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Cecil Papers: 1638

Pages 293-298

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 22, 1612-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1971.

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1638

[The Earl of Newcastle] to [the Earl of Salisbury].
1637–38, January 3. I thank your Lordship for all your letters. I return the Ambassador's, and think myself infinitely obliged to you for the passing over that false and idle report. Good my Lord, forgive the misfortune that I should be an occasion of so much vexation to you.—Welbeck, the 3 of January, 1637.
Holograph. 1 p. (131. 53(1).)
Robert Crichtong to the Earl of Salisbury.
1637–38, January 12. Begs Salisbury to excuse him for writing. "Were it my peculiar gayne whiche I did hunt after or the encrease of myne owne privat fortune, I wold spare to molest your Honour at this tyme with these my unseasonable sollicitationes. But it is Gods caus and his Churches whiche I cannot relinquishe with a safe conscience. Fyve yeares are spent since it pleased the Kings most royall Majestie to place me heare Tresorer of the Cathedrall of Wells. In all whiche tyme I have not failed to cast myself at your Honours feete, humblie showing to your Honour, and to your servants whom it concerned, my right to that small pension whiche my counsell advises me is payable by your Honour and not by your tenants for the monasterie of Sene. The world reports your Honour to be a great favourer of devynes and a noble patron to scollars. Lett me be happie to fynd your Honour as the world reports yow. Grant me the rightfullnes and equitie of my caus, or be not offended ife I strive to redress my self by the ordinarie course whiche the Lawes of this land do affoorde me in the Spirituall court, where I am advised by my counsell onelie to sue your Lordship and not your tenants. And I most humblie entreate your Honour to take this into your honourable consideratione, and be pleased to signifie your pleasure unto me by your officers what your Honour determynes."— 12 January, 1637.
Holograph. 1 p. (200. 14.)
Sir Thomas Rowe to the Earl of Salisbury.
1637–38, January 13. I have received command from his Majesty, Sovereign of the most noble Order of the Garter, dated at Whitehall the 3 inst., that he has determined to restore his most noble order to the primitive institution both in the Statutes, robes and all other honours degenerated and corrupted by time and in observance. To this end, having found that the ancient colour worn by the Knights in their upper robe was a rich celestial blue, and the undercoat of crimson, to begin his reformation in this part he has caused to be brought into his kingdom velvets of both colours, now in the hand of Peter Richaut, merchant, and has resolved that every Knight of his Order shall buy thereof as much as shall make new robes for himself to be ready against the next feast of St. George, to be celebrated on the usual days of 22, 23 and 24 of April next. And that your Lordship in particular may obey his royal order, he has commanded me to write unto you to provide and satisfy for so much as shall serve your own use of the said velvets now in the hands of Richaut dwelling near the Stocks in London, not doubting of your conformity herein to the Sovereign pleasure.—St. Martin's Lane, 13 January, 1637.
Holograph. Seal of the Garter. 2 pp. (131. 53(2).)
Gilbert Millington to Arthur Capell.
1638, April 9. Recommends William Hewett to the living of Greasley, on the grounds of "his worth, his honesty, his conformity".—9 April, 1638.
Holograph. Seal. Endorsed: "Mr Millington his letter in the behalfe of Mr William Hewitt to be vicar of Greasley." ½ p. (200. 115.)
Patricke Cocke to Arthur Capell.
1638, April 10. "Mr Tuke, as hee sayth, hath resigned all his rights which hee had in the vicaridge of Greasley into the hand of the Bishope, yet notwithstandeing I conceive yt is at your pleasure to present whome you shall best approve of, so that you doe yt within six moonthes. This gent., the bearer hereof, Mr Huett, yt seemes is verie desirous of your favor and approbation. Hee hath bene minister within two myles of Greasley for the greatest parte of the time since hee came from the Universitie, in which time I have not heard of any misdemeanor or disorder, but verie peacable, well qualified and everie waie well deservinge that the parishioners desier you maye accepte him if yt may bee pleasinge to you so to doe. Ther is a tenant of Mr Longes within the parishe of Selston who of late is questioned for a murder doane upon a booye, beinge his apprentice, by the strikinge and harshe usage of him, which the Coroner hearinge of ympanelled a jurie who with all the testimonie that then coulde bee produced founde nothinge against the man. Nowe Mr Longe beinge forward to make profitt hath taken an inventorie of the goods of him questioned and seased them; but presentlie after the booyes freinds beinge not satisfied prevailed with the Coroner to enquier further who hath ympanelled another jurie, veiwed the bodie againe, and have had further evidence. This last jurie is to give in ther verditt to the Coroner upon the Twesdaie in Whitsun weecke, in which time yt is thoughte ther wilbe more evidence against him. Nowe, my desier is you maye [be] pleased to appointe Mr Hamond to write to me from London this terme what I shall doe in this busines if it bee found against the man. I doe not conceive that Mr Longe hath any righte to the goodes, for you are cheife Lord of the house and lands wher on this man nowe questioned liveth, and I doe receive of him 3s p annum cheife rent."—Newthorpe, Aprill xth, 1638.
