Pages 362-399
Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 13, Addenda. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1915.
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Citation:
1588
| Richard Douglas to Archibald Douglas. | |
| 1587–8, Jan. 8. | Since my last, bearing date 27 of December, his Majesty has almost ever been in Burley, while within these two days that he is returned to this town I have been, as well by myself as the Justice Clerk, very earnest to obtain answer to your letters, and to have had the Justice Clerk writing to you as his Majesty commanded, and he promised; but as yet I can have none other but that his Majesty sees no appearance of true or upright meaning to him from that country, but only superficial dealing to amuse him, and make him look for that he sees no mind in them to perform. If they meant honestly to him or thought they would have his friendship entirely and soundly, he is assured that considering the wrong done him they would come of [off] with a more square form of proceeding, and would acknowledge him with such kind of offers as were both honorable and sure for him to accept, whereof he can see no appearance neither of the one sort nor the other. And therefore seeing he cannot have of them that which he would, and partly looked for, he must be [con]tented, referring his honest part to God, Who he doubts not will assist him . . . to maintain himself, and obtain that whereunto he [ha]s undoubted right; in the meantime fears that that country have to do . . . friendship, when neither they may so honourably require it . . . so civilly grant it. This is the effect of the last answer the Justice Clerk had of his Majesty, which he desi[res m]e to write to you, excusing himself that he might not do it as [he] had promised. As for my own part, I see matters so disposed in this country that the King and his counsellors think assuredly that as time. . . now, and considering the certain report of the Spanish army prepared [to] invade that country, the Queen and Council should seek to assure themselves of his Majesty's friendship and good will by whatsoever means, which seeing they may have upon very reasonable conditions, his Majesty marvels much that they are so slow in seeking of it, and thereupon seems to gather small appearance of any good will meant towards him there. And therefore for myself I fear their unkind dealing procure him to embrace the contrary party, whereunto he is sought by all means possible. |
|
Lately Colonel Steuart is come in this country from the
Duke of Parme, as is thought, with very large offers of friendship. He landed yesternight and is looked for to be here this
night or else to-morrow. What the assured cause of his coming
and what shall be his Majesty's mind thereanent, I shall
learn against the next occasion. It is here put out of all
question by the greater sort that some great forces of Spaniards
are to land in this country, conducted by the Lord Maxwell,
and from thence to invade England. I know his Majesty would
be sorry that any such matter should be, but if that come
to pass it is to be feared that the hard dealing his Majesty
receives from that country [would] move him, if not to join
with them, at least suffer them do their wor[st], if he be not in
time dealt with in the contrary. I am not certain yet of his
Majesty's resolution, nor what course he will follow, but I
hope within this fortnight to understand his Highness' determination, and thereafter shall let you know of it with
expedition. His Majesty has declared himself lately a great
enemy to all "Jesuistes," priests, notorious papists and
their maintainers, to the great comfort of the better sort
of his subjects. Strait acts are set out against them, as of pain
of death if they be after a month found in the [coun]try, and
confiscation of goods and loss of "lyffrentt" to the. . . .
Commission is directed to certain noblemen and gentlemen
. . . affected to religion in every shire by his Majesty, with
power . . . and seek, apprehend and bring to justice all
such persons. All . . . . . . persons in religion by open
proclamation are discharged of . . . office, as namely of
lieutenant, wardens, sheriff and such. . . . . . . . The Earl of
Huntley's commission of lieutenancy in the . . . . . . . back.
In like manner his Majesty has promised to purge . . . and session
from all suspect persons in religion; and . . . . . . . required
either by the Kirk or nobleman for surety. . . . His Majesty
by granting thereunto 'shaues' the . . . . . . to the establishing
thereof; as presently . . . . . there is an assembly both of the
best of the Min[isters ?] . . . to advise upon matters concerning
the preventing the p . . . the papists, and advancement of
our religion. The . . . . . . this great while very quiet and no
breach . . . in them of . . . betwixt the Lord Chancellor and Lord
Hunsdon continues, . . . shall meet is as yet uncertain.
The resolution his H[ighness' ?] . . . before of my sending
to you is now altogether changed, for he . . . not that I shall
go for a space, upon withal occasion I . . . except dissuaded
therefrom by the Chancellor, who is sorry . . . should be
the doer of any good offices betwixt that country and . . .
It lies not in my hand to persuade his Majesty to write as
you desire . . . my Lord of Leicester, so long as the Chancellor
"oppones" himself thereto. I pray you write thereof to the
Justice Clerk, for I assure you his Majesty commanded me to
desire you to persuade my Lord of his Highness' good mind
towards his lordship, and that at his going to Flanders he would
write to him as of before; and that he has confessed to the
Justice Clerk himself. If your lordship be not to come to
this country yourself shortly, I would you should renew your
former suit that one should be sent to you, for I have many
things of importance to communicate to you that I cannot
commit to "writt." If the bruit of the Spanish navy and
preparation for war by the Duke of Parme be as great
and constant there as it is here, together with this report
of the defeat of the whole "reistres" in France, I think
it should be a great motive to move the Queen and her
Council to seek the King's goodwill and to satisfy him, as
also to hasten your return to this country with plausible
offers to his Majesty. I have this other day had large conference
with your friend young P. I perceive by him he would be
glad to make you foreseeing of anything he knows that might
serve your turn, or make you what mean or intelligence he
can. But as for the other man his friend, he thinks he should
know wherefore he should do it to him, yet he says he will
write to him touching the last matter he wrote of, and to
you very shortly as at all times of all matters you will desire
lying in his power. He looks that according to your letter
you will send him a "furrure" of "connies," and a pound
and half of "bugill lace" he wrote for, as he will be ready
to pleasure you with whatsoever you will command him in
this country. I look for your letter to Robert Scott, not
doubting but you will consider my estate. I have sent this
other day a very fair goshawk to my Lord Hunsdon in your
name. Carvell will advertise you, who shewed me a letter
of yours written [to] him whereby you to desire me to send
to my Lord Chamberlain in your name all such hawks as I
can get. I have now sent him . . ., if you think them not
sufficient advertise me, and I shall provide some mo[re].
Mr. William Scott has written to you here; you know his . . .
. . . I need to recommend it to your Lordship, but prays you
to remem[ber] . . . poor man, and John Heume who has
waited long upon you . . . but [without] your help is utterly
undone.—Edinburgh this 8 of January, 1587. Holograph. Addressed: To the Right Honorable my L. Amb. for the K. his Matie of Scotland. 3 pp. Damaged. (15. 81.) |
|
| The Borders. | |
| 1587–8, Jan. 30. | Agreements of the Commissioners for Border matters at Foulden, 25 January, 1587, and at Berwick, 30th January, 1587. |
| These agreements chiefly relate to procedure. The Commissioners will deal only with the complaints which have been usually remitted to commissioners, viz. fires, slaughters, "bludis," intrusion in land or fishings, unlawful prisoners, and unlawful bonds and ransoms. | |
|
Signed by H. Hunsdon, John Foster, Jho. Selby, Richard
Lowther, Carmychiell, Alexr. Hume of Hutoun Hall, and
George Young. 3 pp. (165. 28.) |
|
| Musters. | |
| 1587–8, Feb. 16. |
Muster taken at Buntingford, of the
hundreds of Odsey and Ewinstre, Herts. February 16, 1587.
Henry Capell, captain, John Capell, lieutenant, Henry Howard,
ensign. 19 pp. (214. 23.) |
| R. Douglas to his uncle, Archibald Douglas. | |
| [1588,] March 25. |
I doubt not but you will greatly marvel
of my so long deferring to write: but, if it were not more to
testify my good remembrance of my duty than of any solid
matter here, I had scarcely yet taken pen in hand so
fickle and uncertain has matters been here since my last,
by the which I wrote to you that the Earl of Huntley was
gone northward to quiet a deadly feud (for so gave he it forth)
fallen forth betwix his allies, but by [against] expectation
he suddenly returned and put our court in great fray. But
all things are now pacified, the Chancellor drawing the noblemen that were at Stirling in jealousy with him, the which
the Earl of Huntley has purged. In the first agreance ye
heard of made at the convention the Chancellor was respondent
for honest dealing, but in this he has been principal party,
albeit for "fassions" cause he called the noblemen to assist
in the same: but as for them, as they saw small cause of
miscontentment, so were they contented with small purgation
and satisfaction. So it is taught quod defertur non aufertur.
