|
|
Sir Thomas Lake to the Same. |
|
1604–5, March 16. |
Upon perusal of the papers touching
Thomas Douglas the King has willed me to signify that he would
have it considered whether it be fitter to bring him into England,
or to suffer him to be punished there where the King knows not
how far his crime extends by their laws, being here undoubtedly
capital. If it should be thought fit to punish him there, a
collection should be made of all other his pranks here (as chiefly
the counterfeiting his Majesty's hand, taking a chain from the
Ambassador of Poland's son) in some authenticated form and
sent thither. Lord Barwick may employ whom he thinks meet
amongst the Scottishmen, and the collection may afterwards
be digested into form and authorised. His Majesty's disposition
seems to be to have him brought hither, but I told him it would
ask some charge. For either one must be sent to fetch him
who must have company to look to him for escaping, or else
the Count Palatine be desired to send him, and the King must
both bear the charge and reward also. Whereupon the King
desired you would consider the best way for his honour. |
|
I conjecture the King desires him to be fetched, for he has
taken a great offence against the Count Palatine for the form of
his letter; the Count calling him "brother" in the beginning
and ending (which none but sovereign princes use to do) and
never using the word "Majesty." The King said this was
never offered him before by any of the Count Palatine's condition, and took occasion to speak ill words of him. I have sent
you the letter that you may the better conceive his Highness's
exception. Whether you think meet to have him sent for, or
direction given to proceed with him there, the King would have
you order the letter to be made ready. This I writ by his
Majesty's commandment although I think, the time being so
short of his being at Greenwich, you will speak with himself
first. |
|
This morning while I was with the King Lord Southampton
came to invite him to the christening of his son, whereon his
Majesty willed me to add to my letter that if my Lord had
matched him with a Christian he could have [believed] my Lord
had good meaning in it; but having coupled him with a hound
he thinks my Lord did it only to flatter him because he knows
his Majesty loves hunting and the 'begle' as well as any of the
company at least.—Royston, 16 March 1604.
Holograph. Seal. 2½ pp. (104. 96.) |
|
Captain W. Stafforde to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 17. |
I am imprisoned for a debt of my father's
to one Stoone of Oxford of 140l. which was transferred to
one Atkinson citizen of London. My father agreed to pay
20l. half yearly out of certain boileries of salt called Droitwich
in Worcestershire. The next payment is due at Lady Day,
but Atkinson has arrested me though I offer to give him the
20l. and such security as I can. I request that he may be
"convented" before you, and if he will not accept of my offer,
that I may have your letter to the Bailiffs of Westminster to
admit me to bail.—17 March 1604. From the Gatehouse,
Westminster.
Signed. Seal. ½ p. (104. 98.) |
|
Sir John Fortescue to the Same. |
|
1604–5, March 18. |
I am sorry that my health gives me not
ability to wait on you. I have directed Mr. Fanshaw the
Auditor to wait on you with the particularities. The cause of
the stay by me made was that it was strange that a grant of
346l. of land should pass from his Majesty to the Duchy and
no officers of that court acquainted therewith nor any particular
sued out. I detained hereupon the letters passed the great
seal and have not yet sealed them with the Duchy seal. Nevertheless I hear they have got an exemplification of them, by what
means an examination taken by the Lord Treasurer, which
the Auditor will show you, will make known to you.—"At my
poor lodging at Westminster," 18 March 1604.
Signed. Seal. ½ p. (104. 99.) |
|
The Bishop of Exeter to the Same. |
|
1604–5, March 18. |
After the conviction of Paul Baker, the
massing priest lately stayed by me from his banishment, I
thought it my duty to render all possible thanks for your letters
and for that honourable acceptation by the Lords of the Council
for my poor service. I am further appointed after this conviction to certify their lordships of the time of his coming into
England and of his practices since his coming. I find by his
examination which I sent up that he came in about Michaelmas
last and is a secular and plain massing priest and has intended
that business especially. But the judges of this circuit, having
authority of life and death, upon re-examination have drawn
him along to a more large declaration of his proceeding. Therefore your lordships upon any fresh suit made for his enlargement
may suspend your favours till the judges have certified, and
then upon any notice from your lordships I will readily do that
which shall be commanded.—From Excester, 18 March 1604.
Signed. ⅓ p. (188. 92.) |
|
Sir William Waad to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 18. |
Udall being referred unto me by my Lord
Chief Justice at his going forth of the town for some services
wherewith your lordship was made acquainted did yesternight
bring this pamphlet unto me, wherein under the name of a
puritan, a seminary priest persuades toleration both for puritans
and papists, though in all the tenor of the discourse he wrote
for papists only. I have read it cursorily over and find the
arguments to be fetched first from rule of Scripture and then
from policy of no great depth but unfit to be current, both for
the subject and something in the latter end concerning the
noble prince Cecill. The Jesuit is the author of the treatise
and they are printed here. I have wished Udall to stay as
much he can the venting of them, until the printer may be taken,
whose name he knows.—From the Ermitage at Charing Crosse,
18 March 1604.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (188. 93.) |
|
Sir Thomas Hamilton to the Same. |
|
1604–5. March 18. |
My particular urges me to have recourse
to your courtesy, whereby you are universally reported to take
pleasure in gratifying all honest men who in their lawful adoes
have need of your bountiful assistance. I will be bold in respect
of your favourable answer to my last letter given to Master
Alexander Hay to recommend to you the ending of that turn,
whereof as the beginning and hope proceeded from you and my
Lord of Berwick, so the good event chiefly depends upon your
favours. You may assuredly expect of me all that faithful
duty which a man of my poor estate can anyways be able to do.
—Edinburgh, 18 March 1605.
Holograph. 1 p. (110. 158.) |
|
Lord Zouche to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1604–5], March 19. |
I understand his Majesty is returned
and I ought to prostrate myself before him, besides that he is
to be made acquainted with this course in the Marches: but
besides that my cold continues I have such a pain in my left
knee as I cannot yet bend it. Wherefore I beseech you make
my excuse.—Philip Lane, 19 March.
Holograph. Seal. Endorsed: "1604." ½ p. (104. 100.) |
|
Sir William Cecil to his father Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 19. |
Craves pardon for not writing by Dr.
Neile, but thought it best not to write before he was settled to
study. He would have sent this letter last, but was suddenly
sent for to the King.—St. John's College, Cambridge, 19 March
1604.
Holograph. ½ p. (228. 6.) |
|
Lord Cobham to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 20. |
I know you wish me well and wish my
liberty; but the means how to compass it from you I pray to
be advised. I cannot think the King has given me life to be
for ever a prisoner; yet I know that without mention I shall
never be remembered. I know that the indisposition of my
body will move you. I cannot say that I have the gout, but
within these very few days I have had such a general weakness
in my limbs that, as heretofore, I did impute it to the pain I
had. Now, though I am free from pain, yet a debility I have
that my legs are scarce able to carry my body. If I were at
mine own disposing I know the Bath would do me good.
Mistake me not, I look for no such favour but pray you, if you
may, let his Majesty know in what state I am. I have had a
determination to write to the King, but I know none that will
deliver my letter for me. It is almost a year since I last wrote,
wherein I was abused, for the King never saw my letter.
I conceive a petition would be my best means, wherein I pray
your advice.—The Tower, 20 March 1604.
Holograph, signed: "Your lordship's loving brother in law to
command, H. Brooke." 1 p. (104. 101.) |
|
Hugh Glaseour to the Same. |
|
1604–5, March 21. |
I received letters about ten days past
from your lordship and the Council for the apprehension of
certain persons accused of coining; I apprehended one Downinge
alias Tealiour and committed him to Chester Castle, of which
I advised you instantly by one Stillingfleet who brought down
your directions to me. On Tuesday last other letters came
down from the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Treasurer directed
to the L[ord] B[ishop] of Chester, Sir John Egerton, Sir Henry
Bunbury, Mr. Richard Gravenour and myself willing us to
apprehend one John Burman and the aforesaid Thomas
Downinge (not knowing him to be taken) and to send them up
thither under safe conduct. As inconvenience might ensue
by sending both together we have committed Burman to close
prison and send Downinge whom we perceive to be a principal.
