo, John, Uean of Westbury,

letter of, iii. 142.
Barnardiston, Mr., iv. 268.
Barnewell Priory, iii. 159.
Barry, Doctor, ii. 65.
Bartholomew, St., massacre of, iii.

376.
Bartholomew's Priory, St., ii. 64.
Barton, Edward, iv. 147.
Barton, Elizabeth, ii. 136. 137,

289,314; iii. 102.
Bastard, appellation of, i. 137.
Batcombe, ii. 379.
Bath, extract from Domesday book

relating to, i. 26.
Battersey, ii. 184.
Battisford, preceptory of, iii. 270.
Battle Abbey, iii. 204.
Baxter, Edward, letter of, i. 332.
Baxter, Thomas, i. 332 ; ii. 166.
Bayham Abbey, ii. 57, 163.
Beale, Robert, letter of, iv. 112.
Beaulieu Abbey, sanctuary at, iii.

72, 73.
Beaumont, Capt. iv. 254, 262, 264,

265.
Becket, Archbishop, letter of, i. 23,

24.

Bedford, Friars' House at, iii. 131,
132.

Bedford, Kath., Countess of, ac-
count and letters of, iv. 236,
238.

Bedwell, William, iv. 155.

Bedyll, Thomas, iii. 104.

Bembo, Anthony, letter of, i. 46.

Benet Holme St., Abbey of, iv. 31.

Benson, William, otherwise Bos-
ton, abbot of Westminster, iii.
272.

Berkeley, Lady Anne, iii. 142.

Berners, Barony of, iv. 210, 211.

Berwick, Friars' Houses at, iii. 186.

Bethekelert Priory, iii. 265.

Beverlaye, liberty of, ii. 343.

Bisham Abbey, iii. 265.

Bishops, Letters of, to whose c;ire
Church-men had been commit-
ted, iii. 365, 367, in partibus
made by the Pope at K. James's
request, iv. 313, 314.

Blacksmith, insurrection of the, i.
320, 321.

Blair, Patrick, iv. 340.

Blechingdon House, iv. 248.

" Blanc sanglier " pursuivant, i.
113.

Blount, Charles, Lord Mountjoy,
iv. 152.

Boleyn, Anne, Queen, as Mar-
chioness of Pembroke, ii. 246.
Procession of to the Tower and
Coronation, ii. 274. Deposi-
tions of invectives pronounced
against, ii. 332. Interested in
the preservation of Catesby Pri-
ory, iii. 50.

Boleyn, Tho. E. of Wiltshire, let-
ter of, iii. 21.

Bolton, William, prior of St. Bar-
tholomew, i. 184; ii. 62, 63.
Bonner, Edmund, letter of ii. 177.
Boorde, Andrew, letters of, ii. 295,
301,303,306,308. Introduces
the seeds of Rhubarb from Bar-
bary, ii. 301.

Borsley, iii. 205.
Borstall House, iv. 251.
Boston, suppression of the Friars'
Houses at, iii. 170.

INDEX.

401

Boughton, Sir Edward, ii. 113,
115.

Bourchier, John, abbot of Leices-
ter, ii. 330, 321.

Brachie, Robert, iii. 108.

Brahe, Tycho, iv. 3, 4.

Braye, Lord, iii. 21 1.

Brecknock Castle, iii. 275.

Bredsalle Park, Priory of, iii. 87.

Brereton, Sir Wm. iv. 249.

Brewern Abbey, iii. 38.

Bribery bill, iv. 385.

Briconnet, Guil. ii. 75,

Bridgenorth, Friaries at, iii. 189,
190.

Bridges, Col., letter of,iv. 259.

Bromehill Priory, ii. 114.

Brown, Robert, letter of, ii. 177.

Browning, John, abbot of Beau-
lieu, ii. 279.

Bruce, David, preparations in
France in favour of, i. 29, 30.

Buchanan, George, letter of iii.
373.

Buckingham, Edward Duke of,
letter of,i. 213, 214, 218. His
directions to his Chancellor, i.
320.

Buckingham, Henry Duke of, i.
100.

Buckingham, Villiers, D. of, let-
ters, iv. 187, 188, 190.

Bulkeley, Cath., abbess of Godstow,
iii.; 233,234.

Bulmer, Sir William, letters of, i.
236, ii. 118.

Burcester Priory, iii. 40.

Burghley, Lord, see Cecil.

Burgo, Nicholas de, ii. 111.

Burton upon Trent, Image of St.
Modwen at, iii. 100.

Buxton, Image of St. Anne of, iii.
100.

Bykeling, ii. 114.

Byfleet, hunting at, ii. 278.

Cadiz, Earl of Essex's expedition

against, iv. 127.
Caerraarthen, Grey Friars of, iii.

245. Grammar school of, ib.
Caesar, Sir Julius, letters, iv. 79,

154,201.

Calais, passage to Picardy through,
made imperative, i. 21, 22.
Houses of Religion at, ii. 381 .

Cambridge, letter of the Univer-
sity of, to Card. Wolsey, i. 168.
Black Friars of, iii. 98. Visita-
tion at, iii. 117.

Campegius, Card. ii. 149.

Canonbury House, i. 184, 185.
Lord Cromwell's residence at,
iii. 92.

Canons Ashby, iii. 39.

Canterbury, coins struck by Arch-
bishops of, ii. 67, 68. Fire at
Christ-church, Canterbury, iii.
164. Christ-Church at, iii.
277. Friars' Houses at, iii. 181,
burning of idols at, iii. 128.

Cantwell, Thomas, iii. 257.

Capon, Dr. letter of, ii. 231.

Carbroke preceptory, iii- 270.

Cardinal College, Oxford, ii, 55,
108, 138, 139, 158, 181.

Carewe, Francis, iv. 9.

Carlile, Thomas, iii. 292.

Carlisle, defenceless state of, ii. 36.

Carrack, Spanish, taking of the,
a.d. 1592, iv. 99, 100.

Caryll, Mr., iv. 311.

Castalio's book, iv. 35.

Castiglione, il Corteggiano di, ii.
178.

Castlehaven and Audley, Earl, iv.
198.

Castlemaine, Earl of, iv. 311.

Castles, t. W. Conq. enumeration
of the, i. 11.

Catesby Nunnery, iii. 39, 50.

Cave, Sir Ambrose, iii. 351.

Cecil, Elizabeth, wedding feast for,
iv. 40.

Cecil, William, Lord Burghley,
letter of, iv. 14, 51.

Cecil, Sir Robert, iv. 150.

Cecill, Margaret, iii. 46.

Cerne, abbot of, iii. 231.

Chacomb Priory, iii. 39.

Chamber, Geoffrey, iii. 168.

Charing Cross, iv. 82.

Charles I. borrows a book of Tho-
mason, iv. 198. Order of, to his
printer, iv. 217.

W2

INDEX.

Charlton House near Greenwich,

iv. 199.
Charterhouse of Richmond, ii.159.
Chatham, Lord, iv. 386.
Chelmsford, Black. Friars of, iii.