Not long since the Lord Hunsdon wrote a long letter to his
Majesty containing sundry "heindes" and griefs upon her
Majesty's part, as also offers to the King, regretting specially
he should have refused to hear the Queen's purgation touching
his mother's death. As for the offers, I think they are better
known to you than anybody here except to such as will
communicate no purposes with me. The King's Majesty
has written answer with his own hand and has directed
Carmichael to my Lord Hunsdon with the same, the Chancellor
openly protesting that he is ignorant of that dealing, albeit
he be blamed by all men for entering in that course. He
openly countenances more the French and Spanish course,
whether it be for fear or love I cannot tell. But it seems
he would hold himself for a time indifferent and ply where
he saw the King most affectionate. They of that faction
are chiefest about his Majesty, the other noblemen meddling
little in matters of state except so mickle as may touch their
own surety. The Earl of Huntley uses his office of great chamberlain and lies in the King's chamber. The Earl of
Crawfurd has purchased the King's licence to go to his house,
but shortly to return to Court again when they hope the King
shall further declare himself, and, in the mean time, look for such
assurances of foreign aid that the King shall be contented
to yield to their earnest desires, and (as some of themselves
say) constrained, or else do worse for himself and his estate:
unto the which "inconvenent" he is like to come by the good
will (evil requited) he bears to that country. I heard there
was a post boy robbed between Belford and Berwick by some of
the riders: my Lord Hunsdon blames the Laird of Hunthill. The
packet came from London, and was taken the 6th or 7th of this
instant. By my next I mind more certainly to write of their
matters; or else bring word if I can come so provided as I
would; otherwise I will not come except I may serve of
some better purpose than I can see, albeit I be already weary
of this court, and country life I have not greatly haunted.
I spake [to] John Lowe as you wrote to me by your "tikat."
His answer was that he had written to you by Alexander
Douglas, which answer he should keep. As for the wines,
they were for the present at so great a price here that he
thinks they are a smaller price in London, besides that the
best wines is sold and the later vintage is not yet come. He
himself is bound towards France to the Rochelle and will
see you either in the going or the coming. If he should buy
wines, he says he could not stay to see them safely convoyed
and embarked.—Edinburgh, 25 March. Cf. Calendar of Cecil Papers, iii. 313. Holograph. Portions of seal. 2½ pp. (168. 100.) |
| R. Douglas to Archibald Douglas. | |
| 1588, April 9. |
Albeit I have no great matter of writing
at this time, having been absent from Court almost this
fortnight deceased, at my father's house, and that my brother
has written at length the present state of our "broiled"
matters, yet this packet being ready to be directed I could
not but by these testify the willing mind I shall always bear
to do your lordship service. I look daily for answer of my
last letters sent unto you, and chiefly to the motion made
unto me by the E. of Huntley (by your friend the Laird P.)
whereof he expects your answer with great devotion. That
matter is of no small consequence, and for my own part I
must confess I see not the end thereof as yet, but your lordship
is wise meant and without rejecting their offer, may deal in
such sort that they shall make but small profit thereof to
your harm, suppose they were so minded as they profess by
great attestations the contrary. I will keep me indifferent
until I know your lordship's resolution, and as ye shall direct
me so shall I use myself thereuntill. If I had been assured
of safe convoying of my letters, I had advertised you ofter
of our state, but the last lay a great while for fear to have
fallen in wrong hands, therefore your L. shall do well to cause
a warrant [to] be directed to some special man at Berwick
from Mr. Secretary for receiving of all such letters as shall
be directed unto you and sure convoying of the same. All
other matters I refer to my brother.—From Edinburgh this
9 of April, 1588. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (60. 84.) |
| The Same to the Lord Ambassador. | |
| [1588,] April 28. |
I saw a letter written by your Lordship
to my brother, wherein ye accused me of sundry points,
whereunto I shall answer so far as I may; the first where ye
say that my unsecrecy in revealing such matter as you wrote
to me concerning the Earl of Arran, surely I did nothing in
that matter but by your own direction; for I keep yet your
letter, wherein you desire me to advertise the Chancellor
thereof, which, because I could not well do by myself, I
(not . . . . . . . . . as to speak with him I am not
yet, and that only for your cause, I caused Justice
Clerk to do in your name, and therein did not so much as
you commanded, and you may remember what was my opinion
therein by the answer I wrote to you at the same time. What
you mean by that unsecret dealing you allege I used with
Sir William Keith and James Hudson I cannot tell, for
believe me, since my last coming from you I never communicated
with any one of them any matter of importance. If ye mean
of anything whereof you accused me at my last being with
you, I hope that could do you no harm, for that matter was
since declared by the King himself both to the Chancellor and
Justice Clerk. As for any letters I wrote to you, ever since
my first employment, whereby I made you believe that the
King liked well of your proceedings, believe I wrote nothing
concerning the King, but that which he commanded me
particularly, and I am assured his Majesty will testify the
same as he has lately done, whensoever he shall be demanded
thereof; and you know yourself, that my instructions I
brought to you last subscribed by the King's own hand, bears
more nor ever I wrote. Always I know if ye can do any
good offices yet upon the same offers, the King will be glad
thereof, notwithstanding all that your unfriends give out
in the contrary; whereof when I have enquired the King
if it be so, he denies all to me. As for James Hudson, he is
employed by the Chancellor and Sir William, as of before; the
King knows him to be there by their advertisements and it
is done only by the Chancellor to persuade the King that the
other can do as good service as you; but the King makes
little or no account of him. Neither can I understand that
he writes anything can prejudge you. Suppose I have been
very inquisitive upon his letters. The King his mind towards
you will appear even as you shall be able to do him service;
for ye need not to believe these vain reports that Carmichael
has made to the Lord Hunsdon, whereof a great part are
unknown to his Majesty, and the other has been drawn out
of him by their craft, but yet nothing concerning you would
he ever consent to write to him, whatsoever that Lord has
reported in the "contrair." The King heretofore upon opinion
he had of my Lord . . . . . . . ., ; but now when his
Majesty perceives little hope that way, I think I shall move
him either to write to him or else to yourself to be given to
him; and that at his coming back from his journey I shall
do good will to bring about. I perceive your lordship
considers very slenderly all my labours and pains I have
taken and daily take in your affairs. I have been at very
great charges and had little or no regard had thereof by
you. I have, by the . . . loss of the Chancellor's his good
will, spent all I . . . or can get in your service, and that
which you . . . in recompense can have nothing so that I
am indebted more than I am able to discharge; and the worst
is I think I have neither reaped profit or thanks; which appears
by your refusal to allow to — the 5l. sterling I received
from him. Surely I believed I had deserved a greater matter
of your lordship, if I had craved it. For my daughter's
cause that which I have begun I will accomplish, but surely
except your lordship both pay that and more than that,
I will be compelled to leave off and seek some other way;
which, if I pleased, I would not find difficult, but I will not
for every occasion offered be so inconstant as to alter my
settled course. I have borne a good will and also done good
offices for you. I hope according to your promise you will
see me to be no loser.—28th of April. Holograph. Written in sympathetic ink. 2 pp. (179. 146.) |
| Yarmouth. | |
| 1588, April 30. |
Plot of Yarmouth and Waburnhope,
coloured. By E[dmund] Y[orke].—30 April, 1588. 1 sheet. (Maps 1. 37.) |
| ii. Borough of Yarmouth. | |
| As to the antiquity of the borough of Yarmouth, co. Norfolk. | |
| In A.D. 1000 the site of the borough of Yarmouth in the time of King Canute was a great sand waste at the mouth of the river Yare (Hierus), entirely overflowed by the sea. | |
| A.D. 1040 in time of King Edward the Confessor the said sand grew in height by the receding (defluxionem) of the sea. | |
| In the time of King Harold and William the Conqueror the site grew into dry sands and people congregated there in tents to try and sell herrings and fish, as well from French and Flemish fishermen as from many English fishermen for the speedy dismissal of the fishermen, and chiefly at Michaelmas and 40 days after yearly; during which time the barons of the Cinque Ports by the King's authority sent their bailiffs there for government of the Ports' fishermen and other people congregated there; and after the 40 days the bailiffs returned home. In A.D. 1096 in time of King William Rufus Herbert bishop of Norwich built a chapel of his on the sand for the welfare of the souls landing there. In the following year the bailiffs of the barons of the Cinque Ports at their coming expelled bishop Herbert's priest from his chapel; but in the following year the bishop by royal authority was restored to his chapel. A few years after the same bishop began to build a church on the sand to the honour of God and St. Nicholas, to which church offerings and other gifts were made by the fishermen. | |