His surname is Warde and a tailor by occupation as appears
by certain writings delivered, when he fled, to one Potter,
whom I have also committed to prison. By these writings he
conveyed land in Bennenden, co. Kent, in the latter end of 43
Elizabeth to Thomas Laithwaite, servant to Sir Hugh Beeston,
no consideration being expressed. The deeds though delivered
and enrolled being still in his own custody and the counterfeit
money beginning in that year, I gather that the conveyance is
fraudulent. This is confirmed by my finding in certain trunks
of the said Tailor a letter from Laithwaite written in October
last in these words: "Your absence here is much missed as the
letter enclosed will mention, therefore take some course soon,
otherwise it is like to grow to inconvenience." I say this because
Laithwaite is there attending on Sir Hugh Beeston whom I
know to be an honest man, and one to whom you are well
affected.—From my house at Lea, 21 March 1604.
Signed. Seal. 1½ pp. (104. 102.) |
|
Christopher Miller to [Viscount Cranborne]. |
|
1604–5, March 21. |
I do address myself to void this place,
according to your pleasure signified by Sir John Leveson.
I beg that I may not part from the stuff I was put in trust to
keep here without sufficient warrant for my discharge.—The
King's Palace near Canterbury, 21 March 1604.
Holograph. Seal. Directed to Sir John Leveson. (104. 103.) |
|
Sir Edward Hoby to the Same. |
|
1604–5, March 21. |
I was yesterday at the Court to have
waited upon the King but he respited me from further attending
for some few days. I would have waited upon you yesterday
(but understood it was a busy day and my infirmity would not
suffer my long tarrying) to ask for your letters to President
Richardot on my behalf. I know he will expect them having
left the like with me to your lordship at his departure. So
soon as I have waited upon his Majesty I intend to go home
and so lie in way to meet Lord Hertford and wait upon you
before going.—Blackfriars, 21 March 1604.
Holograph. 1 p. (104. 104.) |
|
Sir Richard Hawkins to the Earl of Nottingham. |
|
1604–5, March 22. |
Since my last I have endeavoured to
make a composition with the Flemings with consent of all
parties, for the good, as we thought, of the Portingales and
French. The Portingal, being a little headstrong, overthrew
our pretence, ever crying for justice as though it had been in
our power to do what we would; being indeed in no way able
to force anything the Flemings secretly agreed with the French,
who presently yielded them all his interest in the ship and goods,
by means whereof we stand more disabled to accomplish that
which you command and they more enabled to justify their
proceedings. After the French had made their agreement I
laboured to help the Portingales all that I could, and brought
the Flemings that they were content to give the Portingale
800l., which he would not hearken unto although Mr. Randall,
Adrian Ribellii and Mr. Cypriany's son were, with myself, of
opinion to accept it, being in danger to lose all, and so great
danger as I see no way to remedy it. |
|
Acquaint the Lords of the Privy Council with the carriage
of this business that order may come from them, and if you
should depart before it take end, I may be found to have dealt
uprightly; for some have given out that I am partial and
threaten to me that which my innocence will free me of. I fear
the ship will be gone before order come, for they have gotten
sails to their yards, and how to hinder their going forth
I know not. |
|
The Flemings exclaim much and let not to say that they
have great wrong, and if this ship should be taken from them
that they will be paid in Holland with the goods of Englishmen
there. Your Honour and the Lords of the Council will in your
wisdom direct that which is convenient in this business, which
I will follow and execute to the utmost of my power.—
Salcombe, 22 March 1604. |
|
Addressed: "For His Majesties especiall Service. To the
right honourable my singuler good Lord the Erle of Nottingham,
Lord High Admirall of England geve these.
Haste, haste, haste, haste, post haste [etc.]"
Postal endorsement:
"Salcombe the 22 of Marche at 10 of the clocke at nighte."
Holograph. 1 p. (104. 105.) |
|
The Earl of Dorset to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 22. |
I told my physicians that all physic set
apart I would wait on his Majesty on that joyful day of
running (?). But now renewing my desire unto them, they
directly tell me that they having with physic and fomentations
so much opened the pores of my body and especially of my
head, if I go into the air without two days first abiding in the
house, the pores again may close to their former fashion and
I shall be in danger by new cold to become worse than ever I
was. My physic and fomentations ending not till Saturday
night, it will be Tuesday before I can come abroad, so that I
see Bortin's saying is very true, the merchant with his ship
and goods, that commits himself to the wind, goes not of times
whither he would but whither the winds drive him. So is it
with me that commit myself into the hands of the physicians.
I am very little better as yet for the time and good order must
work it. Howsoever it fall out, though I have but half an ear,
yet I have a whole heart and body to serve his Majesty and as
he sent me word, I will make use of that deaf ear by turning
it to importunate suitors.—22 March 1604.
Holograph. 1 p. (188. 96.) |
|
Lord Scone to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 23. |
Being desired by you to befriend the
Master of Gray in some accounts which he craves of the King
I convened the Lord Chancellor and Lord Balmerino and heard
the accounts. I will send you a copy of the particular disbursements, part of which is allowed by the Exchequer, and part
made by his Majesty's commandment, whereupon he has his
obligation, verified except as to the last 12,000 marks by the
letter of Alexander Hay, then Clerk Register. It were not
amiss that his Majesty saw the particulars. I shall give satisfaction to the Master as I receive direction albeit the burdens
be very great that I "underly" in his Majesty's service as my
Lord of Bervic can bear record. You will remember there was
something promised to my Lord Advocate and me at our way
coming, which you will have a care to see done when you think
it time. Holyrood House, 23 March 1605.
Signed: D. Scone. Fragment of seal. ½ p. (104. 106.) |
|
The Earl of Nottingham to the Same. |
|
1604–5, March 23. |
Entreats Cranborne's furtherance of his
business for the licences of the wines.—23 March 1604.
Holograph. ⅓ p. (188. 97.) |
|
Lord Burghley to his brother Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1604–5, March 24.] |
Your letter came unto me when I was
in a great pang of the gout so you must pardon me how short
I write. Only this I must say, you deal with me in an extraordinary kindness both to be mean and to be the remembrancer
yourself, which I ought to have been myself. If you should
do so with all suitors, you should have a troublesome office;
but the world knows and now I know that you are both an
honourable, a kind, and a discreet friend where you profess or
give allowance of your person, and I shall think myself in
possessing your love far more happy than possessing your suit,
if it were five times as much. I received yesterday the book
from Mr. Attorney which I send with his letters which will
instruct you of all the particularities. It is no small comfort
to hear from a mouth that is so near by his gracious opinion of
me.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1604. L. Burghley to my Lord,
full of thankfulness for a favour received." ½ p. (188. 116.) |
|
The Enclosure:
|
|
Sir Edward Coke to Lord Burghley. I have in the perfecting
of your lordship's grant observed these 5 things; first, to make
it in consideration of your faithful and acceptable service;
2, to express in the docket underneath the grant that you have
an estate for 3 lives and the longer liver of them (which for
some respects I put into the docket and not in the grant because
the docket cannot hinder the face of the grant); 3, it appears
by the docket the yearly revenue of the crown is not diminished;
4, it is done as perfectly as I can do it; and lastly, it labours not
of that tedious prolixity that many books ex consuetudine
clericorum are sick of and yet are like to an unfruitful tree qui
luxuriat in foliis et evanescit in fructubus.—23 Marcii 1604[–5].