156.
Cheney, Richard, Bishop of Glou-
cester, letter of, iii. 353.
Cheshunt, manor of Andrews or

the Mote in, iii. 254.
Chester, bishopric of, ii. 281.
Chichester, Lord Dep. Arthur,

letter of, iv. 167.
Chimes, musical, invented for

Queen Elizabeth, iv. 64.
Church government, contest in the

House of Commons concerning,

a.d. 1592, iv. 111.
Citolinus, Alexander, iv. 20.
Clare, Austin Friars of, iii. 156.
Clattercote Priory, iii. 38.
Clavicordes, i. 199.
Clement VII., Pope, iii. 63.
Clerk, John, bishop of Bath and

Wells, letters of, i. 254, 256,

262, 278, 304.
Clerkenwell Priory, iii. 243.
Closter-Seven, Convention of, iv.

367.
Coal-trade of Newcastle, early im-
portance of, ii. 55.
Cobham, Lady, ii. 274.
Cobler,. Captain, iii. 52.
Cochlaeus's account of Tyndal's

New Testaments, ii. 88.
Cocoa-nuts, ii. 241.
Coke, Secretary, letter of, iv. 206.
Colchester, Grey Friars of, iii. 156.

Siege of, iv. 268.
Cole, Rev. William, letter of, iv.

388.
Colet, Dean,i. 199. Letter of, 190.

Interview of with Henry V11L,

iii. 102.
Combe Abbey, iii. 183, 184.
Comin, Faithful, iii. 322.
Commortha, iii. 276.
Communion Table, substituted for

altars, iii. 302.
Compton, Sir Wm., letter of, iv. 231.
Coniugshead Priory, i. 330.
Constable, Sir John, ii. 343.

Cooke, Mrs., letter of, iv. 95.

Coots, or Cotes, village of, ii. 147.

Coppini, Francesco de, the papal
legate to Henry VI., i. 83, 84.
Letter of, i. 88.

Copt-Hall, Essex, iv. 15.

Cornish, \V., the composer, ii. 50.

Cornwall and Devonshire, practice
of wrestling in, ii. 21 8, 219.

Corteggiano, the book called, ii.
178.

Cotton, Mrs., of Steeple Gidding,
iv. 273.

Coventry, Black monks and Char-
ter-house at, iii. 183. Grey
Friars at, iii. 131.

Council, Lords of the, letters of,
iii. 304, 308, 309.

Council of the North, Letter of, iii.
62.

Court of Requests, the earliest, iii.
301.

Courts of Law, increase of fees in,
iv. 53, 57.

Cowpland, state of, iii. 349.

Cox, Richard, bishop of Ely, let-
ters of, iv. 16, 71.

Cranmer, Abp., letters of, ii. 314 ;
iii. 23.

Cratzer, Nicholas, i. 230.

Creeping to the cross, iii. 364.

Croke, Richard, letters of, i. 333;
ii. 167, 194, 197 ; iii. 3. 104,
209.

Cromwell, Gregory, aft. Lord
Cromwell, i. 338, 339, 341 ;
iii. 192,208,251.

Cromwell, Oliver, letters of, iv . 225,
248, 257.

Cromwell, Thomas, aft. Earl of
Essex, writes to Antwerp for an
iron chest, ii. 142. Letters of,
ii. 107, 113, 138,140, 156, 159,
181. His letter of advice to
Wolsey, ii. 181. Family of, ii.
237. Annuities to, iii. 44. His
various residences, iii. 84, 91.
Taste of, for building, iii. 91.
Progress of the buildings at his
several houses, iii. 106. Picture
of his conduct as Vicar Gene-
ral, iii. 196.

INDEX.

403

Cumberland and Westmoreland,
parliamentary writs for, lost, ii.
35.

Cumberland, William Duke of,
letters, iv. 358, 362, 367.

Dacre, Sir Christopher, ii. 35.
Dacre, Lord Thomas, letters of, i.

291,299; ii. 35.
Dalby preceptory, ii. 147.
Dandiprat, coin so called, i. 381.
Darcy, Lord, iii. 55, 57, 59, 60.
Darleigh Priory, iii. 109.
Darvel Gathern, Image of, iii. 194.
Daventry, iv. 252, 253.
Davis, Sir John, iv. 173, 174.
Day, G. Bishop of Chichester,

letter of, iii. 302.
Denney Abbey, iii. 119.
Dereham, West, monks of, ii. 362.
Dering, Sir Edw., letter of, iv. 200.
Desmond, depredations of the Earl

of, iii. 357.
D'Este, Card. iv. 313, 315.
Devereux, Richard, letters of, iii.

156, 179, 181, 186,189.
Devereux, Rob. E. of Essex, letter

of, iv. 127.
D'Ewes, Sir Simonds, letter of, iv.

214.
Digby, Lady, iv. 221.
Dispensations, Abp. Tenison's let-
ter on, iv. 331.
Divorce, King Henry the Eighth's,

ii. 157.
Doncaster, Image of our Lady of,

iii. 207.
Dorias, Andrew, iii. 124.
Dorset, Edw. Earl of, letter, iv.203.
Dorset, Marq. of, letter of, ii. 147.
Dover Priory, iii. 165.
Douglas, Gawin, bishop of Dun-

keld, i. 288, 303. Letters of, i.

293, 294, 296, 298.
Douglas, Lady Margaret, iii. 135,

136.
Douglas, Mr. iv. 353, 354.
Dowes, Henry, letters of, i. 341,

343, iii. 258.
Drossard, i. 131.
Dudley, Edward Lord, letter of,

ii. 82.

Dudley, Lord Robert, iii. 334.
Dunbar, creeping to the cross at,

iii. 365.
Dundalk, town of, 340, 342, 343.
Dunkirk, account of, iv. 277.
Dunstable, Black Friars at, iii.

156.
Dunwich, Black and Grey Friars

in, iii. 156.
Durham, the finers of, ii, 107.

Letter of the Prior of, iii. 44.
Dutton, Sir Piers, letters of, ii. 354 ;

iii. 42.
Dwes, Giles, ii. 211.
Dynham, William, letter of, iii.

112.

East India Company, ii. 241.

Edgehill, battle of, iv. 298, 299.

Edinburgh, tumults at, in 1548,
iii. 291.

Edward I., letter of, i.

Edward III., last expedition of
against the Scots, i. 33, 34. ad-
vances of money to, from the
" Societas Bardorum," i. 39.
fondness of for falconry, i. 44,
45.

Edward IV., his grant to Coppini
bishop of Teramo, i. 84. places
the MinoritesorObservantFriars
at Greenwich, ii. 245.

Edward VI., death of, iii. 309.

Elizabeth, Queen, New-year's gifts
to, ii. 240. Her examination of
a heretic at the council-board,
iii. 322. Letters of, iii. 331, 359;
iv. 37,45, 46,48. Fdndness of,
for music, iv. 64.

Elizabeth Princess Palatine, Q. of
Boh., letters, iv. 180, 182.

