Pages 1-15
Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 17, 1605. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1938.
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Citation:
January 1605, 1-15
| Lord Zouche to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| [1604–5, Jan. 1.] |
Such is my mishap in this place, whereof
I am unworthy, that I trouble many and please not myself.
It is in the King's power to ease them and content me, to settle
a more worthy there and to give me a more private life, in which
I can well obey, though in this it appear I cannot well govern.
This last day my Lord Chancellor's absence wrought my delay.
This next Saturday threatens Sir Francis Bacon's absence,
whose temperate and well qualified speech gives me hope either
of good to the cause, or at least a perfect delivery of my requests,
which being rightly understood, I cannot but hope of some good
event. It seems he will labour to be here, if he may know
whether the time appointed be upon Saturday in the forenoon
or afternoon, whereof that I might the better resolve him, I
beg so much of you, for I desire to use my endeavours, and leave
the success to God.—From my house in Philippe Lane, this
first of the year. Holograph. Endorsed: "January, 1604." 1 p. (103. 156.) |
|||
| Lord Mordaunt to the Same. | ||||
| [1604–5], Jan. 2. |
Upon the receipt of your letter, I
immediately caused the sheep to be put out of your park,
which contrary to my knowledge were there pastured, never
purposing to permit any therein, except your allowance first
had thereunto; but that being husbanded as my own grounds
are by my servants, and he who had the ordering of that part,
out of his care to perform the rent, presumed partly by consent
of your officers to put in sheep for the winter season only.
Notwithstanding these reasons by him produced for his excuse,
I have cleared the park of them and discharged myself of him,
being more willing to hazard the loss of rent and his service
than that you might have my lot in jealousy.—From Drayton,
this 2 Jan. Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." Seal. 1 p. (103. 90.) |
|||
| Noel de Caron to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 2. | Pardon my interrupting your serious affairs with this discourse on a matter which touches me closely and also particularly concerns the service of the Estates my masters. I have heard for certain that the Spanish Ambassador boasts not only that he has protested to his Majesty that he should not permit the said Estates to give me the title of Ambassador in ordinary but that the King had given him his sacred promise that if they did so he would declare to all the world that they had neither authority nor power to do so. Now since I am sure that this presumptuous Spaniard often boasts of many things that do not exist in fact and I know his Majesty for a king above all others prudent and wise, I am sure he would not have wanted to engage himself with the Spaniard in a matter in which he had no prejudice. For since the intention of the Estates is in nowise to urge his Majesty to any new thing, they hope that he cannot take offence at their having taken this resolution to give greater authority to their business by thus making known to the world that from henceforth they are more than ever resolved to persist in the war against the unjust pretensions of the King of Spain and the Archdukes to be recognised as sovereigns of this State. Upon this point only the quarrel now turns and but for it they would have peace to-morrow. But with good right the Estates wish to be recognised as a free state and to defend this their just quarrel with their bodies and lives and all that God has given them in the world until the Spaniards leave them in peace. | |||
|
Moreover, the said Lords may have been also moved to take
this resolution in order to reward me further for my long service
to them, seeing that I have been for twenty-eight years a
member of their body and before my residence in this kingdom
I was employed in several honourable legations, such as to the
Emperor, the Kings of France, Denmark and Navarre and other
great princes; so that to encourage me to continue in their
service they wished to gratify me still longer not only with the
title but with the profit and authority as well. I hope therefore
his sacred Majesty will not do me the ill of withdrawing, for
the sake of the complaints and protestations of the Spaniard,
the honour that my Lords have done me, for he will never be
troubled that I shall claim in respect of the title from him or
his Council any greater prerogative than I have had to now.
