Pages 41-55
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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Citation:
1617
| Cranborne Manor and Chase. | |
| [1616–17]. |
Rough draft of objections and answers thereto in a
law suit, apparently concerning the manor and chase of Cranborne. "The Earl" (probably the Earl of Salisbury) is mentioned as one of the parties. (fn. 1) —Undated. 8 pp. (142. 246–253.) |
| Richard Swayne to Christopher Keighley. | |
| 1616–17, January 1. |
Is surprised at his request for the names
of owners of coppices in Wiltshire, since he has already supplied
them to the Earl of Salisbury. "But yf my lordes letter be cast
aside, then for your better directions herein I have sett downe
the names agayne. First my Lord Chamberlen, the Lord of
Warder, Sir John Shelley, owner of lands in Berwicke, Sir Edmond
Uvedale, Sir William Bampfeild, Mrs Elizabeth Gawen, Thomas
Gawen her sonne, Edmond Chadwell, Edward Woods, Robert
Toppe, William Gould and William Stockeman, fermer to my
Lord Chamberlen of his woods in Wiltshire." Hawles will provide
particulars and names of the keepers who have recently been
appointed, and of the killing of deer.—Gunvile, the first of
January, 1616. Holograph. 1 p. (General 78/14.) |
|
At bottom: "Staplefole walk John Butler of Hanley, gent. Cobly walk Edmond Hawles of Upwymborne; Burseystok walk Edward Budden of St. Giles; Robert Swaine of Tarrant Gunville, keeper of the West walk; Rushmore walk Edward Hawles. Elles Butler doth kep it." |
|
| Edward Percival to Christopher Keighley. | |
| 1616–17, January 2. |
"The world reports that my Lord was
ill advised to [suffer] this tryall to goe forward, and doe suppose
that [there hath] ven a verry deepe and seecreet combination
[against] his Lordship, I meane by great parsonages." He is
the readier to believe this because one of Salisbury's tenants
has been arrested by Stockman on a flimsy charge, "I suppose
of purpose to infreinge my lords libertie."—Cramborne, 2 Ja.
1616. Holograph. Damaged. 1 p. (General 78/17.) |
| Edmund Hawles to Christopher Keighley. | |
| 1616–17, January 3. |
Informs him that the keepers still walk
the coppices in Wiltshire as formerly, except in Tollard, where
some deer have been killed since the trial. As to more recent
developments, "there are three keepers put in to walke, the one
by Mr Stokman who is commanded so to doe by my Lord Chamberline for the walkinge of his copices in Wilt. whose name is
Mr Edward Saintlowe; who aboute a weeke afore Chrismas did
hunte with his chrosbow and on Mr George Wahan and Tymothye
Haris with hime who had eache of them a chrosbow with on
Bartholmew Bound to drive the deare unto them; and on Chrismas yeafe the sayd Edward Sayntlowe did licke wayse hunte
with on Mr William Grofe with hime with eche of theme theare
chrosbowe at which time they killed a deare. Sir Edmond Ludlowe
he hathe lickewayse placed a keeper to walke his copices whose
name is Peter Peney, and the third keeper is placed by on Robert
Tope whose name is Edward Pully." Mr Swayne has notified
Keighley of the names of those who own the woods in Wiltshire.