Ellerker, Sir Ralph, the younger,
ii. 343.

Ely House, Holborn, iv. 71.

Ensham Abbey, iii. 37, 215.

Erasmus, Desid. ii. 72.

Erasmus, St., Image of, iii. 111.

Esay and Jonas, put forth in the
English tongue, ii. 208.

Essex, Robert Earl of, iv. 74, 112,
216,224. Expedition of to Cadiz,
iv. 127.

404

INDEX.

Everard, Sir John, iv. 176, 177.

Eure, Sir Wm., letter of, iii. 279.

Evesham Abbey, iii. 249.

Exchange, rate of, between Eng-
land and France, t. Elizabeth,
iv. 24.

Exeter, surrender of, iv. 303.

Fairfax, Sir Thomas, iv. 267.

Falconry, i. 43, 45 ; iii. 305. Al-
bert of Brandenburg, presents to
Q. Eliz. ten Falcons, iii. 363.

Family of Love, iv. 29, 33, 35.

Faringdon House, iv. 249.

Fawne, John, i. 168.

Fecamp, Remigius de, bishop of
Lincoln, i. 12, 13.

Felixstowe monastery, ii. 114.

Ferdinand, of Naples and the
Florentines, peace between, iii.
63.

Fisher, John, bishop of Rochester,
letter of, ii. 289, 346.

Fisher, Thomas, letter of, iii. 291.

Fitz Garatt, Morris, iii. 347.

Fitzwilliam, Sir William, letters of,
ii. 277,279; iii. 210.

Flodden, battle of, i. 163.

Florence, letter of the Magistrates
of, to Edw. III., i. 39.

Florence, St., in Wales, ii. 139.

Folkstone Priory, iii. 166.

Forde, Erasmus, letter of, ii. 227.

Forest, Friar John, ii. 245, 250,
252, 253, 257, 265 ; iii. 202,
203.

Forman, Thomas, ii. 78.

Fountains Abbey, iii. 270.

Fox, Richard, bishop of Winches-
ter, letter of, i. 319.

France, Papalite of, proposed to be
offered to Wolsey, ii. 95, 98.

Freake, Edmund, bishop of Nor-
wich, iv. 29.

Freman, John, letters of, iii. 72,
73, 286.

French Court, state of the, a.d.
1760, iv. 373.

French language, early treatises on
the, ii. 208, 209.

Frere-Augustines, London, iii. 100,
106.

Friar, Jonathan or John, letter of,

ii. 346.
Friaries, enumeration of those

which Robert Devereux, one of

the Commissioners, had taken

possession of, iii. 156.
Friars' Houses towards the North,

suppression of, iii. 179. In the

far North, iii. 186.
Friars Observants, i. 165 ; ii. 245.
Frith, John, ii. 200.
Fry, Miles, a madman, iv. 60.
Fuller, Robert, abbot of Waltham,

letter of, ii. 235.

Gardyner, Stevyn, letter of, i. 345.
Garret, or Gerard, Thomas, ii. 77,

78.
Gascoyne, Sir Bernard, iv. 271.
Gastkyn, Friar, song of, i. 165.
Gatton, Surrey, borough of, iv. 51.
George I., K., regulation of, re-
specting crown-livings, iv. 343.
George II., K., determined to treat

with the French in his quality

of Elector of Hanover, iv. 362,

365.
George III., K., letters of, iv. 377, ,

378, 380, 381, 382, 384, 385,

390.
George, Her., and John Stokes,

letter of, i. 66.
George, the Almayne gunner, i.

191.
Germain, St., Priory of, iii. 113.
Gilbert, Sir Humphrey, iv. 6, plan

of, for educating the Queen's

wards, i. 107.
Gilmou r, Sir Alex., letter of, iv. 386.
Ginckell, Baron de, letter of, iv.

319, 320.
" Giuoco di Canne," iii. 313.
" Glasse of the Truthe," ii. 195,

197.
Glossop, Nicholas, letter of,ii.237.
Gloucester, authorities of the town

of, allowed to wear Rich. III.

livery, i. 113.
Gloucester and Bristol, bishoprick

of, iii. 353.
Gloucestershire, state of, circa a. d.

1536, iii. 47.

INDEX.

405

Godmother, superstitious opinion

relating to a, ii. 236.
Godolphin family, ii. 217.
Godolphin, Sir William, letter of,

ii. 220.
Godstow Nunnery, iii. 37, 232,

233.
Goldwell, Thomas, prior of Can-
terbury, letters of, ii. 287. iii.
297.
Gondomar, & c . iv. 195.
Gonsaga, Don Ferrando de, iii.

314.
Gorleston, Austin Friars of, iii.

156.
Gothurst, now Gayhurst, manor of,

iv. 221.
Gozzi, Nicholas de, iv. 79.
Grandison, John, bishop of Ex-
eter, i. 18, 19; ii. 86.
Gravelines, ii. 224.
Greenhalgh, John, letter of, iv.

277.
Greenlaw, John, otherwise John

Archbishop of the East, i. 55.
Greenwich, Friars Observants of,

i. 165 ; ii. 246.
Grenville, Rt. hon. Thomas, his
fragment of Tyndal's New Tes-
tament, ii. 90.
Gresham, Sir John, i. 235; iii. 101.
Gresham, Sir Richard, letters of,
i. 232, 235, 237; ii. 80, 204; iii.
120,270.
Gresham, William, i. 235.
Greville, Lady, ii. 46.
Grey Friars, London, warden of,
desires to change his habit, iii.
236.
Grindal, Edm. Bp., of London, let-
ters, iii. 349, 357, 364, 365.
Grymesby Priory, iii. 180.
Guader's rebellion, i. 3, 4, 8.
Guldeford, Edward, letterof, ii. 57.
Guldeford, Sir Henry, letter of, ii.
155.

Hackney, Henry Sadleyr's house
at, ii. 164. Manor of King's-
hold in, iii. 76. Cromwell's house
at, iii. 76, 84, 106.

Hackney horses, ii. 272.

Hales, abbot of, iii. 227. Relic of

the blood of, iii. 223.
Hales, John, letter of, ii. 359 ; iii.

228.
Haliwell Nunnery, i. 197.
Halsal, Bishop, monumental in-
scription for, i. 303.
Halton castle, iii. 43.
Hampton Court, tapestry and
hangings at, i. 233, 237. Pay-
ment for sculptures at, i. 249.
Harcourt, Sir Simon, letter of, iii.

17.
Harcourt, Earl, letter of, iv. 345.
Harrow, iii. 71, pears of, grafted

by Bishop Tunstal, iii. 226.
Harvey, C, letter of, iv. 229.
Hatton, Sir Christopher, iv. 71.
Hawford, Philip, alias Ballard, iii.

249.
Hawking, sport of, i. 43, 45, 363.
Henry the Eighth's fondness
for, iii. 209.
Hawks, prices of, iii. 305.
Helens, St., London, parsonage of,

iv. 66.
Heneage, Thomas, letters of, ii.