That is not my intention, for I know how to distinguish the
ambassadors of the great kings from those of inferior princes
and who are more privileged to be summoned to the feasts of
the said kings and often to remain covered in their royal
presence. That is so far from being natural to me that if anyone wanted to do me that honour I should excuse myself in all
humility, because no feast or triumph is so great that it would
not turn me to mourning and displeasure when I must see
before my eyes my own executioner, so to say, as I must do
when I am in the company of the Ambassadors of the Spaniards
and the Archdukes, who, as I know, would have me burnt,
hanged and strangled. But God preserve me from their bloody
hands! It is true that my Lords, the Estates, have given
me letters to his Majesty to let him know of this resolution
of theirs, not that they wish to have any other formality from
him in this matter, but it is their duty (as they have always
given him particular account of all their actions) to inform
him that they are resolved that their minister should have this
honour of residing as a public personage at his Court not claiming anything more than he has to the present had from him.
The King has graciously granted access and audience quite
apart from the requirements of my masters' service. Nevertheless, I pray your lordship to be good enough to prepare his
Majesty's mind to understand the intentions of the Estates
and mine in this matter, so that when I shall go to him he will
be under no apprehension that I wish to trouble him in any
way or to be held or called by him anything but in accordance
with his royal pleasure.—"A Lambeth, le second jour de l'an
1604." Holograph. French. 3 pp. (103. 91.) |
||||
| A Supper at Court. | ||||
|
1604–5. Jan. 2. Provisions made for a supper at Court on Wednesday night, 2 Jan. 1604, viz.:— Supper. |
||||
| Mutton | ½ carcase | 7s. | 6d. | |
| Marrow bones | 6 | 3s. | ||
| "Burres" [? sweetbreads] of veal | 8 | 16d. | ||
| Deers' tongues | 1½ doz. | 18d. | ||
| Lamb allowed for your lordship's diet | ½ carcase | nil. | ||
| Pullets | 2 | 3s. | ||
| Chickens | 6 | 4s. | ||
| Rabbits | 2 | 20d. | ||
| Pigeons, tame | 3 | 11d. | ||
| Teals | 4 | 2s. | 4d. | |
| Partridge | 7 | nil. | ||
| Woodcocks | 5 | 5s. | 10d. | |
| Pheasants | 2 | nil. | ||
| Plovers, green | 7 | 5s. | 10d. | |
| "Snites" [snipe] | 10 | 5s. | 2d. | |
| Larks | 3 doz. | 3s. | ||
| Blackbirds | 10 | 2s. | 6d. | |
| Mallards | 2 | 2s. | 6d. | |
| Oysters, great | 1 bush. | 2s. | ||
| Eggs | 84 | 2s. | 4d. | |
| Butter | 7 doz. | 7s. | ||
| Cream | 1 pottle | 2s. | ||
| Dried neats' tongues | 2 | 2s. | 8d. | |
| Potatoes | 4 lbs. | 2s. | 4d. | |
| Oranges | 1 doz. | 8d. | ||
| Lemons | 1 doz. | 2s. | ||
| Pomegranates | 2 | 12d. | ||
| Wardens pippins and pears and chestnuts | 20d. | |||
| Lard | 4 lbs. | 4s. | ||
| Raisons | 2 lbs. | 10d. | ||
| Currants | 2 lbs. | 10d. | ||
| Sugar, fine | 1½ lbs. | 2s. | 3d. | |
| Coarse sugar | 3 lbs. | 3s. | 3d. | |
| Almonds | 1 lb. | 14d. | ||
| Manchet, fine | 2 doz. | 2s. | ||
| Stale manchet for the manchet | 16d. | |||
| Candy oil | 1 pint | 10d. | ||
| Olives and capers | 13d. | |||
| 4l. 11s. 10d. [sic] | ||||
| Extraordinaries. | ||||
| To Mr. Musse in reward for dressing this supper | 20s. | |||
| For 3 baskets of coals | 3s. | |||
| "Streaner" [? strainer] | 1 | 6d. | ||
| Portage for carrying cates out of London | 8d. | |||
| To a waterman for carrying all provisions and silver vessels from Cranborne House to the Court and back again | 12d. | |||
| 25s. 2d. | ||||
| Summa totalis |
5l. 16s. 11d. [sic] 1 p. (199. 105.) |
|||
| Sir Edward Coke, Attorney General, to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 3. |
I have given Duke Charles his titles of
Duke, Marquis, and Baron, but forasmuch as "Charles of
Scotland" is no name dignity in our law, and for that in mine
understanding it may be very offensive, I have omitted it.