Holograph. Two seals. Endorsed: "Patricke Cocke his letter in the behalfe of Mr William Hewitt to be vicar of Greasley." 1 p. (200. 112.)
Lemuell Tuke to Arthur Capell.
1638, April 11. "Such are the troubles of these tymes and especially with us that to avoid a greater and future danger I am constrained in a legall way to surrender up my vicaridg, which once I loveingly and freely received from your worthy selfe. To relate the occasion I presume to forbeare, as not willinge to trouble your eares with that which is not most materiall to the purpose, but this bearer can informe you with as much as is convenient. I most humbly crave that your Worship will be pleased to afford my sodaine and seemeingly rash proceedinges in a matter of this nature a charitable interpretation. I well know that this is a tyme rather of seeking than of surrendering of livings; yet you knowe that the liberty and peace of conscience is to be preferred before all thinges. My care hath beene in forgoeing my right to preserve yours and, as soone as I could, to give you intelligence of what I am constrained to doe, neither would I in the least measure intrench uppon your prerogatives either by my selfe or by any other. The last Thursday, being the 5th of April, as the usual manner is, of resignations, I did resigne my vicaridge into the hands of the Bishoppe of the diocese, there to bee preserved for you till such tyme as you shall please to present whom you shall think meet, so it bee within six monthes." On his own behalf and that of his parishioners, presumes to recommend the bearer of the letter, William Hewett, as his successor. Expresses his gratitude to Capell for his kindness and generosity to him, and regrets that his indisposition does not allow him to do so in person.—Greasley, Aprill 11, 1638.
Holograph. Seal. Endorsed: "Mr Tuke his letter concerninge his resignation of the vicaridge of Greasley." 1 p. (200. 113.)
The Earl of Salisbury to Sir Charles Berkeley.
1638, May 1. The last survey of Cranborne Chase showed a serious decline in the number of deer, there being only 1432 in the five walks, and 90 at Chetterwood. There are two reasons for this: (1) contrary to orders there has been little walking by keepers of "Okeleywood in Cobley walk, Little wood in Burcistooke walke, and Gunvyle parke in the West walke."; (2) During the last season 96 deer were killed of which 77 were bucks and all but 18 killed without warrant, 60 of them being presented to the borderers and keepers' friends. Berkeley is to understand that henceforth no deer shall be bestowed by any keeper without Salisbury's prior approval, and that he is expected to take measures for the protection and increase of the deer.—Salisburie Howse, 1 May, 1638.
Draft. Unsigned. 1 p. (General 72/6.)
The Privy Council to the Earl of Salisbury.
1638, November 18. The express and usual directions of the Board heretofore given, and especially of late years, concerning the trained bands have been so full and exact as might make his Majesty and the Board confident both of the sufficiency of the arms and of the skill and readiness of the men that are to use them. Nevertheless, lest the aforesaid directions should not have been so effectually pursued as was required, his Majesty in his watchfulness for the defence of this kingdom and for the safety of his people in these times of action, has signified his express pleasure that instantly upon receipt hereof you cause an exact muster to be taken of all the arms and trained forces, horse and foot, within the county of Hertford, and to see that the arms be serviceable and complete; and that by the muster-masters and other experienced officers you cause all the trained soldiers of the county to be perfectly instructed in their arms, and the like course to be continued from time to time, and that the commanders and officers apply themselves to know and perform the duties of their several charges. And that you take especial care that both commanders, officers and soldiers be very able and sufficient men, that you take order that all the trained bands be so in readiness as to be fit to repair to their colours or rendezvous upon any occasion with their arms and provisions upon a day's warning: and that all the able men within that county (besides the trained bands) from the age of sixteen to threescore be listed and enrolled, that upon any sudden occasion such levies may be likewise made of them as shall be required, the copy of the said list to be forthwith returned to the Board. Deal seriously and effectually with the better sort of men to provide themselves with arms for their particular use, that