131 ; iv. 81.
Henrietta Maria, Q. iv. 303.
Henrietta, da. of Cha. I., iv. 303.
Henry I., letter of, i. 1 8.
Henry of Lancaster, Duke of Here-
ford, i. 47.
Henry IV., Eastern Correspond-
ence of, i. 54.
Henry V., letters of, i. 61, 63, 71 ,
72, 74. List of his ships, i. 72
—74.
Henry VI., letters of i. 75, 78, 81.
loan, preparatory to the mar-
riage of, i. 78.
Henry VII., letter of, i. 115.
Henry VIII., letters of, i. 165. ii.
172, 274. Book of, against Lu-
ther, i. 254, 256, 262, 282, 315.
His care in improving the service
of his chapel, ii. 47, 51. Notice
of one of his music books, ii. 50.
His '' Responsio " against Lu-
ther, ii. 134. Book of, entitled,
"AGlasseoftheTruthe,"ii. 195.
His wrestling with Francis I., ii.

406

INDEX.

219. Letter of to Robert Aske,
iii. 57. His interview with Dean
Colet, iii. 102. Intended pro-
gress of, to Lewes, iii. 208. So-
laces the day with Prince Ed-
ward, iii. 209. Fondness of, for
hawking, ib. His examination of
a sacramentary, iii. 322. Has
a curiosity to see a wdd Irish-
man, iii. 337. Debt of the State
under, iii. 30'9, 370.

Henry II., of France, sons of,
christened Alexander and Her-
cules, iii. 351.

Henry Prince of Wales, iv. 166.

Henry, bishop of Winchester, base
brother of K. Stephen, letter of,
i. 22.

Herle, William, iv. 37.

Hertford, Earl of, letter, iii. 135.

Hertfordshire, letter of the Jus-
tices of, iv. 97.

Heseham, John, ii. 350.

Hilsey, John, Bishop of Rochester,
letters of, ii. 98 ; iii. 352.

Hilton Priory, iii. 221.

Hinton, Sir John, iv. 296.

Hogan, Edmund, iv. 21.

Holdernesse, Earl of, letters, iv.
370,371,373.

Holdernesse, priest of, ii. 343.

Hobson, Capt., iv. 254, 262, 264,
265.

Hopton, Sir Owen, iv.67. Prison-
ers in the Tower in his time, ib.
68.

Hord, Edmond, ii. 299, 344.

Home, Robert, bishop of Win-
chester, iii. 367, 380.

Hostages, French, i. 194, 197.

Hovez, Richard, letter of, iv. 230.

Houghton, John, ii. 305.

Hounslow, Trinitarian Friars of,
iii. 224, 227.

Howard, Cha s . Lord Admiral, let-
ters of, iv. 66, 148.

Howard, Edmond, i. 160.

Howard, Edward, letter of, i. 160.

Howard, Sir Edward, i. 145.

Howard, Mrs. Frances, afterwards
Duchess of Richmond, iv. 91,
92.

Howard, Henry, Earl of Surrey,

letter of, iii. 285.
Howard, Thomas Lord, i. 154;

iii. 135. Letters of, i. 152, 157.
Howard, Lord Thomas, t. Jas. II.

iv. 316.
Howstetter, Jochem, ii. 81.
Hoxne, ii. 92.
Hull, John, i. 63.
Hungary, the King of, defeated by

the Turk, ii. 103.
Huse, John, iii. 46.
Huttoft, Henry, letter of, ii. 239.

James I., letters of, iv. 161. Hears
the matter between the mer-
chants and the mint-men, iv.
165.

James II., wishes to have Father
Petre made a Cardinal, iv. 312,
314.

James III. King of Scotland, let-
ter of, i. 109.

James V. King of Scots, court and
character of, iii. 279.

Iceland, hawks obtained from, iii.
305.

Jehanne, Queen of Charles le Bel,
inventory of, ii. 239.

Jerome, VVilliam, iii. 258. 264.

Image of our Lady of Ipswich,
iii. 78, 79, 207. Of St. Mary
at the Black Friars' Cambridge,
iii. 99. Of St. Anne of Buxton,
and St. Modwen of Burton-upon-
Trent, iii. 100. Of St. Erasmus,
iii. 111. Called Mayden Cut-
brogh, iii. 132. OfDarvelGa-
thern, iii. 194. Of our Lady of
Walsingham, iii. 207. Of our
Lady of Penrice, ib.

John, K. charter of, at Runny-
mead, iv. 200, 201.

John, archbishop of the East, and
of Ethiopia, who, i. 54, 55.

John of Bavaria, i. 61.

Johnson, Henry, letter of, iv. 226.

Joy, Christopher, ii. 367, 369.

Joyce, Prioress of Catesby, letter
of, iii. 50.

Ipswich, College of, ii. 108, 231.
Felons found guilty at, iii. 82.

INDEX.

40 1 ;

Image of our Lady, at, iii. 78,
79, 207. Black and Grey
Friars of, iii. 156.

Ireland, iii. 337. Alteration of the
coins of, t. Richard III., i. 103.
Known for its breed of Hawks,
iii. 305. Lord Deputy Arthur
Chichester upon the affairs of, iv.
167. Opening the Parliament of
in 1612, iv. 173.

Irish subjects, correspondence of
with the Lord Deputy, iii.
337.

Judges, salaries of, at different pe-
riods, iv. 53. Letter of request
from the, to prevent persons from
being imprisoned contrary to
law, iv. 87.

Juxon, bishop, letter of, iv. 213.

Katharine of Arragon, Queen, ii.

245. Letter of, i. 152. Sentence

of divorce from passed, ii. 276.
Kent, contribution demanded from

the people of, i. 359. Clergy of,

how affected by a loan, t. Hen.

VIIL, ii. 29. Holy Maid of, ii.

136, 137, 289, 314; iii. 102.
Killigrew, Henry, iii. 375.
Killingworth, Thomas, i. 124, 138.
Knight, Dr. William, letters of i.

163, 316 : ii. 99.
Knightley, Richard, iv. 264.
Knollvs Sir Francis, letters of, iv.

35, "ill.
Knox, John, last days of, iii. 375.
Knyvett, Sir Thomas, letter of, iv.

210.

Ladies, contests among, t. Eliz.
for precedence, iv. 95.

Lancaster Herald's Report, when
he went with a proclamation to
suppress the " Pilgrimage of
Grace," ii. 54, 55. His letter to
the Lord Privy Seal, iii. 61.
His execution, iii. 62.

Lane, Lady. iii. 378.

Lane Ralph, letters of, iii. 69, 256.

Lanechebran, or St. Kevran in
Cornwall, cell of, to Beaulieu,
ii. 60.

