Pages 92-110
Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 10, 1600. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.
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Citation:
April 1600, 1–15
| William Killigrew to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 1. | The French ambassador sent hither this day for audience. Her Majesty commanded me to tell him she had appointed you to go to the ambassador from her about some business, now at your being in London, and he should know by you what day he might come. You are to appoint him a day this week, when yourself and the rest of the Council may be here to attend her Majesty.—From the Court, this 1 April, 1600. |
| Holograph, Seal. 1 p. (78. 25.) | |
| Sir Henry Lee to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 1. | I beseech you pardon me that my folly was such as by oversight to send you a blank instead of a letter. I very much affect the party in whose behalf I troubled you; he is very honest, and such a one as I would be very glad to have placed here. He is much esteemed of his old uncle, who hath been an officer here near fifty years. It would be a great comfort to the old man and pleasing to me, and much encouragement to Mr. Harry Whiston, whose cause I .beseech you to effectually farther, but with no larger fee or allowance than is in his uncle's old patent. My Lord of Essex earnestly entreated my good-will to him.—From Woodstock Lodge, 1 April. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—1600. 1 p. (78. 26.) | |
| [Sir R. Cecil?] to Mr. Nicolson. | |
| 1600, April 1. | I have wondered much to hear the reports I do that the King should be troubled with the peace of Spain, when first you see by demonstration that their intelligences have failed that have imagined it hath been concluded, when as yet it is not assured that the Commissioners have passed over the sea. For the Archduke, having sent hither his secretary to propound some general points before the meeting, began with these—Whether the Queen would deliver the cautionary towns, and forbid all her subjects to trade with Holland and Zeeland. When her Majesty heard these “proposterous” demands, she began to consider that as the first for the towns was both dishonourable, considering she had made an accord with the States to deliver them up to them, and that it was also most dangerous to put the two principal keys into the hands of a new reconciled friend; so for the other concerning the traffic, it were as good for her Majesty's subjects to have no trade with Spain, rather than to forgo that safe and profitable commerce which she hath with the former. Her Majesty hath sent Mr. Edmonds to the Archduke to declare unto him, that although in the general she desires pacification, yet she would never undergo such conditions; in which consideration, seeing the notorious meeting of commissioners to treat will prove most ridiculous if there should no good conclusion follow, it is thought the rather convenient to have these main points reconciled beforehand, or else her Majesty shall have small affection to a treaty which may be in danger to prove illusory. Upon his return this matter will be cleared, and then if there be a meeting, it will be at Bullen, the commissioners on our side being the Earl of Northumberland, Sir Henry Nevill, ambassador in France, Mr. Herbert and Mr. Beale. This is as much as is true of this treaty, wherein I do not abuse you. I have thought good to let you know that we have here a flying bruit that the King of Scots apprehendeth, that those who wish well to the peace would be glad to have the Infante pro sole oriente. I cannot tell what absurd grounds those reports should have, for I think there is no good Christian would wish to have England subject to a Spaniard, whatever bankrupts and miscreants may desire. I pray you learn whether there be any such opinion in the wiser sort, and inform yourself whether those words in the new association, wherein he saith, “divers persons upon frivolous and impertinent presumptions would go about to impugn contrary to his birthright and the most ancient laws of both realms, &c.,” do aim at such as he thinks to have any desire to advance the title of Spain, or whether this his doubt be of any other pretender. You shall understand that Henry Leigh is now come to London voluntarily, which, though it may savour of innocency, yet in regard of the presumption for any man to negotiate with another king, her Majesty meaneth to chastise him, and hath commanded me to require you to write as much as you have observed of his carriage there. This day the Lord Humes made means to see the Queen, to whom her Majesty gave good access, rather because she hath been informed that he holds good correspondency on the Borders. Other news I have none, but that I have given orders for the payment of your extraordinaries. Leigh pretended a debt of the King to have raised 50 horse in Ireland, but what the truth is, I cannot yet learn. |
| Draft unsigned, partly in the hand of Levinus Munch. Endorsed :—“pro April, 1600. To Mr. Nicholson.” 3 pp. (78. 26, 2.) | |
| Edward and Anne Longe to Sir Henry Brouncker. | |
| 1600, April 2. | We request your former favour and kindness for this bearer, our son-in-law, who has a suit to Sir Robert Cecil, Master of the Wards. For these 60 years, Virgil Parker, deceased, and his ancestors have paid a chief rent to George Scroop of Castlecombe for all the land whereof he died seised. The said Parker supposed his land to be holden of Scroop as of his honour of Castlecombe, but since his death, by reason the said Scroop is a simple man, not regarding the loss of his inheritance, an office was found entitling the land to be holden of the Duchy of Lancaster, by means whereof the custody of the body and land of the heir of the said Parker is granted. The mother of the ward and sister of this bearer, perceiving how hardly these committees would deal with her son, refusing all reasonable composition, hath obtained from Sir Robert Cecil letters to the committees, that if they would not be content to compound with her at a reasonable rate, then he would take such farther order as he should think fit. Notwithstanding, these men have refused all reasonable composition, therefore we request your favourable letter to Sir Robert Cecil on behalf of this bearer and his sister.—Mounckton, 2 April, 1600. |