Holograph. 2/3 p. (188. 115.) |
|
Lord Cromwell to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1604–5, March 24. |
I received instructions from your lordship
and others of the Council to prepare to accompany the Earl of
Hertford to the Archduke and very willingly obeyed. But
wanting present money to make defrayment of the charge for
such a journey I gave over to those who had such dealings for
me to make speedy provision thereof out of my means: myself
in the meantime riding into the country to set some stay to
my weak household affairs. In which journey God visiting me
with sickness and money at my return not being provided
according to my expectation, that unlooked for cross, by
bringing with it grief of mind, made my bodily disease far more
vehement. Yet having never been (nor now willing to be) backwards in any service to which my poor ability could extend,
I strived as much as I could with my sickness; and to the
uttermost possibility likewise endeavoured my desired furnishment. But my sickness still continuing and no means possibly
to be made to bear the charge I am constrained to beseech you
to be relieved from that journey, and to further my petition,
which I should have sent sooner but that I still had some small
hopes. This is no feigned excuse, as the view of my body and
my estate, already impoverished and entangled with present
endless hydra-like increasing chargeable suits in law, can testify.
I hope you will favour my sickness and pity my want and find
honourable means to succour me.—24 March 1604.
Holograph. 1 p. (104. 107.) |
|
Tilting. |
|
[1605], March 24. |
Names of the runners at tilt (arranged
upon a diagram): |
|
The Duke of Holster. |
|
The Earl of Arundell. |
|
The Earl of Cumberland. |
|
The Earl of Southampton. |
|
The Earl of Pembroke. |
|
The Lord Howard of Walden. |
|
The Lord Mountegle. |
|
The Lord Chandoys. |
|
Sir Cary Reynolds. |
|
Wolf Henry von Gantteratt. |
|
The Duke of Lenox. |
|
The Lord Compton. |
|
Henry Alexanter. |
|
Sir Robert Dudley. |
|
Sir Robert Knowles. |
|
Sir John Egerton. |
|
Sir Thomas Somerset. |
|
Sir Sigismond Zindsany. |
|
Sir Edmond Colberne. |
|
Mons. St. Anthony. |
|
Hans Christofer von Tsedlyte.—Undated.
Endorsed: "1605." 1 p. (115. 41.)
[See Winwood's Memorials, II, p. 54.] |
|
Sir Edward Coke, Attorney General, to
Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 25. |
We have this afternoon examined Erasmus
Cooke whom we find weak and simple, and is a Franciscan and
yet no friar. We have also been at the Tower where we have
made Bywater to enter into the consideration of his own danger,
and have taken his examination at large, out of which I have
extracted his Anatomy and the cause why he turned Puritan.
I send you two letters mentioned in the Anatomy which you
never saw, one writ to our Lord and the other to a Puritan
preacher. Of whom I must say that quicunque ab unitate
ecclesiae decesserit, necesse est ut inter haereticos inveniatur;
he is waywardly converted but utterly unlearned, and this is
an account of this day's work. To-morrow I shall proceed
with the rest according to my directions.—25 March 1604.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (104. 108.) |
|
The Earl of Devonshire to the Same. |
|
[1605], March 25. |
I committed the care of providing and
husbanding the pieces that were sent to Sir John Linewray who
assures me he has done it faithfully. I desire you to have order
taken for his discharge and mine.—25 March.
Holograph. Seal. Endorsed: "Earl of Devonshire to my
Lord concerning certain pieces of Ordnance 1604." (sic).
(104. 108a.) |
|
Sir John Fortescue to the Same. |
|
1605, March 26. |
My cousin John Fortescue of Filley, Devon,
my nearest kinsman of the name in those parts, being sick and
in doubt of recovery, has desired me to use my best means for
the custody and wardship of his son, if God of this sickness shall
call him to His mercy. His living is not great, out of which
two jointures go, one for his mother, the other for his wife,
sister to Sir Arthur Chichester now Deputy in Ireland. He has
12 children and was left in debt which he has not recovered.
The bearer can particularly inform you of his estate; what I
know you may by the letter enclosed perceive. My suit is
it may please you to confer the wardship upon the mother and
such as by himself shall or has been put in trust.—At my poor
house in Westminster, 26 March 1605.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (110. 44.) |
|
Lord Sheffield to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 26. |
I well discern by your late letters you do
not deceive the expectation of your friends who have confidence
in you. How kindly I take your remembrance of me in my
absence, I will make appear upon the least occasion. The
matter you write to me of you say is of no great moment; yet
holding the reputation of an honest man dear, I have thought
good especially for the King's satisfaction, whose good opinion
I more affect than life, to set down from the beginning how far
I have had to deal with this man [Bywater], what kind of
affection I have found in him, and what I have said to him
touching that pamphlet which he says he showed me. About
some 20 years past this Bywater was preferred to me from
Cambridge to be schoolmaster to my children, being then a
young master of arts. He continued in that place about
5 years, in which time he so well applied his own study by
neglecting his charge of my children that within those years
they proved ill scholars and he no good preacher. But being, as
he seemed to me, religiously bent to follow the preaching of the
Word I was willing to further him till at the last his zeal began
to be so hot that before he had ever given me any private
admonition of those faults he supposed to be in me he wrote
a book and presented it to me, even as he did this to the King;
wherein he very sharply reproved [me] for my great faults,
of which I know and confess for some of them I was justly
taxed, and yet they were but following hunting and hawking
too much. But for most of them he reproved me as falsely
as I make no doubt he has done the King and the State. Whereupon, though I would say little, he being a minister of the word
of God, thinking it might proceed from his unadvised zeal, yet
finding him to grow more precise every day insomuch that he
would maintain to my face that both hawks and hounds, which
I did then and do now moderately delight in, were not ordained
by God for man's recreation but for adorning the world with
creatures of such sorts, some for the earth and some for the
heavens. As soon as with conveniency I could provide me of
another I rid myself of him. After which time I never saw
him till the last Parliament nor heard of him but that he was
gone in a sea voyage with Sir Thomas Sherley, at which I did
not a little marvel considering his preciseness professed. Now,
my Lord, to the point. True it is he came to me the last
Parliament and presented to me a certain paper book which he
desired me to look over, and told me, if my remembrance fail
me not very much, that he had presented the like of it to the
King at his first coming into England, which speech of his
made me the willinger to see it. But having received it I never
read above one half leaf of it, but seeing it tend to such reformations in the church as I knew were distasteful to the State and
nothing pleasing to myself, at his next coming I delivered it
to him again, using very few words, for I was very weary of
his company. I saw by that little I read he aimed at so unfitting things, yet finding in some part of that I read something
touching a learned ministry as also some amendment to be
wished touching the abuses in the spiritual courts; and remembering that the King in his religious care of the State had
wished us in the Parliament to proceed for some reformation
in those things; in either of which I think there is [not] any
good Christian but would wish some amendment; the
unfittingness of that it seemed to me he aimed at, as also the
good intention of the King and the State well known to me
touching those two points forenamed, drew this answer from
me briefly—for I had no mind to have many words with him—
that there would be something done in those things that were
necessary to be reformed, of which the King to my knowledge
had a great care, but now the Parliament was near an end and
therefore the time served not. This was the briefest answer
I could at that time think of, which if it be by his delivery
otherwise taken than I meant it I am sorry, but this I protest
was the truth. Thus I have performed the true delivery of my
innocency herein according to the method I prescribed myself
in the beginning of my letter. I thank God I take to heart the
King's gracious favours so far above my deserts that if my
affections should the least sway I should hate both them and
myself.—Ma[rch] 26, 1650 (sic). |
|
PS.—I pray you if the King have notice of Bywater's speeches
concerning me let him see this letter, the apology of my
innocency.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1605." 3 pp. (110. 45.) |
|
[Sir John Stanhope ?] to [Viscount Cranborne]. |
|
1605, March 27. |
I am entreated by this bearer, the Lady
Adeline Neville, for your favour in her behalf to the King for
the bestowing of a deanery upon one Doctor Colmer, a
prebendary of the church of Durham who is a very sufficient
man for the same. As he stands her in stead by his friendship
the poor lady is willing to pleasure him wherein she can, and
uses all means for the better requital of his goodwill to her:
so I in her behalf desire your lordship to further her.—London,
this 27 March 1605.