Lanfranc, Archbishop, account of,

i. 2. Letters of, ibid 3, 6, 7, 8, 9,

10, 12, 13,16.
Langdon, abbot of, iii. 165.
Langridge, Dr. ii. 341.
Langside, battle of, iii. 359.
Lanners, how to know, iii. 304.
Latimer, Hugh, Bp. of Worcester,

letters of, iii. 202, 205. 249.
Laud, Archbishop, iv. 209.
Lawrence, William, letter of, iii. 78.
Latin cultivated by the chiefs of

the Irish septs, iii. 337.
Law-suits, expenses and delays of,

iv. 53.
Lawson, Sir George, ii. 273.
Lawyers, names of, in best practice

a.d. 1570, iv. 58.
Layland, or Leland, John, iii. 105.

Letter of, 154.
Layton, Richard, letters of, ii. 367;

iii. 71, 72, 75, 158, 164, 204,

211, 213,225, 227, 243, 247,

265.
Lee, Dr., bishop elect of Chester,

ii. 318.
Lee, Edward, archbishop of York,

letters of, ii. 71, 72, 93, 95, 102,

324,337,343,345,372.
Lee, Roland, bishop of Coventry

and Lichfield, letters of, ii. 363 ;

iii. 13,47, 74,274.
Lee, Thomas, letter of, iii. 69.
Legg, Robert, iv. 252.
Legg, William, iv. 198.
Legge, Col. letter of, iv. 225.
Legh, Dr., demeanor of, ii. 354.

Letters of, ii. 362 ; iii. 117.
Leicester, Robert Dudley, Earl of

his debts, iv. 75.
Leicester, siege of, iv. 250.
Leicester abbey, ii. 313. Letters of

Richard abbot of, ii. 313, 319.

Letters of John abbot of, ii. 320.

321.
Leland, John, see Layland.
Leo X., death of, i. 278, 280.
Letters stamped, iii. 10.
Lewes Priory, iii. 192.
Lexon Lodge, iv. 268.
Lichfield, see of, often called Ches-
ter, ii. 281.

408

INDEX.

Lichfield and Coventrylnn, Strand,
iii. 74.

Liesnes, breach of Thames into the
marshes of, ii. 113.

Lincolnshire, abbeys of, iii. 268.

Lindsay, Sir David, first draft of
his Satire on the three Estates,
iii. 279.

Lindsey, Earl of, mortally wound-
ed, iv. 299.

Lisle, Sir George, iv. 271.

Lisle, Lord, letter of, ii. 381.

Llewellen and David ap Griffith,
children of, i. 27, 29.

London, letter of L. Mayor and Cit-
izens of, iv. 99.

London, John letters of, iii. 130,
138, 177,183,214.

Longland, J ohn, bishop of Lincoln,
letters of, i. 247,251 ; ii. 77, 111 ;
iii. 335.

Longueville, Louis d'Orleans, Due
de, i. 152.

Longvile, Capt. iv. 222.

Lord Mayor's day, when changed
to Nov. 9th., iii. 120, 121.

Lord Steward, office of. iv. 191.

Love, family of, iv. 29, 33, 35.

Lovel, Sir Thomas, i. 197.

Louis XL K. of France, letter of,
i. 103.

Louis III., Count Palatine, i. 67.

Lucas, Sir Chas. iv. 270, 271.

Luke, Sir Samuel, letters of, iv. 21 7,
219, 221, 222, 223, 227, 233,
239, 240, 242, 243, 244, 245,
246, 247, 248, 254, 255, 260,
262,263,264, 267. Account of,
and of his family, iv. 217, 218.
Remonstrance to from his sol-
diers, ib. 234.

Lunsford, Thomas, of Wiligh, iv.
203. Petition of, iv. 205.

Lush, Dr., vicar of Aylesbury, iii.
69.

Luther, Martin, ii. 203, 207. Doc-
trines of, arrive in Oxford, i. 239,
243, 248. His reply to Henry
the Eighth's book, i. 269. Spread
of the doctrines of, ii. 74, 75, 77.

Lyst, Richard, letters of, ii. 245,
249, 253, 257, 265, 267.

Macchiavelli's Florentine History

and Prince, iii. 63, 64.
Mac Pryor, Nardogh, iii. 345.
Mac Randylboy, Alex. iii. 348.
Madman, letter of a, to Lord Burgh-
ley, iv. 60, 61.
Magdalen College, Oxford, ii. 66.
Magnus, Thomas, letter of, ii. 174.
Mahomet III., letters of, iv. 138,

155.
Maiano, John de, letter of, i. 249.
Makarel, Dr., prior of Barlings,

iii. 52.
Maldon, White Friars of, iii. 156.
Mansell, Sir Robert, iv. 154.
March, Edmond Earl of, i. 64.
Marck, Erhard de la, bishop of

Liege, i. 141.
Margaret of Anjou, provision of

horses against her arrival, i. 81.
Marlborough, John Duke of, iv.

331.
Marlow, Little, Priory, iii. 11.
Marmion, barony of, iv. 214, 215.
Mary I. Queen, endeavours to as-
sist Card. Pole to the popedom,

iii. 315.
Mary of Guise, letter of, iii. 318.
Mary Queen of Scots, iii. 318.
Mary, the French Queen, iii. 9.
Mary Rose, loss of the ship, i.

151.
Mass, celebration of, at Nuremberg,

ii. 192.
Massacre of Paris, a.d. 1572, iii.

377.
Mattholus, iv. 6.
Mauvisiere, Michael de Castelnau,

Seigneur de, iv. 5.
Meaux, i. 71.

Melancthon, Philip, ii. 207.
Michelney, letter of the abbot of,

ii. 334.
Milner, Thomas,Lancaster Herald,

iii. 54, 55, 60, 62.
Minorites, or Observant Friars, i.

165; ii. 245.
Mints, King's new Ordinances for

the, ii. 67, 70.
" Miraculum Basilicon," iv. 300,

306.
Mirassa Amirassa, i. 54, 55.

INDEX.

409

Mitchell, Andrew, letters of, iv.
357,360, 361, 365.

Modwen, St., iii. 100.

Monax, a town of Hungary, ii. 104.

Moncada, Hugh de, ii. 103.

Monk, General, iv. 307.

Monmouth Castle, iii. 274.

Montgomery, Lord, iv. 328.

Montgomery, Philip, Earlof, letter,
iv. 199.

More, Sir Thomas, ii. 349, 351 ;
iii. 102, 272. Interview of, with
Sir William Fitzwilliam, ii.
277.

Morocco, first negotiations at, iv.
21.

Mortlake, co. Surr. iv. 209.

Mountgrace, prior of, ii. 341, 343,
345.

Mountjoye, Lord, letter of to Q.
Eliz., iv. 152.

Mowbray, Thomas de, D uke of Nor-
folk, i. 47. Particulars of his
debt to Ant. Bembo, and Gio-
vanni Cane, i. 49, 50.

Mulso, manor of, iv. 231.

Murner, Friar Thomas, i. 270.

Muske Cats, ii. 242.

Nagle, Hans, i. 204, 206.
Name, change of at confirmation,

allowable, iii. 350.
Naseby, battle of, iv. 248, 253.
Navy, state of the, under Henry

V11L, i. 145.
Neile, Shane O'., iii. 340, 345.
Netilton, Wilts, advowson of, ii.