| A.D. 1100. In the time of Henry I., Stephen, Henry II., and Richard I., Kings of England, the sand grew into dry land, and then some citizens of Norwich and people from Norfolk and Suffolk built houses and ships there and were governed by a certain man called the provost, deputed by authority of the King for the purpose. | |
| A.D. 1200. Until King John created the people congregated there his burgesses of Yarmouth, and by his letters patent made the houses and buildings so constructed the borough of Yarmouth, and granted the said borough to the burgesses at fee farm, paying to the King, his heirs and successors 55l. yearly for ever. | |
| Henry III. granted the burgesses of Yarmouth various privileges by charters, and a licence to enclose the borough with walls and ditches. | |
| Edward I. and Edward II. likewise granted various privileges to the burgesses, and named the water the port of Yarmouth, and there built a trone and custom house (coquet') for lading and unlading ships. | |
| Edward III. called the borough Great Yarmouth and united to the borough for ever a certain spot on the high sea called Kirklee Road, and granted the same spot to the burgesses at fee farm for five pounds per annum. | |
| King Richard II. granted the burgesses of Great Yarmouth various great privileges for the purchase and sale of herrings and other merchandise, &c. | |
| Henry IV. granted a licence to make the borough bridge at the cost of the burgesses. | |
|
The said borough contains within its walls about 60 acres
of land and 1,000 dwelling houses; and the burgesses and
inhabitants live by the sea only and draw from it their food
and clothing, nor do they practise ploughing or sowing as
other townspeople upon the sea coast in the counties of
Norfolk and Suffolk.—Undated. Latin. 1½ pp. (169. 33.) |
|
| Map of Wayborn and Clay, Norfolk. | |
| 1588, May 1. |
Plot of Waborne, Weborne fort and
entrenchments, Claye, &c., Norfolk. Inscribed: "Reason
would a scale, but time permits not, so as necessity enforces
to make the distances upon the places: made in haste this
1st of May, 1588, E[dmund] Y[orke]." Coloured. 1 sheet. (Maps 2. 36.) |
| R. Douglas to Archibald Douglas. | |
| [1588,] May 7. | I received your letters of the date the 27 of April the 3 of May, together with a letter from Mr. Bowis, the contents whereof I participat[ed] with his Majesty. But because final answer and determinate could not for the present be had, I have thought good to make you acquainted with such things as has occurrred in our countrei since my last, which is:—his Majesty, as I wrote, coming "touche" the Mers, came down the water of Tueid and to . . . by Streuthes (?) upon the water. He went also to the Bounds . . . where among other officers and captains, Master Bo[wis] came unto his Majesty, and [had] long conference, wherein he answered to all the bruits given out against him touching the joining with strangers, and specially Spaniards, wherewith Mr. Bowis was well satisfied; as also touching his religion and treating of papists; and something concerning the public quietness of both the realms, always protesting that matters might be so compounded that he might be satisfied in honour, without the which he could no ways have doing precibusque minas regaliter adebat. Whereupon Mr. Bowis promised to some about his Majesty before he should sleep to write to H[unt]ly and h . . Majestie: in what sort that is done you can tell: yet answer is earnestly expected, and other resolution deferred till something be heard from Mr. Bowis or some other of that matter, into the which course such of the nobility as are for the present about his Majesty inclines, by reason it is "proceid" and begun by his Majesty himself, without any there moving; for they eschew that which they would be gladdest to be at, lest they should incur suspicion and calu[mni]es at their enemies' hands. I am doing what I can to draw them to you, and you to them. Upon his Majesty's return to Ed[inburgh] the cert[ainty] of my Lord Maxwell his coming home was reported (which howbeit I heard before the sending of my last, yet I would not write it because there was no certainty after so many false bruits) wherewith his Majesty was very offended: proclamations made against such as should either reso[rt to] or communicate with him. It was also reported that some stirring was among the noblemen lately that was about the King in Dunfermline, and some gatherings, whereupon the Council being assembled the 4th of this instant, it was concluded that the King's ordinary guard should be augmented, and one new levy of footmen, and one hundred horsemen, should be made to be resident about the King's Majesty under the M. of Glamis his charge, ordinary commander . . . the noblemen should retire them to their countries whereupon greatest stir should appear. The Lieutenantry of the Borders at . . . was decernit to my L. of Angus, which is for suppressing Maxwell if anything shall be attempted . . . for [par]ticular interest will be most careful to . . . . . . . behalf. The Lieutenantry in the North to my L. Mar. . . ., Arrol in the Bounds, and my L. of Athol. This . . . . . . . to be such as will suppress all domestic attempts if foreign, which is suspected by some and looked for by others, super[vene]; all this is pretended albeit yet not published. Sentence of ex[ecu]tion is either pronounced or with all rigour to be pronounced against L. Claud, who not only refuses to communicate, but withholds all . . . is small gentlemen about Paslay resort to church or commu[nion] he has had public doing with my L. Maxwell my L. Ham[ilton] is suspected but others say he is miscontented with his brother's pr. . . . The King of Denmark's death, albeit it be certain, and the Cope[nhagen] legates "comit" into this country yet does not stay the preparations [for] the ambassador's going thither. The "Duche" chancellor is appointed in the minority of the child, who is well affected to [this na]tion. The bruit of the King of Spain's death does const[antly re]maine. The first advertisement came from Paris written to my [L. Ha]miltonne in a postscript; but because nothing comes f . . . of it, it is [taken] the less to be true. Into my L. of . . . matter I can pro[ceed] nothing till such time as I hear from you of his letter which being come I shall . . . no good occasion. The "tak" of the le[ad] mines "set" by George Douglas to Mr. . . . is like at the setting down of the conference (?) to be reduced, the contract which I made between them to be "decernit" . . . wherefore if you think it good I shall app[oint] George, for I may have the handling of that matter as ha[ving] interest in the making of the contract. |
| They would most willingly agree for the . . . or thousand to be laid into, also upon such prices as I and they should appoint and the rest to be transported by me where I please best, wherefore in your next let me hear from you what you will have me to do thereanent. Matters of estate and answer of your last I remit to my next, which shall be shortly, if the delay of Mr. Bowes his doing and . . . of that impede not. Victual is very good cheap here [th]erefore if any would transport corns good occasion is offered to make profit that way. For the present having no other thing to trouble you with, but praying you to have consideration how I shall be entertained here at Court, and come to you with such as you desire, commits you to God, from Ed[inburgh] the 7 of May, Your loving and obedient nephew to do you service, R. Douglas. | |
|
My brother is gone North to Angus [on] such business
as you know . . . his Majesty has pardoned all byg[ones] to
Mr. Bowis and has con[ceived] better opinion of him and wi[ll]
continue the same as this matter shall fall out to his liking
or disliking. I can learn nothing of Da . . . . . . . whom you
mention in your last, nor where he dwells. Sundry friends has
desired me for moyen to get them horses forth of England. If
you would write to Robert Scot to deliver me your "placcat," I
should use it in such sort as you should be contented with, and
never file the "placat" except necessity required; and in so
doing you should pleasure friends and do me good, and no harm
to yourself, but specially Mr. Thomas Cranstoune. Holograph. 3 pp. Mutilated and damaged by damp. (213 1.) |
|
| Letters of Marque. | |
| 1588, May 24. | Copy of the request presented to his Majesty and Estates after the Conservitor repaired to his expedition in Holland. |
|
Copy of Order by the King that if the complainer be not
satisfied by the Estates for his debt within 40 days, he will
grant letters of marque against them.—Dated Holyrood
House, May 24, 1588. 1½ pp. (142. 91.) |
|
| Richard Douglas to Archibald Douglas. | |
| [1588,] May 26. | I wrote to you upon the return of the Justice Clerk and Carmichael, who was directed to confer with Robert Cary, in a postscript after the concluding of my letters, for I got knowledge of their return very late. The meeting was upon Haliden Hill in the bounds, within the night. It was "proponit" to him to come as a private person, which he refusing and not opineing what he had to say, the next day, being the 24 of this instant, it was in "plane" [? plein] council "proponit" by the King whether he should be heard or not, for so the Chancellor would have it, fearing lest the blame should lie upon him that an ambassador should be received openly after so many refusals, nothing being done for the King's satisfaction. It was for the King's pleasure concluded all nations might be heard, and his Majesty make election as his state and time required. Whereupon Robert Cary was appointed to come to Dumfries, where being come, it is resolved he shall be heard, and certain of the councillors appointed to deal with him. But for determinate answer, he will get none till I may understand something of my last. If anything of this resolution alters I shall advertise, but my absence from Court this time does me harm, which is for such causes as I wrote to you for. The 25 as was appointed his Majesty departed towards the west border. I have with great difficulty caused Mr. Richart re-enter in dealing with his Majesty, because he may do the same without the Chancellor's privity or reproof. I have promised to deal in nothing but to make him acquainted, wherefore all your general letters and occurrents, after my brother has presented them to the King, I deliver them to the Chancellor. He complains that he has none of his kin capable of his benefits, and to place about the King, and me he promises to prefer if he were assured I could withdraw my affection from you. So would I gladly creep in credit by whatsoever a "moyen," hoping to find concurrence of noblemen and other gentlemen about his Majesty for the present to continue the same. The Chancellor also will be the more agreeable to my coming in those parts if I shall seem to seek nothing but by his privity. But he mistrusts too much. |