Unsigned. ½ p. (110. 47.) |
|
The Earl of Sheffield to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[? 1605], March 27. |
[See Vol. XVI, pp. 44, 45, and note on
p. xxxii.] (188. 98.) |
|
The Earl of Shrewsbury to the Same. |
|
1605, March 27. |
Entreats his favour for a sickly lady, the
Lady Ursula Etherington, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Barbarye
Langdale, who are to appear in the Court of Wards, but are
unable to travel. Prays stay of the process of contempt which
has gone out against them, and that they may answer by commission.—Rowghforde, 27 March 1605.
Holograph. 1 p. (190. 52.) |
|
Sir Thomas Leighton to the Same. |
|
1605, March 28. |
I cannot sufficiently express my thankfulness
for your lordships so nobly standing for the defence of the
dignity of the Governors and government of the Isle of Guernsey,
the which in violent manner these deputies have sought (in
effect) utterly to overthrow. Neither can I but marvel to see
with what impudent faces they before your Honours [the Privy
Council] maintained that the provisions of muttons for his
Majesty's Castle Cornett, with the retinue for the same, as
likewise the carriages, were never had nor demanded before my
time; which is a most manifest untruth, for all Governors
before me since the memory of man have holden these as
prerogatives due unto his Highness's said Castle, as more plainly
may appear by a brief note extracted out of their precept of
Assize, and the book of their customs and usages of that Isle,
by one of their Jurats and delivered unto me, which I beseech
you at convenient leisure to look over.—28 March 1605.
Signed. Seal. ½ p. (110. 49.) |
|
The Enclosure.—A note extracted out of the Precept of Assize.
First that the granger of all the parishes that hold upon the
King's fee are bound to gather all the wheats and oats due unto
his Majesty and to be answerable for them unto his officers. |
|
Next, the inhabitants are bound that at all times when the
Governor, his lieutenant or any of his officers or servants shall
have occasion to pass between England and the Isles (without
wages as oftentimes as they shall be required) shall pass them
over at their proper charges, except 5 "soults Tournoys"
amounting to two groats English, or their dinners. |
|
Item, it appears in the book of the customs and usages of
the Island of Guernsey, in the first book, article 34, that besides
the soldiers ordinarily within the Castle, the Governor is to take
in a number of the choicest men in the Isle, at his discretion,
for the better defence of the Castle, which are called the Retinue
of the Castle, and are to come in at all times when they shall
be commanded by the Governor. They are to watch for the
safety of the place, in regard whereof they are exempted from
all watch and ward within the Island. |
|
By the 35th Article those that have boats or carts are bound
two times every year upon commandment given by the
Governor to the constables to bring in stone, clay and sand.
Item by the 36th Article all such burgesses and other of the
Isle as are of ability and have not carts or boats ought to hire
and bring carriages as the rest do. |
|
Item by the 37th Article those that have not boats nor carts,
nor have means to have, are bound to do service with their
bodies two days every year as before I have said.
Item by the 38th Article all strangers are bound to do service
four times a year. |
|
Item in the 39th Article that the Governor, his Lieutenant
and other officers and soldiers are to be furnished by the constables of the country with horses sufficiently furnished for all
services. |
|
Item in the 40th Article is set down that the Governor is to
be furnished with muttons for the provision of the Castle at
3s. sterling the mutton, and 40 gallons of butter at 8d. the pot.
Look in the order set down in the time of King Philip and Queen
Mary in the year 1554. [Marginal note against this: Herein
they seem to cut off the Governor of 40 of his number, and
likewise of the 40 gallons of butter.]
1 p. (110. 48.) |
|
Thomas Phelippes to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 28. |
The poor men here in the gaol teach me
what to do by sending petitions where there is any hope or
likelihood of relief now against this good time. And although
it be not of such necessity as it seems by the Gospel it was in
those days to loose a prisoner before the feast, yet old custom
has made it usual among us to do deeds of charity specially
at this season of the year. Therefore I presume to become
a suitor that if any opportunity be offered your lordship to
deliver me out of this place you would think upon me as one
that depends wholly on your favour; in such sort at least as
albeit I be not held worthy to have any other grace, I may be
confined to mine own house, which otherwise I have resolved
to make a prison to myself until I shall have mean to satisfy
the world there has not been so great cause to afflict me as has
been conceived. But there shall I be better able in the meanwhile to take order for my private business concerning the King
also in respect of his debt, being otherwise undone, which I hope
is not anybody's desire.—A distressed prisoner in the
Gatehouse, 28 March 1605.
Holograph. 1 p. (110. 51.) |
|
Anthony Thompson, Minister at Hexham, and John
Maughen, Minister at St. John's near Hexham, to
Henry Sanderson at Brancepeth. |
|
1605, March 28. |
With hearty thanks for your courteous
entertainment at our last being with you at Branspeth, having
experience of your godly zeal and faithful service to his Majesty,
as also the place which God has called you unto for His glory
and the furtherance of His gospel, we have thought good to
impart unto you the miseries of these our days in this barbarous
and irreligious country. We see superstition and idolatory
daily increase to the dishonour of God, violating of his Majesty's
laws and discontentment of all his true subjects; which we
have had too long experience of, ever looking for reformation.
which we beseech God of His mercy to work in the hearts of
the higher powers, to whom He has committed the sword.
Otherwise we can expect nothing but the utter falling away of
the people in our whole country from the Word of God and
obedience of his Majesty's laws. The long sparing of the
execution of justice and the great forbearing of our officers have
so encouraged our adversaries the recusants that there is no
article or statute in his Majesty's laws prohibited but they with
boldness break the same. For what frequenting of seminaries,
what secret seducing of his Majesty's subjects, what privy
churching of women, what conventicles and concourse of people
at the several burials of recusants and excommunicate persons,
threatening of ministers and sometimes beating them on their
mouths, with the drawing of swords and daggers and crying
"Now we will have flesh, for now is as fit a time as any other,"
and what secret baptising of children by popish priests, partly
you may understand by the presentment lately exhibited to
you under our hands. We beseech you not only put your
hand to the reformation of the premises but stir up others to
the performance of the same.—From Hexham. 28 March 1605. |
|
Endorsed: "Mr. Thompson's letter of the great hurt that
groweth by suffering Roger Woodrington to bear rule, and of
sundry outrageous and unlawful behaviour of the Recusants
under his charge."