And yet if you think it fit to be added, my servant that attends
herewith shall add it. I have spoken with Segar to have it
fairly limned and ingrossed; there is nothing more requisite
than the cap, "circule," and golden rod, all which King H.8
(when he was second son, and created Duke of York) had. I
have made the more speed (though I have been ill-affected all
this night) because I know your care is all things should be
done in the best manner.—3 Jan. 1604. Holograph. 1 p. (103. 93). |
|||
| The Earl of Hertford to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 3. |
I have thought good to acquaint your
lordship with my most humble desire and letter to his Majesty,
upon receipt of his letters about my employment to the Archduke. My insufficiency for that service through age, want of
experience and ability with many other impediments are not
meet to be impleaded upon so express pleasure signified, but
with humility to be left to his princely consideration. I pray
you as occasion presents itself to lend your furtherance to my
reasonable and just desire.—From my house at Elnetham, this
third of January, 1604. Holograph. 1 p. (188. 34.) |
|||
| Sir Richard Hawkins to the Privy Council. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 4. |
By your Honour's of 22 Dec. which came
to my hands this day, I find that one Wm. Bullion of Jarsey,
has exhibited a petition to you complaining of my neglect of
justice in apprehending such as had piratically robbed him,
and for privity to the escape of a prisoner. At all times, when
he has come to me, either myself in person, or my officers (all
business put apart) have gone, ridden, laboured and written
for him, without one penny charge unto him to my knowledge.
By my means he has recovered a great part of his goods, which
I have to show under his hand. The prisoner which escaped
had been from 8 or 9 weeks in the Marshalseas, in which time
I often insisted with him, to have him sent to the common
gaol, and he ever refused to arrest him, hoping for a composition, and to excuse his attendance to give evidence, whereunto he ought of force to be bound, for the prisoner had not
confessed anything of moment against himself. He finding
himself in extreme misery and without possibility to make
satisfaction to the party, about midnight brake the prison,
which I was presently advertised of, and then with the expedition
I could made hue and cry through the country, but could not
find him. I have served this crown and your Honours 22 years
in command by sea and land, during all which time this most
honourable senate never had any just complaint against me.
If this shall be found in anything true, I will make good to him
all his losses, and abide the deserved punishment. But if I
have been faithful and diligent, I assure myself the continuance
of your favour, and in time to receive the reward which your
justice affords to due desert.—Plymouth, 4 Jan. 1604. Signed. 3 Seals. 1 p. (103. 96.) |
|||
| The Bishop of Winchester to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| [1604–5], Jan. 4. |
I received your letters on the 4th of
January signifying his Majesty's desire that a pamphlet of one
Jacobs against the ecclesiastical government of this realm might
be answered by me. I am not unwilling to take any pains
which my years may bear, but I pray you to understand that
dispatch of former labours hath much weakened my body so
as I find myself exceedingly possessed with the sciatica, with
a continual singing in my head, and many obstructions and
extreme windiness for which I am forced every spring to enter
a course of physic. The man is only a man of a bold face, and
his book a packet of words grounded on his own good liking,
having neither sap nor substance worth the answering, yet
am I so well acquainted with his humour of much prating and
little proving that I foresee what a world of words the cause
will come unto. I could wish therefore that some of better
strength and quicker dispatch were employed in this cause;
and I will not fail in time convenient to deliver his Majesty
my opinion.—Waltham, 4 Jan. 1603 [sic]. Signed: Tho. Winton. Remains of seal. Endorsed: "1604." ¾ p. (97. 139.) |
|||
| Lord Dudley to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. [4]. |
There is dependent on the Court of Wards
a suit 'twixt Colburne and the children of Pattingham, a lunatic.