—Upwimborne Monnckton, the 3 of January, 1616. Holograph. 1 p. (General 78/31.) |
| George, Lord Audley (fn. 2), to the Privy Council. | |
| [Before February, 1616–17]. |
Requests consideration of his
former petition for reward for his services.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 1216.) |
| The Earl of Buckingham to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| [1616–17, after March 14 (fn. 3) ]. |
I did not in the suddenness of my
departure, which forbad me to take my leave of you, forget the
desire I had to enjoy you in this journey. But by commandment
of our master (whose service we do all prefer to our own desires),
I was both to hasten my own going with all speed, and put to
silence in that request I made to the King for your company,
which his Majesty reserved to attend his own person, and your
Lordship will employ nowhere so willingly. So remaining ever
with the same obligation to you for that honour you did intend
me, I am your Lordship's faithful friend and humble servant.—
Undated. Holograph. 1 p. (129. 142.) |
| Charles Hall and Philip Royden to Lord Chancellor Ellesmere. (fn. 4) | |
| [Before 15 March, 1616–17]. |
Pray for the hearing of the cause
between them and Martha Knap.—Undated. 1 p. (P. 893.) |
| Lord Gerard to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1616–17, March 18. |
Your Lordship is desirous to know
whether I found my Lord Fenton engaged to any when I first
dealt with him for your obtaining the Ca[ptaincy] of the Guard
of him. His Lordship told me some had been in hand with him
for it, but then named none, and said he was not then engaged to
any, neither would be without his Majesty's first allowance of
the same.—West[minster] 18 March, 1616. Holograph. ½ p. (129. 132.) |
| Lord Gerard to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1616–17, March 18. | In answer to your Lordship's letter I must and will ever affirm this, that upon the proffer I made from you of 6000 pieces to my Lord Fenton for his Captain's place of his Majesty's Guard, his Lordship replied it was a great deal and seemed satisfied for the value. Only he said it should be no act of his to depart with an office under so gracious a King and master. I replied your Lordship and your friends would undergo that burthen, if his Lordship would be pleased. His answer was your Lordship might do therein as you thought good, which gave to my understanding assurance there wanted nothing but his Majesty's resolution and pleasure. And further at Whitehall when I last spake with your Lordship I went unto him from you. I then returned by letter to your Lordship his answer, which was: he said your Lordship was assured of the place if he parted with it; and further said unto me, it was his Majesty's pleasure that when he parted with it none should have it but yourself, which command he would willingly obey. |
|
Thus with remembrance of my honourable service, I commit
you to God.—West[minster] 18 March, 1616. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (129. 134.) |
|
| Lord Gerard to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1616–17, March 18. |
Your Lordship knows, concerning the
business I dealt with my Lord Fenton in for your Lordship, what
I said to you in Whitehall Garden before your Lordship and Sir
William Anstruther, which I will ever justify to all the world.
Secondly, by my last letter to your Lordship I set it down under
my hand to you, what my Lord Fenton gave me in charge to
deliver to you. Wherefore in any other particular that you would
be satisfied in I pray you set it down unto me, and you shall be
assured that I will not only give you satisfaction therein, but I
will justify myself before God and men that I have done nothing
but justly and honestly betwixt your Lordship and my Lord
Fenton.—West[minster] 18 March, 1616. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (129. 133.) |
| Edmund Hawles to Christopher Keighley. | |
| 1617, April 8. |
Informs him of the serving of further writs
and the reaction of the recipients. It is such that he recommends
a more vigorous prosecution of the matter concerning Cranborne
Chase. "I doe not yet see any thinge done touchinge the examination of witnesses to prove the use of the Chase, nor any other
thinge that may doe my Lorde any good in his swte, bute that
all is grone colde. Wee are threatned with more actions, but
of that hereafter as occation is geven. I coulde wishe that the
boundes that thay pretend to have the Chase bounded with
mighte be vewed by some of understandinge that mighte be able
to certifie the corte, or a mape to be drane of that part of the
Chase that thay doe pretend to take from my Lord, which wilbe
in quantitye three times as mutche as wilbe lefte my Lord in
three walkes, viz, Rushmor, Stapellfoote and Cobly, wheare by
it may playnely appeare unto the corte that if that be noe Chase
that thay pretend, my Lorde will have noe meanes to presearve
or keepe deare in any of those three walkes."—Monnckton
Upwimborne, the 8th of Aprill, 1617. Holograph. Fragment of seal. 1 p. (General 79/18.) |
| Thomas Maten to Christopher Keighley. | |
| 1617, April 11. |
He is somewhat surprised not to have heard
from Keighley about the matter of the concealed wardship
"which I know would have [been] beneficiall to us both, and
which I out of my love unto you was very willing to make you
partaker of". Would request him to make his decision known
and not maintain silence as to his intentions. Refers to a trial
which is to be held at the Common Pleas between "us that
were robbed and the hundred. But howsoever we speed therein
his Lordshipp shall receave no losse but the forbearance for the
tyme." He was at Sarum on the 10th of April, and hoped to
have had word of him at Mr Sherfield's. "But it seemeth you
are to sparing of your writing."—Winton, the 11 of April, 1617. Holograph. Fragment of seal. 1 p. (General 79/27.) |
| The Earl of Buckingham to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1617, April 27. |
For any promise my Lord Fenton has made
to the Queen, it can be no more than I told you before. But I
have so much assurance in his Majesty's promise that I know
there is no cause of doubt. The only uncertainty is whether I
shall have so much his Majesty's favour till that time when it
should be dispatched as to urge it. If it should so fall out I know
your Lordship will expect no more than is in my power; but if it
please God to continue the favour of his Majesty to me, I am
confident all shall be done to your contentment, and therefore I
would not have you trouble yourself any further with any doubts
of the success, but to carry yourself toward the Queen with all
respect, that you give no advantage against yourself.—Hexham,
27 April, 1617. Holograph. 1 p. (129. 137.) |
| [The Earl of Salisbury] to [? Lord Gerard]. | |
| [1617, ? April]. |
I know your Lordship will be desirous to
hear what has passed here concerning my business since you went.