Signed. 1 p. (110. 52.) |
|
Francis Gofton, Auditor, to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 29. |
I have made ready the books of the jewels
for his Majesty to sign, and will attend you when you command
me. I have been with Mr. Auditor Neale who made the last
books, and he says he only made two thereof and delivered
them to the Lord Treasurer, whereof I have but one. It were
convenient the other book should be brought in; it may be
his lordship will remember where it is bestowed if you speak
with him therein. Also there is a rough book of the same jewels
now remaining with Auditor Neale, for delivery whereof to me
to be likewise brought in I have enclosed drawn a warrant,
desiring you to sign and return the same to me with your
pleasure when I shall attend you.—29 March 1605.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (110. 53.) |
|
Sir Philip Butler to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 29. |
Whereas I received a privy seal for the
loan of 100l., I came up to London meaning to be a suitor to
you for some abatement upon good cause: at which time I was
very suddenly taken with a very sharp sickness that I could
not await upon you, and made bold with my cousin Sir Dru
Drury to be a suitor in my behalf. It pleased you to abate it to
50l., for the which I am ready to show my thankfulness in all
duties. I have sent you a fat red deer, having at this present
no better thing to present unto you.—From Woodhall, 29 March
1605.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (110. 54.) |
|
Arthur Gregory to the Same. |
|
1605, March 29. |
Though I cannot present myself under a
worse habit, title, or name than of an old officer of customs,
the duty I owe to my sovereign and devotion to yourself may
excuse me in this subject. There is an honest merchant of
this place, lately arrived from Seville, who being familiar with
an Englishman there told him in secret that one Sr. Davis,
a seminary, comes once a month to a place called Hamme, and
to Parley, some four miles from this town, to the house of one
Owen Martin and goes in a long russet cloak, a broad brimmed
hat, wears a sword, and rides a bay nag with a white star in
the forehead. Also one of Owen Martin's brothers comes
thither, who is a seminary, and is brother also to John Martin,
that is surveyor at Weymouth and deputy collector to the
farmers under one Mr. Man of this town; the consideration
whereof is fittest for your lordship. And further the said
merchant was certainly advised that there are twenty seminaries
appointed to be sent into these parts to win souls, making
account that a toleration is already established here. Agreeable
to this there is a fellow that came lately to a gentleman that is
building a house and demanded of him what he meant to build
now; assuring him as his good friend that shortly he should see
so strange and sudden alteration, ere this summer passed, as no
man would believe till he had seen it, and that his Majesty
must at least allow a toleration or else his person could not be
safe. This I received yesterday from a person of good credit
who promises to take pains to be better informed; and for
myself I intend not to trouble the "hant" till you have
determined such course as shall be thought most meet.—Poole,
29 March 1605. |
|
PS.—That your lordship may not mistake my office I am
in place and name of his Majesty's searcher, and give the poor
profit thereof to my father, which being all he has to relieve
him is turned now to nothing, and myself unable to relieve him
otherwise.
Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (110. 55.) |
|
Sir Edward Coke, Attorney General, to
Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1605, March 29.] |
Knowing the weight by consequence of
this cause and how much it concerns his Majesty dum seges
in herba and in ipso limine to take some exemplary course with
some of these intemperate spirits ut pœna ad paucos metus ad
omnes perveniat; and knowing nothing to make men more
odious and to be branded with a more infamous mark of
uncharitableness and profaneness than libelling in so outrageous
and unchristian manner, I thought good myself to have some
conference with Mr. Pickeringe and suffered him to discourse
at his own pleasure (a good entrance to a further examination).
In whose discourse I observed these things. First, that he was
much discontent, being crossed in a suit and not rewarded to
his expectation; 2, that he would not reveal the author of the
libel, for (said he) he may prove a good member in the Church
and Commonwealth; 3, that he himself was never suspected
for libelling; and lastly, that that profession (meaning the
Puritans) was far enough in disgrace already, he wondered also
why he and Bywater were so much troubled about this libel,
when so many other be dispersed in other men's hands. But
(with all the little cunning I have) I could not draw from him
any one of them, albeit I told him that in the Star Chamber
he might be enforced upon his oath to declare as well who made
it as every particular person that has seen or had it, and that
it is the duty of every subject to yield his sovereign a just and
true account of such things; but I was auditus but not exauditus.
I am now persuaded that some Puritan minister made this libel
both by reason of that which casually fell from him and because
I find the making of such a libel came never out of his quiver
for he is no scholar. I learned of him accidentally who this
Mres. Russell was and where she lies. She is a young widow
and serves the Countess of Bedford but has kept her bed this
month in Sir Philip Skidmor's house [in margin: in St. Barth.
in Smithfeld] being his wife's sister. Mr. Pickering confesses
he means to marry her, and so much (if not too much) of that
matter. I have by such means as I have used not only got the
copy of the slanderous commonplaces (the poison of that which
was preferred to the King), which I send to you herewith, but
presuming that his sweetheart had also the libel, she was sounded
therein and I have got that also which she wrote from the mouth
of her lover Mr. Pickering, which in some parts varies from the
copy I left amongst other papers with Mr. Corbett (?) which I
send also herewith. Mr. Pickering sent unto her this little book
from Roiston at his Majesty's last being there, by an unknown
person as she says. She knows not who made it nor knows who
have any of them saving only Mrs. Boulstrode, that waits on
the Countess of Bedford.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed by one of Cranborne's clerks: "29 Martii,
1604 [sic], Mr. Atturney." 1¼ pp. (188. 99.) |
|
Richard Percival to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 30. |
Last week upon information by Sir Francis
Verney that he was desirous to fell certain timber growing upon
his own land, which he might fell when he came to full age, and
that he desired leave now to fell it for the discharge of divers
gentlemen that stood engaged as sureties for him, it pleased
you to subscribe a note that you saw no reason but he might
do it, and that as much as in you lay you gave him leave so to
do. This (it seems by the petition this gentleman will deliver
you) Sir Francis has taken as a sufficient warrant to enter upon
the land, being my Lady Verney's jointure, to spoil her pasture
with carrying of the wood and destroy the breed of coneys there,
which she has let out at a good round rent: wherewith my
Lady has been so much troubled as she is come out of the
country of purpose to be a suitor to you for a stay thereof,
knowing, as she says, that if you had been informed of the
wrong it is to her, you would never have given way to his suit.
Her desire appears by the petition, to which if you think fit to
yield it may please you to sign this letter enclosed.—30 March
1605. |
|
PS.—If you like not to sign this letter my Lady's suit is that
you would stay the felling of the woods but until you may be
informed by Mr. Attorney of the Wards of the estate of this
cause, who is very well acquainted with it.
Holograph. 2/3 p. (110. 56.) |
|
Francis Jones to the Same. |
|
1605, March 30. |
Your letter in the behalf of Mr. Nesmith,
his Majesty's chirurgeon, was brought unto me at the Custom
House this afternoon, when divers other of the farmers were
gone into the country to repose themselves these holidays.
Albeit I found you had not been rightly informed, as mentioning
4 pieces of holland cloth, which were indeed 4 pieces and certain
remnants of lawn, to the value of about 15l. or 16l., and entered
in the name of one Daniel Hall a Scottishman, and were not
known unto us to be the goods of his Majesty's chirurgeon, I
presently called our deputy that had made stay thereof and
caused them to be delivered to the bringer of your letter without
payment of further custom or other duties whatsoever: assuring
myself the rest will allow of my doings herein, or any other
matter in our powers that you shall command.—From the
Custom House, 30 March 1605.
Signed. Seal. 2/3 p. (110. 57.) |
|
Sir Vincent Skynner to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 30. |
This letter coming to my hands this morning
and the contents such as were more fit for your own view than
my relation, intending to spend these few holidays with my
poor family at Enfield, I make bold in discharge of that imposed
upon me by an honest gentleman and mine ever well deserving
friend in the time of his father, to impart the same unto you.
Which I do the rather that I may intimate unto you the great
disorders lately committed by spoiling of his Majesty's woods
in Enfield far beyond any example that has been seen in any
time and almost incredible if it were not so extant to be seen,
and which in further perusing of the chace I doubt will be more
seen: but this that is, is too much to be seen and to rest
unpunished if the offenders may be deprehended, whereof I
will at my small time of abode there take as good care as I
can to have notice. And [it] is not the hacking and hewing of
bushes or lopping or topping of trees, though those things are
not tolerable without lawful warrant, but it is the felling of great
oaks by the ground and hacking and hewing others at the root
and to the height of the bulk of the tree in such sort as is shameful to behold, which requires some sharp execution upon the
offenders that may be exemplar. Whereof in more [sic: my]
poor place as a justice of the peace I will be careful to my best
means to find out the offenders and to have them forthcoming.—
30 March 1605.
Holograph. Seal broken. Endorsed:—"Sir Vincent Skynner
to my Lord with a letter from Mr. Sadlier." 1 p. (110. 58.) |
|
Lord Cobham to the Same. |
|
[1605, March 30]. |
Whatsoever I intend I never hold it well
without your allowance. I have written this letter unto the
King; advise me for the time, and whether you think it to
purpose; so as you shall direct my man he shall either suppress
it or deliver it. Good my Lord, think of me your poor friend
who is now a cripple, and shall be without hope of recovery if
in this place I remain. God give me to have patience and put
mercy into the King's heart. Your kindness towards me is
meritorious; God ever send you your heart's desire.—From the
Tower, this Easter Eve.