| Holograph by Edward Longe and signed also by Anne. Seal. 1 p. (78. 27.) | |
| Thomas Lawley and Jasper Moore, Feodary and Escheator of Salop, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 2. | By the procurement of one Dorothy Hopton, widow of William Hopton, late of Chirbury, co. Salop, a commission of diem clausit extremum out of the Court of Chancery was issued in Hilary term last. Accordingly, we made our mandatum to the sheriff for the summoning of a jury at the shire-hall in Shrewsbury upon the first of April, who accordingly appeared, and we, with two of the commissioners, did also attend. Nevertheless the said Dorothy, or her solicitor having custody of the commission, detained the same, and refused to procure the sheriff to make a return of the-said mandatum, pretending some secret conveyance tending to the prejudice of her Majesty and also to the disinheriting of the lawful heir. By reason whereof we could not then execute the said commission.—Salop, this 2 April, 1600. |
| Signed 1 p. (78. 29.) | |
| Sir Richard Barkeley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 2. | My Lord of Essex this day made some mean that he was desirous to write to her Majesty, but he knew not how to have it delivered. I durst not offer my service to his Lordship in sending it until I know your Honour's pleasure. I desire your advice whether I may undertake to send his letter, which his Lordship will write to her Majesty, to your Honour, or to any other, to be delivered.—At Essex House, the 2 of April, at night. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—1600. ¾ p. (180. 54.) | |
| Court of Wards. | |
| 1600, April 2. | Petition of Walter Leveson, of Wolverhampton, to Sir R. Cecil, relative to the cause between Gilbert Wakering, on behalf of Margaret Vernon, the Queen's ward, and himself. The new ground plot presented is untrue. Prays that it may receive no credit, and that Cecil will sequester the rents and stay the falling of the woods until the full age of the ward, and until the variances have been decided at common law. |
| Endorsed :—“2 April, 1600.” ½ p. (P. 115.) | |
| William Resould, alias Giles van Harwick, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 3. | It is come to my knowledge that Burker Brookman is come from Lishbourne, by whom I nothing doubt but that you have full intelligence from thence of the needful, yet, for that I know of certain letters received from thence of good effect by Andrew Broome, merchant, dwelling in Crooked Lane, of the first of March, and by him pretended to be presented to the Lord Treasurer, I thought it my duty to advertise you thereof. Which opportunity now offereth a good means to continue intercourse with Lishbourne, for the good of her Majesty's poor distressed subjects, which are of late worse there entreated; and notwithstanding the parlee of peace (because the event is do[ubtful]), in my opinion it is necessary still to continue all means. The King's Commissioner that was late here hath left with [me] his full authority and commission for me to return, which if it be your pleasure that it shall be hereafter effected, it [were] not amiss that I should from time to time acquaint myself with the. Spanish prisoners which are here detained, and offer them [such] kindness as in discretion I may.—London, 3 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—“William Resould to my Mr.” Seal. 1 p. (78. 30.) | |
| Henry Dillon to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 3. | I am given to understand that by your regard of the weak estate of my brother Plunckett of Rathmore (who by my means was first made known to her Majesty), he hath been very graciously used at his late being in England, and her Majesty hath granted him a protection. Notwithstanding my care of him many ways, being indebted to me above 400l, by reason of the said protection he doth neglect me, and bars me of my money. For being but cesty a que use in tail, his land is not liable to any act of his, so if he should miscarry or die, my money is utterly lost, which is a great part of my estate in these troubles of Ireland. I beseech you write unto my Lord Chancellor that it is not her Majesty's meaning that such as I am should be prejudiced by that protection, without which your Honour's favour I am very like to sustain this loss of 400l.—From my house in Shire Lane, 3 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (78. 31.) | |
| Richard [Bancroft], Bishop of London, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | I entreat you that either the Master of the Requests, Mr. Herbert, or Dr. Dunne or Dr. Crompton may be one in this intended commission. Put them all together and their excuses cannot be answerable to mine. I have a tertian ague, whereof I have had five fits. I see the charge partly imposed upon me, and which otherwise I must undergo, to be so great that it will make me a right Puritans' bishop, that is, viis et modis worth 100l My experience in such causes as are to be dealt in is nothing at all, and although Dr. Perkins be a man of very many good parts, yet considering that his embassage is directed for the conclusion of many former treaties, I do hold it most necessary that a grounded civil lawyer be joined with us. Otherwise, seeing that excuses are so well accepted, viz., I am not yet recompensed for my former travails : he is Dean of the Arches (which may and oft hath been supplied by a substitute) : my wife (I think) will run mad : I shall lose some of my clients, &c.; why may not I say, the premises considered, that it were better for me to take physic in the Tower than, by undertaking this journey without sufficient colleagues, to hazard my life, or, if not so, my credit with her Majesty. I doubt not but the King of Denmark will send both grave and learned men, and it concerneth her Majesty's honour, besides the importance of the negotiation, to have them matched in some reasonable sort. I think that the very bruit that Dr. Rogers or Dr. Fletcher should be appointed for this purpose hath brought me one fit more. I can say some part of St. Paul's Epistles by heart, but that will not serve to encounter in this case so much as with Bartholus. And rather than I will be thrust over without sufficient assistance, I will certainly acquaint her Majesty with as much as I have here written, except you say I shall not, and yet herein, though I am wholly at your commandment, I doubt I shall prove wilful. My servant shall expect your pleasure concerning the plate. And so, being in bed expecting for a fit the siith in number, I commit you to the tuition of Almighty God.—At my house in London, 4 April, 1600. |