Presently upon my return from Lincoln I sent to my Lady Roxborough to desire her to do me the favour as to let the Queen
know I had a great desire to kiss her hands, and that I should
take it for a great deal of honour if she should admit me to
come privately to her. Her answer was that I might come when
I would, and if she came not abroad the first time, that I might
attend her leisure, expressing much violence against me in this
business, saying that she loved her children as much as any loved
theirs, and that she would be very careful who should be admitted
into those places of trust, adding withal that she would never
give way that I should be Captain of the Guard as long as she
lived. This puts Sir Henry Riche in a great deal of hope that
either he shall have the place himself, or at least that the Queen's
power with my Lord Fenton will make him keep it still; which
my Lord Fenton has not stuck to say that seeing the parting
with his place will be the cause that some exceptions will be
taken, either by me or Sir H. R. against that, to avoid all stir
he will keep it himself. This I know he has said, but I presume
so much upon my Lord of B's noble dealing with me as that
he would never have brought my name thus upon the stage,
wherein I shall suffer more in missing it than the having of it
can be of advantage to me, but that his Lordship was very well
assured that I should be fully satisfied to my content, and the
rather because all men receive courtesies from him, at least none
can challenge him of breach of promise, which I am confident
I shall never have occasion to do. You shall do me a great
favour to let me know whether you find any alteration in my
Lord of Buc[kingham] towards me, and what you hear will be
coming of it. I imagine that now my Lord Fen[ton] is come you
shall hear somewhat, though my Lord Fenton will speak no
more of it than he must needs, but by my Lord of Bucking[ham]
you shall know all.—Undated. ? Draft. 1 p. (130. 168.) |
| Edmund Hawles to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1617, May 3. |
As to the [Cranborne] Chase. On January 11
the sheriff of Wiltshire called together all those who have coppices
in Wiltshire within, or pretended to be within, the Chase, and read
to them the King's letter, of which they all took notice, and have
not contradicted the same. But Mrs Gawen, with Thomas Gold
and others who had weapons, some pikestaves and some hangers,
hunted and killed a male fawn in Manwood, a wood always
reported to be within the Chase; and had the two keepers who
went to them arrested by process. Details of further legal proceedings taken in the matter. Mr Woodes claims to have freed all
Tollard; he and others of the Earl's opponents all build their hope
upon my Lord of Pembroke. The report of the great number of
deer killed by the keepers he doubts not is most untrue, but he can
only answer for the two walks in his charge. The reporters are
the Earl's adversaries, who seek to overthrow his Chase. There
has always belonged to the ranger of Rushemore, during fence
time, the benefit of marking the carts and pack saddles which
pass over Bow Bridge by Wilton, and Harnham Bridge by
Salisbury. He hears these dues will now be denied, and askes
for instructions.—Upwimborne Mounckton, 3 May, 1617. Holograph. 3 pp. (196. 64.) |
| Edmund Hawles to Christopher Keighley. | |
| 1617, May 21. |
Has served the writs which Keighley sent in
his letter of May 10. "Sir Edmond Ludlow is in London and
doth lye at the Rod and the Spur att a poticaries howse within
Temple Barr, wherby he is not to be come by heerr." Lists the
persons who have been served with writs, but deplores the fact
that some of them have been incorrectly named. More care
should be taken in the future, and more time allowed to prosecute
the matter. "There were very bad speaches spoken unto the
bearer hereof by one that he did execute the writ on, both against
my Lord and his deare." Requests directives how to proceed,
"yf the markeing of cartes and pack-sadles be withstode and
denied".—Monnckton, the 21th of Maye, 1617. At bottom: List of persons upon whom the writs have been served, including Lord Arundel and the Lord Chamberlain. Holograph. 1 p. (General 79/26.) |
| Christopher Keighley to Samuel Percival. | |
| [? Before May 22, 1617]. |
"I have by my Lords comande sent
yowe a subpoena by this bearer against one Mr Christopher
Mainwaringe of Exeter, which his Lordship would have yowe
presentlie upon the receipt of it to leave all other busines and to
goe and serve it. It must be done by yourselfe and that verie
spedele, and verie carefulle, for it doue much concerne his Lordship and therefore he will not have it comitted to anie save onele
such as he may repose trust in for the spedie executinge of it.