| You complain in your last that I have written contrarieties, which I cannot deny, but the truth is that our resolutions, actions and courses are so "contrarius," and does so daily change, that he that sees them best cannot certainly set down any resolution. But now the King is resolved upon the English course, but what way, or by what mediate persons, he is not resolved, but minds to use them that shall most serve his purpose. Wherefore if this man should promise never so "meikill" it will not be accepted till other have said, and others here understand from them I wrote of in my others. | |
| My brother's conference and answer received of his Majesty I leave to his own discourse. Your lordship "man" [? must] use him more friendly, and write to Robert Scote touching that which he desired, which is well deserved upon his part, howbeit his pains has not taken the wished effect hitherto, yet there is appearance of better, if it be well followed to. I have communicated my opinion to him how matters shall be handled in times to come, for two strings upon a bow is surer than one. | |
|
So looking for answer of my last, and every particular of
the same, desiring you in your next packet to write something
to John Brown touching his matter, and to thank him of his
pains in sending your letters to us.—Edinburgh, 26 of May. Holograph. |
|
|
(The following postscript was apparently written in
sympathetic ink:) The final end of all this dealing so far
as I can conceive it to seclude by common consent Robert
Cary and his father from dealing, and to have some other
sent here, with opinion that he belongs to my L. of Leicester.
But before that he "effectuat" I would there were some
probable discourse set down whereby the King might be
persuaded that further may be obtained nor is yet promised,
for obtaining whereof let me understand what should be solicited
of the King yourself, or to any other. The noblemen have
respect to their own surety, wherefore if they were once
entered in doing with any Englishman, I doubt if they would
respect you "meikill." They would be contented to deal
with Bowes. But I have put them in opinion of Fugrawell,
affirming the other to be the Treasurer's man. Faint. 2 pp. (16. 98.) |
|
| [Richard Douglas to Archibald Douglas.] | |
| [1588, May ?] |
This other letter I have written purposely,
but the truth of matters is far otherwise, for the King himself
I assure you was privy to the sending away of your letter
that came by the laird of Ladyland, and that he has confessed,
and yet I cannot learn what become of it since. As for the
other last letter that I gave the Justice Clerk, surely the King
has purged himself thereof, and knew nothing of the sending
thereof. I canot see how my brother or I can deal any farther
in these matters, matters standing as they do for the K[ing]
is [? ev]ill persuaded of you by the Chancellor which . . .
your irreconcilable enemy, that I believe if you would effectuate
never so good offices, they should not be accounted of at this
time, and the King himself is so carried away that none [are]
in "steid" to have favour for our travail; we reap but evil
will, and nothing esteemed of the King. As for me, from
this time, except you command me particularly, with reason
why, I mind to abstain from dealing with the K. for a while.
I think it were not the worst suppose you did the like also,
for I know within a "sex ours" matters will be at some maturity
and the King will resolve both about his own course, and
matters at home will be better settled, for ere that time the
King will declare whether he will be friend or enemy to England,
for there will be no place for mid courses as there is now, for
the certain coming of Spaniards in this country will cut away
that, and then matters that are but plastered in this court
will . . . break up, and I hope your enemy and mine shall
not be able after that to cross your doings, being at least
removed if not worse if you will be contented to leave writing
to the King for a while . . . not the less by my frequent
letters understand the state of the c[ountry and] all matters
as they fall out, and some before they fall out. [The] King
has refused to take the 5,000l., but yet I . . . that Carmichaell
is to take it in the King's name, and that . . . without any
warrant. The King will neither as yet enter on open dealing,
nor yet shut off dealing with England. The principal of the
north faction would be glad as they say to enter in some
friendship and dealing with you, as more at length you will
hear by your friend Purie his letters, humbly offers great
friendship to bring you home to the King's favour, and to
make you . . . . . . what they will do in this matter I cannot
imagine . . . are wise enough for them, and as you direct
me so shall I do and no farther. I have given no answer but
generally, assuring you will be glad to do his L. all service.
I know his credit is good and I fear it shortly greater. He
bears a remarkable hatred to the Chancellor, whatsoever
countenance he makes in the meantime, and protests their
course is neither prejudiciable to the rest of the nobility nor
yet to the religion, but only for their own safety and to
discredit the Chancellor, whom he calls the plague of the
nobility and . . . of the King.—Undated. In hand of Richard Douglas. 1 p. Much damaged. (186. 29.) |
| Proclamation. | |
| 1588, July 1. |
Proclamation against the importing or
circulation of seditious bulls, libels, books and pamphlets
or writings. Refers to Sextus V.'s "most malicious and
destestable bull or libel against her Majesty."—Manor of
Greenwich, 1 July, 1588. Seal. Parchment, 1 sheet. (217. 3.) |
| Privy Seal. | |
| 1588, July 10. |
Privy seal for captains to be sent into
divers counties for assistance to the lieutenants. Contemporary copy. ½ p. (142. 93(2).) |
| [R. Douglas] to "My Lord Ambassador." | |
| [1588,] July 10. | The truth is that ever since my last writing I have been travailing with the King about the despatch of that direction to you that he promised then. But the Chancellor has so opposed himself unto the King his mind, that I can have no open directions as the King promised, neither can the King himself have his will in this matter, he is so overpowered by the Chancellor. If ye think it meet that any instructions be sent unto you in that form that I brought you last, I doubt not to obtain them, but otherwise under Mr. George Young his hand and his Majesty's signet I cannot. Suppose the King promises that I shall have it, yet I can see no appearance; he is so guided with the Chancellor, and so careless of his own affairs, that except when I speak with him, which is but at certain times, when I wait the Chancellor's absence and his other deputies, that he has never any more remembrance of you. The Chancellor has of late declared himself wholly offended with me for reading to the King your other letter, whereby he and Carmichael were touched, and has vowed he shall make me give an account of my doings, and let me understand he has greater credit with his Majesty, nor that he will suffer me to receive any such advertisements or to write to you. And this he spake to my brother Archibald in a great choler. I answered that, if I did anything by the King's command, I was content to underlie his Majesty's censure, but so long as it should please his Highness to employ me in that service, I would not leave off for no man's boast, and this I desired my brother to answer for me. As it falls out hereafter I shall advertise you. The Chancellor, to calumniate your doings and your advices given to the King (for his Majesty keeps nothing of these matters close from him), has said that you suborned by the Earl of Leicester and Sir Francis Walsingham give the King advice to deal with other princes, and to make the Q. of England believe that except she satisfy him, he will follow their courses against her and that the only way to terrify her is the means to reduce her to some good conformation and to satisfy his Majesty; and this he says you do only to cause the King to give that Queen occasion to speak of the King and have in mislike to do anything for him; and that he gives out to — an opinion of you. |
|
But I will never believe that to be his Majesty's own opinion,
so long as he gives me such speeches as he does. If the King
had his own will in matters, I think you should be further
employed nor ye are; that he also follow more of your advice
than he does. Always let me hear with expedition if you
will be contented to receive your instructions under his hand
and I doubt not to obtain them. I communicated with
his Majesty the contents of your last letters, who took your
advertisements touching this gentleman's . . . very thankfully. He has promised to take order that he shall understand
our state, be very quiet and conformable to his Majesty's
proper will; "sicklyk" his Highness has promised to let it
be known, that he will have all dealing to proceed from himself
and not from this or that particular man. And at the
Convention he will see that there is no division amongst us
that can derogate to the King's obedience. In all other
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . he promises to . . . your advice.