Doctor Wilkes, being commissionated with others for the
examination of witnesses, complained to me of indirect dealing
by Colburne's followers and deponents. Their bad disposition
is so well known to me, that Pattingham's children are sure to
lose their right, if cunning and swearing may carry it. Colburne's only means to wrong the children is by keeping the
lunatic, and the children's best means to right their wrongs is
if your lordship would remove the lunatic from his custody;
for the furtherance whereof I am a humble suitor.—Dudley,
Jan. 1604. Signed. Endorsed: Jan. 4." 1 p. (103. 94.) |
|||
| The Earl of Rutland to the Same. | ||||
| [1604–5], Jan. 4. |
I hope your lordship will not disallow if
I become as bold a suitor to the King for some reward of my
services as many others who have neither spent so much nor
gone so far as I; especially seeing the weakness of my estate
and greatness of my debts do force me. I have already sold
much land, and more must sell, if by his Majesty's bounty I be
not relieved, yet will I attempt nothing before I have your
good liking. I have appointed my servant Scriven to attend
you, and show you a note of a suit I covet to prefer, which to me
seems not unprofitable for the King to grant.—Belvoir, 4 Jan. Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." Seal. ½ p. (103. 95.) |
|||
| Lord Say and Sele to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 4. |
Having this day by Valentine Harris,
messenger, received from you and the rest of the Privy Council
advertisements that it is his Majesty's gracious pleasure to
command my service for the attendance of the Earl of Hertford
to the Archduke, these are to advertise you that albeit my poor
estate is not able upon so short a warning to furnish me in so
good a sort as I desire and were fit for so honourable a service,
and that truly I am but newly well recovered of an extreme cold
taken the last term, nevertheless so many and great are his
Majesty's favours bestowed upon me and my poor house, I
will, God willing, in the best sort I possibly may provide myself.
Nevertheless, I am bold to advertise you that by the advice of
Mr. Attorney General and other of my counsel in the law, I
have lately commenced some suits against divers in Kent for
some lands of my ancestors which by descent they persuade
me that I have great right unto. Therefore, if by your good
means my service may at this time be spared or my sufferance
to return be the speedier, I shall ever remain wholly at your
disposing.—From my poor house at Browghton this 4th of
January, 1604. Holograph. 1 p. (188. 36.) |
|||
| Noel de Caron to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5. Jan. 4. |
Encloses letters which will permit the
Ambassador of the Archdukes to pass the Dutch fleet before
Duncquerque. Is sending also a little present of preserved
plums which he has received from a friend at Lion. Good wishes
for the New Year.—South Lambeth, 4 Jan. 1604. Holograph. French. 1 p. (188. 37.) |
|||
| Sir Fulke Grevill to the Same. | ||||
| [1604–5], Jan. 5. |
I have not stirred abroad since I waited
last upon you, and send these few lines only to recommend my
humble duty, and understand how your Honour doth pass
through this twofold trouble of pomp and business. All the
service else that I can do you is to pray that you may [for] years
enjoy the King and yourself.—From the Austyn Fryers, 5 Jan. Holograph. Seal. Endorsed: "1604." ½ p. (103. 97.) |
|||
| Gentlemen of Leicestershire to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5. Jan. 7. | The impression we have of the sundry grievances which the learned and painfullest ministers of this county of Leic[ester] sustain in the execution of their functions, and the doubt to be deprived of the spiritual comforts we have long enjoyed by their godly labours, besides the distress that would befal them in their estates, if either their mouths should be stopped, or they deprived of their livings, whereby the increase of ignorance, atheists, papists, and secret enemies of God's truth would ensue, doth move us to become petitioners to your lordship to interpose your powerful mediation to his excellent Majesty, that this poor county may enjoy the same comfort by the continuance of their ministries, as they did in the time of our late gracious Queen; without molestation for such matters as yet in their conscience, and by the word of God, they cannot be persuaded to yield unto.—Leicester, 7 Jan. 1604. | |||
| Signed:—Henry George; Wyllm. Skipwth; Henry Hastings; Tho. Cave; Henry Beaumont; J. Chippingdale; Wyllm. Cave; Lisle Cave; Edm. Temple; Alexd. Cave. 1 p. (103. 100.) | ||||
| The University of Oxford to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5. Jan. 7. |
Thanking him in laudatory style for a gift
of books to the Bodleian Library, recently founded.—E domo
Congregationis, 7 Jan. 1604. Holograph. Latin. 1 p. (103. 101.) |
|||
| The Archbishop of Canterbury to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 7. |
Another priest, one Penkevell, hath been
with me and conformed himself to the doctrine and discipline
of the Church of England, testifying his sincerity by taking
the oath of supremacy, and subscribing to the articles of religion
and form of God's worship prescribed in the Communion book.