I thinke it wilbe best to goe directlie to Mr Morell (unto whome
I pray you comende me verie kindly), whoe will directe yowe to
the gents. house which is in Exerter, for from hence he writ twoe
letters unto Sir John Dackome about the busines. Also my
Lord would have yowe upon your retorne from Exeter to goe to
Damerham and burro we to see in what decaye the houses, barnes
and stables are there."—Undated. Draft in Keighley's hand much amended. 1 p. (General 75/18.) |
| The [Earl of Salisbury] to [the Earl of Buckingham]. | |
| [1617, before May 24]. |
It pleased his Majesty when I was at
Lincoln to command me to attend upon him in Scotland, which I
took for a great deal of honour and would have been exceeding
happy to have waited upon his Majesty there; but, my Lord, I
am afraid that my wife will not be brought to bed so soon as I
expected, and that his Majesty will be gone from Edinburgh
before I can possibly be there. Besides my occasions are such
in midsummer term which I little expected as not without a
great deal of inconvenience I cannot well leave them undone,
which makes me entreat you to do me the favour, as a friend
by whom I would be advised, to deal plainly with me whether
you think his Majesty would be distasted with my excuse, or
impute it as an argument of neglect if I should desire to be
excused from my attendance in Scotland. Which rather than
I will in the least kind venture (his favour being that which I
esteem above anything in this world), I will lay all occasions apart
how urgent soever and not fail to obey his will. Your Lordship
sees how your favours embolden me to be thus troublesome unto
you as upon all occasions to resort to your friendship, which
were I not confident on I would not venture the construction of
importunity; but the many trials I have had of your respect
to me makes [me] presume to trouble you in this kind.—Undated. Holograph, draft. Unsigned. ¾ p. (129. 143.) |
| The Earl of Buckingham to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1617, May 24. |
Seeing your Lordship desires my opinion
touching your journey hither, I will as freely deliver it unto you,
and wish you to hasten it as much as you can, knowing that his
Majesty will take it well that you give attendance upon him in
his own country, especially seeing he named you among other
Lords to accompany him. And I think besides your coming will
be a great furtherance to the business you have in hand, wherein
you shall find me ever constant according to the extent of my
power.—Kenard, the 24 of May, 1617. (fn. 5) Holograph. 1 p. (129. 138.) |
| William Smyth. | |
| 1617, June 2. |
Writ of prohibition to Robert Redmayne, on
the complaint of William Smyth, of Starston, co. Norfolk, yeoman.
It has long been the custom of the said parish that everyone
should pay in respect of tithes of firewood one penny by the year
at Easter to the rector of the parish church or his deputy. Notwithstanding, George Ray, clerk, farmer, as he says, of the said
rectory has sued William Smyth in court Christian, etc. Stay
of proceedings, etc.—Dated at Westminister 2nd of June in the
fifteenth year of the King's reign. 1 m. (221. 11.) |
| Sir Henry Rich to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| [1617, ? June] 10. |
If the report of your friends both in this
place and at London be a sufficient cause to make me take notice
that you purpose to quit the seeking of the captainship of the
Guard, I am to be excused for I have heard it of so many that
should know your resolutions. I am the apter to believe it
because I cannot but think your judgment to be so good as upon
deliberation you will understand your desert and quality to be
worthy of a more eminent preferment. If you stand constant
in your resolution to desire this place, you are very likely not to
fail of it, because you have put yourself into so good a way and
have such a guard to assist you in it, as the rubs and stops that
I may go about to cast before you will be beaten down and made
easy for you to pass over to fix yourself where you would be. I
entreat you to acquaint me what your resolution is, for if it be
to despise the place it is likely to fall upon a person that shall
ever acknowledge himself to be, etc. etc.—Edenborrowe, the 10 . . . Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (197. 123.) |
| The Earl of Buckingham to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| [1617] June 10. |
I have made your excuse to his Majesty who
accepts it well, but is sorry for the cause of your stay. And if
your Lordship recover your strength time enough to wait upon