| Signed, 1 p. (78. 33.) | |
| Paul de la Haye to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | Upon Sunday last, by one Baddam, John Arnold's man, and by his procurement, in time of Divine Service, I was assaulted and violently pulled out of the seat in church belonging unto this house, and where men living did see Richard Cecil your “tresayle” (fn. ) use, and so by intendment his ancestors, for which wrong Baddam is indicted at the last (sic) Quarter Sessions before Mr. Crofte. I beseech you request him to punish condignly the said Baddam. I understand that one Richard Barole, of Bunsille in this county, dying upon Tuesday last, fearing his brother by colour of a supposed entail will offer wrong to his three daughters, upon his deathbed wished me the wardship of his youngest daughter Bridget, aged twelve, the other two being of full years. Which wardship I pray you grant me, and your warrant to make seizure of her. All the lands is not worth above 100 marks by year, and the mother hath a jointure of the moiety, but Bridget hath a legacy of 500l, and the mother is willing I should have the tuition of her, which your warrant will effect, let the uncle prevail for the lands if he can.—Alterinis, 4 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (78. 34.) | |
| Henry, Lord Cobham to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | This bearer, Mr. Harris, under-steward of Reading, is a suitor unto me to entreat you that if the controversy between that town and him (grown by reason of a letter procured by him from her Majesty to them) be referred unto you, you would stand his good master therein. He is recommended by my L. Admiral, my L. Chief Baron and others, and having married with my kinswoman, I am willing to do him what good I can.—From my house in Blackfriars, 4 April, 1600. |
| Signed. ½ p. (78. 35.) | |
| [Henry Herbert], Earl of Pembroke, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | Mr. Henry Touneshend, in the later end of Christmas last, did advertise the L. Chandos of a great alteration intended in the instructions given by her Majesty to her Council in the Marches of Wales. The particular points out' of his letters L. Chandos extracted and delivered to me, and if it please you my servant shall acquaint you herewith. I must confess I made small account of them, for I know some of them to be untrue, and I was well acquainted with Mr. Tounshend's disposition. He hath published that, by letters of a great person, he is sent for to London to be employed in the alteration of the present instructions. I will say nothing of the man, but of the course intended this much. No such matter (as I am informed) has ever been done without the privity of him who was in the place which I now hold. Without trial made of me or cause given by me, to be thus neglected as either unable to advise, or unfit to be acquainted with what is intended to be done, is most dishonourable and grievous to me, and unless it proceed from her Majesty, at other men's hands I can hardly brook it. Therefore, to be righted herein, I desire to be beholden to yourself.—From Wilton, 4 April, 1600. |
| Signed. Seal 1 p. (78. 37.) | |
| The Same to the Queen. | |
| 1600, April 4. | I would not trouble your Majesty at this present if I did not conceive that the matters wherewith I find myself now grieved did not as much tend to the prejudice of your service as to the touch of mine own honour. Mr. Henry Townshend, one of your Majesty's Council in the Marches of Wales, long since, by letters written to the Lord Chandois, did advertise that because I was not willing to forego the Presidentship of Wales, therefore to weary me out of it, it was plotted to diminish the authority which I now have, and that your Majesty would resume the same into your own hands. I have hitherto contemned this advertisement, having had experience that Mr. Townshend never made great conscience either to publish or invent an untruth, if the doing thereof might tend to the effecting of any purpose of his own. Yet now I understand that he hath from some very great person lately received letters, willing him to repair to London, and he hath sent for your Majesty's instructions given to this Council, thereby intimating that he should be employed as an instrument for some alteration therein. Wherefore I take myself bound most humbly to deliver to your Majesty my opinion of this man. Mr. Townshend is not by the judges, as I have heard, esteemed learned, in the opinion of the country not held incorrupt, by the many recorderships, stewardships and offices which he hath in towns and private men's lands, much suspected to rest often affectionate, and more given to respect his own private fortune than your public service. |