Holograph, signed: H. Brooke. ½ p. (110. 61.) |
|
Lord Cobham to The King. |
|
1605, March 31. |
It is almost a whole year since I made any
suit unto your Majesty for my liberty; such respect I have
had to shun importunacy that I had rather undergo the neglect
of mine own hopes than offend in that kind. Now the time
and your own disposition ever prone to mercy doth move me
to renew my suit. The time, because it is holy, when every
man, striveth to give the greatest satisfaction to God for his
sins, and no oblation is so acceptable to God as mercy. These
be the very words of our Saviour Christ; Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful; Forgive and you
shall be forgiven. So if it be duly considered the benefit is
greatest to him that doth forgive, for his sins shall be forgiven.
Kings are called gods because they have authority over others,
but in nothing they are so like unto God as in showing mercy.
St. Bernard saith quanto amplius per compassionem proximis
nostris in necessitate succurrimus tanto amplius Creatori appropinquamus. This, gracious sovereign, is worthy of observation,
that the Scriptures, the ancient fathers, the wisest philosophers
do all in this concur, that mercy above all virtues hath the
precedency; the benefit of it, as by Scripture we learn, is the
saving of our own souls, which is the sum of all and man's only
true happiness. So, what do I entreat of your Majesty? to do
that which shall be for your soul's health, and gain you in the
world for ever the fame of mercy and clemency, a greater title
than to be Emperor of Emperors. Now, worthy Prince, upon
whom shall your Majesty bestow this favour? upon him that from
his heart is sorry that he hath offended you, desires to live no
longer than that he may do you service, prays for you and your
royal issue that you and they may for ever be kings of this
kingdom. He that confesseth and is contrite for his sins shall
be forgiven and receive the reward of it. This is God's promise,
you his substitute and therefore bound only to follow His
instructions; why then should I despair? So with St. Paul
I will conclude: remember them that are in bonds as though
you were bound with them, whom to release is charity, and
charity the true step to heaven.—Tower, 31 March 1605.
Holograph, signed: H. Brooke. 1 p. (110. 59.) |
|
John Johnston, Professor at St. Andrews, to Viscount
Cranborne. |
|
1605, March 31. |
Since you favourably accepted my first
letter with some memorials written by me upon the late Queen
I have presumed to offer you these memorials written long since
upon your father of good memory; which I trust shall find
acceptation, a witness always of my good will to your name and
honour of your house; for the good deservings of your father
and yourself towards letters and the learned cannot well escape
us, although well distant in place. I must entreat your counten
ance where or when my honest "adoes" may crave, which I
have accredited to my dear cousin Edward Johnstone, who
more particularly will inform you of my purpose.—St. Andrews,
the last [of] March 1605.
Holograph, signed: "Jhone Jonston, Professor in his Majesties
Universitie." Seal broken. 1 p. (110. 60.) |
|
The Earl of Hertford to the King. |
|
[1605, ? March.] |
Your most excellent Majesty has signified
your pleasure by your letters under your privy signet, for
employing me unto the Archduke, though I know my inability
for a business of such importance, and that now my age might
seem to challenge my quietus est; and that in all my time I
never had the experience of such employment, besides the
shortness of the time limited. Yet if such be your pleasure
notwithstanding all these difficulties with other of my private
estate, yea, though I knew I went to my grave, I would undertake it with cheerfulness, and would rather fail in my ability
than in my duty. |
|
Only this afflicts me, and I beseech your Majesty to ease my
heart of such a grievous burthen, that before I go (lest I live
not to return) I may have that gracious trial of justice, whereunto I was by you allowed, to have recourse for the legitimation
of my issue. |
|
It is all and the only suit whereunto I have importuned your
Majesty ever since your most joyful coming to the Crown, and
it is that which both nature and the conscience of a clear heart
urge me to solicit, and will while I have a breathing upon earth.
It is the usual custom of many who are honestly mindful of the
frailness of our mortality and respective of their posterity to
dispose of their estate and make their will, if from any remote
place they travelled but to the term, though within the land,
and in the best of their years. Therefore I beseech you pardon
me, if I desire to see my house settled before my going, seeing
how near I tread to my grave, and how far I am to go, beyond
the journey of a term, over the seas into a strange air which
I know not how it may agree with my aged body. If your
Majesty, out of consideration of a cause that so nearly concerns
me in nature and blood, will hearken to this desire, I shall with
joy and comfort undergo this employment, and my posterity
shall ever hold themselves the children of your justice.—
Undated.
Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (103. 15.) |
|
Lord Stafford to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1604–5, March.] |
I have been a prisoner at my lodging and
at the Fleet near hand a fortnight, which I am not sorry for,
but for his Majesty's displeasure which does not a little grieve
me: my humble suit is, that I may have your favourable good
speed to his Highness, as also to the rest of your Honours at
your next meeting.—Undated.
Holograph. Seal of Arms. Endorsed: "March, 1604."
½ p. (104. 114.) |
|
Newnham Priory, Bedfordshire. |
|
1605, [March.] |
Newnham Priory in lease to
Peter Cartwright for 21 years, whereof 16 were
unexpired at Lady day 1605, for the yearly rent
of |
66l. |
13s. |
4d. |
|
A tithe now let per ann. for |
90l. |
|
|
|
The priory of
Newnham is situate by a river and
has many timber
trees growing
about the house
which grace the
estate, and it
contains
It is within a
mile of Bedford,
and has many fair
fish ponds in it. |
It is worth so much beside
tithe wood and tithe hay. |
|
|
|
|
Two water grist mills now
let per annum for |
30l. |
|
|
|
The fishing of the river now
let per annum for |
|
20s. |
|
|
Sheep pasture in the fields
now let for |
5l. |
|
|
|
The Priory house with the
stables and barns the
gardens and orchards containing 8 acres of meadow
and 23 acres of pasture
walled round about with
a very fair and high brick
wall let at |
44l. |
|
|
|
73 acres and 1 rood of meadow enclosed |
250l. |
2s. |
8d. |
|
22 acres and 2 roods of meadow not enclosed |
|
Sum 95 acres and 3 roods |
|
62 acres more of pasture enclosed |
|
28 acres of pasture not enclosed |
|
Sum of pasture 90 acres |
|
328 acres of land arable 1 rood not enclosed |
|
Sum total of all the acres 552, which do
contain also the acres which are walled and
all these with the housings, orchards and
gardens are let for |
|
Sum total 420l. 2s. 8d., out of which all charges and payments
issuing out of the Priory are to be allowed. |
|
The rent being 66l. 13s. 4d. is worth to
be sold at 18 years purchase |
1200l. |
3700l. |
|
The tenant has de claro 320l. per ann.
which in reversion of 13 years is worth
to be sold but |
2500l. |
|
The reversion is worth no more because 2500l. in 10 years
without usury upon usury is 2500l. more, and the use of that
5000l. in three years is 1500l. which amounts to 6500l., which
is 100l. more than 20 years purchase for 320l. per annum when
it shall be in possession.