I acquainted his Majesty herewith yesterday, and found him
most ready to grant his gracious pardon. Move Mr. Attorney
for the drawing of his pardon as he saith the manner is.—At
Lambeth, 7 Jan. 1604. Holograph. ¾ p. (103. 102.) |
|||
| Bailiffs of Colchester to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 8. |
We are informed by Francis Everett and
others of the Dutch congregation in this town, that there
is granted for his Majesty a new fee and imposition upon
every bay, for the searching and viewing thereof, to the great
hindrance of Everett and others, as well English and Dutch,
if the same should be put in execution; and the more for that
they pay a greater custom for those kind of wares than heretofore they have used, who have requested us to certify you of
their estates and extraordinary charges. Their trade therein
is greatly decayed, and not so profitable unto them as heretofore, but their charge greater, in regard they have many poor
of their congregation which some few are constrained to maintain, who by the long continuance of the infection and plague
amongst them have been much impoverished; and if this new
imposition should be enacted they shall be urged to leave their
trade, whereby not only their own people but also our English,
even town and country hereabout us, shall want that work
wherewith they have maintained themselves and families.—
From Colchester, 8 Jan. 1604. Signed:—Marten Bessell: Thomas Heckford. 1 p. (103. 103.) |
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| Lord Fyvie to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 9. |
Knowing the multitude of your great
affairs, I were far to blame to importune you with the "outredde"
of that particular favour which it has pleased his Majesty to
bestow on me, more by your favourable procurement nor any
desert or suit of my own; were it not that, understanding his
Highness is this day to part from this, I must be that bold as
to entreat you to speak to his Majesty before his departure
for the dispatch of my business as you shall think meetest.—
Whythall this morning, 9 Jan. 1605. Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (109. 110.) |
|||
| Dr. John Cowell, Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, to the Same. | ||||
| [1604–5], Jan. 9. |
In answer of your late letters unto myself
and the Heads of our Colleges, I have sent you not only the
several certificates of every College touching conformity in
matter of ceremony towards the King's constitutions and orders
of the University, as also a brief taken out of our records,
concerning the strength we have for ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
But whereas your advice also was that we should, in imitation
of his Majesty's course taken within his own Court, make trial
if we could establish by a general decree that every one called
to St. Mary's pulpit should first of all be brought to subscribe
to the three articles prescribed by the late Convocation; I
have attempted it, by propounding a grace unto the Houses,
but with hard success, divers not liking to be so restrained,
especially none being called to preach there, but ministers that
either have or should formally subscribe at the time when they
took their Holy Orders from the Bishop. Yet there is none
that obtaineth licence to preach from the University, but before
he hath the seal, he yieldeth his consent under his hand to the
articles. Nevertheless, if I understand that I shall press your
directions any farther, I will, with better circumspection than
before, observe some convenient time for the passing of the
grace, which was lately stayed clean against mine expectation.