his Majesty before his going out of the country, I would then
give you advice to come, and it will be double as well accepted
as if you had come at the first, and much increase his Majesty's
good opinion. So wishing you a speedy recovery, I rest.—
Edinburgh, the 10 of June. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (129. 139.) |
| The Earl of Salisbury to [Sir Henry Rich]. | |
| [1617, after June 10.] |
"I doe perceave by your letter that it
hath beene reported unto you that I shoulde not continew constant in my resolution concerning the Captaineship of the Guarde,
wherein I have beene muche mistaken, having never altered my
minde since I spake with you last. I did at the first grounde
my desire upon so good a foundation as the same reason that
moved me to enter first into it. The same doth now encourage
me to proceede, for what fairer grounde could any man have
to begin then I had, understanding from my Lord Fenton of his
not being engaged to any man, which made me presently engage
my selfe so farr in the bussiness as I do not see now how I can
any way comme off but with disadvantage. Thus muche I must
say, that had I understoode of your being so farr engaged as
you pretend you were, I woulde never have opened my mouth
once to have meddlled in it, being unwilling to cross any gentlemans desseignes, espetially you whome I desire to satisfy in any
thing that may not be prejudiciall to my selfe. This I desire
may give you satisfaction how farr I woulde be to give you the
least . . ."—Undated. Holograph. Unsigned. Incomplete. Corrections in Salisbury's hand. 1 p. (200. 139.) |
| The Earl of Salisbury to [the Duke of Buckingham]. | |
| [1617, after June 10]. | I have lately received letters from Sir Henry Riche wherein I perceive that it has been reported unto him that I should not continue constant in my resolution concerning the captainship of the Guards, and therefore he desires to know from me what my resolution is. To which I have made this answer, that they were much mistaken that did report it, my resolution being such as it was when I last spake with him, which was that if his Majesty was pleased still to afford me his gracious acceptance of my service, I was resolved to do him the best service in that place that I could withal, letting him know that if I had heard of his being engaged so far as he pretends now to be, I would never have meddled in it. Thus much I thought fit to acquaint you withal, fearing lest your Lordship might be informed of my inconstancy in my resolution, wherein your Lordship might justly take ill at my hands, having engaged you so far in the business to relinquish that interest which by your favour I have in the place without making you privy. I desire your Lordship not to believe whatsoever men may for their own ends report to my prejudice. I should have been very happy if according to your advice I might have waited on his Majesty before his coming out of Scotland, but my physicians will by no means give way to it, fearing lest the stirring of my body so suddenly and violently might undo that little which by their physic they have done, which very much troubles me, fearing lest some of my ill-wishers do not take advantage of this just impediment by misinforming his Majesty of the truth of my stay, and then I should be doubly unhappy in being hindered from that which I do so exceedingly desire, which was to have attended his Majesty. |
|
I entreat your Lordship make me so much bound unto you as to
preserve me still in his Majesty's good opinion, and to suppress
all those ill offices which may be done me.—Undated. Holograph. Endorsed in pencil: 16 6/17 Mch [sic]. 2 pp. (197. 124.) |
|
| Sir Anthony Ashley to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1617, July 1. | "I have taken the longer tyme in giving answere to your Lordships letters by reason I would make good search amongst myne own papers and evidences left me by myn old uncle Sir Henry Ashley, and use my best meanes otherwaies to find out such records and court-rolls as might any waies give furtherance to your Lordships intent about Cramborne Chase. Howbeit my labour hath not sorted to my lyking but that thereby I am thoroughly ascertained that they all remaine here above in the Exchequer by the deliverie of the steward of that mannor (old Mullenax) who by strict commandment from your grandfather, the Lord Tresorer Burghley, brought them up from Cramborn, and discharged himself of them in the Court of Augmentation upon othe, as appeareth by a note under my uncles hand, which I found amongst other his writings of importance. So that I make no doubt but that if good search be made some thing will fall out to your Lordships good satisfaction, if the matter be well handled. |