379.
Newbury fight, second, iv. 302.
Newcastle, coal trade of, ii. 55.

White and Trinitarian Friars of,

iii. 270.
New College, Oxford, curious cups

at, ii. 241.
Newfoundland, the French want

to settle upon, iv. 378, 379.
New Hall, Essex, iv. 14.
New Testament in English, first

announced, ii. 74 ; Tyndal's, ii.

86—91.
Newton, Ralph, iv. 218, 219.
Nicholas, Dr. of Oxford, ii. 111.
VOL. IV.

Nieuport, seizure of English ships

at, ii. 80.
Nix, Richard, bishop of Norwich,

ii. 86.
Norbiton Hall, ii. 227, 229.
Norfolk, Thomas de Mowbray

Duke of, i. 47. His debt to

Ant. Bembo and Giov. Cane. i.

49, 50.
Norfolk, Thomas Howard Duke of,

letter of, i. 376. See Howard.
Norfolk and Suffolk, rising in, ii. 3,

letter of the Dukes of, ii. 3.
Northampton, White Friars at,

iii. 130. Austin Friars of, iii.

133.
Northumberland, Henry Earl of,

the choir in his chapel, ii. 48.

Death of, iii. 75, 76.
Norihwode, park of, iii. 7.
Norton, insurrection of the abbot

of, iii. 42.
Norwich, Castle at, surrendered, i.

9. Black, and White Friars of,

iii. 156.
Norwich, Richard, bishop of, let-
ter of, ii. 86.
Nun Kelynge Priory, iii. 270.
Nuremberg, ii. 190, 191.
Nutley, iii. 40.

Observant, or Franciscan Friars, i.

165; ii. 245.
Ocane, an Irish lord, iii. 337.
O'Donnell, Conach, letter of, iii.

336.
Odonnell, Hugh, iii. 338.
Ofchirche, Warw. manor of, iii.

80.
Oneill, John, iii. 338.
Orange, disposal of the daughters

of the Prince of, iv. 48.
Ormond and Ossory, letter of the

Earl of, iii. 358.
Osborne, Peter, iv. 24, 28, 29.
Osborne, VV illiam, letter of, iv.268.
Owen, Mayster doctor, iii. 233.
Oxford, letter of the Chancellor

and University of, i. 98. Austin

Friars in, iii. 156. Friars Minors

at, iii. 214.
Oysekerke, le Bastard van, i. 138.
T

410

INDEX.

Pace, Richard, letters of, i. 172,
176, 177, 184, 187, 193, 194,
197, 198, 199,274,324; ii. 18,
47,51, 193; ii. 151.
Paleologus, John, i. 58.
Palsgrave, arrival of the, iv. 171.
Palsgrave, John, life and works of,

a. 311.
Panyngton, ii. 233.
Paris, Jonathan, iv. 274.
Paris Garden, ii. 147.
Parker, Henry, Lord Morley, let-

ler of, iii. 63.
Parry, Thomas, letter, iii. 235.
Parker, Archbishop, iv. 18.
Patens, St. Margaret, Rood of, iii.

114.
Paul, Emperor of Russia, letter of,

iv. 398.
Paulet, Wm. Marq. of, letters, iii.

369,381.
Paul's walks, ii. 166.
Paynell, Thomas, letter of, iii.

170.
Peccham, Archbishop, iii. 350.
Pecke, Mrs., letter of, iv. 201.
Pennyngton, John, Esq., ii. 35.
Penrice, Image of our Lady of, iii.

207.
Penshurst, i. 194,213.
Peter Pence, i. 15.
Peto, Friar, ii. 221 ; iii. 127.
Petrarch, " Triumphs of," ii. 178.
Petre, William, iii. 72, 73.
Petre, Sir William, iii. 249.
Pexal, Richard, ii. 313, 319.
Physician, Avenzoar's account of

the qualifications of a, ii. 298.
"Pilgrimage of Grace," iii. 52, 54.
Pinson, Richard, " Boke of to

speke French," ii. 210.
Pius II., Pope, passage from the

Commentaries of, 83.
Plantagenet, Emanuel, letter of,

iv. 60.
Pointz, Sir Francis, ii. 99.
Pole, Cardinal, iii. 126, 315. His
account of Cromwell's praise of
Macchiavelli's " Principe," iii.
67.
Pole, de la. account of the Family
of, i. 117, 118.

Pole, John de la, Duke of Suffolk
letter of, i. 99.

Pole, Richard de la, i. 118, 123 ;
Letters of, i. 129, 141, proposed
enterprize against him, i. 202.

" Pome riall," ii. 287.

Porcelain, introduction of, ii. 239.

Porcellana, ii. 240.

Portuguese ambassador, letter of
the, to Lady Cecil, iii. 335.

Posts, state of the, ii. 270.

Potern, William de, letter of, i. 26.

Pranel, Henry, iv. 94. letter of, iv.
91.

Precedence, contests for among
Ladies, iv. 95.

Prendergast, James, letter of, iii.
347.

Price, Elis, letter of, iii. 194.

Prices, rates of, offered by the
mayor and citizens of London
for merchandise taken in the
Spanish carrack, a. d. 1592, iv.
102—108.

Priest, who travelled about prac-
tising conjuration, iii. 41.

Priests, two, attainder of, for de-
nying the King's supremacy,
iii. 95.

Princess dowager, no hearse to be
set up for the, iii. 8.

Puritans, disputes with the,iv. 161

Purveyance, mischiefs of, iv. 9,
10, 97.

Pye, Walter, letter of, iv. 170.

Radnor Castle, ii. 369, 370.
Ralph, the, of Hudibras, iv. 219.
Ramrige, Thomas, i. 274.
Randall, Anthony, parson of Lyd-

ford, iv. 34.
Rastell, Jo'.in, letter of, ii. 308.
Ravenscroft, Friar, ii. 260, 263,

267.
Raynes, John, iii. 104.
Reading, friars at, iii. 130 ; prior

of, ii. 80, 161.
Recall, Q. Eliz. letter of, to those

who had gone abroad without

leave, iv. 46.
Redinge, John, abbot of St. Benet

Hulme, i. 200.

INDEX.

411

Religious Houses and Chantry
foundations, observations on the
fall of, written about 1591, iii.
31.

Remigius de Fecamp, bishop of
Lincoln, i. 12, 13.

Repton Priory, iii. 87.

Rhubarb, seeds of, introduced from
Barbary, ii. 300.

Rice, John ap, ii. 353.

Rich, Lord, letter of, iii. 352.

Richard III., letters of, i. 100,
103, 111, 113.

Richelieu, Cardinal, iv. 228.

Richmond, Frances Duchess of,
iv. 91, 92.

Richmond, Henry Duke of, natu-
ral son of Henry VIII. i. 333,
letters of, ii. 117; his house-
hold, ii. 118; proposed marriage
for, ii. 120, 121 ; his coat of
arms, ii. 125.