I assuredly persuade myself there is no doubt of conformity
in the performance of divine service and sacraments in our
body but of some few in Emmanuel College, of whose reformation
there is some hope, if it be thoroughly urged; but I perceive
there be very many amongst us, both old and young, that
stick at subscribing to the three articles, and so will do, as I
suppose, except they be far pressed.—9 Jan. Signed. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (136. 122.) |
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| Sir Richard Spencer to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 11. |
The other day's unhappy accident has not
a little grieved me, especially in that I fear it has bred in your
mind a dislike of me. I could not give greater strength to
myself than nature has granted. My years be not few, my body
decaying, and where it fails not to be dissembled. I would
have waited upon you before this, but I am still troubled with
that numbness and shooting which then took me. This pain
is no new grief, but has followed me these 5 or 6 years, and every
[day] grows more violent than other, so that it gives me
warning to prepare for a longer voyage than into Spain. Wherefore let your favour which has lifted me up thus far leave me
where it found me. I doubt not there is yet time to make
choice of many men fitter than myself. If I should go out
and make preparation, and then be visited with this grief, I
should undo myself and disappoint the service. I fed myself
with hope I should have been better in health, which made
me enter further than I wish I had. Wherefore once again I
beseech you leave me at home to pray for you, whose strength
of body will not permit to serve you abroad.—From the Strand,
11 Jan. 1604. Holograph. Endorsed: "Excusing his misfortune when he was in the king's presence." 1 p. (103. 105.) |
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| Sir Richard Spencer to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 11. |
Your graceful concepts of my mean parts
have raised me and brought me up to a higher stage. But, my
Lord, when the stage is made, the parts are not performed.
I am to deserve as I shall act. My part will be long, ever in
sight, ever in action; my body weak, my mind, I thank God,
not abjected, but respective to the time to come, as I have
been careful of the time past. My imperfection of body has
been many years growing, and myself many years declining.
The heat of that country, as your lordship speaks, may ease
it by the temper of the outward air, but it will as much increase
it by the distemper of the hot drink. I will say nothing of the
great charge, for were my body according to my mind I would
think it but a step to go into Spain. It is not shipwreck of
goods but loss of life I fear, and not for myself but for some
others that depend on me. I beseech you exempt me out of this
employment with as tender a hand as may be, and as short a
shadow of disgrace.—11 Jan. 1604. Holograph. Endorsed: "12 Jan. In reply to me for being discouraged from employment." 1 p. (103. 106.) |
|||
| Sir Edward Hoby to the Same. | ||||
| [1604–5, Before Jan. 12.] |
I understand that Mr. Attorney
has made ready my book for the annual rent, and has or
presently will send the same to you. I beseech you procure
such a speedy dispatch as you shall think convenient. Mr.
Attorney requires a surrender and fine from us three, which
my brother and I, that am in town, are ready to perform. My
wife is far off and not able [to] come [and] must be fain to do it
by dedimus potestatem, though all to small purpose considering
there is no right at all in us, and I have already found an office
at my own charge to find the lease forfeited. I beseech you
that no matter of assurance may be a stay to the present passage
of my book, for all things shall be performed that shall be
required by the King or Sir William Harbert's counsel. Concerning the money I may not be my own carver, but refer
myself to your lordship. If I die to-morrow next, my wife
has never a house to put her head in. If the King would forgive
me my arrearages, which are under 500l., and bestow 500l.
on me to procure a new house, his Majesty shall deal very
graciously with me. For the first, he did once offer it to me
himself, but in respect of some further hopes I then accepted it
not,—but if he should not be willing to the first, I would crave
it might be stalled by 50l. per annum, only I beseech you that
what shall be done for me may be done speedily. I continue
this day in much pain; they say because it is my day of crisis.
—Undated. Written and signed by an amanuensis. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (103. 145.) |
|||
| Sir Edward Hoby to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| [1605–5], Jan. 12. |
Some of Sir Philip Harbert's servants
have this afternoon brought to me Sir John Crookes, knight,
and caused me with my brother to pass both a release and a fine;
and to-morrow they go down to my wife into Sheapie to join
in the same, so whatsoever is to be done on my part I have
already performed, which I thought good to advertise you of,
lest my business should receive any delay under colour of his
assurance. I am not yet out of pain, neither of my right hand
or fingers have I any use, only my heart is good, and if I may
recover this, I purpose to fulfil my intended journey in waiting
on my Lord of Hertford, of which I made mention at my last
being with you during the sitting of the commission.—12 Jan. Written and signed by an amanuensis. Remains of Seal. Endorsed: "1604." ½ p. (103. 109.) |
|||
| Lord Dirleton to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 12. |
This bearer Mr. Cupper is the man for whom
I entreated your favour concerning his farming of the impost
of beer, who being a man of some note for his long service in
Court, I need not use any commendation unto you for his
sufficiency. I am the more earnestly moved to pray your
favour towards him, because he wholly relied upon my promise
in it, which I am like to break, unless by your good means for
my sake he may prevail therein.—12 Jan. 1604. Signed. Seal. ½ p. (103. 108.) |
|||
| Lord Balmerino to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 13. |
Please your lordship take pains to look
upon this rude draft of a proclamation for the Isles, conform
to your direction thereanent, to the which add or diminish,
that it may be drawn up for his Majesty's hand and sent to
Scotland to be printed and published. What is done anent Mr.