| There is also very great presumption that some evidences concerning this busines should yet remaine in the hands of old Mullenax sons executors, for I have ben informed of some vayne speaches given out what stead the executors were hable to do concerning the lybertyes of the Chase, if it were not to the prejudice of a great One, and some other their kinsfolk and frends bordering upon the Chase, whome it seemeth they much respect. | |
|
If any man hath informed your Lordship that I eyther am
or have ben at any tyme backward in doing your Lordship in
this or in ought els my best service (as I doubt not but my trusty
old servant Hill hath some close frends remayning yet in your
Lordships howse), he hath done me verie much wrong and dares
not justify it to my face." Protests that he is desirous of doing
him good service and demonstrating his loyalty and affection as
"becometh an honest trew hearted poor neighbour".—Ffrom
my howse in Holborn this 1 of July, 1617. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (200. 164.) |
|
| Edmund Hawles to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1617, July 2. |
Has imparted the contents of Salisbury's letter
of June 9th to the keepers of Cranborne Chase, who desire to
know the name of the accuser and of the accused, deny having
killed deer or connived at it, and request that the charge be
adjudged by two impartial persons in the light of evidence. His
own walks have never been fuller of deer these past twenty years
than they are at present. "Yet some deare hath bin kylled for
borderers and sporte made unto some that your deare doth feade
both on there grasse and corne, but not in such sorte as that the
game is any wayes prejudest thereby but rather the fayrer, for
that many tymes by giving of a course or a peace of venson many
a deares life is preserved." He will always endeavour to preserve
both Chase and deer, and in fact since the injunction deer and
keepers alike have enjoyed a little respite. Encloses a letter
from a neighbour who is not one of Salisbury's opponents. "But
he saieth that for the time he hath knowne the Chase those
woodes of his hath alwayes bin used as Chase."—Upwimborne
Monnckton, the 2 of July, 1617. Holograph. 1 p. (General 79/7.) |
| Robert Palmer. | |
| 1617, July 9. |
Writ of prohibition to [Robert Redmayne] on
the complaint of Robert Palmer. It has long been the custom
in the parish of Aylmerton to render to the rector of the parish
church or his deputy certain tithes (as set forth, the MS being
mutilated). Notwithstanding, John Roos has sued the said
Robert in court Christian. Stay of proceedings, etc.—Dated at
Westminster, 9th July, in the fifteenth year of the King's reign. 1 m. Imperfect. (221. 9.) |
| The Privy Council to the Earl of Salisbury, Lieutenant of co. Herts. | |
| 1617, July 13. |
Ordering a general view of the forces of that
county this summer, with detailed instructions for the supply
of defects, and for assessments.—Whitehall, 13 July, 1617. Signed: G. Cant; Fr. Bacon; W. Wallingford; T. Suffocke; E. Worcester; Raphe Winwood; Jul. Caesar; E. Wotton; Fulke Grevyll; James Hay; C. Edmondes. 2 pp. (196. 67.) |
| Sir Anthony Shirley to Sir Thomas Shirley, his brother. | |
| 1617, September 16 [? N.S. 6/16]. |
I received three letters of
yours of divers dates in my passage through France for Germany.
In the first you misliked that I gave not my father advice of my
successes in Spain; and surely I am unfaulty in that point having
written it often and by divers ways. Then you write me to send my
father and yourself money, which questionless I would most freely
do if I had it, but you know that offices give present reputation but
no present money that must grow in time; and in time both my
father and you shall see that I have no other heirs but yourselves.
For the point of paying Captain Alessandro, it was the first hour's
work I did after I arrived at Naples; and had I been there with
you, I am sure you should have passed with a great deal of
honour, neither was it the Viceroy's intention you should have
gone in the sort you did. But as he is a great minister and his
intentions pass through double canals, some of them were stopped
by him whom you judge right of, hoping to have made himself a
fortune by playing the spy and the knave; but he shall repent
it more than by being out of my service, which he is already.