with the help of those and such other arms as shall be found within the county, as many of the untrained men as possible may (as there shall be occasion and direction from his Majesty or the Board) be also exercised and reduced into bands under captains and officers. Take especial care that the proportions of powder, match and lead appointed for that county be forthwith provided and put in magazine. Cause the beacons to be forthwith made up and repaired with provision of wood and other materials requisite to be in readiness to give fire unto them, and to be diligently watched by discreet men. Appoint some able person to be Provost Marshal within the county for the apprehending and punishing such vagrant and idle persons as live not in any lawful vocation, and in times of suspicion and trouble may by tales and false rumours distract the people's minds or commit insolencies and outrages. And that we may be duly and speedily informed of all things concerning this service necessary for us to understand for the advancement thereof and applying of fit remedies where any defects shall be found, we pray and require you to give us an exact account of the state of the forces of the county and of the performance of these our directions with all possible expedition.—From Whitehall, 18 November, 1638.
P.S. Where you shall find it inconvenient in respect of the unseasonableness of the weather or any other considerable circumstance to draw together from remote places and to exercise the trained bands in complete bodies, we leave it to your discretion (provided that the work be effectually done) to take view of the arms upon the place or places, and to exercise the men apart in smaller bodies within their several divisions.
Fourteen signatures. 3 pp. (131. 63.)
Order by the King in Council.
1638, December 16. This day, his Majesty being present in Council, was pleased in his princely care for the safety and defence of the realm to take into consideration, amongst other particulars, the making complete and increasing all that conveniently may be the number of horse in every county, as a most important part of the strength of the kingdom. And for the better advancing thereof it was taken into deliberation what proportion of lands and estate within the county ought to be chargeable with the finding of horse; and upon mature advice thought fit and ordered that every person having lands of inheritance of the clear yearly value of two or three hundred pounds per annum within the county, or other estate equivalent thereunto, should be chargeable with a horse, viz, two hundred pounds per annum with a light horse, and three hundred pounds with a lance at the discretion of the Lord Lieutenant of the county. And whereas it was taken into consideration that the sparing of some persons opens a gap to excuses and backwardness in others, to the weakening both of horse and foot, and for that by letters under his Majesty's signature bearing date 24 May, 1626, and by a minute of letters from the Board sent with his Majesty's said letters to the Lords Lieutenant of every county, it appeared that his Majesty's pleasure was then declared to be that no man's purse should be spared in those services upon any excuse whatsoever, and that his own servants and those that attend them in Court should be privileged and spared from personal and actual duties, but their lands and revenues to be as liable as any others to the charge of finding arms in those counties where they do lie: it was therefore (according to his Majesty's express pleasure now again declared) resolved and ordered that the direction given on that behalf by his Majesty's former letters should be put in execution by the Lords Lieutenant of every county, and that the like rule should be observed as well concerning the persons as the lands and revenues of all the ministers and officers of any his Majesty's Courts of Justice, or any others that pretend privilege by reason of any relation to his Majesty's service or dependence upon any great officer in respect of his office; which howsoever it was not so particularly expressed in his former letters yet (as his Majesty was now pleased to declare) the same was necessarily implied, for if none of his own servants were to be exempted in their lands and estates from being chargeable with arms, much less was it intended that the Ministers and officers of his courts of justice, or any other pretending privilege by his Majesty's service or by dependence upon any great officers in respect of their offices, should in a like case have any greater exemption allowed them. Hereof a copy is to be forthwith sent to the Lord Lieutenant of every county.—At the Court at Whitehall, 16 December, 1638.
Underwritten: "Ex. Edw. Nicholas." 1¾ pp. (131. 65.)
The Countess of Hertford (fn. 1) to Viscount Cranborne.
[1639 or before] February 12. Reproves him for not having taken leave of her. Nevertheless, feels much affection for him, because of the friendship which has always been between his father and her.—Hertford House, the 12 of February.
Holograph. Two seals on brown silk. 1 p. (200. 99.)

Footnotes

  • 1. Died in October, 1639.