Hay's pension I would gladly know.—13 Jan. 1605. Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." Seal. ½ p. (109. 116.) |
|||
| Henry Lok to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 14. |
If after a long conflict with many miseries,
now tired with travel and hopes of other harbour, I again
return to your commiseration, hold my conscience innocent
of any wilful evil desert. In all extremes I have had recourse
to your favour, and never as yet remained comfortless. A year
since in my sickness and great wants, I received a breathing
comfort. Of late I craved some relief out of the Court of Wards,
which you yielded unto me; but neither can it be now procured
nor will but with greater cost and difficulty than the sum will
bear which forces me now to lay down by writing my present
distresses; who (having been of late sold out of my house for
Killegrewe, my goods sold to provide me a harbour here for my
wife and many children; she sickly as of long, and now ready
to be delivered of child, being utterly unprovided; my poor
children's needful education neglected, all my own means in
unconscionable debtors' hands) have no refuge from the greatest
peril of liberty and reputation left but God's providence and
your regard thereof. For though his Majesty has left me some
hope of a suit by his reference to you, yet so hardly are they
found and pass so slowly that I and mine are like to perish in
the way. If therefore God has ordained you to be my Joseph
in this dearth of Egypt, I beseech you to consider of these
enclosed notes for some stay of my future life.—14 Jan. 1604. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (103. 110.) |
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| The Bishop of Durham and Dr. Benet to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 14. |
We have been often heretofore and of
late required by the Archbishop of York to solicit his Majesty
and the Privy Council, and your lordship, namely, among the
rest, that the Commission for causes ecclesiastical within that
province may be renewed so soon as might be; the rather for
that the recusants daily increase and embolden themselves for
want of such authority as that commission doth warrant, and
which the ordinary jurisdiction doth not so sufficiently afford.
We therefore present this list hereinclosed of names thought
fittest to execute that service, if the same shall be approved, at
what time you shall present the same. Whereof we beseech
you to have the greater care, for that we are advertised his
Grace hath written to you for the furtherance thereof.—At
Durham House, 14 Jan. 1604. Signed. 1 p. (103. 111.) |
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| The Archbishop of Canterbury to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 14. |
The Commission for causes ecclesiastical
was directed amongst others to my late predecessor by name.
In respect whereof I, being removed from London to succeed
him, am grown out of office and have no authority to deal in
any of those causes by virtue of the said commission, until it
be again renewed. I know your lordship doth think (the times
considered and the term drawing near) that my service therein
is necessary, and therefore I do very heartily pray you to move
his Majesty by your letter for the renewing of it. I have sent
unto you the names of such as are now in commission, together
with a note of some others, which may be enlarged or abridged,
according to his Majesty's wisdom and direction. As many
as have the (Q) before their names are now of the Quorum.—
Lambeth, 14 Jan. 1604. Signed: R: Cant. ⅓ p. (188. 38.) |
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| Sir John Popham, Lord Chief Justice, to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 14. |
I received a letter from your lordship in
the behalf of Sir Henry Nevell touching the making of the
Latitats in his Majesty's Bench. I remember when I was
attorney unto the late Queen, a like suit was moved, but I
then found it could not pass without wrong done to the Clerks
of the Prothonotaries' office in his Majesty's Bench, for it is a
peculiar interest to that office and I am of opinion, though it
appertained not unto them in interest, yet would it be very
inconvenient to have it taken from them, for it is the only mean
to maintain young clerks at their first entry, when they can do
nothing else but make such writs; and yet upon such beginnings
and having that to help to maintain them, until by practice
and study they become able to deal in matter of pleadings, they
are in time made skilful and become men fit for the service
of the Court, which otherwise would hardly be. Whereof I
hold it my duty to certify you.—At the Charterhouse, 14 Jan.