| Touching the intended alteration in that government, this is all I will say, that although I were not acquainted with the drawing of the present instructions, nor do think but that many things may be explained or amended in the penning of them, yet I persuade myself your Majesty cannot be too wary in preserving that royal authority which is by Act of Parliament in that behalf confirmed unto you. And therefore it may be that the shortening of the present authority of that Court will be more for the profit of some private persons than for your Majesty's benefit or your subjects' good, they having by this present government continued in such quiet that for these last three years not any notable riot or outrage hath been there committed, which before times were ordinary and usual. For myself, I do loyally affirm that in this office I have not dealt corruptly in matters of justice, I have not used mine authority to private purposes, I have not enriched myself by your profits, but with the same paid your debts which were great, repaired your houses which were ruinous, provided needful implements which were greatly wanting, discharged all allowances which were due and disbursements which were necessary, and have reformed many courses to the subjects grievous and to the court scandalous. But I seek not to be continued longer or to be employed further in this office than shall be best answerable to your occasions. Only I beseech you that I may not be dishonoured by receiving less credit in my office than my predecessors have had, nor be deemed unfit to be acquainted with the alterations intended or suggested. It may be that my long continuance in this place, my conversation with them of that Council, and my experience in the disposition of that people, joined with that will which tenders your service as mine own life, may make me no worse able than others truly to inform you what were best to be done.—At Wilton, this 4th of April, 1600. | |
| Signed. 2 pp. (180. 56.) | |
| Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | I crave your favour to this petition here enclosed, which shall be exhibited to the Council Table Sunday next, in behalf of the poor inhabitants of Ruthin, where I was born. They have been much overcharged with all taxations, double or treble to any part of that shire, for redress whereof I commend their cause to your Honour's wise and charitable consideration.—This 4 April, 1600. |
| Signed. ½ p. (78. 38.) | |
| Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | Prays for Cecil's favour to Mr. Auditor Peyton for letters from the Council, concerning his restoring and full establishing in his office of auditor at wars. Gives some particulars with regard to this office.—Dublin, 4 April, 1600. |
| Signed. Endorsed : “4 August, 1601 (sic). The Lord President of Munster in behalf of Mr. Auditor Peyton.” ½ p. (87. 57.) | |
| Sir Horatio Palavicino to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | Soon after I left you yesterday, I heard that my brother had caused the goods of a citizen of London to be arrested at Geneva in connexion with the suit against the city. On the arrival of the commission giving hope that order will be taken in the matter, I am assured he will have superseded the arrest, as I have strongly urged him to do. I told the Lord Treasurer as soon as I heard the news. |
| As regards our conversation of yesterday, Mary, Queen of France, is the granddaughter of Ferdinand, brother of the Emperor Charles V.—London, 4 April, 1600. | |
| Holograph. Italian. Seal. 1 p. (180. 55.) | |
| G. Harvey to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | On the 2nd of February last I was deputed to the lieutenancy of the Ordnance in the absence of Sir George Carewe. I am and always have been very loth, so that her Majesty be truly served, to give distaste to any man, but now I must beseech your aid for suppressing such violent humours as are come amongst us. On Thursday the 13th of March, myself and the officers being in the office, Mr. Paulfreyman, this bearer, being subtreasurer, and speaking for her Majesty's benefit and Sir George Carewe's security in paying of an allowance of 20l. per annum to the keeper of the Store, given and set down in the quarterbook in the interim betwixt the death of Sir Robert Constable and the entrance of Sir George Carewe, by the officers only without any further warrant, it pleased Sir John Davis there to call him, “saucy companion,” and to say that it was an indignity not to be endured by the officers, adding further that if the matter did belong unto him, as it did to Mr. Lee, Paulfreyman would not dare to speak in it. And yesterday, again, myself going to the Tower about the quarterbook and other services, I desired, for assistance, Mr. Paulfreyman to go with me, who is her Majesty's servant, a man very well experienced in the office of the Ordnance, being subtreasurer and the patentee for keeping the small guns, whose predecessors have ever had a place in the office. Finding the Surveyor, Sir John Davis, and other of the officers there present, I immediately proceeded to the services, and willed the companies to depart, amongst whom seeing Mr. Paulfreyman, I willed him to stay. Whereupon Sir John Davis replied that he was no officer and therefore he should not stay, and so commanded him out. The other answered that, if it were my pleasure, he would depart. Herewith Sir John Davis growing in choler threatened to thrust him out, and so rising from his stool took him by the shoulders, and, not being able of himself to do it, he called his servants, William Scott, and another ruffianly fellow whose name I know not, into the office, with whose help he violently carried him out. Mr. Paulfreyman complained of this abuse to Mr. Lieutenant of the Tower, before whom the premises were found to be true. I doubt not but Mr. Lieutenant will avouch the same, and also the indignity which before him Sir John Davis did offer me, in saying that I was insolent, and but a deputy, &c.. On Friday also, the 14th of March, I required the Clerk of the Ordnance, Mr. Ridlesden, to go or send with the rest of the officers unto Chatham to take the remains of four of her Majesty's ships there, and to take order for the answering thereof. Whereunto he replied that he thought it not necessary any remains at all should be taken, and he did in truth neither go nor send about the said service, notwithstanding that for the same service only he hath allowance of 50l. per annum. If these savage courses may have passage, I shall not be able to do her Majesty that service which I willingly would.—Minories, the 4th of April, '600. |
| Signed. Seal. 1 p. (180. 57.) | |