You write that if I have anything to do against the Turk I shall
have your company; doubt not but great occasion will be offered
and perhaps determined of. Assurances from me you can expect
none considering the place which I hold, yet I will give you advice
of anything which may happen in this part of Italy by Dudley,
who is at Naples. We have all an infinite desire to give satisfaction to his Majesty, for which since my coming to Naples
there is good order taken, which was only formerly neglected
because those who would have done well understood not how
to do well. I am marvellous glad you have received that honour
from his Majesty, for princes commonly which are far from seeing
merits and less from understanding them, contribute to the best
beggars but not the best deservers. If I should have come home,
which have nothing about me of any fashion to give his Majesty,
I did assure myself to have little regard and less help: and
therefore chose rather to work out my pilgrimage abroad than
to return where so many of my acquaintance should see me in
other case than I would. You have done me an infinite kindness
to show the Spanish Ambassador my pedigree, and a greater
you shall do to send it me to Naples by the first ship which
comes.—From Ferrara this 16th of September, 1617. Holograph. 1¼ pp. (129. 140.) |
| Frances Coke to her Mother [Lady Hatton]. | |
| [Before September 29, 1617]. |
Without your liking all the world
shall never make me entangle or tie myself; but now by my
father's special commandment I presented my humble duty to
you in a tedious letter, which is to know your Ladyship's pleasure,
not as a thing I desire, but I resolve to be wholly ruled by my
father and you, hoping your conscience and natural affection
will let you do nothing but for my good, I being a mere child,
not understanding the world nor what is good for myself; but
resolve to be disposed by you both and my uncle and aunt Burley,
who as a second father I have ever been bound to for their love
and care of me. That which makes me a little give way to it
is that I hope it will be a means to reconcile my father and you,
which I would rather prejudice myself than not accomplish it;
for what a discomfort it is to you both, what a dishonour, nay
what an ill example to your children, what occasion of talk to the
world; as I think it will be a means of the King's favour to my
father, and with all them that have been opposite against it,
which as they make me believe he is much offended with them,
which we have no reason the more to dislike. For himself, your
Ladyship is not to be misliked, his fortune very good, a gentleman
well born; (fn. 6) for honour it is not likely (being it is in his brother's
power, and he doing it for others), but he will do something for
his brother, whom they say he loves so well. Dear mother,
believe there has no violent means been used to me by words
nor deeds.—Undated. No address or endorsement. 1 p. (130. 116.) |
| Viscount Fenton to the Earl of Salisbury. | |
| 1617, October 26. |
Since my coming from Scotland Sir Henry
Rich (fn. 7) has told me that your Lordship is contented to transfer
upon him that promise I made you (by the late Lord Gerard)
that when I was resolved to part with my office of [Captain of]
the guard your Lordship should hear from me before any other.
The better to eschew any error of this kind, I have written these
lines that from yourself I may know your mind, then shall I be
the better able to discharge that wherein I am engaged and do
no wrong to your Lordship nor myself.—Royston, this 26 of
October, 1617. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (129. 141.) |
| John Tyler. | |
| 1617, November 2. |
Writ of prohibition to Robert Redmayne,
etc, on the complaint of John Tyler. It has long been a custom
of tithing within the parish of Soham, co. Cambridge, in respect
of certain parcels of marshland, for each owner or occupier thereof
to pay to the vicar of the parish church or his deputy by the year
tenpence in payment of all tithes due. Other customary payments for herbage and agistments are described. Notwithstanding, one Thomas Muriell, clerk, vicar of the said parish, has
impleaded the said John Tyler in court Christian for non-payment
of tithes. Stay of all proceedings.—Dated at Westminster,
2 November, in the fifteenth year of the King's reign. 1 m. Imperfect. (221. 13.) |
| John Baliston. | |
| 1617, November 20. |
James, etc. to William Byrde, Doctor of
law, official of the Court of Arches, London, or his surrogate,
or any other judge of that Court. Robert Redmayne, chief
official of the consistory court for the diocese of Norwich, has
shown us that he has, on the presentation of Charles Brathwaite,
keeper of the goods and ornaments belonging to the parish
church of St. Giles, Norwich, John Ansell and John Hubberd,
impleaded in court Christian John Baliston of St. Peter's of
Mancrofte for withholding twenty pounds which was given to
the parish (as they say) by Dr Gardiner of Norwich. Account of legal proceedings follows. Writ of prohibition dated at Westminster, 20 November, in the fifteenth year of the King's reign. 1 m. (221. 12.) |
| Sheriffs of Hertfordshire. | |