I think his Majesty shall yield to me s . . . of that that shall be
desired touching the going forward of the league, nor yet to
think that his declaration of sec . . . person can prejudge him,
but he will hear the ge . . . and will enquire what the Queen
will do for him . . . he have no answer of that Robert Carey
promised, the King assured me he should retain him here until
he should write to his mistress thereof for her answer thereupon.
As to the articles sent to you, if ye would have them renewed,
advertise me and I shall speak to his Majesty thereupon. As
for [what] you wrote in the latter end of your letter touching
the Lord Hunsdon surely I can make no language of it,
for no pain I can take. I shall wait upon Mr. Ashby as the
King has given me licence to do, but I know the Chancellor
will like him the worse of that; but I may not mend that.
This 10 of July.—Unsigned. Written in sympathetic ink. 2 pp. (179. 144.) |
|
| [R. Douglas] to [Archibald Douglas,] the Scotch Ambassador. | |
| [1588, c. July 12.] | I perceive his Majesty our sovereign thinks himself far deceived of his expectation, for he looked for great matters out of that country but now he sees the contrary. I return all your letters, yea that that touched the Chancellor most. The King denies very fast that ever any such small sum of money was sought in his name and he assured me that he shall never let receive it. Rob. Carey promised him great matters, yea, the assurance of his title. His Majesty is now sufficiently persuaded what harm undiscreet dealing has done to his service whereof his own wilfulness to follow the Chancellor's opinion is the cause. But [now] I think by his language he would be glad to mend it if he could. Therefore if ye would set down to his Majesty some good plot to follow, I think that this time he should embrace it and follow it or as ye should prescribe; at the least if he do it not, no man should see it but himself. For since that fault was done to you, I never left a letter in his hand nor shall not do. The King is very negligent of his own affairs, and his councillors regard but their particular. He has no intelligence almost with foreign princes at this time and little in France with his cousins of Guise. I advertised him of your advice to cause their threatenings serve his turn. For my lord of Leicester he seems to be very desirous to enter in dealing with him and I learn his promise of late time that he shall write to him and you both. I am busy so far as I may in the Chancellor's absence to purchase for that direction to you mentioned in my other letter under the King his own hand writ or some other instructions, which, if the King will direct to my brother I would have him the bearer of, for his credit stands with my lord of Leicester. But if the King will not commit them to him, as he has but little good opinion of him, I could come with it myself, which I am very loath to [do] for your intelligence thence if I be absent will be . . . . small. |
|
I will be as busy as I can to get this dispatch of the King
these four or five days following, for if I get it not ere then,
the King will steal himself away quietly for five or six days
to the marriage of the Lady Burley her daughter and there
he will be inaccessible for that while, so negligent is he of his
own affairs. Any direction that you would have sent to
you from his Majesty advertise me and I shall do my diligence.
The Chancellor would seem to be witless of this dealing with
England and denies it to all men. But yet he is the only cause
thereof. I am informed that Robert Cary when he was with
the King did evil offices against you, in what I am ignorant,
because I was not present at his being there; and his Majesty
conceals that from me. If anything save the Lord Maxwell
his life it will be the hard dealing of England. Otherwise
the King is very bent against him. The letters that come
to the Chancellor and Carmichael come to them the same
time that yours come to my hands. They have sent no
answer as yet, for I see the carrier of them still attending.
It is given out by the Chancellor that Sir Robert Sidney is
to come here ambassador. [If it] so be I marvel ye wrote
nothing thereof. When ye desired me to tell the King that
the Queen had uttered hard speeches against our Chancellor,
because you wrote neither the speeches nor yet the cause
moving her, I did it not; and that only part of all your
letters kept I close from him. The Chancellor and Carmichael
were absent when your horses were delivered to his Majesty,
and now since their coming they are offended that the King
received them. I pray you let me hear from you shortly
before that either my brother or I come to you. I pray your
lordship remember that I am at great charges.—Undated. Unsigned.? Written in sympathetic ink. 2 pp. (179. 142.) |
|
| Plan of Southwold. | |
| 1588, July 12. |
Plans, made by Edm. Yorke, of Southwold
and Dunwich, showing the defences. 1 sheet. (142. 98.) |
| Victualling of Ships. | |
| 1588, July 13. |
Privy seal for victualling 8,000 men in
certain of the Queen's ships in the West, under the conduct
of the Lord Admiral and Sir Francis Drake, and of 1472 in
ships at the Narrow Seas under Lord Henry Seymour and
Sir William Winter. Contemporary copy. 1 p. (142. 92.) |
| 1588, July 24. |
Privy seal for 6,000l. to Sir Thomas
Heneage, to be issued by direction of six of the Privy Council. Contemporary copy. ½ p. (142. 93.) |
| 1588, July 28. |
Privy seal to the Master of the Ordnance
for powder and other emptions. Contemporary copy. ½ p. (142. 94.) |
| Murad II., Sultan of Turkey, to the Queen. | |
| 1588, July 28. | Addresses her as "most shining Elizabeth, Queen of England and Prince of the magnanimous followers of Jesus, Guide of all affairs of the multitude and family of the Nazarenes," &c., with many compliments. Your ambassador resident at the Sublime Porte (in porta nostra beata fulgida) has presented letters signifying that your Highness has waged war now for four years with the King of Spain, and all has gone as you wished; also that Don Antonio being both natural King and heir of Portugal, the King of Spain has snatched Portugal from him, whom you had determined to restore to his kingdom; and that the King of Spain sending his fleet to India was endeavouring to bring back into his kingdom in gold, silver, precious stones and spices every year 30,000,000 (trecenties centena millia) of gold. And unless he were opposed he would get together so much gold and silver and such forces that he would be most rich and powerful of all princes, if he but obtained peace. Whose ships your Highness has often intercepted, and your ambassador demanded that in the coming spring our galleys (triremes) might be sent to Spain that by the joint action of both of us the Spaniard not having forces against two parties might be the more easily overcome. And as in time of our ancestors weak and oppressed princes had been wont to implore their aid, so Don Antonio sought aid from us: and both in this as also in other necessary matters whatsoever your ambassador intimated, according to his intimation all things have been explained to us and apprehended in the depth of our intelligence. |
|
Be it known to your Highness as for some years and months
now it has been our design to wage war in the East to the
end we might annex the Persian kingdom at this time called
Rasilbas, the territory of an inconstant and infidel nation,
entirely to our empire, by favour of the most High God we
shall soon enjoy our desire, so indeed that but little remains
to do; which accomplished, forthwith we will pay attention
to the matter on your behalf and lay hold of it, and make
it our care to satisfy your desire. Your declared friendship
towards us has been so greatly proved that now greater
friendship could not be required nor affirmed. So great a
war has your Highness waged with the King of Spain and
put such force into it and fought so many battles as never
any prince has or could have fought. The King of Spain
whithersoever he has gone or sent his own war has done all
things by tricks and fraud; but by God's help the tricks
of a deceitful man are very easily frustrated, only putting
negligence and sloth on one side let diligent watch be kept.