| Sir John Peyton, Lieutenant of the Tower, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 4. | Giving an account of the scene between Sir John Davis, Surveyor of the Ordnance, and Mr. Palfreyman. Priority of place is not to be denied to Mr. Harvy, the deputy to Sir George Carewe, but if the power and authority of the officers and duty in their offices be not distinguished and established by some commanding direction, I do not see how her Majesty can be well served.—From the Tower, this 4 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (180. 58.) | |
| Richard Lowther to Sir John Stanhope. | |
| 1599, 15pril 5. | I enclose a letter of advertisement for your directions thereon. The author of it writes in the heat of his father's blood and a pure conscience. I account it the truest advertisement I have had out of that country. I hope you will show it to the Queen and Mr. Secretary and no more.—York, 5 April, 1599. |
| [P.S.]—I have been before the Judges, who used me with all courtesy, but no order between my adversaries and me, nor were we then face to face, to their great discontent. What will be done, I know not. | |
| Holograph. Seals. 1 p. (68. 94.) | |
| Sir John Fortescue to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 5. | I am requested by Sir William Cornwallis to signify unto you my knowledge of a matter which much concerneth him. Three years since, he made suit to her Majesty to grant him such stocks of cattle and other things appertaining to religious houses given by Act of Parliament to the King her father, and since concealed and unanswered to her, making show herein as well of benefit to her Highness as to himself. I moved her Majesty herein, and she referred the matter to my Ld. Treasurer, your father, and myself, but his Lordship growing shortly very ill, the suit remained.—At the Wardrobe, 5 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (78. 39.) | |
| Sir Walter Leveson to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 5. | Let not my letters, I beseech you, be troublesome to you, for out of my grieved soul I write. I desire you that my accuser may come to my face, and if it be Ethell, either send for him into England, or give me leave to send for him. Meantime, I desire you to suspend your opinion of me, and if before his face I do not justify myself an honest man, let me receive the extremest punishment that may be inflicted.—From the Fleet, 5 April, 1599 [error for 1600]. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—1600, corrected over 1599. 1 p. (78. 40.) | |
| [Edward Parker], Lord Morley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 5. | Having occasion to employ the service of this bearer in the city, who else is resident in the country, I questioned with him the news he heard. He delivered to me some speeches touching your Honour, which I thought not so fit to acquaint you with by letter as to send the party himself.—London, 5 April, 1600. |
| Signed. Seal 1 p. (78. 41.) | |
| Sir Richard Knightley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 5. | Touching my late motion to you at the Court for the remove of Lord Beuchampe out of my house, whose being with me (by reason of his much sickness and discontent, the coldness of the air and country neither agreeing with him, his lady nor child, besides my trouble to entertain another family in my house) enforceth me to crave that I may be discharged from him. It pleased her Majesty to favour my suit (tendered by your Honour and Sir John Stanhope), yet I thought it best to solicit you by letter for the same, for which boldness I crave pardon.—From Norton, 5 April, 1600. |
| Signed. 1 p. (78. 42.) | |
| Sir Thomas Sherley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 6. | It hath pleased God to send me two prizes, the one a West Indies man, the other a ship of Hamburg laden with Portingalles' goods, as by her letters, bills of lading, and the shipper's confession doth plainly appear. Since our strangers in London are very apt to give men impediment where they have any hope to benefit themselves, I am bold to beseech you that I may have my right, with as much favour as may be. I pray you be a means to my Lord Admiral, that I may buy his tenths according to that rate which I have paid the company for their thirds, wherein his Lordship shall do a deed of charity to sell them to me rather than to one of his men. I bought the thirds for 2,000l., and I am willing to give my Lord 600l. for his tenths.—Plymouth, 6 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (78. 43.) | |
| Sir George Carew, President of Munster, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 6. | Recommending the bearer, Captain Kellye, and his causes.—Dublin Castle, this 6 of April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (180. 59.) | |
| The Same to the Same. | |
| 1600, April 6. | Strongly recommending the bearer, Captain Fisher, for the next vacant company in Ireland.—Dublin, 6 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. ¾ p. (180. 60.) | |
| Sir William Cornwaleys to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 7. | Herewith a letter from Sir John Fortescue, who promiseth to say more to yourself at your next meeting. This will suffice to witness the priority of the suit for me, wherewithal if any lack of leisure be, I pray you to give it a stay that her Majesty pass it not to the other suitor. I do love and honour you in the highest value of good angels; from the bad, good Lord deliver me!—Bishopsgate, the 7 of April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (180. 61). | |
| Edward Stanley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 7. | Having knowledge of many favours done by your late father to my father and brother, deceased, and also by yourself to my Lord my nephew, I am encouraged to impart to your Lordship a little wrong done me. The Countess Dowager of Derby, my niece, is to pay me yearly 50l., for performance whereof she hath given a deed to one Geoffrey Osboston, named by me for that purpose. This man, contrary to the trust I reposed in him, hath received and detained three half years' payment, beside 20l of lent money, and also taken the deed, and further received 40l. of mine upon another bond, which I directed him to sue. As I am unfit and unwilling to right myself by suit of law, I pray your Honour's favour as this bearer shall entreat, who is well trusted by me.—Lathom, 7 April, 1600. |