1604. Holograph. 1 p. (188. 39.) |
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| Sir Thomas Lake to the Same. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 14. |
Yesternight his Majesty commanded me to
write something to your lordship about the Commissioners
for the Borders, which being hastily delivered as his Highness
was going to his play after supper I did not well conceive, but
I think tended to this effect: that the Commissioners or commissions for the Borders should be hastened so as to be ready
against his Majesty's return, and that by that time his Highness
thought my Lord of Cumberland would be ready also. (fn. 1) [Margin, in
Cranborne's handwriting: "This is as much to say as that he
thinks much you have not done yet."] If I mistake it I beseech
you to excuse me. It may be that you knowing the particulars
of that which is determined about these things will gather his
Majesty's right meaning out of my obscure writing. If not,
as I shall be commanded by you, I will know his further pleasure.
He has had very little pleasure since his being there, the weather
being so foul. This day is gone to Huntingdon, where I hear
men [are] of opinion he cannot have much because of the great
wet fallen.—14 Jan. 1604. Holograph. 1 p. (188. 40.) |
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| Viscount Cranborne to Sir George Harvy, Lieutenant of the Tower. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 15. |
Because my Lord of Berwick will come
with the Lord Chancellor of Scotland to the Tower, who is
very desirous to see the same, I have thought good to desire
you to show him such places therein, as he shall be willing to
see; and if he will see the ordnance, then to impart so much to
those officers that are under the Earl of Devonshire, to the end
he may be used with the greater courtesy, whether my Lord of
Berwick come with him or that he come himself.—From the
Whitehall, 15 Jan. 1604. Signed. Seal. ½ p. (103. 112.) |
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| The Vice-Chancellor and Senate of Cambridge University to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| [1604–5], Jan. 15. |
They earnestly desire the confirmation by
King James of the immunities and privileges of their University
which have of old been granted and sanctioned by many
princes. No one can judge more clearly of the importance of
this than Cranborne under whose protection and patronage
these privileges have now for long been marvellously built up
and re-created. They have therefore written to his Majesty,
in such a manner nevertheless that they may appear to be
consenting to the natural disposition of a most clement king to
grant them their just desire rather than to be declaring or
demanding it themselves. They have and know none but
their most honourable Chancellor who can follow their letter
with opportune and appropriate speech and bring fulfilment
to their aims. Pray, therefore, that he will not only watch over
the University as his Sparta but adorn and amplify it, have a
care for the whole body of its privileges and preserve and restore
whatever of its buildings may have collapsed from age.
—"Decimo octavo Kal. Februarii." Latin. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (136. 123.) |
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| Lord Cobham to Viscount Cranborne. | ||||
| 1604–5, Jan. 15. |
If the report of Serjeant Heall should be
true, myself I absolutely censure that if at any time there be
hope that I should have his Majesty's favour to pardon me,
if this be true I hear the Serjeant hath so unjustly burdened
me before the Lords, let it be for ever a bar to keep his Majesty's
grace from me. That I hear he burdens me withal is this;
that over and above the 3500l. which I ever acknowledged to be
a true debt, that by cunning I should come in her Majesty's
name unto him at two several times for 200l., one 200l. to be
in double sovereigns and the other in Turkey gold. Slander is
ever an heinous crime, but when it is laid upon him that cannot
help himself, the sin is the greater. But now, my Lord, that
hope I have to receive favour take from me and never account
me honest, if this his barbarous scandal be true; and God is
my witness till that time I heard that this wrong he did me before
the Lords, I never so much as heard of it; much less either
spake unto him or received any such sum of money. This
I pray you to avow in my behalf.—From the Tower, 15 Jan.
1604. Holograph. 1 p. (188. 44.) |
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