Endorsed: "Compare my note with th'older terrier. Received of Mr. Lucombe 40s. for Mr. Brooke. Left his writings
to be sealed." 1 p. (110. 62.) |
|
Sir Francis Hastings to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1605, ? c. March.] |
He thanks him for his message, promising
him help in recovering the King's favour. He craves his
remembrance of it, from a desire not to dwell long in the dislike
of his dear Sovereign, whose favour would be a singular comfort
to the grey hairs of a poor old servant, and a cordial in his
wretched life; and would enlarge his thoughts to the settling
of his poor estate. There is a debt unpaid by him for his
wife's son, the King's ward, and an allowance to accrue to him
out of it. He dare not come up this term, being commanded
down by that honourable Board; but he will perfect the account
next term, if Cranborne will give leave. He begs to stand
free from process and to have time for payment.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1605." (114. 37.) |
|
[Cp. Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–1610, p. 194.] |
|
Sir John Stanhope to the Same. |
|
[1605, March.] |
Thanks Cranborne for acquainting his
Majesty with his sickly estate, so that neglect of duty may not
be imputed to him. Hopes to-morrow to be able to attend the
Court, though he fears the March winds. |
|
Sir Henry Goodyere of the Privy Chamber solicits him to
impart to Cranborne his knowledge of his uncle's troubles. He
was that Sir H. Goodyere whose daughter this man married,
and is thereby his heir. Old Sir H. married Sir Richard
Lowther's daughter of Westmorland; with whom he was in
that country about the time his Majesty's mother came first
out of Scotland to Carlisle, whither Lowther and Goodyere
repaired to her, who at the first was not restrained from liberty,
but afterwards committed to the guard of Treasurer Knolls in
Bolton Castle. Sir H. devised a cypher for the Queen to use
to such as she trusted; the which afterwards being discovered,
Goodyere and Lowther were both committed to the Tower,
where after some time he was delivered, but never recovered
the good opinion of the late Queen. This is the sum of his
knowledge of him.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1605." 1 p. (114. 154.) |
|
King James to [the Same]. |
|
[? 1605, March.] |
A cartel or challenge to a trinity of knaves. |
|
If I find not at my coming to Greenwich that the big chamberlain have ordered well all my lodging, that the little saucy
constable have made the house sweet and built a coke pit and
that the fast walking keeper of the park have the park in good
order and the does all with fawn, although he have never been
a good breeder himself, then shall I at my return finding those
things out of order make the fat chamberlain to puff, the little
cankered beagle to whine and the tall black and cat-faced
keeper to glower, as Sir Roger Aston said. If my wife shall
not produce a fair young lion at this time the constable shall
bear the blame; if I have not good fortune at the beginning
of my hunting then the keeper shall have the shame and never
be thought a good huntsman after; and if I get not good rest
all night the big chamberlain's fat back shall bear the burthen
of all, and so fare well as ye deserve; and as for the bearer I
have made choice of this worshipful knight of the bath to carry
this cartel, who swears he will venture all the hairs of his beard
in my quarrel. James R. |
|
If the Master of Gray were here he would say it might be
thought when councillors go to the Tower to visit the lion's
whelp, that hath so fair a nurse, that the old Scottish proverb
is true in them, that many a man courts the child for love of
the nurse, especially some of them with whose chastity he was
so well acquainted. |
|
To conclude I end with a miracle, what a luck it is that
notwithstanding that the ancient reverend father of York hath
reprehended the King's hunting, yet hath the King lately
received out of York house the allowance of his hunting by very
many hands, and so it is like the miracle of Balaam's ass, that
the house is wiser than the great prophet that is owner
thereof.
Holograph. Endorsed in Cranborne's hand: "K. to me."
2 seals. 1 p. (134. 66.) |
|
King James to [Viscount Cranborne]. |
|
[? 1605, c. March.] |
My little beagle although I have been
out of privy intelligence with you since my last parting, for
having been ever kept so busy with hunting of witches, prophets,
puritans, dead cats, and hares, yet will I not suffer this bearer
your fellow secretary to go unaccompanied with this present;
who should have carried the witches with him as you desired,
had it not been that he rides post and witches ride never post
but to the devil. He hath conjured all the devils here with his
Welsh tongue, for the devil himself I trow dare not speak
Welsh. Haste him back I pray you for our match again Sunday
at night, for he is secretary of our corporation that is of fools,
horses and dogs, and I dare say he is more qualified for that
office than either ye or old Secretary Harbert; if your niece be
angry with me for his short abode at this time, tell her I shall
make her satisfaction at my return with a tribute of kisses, but
this must be kept counsel of both from the bearer and my wife.
Commend me to honest big Suffolk and the greater an honest
thing be, it is the better; commend me also to my envious
enemy 3 [Northampton], and tell him that since it grieves him
to see my two sons there prosper so well, I hope by God's grace
within few years to multiply his griefs by some more such
pricks in his eyes and thorns in his sides; but be he sure I will
immediately upon my return have his head for this labour in
as great haste as King Henry my noble predecessor got his
father's, who could not go ad centrum terre without it. But
in one point I am greedier than he was, for whereas the head
alone served him, I will have body and all together, otherwise
I disdain his head alone, so far as I protest I had rather have
a kid or a lamb's head this time of the year; and so fare well.
James R.
Holograph. Endorsed by Cranborne: "His Majesty." Two
seals on gold thread. 1 p. (134. 71.) |
|
Thomas Bywater to [Viscount Cranborne]. |
|
[? 1604–5, March.] |
The Earl of Worcester told me on
Saturday that his Majesty was content to dismiss me, only he
willed me to attend him the next morning, which I very willingly
did. Then he told me he had received letters from you, wherein
you had written you could not be satisfied in some points
without my presence. Those letters, after sermon, he would
signify to his Majesty, and so I should know an answer. The
answer was that I must appear before you. Taking my leave
of the Dean [Montague], I told him of this answer, who answered
me that the King was in a good mind the last night, and was
contented to dismiss me.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (189. 79.) |
|
[The Council] to the King. |
|
[? 1604–5, March.] |
To that high favour you do us by
expressing in your own letter so gracious an acceptation of our
endeavours, we cannot better answer than with those words
used in a public and most excellent speech of your own; Quid
retribuemus ? What kind of gratitude is it possible for us to
represent unto your Majesty, who out of mere bounty value
that diligence which is but the least part of our duty, so
graciously to give us thanks for our service, which we should
account abundantly rewarded if it be holden free from blame;
so favourably to approve our proceedings in Council, which
(when they be good) are but slender streams derived from the
fountain of your own wise directions. And if your Majesty
may repute it for the least point of happiness to be served by
us, how much more may we account ourselves thrice happy to
be guided and governed by such a King, from whom not only
we receive a kind of influence to the enabling of our advice
and counsels, but (if it were possible) all the kings of the earth
might be glad as from the Oracle to take instructions from the
King of Great Britanye. The case thus standing the best
means we have to declare our gratefulness is to protest that
we have no means of requital but the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
To come therefore to the matter: as we acknowledge your
Majesty's true apprehension of this project of the seditious
sectary Bywater, your exact applications of them to your
former observations in like men, your wise direction for our
farther proceeding: so we, (having sifted it so far that we find it
not only bred and hatched in his own breast, but so vented out
as gives sufficient matter to expose him to punishment) are now
in hand with further examination for the better discovery of
the ground of this plot: not giving credit to his own speech,
being grown now very reserved and cautelous: nor intending
to take his fair words for truth, that hath so maliciously
sophisticated or perverted the Scripture, the word of truth
itself: wherein if we shall find him still so locked up in silence,
as that he will dissemble, or so obstinate, as that he will directly
refuse to reveal the truth and his complices: the best way
that we for the present mean to proceed in is speedily to remove
him to the Tower, as an argument to declare him guilty of a
further offence, than for any private error or audacity. Next,
we will so use it as the whole scope of his perilous projects may
be made notorious (though not expressly divulged) to the end
that those which would suppose that he is punished for his
disobedience in matters of ceremony may well understand it
to be for other pernicious courses, conceived by him to the
disturbance of the State; and that the corrupt humour of many,
who are always apter to scandalise the constant proceedings
of state, than to discredit those who never can like the present
government, may be so prevented that your Majesty's well
affected subjects may be satisfied that such men's unconformity
proceeds not for any scruple in matters indifferent or tenderness
of conscience, as is suggested, but from some inward and
malicious design as would by consequence bring it to question
at last, whether it be indifferent for your Majesty to govern in
a Monarchy, or to be subject to a Presbytery. As the characters
of your own hand in your Majesty's letter are most evident
testimonies of your grace to us, and of your justice and virtue
they have left deep impressions of joy and admiration in our
hearts. And when we consider how short time your Majesty
hath of abode there for your necessary recreation, and how
intentive your mind is to the course of affairs here, we cannot
but be extremely sorry that you have cause to rob yourself of
your own ease by diverting your thoughts to those troublesome
occasions: and much more that you should lose one minute
of your recreation, serving for your health, by taking the pains
to write any line of acceptance or thanks unto us, who wish
ourselves subject to all pains and travails of body and mind,
even to pass per saxa, per ignes, if thereby our service may
yield your Majesty the more opportunity of recreation abroad.