| Signed. 1 p. (78. 44.) | |
| Capt. John Ogle to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 7. | My brother (whom it pleased you to remember by me) desired me to deliver this letter of his to your Honour. Since my coming up, my want of health hath not suffered me to bring it myself. I have presumed accordingly to send his letter with mine own just excuse.—From London, this 7 April, 1600. |
| Signed. Seal. ½ p. (78. 45.) | |
| [Donogh O'Brian], Earl of Thomond to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 8. | Since my coming hither I have been occasioned through some hard dealings shewed towards me during the time I attended my sovereign in England, to enter into the examination of the state of my company during my being there. I was then in list 150 foot, and have found by a cheque imposed by Burkenshaw, controller of the cheques, amounting to the sum of 872l, that not only myself and officers, but also my whole company have been by him made deficient from Oct. 1st, '98, until Feb. 28 following, and by his own confession, have found that he had no ground to impose that cheque upon me but by a certificate of one Constable, late commissary in Connaught, who being procured by Sir Coniers Clifforde and others, did certify that my company was broken. Sir Coniers kept from them all means of relief for five months, which was a great cause to breed mutiny amongst the company, they having no relief but from my poor tenants in Thomond. I have examined them to the uttermost, and shall be able to prove that most of my company were in actual service, and have therein hitherto continued; but in respect they were in remote places, whereunto the commissary could not repair to take their view without endangering himself, upon the envious reports of such as would willingly bring my name into question, he did unjustly testify that my company were scattered. Since the commissary is dead and cannot redress the wrong, I must pray your Honour to send commission to Mr. Burkenshaw to take view of the former musters, and call back and reform his wrong-imposed cheque, except he shew good ground to the contrary. Since my return from England, I have been continually employed in her Majesty's service of Munster, being next in command to the Lord President. I thank you for her Majesty's most gracious letter procured for me concerning the purchase I made in this kingdom, yet by reason of some mistaken words, I am void of the benefit thereof, and rely myself to your favour.—Dublin, 8 April, 1600. |
| Signed. Seal. 1½ pp. (78. 46.) | |
| [Roger Manners,] Earl of Rutland to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 8. | I perceive that notwithstanding my many reasons alleged, her Majesty is unwilling to sign the bill of the office of Sherwood, with the reversion of the walks which Thomas Markham holdeth for life, yet seemeth pleased to sign another for me, leaving out those walks. I have therefore willed my servant Scriven to prefer to you a bill drawn accordingly, though I could have wished her Majesty's allowance of the other for her better service. When the first bill was written, wherein those walks were to pass, my Lord your father set his hand thereto, thinking it expedient that the same should be re-united to the general office, which indeed were never severed till the grant procured after the death of the Earl my uncle. Upon that his Lordship's direction, and to the end I might better preserve both her Majesty's game and woods in that forest, which since my uncle's death have been greatly decayed, I the more earnestly affected to have the office again entire. Howbeit I do wholly submit myself to her Majesty's pleasure, and pray your furtherance in procuring her hand to the new bill, if it may not be obtained to the other.—Belvoir, 8 April. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—1600. Seal. 1 p. (78. 47.) | |
| Court of Wards. | |
| 1600, April 8. | Petition of Cuthbert Corney to Sir R. Cecil. Has from the Queen the wardship of John Chapman, whose mother he married. Christopher Mullynex, a lawyer of Gray's Inn, seeks to prejudice the Queen of the wardship and to disinherit the ward. Prays Cecil to make some end of the suit, which comes up for hearing before him on Saturday. |
| Endorsed :—“8 Ap., 1600.” 1 p. (p. 356.) | |
| Richard [Bancroft], Bishop of London, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 9. | I am ready for the journey : only some little wants remain. We have as yet neither instructions nor money. Besides her Majesty's hand must be had for the plate. Dr. Parkins is about our passport. I would be glad to know whether it is your pleasure that I come to the Court before I go. I am thus bold to trouble you because you have not spared me from as great a cumbrance.—At my house in London, this 9 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. ½ p. (78. 48.) | |
| [Donogh O'Brian], Earl of Thomond to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 9. | This bearer, Capt. Fisher, is one whom I find my Lord President affects very much, whereunto if I should not add as much myself I should do him wrong, he having commanded my own company three years, and since having had charge of his own two years, all which time (howsoever he was cast by my Lord of Essex) I have known him to do her Majesty good service. His coming over, I guess, is to procure your favour for the attaining of command here again. What favour you shall be pleased to do him, I will take as done to myself.—Dublin, 9 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Endorsed (wrongly) :—“Sir Geo. Thornton to my Mr.” Seal. 1 p. (78. 49.) | |
| [Charles Howard], Earl of Nottingham to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 10. | I hear that Mr. Edmonds is come. I pray you write to me if things go well or no, and also when you mean to go to the Court. To-morrow I think to make an end of my physic, and the next day to the Court.—Chelsea, this 10 April. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—1600. ½ p. (78. 50.) | |
| The Manors of East Bradenham and Huntingfield Hall in Norfolk. | |
