Border Papers volume 1: June 1588

608. Huntyngdon to Walsingham. [June 6.]

The men are in in training here, but unless a supply of powder and match come here or to Hull, the "shott" cannot be trained. The merchants of this city and Hull, would adventure to the east country for powder, but I find Mr Dale hath a grant, and his licence is required. I have written to him to send a quantity to Hull with speed, to be paid for at her Majesty's price. I inclose a schedule of the gentlemen in this county fit to lead horsemen, which I forgot in my last. I have verbally appointed some of them, but delayed giving them their "bandes," seeing such good likelihood of peace towards Scotland, till the training of the foot is over. I appointed Sir William Mallorey to lead 100 horse—a very fit mau, being himself well furnished with horse and geldings. York. Signed: H. Huntyngdon.

Sir Simon Musgrave reports from Newcastle he hath no powder left.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in above:—

The names of the gentlemen to lead the horsemen in the county of York:—

Raphe Eure esquire; Sir William Mallorey knight; Sir Raphe Bourchier knight; Sir Henry Constable knight; Francis Vaughan esquire; Robert Lee esquire; Pierce Stanley esquire.

609. Bowes to Walsingham. [June 20.]

"That I myght conferre with my sonne befor his entre into his jorney to London, I have presumed to come to his house, purposing to leave all myn other causes in the countrey and to retorne to and abyde att Barwicke, untill I shall obtayne leave to come into the countrey for thexecution of sondry nedefull busynes, wherin myn owne presence is requysite. In which behalf I do humbly besech you, both to be meane for the spedy grantt of my leave for such tyme as shalbe thought mete, and also to understande hir Majestes disposition and gud pleasure for the leavyng of myn office, with hir Majestes favour and gud opynyone, and in tyme and maner convenyentt. Wherin this bearer my sonne Raffe Bowes is instructed by me, both humbly to pray your gud helpe and advice, and lykewyse to signyfie to you my desiere and mynde in the same—eftsones and right humbly beseching your honour to accept in gud parte my bold request and inportunacy, and to dispose of the cause, as you shall thiuke best to contynew me in hir Majesties grace and gud opynyone.

The successe of the Kynges doinges in the west, and other actions, with all other occurranttes in that realme, are so well advertyshed to you from the west, and other partes, and thaffayres of Scotlande do presently so staude upon the Kynges progresse in the gud curse wherin he hath now well embarked hym selfe, as I nede nott to trouble you therin, untill I shall understand the certayntye of matters newly advertyshed, and the further resolutions and procedynges of the northerne lordes, cairfull to preserve the lyfe of Maxwell, and redy to receave ayde or meaue to wynne to them self the corte. Whome nevertheles the Kyng may (and yt is lyke that he will) drawe to quyetues… Att Barnes in hast." Signed: Robert Bowes.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

610. Arms in the county and bishopric of Durham. [June 23.]

Total of the common armour, corslets (313), muskets (14), callevers (53), petronels (8), and horsmen's pieces (24), delivered in the four wards of the county palatine.

Note.—These muskets, petronels, and horsemen's pieces, are said to have been delivered to Sir William Bowes, into his keeping in Streatlam castle, and are wanting at this view—and he is dead, and it is like an old debt.

Total of private armour charged upon the inhabitants in the said wards. Corslets, 200; callevers, 226.

1 p. Broad sheet. Indorsed.

611. Huntyngdon to the Privy Council. [June 23.]

In reply to your lordships' letter of 19^th with her Majesty's pleasure that I should repair to Newcastle to make head against the enemy if he should bend his forces against Tynmouth or thereabouts, as it is suspected he may—I trust your wisdoms will consider how unable I should be to do her Majesty fit service, unfurnished as I am of men and munitions. Tynmouth, I doubt is defenceless, and there is little in the storehouse at Newcastle. Your lordships give me no direction how many men to take with me. Order must be taken for money, armour, munition, and victual there, ne forte Scotland should prove to be a worse neighbour than I hope it will, or see any cause to doubt,—but without these, no good service can be done.

The 6000 foot here will be ready to march on an hour's warning, and I am bold to say there are 2000 more in the county with corslets and calivers, of as good sort—but for horse I dare not promise more than the 400 levied—and of lancers, none to speak of. York. Signed: H. Huntyngdon.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet as before.

612. Huntyngdon to Walsingham. [June 23.]

I received a letter this morning from the Mayor and aldermen of Hull, with a copy of one from Lord Henry Seymoure to them, sending back the ships fitted out from their port, and appointing the crews to be ready on 4 days' notice with better ships for the Queen's service, meantime to be kept in meat, drink and wages by the town—which they say, and I think, they are unable to do.

I have just received your letter of the 19^th, that her Majesty marvels there is no certificate of the counties in my lieutenancy as ordered in April. I refer you to my letter of 16^th April, and will certify for this county and Leicestershire as near as I can, but for the northward counties I had no direction. As to my going to Newcastle, as the Council wish me, I trust to be excused, having no proper retinue for the purpose. I have reminded them of the want of powder and munition there, and trust they will see to the matter. York. Signed: H. Huntyngdon.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

613. Bowes to Walsingham. [June 26.]

"These two packettes inclosed sentt to M^r Arch. Dowglas (ambassadour in Inglande for the Kyng of Scottes) by his nephew Richard Dowglas… I have thought gud to addresh them to you, for thexpedytion and sayftye of the convoye… The Kyng being ready to retorne to Edenbro, is purposed to cary thither the Lorde Maxwell. And the Kynge hitherto semeth to be in mynde to yeld hym the punyshment that his offence deserveth in lawe. Butt yt is looked that the intercession of the Duke of Lenox syster, with others, intendyng to sew to the kyng for Maxwell, shall prevaile to wynne the Kynges compassion and mercye towardes Maxwell; and greatt sute and offers wilbe made to the presentt cortyers in this behalf, so as the kyng shalbe moved on every syde for hym. Yett I heare nott of any certayntye of the kynges resolution therin. Bycause thoccurranttes in that realme, fallyng whiles the Kyng contynueth on the west partes of Scotlande, wilbe advertyshed to you, with best surety and tyme, from the West Borders of Ingland, therfor I leave all the same to the reportes from thence… Att Fenham, the house of Sir William Rede." Signed: Robert Bowes.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.