Rieux, Mons. de, ii. 17.

Rightwise, John, i. 190.

Rinck, Herman, see Rynck.

Rither, James, letter of, iv. 85.

Roberts, Lord, iv. 244, 245, 301.

Robertsbridge Priory, ii. 86.

Roche Abbey, iii. 33.

Rocheford, Lady, iii. 21.

Rodney, Sir G. B., letter of, iv.
391.

Roger Earl of Hereford, i. 3, 6, 7.

Rokesbie, John, letter of, ii. 243.

Rolls, a place of great business
with Lord Cromwell, iii. 1 1 ;
Cromwell's household at the, iii.
84, 91.

Romburgh Priory, ii. 114.

Rome, St. Peter's Church at, de-
spoiled, ii. 102.

Rood of Grace, iii. 168.

Roper, John, ii. 198.

Rotherham College, and Free-
school, iii. 35.

Rowe, Owen, iii. 339.

Rowry, Patrick, letter of, iii. 346.

Rudby in Cleveland, ii. 109, 110.

Runton Priory, iii. 16, 17.

Rnperr, Prince, letters of, iv. 273,
294.

Russell, John, i. 209, 210, 211.

Russia, transportation of bullion

to, t. Eliz. iv. 45.
Ryche, Richard, letter of, iii. 172.
Rynck, Herman, ii. 89, 90, 112,

127 ; sends dainties to Wolsey,

ii. 128.
Ryves, Dr. Thomas, iv. 173.

Sadler, or Sadleyr, Henry, father

of Sir Ralph, letters of, ii. 144,

164.
Sadler, Nicholas, iii. 11.
Sadler, Sir Ralph, letters of, ii.

225 ; iii. 338.
St. Albans, Francis Viscount, iv.

187, 188, 197.
St. John, Sir Oliver, iv. 176, 179.
Salcot, Dr. Bishop of Bangor, ii.

318.
Salisbury, Robert Earl of, iv. 163,

165, see Cecil.
Sampson, Richard, letters of, i.

347; ii. 12,20.
Sanctuary at Westminster, ii. 62,

63.
Sandford preceptory, ii. 108.
Sandwell Priory, ii. 82.
Saxony, George Duke of, ii. 127,

Letter of, ii. 134.
Say, William, i. 98.
Sayes Court, ii. 114.
Scambler, Edm. bishop of Peterb.,

letter, iii. 350.
Scarborough, Friars' Houses at,

iii. 188.
Scotland, state of, in the rebellion

of 1744-5, iv. 345.
Scotts, ill affection of, to the Eng-
lish, iv. 85.
Scioby, ii. 177.
Sea-coal, objection to the burning

of, in London, ii. 56.
Secret service money, ii. 332, 333.
Severin, St. storming of, i. 76.
Sewers, first commission of, ii.

227.
Seymour, Q. Jane, Bishop Tuns-
tars consolation to Henry VIII.

on the death of, iii. 146.
Seytonn, George Lord, iii. 318.
Shaftsbury Abbey, iii. 230.
Sherley, Sir Thomas, iv. 77.

412

INDEX.

Shoreditch church, bells of, t. Eliz.

iv. 64.
Shrewsbury, George Earl of, letter

of, iii. 20.
Sibthorp College, ii. 174.
Sibton Priory, ii. 84.
Sion, confessor of, ii. 376.
Skeffington, Thomas, bishop of

Bangor and abbot of Beaulieu,

ii. 279.
Smith, Sir Thomas, letters of, iii.

376; iv. 3.
Snape Priory, ii. 114.,
Somers, Lord Chancellor, letter of,

iv. 326.
Somerset, Edward Duke of, insti-
tutes a Court of Requests, iii.

301.
Sopham Nunnery, iii. 118.
Southwell, ii. 179.
Southwell, Robert, letter of, iii. 95.
Spain, ambassadors in, report their

first audience from the Emperor,

ii. 12 ; obstacles to travelling

in, ii. 104, 107.
Spinelly, Thomas, letters of, i. 206.
Spy, seizure of one of R. de la Pole,

i. 316.
Stafford Priory, iii. 274.
Stafford, D. Lord, letter of, iv. 90.
Stafford, Henry Lord, ii. 110 ; iii.

15, 110.
Stafford, Hugh, letter of, i. 64.
Stamford, Friars'Houses at, iii.ll 1 .
Standish, Henry, Bishop of St.

Asaph, i. 187.
Star of 1572, iv. 3, 4, 7.
Steno, Michael, doge of Venice,

letter of, i. 49.
Stepney, Cromwell's residence at,

iii. 91.
Stevynson, Sir William, ii. 212.
Stile, Sir John, letter of, i. 191.
Stokenham, co. Devon, living of,

i. 52.
Stokesley, John, iii. 243.
Stonor, Sir Walter, depositions

before, concerning Anne Boleyn,

ii. 332.
Strangers, strictness towards, a. d.

157- 1 ; iii. 380.
Stubbs, Laurence, letter of, ii. 62.

Studley Priory, iii. 40.

Sturbridge fair, iii. 99.

Suffolk and Norfolk, use of sea-
coal in, t. Henry VIII. ii. 57.

Suffolk, Edm. de la Pole, Earl of,
i. 118, 142. Letters of, i. 117,
124, 125, 127, 130, 132, 134,
137, 140.

Suffolk, letters of Chas. Brandon,
Duke of, i.200, 330; ii. 55.

Sulby monastery, co. Northampt.
iii. 228.

Sunderland, Earl of, letters of, to
Rome, iv. 311, 313, 314, 315,
316.

Supremacy of the Church of Eng-
land, ii. 324, 337, 372, iii. 23.

Sussex justices, complaint of re-
garding purveyance, iv. 9.

Sussex, Earl of, iii. 342 ; iv. 14,
149.

Sutton in Suffolk, ii. 84.

" Swet," the, i. 345.

Swinhey Priory, iii. 270.

Tellisford, Crutched Friars of, iii.
132.

Temple, Lord, iv. 387.

Taunton, iv. 251.

Tenison, Abp., letter of, iv. 331.

Tewkesbury, Marg. abbess of God-
stow, iii. 116.

Thacker, Gilbert, the last of his
family, iii. 88.

Thacker, Thomas, letters of iii. 79,
84, 87, 91, 100, 106, 109.

Theobald, Thomas, letter of, iii.
122.

Thorneburv, ii. 371.

Thubianville, P. i. 209.

Thurot, M., iv. 370,371.

Tichytt, Thomas, ii. 130.

Tiltey Priory, ii. 145.

Tiraur Beg, i. 54, 55.

Tin, present of, to Secretary Crom-
well, ii. 220.

Tirwitt, Mr., sub. dean of Q. Eliz.
chapel, his proposal for devising
a chime, iv. 65.

Tower of London, duties of the
Lieutenant of the, iv. 67.

Townshend, Lord, letter of, iv. 343.

INDEX.

431

Townshend, Roger, letter of, iii.
162.