| 1600, April 10. | There is a lease of these manors in being for 25 years yet to come, now sought to be purchased in fee simple by one — Trench and rated to him in Dec. last by some of the commissioners. No payment yet made and consequently not past the seal. Request is made that the lands may be purchased for the tenant, Robert Hoogan, an infant and her Majesty's ward, by the committee of the ward, who has married his mother. |
| Unsigned. Endorsed;—“10 April, 1600.” ½ p. (78. 51.) | |
| Edward Typping to [Richard] Percival. | |
| 1600, April'10. | I am earnestly to entreat your favour towards this bearer, who will be very thankful if you pleasure her in her suit to your master. Her husband lately died and left one daughter, her Majesty's ward. Thomas Kirkbie, of Headon, hath procured a grant thereof, either to himself or to one Gabriel Constable, his son-in-law. Now, contrary to his former promise of good dealing with the mother, he refuseth to let her have the wardship for any composition. Her suit is that Kirkbie might be enjoined to pass it over to her at some reasonable composition.—York, 10 April, 1600. |
| [P.S.]—You shall hear from me shortly touching some matters I am to acquaint you with. | |
| Addressed :—“To Mr. Percivall, attendant on Mr. Secretary at his house in the Strand.” Holograph. ½ p. (78. 52.) | |
| Sir Thomas Fairfax to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 10. | I understand by my best friends that it pleased you to use favourable speech of me when one Edw. Fairfax, to whom my father sometimes gave the name of his base son, did exhibit a slanderous petition against me to the Privy Council; which words were my credit there and comfort everywhere. I intend to wait of my Lord President to London shortly, but he is now unfit for the journey. But that I stay to do that service to his Lordship, I should not have neglected to wait upon your Honour.—York, 10 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. 1 p. (78. 54.) | |
| Edward Grevyle to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 10. | I am an humble suitor to your Honour for the wardship of the heir of John Springe, Esq., who is lately dead. I shall be most willing to gratify anyone of your gentlemen in such sort as you shall seem convenient.—From St. Giles in the Field, this 10 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. ½ p. (78. 64.) | |
| Copy of the same, not addressed. (78. 55.) | |
| Sir Henry Brouncker to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 10. | I received the letter here inclosed from my dear and only sister [see p. 94 supra]. It importeth the renewing of a suit which your Honour heretofore thought reasonable, as appeareth by the petition which I send herewithal. If the suit in your wisdom seem just, I most humbly beseech your favour in it. I was yesterday with my Lord Treasurer, and this morning with his Lordship and Sir John Fortescue, and have so well satisfied them both as your Honour shall not need to be troubled with that business, only they purpose to acquaint you with the equity of my patent. I am despatching my servant with her Majesty's letters for Ireland. I had need to use all possible expedition, because a seizure being made of my lease and my officers discharged, if the money growing by this year's impost should be received by the Treasurer, I should hardly recover it out of his hands. Neither can I hope for any friendly or sound dealing unless you be pleased to signify your mislike of the hard measure offered me in making my lease forfeit, contrary to her Majesty's meaning and all ordinary courses observed in like cases. I am no flatterer.—This 10th of April, 1600. |
| Holograph. 1 p. (180. 62.) | |
| The Lord Deputy of Ireland (Mountjoy) to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 10. | Recommending Captain Fisher.—From Dublin, the 10th of April, 1600. |
| Signed. Seal. ¼ p. (180. 63.) | |
| Lord Willoughby to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 11. | Such as comes with as much as it comes, I commend with my affection to you. I doubt not but you have the same or more certainty. I refer it to your tuition.—Willoughby House, this 11th of April. |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—1600. Seal. ¼ p. (180. 65.) | |
| Court of Wards. | |
| 1600, April 11. | State of the cause between Sir Henry Guildford, touching Henry Baker, the Queen's ward, with the petition of Thomas Baker on behalf of the ward. |
| Endorsed :—“11 April, 1600.” 1 p. (p. 1046.) | |
| Herbert Croft to [Richard] Percival. | |
| 1600, April 12. | I hope you are not unmindful of the request I made to you when, at my last being in London, you acquainted me that your master had bestowed the wardship of the heir of one Barrol upon his servant, which was that I might have an interest in the matter by your means to your fellow, so far only as 'that I might recommend a chapman to him for it. Were it not that I am engaged in the like suit to Mr. Secretary in a matter of more moment to myself, I would have written to him to this end. My purpose therein is only to pleasure my cousin Blount, his Honour's servant. It may be Paul Delahay hath done some wrong by possessing Mr. Secretary with an opinion that it should be of much more value than it is. I assure you I have informed myself in the estate of the ward, and will, upon my coming up in Trinity term, make the uttermost known to your fellow.—From my house, Croft, this 12 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (78. 56.) | |
| Lord Buckhurst, Lord Treasurer, to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 12. | The necessity of the service being so great, I think it were not amiss to insert a postscript in our letters to the Mayor, that for such soldiers as come out of Ireland and are handsome and able men, that they be placed in the rooms of the runaways, and the rest to be kept in prison as men destined to be hanged. And I wish that some caution were given to my Lord Mountjoy that such care and good order as is fit is not taken in Ireland, since so many able and fit soldiers are suffered daily to come from thence. I make this postscript because our former letters to this Mayor have willed him to stay all that come out of Ireland, and yet the Mayor and Sir Henry Docray have by discretion placed certain in the bands and mean to do more; unto which we must give allowance or disallowance. The state of our hoys now you may see.—This 12 of April, 1600. |