It is meet also that after our most friendly letters come to
your Highness the friendship hitherto declared on your
Highness' part be also declared in the future and be preserved by all means, and your Highness as a friend to our
friends and enemy to our enemies persevere in true friendship,
and omit not to signify the news in those parts according to
truth to our Sublime Porte. Your ambassador here has
performed his embassy with all constancy, modesty and
politeness, and leaving your faithful servant Edward Barton in
his place we have willingly given himself leave to return
to his own country. Who after he shall safely come to your
Highness by reason of his faith fully declared and executed
office may your Highness receive him with singular kindness
and not compare him with any others, for by every means
for so long a space of time he has declared your fidelity,
constancy and modesty: and do not postpone sending a
great ambassador to our Sublime Porte with your letters
that matters concerning your Highness may be diligently
cared for in our Porte.—Constantinople, 28 July, 1588. Endorsed by Burghley: Anno Muham: 996, Anno Sultan Murat 15. The Great Signior's letter Sultan Murat to the Q.s Majesty by Mr. Harber. Headed: "Interpretatio literarum potentissimi Cæsaris Turcarum Sultan Murat secundi ad sacram Reginalem Majestatem Angliæ datarum." Latin. 2 pp. (133. 84.) |
|
| The King of Scotland to the Queen. | |
| 1588, Aug. 4. |
In times of straits true friends are best tried.
Now merits he thanks of you and your country who kythes
himself a friend to your country and estate, and so this time
must move me to utter my zeal to the religion and how near a
kinsman and neighbour I find myself to you and your country.
For this effect then have I sent you this present hereby to
offer unto you my forces, my person and all that I may
command to be employed against yon strangers in whatsoever
fashion and by whatsoever means as may best serve for the
defence of your country. Wherein I promise to behave myself
not as a stranger and foreign prince but as your natural son and
compatriot of your country in all respects. Now, Madame, to
conclude; as on the one part I must heartily thank you for your
honourable beginning by your ambassador in offers for my satisfaction so on the other part I pray you to send presently down
Commissioners for the perfecting of the same, which I protest I
desire not for that I would have the reward to precede the deserts
but only that I with honour and all my good subjects with a
fervent good will may embrace this your godly and honest cause,
whereby your adversaries may have ado, not with England
but with the whole isle of Britain. This, praying you to
dispatch all your matters with all possible speed and wishing
you a success convenient to those that are invaded by God's
professed enemies, I commit your person, estate and country
to the blessed protection of the Almighty.—Edinburgh,
4 August, 1588. Holograph. Seal. 1¼ pp. (133. 85.) |
| — to — | |
| [1588 ?] Aug. 7. |
Honoratissimus Leicestrensis recepit in
se nuper admodum humaniter, expediturum se mihi hanc
causam mature, si tui consensus auctoritas eo accesserit.
Idque ipsum jam convenisse inter vos, causa haec
Augustissimae principi ut quam primum commendaretur.
Peto igitur abs te suppliciter et demisse, at quantum possum
maxime singularibus verbis, ut de ipsius causae summa quid
sentias, vel literis tuis vel quoquo modo alio [actetur?]
significes. Si caeteris tuis in me divinis beneficiis hoc unum
adjeceris, omnia haec simul consequeris et principis fisco
multum prospexeris, et languentes meos omnes confestim
auxeris, et me tibi in perpetuum devinxeris. Tum illud
superest extremum et maximum, ego anniversaria quingentarum librarum pensione fidem meam sanctissime liberabo,
idque mihi ut intelligas curae summae fore, fide observantia et
opera mea omni assidue praestabo.—vij° Idus Sextil. Mendicitate
mea summa factum est ut fides mea tibi hactenus sit suspecta. (203. 80.) |
| The Senate of Denmark to the Queen. | |
| 1588, Aug. 13. |
The things which Daniel Rogers of your
Privy Council—a friend in many ways very dear to us, whom
you despatched hither for the sake of alleviating the common
sorrow—had in command from your Majesty to relate to us,
have all been clearly explained to us by him in our public
assembly with the greatest dexterity and prudence. Which
as they tended to the establishing the friendship which from
of old hitherto has been constantly cultivated between these
kingdoms of Denmark and England, and indicated the
inclination of your Majesty's most kindly goodwill towards
us, could not but be to us both very grateful and pleasant.
We have fully and sincerely opened to this your ambassador
our very great affection and humble observance towards your
Majesty, as also our mind concerning all matters and articles
reported to us: which as we have no doubt that he will
dexterously and candidly in turn declare to your Majesty,
so we would submissively and reverently ask you to deem
him worthy of the fullest credence in all those matters.—
Copenhagen, 13 August, 1588. Signed: "Ad Regni Daniæ gubernationem deputati Senatores; Nicolaus Kaas, Petrus Munck, Georgius Rossunkrantz, Christophorus Patchendorff." Latin. 2 pp. (272.) |
| Payment of Mariners. | |
| 1588, Aug. 13. |
Privy seal for the payment of 8,000 men
in the Queen's ships in the West, and of others serving in the
Narrow Seas. Contemporary copy. 1½ p. (142. 95.) |
| J. Hamilton, of Evverton to Archibald Douglas. | |
| [1588,] Aug. 26. |
There is word come this Sunday that
the Marshal Matinon has sent to the King, showing that there
is 6,000 "fitmen" [footmen] Spaniards [and] 500 . . .