| [1617, November]. | "A note of all their names that have been sheriffs since the King's reign." A comparison with the List of Sheriffs shows these were the sheriffs of Hertfordshire for the years 1602 to 1616–17 inclusive. |
|
"A note of all their names that are most fittest men to be
sheriffs, and are in the Clerk of Assizes' note." Includes Edward
Briscoe, Esq, who was chosen sheriff of Hertfordshire 6 November, 1617. 2/3 p. (129. 147.) |
|
| Arthur Harris to the Council of War. | |
| [? c. 1617]. |
About four years since a survey was taken by the
Commissioners for the forts of the West parts, of the Mount
which was found a place of good consequence but defective in
supply and repair. He has laboured ever since to procure the
supply, and the time now growing more dangerous, is again a
suitor for munition or money to procure it.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 1988.) [See Cal. S. P. Dom., 1611–18, p. 438.] |
| South Mimms. | |
| [1617]. |
Note as to the purchase of the rectory of South
Mimms by the Earl of Salisbury, and as to other lands: circa
1617. 2 pp. (143. 148.) |
| Christopher Smeare. | |
| 1617. |
Writ of prohibition to [Robert Redmayne], on the
complaint of Christopher Smeare, of Hawleigh, co. Suffolk. It has
long been the custom there for every farmer to render to the vicar
of the parish church there or his deputy on Lammas Day nine
cheeses made from the milk of his cows, to wit three made in each
of the months of May, June and July, in each year, in lieu of all
tithes of the sort due. Other payments of a similar nature
follow. Notwithstanding, one John Stukley, vicar of the parish
church of Hawleigh, has sued the said Christopher in court Christian. Stay of proceedings.—Dated at Westminster, — in the
fifteenth year of the King's reign. Parchment. 1 m. Imperfect. (221. 10.) |
| The Earl of Salisbury to [the Duke of Buckingham]. | |
| [1617]. | Two drafts: |
| (1) "If I had not a greate deale of confidence in your Lordships noble dealing with me, I mought have just cause to suspect the event of this businesse, for, my Lord, I doe finde the Queene violently bent against me that she sayes that as long as she lives I shall never by her will have this place, adding withall how greate a care she will have to see whoe those shallbe that shallbe admitted in those places of trust about the King and Prince. I am sorry that I shoulde be so unfortunat as to be suspected by her, but my owne conscience tells me I never gave her any just cause to persecute me in this kind. Howsoever I protest I am a little troubled to have suche rubbs in this bussines, considering that I have his Mats allowance [and] your Lordships favour. And my purse payes more for it, than it is worth, and more then I protest to God I woulde have given for it, had it not beene but in regard my Lord Fenton shoulde not say that by one whome your Lordship commended to the place he shoulde be no looser." | |
|
(2) "Were I not as confident of your Lordships noble dealing
with me as any man can be of any thing in this worlde, I mought
have just cause to suspect the event of this bussiness, for I doe
heere how violently the Queene is bent against me, having given
her worde to my Lord G[errad] and my Lord H[ay] that as long
as she liveth she will never give her consent that I shall have this
place; besides she hath ernestly with my Lord Fenton to keepe
his place, and it is heare sayed that he will keepe it because he
sees he cannot part with it but that eyther R (fn. 8) or my selfe must be
unsatisfyed. What the conclusion willbe I know not, but sure
I am it doth not a little trouble me that I shoulde putt your
Lordship upon this bussiness that is so difficult, which if I had
knowne at the first I shoulde have resolved to have lived a poore
cuntry life as I have donne hetherto. But, my Lord, at the first
I coulde never have imagined that I shoulde have found this
opposition considering that his Maty was pleased to give his
allowance to my desire, and that I had your Lordships furtherance,
and my purse paying more for it then it can any way be worth, and
more then I woulde have given for it had it not beene out of that
desire I had to do his Maty service. But, my Lord, to returne
where I began, I am in your handes and am so asseured that your
Lordship woulde never have brought my name so farr upon the
stage but that you will bring me of to my advantage, which is as
much as I can expect and more then I can chalenge, considering
it hath never beene my happines to requite the least of those
favours I have received from your Lordship: but what I want in
power, my love and respect shall allwayes supply."—Undated. Holograph, with corrections by Salisbury. Unsigned. 1½ pp. (200. 160.) |
|
| Cranborne Chase. | |
| [? 1617]. |
Cole, a clerk in the Chancery and a privileged man
for suits, has set himself up in the public cause of Cranborne
Chase for the whole country, with special intent to produce
evidence that Chetterwood is a walk. "Therefore it is fit for
your Lordship to desire his Matie to take some present ruff course
with him and to lay him by the heeles, or to send him to the
Marshalsees."—Undated. In Keighley's hand. ½ p. (Box T/42.) |