| Holograph. 1 p. (180. 66.) | |
| Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 13. | I have been entreated by Sir Thomas Sherley to take into my custody some things of his, because he is in doubt it may be liable unto his debts. But because I do not know how it may be taken if complaint should be made to your Lordships, I have forborne to yield until I hear from you in that behalf. I perceive he hath written himself to you. For my own part, I never saw poor gentleman in a more miserable estate, afflicted with extremity of sickness, destitute of honest and trusty servants, and matched with an unruly rout of mariners, insomuch as I dare to say, if he had not come into this place, he had not been 1,000l. the better for all that he hath brought with him. What your Honour shall command or advise, I will do as far as is possible for me.—From the Fort, this 13 April, 1600. |
| [P.S.]—This enclosed came unto me as I was ready to send this to your Honour, but if her Majesty's ships had been here I durst not have given them notice thereof, because they have taken the like unkindly, and have made my Lord Admiral to think evil of me. | |
| Signed. Seal. 1 p. (78. 58.) | |
| The Enclosure :— | |
| William Treffry to Sir Ferdinando Gorges. | |
| A ship of Doncarke, about 200 tons, with so many men, Spaniards and Flemings, and 22 pieces of ordnance, took yesterday of the Lezarde 4 barques appertaining to this haven, Apsam, Low [Looe] and Dartmouth. They rode this morning in Mounts Bay, and have two other consorts, as they suppose, which lie off and on that place. I have given order that our ships bound hence to the sea be respective of this danger. I hope you will take the like course about Plymouth, and that the captains of her Majesty's ships (if they be with you) may have notice hereof—Fowy, this 12 April, 1600. | |
| Holograph. Endorsed :—“For her Majesty's service, hast post hast hast.” ½ p. (78. 57.) | |
| Sir Thomas Sherley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 13. | It hath pleased God to continue me in extremity of sickness unto this present, so that I have not been able to stir out of my bed since I first came on shore. I am a humble petitioner unto you to continue your furtherance for the peaceable possession of what I have. I have a will to satisfy all, but seeing how insatiable many are, I am loth to be at their disposition, for preventing which I have besought my cousin Gorges I might have some place to lay in such goods as I desire to have retained for a time, but I find him very loth to yield. I pray you pretend some cause to write unto him to require him unto it. As for her Majesty's customs and my Lord Admiral's tenths, they shall presently be delivered to their contents.—From the fort at Plymouth, 13 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (78. 59.) | |
| Anthony, Viscount Montagu to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 13. | I am emboldened to make my suit unto you that whereas I am by her Majesty's favour now shortly to appear before you and the Council for my further enlargement, I may by your favour be graced with such equal and upright conditions as may be offered to a subject who giveth place to no man living in obedience to his prince, nor holdeth any other religion than by which I am taught to prefer her Majesty to all other potentates.—From Sackville House, 13 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. ½ p. (78. 60.) | |
| Sir Arthur Gorges to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 14. | I must with your pardon use an old sentence of Terence in my just excuse :—Neque pes, neque manus, satis suum facit offcium. My lingering sickness hath so weakened my limbs as I can hardly do more than scribble mine own name, and walk three turns in my gallery. I should hold myself at great heart's ease if her Majesty would please to determine of my daughter's cause, being the whole stay and fortune of me and my poor family.—14 April, 1600. |
| Signed. Seal. ½ p. (78. 61.) | |
| Sir Richard Barkeley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 14. | The Earl of Essex hath written another letter to her Majesty and hath desired me to deliver it. Wherefore I have enclosed it in my letter to Sir John Stanhope, or in his absence to Mr. Darsy, which I thought good to signify unto your Honour.—At Essex House, 14 April. |
| Holograph. ½ p. (78. 62.) | |
| Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 15. | There is one arrived that hath brought news of the other of Sir Thomas Sherley's ships, the George, that hath taken 3 Braseele men that were outward bound. One of them is already arrived in Foye [Fowey] and is about 200 tons; the other two, one 300 and the third 150 tons. All of them were taken to be very rich. In the Admiral is the captain himself who commanded the George, named Capt. Carpenter, and there is hope they will be in to-night or to-morrow; what the particulars of their lading is is uncertain. Sir Thomas himself is extreme sick.—Written from the fort of Plymouth, 15 April, 1600. |
| Signed. 5 Seals. 1 p. (78. 63.) | |
| Sir Richard Barkeley to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 15. | The Earl of Essex hath understanding that his creditors pall upon him for money which he oweth them. His desire is to have leave to write to the mayor and four or five other citizens to whom his Lordship is indebted, to satisfy them for a time. He saith that he will shew me the letters before they shall be sent.—At Essex House, 15 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. ½ p. (78. 65.) | |
| James Hudson to Sir Robert Cecil. | |
| 1600, April 15. | The Earl of Gower hath willed me to present his very hearty commendations to your Honour and to beseech you to have remembrance of his “plakett,” or letter for his horses to pass through the country, for which his Lordship now only stayeth in town.—London, 15 April, 1600. |
| Holograph. 1 p. (78. 66.) | |