And thus with our hearty prayers for your long life and eternal
happiness we humbly kiss your hands.—Undated.
Draft with corrections by Cranborne. Endorsed: "Minute
to the K. from the Lords." 5 pp. (190. 3.) |
|
[Lord Cranborne] to [Lord Sheffield]. |
|
[1605, March or later.] |
He has placed Sheffield's letters
before the King, whose answer concerning Bywater's aspersion
upon Sheffield is, if it had been a more material accusation, the
King's good opinion of Sheffield was sufficient defence, of which
opinion he desires Sheffield to remain assured. |
|
Sheffield's letters have wrought a real confirmation of the
King's favour. The King says that "Seeing Bywater was no
more saucy with you, his master, than he has been with him
that is your master, in which kind if he had only offended, and
not been discovered to be the author contriver of much sedition,
he should have gone away free from other punishment than
to be left to the ways of his own perdition." |
|
"I doubt not but you have seen by this time his Majesty's
letters to my Lord Archbishop and you, and thereby discerned
how barbarous an untruth it is in any man to suspect any change
of his Majesty's religious profession and purpose to banish
superstition; for a better confirmation whereof in respect of
that inconvenience which grows by pluralities and nonresidencies, his Majesty, meaning to prevent it as much as
may be, has commanded a catalogue to be brought him of
every man's living in the Church, to the intent that he may
know upon all occasions, when dignities in the Church are sued
for, who they are that love the plural number better than the
singular, and so be able to make his own distribution. As for
proceeding against those two priests, for so I esteem them,
although his Majesty notes that you entitle them servants of
Mr. Darcy, which made him at the first somewhat doubtful of
their quality, [he] likes it very well that their execution is
suspended, because he determines upon the return of all his
judges to have an account of their proceedings in their circuits.
In the meantime he conceives great contentment that the person
that abused the minister has had so exemplary a punishment.
Lastly, his Majesty is well pleased with your stay in those parts,
and by the enclosed dispenses with your repair." |
|
Desires him to notify by letter his great comfort in that the
King's strong judgment cannot be altered upon sinister
information, also to express his mislike of such offenders, and
his desire to serve the King; also to give some little touch
whereby the King may perceive that he has imparted to Sheffield
the above matters with regard to the Church.—Undated.
Draft, in hand of Cranborne's secretary. Endorsed: "1605.
My Lord to my Lord Sheffeild." 9 pp. (192. 36.) |
|
Lord Sheffield to [the King]. |
|
[1605, March or later.] |
Expresses his thanks for his favours,
and for his favourable interpretation of his late letters to Lord
Cranborne, by whose answer he has received satisfaction both
touching himself, and the general estate of religion. Protests
his joy at the King's words that he had known him too long to
condemn him upon a single information, and that his letters
had rather wrought a confirmation of the King's favour. Concerning religion, it is no small comfort to him, and to all that
are religious, to see the great care the King has taken to advance
it, both by appointing the laws against Papists to be executed,
(which has bred no small terror in them, though comfort to them
of the religion); so that he doubts not but that in a small time
there will be a very great amendment in these parts: but also,
as Lord Cranborne informs him, by taking order to be advertised
of all the Church livings, and who possess them, so that he may
redress that lamentable mischief of the unlearnedness of the
ministry in many places. It is a thing pitiful to see, especially
in these remote places, how weak in understanding the means
of their salvation the most of the people are for want of teaching,
but especially upon the Borders within his government. Now
the kingdoms are united, it were fit the Borders, as the heart
of the island, should be lightened by the preaching of the Word,
being the only way to bring them to civility who are now so
barbarous.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1605." 3 pp. (192. 44.)
Contemporary copy of the preceding letter. 2 pp. (114.
141.) |
|
Lewis Pykeringe to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1605, ? March.] |
He thanks Cranborne for signing a warrant
that his servant might attend him in his sickness as a close
prisoner; but he desires, rather, the less inconvenience of his
servant's absence than by pestering this small room to make
himself so much the more a prisoner by his presence. He has
enjoyed more content this 10 days than before in 10 months,
in that he has not seen the sorrowful countenances of the servants
of God, nor heard their mournful complaints. As he has done
nothing that has deserved to have his blood drawn, he petitions
that he may not have it dried up by close imprisonment. The
first cause of his deserving Cranborne's displeasure, by his
letters to the King, was his suspicion of Cranborne's too much
favouring the Papists. His heart has often smitten him for
Cranborne's course. How much more honourable for Cranborne to show himself Ovid's lion than his bear; he being cast
into Cranborne's hands through his error. There has been a
long and tedious controversy in the church, and no means
omitted to win Cranborne to be a favourer of the truth, and a
means for the liberty of the gospel. He hopes the King per
ceives that his advice for abolishing the ceremonies was the only
means to have settled the peace of the church; not the pressing
of them; wherein the State has so far engaged itself that policy
will not suffer the same to proceed, nor honour to retire. The
controversy is between brothers of the same nation, professing
the same faith, and partakers of the same hope. The Jesuits
in the meantime have just cause to rejoice in beholding their
dangerous maxim practised, divide et impera. |
|
Next to the fear of his Majesty's displeasure, it has most
troubled him to be thought to have published anything tending
to the disgrace of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, of whom
he never conceived an irreverent thought, His mother being
a Devenishe, was cousin german to her Majesty once removed,
their grandmothers being two of the four daughters of the
Lord Hoo and Hastings. If his person cannot move compassion,
let his alliance with the Lady Suffolk's grandmother, being the
daughter of Sir Christopher Pykering from whom he is lineally
descended, do so. As for projects and petitions, he rests free
as any man living, having never seen it or the like project
whereof he was examined.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1605." 3 pp. (114. 108.)
[Cf. Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–1610, p. 206.] |
|
Lewis Pykeringe to Viscount Cranborne. |
|
[1605, March or later.] |
I have with patience expected a
declaration of your disposition for my enlargement; at least
for the liberty of the prison. My close imprisonment has been
very tedious, and, if my comforts had been outward, intolerable.
I have made no means to any of the Lords. This day I have
sent a petition by my brother.—Undated.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1605." ½ p. (192. 13.) |
|
Sir William Constable to the King. |
|
[1605, ? March.] |
The King granted to Sir Thomas Somerset
the measuring of the Newcastle sea coals for London. To
augment the custom received therefrom, and to amend his own
poor estate, he begs the gift of measuring the coals brought
to the ships upon the rivers of Tyne and Weare. By this means
the King will not be, as now, defrauded of custom by the shipmasters, who, by corrupting the keelmen who bring the coals
aboard, ship more chaldrons than they pay custom for, and
than the coalsellers receive money for.—Undated.
Petition. 1 p. (196. 112.)
[See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–1610, p. 207]. |
|
Minute to [Sir Edward Coke], Attorney General. |
|
[1605, March.] |
To prepare a pardon in due form for a Mr.
Acton and his brother who are guilty of the practice of coinage,
at the instance of the Lord Roxburgh, who was to receive such
benefit as might arise from their attainder, but has since come
to a composition with the friends of the guilty parties.—Undated.
Draft. 2 pp. (197. 81.)
[See S.P. Dom. Addenda Jas. I, Vol. 37, No. 28; Calendar
of S.P. Dom., 1603–10, p. 206.] |