men come in Beire, on the King of Navaris land. Also the
King of Spain is like to have great "veris" [wars] with
the Turk, for the Turk has come and [is] fortifying the Goulat;
and for that occasion the King of Spain has sent, for a
sure, fourscore of "geles" [galleys], and has cut all the Turks'
throats, and "fasin" down all that they fortified. Monsieur
de Pirnon [D'Epernon] has "chepid" Nercly, as this bearer
will show you at length: but Nouhi [La Noue] is master of
Angouleme. The King verifies the Cardinal of Borbon to be
first prince of the blood. The King of Navar has defeat[ed]
a regiment of footmen called Gorgis regiment: himself shot
through the arm. Monsieur de Nevers is . . . with the
army, for a sure. Lo. Pepin is . . . . . . . is gone home to
his house . . . . . . . the King parts this day to bless the
. . . . . . . haldes for a sure.—Paris, 26 August. Holograph. Much damaged. 1 p. (205. 10.) |
| Earl of Desmond's Lands. | |
| 1588, Aug. 29. | |
|
i. Sessions of the Commissioners for the attainted lands
of the late Earl of Desmond and others in Waterford and
Limerick.—29 August, 30 Eliz. (1588). 14 pp. |
|
|
ii. Breviat of bills of complaint to above Commissioners,
with answers of the Queen's Counsel. 12 pp. (284. 3.) |
|
| — to Lord Burghley. | |
| [Before Sept., 1588.] |
Monsieur, Jay fait une faulte de ne
vous avoir pas demandé si ma requeste sera tenue secrette
de sa Majesté suivant ce qui estoit escript de ma main au
dernier article que je requerois quelle ne fust entendue que
dung conseiller. Je crains que si la volunté de S. M. estoit
de la communicquer a aultre que a vous Monsieur le Conte de
Lecestre ne se tint offensé et fust indigne contre moi si je ne
lui en communicquois et demandois sa faveur, et pourtant resistat a l'expedition. Pourtant vous supplie me faire scavoir ce
que vous cognoissez en cela de lintention de Sa Majeste en me
renvoiant pour signe, si vostre advis est que je lui en parle
devant que parler a la Royne, ce mot "Oui," que je vous
envoye escript en ung papier a part, et retenir a vous le "Non,"
et au contraire si vous nestes dadvis que je lui en parle me
renvoier le "Non" et retenir a vous laffirmatif.—Unsigned. Addressed: A Monsieur de Burgley, Grand Tresorier de Angleterre. ¾ p. (16. 57.) |
| Sir William Drury. | |
| 1588, Sept. 25. |
Certificate by the officers and council
of the town of Bergues sur le Zoom, given at the instance of
Sir William Drury, Governor of that town. Since
Monseigneur de Wyllughby, General of her Majesty's forces
in the United Provinces, and the aforesaid Governor, have
declared to them that false reports have been made with
regard to Drury, that many inhabitants of that town withdrew themselves during his governorship, on account of bad
government: they certify that during that time to their
knowledge no inhabitants have withdrawn themselves on
account of any disorders: but that Drury behaved himself
in all respects as a gentleman and man of honour: and diligently
guarded and advanced the fortifications of the town against the
efforts of the enemy.—25 September, 1588. French. Seal. 1 p. parchment. (217. 11.) |
| James Colvill, of Est Wemes, to Archibald Douglas. | |
| [1588?] Sept. 28. |
Thanks him for his letter and good
counsel in so weighty a matter, which concerns not himself
particularly, but his whole honour and credit in the employing
of others. Is sorry that his offer of service should not have
been put to proof, but it has satisfied him much, because he
has liberty to pass where he is assured to be both welcome
and well treated. Yet he would have preferred her Majesty's
service to any other.—Edinburgh, 28 September. Holograph. 1 p. (205. 18.) |
| Court of Wards and Liveries. | |
| 1588, Sept. 29. | A brief declaration of the account of George Goring, Esqr., Receiver General of the Court of Wards and Liveries for a whole year ended Michaelmas, 30 Eliz. 3 pp. (139. 188.) |
| [Don Antonio] to Queen Elizabeth. | |
| [1588 ?] Oct. 3. | I arrived here the first of this month and God knows how much more gladly I would have reached Dover. I found Count Stabbe and Filippo Estroci, and Santa Solena most resolute to follow my fortune, and on behalf of many French gentlemen they made me the same offer. From the King of France and his mother they offered me all that I could have wished. I have put off any decision as to my conduct until I can speak with their Majesties, and in the meantime I would beg your Majesty to advise me as to what I ought to do, for you alone are my guide, and my mistress. |
|
You know what harm the enmity of the Spaniards can
do to your realm, how worthy of your greatness it is to help
one who loves and worships you and is ready to die for you.
—Dieppe, 3 October. Signed: II marinaro de E.R. Italian and Spanish mixed. Sealed with the arms of Portugal. 2 pp. (98. 176.) |
|
| The Queen to the King of Scotland. | |
| 1588, Oct. 8. |
Albeit, my dear brother, the mighty malice
and huge armies of my hateful enemies and causeless foes
hath apparently spit out their venomous poison and mortal
hate; yet, through God's goodness, our power so weakened
their pride, cut off their numbers at the first that they ran
away to their further overthrow. And so mightily hath our
God wrought for our innocency that places of their greatest
trust hath turned to prosecute them most. Yea every place
hath served the turn to ruin their hope, destroy themselves
and take them in the snare they laid for our feet, His blessed
name be ever magnified therefore and grant me to be humbly
thankful, though never able to requite the least part of such
unmeasurable goodness! Among the rest of their succours,
I suppose your realm to have been supposed not to have
been least willing nor the most unready to answer their trust,
which I doubt not had answered their expectation if your
natural affection towards me and regard of our strait amity
had not impeached their landing, which though they never
proffered yet I have cause by your promise, vow, and assurance
to acknowledge your full intent to have resisted such attempt;
and do take your readiness in no less kind part than if the
act had been put in execution. And if (which God forbid!)
any dangerous course should be attempted against your quiet
estate, I will shew myself most ready by all means and force
to resist and overthrow the same so as my requital shall ever
acquit your kingly overtures. And if any shall (to increase
your good favour towards them) instil in your ears to demand
such unfit and unreasonable demands at my hands as may not
be fitly granted for some weighty reasons, and yet suppose
that, for fear you fall to other course, I may be induced to
yield thereto, let me use you in this as right amity requireth,
which consists chiefly in plain and sincere dealing. Right
dear brother, be assured that you cannot nor ever will more
readily demand things honorable and secure than my entire
good affection shall ever be most ready to correspond you.
But if any shall be required that my present estate shall not
permit as sure for me, then abuse not your judgement with
so contrarious thoughts; for never shall dread of any man's
behaviour cause me do ought that may "esbrandil" the seat
that so well is settled. Therefore judge not that I will not
ever deserve your amity as that you need seek your own
ruin by following others' wills, who seek your wrack if you
leave your surest friend. And thus, with trust that my true
goodwill shall be rightly scanned, I end to trouble you with
this long scribbling, with my million of thanks for your most
friendly and kind offers, which never shall out of my memory
as knoweth the Lord Who bless you with all felicity and
many years of reign. Endorsed: Copy of her Majesty's letter to the King of Scots sent by Mr. Aston, 8 Octobris, 1588. 1½ pp. (133. 86.) |
| James Colvill of Est Wemes, to Archibald Douglas. | |
| [1588?] Oct. 27. |
He wrote by Douglas's cousin Richard,
but has never had answer. Is ready to keep his voyage in
France, with such gentlemen as he can goodly have with
him, and as soon as possible; having sold and engaged his
lands to that effect. Requests Douglas to put the Queen in
remembrance of his intention ever to do her service. His
intention is to be in November in the Rochel. He has
[written] to Buzanval. Prays Douglas to see if Buzanval can
in any sort help him.—Edinburgh, 27 October. Holograph. Mutilated. 1 p. (205. 20.) |
| T. Fouller to the Lord Ambassador for Scotland. | |
| 1588, Oct. |
Pardon me that at my last being with you I
did not acquaint you with my journey into these parts, for
though I had such an intent I was uncertain what alteration
I might find in myself in so long a journey as before my coming
into Yorkshire where always I meant to go in my business:
but remembering my loss of so great a friend and seeing many
that were toward him already furnished of friends, some
to prefer them to the Queen's Majesty and some to others
and poor I (that was as well accounted of by him as most
of them) had no friend nor any . . made of me and then knowing
. . . great enemies (though God knows undeserved) and that
I should have business that in this world would go hard
without some such friend or friends as I had none: what
might I hope of, why, not so much as Markham the
dissembling papist but would triumph over me because as
he takes it I letted the marriage of his eldest son with the
Scots Queen's woman Besse Peyrepont. And then having some
other special discontentments I grew weary of my life there
and even desirous of some quiet place to repose myself and give
the looking on; and here I knew where to be welcome to
some old acquaintance and to some of your friends, but
my old fellow and friend Sir James Hume is not a little glad
of me I . . . desired to many places but continue still at one,
so that I have thought it my duty to make my being here
known to some of the Council, though no great matter where
I am, and have written therefore to my Lord Treasurer and
to Mr. Secretary Walsingham which letters I beseech you
get me delivered by some servant of yours as came in your
packet from Mr. Richard who . . . with me I thank him this
day so . . . I to spend this winter, and ere that be . . . will
determine farther. If I live always I will meddle myself in
nothing . . . touches the state of these realms. I leave
that to you that be ambassador. Stand me in the . . .
stead you may in my own cause.—October, 1588, at
Mr. William Hume's in the Mersse. Holograph. Decayed. 2 pp. (203. 82.) |
| — to Sir Francis Walsingham. | |
| [1588 ? Nov.] |
In reference to a report against him made
by John Blacter and John Druery, Scottishmen. Details the
case, which concerns a cargo of corn and linen cloth laden
in Normandy in a ship freighted by Blacter for Lisbon. Blacter
was ordered at sea by the Lord Admiral to return to France
with his cargo, but instead of doing so he came to
Southampton and discharged the goods, to the great loss
of the owners, whose agent the writer is. Prays for examination
of the case by indifferent persons.—Unsigned and undated. 1 p. (203. 106.) |
| George Pady to the Queen. | |
| [1588, Nov.] |
Complains that his flyboat, of Leith, has
been twice taken by English pirates on her voyages to Dieppe.