Travellers, book of, by Caxton,
ii. 210.

Treavor, Arthur, iv. 198.

Tregonwell, John, iii. 140, 230.
Letters of, ii. 276; iii. 31, 140.

Tuke, Sir Bryan, letters of, ii. 270;
iii. 221.

Tunbridge Priory, ii. 155.

Tunstal, Cuthbert, afterwards bi-
shop of Durham, invents a cy-
pher, i. 71. Letters of, i. 230,
271; ii. 12, 18, 20; iii. 146.
Consolation of, to Henry VIII. ,
on the death of Q. Jane Sey-
mour, iii. 146.

Turberville, book of Falconry by,
iii. 306.

Tyndal, William, ii. 189, 201.
History of his translation of the
New Testament, ii. 86 — 91.

Vadis, or Dwes, Giles, ii. 211.

Vallansys, Peter, i. 342.

Van Velthoeven, the Dutch Pro-
vost General, charges against,
iv. 321, 326.

Varney, Sir Edw. iv. 299.

Vaughan, Stephen, letters of, ii.
141, 171, 200, 206, 208, 215,
221, 281.

Vaux, William Lord of Harrow-
den, iv. 108.

Vermuyden, Col., iv. 242, 249,
252.

Vernon, Margaret, prioress of Little
Marlow, iii. 10, 11.

Visconti, Galeazzo, letter of, i. 43.

Vittall, Christopher, iv. 33.

Umfrevile, Edw., letter of, iv. 349.
Usher, Abp., iv. 228.

Wager of battle, i. 46.

Walcher, bishop of Durham, i. 10.

Wales, extirpation of certain out-

m, iii. 13.

138.

Wallingford Monastery, ii.

College of, iii. 177.
Walsingham, Grey Friars of, iii.

156. Image of our Lady of, iii.

207. Punishment of a poor wo-
man who devised a miracle of
our Lady of, iii. 162.

Waltham Abbey, ii. 235.

Wards and Liveries, court of, i.
107.

Wardship, history of, i. 106 ; iii.
334,352.

Ware, Grey Friars of, iii. 156.

Warham, William, Archbishop ot
Canterbury, account of, i. 115.
Letters of, i. 218, 228, 239, 245,
359,367; ii. 7, 29, 38, 41, 43,
46, 54, 67, 70, 84, 136, 149.
Remonstrates against Wolsey's
encroachments on his jurisdic-
tion, ii. 41, 43. His enthroni-
zation feast, ii. 287.

Warton, Robert, bishop of St.
Asaph, iii. 96.

Warwick, Richard Earl of, the
Earl of March, &c, letter of,
i. 82.

Warwick, Friars' Houses at, iii.
131,138.

Warwick Castle, iii. 140.

Washington, General, letters of,
iv. 393, 394.

Watson, Bishop, iv. 388.

Waverley, Abbot of, ii. 280.

Wawler, Sir Walter, iv. 11.

Wedding feast upon Eliz. Cecil's
ferriage, iv. 41.

Welles, John Lord, letter of, i. 45.

Wellifede, Christopher, ii. 243,
244.

Wellyfed, William, ii. 238.

Wellysburn, John. ii. 231.

Welsh gentry, abridgement of the
names of the, ii. 364.

Wentworth, Thomas first Lord,
iii. 78.

Wentworth, William Lord, iv. 40,
43, 44.

West, Nicholas, bishop of Ely,
letter of, i. 180.

Westacre Priory, iii. 161.

Westbury College, iii. 143, 145.

Westchester, iv. 249.

Westminster, state of, t. Hen.
VIII., ii. 63, t. Eliz., iv.32.

Whalley, John, letter of, ii. 161.

414

INDEX.

White Boar, badge of the, i. 113.
"White Ladies," nunnery, iii. 15.
Whiting, Richard, abbot of Glas-
tonbury, letters of, ii. 348, 349,

378,379; iii. 241,247; iii. 6,

241.
Wigmore Castle, ii. 369, 307.
William the Conqueror, letter of,

to Pope Gregory VII., i. 15.
William Rufus, i. 18.
William III., K., letter of, iv. 330.
Williams, Sir Charles Hanbury,

letters of, iv. 351, 353.
Williams, John, bishop of Lincoln,

iv. 33, 183, 191.
Wilshire, Sir John, i. 120.
W r imbledon, Co. Surr., iv. 209.
Winchcombe, John, letter of, iii.

238.
Winchester, St. Swithin at, iii.

235. Marquess of, see Paulett.
Windebanke, Col., iv. 248.
Winfarthing, co. Norf. iii. 306,

308.
Wingfield, Sir Humphrey, iii. 82.
Wingfield, Sir Richard, ii. 20.

Letter of, ii. 12.
Wirtemberg, kindness of the Duke

of, to English Protestant exiles

at Strasburgh, iii. 356.
Wissant.in early times the passage

from Dover to France through,

i. 20.
Wolley, J., letter of, iv. 74.
Wolsey, Cardinal, offer of the

chancellorship of Cambridge to,

i. 168. Letters of, i. 170,

282. Cost of his bulls.i. 172,

176. Seeks the Cardinalate,
i. 177. Gives a rich jewel to
St. Thomas of Canterbury, i.
245. Becomes Abbot of St. Al-
bans, i. 274, 277. Opens
Charles the Fifth's ambassador's
Letters, i. 347. Violence of his
temper, ii. 12. His arrange-
ments in his chapel for the cho-
ral service, ii. 47, 54. Difficul-
ty of getting his foreign pensions
transmitted to him, ii, 93. The
French King desirous to offer
the Papalite of France to him,
ii, 95, 98. Goes to his Province,
ii. 172, 177. Debts from his
estate, ii. 204.

Wolverton, Manor of, iv. 222.

Worcester, letter of the Earl of, i.
202. Friaries at, iii. 189, 190.

Worcester, H. Earl of, iii. 254.

Wormeley Priory, Heref., iii. 20.

Worms, city of, ii. 190.

Wrestling, practice of, ii. 218.

Wrexham, proposal to remove the
See of St. Asaph to, iii. 97.

Wroxton Priory, iii. 38.

Wyat, Sir Thomas, ii. 284.

Wyndesore, Andrew, aft. Lord
Wyndesore, letter of, i. 227.

Wyngfeld, Humfray, ii. 213.

Yalding, Manor of, i. 100, 102.

Yarmouth, Friars' Houses in, iii.
156.

Yaxley, Francis, letter of, iii. 312.

York, merchants of, turned malt-
sters, iii. 211.

THE END.

LONDON :

Printed by S. <fc J. Bentley, AVilson, and Fldy,
Bangor House, Shoe Lane.

Ellis. Sir Henry

. U T H O R '

TITLE

Original let.t.Firs

_J}A

25
t TJ,F,66

3rd.ser.
vol ./i —

DATE DUE

BORROWERS NAME

Sills, Sir Henry
Original letters

DA

25

.L4266
3rd.s3r.*
vol. 4

M