Sir John Huggon (Wogan) and his 3 sons helped the pirates.
Prays for restoration of his goods, or compensation.—Undated. ½ p. (704.) |
| The Queen to the King of Scotland. | |
| [1588, Dec. 1.] |
My dear care of your honour and good
estate permits me not to overslip any cause wherein I suppose
any diminution to befall to either, and driven by so good a
ground it will not dislike you (I make me sure) if I write you my
mind in such a case. And this it is. The States of the Low
Countries, whom you are not ignorant I have and do aid
to keep them in breath from the extreme ruin that is meant
them, find themselves sorely aggrieved that, at this time of
their great need to relieve their own danger, their country's
loss and their continual well nigh importable charges, you
that profess the true religion and protest such inward affection
to advance that cause can find in your heart so great neglect
of them and their wants as at this season, so out of season
for them, to make a claim for debts owed to your subjects.
Which when I heard I could not less do than to make it known
unto you how sorry I was to hear of such a proposition, together
with the menace of letters of marque, if the speedier it were
not answered. Consider, I beseech you, of your dealings
in this sort how you shall wound your friends, glad your foes
and wrong yourself. Who will believe that you pass of religion
that suffers the professors to perish? Yea! who will suppose
that your amity is sound to me when you afflict my party?
Nay! I pray God the enemy who careth for neither of us
make not a scorn of our friendship as thinking it full faint
and feeble. I mean not hereby that it is not reason for a
king to right his subjects of wrong and to procure in time
convenient such seemly remedies as may fit his place and
help his vassal's loss. But the most of this consist in the
time and for the persons. For, as you shall perceive, a great
sum of this great value is not the debt but of other countries
and captains whom they rule not, according as at length
my servant hath charge to tell you with my most affectionate
desire and earnest request that you more regard the cause
and time than any private subject's suit. And that it may
please you (all these things well weighed) to surcease any
preparation that might make show to annoy them; albeit
I doubt no whit but they might defend themselves against a
greater force, yet let no man say that by your hand they be
afflicted that have misery enough. And thus I end with my
most affectionate petition that these lines be considered
according to [her] heart that writes them who never ceases to
pray for your best as God is witness. Endorsed: Copy of her Majesty's letter to the King of Scots sent the first of December, 1588. Concerning the debt demanded of the States by Colonel Steward. 1 p. (133. 87.) |
| Warrants for leases in reversion. | |
| 1588, Dec. 18. |
Warrant granting a lease in reversion
to Katheryn Hooper alias Hopas, daughter to John Frankwell,
gentleman usher.—Manor of Greenwich, 18 December, 1588. Signed by the Queen. 1 p. (203. 83.) |
| 1588, Dec. 29. |
Warrant granting a lease in reversion to
Matthew Petley, one of the ordinary grooms of the Chamber,
for his services.—Manor of Richmond, 29 December, 1588. Note by Burghley that the suit is reasonable, as he has yielded to have 10l. yearly saved in the custody of Flint Castle, which the Queen granted him. 1 p. (203. 84.) |
| Lord Cobham to Thomas Milles. | |
| 1588, Dec. 21. |
Touching the Scottishman's cause, as I
mean to be at London to-morrow I referred the party to
repair to me there, where Mr. Fane my lieutenant now is,
with whom I will take such order for his satisfaction as he
at his return to Dover may procure. I pray you to inform
the lord ambassador of Scotland, and that the party that
follows the complaint may come to me then.—Cobham,
21 December, 1588. Signed. Endorsed: L. Cobham. (203. 85.) |
| Petition from [Mutineers in Flanders] to the King [of Scotland (fn. 1) ], the Estates of the Kingdom, and Lords of the Privy Council. | |
| 1588, Dec. 24. |
William "Commendatarius Pettywemensis"
and other captains, standard bearers and horsemen (milites)
who have now served under the Estates of the United Provinces
of Belgium many years. We have often by addresses laid
before your Majesty how for wages we have spent the best
years of our life, the blood of ourselves and our kinsmen,
and our lives, not only being deprived thereof but from extreme
want of them driven to undergo all things and held in far
harder condition than other foreign soldiers (externi milites)
who served with us in the same forts, since out of five years
and 8 months we have hardly received 18 months wages;
and they not only cashier us (exauthorant nos) in the said
cause but also permit all the goods remaining to us to go to
the judgment of our creditors. They seize our persons, some
they imprison, nor do they make an end of their vexations
till by the wealth and assistance of our friends we disentangle
ourselves from their debt (to which want of pay and the
necessity of keeping off cold and hunger from ourselves
and our comrades has made us liable) as is contained in
the Latin addresses exhibited to your Highness in former
assemblies of the Estates. Impelled by which your Majesty
enjoined the Estates by your letters that they should enter
on some advantageous proportion of our wages to be paid:
and when nothing came of it you were careful by consent
of the Estates and your Privy Council to appoint Master
George Hacket as claimant of the privileges of your kingdom
in Belgium, who could negotiate in the matter with them
and urge payment of the said debts both according to their
bonds and the words of the latest treaty between the two
Kingdoms (sic). At length your Highness indulged us, in the
latest assembly of the States which were held in the month
of May "in Regia vestra Sancruciana," when we implored
your supreme aid, that John Forman should be sent thither
to protest to the Estates of the Provinces or in their absence
to the Council in your Majesty's name that they should pay
the said wages within 40 days, and if not that reprisals
(represalias) were decreed by your Majesty and the aforesaid
Estates against them to the value of the damage and expenses.
Although he (Forman) obeyed your commands, yet the forty
days have passed without any mention of satisfaction, and
the envoys of the Estates seem to be thinking of nothing
less than their coming. Wherefore, which alone remains,
we humbly implore the supreme aid of your Highness and
the Estates and the Privy Council, so that respect being had
to the so manifold injury and calamity we have sustained,
our right being refused, and for remedy of the right we take
counsel in accordance with the words and condition of the
former denunciation; and the aforesaid councillors of the
Estates I will meanwhile certify by letters that unless
within 60 days, to be reckoned from the aforesaid sanction,
they send to your Majesty their envoys who shall satisfy
us in accordance with equity it has been decreed for your
kingly office that we help ourselves by the remedy of
reprisals. In Regia Sancruciana, 24 Dec, A.D. 1588. Subscribed: "Fiat ut petitur denturque ex Cancellarii prescripto ad Consilium Ordinum quales petuntur literæ." "Sic subscribitur N. Cancellarius." Latin. Copy. 2/3 p. (142. 97.) |
| [Archibald Douglas] to [Lord Burghley?]. | |
| [1588, Dec.] |
In respect of the serious affairs wherein your
lordship hath been occupied this time, "bigayn" [begun?] for
the commonwealth of this realm, I could not think it [conveni]ent
to impeach so good a work in craving answer of my former
letters sent to you. But now since that your lordship is
returned to Court, and as I suppose at some more leisure,
I have taken the boldness to request you as you have been
the first mover of my suit unto her Majesty, that now it may
be your good pleasure to pray her Highness to [take?] some
princely resolution therein; and to continue your
accustomed (?) care towards me to the ending thereof. Draft, unsigned. ⅓ p. Endorsed: Memoranda by Tho. Holdfort and John Montgomery of the receipt of various sums of Mr. Fowler's money "from my Lord Ambassador," for Mistress Fowler, December 13, 8, and 18. ⅓ p. (167. 132.) |
| Notes by Burghley of contemporary events, and genealogical memoranda, from 1578 to 1588. | |
| 1578 to 1588. | The following are the most important:— |
| 1578. Sebastian King of Portugal slain in Africa. | |
| 1579. John son of Frederick I. King of Denmark Duke of Holsatia (Holstein) died at the battle of "Siœ." | |
